PinnedCoping methods for uncertain times.Feather-like plant at the Nezu Museum in Tokyo, December 2023. Photo by author.Jan 21, 20241Jan 21, 20241
Pinned1990It was a balmy July night in Bneid Al-Gar, a neighborhood in Kuwait City overlooking the Persian Gulf. Kuwait could be oppressively hot in…Aug 22, 20212Aug 22, 20212
The first time I learned about griefI could hear my mom screaming on the phone in Arabic, “Bilal! Bilal! What do you mean he died from a heart attack? People in America walk…Jun 4, 20231Jun 4, 20231
Published inUX Research Journal20 minute mentoring/coaching callsA lot of people in the UX community were laid off this past week. If you were impacted by a recent layoff or you’re just starting out in UX…Nov 6, 2022Nov 6, 2022
The magic of 5 a.m.A lot of people are concerned when they hear I wake up at 5 a.m. but it’s not really as dire as it might sound.Sep 27, 20221Sep 27, 20221
Published inUX Research JournalReflections on conducting field research after a three year hiatusI returned yesterday from a ten day field research trip to Helsinki. It was my first field research trip since September 2019 and my first…Aug 21, 2022Aug 21, 2022
Published inUX Research JournalLessons from living through re-orgsHow you respond to organizational changes at work can help you learn and grow in your careerJul 8, 20222Jul 8, 20222
Published inUX Research JournalOn saying yesA big part of success is showing up.Mar 5, 2022Mar 5, 2022
Published inUX Research JournalMaking Yourself Easy to ManageThe relationship you have with your manager is critical to your career growth and happiness.Dec 18, 20211Dec 18, 20211
Published inUX Research Journal9 things I learned from 9 years at GoogleThis past Friday (December 10, 2021) marked my nine year Googleversary! Nobody makes a big deal out of nine year anniversaries but I have…Dec 12, 20212Dec 12, 20212
Published inLittle Pink TaqueriaHouse renovations week 15Fireplace progress, painting, and a fabricated bathroom countertop.Aug 22, 20211Aug 22, 20211
Published inLittle Pink TaqueriaHouse renovations weeks 13–14Hello again! It’s time for me to update you on my home renovations in extraordinarily minute detail. It’s been two weeks since my last…Aug 17, 2021Aug 17, 2021
Published inLittle Pink TaqueriaHouse renovations weeks 11–12Painting closets, cleaning the chimney, and installing bathroom tile.Aug 1, 20212Aug 1, 20212
Published inLittle Pink TaqueriaHouse renovations weeks 8 to 10A tub, a new move-in date, and a structural report.Jul 18, 20211Jul 18, 20211
Published inLittle Pink TaqueriaHouse renovations week 7Tile progress and a missing tubJun 26, 20211Jun 26, 20211
Published inLittle Pink TaqueriaHouse renovations weeks 1 to 6When I first started this publication/blog, my intention was to write about the process of renovating the house pretty regularly. Alas…Jun 21, 20211Jun 21, 20211
Published inUX Research JournalWhy it matters when you mispronounce KamalaWhether it is the Vice President or a colleague, there’s no excuse for mispronouncing people’s names.Jun 6, 20212Jun 6, 20212
Published inUX Research JournalLatest from Noor — May 29, 2021This week: Report cards, new iMacs, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.May 29, 20211May 29, 20211
Published inUX Research JournalWhy I don’t give out report cardsResist the urge to reduce your usability findings into a series of checkmarks, X’s, and exclamation points.May 27, 2021May 27, 2021
Published inLittle Pink Taqueria“It’s all strip malls.”10 San Jose neighborhoods offering more than just strip malls.May 23, 20211May 23, 20211