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! :)