What I should be doing...

... packing.. but instead Im freaking out about travelling down tomorrow and cutting into the FA cup traffic. Ive just realised that I dont know where to pick my keys up from, I dont know if they got my documents to allow me to have the keys... hmm a day in the life of the procrastinator

Family

I caught my dad staring at me yesterday... what I would have given to read his mind as he smiled when I pulled tongues at him

The retreat

Time to carry on my week.. before I start documenting my life a week late lol... so where was I? I got to the retreat late, but was surprised to see that I wasnt late compared with everyone else alhamdulillah. The lady who I used to see a lot when I first converted involved with HCI at Bradford sort of recognised me instantly, I was a little nervous to meet her to be honest. I didnt know if she would remember me for a start, then I felt incredibly guilty for not being in touch with her when her husband passed a few years ago.. I shouldnt have worried at all, I passed on my condolences but she was very humble and thankful for everything masha'allah and I knew I was going to enjoy the weekend. Thinking about things now, it wasnt really a weekend.. we got there friday night, talks on Saturday and then a big walk on the Sunday morning.. so really only one day, which was nice because you didnt get as overwhelmed with things like you do with constant lectures for 2/3 days (Im thinking RIS and JoF)
Friday night was an ice breaker to get people talking to each other.. I felt a little out of place as I only knew one of the organisers so obviously I couldnt hang out with her the whole time.. we had to say 6 things on a piece of paper (1 true thing from everyone and some false ones) then people outside the group had to guess who they related to. It was interesting to see how everyone thought of people just from looking at each other, of course they had to be interesting things that not many people had done or seen... of course mine was 'I have jumped out of a plane... twice' it was interesting to hear a few people come out with comments about me along the lines of 'she looks like shes got a daredevil streak' or 'she looks sporty to have done X' funny because thinking back the only sporty I was wearing were my Adidas classics (the rest was a skirt and jumper.. how do people get this from me? Do I have the freak aura that shouts 'risk taker!' lol.. interesting :D
So on the Saturday there were 3 talks.. I actually cant remember what they were about now, the whole weekend was about community and how we should try to build it up. 2 of the speakers I actually knew when I was in Bradford, and the sister stayed in my room on a similar weekend years ago... so was nice in that way masha'allah. That evening they had a 'what would you do' where we were split into a few groups, given scenarios and we had to discuss what we would do and why. They were all islamic events happening in a non-islamic society.. my group had 'you neighbour comes over for dinner and brings a bottle of wine. After telling her you dont drink she asks if its ok if she does, what do you do' It was indepth and very insightful masha'allah and I think that was about the time that I was starting to loosen up.
I realised over the weekend, that things like this really arent fun without someone to discuss things with or even just sit with for breakfast. That made me a little sad because in my near future I dont see that happening, Allahu alim. Sunday we went for a 3 hour walk.. it was soo beautiful up there masha'allah (Malham) and I look forward to visiting again soon insha'allah.
Well thats it for that weekend.. as for whats been happening since, well nothing really. I gave the car back on Tuesday, I visited some family who went over to Canada to see my mum last thursday. Ive been plodding along, bought a ton of dvds to keep myself amused when I eventually move down to Kingston upon Thames (May 30th insha'allah) and some books.. Im reading the Twilight series again (after buying that dvd too) and Im nearly finished the last book. Ive gotten into my stitching again too, bought some more thread of different colours because I get bored sooner when Im doing the same colours. Now I should be packing after buying some bits from Asda but Im listening to Outlandish and reading my book :D Hope this gets you all back up to date with me :)

Donations

For those of you who subscribe to my posts you probably wont see my home page but Ive added a paypal button for giving charity to the people helping out over in Pakistan. You can check out more details here.. and donate from that site if you want, or here.. no problems as long as some money comes in insha'allah.

And then it all began, again

Where did I get up to? Oh yeh... tuesday (I didnt forget you rainbow) I went for hijama at my girls place and ended up staying the whole day :) we went out to eat too and had fun just us and the youngest girl masha'allah. (pic 1) I cant remember the name of the place but it was on Green street and very yummy masha'allah. We popped in to Zamzams on the way back and I picked up 2 bottles of black seed capsules for 10quid masha'allah... I havent really started taking them because Im actually confused as to when to take them. The bottle says 'Take 1 capsule a day after a meal 3 times a day' so do I take 1 a day, or 3 a day... anyone?? we didnt end up leaving until late in the evening but I had a really enjoyable day masha'allah... the hijama wasnt as to be expected, I was sort of expecting an instant feeling from it but nope... Allahu alim, was nice to experience and not as painful as I had expected. Just uncomfortable when the cup was sucking the blood to the surface.. this is something that I would like to learn to do for the future insha'allah (this and knowing how to prepare a body for burial)
So Wednesday I had to go back to the hospital in Kingston so they could tell me what I already knew.. that I didnt have TB. So now I have the all clear health wise and police wise to start the job alhamdulillah. While I was in Kingston I actually popped in to see an apartment, it was nice.. sharing with a lady... 400 a month then about another 100 for bills. When I finished my check up I went over to HR (eyeS they needed to see my passport to prove Im legally entitled to work in this country) and told them about the place... the sister there, she told me that I had a place in NHS accommodation and she strongly recommended that I take it, especially that I didnt know the area or anybody down here. I phoned up the lady at the flat to turn it down, insha'allah she finds somewhere. I cant really remember doing much else on Wednesday, I think I wandered around for the most part.. got abit weird about wandering around London on my own. I had by this point bought the Host (by the same lady who wrote the Twilight series) so I was reading that when I got back to the house and just chilled with the sister I was staying with.
She left before me early in the morning... so we didnt really say goodbye, which was a little bad.. and something that I had realised the night before but was too tired to wait for her to come upstairs to say goodbye (I sent her a nice little text to say thank you though)
Thursday morning I met up with me homie mina.. we had breakfast and discussed the ins and outs of the male mind... yeh we (well probably more me) were in that type of mood... we did a lil shopping and then she rode the bus with me to Euston station and kicked me off before I could realise she wasnt coming in with me lol.. sorry about that confusion sis.. but I had tons of fun with her as always masha'allah.. Im glad we started hanging out sis, and alhamdulillah Im glad youre now in my life :) Then I made my way back to the north.. got in around 7ish I think, yeh long day
Friday I picked up the car around 12ish to drive over to the dales for my islamic retreat... I stopped in to meet up with dee in huddersfield, and now Im just realising if Jules knew and if shes annoyed I didnt pop in there... but I couldnt, you were working hun sorry :) we should try to do the trafford centre before I move away.. which means next wednesday if youre free insha'allah.
Anyways, its late now.. so once again Ill leave you with the pics (2. choc & toffee cake at asda with Dee and the kids) peace and salams.

And again

Im a step auntie... to Kai, 5lbs 13oz born 1820 May 21st masha'allah :)

As time goes by....

Ive been pushed into writing a blog, now that eyeS has written I suppose I should keep my some what promise... so here it is. Ive been away for awhile now, you all knew where I was going but I think Ive stayed away for longer than I mentioned.. my excuse? erm.... Im me :D hehe. Where do I start... I suppose it begins with me going down to London last sunday evening... I got there about 7ish I think and meet up with the sister I would be staying with for a few days masha'allah.. we chatted, went to pray asr and maghrib at the hyde park masjid then made our way home stopping for spaghetti house on the way back (which was much taster than the last time I tried it) The rest of the night was quiet but nice.. we chatted the most that we have probably ever and got to know a little more about the other which was good.
Monday morning I was up to be in Kingston for the 12pm appointment, oh and of course I opened my birthday cards on the floor of the bedroom :) 28 huh... cant say I am where I thought I would be but Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has a plan for everyone, I guess I just have to wait a little longer and remain patient insha'allah. I was on my way to the tube station when I realised I had forgotten my phone, which I desperately needed to keep in touch with people today. I just prayed somebody was in.. alhamdulillah they opened the door for me then I was on my way to Kingston.. I got there a little early so I popped into HR to give her my passport to copy and sort out some details then I made my way over for my health check with the hospital (read TB injection) it wasnt pleasant and I was told to come back wednesday. I got the train into Kingston (1 stop away from the hospital) and wandered around for a little.. I passed letting agents and picked up a few brochures, but all the places in Kingston were looking for at least 700 pound for a studio!! then with bills on top I just couldnt afford that. I saw though that all the places were in Kingston, so I thought maybe near the hospital I would see cheaper places and decided today wasnt the day to look for them. I wandered around the shops for a few hours.. not special, didnt buy anything, but I was in some severe pain in my hip bone... I couldnt walk properly so I had to sit down for a while. I had a little sleep in the park under the suns rays, which was nice masha'allah... and then I went to meet my friend Sarah.
We eventually met up and decided to go to Frangos (read fake Nandos) it was nice.. they do halal chicken if anyone is ever over there (theres 2 restaurants in the UK lol) we chatted.. we laughed... we took photos and above all we had fun alhamdulillah, and that is really what I needed. Then afterwards we had a little walk looking for an ice cream place and eventually ended up back in the same complex where theres also a cinema and a B&J stall.. It was nice, company made it special masha'allah (lets see if she reads this!)
I got back late and went straight to meet up with my mate Nashwa from Canada.. she bought me the flowers masha'allah.. said they reminded her of me (and Ive just remembered they arent on the table downstairs anymore and I wanted to press one of em) we went to Gourmet Burger Kitchen for tea (read evening meal... yeh Im a weird scouser!) I think I got home after 11.. very late night, but such an enjoyable day masha'allah...
So its 1130 now... I havent even nearly finished telling you about my week but I think I should try to get an early night (although finishing Twilight - yes, again - might delay that though)
Ill be back tomorrow insha'allah, enjoy the photos (1 Kingston masjid 2. weird art piece in Kingston 3. my flowers) Peace and salams....

Plans

Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has his plans... but my plans for this week are as follows...
tomorrow evening Im taking a trip down to London to stay with a friend while I got for health checks at the hospital, insha'allah once thats over they will be able to give me a start date :D woohoo
insha'allah Ill meet up with a few friends while Im down there
Im also going to look at flats/apartments get an idea of prices and stuff
Maybe meet up with Mina on Wednesday for a spot of Whitechapel shopping depending on whether shes going to see her Grandad or not.. insha'allah he gets better sis
Im travelling back to the north either Wednesday night or Thursday afternoon
Then fri-sun Im going to an islamic retreat organised by Human Care International.. so I will get to see some old friends which Im looking forward to insha'allah

Thats my plans for this week, Ill have a car for the retreat so will probably pop into to see a friend in Huddersfield before I go too insha'allah

Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

In relation to my last post and Kates question.. heres a few facts :) So I finally finished the 4 books on Thursday night (last night) and how big they are? 1st book, Twilight 434p 2nd book, New Moon 594p 3rd book, Eclipse 628p 4th and final book, Breaking Dawn 754p.. now I just watched the film again and Im eagerly awaiting the next film due out in November insha'allah... obsessed? much? now I dont know what to do with my time! Any suggestions?

What Im reading at the moment

Im reading the Twilight series at the moment, my old next door neighbour lent me the books on Friday. I started reading them Sunday night and Im onto the 4th and final book now... I feel sad in a way to finish them.. they are really worth the read if youre into that sort of stuff :)

Things I miss

I just came across this post on another blog and thought I would do something similar

so when I wear my hijab the things I miss are...

the feeling of the sun on my skin
being able to blend in with the 'ordinary' crowd (by that i mean the not overly noticeable crowd)

and trying to think now there isnt much more that I miss alhamdulillah :) Thanks MyHijab for making me think of these things

Back

So, Im back.. life is moving forward, I have forms to fill in for the job and maybe Ill go down for a few days next week for some health test. I cant do much yet as its the bank holiday tomorrow, Im still yet to hear back about the 2 interviews I went for last week. Allah knows best what is good for me, Ive decided if I had a choice of all 3 I think the one in Ware, Herts at GSK would be the best for me. Its only 30 from London on the train, its got great potential in the company and even if they didnt extend the contract after 6 months the experience I would get from working there would be highly beneficial masha'allah. However, if I didnt get the chance to take that option the NHS job is still a good start at least for now and who knows what Allah has planned for me right. Im only just realising now the benefit of not knowing what is planned and that we can plan all we want things dont always turn out as we expect. Take my move to UK for instance, I thought I knew exactly the reason for me coming back, but as time moved on and things seemed the same, I began to question and now that my uncle has passed Im fairly sure I was brought over here for him. However, I really dont mind the reasoning for being here and Im not going to consume my time with questions and theories.
Anyways, dont want to bore anyone.. just wanted to tell you whats in my head at the moment :) Ive recently been lent the 4 'Twilight' series books and I have to tell you I love them!! I was up until about 430am reading the 1st one, Ive finished that (after starting yesterday evening) and am now into the 2nd book (new moon) I love all these fantasy books, go ahead tell me its haram, that I shouldnt be reading this, but its my life! yeh you heard me :) Ive not picked my stitching up in awhile, but insha'allah Ill do some tomorrow. My Grandad got took into hospital this morning too, they have decided to keep him in overnight for observation so insha'allah he will be back soon.
Anything else? I have a car at present, until tuesday.. not much planned really although I should. Going to see my cousin probably tomorrow, am off to meet a friend in Manchester on Friday and maybe go to Trafford Centre with her (depends if she has a car) am also looking into an Islamic retreat in the dales in a few weeks time.. Ive been to a few before while I was at uni, it would be good to catch up with some old friends insha'allah.