First week back at uni

Assalamu Alaikum sisters

This week has been so busy. I went back to uni... which is kinda sad since I did absolutely nothing during my holidays. But at the same time I'm really optimistic about what this semester will bring. Alhamdulillah. I'm only doing two subjects, which might be where the optimism comes in.. Mashallah its going great so far... I get the readings done in no time, I finish uni by 2pm (compared to 8pm during past semesters), and I get plenty of time to get back home for Iftar and taraweeh during Ramadan, or a session at the gym when I'm not fasting. Not to mention the much clearer head-space. Now I just need to get my finances in order. I still ddn't find a job. But Inshallah that will come around soon too.

I only had two classes this week. Tutorials begin next week Inshallah. I'm doing International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law, and Administrative Law. Inshallah I'll be able to keep up this optimism as the weeks go by.

The gym's going good too. I'd say great but I'm refusing to cos of all the pain I'm in at the moment. After I do strength training my muscles hurt for a day or two, but I love it. But Alhamdilillah I feel much better already. I can sleep better, I can move better, and I already see a difference in confidence. I haven't weighed myself yet so I don't know if any weight came off. And I still haven't done my food coaching sessions so I'll let them weigh me when I go in on Thursday night Inshallah.

But its not al good unfortunately. I've cought my niece's flu while babysitting :(. So I've been coughing and sneezing, and I have a fever and a really sore throat. But Inshallah that will pass too...

And that's about it for now

Salam

Gym, uni and sisters

Assalamu Alaikum

I've had a busy couple of days lately. I've been going t the gym, as per schedule. The first time I almost fainted lol.. Yes its been a long time since I've had some proper exercise. But the last two sessions were really good Mashallah. Its really good to finally get some physical activity in. I forgot how refreshing and energising it feels. I used to do it all the time. But then it just stopped. I did some cardio and Zumba last night. I loved the Zumba. Its been a while since I did any structured classes. It realy made me reminisce about those folklor days (Bosnian folkloric dancing). I had a lot of fun and with the cardio after, it really made a good workout. I'm looking forward to doing my strength training on Wednesday Inshallah. So far I've been mainly doing my legs. And even more-so I'm looking forward to being healthy again and gaining my fitness, strength and confidence back Inshallah. At the beginning it was about the weight. But to be honest that's not the thing thats motivating me anymore. I just want the health and confidence that comes along with it. There was a time in my life when I was healthy and it felt amazing. Inshallah I will be able to get there again. Afterall - you have to take care of yourself so that you can take care of everyone else.

I have my first class of the semester at uni tomorrow. Inshallah I'll get there in time after gym. I have quite a bit to prepare today. I've been putting it off the last couple of days. But I'm only doing two subjects this semester so Inshallah it won't take too long. If worse comes to worse, I'll just prepare for tomorrow's subject since there's no Thursday tutorials in the first week and I can finish everything off then.

I've also been babysitting. I took Armina out to the park yesterday morning. She's such a darling Mashallah. I took a couple of photos too.

My days out with Armina :)

I've been trying to wake up early these last few days in the hope of better nights' sleep. I've made a promise not to sleep past 8 no matter what time I actually fall asleep. Either that, or I just stay up after Fajr. I usually read the Qur'an after I pray untill the sun rises, and then I'd get sleepy and fall asleep till 11-ish. But now if I do fall asleep I make sure its only until 8. It's been really hard but I must say it's kinda working. Combined with the gym I get pretty flat out by 8/9pm and I take my sleeping pills and lay down. Mashallah I fall alseep withing 1-2 hours (which is amazing for me - usually I try forcing myself to sleep for 6 hrs on average before I doze off. And that's only if I doze off.)

But Alhamdulillah...

I've also been talking to Mhd's lil sister quite a bit lately. Mashallah she's really nice. She reminds me of a lot of my friends in Sydney. It's really good to have a good muslim sister to talk to. It's great to have someone who understands what its like to be a practicing sister here in Australia. Most of my friends are muslim, but unfortunately Bosnian people aren't very religious. So once I covered and stopped doing a lot of things I used to, it became really hard to socialise. I dunno, people just look at me differently now I guess. And we just grew apart. I still haven't found hardly any sisters who I can relate to. Basically my friend H is the only one I can talk openly to about life and religion. I really miss my sydney friends. So for me even one new sister is a huge blessing. And now I will have even more sisters Alhamdulillah.

Oh and one more thing... When I was talking to her I heard her kids asking "is it aunty?? Is it aunty??" And it hit me. I'm and aunty all over again :) I have quite a few more nephews and nieces than I'm used to. I'm here falling in love with one and then all of a sudden I have more gorgeous little children calling me Aunty. Mashallah. It brings a big fat smile to my face.

And then I realised that I'm getting a whole new family along with a husband. And they are all soooo looking ofrward to meeting me. They are not just Mhd's brothers and sisters, but they already see me as a sister too. And the more I speak to his sister (we will call her Lil L, or just L) the more comfortable I feel about this new family and the more I want to meet them. Inshallah It will all go well.

But anyhow like I said, I have quite a lot to get through today. And not much time to do it in. So I'll leave you for now and get back to it Inshallah.

Salam

I joined the gym!!!!!!

Assalamu Alaikum

As you might know from my previous posts, I've been having some issues with my body these last couple of years. I've tried dieting a few months ago, but that somehow faded away as my exercise levels came to a halt. I'm simply too scared to exercise outside by myself since a couple of hijab-related incidents I've had. And even though I usually eat healthy, I haven't been burning any calories apart from the fortnightly walk or two that I manage to squeeze out of my fiance or sister. But I'm really in need of some good exercise. And Inshallah this gym membership will go the trick.

I've joined an all-girls gym with my sister. We've both signed up with the food coach and personal trainer (although I couldn't afford the twice-a-week training sessions like she can). So I'll just have to do with what I've got and take some helpful tips and advice from my sister Inshallah.

The girls that work there all seem really nice and friendly. And  it sounds like they are really motivating and will push you to attend on those lazy days when you really dont want to. You make a weekly program each time you see them and if you don't show up, they will call you and make you get your act together. And I really need that.

And they also have some really cool facilities like a nice change room and showers, with pink hair dryers and straighteners, kitchens, lounges, beauty salon, etc etc..

It all looks pretty good. But then again, all things exercise and health related do look pretty good at the start. It's keeping up with the motivation that's really hard. But Inshallah the girls and my sister will keep me motivated.

Salam

Insomnia and other musings

Assalamu Alaikum

I've been having so much trouble sleeping these last few weeks.. especially the last couple of nights. I am so exhausted. My head is so heavy that it feels like I'm carrying a stones in my head, my eyes are swollen and extremely heavy. But at the same time I can't get them to stay closed. My body is aching, I have trouble walking a straight line and I am so weak. And my mind keeps switching between racing at 100 miles an hour to blank emptiness. But no sleep. I've tried warm milk and honey, warm milk without the honey, hot showers, walks before bedtime, and even sleeping pills. But still no sleep. The only time I manage to fall asleep is about an hour before the alarm goes off for Fajr. And after I pray and read some Qur'an the cycle starts all over again. Sometimes I manage 2-3hrs, sometimes not even that. And I am so exhausted... Sometimes I'd do anything for a decent nights sleep.

I'm still babysitting my little niece most days of the week. She is such a little angel. Mashallah. I miss her so much when her mum takes her to kindy. We have so much fun together and I just love her to bits :) Even with all my tiredness and lack of sleep we get through the day with no dramas or tantrums (well apart from the occasional tantrum but we settle that down pretty quick - she is a toddler afterall)... Its like she understands what I'm going through and listens to everything. Mashallah.

I was fasting today and Inshallah tomorrow I will finish making up my missed fasts from last Ramadan. I know I left it a bit too late, but with the heat and humidity of summer around here it gets hard. But its "winter" now so I'll enjoy it while it lasts - the entire month. Its already starting to heat up. But Alhamdulillah.

Oh, and I bought this garment steamer from KMart yesterday. And it is soooo good. I absolutely hate ironing clothes so I was so happy to pull it out and finally take control over the ironing basket. It takes a little longer than the iron but the clothes are so refreshed and there's no crinkles or burns like you get from ironing. I especially loved using it to 'iron' shirts and my hijabs. I don't know if others get this as well, but i normally have to go over my hijab like 4-5 times with an iron to get it wrinkle-free. But with this thing you just do it once and its all good. Alhamdulillah. I'm really happy so far.

My holidays are almost over and it feels like they've been such a waste. I didn't get anything done.. I even completely forgot about applying for clerkships. This insomnia is really taking a hold of me. I really wish I could have gone somewhere, even just for the day. But I still have the weekend Inshallah, you never know - I might get a surprise outing... lol who am I kidding???

Anyway... my mind is going blank again so I'm gonna try getting some sleep again. I took my sleeping pills and I think they might be starting to take effect. Judging from exerience I only have a teeny tiny window to fall asleep before the effect wears away. Inshallah tonight I will get some rest.

Salam

ISLAM IN THE BIBLE - The Deen Show ~ It's a way of life.

The Deen Show ~ It's a way of life.

I found this viseo very interesting - its really worth a look Inshallah

HELP!! Bridal hair

Assalamu Alaikum...

It just struck me... I've been putting so much effort into finding the perfect dress, the perfect make-up, the perfect hijab design for the wedding. But it never occurred to me what to do with my hair!! 

And I have no idea... Should I straighten it? Curl it? Style it somehow??? I was thinking maybe I can do a nice up-do and put on the hijab over that - it would give a nice shape after all, but I am worried it will fall apart by the time I can reveal it.. Or maybe straighten it so that it looks nice and shiny,  but then it will only get ruined once I put it up and put on the undercap and hijab etc... And I want it to be really nice when my husband first sees it

I really need your help on this one.. None of my friends got married while observing hijab so I cant ask them...

So ladies - what do you suggest would be a good thing for a hijabi to do with her hair on the wedding night? Does anyone have any stories to share? What did you do with your hair on your wedding night?

PS I have fairly long hair (up to the waist)... 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

Salam

Babysitting Armina

Assalamu Alaikum

The last couple of days I've been babysitting my niece Armina... She's such a little cutie pie.

We played with goop, made paper hats and boats, took a trip to timezone after meeting up with a friend, and danced to the wiggles until our feet gave in. We had such a good time :) and she was so well behaved Mashallah.. I can't wait to have one of my own Inshallah. Even the poopy nappy changes weren't too bad lol/

Speaking of babies... so many people are giving birth these days... Just today my next dor neighbour rang up and told be her daughter gave birth to a baby boy Mashallah. She named him Abdurrahman. May Allah bless the mother, baby and their entire family. My fiance's father also got a baby boy a couple of weeks ago.. I'm not sure if I mentioned it. And a few of my other friends are expecting in the near future..


But anyway... here's a few photos that I took the last few days with my niece.. I wish I could have taken more while we were having fun making hats and boats and goop... but I guess the camera wasn't handy.

Timezone

Timezone

Timezone

Dancing to the Wiggles - till the pants fell off lol

Today I have the whole day to myself... So Inshallah I will go make a cake.. I don't make cakes very often but Inshallah it won't be a disaster. I found a blog with heaps of Bosnian cake recipes - the cakes that I remember eating as a child. Unfortunately my mum doesn't make any cakes anymore.. so I'll just follow the recipe and Inshallah it will turn out great.

Salam

Another sleepless night

Assalamu Alaikum...

I've really been having trouble sleeping lately. I get tired late-afternoon, but as soon as a reasonable hour comes along, I become wide awake. Its almost impossible to fall asleep. So instead of  torturing myself in bed tonight I thought I'd just give u a little update.

I had that interview on Thursday afternoon. I was soo nervous leading up to it. But once I met the ladies and started talking, all the nerves were gone. Actually I think I did ok considering it was my first interview Alhamdulillah. When I met everyone they asked me to do a 30 minute exercise, which was basically a super-easy law question. And then I went in and they asked me a few questions and we had a nice little chat at the end about the job etc.

Today was spent basically cleaning and watching TV, nothing too interesting.

And tomorrow Inshallah I'll be babysitting my gorgeous niece while everyone else is out working. Should be fun :)) me and her always seem to have a good time.

Anyway, Im getting a bit drowsy so Im gonna hop back into bed before it wears off and Inshallah I'll be able to fall asleep.

Salam