There I Said It: Ugly Betty

Feelin Groovy

I'm really pumped cuz I kicked ass on my Physiology exam. I'm so excited and happy about this. Plus my sister is visiting me here in DC tomorrow. She'll be staying with me for a week and then we'll head back home to Texas together. Things are looking awesome.

I finished watching Sleeper Cell season 2. This show is great cuz it shows Muslims of all races, ethnicities, sexes, and even (gasp!) sexual orientation. I find it funny that the 2 Iraqi Sunni characters are played by Shi'a Iranians...talk about your opposites. And what makes it funnier was that one of them was mistaken for an Iranian on the show itself. The show points out a lot of different issues and personal struggles that American Muslims have to deal with. One of my favorite lines is when Darwin, the undercover FBI agent pictured here, has a terrorist at gunpoint --

Terrorist: What kind of a true Muslim works for America?
Darwin: I don't work for America. I am an American.

I was like, hell yeah! Darwin is a great metaphor for American Muslims who have to live in the shadow of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism. He illustrates the constant struggle between the confidence that they are wrong, the scary feeling that you can identify with them on some level, and the guilt of that identification. He knows that the only way to stop the fanatics who have hijacked his religion is to become one of them and play their game - even if it ultimately means going on his own suicide mission.

Oscars 2007

Hooray for Hollywood! Last night's Oscars was wonderful and upbeat and full of highlights:

• West Bank Story won for best live action short. Now, I hadn't heard of this movie before, but the acceptance speech was so great that I looked it up. I love that it is based on my favorite movie, West Side Story, but also incorporates peace in the Middle East.

• Will Ferrell, Jack Black, and John C. Reilly put on a hilarious musical number that pointed out the sad truth that the Academy ignores comedians when choosing Oscar nominees. I didn't really like the conclusion that the actors should take on serious roles, but I guess you can't be a guest in someone's house and then spit on them.

• I was very surprised by a couple winners. First, I thought Eddie Murphy would win Best Supporting Actor because this was really his one chance. As mentioned above, the Academy snubs comedians so this was a great time to give it to Eddie. Of course, Alan Arkin is a comedian and played a comedic role in Little Miss Sunshine, so...yeah.
• Another winner that surprised me was Marie Antoinette for Best Costume Design. See, in the preshow, they interviewed the Devil Wears Prada costume designer with Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway. Then they had Emily and Anne present the award and make all these jokes about how they know fashion the best b/c of the movie, and then they had to give the award to Marie Antoinette! Talk about a letdown. Although, I thought the acceptance speech was very nice.

• Another huge upset was when Melissa Etheridge won for Best Original Song for An Inconvenient Truth. Right before the award was announced the cast of Dreamgirls performed 3 songs they were nominated for and it was huge and Broadway-tastic. Ellen even said, "I would hate to have to follow that." And then Melissa won. Yes, this Oscars had a lot of the rug being pulled out from under people.
• The one category where I wanted this to happen was in Best Picture. I was rooting for Little Miss Sunshine, but instead it went to The Departed. It's interesting because a couple years ago I wanted The Aviator to sweep the Oscars - Leo as best actor, Scorsese as best director, and The Aviator as best picture. But instead, that honor went to The Departed to give Scorsese his long-deserved Oscar.
• Ellen was an amazing host, and kept the banter light and apolitical, which was very different form Jon Stewart last year. She would randomly run into the audience with gags, like this one:

So it was a night of upsets and highlights, and as always, a memorable night where dreams came true for many people.

I'm Back and Matching!

Hey y'all, I apologize that it's been a long time since my last post - a semester in fact. I've been living in DC and growing up a lot. Maybe I'll tell you more about it, but I'm not ready now. I am ready to give you good news. Yesterday was the Texas Match and I matched to University of North Texas! Yes, I have been accepted to medical school, and I can now live up to my name! All the pain from last year seems like a dream compared to how I feel now. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and darkness does not have to consume us forever. With faith, persistence, and my family's love and support I was able to keep going and achieve my goal. I wish all of you the best of luck in making your dreams come true!

My First Apartment

I just signed the lease on my very first apartment! I feel like such an adult now. It's gonna be so cool having my own place for the first time. It's near my school too, so bye-bye excessively long commute! It's so thrilling. I'm already planning what my days are gonna be like: going to school and coming back to my apartment to study. It's gonna be a challenging academic year, but I think the excitement of living in a new city is gonna make up for it.

Chad Vader - Day Shift Manager (episode 1)

This video is so funny! Check it out.

World Cup Final

As requested, here are my thoughts on the World Cup Final 2006:

• ABC did not play Shakira's performance before the game. Instead they were too busy playing their commercials. Do they not realize that the WC final is a celebration? Luckily, I flipped to the Spanish channel just in time to catch it and tape it. I still have the song in my head...and you know my hips don't lie.
  
• The game was action-packed from the beginning, with a PK in the 6th minute. A sign of things to come...
• The Italian goal was awesome, and made me think that they were a better team...at first.
• The game was going fine until Italy made a second penalty in France's box, but the ref didn't call it! The announcers said that it was even more of a penalty than the first one, but it was still not called. Interesting, considering that Italy has clubs on trial for putting refs in their pocket. If the penalty was called, Zidane would have scored another PK goal and France would have won the final 2-1.
• In double overtime, Zidane's shirt is pulled by Materazzi, the 2 exchange words, and Zidane turns around to head-butt Materazzi in the chest! This wasn't seen by the ref, and while one of his 3 linemen did see it, he did not say so until after it was broadcast on the big screen. It is against FIFA rules to give a red card based on a broadcast. Whether or not any of the linemen actually saw the head-butt (he he), Zidane was given the red card and ended his 18 yr long career. Why did he do it? What could he have gained? Was it worth it? Should he have been given the red card, assuming the linemen did not actually see it? If he had not been given the red card, Zidane would have stayed for the PK shoot out. He would have made the goal that Trezeguet missed, and France would have won the final.
  
• If France had been granted the PK I talked about in the 2 bullets ago, Zidane would have been remembered forever as the hero who scored 2 goals in the WC final to give France its 2nd victory. But instead, his legacy is tarnished, and he did not even leave the locker room to get his silver medal. I believe France should have won the WC, but a series of bizarre events in the final game prevented that.

Cristiano Ronaldo

I just want to take a moment to honor the greatness that is Cristiano Ronaldo. I know he helped Portugal beat Iran in the World Cup, but ever since then I've grown to love the spirit of Portugal's team...and Ronaldo. So please, indulge in the beauty that is Cristiano Ronaldo.



Oh, and he can play soccer, too:



Good luck against Germany, Portugal. You can do it!

Kabob vs. Oranges

VS









If you're confused by the title, Portugal is also the Persian word for oranges. Iran lost to Portugal today 2-0. The score was 0-0 at halftime, and once again the Iranians slacked off in the second half. There were two times the Iranians could have made a goal but fumbled (yes, I know that belongs to another kind of football): 1) An Iranian kicked the ball to make a goal but it hit the side of the net and didn't go in, and 2) An Iranian had a clean shot to kick a goal, but dribbled an extra couple of steps and kicked at a weird angle, missing it. What really got me was when this one Iranian stuck his foot in front of Figo in the penalty box, causing a penalty kick. Poor Mirzapour didn't have a chance against Ronaldo. The penalty kick is basically a free goal to the other team, esp. when Ronaldo faked right and kicked left, throwing off Mirzapour. But the greatest moment in the whole game was when Figo got kicked in the face by an Iranian player! It left the mark on the left. It was hilarious! The guy didn't even get a yellow card! So, Iran is eliminated from the World Cup, but still have one more game against Angola to give poor little Angola a chance for second. How sad!


Here are some quotes from today's game:

Ferydoon ZANDI (IRN) We weren't smart enough at the decisive moments. Some of our most important and influential players were never 100 per cent fit. And to be frank, the opening defeat put a damper on the dressing room, so there was no wave of euphoria for us to ride. (OK, I'm almost 90% certain the guy never said this sentence.) We weren't affected by the stories about the coach (Branko Ivankovic) over recent days, because that's what you get in Iran after every defeat. Obviously it's a matter of honour and pride for us now. We'll give it our best shot in our last game and bid the tournament a worthy farewell. We'd like to finish third in the group, but we're well aware Angola will provide tough opposition.

Mehdi MAHDAVIKIA (IRN) We're devastated at being knocked out, because we'd set our sights on making the last 16. We played well in the first half against Mexico, and we did the same again today. We have a good crop of youngsters and there's a very good team for the future coming together here.

Vahid HASHEMIAN (IRN) We looked very good indeed for the first ten minutes, but it was never going to be enough to win. Portugal were definitely the better team and they were physically strong too. It's over for us and we have to live with the defeat. We only matched them for 45 minutes. We kept it tight in the first half, but we looked very tired after half-time. Some of our best players are injured and couldn't make their normal contribution. Obviously we missed them. We have plenty of talented players in Iran, some of whom could play in Europe. Our coaches are always criticised at home when we lose.

What High School Clique Do You Belong To?

You scored as Geek/Nerd. Haha! ok. go computer geeks! Geek/Nerd 53% Emo Kid 47% Hot 40% Loner 40% Prep 33% "Ghetto" 13% Punk 13% Jock 7% Stoner 7% Goth 0% What Highschool Clique Do You Belong To? created with QuizFarm.com

Kabob vs. Tacos

vs.
Mexico beat Iran in their first World Cup game today 3-1. It was a great game in the first half, but then Iran kept making mistakes in the second and let two goals slip by a minute apart. Iran's gotta beat Portugal and Angola to go on to the big 16. Here are some quotes from the players after today's game:

Ali DAEI (IRN) Mexico were not a superior team. We were equal to them. The most disappointing thing was that we made two mistakes that led to goals. On the other hand, Mexico made two good substitutions in the second half which made them stronger going forward. The game against Portugal is vital. We have to play better than today and we need to win.

Vahid HASHEMIAN (IRN) We played two different games today. The first half was very good but we played too defensively in the second, mainly due to the fact that Ali Karimi went off injured. But if Angola win or draw against Portugal, it will be still wide open. Anything is possible in football.

Ferydoon ZANDI (IRN) It was a superb atmosphere in Nuremberg. You have to enjoy playing in front of a crowd like that. To make three mistakes for one goal is extremely annoying. We have to play better as a whole and play further up the field. Our biggest error was that we sat too deep in defence.

The Bachelorette

I graduated today! I am now the proud owner of a Bachelor of Arts with Deparmental Distinction in English and Honors in the Liberal Arts from SMU. This is so awesome! It has been such a long journey these past four years, full of ups and downs, but I am proud to say that I made it through, and I did with the support of my family and friends. Congratulations, Class of 2006!!

DC Rocks!

'Nuff said. Oh, and they have a great chelokababi.

BU/Columbia

I got into Boston University and Columbia! While its very exciting to be accepted, I really think I'm going to go with Georgetown unless I get into Tulane - at which point I will be stuck with a tough decision. I wish I knew someone going to these schools so I could ask them about it or room with them, but alas everyone I know is TX-bound. I got the official Georgetown acceptance in the mail today and my deposit is due this month! I can't believe I'm gonna go to such a top school. It's so exciting!

What Your Face Says

What Your Face Says

At first glance, people see you as down to earth and reliable. Overall, your true self is passionate and physical. With friends, you seem logical, detached, and a bit manipulative. In love, you seem mysterious and interesting. In stressful situations, you seem cheerful and optimistic.

What Do People Think Of Your Face?

Georgetown

I got into Georgetown today!! This is like an Ivy League school! These acceptances just keep on rolling in, and it is a welcome relief. Everyone says that Georgetown's program is the best, but I don't want to just fall for the name. I have to make an informed decision. But still, it's Georgetown, and how cool is that! The even cooler thing is that I was complete yesterday and got accepted today...a 24 hr turnaround!

Christiane Amanpour

I met Christiane Amanpour today! She's at my university for a lecture and held a student forum before the lecture. I got in line to ask her question, but I was too late. Then I met her right after, and I spoke Farsi with her and I got her autograph and we talked and it was soooo coool!!!! I can't believe I met the most powerful and succesful Persian woman in the world! This is so empowering. She has been such a role model for me over the years. She's amazing, and I met her. I can't get over it.

EVMS

I got into the MS in Biomedical Sciences Medical Masters program at Eastern Virginia Medical School! OK, now I am in a position to the choose (yay, power!), but I'm also worrying that I'll pick the wrong one. This program lets me take med school classes, and I won't have to retake the ones I make an A in when I go to med school. The school is in Norfolk, VA, near Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. Thanksgiving must be big there.

Chicago Hope

I got into the Biology MA in Medical Sciences program at Loyola University Chicago! I'm gonna be a master! Here's a pic of the Lake Shore Campus where the classes are held.

Musings

I can't believe I've seen so many bands and gone to these fun concerts lately! Music encounters over the past few weeks have included:

FALL OUT BOY - Signing at Wal-Mart Grand Opening

THE CRIBS - 3/31 at Nokia Live!


FRANZ FERDINAND - 3/31 at Nokia Live!


DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - 3/31 at Nokia Live!


PUSSYCAT DOLLS - 4/7 at Smirnoff Music Centre


BLACK EYED PEAS - 4/7 at Smirnoff Music Centre