I Think About It Every Night & Day.. I'm addicted

Memes.I have a slight addiction.







I make about 12 a day.

I tried meme rehab but I'm just too funny.

Sh*t White Girls Say.....To Muslims

She's funny. Can't wait to see who she turns out to be.

Egypt is the new black...

Dear George W. Bush: this is how the Middle East gets re-made. No invasions necessary.

Protesters have been in Cairo's Tahrir Square for nearly three weeks.
Todras-Whitehill/AP

According to the New York Daily News

Egypt's hated President Hosni Mubarak stepped down Friday - 18 days after his countrymen revolted against his autocratic rule.

Mubarak's exit was announced by his hand-picked vice president, Omar Suleiman, in a brief statement.

"My fellow citizens," Suleiman said. "President Mubarak has decided to leave the office of the president."

The Egyptian Army, he said, has been "instructed" to run the country in the interim.

The announcement sparked an enormous outburst of joy in Cairo's central Tahrir Square, where hundreds of thousands had gathered for an 18th day demanded that the tyrant step down.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/

I'm not sure what lies ahead for the Egyptian people but, I'm certain it is far richer than what lies behind them.

Where Is The Love?: The Ft. Hood Post

"Image via Fox News, Location of Ft. Hood"

I've been awake all of 20 mins and am flooded with tweets and text regarding the Ft.Hood story. Granted, I am from Texas and so perhaps some of the people texting me are looking for answers as opposed to predicting discrimination but, when I read a tweet stating,

"RT @akonsen I'll bet a $250 Red Cross donation that the #FtHood shooters are Muslim. Any takers?"

My heart immediately sinks, and how could it not? More and more I'm faced with the reality that Islam is currently at the forefront of nearly every instance of media-covered violence. From banks to schools and even in churches if there is crime and there is a person needed to blame you can rest assured a "Muslim" or at least a person with an "Arabic" name will be arrested or killed for the suspected charges soon after. Here's the thing, I'm not denying that ONE of the suspected gunmen was a Muslim. I am however begging Americans, and people everywhere, to recognize that one act of violence on behalf of an individual claiming Islam does not equate an entire religion of violent people.The current facts are as follows per Fox News:

A shooting rampage Thursday afternoon at the Army's Fort Hood in Texas killed 11 and wounded 31 before the gunman was killed and two suspects taken into custody. All three of the people believed to have carried out the shooting were soldiers, Lt. General Bob Cone told reporters Thursday evening, though the motive remains unclear.
Cone said witnesses reported seeing more than one shooter, but that couldn't be confirmed. The primary shooter used two handguns, he said.

The shooting took place 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the post's Soldier Readiness Center, where soldiers undergo medical screening before being deployed or after returning from overseas.

We all know however that Fox News doesn't exactly have the clearest track record of viable 'news,' as it's often biased and ill-cited. Distress lies in the fact that one of the supposed shooters was a man by the name of Major Malik Nadal Hasan. Hasan is a recent convert to Islam, a suspect who conveniently matches the scapegoat criteria of having both an "Arabic-sounding name" and being Muslim. Some immediate points of interest are the words, recent and convert. A person who converts, be it any religion, is not necessarily equipped with all of the same tendencies or understandings that a person who's been practicing their entire lives or at least longer than 'recently' might have been exposed to. Accordingly, I find it worthy of emphasis that the suspected shooter is a recent convert, recent meaning perhaps Major Mailk was not as aware of the true meaning behind Islams ever peaceful ideals. With any religion, race, or other varying factors of an individual there is always room for flaw, misunderstanding, and failure. We after all are but humans. Am I justifying the actions of Major Malik? Not in the slightest, if he did as he is accused with then he is wrong, period. There is no justification in the world, in my opinion, for take any innocent life.

Just makes me want to sing out in Black Eyed Peas lyrics:

I think the whole worlds addicted to the drama
Only attracted to the things that bring you trauma
Overseas yeah we tryin to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin
In the USA the big CIA the Bloodz and the Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate

Real talk: If you never know peace then you never know love.

For fast facts regarding the Ft. Hood shooting be sure to check Hot Air.com & ABC News.

Sunday Snippets #5-- Sometimes Goodbye Is The Only Way To Say Hello

"We call an unforgettable love like that memories."

Way back when I wore side pony tails and a pair of shiny black shoes to elementary school I remember a time when my then best friend and I found a rabbit. Oh how I loved rabbit, I named him Rabbit too. Rabbit was so tiny and perfectly cream in color. And one day Rabbit did what rabbits do; rabbit hopped. Rabbit hopped, and hopped, and hopped. Me and Chereen chased, and chased, and chased. But, we never caught rabbit again.

I didn’t cry like Chereen did because, my mother said that Rabbit hopped to freedom and that as long as I loved Rabbit I would have Rabbit. She said, “We call an unforgettable love like that, memories.” Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. Isn’t that crazy to think that we have a way of forever holding onto a piece of person, a place, an event, or an object just because we want to, just because we care? So now when memories of anyone or anything creep up on me I do not pout, I smile, because I have a piece of it, I have Rabbit.

Fashion Serving a Greater Purpose: Pink Hijab Day 2009

"Wednesday, October 28th is this year’s Global Pink Hijab Day. Pink Hijab Day is intended to shatter stereotypes of Muslim women, as well as raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. All over the world, Muslims participated by wearing pink hijabs, pink ribbons, and donating to breast cancer foundations."

Global Pink Hijab Day started two years ago. This time, founder Hend El-Buri is raising the bar and hoping to spread the idea of Pink Hijab Day to more places. Muslim and non-Muslim women-alike will be observing “Global Pink Hijab Day” by donning pink headscarves. This is a day intended to initiate dialog, promote education about the Islamic headscarf (Hijab), and raise breast cancer awareness.

In America, Magdalenna Garcia of Provo, Utah said “I think that Pink Hijab Day is an excellent opportunity for Muslims to participate in solidarity for breast cancer awareness; it serves as a symbol to the greater community that Muslims share the same concerns, and the hope for a cure.”

The Pink Hijab day has also spread to areas all over the world, including South Africa, Egypt, and Qatar.

“In North America we’ve had Islamic schools and MSAs participate. I hope this year that we can get more people in Muslim countries involved,” El-buri said.

Although Pink Hijab Day began with a small group of high school girls in the small town of Columbia, Missouri, the event now has thousands of participates all over the world.

Participants in Pink Hijab Day will encourage the curious to ask questions about hijab, as well as promoting breast cancer education, and donating to various Breast Cancer Foundations.

Pink Hijab Day is an independent project.

Donations for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation are being collected. We encourage all those who wear pink Hijabs on this day or support this cause to donate $5 or more to the foundation.

Pink Hijab Day has already raised $210 and you can help them reach their goal of $1,000 by donating to Susan G. Komen’s Passionately Pink for the Cure. Get involved in your local communities; check out more on the Susan G. Komen Foundation.


Check it:PinkhijabDay.net

Republicans Attempt to Criminalize the World’s ‘Greatest Threat’ – Muslim Interns!

Rachel Maddow tackles, according to an increasing Republican population, an "important terrorist and national security concern." Take a look at what they're working on now.

Friday Frustrations #1-IU Safety Escort: Access Denied

"Well the jokes on you Douchey Mc Douche bag because, I called your supervisor."--What happenes when an evening @ Qdoba goes array.

The IUSA Safety Escort Department provides safe evening transportation for women and men who would otherwise be walking alone.They proudly advertise that their services "will assist you in safely reaching both on- and off-campus locations." It's a nice sentiment really. It would be an even better sentiment if they actually performed the advertised services. Instead, IUSA Safety Escort is a service which leaves students abandoned on a case conditional base to walk home thus executing a service of neither safety nor escorting.

Late last night, or rather early this morning, a friend and I got the study muchies and on a whim ended up at Qdoba. After many chips, and a few laughs we were satisfied and decided to head home. Great plan, except for the part where apparently Noah is building a second arc and it's been raining for 47hrs straight. It was also around 1 am and no more than 60 degrees outside. After realizing, at this big 10 school, it was Thirty Thursday we decided perhaps these weren't exactly the safest conditions for two, college-aged, female, students to be strolling about in. We called Safety Escort.

Around 1:05 am the IUSA S. Escort driver rolled by the Law school. I reached for the handle of the van, seeking shelter from the rain, to which the passenger seat coordinator replied, "you weren't coming from the law school were you?" Confused and somewhat agitated I stared back blankly thinking, "what the hell?!" He continued by stating, "sorry this is an academic service and if you weren't coming from the law school then..." By this time it was evident he was not going to take us home. Perhaps on an episode of Punk'd, I smiled and said, "What, are you telling me to close the door?" To which he boldly replied, "Yes, that is what I'm saying." Apparently, Tool Academy is missing a contestant because this guy had no shame in turning down probably the two most sober people he saw that night. I tried explaining that we were unaware of the sudden policy change and that perhaps he should, just this time, take us the 6mins home. He drove away.

Well the jokes on you Douchey Mc Douche bag because, I called your supervisor. Some people don't like jobs during the recession. So I handled that for him. IUSA claims that the decision was made based on the fact that the policy is now on an academic basis. As the passenger coordinator stated, "I don't see any backpacks," and I'm not denying that we weren't studying but, that doesn't mean that we were guaranteed any more or less safety. I let the supervisor know that no where in the stated online or University policy does it state that IUSA Safety Escort is now strictly an academic service. It is however a service which I pay for and expect to use as I see fit. There is no reason why two young girls should be forced to walk home in the rain at 1 am when there is a service which supposedly caters to preventing those very affects. I hate to be a cynic but, suppose something really did happen. Suppose we were kidnapped. Suppose we were raped. Suppose that in complete irony the drunk bus hadn't rolled by to pick up my friend and I. Luckily however, it did.

Most disturbing, was the treatment upon denial of the services. It's one thing to tell a student 'these are the clearly established rules which were agreed upon before services given.' It wasn't until after the Safety Escort vehicle arrived, that the access denied decision was made. Granted it may not be a religion, racial, or even gender thing but, it was still a denial of service based upon assumptions of appearances. If that's not discrimination, I'm not sure what is.

A few days away from the 10th anniversary of Jill Behrman's abduction and death. She was an IU student the same age and working for the same company as I. Talk about a coincidence. It's also less than the year anniversary of the IU slasher, a man who attacked not one, but, several students late one October night. With such history it's hard to believe that the IUSA Safety Escort would right off anyone but, especially two college-aged females under such circumstances. I try not to think that perhaps the hijabs made him feel more 'safe' in allowing us to walk home, who would rape a hijabi, right? Wrong, bad things happen everyday irregardless of religious beliefs. But, again, if that's not discrimination, I'm not sure what is.

So if IUSA Safety Escort provides a service of neither safety nor escort, what sort of service are they providing?

Opportunities Don't Come With Their Values Stamped Upon Them. But, Neither Does Ramadan.

You probably already guessed what this post was about, even before even clicking it in your reader/twitter/blogroll etc. I also assume you are expecting the usual farewell opportunities aplenty impending Eid post. But, not this year. This year is about actual change, not the 'I'm so hungry so this fast must be working sort-of change.' No, no, real spiritual change. Now, I'm by no means an Imam, Sheikha, or scholar but, I would like to consider myself Islamically intelligent enough to make at least one prayer an actuality year-round. And that prayer is "thanks". It might sound simple and perhaps irrelevant but, if all I had was one prayer for the rest of my life, thanks would be enough.


You don't have to use my prayer/du'aa or take my advice. But, all I'm saying is God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"

"May Allah swt accept all of our fasts, good deeds and give us the opportunity to see the blessed month of Ramadan next year again, Ameen."

Complex Magazine Ranks Islams' Hottest Women...No, Not Literally Hot

But either way it ain't their hijabs that are the cause...

As seen on MMW: Complex Magazine’s online blog. They decided to list “The 10 Hottest Muslim Women” in a crude effort to celebrate Ramadan, and probably remind men to check a religious minority off of their list. Great.

"Laila Ali,
Complex's "The 10 Hottest Muslim Women""

As if I don’t have enough to deal with while I am fasting! The article celebrates a wide range of women, which on the plus side probably taught readers about the diversity of the Islamic world.

The article opens by describing the plight of “Muslim models”, citing the story of a Malaysian model (Kartika)caned for her alleged drinking of beer in a nightclub. [pictured below]Complex adds punishment and rebellion to the representation Muslim women as oppressed damsels with daddy issues–obviously an effort to tantalize the reader.

I wondered if the author simply searched for “hot famous Muslim chicks” in order to compile the list. I was surprised that the article did not feature helpful hints for readers to pick up Muslim girls or how to save them from their oppressive fathers and husbands.

The snarky commentary focused upon clever ways to draw upon stereotypes of these women: the caption for Wafah Dufour reads:

Osama bin Laden’s niece posed semi-nude for GQ back in 2006 in a bizarre attempt to capitalize on her family name. Her uncle would probably be pissed if he didn’t have over 300 other nephews and nieces to keep track of.

Listing women such as Laila Ali, Eve, Iman, and Queen Rania did not even highlight the contributions of these women or their ability to break stereotypes, but rather created a way to crudely objectify women who have made significant changes within their respective fields.

"Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno
from Complex Magazine"

Furthermore, to highlight the fact that they come from Muslim backgrounds or may follow the Muslim faith in order to sexualize them is not only offensive to their accomplishments, but is ultimately offensive to the faith itself. Obviously, Islam has not hindered these women, and the article does not feature any commentary on the role of faith in their lives.

These women did pose rather provocatively in these photos, I think that it is no different than what I see when I flip through a magazine at the supermarket. What makes this article so offensive to me in particular, is the fact that they are fetishizing these women based upon a stereotype of Muslim women being seen and not heard. Thus, the article makes wide assumptions about not only the backgrounds of these women, but about Muslim women in general. I think the beauty of Muslim women is our diversity in thought, expression, and backgrounds, and this list merely reduces us to one sexualized image.

Disappointing, yes. Entertaining, perhaps. Now to explain to my co-workers why I don't roll around in 6 inches heels, boobs a flare, and hair lingering in the breeze, fun. Not.

Captain Planet, He's Our Hero!

"The Power Is YOURS!"

Actually Captain Planet was far from my hero and not just because of his over use of hair gel or misuse of blue spandex but, because I couldn't relate. Sure, he sent a great message to the kids, recycool, stay in school, use trash cans, all of which are fine and dandy. But, after realizing this weekend that TMNT (the teenage mutant ninja turtles) were raised by a rat named splinter in a sewer in NY, I also realized all of my childhood superheros were rip offs! And it got me to thinking, growing up I didn't really have a hero. Sure, I loved the greats: Spider man, Batman, Superman, Soulja Boy, ya know ...the greats. But who did I really want to become? Because growing up as an American Muslim, smothered by the suburbs of Texas, my parents had me successfully brainwashed by 3 into thinking Salaam (from Salams journey), Sinbad, Big Bird, and Adam were superheros. I thought hijabs were capes and scholars like Imam Zaid and Shaykh Hamza were just acting in disguise to avoid exposing the greater scheme of enjoining in good and forbidding evil. I just knew they were the original superman, going fully thawbed status in phone booths across the USA. At some point I did ask myself where the sheros were --because there are tons of female villains-- Coincidence? I think not-- but where were the good girls?

By 8 I was sure I'd marry the Red Power ranger; and together we'd start our own brand of superharam fighting heros. He'd love me and cherish my contributions as I taught him new techniques, like the wudhu wash of doom, which would cleanse all haram and drain the enemy of dirty intentions-- because everyone knows we're only based on intentions. There would be potions and spells ala Hogwarts, like the Hummus Hypnosis which has the ability to stun enemies with just a single bite of pita bread. But, alas this was my A.D.D. overactive imagination and I'm left with a kufi-topped, Elmo knock off, puppet named Adam to thank for that. Or perhaps it was the magical bird named Hud-Hud (which btw literally translates back to bird, in English). Still I'm left wondering where were the Muslim Superheros!? In fact, where are the Muslim super heros?

Then my Google reader gave me the answer, granted it gave me the answer 2 weeks ago when the brother updated his blog but, those are minor details. Meet the 99, 'who personify the 99 attributes of Allah, according to Islamic tradition.

"The 99"

What will unfold on the pages of the collaboration between DC Comics in the US and Teshkeel Comics in Kuwait is yet to be seen, but the appearance of The 99 – who already appear in comics in the Muslim world – alongside archetypal American heroes would have been unlikely during the Bush years. DC Comics’ president and publisher, Paul Levitz, believes the cross-cultural project is unprecedented. A few accuse DC Comics of betraying the US: “Muslim-pandering, anyone? Thank you, Time Warner, for showing us whose side you’re on. I guess we can add you to the list of traitorous companies who have forgotten 9/11.”

Unlike their western counterparts The 99 do not wear disguises, unless you count the burka-wearing Batina The Hidden, nor are they outsiders with secret identities. They are ordinary people who develop extraordinary abilities...although characters pray or read the Qur’an, they are meant to appeal to children of all faiths." Sounds promising and exciting to say the least. It's not the hummus hypnosis I prayed for as a child but, it's a worthy start none the less.

Shout outs to: Saad @ Chill Yo Islam, Yo for the inspiration!

There Is Nothing Wrong With America That Cannot Be Cured by What's Right With America

As mentioned by Hijabee in D.C. , while many tourists flooded Washington (D.C.) to attend the 4th of July celebrations, to honor America's 233rd anniversary, I, along with about 35,000 Muslims had other plans. I attended the 46th annual ISNA convention merely blocks away from the Capitol. Sprinkled with speaking greats, Imam Siraj Wahaj, Zaid Shakir, Suhaib Webb, Shaykh Hamzah Yusuf, and talent like Baba Ali, Ms. Latifa, Native Deen,  and The Great Seneca there was no shortage of Muslim pride.

To walk away from the convention broke in pocket, rich in soul, and not afraid to stand alone, I'm glad we were in the nations capitol. Just shy of of President Obamas' humble estate, we stood proudly gathered, celebrating the very ideals this country was founded on, freedom of religion, the right to assemble and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

That was our story but, this is my story. And my story involves one of my best friends, Zahra and one of our closest family friends Saffiyah.

Part I- The Approach


The Infamous Leggings
I knew D.C. was about a 10 hr trip but, it never occurred to me that we'd actually be in the car for 8+ hrs. So when we left at about 3:3o am the sun was down, and it never crossed my mind that eventually the sun would come up.


This fact may or may not have influenced our decision to wear grey-1986 inspired-leggings. Meaning by hr 7, I was left to pump gas in a city with 1500 people in nothing but a hijab, grey leggings, and an MSA national shirt.

Fmylife.

.............................................................................................................................

Part II- The Arrival



We arrived safely only to realize we had to pick up other people so we parked in a lot advertised for 6$ that apparently, "meant to say 10$" I tried telling the operator he was ripping us off by not only 4$ but, since we didn't park there, the entire 10$. "10$" he replied, "not my problem."

I made it his problem and we parked for free.

Part III- The ISNA Convention

Saturday ,we attended some lectures/made ourselves useful to society. Most of our day was spent volunteering with MSA [Muslim Student Association] and MYNA [Muslim Youth of America] and when I say volunteering.

Black Henna

 

The Bazaar this year was interesting. It was a bit weak-- which can easily be blamed on the economy/recession. But, that didn't stop me from splurging on hijabs, pins, and unnecessary accessories.

Part IV- The Spark (Light Upon Light)

Waiting for our signal to begin Shaykh Hamza Yusuf finally stood and firmly mounted the podium. He calmly began staring out across the masses of 6-56yr olds poised with precision and spoke, "Never apologize for who you are, aren't, or were," and with those words my eyes filled to the brim. How could they not? Whether is was arguments with friends, foes, professors, or prostitutes, for the past 6 months of my life I've blamed their shortcomings on my insecurities and accepted blame for the Muslim I am. I allowed my self to be every mans scapegoat and every woman's whipping boy. But, how could I? How, in good faith, could I apologize for the very religion that made me who I am? How could I back down from who I'm becoming because, I'm afraid of who I was? I swallowed the tears and wrote with fierce texture moving from my palm to the back of a program. If I gained nothing from this conference but, this moment, it would be a moment I will never forget.He continued, telling stories of animated cartoons like Pinocchio, who spent too much of his youth in fantasy island and not enough in reality, allowing the characters he was to be tempted by who he despised. And that, he says is why the problem with youth, is that it's wasted on the young. I'm far from fantasy island yet treat this life like it's permanent, allowing the whored-up sororities girls of my party-harty university in the sky to influence the woman I'm becoming.

He shared with us that July 4th is actually an Islamic holiday/Independence day, as it's the day that Jerusalem was liberated (Crusades). So much history, so much pride, and this is what I'm afraid to express almost 234 days out of the year. I'm afraid of just one name being called, or stone being thrown. But, it was in his statement, "Never apologize for your religion," that I realized I am an embodiment of this deen (religion). And so when I deny who I am physically, I'm denying who I am entirely.Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide. And with decisions come, again, the very foundations upon which this nation is founded, the ongoing struggle to maintain life, liberty, and that pursuit of happiness. I'm just as American as Pablo, Pedro, or Ahmed from down the way so why is it that I have to apologize for what I am, when it's everything you need.

It was in the that moment I realized, I'm taking my very life, youth, and freedom for granted. Or at least, I was. Freedom means choosing your burden, for freedom, is not enough. Every man dies, but, not every man lives. And so today my heart rings of liberty bells, and spiritual wells. I am free, not because I claim freedom, but because I practice freedom.


Trip Highlights//Inside Jokes

• Introducing Zahra to the world of Slurpees and Big Gulps
• Meeting a 35(ish) yr.old woman in the bazzar asking about whether or not I was single. I did the honest thing and replied 'yes,' to which she introduced me to her husband :|
• Loosing 2 lbs!

Best Part of D.C. Road Trip 2009

Knowing who I am; because the best part to leaving home is coming home.

I Like it in The City When Two Worlds Collide-- Conversations W/Muslims

At 3 I was able to tell you what I wanted to be, a dancer, lawyer, interior decorator, forensics specialist, house wife, counselor, and before I learned that it was impossible, a daddy. Yes, this creative mind has been ticking every since the wee fetal days and for as much has changed one thing has remained, passion. It started with a spark, which is increasing in size, determined to spread. Eventually, I won't be able to contain to the volcano of creativity and I will explode. No, no, this is not a threat. This is reality. I thought perhaps with a blog, Twitter, and other such time-wasters, my imagination would be satisfied but, alas it is not. So what's next? Why, a book of course.


Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm pretty much obsessed with anonymous based-initiatives. PostSecret is an ongoing community mail art project, created by Frank Warren, in which people mail their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.What alot of people do not know is that Post-Secret was a simple idea created to heal a hurtful situation.The simple concept of the project was that completely anonymous people decorate a postcard and portray a secret that they had never previously revealed.

No restrictions are made on the content of the secret; only that it must be completely truthful and must never have been spoken before. Entries range from admissions of sexual misconduct and criminal activity to confessions of secret desires, embarrassing habits, hopes and dreams.

Since Frank Warren created the website on January 1, 2005, PostSecret has collected and displayed upwards of 2,500 original pieces of art from people across the United States and around the world. I want to be Frank Warren. No, no, this doesn't mean I still think I can be a daddy. But, this does mean that I want to help people, help themselves, through themselves. A single confession on PostSecret caused a girl 'Cassie', to realize she is not alone in her pain. This single post card helped to prevent her suicide.

Now, I'm no Jesus, and don't think myself a savior. In fact, I don't expect for my 'project' to be as significant as Post-Secret but, I do hope to lessen the load of American Muslims. As an American-Muslim I know the struggle to maintain a healthy Islamic foundation while still balancing the expectations of a western society and culture. My hope, my dream, is to inspire Muslims locally, globally, and universally, to be proud of who and what they are not who and what they are expected to be. Be a skater boy if you must, just don't forget to pray. The idea is to experience, not exploit, the Muslim-American culture from a Muslim perspective. Some of the material will be funny. Some of it will not. Some of the material will be offensive. Some of the material will be inspirational. But, all of the material will be real. Eventually, I hope to publish these Muslim Experiences in a Journal. But, for now they are simply Conversations W/Muslims.




[If you have a conversation,experience,or story to tell, let it be heard! Email Perplxintexan@gmail.com]

Tell Your Boyfriend if He's Got Beef I'm Vegetarian...

You know what sucks? Being with your parents and/or family in public. As earlier stated I'm on S.break and per request de madre I went on a family 'vacation', that has yet to end or technically begin for that matter. Confused? Well, apparently my aunt who works for American Airlines failed to actually book our flight. Which means a family of approximately 5 Muslims of assorted heights, age, and sketch activity stood in line at the airport for 2 hrs for absolutely no reason.

Airport security: "Ma'aam you do realize how terribly sketchy you and your clan appear ?"
Mother: "Oh, everyone makes mistakes."
Airport Security Member # 2: "A mistake would be forgetting to remove a belt, you however arrived 30 mins late to a non-existent flight."

Just as I was thinking about the embarrassment that is related to me I spied one of my students in a silvery ensemble that was way to seductive given her barely double digit age. She was not humming but, da*n near screaming this song through the escalator-like tunnel. And in case you missed the chorus it goes as follows:

"She wants to touch me (Woah),
She wants to love me (Woah),
She'll never leave me (Woah, woah, oh, oh),
Don't trust a ho,
Never trust a ho,
Won't trust a ho,
Won't trust me."

Now granted it is quite the catchy tune but, at what point do you just say 'screw CPS' and just beat your child?... because that would've been my breaking point. And then things got really interesting because the mother chimed in and a family across the way whispered "yeah that's what they said about your mom too."

Oh.

Moral of the story:My family is ruining me. We're leaving Tuesday. Muslims are shady by nature AND you should never trust a ho because she won't trust you.

Maybe I'm Amazed By Your True You, That's Why I Love You...

It's not quite Valentines day yet but, I had to post to announce:

I'm not the Grinch of Love.

Today we passed out the PostSecret inspired anonymous V-day cards. And By George it it worked! Every kid in my 4th grade cluster of a classroom got at least 3 cards, everyone. The popular chicks didn't load up on cards, building their heightened popularity and status. The boys weren't especially cruel to one another trying to establish a hierarchy of who would ask which girls to be their sweetheart. Everyone got a card. The cool thing is they aren't completely sure what cards came from who.


Some have an inkling because of penmanship and that they watched each other make the cards but, even the kids who received less while cards appreciated their scrap of junk. I'm glad I didn't cheat at peek at the cards ahead of time because I now get to enjoy the brilliance of anonymous love. 3 cards stuck out to me though.

1.The prettiest girl in all of 4th grade received a pink polka dot and lace trimmed 'card' which read, "I know you hate me and I know I'm not your valentine but, you are mine."

2.One of the football players received a card which read "Sometimes you stink but, your kinda nice, it makes me pink." The front had a football with blushing pink cheeks. I wanted to steal it. But, I didn't.

3.This card was actually one of the cards meant to be sent home to the parents. I acted like I lost it. It reads, "Daddy loves Stephanie but, I don't want him to."

Turns out Stephanie is the name of her soon-to-be step monster. Right now I think the author of that card is too young to understand that Stephanie isn't replacing her deceased mother she's just a filler in the space that happened to be free. The most shocking part of the whole day had to be that the girls gave more cards to each other than to the opposite gender.

I got a card last night at my 2nd job(Personal Trainer) from my almost boss. I say he's my almost boss because he only actually has about 5% authority over me and can't punish me at all. I'll post the card later now.

It's probably the best V-day gift/card I'll ever get.

It says, "I'm rich like Nicole, and a lion like her daddy"..........tame me?"

The back has a picture of him crawling like a lion.'nuff said. hilarious.

And I Know I'll Think I'm Satisfied But, It Won't Last...

No, not the dream where we all unite as one nation, under god--that's scheduled for next Thursday @ 5pm right after the 3pm 'learn to fly' appointment. The other dream, the dream that I held so true. The dream where the Muslim youth of North America realize they are no longer the voices of tomorrow; for tomorrow exists in the children of today. The same dream where I stand on stage one foot in front of the other, mic in hand vision in voice.Well, as of Friday May 22,2008 at 8:45 pm right along with Sir Martin Luther King Jr. my dreams came true. And, as quickly as they were fulfilled they were taken away.

The Jum3uah sermon I attended whilst in Dallas, Texas that very evening blared in my mind,"If you don't have the attitude for gratitude Allah (swt) will surely replace you and it with a person more grateful."Sometimes it seems it's so easy to forget how much we have as humans, as Americans. So easy it is to forget where we came from, who we came from, and what we are here for. I regretfully forgot.

I, the simple Midwest blogger, with ambitious dreams of unity thorough diversity am a part of Voices for Change. Yes, Voices for Changes. The very contest I hoped and prayed for so very long ago. Muslim youth standing for their deen yet not lacking talent. I was selected out of 100's maybe 1,000's in the nation to become the opening act for Outlandish and The Sound of Reason.

Excited?

So was I. And I think that's where my problem lies.

And, maybe it is just another test. Maybe, something will happen to him (the newly named current winner) and I will again regain my position as #1. Or, maybe there is a hidden meaning in the fact that I was named 1st then 2nd. Maybe, I lost sight of my vision....my purpose. I entered as a humble southern girl with an attitude for change. I wanted to inspire,motivate, and drive other Muslims especially the youth to see the beauty not the curse in being an American Muslim. We have a voice. We have the power. And, though this closely resembles a Barack Obama speech it's not. It is determination. And, I lost sight of all of that.


"But, if you pray 5 times a day....everyday....how could you ever forget your lord?", spoke the 12yr old with hazel eyes and pig tails. If at every interval of our lives, every fragment of our beings we are truly giving thanks to Allah (swt) for what we have, and, who we are how could we ever forget? Welp, in all the excitement of the phone call, the free tickets, and overall glory I forgot the most glorified of all. And, even more amazing is that it took 3 days, 15 hours, and 21 students from a Catholic elementary school, at an inter-faith dialog to ask "how could you" before it even occurred that Allah (swt) was sending a sign.

"True merit, like a river, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes."

~Edward Frederick Halifax

Lesson in humility learned. And so here, I sit 4 days, 29 hours, 16 seconds after that fateful 'win' realizing that if I had took but a second to thank the one entity that granted it all, it might still be mine.