tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483054078478850672024-03-14T14:43:54.038-04:00Thoughts from the desk of the Barefoot Empress...Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-8377530043973418082012-03-24T09:18:00.003-04:002012-03-24T17:22:28.440-04:00Checking up... and in!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ocDj1PC5BFQLAzkSbpkZ9w-i7RB7fxNKY14pnhOlCFrrGSGZfLhyYTa5Lb7zt4Bsj4-5B3YuyweD4X1cB8Plo96T1oRzY-Mppw2zsxbES-EN1Vv4YFc2iOwQcGRDVhLeV4zk24hvabZd/s1600/161415_584750081_985193928_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ocDj1PC5BFQLAzkSbpkZ9w-i7RB7fxNKY14pnhOlCFrrGSGZfLhyYTa5Lb7zt4Bsj4-5B3YuyweD4X1cB8Plo96T1oRzY-Mppw2zsxbES-EN1Vv4YFc2iOwQcGRDVhLeV4zk24hvabZd/s320/161415_584750081_985193928_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723460577860834178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum, people and hello to everyone else out there in the world... I'm passing through as the Man (the hubby) as given me an assignment to do which requires some time being spent on Blogger... so what's a better time to hit you all up with a blurb about my life!<br /><br /><br />So..... I'm currently searching for a new school for the brood.... totally NOT satisfied with the establishment they've been in for the last 3 years... things change and the best teachers there have since moved on so I need to find a better school, a decent school where my kids can get what they need both secular and Islamically (which no easy task here). A zillion schools and a whole bunch of issues in about 99% of them!!!! It's a daunting task but it must be done.... hopefully I can be be successful in finding "the one".......<br /><br />What else,...... let's see- of course, the babies aren't babies anymore, the Naughty Princess, Big Papi, Little Papi and Papito are 7,5,3 and 2 respectively- wasting no time!!! And it's that time again to plan their new yearly ritual of a themed party after the school year ends- their reward for their hard work and studying all year... so this year's theme is princess and pirates.... let the costume search begin! It's the least I can do for the poor things.... they have no real time to play and hang like how we used to growing up so I try to make up for it by doing something with/for them every month... they most definitely deserve it!!!! It should be (I hope) a better party this year as I intend to invite Big Papi's entire KG class, Little Papi's Baby class group and the Naughty Princess is "selective" (slightly tilted upwards nose) with her friends so whomever she decides is attending shall be there..... lots of kids, running and screaming so I chose a nice huge park with a big kiddie playground for them to go crazy in... can't wait myself... a nice fish pond, play area along with camel and horse riding... hopefully it can bring a smile to their faces, Insha'Allah!<br /><br />Life has been very busy but good, Alhamdulillah, so I can't complain about anything.... I look forward to end of this academic year and I hope to pursue a few things of my own now that the brood is getting big.... I need personal fulfillment now in other areas to be more pleased with myself- I look forward to the challenge and making it happen!<br /><br />Hope to have another "mental break" sometime soon so I can check back in again.... but if I don't get a chance, everyone be safe and happy and do random acts of kindness towards your fellow brothers/sisters!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-35961227222936342222011-06-04T16:16:00.004-04:002011-06-04T17:11:08.334-04:00Desertion!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJFKIjKQvr1hwiokWYVKRl2W2SFsmwOXO3b29z6kjSAbe8WuF8tl5hufGsL8s_wmdeN74KA7Qvi6RxK1MLMOyo9kU9ljSzhB9p4-_6dgBgc3cdhNpFZ5EAV1fZFKoj8sD3LeKU1exVH4q/s1600/santorini-sunset.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJFKIjKQvr1hwiokWYVKRl2W2SFsmwOXO3b29z6kjSAbe8WuF8tl5hufGsL8s_wmdeN74KA7Qvi6RxK1MLMOyo9kU9ljSzhB9p4-_6dgBgc3cdhNpFZ5EAV1fZFKoj8sD3LeKU1exVH4q/s320/santorini-sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614473720639440338" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum, my dearest people...... and hello to everyone/anyone else reading my blurb... yeah, it's been a LOOOONG while since the Empress has passed through... I know, this action is called desertion or abandonment but I HAVE been busy! Six months worth of busy... on many different levels. And I must admit, a little lazy too with sitting down to actually type about life nowadays- as I have stated before, it's become toooo easy to keep up with family and friends on FB... I just type a few lines and hit that "share" button = life and/or thoughts sent!<br /><br />So many things have happened in six months, Alhamdulillah, mostly all good so I don't where to exactly begin... there hasn't been anything "major" to report about... just keeping up the brood with the eldest two being in school- handling their studies and trying to keep them on track with all the have to do... it's amazing just how much work the wee ones get these days... my daughter will enter 2nd grade in the fall, and I must tell you, the work load from last year with ALL the textbooks was astounding!!!! But my Naughty Princess worked very diligently so she did well, thanks and praises be to Allah! And add to all that schoolwork, she and her brother have a Qur'an/Arabic teacher who comes to our home 3-4 times per week for 2 hours each session.... and she gives her a bunch of homework too each class!!! My daughter's school year ritual: off the bus, wash her hands, have a snack, within that hour span- in with tutor for 2 hours, dinner and homework simultaneously since the work load is unbelievable... so she can sleep by 8! Poor thing.... so my reward for her hard work? A nice little Princess party!!! I invited a bunch of little girls so they could all play "dress up" and eat and run around... complete with princess crowns and coloring books.... along with face painting and my favorite obsession, henna! They all had a blast and it appears all the Mommies had a good time as well.... :)<br /><br />So, now, I'm prepping my third child for baby class for the fall... my big dilemma right now? Finding a good/safe/educationally sound preschool to enroll him in for the summer... I want to get him ready and used to the idea of not being with me or seeing me all day.... I don't want him to have a panic attack or start crying when the school year rolls around so I think this is a good time for my "shadow" to gain some more independence.... but all the best preschools have no space!!! So, what is a Mom to do when she's looking to make it happen for her kid? Call and play the "art of negotiation".... that's what all the smart Mommies try to do anyways... ha! What can I tell ya... you can take the girl outta New York.... ;)<br /><br />There are many ideas/past passions lingering in my mind that I need to tie up, do something with but I don't know where to begin exactly... some has to do with writing (book and article writing) and the other stuff is centered around my brood.... my biggest problem is that living in Cairo, it's hard to find or get to the resources you need in order to be successful... some things we would find to be trivial back home is a BIG to-do here... and it sucks. Either people don't know, it doesn't exist here or it's insanely mega expensive to obtain.... I guess the mentality is, if you're smart enough to know about it or seek it out, you got the mula to pay for it..... :S<br /><br />Now... will I promise like I have in the past to post on Fridays... nah, I can't make the commitment especially with summer being here... I'll be busy scooting the bigger kids to practices, Insha'Allah (gotta make them well-rounded) and back home in the afternoons for a jump start on next year's Arabic and keep up with their Qur'an lessons.... while I find and hopefully be "scooting" the third spawn back and forth to his summer session... somewhere.... which means I'll just have my Mini-me son at home, attached like glue to my lap...... :)<br /><br />I hope these lines find all of you in the very best of everything.... and I will try to pop back in sooner than six months from now!!! Sending you all my warmest wishes...... be well!!!</span><br /></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-60186771873894153492010-12-15T01:26:00.033-05:002010-12-15T09:47:57.425-05:00Sisterhood: Are YOU your sister's keeper? The lost art of friendship<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcEJthfs7cIyVRM0aa0XXAuy8DaWYruA-Wojc3xbPum4mYk301DAZGASf0iljnYgSa45ykjCqxWjw9D5zljylZhwAfQDfiDRH2K-1nsZT0MwrS88pGYYsnxWph-aicyrEYOBQ7rqkEMFe/s1600/0niqab_sokabs_235243601.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcEJthfs7cIyVRM0aa0XXAuy8DaWYruA-Wojc3xbPum4mYk301DAZGASf0iljnYgSa45ykjCqxWjw9D5zljylZhwAfQDfiDRH2K-1nsZT0MwrS88pGYYsnxWph-aicyrEYOBQ7rqkEMFe/s320/0niqab_sokabs_235243601.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550820330038473970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum everyone in the blog world.... you know, I have been talking about an issue for a while as I've been watching how we, as Muslim women, embrace each other with companionship/friendship... and our relationships amongst ourselves have deteriorated into nothing!<br /><br />I've met more than a few women after moving here to Cairo and me being me, embraced everyone for "face value" but after a while, you "weed out" the not-so good ones and keep the rest... meaning I see if the person is one I would want to keep company with long enough to consider her a friend: is she upstanding? A backbiter? A slanderer? A liar? A drama queen? These type of people are counter-productive... and very bad for YOUR Islam. You ARE the company you keep as if you don't start out that way eventually you WILL become part of that which they do... seriously, are you looking for extra sins??? I know I have more than enough to repent for, as we all do but you need to protect yourself and your deen from the fitnah that lies within these treacherous borders....<br /><br />An honorable sister posted a good message in one of the Muslimah forums on Facebook about backbiting/slander which I think, would be beneficial for ALL to read...<br /></span><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Salaamu alaikum everyone, </strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Some of the fitnah on here needs to be stopped dead in it's tracks. I am one of those people who feels like everything is what you make of it. I don't think Facebook is evil or that it is a fitnah because the same people who will be on here causing all kinds of trouble will be on the phone doing it if they didn't have internet, or will be at the masjid saying all kinds of things etc... it is all about what you make it but there needs to be an understanding attained from all of this. There is NEVER a reason to knowingly sin. I don't care if someone is on your page, in their house or even in YOUR house sinning, what you do will go right along with them, or even do something that is haraam back, you are just as wrong. Your being angry is not an excuse. Honestly, there are only two excuses for it, either you are not at the age of understanding (puberty) or you are majnoon (insane). If you have a mental disease or ailment, this isn't the same as being insane. Being insane means you don't understand and lack the intellect to control yourself and your actions. It's not just having some diagnosis, no matter what it is, and thinking this is now an excuse to hurt others and oppress them with no accountability</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Pen has been lifted from three: from the insane person who has no control over his reason until he recovers, from the sleeper until he wakes up, and from the child until he reaches puberty. ”Narrated by Abu Dawood (4399); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>When the woman asks about her husband the scholar replied in the case of your husband’s sickness, either he is aware of what he is doing and saying, or he is not aware. If he is aware, then he is accountable for what he says and does, and it is not permissible for him to accuse you or to fail to raise his children; he must do what Allah has enjoined upon him of acts of worship and obedience, and not do that which Allah has forbidden. In this case you must carry out all marital duties and it is not permissible for you to neglect them. If he is not aware of what he is saying and doing as the result of this sickness, then he is no longer accountable for what he says and does.</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>As you can see from the above statements, you can't have some and not the other... Either you understand and know what you are doing is wrong or you don't. If you do, then you do and using a mental ailment as an excuse (unless it is valid) is not a reason to mistreat and oppress others. The way I feel personally is that if enough of us put in some mental symptoms that we experience into Google, I am sure we would have some kind of diagnosis at the end of the day, myself included. I am pretty sure I would come out with anger management issues, and maybe even ADD... At times, I am sure I was even depressed... but it was and still is NO reason for me to do wrong against myself, or others, and most importantly, my lord. As he is an ever all watcher over us and knows what we do.</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Prophet Muhammad said :"Do you know what backbiting is?" They said, "God and His Messenger know best." He then said, "It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike." Someone asked him, "But what if what I say is true?" The Messenger of God said, "If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him." (Muslim)</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>"I asked the Messenger of God : Who is the best Muslim? The Messenger of God replied, "He is the one from whom Muslims are safe from the evil of his tongue and hands." (Muslim) </strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>"When man wakes up in the morning each day, all parts of the body warn the tongue saying, ‘Fear God as regards us for we are at your mercy; if you are upright, we will be upright and if you are crooked, we become crooked.’" (At-Tirmidhee)</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Backbiting isn't only something that someone does about one person, it could even be about a group of people. And before you go listening to what someone says about someone else, just remember that it may not be something that is true that is being stated. The person could be out right lying or lying by omission. I have seen it so much where people tell only what others do to them, not what they do to other people. Then everyone is looking at the other person as if they have wronged the other individual when really, it was none of your business to begin with and it didn't help you to find out and would not have hurt you to never know. </strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>It was narrated by Abu Hurairah that the Messenger (Salallahu Alayhi Wa Salaam) said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent." Sahih Bukhari.</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Allah said what was translated in the Qur'an, "Oppression is worse than murder." (Surah Baqarah: Ayah 192)</strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Even if you are not the one saying something about anyone else, if you are listening and lending an ear to it, then you are just as guilty and will carry the same sin. We all have the ability to cut it off at the head and end it often time before it even begins. </strong></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Here is a suggestion... the next time someone comes and tells you what someone did to them, ask them what they did to make this person do this. If they come acting innocent, just remember that if the other person has any sense about themselves, then you are NOT getting the whole story. You get what you give. If you are not going to get both sides to the story, then don't lend an ear to either side as this is what is fair.</strong></span></p><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I personally feel that was a very powerful message.... what happened to being your sister's keeper? Most women are so shallow these days, they don't (or won't) form bonds with women for STUPID reasons and then they tend to backbite based on their jealousy... I know what I'm talking about... it's happened to me. These women (for lack of a better term) will dislike you and backbite/slander you because your husband is better looking than theirs(!)... or your children are more beautiful than theirs(!)... or you have some wealth or more means that Allah has blessed you with... you dress better than them... you live in a nicer home than them... your husband is from another nationality than you (yes, people... petty women are even jealous of this)... your shoes are nicer than theirs... your group of friends is bigger than theirs... ?????????????????????????? Is this what we as Muslimahs have become? Why not say, "Masha'Allah" for that sister for all these things that were not begotten by her own hands but was giving to her by the Most-Merciful Allah?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Instead these SAME sisters who backbite and slander will brag and tell you they study Qur'an and Arabic at some of the best centers here and there along with Fiqh and 'Aqeedah but yet they don't practice or apply ANYTHING they've learned.... so, your knowledge is for what exactly? They come home from these same centers of learning and pick up the phone and slander/backbite her sister about something that happened at school... something she heard from another sister... maybe something she saw another sister doing wrong (oh yeah, can't pass up THAT opportunity!)... or PRYING into people's business to get information about other sisters which is none of your concern to begin with- what is this all about? Shaytan has corrupted the minds of more than a few of us... and it's starting to wear away at the very fabric which keeps us tied together as humans, as women, as MUSLIMAHS in Islam.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And let's not forget our children... if your children play often enough with the children of these women, you will more than likely see the same from them... the apple tends not to fall too far from the tree. If they see or hear Mommy doing it, then it's normal and okay. And it's funny, kids will "give you up"- have you ever witnessed this scenario: when you know someone is a backbiter and she loves to talk about people and YOU ARE the target of the moment, you will notice their kids will look at you strange and/or their behavior towards you will be different... seen it... it's happened to me- and I laugh! But they heard Mommy and ALL she had to say about you... and kids are innocent so what do you expect? They are creatures of their environment... so be mindful who your kids are playing with as well- all the little boys who curse or swear or beat on other kids... and all the "too sassy" little girls whose Mothers put colored lip gloss and/or lipstick and nail polish on them when they just stopped wearing diapers... these are the kind of girls you want your daughters playing with? And when she starts to like "Amina's look" and ask you for some, what do you say? I must tell you, I'm very selective with whom my bigger children play with... both of them, Masha'Allah, are good kids and I want to keep them that way as long as possible so I watch the action/behavior of those kids I let them be around. If I see or hear things that I feel should not the behavior of that child, my kids can not keep their company, full stop. My kids circle of friends may not be big but that's okay as they don't need to play with every kid because all the other sisters let their kids play together- if you see something questionable, I would suggest removing your kids from that environment as well... heed the warning!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I blogged about this sisterhood issue over the last few years so if you have time and care to, read my entries from these periods:</span></span><br /></span> <p face="arial" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://thebarefootempress.blogspot.com/2010/07/sisterhood-where-art-thou.html">Sisterhood... where are thou?</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://thebarefootempress.blogspot.com/2010/07/sisterhood-where-art-thou.html"> </a></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <a href="http://thebarefootempress.blogspot.com/2009/02/sisterhood.html">Sisterhood</a></span></p> <p face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://http//thebarefootempress.blogspot.com/2008/12/moral-support.html">Moral Support</a></p> <p face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://http//thebarefootempress.blogspot.com/2008/11/where-has-sisterhood-gone.html">Where has sisterhood gone</a>?</p><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We all must try to remem</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ber our duty(ies) to our fellow sister... and do you really want to eat your sister's flesh? Be mindful of the company you keep for yourself and your children... may Allah protect us all from the whispers of the dejected one (Insha'Allah, Ameen!)<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >A sweet little Muslimah posted something recently I totally liked... and I think it reflects my attitude as well... if my circle of friends here in Cairo perishes, I feel like this: "I'm in my own little world... that's okay, they know me here."</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I'm ever thankful to Allah for all the friends and sisters who know and understand the essence and heart of TRUE sisterhood back home... I do miss them so... may Allah always keep them that way!!!<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Will you be your sister's keeper... or will you eat her flesh??? Think about it..... I love you all for the pleasure of Allah!</span></span></span><br /><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span> </span></p><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"></span><p style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);"><strong></strong></p>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-77262394409447311202010-11-22T05:29:00.010-05:002010-11-23T00:36:42.929-05:00The Empress is back........<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_8KwIIWTKZlJ8_KbzjnsR89H_NIS9TFMW3HTMDb-XZO0edLkj9ZuHpV4BM0QNvz0_gp0mA6au37zbMc6fO9GsSufqK8SCiUhfHZO_ZOAQCEDXGCcZzZ2G6dQp_DCGjSf6go7H6nvoRgt/s1600/glitter+lips.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_8KwIIWTKZlJ8_KbzjnsR89H_NIS9TFMW3HTMDb-XZO0edLkj9ZuHpV4BM0QNvz0_gp0mA6au37zbMc6fO9GsSufqK8SCiUhfHZO_ZOAQCEDXGCcZzZ2G6dQp_DCGjSf6go7H6nvoRgt/s320/glitter+lips.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542341567269252274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum, my people and hello to everyone else in the blog world.... what's new, World???<br /><br />Haven't been very good at keeping my promise with popping in on each and every Friday but life just doesn't permit me to do so.... with four little ones, life here can be hectic.... there's always something or somebody waiting or needing my attention!<br /><br />I wanted to blog a few days ago only to find out just before that my internet service was out... my home phone service was out for over a week so they managed to fix that problem but in the process, they did something to my internet service.. so they called me on my house phone and basically said "okay, we fixed your phone so you can talk now but we jacked your internet service... call the company to fix it.... you're on your own".... thanks, phone people.<br /><br />Anyhoo, a very lovely sister I know just returned from a fab trip to Turkey and she brought back some goodies I requested.... can't WAIT to see it!!! I'm in need of a vacation myself but my biggest babies are in school so no time to get away. I soooo need a change of scenery but I have no way of escaping..... sigh<br /><br />I plan to potty train Little Papi starting next month... he's definitely ready now and it's time since I'll be looking to get him "prepped" for baby class in his brother and sister's school come September... so I'm thinking about putting him in a nursery for half a day starting the beginning of the new year so he can be relaxed and not cry when it's time to start the "real" school next fall... he's kinda clingy and I don't want him to cry his head off when it comes time for us to part.... doing it the right way can save your child from experiencing any psychological issues.... I don't want to traumatize my baby! Masha'Allah, for all those who know him, he's a REAL show-stopper and outgoing kid (half of Cairo already know who he is and his name- he attracts ALOT of people) but he needs to spend some time away from me now in order to gain some independence.... aww, then I'll only have one baby left..... my beloved Papito (Masha'Allah).....:(<br /><br />Looking forward to getting my mind back on track... I haven't been feeling like my overly confidant self for the past few months... and it kinda bothered me. I've always known exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it but for some reason, I've kind of been "side tracked" meaning my mind has been in too many places and I felt strange not knowing what I should do next.... for all those who know me, that's not me!!! But I chalk it all up as having my plate running over for the last 2 years... yeah, soon it will be 2 years since I parted from my friends and family, my land, my home, my language (LOL) and trekked to the other side of the world with three small kids ages then 4, 2 and 6 months while being 5 months pregnant... all alone to start a new life!!! Many called me crazy... most thought I was losing my mind.... alot thought I wouldn't go through with it especially after I found out I was pregnant again BUT I did it!!! I'm not a weak person and when I set my mind to something, it's pretty much a sealed deal so I proceeded as planned.... but anyhow, mentally, I purchased a "bigger" plate so Anisa can be (and feel like) Anisa again.... I have NO TIME to be uncertain.... to doubt myself and what I'm doing... gotta keep moving forward!!!<br /><br />I ask that you keep me and my family in your prayers.... as we try to live a pleasing life to Allah and do what's best for our family... some time to best thing isn't always the easiest thing so I do what I must for the sake of those I cherish and love.... and hope and pray, in the end, it will prove to have been worth all the trouble...<br /><br />I'm just a woman (... a Superwoman but still only mortal... LOL) who was thrown into the lion's den and trying to come out victorious AND unscratched... ya think I can do it???<br /><br />Do you like my post pic? Anyhoo, it was a mental note to myself... anybody coming to Cairo soon, please holla at me... I sooo need some new MAC lip glass.... ;)<br /><br />Be good, take care and do a random act of kindness to gain some rewards... and remember to try to love those who don't love you!!!<br /><br /><br /></span>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-33638927056232778582010-10-04T07:21:00.013-04:002010-12-18T02:21:26.332-05:00A litte time to gab........ !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuNolddAZQXJ-IExK1lEMB_WduxSt-HCu28yS2fcAO7GKapMIKG2oUudfk4UugsigW7JA_lBgvZB2X4xhhdiiQEoEwiNPRvb4EZt9oT9Xw_YK0LkuRgNQfszM4zBWxsVqCSqn47s09p7I/s1600/I-AM-AMERICA_RidzDesign.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuNolddAZQXJ-IExK1lEMB_WduxSt-HCu28yS2fcAO7GKapMIKG2oUudfk4UugsigW7JA_lBgvZB2X4xhhdiiQEoEwiNPRvb4EZt9oT9Xw_YK0LkuRgNQfszM4zBWxsVqCSqn47s09p7I/s320/I-AM-AMERICA_RidzDesign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524162450019999554" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum and greetings to the rest of the crew out there!<br /><br />Had a moment to sit as my two eldest spawns (lol) are in school while the other two make a mess with all the toys.....<br /><br />Just wanted to check in and see how everyone was doing out there in the world... anything new anyone care to share? Life has been busy here but with small things like getting the rugrats ready for the new school year and spending some quality time with my other half.... we had a great summer!!!<br /><br />Oh yes, if anyone of you come here to live for any amount of time, DO NOT buy any house hold items from a company called Olympic... you can have a warranty with them and they will make you call time after time, send a technician who will basically come look at said item and tell you everything is good. I have an 11 kg washer/dryer and ever since I had this stupid thing, it's been one problem after the next. It's come down to me screaming into the phone at customer service and demanding supervisors..... and it doesn't matter- here they don't pride themselves in their work or ethics so it's like screaming at a wall. If this were to happen in America, for sure this problem would have been solved MONTHS ago as people don't want their company to have a bad rep so they take care of the problem... sooooo not the case here- they could care less. It's sickening, tiresome and disgusting. My hubby had the delightful experience of being able to witness the daily antics here with the companies, cleaners and other workers.... and his reaction?????? Pfft..... LOL..... told him. Initially, he thought I was "overacting" with my re-enactments via telephone but he saw first hand their lack of knowledge, crappy attitudes, and the sluggish temperament of the lot..... I can't even be angry anymore- it's become like one HUGE joke.... yeah, HA HA..... Dude, where's the flippin' hidden camera?????<br /><br />Besides, the daily melodrama here, life has been quiet which I guess is good. My online store is there but it's not the fulfillment I was looking for.... I'm kinda looking for something else to do with my time. I want to make something/open something but here it's not easy to make money like back home.... here people want stuff, but they expect to get it for nothing- can't make anything here worth anything because there won't be a profitable return so I'm kinda stuck with ideas. I thought about just forgetting the whole idea of starting something but I want to be productive AND earn some cash.... hey, I got four kids, Masha'Allah!!!! LOL<br /><br />And oh yesss, my brother is coming to pay us a visit!!!! I'm excited and he's thrilled as he misses his niece and nephews...... it's gonna be nice, Insha'Allah, to have him here. It'll be his first time in Egypt so he'll be armed with his high-powered camera and BIG lens for all the pics I'm sure he's gonna take. As a hobby, he's a photographer and drawing artist so I'm sure this trip will give him lots of fresh material to work on upon his return home! Can't wait to see what he comes up with.<br /><br />Anyhoo, it's time for me to take a seat on the sofa for cartoons and continue the "munch fest" with Little Papi and Papito before the Naughty Princess and Big Papi's bus arrive.... then it's all business with homework and dinner!!!!<br /><br />Everybody be safe, take care.... and be happy! Thanks for reading..... :)<br /><br />P.S. I LOVE my post pic.... American Muslimahs, REPRESENT!!!!!!!<br /></span></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-13861845308062004782010-08-31T12:50:00.004-04:002010-08-31T13:03:41.249-04:00For all you Ebay people..... and other stuff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy6242L7xKcLd5rJaGwfaKTmMjmgc9dAc_yl6TCXio5EgQTQAJneGsEyHnsx7RsBxyQZk0W0fy_yk7Hj1hZp2VVTd17Bfe3Dm_1ptx0u95hqeQSuidPbQPdsi-5TEShnMv8lencYbby94/s1600/Costa-Rica1.bmp"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy6242L7xKcLd5rJaGwfaKTmMjmgc9dAc_yl6TCXio5EgQTQAJneGsEyHnsx7RsBxyQZk0W0fy_yk7Hj1hZp2VVTd17Bfe3Dm_1ptx0u95hqeQSuidPbQPdsi-5TEShnMv8lencYbby94/s320/Costa-Rica1.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511620522994018530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></a>Salaam Alaikum!<br /><br />Just popping by to mention a few little things.... My hubby decided to list some clothing items on Ebay so all you who enjoy wholesale and have a home business, sell at vending fairs, at the masjid, etc., I think we might have something for you! If you check below this post, you will see the listing for the auction.<br /><br />I truly miss all my sistas back home.... and for all of you reading this, please know that I love you all and can't wait to see you!!!! InshaAllah, I intend to be home next year for Ramadan... and we'll be in the new masjid, MashaAllah!!! I'm tooooo excited..... :)<br /><br />On another note, since it's been the holiday, Life's Mosaic has been put on hold til after Eid, InshaAllah- then at that point, I'll send invites for those whom I think may be interested in the antics of my brood...... lol<br /><br />So til next time, take care, be safe and if we don't link up again.... Eid Mubarak!!!! May Allah (SWT) have mercy on us all and accept our prayers and duas...... <3></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-73814394168403387512010-08-31T12:12:00.000-04:002010-08-31T12:12:57.740-04:00Wholesale Lot Abaya, Hijab, Jilbab, Islamic Clothing - eBay (item 150486722458 end time Sep-28-10 14:46:27 PDT)<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem=&item=150486722458&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT">Wholesale Lot Abaya, Hijab, Jilbab, Islamic Clothing - eBay (item 150486722458 end time Sep-28-10 14:46:27 PDT)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-59097776284157633852010-08-14T22:17:00.006-04:002010-08-14T22:54:47.673-04:00The Barefoot Empress Boutique is OPEN!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z3mQwi1MqTAtkWWkgUJI1ShkDVeqK1EzVfJMzfUTdoPrFraUt6ctz15wSjgDcYbgMWxaWT03XFBEYHxXnTh3h3lgXuow9OfitlhjYfpIb_GaTzD1cFPL0-bjaugQnY-JWBsg3l4IFuN3/s1600/bride-henna.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z3mQwi1MqTAtkWWkgUJI1ShkDVeqK1EzVfJMzfUTdoPrFraUt6ctz15wSjgDcYbgMWxaWT03XFBEYHxXnTh3h3lgXuow9OfitlhjYfpIb_GaTzD1cFPL0-bjaugQnY-JWBsg3l4IFuN3/s320/bride-henna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505464402579493122" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum to my brothers and sisters and greetings to everyone else in the blog world... just wanted to give a "heads up" that the Barefoot Empress Boutique is now open for business on Facebook.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Been fiddling around with everything and I'm NOWHERE near finished with adding items to the store but I decided to open with what I had the chance to list.... it has been a long process! Between taking pics of everything, the home, the kids, the hubby, and now the Holy month of Ramadan has begun, I usually start my "night job" of creating item numbers and descriptions and uploading pics after the kids sleep up until Fajr... InshaAllah, the initial set up of anything can be painstaking and tedious in the beginning- such is life!<br /><br />Soooooooo, if anyone is interested in giving my little shop a look-see, please feel free to do so... AND as an extra added bonus, if you click that you "LIKE" me, you'll receive a discount off your purchase.....<br /><br />And I would like to hear what you think of the items listed.... honest feedback to give me a better idea what people may want... I bought all those goodies based on the area and people (and what appealed to me) but a store location and an online store could turn out to be two different things... so let me know.<br /><br />Don't hesitate to buy something for yourself, your sisters, your sisters in Islam, your wife, husband, brother, kids, blah blah blah.... you get the idea...... :)<br /><br />I also added a little do-hickey Facebook thingy on the side of this blog so you can click to "like" from this site or you can click on one of the pics to take you to the FB fan page photos..... which is great as you'll be able to see the close-up detail on all the clothing items.<br /><br />Please refer my page to your friends and family, InshaAllah.... please remember me and make dua for me and my family... and my store, InshaAllah!<br /><br />I said I was looking for something to do.... this JUST might be it!<br /></span></span></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-68698683198927017012010-08-13T06:20:00.008-04:002010-08-13T06:43:42.972-04:00Iftar!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivu9vlelPwmb4mAsM6PE-o82DEvQcgF-lROrPlIA0s4XAekYF7pcQjfHx9cRzGXFL_YFyZIuYoHjIYbfQhMQtgrIKHKuDt1aujFmfANk070QPU7eoBGP33-8HDalzQigs0oga6VZDLcq_R/s1600/IftarDinnerPlatter.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivu9vlelPwmb4mAsM6PE-o82DEvQcgF-lROrPlIA0s4XAekYF7pcQjfHx9cRzGXFL_YFyZIuYoHjIYbfQhMQtgrIKHKuDt1aujFmfANk070QPU7eoBGP33-8HDalzQigs0oga6VZDLcq_R/s320/IftarDinnerPlatter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504842527373023730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHwVyflaIWUX4ez30sYwXX4TuK-IG01TAqTh1PcjZmIlNEA54UOTT4G2F9aOKnzFie_46imA4puK-9hj6xmdK9lvXW4xTl33IyjxCtcvk33oC8Igx6viZm76ITq591AuwzhO8X9vSP6ii/s1600/iftar-bread.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHwVyflaIWUX4ez30sYwXX4TuK-IG01TAqTh1PcjZmIlNEA54UOTT4G2F9aOKnzFie_46imA4puK-9hj6xmdK9lvXW4xTl33IyjxCtcvk33oC8Igx6viZm76ITq591AuwzhO8X9vSP6ii/s320/iftar-bread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504842213321244114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8TLSerwhf1yHb68KAGskkX-yS4jRltaj0jTH4yMM-enUMc8cCCsVwZFK0RFEGhbbPUF3Fzd2rGFgdbxFneNxBbX8L7XOc7ZeXI9VSXDGNyeNewT7ZqeS6rkZMWZG8BJbLwrFCnIkplyz/s1600/dates.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8TLSerwhf1yHb68KAGskkX-yS4jRltaj0jTH4yMM-enUMc8cCCsVwZFK0RFEGhbbPUF3Fzd2rGFgdbxFneNxBbX8L7XOc7ZeXI9VSXDGNyeNewT7ZqeS6rkZMWZG8BJbLwrFCnIkplyz/s320/dates.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504842209405336898" border="0" /></a><br />Beautiful images of iftar... even one pic from one my favorite foodie blogs: <a href="http://yasmeen-healthnut.blogspot.com/">Yasmeen Health Nut!</a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXOPhUjAiNwtitTh14s9t1KjA3CPP1TnKSQadLgXSdxBuAGtr96b3BCUJNVrR_waF8D-vktIKnKBqxP3F3AhjkLbvU8d_RDrGGT4jBMAwNa7t2bhfxmILIO-oXJHnDYSTe0lvK3OUJPBY/s1600/ramadan-tea-and-dates.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXOPhUjAiNwtitTh14s9t1KjA3CPP1TnKSQadLgXSdxBuAGtr96b3BCUJNVrR_waF8D-vktIKnKBqxP3F3AhjkLbvU8d_RDrGGT4jBMAwNa7t2bhfxmILIO-oXJHnDYSTe0lvK3OUJPBY/s320/ramadan-tea-and-dates.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504840605594398386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGQAW6xhrQCF6McTY6lGWxj3Bfv4Iq7F7ixlbTXKHO0aifrI_aQD2sjv_E7aeYRmKFaIWXVHqfJ_3e7EQ_T7UonzSINKiOt34_Liwt5M2kLXuBdhb_A8Hla8_YJC8vbHg5Q6Ys5fmVDQO/s1600/closed+McDonalds.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGQAW6xhrQCF6McTY6lGWxj3Bfv4Iq7F7ixlbTXKHO0aifrI_aQD2sjv_E7aeYRmKFaIWXVHqfJ_3e7EQ_T7UonzSINKiOt34_Liwt5M2kLXuBdhb_A8Hla8_YJC8vbHg5Q6Ys5fmVDQO/s320/closed+McDonalds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504839608646780370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY96VSGKfRffb6u93WwCRboKeZvJXuNWWRfyA03YXYse9I_eJ_Ao4XTi0oBoYeWdfzjL8Fpj-2Cvj0T_lKxENI22ACJaAmZ-kIbdRYDlB0PnSlgVLna3rT4ukOPeVuSYH1-usG_ryl6yc2/s1600/10k+iftaar.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY96VSGKfRffb6u93WwCRboKeZvJXuNWWRfyA03YXYse9I_eJ_Ao4XTi0oBoYeWdfzjL8Fpj-2Cvj0T_lKxENI22ACJaAmZ-kIbdRYDlB0PnSlgVLna3rT4ukOPeVuSYH1-usG_ryl6yc2/s320/10k+iftaar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504839619147152114" border="0" /></a></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-67373554124876691212010-08-11T05:36:00.009-04:002010-08-11T06:30:13.441-04:00Ramadan Mubarak!!!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class=" on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyLeft" title="Align Left" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 10);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Left" class="gl_align_left" border="0" /></span></span>Salaam Alaikum my brothers and sisters!<br /><br />I just wanted to say to everyone have a very joyous, happy and healthy Ramadan..... spend it doing the best of deeds, feeding the poor, helping someone, showing more love to one another, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFLOQKg7poMKNfDcQnMYrvkawzmuUf7dd-cIR2elOaAmvnG7aRnB-4SzmzIELT0CBRlw-GGLQME63pEM0BBlmn0iJDDPeMaTQk_Zt8zyBaw_oSajRwEXzfjsuDjMtFsgVoSJhuq26eYzP/s1600/ramadan-2009-north-america.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFLOQKg7poMKNfDcQnMYrvkawzmuUf7dd-cIR2elOaAmvnG7aRnB-4SzmzIELT0CBRlw-GGLQME63pEM0BBlmn0iJDDPeMaTQk_Zt8zyBaw_oSajRwEXzfjsuDjMtFsgVoSJhuq26eYzP/s320/ramadan-2009-north-america.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504087340345206066" border="0" /></a>reading Quran and other books of beneficial knowledge, and praying!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJdq88Iw71cgjcTHD2jbUr1f-ITO6IwP3BpdfXLk5YbWcDoE9npDaThhLicpHHJBUkF9e1R77Mri12-e51FzOeovKcWj_jggqONzPpYKvziuZfksAg9zY7huuavLeXT-Hw6tQfzbUVFPg/s1600/AL_QURAN_by_juba_paldf.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJdq88Iw71cgjcTHD2jbUr1f-ITO6IwP3BpdfXLk5YbWcDoE9npDaThhLicpHHJBUkF9e1R77Mri12-e51FzOeovKcWj_jggqONzPpYKvziuZfksAg9zY7huuavLeXT-Hw6tQfzbUVFPg/s320/AL_QURAN_by_juba_paldf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504087347707071154" border="0" /></a><br />I doubt if I'll <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbl-kylMSCMJM3GKUCc-8Z9uGymXvvy9qphjB3BDyELWpYBl_DiGI5Yba-EWm9CRQM6PEz2iAwvxeZS1WvT2_cZRnXrgKiw79uTvj9UR-Yxb4OyVBDyIYayQ0fstX6GNn5a41RKE-H6O9/s1600/ramadan+kareem+hands.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbl-kylMSCMJM3GKUCc-8Z9uGymXvvy9qphjB3BDyELWpYBl_DiGI5Yba-EWm9CRQM6PEz2iAwvxeZS1WvT2_cZRnXrgKiw79uTvj9UR-Yxb4OyVBDyIYayQ0fstX6GNn5a41RKE-H6O9/s320/ramadan+kareem+hands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504087349771619906" border="0" /></a>be back with any updates of any sort just <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3ldpeyfyFMEQ-oQDJ42nFqSDhCHba8x8IyKSmVxtcAlg1Y5DvmDm-hnNnykh0EX1InxpHDzCTtOL_pOLdMdtsCkmpVoCciVeFa5zAv68-dnofBcHmOVy0aVeyydm6iIPoWZ0aymWmU3e/s1600/ramadan01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3ldpeyfyFMEQ-oQDJ42nFqSDhCHba8x8IyKSmVxtcAlg1Y5DvmDm-hnNnykh0EX1InxpHDzCTtOL_pOLdMdtsCkmpVoCciVeFa5zAv68-dnofBcHmOVy0aVeyydm6iIPoWZ0aymWmU3e/s320/ramadan01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504087356704876754" border="0" /></a>maybe to post some beautiful pics of this remarkable month.... :)<br /><br />From me and my family to you and yours, may Allah (SWT) accept all our prayers and duas.... please remember to make dua for me and mine!!!<br /><br />Much love from the Empress, the Pakistani Prince, the Naughty Princess, Big Papi, Little Papi & Papito!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-43780792020084506712010-08-07T17:34:00.003-04:002010-08-07T18:03:47.357-04:00Random Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XkHPgNVTj4XE9Y0WTSfLg1oa5sThl2UdMb9UkveXUJz6xHk0EA-XUd3YyMMy9j27RohB9TkRsBNogGvTP0p9C_KvQtr_H91vp9ilR7GT5qXOMksrZSstVGPNFpV4kpffreVmquAY09Yo/s1600/fulla.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XkHPgNVTj4XE9Y0WTSfLg1oa5sThl2UdMb9UkveXUJz6xHk0EA-XUd3YyMMy9j27RohB9TkRsBNogGvTP0p9C_KvQtr_H91vp9ilR7GT5qXOMksrZSstVGPNFpV4kpffreVmquAY09Yo/s320/fulla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502791911802557170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum everyone... and greetings to everyone else out there in blog land. I finally had the chance to start my little private blog project... and it's almost complete. The only hold up is for some reason I can't load some pics of my brood onto the blog so as soon as I figure that out, it will be up and running..... and I mulled over more than a few names and came up with something I feel perfectly describes us: Life's Mosaic: Tales from the Noisy Kingdom.... LOL!<br /><br />Oh yes, since I'm paranoid about "putting my kids out there", I did state that the blog will be private.... so those who know me well (and good enough) will receive an invite to view.... and I hope I don't offend anyone but I feel the need to protect my kids' identities....<br /><br />And I mentioned few posts back about me trying to open an Islamic clothing store and the owner turned out to be a big headache so I let the 2 small stores go.... I will be posting on Facebook within the next few days the items for sale. It includes abayas, usdells (overhead or on-the-head garment), a ZILLION hijabs, Saudi and Egyptian niqabs (material is waaaay different), butterfly abayas, girl and teen prayer garments, men & boys thobes, and gloves. I have a slew of very nice bras but I don't know exactly how to handle that one.... taking pics WILL take forever... but I guess that item will get listed sometime this month.... :)<br /><br />So for you ladies in the Cairo area, I will basically be having "open house" for the month of Ramadan so you can purchase direct from me.... and of course, I can ship anywhere. Please tell all the sisters you know whom might be looking for some items for Ramadan and Eid for herself, her family or gifts for the sisters!!! In with keeping everything simplistic enough, the name of the page on Facebook will be "the Barefoot Empress Boutique".......<br /><br />So just in case (again) I don't make it back here, I wish all of you a very happy and healthy Ramadan.... and may Allah (SWT) accept all our prayers and duas... InshaAllah, Ameen!!! I love you all for the pleasure of Allah.... please make dua for me and my family!<br /></span>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-73945498277528896542010-08-04T08:07:00.005-04:002010-08-04T08:37:22.799-04:00Checking In.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Yt76h1NqRaVAOjs5o2EyFKsqYsB1oG1sRDr4935MdUnKj5GN4ahdNRycvOwS7wMZ6-HDOmodnoP9T7YIaqBM0MzFlkOR8D93sxGOdp64AbDpQEf9e50BQbjGg1ajr4cmwV9zOZEgTS2N/s1600/cherry-blossoms.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Yt76h1NqRaVAOjs5o2EyFKsqYsB1oG1sRDr4935MdUnKj5GN4ahdNRycvOwS7wMZ6-HDOmodnoP9T7YIaqBM0MzFlkOR8D93sxGOdp64AbDpQEf9e50BQbjGg1ajr4cmwV9zOZEgTS2N/s320/cherry-blossoms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501532637516419202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></a>Greetings all...... just checking in as previously promised.....<br /><br />I've been thinking about creating a private blog for my babies..... been mulling around a few thoughts about what I would want it to include- haven't narrowed it down yet. I want to make it private as I don't share much info about my brood- as I like to protect them and their identities..... the world can be a strange place and I guess I'm just a little paranoid but that's me. I can't find it within myself to put my kids names and forget about pics, out there for just anyone to look at... feels too weird.... hence the reference to their nicknames here and everywhere else I might mention them.... lol<br /><br />The years fly by soooo quickly and I was thinking about how to preserve this period of their lives... to capture it for me to look at in the later years and for them as well. For them to look back on themselves growing, smiling, fighting, living in a foreign country, making new friends, traveling around Egypt and the sorts. And now, you have the cool option of turning your blog into a book.... which I feel is totally cool- just might do that.......<br /><br />Anyhoo, hope everyone is getting ready for the blessed month of Ramadan!!! I'm a mixed bag of emotions as I was looking forward to being in New York, in "my" masjid with my sisters.... doing it how we would do it every year. But instead, I'm here in Cairo, with my family and praying that this year won't anything like the last Ramadan. I was confined, cooped-up and not pleased about not being able to go the masjid.... I already beat that dead horse issue here.... ain't going there again.... sigh<br /><br />InshaAllah, I plan to check in again before Ramadan officially starts but if I don't make it back and/or you can't come back to read my blurbs, Ramadan Mubarak!!! Much love and kisses from me and my family to you and yours....... :)<br /></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-50556282124777652512010-07-27T10:18:00.007-04:002010-08-04T07:50:20.751-04:00Sisterhood.... where art thou?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-502S4d1dsypgb57bELmQEFC9-Y5j4c4CQq-jUUDVjcKnbiYhnpH6CrniFQLmmOxHPlxvvAHiv25-vJ_i_-AVTqbAgYA6PmAya-7FMS3KCziBb7qMAnRm9BxbpkS_Ne7qrDxVRId6YRWT/s1600/sisterhood.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-502S4d1dsypgb57bELmQEFC9-Y5j4c4CQq-jUUDVjcKnbiYhnpH6CrniFQLmmOxHPlxvvAHiv25-vJ_i_-AVTqbAgYA6PmAya-7FMS3KCziBb7qMAnRm9BxbpkS_Ne7qrDxVRId6YRWT/s320/sisterhood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498601541858415186" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Salaam Alaikum sisters and greetings to everyone else out there reading my little blurbs..... there has been much talk about sisterhood lately or should I say, the lack thereof. It seems many sisters have some serious issues with each other- and most don't even have a reason.... been there. As I've said before, women can be their own worst enemy.... most can't seem to get pass the "cattiness", back-biting, scandalous slander and just making ugly, sour faces at a sister for whatever reason you don't like.... and most don't even know WHY they don't like the other sister: does she dress nicer? Is she prettier? Is she smarter? Is she articulate? Is she married to a handsome brother? Does she have beautiful children? Does she wear slamming shoes? Some may read this and chuckle but these things some sisters have issues with for some stupid reason.... where is sisterhood these days???<br /><br />I'm not telling you something that I haven't experienced myself especially in the beginning when I "reverted". Then I had a very good job that paid me very nicely, had a beautiful huge apartment in an upscale neighborhood and drove a very nice 4X4, MashaAllah. I later heard after a few gatherings in my home when I wanted to get to know the sisters better, that I was "flaunting" my wealth, thought I was better than others (?????) and was a know-it-all (because at the time I was working on my BS in registered nursing)... where did ALL that come from you ask? To tell you the truth, I don't know! The only thing I could conclude that it was based off of pure envy and jealousy... but why? I never treated anybody "less than" but just the opposite- I tried to make everyone feel very comfortable in my home. I even heard that I went out of my way to impress people with food!!! But I fed the sisters what I had in my freezer..... nothing special. Some said I couldn't possibly eat these things myself on a regular so I was looking to "impress"..... geesh. Lobster tails, shrimp and pasta was my favorite food (still is) but life was different then: great paying job, no kids, single and had access to buy those things regularly. But the long story short, you see how I was being bashed for no reason? Where's the love??? I was a new Muslim, new in this Islamic community and instead of embracing me for the love of Allah and as their new sister, some had their own personal issues with me. Needless to say, the gatherings slowed down to a halt and I immediately got rid of the soon-to-be found-out troublemakers.... I don't deal with garbage and if you have issues with me for SURE you're not welcomed in my home!<br /><br />There is a sister on Facebook, who, MashaAllah, really tries to correct sisters whom she see might be going down the wrong path with sound, loving advice... but yet in return, she's being talked about and "deleted"..... and more than a few sisters have stated this has happened to them. If someone was posting pure rubbish, you get a million people who click the "like" button but post something about correcting people on their behavior and/or about what we should be doing as Muslims, people have a problem with that. Shouldn't you THANK your sister for pointing out the error and/or bad practice? What's wrong with us as women? As Muslimahs???<br /><br />I think we ALL need to rethink our behavior as women..... but as Muslimahs FIRST because just being an ordinary woman, to me, means one thing: the back-biting, envy, jealousy, slander and nasty behavior might be acceptable to most BUT as a Muslim, these things are NOT acceptable.... and forbidden!<br /><br />Love for your sister what you would love for yourself.... if your sister see you straying from the right path and pulls you up on it, don't go on the offensive and start talking smack.... thank her for caring enough to want to tell you. Some people won't even bother to correct you but laugh at you behind your back and spread gossip about your short-comings.... believe it.... it happens out there amongst us Muslimahs more than some people realize. Your sister want you to be pleasing to the Al-Mighty, Most-Merciful, Oft-Forgiving..... if she didn't care about you and your Hereafter, she would keep her 2 cents to herself!!!<br /><br />I think we need to learn to love one another truthfully and stop being so petty.... and I include myself as well as I use to have the tendency to cut people off at their first offense..... my old three-strike rule: it's not right because I'm a Muslim now and this isn't proper. My husband corrected me on this issue when we first married... he told me Muslims don't cut off their relation with their brothers/sisters because they might have done something to hurt you... and he was right. Honestly, I don't do it nowhere near like how I used to (maybe 3-4 times since reverting) but when someone REALLY violates, I mentally wipe their name off the list.... like you never existed.... working on that....... I'm human.<br /><br />Let's all ask Allah (SWT) this upcoming Ramadan to forgive us for our sins and let's make an effort to show REAL love for one another.... and not just for the month of Ramadan!<br /><br /></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-39445457451707222242010-07-16T06:44:00.006-04:002010-07-17T01:33:12.664-04:00My henna addiction... and other stuff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIW4dHmDv8DvmjYmhzmObj32R0NMU19X3L6jTlZq8dFDLri_wMX1K7O2Pizt1n84XfgJUPdFgdE3SWkybG9LrNtrdJuJgp3f4IjhkaF_5_TEyFznbv4rz3nCSMF1ShIlHz5qBmsVjjOnJ/s1600/ak3-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIW4dHmDv8DvmjYmhzmObj32R0NMU19X3L6jTlZq8dFDLri_wMX1K7O2Pizt1n84XfgJUPdFgdE3SWkybG9LrNtrdJuJgp3f4IjhkaF_5_TEyFznbv4rz3nCSMF1ShIlHz5qBmsVjjOnJ/s320/ak3-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494460960804132178" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jumaa Mubarak everyone</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">!</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Just trying to keep my promise of stopping by to post a little something to let you know I'm still here- I think Fridays will be my posting day... a little more free time.<br /><br />I'm here trying to decide on what's for lunch... what's for dinner.... and I want to become a little more active here since me and the hubby were discussing "the future" last night. It looks like for sure now we intend to make this place our home. So, I'm thinking about what I can do so I can feel like my old self again. Since I can't attend masjid here, there aren't any projects/gatherings or committees to join..... so what is a sister to do? Groups here come and go: people attend in droves then disappear for lack of interest, other commitments, family issues, moving back to their countries and the list goes on. I was trying to establish an Islamic clothing store here but the owner of the shop turned out to be a real jerk so I let the spot go... I'm not trying to create more of a headache for myself! They ARE a unique breed..... lol<br /><br />So the idea is to maybe sell some stuff online and from another location here if I find a decent spot- hijabs, abayas, intimate apparel, a few thobes for men and boys and those prayer garments for girls which I see some people actually wear outside around here.... I invested in some quality stuff not garbage and I contacted one of my best girlfriend's who lives in Mecca and shipped some very nice (and different) clothing here... I have the need to do <span style="font-style: italic;">something </span>so I think I'll see how this little venture goes....<br /><br />Anyway, I gotta ask again: if any of you sisters here in Cairo are reading this, does anyone know of a GOOD henna artist??? I'm like really craving a nice henna job with REAL henna NOT black dye!!!!! If ya do, holla back at a sista.... all I can do around here is "ohhh" and "ahhh" over Ash Kumar designs.... his stuff you can get replicated in any decent henna salon home but here.... it's just a dream...... :)<br /><br />Until next time.... take care, be good, stay positive and try to remember to make dua for your sisters!!!<br /><br /></span></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-60295168852246700652010-06-28T13:58:00.003-04:002010-06-28T14:14:33.926-04:00Just popping by........<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2tvGAyvu5HXMmZ0E6HQ045yUSI7jCJofvHhFrMSaDChHIejzeI4QVnK1Hfdw2WTQPzT73ElWd7j7Db75k3G3F-i7c5OhofslKIwGg_-CIAgIJ9DTbKwAKVGGRHruxsmG8lqEJQLdIv6v/s1600/bejeweled+feet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487888344317871362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2tvGAyvu5HXMmZ0E6HQ045yUSI7jCJofvHhFrMSaDChHIejzeI4QVnK1Hfdw2WTQPzT73ElWd7j7Db75k3G3F-i7c5OhofslKIwGg_-CIAgIJ9DTbKwAKVGGRHruxsmG8lqEJQLdIv6v/s320/bejeweled+feet.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Just thought I'd give everyone a quick shout-out since I had 2 seconds to check to see if there were any new comments I needed to post... there was a few so I know someone is still reading! LOL</div><div> </div><div>Still keeping up with the lives of most of the people I've come to know here on Blogger- everybody posting their lives on Facebook.... me included! But just thought I would ask: has anyone missed me????? :)</div><br /><div>All things here in Cairo is fine.... spending time with the babies.... kinda wishing I was in NYC for the summer but ya can't have everything!!! But there's nothing like summertime in the BEST city in the world.... and I miss my friends and family!</div><div></div><br /><div>Working on a few personal projects here so when/if something materializes, I'll let everyone know.<br /></div><div>The clan is back from their evening walk... gotta run..... remember to keep Allah (SWT) in your lives and love those who don't love you!!!</div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-79889263691570699432009-11-11T05:18:00.005-05:002009-11-11T07:01:50.401-05:00Yeah... I know.... went missing again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7SoQvhgnyJg8zmPz5-kRDg8pMzLPyYy0HpPSWk_i_A3hOk2wq-y36wLOd1XJhUga-UVG4tXlTeKj5CtF6krwiUL7Ap_mvSSbdKSguKsFItfo2MZaAFnJh1XPqeK79LIG9LDgSbTB-Qcq/s1600-h/Navajo_woman_&_child.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402805356772995234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7SoQvhgnyJg8zmPz5-kRDg8pMzLPyYy0HpPSWk_i_A3hOk2wq-y36wLOd1XJhUga-UVG4tXlTeKj5CtF6krwiUL7Ap_mvSSbdKSguKsFItfo2MZaAFnJh1XPqeK79LIG9LDgSbTB-Qcq/s320/Navajo_woman_&_child.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum everyone!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Yea.... I know.... it's been a LONG while but I've been incredibly busy with daily life and all my babies. And I've also found it much easier to jot a quick blurb on Facebook... with life being the way it is, I only have a quick sec to post something and keep moving!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">But I must tell you, I've been pretty much up to date with info on the daily lives of some of the sisters here on Blogger since they post daily on Facebook as well: some have added new additions to their families, others have had their first arrival (MashaAllah!) while others are dealing with family issues and some are still battling their demons, psychologically speaking. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Egypt has improved immensely since my last post- I have basically surrounded myself with expats and I have 2 really good Egyptian friends so my inner circle is tight and I'm in a good place right now, Alhumdulillah. After all that initial drama, I finally have some relief, some peace of mind about my state of "being".... so overall, I feel like my old self again!</span></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My Papito is 3 months old now- yes. Three months have flown by and the Naughty Princess and Big Papi started school the beginning of October but since this past Sunday, school has been shut down until December 1st (alledgely) since a few boys in the primary area have been diagnosed with swine flu... we're supposed to have a meeting next week at the school to discuss how we're to handle their work load while they're out.... so I guess we'll receive a complete lesson plan to follow until school resumes. Gotta keep them busy.... especially since both of them are doing exceptionally well, MashaAllah! :)</span></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Planning a trip home, InshaAllah, while they're out- hopefully, I'll be successful in finding some decent fares- and I plan to use my frequent flyer points to purchase at least one ticket .... I gotta buy more than a few! Thank goodness, I only have taxes to pay on Little Papi and Papito!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My family and friends are eagerly awaiting the actual arrival news so I need to get crackin' with my ticket search.... and this is the start of the busy holiday season so tickets won't be cheap- but just landing in New York and being able to smell my city is worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY! Must haves when I get home: Junior's cheesecake from Brooklyn, a bacon & egg sandwich from Al-Noor halal deli on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn, a FEW containers of Haagen-Dazs (well, gotta make up for ALL those months I wanted and couldn't get it!), a Nathan's hot dog with some fries and a REAL Pepsi down in Coney Island, have some delectable orange beef with fried rice and yummy spring rolls from my favorite Chinese restaurant and consume enough pizza at my favorite spot, Gino's, to last me for a year...... LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL.... but I'm not kidding! And a visit to my nail salon for a SERIOUS manicure/pedicure and an elaborate hands, legs and feet henna job at my favorite Indian henna palace! NO ONE does it like this sista........ unless your name is Ashkumar (professional world reknown artist)!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Okay.... gotta run as it's lunch time for the rugrats.... and I'm waiting for the Olympic man to come service my washer/dryer for the 2nd day in a row: he checked it yesterday, it started to work with no problem.... as soon as he left, it had an error message! So much for expensive, state of the art machinery.... oy!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Everyone be good and safe.... take care of yourselves and remember to love each other... even if someone doesn't love you back!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div></div><div></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-78161773894932339542009-08-16T09:29:00.004-04:002009-08-16T10:03:35.671-04:00Forever grateful.......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13bBTJ9syWq_kO2jfJWdDWEJ3bl4oqvxHczKDryY99br0C__pFls6XMEdrinOTnuQvtqPJr4DatxdR8yhpeemP-2uSugzmjdAa5FchjULLsdO28R_jop8WZc364VkYP6vZ7OfgVRYkRwh/s1600-h/2457407244_df0c653a36.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370559819290031394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13bBTJ9syWq_kO2jfJWdDWEJ3bl4oqvxHczKDryY99br0C__pFls6XMEdrinOTnuQvtqPJr4DatxdR8yhpeemP-2uSugzmjdAa5FchjULLsdO28R_jop8WZc364VkYP6vZ7OfgVRYkRwh/s320/2457407244_df0c653a36.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam Alaikum, my sisters!</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Just wanted to give everyone a "heads up" that baby Papito came along on Wednesday, August 5th..... alhumdulillah, all went VERY smoothly- like 1 push smooth..... I could never complain about my deliveries!!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">With all my running around, not eating or taking care of myself as good as I would've if I was home in New York, Papito was my smallest one yet! But I can't complain as he is healthy and as cute as a button, MASHA ALLAH!!!! He's resembes Big Papi but time will tell if his face changes into something totally different.... all of my kids look different from each other but you could tell that they're related..... </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">And the hubby made it here JUST in time- he arrived Monday evening and by Wednesday afternoon, I was heading to the hospital! I kept telling Papito to hang in there and wait for his Baba and like a good boy, he listened! I was ready to come home the same day but the doctor had already left the hospital and when the staff called him, he said just stay- as usual, I felt like I didn't even give birth! Ready to go home to my own place and relax with the clan around me... but he and I had the chance to bond overnight as we spent the night smelling each other and him sleeping on my chest- this is my process with all of them and it does create a tighter, closer feeling bond between you..... and when they smell you and kinda sigh, you know they recognize you!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Well, always when you proclaim that you would never do something, something usually happens to make you eat your words- I said repeatedly while pregnant, that this one would more than likely be the last but now that he's here, talk about crazy but I think I wouldn't mind another!!! ;p</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The troops are loving him like crazy.... my family thought that Little Papi might "flip out" since he's attached to me like glue (literally sometimes) but he's the main one kissing him and rubbing his head! Alhumdulillah, I'm glad I don't have to worry about the hitting, biting and scratching that usually happens when the youngest meets the newborn.... oy! And Little Papi just turned 1 a few days ago..... Alhumdulillah, my life has been blessed by yet another addition to the clan- Allah (SWT) is merciful and I am forever thankful for ALL that He has given me in this life..... please make dua for us!!!</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Okay, break time over.... back to Momma duties.... time to make din din! ;)</span></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-41894288675174489672009-07-22T12:08:00.004-04:002009-07-22T12:27:55.056-04:00the Barefoot Empress Beauty Emporium is open for a limited time...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqSONVpDU_XNi4iE7hzlin1VNRJkbXemEcl-_Q1J6g_ZtJ7tyd0dM2k9f5SJnJCip1mi0xocyu7g1wEpZ1JV6q59QM0rH9u0SXkLbHt0-Vea97rAvVfyYOLDpZ2evqFY1tBVw5NLbRgpG/s1600-h/6a00d83451599769e201053620a4bf970c-800wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361321880723412642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqSONVpDU_XNi4iE7hzlin1VNRJkbXemEcl-_Q1J6g_ZtJ7tyd0dM2k9f5SJnJCip1mi0xocyu7g1wEpZ1JV6q59QM0rH9u0SXkLbHt0-Vea97rAvVfyYOLDpZ2evqFY1tBVw5NLbRgpG/s200/6a00d83451599769e201053620a4bf970c-800wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ladies in the Cairo area!!!</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have some items in my home I need to clear out if I can... Victoria Secret bras and other style bras, panties, organic scented bath salt and a few home-made brown sugar scrubs I made in New York before I left... the lovely folks in customs here turned them all upside down so the labels were ruined with the oil from the container. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I also have superb hair colors and relaxers for those looking to spruce up their look!!! :) </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I brought these things from New York and looking to get rid of least some of what I have left- customs help themselves to most of it....</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">If anyone is interested, let me know.....</span></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-65327271683040003092009-07-21T05:03:00.006-04:002009-07-21T18:08:05.926-04:00Did ya miss me???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFO2R7N_QIyxozGJrEapBrc0msnDkyb5tcBkUmXxBZZGRjgXnKxz2grAXD6XwaSQr518QeHY8j78jB0ApQ5N-SM7pGYpC_mHTnYTPQuBViSkRVTJgxvHcdhB38mZTNsJqF6tO1L8ln712c/s1600-h/18update.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360840848019908514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFO2R7N_QIyxozGJrEapBrc0msnDkyb5tcBkUmXxBZZGRjgXnKxz2grAXD6XwaSQr518QeHY8j78jB0ApQ5N-SM7pGYpC_mHTnYTPQuBViSkRVTJgxvHcdhB38mZTNsJqF6tO1L8ln712c/s200/18update.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salaam 'Alaikum sisters!!!</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Yeah.... I know it's been awhile but believe it or not, I JUST finished up my last bit of settling in and down business here on last Sunday. It's been a long haul but now, I can finally stay home in my apartment and relax and wait for the hubby to arrive (which is in about 2 weeks) and count down the final days til my bundle make his or her appearance!!! :)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I wanted to let everyone know all is well, children are good, Alhumdulillah.... apartment is FINALLY finished, have everything I need for the new arrival, InshaAllah.... met more cool Muslimahs which is always a blessing, the hubby is due to arrive soon (Wooo Hooo), still trying to adjust to some of the local yocals but my new but old approach to this tiresome, daily problem: "let it roll of my back, let's not care too much about it" attitude will get me through!!! (InshaAllah)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Okay, I don't know if I'll have the opportunity to log in again anytime soon.... Queen, I miss ya- haven't had the chance to read your blog in awhile... hope you and your family are doing okay!!! And I miss communicating with everyone so much but my life has been consumed with getting it all together here so I can start to "live" again..... </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Next time you might hear from me, I'll have arrival news to share!!! I love you all for the pleasure of Allah.... please make dua for me and my family!!! Smooches!!!</span></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-82490372212314360952009-06-12T07:16:00.009-04:002009-06-12T07:34:17.491-04:00In need of an English and Math tutor.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iPiFvdgwiZs5lsZSZAE0bXdKdXSY3jfymobtCeH-I6nOP3UC75ugDEmICBelM_QOFL9vYu9sZES8H7LL2OsopIfrs-b3H3HtQEXxBzC3WtT3iakP0tskM0ZjdB-M5ZVOd0vp3RoQU7Pk/s1600-h/Kids_In_Classroom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346402113242376290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iPiFvdgwiZs5lsZSZAE0bXdKdXSY3jfymobtCeH-I6nOP3UC75ugDEmICBelM_QOFL9vYu9sZES8H7LL2OsopIfrs-b3H3HtQEXxBzC3WtT3iakP0tskM0ZjdB-M5ZVOd0vp3RoQU7Pk/s200/Kids_In_Classroom.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Assalaam 'Alaikum sisters!</span> <div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Quick post... do any of you sisters here in Cairo have a GREAT, reliable English/Math tutor? I would like to hire one ASAP for my kids who will be 3 and 5. I believe in being proactive and I'm not in the place to devote much time to them right now (meaning being totally consistant with everything) with all I have going on in this house! They'll both start school in the fall and I like to be ahead of the game.... especially since the educational system here in this country is lacking greatly. I've heard many, many wonderful things about the school they'll attend but I need to know they'll at least to "up to snuff" with their classmates. I brought alot of workbooks with me from New York but I don't want to start to stop... because of stuff coming up and the likes, ya know what I mean? And with my Little Papi who requires a great deal of time, I know a tutor would do them better justice than me at this point! And I feel with someone else in the house, they'll pay closer attention than with me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I'm looking for someone as soon as 2 weeks to start- I'm finishing up my house and I need to go away for a breather before the hubby arrives... so we're looking for someone twice to three times a week indefinitely... I will ask some of the many sisters here but I wanted to get the word out there.... let me know!</span></div></div></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-25455375171506359842009-06-07T16:34:00.005-04:002009-06-07T16:47:13.755-04:00This evening I met a sweet sister, MashaAllah.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgimA5_zHfWpbHjjtq5fFRLY4NJ0bty4MXMbCJ3-XVxDbyc_XuVfROKrjlw3-H23jPXHAf0zZEefp0RcFSgqYkcQRdFIblfxkk0LwM7YsPfnGfR_HzWzPqGapXUHlEpDTi0cBZVgo_3kd/s1600-h/thumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344689657898001106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgimA5_zHfWpbHjjtq5fFRLY4NJ0bty4MXMbCJ3-XVxDbyc_XuVfROKrjlw3-H23jPXHAf0zZEefp0RcFSgqYkcQRdFIblfxkk0LwM7YsPfnGfR_HzWzPqGapXUHlEpDTi0cBZVgo_3kd/s200/thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I had the pleasure of finally meeting my sweet sister, Molly from over at " The Sandbox Confessions of a Multicultural Muslimah" ( to check out her blog, click <a href="http://multiculturalmuslimah.wordpress.com/">here</a>). She such a sweet, warm Muslimah.... we chatted, ordered dinner (whose cooking in this heat???) and had a great time!</span> <div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It's a blessing to be able to see a sister and warm up to one other like you known each other for years... you can't get that with alot of people but you can experience it with a down-to-earth person which I found her to be! We went from sitting on the couch to lounging in the bedrooms... how's that for just meeting someone? When it's real, ya know it! (smooches)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I'm grateful to have met her and hope we link up often.... I love you, my sista! </span></div></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-38534383410076354632009-06-03T07:58:00.010-04:002009-07-21T18:26:42.332-04:00Thinking about my daughter's wedding......?????<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4wXS0psoSNqsZaGR3xWpZ5vv6kHJF__padMCk6XzrTRPRnR9VHKB12y0wzvngq7WAuLHSKtz7bM3_vtAbVFEG-B7bvexAReq2PWTPpWNUBdtyesN7UIa_wLp7n6PLOvCHOCzvNfbcG5L/s1600-h/cakelava-cake-2-xl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343191059040244130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4wXS0psoSNqsZaGR3xWpZ5vv6kHJF__padMCk6XzrTRPRnR9VHKB12y0wzvngq7WAuLHSKtz7bM3_vtAbVFEG-B7bvexAReq2PWTPpWNUBdtyesN7UIa_wLp7n6PLOvCHOCzvNfbcG5L/s320/cakelava-cake-2-xl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuzy15VBUPqBnrFo6bI3KvwV6ThF5xosUaCCOD1EuYC3nMuNS9hAo9N1vSzZpxMXhHVG4PHIPXKnxIHjygfnOJDttiou2-mrngpb9w0cBT5vW9uoNop31pimleIkdCaG_c1iAgFP1bAPO/s1600-h/ShoppingGoldBangles.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343191055886075890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuzy15VBUPqBnrFo6bI3KvwV6ThF5xosUaCCOD1EuYC3nMuNS9hAo9N1vSzZpxMXhHVG4PHIPXKnxIHjygfnOJDttiou2-mrngpb9w0cBT5vW9uoNop31pimleIkdCaG_c1iAgFP1bAPO/s320/ShoppingGoldBangles.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU4hX-fDirGXbp_E-XFUv68qdRuhA1yT0I_DXkFYnF0-t089g-X6XG5IB1_sXCAIXP2jwPEN9g_DWLWHHZcLl4wKbNBElh80Vmhot5y3X3WbZgdigWqJDdfeFICLN89p3YjRVOMEW27m2/s1600-h/kajol+wedding+look.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343191050898582962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU4hX-fDirGXbp_E-XFUv68qdRuhA1yT0I_DXkFYnF0-t089g-X6XG5IB1_sXCAIXP2jwPEN9g_DWLWHHZcLl4wKbNBElh80Vmhot5y3X3WbZgdigWqJDdfeFICLN89p3YjRVOMEW27m2/s320/kajol+wedding+look.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzJkTZSN7Y8rv8r3UPxcCix_cHJhZ3FU5nnNt7rioYXDPzhpDIWNpXCP2vBYBZ_gQZwlF5VbNvpbB63gelw4FEO5Q9lnAz_m_lptwUdJLCOhMXM4Oa6vlKvNCLQnmy56nkq9p78Q30QLb/s1600-h/DSC02936_321195414_std.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343191044670035874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzJkTZSN7Y8rv8r3UPxcCix_cHJhZ3FU5nnNt7rioYXDPzhpDIWNpXCP2vBYBZ_gQZwlF5VbNvpbB63gelw4FEO5Q9lnAz_m_lptwUdJLCOhMXM4Oa6vlKvNCLQnmy56nkq9p78Q30QLb/s320/DSC02936_321195414_std.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8ETldx9cqv8NxrBWeONcMx9wAVrJ5MIkziPrBhci5gLqJ9gCck9wEIS9mr6_IGz2w-Yy7JB5zxUvocKuppK0p3TtwRbwAiTuLjfA7GztX5eQOro_8bPAvKQ_jtsBAJ4cI_gRTjz6sU3S/s1600-h/ana-parzych-cake-xl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343191045050158146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8ETldx9cqv8NxrBWeONcMx9wAVrJ5MIkziPrBhci5gLqJ9gCck9wEIS9mr6_IGz2w-Yy7JB5zxUvocKuppK0p3TtwRbwAiTuLjfA7GztX5eQOro_8bPAvKQ_jtsBAJ4cI_gRTjz6sU3S/s320/ana-parzych-cake-xl.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I dunno what's with me lately but as I watch my little Hijabi Princess run around, screaming and making all sorts of weird noises with Big Papi, my mind starts to drift off thinking about when it'll be her turn to get married, InshaAllah. I start to think about the many things involved: wedding location, the massive families to coordinate that are scattered all over the world, bridal clothing, cake, amount of gold jewerly bought for her and the list goes on. Now, I'm not psycho since my Mami is only 4 going on 5 but since she's my only girl who will be the eldest with three siblings, I wonder how her Baba and I will handle it all when the day comes?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I dream about the type of wedding I would LIKE which will not necessarily be of her taste... to which I'll probably get upset but she's kinda like me when it comes to stuff- I dunno if it'll last but if so, we might be okay with planning! ;) Her Baba will have his own set of ideas for sure... I think it'll be interesting! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I watch her run around, care free and laughing while I sit and think about her education and future... what will she do? What will she like? How might she change in the years to come? I don't know if other Mothers dream of their daughter's wedding but I have been thinking about it alot and I don't know why! She's just a baby and she will not be getting married any time soon but I guess maybe because I know she's my only girl? And I told her Baba start saving that money NOW for the event... and you know Pakistani families usually don't do small weddings and since she's definitely "the Princess", it won't be something taken lightly! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I've thought of fancy cakes.... you know, the kind that don't even LOOK like cakes (like the one above that look like pillows... definitely, my style)? The amount of family and friends from all the world- my family is huge and my hubby's family is massive so it would be a spectacle to see (hence the reason to start saving NOW... lol). Her wedding will more than likely be nothing like mine: very small, right after Friday kuttbah with an average sized walimah the next day... </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Anyhoo, just thinking aloud... we have many, many, many years ahead of us to think about the event, InshaAllah- I guess I'm just being a Mommy right now... watching my little Hijabi Princess grow up before my eyes..... sigh. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Now, all we need is the right boy: practising, religious and from a good family...hmmm......</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-44254588553039895212009-06-02T03:36:00.006-04:002009-06-02T04:18:24.988-04:00Sisters are makin it happen... would you like to join us?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8De7RJ4RYaRnmjXwdC4TaTk-QMsdWFI2cFnHtnK5podN9QA0z8DGYZN0dlCc_DjhOGtq9_8Q7zEcvhK3jtJ9IhdeJyOWgbctHa3qKEmCbXtr-surpfo_2d4oOGSjWUkrvBRE_MXjtbVV/s1600-h/PH2008081602207.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342635733281221538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8De7RJ4RYaRnmjXwdC4TaTk-QMsdWFI2cFnHtnK5podN9QA0z8DGYZN0dlCc_DjhOGtq9_8Q7zEcvhK3jtJ9IhdeJyOWgbctHa3qKEmCbXtr-surpfo_2d4oOGSjWUkrvBRE_MXjtbVV/s320/PH2008081602207.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Assalaam Alaikum, my beautiful sisters!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Just a moment to give all the sisters here in Cairo the info on that meeting I mentioned in my last post... it's all about sisterly support for us expats, remembering Allah (SWT) and coming together to learn from one another with classes, workshops and the sorts... children included!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The next meeting will be this Thursday, June 4th at the Global Net Cafe located at 25 Hassan Haamid St. in Hayatul Ashr (sic) from 10AM-1PM. Hassan Haamid St, is located 2 streets BEHIND Eltaweed & Nour store- it's on the 1st floor in a pink and blue building... hope that's enough info!!! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">For sisters living inside Rehab, there is a bus that can take you to the meeting but you must notify the sister, Umm Layla if you need a spot- first come, first serve.... I actually didn't get her permission to post her cell so please send me a line in comments and I can pass along the message- please include your mobile number for contact. Fee for the bus I believe is 10 LE to cover the cost and the price of admission to the meeting is 5 LE which is to cover the cost of using the facility.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">They do send out info reguarly via email so those who are interested in receiving the info already shared, send me your email addresses and I can forward it to you- when you attend the meeting, the sisters will take all your contact info for future updates and contact.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">They have a buddy system here within Rehab- you are assigned a buddy which is someone who lives close to you and you exchange personal info between yourselves just in case the sister needs to care for you or your children if you fall ill or need other assistance and vice versa... it's a great concept and it's already very much in effect! I wasn't feeling well and my buddy visited and met me for the 1st time over a week ago- just to say hello, introduce herself and offer her assistance! And we linked up again last night since I suffered from a mishap here in my flat, she made dinner for me and brought it by! What more can you ask for? The sisters here REALLY look out for each other and it feels great to be associated with them! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">For those sisters living in Nasr City, Umm Layla mentioned the buddy system can be created for you as well- this is definitely a wonderful thing, MashaAllah!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Okay.... duty calls with the kids... hope to see all of you there.... I love you all, for the pleasure of Allah!</span></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-62588404591102047132009-05-23T12:00:00.015-04:002009-05-23T17:57:50.535-04:00There's NO place like home....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5yOvAbMJfJ_hCNjgMmwGfu5T-K7eBvlHsruFeLyeKuPvc1mSNfSJzqsyDOPvVoUro91Bwa_N5kweNysYAVcJEp-RaEqnaugkuqW6Sm0sQRPogigzMbRGBqWd8ooYZ2xXkRJcpSXeOJ79/s1600-h/longislandnypic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339059504326380834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5yOvAbMJfJ_hCNjgMmwGfu5T-K7eBvlHsruFeLyeKuPvc1mSNfSJzqsyDOPvVoUro91Bwa_N5kweNysYAVcJEp-RaEqnaugkuqW6Sm0sQRPogigzMbRGBqWd8ooYZ2xXkRJcpSXeOJ79/s320/longislandnypic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4NmKYx90nefVF59_6yx6eBmv2AFygbAKwLNSZXsD_IybA8l317Ww6UWuagQoK8etOGTqIfb_Yfbdme_6YGijCkoLqghgS7T58e3ncbCR3z47GdlvMKb1PJeDlsmyoO7WWPOFZLyxlAzg/s1600-h/new_york.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339059497441995298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4NmKYx90nefVF59_6yx6eBmv2AFygbAKwLNSZXsD_IybA8l317Ww6UWuagQoK8etOGTqIfb_Yfbdme_6YGijCkoLqghgS7T58e3ncbCR3z47GdlvMKb1PJeDlsmyoO7WWPOFZLyxlAzg/s320/new_york.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeg-W9EcAA0dmSTB4KFZv21bngotu8ytI5ft7g8jYecC9qq65ok7NXwv7eOV5mQc_gLKYTo3HEw6un8xAqeR3p1eY_aaxPPvI2eIWhG1DRaLrd6HTyw1PUKTvfvzHDYMCLNa6kyQRTO3K/s1600-h/Central_Park_aerial_v-1297.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339059155033474546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeg-W9EcAA0dmSTB4KFZv21bngotu8ytI5ft7g8jYecC9qq65ok7NXwv7eOV5mQc_gLKYTo3HEw6un8xAqeR3p1eY_aaxPPvI2eIWhG1DRaLrd6HTyw1PUKTvfvzHDYMCLNa6kyQRTO3K/s320/Central_Park_aerial_v-1297.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3BAGlhQVCotPAuvaL3fOXg9n3FAtKpMOqs8ymFodTZ7CV8q_3xkxN2LRr3f3pAmP8ZZsFgEou1IMSDLL4Swv2az3rvY4or-EDi1KqPo4zO652QJqcYoddV9U329NzLeab_3XxKPL5tgw/s1600-h/6a00d83518d15e53ef00e551a46ac48833-800wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339059151353076866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3BAGlhQVCotPAuvaL3fOXg9n3FAtKpMOqs8ymFodTZ7CV8q_3xkxN2LRr3f3pAmP8ZZsFgEou1IMSDLL4Swv2az3rvY4or-EDi1KqPo4zO652QJqcYoddV9U329NzLeab_3XxKPL5tgw/s320/6a00d83518d15e53ef00e551a46ac48833-800wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, I have about 3 minutes to sit at the moment and I've been thinking about my beloved home for the last few days... and I started to look at pics and the mind started to drift away- thinking about normalcy, family life, friends, GOOD food, cleanliness, wide open spaces, fresh air, the beautiful ocean, the vast cultures all co-existing in that huge melting pot called New York! </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Eventually, most of us can learn to adapt to our surroundings at some point and time, while others may NEVER be able to adapt at all- this is LIFE and we're all built differently. What I can take and make a joke out of it, some may feel bitter resentment and hate things even more- and no one behavior is right or wrong- how we cope is part of who we are..... I must tell you the obvious: visiting is one thing but when you're forced to live the day-to-day in this forsaken place called Egypt, it's not easy. The biggest problem I feel is how people put their "culture" before religion- to most of them, this is what it's all about. We're ALL to be the same, regardless of where we come from... and this is what we as Muslims are taught and THOUGHT... be here, this is not necessarily the case- you are the OUTSIDER and most will NOT let you forget it. Forget about being brothers and sisters in the most glorious religion on this earth: you're from where YOU are and we're EGYPTIAN- so stupid. And if I could speak a lick of the local slang dialect, I would ask: what exactly IS IT to be EGYPTIAN??? Not to rant, but most feel for some really odd reason that they're better than us... and how so do I ask? Is it the ancient culture that have absolutely nothing to do with you nowdays... or is it the country that you so disgustingly neglect in almost every way imaginable??? I must tell you, I have had alot of contact with some very nice Egyptian people here and even they agree: their people have some serious issues.... and alot of them don't even like us, Muslim or not- but if you stop and think, if people like us from ALL over this world didn't come here for one reason or another whether it be to live indefinitely, study for a period of time, vacation, buy property,etc. what ELSE EXACTLY WOULD BE GOING ON HERE??? I will tell you... nothing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">In my lifetime, I have mixed and mingled in many different circles: rich, poor, middle class, no class, super highly educated, no education whatsoever, average education, morons and uber-intelligent so I know HOW to hang with the good, the bad and the indifferent. I have tried to immerse myself somewhat with understanding the mentality of the locals to which some things I have figured WHY they do what they do but still again, most stuff you just can't understand WHY... and even their own have said so- to me! But I think the biggest problem is all the boisterous pride, the blatant ignorance and the moronic arrogance and the REAL belly buster: the huge aire of SUPERIORITY that they try to "flaunt" in your face (this one I really laugh at) but I ask you, WHY? Maybe some Egyptian sisters care to comment so maybe people like myself living here can get a better handle on what we're dealing with or HOW to deal with the natives. I truly want to understand since I do plan to stay, InshaAllah, but to co-exist like this IS NOT condusive. I can honestly say, I wouldn't advise anyone to come here UNLESS you've been here and know what you might be facing in the long run. I want to make it bearable not perfect- to be able to look at the natives and feel like I belong here and they ARE my brothers and sisters... not the things that run through my mind when I'm faced with the uncalled-for idiotic behavior (Astagfiruallah)- you're not hurting me but you're making yourself and your people look bad... think about it. Because I know, at the end of the day, I CAN pack my bags and hop a flight back to my native land- no questions asked... but is this the solution? WHY shouldn't I be able to stay and feel like one of them? A person, a sister, a Muslim and still yet know I am a foreigner? I've heard MANY things over the years about what people think about the people here and I said to myself, they shouldn't say things like that: they ARE people just like us- but until you have to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, don't judge- living here for 3 months have put things into perspective as to WHY they've said what they have- and I can't fault them. But I don't want negative feelings and total resentment be my memory of living in this country- I want to walk away whenever I leave, with a positive experience and be able to say, I lived amongst my brothers and sisters and it was good! I don't want to report that the experiences were all bad: they're HUGE liars, thieves, arrogant, ignorant and such- even writing that doesn't look NOR feel good- but this has been most of the interactions here so far- I can totally relate to Umm Travis's gripe. For those who might think she complains- life here everyday is like this... imagine this being your daily fight... would YOU feel good or even remotely "appreciate" the people? I think not. I want to understand the mode of thinking- someone "enlighten" me, please!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">.</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">So, even though this place will be my home for some time to come, InshaAllah, I can't help but miss my beloved New York... I might be biased but it's one of the most beautiful places in the world! NO PLACE can EVER compare to it whether it be the wide open spaces, huge homes, friendly neighbors, landscaped lawns and uber-clean parks in Long Island or the hussle and bussle in one of the greatest cities that NEVER sleeps- New York has it all!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Maybe, if I close my eyes and click my heels three times, I might find myself in my old neighborhood: there's no place like home... there's no place like home... there's no place like home....</span></div></div></div></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148305407847885067.post-12629229822710470622009-05-09T03:43:00.017-04:002009-05-15T14:02:17.246-04:00Just here... for the moment.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXVPp0lm2rL3xlTnMKtR47AfmLluMxsy_sedaz6QMGZhWSdIR-YEV3dsnv50AcOOq-J5F4awqrlYIeXaxYQZK62D33UULCBjnzFXoeClVh4foPma2MbFCu478icnHK59C5Y4-oWagaJ8w/s1600-h/ist2_4715950-children.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333741137256294386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXVPp0lm2rL3xlTnMKtR47AfmLluMxsy_sedaz6QMGZhWSdIR-YEV3dsnv50AcOOq-J5F4awqrlYIeXaxYQZK62D33UULCBjnzFXoeClVh4foPma2MbFCu478icnHK59C5Y4-oWagaJ8w/s320/ist2_4715950-children.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've received sooooo many emails from people telling me to "come back!" and "I miss your posts!" and "I miss you!!!".... and I thank you all from the depths of my heart for not forgetting me! Well, my story is the same- but thank Allah, I've finally gotten the new flat to where everything I have is in it's right place- still waiting for my bloody boxes from Alex, though... but that is a whole other diaster. The good folks here decided in customs that I shipped too many things and that ALL of it couldn't be for me and my kids- like I brought my entire life here to sell! The nerve! The guts! The gall! And they charged me a HUGE HUGE fine as a penalty for sending my things here to set up my life- soooo very nice of them- a few THOUSAND US dollars.... thank you, Egypt. pfft..........</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">And I'm extremely exhausted still from the initial move, the move again and all the unpacking... and with my little hijabi Princess, Big Papi and Little Papi in tow, things haven't really slowed down much. And for those who don't know (only those who were closest to me have been privvy to the details) I'm expecting.... again! So, there's the other reason for all my tiredness- came here with my troops, alone and pregnant and trying to make it all work- even my ob/gyn here has told me he's in complete awe of me! Foreign land, no help, no hubby here at the moment, came alone with small children, moved, moved again... and all while very much pregnant and not feeling well. Well, me, I believe you do what you gotta do- at any cost so, there it is in a nutshell. If you see me, I look about 2-3 months OVERDUE but I'm not due until sometime this summer.... it's funny how much bigger the belly gets with each baby! Just to give you an idea: when I was pregnant with my first, the Hijabi Princess, everyone thought I was having twins and I even heard triplets... and you know how the belly expands with each one- so imagine what I look like now??? :) </span><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The looks before when I wasn't so big was like "Maybe she's still carrying that baby belly from that baby on her hip" but now people just look at me like "???" and some are like "MashaAllah...." yes, I AM carrying a baby on my hip and VERY much pregnant- again.... HA!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I will try to post more now that things have calmed down some- take my new camera out the box finally so I can take some pics of some sites soon... I promise to post them- don't expect anything fancy... just random shots of stuff and life around Cairo.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Please make dua for me and all my babies... we're here and making it by Allah's (SWT) mercy- and I feel we just might be able to make it work here. I've found some good people, Alhumdulillah, to be in my camp so I think with my new network, I just might elect to stick around for awhile... not to give up just because of the sometime crazy culture that exists here and the extremely rude, arrogant people- and let's not forget the lot that feel that they have bigger, smarter brains than the rest of us but are very HIGHLY uneducated- makes me chuckle. Gotta take the bad with the good- I've also met some fabulous Egyptian sisters, MashaAllah- the kind I wanna be around: good, practising sisters who have it together: Islam over culture! I've decided to do my usual- laugh at the rest mentioned above and keep moving... stupid is as stupid does.... and my girlfriend from England who is married to a nice Egyptian, has explained some of the customs here to me- she also used to think most stuff was crazy but when you do dig a little deeper, you realize WHY they do some of the things they do and it makes sense when you stand back... but other stuff, you're still like ??????????????????????????????????????????????????</span><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Anyhoo, time for tea and put Little Papi down for his morning nap- maybe we'll get a chance to go out and enjoy the weather today! I love you all, for the pleasure of Allah!</span></div><div></div></div></div>Empress Anisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04440918919478618627noreply@blogger.com21