Friendship
What is friendship? Throughout my twenty-eight years, I've learned that there are many definitions of the word, but the key to experiencing true friendship is finding those people whose definition is the same as yours. I think that's where people tend to fall off when it comes to their "friends". They go through experiences with certain people who they labeled as a friend, but then that person will turn around and do something that isn't, in their mind, considered something a friend would do. I've learned that it's not that at all...it's just that everyone has a different definition of what friendship means; when certain actions don't fall under your definition, the relationship becomes confusing. They have confused a friend with an associate.
I am blessed to have found people whose definition of frienship matches my own. Our definition states that a friend is one who is G-d fearing, kind, considerate, selfless, caring, honest, trustworthy, dependable, is not sneaky, does not envy, enjoys your company, has your best interest at heart at all times, and whose smile has nothing behind it except great intentions. When you find people who share your definition, there is an instant attraction, and the friendship is difficult to break...these friendships are long-lasting and truly cherished.
To all my friends, thank you for your frienship and I pray that I am being a friend to you as well.
The scores are in...
ALHAMDULLAH, I PASSED THE PRAXIS!!!! All praises are due to Allah (swt). 2007 looks like it's going to be a year for change.
I have to give a huge THANK YOU to Azizah who gave me a Praxis I study guide a few years back which REALLY came in handy. Thanks for helping me pass, Miss!
Shame, Shame, Shame
The other day I was bored and decided to do some rearranging around the house. I have this "closet" in which I keep products that I rarely use. I decided to move these things to another place in the house when I realized the horror. I have so much stuff that I just buy, but never end up using...it's crazy. I could open my own Bath and Body Works stand. The picture above only represents about 60% of these products that I have, but don't use. Remember folks, these are the products I DON'T use...I have another "closet" for the ones I do use. So, I guess I can't buy anything else for myself until all these things are gone...although I know that's a promise I'll break in a day. If I had all the money back that I've spent on products that I don't use, I could probably use it to pay my car note this month.
The sad thing is Bath and Body Works is having it's semi-annual sale beginning December 27th. I live for these sales cause things are up to 75% off...I'll just stock up for the year and then I won't buy anything else.....hopefully....
Deeper than Aesthetics...
Over the years, I have come across many people who believe it is my responsibility to "support" the Muslim community through functions such as banquets, dances, conventions, fashion shows, etc. What these people fail to realize is that my support runs deeper than the aesthetics of it all. If I've chosen to attend any of the following in the past, or choose to in the future, know that it was only for entertainment and never in the name of "support". My idea of "support" is actual work in order to make a difference...hmmmm, for example, like working at Clara Muhammad School for four years. The community was in need of a teacher, and that was my field; therefore, I went to work there as a means of "support". I accepted a below D.C. poverty level salary, which we never received on time, as a means of "support". I worked for four years with no medical or dental insurance as a means of "support". I taught students with outdated textbooks and obtained things they needed in order to receive a quality education by spending parts of my salary on materials for them as a means of "support". I attended various Muslim schools throughout my educational career; therefore, I "supported" younger Muslim students by serving as a role model for them as various educators had done for me. After four years of "support", I left to pursue other interest, but still manage to keep a "supportive" relationship with the school, the teachers, and the students. Therefore, the next time anyone feels the need to question me based on the fact that I decline to eat dried chicken, veggies, and red potatoes at a banquet, twirl around on a dance floor, sit in a room and listen to various lectures at a convention, and/or watch folks walk back and forth in semi-impressive clothing at a fashion show in the name of "support", make sure you check my track record, accept the decision I've made for myself (cause I'm grown), and either begin another topic of conversation or keep your ass moving.
I Got Tagged...
Ha Ha...so, I've been tagged...thanks Muneera, I think...
Here are the rules: Each player of the game starts with the "6 weird things about you". People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end you need to choose six people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you're tagged' in their comments and tell them to read your blog.
It was really hard coming up with six things I consider weird about myself. I'm pretty sure other folks could have 10 pages of weird things they think I do, but because I do them, I consider them normal :). So, I guess these are six things I'll admit that I consider weird about myself.
1. I LOVE the movie Annie...always have, always will...know every line by heart. But, that's not the weird thing. The weird thing is that every since I saw the scene where Daddy Warbucks gives her the locket, I've been obsessed with the blue box and the white ribbon and had vowed to one day have one myself. It wasn't until I was much older that I realized that it was from Tiffany & Co. (although they do state that in the movie, but hell, I didn't know what Tiffany's was...I grew up in SE, DC so it never clicked). So, I've been obsessed with having something from Tiffany & Co. only because of the blue box and the white ribbon...it's not that I care so much about the actual jewelry, I just want the box and the ribbon. (HINT: So, if and when I get serious about some guy and he happens to hint around for suggestions about a wedding ring from anyone, be sure to tell him that if he wants me to say yes, make sure it comes in a blue box with a white ribbon, ahem...)
2. I won't eat from places that sound disgusting. For example, there is this sandwich shop in GA that has a reputation for having the greatest sandwiches, but I never ate from there because the place was named "Gutbusters"...there is also a place in MD that I won't step foot in cause the name of the place is "Potbelly". I mean, I really don't want to think about big stomachs when I'm eating my food...
3. I take showers at the most random times for no reason whatsoever. I'll just be at home in the middle of watching a movie or doing whatever, and just all of a sudden stop just to go take a shower. Strange...I just love showers. If I'm home all day without going out, I'll probably average about four or five showers that day.
4. Speaking of showers, I don't feel clean unless I finish myself off with a shower gel. It's the weirdest thing. I will wash all over with soap and be extra clean, but if I don't finish it off with a nice shower gel, I don't feel "complete" when I step out.
5. I get seriously annoyed when people fail to use their turn signals when changing lanes or making turns. I mean, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR!!! I don't know why it pisses me off, but it does. I may have to seek counseling for it...
6. I love to eat microwave popcorn with Hershey's Chocolate Syrup on it. I also love to chew Bazooka Joe bubble gum, but only if I have a cup of milk to drink while i'm chewing it...I love the taste the combination makes.
Ok, well, I'm tagging Sherifah and Sara...yeah, Sara, you didn't get off the hook! Those are the only two I know with blogs that Muneera hasn't gotten to yet.
Happy Birthday To Me
Tuesday's Child is full of grace...
(I was born on a Tuesday and today is Tuesday...I'm loving it)
So, I'm 28...Alhamdullah, I've made it this far. Today was a beautiful day...very peaceful and relaxing. The moon was so visible this morning when I was on my way to work that I had to take a picture of it from the car. I tend to keep my camera in my purse for moments like this. This was the start to a very relaxing day.
After work, I had planned to spend the evening in, but my mom wanted to go to dinner, so we went to Red Lobster cause it was close. To my surprise, I ran into this guy I knew a couple of years ago while waiting to be seated. So, we stood there, catching up on old business and I threw in there that today is my birthday. I got a happy birthday hug and a smile, then our table was called, so we said our "good-byes and nice seeing you agains". So, I'm sitting there having a GREAT dinner (I've underestimated Red Lobster) and enjoying my mom's company. When we were done, we asked for the bill to which our waitress tells us that our ticket had been taken care of. Of course, I'm sitting there like "you must be mistaken" and she's like, "No, the gentleman over there took care of it and said to wish you a happy birthday". I was truly pleasantly surprised and went over to thank him and swore to "keep in touch" like folks always say to each other, but never really do. I just thought that was sweet, so my birthday began and ended on a nice note.
Thank you everyone for all your birthday wishes!!!
No Category
The card industry needs to focus on cards that are geared towards folks who aren't necesarily "friends" but hold more than the "associate" title. I went looking for a birthday card for a "between friend and associate" and found that none of them fit what I wanted to say. The "friend" cards didn't really fit the person and to give it would just be a lie, but the plain "Happy Birthday" cards just didn't do it for me either...like I owed the person a little more than that. If anyone from Hallmark is reading this, you all need a card that says something like "You're a great person whose company I enjoy, but I wouldn't call you with my business....Happy Birthday".
