Two posts in one go, woohoo!

Thank you to all of you who have wished me all the best during my difficult Master's dissertation times! I can gladly say that I have now graduated and that this chapter is forever closed, alhamdulilah :-) Alhamdulilah again just because I really truly mean it!

I am so anti virus right now

Virus is the new word in my daily vocabulary. Having learned about it first in Science lessons and then in IT, I went on to further teach this to my students. I thought I was all virus'd out when I somehow mysteriously en counted a Trojan virus on my USB stick. Turns out that it somehow transferred from my school PC but luckily for me, my home anti virus software readily identified and attacked it. Computer viruses all out, I then encountered the scientific virus when members of my family were recently infected by it. Of course, spending a couple of days with them during my holidays last week would lead to me catching it too and oh boy, did I suffer or what. One and half days off work and dying of utter boredom and sickness I am oh so virus'd out.

Having just about recovered from a strong bout of virus attack, the one single piece of advice I can share is: eat your oranges, or drink the juice if that's what you're into. As soon as the sour sweet juices hits the back of the throat and induces a tingling feeling, you can be sure that you're well on your way to recovery, yessir, I know.

Thought of the day [2]

The lessons are usually not all that obvious. Yet they are there if you will think to take a look. The lessons are there in every moment, in every dilemma, in every frustration and every joy. They are there in every sadness, every victory, every discomfort and every pleasure.








[src]

Wave in the air!

Salaam everyone

What can I say, it's been a while. While I may not have logged on and typed more words (of utter randomness) I have been coming back to keep myself updated with all that is going on in your lives. What's kept me from logging on? Hmm, hard to say really. This period of time that has passed has been one of speed full of exciting-ness and sheer unknowing-ness. Forgive me for my lack of words today.

In a summary then:

1. Blogging is cool, fun and a great 'me time' place
2. Working is fantastic mashaAllah, just wish it was full time! This past term has been another hectic one but I am so proud of all the girls and the hard work that they have put in :-)
3. The job hunting process returns! And it is one hell of a pooper. Really stinks. I have an interview on Wednesday and have been planning stuff for it since yesterday. Allah only knows what is in store for me. More details to follow, naturally :-) Keep me in your duas please!
4. Another *counts on fingers* 5-6 months left before the hubs and I fly the nest, his nest, rather. Living with the in-laws must come to a natural end and inshaAllah we will leave amicably with their blessings.
5. I graduate in 2 weeks time! Yeah that's right, I've offically earned my Masters (with Merit!). Hoorah! lol

So, there you have it. A snippet into the life of a mint.fresh.muslim.

Until next time, ciao amigos!

Thought of the day

Stop making judgments about the things that don't matter. And you'll free yourself to focus on the things that do.

France to Fine Women Who Wear Burqas in Public

I heard about this on a topical debate show the other day [I was snowed in, couldn't go to work and indulged in some morning tele :-)] and just the sound of something like this actually becoming a part of France's legislation made me shudder and wonder how the women who choose to wear the niqaab would feel about this. The pro-legislators argument that these women who wear the niqab are not only discriminating others by choosing to cover their identity, but are also degrading themselves in the process; just smacks of pure hypocrisy and ignorance to me. If this piece (of crap) passes the National Assembly, I dread to think how the hostile atmosphere between the French Muslims and non Muslims will be exacerbated, surely it's nothing but another stick to beat us Muslims with. Why we can't just be left alone to get on with our lives, Lord knows. Anyway, more than the article itself, you may find the comments made at the end of the article, slightly more entertaining. Go "The Muslim" person! Click here to check it out.

Wearing a burqa in France may soon result in a fine. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

The French government is taking aggressive action against burqas -- the veils worn by Islamic women to obscure their faces.

In a decision destined to cause an uproar, the president of France's leading UMP Party has announced that he is drafting legislation that would fine those who wear a burqa on the street or in a public place, the Daily Mail reports.

Jean-Francois Copé, who is reportedly ready to file the draft in the National Assembly, suggested that fines be as much as 750 euros (approximately $1,073).

Copé said that the fines would also apply to anyone who covers their face in public as well as men who force their female family members to wear a burqa, according to the paper.

"Permanently masking one's face in public spaces is not an expression of individual liberty," Copé has reportedly said in the past.

"It's a negation of oneself, a negation of others, a negation of social life."

The move is just the last effort by the French government to ban the controversial veil. President Nicolas Sarkozy has previously stated that burqas were "not welcome" as they stand as a "sign of subservience and debasement that imprison women," the source adds.

As we previously covered, French immigration minister Eric Besson has also called for a burqa ban, deeming them "unacceptable."

Meanwhile, a parliamentary commission investigating the veil is reportedly due to publish its findings next month.

Though France is home to more than five million Muslims, cites the paper, a recent police report stated that only about 400 women there wore veils because the majority of the country's Muslim immigrants come from North Africa, where veils are less prominent.

Still, it remains to be seen what effect a proposed heavy fine will have on the country's Muslim community -- and whether such a fine violates France's rights to religious freedom.

Fashion Drool

What I found:

This little bargain gem caught my frugal eye down in Oxford St when the hubs and I took my younger sis and bro out in London. Cost me £19 for a smart woolly coat with a hawt design on the back panels. Paaaw!

What I want:

Oh how I LOVE this coat. Every single part of it. The colour, the back buttons, the belt....oh fabulous! Shame Victoria's Secret seems to be only located in America and not in the UK :-(