Cool Houses

About 1.5 more weeks until we leave to BD (Bangladesh) InshaAllah. I'm so excited!!! We still haven't finished packing though. I think I know what I'm gonna wear. A red shelvar kamis with thin vertical black stripes, a white shelvar, a white hijab and a black under piece.

Actually, cross that out. That would look HORRIBLE with my bag and carry-on. I have to wear something black or white or green or pink or some other color that would look good with green and pink polka-dots. I have to wear a cotton dupatta-style hijab because, man, is it hard to keep your hijab on right in the plane. I mean, 13-15 hours straight with no breaks. Kinda uncomfortable, don't you think?

Well,  the seating for the plane is like this:

3 seats               4 seats                3 seats

We get 5 seats, so we got the middle 4 and one from the 3. I hope I get 2 sit there most of the time. And I hope the people sitting there are women.

I'll probably watch movies most of the time. I'm gonna try to get the book The Hunger Games. At least, there is a book, right? I want to read it before watching the movie.

We're looking for a bigger house to move in. We need one. With so many people, it's kind of impossible to live where we are now. I wish we could get a house like this one

with this in the back

But that's impossible.

My poor poor little brother has a cold. He's crying. Poor him. I feel bad. I just can't wait to leave though. My cousin and I decided that we're going to use one of those cheap hair colors to dye our hair for 3 days. What color do you think I should do? I love the maroon/magenta this girl has, but my hair is dark, so I'm not so sure it would work for me.

I have to do my Quran now. Surah Hud inshaAllah. 

A Muslimah

How are your days going? What books are you reading?

1001 Inventions

So, we had a field trip yesterday. The only really fun part was the transportation. Well, here's how our trip went:

Walk to train station
Take train to Union Station
Take Subway to some street
-I wrote my initials and the date on the back of the seat on the subway. call it vandalizing, but, I think there were enough scratches on there anyway

Take Bus to another street (I stood, it was fun)
Walk 2 blocks to Museum

So, they said that we would do a "scavenger hunt" at the field trip. I was like, What? But, nevertheless, I was happy, because I love scavenger hunts. But when I find out what it really was, I was stumped.

The principal divided us into groups. I had about 3/4 good people and 2 horrible useless people in mine.
So, she gave each group a packet with questions. We were supposed to see the exhibit and answer the questions in one hour. Whoever's team finishes the most questions wins.

Little did I know how horrible this would turn out to be.

We were too busy trying to finish our packet to really pay close attention to the stalls and have fun. I was running around like crazy. Then, in the last 3 minutes, some boy comes up to one of the boys in my group and tells him  that, "that book over there has all the answers." We run there and only come up with 3 other questions before its time to leave. I knew it was cheating, but how much could we finish in 3 minutes? When it was time to leave, I was fuming mad. One of the other teams had one because they looked in the book practically the whole time and finished the WHOLE packet. So, you can understand how I felt.

Well, after that, we were SUPPOSED to eat in the huge rose garden they have in the back (at least, that's what they told us) but we ended eating on typical, old, black lunch benches. By this time, I was about to over flow. Until the thought came to me that we might miss the train and come to school late, (we were supposed to be at school for an hour), therefor, not having to do any school at all. That kept me patient.

So, we then we walked to the bus stop
-I counted each step. Ended up with 5004
we took the bus to the Union station
we waited for the next subway (we were late)
-we played telephone there
we took the subway to the train
we took the train to a different train station in the city (the other one would be coming too late)
the teachers at school came to pick us up.


So, I guess it was a pretty good trip AlhamduliAllah. I can't wait to go to 6 flags at the end of the year though. I hope my father lets me inshaAllah.



A Muslimah





How have your days been? Gone on any trips?

OMG/A

OMA I am so sorry all fellow blog readers i haven't been posting for the longest time ever. I had so much work  to do for school, and I'm actually doing my homework now also.

Well, good news:


WE FINALLY GOT OUR TICKETS FOR BANGLADESH!!!!!!

The only bad thing is that from here to Dubai we'll get front seat 1st compartment but then from Dubai to BD we'll get front seat second compartment. But, at least the majority of the trip will be in the first one inshaAllah. We'll be leaving on December 8th and we'll come back January 14th inshaAllah. I'm ssssoooo happy. We're gonna have so much fun inshaAllah.

I finished reading The Giver like, a LONG time ago but, as it is, I haven't written in my blog since a LONG time ago. But, the book is so sad but happy at the same time! When they revealed what Release was, I was on the verge of tears. It was just horrible! And when they describe Jonas's travel to Elsewhere and how they felt and looked my heart was just torn apart for the poor boy and toddler.

I do wonder what happened to The Community though. Did the plan work? And was Jonas able to find his place among the people of Elsewhere?

I want to read the next book, Gathering Blue, but, I highly doubt that it has anything to do with Jonas or The Community. But still, I'd love to read it.



My uncle came over for 5 days from BD. It was so fun. But this really weird thing happened too. My uncle had this old friend who's house he came and stayed in 10 years ago. So, of course, he had to visit again. I wore my black abaya with pink rosebuds there (the one from Dubai). The couple had one older son and one girl in 6th grade. I chatted with the girl. She seemed nice enough for a Muslim in public school and parents who barely practice Islam. At one point she asks me:


"So, umm, do you, uuh, where that all the time? Like, at school and everything?" She gestures at my abaya.

"No, actually, I wear other things too. I just wore this 'cuz I wanted to, it's my favorite, and we were in a rush and everything."

"Oh."


So, to fill in the blank spaces, I asked her when she wakes up for school. 7:00, she said. She asked me when I wake up. I answered "6:00, because I have to pray Fajr and everything."

"Oh ya, FAJER. I pray that too. I actually just learned today!!!"


I was like, cool!  but, I mean, seriously? I MUSLIM 6 grader learning how to pray?????


Then, later on, she's talking to me. This is what she says:

"It's really weird like how kindergartners like each other and, like, how high schoolers like each other. Kindergartners are like, 'He has a dog, and I have a dog, that's why I like him!' and with high schoolers, it's like, 'He's so hot! Did you see his abs?'"

By this time, I had gotten a little uncomfortable and had started fidgeting in my chair. I cleared my throat and croaked out a "ya"

She didn't seem to notice. She kept on talking about crushes and everything until she comes to this part:

"So, I told my mom about my Bengali crush (meaning, she has two crushes, one Bangladeshi and one non-Bangladeshi) and she was like, 'Oh, your crush is coming to that party! You should dress up nice!'"

I don't know what my expression was like then, but, I could NEVER imagine my own MOTHER saying that to me. So, I just kinda smiled and let out some air from my mouth, hoping that it could pass for a laugh.

And then came the inevitable:

"So, do you have a crush?"



What I said in my mind:       What do you think of me? I'm wearing abaya and a hijab, and I'm gonna have a CRUSH? Well, she doesn't know that it's not allowed, I guess, but her parents should have taught her something. And, even if I did have a crush. I barely know you for and hour!!! And I'm gonna go babbling about some boy that I like? This is so totally weird.


What I said out loud:          Umm, no, I don't.



Her reply:           Oh.



So, you can understand how relieved I felt when we left the house. My dad was relieved too. I think so was my uncle. I don't supposes that he thought his old friend would turn out to be like that.






Well, for Eid, my aunt came over. My uncle had left two days before though. So, he left the Eid money with my dad. So, altogether, on Eid, I got $60 AlhamduliAllah. Pretty good for a girl who barely ever gets eidy.







We got this pretty strong bull for Qurbany. Qurbaany. Qurbanii. Whatever. But for the slaughtering. We kept it in a nursery over night and the next morning it got mad and ran away in the nursery. And that place is like  a JUNGLE. The people called my dad and were like, "The cow got loose!!!" But, nevertheless, they caught it. But then it got loose AGAIN and ran into the street. They caught it once more (Thank Allah) and then slaughtered it.


We are gonna go to the LA ScienCenter to see the 1001 Inventions from school on Wednesday inshaAllah. We're gonna take the Amtrack!!! I'm so excited! I've never been on a train before.



Well, I have a big Quran test today, so plz pray that I pass inshaAllah.



Salaams!





A Muslimah

BD, Dubai, and Chilies

InshaAllah we are most likely going to BD (Bangladesh) on the 8th of December and coming back on the 14th of January. We shall also be staying in Dubai for 2.5 days inshaAllah. (Dear friends whom I know personally, please do not disclose this information to anyone. It could get be in big trouble.)

In BD, we'll have so much fun inshaAllah. Especially me and my cousin. We decided that one day we'll make dinner together and make foreign food, and then another day we'll steal out by ourselves and roam the city

InshaAllah, when we go to Dubai, Imma buy a siutcase full of abayas inshaAllah, cuz' Duabi is the place to get abayas, as far as I've heard. I'm also gonna visit Burj Khalifa inshaAllah, and I'll go all the way to the top floor with my dad inshaAllah, because my mother has a phobia of elevators. (not phobia phobia, she's just afraid of them. She won't go on the unless she has to. But not like she's sick or something.) Then I'll take a pic in the highest floor of the tallest building in the world inshaAllah. And, if we stay for the night there, as we most likely will, I'll ask my parents to take me to the fountains. I saw a video of them on youtube, and they're beautiful mashaAllah.

We'll be staying most of time in Sharjah. I really wanted to go to the beaches, but it's very unlikely. But still, I'll do some of my begging that I'm really good at and maybe we can go. The beaches are best there in January anyways.

I'm hoping to get some really cute and funky abayas there, instead of the cheap, ugly, bling-bling ones they sell here in America. I still don't know what to wear on the plane though. Any suggestions?


I hate hot chocolate made with water by the way. I know it's so random, but today, in hifths class, two of the boys went and made hot chocolate for everyone, and they made it with water. So, hot cocoa made by boys + made with water = not as good as I like it. I'm gonna turn down the hot chocolate tomorrow. I've gotten sick of it anyways.

I have a Quran project due on Friday and I practically have nothing done. We have to make a poster board about Quran. But since it's going to be shown in CHEP Expo, which is basically a day in which all CHEP students show their amazing works, the teacher wanted something big. So what I'm gonna do inshaAllah, is, I'll take two green foam poster boards, and I'll cut the spine of two binders, with the rings. Then I'll super glue them together like a book. Then I'll take poster paper with information on the Quran and put in the the binder rings. So, it'll be like a Quran. I'll obviously put golden designs on the cover too. And, I'll make a Quran holder too, so the "Quran Book" can sit on it, just like a real Quran. Don't you think that'll be nice?

Yesterday in lunch time I had rice and dhal (lentil soup) and fish. The fish had like, 5 chilies in it, so one of my friends were like, "Hey, dare me to eat this whole thing?"

"I dare you. And if you don't, you're a coward"

Then, she slowly took the chillie and put it in her mouth!


She chewed and chewed. "It isn't that bad you know."  Then her eyes got wider, and her cheeks got red. She started panting like crazy, and made a beeline for the water fountain. When she came back, all of us were doubling over with laughter. He nose was running and their were tears in her eyes. She made me do it too, but I swallowed it before it could get too spicy. But it still left a burning sensation in my mouth. Think about her. Poor girl.

Today, we were pretending to be mean to each other and I was tickling everyone. I can usually "out-tickle" everyone because I'm not ticklish anywhere except the bottom of my feet. Then we took one of the girl's water bottle and we kept on passing it around so she and her bf couldn't get it. What happened in the end was, the girl's bf and I were holding and pulling the bottle, when all of a sudden, I squeeze the bottle and pop! All this water falls on the other girl. I was laughing and laughing so hard.








A Muslimah




PS


How are your days going?

Evil Eyes and BD

Hi assalamualaikum everyone!!!!!


Hope everyone is doing well. My cold is better now alhamduliAllah. Just have a cough a a very clogged nose. Hate that part.

But, other than that, everything is going well alhamduliAllah.

Today was back to school night, and I tried out a found-out-by-accident-trick. When my father was talking to one of my teachers, she said I was really good and everything, and then, of course, my father asked if anything was wrong with me. Then she took a deep breath. What I did was, I looked at her with really big, innocent, questioning, daring eyes. But all the while innocent. It was weird. I made my eyes so big, and put so much passion behind them, that my plan worked. My teacher hesitated before saying something about me. And she said it in a small and quick voice. Can you believe it! AND she was the principal also. (I know, I know. Why is the principal teaching me? Because she just does. That's my answer.) I was able to slightly manipulate the principal!!! And I kept on doing that until I guess my father saw me and shooed me away.

So, I went outside, feeling reckless. We have a big tree right outside the fence of our school and one thick branch sticks in that you're not supposed to climb. So, feeling naughty like I was, I looked around for any teachers, and climbed the branch. I sat on the branch, I swung on the branch, and from there, I stood and sat on the fence, I laid on it, I swung my feet over it so I was almost out of the school. My friends were like, "You don't seem like a person to climb trees!" Perhaps I don't. I usually look very proper and everything. But sometimes these spells take over me and I become.......different. And plus, I can barely ever resist climbing a perfectly climable tree. I just can't.

Then, I played tag, after so long, and ran really hard, and started panting, but it was fun. Then we all went to the bathroom and took off our hijabs and complimented each other on our looks. Hahaha. Cheesy, I know, but, who does not do that?


LOL. I know I sound really immature. But I have spells.


Before doing all this though, form 4:00 to 5:00 I was just cleaning our classroom. Let me tell you, our classroom ALWAYS looks HORRIBLE. But, after an hour of cleaning and decorating, it looked semi decent. So, I left the room content.


The director has just decided that hifz class will be up till 4:30 from now on. But, with packing, and rapping up class, and waiting for Baba, school will really end at 5:00. So, from Monday, I'll be home at about 5:15 everyday except Friday. I don't mind much. As long as the boys don't get too crazy with the hot chocolate.

And remember how I said that SOME of the boys in class were polite? Well, scratch that out. You should see our room at the end of the day. Looks like a tornado hit it. None of them are real gentlemen. THEY DROP STANDING FANS ON EACH OTHERS HEADS. AND PLAY SWORD FIGHTING WITH MARKERS.  And what do I do? Sit down and once I get too irrated I yell. Well, kinda raise my voice, but in hifz class, it just so happens that my voice goes down a few notches. So, once I go, "Can everyone please STOP??!!!!"  Well, then they get the message, and calm down for a few minutes. But, after the silence has wore off, they get crazy again. What can I say? Apes.

WE SHALL BE GOING TO BD INSHALLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We'll be going on Emirates. Most likely December 9th to January 14th. I'm so happy!!! You don't know how much I've been wanting to go to Bangladesh. But we're only staying for 5 weeks. How sad. The last two times we went we stayed for 5 MONTHS. Oh well. AlhamduliAllah. At least we're going.





We're gonna read The Giver at school. I'll probably finish it by Wednesday. Has anyone read it before? It sounds really good.










Can't wait for.......................Dunno what. But I'm so excited!!!

A Sore Throat and Pink Hijab Day

Hey, Salaams blog readers!


Yesterday, after I cam back from school, my throat started hurting, just a little but though. After I had some delicious barbecue, (baba makes THE BEST) I finished my homework and went to sleep. Then, when I wake up this morning, I can barely talk!!! This is the third time I lost my voice.
1st time, got a cold. The "little voice" lasted only a day
2nd time, went to 6 flags and screamed my head off, so I was litterlally without a voice for about 3 days
3rd time, today, it was cold, and, I guess my throat felt it, so, i can barely swallow, and, for a few hours today, it hurt so much i couldn't talk too much.

But now it's better alhamduliAllah. It was raining CONSTANTLY today. I mean, like, the whole day. It was fun during dismissal though. Not many people had umbrellas, so, when I took mine out, all my friends started coming and crowding under it. After some time, I was like, Hey, it doesn't rain everyday, and pretty soon I'm gonna get sick of it, so, let's make best use! And I just stayed out in the rain. I liked it. hahaha.

I'm REALLY HAPPY THOUGH because the school might just let me be the head of the yearbook group, if they have one. I really hope they do. I've always wanted to be part of a yearbook group.

Since I'm not on the student government, but I am one of the representatives, I told my closest friend, the vice president, to make sure there is a "Pink Hijab Day." The rest of the "Hijab Days" will be when I am most likely vice president, so, I don't worry about those.

Tomorrow is debate. We're debating whether cell phones should be allowed for students or not. I'm opposition. That means I'm going for they shouldn't.


I still can't believe Anwar Al-Awlaki died. I feel like the red ball in the picture. Most people here in America are happy that "The maniac Al Qaeda (they can't even say that properly, for crying out loud!) leader is safely killed." They didn't even try him. What the government did was unconstitutional. Anwar Al Awlaki was an American citizen. And by law, every American citizen is to be tried before being sentenced. I though that No one is guilty till they are proven. I feel so bad and horrible and mad. He used to live in the same city as us, San Diego, and used to be the Imam for masjid Ribat, which I still go to at times. I even attended one of his lectures when he came to our area. Well, my parents did. I just drew and took pieces of  paper with questions from the sisters to him. I even remember, one time, I was really shy, and I took a question to him. And then he grinned and asked me, "Where's the money?" in a playful manner. I blushed and became embarrassed. (now don't go saying, why were you embarrassed? I was 5, for Allah's sake!!!!)  I'll always remember that. He was a nice guy. Ya, so maybe he had a few problems with supporting suicide bombers and stuff like that. I don't support that. But everyone has mistakes! May Allah Bless him and Forgive him.

I'm reading, The Scarlet Letter. It's a very good book. And best of all, nothing inappropriate. Not even kissing, which, in today's society, is as little as nothing. The book may be about Hester doing something bad, but they don't even say the word in it. It just everyone saying she did something sinful and her head should be chopped of blah blah blah. I like the part when they say ye gossips. sounds cool. I keep on repeating it to myself. tehehe.




So long!


A Muslimah

Cute Fall Outfit

I REALLY like this outfit. The blue and grey are perfect for fall, and the purse gives a dash of color to an otherwise dark outfit. Seriously 10 out of 10. Well, actually, make that a nine. Cuz' I'd substitute those glasses for a cute pair of shades. 

But otherwise, like I always say, LUUUV IT!!

Hey, Hi, Sorry,

Assalamualaikum my dearest blog readers!!!


I am SO SORRY I haven't posted for SO LONG. My computer was down, so I couldn't do ANYTHING. It was horrible. But, now I'm back alhamduliAllah, so, let me give you the latest news.


I ran for vice president at school. Me and my closest friend were running. Turns out that I lost by 1 POINT. I know, say alhamduliAllah, but, the most disturbing part was, NONE of my girlfriends in my class voted for me. I mean, how bad is that? I guess at times like these, you really find out who your friends are. I don't blame the girl who ran. She was obviously supposed to vote for herself. But the others, seriously? I really don't know what to say.

They're putting the people who ran but didn't get office into the "Shura Council"  Which, to me, basically means "The group for losers"  But, I guess SOMETHING is better than nothing, right? They'll be like, advisers to the board. Like, before they make a decision, they'll talk to the council first. So, I guess I will have a little influence.

InshaAllah, I REALLY hope to win for next term, which will be start in February all the way to the end of the school year. I'm actually happy, because now, I have a bigger chance of winning the second term, and that's actually the better one, because then you can pick the end of the year field trip and parties and everything. Cool, right? So make dua so I can get it next time inshaAllah.

So, I just MIGHT go to BD (aka Bangladesh) in December. IM SO HAPPY ALHAMDULIALLAH!!!  I also have a new duffle bag, or whatever you call it. The ones that are a duffle bag but have wheels and a hidden handle. So two-in-one. It's green with pink polka dots. And I got a matching purse with it which is pink with green polka dots. May not sound very nice, but, it's cute.

I'm not sure what to wear though. Probably a shelvar kamis. Or jeans. Dunno. I just looooooov traveling. It's so fun.

So, I suppose you'll be waiting for a new outfit now. I'll try to do it today inshaAllah!!  Salaams!!



(and don't forget to make dua!)

Back to School

HELLO AND ASSALAMUALAIKUM EVERYBODDYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I miss writing on the blog. But we have SO MUCH HOMEWORK this year. I barely have any time.

School is cool. 4 new students in class. 1 old student left. poor her :(

First period is Islam. 2nd in Social Studies. (Then Snack) Then it's Literature. 4th is Writing. Following is Math, and then Science. And then FINALLY we have our lunch. SubhanaAllah, by the time it's math and science, I get SO HUNGRY!! Today, in Math, my stomach was rumbling so loud I was afraid others could hear it.

Lunch is fun. We usually play Ninja. My faaavvorite game. Or we just talk and bond. Or we play those clapping games. Right now, the fad is playing "Aggravation." This is how the song goes, along with lots of hands/clapping/movements. (u kno how to play those stuff. like slide or lemonade)


After lunch we have Arabic class and then Hifths. The others have their PE/Arts/Computer time.


Hifths class is OK this year. Not too bad, but not better either. I guess I just have to get used to it. Ms.Marwa is very nice though. No complains on that. There's one thing though. There's 7 boys and 2 girls. Also, to top it all off, the girl doesn't even come half the time cuz she's in 10th grade and has classes and everything. Poor poor me. Stuck in a jungle of boys. Talk about having cooties. And migraines. And having to yell your head off at them. And not being able to move around freely because they're EVERYWHERE. And them asking you why you are touching the Quran with a glove and........... well, you get my point.

Well, I can't say ALL of them are crazy monkeys who actually prove Darwin's people-used-to-be-apes-theory, but some of them are ACTUALLY POLITE.  (unbelievable, huh?)   The other ones well, to say it bluntly, are apes.



I entered the debate team this year. Once a week. Last week we had a parliamentary debate, where we each get up and give a speech by ourselves. The topic was, Homework should be banned. Of course, I was against it, but I wanted to be for it this time because I only had a speech ready for for. AlhamduliAllah, we got for. I was only one with a speech, and alhamduliAllah, OUR TEAM WON!!!!! I was also awarded with the title of "best speaker." I was practically glowing.

This week we have the same topic but with rebuttal. Now I am scared. Because I am not good at talking back. Any tips, please?



I just received an email from zabiha.com.  They said that an indian restaurant called Peacock Gardens opened a new branch in Diamond Bar. Anyone ever heard of it? I hope it's good, cuz I'm gonna tell my dad to take us their inshaAllah

Well, I guess I'll just give my salaams now. Gotta finish homework  :(     :)

My Eid

So, here I am once more to talk about my Eid.

'Tis the night before Eid (I like saying that) we were all excited and everything. So, at like 10:00 or 11:00, I went to my Indian neighbor's house. Her husband and in-laws are Sudani, and her in-laws just came to visit and they brought lots of henna/mendi. So, around that time, I went to her house and she put African-style mendi on the front (the side with the nails) of my hands and a little bit of my arms. She outlined it with black and filled it in with red. It was beautiful mashaAllah. Only problem was, it kinda itched, which usually doesn't happen, and in the morning, when I tried to take off without water, it hurt BADLY because the hairs on my arms were COMING OFF WITH IT. Ouch. I still cringe when I think about it.

So, we stayed up until like 1:00 AM drying our mendi, because my sisters put it on too. Except they only did red and my mom did theirs traditional bengali style. Then when my youngest sister went to sleep my mom finished cooking this special chicken curry called murgir korma. SubhanaAllah, it just smelled so goood. So, when Ammi saw the look on our faces, she asked us if me and maryam wanted some. We just nodded with big smiles on our faces. So, she took a porota (paratha. in Bengali its porota) out of the fridge and after she cooked it, she got a plate, put some curry and gravy, got a mat and gave it to us. If you're wondering how I ate, the mendi was pretty much dry by then and it was on the TOP of my hands, so, i could eat alhamduliAllah. I don't think chicken ever tasted so good.

I slept with the mendi, as I always do, and the next day when I woke up and looked under my pillow for my Eid present, well, you know what happened if you read the post before. Well, I was officially in a bad mood then, but I couldn't show it, because, it's EID MORNING, so I went to wash my mendi off. You also know what happened then. I also had a black swirl mark on my left cheek because I guess i slept on my hand at night. That made me even madder, and I couldn't help but scowl while I washed my face with Johnsen's Baby Soap.

Then I got ready. I wore a black abaya with brown designs on the arms, a perfectly matching hijab (that my mom found in the back of her closet, thought it would go great with my abaya, and hemmed the edges so I could wear it.) And I wore new Nine West black heels (I found them at Ross : D  and a cool ring. The we walked to the masjid.

After prayer and everything, we came home, and my dad gave us Eid money, aka Eidy. I was a bit taken aback and surprised because this was the first year. I got $10, and each of my sisters and brother got $5. Nevertheless, my mood started to get better.

My mom started getting cravings for donuts and a boba shake, so we went to our favorite donut store and bought some donuts, bagels, and a mango boba shake. After we finished eating, we got ready.

I decided to change (or rather, my mother decided for me) and I wore a new brown pishwa, which is basically a shelvar kamis except it's A-line cut. With that, I wore a thick gold necklace, called booter mala because the balls are big and circular. Kinda sphere-ish. I wore matching gold ear rings, and a maroon ring, since there were maroon designs on my pishwa. And I put a little bit of mascara.

Then we drove 20-30 mins to a friends house. I had a bit of grilled chicken, since I was still full from breakfast. I talked with my friend and teased a boy whom I had known since he was 3. Then we drove two hourse to SD (aka San Diego) and I took my friend with me.

In SD, we first went to one friends house, where I had morok polaw which is basically rice and chicken. For dessert, I had rosho golla which is curd balls boiled in a simple syrup. Then I played Wii.

After that, we drove 20 mins went to ANOTHER friends house. From there, we visited 3 other houses because they all lived in the same complex. One of the aunties gave me a present. It was a REALLY CUTE porcelain mug. MUCH better than what my dad gave me.

After that, we drove another 20 mins to ANOTHER friends house. There, we had dinner. We played, and really goofed off. I talked with my old friend who I usually see only on Eid. And we played tricks and scared each other. It was fun.

By the time we came home, it was 1:00 AM


pretty good eid alhamduliAllah

Last Days of Summer Casual

My Ramadan

Assalamualaikum and Eid Mubarak to everyone!!

I really am sorry for not keeping u with the blog during Ramadan. But, I'm back now, so, let me give you a short fill in:

Aunt (Dad's little sis) came for 5 days
I do the Quran contest.


When my Aunt is pretty cool. We call her Choto Phupi, which basically means "little Aunt" or "younger/youngest Aunt." She's a doctor, I think for kidney or something like that. She said it's very depressing, because most of the time there's not any solution to the problem. She lives on the border of Ohio, and works on the border of Pennsylvania, all alone. I feel really bad for her. She lives in a two bedroom home with no one to keep her company except the TV. Not to mention she just went through a slight depression because when she came i could barely recognize her cuz she was so thin....................................

So, I think she really enjoys coming here. Our house is smaller than hers, and ours is FULL of people. When she comes, there's 7. And it's all fun. Sometimes its annoying, but Baba always says that later on we'll miss it.

The night Choto Phupi came, my mom made really good Bengali food, and we all ate till we were full. Then we all went to the living room to get our stuff. Auntie just came from BD (AKA Bangaldesh) so, we were sure to get lots.

My sisters got LOTS of clothes. I got two new shelvar kamis, and a bag full of pens, a ring, and two bracelets. And the bag.

The first day, we were all sitting at home and getting bored, so we thought we'd go to Lagoona Beach. I was like, "Why not?" I guess everyone else was thinking the same thing, so we went, and came home before 5. I was amazed. That was like a record breaker compared to our other visits.

Then, another day, Choto Phupi took me to Ross, and I bought a really cute ans funky hijab, a ruffled sweater, and a pair of black flats. I just LOOOOOVE my Aunt.

When she was leaving, I could tell my dad didn't want her to go. As a big brother, I think my dad is especially attached to his sisters. Even the one older that him. He took my aunt into a looong biig hug. And then watched her go. I felt bad for both of them, because even though my Aunt seemed cheerful, I knew her long enough to know that she was hiding a crying heart.

Ever since the "certain incident" (which I cannot tell you because it is family business. Even I don't know everything) everyone has gotten more attached to Choto Phupi. She really suffered through an emotional breakdown. Now, my mom calls her almost every other day, and I'm happy. There's a chance that she might move here, closer to us. My Grandmother really wants her to. It would be good.



No, about the Quran contest.

Not much, except I was SO NERVOUS, I thought I forgot a word (I know, I'm dumb) and stumbled on it, but I got it right. I don't know if the judges liked it or not, but they said a big mashaAllah and JazakaAllahu Khairan, and the lady looked at me with BIG WIDE EYES. I just hope I'm not humiliated.


Eid was OK. I got the worst eid gift though. An ugly green pen, a plastic book mark, a snickers bar, and a sheet of stickers. I mean, what type of ___ year old likes that? (I'm not gonna tell you my age just yet. Maybe five years later or something. But I am old enough NOT  to like those stuff)  I'm probably gonna ask for something else. Like, when I memorize another Juz or something, I'll put it all together and ask for an abaya from SHUKR. Now that's something I would LOVE.

I'll tell you about my eid day in another post. This one is getting too long.

PLEASE MAKE DUAA' FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I entered the Quran Contest in our masjid and I'm supposed to do Ar-Rahman. Today is the test!!!! PPPPLLLLEEAAASSSSSEEE make duaa that I pass and win inshaAllah!!!!!!!!!!!

OMA!!!!!!!!!

OMA subhanaAllah!!  2 or 3 more days till Eid.  Can you believe it?  Ramadan really went by fast for us this year. I mean, like, in a blink of an eye. I really regret not using my time more wisely. Oh, well, i guess I learned my lesson. Gotta do better next year inshaAllah.

I'm gonna bake a cake for eid, and I want to use fresh fruits in it. What do you think I should do?

My Apologies

Dear sisters

I am very sorry I haven't been posting for so long. It's just that, with Ramadan and everything, I've been a little busy..................or maybe a bit lazy.

But please forgive me. I'll try to get back after Ramadan inshaAllah.

Ramadan High Way Code

Daily Account

Today went fairly well alhamduliAllah. We (as in me, my sisters and my father) went to Kohles. They had a very good sale going on mashaAllah. On most of the clothes, they had, like 60%-70% off and stuff like that. And they  had not tax!! Also, if you spent $50, you would get a free gift card with $10!!! I bought a cute lunch box and a really nice water bottle. Last year, i put water and froze it, and it cracked. I thought that, because it was stainless steal, nothing would happen. But, I was proved wrong.

So this year inshaAllah, I shall do nothing crazy like that. I really want to post the pics, but I am too lazy to go downstairs, get the camera, download the pics and then post them. I could take it with the camera on the computer, but it won't turn out good. I promise that tomorrow inshaAllah, I'll post pics.

Today I wore my pink/purple skirt. My aunt bought it from Malaysia in an Indian flee market. I wore my pink think kamis on top. And a purple hijab. Plus a silver ring and heart bracelet.

I am very tired now, so I shall retire to my book.


My salaams to you all!!!

Ramadan Day 6

I'm sorry I didn't post for two days. I was just so tired. And I had pains. Well, there's really not much to say. Except, yesterday, instead of coming home after iftaar, my sisters and I stayed at the "babysitters." We don't usually stay, as my father is pretty protective and he thought it woulf be bad for me to be here "all alone". I don't mind it much, I know that it's his way of caring for me, except sometimes I REALLY want to do something and then I can't do it. Well, yesterday, I did some old fashioned begging. I a very sad tale indeed, and in the end, I was about to cry. I didn't stray from the truth though. In the end, he gave in and let us stay. I gave a big bear hug, a huge kiss on his cheek, and a beautiful, "JAZAKALLAHU KHAIRAN BABA!!!"

So, we stayed at the "babysitters". It was actually where the children that were too old for toys but too young to play basket ball with the big boys (who surprisingly did not pray taraweeh. I was shocked I tell you. SHOCKED. I mean, I know the kids in our majid don't practice Islam perfectly, but, this was just too much for me. Me, I had girl reasons. Them, ummm, I don't think there's anything that stops boys from praying. Especially if it's about 15-20 boys.)

 So, at the "babysitters", there was a lady, who turned on The Lion King for us. I hadn't watched that movie for years, so I enjoyed it. My heart ached for poor little Simba when his father died. It was sssooo touching. There were actually tears in my eyes. I know, it's just a movie, but, I saw it with fresh eyes, and I felt myself in his place. It's ssssooo sad.

When the movie was almost done, Baba came to take us home. As usual, one of my sisters started crying. My father just picked her up, comforted her a bit, and she was done. Then we came home.

Oh yes, I wore my pink paisley hijab and black abaya. They went pretty well together. But my hijab was annoying me a bit.

Today we went to the library. I gots me LOTS of books. then we came home and went to Ross. we went there to look for a lunch box, but didn't find one. Instead, I got a pretty laptop bag. I take my laptop to school often, and I don't really need one of those professional ones. (personally, I think they look horrible). So, i found a very nice maroon one. It looked very sophisticated. And I took it. I'll post a pic later.

Baba didn't feel good today, so we didn't go to iftaar. I was pretty disappointed, but, AlhamduliAllah.

Chic Abaya

I just lov this abaya. so stylish and chick. the only thing I would do, is make it a bit looser, and i wouldn't wear such skin tight sleeves. but otherwise, LUUUUV IT!!

HUMPH

I really don't feel like doing anything right now. I just feel like running away from home. I am not in a really good mood. My morning didn't start off well, and I dreamed someone was whining and crying to me, so, I am officially in a NOT GOOD mood.

*SIGH* But it's Ramadan, and I suppose I must overlook and hide the faults of others and ask forgiveness for them. But it's so hard to sincerely do that when they're mistreating you. I feel like I am living in a cell. If stuff get any worse, I plan to take a cell phone and roam around the apartment complex. I think if I do thikr while I'm walking, it's better than being in a bad mood and frowning and being pressurized and staying in your own room and not being able to be with your siblings. And it's better than wanting to rebel. So, If stuff get bad, I'll temporarily run away. Just until Baba comes home. Maybe I'll even take my Quran with me, and I'll read under a nice shady tree were no one will find me. Yup. That's what I'll do.

Ok. So now, I am feeling MUCH better. I'll tell you about yesterday evening.

So, yesterday, I wore a really nice outfit. One of my favorite ones. I wore a long brown shirt (used to be a kamis.) It was a rich chocolate with grayish colored sequence all over it. With it, I wore a white skirt with brown designs. For hijab, I wore a brown one with white designs. On my left hand, I wore an assorted wristbands. Take a look:

Yesterday they had good food for iftaar. Rice, baked chicken, green beans, salad, and a chickpea-bread-meat-and-yogurt-thingy. I liked it. They also had strawberry lemonade, but it was the powder one, and i didn't like it much. I liked the Fruit V8 better.

Ramadan Day 2

Yesterday was fulfilling mashaAllah. As I said, I wore my blue skirt, a light blue top and a blue hijab. I also wore a sliver bracelet with hearts dangling on it. I wonder if you liked it.

I liked yesterday a lot mashaAllah. The only thing was that Ammi and Ibrahim didn't come. Well, first we go there. And then I hear something about a contest. I was itching to find out what. I am always one of the first to enter a contest. I love challenges. Well, sooner or later, I forget about it and get food. Today, for appetizers, they have watermelon and this soup with all these vegetables. It's really thick, and it doesn't look really good to me, so I just fill myself up with water instead. Then I go to pray.

After Salah, a man says something about the contest in the microphone. I get that itch again, but I can't find the paper you need, so I just ignore. But, I ask a woman, "Do you know what the contest is about?" She hands me a paper. Here's what it says

Name two other names for Surah At-Tawba (Other than Tawba):
Name:
Number:
Email Address:

Now, I have memorized Surah At-Tawba, but I never thought of checking if there were any other names for it. When I come and sit on my table, there's a different woman talking to one of my "Aunties". She's talking in Arabic  AlhamduliAllah I can pick up bits and pieces of it, and then I make up that she knows what the answer is and she's telling "Auntie" what it is. When she's done, I ask, "Can I do it too?" She gives me the answer and I write it down on the paper!!! Yes, I know that's not right, but there were no rules. So then I ask her were to put it and she tells me in Arabic that it's ________.  Just before I leave the woman's sister asks me if I know Arabic, in Arabic. I reply a little in Arabic. So I go and put mine and Auntie's paper in the box. What they'll do, is they'll not look and just pick one paper and if it has the right answer the person gets a prize. I don't think I got it, because then my father would get a call on his cell phone.

I didn't notice, but by that time the line for food and grown REALLY long. Oh, well. I didn't really mind. The woman who gave the answer and her sister are standing next to me.When we were half way to our destination, the woman's sister asks me what my name is, in English. I answered, "Samiha." Then she asks what my last name is. I say, "Shaheed." Both she and her sister go wide eyed and she says, "Your name is Arabic!" I just smile.

For iftaar, they had good food mashaAllah. They had:

• salad
• rice
• meat (with lots of meat)
• a bean side dish
• spaghetti and meat sauce

They have extra today, so I bring home lots of food for us and Ammi. I have a little when I come home, and then I pray. Then I have some cherries.

For suhoor, I have the leftover suhoor. Because I had no milk, I "substitute" it with about 4 and a half glasses of water. I'm still not sure if that was good or not, because after fajr, I had to wake up 5 times to use the restroom.

I'm not hungry now. Just a little thirsty. I hope you don't think my post was to long

1 Day Done, 28/29 More to Go!!!

AlhamduliAllah, one day of Ramadan has passed, and I have been able to fast it. I was sssssoooo hungry yesterday. I wasn't used to it, and I got a headache. Today, for suhoor, I had a pb&j sandwhich, a glass of chocolate milk, a piece of dried preserved mango, a date, and two glasses of water. It's a rule on our house to always have two glasses of water. SubhanaAllah. By the time I was half way done with my second glass, I was practically bursting. I had sssooo much liquid. After I finally managed to drink the last sip, my father saw me holding my stomach and making groaning sounds. Then he asked me,

 "Did you have some banana?"

"No"

"Did you have chocolate milk?"

"Yes. One glass"

"If you have a glass of milk it's ok. You don't have to have another glass of water."

In my head, I was like, NOW YOU TELL ME???!!!!  I had to wake up twice after fajr to use the restroom. But AlhamduliAllah, it was good for me. I didn't get a headache today, and I'm much less hungry than yesterday.

Last night they had rice with peas and carrots, this type of meat with barely any meat, and this chickpea and yogurt thingy. And they said that they might CATER food this year. I guess they weren't expecting so many people the first day. I don't blame them, because I hadn't either.

Today I'm going to wear a dark blue skirt and a light blue top with thin gold stripes going diagonally. I'm also gonna wear a silver bracelet with hearts dangling on it. I'm going to wear a blue hijab with multi color stripes on it. My mother hasn't finished it completely, but if I put the undone side under, it looks perfectly OK.

Here's a few pics:

I wonder what they're going to have for iftaar today. I hope it's something good inshaAllah. 

Ramadan Mubarak!!!

Wishing you one month of Ramadan,

4 weeks of barakat,

30 days of forgiveness,

720 hours of guidance,

43200 minutes of purification,

... and 259200 seconds of noor!"

Ramadan  Mubarak to everyone! May Allah forgive us and our familes and keep us on the straight path always. Alhamdullilah Allah has blessed each of us with another year of Ramadan, so let's use it to our full advantage InshaAllah.

RAMADAN IS FINALLY HERE!!!!!

SubhanaAllah, I am SSSSOOOO happy!! Last night we were kinda caught unprepared for Taraweeh and i ended up praying only 4 rak'as taraweeh and then 3 witr because it was already 11:30 PM and Baba told me that it's ok and you can start praying all of it tomorrow just start a little earlier. I thought that it would be a little hard, I mean, 17 raka's. But, as I did it, it actually felt good and refreshing. kinda like this:

Last night I kept on waking up because I was so excited to have suhoor (I dont know why.)  When my alarm turned on, I wasn't surprised at all. I turned it off and went to wake up my father. It's usually the other way around, so he was a little surprised.

For suhoor, I had 1 and a half bowls of Cheerios with half a banana sliced into it. Then I had a date. Then I had two glasses of water.

I'm kind of hungry right now. I am thinking of what they will have for iftaar today. They have iftaar at the masjid everyday so we usually go there because it's easier for Ammi. I mean, with the baby and everything, it gets kind of hectic. And, we all have an outing, so, it's good all around.

Clothes are a big part of iftaar for me. I mean, there are a few snotty girls there, and, I mean, I was always teachers pet, so, there's always jealousy and rivalry. I always try to wear good clothes so they can't look down on me and they know that just because I'm "good" doesn't mean I don't have any sense of style. Today,
is the first day, so I'm not going to wear something really fancy, but simple and modest. I have decided on wearing my black abaya and my new black-and-white polka dot hijab that Ammi just finished a few days ago. I can't wait.

Here's a pic:

OMA. I feel so bad about talking about iftaar and my clothes when I think of the Somalian Famine. Baba showed us the video yesterday and, if u haven't seen it, you should. I told Baba to give $200 from my life savings. That will practically cut it in half, but, AlhamduliAllah. At least the poor things will be able to eat SOMETHING.

May Allah help them through their hardship and help us to become closer to him.  Ameen

Black & Yellow

LUV this outfit. Maxi dresses are the latest style now. The weather is really hot, so they're perfect. They're, chic, they're stylish, they're airy and comfortable, but most of all, they are hijab friendly.


(Click to make it larger)

Would you wear this outfit?

RAMADAN IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!!!!!

ALHAMDULIALLAH!!!!!!

Ramadan will be starting on the evening of Sunday, 7/31/11.  That's tomorrow inshaAllah!!!!  So, we will start fasting on Monday. We will pray traweeh tomorrow inshaAllah. AlhamduliAllah there will be no Moon Wars this year. Gosh do I hate that. Just divides the community. Why can't people just accept the hadith?

((Fast when you see the crescent. If it is obscured to you, then complete thirty days of Sha'baan. And break your fast when you see the crescent. If it is obscured to you then fast thirty days)), [transmitted by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].




Oh well. I'm not here to give fatwa to people. Anyways, I'm just ssssoooo happy!!!!!!!!! 


Here's my favorite Ramadan nasheed:

A Few Nice Recipes

A few Nice Recipes

With foods from the Quran and Sunnah

Healthy Fig Dessert

Enjoy figs with the sweetness of honey and the tang of Greek yoghurt in this light, refreshing dessert. Almonds add crunch as well as goodness.

Ingredients

·        4 figs

·        6 tbs Greek yoghurt

·        2 tbs flaked toasted almonds

·        Runny honey

·        A few pinches of cinnamon

Methods

Cut the fig in half and arrange on two plates. Dollop the yoghurt over them and sprinkle with the almonds and cinnamon. Drizzle with the honey and serve

Also Try

Use strawberries in place of figs and omit the cinnamon.

Replace the figs with oranges and use pistachios and raisins. Omit the almonds and cinnamon.

Breakfast Smoothie

The addition of oats in this wonderful smoothie may seem odd at first but it gives it a lovely, creamy texture and a great slow-release energy boost. Perfect for suhoor or a rushed breakfast.

Ingredients

·        1 banana, chopped

·        1 handful of dates

·        100ml milk/yoghurt

·        1 handful of oats

·        Desired amount of honey to sweeten

Methods

Put all ingredients (except honey) in a blender and whiz until smooth. Drizzle with honey until sweet.

Be this Woman

I happened to stumble over this photo while I was browsing and I'm not sure why but I am still laughing

Samiha's Famous Chocolate Fudge (Recipe Not Included :)

Cousins came yesterday from El Centro. After dinner, I made my Famous Chocolate Fudge. Yes, famous. Everyone who's ever tried it has said that its the best. It' sssssooo easy though mashaAllah. The only thing is that it takes a long time to make. But mostly, you just stand in front of the stove and mix the melting chocolate. This morning, Ammi cut it and everyone had a piece. As usual, they all said that it was REALLY good mashaAllah. My sisters were practically melting when they saw it. They keep on saying, "JazakaAllahu Khairan Api!!"   I was mildly surprised actually. I think I should make this more often  :)

Ammi has these really cute tags that say, From the Kitchen of ______ She said that on Eid,  I can make another batch with the tags and send it to one of our family friends.

Here are the pics:

Aren't they pretty?

Bella Abaya Corture

LOVE these abayas mashaAllah. So simple, yet so elegant and gorgeous. Yes, they are a bit too tight, but maybe you can loosen the sides a bit. I just love them ssooo much. Much more different than the latest abayas. All sequence and flashy. *shiver*

9 Days Left!!

Ramadan is coming up in..........9 DAYS!!!  SubhanaAllah. I didn't expect it to come THAT fast. I'm going to ask to supply the dessert for iftaar at the masjid one evening, if Baba lets me, and the masjid people approve. They usually don't have dessert, but when they do, believe me, it disappears in a matter of minutes. What I'll make, is something SUPER easy yet very tasty. I won't tell you what yet, but when I do, I'll put the recipe and pics. I really hope I can. I loooove charity work.

I am going to have a To Do List this Ramadan inshaAllah. Here's what I've got so far:

1. Control Your Temper with EVERYONE (especially sisters)
2. Be nicer to EVERYONE (especially sisters)
3. Pray more
4. Take less time in the shower (yes, I know it sounds weird, but I really have to. I took a shower 2 hours long before)
5.  Try keeping up with old friends via email or phone
6. Do more exercise, and help mother too
7. Help around in the house more
8. Try to do all the charity work I can
9. Learn how to make paratha
10.  Read one Juz' of Quran a day

I know the last one shouldn't be the last one, but I just thought of it. I think I'll have to add some more later on. I'm just wondering if I'll be able to keep up with number 6. I mean, after iftaar and taraweeh, all I want to do is get some sleeeeeeeeep. Also, I can't go to the gym all by myself at 10:00 or 11:00 at night, so, it might take some persuasion to make my  mother to come with me. Oh, well. I'll do my best inshaAllah.

Baby, It's All Good!

This is such an awesome poem! It’s too bad that the author is unknown. She’s very talented and has basically voiced the thoughts that are on the mind of every hijabi.

What do you see when you look at me?
Do you see someone limited, or someone free?
All some people can do is just look and stare,
Simply because they can’t see my hair.
Others think I am controlled and uneducated;
They think that I am limited and not liberated.
They are so thankful that they are not me,
Because they would like to remain ‘free.’

Well, free isn’t exactly the word I would’ve used,
Describing women who are cheated on and abused.
They think that I do not have opinions or a voice;
They think that being hooded isn’t my choice.
They think that the hood makes me look caged,
That my husband or dad are totally outraged.
All they can do is look at me in fear,
And in my eye there is a tear…

Not because I have been stared at or made fun of,
But because people are ignoring the One up above.
On the Day of Judgment they will be the fools,
Because they were too ashamed to play by God’s rules.
Maybe the guys won’t think I am a cutie,
But at least I am filled with more inner beauty.
See, I have declined from being a guy’s toy,
Because I won’t let myself be controlled by a boy.

Real men are able to appreciate my mind,
And aren’t busy looking at my behind .
Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause;
The role that we play definitely deserves applause.
I will be recognized because I am smart and bright,
And because some people are inspired by my sight.
The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility;
In the back of their mind they wish they were me.

We have the strength to do what we think is right,
Even if it means putting up a life long fight.
You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt;
We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt.
So, you see, we are the ones that are free and liberate,
We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated.
We are the ones that are free and pure,
We’re free of STD’s that have no cure.

So, when people ask you how you feel about the hood,
Just sum it up by saying, ‘Baby its all good!’

Taken from MuslimGirl.net