If you have always wanted to know what goes on in my life (which isn't much *sigh*) then you have come to the right place! Enjoy your stay! Have some chocolate.
Ah the weddings ... just don't end. I think I've been to 5 already. This weekend I went to a mehndi and a reception. The mehndi was nice, eventhough it didn't start until 12am! I was outta there by 12:30am. My sister and I had to run about before the party so we were in and out of stores in our desi gear. haha It was awesome, I didn't mind because our outfits were very faint-worthy. I loved mine, thanks to my cousin in Hyderabad who has amazing fashion sense! We had to go to the flea market and that place is filled with desi's! So I kinda felt at home haha I also felt like I was a walking fashion show because all the women and little girls were gawking at my clothes *sigh* We were definitely "fobbed out in style" ... that's my saying now.
More parties to go to this coming weekend. I have a reception to go to on my birthday ... MY BIRTHDAY! *cries* It's on Friday .... I don't mind anymore because I will be seeing a lot more of my friends whom I normally don't see on my b-day .... so it should be nice!
Yes, I attended ISNA Canada this past weekend and I really did enjoy it alhamdulillah. Saturday I went with my cousin's wife and kids along with my aunt. Dawud (almost 2 yrs old) and his baby sister were actually behaving pretty good, Dawud tends to get cranky if he hasn't had enough sleep. But he was pretty hyper that day. Actually ... one of the lectures I attended, he ran up to the front of the room where the speakers stood. Oh ... my ... goodness, I was hoping he would come back on his own and that I would not have to go infront of everyone to take him but then ... he got into his "baby talking" really loud. So I ran up there, picked him up and took him back to his mommy haha Thanks for embarrasing me Dawud!
Anyways, "Maniac"'s (www.maniacmuslim.com) did a really good job with his lecture. I felt it was something the youth of today must be aware of. That our parents put so much emphasis on the path of occupation that the children must take. There are many fields in which Muslim youths can explore because either way ... we're needed everywhere. We definitely need to broaden our horizons. It's funny ... because I met a girl during the weekend and she asked me what I was majoing in. I told her English Literature, insha'Allah working towards teaching and she asked me: "wow ... what do your parents think about you doing that?" I've gotten that before. I guess "english" isn't really a dominant field that a parent would want for their child. Alhamdulillah, I was never pressured to go into a specific field and work towards something I had no feeling for. The choice was mine and I took it with no problem. And yes ... I do feel it is really important for an individual to have a passion for what they are studying for because in the end, it is that individual who is going to be living that life day in and day out.
It was important for me to attend Mohammed al-Shareef's lectures because I did not have the opportunity to attend al-Maghrib. Everyone's responses to him were correct, he was an amazing speaker. And he had the ability to captivate you with his points on life and the Deen. One of the lectures was about "Goal Setting". And his approaches to that were so simple that it got me thinking "what in the world am I waiting for?" All you have to do is put yourself on a time limit, that you will achieve your goal on such-and-such date. That way, your concentration and drive is targeted towards that one or two goals you're going for. Like handing in an assignment on time. I must admit, for the past year I've been telling myself that there is something I am going to do and it will be done! But I'm sitting here and telling myself ... why havent I done it yet? Insha'Allah I'll take his advice and I know that I will be able to reach the goals that I have been meaning to achieve.
He also showed an exercise that had the audience close their eyes and picture themselves being 75 years of age. So when I closed my eyes, at first, everything was blank, I could not see anything. I'm thinking "oh no ... I'm not alive!!" But slowly the images began forming and I saw myself as an old woman, in a lighted room with many people around me. I felt happy which was a beautiful feeling. When we opened our eyes, he asked us what we saw. One girl said that she saw herself alone and lonely ... another guy said that he saw himself in a place with many people and with a lot of noise. Mohammed al-Shareef was saying that whatever you saw ... consciously, you will work towards that. Now the girl who saw herself alone, it is her job to change that if she does not want to end up alone because she can live her life with the mind set that she will always be lonely. I was real happy with my "vision" because I'm very dedicated when it comes to family and pray to be a part of a big one in the future insha'Allah.
I thought it was a great weekend. I ran into sooo many friends, ones that I haven't seen in a really long time! It was a nice reunion. I also made new friends which was even greater :D And yes, there was a bazaar there so I took advantage of buying the hijabs haha eventhough the ones I wanted were so expensive! Yeesh! The skirts that were being sold there (specifically made by one sister masha'Allah) were beautiful. I bought one from her and I totally love it. I will be visiting her more often in the future teehehe
I cannot believe it ... my mommy really wants me out of the house! *cries* She kept asking me if there was any guy I was interested in. She comes up to me with this:
Mom: Rafia ... you're on the computer so much, I'm just going to name it the "ladka" (guy) Rafia: haha Okay fine mummy ... the computer is my ladka Mom: No seriously ... do you talk to any guys? Rafia (thinking she wants a reason to yell at me) Mummy nOoOoOo!!! Mom: Why not?! Find someone! It'd be so much more easier on me ... get married! Squeeky: Hmm ... wasn't expecting that.
This ... is coming from my mom ... MY MOM! In the past, she would have freaked if she found out I was talking to some boy and now ... she's encouraging me. *sigh* Do you know how much pressure this is?
Well ... I thought it was cute too. So ... umm ... I guess I'm on a mission now?
I had such a great weekend, alhamdulillah :D I spent it at my sweetie-pie cousin's (Aisha) place. We had a bridal shower to attend to that weekend and since I wanted to go shopping with her, we decided that we'd go to the mall and I would stay over at her place and go to the party from there! Brillian plan hun! *smooch* Anyhoo ... so these were the events of the weekend ....
*scene goes fuzzy*
Friday May 13, 2005 I started to pack everything in my little handbag to take to Aisha's place. But while I was packing, everything just was not fitting in there! I had another bag, my big gym bag but it just seemed too big to take. In the end, I decided I would have to settle with the gym bag and miraculously, everything settled nicely in there! And when I say I took "everything" ... apparently I took everything! And boy was that bag heavy :S I lifted it and just could not understand how I would take that bag to the Eaton Centre! (the mall we were going to shop at) I was sure that the mall would have lockers to keep my bag in so that while we shopped, we would not have to worry about it! Hmm ... wasn't exactly how things turned out! First of all, I was nervous like crazy for taking my bag on the Go Bus and the subway .... my whole life was in that bag! The bus ride was okay, long and boring but it was okay. Then I got off at the Union Station and had to lug the bag around ... I kept getting pushed here and there :( I was scared. But I headed for the subway. Btw ... I don't take the subway often and it freaks me out for some reason.
Something always tends to go wrong for me at the toll booth area where you give your ticket or change. So as I headed there, I was worried about how I would get my bag through the little area. I noticed they had space for luggage (haha) so I decided to use that. I had my change ready so I would just have to throw it in and run! I approached the booth, saw a couple of guys inside and noticed that the price went up 25 cents! What in the world ... I wasn't ready for that. I had to struggle to get my wallet out and I just felt people getting annoyed behind me. But I made it and threw in 25 cents. I started heading out when I noticed a guy come out of the booth and started saying "Sister! Excuse me, sister!" Oh my goodness, I'm thinking "what does he want? I put the change! Leave me alone! I just wanna get outta here!" I turned around to see what he wanted. He goes: Unknown guy: Sister ... do you go to York? [York is my University] Me: yes, yes I do Unknown guy: Oh ... I recognize you ... Me: awww well umm ... do you go to York? Unknown guy: No, well ... I went there a year ago. I remember seeing you around. Me: aww that's nice! [he said some other stuff which I cannot recall ... I think he sensed my impatient behaviour] Unknown guy: Okay well I don't want to keep you ... it was nice meeting you. Me: Yes ... it was nice meeting you too! Take care! Unknown guy: Assalaamu Alaikum!
awww He seemed like a nice fella. He seemed Arab because his arabic pronounciation was real nice *sigh* Okay well I ran outta there, so thankful that I wasn't gettin in trouble for anything. Hopped onto the subway and 5 mins later, I was at the Eaton Centre. I called Aisha and we met up! haha The look on her face when she saw my bag! Poor girl, wouldn't let me hold it and insisted that she would throughout the whole time we were at the mall! I figured, every mall would have lockers to keep your personal belongings in while wandering about in the mall. So we tried to find out. One of the men there told us that they had absolutely none! I was shocked and appalled. So I told Aisha "don't listen to him, he's foreign, he doesn't know what he's talking about". The guy had a british accent *faint* Honestly, I wanted to stay there and just ask more questions so I could hear him speak teehehe But ... we didn't. We went to do some shopping! Bought our stuff and we were on our way home :D
We arrived at Aisha's place and I settled my stuff in her room. Awww she cleaned it for me so nicely! *sigh* masha'Allah ... May Allah Swt bless her with a charming husband ;) haha I wanted to watch Shrek 2 so that was what we did! Actually ... that was what I did ... she fell asleep on me! :O Poor thing ... it's okay ... I don't hold that against her because she was dragging my bag all over the mall that day haha She needed the rest. So I stayed up a bit longer to watch some but I too was falling asleep. So I decided to watch the rest later. Funny movie.
Saturday May 14, 2005 It was a nice relaxing day for us. I slept in ... woke up ... and then found out that I would have to rip out the weeds out of their lawn later. Hmm. I'm like ... "ohhh ... so this is why she wanted me to stay over this weekend. She was using me for my muscle!" We were outside digging out the dandilions in their yard. It was actually fun, it was getting me hyper for some reason. And Aisha just would not stop complaining that it will rain later that day! haha We had to go out to her friend's birthday party. Her friend was sweet enough to allow me to join. Aww.
Aisha thought she would have to drive to the restaurant in the rain but her friend requested that we ride with her in her car! That was real nice of her. I practiced my eye make-up techniques on Aisha and masha'Allah did she ever look smashing! Aisha ... I better see you using it for the next party! Which is soon ... cuz we have a wedding or a party to go to like every weekend. Eep! AND on my Birthday ... *cries* ... but I'll complain about that later. Her friend picked us up and we were on our way to Pickle Barrel (I think that was the name ...?) It was located in the Yorkdale mall. Wow ... it was a huge restaurant! Quite poche too ... the food was good. Though we couldn't eat anything because nothing was halal but I ate Vege chowmein noodles. That's what I ate right? Oh something noodley. It was good! And yes, I did eat something, even though it didn't look like it :S I had to take it to go. *sigh* I really gotta work on my eating skills. Chew faster, Rafia! Anyhoo ... the birthday girl was a sweetheart ... too adorable and oh so pretty! I wish her the best.
We left the party and came back home. Had some yummy vanilla ice cream! Eventhough I shouldn't have had it because my throat was sore but I just could not resist. How can anyone say 'no' to ice cream? And if they can ... *weirdo* We chit chatted a bit more about life *sigh* then we trodded to bed for sleep.
Sunday May 15, 2005 My last day at Aisha's *cries* We were supposed to be up early so that we would have enough time to get ready for Faaiza's bridal shower but nope ... sleep took over and we slept in. But it felt good! We got up, ate some delicious macaroni that Aisha's mom made and then quickly went to get ready! It's hard getting ready within a time limit :( But we succeeded, and headed to Faaiza's sister place to help out with the decorations. I feel Aisha and I did a great job. Especially the bride-to-be's chair! Finally, the guests started to roll in and the party began! The food was amazingly good ... my mouth was drooling. But I tried to hide it ... I think I did a good job ;) But we had a fun time playing with the baby girl's there. There were two and masha'Allah they were soooo adorable! Both of them were born a day after my b-day :D teehehe
We started playing games which were quite interesting. We were getting ideas for future bridal showers haha One of the games was quite memorable for Aisha and I haha but I cannot disclose of that in here .... muahaha *memories* But during that game, Faaiza was able to see our cute present that we got her. Aww! The whole party was real nice, just catching up with old friends. It was so great ... but we weren't able to stay long enough for the cake *cries* We had to rush home because my parents were coming to pick me up. We were going out for dinner because it was my mummy's birthday!! I had bought her a wooden birdfeeder and I painted it :D She has an obsession with bird feeders. I was quite proud of myself ... it looked adorable. I had to rush with the packing, everything was all over the place! But I think I got all of it together ... I don't understand why I brought so much to her place to begin with! hehe
When my parents came, they told Aisha's parents to come with us for dinner and I'm so happy they did because we had an amazing time! Just both of our families together again, hanging out, was too much fun. All the youngin's were at their own table and that was hilarious haha The restaurant was quite nice too. The food was good. Especially the mango shake *faint* I cannot leave an indian restaurant without a mango shake! We left to go back to Aisha's and we just "chilled" a lil while longer.
That was my weekend. It was superb! I loved it ... and I needed it! Thanks Aisha for putting up with me for the weekend haha and so sorry if my bag bruised you! You need to speak with the Eaton Centre ppl and get them to bring back the lockers *grr*
I can't believe I've started "blogging" again. It's been about 2 years since the last time I did this. Aww I kind of miss it! Anyhoo ... let me fill you in on this morning's events!
I am not a happy camper. Not too fond of birds at the moment. Here is my story. Maybe about a couple of weeks ago, there was a bird that kept flying into our bathroom window. Over and over and over again! I mean, it would rest on the branch from the tree for about 30 seconds and then fly right into the window again ... *thud*... At first, it was funny and entertaining but for 5 hours straight?! My whole family was confused as to why it was doing this. So 5 hours later ... I decided to call Animal Control and see what was going on. Here is how the conversation went:
(on the phone with Animal Control) Me: Umm Hi! I needed advice on something. Since 7 in the morning, there has been a bird who has been constantly flying into our washroom window, hitting himself over and over again. It'll rest on the branch of our tree for a few seconds and then fly right into the window again! Why is it doing that?! Animal Control: Well ... the bird most likely sees his own reflection in the window causing him to fly to it over and over again. Me: Ohhh ... yea I did think about that ... how strange. Animal Control: Yes, well also it is mating season. So he is probably mistaking his own reflection for another ... therefore, he keeps trying to approach it. Me: (trying to control my laughter) Umm ... ohh ... that could be it ... poor thing tsk tsk Me: So ... what should I do to stop this? Animal Control: Just obstruct the reflection of the window ... he should be gone. Me: Okie dokie! Thanks so much!
Now this went on for hours! Talk about persistence hehe Well we couldn't really block the window so we opened the window door. That got rid of the bird. But everytime we would want to close the window in the mornings, it comes right back! Goodness gracious, how dumb can birds be?
Okay well this was a while ago. Why am I bringing this all up again? Because ... the birds ... have moved onto my window *cries* This morning, at 7 am I hear continual fluttering going on outside of my window! Thank goodness it wasn't banging into my window but the fluttering is just as annoying. And the problem is, there is no way for me to stop it from approaching :(
This is upsetting me. I'm so angry right now and I DISLIKE birds very much! *grr* I just pray that this doesn't happen again tomorrow, insha'Allah. It's about 9:30 am right now ... and I don't have class until 9 and a half hours later .... argh
Anyhoo ... that's my story. Hope everyone else is having a better day than moi ....
