Domestic Bliss

Salam All!

Oh, domestic bliss.

It is now official that I will make a terrible house wife. Yes, that’s correct…terrible! I just found out how much I really hate to clean up after so many people. I suck at it big time. I especially stink in that I am really bad at cleaning up after OTHER people...boys in particular. Did I mention that?

All I can think is “Ok I barely have time to clean up my own bedroom!” So, ‘tis quite a sad realization to be made on my part; another thing to add to the “LONG list of flaws”.

The only things I don’t mind cleaning are the kitchen, dishes, and –gasp!- the washrooms. Yes I know…grossssssssss, but I don’t mind it, I like a clean washroom. Well that’s not entirely true (the “I like a clean washroom” part is but not the other part), I actually really need to work up a gall before I can attack “the brother’s bathroom”. Seriously, I actually have to work up to it, and that usually takes a week or so. I also have a continuous war with the “dreaded soap scum” which one of these days’s I AM SOOO GOING TO OBLIVIATE! Insha’Allah.

So to all you woman who actually like cleaning, and are good at it, let me just tell you one thing: “I LOVE THEE, and you are like my Wayne Gretzky or Zinedine Zidane of the domestics.”

Moving on…

Cooking on the other hand I can handle. In fact I’m actually not too bad at it. Well, in comparison to all those auntie-ji’s and such I might still have a lot of work to do but overall I’m not to shabby. I mean, I don’t cook many traditional Moroccan dishes but I hold my own when it comes to more contemporary things. Oh and baking…I love to bake. Chocolate chip cookies, chocolate oatmeal cookies, chocolate cake, brownies, chocolate crème brulee…as you can tell I tend to lean towards “chocolaty” things. It’s part of the whole “I’m a choca-holic” thing I have going on.

Well now you know. I hold my head in shame as I admit that I am not a domestic queen. So to my future hubby…it’s my quirky personality which truly counts, and not the fact that our kitchen counter tops won’t shine or that your shirts may not be perfectly ironed. Right? Am I Right? Just say I’m right!

Anyway I have to jet, my room needs cleaning. Wish me luck!

Peace
~Pink Gerbera~

Mumble...Jumble...

Salam! Howdee! Hola! Bonjour!

I’m good at Mumble Jumble…now whether that’s something to let the world know about is another story…

Books

Let’s see. Have I read any really good books lately? I read a lot of books, at least three a week, but, ummm, whether or not I ever come across a really good one is rare. But I do happen to find a few. Now, first off, we seriously need more Muslim authors! I mean it’s all good that so many Muslim write books about Islam…honestly Masha’Allah there’s nothing wrong with that, in fact how else would we learn about this wonderful deen; But we need some stories…

…you know, ones with characters, and plots et cetera.

Anyway I’ve read a few books by author Sarah Dessen and she’s not bad. I like how she relates through the eyes of youth, though not Muslim, I think youth more or less struggle with the same things. Like, oh I don’t know…body image issues? Yes, even Muslims! I mean, fat is fat and most people on either side look sourly upon it. So yes, we all have those issues; Also, the whole self-esteem thing…that’s a nasty little bugger, especially if we don’t have others there to help us!.

Another good author I’ve read lately is Khaled Hossieni the author of the Kite Runner. Yeah, that was actually a very good book. I mean, the character development, struggles, description…most of it was really, very well written, in my opinion.

Besides that I’ve just read some silly, laugh-out-loud books because life is serious enough we really occasionally need the ditzy heroine to make us laugh…and feel smart.

Besides that I haven’t seen a whole lot of books that really “wow” me. We really need more Muslim contributions…insha’Allah. So, stop becoming doctors, lawyers, dentists, pharmacists and scientists and start dabbling in your creative pools brothers and sisters!

I don’t just think it’s important for us, the Muslims but it’s also nice if non-Muslims read the books and possibly if it’s well written will get to see life through a Muslim’s eyes. Helps with the bridge towards tolerance perhaps? Or is that me just being all idealistic and naïve again?

But hey, there is always Islamica Magazine, masha’Allah well written and put together.

College/School/Jobs

Lets see, where to begin with this one? Umm, well….

OK! Fine, let’s start with the fact that I really, quite stink at this math and science business (save for bio. Oh bio, what would I do sans you?). I mean, seriously Masha’Allah to all of you who do well in it, but COME ON when will I honestly need to know the trigonometric ratios of a stinking triangle whilst sticking a pretty little needle in to some two year olds bicep? See…I won’t need it, I think? Hopefully!
And this chemistry stuff, for the love of chocolate…who even CAME up with that stuff? I mean, sure I like learning about the things that make up this world (subhana’Allah) but why does it have to be so darn complicated!?!

I’m good till about they start talking about…well I don’t really know till what part I’m good because I can’t UNDERSTAND it. But anyway, chemistry 30 is all behind me now, Alhamduillah. Why I ever decided to take it…

…Oh right. I remember now. Funny story actually.

See I wanted to pursue medicine, become a doctor, save one life at a time. You know…that thing. Anyway, so after graduating high school I had no stinking idea what I wanted to pursue. I mean seriously, do they really expect us to know that in grade 11 or 12 when we’re 17/18? I mean, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up? Or I did, but I mean it’s not exactly easy becoming “Sailor Pluto”.

Anyway so what did I do? I took a year off. A sabbatical if you wish. And on that year off I went through a few “what on God’s green earth will I do with my life?!” stages. That involved meeting after meeting with my parents, which at times even led to total break downs on my part (I’m talking tears and everything), as my parents said

“Listen, you have to be serious.” “You have to do something which will give you money in return.” “You aren’t Mother Theresa ok? You can’t just volunteer forever!” “You never know what will happen in life!” And my personal favorite, “No.”
So after pitching out idea, after idea I decided that I really need to think about this.

So I took some classes that I hadn’t in high school, and just sat back and thought for a while. Then I thought “HEY, I love ER, and I remember I had a doctor set when I was seven why not become a doctor?!?” And thus began my journey.

Needless to say after finishing chemistry I was totally discouraged to continue on that path. I mean, if I’m a doctor I WILL need to know my science stuff, right? Also, it takes like 13 years all together with an undergrad degree, med-school and residency (OB/GYN). THIRTEEN YEARS!!!! I mean, when in heck am I suppose to start a family? You know, and after lots of thinking I decided that starting a family is a little more important to me.

Anyway so the search continued and then I decided Nursing. I applied.

But then I thought… WAIT, I don’t care how good it pays I don’t have my heart in it, so I went back to the drawing board.

Needless to say I’ll be pursuing a degree in the arts and teaching insha’Allah. At least this way I can concentrate on writing and spread the creative bug to little kids. Hey, they’re the ones with the awesome imaginations after all! And they’re cute…most of the time…ok, well whatever, remember they have KILLER IMAGINATIONS!!!

Anime

Forget Bollywood. Honestly, I mean I was hooked forever on it, but the modern movies just suck! Completely, and totally! Go back to pretty sari’s, no kissing, less provocative sexy, dancing and more meaning. I watched one modern movie a few months ago and have been turned off ever since, thus began my new fascination.

Anime. OMG, I love that stuff. The stories for the most part are really good especially Miyazaki’s movies (Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky etc). Great animations and really nice stories, so yeah I’m sort of scaring my brothers. I just keep moving up on the ladder of oddness to many. Oh well, I am who I am!

Also Teletoon is now MY channel, and YTV especially on Sunday morning with a bowl of Fruit Loops. (I buy it when my mom not around…the fruit loops.) And yes, I know, but I really “AM A BIG KID NOW!” Irregardless of my program choices…

Olympics

WHAT IS UP WITH TEAM CANADA? Come on!!!! What the heck happened out there with the men’s hockey team? I’ll tell you what happened…THEY GOT SCHOOLED! Such a shame, but I guess that it was bound to happen sooner or later. I mean I won’t deny that Finland has definite talent out there. I mean they totally beat down Canada!

Besides that HURRAY for the girls hockey team! And to all the other Canadian athletes who are kicking bee-hind! Especially Miss. Klassen…the speed skating queen in Italy this year.

Soccer

ONLY a few more months then finally, FINALLY the world cup is going to start! I’m really excited about this, because…it’s the world cup… DUHHHH! And it’s in Germany this year, which is really annoying because this year I’m not going to Germany…I SHOULD SO BE GOING THIS YEAR! The irony is killing me.

Who will take the cup this year? We need some change! Let someone else win Brazil…geez.

Oh well.

Hockey and Soccer are the only sports I don’t mind…oh, and then naturally there’s figure skating, gymnastics, and swimming.

Other Stuff

Nothing else, I honestly think that I’ve wrote all that I could think about at the moment. Oh, and my dear twin I got Princess Mononoke.

That’s it.

Take care and Peace

~Pink Gerbera~

Writing and Stuff

Salam!

So…lets talk about writing. Isn’t it fun? Yay!

I have finally overcome my writers block, and it’s a happy day for everyone involved! I sort of hurdled over it with the help of a book I’ve been reading that’s been written for people like me.

In short, it’s for people who need to learn how to write because frankly they don’t have a clue and really need all the extra help they can get. ME! ME! ME!

Anyway in this book, which is written by some woman who holds writing workshops there is one part in particular that intrigues me. In this part she speaks about how we “think” too much when we write and you know what? I couldn’t agree more. I mean I THINK A LOT when I write which probably why I never get very far.

Seriously my mind goes like this:

Ok, theres got to be this girl…

…OH and then she falls from this mountain

….Makes her way to

….Another girl

….Blue eyes

….no brown

….short hair with red highlights

….no now she sounds goth

…maybe I should put her in something pink

…but she’s suppose to be deep and broody no one who’s deep and broody likes pink

…a mountain

….”She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes * YEEHAA*”

.... where was I? Oh ya…nope…red hair

And it just goes on and on and on and on and…well you get the point. I never stops, not even when I’m in front of the TV which is suppose to be killing off brain cells and turning me in to a zombie.

So I’ve simply decided that I’d just relax, clear my mind and sort of see what happens…a writing exercise of sort, if you will. And OMG does it work. I mean really work. It’s nice to write something you feel good about, or at least sort of good about.

There are always those doubts that loom in our minds when ever we try our hands at being creative. I think mainly this has to do with the fact that when you’re creative you’re raw. You’re being yourself, you’re expressing both something about why and who you are. It’s probably another reason why when people need to vent they turn to the thing they are most passionate about. For some it’s writing, for others it’s painting, sculpting, sketching, etc.

You don’t have to be a whacky person to express yourself, so don’t be scared, you ARE NOT turning in to some weird, weed blowing, kum-by-yah-er.

However I never really got the whole “Journal” or “Diary” thing. Seriously, I’ve tried it a few times and I just can’t stick to it. I mean I’ve made my attempts, I have my first little red diary to show for it but honestly, I just can’t figure it out. I suppose most turn to journal writing for the same reasons some may turn to blogging, it’s a form of releasing some tension. A way for you to vent.

I just could never do it. I mean I sometimes vent a little on here, but never really let it out. Especially with a family of snoopy snoops having a journal filled with your deepest thoughts isn’t a good way to go.

Though I’m sure I’m missing out on all the enjoyment I would have from reading a journal entry made when I was younger. For example I’m so bad at this journal stuff that I’m sure my entries would have gone as follows:

Grade School Years:

Dear Diary,

Today I went to school. It was fun, I got to play on the swings and go “WEEE” as I went higher.

I’m so happy my mommy gave me a snack pack. It was vanilla…I like vanilla.

Ok that’s all for now
Love,
So and so

Junior High Years:

Today I went to school. I learned stuff about stuff which will help me with stuff when I’m older and stuff.

I got a snack pack for lunch. It was chocolate…I like chocolate. My mom rocks.

C’ya

High School Years:

… I got a snack pack. It was vanilla and chocolate swirl…I like vanilla and chocolate swirl.

I’m still learning stuff, only now I really need it if I want to do good on my diplomas and stuff.

Present Day:

Dishes are fun. I’m no longer allowed to have snack packs because apparently pudding isn’t good for you and with it comes unwanted poundage. So my life is empty now.

You see where I’m going with this? Yeah, I really don’t get how I could fill hundreds of pages in my pretty little journal with this stuff.

So you do what you have to do to let those creative juices fly, I’ll just stick to my writers block, and writing manual.

Peace
~Pink Gerbera~

Hmmm...

Salam!

So lately as I’ve waded through the depth’s of what we know and love (occasionally hate) as the internet, I’ve been reading article upon article, mixed in with a few angry blog posts, or simply posts expressing their views on the “Caricatures” made of our beloved Prophet (p.b.u.h). Literally I don’t think I’ve been somewhere where it hasn’t been mentioned.

Now that’s a good thing. Really, because there should be noise made about how very, very wrong and closed minded they were. There should be a firm stand made by everyone Muslim and non-Muslim alike which condones any such form of bigotry or in a fuller sense…hate. It should not be ignored; any form of hate shouldn’t be ignored.

But I’m not going to pretend to be some “wow” smart person who can go in depth on this current issue. Not happening, because let me tell you something, most of the time when one tries to sound all SMART they don’t. Sometimes, they end up making fools of themselves. People…leave room for the slight possibility that you are totally OFF the mark. Hey, it happens, you’re not perfect.

Anyway, so instead of going on in some highly eloquent manner, I’ll simply put it like this:

It’s so easy to hate. Everyone does it, if only because it’s the simpler emotion to release, and more then often the first one to be released. Burning flags, hurting others, etc, etc is not a very smart way of proving ones point. But hey, we all handle things differently, and when we do something wrong most often we’ll find some sardonic way of justifying it. Like, oh, I don’t know…

…“OMG you just ate TWO chocolate bars!” and you silently justify with a possible, “If you only knew the day I had. First I got a tear in my hose, then I forgot to wash the conditioner out of my hair, then I bought a diet coke instead of diet PEPSI and then…then…then” etc or else the simple. “I’ve been sooo good all week what can two freaking chocolates bars do…seriously!”

Anyway in this case, being a bigot was justified by the ol’ “Freedom of Speech” cover. Gosh, you’ve gotta love the “Freedom of Speech” cover. It can be used for virtually anything. So there you have it, insult someone and it’s Ok because you have the right to say that.

The fact remains that it was and will always be wrong but really me sitting here trying to sound all smart as I explain how truly wrong it is isn’t really me making a big ol’ difference now is it? Either way, it makes no difference whether I write a fancy article about it, or think about it…silently fuming and even pitying how low people can be.

I think the best way I can do anything about it is by simply when asked about it to crisply give my opinion. “It was wrong, and a very closed minded thing that only someone ignorant or looking for an outburst would do.” And then I’d proceed in proving the stereotype that I’ve been branded with as a falsity to who and what I am and stand for.

Further more:

Not all Danes are bad…not all French are bad…not all Americans are bad…and for heaven sakes NOT ALL MUSLIM ARE BAD C-4 STRAPPING FIENDS! But at the end of the day, you’ll go home to your families possibly still holding the same ideas you have of a certain group of people. Nothing…nothing can change that except your own willingness to see that every pea in a pod is different, and that can be a hard thing to do.

As for how late I am to even express my thought on this topic I have to say that I didn’t even know it was happening till two weeks later when everyone around me was talking about it.

And now I leave you with another thing that I am…
The first was lazy and the second is tardy. Hey, we’re not perfect being after all, I’m allowed my flaws.

Adios
~Pink Gerbera~

4 things...Tagged my Twin

Salam:

I’ve been tagged *faints*, thank you kindly my dear sweetie!!! :kiss: It won’t be that fascinating but oh well.

Four Jobs I’ve Had in My Life
1. Waitress/Bus-girl
2. Dishwasher
3. Dishwasher
4. Dishwasher

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over, and Have
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Bend in Like Beckham
3. Circle of Friends
4. Monsieur Ibrahim et Les Fleur de Koran

Four Places I Have Lived
1. Present Location
2. The mountains
3. Calgary
4. There is no four yet..insha'Allah one day

Four TV Shows I Love To Watch
1. ER
2. CSI
3. Lost

Four Places I Have Been On Vacation
1. Morocco
2. France
3. Germany
4. Netherlands

Four Websites I Visit Daily
1. MO
2. My fav blogs ;)
3. Ummmm…ya CM
4. Erm…tricky one... I dunno

Four Favorite Foods
1. Vegetable or Beef couscous
2. Chicken, carrots, and olive Tagine
3. Kefta, and potato tagine
4. Good ol’ hamburger!

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
1. Um, Morocco with my cousins and family
2. On a gorgeous Island where the water is CRYSTAL BLUE and the sand is white and I’m sleeping or reading or writing on a nice lounger with a canopy protecting my skin from the UV rays and ummm all my fam and friends are there!
3. Going for nice walk at a nice park with my twin and my niece :P
4. On a cruise where hopefully not half the passengers are in string bikinis…NO, it would be my own private cruise where I get to see all the pretty sights on the Med. with my family and friends!

Four People I Tag Next
1. Dana
2. Aisha
3. Princess
4. I honestly don’t know anyone else!!! Everyone else I know has been tagged! LOL! So who ever else visits

And that's that. Though I'm hoping on posting some thing later. Insha'Allah

Toodles
~Pink Gerbera~