State to cut public school funding by $300M.
Headline of today's paper.
I'm certainly not surprised. This has been happening yearly, it seems.
Finding a job is going to suck.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
You used to...
I am not going to downplay the fact that my father is upset with my conversion because he is honestly concerned for my soul. He thinks I have denied Jesus and that this will most likely condemn me to Hell. I understand the fact that he has these concerns, and I respect them, because they're done out of love.
There are some things, however, that my father is upset about, that I feel are just ridiculous. Shutterfly.com sent me a $15 gift for my son's 1st birthday. I didn't have $15 worth of recent pictures to develop, so I went back and developed a bunch of pictures from the summer of 2007. That summer I went on two trips with two of my best friends, one a family vacation in the mountains, and another to a three day Christian concert. In other words, nothing wild! Anyway, in these photos I am wearing shorts, and tank tops, and bikinis. My father looks through them, points to a rather unflattering picture of my pale self in short athletic shorts and a spandex tank top (I was a dancer, so...) and says "See, you used to wear shorts." First off, you think my conservative Christian father would be pleased that I'm dressing more modestly. Secondly, if you're trying to get me to miss shorts....pick a picture where I'm actually wearing something nice, lol.
So, my dad is hurt by my modest clothing. My dad is also hurt because my husband and I don't have a Christmas tree in the apartment, and we don't have any plans to put one up next year. Hmmm.... 1) We're both Muslim. A Christmas tree isn't high on our priority list. 2) all of my ornaments are on our tree here at home, I'm not about to buy new Christmas things.
I know the more Islamic practices I adopt the more I'm going to hear the phrase "You used to..." About my hair, my clothes, my food choices, my activities (dance, hugging the opposite sex, etc.).
I naively thought that telling my family would be the high point of my process of conversion. Not so. They still forbid me to tell my brother. We're in agreement that I will not eat pork, they've been good about that. They know I won't wear shorts, but they haven't picked up on the long sleeves only or butt covering shirts yet, and if they have they like to pretend that they haven't. When/if I decide to do only halal meats, they are going to throw a FIT. When I finally wear hijab in their presence... lol. I had hijab on in my car yesterday. My dad drove up, unexpectedly behind me. I ripped it off my head faster than I could think and tried to position it around my neck like a scarf as my dad walked to my car to talk to me. I don't know if he noticed or not. Again, he would've pretended not to even if he did notice, so who knows.
My husband was disappointed that I ripped off the hijab. I'm not ready for that confrontation yet, though. We're (my parents and I) in a fairly smooth spot right now and I don't want to rock the boat again just yet.
There are some things, however, that my father is upset about, that I feel are just ridiculous. Shutterfly.com sent me a $15 gift for my son's 1st birthday. I didn't have $15 worth of recent pictures to develop, so I went back and developed a bunch of pictures from the summer of 2007. That summer I went on two trips with two of my best friends, one a family vacation in the mountains, and another to a three day Christian concert. In other words, nothing wild! Anyway, in these photos I am wearing shorts, and tank tops, and bikinis. My father looks through them, points to a rather unflattering picture of my pale self in short athletic shorts and a spandex tank top (I was a dancer, so...) and says "See, you used to wear shorts." First off, you think my conservative Christian father would be pleased that I'm dressing more modestly. Secondly, if you're trying to get me to miss shorts....pick a picture where I'm actually wearing something nice, lol.
So, my dad is hurt by my modest clothing. My dad is also hurt because my husband and I don't have a Christmas tree in the apartment, and we don't have any plans to put one up next year. Hmmm.... 1) We're both Muslim. A Christmas tree isn't high on our priority list. 2) all of my ornaments are on our tree here at home, I'm not about to buy new Christmas things.
I know the more Islamic practices I adopt the more I'm going to hear the phrase "You used to..." About my hair, my clothes, my food choices, my activities (dance, hugging the opposite sex, etc.).
I naively thought that telling my family would be the high point of my process of conversion. Not so. They still forbid me to tell my brother. We're in agreement that I will not eat pork, they've been good about that. They know I won't wear shorts, but they haven't picked up on the long sleeves only or butt covering shirts yet, and if they have they like to pretend that they haven't. When/if I decide to do only halal meats, they are going to throw a FIT. When I finally wear hijab in their presence... lol. I had hijab on in my car yesterday. My dad drove up, unexpectedly behind me. I ripped it off my head faster than I could think and tried to position it around my neck like a scarf as my dad walked to my car to talk to me. I don't know if he noticed or not. Again, he would've pretended not to even if he did notice, so who knows.
My husband was disappointed that I ripped off the hijab. I'm not ready for that confrontation yet, though. We're (my parents and I) in a fairly smooth spot right now and I don't want to rock the boat again just yet.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Christmas
I'm celebrating it culturally and secularly, but for the first year am not celebrating it for it's religious significance (in Christianity).
It hurts to hear Christmas music and force myself to stop singing along. I still like looking at Christmas lights, and I still think our Christmas tree with all of the Hallmark ornaments from my grandmother is the coolest in town.
I bought gifts for my son, my parents, my sister, my brother, my grandparents, and my husband. I loooove finding the perfect gift for someone. And whether I'm Christian or not, I still see the value in giving and showing loved ones that I care! (of course)
I've read different opinions online. That Christmas is an "innovation" and should not be celebrated, or that if one's family is Christian it is okay to celebrate because it is a time for family.
I'm just wondering about some of your opinions. Are any of you (reverts or semi-reverts) celebrating? Do you have reservations or are you going all out?
I'm fully aware that some of you will disagree with me 100%. Feel free to share your thoughts. We're all entitled to have an opinion.
It hurts to hear Christmas music and force myself to stop singing along. I still like looking at Christmas lights, and I still think our Christmas tree with all of the Hallmark ornaments from my grandmother is the coolest in town.
I bought gifts for my son, my parents, my sister, my brother, my grandparents, and my husband. I loooove finding the perfect gift for someone. And whether I'm Christian or not, I still see the value in giving and showing loved ones that I care! (of course)
I've read different opinions online. That Christmas is an "innovation" and should not be celebrated, or that if one's family is Christian it is okay to celebrate because it is a time for family.
I'm just wondering about some of your opinions. Are any of you (reverts or semi-reverts) celebrating? Do you have reservations or are you going all out?
I'm fully aware that some of you will disagree with me 100%. Feel free to share your thoughts. We're all entitled to have an opinion.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wedding Reception
I know, I know...you're all dying for an update on my family and my son....
and I promise, when school slows down, I will deliver. (2 more weeks until Christmas break)!
BUT, what I'm discussing today is WEDDING RECEPTION.
Saudi wedding reception.
In Michigan.
Most likely segregated.
THIS SATURDAY.
Let us look at all of the factors making me uncomfortable:
1) I've never been to Michigan.
2) I've never been to a Muslim, well, anything really.
3) I will only know my SIL if it is, in fact, segregated.
4) I don't have any idea what one wears to these things.
You all can't help with #'s 1-3, so let's focus on #4.
What do I wear? I don't own an abaya, so I will have to be hijabified at all times, even when just with the women, I assume. Will I look out of place wearing a normal shayla at this type of event? Is a tweed skirt okay? Or would it be considered too conservative for something segregated??
My, oh my. I'm really at a loss. My husband is absolutely NO help (imagine that). He's never actually seen women at these things so I guess I can't blame him, though!
Advice, please?
and I promise, when school slows down, I will deliver. (2 more weeks until Christmas break)!
BUT, what I'm discussing today is WEDDING RECEPTION.
Saudi wedding reception.
In Michigan.
Most likely segregated.
THIS SATURDAY.
Let us look at all of the factors making me uncomfortable:
1) I've never been to Michigan.
2) I've never been to a Muslim, well, anything really.
3) I will only know my SIL if it is, in fact, segregated.
4) I don't have any idea what one wears to these things.
You all can't help with #'s 1-3, so let's focus on #4.
What do I wear? I don't own an abaya, so I will have to be hijabified at all times, even when just with the women, I assume. Will I look out of place wearing a normal shayla at this type of event? Is a tweed skirt okay? Or would it be considered too conservative for something segregated??
My, oh my. I'm really at a loss. My husband is absolutely NO help (imagine that). He's never actually seen women at these things so I guess I can't blame him, though!
Advice, please?
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