We came across this free exhibition in the town hall whilst out for a stroll this morning and I was intrigued. Brothers outside were welcoming non-Muslims from the busy shopping centre with promises of free food and a gift bag. We decided to go and have a look and it turned out to be an […]
I rarely get stressed, especially never about work. What happen happens right? I love everything to be orderly and in its place. I can think straight when my desk is straight and my craft materials are in order. I know what to cook and what chores need doing when the house is in order.Funny how […]
As it is the precious Jummah day and because I am in a good mood (despite the kids throwing Penguin chocolate bars into the loo and blocking it up) this list felt apt: The Pleasure of Small Things Eating toast in bed on a rainy day.The feeling of warm water on my hands when you […]
I was rushing through my evening as usual, when Little Lady and Little Man asked to pick strawberries. I’m amazed how much joy they got from something as simple as picking strawberries, helping wash and prepare them and then gobble them down. Our patch is so little that we get three or four red ones […]
We had great fun last night with our first family chand raat (night before Eid) celebration. Technically, it was two nights before Eid, but we fugured everyone would be busy tomorrow night. We swapped “Secret Mullah” presents (thanks girls!), got our henna done, ate pizza and watched old wedding video’s (one from 20 years ago, one […]
You know that moment, when you feel you are at a loose end? There is a pile of work in front of you and a long to-do list, there are various people demanding your attention and a long day of work ahead and yet you just are not inclined to do anything anytime soon except […]
Every day at the same time, just before it is time to go to madrassah: Little Man: “I’ve got a really bad headache” Today, just before it is time to go to madrassah: Little Man: “I’ve got a really bad headache” Me: “Okay, We’ll get you a blood test because you have headcahe this time […]
Last week, my daughter got dressed in her school uniform, brushed her hair and then…put a scarf on her head. I watched her with curiosity out of the corner of my eye as she ate her breakfast and then gathered up her schools things as we set off for school. I watched with curiosity because […]
Today I put together just the kind of outfit I like (cheap) and had just the kind of day I like today (got lots done, got good news and then skived on the net for the afternoon) alhamdulillah.The abaya is made from material that cost me £5 at Green Street’s Queens Market and is my […]
We don’t celebrate New Years in our home, except for the fireworks with the kids from their bedroom window and seeing if there is a good kids film on the TV on New Y ears Day at my mums. However the changing of the year is as good a time as any to reflect on […]
You might be wondering what I mean by Asian Mean Time. It’s what one of my African friends also calls “African Time”. Partly, this is the inability of people to get to a place at an agreed time, but it’s more than that, it’s the idea that if you agree a time, you actually mean […]
I came across this lovely post called 21 Suggestions For Success & Happiness at Sister Zaufishan’s wonderful blog. She has re-posted a similar list by Mr H. Jackson Brown Jr called “21 Suggestions for Success”. It got me thinking. What has 32 and a ½ years of life, 11 years of marriage and nearly 9 […]
Start new job tomorrow. It wouldn’t be the first time in a new office, so wonder why I am a bit stressed out. My previous job was my first after I graduated and although I did want to further my studies, at the time I felt it was time to work. I ended up staying […]
Jasvinder Sanghera is the founder of Karma Nirvana, a charity that supports South Asian women suffering from domestic abuse and honour-based violence. This book details her own story and what led to her drive to set up a charity for Asian women in particular.Sanghera describes her upbringing in Derby amongst the South Asian and particularly […]
