I saw a relative recently after some months. She took a look at me and gasped "Val, you've lost so much weight! I remember you were quite round before you went on holiday!" I felt like boxing her in the face. The cheek of her! I was NEVER EVER 'round' in my entire life!

Geel jire, yes I don't imagine they will be losing millions like some local authorities, however it's hitting everyone hard as the basics have shot through the roof..food, fuel, energy, rent, you name it.

Haduu Allah idmo. Will need to dust off the old blog at some point. Thanks for the link.

Nomads and all.

^ It's a global downturn, so everywhere is being affected. Sheh, send the link my way. After the new year I'A - a working holiday and a chance to look around in more depth.

Good luck to those who are Dubai-bound. Spare a thought for those of us who are Australia-bound. Is anyone else sick of hearing of this banking crisis? Johnny, share the good fortune, dee. Buy us an ice-cream cone, at least.

^ Give it a rest. If you suffer from SAD, waxaad u baahantahay inaad laydh isku shido. Light therapy is proven to provide relief from some of those symptoms.

Ilaahay ha caafiyo your aunt, Aaliyah.

Serenity, waad edeb darantahay ee afka iga jeedi. Xiin, of course I'm interested in the outcome, mainly because I haven't completely given up on Tusbaxleh yet. I think his obsession with you is probably one of his more endearing traits.

Whatever they mean, there is no such thing as Somalian. It's Somali. Regardless.

^ Good luck, dear. I'm planning to go on a dirac/dahab sojourn in the UAE sometime in January, I'A. Xiin, Aw Tusbaxleh waa la sitaa no doubt, but I'm not interested in adding to his woes. I'm watching this battle from the sidelines.

Hello Xiin. Aw Tusbaxle agagaarkan mar horaa ugu dambeysay. Bari subax soo noqo, haduu Ilaahay idmo.

AT&T, I think your second last post is extremely offensive and unnecessary.

^ Salaama. And how are you today, Abtigiis? And how is Tolkuna? Khayr baan kuu rajeynayaa! Toodles and back to work!

Check that out, we've passed the 1000th page! Yoohooo. Here's another milestone, I'A: I may finally be able to clear my credit card balance in full!!!! Woohooo. Here's to being in the black again!!! Yaahaaa! And here's a couple more exclamation marks just for the hell of it!!

^ My guilt is somewhat assuaged by working through lunch these days. *Sigh*

Originally posted by ThePoint: Edit: Xiin - is there ever a case for the father staying at home or is it always the mother who must? *Gasp* You didn't just ask that out loud? Dude, there Somali males within hearing distance. Don't give them a heart attack.

Titillating. Mohamed is the perfect example of how to spread AIDS. I think Xiin ought to keep away from this thread - not only are there knickers galore but also condoms! Ceebay tacaal.

^ Iga daa, waad ii qarineysaaye. Originally posted by NGONGE: Val, You say he's on the guy's side and yet you also say the guy is aloof! I wonder WHO gave yout that idea Well, I thought the story was unbalanced because the narrative tried to explain why Ayaanle did some of the things that made Ugbaad so paranoid, but it didn't look further into the psychological impact this has on Ugbaad, presenting her as just obsessive and overly-emotional. To me, what came across in the story was that, for whatever reason, Ayaanle was not willing to allay his wife's fears properly or permanently. In fact some of his 'assurances' (like the part where they are arguing in front of their respective families) seemed designed to make Ugbaad look and feel even more irrational. Now, a man who is not capable of making his wife feel cherished or secure has failed in his duty as a husband. He doesn't deserve the beautiful, loyal and loving Ugbaad. Don't you agree?

LoL@ Zack.

Not surprising - there was never much love lost between us and our neighbours.

Why is Ugbaad the one with the problem? The man is clearly driving her nuts with his stoic aloofness. AT&T, you present your sympathy for Ayaanle openly in the story.

^ Who doesn't? I would like to be a permanent holiday-maker. If I could be so lucky.

Originally posted by Cara: Any woman who claims to want to stay at home to take care of children really just enjoys the experience of finally being smarter than everyone around her. Ha ha. Good one! Variations of this topic come up every so often. And it's always the same paradigms, ala stay-at-home-mum = good Muslim children/working-mother = bad children. Personally, I think both domesticity and working are overrated. I would rather travel than do either.

^ What are implying? That it was the cake wot done it? No!!! Aussies are pretty nice, I think.