Islamic Relief/CAMP-Philadelphia Lebanon Fundraiser Iftar

CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION!

Assalaamu Alaikum,

Ramadan Mubarak!

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Council of Muslim Professionals (CAMP), Islamic Relief, and Princeton University have come together to host our 2nd annual Ramadan Fundraising Dinner. This year's proceeds will go towards the global relief effort for rebuilding Lebanon.

This event will bring together the Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey communities to unite for a common cause: Rebuilding Lebanon. Our evening will begin with the breaking of fast (Iftaar) followed by guest presentations and dinner. Our evening will conclude with Taraweeh prayers led by the renowned Imam Ahmed Elhaddad of Egypt.

The Ramadan Iftaar and Fundraising Dinner is open to everyone. We encourage you to bring your family and friends to spend this momentous evening with us. Please see the attached agenda for further information.

We look forward to seeing you!

Wasalaamu Alaikum
CAMP - Philadelphia Board

THURSDAY

Today is Thursday, right? I went out to dinner last night with Monika and I had this sudden feeling of deja vu come over me as if I'd been to the restaurant before. Which, I kept telling myself, was ridiculous because when would I ever have gone there before and why? And then it hit me: Noreen and I had gone out to lunch the night I came up to see the apartment for the first time.

Anyway, I met Monika's neighbors and they're Sikh and her landlord's mother came out as we were walking to the car and, of course, everyone knows about Punjabi hospitality right?, sooo sweet, she came out and talked to us in the most village Punjabi Ive ever heard since this Auntie I know in DE, but anyway (this is a HUGE run-on sentence and Im sure it will make english teachers CRINGE but.... so?) Im totally not comfortable talking punjabi with my parents because it makes me feel... like Im pretending.. but with the lady it just came out. And what was really cute was when she came out speakin' punjabi to Mon and Mon was like, hindi, please.. hehehehe!

Anyway, Im getting better with being more comfortable with speaking punjabi.. I think its an awesome language -- truly one of the sweetest languages in the world. Its funny because if I ever talk to Pops in punjabi he automaticaly starts speaking punjabi... but then Im like ok, lets go back to English. What my parents hate is when we mix urdu with English and put english verb endings like -ing and -ed onto urdu verbs.....HILARIOUS... but they get really mad. "Sathaya nass kardiya Urdu ka!", "Bayra gharuk kardiya language ka" or "Ik cheez thay sahi bol laya karo!!"

I love my parents -- theyre too cute for words!

What was I saying again? LOL. I cant believe I totally got sidetracked on my own BLOG!..... ok I did have a point with this entry --- it really was going somewhere.

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Ok, forget it, I dont remember. (inserting cheesy smiley face to make everything all better in three...two... one..) :)

NO MATTER WHAT

So, no matter what happens tonight -- I MUST TRY OUT MY LAUNDRY MACHINE!!! I did an empty run last night, and brought my laundry out into the hallway, but never went back to finish the job. Im really excited because I got this new detergent called Simple Pleasures from Tide. Its a blend of lavender and vanilla and smells absolutely divine!!!!

Ok, so I called my Comcast to finally hook up cable internet, and since no one has ever had cable at my residence before me they tell me they have to do a survey. EXCUSE ME? I just want cable gosh darnit! The silly survey will take approx. 3-5 business days after which they will contact me and then we will proceed from there.

Ok, so how long has it been since Ive had internet now??????? Im sooo tired of this. I just want to have my laptop hooked to the internet. Thats all.

Ok, so for those of you who have called my cellphone and been perturbed at my lack of single (Like I havent been?!??), can rest easy. I have found a device on the market that is said to boost signal strength inside the home (and it has been said to boost cable internet signal as well which will be a much appreciated bonus as soon as I get internet!) Im thinking now, greedily, maybe I should get cable tv as well. Im sure they have some sort of package deal for new customers. Right now I have tv stations just through the antenna on the top of the house. But, because MOnday Night Football has moved to ESPN, I dont get to watch anymore. But is MNF really worth me paying upwards of $80 just for one channel? Everything else I could ever wish to watch I get right now.

Enough venting. Allhamdulilah Ramadan is going well. Can you believe today is the fourth already?

Actual Good Housekeeping Article - 1955

They sure don't make women the way they used to. Take a good look at your mother and other women from her generation. They do it all: cook, clean, sew, paint, knit, find all lost things, change lightbulbs, doctor wounds, and serve as the best counselors/therapists money cant buy. Quite a few of them, not all, even went so far as to receive graduate degrees.

Nowadays? We just want independence. We have all the time in the world to do all that we want to do, but don't do it. Most of us have spent all our life fighting for a chance, only to get it and not know what to do with it, or what to make of it. We just know how to ask for things, but we dont know what we want. We're a confused society of women, torn between June Cleaver and Condoleeza Rice. Those who are successful in their careers feel subpar because they sacrificed a family life for it. Those who are blessed with a family feel below average at not having been given the chance to have a career.

Is there a balance? Is there a satisified woman in the room? When do you tell yourself you're happy and actually entitled to being happy? When do we stop comparing ourselves to others? When do we stop wanting things and start enjoying what we have?

The grass isnt greener on the other side, its just a figment of our imagination. Maybe we should take the time it takes to look at another lawn to water our own yard. :P

Spirit of Fez Concert - Kimmel Center, Philadelphia

(Click on the above picture for a more detailed view)

Come join us for a night of music from the world over!

All Moved In -- Allhamdullilah

Much thanks to my brother-in-law Shahab and my favorite brother Ali (affecionately known as Pally) for being the muscle behind my move. In one word: Unbelievable! They carried my one ton solid wood dresser down three stories.

Allhamdullilah everything went well. No accidents, no people left behind. I got to see my favorite, loveable, huggable, kissable boos (Fatima and Idrees) as well.

AND -- the first Iftar of 2006 was at my place!! *yay*

Now whats left is just the little bitty stuff -- putting boxes away, setting up my decorations (gotta make it girly! haha)

ANDDD My Eagles beat SanFran!! woohoo! I knew they would. I just hope my Sinners make it to 3-0 this week, iA.

Here we go with week number 3... time flies.

Home Decor

Okay so maybe its starting to feel a bit more comfortable. Its not home, cuz thats in Maryland, but its not foreign territory anymore. Im in a war with the house centipede though, and right now, they're winning. But thats ok, because the apt has been vacant for two years so iA once I move all my stuff in this weekend it will take care of them.

Ramadan Mubarak to all who read my blog!!! Inshallah may we all benefit from its countless blessings. Pray everything goes well with my move this weekend iA.

I leave you with some of my favorite pictures of today... ask me who they remind me of and I shall tell.... maybe! hahahaha. :P

Bumper Stickers

My karma ran over your dogma.

I brake for... wait... AAAH! NO BRAKES!!!!!

A fool and his money are a girl's best friend.

I'm not driving fast-just flying low.

Help starve a feeding bureaucrat.

My other vehicle is a Romulan Warbird!

Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery.

"I is a college student."

If you can read this, I can hit my brakes and sue you.

Hilarious Signs Joke

Over a gynecologist's office: "Dr. Jones, at your cervix."

On a plumber's truck: "We repair what your husband fixed."

On the trucks of a local plumbing company in NE Pennsylvania: "Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."

Pizza shop slogan: "7 days without pizza makes one weak."

Outside a muffler shop: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."

In a veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

Door of a plastic surgeon's office: "We can help you pick your nose!"

On an electrician's truck: "Let us remove your shorts."

In a non-smoking area: "If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."

On a maternity room door: "Push. Push. Push."

At an optometrist's office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

In the front yard of a funeral home: "Drive carefully. We'll wait."


links：http://www.heyjokes.com/Funny_Cartoons/2006/0718/content_10132.htm

Favoritism?

Ok, so really quick let me mention how sweet the Guju Dunkin Donut guys are at Market East --- picture this: long ass line, me at the end of it, suddenly being asked my order by 4 guys (they all look alike, seriously it seemed like 20 behind the counter!). Heads in the line snap back towards me and Im like, Oh crap! --- they're asking me out of turn. Oh well, atleast I didnt have to wait and that makes this cup the best tasting cup of coffee ever! :)

'Very Good Morning'

"And I hope that you are havin' the time of your life
But think twice, that's my only advice
Come on now who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you
think you are, ha ha ha, bless your soul
You really think you're in control?
well,
I think you're Crazy
I think you're Crazy
I think you're Crazy
Just like me!!" - Gnarls Barkley, Crazy

Over my clinical rotations last year, I made friends with this one news-stand Uncle outside of Jeff Hospital. Such a nice, sweet, cheery individual and always so positive. Every morning I would walk by and say, "Good morning", to which he would reply "Very Good Morning!

I met him again on my second day of work and one year later, every morning, its the same reply: Very Good Morning!!

Last night I had trouble sleeping (and no, Im not a diva so its not the air matress). I kept waking up at odd hours. As it is, today marks the one year anniversary of my appendectomy (no, I really dont miss it). That was a horrible wicked night last year. I called Ma up and she was thinking the same thing -- I suppose its every parent's nightmare to get a phone call in the early AM from someone saying, "Your daughter (who lives 3 1/2 hrs away) needs to have emergency surgery RIGHT NOW!" I had enough time to tell my Khala to tell my Mom I love her.

Its strange, but we truly are stronger than we think. It takes an event like that to remind you that you really can handle anything because you've been to hell and it spat you back out.

My apartment is beginning to feel like home -- it certainly smells amazing!!!, once I put up all my decorative pieces and iA this weekend when my furniture and family arrive it will feel much more like home.

Did I mention I have a gas range? Can we say haath ki roti??? Hahaha, Ma will love that. Im not a fan of roti, but if you ever get the opportunity to eat her paratha/roti dont pass it up.

So, iA, the first iftaar of Ramadan 2006 will be at my place. Yikes! I suppose I should plan out what I will have for dinner. :P

27

Ok, so Id love to be able to say how yesterday was a huge turning point in my life of countless epiphanies and changes, and I emerge, today, with all the answers to life's most puzzling questions -- but I cannot. Age is just a number. A number, if you watch the nightly news (I shouldnt -- its too depressing), many do not get to see increase as much as their parents had hoped.

Lots of warm fuzzzy love and thanks to all who sent wishes. It means a lot to me to know you cared enough to take time out and talk. Thanks for making me laugh, too. (Monika: 27 isnt that old -- hahahaha, we still have to learn to be diplomatic/politically correct)

I didn't find the meaning of life, however, I did find my way to the nearest mall -- believe me it was like heaven on earth or the foutain of youth. All my favorite shops, not too far away -- lethal combination. So I bought myself a birthday present -- ok, two... ok THREE but it was all for one complete outfit so technically its only 1 present.. right? :/

This morning: Brand-spanking new pants, coffee filled to the rim, uneven pavement -- YOU DO THE MATH! I had two spots on my pant leg, but they're gone now so Im guessing it was just water instead of coffee. Somehow its as if people without washers and dryers in home are just predestined to stains. I struck gold with this apartment, Allhamdullilah, I have a washer, the dryer I am thinking to buy. No more quarters? Yeah, right, I live in the city now, Im sure they'll come in use somehow.

OK, so whose bright idea was it to put Monday Night Football on ESPN?? jerks. now im faced with a dilemma: spring for the extra $20-30 a month just for one channel for cable, go to a sports bar every Monday night to watch the game (which believe me will get old), or just find a new best friend with cable... :P

Anyway, moving on -- here I am at Hump Day --- already?! --- Im dreading the weekend because I will be busy moving, believe me it will dragggggggggggg. Just pray it doesnt rain on Saturday.

Its a Virgo thing

Family:
Avoid letting worry/fear dominate your thinking near the 19th to 21st. There are always answer to problems and they be 'right before your eyes.' Keep things simple, take one issue at a time, start with smaller ones, inform members what 'will be done when it can be done' and garner their cooperation and patience by keeping them informed. You appear to solve problems fast and be 'out from under' anything that DOES burden you down by or before the 23rd.

Love:
Romance may seem to disappoint you on the 18th, excite you on the 19th, frustrate you on the 20th and inspire you on the 21st! You may be worn out but happy by the time we hit the 'pivotal events/time frame,' of the 22nd when any issues that DO exist appear to 'lift on their own.' Read the weekly partner horoscope...

Friendship:
Friends can really be helpful this week in assisting with 'stress' you may have by lending a hand with physical duty, an ear during troubled times and a shoulder if your burdens appear unbearable. Look to Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio and Sagittarius to keep you cheerful and mentally 'in perspective.' Long talks are advised.

Career:
Answer communications fast the 18th, work late the 19th, do not move on to the next thing until the last is 100% complete the 20th, be Mr./Ms. Cheerful the 20th, avoid gossip and/or too much talking the 21st and say 'yes' to big projects or new responsibility the 22nd for a successful week in career/business.

Finances:
Draining, demanding and slightly scary at times but about to improve.

!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to me! YAY! Happy Birthday to me!

The best part is having my phone ring constantly from people calling to say Happy Birthday!!

I'm truly truly blessed to be able to say I'm starting my 27th year of life. Inshallah, 27 will be a good year --- and it will be... because I'm going to make it good. :)

Want to know how it started? I turned off my alarm this morning because I thought it was loud enough to wake the ENTIRE neighborhood (BIG MISTAKE!), then proceeded to sleep until 7am -- the time of the Express train -- oh yeah, I missed it. Oh well, I just grabbed the next one coming and STILL made it to work on time. DAMN I'm good. (either that or its called busy morning commute to Philly where trains run every 2 minutes---that helps too!)

OK, so now, I shall begin work -- having exhausted my morning email routine -- but not before my morning cup of coffeee.

Oh, FYI: Glade Plug-ins has this awesome scent called White Tea and Lily -- must have!!!My apartment smells sooooooooooooooo goood!!!


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

The Last Day of My Life as a 26 yr old

It doesnt feel different - not yet anyway. 25 was a blast -- 26 flew by --- 30 will hurt.

I loveeeee my birthdays, they're such special days. Im not one to hide my age (no one believes Im a day over 20 anyway) so I dont mind telling people.

27 will be the year for change, a different kind of change, a learning experience and iA one that will lead me to more religious enlightenment and also community/social awareness.

So, what kind of trouble can I get into for my last day as a 26 yr old?

Ma: Akal kadon aye gi jee?

That will have to wait :P

FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, so for those of you who KNOW me, remember how I couldnt wait to leave Maryland? Thats the same way I felt about leaving Philly after work today.. traffic on 95 couldnt have been any faster (even though last week I was complaining it was so fast, cars were stripping the paint off my car as they sped by)

Anyway, sigh of relief Im home now (Mimi: You have so many homes -- which one are you talking about!?!) Im going back to my MD apt. this weekend to pick up some more stuff (READ: important stuff that somehow didnt make it into my car last Sunday when I was driving up)
and to spend my pre-birthday weekend with friends and family.

OK so all in all, all things considered, last week was not too bad. (Again, those who KNOW me are probably still shaking their heads at me --- Im ok, really, Allhamdullilah) Just had a lil "I'm-SO-not-in-Maryland-anymore" moment, but its all good.

Monika came by and saw me last night which was really cool to hear her voice on the phone, then two seconds later see her in person, rather than 3 hrs later. She lives literally a 2 minute drive away from my apt.

SO, IM at my Khala's home right now.... chillin out here til Pally hooks his girl up with Microsoft Office, that way I can work on the CAMP newsletter instead of playing solitaire at night -- Oh nevermind -- I do have cable afterall! :P

Im here for a little bit, then going to Noreen's place for dinner --- my woman made salmon! IF YOU EVER, EVER, EVER GET SO LUCKY TO HAVE HER INVITE YOU TO DINNER FOR SALMON --- DON"T WALK, DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT $200, RUN to her house. She makes THE BEST SALMON.......EVER!

The Countdown Begins

I have a friend whose birthday is exactly five days before mine. I use this as a marker to start the countdown to my birthday, and yes, the countdown as of 12am today has been initiated.

5 days to 27 iA

Yay, me! :P

Ankhain Hain Ya Button?? :P

ok, so yes im nervous about my job -- yes im nervous about my neighborhood, for now, because im not sure how safe it is --- but Im working through it. It will get better iA. I am ready to accept this challenge in my life to make it better... to make it work. My mom and Noreen both pointed out parallels in my relationships and with my work-life-- ie. i dont stick to things and I run when things get tough.. YES that hurt!.. lol... but its ok because it brought a lot of light to the situation.

OHHHH! guess what! So my cable was an issue right -- apt. doesnt feel like home cuz i come home and nothing to do --- no tv -- no laptop (which wokrs now by the way, yayy!) so noreen reminded me of the antenna my landlord mentioned at the top of the building --- so i plugged in the cable cord -- thinking fuzzzy screens galore! but no, wala... I have crystal clear reception.. HOW DOES THAT WORK?? I guess its because philly has resources the bury didnt... like in terms of better reception... cuz our antenna before.. even in hagerstown -- wasnt good quality and i only got cbs and nbc. but now i get abc cbs bbc fox CW and much more.... READ: NO CABLE COST!!!! yayy! dude, anything to save me money at this point is a GREAT thing!

Excuse me, WHAT???

Pa: So how are things going with packing and moving?
Me: Ok.
Pa: Did you find movers?
Me: Yes.
Pa: Do you need help?
Me: No.
Pa: When are you moving?
Me: Soon.
Pa: You are so selfish!!
(???)
Me: Wait, WHAT? How am I selfish? Because I keep to mySELF, deal with my own issues?
Pa: Because you always have to do everything yourself, you never ask for help.
Me: Whoah, thats so NOT being SELFISH!
Pa: Then what else is it?
Me: SELF-sufficient!
Pa: Stubborn!
Me: Ok fine, but that doesnt make me selfish.
Pa: Out of all my daughters, I worry about you the most.
(He says 'all' like he's got seven daughters!)

"Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there" - Soul Asylum

That sums up my move. Neither here, nor there. I just wish it was October already, all moved in, well adusted, settled.

Is it called 'running away' when you leave for better opportunities?

Agar Tum Mil Jao - Zeher

Agar tum mil jao
Zamana chod denge hum
Tumhe paa kar zamane bhar se rishta tod denge hum

Bina tere koyi dilkash nazara hum na dekheinge
Tumhe na ho pasand usko dobara hum na dekheinge
Teri soorat na ho jis mein
Woh sheesha tod denge hum

Agar tum mil jao
Zamana chod denge hum

Tere dil mein raheinge tujhko apna ghar bana lenge
Tere khwaabon ko beheno ki tarah khud par saja lenge
Kasam teri kasam
Taqdeer ka roog mod denge hum

Agar tum mil jao
Zamana chod denge hum

Tumhe hum apne jism-o-jaan mein kuch aise basa lenge
Teri khushboo apne jism ki khushboo bana lenge
Khuda se bhi na jo toote
Woh rishta jod lenge hum

Agar tum mil jao
Zamana chod denge hum
Tumhe paa kar zamane bhar se rishta tod denge hum

Not too busy for a change

Noreen: Do you just get bored and say, "Hey I think I'll dye my hair?"

Me: Uh, yeah.

A few pics...

The kitchen


Living room


Dining Room


Bedroom

...too cute to not snap a pic of it!

Under Construction

So for the next few days... or weeks (yikes!) my blog site will be under temporary abandonment. Like last year, I will be moving in two parts. Part one will be by myself (with trash bags and suitcases --- ghetto I know!) and iA part two will be in the following weeks with a truck big enough for my bedroom and living room furniture.

Yes, I have found an apartment!!!!! Its, mA, very quaint, very cute, its a two bedroom apt in North-East Philly, its a duplex that I am renting from my professor. (Yayyy, I am reaping the benefits of having connections!!!!!!!!!!!)
Im so horrible at geography I totally didnt realize North-East means very north and as far east as ALMOST into Jersey. (9 miles to Princeton????, Yeah, Noreen and I had a lot of fun exploring over this past weekend.)

First things first, Im truly blessed to have had this opportunity fall into my lap on Thursday afternoon. So Friday, in torrential downpour, Noreen and I made our way to NE via 76. So most things look scary at night right? We were all prepared to spend the night and armed with cleaning supplies to clean (If you know me, you know all about my love of cleaning supplies) but for some reason I REALLY REALLY didnt want to stay there... so we went to a hotel instead. Oddly enough, there we lost power (I actually saw the transformer catch fire!) weird.

We went back the next day and in day light (still under a mansoon) the neighborhood started to look a little less scary. (COME ONNN CUT ME SOME SLACK, Ive lived a VERY sheltered life. I practically grew up in the suburb of a SUBURB!)

I'm sure once I get in on Saturday and once I clean (dont get me wrong the place is veryyyyy welll kept and veryy clean ==== I just still have to clean for my own satisfaction) and once I get all my stuff moved in it will be home... almost. :)