What I love about teaching!

Sometimes one wonders if they are truly making a difference in a child's life, especially when the children they work with are very young, 5 and under. Masha Allah, today, I got confirmation that I really am. One of the parents to a child that has recently moved up from my class said, "Never think that what you are doing is not making a difference. My daughter still talks about you all." Also, I went to see another child who was happy to see me. He ran up to give me a hug and sat in my lap. His new teacher asked, "who is your teacher?" he answered with her name, she asked, "Who is your friend?" he answered with mine. My heart melted! Yes, teaching is my life, a life worth living!

Nanowrimo summary

So this month has been a learning experience for me, never thought I could write a really long story! As of today, I'm not yet at my 50,000 word goal but I'm getting there insha Allah! :) It has been fun, real fun I have to admit :D I'm attached to most of my characters, all except for one who I think is going to betray the crew of the Umati. there is also this very ominous presence following the crew, i'm not sure who it is, whether they are friend or foe, or why they are following the Umati. So i'm excited to get on with the story and see how it pans out!

Rainy Days of Seattle

Yes, it is here, the rainy days of Seattle. We have had two days of rain so far. I'm praying it will ease up at least for tomorrow for girls' day out. I want to go to the Turkish Festival with some friends and it will not be much fun if it is raining, we are also planning on taking a stroll on Alki beach. Strolling and rain do not go hand in hand! But I have to say, the rain has done wonders for the grass in the backyard! :D When it comes to gardening, I have NO thumb, let alone a green one!

Yay!!! I'm officially CDA-ified!

Yes, that is correct! I received my certificate in the mail after what felt like FORVER! but yes, i'm officially certified child development associate. My certification is good for 3 years :) and now I feel like I can really give my students the best I can:) though, I have never done less than that! but it is nice to have a certificate. Now, I'm motivated to move on and finish my degree in early childhood education!

Happy Birthday Mas!!!

Yesterday we celebrated my middle sister's 30th birthday! We did it by having a 'hijab' party! It was lots of fun! A friend from Tacoma came down with a wonderful collection of her hijabs and abayas to display. Almost everyone bought something, even my non-muslim co-worker!! Food, fun, shopping and cake, the ideal birthday party!! It was such a hit, another friend is planning a hijab party for her birthday! :D

Nice nasheed with amazing footage of nature at its most beautiful!

Eid day celebration!

Masha Allah, today was very nice!! We got to the prayer hall at the qwest field event center early! It was massive! we had some 15,000 people O_O! Masha Allah, it was really nice to see so many muslims together though leaving posed a whole other issue!!! LOL! We were an hour in the parking garage waiting for the mob of impatient travelers trying to leave the center :D it was entertaining to say the least. To pass the time, we took pictures with Kiki's new camera, watched the impatient mob inch and honk their way out of the parking garage. It was an interesting experience, one worth laughing about in the end! Once that ordeal was over, we cruised over to QFC to buy breakfast food items. Every year, it is a family tradition to prepare and have Eid breakfast with the family. so, we all helped prepare, cheesy eggs, hash browns, pancakes, halal beef and turkey bacon, biscuits and orange juice. After breakfast, to walk off the food, we went to Burlington coat factory to look at some clothing for the next holiday coming up! Masha Allah, it was a really nice day, however, to end it, I have a cold (just started this afternoon :( ) Insha Allah, will try to nurse myself to beat it before it beats me!

Eid Mubarik!!!

Yeah, so I'm late reporting the last few days! but the moon has been sited in four places so far from different regions in the US so eid is tomorrow!!! We will be praying the eid prayer at the Quest Field insha Allah. :D really excited now. Insha Allah, I will have to post pictures of tomorrow's festivities!

Dua: Oh Allah, please accept our fasting and duas. Please grant us another year of belief and success. Please give us another chance to witness another Ramadan. Ameen.

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Twenty-Four!

Time is flying,
flying past me.
What have I done,
during this time?
What have I left behind?
What will I take with me?

Ramadan is fleeting from us at lighting speed. It is sad, I don't feel like I have experienced it the way I used to. :( and what is even more frightening, who is to say I will have the chance to experience it next year. Time flies away from us and never returns. Insha Allah, we have to make do with the time we have, cherish it and use it wisely. I read an ayah that made me realize I need to step up my game. The ayah said (paraphrasing): Allah does not change a condition of a people until they change what is in their own hearts. I need to make some life changes if I'm going to see any real changes in my life and achievement of any goals. So now the question is, what changes do I need to make and how, where do I begin. Things were so much easier when my mom was around, now I feel like a little fish in a huge empty ocean. I return to getting mentally prepared for my interview tomorrow *shudders* everyone says it is a cinch, insha Allah, I hope so.

Dua: Oh Allah, guide me to what is right for me, give me direction to what is good for me, give me success in that which is beneficial for me and my ummah in this life and the hereafter. Ameen.

Beautiful pic

Beautiful picture I found of the net!!! absolutely amazing!!

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Twenty-Three!

Ramadan Mubarik!

It really is a blessed month! I have learned much, spent good time with friends, spent time reflecting and reading qur'an, it has been an effort reading more qur'an than usual, tv tends to take up a lot of time. Since i'm watching less tv, i'm reading more qur'an! I think I know what I will have to do when ramadan is over! (no, not get rid of the tv, just limit my time in front of it! :D) Today, I got up early then remembered it was Sunday! went back to sleep for a bit then got up to pray and work on my CDA files and getting things ready for Tuesday the 15th. I have an appointment with a cda representative who will check my work, interview me and give me a test of some sort and then another long wait to see if I get my cda. Insha Allah, I have everything together. Iftar was simple, as it should be but i'm in love with the new flavors of yogurt I have, boston cream pie, cherry pomegranate, raspberry cheesecake! yum!

Dua: Oh Allah, please grant me your blessings and open the doors of opportunity for me. Guide my feet and my desires to that which is right and do not let me slip into error. Ameen.

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Twenty-Two!

Though I learned quite a bit today about the importance of 'tummy time' and the development in children's brains and physical development who do not get that time to on the florr at my mandatory training at work, I was really upset I had to miss a day with the sisters at ISS. There was a pre-eid fashion show that was bound to be really fun and nice! I would have had the opportunity to see some new styles and and get ideas for the upcoming eid and what to wear at our next girl shing-ding. Oh well! I got a little bit down at work as well. Got a little cleaning done and some of my pictures are up in the classroom for next week's topic: Hats and Head-dresses Around the World. So, the day was not a total lost, Alhamdulillah. I was very tired coming home, I checked my email and then took a nap. I got up later to pray and break fast. After settling a bit, I read some Qur'an and felt relaxed and relieved. Not a bad day even if I lost a good day to rest and spend time with my sisterhood!

Dua: Oh Allah, grant me useful knowledge and let me put it to good use for myself and my community. ameen

The IWA Anthology: Many Poetic Voices, One Faith

Book release just in time for the holidays featuring two poems by yours truly, :D and one of my mom's poems!!! I'm really excited about this and I hope you are too!




Many Poetic Voices, One Faith is your window into the world of Islam through poetry! Come on in and find out what’s waiting here for you inside the attractive cover designed by talented IWA member artist, Nazaahah Amin.

The award winning poems written by Karen English, Marwa Elnaggar, Camilla Sayf, Corey Habbas, Julinar Diab, and additional poems written by 31 IWA member poets are enlightening, entertaining, and rich in a diversity of topics: from a point-by-point description of a soul mate to a sonnet-ode dedicated to a loving and missed mother; from vivid reminders and poetic verse awakening us all to the evils of domestic violence to heart-wrenching reminiscences of the plight of the Muslim convert; from beautiful English renditions of the traditional and ancient Arabic ghazal to the plight of eighteenth century slaves; from a thought-provoking rendition of life from birth to the grave and beyond; from a thoughtful insight into the significance of a single raindrop, to a very moving and heart-warming dedication of life from a long-gone friend.

All this and much more is waiting for you when you read the poetry of our IWA poets’ many voices and their one faith, Islam.

http://www.islamicwritersalliance.net/projects/poeticvoicesanthology.html

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Seventeen

Day seventeen already. I've been watching the moon this month. I don't know why, but it has truly been intriguing. I have never really noticed the phases of increase and decrease or as I now like to say, waxing and waning of the moon. Allah is truly amazing and fills our world with simple but complex beauty! Alhamdulillah, I got to really rest and relax today. I revisited a wonderful Quran recitation site and listened to the Qur'an for awhile. It was really nice because I also got to read along as the Qari recited. Tajweed is a beautiful thing Masha allah. The house was so quiet and at rest. The day was overcast and rainy, like mercy from Allah, the rain washed over Seattle leaving lawns, gardens and wildlife refreshed. For iftar, we had leftovers from yesterday. Food always taste better the next day! :)

Dua: Oh Allah, grant me forgiveness and mercy. Oh Allah, bless me with knowledge and wisdom that will benefit my mind and my faith.

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Sixteen!

Ramadan is half done! how time flies. First it was coming, now it is going! Time waits for no one :( all we can do is spend it wisely and for the sake of Allah. We need to spend it doing good deeds and with friends who make us remember Allah and our duties to Him. Today (Sunday) was another busy day, with only one car to spread around and get things done for the day. I got up early to return the rent a car, then came home to rest a little more. I got up a little later to help clean and run a few errands with my little sister. I got home and finished preparing the food for iftar. Then I ran out to pick up a friend to have iftar with us. Na'eem went to Hakim's for the time that the sisters were here. Masha Allah, we had a full house:) It really is a nice feeling to feed fasting muslims with nice food. We had quite a lot of food although we only made spaghetti, fried rice (for vegetarians), tuna and cabbage rolls (to break fast), fried chicken (which we bought), and corn on the cob. Two sisters brought a salad, another brought some cheese and crackers, another some curry fried chicken, another some spicy barley, lastly some dessert! Masha Allah, it was really nice. Ramadan truly brings sisters together! After everyone had left, I took a deep breath and cleaned the kitchen and prayed. May Allah bless our evening, forgive us our sins and bring us back together in this life and the hereafter. Ameen

Dua: Oh Allah, please bless me with friends who remember you and remind me to remember you. Oh Allah, please do not let me be a distraction to other remembrance of you or cause them to fall behind in their duties to you and do not let others be a distraction to my remembrance of you or cause me to fall behind in my duties to you.

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Fifteen!

Masha Allah! Today was quite a busy day (Sat. Yep, I'm a few days behind schedule here, it has been a busy few days Subhan Allah). I had to get up early to rent a car since I was going to Sammamish today for a fundraiser event. The event was to help raise money to buy a huge build to have a masjid, islamic center, dawah center and place to host other events at. Muslim communities are spending far too much in renting buildings to host events, dinners and fundraisers. That money can be better spent on buying our own place and then rented out to others, at least that is their plan insha Allah. The fundraiser was held at this huge church. It was mentioned that the reason they held it there was to show muslims that this is what we needed for ourselves and our children. The place was massive! It had large halls, a nursery room, another room for kids, a prayer hall, and some rooms on the other side of the building I didn't get to see, they also had their own huge kitchen! With a large building similar to that, there are so many opportunities for the community, so many ways to bring our community together and we can save money instead of always giving it to others. I had planned to help out and then sit for some of the lectures but it got very busy in the kitchen once we started plating the food. I think I was on my feet for a good two and a half hours. But I must say, as tiring as it was, it was a lot of fun! :) I did not get home till 11:30. I felt dead on my feet! LOL I took a little nap before getting little sis. Once we got home from picking her up, I started on Iftar for Sunday!

Dua: Oh Allah, make the believers successful in their hope and efforts to please you and unite under the one true religion, Al-Islam. Make us tender hearted to your words and followers of your Messenger (saw) and understanding and compassionate to each other.

Food, friends and a full moon :)

Ramadan Mubarik! Day fourteen!



Masha Allah, today was nice. Kids behaved well, yippee!! I think they are slowly getting used to the classroom, new friends and settling into our classroom routines. I was also a little excited about my dinner plans, iftar with the ladies!! I cooked a tamale casserole last night because I would not have the time to make it after work. Masha Allah, it came out nice. so, at 5:30 we picked up Sennie and she stayed at my place until time to leave. She made yummy stuffed noodles. When everything was done, we picked up sister Janice and went to Bellevue. It was a lovely evening, the air was cool, the moon was full, the sisters were lovely and the food was great. Everyone prayed together and then chowed downed on the good food and sisterhood. We stayed quite late, but it was fun. We dropped the sisters off at home and I am finally ready to rest! Alhamdulillah, Allah is good and merciful. I learn stuff everyday and I learn to appreciate what I have been blessed with, a home, family, good friends and sisterhood.

Dua: Oh Allah, have mercy on me, my family, my friends and the believers. Bless us with good families, homes and spouses. Protect us from the whispers of shaitan and keep us on the straight path and do not let us leave the deen. Ameen.

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Nine!

Ramadan Mubarik!

Today started off like every other day, with suhoor with the fam. I had some cereal and (though I shouldn't have) a cheese quesadilla. After prayer, took a nap and later got up to get ready to visit mama's grave and read Qur'an. It was Masha Allah, a very nice day to visit her. Her flowers were a bit dry due to little rain out there, so we watered them and began to read Qur'an. I read quite a few ayats in Sura Nisa that were humbling, Alhamdulillah. We got home, prayed and took a nap. For some reason, going out to the cemetery is very tiring but it is worth it. I finished my work, hopefully it is okay, now I need to find a photo to go with it. For iftar we had sambossa, mac'n'cheese and we were suppose to have a vegi but mas backed out :( Insha Allah, I will go to the store and buy some fruit, salad and carrot juice. I also got a chance to chat with an old university friend from Malaysia tonight, that was a nice surprise.

Dua: Oh Allah, grant u your Mercy, Compassion and Forgiveness. Make us strong in faith and believers at heart. Lessen our desire for this life and strengthen our desire for the hereafter.

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Eight!

Ramadan Mubarik!

Once again, i'm a day late but hardly a dollar short! :D I really enjoyed today. It was calm and relaxing. I got some reading done which was very uplifting. I worked on an article for Iqra Newspaper. Towards the end of the day we got ready to go to the Islamic House for Iftar. It was really nice, we got there a little early to help out. Naeem was on his best behavior, hopefully they are beginning to recognize that Naeem is harmless despite his quirky ways and behaviors, hehehe. We came home after Isha prayers. We could have stayed for Taraweeh, but I was worried Naeem would not be able to last that long, already we had been there like three hours. But Alhamdulillah, it was a nice evening with muslim sisters, good food and congregational prayers. I love the peace and unity Ramadan brings :)

Dua: Oh Allah, keep the believers strong and united as one Ummah!

Dawud Wharnsby-Give a Little

Zhain Bhika- Welcome Oh Ramadan

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Seven!

Ramadan Mubarik. Today's (Friday) diary is a bit late. there was a lot of drama at the end of my day! Subhan Allah, I'm home safe. My day started not so good. I woke up feeling really sick (probably from the nachos we had for suhoor) and totally exhausted, this week has been tiring with the new children in the classroom. Needless to say, I called in sick and rested until Zuhr prayer. I got up prayed and kind of just rested, checked my mail and read Qur'an until it was time for me to go to the open house iftar held at ISS they invited members from the communtiy, senator, King executive county person and others from different organizations to learn about ramadan and experience Iftar with us. We had yummy chicken and rice! It was really nice, Masha Allah. I gave Sennie a ride home and then got stuck on the I-5. There had been a shooting and the shooter was still running loose. They shut down a portion of the I-5, the portion I happened to need to get home! After sitting about 40 minutes on the highway, they finally let us use the off ramp to find alternative routes. I took the street home, scary, it was the street that was close to where the shooting took place! I was so scared, made dua the whole way home. I finally made it home around 10:40-11:00pm. Around 12:30 or 12:40 they caught the shooter. Now, I just want to relax, pray, get ready to get little sis and go straight to bed!

Dua: Oh Allah, thank you for delivering me safely to my home. Please protect me and my family from the evils of this life and the whispers of shaitan and his friends of evil-doers.

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Six!

Ramadan Mubarik!!! today was tough, but Alhamdulillah, I did it, I pray Allah (swt) blessed and accepted my fast. Today, of all days, Michelle brought in a bunch of soda and a big tub of ice cream! man it looked so refreshing! It was a hot day, I was thirsty more than usual and had to work overtime to make sure one of our children who is having a hard time accepting new kids into the classroom from acting out. I came straight home, prayed and took a nap. It does not help that I have to get up to (or nap sleep at all before we go to) get Ahlehm, then get up for suhoor, I don't think I'm getting enough rest! Insha Allah, will read some Qur'an tonight. Me and my sister are thinking about doing Taraweeh prayers at IH. I'm just worried about the parking, if not, we may go to Northgate.

Dua: Oh Allah, please forgive my shortcomings and grant me your everlasting mercy and guidance. Ameen

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Five!

Day five and I'm still alive!! Alhamdulillah! Masha Allah, it was a really interesting day. The kids stayed through lunch, they did really well, better than the bigger kids to be exact. I was a bit tired at the end of the day but I was totally surprised by one of the parents from HBA whose child is moving up, she brought me some chocolates :) She said he talks about me all the time at home and when ever he leaves my room, he always says goodbye to me multiple times before leaving the room. I was so giddy. Then one of my new parents said her child also talks about me a lot at home :D So, I was one happy and appreciated tired teacher. Later, I had to rush and do some last minute shopping and cooking for an all sister iftar, asian theme! I took dumplings :D. Masha Allah, it was really nice praying and breaking fast with other muslimahs!

Dua: Oh Allah, please strengthen the iman and unity of the muslim ummah. Please protect my muslim sisters and make them successful in this life and the hereafter. Ameen

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Four!

Alhamdulillah, today as a blessed day. I got through it without snapping at anyone :D (well, the usually gentle reprimand when someone took another's toy or hit, pushed, or shoved his/her friend does not count) I did not lose my patience with the little ones despite I got a little thirsty today. Hmm, not sure what i did different but Alhamdulillah. Our fridge is fixed alhamdulillah. I'm a little behind in my Qur'an reading but insha Allah, I will continue to read and contemplate and reflect during these days of mercy, forgiveness and reward of good deeds.


Dua: Oh Allah, please accept my fast, please make it a fast like those who are sincere and pious. Ameen

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Three!

Day three has come to an end :) I began my fast with a bowl of cereal and a breakfast pattie sandwiched in a bisquit :D Masha Allah, it was yummy but a tab bit heavy on the stomach. I felt a little queazy this morning. Today was a bit stressful though it ended pretty much the same, chaotic! Today began new transitions. three moving up :( and three coming in :) it was stressful in that Jen had to leave early due to a fever ( I was not very thrilled about that!) and the new kids were stressing out the others with their crying and the new kids were stressed out by the other children getting to close. Some children acted out towards the new children probably out of jealousy, while others just cried when they didn't get the attention they wanted! They annoyed each other, pushed each other, stole toys from each other all day! I got a chance to take a 20 minute cat nap during my lunch break so I think that put me in better spirits. Some level of normalcy returned when the new children went back to their classroom and we went back to our normal schedule. After nap and snack, sat for a bit and just played, giving attention to everyone. Later, once numbers dropped, we did an art project which they liked. I actually got to leave ON TIME! I was happy about that! I came home, prayed and went straight to my bed. I didn't sleep but I sure did rest my nerves. Insha Allah, I pray tomorrow will be better.


Dua: Oh Allah, please give me the patience to be gentle to others and remain calm and optimistic in the face of challenges.

Ramadan Mubarik! Day Two!

Masha Allah, today was a good day. For sahoor I had a grilled cheese sandwich! :D :D :D I woke up around 9:30 to my sister hustling about getting ready. Finally, my sis asked, "are you going?" I finally wake up completely realizing that i was late! We were going to Mama's grave to plant flowers and read Qur'an. It was a really nice day too. While working on the grave, we played a Qur'an CD. It was quite calming. Kept making duas for mama as I worked. Once the grave was cleared of weeds and old rocks, I sat down to read Qur'an as my sisters continued to lay down the flowers and new rocks. It was quite a pain picking out all the old rocks, so this time (genius that I am), suggested we put down a trash bag first then layer the rocks on top of it, that way when it is time to take them up, all we have to do is lift the bag! :D So, we left around 1:30, got home around 2:30, I prayed and crashed! Later I got up to only find that one of my articles may not get down because the subject of my article is too busy :( I think I will have to try to find another:( No worries insha Allah. For Iftar, I had juice and dates then prayed. My chicken was still frozen so we went to Safeway. Came home and the had some cantaloup and hot dogs :D Insha Allah, will have my chicken a little later. Masha Allah, what a beautiful day :)

Dua: Allah, please have mercy on my mom, forgive her for her sins, allow her good deeds to prosper her and grant her Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen

Ramadan Mubarik! Day One

Salaams to all and to all Salaams

Day one of Ramadan is complete! Alhamdulillah, it went by with little hardship. I didn't get hungry or thirsty except towards the end of the day, probably out of anticipation. I did get a little tired but I did not get a chance to nap. I kept myself busy with some article writing for a sister and her newspaper. I got the article done. Now I have one more to do if I can get my subject to write me back! >_> I called Sister Halimah Mu'min:) it was really nice giving her the Ramadan greetings and catching up. It has been a loooooooong time! For iftar, we went to the Islamic House and had chicken, salad and rice, Yum. Saw sisters there that I have not seen in a while. Alhamdulillah, today was a blessed day.

Tips for a Healthier Ramadan

Tips for a Healthier Ramadan

* Drink plenty of water throughout the night. Water hydrates your cells and removes waste from your body.

* Avoid too much liquids WITH your meals. Additional amounts of liquids dilutes the acids in your stomach and makes it harder to digest properly.

* Do not consume to much food at once for Iftar. Divide your meals out. A moderate iftar, 2 healthy snacks throughout the night and suhoor.

* Eat a balanced diet. This includes protein + carbs + GOOD fats (ex, olive oil). Try to use the 9" plate rule; take a 9" plate, make half the plate for vegetables/salad, one quarter protein like fish, chicken or beef, last quarter starch like rice (brown*), potatoes or pasta (whole grain*)

* Chew your food slowly. Chewing starts the digesting process and nutrients are absorbed.

* Reduce salt intake. This helps reduce thirst during the day.

* Exercise during the night. We lose water when we exert a lot of energy through sweat, so do your exercise at night so that you are able to replenish your liquids.

May Allah (swt) bless you with a happy and healthy Ramadan!

(*Whole grain is much healthier as the nutrients are not stripped off as in white rice, bread or pasta.)

Ramadan is on the Horizon!!

Subhan Allah! how time flies. Ramadan is just around the corner, literally! we have just under a week left before the merciful month is here. Alhamdulillah, all my days have been made up :) today was my last make up day! I'm actually looking forward to Ramadan this year (and of course the ones to come insha Allah) I went to two different ramadan workshops that really boosted my iman and desire to make myself a better and more devoted muslimah. My resolution for the coming month (and insha Allah, for the year) is to "not set myself up to fail." I will not set unrealistic goals for myself no matter how grand those goals are. I'm going to take baby steps on my journey to the siratul mustaqeen.

One never knows too much....

I went to a 2-day intensive course put on by Thawr Institute. It was a comprehensive guide to Ramadan based on three of the four major mathahib, Hanifi, Maliki and Shafi'i. Since I could not participate in all three like I would have liked, I sat in the Hanifi section (it was the easiest and most comfortable to get to without a lot of moving around. I really learned a lot though I only went to one of the days (sat) It was all day and we learned about the inner dimensions of Ramadan, had three fiqh sessions and a talk about the Ramadan of the Scholars, Righteous and Saintly Elders (Group Session). I will be going to another Ramadan workshop next week insha Allah. One can never learn too much!

Time

what is Time,
but a thing I can't posses.

Transitions all over again!

One of the toughest moments in the year are transitions! Once again, I'm getting new children into my classroom. New room, new environment, new routines, new rules, and new people are some of the few things that young children have to deal with when transitioning to a new classroom or childcare center. It is really stressful on them and it can be hard on the children already in the classroom due to the constant crying of the new children. A lot of care, attention, and time has to be given to the new child/children by at least one of the teachers to help them get acquainted with their new environment. This leaves the other teacher to sometimes (most of the time) shoulder much of the rest of the classroom and duties. Hard, stressful and exhausting can hardly describe how I feel at the end of the day during transition week. It's a good thing God made children so adorable, sweet and loving, I forget all the hardships of the previous day as I enter and see their wonderful faces every morning! :)

40 Hadiths Animated

Change?

These days, I've been feeling a little like a fish out of water, a lion out of the jungle, a ... well, you get the idea. Not really sure why, but something has got to change. I need a change. *sigh* Maybe if I set some goals and then work on those goals. But what do I really want to achieve? where do I begin? Ramadan is coming up, perhaps I should start there. Insha Allah, change will come, it always does.

Amantu Billah

A really nice way to learn the articles of faith!

Massive Squid Wash Up in Quake Aftermath

Jumbo Humboldt squid wash-up minutes after 4.0 earthquake hit off the coast of La Jolla.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Dazed-Giant-Sea-Creatures-Wash-Up-Minutes-After-Quake--.html?yhp=1

Wind Journey

Wind Journey

Whispering winds,
Rustling through leaves.
Tales of journeys, from
across the seas.
Wandering over meadows, and
rolling down valleys.
Raising sand dunes, and
unleashing mansoons.
Carrying life and destruction
clouds and seasons.
Whispering winds,
rustling through leaves.
With stories and adventures
from across the seas.

copyright 2009

Nature video: The Blue Whale

These are truly majestic creatures!

The coming of motivation....

I have had a spark of motivation to try and do new things. Insha allah, I look forward to getting into more crafty hobbies that I have not had the time and know how to do. A friend of mine is really good at sewing and making cute things with her sewing machine. We are really considering starting up a sewing/craft club. I still want to work on my coloring book project though, with ramadan coming up, I just may work on a ramadan coloring activity as gifts. hmm, all these ideas, so little time :D I recently made a cute father's day card for my dad that turned out nice and he really liked. It was unique and thoughtful. He was surprised I made it!! so yes, I think I want to work on honing in on my creative potential!

Ayatul Kursi

This is a great way to learn this very beneficial ayah.

Bittersweet Goodbyes

This week has been bittersweet for me and my class. We had to say goodbye and good luck to four special girls who have gone on to bigger and better learning. My sweet girls have transitioned to the two year old classroom. *sniff* *sniff* While I will miss them terribly, I know it is for the best. Not only are they in good hands, they have two very competent teachers who will love and care for them as I have for the past year. Lucky for me though, their new class room is just down the hall, I can go a visit them on my breaks and see them on the playground as their playground area is just across from the toddler playground area. *sigh* Why do children have to grow up so fast?? *sigh* Goodbye my sweeties, and good luck!! it is my hope and prayer that I have given you what love and support you will need to become loving, kind, accomplished and well-rounded human-beings.

Race for the Cure

What a day!!! June 7th was a really fun day. Over 14,000 people ran and walked raising over 1.5 million dollars for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I was blessed to be one of those 14,000 people who celebrated those who survived the disease and prayed for those still fighting the battle against it. I walked with a group my brothers and sisters "Muslims for the Cure". It was really fun. I even bumped into Shelly, Tricia and Mary there :)

A dream of Mama

Lately, I have been having dreams of my mom. The dreams aren't spectacular or anything but she appears in them as if she were still living with us, dreams like I used to have before her passing. Last night I dreamed we were all visiting in Sudan. We were driving, sort of like on a road trip or something, and we went to visit Mamduha and her family. Sudan had changed! We were driving this ity bity car (we were quite squished with five people) and we passed by this really pretty beach. Mama wanted to stop and take a break, I guess to stretch her legs as she was in the back seat with my sisters. I wanted to stop too take some photos of the beautiful beach only for it to suddenly be filled with a bunch of tourist! then we went to some opera house for a show, though I can't remember what the show was going to be about. She didn't do much talking, but she was their, enjoying our company as we were enjoying hers. Interesting dream, but it was so nice having her around again.

Gypsy in my blood

My feet are itching.
My fingers are twirling.
I'm filled with restlessness.
I got to go.
I got to do.
I got to see,
see more of the world around me.

I got gypsy in my blood no doubt.
Been in one place so long,
I am just worn out,
of the mundane. Over and over again
to the same song.

The gypsy in me is calling out.
Got to go.
Got to do.
Got to see,
see more of the world around me