Working at an Islamic school

I have started my new job!!! class is not yet in session but we have been doing professional development and getting the classrooms ready... Ill post pics of my classroom soon. Well it is so strange working in an all Islamic environment, I mean when i hear the principal over the intercom calling us to prayer I still get shocked!
The Good:

1. So much diversity!! The principal is from Taiwan, married to an American.There are two American teachers including myself, one Mexican, a few Palestinians and several Lebanese.
2. It really feels like a family, so far everyone has been so kind and helpful.
3. EVERYONE WEARS HIJAB!! for once in my life I am not the only one and I don't have to worry about seeing any cracks... in the public school system, I have seen my share!
4. Eid Holidays! NO SCHOOL!! And we get out an hour during Ramadan. YAY
5. I feel like I will learn so much working at an Islamic school.

The Bad:

1. To be perfectly honest... the pay really Sucks, I make half of what I would be making in the public school system and most of the teachers have husbands who make a lot of money so they don't really need it.
2. It can get Catty!!! so many women in one place... need I say more?
3. Cliques, just when I though high school was over... all the Palestinians go out for coffee and don't invite any of the rest of us :(
4. NO MONEY.. for supplies, field trips, anything.
5. I have an assistant who so wants my job... she has been there for seven years almost and thinks she owns the place..grrrrr... Its My Classroom!!!

I am soooooo tired...working is hard!!

So what do you all think of private Islamic schools? Are they a good Idea or do they stifle children by not allowing them to be in a real world environment?

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Until july 26!

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Puerto Rican-American rapper Hamza Perez quit a life on the street 12 years ago and became Muslim; starting a new religious community, and rebuilding his shattered family. But when the FBI raids his Pittsburgh mosque, Hamza must confront the realities of the post-9/11 world. New Muslim Cool takes viewers on a spiritual journey to some surprising places in an America that never stops changing.

Really?

Today was family day at the Masjid. There was food, games, gossip, hijabs for sale (I had to buy one!) birth announcements, the whole bit. I decided this would be a great opportunity for my in laws to see the diversity of the American Muslims. It was fun, I enjoyed my self and being among my peeps, after we prayed and were about to leave my mother in law Amee said something that was actually a little shocking to me. First the backstory:

Amee has lived all her life in Pakistan, this is her forst time outside of the country, she is educated, a teacher like myself. Amee's father was a wealthy landlord who was quite religiously conservative. Amee does not hijab like most Pakistani women but it still quite modest. Amee is from an area of Pakistan that borders Afghanistan. Knowing all this I was still stunned when my 58 year old mother in law said "this is my first time at a Masjid"

Pakistan is a Muslim country (in theory) there is a Masjid on every corner.... so WHY? The misjid is the house of Allah... Why had she never went? she told me that she was happy to have been at the Masjid and had me take her picture so that she could show her friends when she went back home.

Really? I don't understand why women would not be welcomed or at least have their own Masjids... I still don't get it.

what is your opinion?

Happy to be Muslim

I complain all the time... it is a very bad quality.. but I do complain

about people gawking at me
rude comments and remarks
not being able to find an appropriate swimsuit
difficulties shopping
being allergic to mangoes

BUT
I am happy to be me, a Muslim.
Why?
The inner peace I find know that the Almighty is most gracious and merciful and that I am on the right path of righteousness.
I enjoy not being objectified because of the beautiful modesty.
There are so many reasons I am happy to be Muslim...

What are some things you enjoy most about being a Muslim? Dear readers: Please Comment, let me know you are out there!

patriotic Muslim

patriotic Muslim

It is the Forth of July! Time for picnics, friends & family, and of course fireworks. Now to the real meaning of July 4.... Independence from the Brits all those years ago, The problem I have with commemorating this holiday it that... While 'America' was free from their 'oppressors' they in turn became oppressors ie. slavery, occupation, imprisonment, reservations..... and so on.
BUT
I have traveled abroad and aside from France, there is no other country I would rather live, I enjoy my job, educating children from all over the world, I love my small Muslim community that allows us to connect and band together as a unique bunch. I like driving and going off for my alone time in a coffee shop. I like going to the movies with my hubby and eating together in a restaurant (things we could not do in his country without disapproving stares) I love my family and having my own home away from them. I am so happy that there are services for abused women and children, when I saw a child during my student teaching who had to be removed from her home because of the constant bruises she came to school.

All in all I am an American Muslim, and proud to be one! lets hear it for the red, white, and blue.. hooray for France:D

You must be hot!

Most Hijabies living in non Muslim countries often get this comment "you must be hot!" or "aren't you sweating under all that?" What to say... bother to explain?

My best responses yet is "um... actually it's like 90 degrees, whose not hot?" and "Yes it is hot out but should we all just get naked to escape the heat?"... (for when I'm in a sour mood) Grrr.... weird questions from random people... I'll never get use to it. Back to my swimsuit situation : While walking past the pool near my apartment (avoiding the odd looks from the women in their underwear) I began to contemplate.... a one piece hijab, workout pants (the swish swish kind) a long sleeve runner shirt and one of those trendy cover ups (one that does not cling) it may not be pretty but it could work!

I don't know... Wish there was a woman's only pool!!! then I would wear those cute little leggings that some people call modest :D

I want to swim

My new apartment has 2 swimming pools and I want to swim. Nothing wrong with swimming, only thing is I am having so much trouble finding a hijab friendly suit that is not bulky and uncomfortable, tight and reveling, or way out of my price range. I am kinda thinking of making my own but I just don't know where to start.

any ideas??

Masjid - family night-- getting personal

I have finally gotten the Internet connected in my new place yay!

Yesterday there was a family night at the local Masjid, I really enjoy connecting with the Muslim community, being with the sisters, and enjoying the awesome food There was great conversation that centered around children and child birth. Childless as I am there was the lingering question from the sisters "So, when do you and your husband plan on starting a family?"
Well... we do have a family... me and him...
but then again it did kind of get to me, kids would be great, I would make an awesome mother, I am healthy, BUT Husband is still a student and He is SO not ready to be a dad...so I have to wait, it does not seem fair... Alas

my question for my Muslim readers
What do you think of family planning?

Im Back!! and Home School anyone? :(

Salaams out there!

I have been MIA for a few days due to my Mango trip, but I am back and I am 85% cleared up. Hooray.

As most of you know I recently took on a job at a private Islamic school. the principal sent me an article about Muslim parents who choose to home school. read here
Honestly, I read the article and I still have my negative feelings about the whole home schooling thing, while some parents can teach their children and actually have them learn I do not think that most have the training to do it effectively. The 'sensitive' child in the article probably could have benefited from being exposed to other children. Maybe it's tough love on my part but kids need to experience building their own personalities away from mummy!
Its like extreme sMothering, children need to be around other children to socialize and to be able to relate to people who are different from them.
Anyone agree?

(this just reminded me of a book review I need to write!) Stay tuned