Sometimes Bad Things Happen

{ original image: National Geographic }

Food for thought.

My Muslim Identity Crisis

It's remarkable how fast this year has gone by and I know I haven't blogged as earnestly as I used to. The truth is I've spent the last 8 months in Malaysia trying to figure out some things. It has taken me a while to feel comfortable enough to admit this but for the last one and half years I haven't felt completely like myself. It was as if I had lost a part of myself. When you're trying to become a better Muslim it's very easy to get caught up in the do's and don'ts or in Islam, the halal's and haram's. For me it was very subconscious but also a result of people projecting their idea of the ideal Muslim woman towards me.

I miss being "me" without people judging me because I am a Muslim blogger. I understand why people have expectations of me and I'm sure most of them have the best of intentions but they don't personally know me, the life I've been through and the effort I'm making to be a better Muslim. I may wear hijab and write a lot about Islam but I don't want to be labelled as a "religious" Muslim.

I'm Muslim. That's it.

Style Sunday: The Drape Effect

I have lost count of the number of weddings I've attended this year. It seems Malaysians love to get married! That means there's a wedding almost every weekend and while it's good for us to wear our finest dresses more than once, it's also nice to appear with a fresh, new look every now and then. When I have a fashion emergency and need something pronto I turn to FashionValet.net. They're known for their speedy delivery (and not to mention, great selection of clothes for both men and women). 

top: ZAWARA Devonna blouse in blue from FashionValet.net (worth every dollar at only RM 99!) bottom: a baju kurung (traditional Malay dress) skirt

PMS = Temporary Insanity

PMS can cause wild, uncontrollable mood swings in some women, who may go from crying spells to angry outbursts and anxiety attacks, then back to a stable emotional state — all in one day.  Everyday Health

Is PMS classified under temporary insanity? 

Because it should be. Although I haven't had "wild" mood swings I do feel I've been having "uncontrollable" emotions. There is no other explanation for the way I've been thinking, feeling, acting and saying lately. And the worst part is I don't even know when I'm PMS-ing. I'm either oblivious to my craziness or it feels completely justified until that light bulb moment occurs and I finally snap out of it. This moment can happen anywhere and anytime. When it happened to me today I felt guilty, horrified and embarrassed all at once as I walked down the supermarket aisle with a blank look on my face. What on Earth came over me? I'm a horrible person. Why did I say that? Why did I do that? He must think I'm insane! Everyone must think I'm insane. I think I'm insane. I can't turn back time! Can I disappear under a blanket and not come out of bed for the rest of the week now? These were some of the thoughts that circled my mind after the light bulb moment.

Style Sunday: Cape Town

Cape Malay Quarter by Vincent Mounier

I haven't done a Style Sunday post in aaaages. I can assure you that you aren't missing out on too much. I'm quite the simpleton these days. By the way, no, I'm not in Cape Town, though I really wish I were because it's in my list of top 10 cities to visit. It's just that this outfit I wore yesterday is a fusion of Malay and African influences. The maxi dress is from FashionValet.net and it's by Pink Jambu, a Malaysian brand which incorporates batik into its designs, and the hijab I donned looks like an African turban except I've styled it in such a way so the hijab would provide more coverage. The combination of the two cultures reminded me of Cape Town because of the famous Cape Town Malay quarters called Bo-Kaap.

Apart from the cutting and colour, what I like most about this dress is the quality of the cotton material.

Faith Friday: The Servant Leader

I love reading hadiths. They're like short stories that provide insight to the message of the Qur'an and the hadith qudsi below is one that made a huge impact on me.

"Allah (mighty and sublime be He) will say on the Day of Resurrection: 'O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not.' He will say: 'O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds?' He will say: 'Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him?  

Rinad Tamimi Won the Scholarship But Does She Deserve It?

I'd like to officially congratulate my friend Rinad Tamimi on winning the 2012 AMP People's Choice Scholarship! Thank you to everyone who voted and supported her. It really does mean a lot to her and her family and they are very grateful to each and every one of you. On a less exciting note, Rinad has been receiving personal attacks about her rallying "Muslim votes" and "Palestinian votes" and as her friend I have to say something to the people who have been doing so. 

A Box of Love from England

I believe one of the best things about being a blogger is "meeting" like-minded fellow bloggers and readers whom I would probably never meet if it weren't for my blog. My blogger friend, Ashi,  is one of those people to me. I often tell her that if we knew each other in "real life" we would be best friends. You know, hanging out and sipping chai all the time. We had this uncanny connection from the get-go.  She's kind, humble, sincere, funny and smart. Plus, I'm pretty sure she has a cool British accent. Who wouldn't want a best friend like her? While I was away in Korea she went through all the trouble to send me this parcel and I was overjoyed to receive it when I returned from my trip. I love snail mail! 

Wanna find out what's in this candy cane reminiscent parcel?