Tasmiya

“There are significant human rights problems in Tibet.”

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“celebrate and commend the achievements of the state of Israel in the 60 years since its inception;”

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“We recognise the need for all parties to avoid violence and find a solution through dialogue.”

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“commend the state of Israel’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law and pluralism;”

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As a long-standing friend of China, I intend to have a straightforward discussion with China’s leaders on this.”

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“on this, the 60th anniversary of independence of the state of Israel, pledge our friendship, commitment and enduring support to the people of Israel as we celebrate this important occasion together.”

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I’ve never been much of name dropper and sadly it’s because I’ve never had any names to drop.

UNTIL NOW.

Guess who came to dinner? He has his own WIKI for goodness sake! It was a wonderful evening mashaAllah, he came bearing a stack of gifts from his beautiful wife, and the kids just adored him.

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BEFORE

Farhad: Do you think I can call him Wal or Wally?

Tasmiya: You are NOT calling him “Wal” or “Wally” or anything else. He’s WRITTEN A BOOK! People called “Wally” play rugby league (not union) and they DON’T WRITE BOOKS.

Farhad: What about QWALID like Talib KWELI? (obscene language warning)

Tasmiya: No!

Farhad: Awwww!

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Tasmiya: I dare you to stand near the arrival gate with a sign when you pick him up from the airport.

Farhad: You’re on.

The sign?:

“SUSAN’S HUSBAND”

Farhad actually did it, much to the amusement of Waleed and many other passengers disembarking.

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DURING

Tasmiya: Let Uncle Waleed show you what…is it ok if they call you “Uncle?”

Waleed: Sure, I don’t mind what they call me.

Tasmiya (thinking): Oh dear God, please don’t let Farhad call him “Wal.”

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AFTER

4 year old: Hey, remember when Uncle Woolley came and he drew the Batman sign?

Tasmiya: Yes, I do remember. It was really nice, wasn’t it? You know his name is Waleed.

4 year old: Uncle WILLY? His name is WILLY? HIS NAME IS WILLY??!!

Tasmiya: No, WaleeeeeD.

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You’re pretty alright, Susan’s Husband.

Honestly, would you just say it already? “I’m sorry” is going the same way as “another shrimp on the barbie” or “flamin’ galah” - words never uttered by real Australians.

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Hey, did you hear about Frank?

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Nah, mate what happened?

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Some bloke barged into his house and ransacked the whole place; stole his TV, his video camera and his car!

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How do you know that? Were you even there?! Who is teaching you all this bullsh*t?!

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Not very Christian of you, Tony.

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F**K OFF!

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Would you two just knock it off?

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Actually, no - carry on. It makes me look good.Where’s Brendan?

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Who? Ohh..yeah Brendan..here he comes, with Frank.

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Frank, mate. Ummm. Yeah…So..How are ….Umm. On behalf of all of us, sorry about what happened to you. Having all your crap stolen. That’s awful.

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Yeah, really sorry.

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Yeah, thanks for that, Kev. They stole everything I owned, man.

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Frank, I really take offense to you saying that they STOLE stuff from you. I mean, they might have actually been trying to HELP you. Did you ever think of that??

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Umm..no I didn’t actually th…

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Well, I’m not sorry. I didn’t do anything to ya. IT WASN’T MY FAULT. I’M NOT FRIGGIN’ SORRY, OK? He’s not f**king saying sorry on my behalf! I’m not sorry.

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I’ve only just arrived so I’m not clued up on the whole thing…So what words did you actually use there, Kev? Look, Frank, I’m not sure if I’m saying sorry along with Kev. It really depends on the WORDING..You know what I mean? I’m not sure…. I’m not very sure of anything actually.

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Yeah ok, whatevs. Does anyone have a few bucks they can spare for the bus fare? Or can I get a ride with someone? I have to get to work and I have no transport.

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I said sorry, Frank. I didn’t say I was going to HELP you or give you any money. Geeze.

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Yeah…so..”sorry but no help?” Is that what we’re saying?

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Hello?

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Anyone?

I am touched and yet at the same annoyed with people who are so scared of hurting my feelings or of being labelled politically incorrect if they were to describe me as “the lady with the scarf.” It’s happened so often at work when a nurse will ask a client which vet he/she would prefer to see or which vet did you see last and the poor dears will skirt around the scarf like it doesn’t exist when really it is the most OBVIOUS thing about me.

It’s OK with me to describe me as the dark/olive skinned/scarf lady/gorgeous/Muslim/beautiful one. Because I am.

A colleague is Indian and we’ve had a bit of whinge about it. He usually gets called “the large vet.” He isn’t the vet who immediately comes to mind when someone uses that word. He isn’t extraordinarily tall. He isn’t even fat! “JUST CALL ME THE BROWN MAN!” he laments.

We don’t mind.

Really. Go on - it will save everyone a lot of unnecessary time guessing and we aren’t offended. We’ve been called a whole lot worse, you know.

Here in Australia we are very fortunate as citizens and permanent residents to garner financial assistance for child rearing. Among the payments is one for immunisation. If your child’s vaccination status is current (and I think there is a nationwide or statewide standard), you are entitled to about $200.

There are certain exemptions though (emphasis mine):

a recognised immunisation provider (e.g. your doctor) signs a letter or form saying that:

• they have told you about the benefits and risks of immunising your child and you have a conscientious objection to immunising your child (your provider should complete a Health Insurance Commission Immu-12 form),
• immunising your child with a particular vaccine is medically contraindicated (your provider should use the Health Insurance Commission Immu-11 form),
• the child has a natural immunity to the disease, or
• the vaccine is not available,
• you or your partner are a member of the Church of Christ, Scientist and you have a letter from an official of the Church advising that you are a practising member of the Church.

I understand that some people do not believe in immunisations- that the reasons vary from “not necessary to vaccinate” to “how can you put that unnatural substance in your child’s body, I believe in natural immunity” and also “immunisations are a lie from the drug companies to get more money, you are all being brainwashed!” Now that’s their choice and I don’t want to get into a pro/antivaccination thingamy here because it just gets ugly.

I find it strange though that parents and carers are allowed to apply for the immunisation allowance when they aren’t going to immunise their child. It comes across a bit hypocritical. What do you think?

I intend not to discuss politics again for a very long time but all of my international readers and those Australians who aren’t so keen on politics, please forgive me this one last post.

Random thoughts, quotes and text messages to and from susan on Saturday:

1. Please Liberal man, don’t come and hand me a “how to vote” card.

2. Are you watching the tally and peeing your pants?

3. “…and who the heck is the “what women want” party?”

4. Where are the corn chips? I need some chocolate STAT!

5. “If the Liberals win again I will cry.”

6. “Me too, mum.”

7. Woot!

8. I want to see tears dammit!

9. Bennelong! Maxxxxiiiinneee!

10. “Once the Liberal lose, it will start raining again and crops, farmers and the whole country will prosper.” (Husband’s prediction has indeed proven true as it’s a wonderful rain filled day today.)

11. “I wonder what Andrew Bolt is thinking right now.”

12. “You know we can’t rub this in any one’s face.”

“Yeah, you’re right. We don’t want anyone to feel bad or anything.”

“SUFFER IN YOUR JOCKS!”

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Ahh, it’s a wonderful day today, isn’t it?

*Groan, yeah I know- pretty corny

From this article: 

close to 70 per cent of young people ………said they felt aligned to the party of their parents.

Husband has warned me countless times not to thrust my political views onto my innocent children but sometimes I just can’t help myself. I had no idea how much attention they pay my spontaneous mutterings until today:

4 year old (listening to radio in car): Who is this man who keeps talking all the time?

Me: It’s Kevin Rudd.

4 year old: Why is he talking?

Me: Because he wants to be the Prime Minister. You know how John Howard is our Prime Minister? Well Kevin Rudd wants to be Prime Minister.

4 year old: Oh no!

Me: Well, it wouldn’t be that bad a thing to have a different Prime Minister.

4 year old: Because John Howard lies?

Me: Well…yes, John Howard sometimes doesn’t say the whole truth but so do other…

4 year old: and he doesn’t care about the people?

Me (secretly beaming with pride): Um…. Let’s just change the radio station, shall we?

Sorry husband, we have another potential Greenie in the family.

Actually no - not very sorry at all.

I don’t think I’ve been this emotional over a federal election.

For a long time a brother has been leaving little Liberal Party pamphlets/paraphernalia around our local masjid which has bugged me but of course I never said anything. Now, the masjid has decided to put placards of Gary Hardgrave’s (member for the Liberal Party) ugly mug outside the building!

Now, anyone who reads my blog knows that I don’t much like our Prime Minister, John Howard and I cannot understand the appeal of the Liberal Party except for those who are already rich but still money hungry, racists and selfish people. Which apparently is MOST OF THE AUSTRALIAN POPULATION OH MY GOD END THIS MISERY SOON.

So of course I’ve been angry (to the point of nearly vomiting) over the masjid board’s decision to advertise the wan man. I thought would I be so annoyed if there were placards of the local Greens member or the local Democrat member? And yes I say I would be. It’s a place of worship for goodness sake and I don’t want politics anywhere near it.

Besides, Muslims are not an amorphous Liberal voting bunch no matter how much support* this particular Liberal may be showing us at this very moment. So whoever made the decision on behalf of the worshipers at my masjid can kindly take the placard down and put it in front of his house, not the house of God.

I don’t think I can help myself. I feel an angry letter coming and doctor, I canna stand the strain!

* And by “support” I actually mean eating all our steak burgers, Portuguese chicken and chips