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Maha2bay, Palo Alto, CA (2026)

06/27/2022

Twinning with my love, right before he turned 11 last month 💛

And probably should thank my lucky stars that this guy agreed to take a car selfie with his mom! A rare event 😂

05/30/2022

First time in a long time I’m actually posting about a travel spot while currently being here. This place deserves that kind of love 😌

Also first time ever in British Columbia, road tripping with the best company (Bro-in-law, sis-in-law, nephew baby & my usual duo) & taking in every bit of it’s beauty 😍🤩
Mash’Allah!

02/08/2022

Hopped on to the ‘5 facts about me trend’ yesterday on my stories (thanks to my wonderful friend for tagging me)

Usually, I keep hoping that no one tags me in these things because my mind goes blank lol. I love reading about the ones I care about, but when it comes to me - Self evaluating doesn’t come easy to me. I go into this existential crisis mode, ”Who am I dammit?” 😂

But I was glad she did tag me. As soon as I started writing it down, one fact after the other just kept flowing.

Anyway, the most messages I got was about me growing up with only one working eye. And no surprises, messages were mostly from my childhood friends or school friends. Must say I was super relieved it wasn’t noticeable. I could’ve sworn it was. But then again, I was very invisible during my school days (which the husband never ever believes 🤷🏻‍♀️)

It wasn’t a genetic condition. My mom had a very difficult childbirth experience & during the process something happened to my left eye. Atleast that’s what the doctors told my parents.

As I mentioned yesterday, I never let it define who I am. Yes, my depth perception was always wayyy off! Lol. But the beauty of being born with it is I didn’t know any better. I felt this is normal. I still do. Which is why I never mentioned it myself to even my closest ones. If anyone knew, it was because of my parents.

The only person I mentioned to was my husband when we were in the talking stage before our marriage. Needless to say, the man could care less ☺️

I do have some issues now that I’m getting older but again, hopefully not going to let it control my life. (Insha’Allah) Some of my friends have also made “one eye-d” jokes when I did start opening up about it🤣 I actually find them funny! I mean you gotta have fun with what you have.

Atleast Allah Blessed me with one working eye. I’ll forever be grateful for that. So many people have it so much worse. Pray that they find peace & happiness in the Hereafter Insha’Allah.

Hope you all know that when I mention things like this, it’s never asking for sympathy. Of course the love is appreciated. But that’s all I need. Little bit of love & just a teeny tiny bit of understanding 💗

01/24/2022

This was 15 years ago today -
A month after I turned 23.
My Gaye Holud/ Haldi/ Body Turmeric (?) day.. & the night before my wedding.

When was the last time you saw a desi “shy bride” on her gaye holud? Let me make it easier for you to answer - must be mine 😂
And I’m so glad that changed in our wedding culture drastically. Brides get to truly be who they are on their special day.

I am definitely pretending to be all coy in this picture & throughout the event.. because I was asked by certain people to do so (no ill feelings, it’s just how they remember things during their times. I’m sure now they know better as well) Just because culture is changing for the better, that doesn’t give us the right to disrespect our elders right away..specially when all they’re doing is looking out for us.

My friends kept teasing me the entire night though. And asked, “Why aren’t you being your usual talkative & bubbly self today? When are you showing your true colors? We can’t handle a quiet Maha” 😅

And when my brother’s friends came by, they were really REALLY concerned!!! “Maha Apu, are you not happy? Can we do something to cheer you up?” LOL.. poor guys. I didn’t mean to scare them.

Despite quietly being a spectator at my own Gaye Holud while everyone else danced & sang through the night, this was actually one of my most favourite days. For so so many reasons 💛 I was surrounded by the people I love so much.

{My Boro Chachu flew in that day 😔}

P.S - This was exclusively just MY event. Funny story, mine was a typical pre 90s Arranged marriage & I haven’t met my husband yet (15 years ago). Thank God for technology though - lots of emails & MSN chat logs.

01/10/2022

After two years of carefully avoiding this bullet, Omicron hit one of us.. 😣

I understand that Covid restrictions are frustrating for many. From our side we tried to adhere to guidelines as much as possible. We had a very nice, successful road trip to Southern California where we avoided crowds as much as possible while enjoying the sights & sounds.

After getting back we had a chance to meet up with some family at our place, we haven’t seen them in 2 & a half years. In the excitement we didn’t take the same precautions we normally do. And unfortunately later discovered that we were exposed to Covid.

Initially we didn’t show much in the way of symptoms & followed the guidelines to get tested on the 4th/5th day. Unfortunately prior to the tests Dean started showing early symptoms of sneezing, coughing & sore throat. Once we saw those symptoms, my husband & I assumed we are all going to test positive.

While we waited for our results we took care of Dean & comforted him as much as possible. We finally got the results two days later & much to my surprise - the husband & I tested negative, while Dean tested positive.

Because Dean was fully vaccinated few weeks earlier, thankfully 🙏 his symptoms remained mild. The only reason I can think of why me & my husband would’ve tested negative after
1) having being exposed to the virus for prolonged time &
2) taking care of our son as he showed all his symptoms is that we both received our booster shots a couple weeks earlier.

For an abundance of caution, we decided proactively to isolate. Even though the guidelines we were seeing were unclear 🙄

Thankfully Dean, & our family that we met up with are all on the path to recover.

I have always been vocal about Covid, staying safe during all my limited travels, importance of wearing masks & lastly the importance of vaccines. So of course I had to share this as well, in case it helps someone.. anyone.

Stay safe people ❤️ And please get your booster shots, if it’s available in your area.

#ɢᴇᴛᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴀᴛᴇᴅ

12/30/2021

Back to home sweet home after an adventurous 10-day road trip..

Filled with the most unreal views but also just a relaxing trip away from the chaos of daily life. And being away from social media for a few days was just so refreshing! I can’t explain.

Sometimes intentional, sometimes it just happened unintentionally.. but it felt great, Alhamdullilah. I love keeping in touch with friends & family through this medium - don’t get me wrong. But time away with my boys was just what I needed.

And whether anyone was waiting or not.. I definitely can’t wait to share the best moments from this kind-of-tried-to-stay-safe(ish) trip. (As much as it was physically possible)

Here’s one of the rare pictures of my boy in action.. hiking up the giant rocks in Joshua Tree National Park. Husband climbed way higher though.. while I pretty much went up till my son did 😅 He was definitely better at it than me! As always!

12/14/2021

With Chachu at my Gaye holud almost 15 years ago…he landed in Abu Dhabi that very same day.

After a week of somehow grappling with the reality of first losing my grandmother, we suddenly got the news that my Boro Chachu (my dad’s eldest brother) at the age of 81, who was otherwise in good health, passed away due to a massive cardiac arrest.

I’ve been trying so hard to deal with my grief over the last week since I received the news of his sudden death. This isn’t about me. And I am not saying all this to get any sympathy. This has just been my reality.. our reality. My family’s collective pain, the pain that’s going to take a while to heal.

Why are we feeling this loss way more? It’s because he was not only the eldest member of our Sami family.. he was our guardian. He actually did look after us & keep in touch with each & everyone of us. Very actively!

My Chachu was not just an uncle to me. He loved me unconditionally like his own daughter.. I have never seen him differentiate between his kids & all his nieces & nephews.

There are so many stories of his greatness but one of many that is closest to my heart over the last years is - he also became one of the biggest fans of my writing 😔💔 One of my biggest cheerleader was my Boro Chachu. What an honour!

People, I don’t think much about my writing. I haven’t really reached that point yet but he always found me worthy. He was a writer himself. And his writing is the one that deserves all the applause & appreciation in the world without a doubt.

And it always did. Countless people over the world, regardless of age, regardless of religion, have connected with him over the years through his writing.

He was this & so much more. As I’m writing this.. I can’t stop my tears. Because a part of me is so sad that he won’t read this & message me saying “Good writing Maha. Keep it up Maa”… & a part of me feels like he will see somehow that I’m making a post about him & it will silently make him smile.

We miss you Chachu..
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun
May Allah Grant him Jannah.

12/03/2021

This is 38!
A little late but working gradually towards feeling sorta’ great.

No make-up, nor a filter to hide the fact that my youth didn’t wait.
But I’m slowly accepting my flaws, so please don’t hate.

While I may not be aging gracefully,
I do feel more confident in my skin, & treasure the more valuable lessons I learnt till date.
There is more to me & life than meets the eye & without a doubt -
This is 38!

~ Yours truly (if you like)
- Anonymous (if you don’t 😂)

11/30/2021

Last Wednesday in Texas, my Nanu, as in my maternal grandmother breathed her last in the presence of all her living kids (2 sons & 3 daughters), their spouses, her 10 grandkids (including myself) & their spouses, & one of her two great-grandkids.. my Dean.

Such a blessing even during this time that she had us all by her side. And that too during an ongoing pandemic. Allah has been so Merciful on her till the very end. My Nanu dedicated most of her time to reliigion, constantly making duas & praying regularly on time. Always reminding us to do the same.

Her end was so peaceful & pure.. Subhan’Allah. It only makes perfect sense to me ❤️
May Allah Grant her the highest rank in Jannah.

This picture was from my last birthday (32nd) that I spent with her.
I’m 2 days early but this is exactly 6 years ago! Yes, I’m getting ready to close this chapter (as in 37th) of my life.. with a new perspective on what’s important, & holding on to the beautiful memories with my sweet Nanu. Will miss her presence in my life (in our lives) but I will try my best to be more like her, in order to keep her close to my heart.

And thank you to everyone who sent their heartfelt messages to me & my family over the last week. We are so grateful for your support 🙏 I may have not responded to all yet, but trust me, you were all in my prayers as well during her burial service.

10/27/2021

14 years ago today - I left my family, my closest friends, my job, my busy yet simple life in Abu Dhabi (where I lived since birth) to come to a country I’ve never visited before - Canada.

14 years ago, I embarked on this new journey of married life. This fresh start in a completely new city where I didn’t know a single person. Nope, not even my husband.
Started off in a joint family setting for the first 4 years, trying my level best to fit into my husband’s life.
Didn’t know the primary language (French) to survive even a simple grocery run & man, I cannot forget the first winter in Montreal.

Talk about going from extreme heat in Middle East to extreme cold.
To my fellow Montrealers, do you all remember the epic winter storm in 2007? Lol. I took it as a grand welcome ☺️ (not the kind I was hoping for but it was something)

Plus learning French to survive even a simple grocery run - that’s an adjustment to another level 😅

“14 years seems like ages ago now”, my husband told me this morning. And it really does. Oh how much things have changed & evolved since then (Alhamdullilah)

I am no longer that 23 year old, starry- eyed, newly married girl in this picture but I’m still the same optimistic person, just underneath the layers of many failures, many successes, countless experiences - both good & bad, traumatic even & many many beautiful memories & life lessons along the way.

Things that I wouldn’t have known or experienced if I didn’t leave my comfort zone back in Abu Dhabi.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to go back home to my family & my circle of loved ones during the first 2 years.

But moving away gave me a chance to discover myself. I don’t think any of that would’ve been possible without my husband’s support. And I don’t think it was easy for him but he did - he came through every step of the way year after year. I’m forever grateful to him for that ❤️

To more new beginnings.. Insha’Allah

10/09/2021

Couple of days ago I told my husband (with a dash of pride) that we did quite a good job as parents raising a child with special needs during our most difficult years.. with no village to help & support us.

To which my husband promptly replied that of course we had help. Dean’s school, his amazing & supportive teachers, all the super helpful aides.. they were our village.

He is so right!! How did I forget to acknowledge that his school support system was & is our biggest help! I say it in my mind every day.

Three of them who I’m still in touch with, & who still want to know updates on Dean & are still part of my life - Samantha, Angela & Juliana, Happy Belated World Teachers’ Day to you three. And Jen as well (who I don’t have on my contacts) had come to our rescue when we just started out in a new place & had absolutely no knowledge of how the school system in here worked.

But it’s not just that, you educators, along with all your amazing teacher‘s aides, have shown great amount of patience & understanding when it came to Dean. And I can’t forget how much love you still have for him. Educators like you don’t get appreciated enough ❤️
Swipe left to see my fave shot of Dean with his “pretty princess” Angela (his kindergarten & Grade 1 teacher) on Halloween Day.

And Happy World Teachers’ Day to the super supportive teacher he had after (who I also don’t have on my contacts) & most definitely the current one. No idea how these special ed teachers do it.. but they’re sent as angels for parents like me & they deserve so much more for all their hard work. A big thank you to each & every one of you 💕 .me.plus.three

Maha2bay

06/27/2022

05/30/2022

02/08/2022

01/24/2022

01/10/2022

12/30/2021

12/14/2021

12/03/2021

11/30/2021

10/27/2021

10/09/2021

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