What am I up to lately?

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

Well what am I up to? Mostly taking care of our little six month old darling...lol.  So I started to give him solid foods...mashallah it has been going well.  He has had apples, peaches, carrots, pears, and peas - in that order! They say you should not start with 'sweet' foods but hey what do they know... just kidding...it just happened to happen this way. Next he will get butternut squash and later maybe avocado and bananas!  I must also say that I have been making all this food and not buying them pre-made - mashallah it has been easy so far - alhamduillah - I really hope to keep it up, as I do not like all the additives they put into it and the processing involved with it.  There is organic ready made baby foods - I may use those if we are travelling or something like that.  Life is interesting with a six month old - mashallah I am enjoying it!

So my next thing is Ramadan, I am very nervous and scared about it.  I know I probably should not say that as it is a very holy month - but it is such a long day this year.  Last year I did not fast because I was pregnant and felt very left out, as well at Eid hubby took off for 'home' so I was left alone with my non-muslim, non-caring-about-ramadan mother, anyways.  So I look forward to the month but with fear that I will not be able to fast for so long.  It starts at around 4:30am and breaking the fast is at 8:30pm - I just can't imagine it?? I am partially breast-feeding and my fear is that my supply will disappear (its such a small amount already) I know they say you can not fast if you think there is a danger to you or your child - but it is not a danger, it is just that I would like him to get as much breast milk as possible - inshallah my supply will not go. 

So that is what I am up to lately...not too exciting but its my life right now!

I hope to post more soon...inshallah!


 

Not myself for months...but alhamduillah things are getting back on track

Assalam alaikum &Peace to all


Ever feel not like yourself? Well that has been me for months now (6 months to be exact) I think I finally am starting to get back to feeling how I should be feeling and I am thanking Allah that He has watched over all of us and kept us safe and brought us through some dark times. Inshallah things will continue on the right path - please keep us in your dua's.

Things got so upside down that I truly did not think that things would ever be 'right-side' up again, I mean things got so bad that I didn't even know what 'normal' was anymore.  I think I was treading slowly towards depression - and not just a small one either.

Just some of the things I/we've gone through.  Had to sell my Mother's old home (my childhood house) (there were some complications about it but after a year it did sell) Had my Mother move into our very small condo and lived with us in the new house for almost 9 months (she has now moved out,  Alhamduillah she is doing well so far - only been 2 days) I had our son 5 months ago, Mashallah he is the light in our eyes!  Went through house renovations while preg and first month of baby being home.  Emotions got very bad and strained and relationships changed forever - not all of them for the best -but Alhamduillah we are all through it now and Inshallah we will be on the 'right path' from now on. I pray that Allah keeps us strong and never lets us fall off the straight path...amen!

I hope to 'come' back to regular blogging really soon, if dear son allows me! LOL 


Thanks to everyone who 'stops' by and reads the ramblings of this Inquisitive Muslimah!

Things on my mind... Mosques, hadiths, life and death

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

I have so many things on my mind lately...and a few blogger posts out there have made me think about things too.  Firstly I am well Alhamduillah, and baby is Mashallah doing well from last scan and testing...inshallah everything will stay well!
Secondly my Aunt is very sick and close to death...please keep her and her family in your dua's that she passes easily and that the family is comforted during this time...ameen. 

So now on to the blog post that got me to thinking... one of them is about the state of Mosques
(this is the link to the post- my-suggestion-to-all-mosques)
I hope she doesn't mind me linking (if you do please let me know I'll remove it)

Talks about her suggestions of how to improve a Mosque...and I can't agree more with it! So many of the comments were spot on.  I wrote about something like this in a previous blog (or at least I think I did...well if not I've wanted to for a while!) about how differently Mosques are from - for example - Catholic churches. Ok, of course they should be different but I'm not meaning theology wise, but how they are run and used, etc.  We have all seen so many unruly children in the Mosque (if you haven't then, mashallah the parents and community are doing well!) I just cannot imagine being a child and running up and down along the pews of a church! Not to mention when prayer is being said!! 
I had one instance at the Mosque of a child kneeling right in front of me while I was in prostration and smiling at me.  I mean yeah it was cute...but I really wanted to concentrate on my prayer, especially while in prostration.  Then there are those children running around the prayer hall making all kinds of noises while people try to pray, etc. I mean really ...its just sad.  I can understand that Mosques will not have money for proper facilities and such, but this issue of the kids running around is the parents duty.  I guess some people feel that children should be allowed to 'run free', I think it maybe because of a hadith that said that the Prophet Mohammed was praying and allowed a child to play on his back, but he continued to pray.  Somehow I feel this is different.  (someone correct me if that is not a hadith and just hearsay)

On the topic of Hadith's there was another blogger who posted about Hadith

I remember when I was first learning about Islam and when I realized what Hadith's were I kind of got a 'bad' feeling.  Now, don't all jump at me and say "how can you have a bad feeling about Hadith's"  What I mean about 'bad' in this context is that I when I realized they were 'man made words, not directly from God' I got nervous that there could be mistakes in them.  I later found out that yes, there are 'weak' hadiths as well as 'strong' ones.  Hence my bad feelings. 
I mean let's be honest, as a convert or anyone for that matter who does not look up and study a Hadith, we can believe a 'weak' one easily - I mean how would we know?
Some one says, 'oh this and this is a hadith, so we have to believe it'  Well, yeah ok it's a Hadith, but it may be a weak one!?  I felt very early on that I wanted to be a 'Quran' only believing Muslim, apparently there are such Muslims, but they are 'looked down upon' in the community.  Now once again, I realize that the Hadiths are there to compliment the Quran.
For example, prayer is mentioned in the Quran several times, but the actual way to do it is in the Hadith's or Sunnah (ways) of the Prophet.  So, yes I realize we need Hadith's on how to proceed with our daily lives, etc.  My only problem is when people seem to put Hadiths ahead of Quran.

I feel that I cannot go wrong if I live my life by the teachings of the Quran, and inshallah Allah will guide me to the right ways in life, and forgive me when I make mistakes and show me the right from the wrong.

So what do you all have to say about these 2 topics? I would love to hear some ideas that you have!

Things getting worse before they are better?

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all


Thank you to everyone who commented on my previous post - all of your words really helped. 
Unfortunately things have gotten worse ...not better, yes I did blow up a bit  but it was for something different, I admit I reacted a bit quick and abrupt but it just happened and I have been 'paying' for that ever since. Not to seem like I'm back-biting (maybe I have already - may God forgive me if I have) but I over-heard my Mother talking badly about me and my husband to a friend of her's.  After that I have not been the same, it's just too many times I have heard her say one thing to me and then go behind my back and talk badly.  I am just deflated right now, I feel lost and don't know how to fix things.  Hubby is very upset at the situation and I feel I am caught between the two of them.  It's not like I have to make a choice between the two (I pray that it will never come to something like that) but my husband is right as well, the whole situation is too tense and my Mother is not realizing how much strain she is putting on us.  I admit wholeheartedly that she is too in a difficult situation but having background history about this I can tell you that this is her personality - only it has gotten worse.  

I prayed that God will show me out of this situation so that we can all be healed of this anger and frustration, but I just don't know what to do. 

I know in Islam parents are held in high regard and God knows that I am trying to do my best but what about that parent not making things difficult? What about not hurting their own child?

May Allah forgive me and give me strength, as I will Inshallah have a child but I just can't imagine doing this to my child, I sit here almost in tears and in the morning when she says 'dear daughter' I feel a little part of my dying away because all I can hear are her harsh words that were spoken behind closed doors. 

Does anyone have any prayers I can recite to calm me down, to give me patience? I just don't know how to handle all of this. 
Forgive me if this sounds so dramatic...and I understand if nobody responds, I think I just need to get this out in the open.

Thank you

Am I being insensitive?

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

For a few days now I've been irritated with my mom and I can't figure out if I am being rational about it or just emotional?  So why not ask all of you out there? Here is the story.

My mom is living with us now for a few months, we are going to be moving into our new home in about a month (inshallah) and we have so many things to do in the apartment before it can be put on sale - massive cleaning and some structural work too (ie. finishing the flooring off and painting) So for these few months it has been a real struggle with my mom in terms that I find myself telling her 'what to do' everyday.  She was living on her own for about 2 years and has taken care of her family (my Father and myself) for over 30 years so it's not like she does not know how to run a household, or cook, etc.  I really looked forward to having the cooking done by her and her helping out with the household cleaning.  Ok, I know that sounds harsh but it's nice to have some help (I work far from home so by the time I get home I feel so drained that the cooking and household chores suffer a bit - at least until the weekend) so thankfully my mom being healthy and capable to help out I was happy.  Well, it has not really worked out that way at all. 
She constantly is asking me what to cook and how to cook it...etc.  She does not really take the initive to clean the house if she sees something a mess, instead she will say 'oh why are you doing that, when I can do it?" (huh... why didn't you do it then in the first place?)  Once again is this harsh of me?  Maybe it is, but she is always saying to me 'Don't do things, relax and let me do them.' Ok, thanks Mom but YOUR'RE NOT DOING THEM! (blush) I just can't tell my mom, oh go clean the bathroom, do the laundry, cook, etc. I feel as if I'm treating her like a maid. 
Hubby is getting a bit frustrated with the situation as well, and so am I.  It's just not easy to adjust to this life with her living there.  It is a small apartment and she has her own small room and she will just go in there and watch TV, read, etc.  So I feel strange, like I've shut her off from us, but it is her that closes the door and shuts herself off from us.  So many times we've said come and sit with us, or don't close the door, etc.  So I just don't know but it is all getting on my nerves, all these little things are pilling up and making me stressed, and I know I'll just blow up at her and that won't solve anything.

So, dear bloggers out there .... am I just a horrible insensitive daughter?? I would appreciate any comments or advice you may have.

Also I've started a pregnancy/baby diary  so if you want to check it out
A mommy in training

I guess I'll find out what it's like to be a mom one day (inshallah)

New template

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

I decided to 'clean' up the blog a bit..what do you all think? I like the colours, you think I should move around or remove some things?? Let me know!

I have been a bit more absent these days, but I'll inshallah be back with lots to talk about soon! So stay tuned LOL

So what's been going on with me lately?

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

Well I have not fallen off the face of the planet, although sometimes I feel like I have. The last two weeks of July I had my official time off from work but that was no fun at all because I had to move my Mom out of her own place and move her into our rather small 900sq ft. apartment. Basically we sold her house (the house I grew up in all my 34yrs minus the 2 years I've been married)
and are looking to find a new house for all of us...inshallah we will find something good to suit us all, please keep us in your dua's that we find something suitable!

On a side note it has been really very hard to part with the old house. I grew up there and all of my memories are tied to that house which will probably be rubble soon (as the person who bought it will be tearing it down eventually) so I feel like my memories will be scattered among the rubble. The house sold quickly alhamduillah, and the closing date was very fast, we had only about 3-4 weeks to pack everything and move it!
Let me tell you that packing up 30+ years of memories and 'junk' took some time and effort, both physically and emotionally!
I found tons of my old school papers, and other junk. Photos of my Father and his young years, and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with emotion - I kind of tie that house to my Father's memory very closely and it is difficult to break that but it had to be done and I know that he would be ok with our decision.

So that is mostly why I have not blogged for a while, been trying to make sense of this new life, living with my Mom and hubby under the same roof.

Pregnancy has been good alhamduillah, but it's really a struggle some days. I just pray that everything is good with the little one and is born healthy and strong, all the tiredness and aches and pains and annoyances are little to go though to have a strong, healthy little one!

I'll try and update the blog more often...actually I have one update in mind and it involves my Mom and an Abaya ... wow! Stay tuned! LOL

I love when people don't listen to what you say...

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

I am still stuck at work its already 6:10 and usually I leave
at 4:30 but what to do ...

I just had to get this out...I answer the phone by saying,
"Good afternoon (company name)"
It's one of those survey things...she starts off her spiel and
she goes 'are there any females between the ages of 18-60 in
the home'
I told her 'this is not a residence!" She goes oh, sorry!

Well hellooooo who answers the phone with 'good afternoon ABC company'
if it were a house?? HMm.... hmmmm?? Arrrrr I can't stand it when people
don't listen!
It happens all the time too!!

Okey Im almost ready to go home now...another 15 mins inshallah left
then I can drive home and make dinner...oh joy??

Coming to terms with ...

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

Pregnancy!

I am 8 weeks now (mashallah) and in the middle of the most annoying
nauseated feeling I have ever experienced! Nobody tells you the reality
of being pregnant! I am not throwing up (which is good I guess) but I do
have this nauseated feeling almost for the whole day, comes and goes but
the time between it coming and going is quite short.
I have tried ginger ale, nope no help. Munched on soda crackers, nothing but
crumbs to sweep up now. Chamomile tea helps a bit but not entirely, at least the
tea has a calming effect on me! I've bought some candied ginger, so we'll see if
that does anything at all?

Here are some interesting tidbits about how the child is developing!

Congratulations -- your embryo is now called a fetus, which means "offspring". Your uterus expands to accommodate its new resident, which now measures approximately five-eights of an inch / 1.6 centimetres. Many changes take place this week -- the embryonic tail is gone, and all organs, muscles, and nerves are beginning to function. The hands now bend at the wrist, and the feet begin to lose their webbed appearance. Eyelids are beginning to cover the eyes.

oohoo! You've got one whole inch of baby inside of you! Your little embryo has finally reached the one-inch mark (30mm). And if it were possible to take a peek, you could actually see your tiny baby without a telescope! What’s more, your baby is finally starting to take on some very distinct human features. For starters, their little tail (really just the spinal cord) has disappeared completely. It’s nice to know your baby can no longer be mistaken for a sea creature! Additionally, both their toes and fingers are prominent with very little, if any, webbing. Upper and lower limbs all show recognizable joints (elbows and knees) and the lower limb bones are starting to ossify. But don’t expect your baby to resemble either parent quite yet. Right now, your baby’s head is disproportionately larger than the rest of their body--making up almost half of your little one’s height and weight!

http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/calendar/week8
http://www.babycenter.ca/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/08weeks/

I am truly fascinated and amazed at these facts and how the baby develops week
by week! As well I am so thankful to God that we are blessed. It is really now that
you see that we as human beings did not just 'evolve' but that there is a plan to
all this and a 'creator', all of this could not just be an accident.
Everything has its time
and place and function! Subhanallah only God can do this!

Well, that's it for now as I feel very tired but am at work, but thought I would
just check in a bit!

Some news...

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all


There is no easier way to say this....






Subhanallah we are expecting our first child... please keep us in your
Dua's that I have a healthy pregnancy!

Thank you to everyone who has seen me along on this journey of
trying to conceive.

I have a cold...be back shortly!

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

I have not fallen off the face of the earth (but wish I had) I'm just feeling sucky, well actually I'm feeling crappy, as I have a cold (achooo) (snif snif)

I will be back to blogging shortly...well as soon as I don't feel like my head is a balloon trying to escape!

Sinus and feeling crappy ... and photo happy

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

Sorry no interesting blogs lately... can't seem to think of anything of worth lately. Well that's not true but it is all trivial stuff and meaningless (to me anyway). I have however been emersing myself in my photography. I am currently struggling with photoshop and I must say that I am making progress, more so than I thought I would only 6 months ago! Woo Hoo!!
So if anyone is interested these are my current pictures
(I've joined a Muslimah photography group on Flickr and I'm addicted!)

Flickr Photostream

As well I think I have 'sinuses' (dah...I know we all do!) rather I am feeling them and my nose is dripping incensntly! Anyone have some 'home made' remedies for it? I would rather not take any medicine for it right now (long story as to why not) and was thinking if anyone suffers from sinuses and has a good cure for them? (sniff sniff) Thanks!

So that's all right now...I'm waiting for the weekend and happily waiting for spring which I think Subhanallah has finally arrived!

Enjoy your days!

My weekend ....and today

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

I had the pleasure of going to watch a new IMAX movie called: Journey to Mecca.
Let me tell you that it was great! Truly an inspiring movie (all be it short).
I think it was mostly because it was in the IMAX version. For those who do not know, this is a movie theatre that has the screen all around you - kind of like sitting in a planetarium. The sound was remarkable and the pictures made you feel as if you were standing in the desert and mashallah even felt as if you were there in Mecca, circling the Kabba!
Here is a summary of the movie and a trailer.

Journey to Mecca tells the story of Ibn Battuta, (played by Chems Eddine Zinoun) a
young scholar, who leaves Tangier in 1325 on an epic and perilous journey, travelling
alone from his home in Morocco to reach Mecca, some 3,000 miles to the east.

Ibn Battuta is besieged by countless obstacles as he makes his way across the North
African desert to Mecca. Along the route he meets an unlikely stranger, the Highwayman (played by Hassam Ghancy) who becomes his paid protector and eventual friend. During his travels he is attacked by bandits, dehydrated by thirst, rescued by Bedouins, and forced to retrace his route by a war-locked Red Sea.

Ibn Battuta finally joins the legendary Damascus Caravan with thousands of pilgrims
bound for Mecca for the final leg of what would become his 5,000 mile, 18 month long
journey to Mecca.

When he arrives in Mecca, he is a man transformed. We then experience the Hajj as he did over 700 years ago, and, in recognition of its timelessness, we dissolve to the Hajj as it is still performed today, by millions of pilgrims, in some of the most extra ordinary and moving IMAX® footage ever presented.

Ibn Battuta would not return home for almost 30 years, reaching over 40 countries and revisiting Mecca five more times to perform the Hajj. He would travel three times farther then Marco Polo. His legacy is one of the greatest travel journals ever recorded. A crater on the moon is named in his honour.

I'll write more about this movie and my thoughts.

So did that on Friday, then on Saturday hubby and I laid down more of the flooring in our apartment, yeah, it's still not done! Inshallah soon though, maybe another 2 weeks and it will be done, the whole apartment in laminate flooring! Woo hoo! No more carpet!
Sunday went to dinner at some Friend's place. So that brings us to today, and work ... ick!
However I did go out and splurge on some shoes... (it was buy one get the other half off!)

What do you all think?

Well, I'm wearing them right now...lol in the office and I must say they are cute, not comfy but cute! So that's my day so far!

I'm still here... just lost in thinking

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

After the last post I've been kind of in a mood... not a great one but not a bad one either. It's just that things made me think and re-evaluate what is important in my life. So here are my conclusions.

1. God is important and comes first
2. Family & Friends
3. Work (need to do that to make a living)
4. Entertainment (reading, blogging, photography)

I do most of these things everyday and you know what it's not a bad life... I really should be thankful for everything and see that so many people are suffering.

So what are you priorities?

Don't you just love being censored!

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

Not really an important blog entry but there is something I need
to get off my chest! I visit an online forum (which will remain
nameless) for Muslims, they were originally on MSN but moved
to their own site after MSN closed down the groups pages. Anyway,
I was a member of that MSN site for a long time and there is actually
where I learned so much about Islam and ended up saying my Shahada
online... so after not being in contact with that group (another long story)
I was so happy to see that it was back online and I also started to talk to
the 'old' members...mashallah it was nice to catch up again!

So, last week there was an article on there that was talking about how
women in Saudi Arabia were forced to go and buy underwear from Men
as they would not employ Women.
So me being me, I posted a comment that said:

I agree... I think it is absolutely the most ridiculous thing in the
world to have Men selling undergarments to women...and above
all in Saudi where there are religious police running around
ensuring 'modesty' is obeyed! I mean really - anyone see some
hypocrisy there?

As well just on that topic... Women are not allowed to drive,
because they will be a distraction to Men? Hmm? Well fine but
then why are they expected to be chauffeured around by a non-mahram?
Somehow that is alright by their standards? I think they need to
think things through a bit more!
Inshallah!!

This was the reply as to why the post was deleted

Members were leaving comments about how things are run
and about them having hypocrisy, this is not from the manhaj
(methodology) of the salaf and it opposes the sunnah.
You make duaa for the leader or advise them in private,
it is not for us to speak about their sins and talk about them
publicy and we should obey them as long as they do not tell us to
do haram, and before we look at our leaders we should look at
ourselves because the muslims as a whole need to start following
islam and Allah will not change our situation until we change what
is in ourselves, so we have the rulers we deserve.
InshaAllahi will provide the daleel (proof) for these points.

Hmm... look at this and please someone tell me is this not
the definition of hypocrisy?

"and we should obey them as long as they do not tell us to do haram,"

Hmm... isn't driving with a non-mahram against sharia?
Allahu alim, I mean really someone tell me I was wrong?
Don't we have an obligation to encourage the right and forbid
evil? Anyway I don't know I just don't like being censored like that.

I looked back now and see that the post is back... it seems they had
a change of heart. Still I don't like when I'm deleted!

Job stuff and life in general

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

I haven't fallen off the planet (just yet) I've been kind of stressed lately
and just didn't have time to blog as work was kind of crazy.
For the past two days I have been seriously debating leaving this job
and finding a new one. I even applied for one - no answer.
When I was looking at the things I was qualified for I realized that I just
do not want to do the same job I have been doing for over ten years. I
need a change but I don't know how I can do that? I mean how do you leave
a job you've done for so long and change to something completely unknown?
It struck me that my conversion to Islam was the same, I went from the very
familiar to the very un-familiar. The transition was less than favourable, as I
felt completely lost and bewildered.

So now is it any different? Yes it is but I still feel lost,
who am I really, how do I fit in with the rest of the Muslims out there?
Well, the answer is that I don't really and I think that is ok.
We need to be our own person and if that means we don't fit in with a
certain group, well then create your own group or live the best life you can live!
Wow, off on a tangent I went!

As for the job stuff...I am a bit more relaxed now, as that moment of
"I cannot work here for another moment" has passed. I still want and need to
make a change and I am praying that God will lead me into the place I need to
be, so for now I'll just keep my eyes open! Inshallah!

Blogging world

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

Is it just me or has it become quiet in the blogging world?
Somehow lately I've felt that there are no good discussions
going on... well maybe its my reader list that has gone quiet,
although I must admit I have not blogged so frequently either lately.

I think I'm starting to miss reading posts. It used to be that when
I would refresh my reader list so many blog posts would be there
but now that is not the case. Maybe I'm just bored, that could very
well be it too.

An update from me is that I am still going on with the fertility tests.
I have gone three times now and I have to go again tomorrow for
another ultra sound and blood work.

It's quite interesting to see how the body works...right now I'm at
the follicular phase - Subhanallah it makes me think how wonderful
it all is and I can't help but be in wonder and amazement at how
Allah has created us!

Things going on in my life...

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

I have not blogged for a while...no reason really just couldn't think of anything significant to write about - well that's not entirely true, I always have things running around in my mind but am too afraid to post about it for fear of bashing or controversy or people just plain not liking me afterwards. Anyway... so a little about things so far.

Probably somewhere at the end of the week I am going for a procedure known as 'hysterosonography ' it is a process where they check out via an ultrasound if everything is 'ok' in my reproductive system. DH and I have been trying for one year to have a child and now it has come time to check if everything is 'ok' and then go from there. I really think we are just very stressed with work and life in general, but we cannot know for sure. So having this test is the first step in finding out...I'm not looking forward to it at all. From other women Ive heard that it is un-comfortable at the least and painful at the most...so we shall see. Inshallah it will go well...I am more concerned with what they find afterwards...please keep us in your dua's ... jazakallah khair.

I was just wondering if there are any known prayers for wanting to have children. I have read about some but thought I would ask all of you reading if you have any prayers I can be reciting, etc.

Other than that I am looking forward to having a nice relaxing vacation with DH inshallah in nine days. We are off to a sunnier locale ... inshallah I will have lots of beautiful pictures to share afterwards!!

So that is life in a nutshell... today has been a rollercoaster day, from morning I was really stressed about a situation but mashallah I prayed that it would be made easier and that I am given the strength to endure it. I found this prayer from my small prayer book, "Fortress of the Muslim" It was such a small simple prayer but it made me feel so much better to be reciting it!

Allaahumma laa sahla 'illaa maal ja'altahu sahlan wa 'Anta taj'alul-hazna 'ithaa shi'ta sahlan.

139. O Allah, there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You please You ease sorrow.

Interesting facts

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

I haven't really blogged in a few days...nothing has been going on, just didn't have a good topic yet...but I think I have one 'brewing' ...so in the meantime here are some interesting facts....

Coyotes are extremely loyal to their mates. If one is caught in a trap, the other will bring small game for it to eat; it will soak itself in a river to allow its thirsty mate to chew on its damp fur for water. It has been documented that the free coyote will stay with its captive partner until death.

The human heart is no bigger than a fist and yet is wrapped in so much muscle that it can continue pumping even if a third of its muscle mass is destroyed.

The full chemical name for caffeine is 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine and its chemical formula is C8H10N4O2. When coffee is roasted, and when the coffee beans begin to cool, they release about 700 chemical substances that make up the vaporizing aromas.

The reason honey is so easy to digest is that it’s already been digested by a bee.

Roosters cannot crow if they cannot extend their necks.

It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body.

The only part of the body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.

Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

The human heart creates enough pressure while pumping to squirt blood 30 feet!!

The female Adelie penguin, desperate to obtain the stones she uses to build her nest, visits the nest of a bachelor Adelie, goes through the entire courtship routine, and mates with him. But once the two have had sex, the female collects the stones she came for as a sort of payment, and waddles back home to her actual mate, who’s been keeping the nest nice and warm for her return! She then stays with him for the rest of her life. Sometimes, especially cunning females engage in the courtship ritual, minus the mating part, grab the rocks, and dash home. Luckily, the males of this species, unlike humans, do not seem to bear a grudge.

The mundane can be beautiful

Assalam alaikum & Peace to all

Thought I would update you all with what I've been up to. Well in short NOTHING, I mean nothing out of the ordinary. I wake up go to work, stay there for nine hours, drive home, make dinner, then sleep and do it again the next day! Very boring but sometimes I really like the 'boring' but the only time I really appreciate the boring is when my life turns upside down. I sit and think wow it would be nice if things were ordinary again. I long for the mundane in those times.
I am happy to announce that I have been keeping up with the daily prayers much better, mashallah it is amazing really that I am able to get in more prayers - I have always struggled with this but for the past four days I have made a conscious effort to keep them up. It is a struggle, truly. I know that most will say but you 'have' to do them, you have to keep up the prayers, it is not something difficult to take out five to ten minutes to do them. Well, all I say to those is that nobody, NOBODY knows their own situation other than themselves. I won't go into the details of how and why I was not able to perform all of my daily prayers, but will say that it has become a bit easier and I have to thank Allah for that!
I started this blog to relate to people how beautiful and difficult this religion is, or rather to be a convert. There is always talk that you should not reveal your sins, yes ok, I can agree to that. It is between you and Allah, however I do believe that reading about somebodies struggles can empower you to make changes in your own life. I know that when I have read about others who have had struggles to overcome I can relate and I can gauge my own progress to see where I need to improve. Let's not forget one thing, we are all human and to see people fail does not make them weak, it makes them ordinary, makes them 'real'.

So let me relate to you why I suddenly decided that I need to be more vigilant with keeping up the prayers. I got very scared of the fact that one day at the end of my life I will have to answer so many questions. I will be asked by Allah why did I not pray on time, why did I not say all the prayers, etc. I tried to imagine what I would say, but I could not come up with one good answer. Sure I have all the excuses, we've all heard them and done them. I am tired, I am lazy, I cannot do it because of work, because of people around me, the water is cold for wudu, I have no water for wudu. Are any of these real reasons? No, they are not. So when I think of the time I will be standing in front of my creator, the one who knows me better than anyone ever can, I can't help but think that those excuses are horrid. Allah has made provisions for everything. For example if you have no water you can do the dry ablution, tayammum. If you are travelling you can shorten certain prayers. I believe with a sincere heart that if I make an effort and my intentions are to keep the prayers it will benefit me, but only Allah knows if my prayers are accepted. So on the day of questioning I feel that if I can at least say, 'I tried to keep the prayers, I have offered them in the best way that I could'. I feel that at least there is the intention of offering it, and that has to be better than leaving the prayers entirely! Inshallah!

Allah Almighty knows best.

So I go on with my life, the mundane and perhaps even boring life... but think that it is good and I am thankful for these moments of 'boredom' and pray that whatever life throws at me, I will be able to handle it!