2011 Chicago Gay Pride

I haven't been good about updating my blog in the past month but I'm back and expect to see a weekly post again!!! This weekend was the first time I made it to Boystown in Chicago for the Gay Pride Parade. I didn't make it in time for the parade but was able to witness the aftermath. There were many interesting sights which I cannot post but I thought the following pictures were interesting representations.

Married!!!  

Interesting hairdo with rainbow flowers

Chicago's finest hard at work!

Los Angeles = Sayna + Payal + Sundip!!!

About two weeks ago I went to LA to meet Sayna for the first time and to see Payal and Sundip. It was great to catch up with Payal and Sundip after not seeing each other for so long and visit the city where they now live. After hanging out with Sayna, she calls me "Nina" even though she is able to say Nita! I had a great time and hopefully we will be able to see each other more often! 

Fort Lauderdale Beach!!!

I know I am a little behind posting on my blog! I've been busy traveling and two weeks ago I was in Fort Lauderdale for work. The best part was that I was able to visit Reena in her new city and home! We spent Sunday after my meetings at Fort Lauderdale Beach and at the Pelican Hotel. It was a great break from the miserable Chicago weather. I was in a dress and flip flops all weekend! :)

Easter Egg Hunt with Suhayla

Suhayla entertaining herself with the balloon

On Saturday, Suhayla, Dina and I went to our first Easter Egg Hunt ever! The sun actually made it out that day so it was a nice day to spend in the South Loop. Once we arrived at the park, we had to hold off Suhayla for more than 10 minutes before the egg hunt started. She made a break for it a few times to start picking up the eggs and we had to grab her and distract her until it began. The Easter Egg Hunt started and ended quickly, Dina and I tried to point Suhayla in the direction of the eggs but she wasn't as speedy as the other kids in picking up the eggs. In the end, she still had a bucketful of plastic eggs filled with candy and small toy! After the egg hunt, Suhayla made friends with a bunny at the petting zoo, played with balloons, and wandered around the park. Our first Easter Egg Hunt was a success!!! :)

Looks like Dina is having more fun than Suhayla!

Checking out the animals at the petting zoo

What's inside???

Anand the Bartender!

Anand recently bartended at Irish Eyes Pub in Lincoln Park to raise money for his health care team. They worked in conjunction with Project Eden and just returned from a 10-day trip to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Carrefour, Haiti. The team provided care to over 1,400 patients and conducted a community health assessment in one of the largest IDP camps in Haiti. We went to support Anand's cause with a beer! :)

Rushil's Head Shaving Ceremony

Last weekend, I went home to Detroit for my cousin's son's head shaving ceremony. It is tradition in our family to wait a certain amount of time before a boy gets his hair cut for the first time. Some people wait 5 years but nowadays parents cut their child's hair earlier. Rushil was 2 1/2 at this occasion, you can see the nice long hair he has grown over that time. After a ceremony at the Canton Hindu Temple, we went to his house and shaved his head bald. You can see the pictures of Rushil with a head full of hair to no hair!

Rushil's beautiful hair!

Our family at the temple ceremony

One of Rushil's last moments to play with his hair

Cutting off his long locks!

Fully shaved!

Priti and Manish's Engagement!!!

I spent last weekend in Houston to celebrate Priti and Manish's engagement. They both looked amazing and so happy! We spent an eventful evening with their friends, family, Mexican food, and drinks under a gorgeous tent. Congratulations to the two of you! Thanks everyone for a great weekend!