My Urdu skills have eroded like the Scarborough Bluffs: Jalaluddin | Toronto Star

The best part about knowing a second (or third, or fourth) language is talking about people without them knowing. This really comes in handy when you want to say something snarky about the loudmouth in front of you. It's also nice to have an immediate connection with a stranger through a few well-placed words.

Facebook likes make me uncomfortable, probably because I'm an introvert: Jalaluddin | Toronto Star

It really is all about the "Face" in Facebook. I recently changed my profile picture on the social media site. Shortly after I pressed "post," 58 people gave it a "like" and I got an unprecedented 12 comments of the Beautiful! Gorgeous! Hubba Hubba! variety. Yes, I know 58 is a pitiful number.

At the school talent show, restless teens suddenly tune in | Toronto Star

I have zero musical talent. My husband starts laughing whenever I sing. Even my mother told me I can't carry a tune. In grade school choir, I mostly just lip-synched for the good of the collective. I'm OK with it though.