Friday, November 19, 2010

Henna & Biometrics Don't Mix..


So, today we had our fingerprint appointment to "renew" our prints which are due to expire next month. No Biggie.
Yesterday evening while gathering our appointment letters to get ready for today, it hit me. One look at my hands, more so, my fingers and I totally freaked out!!!!!
You see, this past weekend, while in an Indian store, this henna-loving me, picked up some mehndi to apply, and surely I did apply.
I start thinking, If my prints can't be read because of the henna, they'll ask me to come back once the henna is gone, but this could take anywhere from 6-8 months....Panic sets in fast!!!
On the drive this morning, my hubby tries to reassure me it will be alright, but I cant help wonder how far back this will set us.
Fast forward to filling out the form once you walk in & the receptionist asking the standard question "you don't have any cuts or bruises on your fingers"?
ME: No, but what about this (showing her my hands)
HER: (Gasp). Henna? Oh no!!
ME: (Silent and stunned at her reaction)
HER: Follow me

While following her, she explains that the old machine's couldn't read one's prints with henna but they had installed newer equipment and no one had shown up with henna since, so she was going to try and see if my prints were readable (or whatever is it they do) . I do what's required and my prints appear on the screen and we both sigh with relief. Crisis averted.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Cutting For Stone


A must read!!All 667 pages of it. If you are interested/fascinated with Ethiopian history during their revolution and the world of medicine, family, relationships and Ethiopian culture, this is the to-go-to book. I have been reading it non-stop and can't keep it down. It also helps its a national bestseller. Simply.superb!!