Monday, May 23, 2011

Weekend wrap-up

Assalamu Alaikum

Now that the weekend is over and I've had a little time to rest I thought I'd fill u in on what's been happening.

On Saturday my family hosted a lamb get together at my house. Basically we invited a bunch of families to our house, and the men cooked lamb on the spit outside. I don't know what it is about Bosnians and their lamb on the spit. I can't even look at it, it reminds me of a little baby lamb playing around in the fields who suddenly gets butchered, has a pole shoved through it and thrown into the fire. I like my meat in pieces, the less it resembles the animal the better. Otherwise I can't eat it. But it was a pretty good day. No dramas, everyone got along well. And the meat was really good, until I stumbled upon a vein. That just put me off completely and I couldn't eat for the rest of the day. But other than that, it was good catching up with everyone and taking a break from studying.

My ring in the box :))
On Sunday my fiance decided to surprise me with a ring :)))) it was that ring I spoke about here. Not both of them, just the engagement ring. Not that I wanted an engagement ring, but he wanted to buy it and who am I to refuse?? But it is beautiful. I don't wear it on the left ring finger, my mum and I always used to get into little squibbles about where the wedding ring goes - traditionally in my culture it goes on the middle finger of the right hand. And the Prophet sa always used to prefer the right, so this time I am choosing to agree with my mum and put it on my right hand. I was soooo happy when I got it, I just couldn't stop smiling for the whole day. On Friday night I was so disappointed that he wasn't coming. But he more than made up for it with the ring.

We also went to the movies with my sister to watch the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie. I'm not a big fan of the series, but Mhd and my sister were so into them. So I, still high from the ring surprise, agreed to come along. I guess it wasn't too bad, I didn't fall asleep like I did when I watched the other ones on TV. But actually I have to admit it was kinda interesting. Maybe because this time it didn't have too many weird creatures and extremely crazy twists.

And whenever I had some spare time I squeezed in some study :) like the good student I am (lol)

Now its back to that study... I still have a lot I have to catch up on. I am planning to Inshallah catch up on all my tax lectures before my regular tax law lecture on Wednesday.

Salam

Friday, May 20, 2011

Study Study Study and Sydney Pictures

Assalamu Alaykum


I apologise for the lack of posts. I've been so busy with assignments, presentations, and online exams. And now that most of that has been done I have to catch up on all the readings from the last couple of weeks and the lectures I missed. But Inshallah I will get all that done soon and I'll have more stress-free time available where I don't feel guilty stealing that half an hour or so to blog.

And have posted pictures from the holiday Holiday.. not a lot but it will do..

Salam

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Since Sydney

Assalamu Alaykum

Just thought I'd give a little update on what's been going on lately. I've been so busy with my assignment (either working on it or procrastinating...) that I've hardly had a chance to do anything else.

My grandma has made it to Bosnia safe and sound Mashallah. She's staying in the family home where my mother grew up. It must be great going back in time and seeing her family. Inshallah it will be a good trip for her.

 I'm working on a presentation for uni.. which I have to present tomorrow. I am so terrified... It's my first presentation I have to do as a hijabi. I hardly got used to the way people look at me when I walk into a classroom, and now I have to talk in front of them also. I've never liked public speaking. It really scares me to bits. Especially now. I wish I could just fake an illness and avoid this thing. But I know I just have to face it and Inshallah it will be ok. May Allah take away my fear and give me the confidence I need to do well in this presentation. Amin.

Well... enough wasting time.. it's time for Zuhr and then back to assignmenting Inshallah

Salam

Friday, May 6, 2011

Goodbye Sydney

Assalamu Alaykum

I wrote this post on Tuesday night... I guess i forgot to press publish... I'm not going to change it.. Here it goes...

Me mum and grandma
Today is the day we go back to the Gold Coast. I was soooo sad to say good bye to grandma. May Allah keep her safe and in good health.

I spent a lit if last night taking to her one on one while my family was at my cousins. We spent hours talking like the good old days. I really miss that. That was the best thing about having her here.. The long talks and a lifetime of stories and advice. It really brings me joy talking to her. She's like a real life history book, with a great sense of humour. My grandma is one of the most amazing women on this planet. And she has a heart of gold. May Allah bless her with all the goodness of this life and the next.

I already miss her. And I miss Sydney and everyone who is there. May Allah bring me back to Sydney one day soon. To everyone who lives there and is constantly complaining about the traffic or the stress - you don't know how lucky u r to be living there. It's so true when they say you don't know what u have until it's gone. You have so many opportunities for a good life there. There are good people there and good communities, and so much to do and get involved in. Not to mention the Mosques and Islamic organizations. I wish I could take advantage of all that. I'm not saying it's the perfect place to be, we all know it's far from it. But there is so much goodness there besides all that. Imagine what it's like for me - everything bad about Sydney I have it here too, but with only maybe 20% of the goodness. Sure it might be more pleasing to the eye and a little less crowded buy that's about it.

Anyway I am so exhausted after the long long trip. There was so much rain and other delays and it felt like we were traveling for days. We ended up coming back at 11pm. So I'm gonna catch a few zzzzz's if I can. I have a long day ahead of me at uni.

Salam

Monday, May 2, 2011

Day 3

Assalamu Alaykum

Today wasn't as full on as the last couple of days. We just went shopping and went back home. My parents and sisters went to see another cousin of ours but I decided to just stay back and spend sone time with grandma.

It started off not so good. I woke up to hear my mum fighting with her sister. I don't know what's happening over here but it doesn't look good. And the way my aunty yelled at my grandma just made me sick. I couldn't believe it. I don't want to bitch about my aunty but there is absolutely no respect in this house. Only stubbornness and defiance. But anyway.. The point was, my day began with tears and shock. Especially when I saw the way my grandma was treated. I hate to see her stay in this house one more day. But there's not much I can do. At least she will get to go to Bosnia in a couple of days. She does not deserve to be treated like this. She needs to be taken care of and treated with kindness, not disrespected and yelled at. May Allah bless my grandma with all the goodness there is and may He give her peace and strength in everything she does. Amin.

After a while we dropped my youngest sister off at the library to work on an assignment and went back to Auburn to buy some things. We had a kebab and continued with the shopping. I only bought a skirt and some things for Mohamed. And a pair of shoes. And I bought the Sahih Al-Bukhari collection as a surprise for Mohamed. I think he will really like it. At least I hope he will. But my sister got all these lovely things for the home - coffee sets, tea sets, drinking glass sets a serving tray and a couple of other things. I thought it would be better not to get them for myself this time since I already have some, and no matter how beautiful they are and how much I live them, I don't need them. Not now anyway. I'm not even married yet.

And then we just caught the train back home, and my family left to see my cousins. And the rest is history.

I should go talk to my fiance.. So I guess I'm gonna go. I'll write soon Inshallah.

Salam

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Day two

Assalamu Alaykum

Alhamdulillah today was awesome. We had a catch-up get together at a park in Auburn. The park where we all spent most of our childhood playing and causing trouble for the grown ups. All of my closest friends were there, well most of them. All the girls from folklor (our Bosnian dance group) and sone parents and/or children.

It's amazing how much has changed. Time does it's thing even when u r far away. It seems like yesterday we were all kids. Some of us were just toddlers when we met. And now we are finishing uni, working, getting married and having children. Everyone is all grown up. But one thing that hasn't changed is our bond and our friendship. Alhamdulillah for everything.

The reunion
After that we went back to Merrylands and visited some cousins. It was really nice seeing them too. They were an elderly couple and their daughter and grandson. And they were so happy to see us. May Allah bless them and have mercy on them and grant them all the best in this life and the hereafter. Amin

I do miss My fiance though. I've hardly had a chance to talk to him. I'm never alone. On the one hand I could stay here forever, on the other I can't wait to see him again. I really hope we can move here some day soon Inshallah.

I did end up going to that hijab house store in the morning but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. But inshallah I'll be able to go back and buy an abaya or two.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to see a friend from high school inshallah. And also seeing more cousins in the afternoon.

But thats all for tonight. Inshallah I'll write again tomorrow.