Miss A's Blog

Just a muslim woman trying to make some sense out of this world. This is my creative outlet, and my place to let out frustration, and emotion.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Explosions


I was driving home from visiting a sister tonight. Off to the side of the freeway a fireworks show was going on. I realized that's how my heart feels; like it rockets into the sky and bursts into a million brilliant pieces.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Abaya


Did I make an abaya all by myself?

I certainly did!

Is it the best looking garment in the world?

No, but it's pretty nice for a first time abaya maker.

Am I proud of myself?

Yeah, kinda.

Taraweeh

A request to the brothers and sisters with children:

I love children, I really do. Please, please, please brothers and sisters help those of us that want to concentrate on our prayers. Help keep the masjid a clean and happy place; it is Allah's house.

It is hard to concentrate when the children are running in front of me while praying. It's even harder to stay at the masjid when I saw a child empty the contents of his stomach into his mother's hands (and the masjid floor). This is what happens when the children eat alot and then run around. Unfortunately I had to leave because I almost emptied the contents of my stomach too.

It all comes down to respect and common sense. It's Ramadan, the month for good deeds. May Allah guide us and accept our prayers, fasting, and good deeds this month.

Ramadan Mubarak!

To all the muslims near and far,
Happy Ramadan!
Wherever you are!

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Gotta Love 'Em

Alhamdulilah, thanks to Allah!

I love and adore many of my fellow muslims. They are good people; kind and caring.

One of the funniest things about most muslims is their hospitality. I was invited over to a co-worker's home after work today. She offered me food and I truly wasn't hungry. Her mom was visiting from their country she asked her daughter in their language why she didn't offer me food. My friend said she did, and I wasn't hungry. Then her daughter came home, the same thing again. Her daughter asks why she didn't feed me and my friend replies the same. Her daughter then says in English, "Mom she's lying to you. Americans always say they are not hungry, but they really are!" My friend looked at me and said, "That's one part of the American culture I have to try!"

I didn't escape the house without food. She made me take it to go. Her mom had a huge smile on her face when she saw me with the container!

Point being: If you're going to a muslim's house try to be a little hungry. They feel as though they've failed if they can't feed you!

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Crybaby!

I try to use the motto, "Never let them see you cry." I don't like to show my weakness to others in this way. Sometimes I try to be strong and I am just pushed to my limit though.

Why can't more people be understanding? Why can't more people take a hint that something is bothering me? It wasn't much of a hint, it was a direct statement. I told her what she said bothered me and that it wasn't funny. I've asked her 4 other times not to mention this topic to me. I don't know why some people feel it is acceptable to push others to be miserable and then laugh at it.

At least I made it somewhere private before I cried.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Surprise!

There really isn't much of a surprise actually. I don't even feel like writing. There is nothing exciting to say. I could comment on the oddity of my coworkers (there are some characters there), but you'd really have to see them in action to get the full effect.

I could talk about the loud thumpers in the apartment above me. Why bother? I will have to live beneath them until one of us moves. Until that time I will have to deal with listening to their lound thumpity-thump-thumps. Are they wrestling up there or what!!!???

I feel dull and boring today, like I said, I didn't really even feel like writing.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Sound the Sirens

Saturday was an awesome evening. I had girl time with one of my friends who I don't see very often. We primped and pampered ourselves; we even soaked our feet in some nice smelling foot soak stuff. We talked and talked. It was much needed girl time.

She left around 10pm. About 5 minutes after she left, the tornado sirens started going off. I panicked, but went downstairs. I hate tornados and tornado-like weather. After about a half hour the warning was lifted and I went back upstairs. I was up there for about 5 minutes and the sirens went off again, the storm had turned and come back! I had to go back downstairs. What a freaky event! Not too much happened near me, but another town had a tornado touch down. Freaky!

So much for the relaxation.

Friday, September 15, 2006

Sightings

There have been several squirrel sightings in the underground parking this week.

I fear it is trapped.

I get the chills everytime I see it.

Even though squirrels freak me out, I am hoping it finds it's way out of the underground parking. I don't wish the little scamp any harm. I don't think it's all that healthy for it to frolic in the oil on the ground. Do squirrels lick themselves clean? Ohhhh, I just hope it escapes soon.

Vanity

I took a long, hard look in the mirror today.

I feel hideous.

Some days are just like that.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

The Hunt

And so it begins...

The hunt is on for a second job. I don't even enjoy my first one. I love books though, so I'm hoping for Barnes and Noble to give me a chance. It's kind of dangerous though. I really need the extra money for living, and I'm afraid I may have the urge to buy a lot of books. It would be bittersweet, I know.

InshaAllah, inshaAllah.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Them


In a previous post I said I would talk about them. You know, them. I'm referring to Santa Claus and the Easter bunny, the fake characters for a couple of holidays.

Even though I am no longer christian, I do have an opinion on these guys.

First of all:
Most people teach their children not to lie. Then they teach them about these 2. They let them believe for about 10 years that a man in a red suit comes to the house in the middle of the night leaving gifts. Pretty much the same thing with the bunny. They flat out lie to their kids. They set them up for a huge disappointment when the truth must be revealed. Just wrong.

Second:
Most parents in society today talk to their kids about strangers. They talk to them about situations where some stranger could harm them. Then they tell their kids that a man in a red suit, and an overgrown bunny with a hormone problem comes into their house in the middle of the night. I don't know about you, but there isn't much stranger than either of those 2 letting themselves into our houses at night. I wouldn't want to send my kids the message that it's okay for freaks to wander about the house in the middle of the night.

I'm just saying.

Sunshine Day

After many days of a gloomy repressive nature, the sun has finally shone again in Minnesota! What a relief! I was starting to get depressed.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Do You Believe?

Last week I was asked if I believe in global warming? Believe in?

Do I believe in global warming? Like, do I believe in fairies, elves, gnomes, unicorns, and other magical creatures? How can you ask someone if they "believe in" global warming? Do I believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny? I've got a whole different opinion about those 2 characters (I'll discuss in a later post).

There are some very distinct weather and climate changes taking place in the world right now. I can definitely say that. Does it have something to do with global warming? Possibly. Does it have something to do with the way the human race treats our environment? Possibly. All I can say is that the seasons in Minnesota are definitely different than they were 10, even 5 years ago. Something is happening with our earth. Can we stop it? I don't know. Could we have stopped the ice age from happening? Perhaps this is just another cycle in our evolving universe.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Voting

An email from the Muslim American Society I got today had the following reminder in it.

As you all know, tomorrow (Tuesday) is the MN Primary Elections. It is important for all Muslim citizens to provide shura (consultation) and naseehah (advice) to the politicians by voting. It is important for Islam and Muslims to have a voice in the government. DO NOT ALLOW THE MUSLIM VOICE TO BE SILENCED. Please vote tomorrow.

It really made me think. In the 2004 presidential elections my ex-husband forbid me to go to vote. He said it was unislamic. Interesting that the group of muslims he most closely listens to and identifies with differs in opinion.

Oh yeah, your work has to give you paid time off to vote. I voted on work time. He never knew.

Some Day I Had

It started out just like any ordinary day. I woke up and got ready for work. I packed my lunch and I was out the door. As I walked into the underground parking I noticed a squirrel near my car. I stood frozen in place and started to freak out. I started saying quite loudly (and it echoes down there), "No, no, no, no, no! Get away! Get away from my car!" In one swift movement the squirrel was under my car and atop my tire with his head peaking out. After a moment, which seemed like forever, he bounded off and away from my car. Whew! THAT was a close one!

I was quite giggly today and weird. It all started with a Julio Iglesias commercial while I was eating my cereal. I don't know how to explain how this commercial was so hilarious to me, but every time I thought of it, I'd giggle. It was like a SNL skit; you'd have to be in my head to understand.

Then I tried to remember the words to Peter, Paul, and Mary's "Puff the Magic Dragon". A coworker and I were talking about it. I thought there used to be a Puff cartoon that was aired on TV. Okay, I just googled it, it was a cartoon. Anyway a coworker had that CD. My friend and I put it on in her car at break. We sat in the parking lot and someone walked by and looked at us really weird. We felt ashamed, and then we laughed until we had tears. The significance of this? I don't really know. She ate most of my tropical Chex mix while we listened though. It was a new tropical flavor. She really liked it, and I didn't find it very exciting. The point of that? Not really one to be had.

I was later talking on the phone with my mom and I got the hiccups. When I get the hiccups they are obscenely loud. My mom read that if you put your fingers in your ears it will get rid of them. So she got off the phone with me. I should get them more often when I talk to her.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Carrot Issues

Each and every one of us may struggle with some type of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) issue. I know I have a few oddities and I'd like to discuss one of them in this entry.

You know the baby-cut, peeled carrots? I love them, I love to buy a bag of those and snack on them throughout the week. I don't like to peel my own carrots, I love the simple fact that these are ready to go. I however have an issue when eating them.

A coworker asked me what I was doing one day while I was eating some carrots. I told her I was looking at the ends of the carrots. If the end of the carrot looks weird, I can't eat it. Like it was too close to the end that you pull out of the ground. I've gotten brave enough to bite those ends off, but before they used to freak me out. My coworker laughed at me. She never looks at the carrots, she just simply eats them.

I am also freaked out by the carrots that have cracks down them. I can manage to eat those though.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Approaching Ramadan


As the Islamic month of Ramadan approaches I am taking a good look at myself. Ramadan is the month to become a better muslim, a better person. It is the time to do good things and ask Allah for forgiveness.

I have been measured, I have been weighed, and I have been found lacking.


I have many opportunities this Ramadan for improvement. InshaAllah:

I will be turning off the cable. Watching less TV.

I will try harder to finish the entire Qur'an. In the past I'd try to get through as much as I can on my 40 minute lunch break at work. If I couldn't eat, I was going to read. I do have one disappointment this year; my reading spot at work is gone. There was a nice corner with comfortable chairs and in the crunch for more office space has turned into a cubicle. Change is good, it's time to find a new nook or cranny in that building.

I have to figure out a way to not listen to the way my co-workers talk. It is so difficult. They have such filthy language. I've tried in the past to use my portable CD player with Qur'an. The problem is the area I work in is so busy. I am not sitting in one spot with the player. We are constantly communicating and it's difficult to tell a co-worker to hold on until you finish the ayah. They want to talk to you and they want to talk NOW. They don't understand. Any ideas? I'd love to hear them.

InshaAllah I will make the most of this Ramadan. I hope everyone can evaluate and prepare for this month. Salaam.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Blackout

I just discovered what life would be like without cable and internet. It's scary my friends! My power was out for 4 hours. I am a total wimp. I wouldn't survive even an hour in the wilderness.

Okay that was just my fear taking over. Rationality came back to me. I've camped before I can do without the modern necessities. I'm not really high maintenance. It's just being at HOME without these things is not fun. Especially if you can't find a flashlight. I realized a nap was my best option.

How can I not have a flashlight?

I'm A Whiner


As I walked into work at 6am today I gave someone a big "Good Morning" with a side of smile. She said, "You are always so happy." I explained that I'm not, but I try to be in a good mood at work and try to make my days fun. After all it really does suck. I am usually bouncing off the walls and quite hyper at work; it keeps the day moving.

Well, I got to thinking about it and I realized that my blog doesn't really portray the "happy" me. I've become a whiney complaining blogger. I do have a positive attitude for many things. I guess I've just used my blog to get out all my hostility and bitterness. I'm sorry for those readers that have put up with this. I hope you will enjoy the more upbeat me!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

People! AAAAAAAAHHH!

I have been a lazy, lazy blogger.

I have excuses though. I am working the early morning shift and I am working on a very physical line. I'm exhausted to say the least.

Of course a week can't go by without some crazy co-worker being irritating. This week was no exception. I work with a very passive-aggressive man. I usually get along with him and most everyone else despises him. Yesterday I found out why. He made me feel like a total jerk. Everything I said I did he had to comment on. For example; one of my co-workers wanted to take me out for lunch. I said something about so-and-so taking me out to lunch because I thought it was sweet of her. First he said, "I wouldn't go there for lunch, they overcharge and it contributes to blah blah blah blah blah". Annoying! So I'm contributing to whatever crap because I'm going there? It was like this all morning. I wouldn't do this or that. When he knew I had or was going to do these things!

I told him that he had indirectly insulted me all morning and I was getting irritated. I was blunt and honest. Then he pulls out with, "I wouldn't let anyone buy my lunch." So I'm a jerk because my co-worker offered to take me out? AAAAAAHHHHHHH! I snapped and told him AGAIN that all he did was insult me in a passive-aggressive way and he didn't need to talk to me anymore.

Today was a very quiet day. Actually he probably won't talk to me for the next 3 months. It's happened before with him and others. 3 months of no insults, I'll take it!

Sunday, September 03, 2006

What Did I Say?

Did I say there were no distractions in my last post? Ooops, I forgot about my mom. She has called a million times this weekend. Our conversations have been of the same type though, they go something like this:

Mom: Do you know how to do this? (Alternately: Do you know how to fix this?)

Me: No mom, I don't know anything about that.

Mom: Well I'm going to call you back later when it's happening so you can tell me what to do.

Me: Mom I said I don't know how to fix that.

Mom: Well I'll just call you when it's actually happening so you can tell me what to do.

Me: Mom I already told you I don't know how to fix that. I'm not a (computer tech support person or whatever else she wants me to be.

Mom: Well I thought you knew about that.

Why does she have to ask more than once? Why do I have to tell her several times that I don't know how to fix her problem before she understands me?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

So, yes, there have been a few distractions this weekend.

Isolation

I've locked myself in my apartment for the long 4 day weekend.

Just me and the sound of the rain outside.

No distractions.

Just the overwhelming task of rearranging my apartment.

In a few short weeks I shall have a roommate.

All the stuff I keep in the second bedroom; my large desk, bookshelf, and sewing table must fit in the other rooms.

Yikes!