Scary is.....

...the number of people that are using MY notes for revision.

I'll be walking through the library, and they'll be lying there on random desks; photocopied versions, personalised with highlighters and additional notes in the margins, to suit the reader.

Sometimes they'll be opened at a page where I had been doodling throughout the whole lecture- man that's just embarrasing!

(Just a selection of my "artistic" doodles!)

I should get my notes together and publish them (....and then sell them! :D )

But then, I get text messages at 2 am- people asking what I meant when I wrote xxxxxxxx.... so they're not all that good!

Building Up The Grime

Today at work, as I was repairing a mangled pair of glasses, I overheard the conversation of a colleague and a not-so-happy-patient in the pre-testing area:

Colleague:

(Stating the oh-so-famous phrase) ...So if you can put your chin on the chin-rest, and head right against that bar please...

Patient:

Has this been cleaned?

Colleague:

Sorry?!

Patient:

This chin-rest...has it been cleaned?

Colleague:

Um, errr...I can't guarantee that it has...um...

(Of course it hadn't been cleaned...at uni we can actually lose marks in an exam for not cleaning the machines before a patient...but in the real world everyone forgets!)

Patient:

well I'd like it cleaned....please.

Colleague walks past me, makes a what-a-cow face, and goes into the toilets. Seconds later she returns with a roll of toilet paper(!).... I try very hard not to laugh...

Patient is obviously not impressed...

Patient:

For a nationally recognised company you should really take more care with hygiene.

Colleague:

Um...yeh...

**********************

The manager is now ordering alcohol wipes.....so you can all sleep easy!

You know when you really want something. I mean really, really want it. But in order to have this thing you have to prove that you’re worthy of having it, and you have show that you’re better than the dozens of other people also wanting it.

But you want it so badly that words aren’t sufficient to describe your eagerness. You’re unable to spell out the reasons for wanting this; you just want it.

Ah I hate application forms.....especially the important ones....especially the one for the job I really, really want....It's unbelievable how long it's taking me to fill it in. And to make things worse, it's online....I hate online application forms. :(

What Exams Do To You...

The exam's just ended. Everyone's impatiently waiting for their paper to be collected. The invigilator, an old man probably in his fifties, comes to my desk to collect my paper. He points to my arm and then points to his own.....

Me:

(Panic!...What?! Does he think I cheated or something... Is there something written on my arm?! Oh my God!...What am I gonna do...What if he thinks I cheated and I get disqualified from the exam?...or worst still.....what if I get kicked out of uni! Oh my God...Oh my God!)

(I finally mumble out a few words) Erm....Sorry?

Invigilator:

My jacket and yours....they're the same!

(The checked pattern on his jacket was similar to the checked pattern on my coat)

Me:

Oh!...Yeh! (Is that it!?.....breath!).....Hahahah

Now I can't stop laughing at my stupidity!

#So Wavy, So Beautiful....#

We've all heard Outlandish's "Aicha" .... now make room for Abdullah....



heh.

Random Thoughts.....

It's funny how much noise a chocolate wrapper can actually make. Faces start looking up each time I try to break a piece of chocolate....and food isn't even allowed here!

It's raining heavily outside. It's amusing watching the odd person running across, trying not to get wet.... what I'm forgetting is that soon I'll have to do the same! But here, in the warmth of the library, looking out of the window, the rain looks pretty. The sound of it banging on the roof gives a sort of cosy feeling. Everything seems peaceful; something which has become rare lately.

The pain in my jaw seems to be getting worse. But I'm gonna ignore it. I'm not gonna give up and go home....So I'm sat here trying to pass time, alone. I don't wanna be around people. People make me angry. My excuse is that I'm ill, but who understands that? Instead, I've decided to stay away from 'em all.....before I say something and then regret it for the rest of my life.

It's nice to be alone sometimes. You don't get those deja vu conversations on marriage and how one 'em doesn't wanna marry her cousin back home or how the other's parents disagree with her choice of spouse. Yes I care about my friends, but talking about the same thing again and again and again doesn't get you anywhere.

I'm gonna go and pray Zuhr now, in a little mosque I discovered a week ago. I can't believe I didn't know of its existance before! It's a beautiful little Arab mosque, just a few streets away.... much better than the prayer room at uni! And Arab women are sooo cool! Unlike the typical Asian women, they're so loving....

An old friend left the following message on my Facebook wall:

.......So I thought I'd let you know that I am still alive......well almost

:D

The "Shawwal" Fasts

Fasting outside Ramadan is sooo hard. That Sabr you had during Ramadan just disappears.

Waking up in the morning is like mission impossible... especially when no-one in your house wants to fast that day and so you're on your own.

At uni when everyone's sipping their warm tea or hot chocolate (or smelly coffee), all you can do is sit in a little corner and watch....and listen to your stomach rumble!

At lunch your friends keep apologising while digging into their metre long Subway sandwich. Why do they apologise? (That to me has neva made sense)

But you know what makes it worse?..... The fact that you're not keeping the Shawwal fasts, but the other ones. I don't know why that makes it harder. It just does.

EDIT: Maybe it's harder cos you know you're not gonna get the reward you get for Shawwal fasts (reward for fasting six days = reward for fasting the whole year).... and in order to get that reward you have to keep an extra six fasts....men are sooo lucky! :D

Ah only a few more to go..... I can do it....Inshallah...

Just Some Friendly Advice.....

....So it's Ramadan.....and when you're fasting it's perfectly normal to get bad breath. But that's O.K, cos you can't help it...... But what's annoying is when you make people smell your bad breath.

Like today, we had a clinical and the girl I was working with kept breathing in my face. It was awful. Couldn't she just not breath for the couple of seconds she had to get close?... I managed to hold my breath when it was my turn.

But you know your breath doesn't have to smell so bad. How?? Don't eat stuff that's more likely to give you bad breath for sehri....you know like onions and stuff. And brush your teeth at sehri AFTER you've eaten. Some people actually think that if you've brushed before eating, you don't have to brush them afterwards. ... Nah it don't work like dat!

No you can't brush you're teeeth when you're fasting....but you can use a miswak. It does help to eliminate some of the stench.

And finally.... Don't breath in people's faces!

That's all I had to say :D

It's that time of year again....

(From here)

Ramadan Mubarak everyone!

(Ain't it just great that everyone here in the U.K is starting Ramadan on the same day?)

The Butterfly

Lil sis is going to enter some competition where she has to write a story that has something to do with Islam. So we've been searching the internet for some inspiration. There was one story that I really liked, so I thought I'd share it with you lovely people. Here it is:

The Butterfly

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared.

He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go nofurther.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened!

In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were Allah’s(God’s) way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If Allah allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

We could never fly!

(From here)

At the Crack of Dawn

Sunrise in my city (I didn't take the picture btw!)

I’m sleeping silently and all of a sudden an ear-wrecking noise awakens me. Confused at what it might be, it takes me a few seconds to realise it’s my alarm clock. Eyes closed, head underneath pillow, my hand reaches out to find the snooze button…. Tranquillity at last. Without any further thought I fall back into my dreamy sleep.

Moments later the alarm begins to scream again. This time I make the extra effort of turning off the damn thing.

Fajr already. Seems like I only went to bed a few minutes ago.

I lay on my back staring at the dark ceiling, persuading myself to get up. I remind myself that Aṣ-ṣalātu khayru min an-naūm, Aṣ-ṣalātu khayru min an-naūm - Salat is better than sleep, salat is better than sleep.

I turn my head towards the window. The dark sky is slowing filling up with light; Fajr is going to end soon. Under my breath I recite Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim- In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful, and then jump out of bed.

I make my way down the stairs, towards the bathroom, making as much noise as possible- Silent dawah's the best kind isn't it?! ;)

Back in my room, I face the Kiblah and begin my salat- Allah u Akbar- Allah is the greatest.

It's so peaceful at this time: no noise, no people, no cars......just silence. It feels like the world has disappeared, and I'm here, all alone, standing infront of my lord.

I could stay on the prayer mat forever, but sleep lures me back into bed. As I close me eyes, I get a feeling of satisfaction, and ease....Truly, Salat is better than sleep.

The Verdict....

This morning when my dad put all the post on the table, something caught my eye. Underneath the letters there was an envelope with "University of..." stamped onto it.

"OMG Results!" I screamed (by accident of course..). I had completely forgotten about them. Typical, when the day comes I forget!

Anyway...I picked up the envelope and carried on munching my toast (I wanted to finish my breakfast, cos if I had failed I wouldn't eat all day...and I was hungry o.k!?). Dad couldn't wait any longer, so he snatched the envelope....I snatched it back and carried on slurping my tea (we love each other really :D ).

You'd probably think I was used to this kinda thing by now, especially after A-levels. But getting A-level results wasn't as bad.... you could re-take and nobody would know (not that I ever did re-take)..... but at uni if you failed everbody would know...I mean EVERYBODY!... At uni they pin up the failiures names on the main notice board, and at home, because you're Pakistani, all your relatives find out...... which is total baistee!

Oh so when I did finally finish my breakfast, I opened the envelope.....*Drum roll* ..... I PASSED! Woooooh!

I was surprised cos for 6 out of 7 modules I only revised the night before..... and they were good passes!

Comment from dad- "hmmm..... all around 70%....hmmm....not bad for the first year, I suppose."

Honestly!.... My parents expectations are so high I need a ladder to reach them...... Anyone got a spare ladder? heh!

Seven Random Facts About Moi

The AqlMand Mcpagal tagged me aaaages ago..... I should get an award for procrastinating!

So here goes:

1) My two favourite colours are probably minty green and hot pink......But don't worry, I won't paint my room green and pink. (My room is actually minty green, but next time I redecorate it's gonna be white with pink accessories).

2)I've never thrown away a card anyone's given me. It's nice finding a card someone gave you years ago. The things written in it always make me smile. (by never, I mean as far as I can remember. I probably did throw them away when I was very ickle)

3) My favourite cartoon has to be Arthur. And the song is so catchy #every day when you're walking down the street.....# What? I'm a bit old for this am I?...well I never did wanna grow up. Maybe I should fly to Neverland with Peter Pan.......

4)My two favourite cars are the Beetle (I think it looks really funky) and the mini (It's just really cute!). When I graduate (Inshallah) and get a good job (Inshallah), I'm gonna spend my first years wage on one these cars (Inshallah..heh!)....oh and the car has to be black. ( I know that isn't a very wise plan, but then I totally lack wisdom)

5)Hmmmm....what else can I tell you.... I love flowers, but each time I look after one....... it dies. Maybe flowers don't love me :(

6)I'm bad with phones. If you ever call me, chances are my phone won't be on or I won't pick up because my phone's in my room while I'm on the other side of the city (I always get in trouble from my parents because of this). Also, if you text me I'll probably reply weeks later because I keep forgetting to top up.

7)People don't normally believe me when I tell them where I live, because of my accent. An old women once told me that my accent is rather posh.....well lemme tell ya... I aint got a posh accent..... It has got an element of Yorkshireness in it (me thinks). Maybe it isn't very strong Yorkshireness, but it's still there! (Does that even make sense??)

That was hard!

Oh and if you're reading this, you're tagged! Muhahahahahahah! :D

Bored......

Two weeks have passed since exams ended.....and what have I done in this time? A big, fat nothing.

Well actually I've done a lot. A lot of useless things, that is. Like last week, we (me and my family) were left with 4 ickle kids while their parents relaxed somewhere in central Europe. And they were all off school last week, so everything was hectic! The eldest, aged 9, is a hyperactive little boy who doesn't know the meaning of "sit down". The youngest, a 3-year-old, watched CBeebies all week, and liked the volume really loud.....and when you'd turn the volume down, she'd cry :'( . The middle two were O.K I suppose.

Mum's taken me shopping like a gazillion times. What's wrong with that? I hear you ask. Well it's gets boring after a couple of visits....and it's not like she's buying me anything, everything's for the house....and my hand's hurt from picking up heavy bags filled with bed covers, cushions, curtains, vases....you name it, we've bought it.

I've started watching the news a lot. Maybe cos I'm just soooo bored. News is so depressing though. It's probably partly responsible for this depressing mood I'm in. And daytime T.V stinks, nothing decent is ever on.

I should do something usefull, like get a job. I wanted a job at an opticians for experience.... but nobody wants smelly, unexperienced, undergraduates. Ahhh who needs a job anyway! ( Well me actually.. that is if I don't want to get a loan for next year's tuition fees. Fees also stink).

Anyway, I'm ill. Probably been poisoined by that take away pizza I had that other day.... home made pizzas are much more yummier. So that's my excuse for not doing anything useful.

Yeah O.K....I'll shut up now.

A Man And His Four-Legged Wife

He even payed a dowry.

Mental.

The Cyber Jinn

I'm sat in a little corner in the computer room. Bored. Waiting for the clock to strike twelve so I can go to my lecture. The room is filled with third years. I've never seen so many of them. It's their last day, so did they decide to get together in the computer room (out of all places)?

A few minutes ago this happened:

Bimbo 1 and Bimbo 2 are sat opposite me, chatting away. A guy, Hedgehog-hair, comes up to them:

Hedgehog-hair: (In an I'm- trying-to-impress-you tone) Hey ladies! Shall I show you summat really cool on the net?

Bimbo 1and 2: (Excitedly) Yeah! Yeah!

Hedgehog-hair: (Types something onto the computer) Kay. Just ask it absolutely annyyy question and it'll give you the right answer!

Bimbo 1: Oh cooool! Me first! erm...erm... who was sitting behind me in the exam we just had?

Hedgehog- hair types this in and the correct answer appears instantly.

Bimbo 1 and 2: OooooMG! That's soooo freaky!.....

Bimbo 2: Now ask it who was sitting behind me! Quick!!

Hedgehog-hair types this in and the correct answer appears again.

Bimbo 1: OMG!...It's...It's a JINN!

Bimbo 2 agress. I'm trying really hard not to laugh. I hide my huge grin behind a book.
Near by, other people have heard the news of the JINN!

Scottish Guy: (In a sacrcastic tone) Don't ask it too many questions. It might want you to repay it for it's services!

Posh-accent-girl: There has to be logical explanation.

Bimbo 1: (Totally shocked) It's a Jinn. It's a Jinn!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Now they're all sat there discussing the posibilities of it being a Jinn. And I'm still trying not to laugh!... Honestly some people!

I'd better stop before the Jinn catches me! :D

(Btw, how did the computer know the right answer?!)

Tag!.... You're It!

Traveller tagged me.... (my first tag! :D )

.....So I must now suffer the consequence:

People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. No tagbacks!

But...but...before I start.....Can I be excluded from the "tag six people rule". My excus- I mean reason is that erm... I... erm... I don't know that many people..... and it'll just be really weird tagging a random person!....pleeeeasssee...pretty pleeeease.......cool. ;)

So where shall I start?:

1) While most people have annoying habits like biting their nail, I scratch the front of my head with my index finger. I'll scratch it when I'm watch T.V, when I'm studying (which is very rare) and even when I'm arguing with my brother! I promise I don't have nits!..... It's just like a reflex action. But thank God for the hijaab in public!

2) When I'm nervous I'll giggle in between every sentence I say. It obviously sounds really stooopid when the thing I'm talking about isn't at all funny. A distant relative of mine died in the South Asian earthquake and the next at school I had a group of people around me who were suprised to hear this.... and I went and said summat like, "...He was at work when it happened. The building he was in collapsed...hehe!"...... Oh the embarrasment!

3) I'd rather read a book than watch T.V.

4) I can't stand Bollywood! All the dancing and the over-reacting and the almost-nude-women... it's all just errrrr! And if you've seen one film, you've seen them all!
I don't think my disliking for bollywood is weird but everyone else seems to think it is. I'll get comments like "So you're a gori then?"- Err, where's the logic in that?

5) As long as it's not in excessive amounts, I like cooking and cleaning. Well who doesn't like yummy food and a nice, clean place to eat it in?

6)I'm obsessed with taking pictures of sunset. It's just soooo beautiful!

7) When I'm reading out loud, I tend to read with an Indian or American accent....Only when I'm alone though!

8) In winter, I love sitting infront of the heater and eating ice-cream.

9) I'm so attached to my computer, I might aswell live inside it.

10) When I'm bored I sit and cut-off the split ends on my hair, one by one.

So there!.... You probably think I'm the weirdest person ever.... but that's nothing new. :D

I Want Bernard's Watch!*

I'm soo bored that I piled up my books and took a picture of 'em!

Don't you just wish you could stop time and catch up with all the revision you should have done over Easter?

*Remember Bernard's watch? I actually liked the progarmme when I was a kid...But now I think it's kinda lame....But I still want his watch!

Eye to Eye

Look into my eyes
And tell me what you see
You don't see a damn thing,
'cause you can't, until you try to relate to me.

You're blinded by our differences.
My life makes no sense to you.
I'm the persecuted Palestinian.
You are the American red, white and blue.

Each day you wake in tranquility.
No fears to cross your eyes.
Each day I wake in gratitude.
Thanking God he let me rise.

You worry about your education
And the bills you have to pay.
I worry about my vulnerable life
And if I'll survive another day.

Your biggest fear is getting ticketed
As you cruise your Cadillac.
My fear is that the tank that just left
Will turn around and come back.

American, do you realize,
That the taxes that you pay
Feed the forces that traumatize
My every living day?

The bulldozers and the tanks,
The gases and the guns,
The bombs that fall outside my door,
All due to American funds.

Yet do you know the truth
Of where your money goes?
Do you let your media deceive your mind?
Is this a truth that no one knows?

You blame me for defending myself
Against the ways of Zionists
I'm terrorized in my own land
And I'm the terrorist?

You think that you know all about terrorism
But you don't know it the way I do.
So let me define the term for you.
And teach you what you thought you knew.

I've known terrorism for quite some time,
Fifty- four years and more.
It's the fruitless garden uprooted in my yard.
It's the bulldozer in front of my door.

Terrorism breathes the air I breathe.
It's the checkpoint on my way to school.
It's the curfew that jails me in my own home,
And the penalties of breaking that curfew rule.

Terrorism is the robbery of my land.
And the torture of my mother.
The imprisonment of my innocent father.
The bullet in my baby brother.

So American, don't tell me you know about
The things I feel and see.
I'm terrorized in my own land
And the blame is put on me.

But I will not rest, I shall never settle
For the injustice my people endure.
Palestine is OUR land and there we'll remain
Until the day OUR homeland is secure.

And if that time shall never come,
Then we will never see a day of peace.
I will not be thrown from my own home,
Nor will fight for justice cease.

And if I am killed, it will be Falasteen. (Palestine)
It's written on my breath.
So in your own patriotic words,
Give me liberty or give me death.

Gihad Ali

The song "Look into my eyes" by Outlandish, based on this poem, is also really cool: