Miss A's Blog

Something Different

2008-09-26T11:02:00.002-05:00

Well, I didn't like having a private blog much. It made me feel confined.

I'm trying a different option. I'm moving to wordpress. I feel it's a better option for me. I can password protect those things that I only want close people to see or read. And I can still put my craziness out there for the general public!

So, here we go to.... my new place.

Agitated

2008-09-06T09:14:00.002-05:00

It was the end of the work day on Tuesday. I had to finish what I was working on before I could leave. I knew it would only take a few extra minutes, but I was agitated anyway. I feel very annoyed when I can't leave right on time. I want to just fly out of that place. Well it was only a few extra minutes, but I still felt agitated.

So, I got to leave work. I went up highway 65 and was waiting in the left turn lane to get onto the freeway. The light turned green and the first truck went through, and was promptly hit by a car that ran a red light going the other way. I just heard the huge crunch 10 feet away from me. I looked to my left and saw the truck skid, roll onto it's side, and bounce a few times. I saw the crushed front end of the car that ran the light. I could barely think. I looked to see if there was a place to park to get out and help... well, where I was there wasn't any place to go. I saw enough people getting out to help. I didn't see what happened when they actually crashed so I wasn't much of a witness. I felt it was best to just continue on my way home.

I've never been in an accident, alhamdulilah. I've never seen an accident that close before. It completely freaked me out. I was so agitated to leave work on time. Those few minutes very well could have saved my life. Being a few minutes late really wasn't the worst thing. I could have been the first car crossing that intersection, but, alhamdulilah, I wasn't.

A fine reminder that there is wisdom behind the things that agitate us too. Thanks to Allah for keeping me safe.

RAMADAN

2008-09-01T10:21:00.002-05:00

Ramadan Mubarak!

Wishing everyone a blessed Ramadan. May Allah accept our fasts, prayers, and good deeds suring this holiest of months. May Ramadan fill you with peace.

My Baby Girl

2008-08-24T12:09:00.003-05:00

Allergy Hell

2008-08-16T10:07:00.002-05:00

I've managed to stay quite free from allergy problems for several weeks. I haven't opened the windows in the apartment and just stuck with the AC. I might get a bit of the pollen in my system on my way to or from work, but then after I'm indoors it works it's way out of my system, and I'm fine.

I am at my mom's now. Where there be open winders and hairy beasts. I barely slept last night. I am looking forward to tonight now too. Why not go home? I'm housesitting. Petsitting. Little Bro sitting. Sitting.

Aaaaaaaah, my parents house. Where the laundry is free and the allergens abundant.

Lefse, The Great Norwegian Treat

2008-08-11T17:47:00.002-05:00

I'm not of Norwegian descent, but I do like lefse. I do work with quite a few Norwegian co-workers who know how to make lefse too. When one of those co-workers offers to teach you how, you run with it man.

This weekend I learned the trade of lefse making.

I am a skilled professional.

*And if you have no idea what lefse is, it's a type of potato flat bread, it pretty much looks like a tortilla. And if you have no idea what a tortilla is.... well, then you should probably google tortilla and lefse to get in the know.

Little Bro

2008-08-09T08:15:00.002-05:00

I wish he would have loved soccer and played that. I played soccer up until 11th grade. My sister played basketball all through her school years. Well he plays basketball, which is great, but I still secretly wish he'd play soccer.

Yesterday at work we had some of the players from the Minnesota Thunder soccer team for a United Way thing. I got a poster and got their autographs on it.

I called my little bro and asked, "Hey bud, I got a Minnesota Thunder poster today, do you want it?"

Him, "No".

Me, "It's autographed by 3 of the players"

Him, "Yep I'll take it".

Anything with a signature on it! Too bad I can't get a hold of David Hasselhoff to sign something for him!

Considering

2008-08-05T16:40:00.002-05:00

Despite the fact that I don't write about too much deeply personal info on my blog, I'm considering going private. I don't really have anything to hide from the world. My husband has complete access to my blog and would still have that if I went private.

Alhamdulilah, I have my husband and we are still in the beginning of our journey together. I would like to share some aspects of this journey with those I'm closest to, but not for the public eye. It's something I'm considering and looking into... we will see.

Just Give Me The Dratted Vities!

2008-08-05T16:06:00.002-05:00

I had an appointment with my doctor last week, and I need prenatal vitamins. Well, I told her about the gelatin in vitamins and that I know of other sisters that needed a prescription to get non-gelatin vities. She said she would call the pharmacy and ask them.

Her nurse called me back later that day and said the pharmacy told her that the over the counter vities were okay, they didn't contain gelatin. Oh, really? I was already annoyed at this point. I knew I would go there the next day and find only vitamins with gelatin in them.

Guess what? Yes, that's right! I went there and looked at all the over the counter prenatal vitamins. They all had gelatin. So whoever talked to my doctor the day before didn't even walk the ten steps from the pharmacy to the vitamin aisle to look. Honestly, if a doctor is calling because there is an ingredient question, wouldn't you want to look? I showed one of the ladies there that the vitamins do indeed have gelatin and she looked at the prescription vities... no gelatin.

So I have to wait for my doctor to get back and call me in a prescription. Yay! What an annoyance.

Wait A Minute... Is That...

2008-08-03T08:50:00.004-05:00

David Hasselhoff?

So I went to the Twins game with my little bro last night, and the kid was cracking me up. Whenever they showed a pic of one of the opposing players, my bro kept saying he looked like David Hasselhoff. I have no idea where the kid gets this stuff. We had a good time, despite the fact that the Twins lost.

I got a fun video of everyone in the dome doing the wave. Cheesy I know.

My Reads

2008-08-02T05:59:00.004-05:00

My coworker is an avid reader, as am I. It had been mostly Jane Austen for me and other English lit, as I wanted to read some of the things my time in the English department didn't offer me. My coworker Marzipan (who I love and adore) loaned me 4 books.

Persepolis : It is more like a comic strip novel. It's about a girl growing up in Iran with all the war going on. I liked it and I flew through it.

Three Cups of Tea : I think this is an amazing book. Not only because some American guy is helping muslims, but it just shows that there are good people in this world. I highly recommend this book. Plus take a look at the website. I think if you buy the book from there the proceeds go to building schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

What Is The What : I'm in the middle of this book and it has been giving me a hard time. It's good, but not in a heartwarming way. This is the story of a Sudanese refugee, and his journey as a young man out of Sudan. It's interesting, sad, and horrific. I suppose those aren't the best words to use if I want to get someone to read it. If you can handle reading about the things that happen during wartime, then you can handle this, but if not... stay away.

The Late Homecomer : A memoir of a Hmong family. I haven't read this book yet, but the reviews are very positive. I believe it's about a Hmong family that leaves Laos amongst all the choas in that country. I am looking forward to reading this. I work with a lot of Hmong and there is a large Hmong population here in Minnesota.

Well this is my myriad of summer reads. A nice plateful of different cultures and struggles.

Healthcare Crunch

2008-08-01T16:15:00.002-05:00

I've been a little upset for the past couple weeks over some things going on with my insurance provider and my medical provider. Apparently the medical system I go through and the insurance are under negotiations for a new contract and no agreement is taking place.

What does this mean for me? If they don't come to a contract agreement by August 23rd, I have to find a new doctor in order to have my care fully covered. The problem with this is that I have an extraordinary physician. She never just writes me out a prescription and sends me on my way. It is a dialogue. She asks me how I feel about my medication. She informs me about what she plans to put me on, and she asks what I think about it. She is genuinely concerned about what I do. I haven't seen this in other physicians I've had. InshaAllah a deal will be made. I don't want to wander blindly through the physician forest.

Greatness Is All Over The Place

2008-07-26T11:05:00.002-05:00

Alhamdulilah

Today is a good day. I feel good things happening all around me.

My close friend has found "The One" and I couldn't be happier for her.

I will be going back to Egypt at the end of September inshaAllah. I'm super excited. I miss hubby alot. I am so very lucky to have such a wonderful husband and I wish everyone the same happiness. There will always be hard times and arguments, but we will always come out the other end stronger from these things. He is an amazing person. We are very similar when it comes to how we care for each other and he understands the things that make a relationship work. I am so blessed.

I am feeling so good today about everything. InshaAllah him and I will be together again soon. I really want to go to the MN zoo and check out the sea otters... so he better get back here soon and go there with me. Sea otters, man, sea otters.

My Favorite Shot

2008-07-20T02:12:00.000-05:00

Baila

2008-07-19T07:17:00.004-05:00

This is in the city where my husband's family lives from his father's side. I love the rooster crowing, and of course the babble of Tante's in the background. The honking of horns... not so much.

Stunted Creativity

2008-07-12T06:56:00.002-05:00

It's strange, but, I think, a whole month after coming back from Egypt, I am starting to get depressed.

It took a little while to hit me I think.

I don't feel like doing anything.

I don't want to even be writing on this blog.

I want to hop on a plane and go back to my husband.

Let's Talk About Meat, Shall We?

2008-07-02T08:20:00.002-05:00

Ahhhhhh, the untold story.

Upon my arrival back to the U.S. I had a fun time at the airport. I got off the plane walked to the area where I waited in line for quite some time. I got to the guy, gave him my passport, and declaration paper. I asked him if the tea I brought back was a problem since it's a dried plant, he said it would be fine. I was worried about the tea, and I never omit anything that I have becuase I would be the person that would get caught, that's how it works for me. So, I passed from there and got a luggage cart, found my spot next to the baggage claim, and waited for my luggage to come round. I had 2 huge and fairly heavy suitcases, plus a smaller suitcase and a messenger bag that were my carry-ons. I got all this crap onto the cart and started to wheel my way out. I gave my passport to a lady checking them and she told me to go to this other line. Great.

It was the agriculture line. I got up to the counter and the man asked me if I had any food in my bags. I replied that I had chocolate and two kinds of tea (I was so focused on the tea I forgot about the mini marshmallows). Then he said, "Do you have any sausage, poultry, pork chops, pastrami, steak, ham, hamburger, beef jerky....". He went on and on asking me about all these different kinds of meat. He sort of paused at some point and I said, "Sir, I don't have any meat in my bags." He kept asking me more meats, and got to a small pause where I said, "Sir, I already told you I don't have any meat in my bags." I brought home a stomach problem from Egypt so naming off all those meats was making me queasy. Plus, dude, don't you see the scarf on my head? Pork chops, really? So he stopped, looked at me and as an after thought asked, "Salami?".

I was starting to get a little paranoid. I was starting to wonder if someone had slipped some meat in my bag and was trying to frame me.

Well, my bags had to be x-rayed. I had just hauled them off of the baggage claim and gotten them onto the cart. Now I had to haul them off the cart, put them on the x-ray and then go to the other side and haul them off of there and back onto the cart. Exhausting!

See dude? I told you there was no flippin' meat in my bag! Peace out! Now where in the world would I find my sister?

I'm In Psycho Mode

2008-06-29T08:19:00.002-05:00

I've been there for a couple of days actually. Last Sunday night I started to work third shift for various reasons. It's quiet and peaceful, the day shift and things that go on were really stressing me out. So, I've been a nighttime psycho for a week now. Friday and Saturday are my nights off. I have been purchasing fabric all week long. I found a great place where I can use a coupon once a day for 60% of one fabric item. I spent less than 35 dollars this week and have the fabric to make 3 abayas, 2 long shirts, and 4 hijab. I already had fabric to make 2 more long shirts and 2 more hijab.

I have spent the last two nights cutting out the fabric for my 3 abayas, 4 shirts and 6 hijab. I was finally ready to start sewing. So I started on one of the abayas. Let me just say that I am a freak when I start my sewing projects. It only happens every now and again, and I will lose sleep to finish them. I am losing sleep freaking out because my sewing machine broke when I started sewing the first abaya. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I WANT TO SCREAM!

I just cut all that fabric and now I can't sew it? I was in bed for a 1/2 hour freaking out about it before I decided to get up and blog to take some of the frustration out. Now that my internal spaz attack escaped maybe I can sleep.

Egypt

2008-06-26T20:04:00.003-05:00

Crazy traffic, too many beeping horns, dry, dusty, beautiful. Every day the guy would go through the streets with his donkey pulled cart and yell out what produce he was selling. Every day I would ask my husband, "What's he selling today?".

First day was the pyramids and sphinx. What can I say except, amazing. The second day was the Egyptian museum. Third day was the castle where the Mohammed Ali mosque is. Fourth day shopping at Khan al Khalilli. During those nights there were visits to friends and family. Two days at the beach house on the Mediterranean Sea. After this it was to Alexandria, and a stay with auntie. Then it was off to Baila, the farming city where his father's family lives. Back to Cairo and more family and friends.

That's a synapsis of my trip. I really don't know how to write all the experiences I had there. It would take hours. Maybe at some point I will get there. The one thing I can say is that I love my family. They are the warmest, friendliest people. I can't wait to go back, not only to see my husband, but to be with my family as well.

Travel Stories: Paris To Cairo

2008-06-24T14:26:00.005-05:00

There are many reasons to hate flying, I can't stand not knowing who will be sitting next to me. For my flights I went online beforehand and picked my seats. I picked an aisle seat. So when the guy who was to sit next to me got on the plane he came up and argued that I was in his seat. No, I'm in MY seat. Then he acted like it was okay, he'd let me sit there (yeah you will, because it's MY seat).

I was exhausted and I fell asleep before the plane ever took off. I slept most of the way. They handed out those cards to get into Egypt for declaring stuff and whatnot. I brought a pen with me because I also brought crossword puzzles. I took out my pen and filled it out. That's when my super friend next to me asked to borrow my pen. I didn't want to, but what was I going to say, "No, I don't have a pen."? If you know me at all, (my sister and mom are the same way) I love my pens. I have many different kinds of pens and they are nice. So it wasn't a cheap 'ol bic. He used it and set it down on his tray. About 10 minutes went by, it looked like he might pick it up and hand it to me then he hesitated, he did that a couple of times. I was thinking, great, he's not going to give that back. Well, eventually he did. He picked it up stuck it in his mouth and started slobbering on it. All of a sudden he realized it wasn't his, took it out of his mouth, wiped it on his shirt, and handed it to me! Enough said.

Landing in Cairo was beautiful, it was dusk. The airport was a little confusing, I didn't really know where to go, but I got there. I got lucky because I was in a very long line and they told me to go to one that had just opened. I found my luggage, found a cart and was on my way. I went to the line that said, "Nothing to Declare". The guy looked at my huge suitcases and then gave me a funny look. He asked if it was all clothes, I said "mostly". He felt around in one of the suitcases, and then I was free to go. I started looking through the huge crowd waiting for people, then I looked way over to the side where hubby was standing alone, watching me look for him, and smiling. I started walking fast, and finally.... I was there.

Travel Stories: From Here To Paris

2008-06-15T12:14:00.003-05:00

Check-in went fine; I got my ticket, went through the security checkpoint, and went to wait at my gate. While sitting there I glanced over at the woman talking on the phone, she had about a 9-month old baby boy. I glanced again, and then I stared. Yeah, that's right I stared. I was speechless. She caught me looking (okay, staring) at her when she got off the phone. I finally got my brain to work and said her name. Then she looked at me again and said she would never have recognized me in a million years. I suppose, when you don't expect to see someone in a scarf, it takes you by surprise. She was my JC my first year at college. I hadn't seen her in 10 years. Isn't life crazy? We chatted until she boarded her plane.

It was soon time to board my own plane. For the most part my plane ride was uneventful. I couldn't sleep. I listened to Quran on my mp3 player, I watched movies, and I played solitaire games. At one point during the plane ride there was an announcement, well more of a question, on the overhead speaker. They asked if anyone could translate between English and Arabic. I wondered what was going on, and wished that I could speak Arabic right about then. On the other side of the plane was an elderly muslim woman she was traveling alone and apparently they were having some issues with her, but I didn't know that at the time. When it was near the time to land I saw her wandering down the aisle appealing to all the passengers in Arabic. She looked quite upset and sad. They got the guy who could translate again, but even he couldn't get her to go back to her seat for landing. I asked one of the stewardesses if I could try. I said I don't speak Arabic, but because I am muslim and a woman, she might go sit with me.

The translator told her I didn't speak Arabic, but once I held her hand and walked down the aisle to her seat she seemed to be okay. I held her hand as we started our descent, and she told me all of her troubles (in Arabic of course). I hoped she would be on my plane to Cairo as well, but she was going to another destination.

Who would send that poor, dear, old woman alone on a plane? It was obvious that she had some sort of dementia. Who could be so horrible? I was saddened by this and hoped she was going to meet someone good at her destination.

Chasing A Miracle

2008-06-14T23:20:00.002-05:00

The week before I left for Egypt a coworker of mine was telling me how she once drove through a rainbow. Drive through a rainbow you say? In my head I thought, "Impossible. A rainbow is a prism, a refraction of light. By the time she got to it there wouldn't be a prism anymore because of the angle." All the scientific thoughts of impossibility went through my head.

Yesterday I went to pick up something to bring to my dad. It rained, and a huge rainbow arched through the sky. I drove home on the highway and kept looking at this amazing rainbow. The closer I got to home, the closer I got to the one end of the rainbow. My skepticism faded as I started to wonder if I could drive through it. Was today a day I would witness a miracle? All the scientific thoughts that made it impossible just weeks earlier left my head. I started to get that childish excitement. I kept looking at it.

As I turned onto the street I live on, I was underneath it, and lost sight of it. Sometimes being right really sucks. I pulled into the parking, feeling defeated.

I'm Home

2008-06-10T04:33:00.002-05:00

I'm brushing the Egyptian dust off the sleeves of my abaya. I got home Sunday evening and worked yesterday. I crashed after work. InshaAllah I will write more soon. I just have to get back to normal first. It was a great trip in so many ways. Thanks for the well wishes. I hope to tell some stories soon.

A Few Last Minute Things

2008-05-22T08:38:00.002-05:00

I'm leaving tomorrow, WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Okay I got the outburst out of the way. I'm super excited.

Now for the reason I started writing in the first place...

One of my blogging sisters, Jana, has started a website to give general information about Islam. She is looking for contributers. So, if you have some time you should go check out the site. The email address is on there to send your writings to. I know some of you muslimahs are really good at writing and would be really good for this site.

Well, that's pretty much what I wanted to write about. InshaAllah, I will be back in about 2 weeks. Egypt, here I come!

Random Thought Thursday

2008-05-22T05:50:00.001-05:00

When you get tickets in the nosebleed section, are you disappointed when you don't get a nosebleed?

My Time To Whine

2008-05-21T14:48:00.002-05:00

Yes I'm going to whine a bit. It's my blog, I can whine if I feel like it. You can choose to read or not read.... it's up to you. At least you've been warned.

I have had a yucky cold for the past 10 days now. I have a huge canker sore on my tongue. Oh, and on the inside of my cheek, I have one of those areas. You know the ones, right? Where you accidentally bite the inside of your cheek and then it puffs out. And because it puffs out you end up accidentally chomping down on it again. Thus, making it an endless cylce of chomping and puffing. Yeah, I have that.

I have a 64 pound suitcase and a 32 pound suitcase and a lot of rearranging to do to make them both 50 pounds. A lot of weighing to do too. I have laundry to do. Oh, clean clothes for your trip? You think that's a good idea? I was going to start that right away this morning... it's 3pm now and I haven't done any laundry.

My glasses broke yesterday, and I am wearing my old pair. The old pair is bigger and I don't like the way they look on me. And I certainly don't want to bring them with me to Egypt.

Have I effectively whined? I hope so. It feels good to get it out.

Random Thought Thursday

2008-05-15T16:50:00.001-05:00

If you throw a cat out the window of a moving vehicle, does it become kitty litter?

*Disclaimer* Before anyone decides to sic PETA on me, I would never actually do this. It is just stupid dark humor.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T18:56:00.002-05:00

I had a really nice day with my mom today. I got up very early and dragged my sister with me so I could make mom some breakfast. I forgot the camera, so no pic, but it was super delicious. I made a french toast bake and some turkey sausage links.

Here's the French Toast Bake recipe:

1 1/2 pound loaf of cinnamon bread
8oz. cream cheese
1 dozen eggs
2 cups of milk
1/2 cup maple syrup

In a 9x13 pan spray it with cooking spray. Rip the cinnamon bread into hunks and toss in pan. Put chunks of the cream cheese over the bread, make them a little bit small. Mix the eggs and milk together and pour over the bread. Pour the maple syrup over the bread. Put foil over the pan and bake at 350 degrees for half an hour. Bake an additional 30 minutes without the foil.

Note: If you are baking with a glass pan, bake at 325 or it will overcook.

The fam loved it. My mom was surprised. She asked, "What are you doing here so early?".

It was so nice. I hope everybody had a really nice day. If you are a mother, happy mother's day. If you were able to spend the day with your mother, I hope you were able to give her a fantastic day.

Auschwitz?

2008-05-01T15:39:00.002-05:00

So maybe I'm being a little extreme in thinking my workplace is becoming like a Nazi concentration camp, but today was a little extreme.

I work in a pretty relaxed atmosphere. We are in a room that has restricted access due to the things we package. So, it's just pretty much our team, and occassionally outsiders come in for various reasons. Well my one co-worker got pulled aside today and our group leader talked to her. She was told that while our group leader likes how happy and cheerful she is, not everyone does. So, she needs to tone down her happy and boisterous ways. Huh? What? We can't laugh anymore? We can't smile? We can't have fun?

What's the point of going to work then? The work sucks and the only redeeming quality of the place is that we make it fun.

The Heart Walk

2008-04-27T20:07:00.003-05:00

And the award goes to...... My little brother.

For having the biggest heart. He is a 14-year-old darling. Despite the fact that his foot was bothering him, he still walked. I gave him several opportunities to back out if he wanted to, but he didn't. Despite the fact that the wind and snow were cutting through us, he still insisted that he walk. I am proud of him, and I started crying while we were walking. He couldn't see because we had our heads down to keep the snow from flying in our faces. When we got to the booth where we fill out our stickers to show sho we were walking for, I chose my dad. My little bro also chose to walk for my dad. This is the only pic I got from our day at the walk.

So, I Made It

2008-04-25T17:19:00.002-05:00

I made it through the last 19 days straight of working. I finally get a day off, a day to myself... well not really to myself and I'm becoming less enthused by the second. My mom and step-dad can be difficult sometimes. My little bro and I are supposed to be doing the Heart Walk tomorrow. Bro will be spending the night here.

I called last night to ask them what time they would be dropping him off. A valid question, right? I get an, "We're not sure, it could be anytime". When they feel like it, in other words. I ask if they can give me any sort of estimate whatsoever. I finally get a, "Somewhere around 5". Well folks, it's 5:30 now, it takes them about an hour to get here. They haven't even left the house! The world revolves around them and I am apparently on their time schedule.

Complaint #2.... I just had little bro here about a month ago to go to the b-ball game. They forgot to pack a toothbrush. I usually have a small stock of toothbrushes (I'm a freak about my toothbrushes). I had an extra, I gave it to him.... no big deal. My mom just called me and asked if I had a toothbrush I could give the kid. What? I told her I'm not a toothbrush supplier. Recall, they are still at home and able to grab his toothbrush.

The next part is not really a complaint. My mom also told me that she doesn't know if little bro should even walk tomorrow. He has a calcium deposit on his foot, and it's been really painful the last couple of days. He's been to the dr. for this before. His only options are to deal with it or have surgery to get it removed. He's been in so much pain that he keeps telling my mom he wants surgery, she's freaking out. Please make dua for my 14-year-old sweet boy. I hate that he's in so much pain and that he even has to make a choice like that. May Allah make it easy for him.

30 Days

2008-04-23T19:02:00.002-05:00

30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 DAYS!!!!!!!

It's getting so close. I know this time is going to fly by. I'm so excited. No more hearing a voice through the computer. No more wondering who the people around him that he's speaking Arabic to. No more wondering what the apartment that he's living in looks like. No more imagining what his life is like there.

In 30 short days I will be with my husband. I will be able to look in his eyes, touch his face, enjoy his crazy sense of humor!!!!!!!

I Guess It's Because I've Been There...

2008-04-20T20:25:00.003-05:00

Sort of.

I will sometimes cry (get a few tears of sadness) when I read some of the blogs of my sisters. It's not that I've had to deal with polygamy or another woman as a possible second wife. I did have a really horrible first marriage though. I never really thought that I'd see the light at the end of the tunnel. The brother was abusive and didn't want to fulfill his duties as a husband. He made me feel like a worthless human being, that's what abusers do. I sometimes read the sisters' blogs and wonder "When?". When will they find the light at the end of the tunnel? Sometimes I get paranoid. Will my husband ever do these things to me? Just the whisperings of shaitan. I have a hard time trusting men ever since my first husband. Alhamdulilah, I have complete trust in my husband. He might not think I do, but it's there. Allah gives me that security.

There are good men out there. This is after all, my 3rd marriage. The 2nd one doesn't really count, it was only one day. He did pull quite a number on me though. My husband though.... he is the one Allah has given me as a gift. He is the one that fulfills the other half of my deen. It is by giving my complete trust to Allah that I am married to this wonderful man. I only hope that my sister's out there realize that at some point, inshaAllah, it will turn right. Sometimes you have to take the tough choice though. Sometimes you have to go the way you don't want to. It's scary, there's nothing like feeling that a plan is secure. Sometimes by making what feels like the more difficult choice, Allah blesses you more and makes it easy.

I almost hate to blog about how happy my husband makes me. But I haven't always been in this place. I've lived in a miserable marriage. I wish I could share my happiness with my sisters. Those of you that are having difficult times with your marriages... Stay strong. May Allah guide you and give you patience. May Allah help to make your marriages work.

Whoa....

2008-04-19T20:52:00.002-05:00

I am really becoming a very poor blogger! I'm going to end up boring the masses. Did I say masses? Not really, I know there are a few that read, but I guess not masses.

So, what have I been up to? Oh, that's right.... working! Yay!

The day started off at 5am with psycho co-worker claiming her territority in the rudest way. She offended everyone in the room. Really? At 5am you're gonna pull this crap? I'm really surprised she doesn't just lift her leg and pee on the table to claim it as her own. A little crass I know, but if you had to work with the psycho, you'd probably think it too.

5 more weeks and I will see my husband's adorable face live, in front of me again. I have already started packing... pretty lame I know. I am just like that though. I like to be prepared. I have almost everything I need. The only things left are the edible items that I will get right before leaving. Chocolate has been requested, and I plan to bake 2 kinds of cookies to bring with. I never sent my husband monster cookies because I was warned that they might not ever get there. Plus he can put them in the freezer and save some for after I leave. So I will be baking monster cookies and farmer cookies. What? I've never mentioned farmer cookies before? Well...... I guess when I make them I will have to post pictures and a recipe! My favorite coworker usually makes them and gives me a special container. They're super yummy.

So....... nothing exciting has been going on right now except work, but I do have a lot that I'm really looking forward to.

Plus I think UmmAbdu comes home in the next couple days. I am excited to hear how her Algerian experience was.

A Special Day

2008-04-14T04:52:00.001-05:00

On this day some years ago my husband was brought into the world. I won't say how many years ago, because that's his business to tell. Alhamdulilah, I am extremely grateful that Allah blessed my husband with life. Alhamdulilah, I am extremely grateful that Allah has blessed me with such a husband. Every year of life is precious and I hope Allah blesses you with many more Habibi.

My Life Is Boring

2008-04-13T03:51:00.002-05:00

I'm exhausted. It looks like the next day off from work is the 26th. That means I will have worked 19 fabulous days in a row. On the 26th is the Heart Walk for the American Heart Association. So that really won't feel like a day off either. I feel a little guilty about that too... I haven't raised much for the cause. Last year I was much more active in trying to get donations. Not so much this year. My doctor has been switching my meds for the past few weeks and trying to find something that works. It's taking it's toll on me. I'm tired all the time, and I don't want to be. I need to accomplish some things.

I'm stuck in a yucky rut.

Sorry for the rambling... but this is my place to vent and ramble.

The Only Good Thing

2008-04-05T08:59:00.002-05:00

It's hard to see or hear of other sisters struggling with their iman. It's especially hard if they are reverts and are struggling because of a difficult marriage. I was there once. After my divorce from my first husband I really struggled with my iman. I didn't fulfill my obligations to Allah like I should have. I still had to deal with my ex-husband for some reasons and he knew I was having a difficult time with my iman.

The only good thing to come from him was his advice on this matter. It doesn't matter how he treated me. How he treated me and my relationship with Allah are two different things. There are good and bad people in every religion, race, and culture. How a muslim treats me shouldn't affect my relationship with Allah. That person doesn't have anything to do with my worship.

Hearing that and realizing it helped me to start getting back on track. I hope if there are any sisters that are having a similar struggle they too can realize that a person is not the religion.

I'm A Slacker

2008-04-04T19:36:00.002-05:00

I guess it's been awhile since I wrote anything on my blog. My life has been pretty boring and mundane. I work, I sleep.... yep. Last weekend I went to the Mall of America with UmmAbdurRahman to spend a little time with her before her trip to Algeria. We went to dinner at a really delicious Indian restaurant near her house. Super good. It was really nice to spend some time with her and Abdu. MashaAllah he is such a good boy. I really enjoyed my time with them. I wish them safe travels and a nice visit with her husband, may Allah make it easy.

Aside from that there really isn't much to update on. Like I said, I'm boring.

Six Word Memoir

2008-03-26T17:36:00.003-05:00

Six Word Memoir, March 26th, 2008 * No comments

The rules

1. Write your own six word memoir

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you'd like

3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere

4. Tag five more blogs with links

5. And don't forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

UmmAburRahman got me!

Filling life with love and laughter

I don't really have anyone to tag... all the other bloggers I know have been tagged already! If anybody out there hasn't done this yet, I tag you!

And The Award Goes To........

2008-03-26T17:10:00.002-05:00

My male, african-american co-worker for the best saying for the day.

Here's the scenario at work: We have a problem with something that regulates the temperature in the room and it's quite warm in there.

Co-worker says: "I'm sweating like a black man at a Klan rally"

B-Ball

2008-03-22T23:00:00.002-05:00

I spent the day with my little brother today. One of the few ways to get some quality time is to bribe him with a Timberwolves basketball game. Tonight was our one game for the season. We had so much fun. It was probably the best game we've ever been to. The wolves won, I think they will be a really great team next season. I had my doubts when Kevin Garnett left, but it was a good game. My brother was so good. I've wanted to buy him a jersey every time we've gone to the game, but they are pretty expensive. I've offered, but he would always say no. He's very considerate when he thinks something is too expensive for me to buy him (pretty good for a teenage boy, but he's always been good with me like that). Jerseys were half price tonight, he got one.

My brother was super funny tonight too. He was cracking me up. There was one player that had to shoot some free throws. Every time he came up my brother would lean over and whisper to me about the ginormous feet that guy had. We kept giggling at things. When he's not being an apathetic teenager, he is really hilarious. I really enjoyed my day with him, he's my buddy.

Murphy's Law

2008-03-19T19:36:00.002-05:00

We all know Murphy's Law right? "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong". Well, one of my friends always says, "Miss A, whatever can go wrong, will happen to you."

Yesterday started with a dead battery in my car. I've already missed enough work, and had to get there. A coworker gave me a ride. I got home and my step-dad stopped by to give me a jump start. This is supposed to get my battery recharged and okay. I tried to go somewhere a couple hours later.... dead battery. My dad says to get a jump start from my sister.

My sister's car was acting up yesterday too. She didn't want to jump start me, but agreed anyway. So we went to Wal-Mart to get jumper cables. On our way back her car died at the stop light of a busy intersection. We had to push. Her car is a heavy duty American made car. It sucked to push it so far. We got it into the mall parking lot. Let's remember I'm recovering from the flu. The physical labor mixed with the cold air made me throw up as we were walking into the mall. I'm throwing up, my sister is gagging, and people in the parking lot are staring at us. Oh well.

My dad came to the rescue. We got an alternator for sister's car and a battery for mine. Unfortunately we had to do the alternator first in the mall parking lot. I got home super late. So much for my flu recovery efforts.

Favorite quotes of the evening:

Me: I just wanted a darn chicken wing!
Dad: (whips his head around) What does a chicken wing have to do with all this?

Dad: Both of your cars are ganging up on me!

The Fever Made Me Funny

2008-03-15T07:20:00.001-05:00

For the past 36 hours I've lived in my bed. Can I even call it living? Mid-Thursday all of a sudden it felt as though someone had severely beaten me. The doctor laughed and said he hadn't heard it described that way before. My friend brought me to urgent care, and sure enough I have influenza. I was a bit scared because when you get something like that plus have something like diabetes... it freaks me out. The way I felt Thursday, I honestly thought I was going to die. The doctor gave me some drug called Tamiflu, if taken within the first 48 hours will lessen the flu to just a few days instead of a week or more. Alhamdulilah.

The best part of this whole situation was my fever. Well, not the actual fever, but the fever-induced thoughts. I can't even remember most of them, but I do remember thinking I was hilarious. I was in my cocoon of blankets laughing.

Alhamdulilah, I can actually get up today. I can actually sit in front of the computer for a little bit. I read Organic's post about her own personal miracle. Just the ability to feel half-alive is a miracle for me today. I can't wait until I feel good enough to clean and Lysol down the house.

My Thoughts On Polygamy

2008-03-12T12:21:00.002-05:00

I have spent some time reading blogs from sister's who are co-wives. Of course being a muslim woman I had to ask my husband before we married if he would ever think to marry another wife. His answer, "No". For me that was the answer I needed. I personally don't think that I could ever handle that. I am willing to give 100% to my husband and I want the same in return. I'm not saying that I think polygamy is wrong, it just doesn't work for me, and I don't think I'm alone in that feeling. Besides, how many brothers do you know that can really make justice between wives like they are supposed to? Very few, I imagine, can exemplify what an amazing husband Prophet Muhammad (saw) was to his wives.

My thoughts on this issue are mostly directed to the second wives or those thinking to be a second wife. Think really hard before you enter into marriage with a man that's already married. I think a second wife holds some responsibility in researching her potential mate. She needs to find out how his relationship with his first wife is. I think she should also ask to talk to the first wife before marrying. Warning Sign: if the first marriage is having troubles a second one shouldn't take place. If a husband isn't working on problems in his first marriage, why would he work on a second marriage. Ask about his finances... in DETAIL. If he has to downgrade the lifestyle of the first wife to support another, don't marry him. Nothing should change about the way his first wife (and kids if there are some) is living. She shouldn't have to sacrifice just so he can marry someone else. A second wife is an addition to life. So he should have additional funds to support her. Why would anyone want to marry a man who isn't right with his first wife anyway? Think about it... if he treats her in an unwanted way, don't you think eventually you may be treated the same. The best predictor for future behavior is past behavior.

Remember marriage in islam is not supposed to be secret. It is supposed to be open and celebrated. If a first wife doesn't know that she is a co-wife or about to become one, there is a huge problem. Sisters need to take responsibility too before entering into a new marriage, especially if another wife is involved.

Rock On!

2008-03-10T18:39:00.002-05:00

I went to my mom's house yesterday. I wanted to hang out with my little brother, it's been awhile. The boy has an X-Box 360 and got the game "Rock Band". It has a guitar, drums, and a microphone to sing. Plus another guitar can be purchased to play too. That game was super fun. We were rocking out having a complete blast. It's been awhile since I've had some fun time. I really need to get out more.

I Can't Wait!!!!!

2008-03-08T20:53:00.002-06:00

I finally feel like this is really getting better. I got my airline tickets this morning. I can't wait to see my husband! I can't wait! I can't wait! I have been so negative about it for the past month. I'm starting to feel so positive now. I never thought it would be this hard or that I would miss him so incredibly much. I really miss how much he makes me laugh, I really need his humor. 77 more days until I see that face in front of me. InshaAllah it won't be too much long after that and he will come back here. I'm freaking out with positivity today!!!!!! Woooo Hoooooo!!!!!

I've Made It

2008-03-07T19:01:00.001-06:00

Well 12 days straight of work may not seem like anything to some people, but it was really exhausting to me. I have been able to talk to my husband quite a bit more. The last month was really rough with the limited communication. Things are looking good though.

My dad is going to look at the 2 cars that don't work. He said they should be easy fixes, which is great because they need to be sold. I used to have trouble having one car that worked, now I have 3 cars and 1 of them works. My dad's offer to help me takes a huge weight off of my mind. In terms of travel.....

Passport: Check

Luggage: Check

Airline Tickets: Not yet, I'm waiting for the travel agent to get back to me.

InshaAllah it will all go smoothly.

Admiration

2008-03-04T20:07:00.002-06:00

I admire the strength I see in other people. So many people are in situations I know I could never handle. I seem strong on the outside, but I truly don't posess as much as it looks like I do. I'm am amazed by other people and the struggles they overcome.

If I know you, I am probably amazed by you. If I know you, your strength is admirable. You are awesome, and you are stronger than you think you are.

The Tension Is High

2008-03-01T13:57:00.002-06:00

Yikes! What an overload this morning was at work. I could only feel relief as I walked out that door and wondered, "What is Friday going to be like?". We are working too much. We have to work tomorrow too. After tomorrow I will have put in 64 hours for the week. It's nuts.

It was really hitting the fan today as people started arguing with each other and yelling at each other in the room. I ended up being in the middle of two people who started in on each other. I got up and left the room. I've already got enough going on, I didn't need the emotional escalation that was going on in there too.... Bonkers! There was some other stuff going on too. People are getting irritated that our group leader doesn't have to work on the weekends, but she makes sure nobody else has a reason not to be there. People are just so crabby and irritated. The rest of this week should be super interesting.

He's Been Accused

2008-02-26T18:36:00.002-06:00

That's right, senator Obama has been "accused" of being a muslim. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but an accusation implies that the person is doing something bad. So, if senator Obama is being "accused" of being muslim, being a muslim is a bad thing? Way to go media! Pictures of senator in some traditional Kenyan garb apparently makes him a muslim. His father is Kenyan, but nobody mentions that with these pictures. I think it's the turban that disturbs people.... Obama and Osama must be interchangeable since they are so closely spelled.

Doesn't anybody have anything better to worry about?

A Controversial Topic

2008-02-23T16:26:00.004-06:00

I was flipping through the channels a few nights ago, and came across "America's Next Top Model". One model on there is from an African country. When it was her turn to give the judges an overview of herself she told them about being circumcised. She talked about how strongly she felt against female circumcision, and would like to make a difference by working to eliminate female circumcision.

Ever since reading, "Possessing the Secret of Joy" by Alice Walker, I have been horrified by this topic. Female circumcision, also called female genital cutting and female genital mutilation, is different from male circumcision because it serves no health benefits.

There are 3 types of female circumcision:

Type I: The removal or splitting of the clitoral hood

Type II: Excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia minora.

Type III: Excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (called infibulation).

Type III is the worst in it's physical implications. The stitching together of the outer labia can make trouble for urine and menstrual fluid to get out. This can cause infections from being unable to clean properly.

In all it's forms female genital cutting can be very traumatic and have lifelong implications.

It's important to note that this is a cultural practice, not a religious one. Many people attribute female circumcision to Islam, and that simply isn't the case. There is one hadith that talks about it and most scholars dismiss it as being weak. Islam is a religion that respects women and doesn't promote mutilation of women. Muslim women have the right to have a good love life with their husbands, and female genital cutting inhibits this.

I guess seeing a woman on TV that went through this started to make me think. I know in Islam we shouldn't ask the "what if's" since everything is from Allah. I still had to wonder that if this woman hadn't gone through this would she have turned away from Islam? Does she attribute her circumcision to the religion? What can we do to stop this practice? I know it's being banned more and more worldwide, but what more can be done?

I Don't Even Know What To Title This Post

2008-02-17T18:47:00.002-06:00

My mom decided to have my little brother's surprise party for him 3 weeks after his birthday. I spent a good portion of my day at the bowling alley being the photographer of the event. You can't even get all the pictures of all the ridiculous things 4 teenage boys will do. It was a very different experience. The boys kept taking each other's hats and putting them on their heads. That's when my mom turned and said, "Aren't boys different. They just really don't care." You would not have seen me putting any of their hats on my head, that's for sure. It was fun though, I loved seeing my brother surprised. He had a lot of fun too.

Later at my parents house my step-dad shocked me. I would have expected it from my mom, but not my step-dad. My mom was looking at a catalog to order some baking supplies. She asked my dad what he thought about some cake decorating tools. He said, "We don't really need those unless we're going to get some grandkids soon." Looks right at me.

How exactly am I supposed to make your grandkids when my husband is in a completely different country? I said, "You'll get grandkids when I feel like giving you grandkids!" Serioulsy? Wait until my husband is gone and then give me the grandkid guilt trip! Wait until he gets back, and then guilt us both.

I Think I'm There

2008-02-16T19:54:00.002-06:00

I think I'm to the point where I will be semi-okay.

I think the first week was denial... kind of like, "He will walk in the door any minute now. He's not really gone." The second week was more negative... kind of like, "I can't do this. I can't survive. I don't think I'm strong enough. I don't think this marriage will last." I cried a firece cry all the way to work yesterday morning. I think it moved me into a better place.

Why wouldn't I be able to make it through this anyway? I found the best person for me, I truly believe that. Nobody will ever get 100% what they want in a mate. I never thought that I would find someone so wonderful. Maybe I just thought that I would never be able to let go of the past and move on. I just have to remind myself not to take the negative out of this experience, but focus on the positive.

I just want my husband home. I asked him 3 times today, "Can you please come home now?" Sick joke I know. I just want to say goodbye to him every morning when I leave. I want to laugh with him every day. I want to start our family. I pray to Allah for strength and patience. I pray to Allah to make this easy and bring us together soon.

COOOOOOOOOKIES!!!!

2008-02-13T19:20:00.002-06:00

I first fell in love with the monster cookie in one of the campus cafes at the college I went to. So, naturally when a coworker later gave me a recipe I was thrilled. I've perfected it and made it my own. This is my signature cookie. My coworkers asked me for the recipe, but they never make them. They always beg me to make them!

MONSTER COOKIES

In a larger bowl mix dry ingredients together.

4 1/2 cups of oatmeal
1 cup sugar
1cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda

In another bowl mix wet ingredients together.

3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp corn syrup
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1 1/2 cups peanut butter (I use the chunky because the nuts add to the texture of the cookies)

After these 2 bowls are mixed, add the wet to the dry. The dough gets a little difficult to mix, I have to use my hands. After this is done add in 1 cup of M&M's and 1 cup of chocolate chips. The reason to add these last is that they get melty if added earlier (like I said, I've perfected this). Once this is done we are ready to bake!

Each cookie is 1/3 cup. I get about 6 cookies per baking sheet. Flatten them out a little, they will bake better. Bake at 350 degrees for 14-17 minutes. This recipe makes about 2 dozen.

Enjoy!!!!!!

Seriously? It's Gonna Go Down Like This?

2008-02-13T15:56:00.002-06:00

Let's start with Sunday, shall we? I bought new kicks (tennis shoes, sneakers) and wanted to start breaking them in. I don't like to wear them to work right away they might cause me pain. So, I decided to wear them around the house on Sunday. I was wearing them when I decided the leftover spaghetti was sounding good. Do you know where I'm going with this? Did I mention my new kicks are white? Well, now that I dropped a dish of spaghetti on them they are orange tinted!

Monday. Not the worst day ever, just very irritating at work. Nothing wanted to go right. I hadn't heard from hubby in 3 days. I was a bit cranky and emotional. Enough said about Monday.

Tuesday. Started to feel like I had never left work. I got the antsy ADHD feeling of being at work too much, where I can't sit still and do anything. Finally got to leave and the brakes went out in the car on my way home. I was freaking out. Alhamdulilah, I got home safely.

Today. I am annoyed with work. I can't be there anymore. I left without working any overtime today. I will have to be there Saturday anyway (and maybe Sunday too, woo hoo). So there you have it. I will bake cookies tonight, and then I will sleep. Ahhhhhhh.... Sleeeeeeeeeep.

A Jumbled Mess

2008-02-10T19:23:00.000-06:00

Am I looking forward to going to work tomorrow? I most certainly am not. Am I looking forward to this coming week? Nope, not at all. I thought I was going to go nuts at work yesterday. I spent too much time there last week. Now my supervisor tells us we will probably have to work Saturday AND Sunday next week. Yay!

The only good thing about all the work is that I'm too exhausted to think about how sad I am. Too exhausted to think about how it's been a few days since I've heard from my husband. Too exhausted to look at my phone and think about what time it is there and when I might at least get an email. Too exhausted to think of anything interesting to write on my darn blog, and instead whine to the world about my problems.

I just need to keep myself positive and forward-moving. I have done the necessary steps for the crappy paperwork to get rid of some garbage in my life (not going to explain, but if you know me, you know what I'm referring to). I have my days set to spend in Egypt. I don't have tickets yet, but I carefully calculated my vacation time and took those days off from work. May 24th, I hope it comes soon. About 3 1/2 months. Which is a longer amount of time than we've been married (didn't I just write that I was going to try to focus on the positive?). InshaAllah I hope I can keep strong and positive. Separation can change you... in a good or bad way.

Drained

2008-02-07T17:57:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty drained from this week. The emotional toll is significant, but I've also been working overtime at work every day. I've been staying 2 extra hours each day, and we have to work 8 hours on Saturday. 56 hours this week. It's been helping me to take my mind off of things. I did get to talk to my husband for about an hour and a half yesterday (finally). Hearing his voice, and hearing his laugh (his crazy laugh!), I loved it. It was what I needed to feel better about this situation. Alhamdulilah. As long as our communication remains constant I will be okay.

Life is pretty boring, there isn't much happening to write about. After all, my biggest source of entertainment is in Egypt right now. I'm planning to bake Monster Cookies to send him within the next week. I will post the recipe inshaAllah.

Abandoned

2008-02-04T20:12:00.000-06:00

Soooooooooooo... I'm not doing the best today. I realize I will go through some different emotions. Today I feel abandoned. My husband and I don't have a communication plan worked out yet. It's frustrating. I feel like he left me and doesn't care. I know this isn't true, but it's how I feel. I know shaytan is just trying to get me going. I know shaytan likes nothing more than to wedge in between a husband and wife. Shaytan loves to break apart families. Strong families are the foundation to a solid community.

I know all of this, but I still feel crappy. I know my husband misses me. I also know that he is visiting with relatives he hasn't seen in a while. I know I have to be patient. But is it too much to ask for one small email, just a few words, so I can feel what I already know?

They Finally Came!

2008-02-03T13:20:00.000-06:00

I have been waiting for a month now to get these papers. Alhamdulilah, they finally came. I can finally do something about my situation. I know what needs to be done and I don't have to wonder anymore. It's just up to me to get it done.

I spent some time with UmmAbdurRahman yesterday. I needed to get out of the apartment. It was really nice to spend some time with her and her son (it's been awhile, maybe too long). She made an excellent shrimp and pasta dish, super good. It was just good to hang out. Thank you again!

My Favorite Voice

2008-02-02T10:49:00.001-06:00

It was the only voice I wanted to hear. I hadn't heard that voice in about 60 hours, 2 and a half days. I had to be awake by 3:30am for work anyway. I just set my alarm for 3, rolled over and called the number I was finally given. Alhamdulilah, there was my husband on the other end. It made it a little better. 2 and a half days of not talking to him was giving me a bit of anxiety. It will be okay, I just have to keep myself busy so I don't think about it too much.

You are right Maryam... it is just a small part of my life and I just have to keep that in mind. Thank you for your encouragement. May Allah make it easy, for both of us.

Reality?

2008-01-31T17:46:00.000-06:00

Back to home, back to work. Business as usual. Then why does it feel like I'm walking through a fog? Last night was the first night I've slept alone in over 2 months. It's a good thing I was so exhausted, or I may have dwelt on things a bit more.

We went to my security checkpoint first where we said some pretty quick good-byes. It was hard to be watched by his brother and sister-in-law and try to say good-bye. I started to cry, he started to get teary-eyed. We said our quick good-byes and love you's before we both started crying too much. That was that. My plane boarded 45 minutes late and took off an hour later than it was supposed to. I sat on that plane for far too long. My sister picked me up. She had her boyfriend's little sisters with her, 10 and 14 years old (the little one loves me). I held off crying until I heard the voicemail my husband left on my phone before he got on his plane. Then I shamelessly cried in the car.

I cried off and on at work today. I will probably do it again tomorrow. It will get easier (won't it?). I keep telling myself it will. Allah give me the strength and the patience.

All Packed Up

2008-01-28T09:09:00.000-06:00

Well, we are all packed up. I guess I should say he is all packed up. I have one small suitcase and he has a few large ones... and let's not mention all the smaller bags. We will be in New York City for 2 days. I finally get to meet his brother, sister-in-law, and their one-year old daughter. I'm excited and nervous. I've talked to the SIL on the phone a few times. Alhamdulilah, she's really nice.

I wish we were going under better circumstances. I wish that we could be together on our flight home. Instead I will be coming back to the Twin Cities Wednesday night alone, and he will be on a flight overseas. I know it will only be a couple months before we get to see each other again. But... well, I just pray for patience.

A Completely Different World

2008-01-24T15:44:00.001-06:00

Being sick is never fun, and I get my fair share of the crap. Today tops it all though. It's happened before where I have a cold and I'm so congested that I lose hearing in one of my ears. That happened last night. I woke up this morning to the faint sound of my alarm going off, and my husband asking if I was going to work. Huh? What did ya say? That's been my phrase for the day because I've been mostly deaf in both ears. It feels like I have earplugs in. Being that I can't smell or taste anything, I am left with only 2 of my 5 senses.

What else can I say but Alhamdulilah. This is only temporary inshaAllah. There are people who live this way every day of their lives. I have to remember to be patient with those that can't hear too well when they ask me to repeat myself a few times. I have to remember that it's not fun for them to ask either. I pray that Allah keeps us all in the best state of health and iman.

The Little Things

2008-01-16T19:50:00.001-06:00

It's really about the little things.

It's about going down the garage for work and seeing that my car has been washed.

It's about leaving a small note where he'll find it when he wakes up.

It's about him handing me the hair clips I've been looking for 3 weeks after I show him the package at the store. I couldn't buy them because someone had taken a clip from the package.

It's about waking up and finding he didn't charge his phone and plugging it in for him.

It's about him coming home from work and being so glad to see me that he says, "I miss you. We didn't get a chance to just sit and talk yesterday."

Those little things make it all worthwhile.

She Said It

2008-01-14T18:15:00.001-06:00

She actually said it. My mother actually said, "You know that Sally Field movie... Not Without My Daughter." Yep it was mentioned. She thinks my husband is going to whisk me away to an arab country and she will never see me again. I had my suspicions that she was thinking that movie when she mentioned this before... but she actually said it today.

Mothers of Muslim-converted daughters; GET OVER IT!!!! One movie does not make all the arabs bad kidnappers of your daughters. That movie has made it somewhat difficult for the families of muslim converts to trust their new son-in-laws.

Well, little does my mom know... my husband and I plan on her coming with me when I go to visit. Do you think he's going to imprison you there too mom?

(Please note: I find it funny that my mom said this and she was being kind of funny when she mentioned it this time)

Strange Things Happenin' In The Heights

2008-01-12T19:13:00.000-06:00

Yesterday on my drive home from work I saw an oddity. A couple people on a busy intersection of the highway dressed in statue of liberty costumes. They were holding signs that said, "Honk if you love liberty". It wasn't really warm out there... what odd balls.

That reminded me of last month...

My coworker and I were going out to the car after having a company luncheon at a different building in our company. I looked down the sidewalk we were about to cross, and got a little disturbed at what I saw. I pointed and exclaimed, "Running Santas, Look!" That's when my coworker said, "Running Santas?", and started to make a run for it. She booked it across that sidewalk and crouched down behind a parked car. She was actually freaked out by the 4 people out for a jog in 5 degree weather dressed in Santa suits. I've never seen her 60-year old body move so fast!

You never know what will happen in the heights.

What To Write?

2008-01-06T21:23:00.000-06:00

I know I haven't written in about a week. It seems I don't have much material to write about.

Do I write about the daily antics that take place? Living with my husband is like living in a comedy sketch. He's always doing funny things that crack me up. How can I remember the hundreds of small things that he does to make me laugh... I guess the important thing is that life is full of laughter and happiness.

Do I write about how there are only 3 weeks until my husband leaves for his country for an indefinite amount of time? I don't really want to think about it. It happens all the time; husbands and wives are separated by an ocean and a continent. I have the option of joining him. It just doesn't seem practical right now. InshaAllah it won't take a long time. Who knows, after 2 weeks alone I might buy a ticket and leave. I really can't imagine a day without him.

I just pray for all the people I know that are separated. May Allah bring your families back together soon.

Growl Grrrrrrrrrrr

2008-01-02T04:45:00.000-06:00

I am un-enthused about going back to work this morning. 11 days away from that place was a complete and total tease. The only reason I'm up this early and blogging before work... I was afraid I wouldn't wake up to my alarm. That made for a really restful night of sleep. Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh. I want to go back to my warm, warm bed.

Here's hoping I stay awake and survive the day.

An All Around Nice Day

2007-12-29T22:15:00.000-06:00

We went to the Como Zoo today. I know you're thinking it's a little cold for the zoo, right? It wasn't too bad. There are enough indoor places to warm up in between. The polar bears were pretty active. We watched them for quite a while; entertaining. It was a nice walk in the conservatory too. We went with another couple, so it was pretty fun. Then we went out for dinner. It wasn't the most exciting day, but just really nice and well spent.

A Small Review

2007-12-29T22:06:00.000-06:00

I've wanted to go to the Pompeii exhibit at the science museum for months now. So I talked the husband into going the other day. I wanted to catch the exhibit before it was over in a week. It was cool, but less than my expectations. I've been to other exhibitions at the museum and they were fantastic. We still had a good time though.

I did however get super excited when I went to the library yesterday. I've heard about this on TV, but didn't really pay too much attention to it. It's called the Museum Adventure Pass. There are about 20 different museums/educational type places to choose to go to. You use your library card to "check out" a pass to one of the places. You can do one per week. Not a bad deal. If you live in Minnesota you should check it out. You can find out more about it at www.melsa.org . There are some good ones for kids too. It lasts until next September. We plan on going to the Twin City Model Railroad Museum next. We're totally cheesy, but it's fun!

This Is How It's Done

2007-12-27T13:51:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I didn't intend for it to happen like it did. I had every intention of cooking the dinner myself, but.... well I learned something AND I didn't have to cook.

It started when I decided to make fattah for my husband. I know he wanted it, (we were invited to someone's house for it, but couldn't go) so I tried to look up some recipes online. I thought, "Hey, I can make that. It doesn't look that hard." Then I questioned some of the ingredients in the soup part of the recipe. So, I asked him if all that went in the soup. He shook his head and asked, "Why?". I explained that I was going to try making it. That's when he got "the look". You know the one, right? The one that says, "If she makes that it's not going to be right". That's when I barely heard him say, "I know how to make it". Huh?

So we went to the grocery store later and got the rest of the ingredients, and other groceries. We got home and he started cooking. I unpacked the groceries and started making a salad, therefore missing many important steps in fattah making. So, when he asked if I knew how to make it now... I said I missed half of it, and he'll have to show me again.

That's how you get your husband to cook.

A Little Scare

2007-12-25T10:31:00.000-06:00

It's weird how these things happen sometimes...

The other day my husband slid on the icy road and the car spun around. He called me to come help him, and he sounded okay, just a little shaken up. Two seconds later the phone rang again. This time my sister, hysterically freaking out on the phone. Freaking out about how she knew it was him and couldn't get over to that lane to help him. She just happened to be driving by and saw the whole thing. I didn't panic until she called. He said he was okay, but still.... How in the world was I supposed to drive slow when I just wanted to get there and make sure he's okay with my own 2 eyes?

Alhamdulilah, everybody is all right. It was just a little scare, just a little one.

A Little Vacay

2007-12-22T08:56:00.000-06:00

Alhamdulilah, I have the next 11 days at home from work. I don't have to be back until January 2nd. I have some cleaning projects in mind. I accomplished quite a few of them this fall, but have realized there are more to do. I need to step up on my exercising. I've lost a bit of weight and my doctor was pretty pleased with me when I went in last week, but I know I need to exercise more. I can do better. I have to get as happy and healthy as possible if starting a family is in the future.

11 straight days away from work.... aaaaaaaahhhhhh. It's so nice.

Eid Mubarak!!!

2007-12-19T19:50:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to write a little note to say Eid Mubarak to everyone. I hope everyone had a happy and blessed Eid day. I also pray that Allah accepts everyone's fasts from the days before.

Take care and Allah bless.

Impressive

2007-12-15T18:55:00.000-06:00

I am always annoyed at the behavior of many parents I observe in public. I've seen a parents at restaurants with a child, and all the parent does is talk on their cell phone the entire time. Nice quality time, eh?. Then there are the parents that completely ignore their children. Then you wonder why they scream in the store. Hello! They need a little attention, after all, you brought them with you.

I know I'm not a parent, and I'm pretty skeptical of others... Don't get me wrong, I see plenty of decent parents too. I'm just talking in general. It just touched me yesterday when I saw a father and about 10 year-old son walking into the store. They were having a nice conversation. An elderly gentleman was having trouble with what appeared to be a new car with the car alarm going off. The father stopped over to help him turn it off. He showed his son how to be kind and helpful to people. Later I came across them again in the store, still having a conversation.

I was impressed. Kudos to that dad!

Squirrels Gone Wild

2007-12-12T18:29:00.001-06:00

Some of my best ideas are not always the best. Take for instance the other evening, my dad brought me an ice cream cake from DQ. It was too huge to store the other half in the freezer. Miss A decides its a good idea to stick it out on the balcony. How wrong I was.

When I got home from work yesterday my husband tells me his heroic tale of cake saving... kind of. He heard a rustling out on the balcony. That's when he looked out and saw a gang of squirrels chewing through the top of the plastic container. The picture isn't the best, but you can see the hole they chewed. Unfortunately they didn't get to the treat.

I will tell you upon further inspection, there is squirrel fur on that cake and there is no way I'm touching it. Plus I think the husband is getting a squirrel paranoia like I have, he said they were staring at him and it was creepy!

No Other Word To Say

2007-12-11T18:57:00.000-06:00

Alhamdulilah

I am another year older. Another year has passed and so many things have happened.

Alhamdulilah

Another year of my life is starting and there is so much to look forward to.

Alhamdulilah

I had a super nice day at work. The ladies took me to Marina for lunch. I had a super nice afternoon when I came home. I had flowers here and I didn't have to cook tonight. My husband took me out for dinner. I feel really blessed by Allah for all that I have.

Alhamdulilah

Neglecting...

2007-12-10T16:09:00.000-06:00

I have been neglecting this blog... sigh. I have been neglecting my email, the computer in general has not been used much by me. We've been pretty busy, running around here and there. We have been busy just spending time together, it's nice. I cook dinner, we eat together, and he washes the dishes. It's pretty mundane, but alhamdulilah, it's great.

InshaAllah the fasting of the first 9 days of Dhul-Hijja starts tomorrow. The Hajj. Don't forget to fast the 9th day, the Day of Arafa. The reward for the acceptance of fasting on that day is your sins forgiven from the previous year and the year to come. Very expensive. May Allah accept our fasts on that day.

Hopefully I will get to this blog a little more often. Sorry peeps.

Every Now And Again There Is Happiness

2007-12-01T21:17:00.000-06:00

It's amazing to me that for so long I kept dreaming and hoping for something that would never happen. I wanted it so badly that I never stopped to realize that maybe there was something better if I just gave up.

Alhamdulilah.

I have been married for a week and a half now. It has been the best week and a half. Don't get me wrong, we are adjusting to each other, it's not 24/7 happiness.

I never imagined that I would be this happy as a wife. It seemed impossible. He's an amazing man and so far a wonderful husband. His personality is perfect for me. Alhamdulilah. I am so lucky that Allah blessed me. I pray that Allah keeps us happy and strengthens our bonds, building love and mercy between us.

Being married has left very little time for blogging. I'd apologize, but I'm not really sorry...

Miss A MIA

2007-11-26T19:55:00.001-06:00

I know it's been awhile, I really want to write, but...

well, I'm tired. My 4 day weekend was awesome. Today though, well you know how it is when reality sets in. Back to the daily routine. I'm exhausted. I got used to sleeping in and going to bed late, and suffered for it last night. InshaAllah tomorrow will be a much better day. I don't have to run all over the place. I can relax.... relax.

Sorry I've been missing for awhile. Maybe I'll get a chance to write all about it tomorrow.

Cleaning, Cleaning

2007-11-19T15:24:00.000-06:00

It was fall cleaning day yesterday. I cleaned like I haven't cleaned in quite some time. I hit all the nooks and crannies. I did laundry on Saturday; blankets, pillows, rugs, and everything else. I'm enjoying the clean and ready to smack my sister if she messes it up. Seriously though, I worked so hard this weekend and I'm enjoying it. I'm looking forward to 4 days of relaxation in a clean apartment.

My sister will be almost non-existent since she works retail. Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year ya'll. My mom was trying to convince me that I needed to go shopping at the outlet mall; it will be open at midnight Thursday. She tried to convince my sister first (obviously didn't think that one through). I'll be staying far from the malls... but for all you hard core shoppers out there, Enjoy!

Like So Much Wet Laundry In A Bag

2007-11-18T11:15:00.000-06:00

I sat on the couch trying to fix the fringe on my hijab that got messed up in the wash. I looked over at the bag of wet laundry that still needed to be hung to dry. I continued on the fringe. My mind wandered. My mom is giving me a hard time. I'm trying to deal with it. She's annoyed that I changed my cell phone number. Here's news: so am I. I didn't enjoy receiving weird text messages and phone calls. I've had the same phone number for the last 8 years, and it was an easy one to remember. Oh well, what could I do?

She's also annoyed that I'm muslim. It's been 5 years, get over it! She's being kind of mean about it though. I have a headache.

I wish I didn't have to think about what my mom is putting me through right now. I need to focus. There's so much to get done, so many things to do, so many things to look forward to. The next couple of weeks are going to be so busy.

I better hang up my wet laundry.

Nothing To Fear

2007-11-15T16:12:00.000-06:00

I've been so afraid so long. So afraid to let go of something that was never really mine to begin with. Just a bunch of hopes and dreams that I was afraid to let go of.

I prayed so much to Allah about all of this. To allow me to just let it go. To not be afraid. To move on.

It's amazing the things that can happen when you finally decide to let go of the things that were holding you down. Life seems to be getting better and better. It's amazing how much things are changing in such a short time. Alhamdulilah.

Countdown

2007-11-13T18:09:00.000-06:00

I can't wait for next week. Four days off of work in a row. Thursday thru Sunday, pretty sweet. Only eight more days, eight more days! See how slow my life is... I have to countdown to days off. InshaAllah it will be the best four days ever.

Family Dinner

2007-11-10T17:01:00.000-06:00

It's been a busy week, with a lot on my mind. I wanted to post this earlier, but didn't get a chance. Last Sunday I made dinner for my family, and took pics of course. My mom was super impressed by how I can cook and keep everything so tidy at the same time. She is like a whirlwind in the kitchen, and I clean as I go. Alhamdulilah, we had a nice dinner and spent a really nice time together.

All the dishes prepared and ready to go. I should take a better picture of the cups. I think they are so cute, they have little gold fishies on them.

Some little pre-meal yummies. Can't tell we love black olives, can ya?
Green beans, gotta be a little healthy.
Corn bread stuffing right outta the bird! Yes, I stuffed the turkey.
Garlic mashed potatos. I'm making myself hungry now.
That's right, I made the gravy myself. My mom was impressed, apparently it never turns out for her. She said it was the best gravy ever.
And... the meal is not complete without the turkey of course.
I made enough food, I bought the cookies.
My mom brought a salad too. We had so much food. Alhamdulilah.

As a side story: My mom brought some ceaser salad dressing that she just bought at the store. Her and step-dad tried it and tasted it's rancid-ness. Expiration date: 08 Dec 2005. Yummy! Don't forget to check the dates. Though the look on their faces was funny as I read the date and they started freaking out.

The Day My Heart Burst

2007-11-05T17:08:00.000-06:00

It felt like a hand reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, and just squeezed it. It was the worst sensation. I know that words can not even describe this horrible feeling. How can you explain how it feels when your heart is being ripped from your chest? You just can't. How can you explain how it feels to have your heart left half-dead? I remember it so vividly though it was a few years ago. It happened the day after I took shahada and accepted islam. How do you go from the feeling like you are starting life over again one day to feeling that your heart is being squeezed the next?

My heart was left for dead....

until the other day.

Such pain. I had to hold myself up in the store, hoping nobody would notice. My heart burst, such exquisite pain, and then.... nothing.

I no longer feel. Maybe it's better this way. If I never love, trust, or care about another person again then I will never have to feel that pain again. Maybe it's just better this way.

Just Sitting

2007-11-03T20:13:00.000-05:00

I spent some time with my mom this afternoon. She wanted to go shopping and hang out. Neither one of us bought anything, but we just wandered and had a nice time. One of her objectives was to go to the MinuteClinic because she thought she had an ear infection. So we found the nearest one at a Cub store. She was in there for over a half an hour.

I sat in the waiting section which is at the end of the checkout lines. I watched people bag their groceries and leave. I watched the boy's soccer team ask if they could bag groceries for donations. I sat, I watched, and I started to think. I was thinking about Organic's post on Husband Shopping and some of the comments on that post. Some people posted that it's best to just let it come naturally, to possibly "bump" into Mr. Perfect in the grocery store. Well, I got news for you people, I didn't see one muslim brother that I could bump into.

It's not that easy to be muslim and try to find a husband when your family is christian and can't help you. If I do see a brother at the grocery store, do you really think we're going to approach each other? We don't know if the other one is married. Would I really want a brother that's going to be approaching me in a store? Probably not.

I don't know where I'll find him, or who he'll be. I pray to Allah that it's a good, lasting relationship. I know one thing for sure, I don't ever want to be looking for a husband again!

Some Memories

2007-10-29T19:44:00.000-05:00

This morning I started thinking about Halloween. I know, I'm muslim I don't celebrate Halloween. I was just thinking about how the small kiddies look so cute in their costumes. Although I don't celebrate Halloween, I do enjoy seeing the little ones in their costumes. It brought some fond memories back to me.

I remembered when my buddy was about 4 years old, and I was living in the dorms at school. My parents let him stay with me for Halloween. I never thought of how significant this would have been to them. This moment that was solely theirs as parents, and they gave it to me. I got to dress him up in his Winnie-the-Pooh costume. I got to take him trick-or-treating through the dorms where a bazillion college students fawned over him. I was given that moment, and I am SO thankful for it. 9 years ago I got to take that blue eyed cutie all over, stuff him full of candy, and then send him back to my parents!

Shells And Cheese Baby!

2007-10-29T15:52:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 box of Jumbo Shells (not sure how many oz., but there was only one size)
1- 15 oz. container of Ricotta Cheese
1 lb. of ground beef (ground lamb would be yummy too)
1 or 2 jars of pasta sauce
1- 16 oz. bag of cheese (I used mozzerella, but experimenting is always good)
1 onion chopped small
minced garlic to taste (I love garlic so I use alot)

Preheat oven to 350

Boil the shells, drain them, and set them aside.

Heat up a skillet on med. heat. I like to cook the onion and garlic with my ground beef. Some might prefer to saute it a bit before putting the beef in.

Once the beef is browned, set it aside and let it cool. Once it's cool mix it with the ricotta.

Spoon the mixture into your shells, and put them in your baking pan. Use your discretion as to how full you want the shells. I was able to stuff almost the whole box of shells, I think I put about 1 heaping teaspoon, maybe added a little more than that. I had to use 2 baking dishes. I got them close to each other in the pan and poured the pasta sauce over them. Be generous with the sauce, you don't want your noodles to dry out. Bake your shells for 45 mins. take them out and put your mozzerella over the top, and bake for another 15 mins. Then you have a delicious meal!

I didn't use all the shredded cheese, but I can always find other things to put it in.

Good Things Come In 3's?

2007-10-24T20:26:00.001-05:00

I made a really non-nutritious dinner of ricotta cheese stuffed shells. I did add a salad to this dinner though, so veggies were on the menu. So this dinner would be good thing #1.

Good thing #2? I totally got my awesome granny ride back!!!!! It spent about 3 months in the underground parking spot. Then it got pushed to the outside parking lot (I was thrilled to be able to use my underground parking again). It spent a month sitting outside and finally went to the mechanic. It's cured! It runs! It is a total grandma car! But it's mine, all mine! Even other muslims look at me funny when they see me driving down the road in this.

What's that you ask? What's good thing #3? I don't know, I'm still waiting for it to happen!

Expletives

2007-10-22T19:57:00.000-05:00

That's what I have for Blogger today. This program is kinda peeving me off right now. I was trying to put up a post for the past few days. Will Blogger upload my photos? Nope. Can I finish my post without the photos? Nope. It wouldn't be the same.

So, nuts to Blogger. Get your program outta the crapper so I can finally finish my freakin' posts!

Fall Fun

2007-10-21T10:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was an absolute blast. For the third year, I've taken my little brother to a corn maze/fall festival. This time my mom and step-dad came along too. They didn't want to interfere with the brother-sister time, so they said they would go off on their own, cool. They just liked my corn maze/fall fun idea (but they drove and paid for the admission, I wasn't complaining).

There was a thing called the Pumpkin Slinger. My dad and bro tried to use these huge sling shots to shoot small pumpkins into a thing out in the field. You need to try to get it in the hole which is the mouth on the guy.

Way to go Daddy-O!

The top of my boy's head, and you can kind of see what they're aiming at.

Too many people so I missed the shot of the boy feeding the llama, but got one of the llama sniffing his hand! They had a petting zoo there where you could feed the animals.

Dude! I totally fed a camel, it tickled.

There was a magician there this year. That was pretty cool. I was amazed by the tricks. How did he pull that rabbit out of the book?!!? My brother and I kept looking at each other like, "How did he do that?".

We all went in the maze at the same time and split up. Me with the boy and my mom with my dad. We found my mom when she got lost from my dad (tee hee). She soon disappeared to find my dad again. At one point we saw the parents and the boy yelled "RUN!" and took off. I had to go running after him, except his legs are way longer than mine, I finally caught up to him. The boy and I hit all the checkpoints and got out of the maze first, Woo Hoo! We ate some roasted corn, and drank fresh lemonade while we waited for the 'rents. It wasn't too long after that we started on our way home. We were all exhausted just like the little lion cub at the petting zoo.

It's Been Awhile

2007-10-20T10:39:00.000-05:00

I'm getting bad about updating this blog....

It was such a nice week though. I didn't even mind going to work this week. I was on the line that is really physically challenging, but with two ladies that were so much fun to work with. It was almost like it wasn't work. That next to never happens where I work. Thursday night's episode of "The Office" was hilarious. My sister was here to watch it with me (I've gotten her addicted to it). It's so much better to share the laughter.

Something very important got taken care of this week as well. That is a HUGE weight lifted off of my shoulders. I hope this good stuff just keeps coming.

A Little Eid Party

2007-10-13T23:35:00.000-05:00

Alhamdulilah, it was a really nice day. One of the sisters had a little Eid party at her house. It was a really good time. I met some sisters I didn't know before. We ate, we talked, we laughed, we watched the kids go nuts. All in all a good day. The only interruption to the goodness was a call from my sister that brought a few tears to my eyes with her sentimental rememberances. I quickly wiped them away and again chatted happily with the sisters.

I couldn't have had a better Eid celebration if I tried.

EID MUBARAK!

2007-10-12T20:33:00.000-05:00

To all the brothers and sisters out there. I pray that you all have a blessed Eid. May Allah accept all our fasting, prayers, and good deeds from the past month. InshaAllah have a great Eid!

Strength

2007-10-09T16:50:00.000-05:00

Do you have any idea how much inner strength you posess? Any idea how much you can bear, and how that strength can get you through? I never imagined that I would have to go through so much. I never imagined that I could be strong enough to take all this. Some of the simplest things have been made difficult and complicated. How does this happen? How can I deal?

This Ramadan has strengthened me in a way I never thought imaginable. I have only Allah to rely on. Even the person I've relied on the most to be there, isn't really there. Only Allah can give me the strength to get through what today brought me. He will not give us a burden we can not bear. Alhamdulilah.

A Pretty Good Week

2007-10-06T11:51:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I blogged. It's been a pretty good week. It's amazing how much better a week can go when you don't have a cold/flu the whole week. I got a surprising letter in the mail this week. I interviewed for a job 3 1/2 months ago, and I got the letter in the mail telling me I didn't get the position. Really? I didn't get the position? After 3 1/2 months I didn't figure that out, was it necessary to still send your letter? I think they could've saved themselves the stamp.

At work this week our muslim group held an iftar dinner. I invited my friend to come with me. The food was absolutely delicious, the company was great. I got to meet a few new people. I got excited about some upcoming things within our company too. The building that my division is moving in is being redone. They asked the muslim group what we needed as far as space for prayer and washing for wudu. It sounds like we're going to get a nice washroom and a really nice prayer room. Alhamdulilah. Every year we have a "holiday" party in December. They call it a holiday party, not a Christmas party. They have a video they show every year with prayer readings from all different religions. It's been the same video for a really long time. They re-did it this year to include a muslim reading as well. Alhamdulilah. I work for a huge global company, and muslims are becoming more visible. Alhamdulilah.

Fjar Prayer

2007-09-30T18:42:00.001-05:00

I often take for granted what a hard time it can be for others to wake up and pray fjar (morning prayer). During the week I am up during the fjar time anyway, it's not difficult for me to "make" this prayer. On the weekends I can wake up, pray, and eventually doze back off to sleep on the days I have nothing planned. I feel terriffic when I pray fjar, it feels as though my day is starting off right. In modern day society there really is no excuse for not getting up for this glorious prayer. I used to have a few excuses myself that I've overcome:

Oversleeping- We have alarm clocks now, it's not like we are amish.

Not waking up to the alarm- Really? When it's something "important" like an appointment or work, do you oversleep the alarm? Probably not, or you likely don't have your job anymore. Let's face it, our prayers our more important than work even, so why not get up?

It's too much work- In all reality, how long does it take to make wudu and pray 2 rakah? Maybe 15 minutes at the MOST. We can't wake up for 15 minutes? Seriously? I have no problem falling back asleep afterward.

What do they say in the athan for fjar... "Prayer is better than sleep". Truly it is.

"Perform As-Salat from mid-day till the darkness of the night, and recite the Quran in the early dawn. Verily, the recitation of the Quran in the early dawn is ever witnessed." 17:78

The angels in charge of mankind during the night and during the day are both present at fjar.

Start your day off the right way, eating breakfast is important too, but I'm talking about getting up to worship Allah. To thank Allah for allowing us to start another day. You may think that you will feel sleepy, but everything is from Allah. I never feel sleepy when I wake up for fjar, I feel that my day has been started in the best way possible.

A Mother's Importance

2007-09-29T10:26:00.000-05:00

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor.

And lower unto them the wing of submissionand humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young."" (Quran 17:23-24)

170: Volume: 8, Book Number: 73, Hadith Number: 2Narrated Abu Huraira:
A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father. "

172: Volume: 8, Book Number: 73, Hadith Number: 6Narrated Al-Mughira:
The Prophet said, "Allah has forbidden you ( 1 ) to be undutiful to your mothers (2) to withhold (what you should give) or (3) demand (what you do not deserve), and (4) to bury your daughters alive. And Allah has disliked that (A) you talk too much about others ( B), ask too many questions (in religion), or (C) waste your property."

There are plenty of reminders for me to be good to my mother. It's not always easy, sometimes she pushes me too far. Our relationship is very strained at times. I just have to remember how important it is to be good to my mother in islam. Though she may say things that upset me, I just have to hold my mouth shut, and let it go. She not only went through all the hardship to carry me and give brith to me. She fed me and changed my diapers. She always made sure that I was taken care of. After my parents divorced, she struggled through working difficult jobs to make sure my sister and I had our needs met. May Allah bless her with the good things in this life. May Allah help me to give her all the respect and regard she deserves from me.

Success!

2007-09-26T20:27:00.000-05:00

I can now breathe through at least one of my nostrils! And sometimes both of them, (usually after I blow my nose, so it's not long-lasting). I am sure that is just the imformation you wanted to read when you came to my blog.

I just realized it's been about a week since I've posted. I've been keeping busy, Alhamdulilah, and spent a couple of days being sick, woo hoo!

I am almost caught up on my Quran reading. I fell one chapter behind due to illness, but am working to catch up. InshaAllah soon. I feel good about this Ramadan. I feel I am keeping on track with what I set out to do. I feel that is successful so far. It is about half over and inshaAllah I will keep the success for the last two weeks as well.

I hope your Ramadan is successful too. I pray that you feel like you did all that you could for Allah this Ramadan. InshaAllah we will keep on after this month too.