My dear God!

I am going to get married soon inshallah and with that, I have began to prepare. I’ve been talking and exchanging ideas with many other Pakistani brides-to-be
...and I’m sorry but I have to vent! (I know you saw it coming)
What the hell is wrong with brown people (YES I SAID BROWN PEOPLE)!!! After reading and talking to girls in the same position as myself for about a year now, and hearing about such stories in real life has got me convinced that the nation is immensely consumed by greed! Both males and females of all ages!

Brides are wanting/demanding/expecting gifts and jehez, and the Grooms are not far behind, In-Laws just seem possessed. Real life stories are revolving in the community and yet no one claims that they are doing something wrong. I include myself in this, as I sometimes get ahead of myself too.

To all the future grooms!! You, the HUSBANDS are responsible for providing the cars, the bedroom set, the china, the misc furniture, anything and everything that you and your wife will need after you are married...even the needle/thread required for fixing your "loose button" goodness! How can you men sleep at night thinking that bed you are laying on was paid by some senior citizen's life savings! I’ve never experienced this in my family but I know a lot of cousins/girls who had to take a house worth stuff to their in-laws.

Girls! Buy what you need and can afford! Quit browsing/copying other brides! Buy the outfits and jewels you know you will wear, and will not be a burden physically and financially! What will you do with 10090099283 outfits anyway?? Just buy things as you need them? It’s ridiculous to buy everything at once! Control your mothers who buy you 20 sets of gold and save it for your wedding. Those same sets are now tacky/old/ugly and trust me, they’re not doing it for love…they’re doing it to look and feel rich. It’s disgusting.

In-laws ok, clearly we know you are possessed, but try to be nice. Leave the newlyweds alone for some time, let them adjust to each other. Who knows people may not complain...and like you for once. Please, let your son feel how it is to be a responsible, mature man, a wife is a blessing, be happy when he respects the woman and quit poking her like she is some sort of a circus animal. The wedding is HER dream, not yours. Don’t snatch her one day away from her by doing your own stuff, and don’t just sit back and wait for the wedding day so you can dress up and show up like you organized the whole thing. HELP OUT and don’t be cheap!

Cousins - No, sorry no can do. Go get your own

We all need to be reminded what’s important in life.
Not the best wedding clothes
Not the nicest house
Not the most money
Not the most beautiful wife/husband
But- Happiness, health, love, family and religion!

....

If I could back in time....

respect

Respecting others is one of the most significant characteristics you can teach your children. Respect is something that needs to be shown to everyone (every race/age/type/culture). As a parent it your job to help teach your children the importance of respect. As a Pakistani, I am ashamed to say that majority of our parents are racist, and have raised us the same way (not necessarily meaning that we are racist)
The most important thing to remember is that children for the most part learn by example, and as children that example is from our parents and family members. So if you want to teach your kids to be respectful of others, it’s important that you should show people respect, as well. When I say respectful, I don’t only mean to be polite and kind to others because I think majority of the parents really do want their children to be that way. When you crunch your face upon another race, don’t think your child missed that expression of yours. To be honest, majority of the time you’re not looking down upon another person because they’re different, but because you think you’re better. How could we possibly think that black people are harmfull, or white people are snobby, or bangali’s are this and tamil’s are that and Chinese are this and that! Where did those thoughts even come from? Ofcourse they came from our parents or family. Believe me when I say that a lot of parents don’t allow their children to be friends with a certain race because I’ve seen and heard this from my own eyes and it’s disgusting. When you forbid marriages between different cultures because “you can’t marry a Spanish boy, they steal”, your child heard you. How beautiful would the person be who believes in true equality, and respects all people for their self and for who they are, and not based on their looks or money. Don’t assume that your child will grow up and be a hippie and not understand harm. My neighbor says a good parent teaches their child to swim, in case the boat breaks down but that swimming doesn’t have to include bad attitude towards others.
Respect is something that is learned over time. It can’t be an instantaneous thing. There’s no real way to explain to a child that she needs to respect others without experiencing that need first hand.

To sum it up: Don’t be such a jerk

SO AMAZNING!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Kyy_4NE3Y&feature=channel

touches the heart!

p.s

three semesters down!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite hobby is

...photography! Well at least it is today. Sometimes it is baking. And sometimes it is decorating or make-up. But for today, it's photography.
I’m not very good but I really would like to be. I want to capture Kodak moments, not really of people but things, nature and food. I have such an obsession with taking pictures of food, that later looks like something very delicious. Overall, I like to take pictures of things, just everyday things.
I’ve been lucky to get a nice camera that I really like, except I’m having a hard time understanding its functions and settings. It’ll take time. Another thing I’ve discovered is that you don’t actually need an expensive camera to be a good photographer; you can just be good at it with any camera you own. Sadly, a skill I don’t have yet. It’s also hard to capture a good moment because I can’t carry around a chunky camera everywhere. But I love it; it’s so nice with the focus and colors. I wish I had time to take pictures, I’ve just been so busy to have a some time to take pictures. Maybe winter times!

Anti-Frizz serum

I've been using this for about 4ish years on and off. They changed the bottle, it used to be round and cuter. It takes that puff dry feeling the hair gets after it dries from a shower. I don't know how well it would work for someone with frizzy hair, but I think it does a good job! I've always found it at majority of the drug store shops, like Shoppers. I don't know why I'm feeling love for this today.

yeeeeeeeeeeee

Congradulations

I love my NK

last but not least

Day 10: One person you can trust

day 999999999

Day 9: Two things you wish you could do.
1) Fly
2) Sew clothes

Bridal tea party

I saved these ideas because I love the idea of a tea party. Someone please have a bridal tea party!

mmm mmm good

Honestly, i can’t get enough of Starbucks French Vanilla Frappacino. It’s so good and I’m not a coffee/tea person so I don’t know what it’s like to “need” coffee, but I seem to crave this stuff!!

Days 8 ||||||||

Day 8: Three words you can’t go a day without using.

1) um
2) A
3) And

Yes, I'm very creative.

Day 7

Four memories you won’t forget.

1) The time of my Nikkah, no matter what, it was one of the best moments
2) Feeling sad physically
3) Bowmanville times. Literally staying up half the night and laughing till it hurt on a regular basis
4) Pakistan trip 2009, the weddings and family
5) The summer of 2003, a war between us siblings vs. my older brother!

Day 6

Day 6: Five things you can’t live without.

First I started to write things like my husband, my dad and then I realized it’s “things”. Haha! I can actually live without all these things, but I get the point (this is me being technical) How sad am I to say my camera and make up.

1) Chapstick
2) Lappy tappers
3) My camera
4) Make-up
5) Cell phone (preferably iphone =(

FIVE

Day 5: Six songs that you’re addicted to.

Back when I did these are the ones that I remember (so these are OLD)

1) Soniye heeriye – Sheel (Punjabi)
2) Real Love – masari
3) Lonley – akon
4) Wanna love you girl- robin thicke
5) He wasn’t good enough for me - Toni Baxter
6) I had to go – beyonce

Day pour (4)

Day 4: Seven fears/phobias.
1) Losing a loved one
2) Becoming a bitter old lady
3) Animals(including dogs, cats etc)
4) Becoming a controlling or bad parent
5) Forgetting my main purpose in this life
6) The smell of rotten food
7) Open closet doors

Eid Mubarak

Eid mubarak me love

MSA gone nuts

I know this may be a sensitive topic, but this is my opinion. All around the world, educational institutes have Muslim Student Associations, high-schools, colleges, universities. They’re motive to be a group is to promote Islam, to be apart of a muslim association and I believe that is one of the best things a person can do for themselves. Join a gathering that is for the sake of Good, for religion. It’s to help oneself learn new things, be a part of activities and show others that Islam is not a violent, nor negative. That said, I am not a part of the MSA, nor do I ever intend to be. I use the office for my daily prayers; I meet the people for greetings and to listen to the beneficial lectures.
The MSA’s in my schools and the ones that I know of have taken Islam and have given it a whole new twist to fit their own comfort. Please understand that people around you are taking that in, viewing you as a muslim and not just a person while your apart of that group. I feel that people take the topic of Islam and make it seem like this “fun and exciting” religion and make it out to be something that it is not. Islam is a beautiful religion that promotes good and forbids wrong. To be quite honest, I now see the MSA as a social network of flirting/dating service with the so called “sisters and brothers”. Islam is about modesty and how in the world are you showing modesty and hijab if the “brothers” and the “sisters” are spending time together, with or without the sake of the MSA activities. Then the formal gatherings also consist of the males and females together looking their best. Please don’t sit there and tell me that you’re doing all this for the sake of Allah, even if your intention is at the right place, your actions are definitely speaking otherwise. People don’t understand how much their actions effect the look of Islam. I’ve spoken to several people who are NOT muslim asking me why dating or friendship with the opposite gender is not allowed because they went to a dinner at MSA’s and viewed it being done. People who are in post-secondary education are the generation of today, they are the ones who take in and speak up. Why not take Islam and show its true beauty that’s based of having firm faith in Allah, salaah, the importance of knowledge, dikr, the importance of intention, the importance of treating people right. Why not follow on the step of Rasulullah (s.a.w) and promote that, instead of wasting time and money on formal functions, games, events for nothing but for the sake of Fun. Spend that money and create events that are meant to touch someone’s heart and change their life. As a group, have a goal to change yourself as well as others. Keep your modesty, and stop walking around giving the brothers giddy eyes and looking for reasons to borrow their pen. What a waste with these stupid petty comedy nights and flirty -tee-hee-hee-giggle-giggle wars between the girls and the guys.
I say this because countless time, I’ve had conversations with Non-muslims about Islam and it makes me so angry that they think a certain way about Islam because of the MSA! Islam doesn’t upgrade every year, it is the way it is and the way it is, it’s beautiful, wonderful!
At first I used to laugh about it, but now it just makes me angry enough to say all this! I’m no extremist; we make excuses for ourselves so we can do things without feeling like their wrong.

You feel me...

Day teewee(3)

Day 3: Eight things that annoy you.

I could probably right a book on this one

1) When people are rude for no real particular reason
2) Girls who act fakely-obsessed, (but let’s just say girls all together to be fair *insert fake smile here*) 3) When my wifi disconnects!
4) If my room door or closet curtain is open
5) When people act private about no real topic OR talk so openly about private topics
6) People who use good motive (religion) to promote wrong.
7) Bad breath
8) Older woman who try to act and look like a teenager!

Day 2!

I'v had this picture since highschool times, it just never seems to leave my computer. I love something about it, and notice that behind the window is the view of the city. I think Im an condo kinda girl.

Day 2: Nine things you do everyday.
This one is hard!

1) Sleep
2) Eat
3) Pray
4) Check my e-mail and go on Facebook
5) Text Miss.Koya
6) look at a picture of some sort
7) drive
8) Day dream about my wedding
9) Use the bathroom (I’m running out of things to say)

Day 1

Day 1: Ten random facts about yourself.

1 – I used to be a tom boy
2 – I secretly want braces for no reason
3 – I love shopping for men suits, ties, shirts, jackets.
4 – Even though I am really independent, I can’t live without my Dad
5 – Sometimes I forget to do my laundry for few weeks
6 – I am always tempted to tell people about their ugly choice of clothes and style. It itches me even though everyone has their own personal style.
7 – I own countless black heels that I’ve never worn.
8 – I’m afraid that my in-laws won’t like me because I can’t control my mouth and emotions.
9 – I find it so difficult to dress modest and still look good. (I know a lot of people can do it)
10 – Whenever my husband tells me I’m beautiful, I pretend not to care but I get happy on the inside.

10 day challenge

Ten Day Challenge

Day 1: Ten random facts about yourself.
Day 2: Nine things you do everyday.
Day 3: Eight things that annoy you.
Day 4: Seven fears/phobias.
Day 5: Six songs that you’re addicted to.
Day 6: Five things you can’t live without.
Day 7: Four memories you won’t forget.
Day 8: Three words you can’t go a day without using.
Day 9: Two things you wish you could do.
Day 10: One person you can trust

Lets just imagin that the day that I do one challenge on is the day after the previous day that I had done the previous challenge on. Even I don’t know what I just wrote

Serious Stuff!

Trying to understand the new camera and it's new ways

:(

These past few weeks have been horrible. Everyday something new and horrible happens, which is exactly what I don’t need at the moment.

I seem to be slacking on all school studies, can’t seem to focus in class or out and can’t study for tests. If I fail, I will definitely not be surprised. Other than that, I’m constantly losing things, misplacing items which leads to frustration. So far my iphone has been stolen and I’ve lost my car keys twice, one pair is gone and second pair I found a day later. I forget to hand simple assigned work in, and the one paper I have handed in was given back to me due to the dates being wrong. I’m losing it… I swear I am!
My days are long and I can’t sleep at night. I’m late for classes and work. My main focus is on the wedding in July. For which I have nothing planned or prepared because no one else seems to care but me.

All jokes aside, I should quit life and move to France. Just joking…but seriously!

Leggings are not pants

A lot of girls seem to think that leggings are pants for them to wear, as one would wear pants. Leggings are not pants. Not Pants! Leggings are an accessory to an outfit, but the one thing they are not are pants.
Please, don’t wear leggings with short shirts. Anything that doesn’t cover your butt is definitely too short to be worn with leggings. It’s gross and disgusting and a shame to yourself. So again, no short tops with leggings…please.
Leggings in bright colors and animal prints are also a no no! Unless maybe if your 7 then it might just look cute. Chances are, you look really tacky wearing bright coloured leggings. Oh and those metallic ones, they are not for everyone and not for every occasion.
Jeans print leggings are TACKY!
Leggings don’t just go with any pair of shoes, for example sneakers.
good day :)

I will come back with my "my summer" post. It was slow but it was still summer
Toodles

nikkaefied

During these chaotic times of my life, I come back to you oh internet to unload, as sad as that may is.
In exactly two days from now, I will be nikkahified (nikkah-e-fied?). I complained this entire summer about not attending a wedding, and now here it is, my own marriage in all its unwelcomed glory. Well, it’s not actually a wedding, it’s just the religious ceremony to make us husband and wife and the reception and all that sha-bang will take place next year. Cool? Okay!

This little ceremony shows me how strained I will be next year for the actual wedding, I can envision being a total wreck with everyone around me to blame. Oh yes!

What’s happening? The nikkah will take place in Hamilton masjid on the 6th and then inshallah a dinner for both families the following week. It all just happened so fast with the decision-making of a very speedy man (my beloved baba) and awfully unorganized family system (mine and my in-law family) after switching the date and time for about 15 times, it was set today.

That being said, how is one expected to prepare and plan for a 100 people dinner in such a short notice? So what do we do? Absolutely nothing. I have no idea what I will wear, or any other arrangements. For me, that’s quite amazing since I am a stress-machine.

Okay enough of this because a minute from now, I will begin to talk about how stress I truly am and I rather just end this in a semi-happy mode.

Woman

The following was not written by me, I read it online and sadly forgot where I saved it from:

SHE is the mother, sister, daughter or wife. She is a guarded jewel. This guarded jewel will never become a girl-friend or a mistress. The woman is the most important and effective member of the family structure. Therefore, Islam respects the woman and gives her the position that suits her nature.
Woman has been given a great portion in Islam. The Almighty God (Allah) has revealed one chapter named Surah Al-Nisa (Chapter of the Woman). The Holy Quran contains so many verses and chapters, which clarify and explain the rights of the woman. Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) has explained the rules and regulations which organize the life of the woman. These are for her personal protection, first and foremost. Secondly, to protect her rights.
Woman has obtained the greatest rights and position in the sight of Allah - the right of respect as a mother, the right of care as a daughter or sister, the right of good companionship as a wife.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) advised Muslims in his Last Sermon: "Treat women kindly."
Nothing and no one can preserve and give the woman her rights as the Creator of the woman has. Whomsoever wants to know about these rights, must read the Greatest, Godly constitution about woman, the Holy Quran. Also the authentic traditions of the last and final messenger, Muhammad (peace be on him). Anyone who tries to put any other constitution or system in regards to the woman, other than that from the Creator of the woman, will fail. Why? Because if we really want to give the woman her rights, we must first know the nature of woman. Almighty God alone knows the true nature of woman. Therefore, He has revealed the rights and regulations, which are fitting to her nature.
If we examine what the man-made systems have brought the woman, we find that those who are claiming themselves as defenders of the woman's rights, have actually taken them away from her. They think that they have honoured her, but actually they have abused her. In the name of false civilization, woman was brought out of their private kingdom, her home. Then she lost her position, her identity and her rights. Those who are bringing the woman out of her home, in the name of giving her freedom or equalizing between man and woman, are only cheating her. The woman can never be like the man! Man has his own physiological tasks, and woman has her own physiological tasks.
"But when she delivered her, she said: "My Lord, I have delivered a female. And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female..." (Quran 3:36)

Hang with Epilators

This gadget of torture was purchased online from www.beautychoice.com for $90.I searched everywhere else for this particular brand but I couldn’t find it, though I did come across some other epilators at wal-mart, zellers and stores like such.
I was so excited when I purchased it and did all my research beforehand. Now that I have it, I use it very sporadically. I try my best to use it as much as possible so my skin can get used to the pulling and the redness stops. I really don’t want this thing to live in the back of my drawer so I’m making a real effort to use it!

The main reason for using it so infrequently is the fact that I'm a wimp. When this thing starts, it makes a brittle noise which is scary; a lot of people don’t even want to try it for that reason.
Once I start using it for a little while, it's not so bad. It hurts around the softer spots because the skin is thinner and if you stretch your skin by where you're epilating, it really reduces the pain a whole lot.

It removes quite a lot of hair which is something can’t see, but you’ll see it when you clean it out. As far as the battery life goes, it’s pretty good and lasts a good amount of time. I haven’t tried any other epilators to compare but I know not to buy an epilator that runs of batteries because the power is not the same.
The main trick is to use it slowly and not run it on the skin like a razor because that doesn’t allow for it to pluck enough hair. It can be used anywhere on the body, but I don’t use it on my facial because I don’t want to risk it

(The golden tweezers that turn while plucking hair. Picture is unclear because I was in the car!)

(My arm's reaction...mostly just redness)

it's got to happen

I’ve been feeling very close to death lately, mostly by thoughts and dream. So I thought I’m going to die sooner or later so I should be prepared. Not that this will really matter but here are the things I want done once I’m dead.
-All my savings should be paid to my school fees and any that I owe to people and if there is any left over, it should go to my Dad for the madressa or in charity
-I would want one of my close friends to delete all my thoughts and journals off my computer and notebooks
-all my pictures should be ripped and deleted by anyone and everyone.
-All the presents I save for people should be delivered to them for me.
-someone should find my fiance a really pious and kind wife.
-all my make-up should go to Asma Panchbhaya
-My clothes can go charity
-My shoes and bags can be distributed among my family and friends
-no bidat should be done for my funeral (excessive crying, traditions, drama)
-forgive me and pray for me.

in this world...

In this world, we have people who do wrong, and are exposed and humiliated by others. Some of them care, others don’t.

Then we have people who have done wrong but others are not aware. Yet they judge others and don’t conceal others while forgetting who they are first.

Then there are people who are righteous, so they feel that they have the right to judge others and put them down

Then there are people who are in fact honorable and righteous and they try to help people become righteous too.

-------------------

I think I’m almost to a point where I can’t tolerate to hear the same things over. Why? Because it’s been said over each harsh conversation.

I think that you truly see some people’s dirty side when they’re fuming, they’ll say it all back to back without thinking twice about what is coming out of their mouth. Certain people in my life never let me forget that I’ve done wrong previously (because apparently I am an angel now). Not only is it cheap-talk to carry up years back worth of wrong doings, it’s also very low character of the person to handle any criticism about themselves. It somehow makes them feel better knowing that they got revenge on the spot and made you shut up because they reminded you of how you have done nasty things and that you’re a nasty person, which cannot be compared to something they’re doing.

You know what you know, but don’t forget that I know too.

MAC "to the beach" collection

Glowing tan with multidimensional golden shimmer

"Pink rabel" "sun rush"

beach bronze

"Hipness"

"marine life"

"sand and sun" "firecracker" "sweet and punchy" "shimmermoss" "humid"

"In the buff" "scocher"

"beachbound" "lazy day" "thrills" "funbathing"

"easy lounger" "flurry to fun" "splashing"

"life's a breeze" "temprature rising" "rosmary and thyme" "float on by"