Im still here!

Salaams everyone! I hope every ones Ramadan is going well. I for one am having a blast and thinking that Ramadan is going by way to fast. I am so busy at school, cooking, cleaning(not) I don't get any time to post :(

um...yeah... this was my plate at the first community iftar... they just kept piling it on... I could not say no... I made the noodle stuff :D

I am FABULOUS!!

YaY me!! I got an award!!! thanks to Ayah from http://inthekingdomnotprincess.blogspot.com/

The rules of this award are;
•List five current obsessions.
•Pass the award on to five more fabulous blogs.
•On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.
•When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. Don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by leaving a comment on their blog.

Obsessions:
1: Islam and all aspects thereof
2: Shopping
3: Mary Kay Facial cleanser, moisturizer, and toner
4: Cheetos
5: Sponges

yup I am one weird Muslimah

Blogs I love and nominate are
Malizea at http://simplyramadan.blogspot.com/
struggling at http://strugglinmuslimah.blogspot.com/

Well two out of five at bad.... It take too long......

I did it!!

"You are the proud Donner of blood"
The Masjid had a family day had pizza, games, henna, and the red cross coming to take our blood! I had never given blood before and I was so scared that it was going to hurt, I survived! to those 3 people whose life my blood will be saving: You are so welcome!

That book review

So here is that book review I had been meaning to write...

Title: The age of Shiva

Author: Manil Suri

Seventeen-year-old Meera blunders into marriage and finds herself domineered by both her husband's orthodox family and her progressive but controlling father. Determined not to let men rule her life, she embarks on a series of rebellions that take her across the landscape of a newly independent India. It is only when her son is born that Meera sees her chance for happiness and unleashes the passion she has held in for so long.


What I thought:
Very interesting... the first page is about breast feeding but is sounds like the text of a soft porn skit...ewww. The main character Meera goes through a lot but this woman made many bad choices and blamed everyone else all the while choosing not to make her life easier. And then she has a son and ...wow.... he is it for her. But what her love does to him is quit creepy... if you read this book I think you will walk away with a greater understanding of why it is so important not to sMOTHER children!

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

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?

Once again.. Thanks MOM

Watching TV... a habit i should really give up. I was flipping through the channels taking break from packing and stooped on ABC Family.... Family television, cant be to bad right?
THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER
A show that glamorises teen pregnancy and makes it seem like it's just a part of life the the American teenager
Disgusted -I continued flipping through the channels and saw
MAURY: WHO FATHERED MY KIDS?
I mean I could stop to giggle and the ladies who run and fall on the floor when NONE of the three men she thought could be her baby-daddy happen to be the dad...
Annoyed but slightly amused -I kept going
MTV: I'M 16 AND PREGNANT
yet another show about teen pregnancy it may sound mean but I laughed at the one girl who was fussing at her MOTHER for ruining HER life!

I ended up watching the little couple on TLC.

I AM SO HAPPY I had parents who taught me self respect, religion, responsibilities, and common sense, I honestly do not understand the choices people make... even as a teenager one should be able to tell right from wrong... I'm just saying...

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

Hijab demands RESPECT!

Today I went apartment shopping... ohhh how stressful :(

to the point though...

Husband and I were stopped at a red light and this carload of teens pulled up next to us blaring this awful song about what she is going to to do and he is going to do when and where and all that mess. The teacher in me came out and I was looking over at those kids like "where are the parents??" The driver spotted me and my disappointed expression .... he said something to his buddy in the car who in turn looked at me... then something AMAZING happened .

The driver reached over...and...He turned off the music!!!! I know its not much but I felt awesome!

GET OVER IT! I'm ranting

I am so tired of people looking at me as if I have a bomb on my head! There are MILLIONS of Muslims in the USA...

haters.... just get over it, were not going anywhere. Honestly I have had people completely forget their manners and whip out their cell phone to take a picture. I have had grown adults in Wal Mart actually point and stare. I was walking in the mall and some guy yells at his friend "Look! there goes a Muslim!". I have had my public school 10 year olds totally panic because they realized that my scarf meant I was Muslim (even though they did not know what Muslim meant). I don't really know who to blame for the ignorance that is passed as intolerance and prejudices... Pick up a book!!! The world is a big place!

Thanks mom!

I am Special!! Thanking Allah today for guiding me through another year on this earth!

And Thanking God for this awesome MANGO Lassie... and all the blessing he grants me each day.

Book Review - The Yacoubian Building

I am a Book Worm,

and I love to learn about other cultures and countries,

and I don't have a job so I shop in the bargain books section.

So when I found The Yacoubian Building: by Alaa Al Aswany for $4.99 I was excited, the story takes place in modern day Egypt and evolves around the lives of several characters whose lives cross paths at the Yacoubain Building. It sounded interesting. Interesting it was, but while reading it I actually felt...well.... disgusted. I hated all the characters and was happy to be rid of them when I finished the book. Also It made me really not want to visit Egypt...if it was indeed portraying the real common day Egypt. Everyone was miserable and corrupt.

Did I miss something? This book is suppose to be an international best seller!

A Random Mango Post

I was just sitting here recovering from my steroid shot (because of my reaction to the mango), wondering:
“What would happen if I was stranded on a desert island and the only thing to eat was mangoes?”
I mean I can eat one and my lips swell for a week, I mean what if that was all I had to eat for a month or so…and they are so yummy!?
Whoa… this is what a steroid shot does to me. You have to love modern medicine :D

Ms. Mango and the restroom confrontation

Ok... I am from a small town and there are not a lot of Muslims, even fewer who hijab. But I was still a little shocked when I was in the restroom of the public library washing my hands and a lady comes in and stares me down for a while, looking a little frightened. As I was about to escape her, she stopped me, our conversation as follows:

Lady: Hey....um.... ur Islamic Right...

Me: Yeah... u could say that.

Lady: well... I wondered ...you know cause your hair is all covered.

Me: Yeah... I'm Muslim.

Lady: oh.... But you don't think all that bombing and stuff they are doing is right do you?

Me: They? Bombing? sorry I don't follow u...

Lady: oh I did not me to offend you or anything...but you know 9- 11 and stuff.

Me: Ohhh.. well I don't have time to explain it all but.. I don't blow up any buildings, neither do any of the Muslims that I know and I know quit a few, Islam is a religion of peace.

I smile and exit the restroom but Lady is not done she follows me...

Lady: What does peace have to do with blowing up things?

Me: whispering because this is a library

Nothing.. I just told you... those people are not really Muslims, read a book... a real one. Islam is not about blowing things up and such.

Lady: Yeah but... want to come to my bible study?

Me: oh...I get it now...sorry I'm taken.

I make my exit before she can respond...the nerve of some people

Has this ever happened to you?