Another update

Assalamu Alaykum

I know I haven't posted in a while... too busy studying... But I thought I'd do a quick little update before I get back into it this morning.

It hasn't been a good couple of weeks. I am just so stressed out with everything, from family, to exams, to weddings, jobs, bills, parents... the list goes on. T o be honest, even all this time I'm taking off to study isn't paying off. I'm simply too stressed, and nothing sticks. My parents aren't on good terms these days, and unfortunately it looks like they might be heading for splitsville. I pray to Allah that He gives them ease in this difficult time and the patience to work things out. They are both just so frustrated with life's stresses and they take it out on each other, most of the time for no reason. But Inshallah they will turn towards Allah and turn to each other, instead of hurting one another. Sometimes I think who am I kidding? But anything is possible by the will of Allah. Please make du'a for my parents, and my whole family.

But I'm trying really hard to let it all go and just focus on studying. Exams will be over in less than two weeks, and then I can work on everything else Inshallah.

But it wasn't all doom and gloom. I've had a few great days in there somewhere too.  met up with an old friend who I was so close to in my high school days and early uni days.. we were together almost every day until she moved to Brisbane a couple of years ago. But Inshallah we can catch up more often.

Mohamed has been great though... (well, most of the time - I was upset with him on Friday cos he was too tired from a 12hr shift to come see me - but he made up for it with a box of Lindt chocolate yummmm). I haven't told him everything yet, cos Im trying to block it out until exams are over. But he knows I'm really stressed out and he's being really supportive. Alhamdulillah

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I got through to the 1st stage of the recruitment process for the Department of Immigration. I did the online assessment the other day, and I got 20/24 questions correct. I still don't know if I will make it through to the next stage, but either way I'm just grateful to Allah that I got through to where I am. I wasn't expecting any of it. It is my no. 1 choice. If only they offered the position in Brisbane/Sydney this year. Its only available n Canberra. But Inshallah we will cross that hurdle if and when it comes up.

Yummmm.... chocolate...

Anyway. What else?

Ooooh - we paid off the wedding ring too.. its sitting in a secret hiding spot in my room (secret? who am I kidding??)

I went to a zabava ( a bosnian dinner/dance get together thingo) last weekend. It was pretty good, but I didnt stay long though. I just didn't feel comfortable with the alcohol. I'm gonna stick to the non-alcohol ones from now on (which means I'm gonna have to wait till the Brisbane people organise one). To be honest I ddn't even contemplate that there would be alcohol. Before I put on the hijab, I didn't even notice it. But now it was like a needle pricking your eyes the whole time. Only a few men drank, but it was enough to put me off, and so I went home.

And today there is an International Food Day at the Gold Coast Mosque. Inshallah after I do some studying I will go with a friend and her family. Its the first time her baby will leave the house after the 40 days, I think it's awesome that its to the mosque Mashallah. My sisters will be there too, and Mohamed if he ever decides to wake up (I can hear him snoring away in the living room - and he says he doesnt snore lol.)

But yeah thats all I can think of... the rest is just stress and study, or study-avoidance. But I have to get a move-on. My first exam is in two days time, and the next one the following day. So I really don't have any time to waste..

Salam

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.

First day in Sydney

Assalamu Alaikum

It's the end of day one and I am exhausted. I just want to go to collapse in bed and sleep.

We decided to go shopping in Auburn today. The whole family went as well as my little cousin. We bumped into couple of friends along the way and it turns out my old Bosnian Dance teacher was around the corner holding a children's class. So we went along and surprised her. It was so good to catch up with her and some of the parents. We talked about memories and families. I really miss these people. There's not many people on the Gold Coast with a heart. Over there everyone wants something from you. It feels really good to be with people who were raised properly and with respect. And people who are simply genuine.

But anyway, we also had some yummy kebabs. Nothing beats Auburn kebabs. And ice cream and dessert. I'm also hoping to get sone halal McDonald's. Oh how I missed Maccas, as yucky as it is.

And not to mention the shopping.. We bought some tops, a couple of abayas and a skirt. Yes, I'm going to try wearing skirts. This one was really nice and I think I can wear it with quite a few tops. And the abayas are really nice and modern too. Inshallah I will wear them more often. I still need to go to the Hijab House store in Merrylands and see what I can find there. Inshallah I can do that in the morning tomorrow.

We also saw these beautiful serving sets and plates and trays etc etc. U have no idea how beautiful these were. If only I had more money I'd buy so much. It was so hard to walk away. Inshallah one day I will be able to buy them. I am hoping to at least buy a tea set while I'm here. It's not too expensive from what I remember. But the rest of the goodies will have to wait.

Alhamdulillah I'm really happy with today. And quite sad to see all that money go. But at least it was all worthwhile.

Inshallah tomorrow we will be back at Auburn, but this time at the Botanical Gardens. And I'd also like to go to Hijab House first thing in the morning.

Ok I'm off to bed now Inshallah

I'll talk to u soon

Weekend so far

Assalamu Alaykum 

The weekend so far has been going great Alhamdulillah. It started off on Friday night with an Arabic class followed by a tafseer lesson at uni. The Sheikh spoke about Surah Al Qari'ah. I love these Islamic classes on Friday nights. It's a great way to end a stressful week and make you reflect on what's really important. My fiancé picked me up cos it ended at 10pm, and dropped me off back home on the Gold Coast. 

Today I got quite a bit of study done and did some job applications in the morning/early afternoon while my fiancé was working with my dad. My favourite Egyptian family friends came to visit us in the afternoon, which is always a welcome treat. They helped me a lot with my family when I decided to put on the hijab, so they will always have a place in my heart. I even managed to squeeze in a shopping trip in there somewhere.. I didn't buy much but it was a good study break. After Maghrib we went to the park for a barbeque with my family. It was a great night, really relaxing. I had a chance to take some family snaps, which I haven't done in a while.. Here's a collage of my favourite photos

Fun at the Park

Inshallah the rest of the weekend will be as nice as the last couple of days...

Salam