Debbie Does Dallas - Gilani Does Washington

I don't know whether to laugh or cry - I guess with a population of 160M folks, this is the best Pakistan can do:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C08%5C03%5Cstory_3-8-2008_pg3_3

Recent Activities

Just received a signed copy of John McCain's book "Faith of my Fathers." It's a great read and I recommend that every American, independent, republican, and democrat should read it much like every American should read Barack's book "The Audacity of Hope" that I very much enjoyed. Casting a vote is a civic responsibility of every American and learning about a Presidential Candidate is essential before casting a vote.

Over the course of the primary season, I have come to despise the divisiveness, sensationalism, and utter disregard for the consequences of the fast and loose statements by the "talking heads" on channels like Fox News, CNN, ABC and MSNBC. Thanks to the internet, Americans have now become more independent minded and not as subjected to the hypnotic effects of the mainstream media. Eventually, the media moguls will lack any significant power over moving the masses by spinning and slanting the news to meet their own agendas.

Next week, I am off to London with Mikaeel. This will be my first trip with him without the whole kid and kaboodle. It is a sign that Zehra has faith in my abilities to independently manage Mikaeel or in Mikaeel's ability to independently manage himself. Regardless, it should be fun. On the Agenda:

1) London Eye
2) Madame Tussaudes
3) London Dungeon
4) Hamley's and Harrods
5) Westminister Abbey
6) Buckingham Palace
7) Tower of London

Not sure how we're going to squeeze all this in 4 days - but we'll try. The Museums will have to wait.

Mikaeel's January 2008 Piano Recital

Here's Mikaeel's January 2008 Piano Recital held at Steinway & Sons, Boston, Massachusetts. Mikaeel played the following 3 pieces:

1) A Short Story, H. Lichner
2) Minuet K.2, W.A. Mozart
3) Harmony Angelic, F. Burgmuller

Lilly Salina Yunus - 2 months old

Lilly Salina Yunus knows how to please a crowd:

Mikaeel first lesson in Political Science: Get Inspired.

On Jan 9, 2008, I took Mikaeel, 9, on his first lesson in Civics - listen to Barack Obama and Patrick Deval speak. Mika took the day off from school, the only time that I would ever permit him to do so.

The speech by Obama was exquisite - he feels right for our times. It is Obama's inspiration that I want Mikaeel to feel and carry with him. Hopefully, Mikaeel will serve his country - The United States of America - well and will become a strong ambassador of the greatness that the people of this country embody.

Deval Patrick was gracious and humorous in talking to Mikaeel. He gave Mika a one-in-a-lifetime, get out of school pass given the historical nature of this election. Obama was gracious enough to autograph his book: The Audacity of Hope.

Barack Obama - Our best hope for getting back on track

This evening, Barack visited Boston and I got a chance to listen to him up close. The man is genuine, pleasant, stately, smart and driven by a strong sense of purpose to change the way things are in America and bring it back to its respected and revered status in the world. I wish him the best of luck in the primaries.



The event for Barack was organized at Fenway park. Here's a picture of the Red Sox world cup winning trophy

Mikaeel gets his Green Belt

A trip down memory lane with the Yunus Clan

Here are some pictures that I dug out from my backup storage.

Mikaeel at 9 months chilling out in Hawaii.
Who's that stranger holding my son - oh wait that's Zehra.

Zehra on a 4 legged animal - I think it's a horse. We were on a day-long horseback hike in Hawaii and Zehra's horse decided he wanted to just hang out. She was always at last one in the pack which gave me a good opportunity to get this picture of here and her horsy.Mika at 1 hanging out with Daddy. This is where Michael Jackson got his idea.

The two Yunus Studs chilling at Boston Commons.

Mika on his 1st Birthday with his Grandma. Now his second sister carries his Grandma's name Salina as her middle name. (Summer 1999).

Mika at 4, Emaan at 9 months (Summer 2002).
Emaan smiling for Dad (Summer 2002)
Mika at 4 (Summer 2002)

Baba under the tree shade (2002)
Mika's 5th birthday (Summer 2003).

Mika, Minah and Emaan
Winter 2004: Baba, Tony Chacha and Juni Chacha.
Winter 2004. The last time I saw Ilyas Mamu and Mumani Jan. May God bless them.
Winter 2004. Morji with her younglings.

Resurrection - Amsterdam Style

Here's a classic video from a trip to Amsterdam in late 2001. It is about this time of the year that "the boys" would be planning a trip to "Amstergame" - as we fondly called one of our favorite cities. Now, Prague has taken over from Amsterdam.

Lilly Salina Yunus gives Dad the Victory Sign

Lilly Salina Yunus, born at 1:28 pm, November 8, 2007 on the 14th Floor of Mass General Hospital, Boston. She knows how to please a crowd. Very quickly she gave Dad a solid vote of confidence and showed him a Victory Sign. I know it means something else in the UK, but in the US it is the victory sign. Regardless, she has attitude.

Mikaeel decided to wear his "fancy" clothes to school today since he wanted to advertise and celebrate the arrival of Baby Lilly. Emaan was excited to see Lilly's pictures and tomorrow she will get to meet her baby sister for the first time.

More pictures to come ...