Prime-Numbered Months

Salaam.

BMF is fast becoming intolerable.  I mean, I dealt with, if poorly, the working conditions of myself and my coworker.  But it got even worse.  My bosses made a rude accusation of lateness with no basis because they didn't bother to look into it.  And when I told them they were incorrect about my tardiness, they didn't apologize; worse, they tried to explain to me why I was overreacting.  I refuse to work for people who can't admit and apologize when they are wrong, rude, and offensive.  Their managerial skills have gotten from bad to worse to unbearable.
---
Salaam.

I wrote the above portion in November.  Since then, things have changed.  My coworker was let go, due to her "working style not meshing" with their "management style."  What management style?!  And the worst thing is, in the last two weeks, their behavior towards me has changed drastically.  Suddenly I'm getting compliments and encourage on and with my work, instead of snide remarks.  Suddenly being late once in a while is not a problem.  Suddenly I am appreciated.  And you know what?  It's nice.  But it's crap.  I don't think it's right that they made that huge change and then seem to act like nothing has happened.  I have to get out.

I had an interview at the beginning of the month.  I think I mentioned it?  Anyway, the job is in the smallest US state, and inshaAllah I'll hear from them tomorrow or Wednesday.  I hope it's good news.  I have the perfect present to celebrate!  ...Or to console myself.  I just bought a new blue patent leather wallet from Cole Haan.  It's amazing.  I've been lusting after it for months and it went on sale, yay!

So in honor of the final wedding of the year, I started going to the gym.  Kind of regularly, even.  Two to four times a week.  Shush, it's a start.  Anyway!  No loss in numbers yet, but I'm just going to say it's a slow start.  ( :  So some of the brownies and I leave this Thursday for Atlanta!  The mendhi is that night and I don't know if we'll make it.  I still have to pack, but I think I can manage to finish by then, haha!

On to the important things.  The fourteenth of December marked sixteen months together, making January month number seventeen.  While we have stopped celebrating every month since one year, we thought it would be fun and quirky to have a little commemoration on the prime-numbered months, as a dedication to us and our supreme nerdiness.  I'm not talking about fancy dinners or presents, but just a little extra time for ourselves, and maybe a nice date night!  I love that he and I are as sappy as we are together.

Tonight's topic is patience.  Sabr.  Something that struggle with.  I'm a bit of a diva, and I can have a short-temper.  Not only is it quickly becoming a bad habit to be angry, it is starting to cause problems.  I have managed to make my dearest Char feel under-appreciated.  I know.  Him!  The perfect gentleman who loves me with me his whole heart.  This past weekend, he drove six hours to spend time with me, and because I hadn't heard from him that day I was angry.  The truth is, he spent much of earlier in his day with his friends.  I knew he was busy, and I was only angry because I thought he would have let me know that he was setting off from where he was and if he hadn't it meant he lost track of time.  I called a couple of times and he didn't pick up.  I figured he was still with his friends, because he doesn't usually pick up when he's with people.  I thought he forgot.  I felt justified.  Still, knowing now how hurt he was, I feel terrible.  I could have just asked what happened.  I could have just said that I was scared he forgot.  We would have talked things over, as we eventually did, and it would have been fine.  But instead I caused an unnecessary drama.  One thing I'm slowly (slowly, slowly) learning is that I have to control my anger and frustration because sometimes it isn't justified, even if I feel that it is.  I have to learn to stay calm and have patience.  I am very lucky; I have someone who understands this fault of mine and is very patient himself.  He guides me and helps me understand, and for that I thank him and Him, subhanAllah.  But the thing to realize is that not acknowledging this problem, and worse, not working to change, is what is going to cause the real damage.  The man in my life, is extraordinary.  Not everyone's partner is like that.  But whether or not s/he is, once you've gotten over the hump and changed for the better, that person isn't going to remember the past.  If you don't, your partner can never forget.

xoxo

First of Many, inshaAllah

Salaam.

Again, it's been too long.  My apologies.  I think I find it hard to regard the thought that someone might read this, seriously.  C'est la vie.  This time I'm putting update reminders in my planner, so that at least I remember that I want to update weekly.  Baby steps, right?  Right.

So let's have some updates, shall we?

Our month, but actually less, apart was terrifying, heart-wrenching and over nearly as soon as it started.  Alhamdulillah, I am not on a break with my dearest, and we are stronger, together, now.

I made one random fabulous meal in the last four months.  Okay so really it was a single pasta dish.  Whole wheat penne topped with lemon-garlic shrimp and aspargus.  This was my second time making it, and the improvement shows, believe me!

I'm still working at BMF, though not for lack of trying.  I've only had one interview so far.  The only place that has actually gotten back to me.  But!  I could be trying harder, so IA I', starting to be more proactive.  On that note, I hope to take the GREs soon, (any and all advice is welcome!) and will be enrolled in a class in the coming Spring semester.  I'm pretty excited about the class!

Oh, BMF.  Really, really really a terrible place to work, it turns out.  KD and I help each other along, though I fear she will soon find greener pastures, and I will be left to fend for myself.  If that happens, I've decided that I need to go in earlier a few days a week and have breakfast at home (with Char) the other couple of days.  Then, I can leave early or take lunch with Char as I please.

And so we are brought to the matrimonial segment of our program.  Apart from the Chicago wedding, five of my friends got married this summer.  Two girls I've known since childhood, one of my Wellesley little sisters, my adopted Wellesley little brother, and my dear friend AJ, from W, who met her now wife while we were in school.  They had a simple and beautiful ceremony on the Cape, during which I and our third musketeer, SL, recited from our respective Book.  The reception following was amazing.  There were W women I hadn't seen in ages, and of course the brides looked stunning.  Char came with me, and I think we were the second happiest couple there.  Not to mention the only brownies and only Muslims.  We got a lot of thank-you-for-comings and your-recitation-was-beautifuls.  Basically, a bunch of oldies from the Cape trying to show their open-mindedness.  It was cute.  Then there were the random people taking our photo, from posed to candid. That was a bit weird.  Anyway.  There was the engagement party in Long Island for my friend Tulip.  This past weekend, my girl Tina and her Irishman had their wedding reception in Beantown (this was one of the weddings in Bangladesh!).  Later this month, my good friend Tmoney is having her engagement party, though her betrothal was announced at the end of Ramadan.  And finally!  Pri, down in the ATL.  Her papers are signed but the big shindig is over the New Years break.  A big finale to a year with a ridiculous number of nuptials attended.

And just for fun, a funky cat with THUMBS!

xoxo

Life Without

Salaam.

July first.  Today's the first day.  Life without Char cannot be described in only one word.  But one of the things that it is?  Heartbreaking.  It's been nearly 24 hours since I've had any word from him, or he from me.  Every time I think to text him that single '<3' to make him smile, I can't.  When I want to call him and hear his voice to calm my heart, I can't.  When I hope to see him because I need to be held, I can't.  Our time apart is a mutual decision, but that makes it no less difficult, no easier to bear.  I don't want to get into the details of it, but I may need to vent here over the next few weeks.


More later, another time, inshaAllah.


xoxo

Homeward Bound

Salaam.
My goodness.  I can't seem to regularly update the blog at all!
So, yes, I'm homeward bound.  My family and I drove to Chicago to attend a family friend's daughter's holud and wedding.  She looked beautiful, mashAllah.  And Alhamdulillah she seemed very happy.  The bride and groom were aglow, laughing and smiling with each other.  InshaAllah one day I, too, will feel as she does.
We had a long drive through New Jersey.  No, I have not met or seen Snookie.... d:
What to write about?  An acquaintance of mine got married a few months ago.  She had a small nikkah with family.  I was disappointed while going through her pictures on Facebook because while I saw the groom's parents, and her father, an Imam, officiating, I did not see her mother.  I can only imagine how hurt she felt that her mother didn't attend.  (I assume that her mother could have gone.)  It is as likely as not that I'm projecting, but I'd hope that my mother would help plan and attend my wedding, whether she wholly approved of the man or not.  As long as he's a practicing Muslim and makes me happy, I like to think she'd at least fake it for a day or two.  Ionno.  Maybe that's asking too much.  Allahu 'alim.
June fourteenth, two thousand and eleven.  That was my one-year anniversary, Alhamdulillah.  <3
This post is turning out to be just as marriage-minded as the others!  Oh well.  The Chicago wedding was the first of many this summer.  I think I've mentioned this before, actually. Anyway, let the matrimony begin!  Haha!
Today's soap box topic: gay marriage.  Personal feelings aside, I've mentioned Islam's viewpoint on homosexuality before.  To recap, it is natural to feel attraction to the same sex and forbidden to act upon those feelings.  I don't know about Judaism, but from what I understand of Christianity, the same applies.
In a nation that supposedly was built on the separation of church and state, it is literally unthinkable that gay marriage would be illegal.  The social rite, marriage, is given by the state government, and is made official by a marriage certificate.  A marriage does not mean "happened in a place of worship."  You don't believe in it?  Fine.  Attend a church that won't perform them.  You think marriage is something that happens in a place of worship?  Lobby for all couples, queer and breeder, to be given civil union licenses.  Get the word removed from government use.  You have no right to stop any other people from getting married, when it is state-given.  You don't have to agree with it, but it is, at the least, every person's right in this country.
And don't give me nonsense about religion being used to make laws.  No.  I'm calling you on your bullshit.  Almost everyone (I'm not counting sociopaths) has an innate sense of what's right and what's wrong, what's "good"and what's "bad."  Being a secular state doesn't change the fact that murder is wrong and should be punishable.  If the Commandment didn't exist, you'd still know you shouldn't kill people; you just wouldn't know it's punishable by Hell. 
You don't think the nation should make it legal? Tough. Suck it up. America was founded on certain principles. Stick to them, or get out.
xoxo

New Beginnings

Salaam.

Friends, my sincerest apologies for not updating over the last month and a half.  InshaAllah I'll try to do better.  Things have been kind of hectic, but are settling down.  I have so much to share with you.

Firstly, I've hit the big two-five!  Yeah, I'm super old.  Okay, okay, not really old haha, but a year older, and inshaAllah a year wiser.  I spend the week celebrating among friends, one of whom hosted a party for me at her place.  It was intimate and amazing fun.

Second news:  I've joined the real world!  I have just finished my first month of my first real job.  Alhamdulillah!  The job search was short, sweet, and successful.  I've taken a Lab Associate position with a small start up near the city called Boston MicroFluidics (BMF).  I'm owrking on a project to develop a new rapid test for the detection of common STIs at home.  The founder B, and his best friend K, are my boss and supervisor, respectively.  Yup, there are only three of us in the lab.  They are in their late twenties, really intelligent, and incredibly funny.  Alhamdulillah it is a good fit for me, professionally, intellectually, and socially.  And to top it all off, I work close enough to Char's school that we can regularly have lunch together!

Char and I have had to readjust our plans.  Whereas we had hoped to be able to make our relationship official soon, it seems that the more responsible move is to wait until he is more stable in his income.  If we have learned one thing from our previous mistake (however sweet and romantic), it's that these things cannot be rushed.  To think so is naive.  His being further along in his education, and my having financial independence, are two ways to make sure neither family has an argument.  While being separate this way will be difficult, we will support each other through the tougher times and inshaAllah this proves to be the better decision in the long run.

There's one last thing I'd like to ramble on about.  The view of homosexuality that the general population of Muslims hold.  For starters, this is not a problem that is unique to Muslims.  Islam's view of homosexuality is straightforward, and yet many people seem to be confused or uneducated on the topic.  The short answer is that acting on homosexuality is forbidden, but the feelings are completely natural.  It is, as many aver, how Allah made you.  Being queer or questioning isn't haraam in and of itself.  That's the first part of my qualm with our community on this topic.  The other part is worse.  You don't believe homosexuality is real?  Fine.  But one of the most beautiful parts of Islam is its preaching of tolerance.  Its teachings of the Golden Rule and how to behave.  Where have we come as an Ummah, when all we do is judge others based on what we perceive and treat them not as they were meant to be treated, as human beings?

xoxo

Great Expectations

Salaam.

Lately I've been thinking about what being married means.  Having a talk with my mother last week really made me start to think.  Don't get me wrong - I know what kind of man my Char is, and inshaAllah I will get to know his family, but what I hadn't thought about, for the most part, was the day-to-day practical things.  Just because Char and I will be so happy to finally be together inshaAllah, doesn't mean that our bellies won't need filling.  Just because we'll be all laughs and kisses for a while doesn't mean our clothes won't need washing or our home won't need cleaning.  These things seem like they don't matter, but the are, in fact, just as basic as a couple's ability to communicate.  There are things that I am not accustomed to.  I rarely make my bed, I don't cook, and I've never had to do much cleaning.  I wasn't raised with chores.  But this week, a lot has changed.

You would think that it would be common sense to realize a fairy tale wedding does not a fairy tale marriage make.  In theory, I know that.  In reality, it just made a dent in my thick head.  So I've finally realized how important it is to get into the habit of things like dusting and cleaning the bathroom and, yes, making daal.  Into habits like tidying and picking up things that are out of place.  Being wifely.  I know!  It sounds crazy, and some might say it's backwards and oppressive.  But honestly, I can't see it that way.  It's simply a desire to keep a good home for myself and, inshaAllah, for my future husband.

I have a friend, O, with whom I like to think I'm becoming closer.  MashAllah, she's a great sister with a strong sense of self and solid values.  And she's happily married for just over two years.  And her husband happens to be friends with my Char.  This weekend, while Banana Anne and I went to O's for dinner, the boys had their own night in.  ( :  She has been a great support for me through the last eight months, and this weekend was no different.  She gave me her experienced insight into a married woman's home life, and I am very grateful.  Discussing cleaning habits, and about learning to compromise, and how to Islamically handle home finance was comforting and useful.  I am truly blessed to have a friend like her.

Something else of note: I made red velvet cupcakes and cake, with cream cheese frosting, from scratch!  The recipe is from Chef Google, so I won't bother posting it.  But this is how they turned out.

Cake!

 OmNomNomNom!

Cupcakes!!

xoxo

Freak Whirlwind (part 2)

Salaam.

Sunday, June 13
I opened my email to find that Char had sent me a Facebook-friend request.  From what I'd gathered about him from S, I was under the impression that he was usually unsearchable and so only did friending himself.  So he reached out to me!

I got very excited to see the request, flailed a little (or a lot!) then accepted.  I posted on this wall, he commented, and thus began our conversation.  We move to GChatting, and talked til 1am.  About all sorts of random things - pigeons (his research), sports (rugby), soda (Coke vs Pepsi).  We flirted cautiously, talking about my parent-made biodata (he later admitted he was testing the friend-zone), and how my mother tongue is very important to me, leading to him asking me how to say something in Bangla.  He even suggested that we go see a movie - in a group.  The sneaky bugger!  By the end, I had his number, and a growing hope that he was interested.

xoxo

Friendship

Salaam.

Friendship.  It's a complicated word.  A complicated concept, really.  There are best friends, close friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and frenemies, just to name a few.  So how do you weed out those friendships (and relationships) that aren't working anymore?  That aren't healthy?  How do you let go, and stop trying, when you wish you didn't have to?

I bring this up because at this stage in my life, I find myself questioning the relationships I held near and dear to me.  Some people, I have come to accept, I am friends with by circumstance.  We get along, and have great times together, but we don't really go out of our way for each other.  And that's okay.  My best friend A, though?  I know we'll get through life just fine.  We've spent years apart, in different countries, with barely any time to talk.  Now that we're back in the same state, we've picked up where we let off.  We have banter, the same inside jokes, and she can always turn to me for advice.  And of course, I to her.  And we do.  And finally, there are some wonderful women out there I've known for nearly my entire life, with whom I am slowly yet surely becoming closer.  And subhanAllah for that.  I am lucky to have you in my life.  I hope you know who you are.

But there are just some relationships I don't understand.  I spent eight months out of state.  That place became home.  A place I lived, went to school, worked, and had bad things happen.  Like it or not, those eight months became a significant part of my almost-25 years.  And while I was there, I met a lot of great people  Brothers and sisters of a strong MSA, mashAllah.  A crown that I really fell in love with.  Then I moved back, and to my dismay, with that move I lost many of the people I cared - no, care - about.  We talked online fora  few months, but communication slowly dwindled.  I'm not blaming them at all, and this isn't the only time this kind of thing has happened.  In fact, I probably could have done a better job of keeping in touch.  I guess what is said tends to be true: out of sight, out of mind.  The point of my rant is that now I'm at a crossroads where I have to continue a seemingly one-sided friendship, or somehow let go of the idea that maybe things will change.  I get despondent, and sometimes, angry, when I reach out and am not met somewhere partway.  So my question is: how do I do what is best for me, and move on?

Job searching is going better than I expected, Alhamdulillah.  I have been some good fortune, and am hoping it extends to Tuesday.  I have an interview for a position that I am very interested in.  They have sent me sic articles to read related to their research to prepare, and I am already so nervous.  Please make du'a that I am able to impress them.  Thankfully, I had a whole course dedicated to reading journal articles critically and actually understanding them.  And sidenote: what will I wear!?

Char's sister and I see to get along, at least so far.  We've hung out twice, and talk online a bit.  I guess I just feel intimidated by her.  She's very intelligent.  The whole family is.  I really wonder if I'll fit in like Char believes.

xoxo

Freak Whirlwind (part 1)

Salaam.

I won't lie. I have been procrastinating on this post. Why? It's a long story that, were I telling it in person, would be broken with many "Awwww"s. Regardless, it's one of my favorite stories to tell. It takes place over a week, the most memorable week of my life thus far.  It is the story of how Char and I met.  Because of it's length, I will relate it in parts.  Here begins part 1.

Saturday, June 12
I ended up volunteering at the NABIC (North American Bangladeshi Islamic Community) Conference because I felt like an unsupportive friend.  S worked really hard to bring it all together, and I had given her my word. 

I'd been at ISBCC since early that morning.  I thought we volunteers would be fed soon, only to find out that the big speaker event would be before dinner hour.  Meanwhile, S's friends from uni arrived, only one of them Bangladeshi.  He was one of them.

So now here's this boy I've thought was cute for a long time (yes, I'd seen him before at S's uni events, plus my brother goes there, too).  I didn't know anything about him, but here was my chance.  Every time he look at me, my heart fluttered.  I had to mentally yell at myself to stop overreacting.  After all, he barely knew my name!

The speaker began.  We volunteers sat in the back.  When some people arrived late, I gave an auntie my chair.  Almost immediately, Char offered me his.  Char and his friend were playing dots.  I wanted in, so he and I started a game.  Due to his inattentiveness, I won!  Over the group dinner, we learned a little more about each other, and yes, flirted.  Lightly, but it was there.  And finally, as my family got ready to leave, he made a chivalrous move, offering to help me take something to the car.

xoxo

Valentine's Day

Salaam.

February fourteenth hasn't meant much to me since my elementary school days, when we had to give each other cards with the plea, "Be Mine."  This is it means something very important to me.  Not because I have Char to share it with, but because I have Char at all.  Today is the mark of our first eight months together.  It may sound silly to note this as a milestone, but I'm just that sappy.  And the fact that he is willing to be sappy with me goes to show one of the ways we fit well together.  Alhamdulillah.

Today I also had my first post-grad job interview.  I think it went smoothly, except that I stuttered a bit.  Apparently I stutter when I'm nervous....who knew?  I think the fact that it is the first one was the most nerve-wracking.  I was even unsure what to wear!  I ended up choosing dark brown slacks, a synthetic deep purple blouse, a shaded purple cardigan to cover my sleeves and a dark brown wool hijab.  Stylish and warm!  And of course I had to wear my Via Spiga Oxford heels.  Man, I love those shoes!  http://twitpic.com/3zxhkg  Hmm....I may just decide to post more outfits, if I deem any of them modest and flattering. haha.


Went to the eye doc again today, for a follow up.  I have keratitis, from contact overwear.  PEOPLE: DO NOT WEAR CONTACTS TO SLEEP.  EVER.  It's just bad news.

It's also Monday!  Which means I finally fasted.  Alhamdulillah it was not difficult until the last few hours.  MashAllah to those who were also able to fast, and inshaAllah next time, for those were not able.

Here's the thing about relationships.  The are hard.  The halal ones and the not-so-halal ones.  At the end of the day, you're trying to find out if you'd be able to spend your life with that person.  You need to know things, from the everyday Will he help with the dishes? to the more serious How does he feel about girls' nights out?  What if it's a coed group?  Out-of-town visits?  Out-of-town visitors?  And you have to be prepared to answer the same questions.  Honestly.  Circumstances can change, and with them views and outlooks, but if you aren't truthful from the beginning to the end, whatever the issue is will eat at you, and you'll drive yourself crazy.  Alhamdulillah Char and I are trying to be open about these things.  Even things that seem small could be a big deal when two people are living together.  We recently had a discussion during which we talked about something that was on my mind, and then he brought up something he'd been worrying about: my slowly declining prayer habits.  And honestly, while I was a little embarrassed, mostly I was relieved that he cares so much about my Iman and Akhirah as he does about anything else.   I could not have asked for more.  SubhanAllah.

I've thinking more and more about giving and getting advice.  During DBT group I find a short respite from the things at home that are distressing, but I don't think I'm getting as much out of it as I used to.  I feel that I'm better equipped to handle the triggering problems.  I have been considering leaving group for a few weeks now, and it sounds more and more like the best idea.  Still, the troubles with my mother haven't eased - indeed, they seem to be worsening - so I'm undecided.

As to giving advice, I am often told that I listen well and give great advice.  I'm truly blessed to be able to help many friends in this way.  I think I would like open myself to helping other friends, other sisters in need of a few answers, to the best of my ability, through this blog.  If you, my few readers, have any thoughts about this idea (whether positive or negative), please don't hesitate to let me know.  If I get enough positive feedback, I'll then decide how to pursue this.  JazakAllah.

xoxo

Quarter-life Crisis

Salaam.

People, I'm old.  I'm almost 25 and what have I done with my life?  I graduated college late, I have years of expensive therapy under my belt, and I have no job.  Still, I'm not discouraged.  Yes, it sounds depressing, and yes, I have a family that constantly reminds me of that (and that the only thing I've gained in the last year is weight), but really I'm so bad off.  I did graduate, and I was able to use my time off from Wellesley to gain incredible work experience, Alhamdulillah.  And I am deeply in love with a wonderful man who supports me through my highs and lows.

Speaking of high and lows, I'd like to ramble about religiosity and spirituality.  For me, spirituality is about faith and supplication.  Religiosity is the practice and application.  Though I like to think that I don't falter in my spirituality as I do in my religiosity, the plain truth is that I just do it as often.  Lately, I haven't been talking to Allah as much as I'd like.  It may sound crazy but it calms me to know that I have a one-on-one relationship with my God, more than worshiping Him as He has commanded.  It's nice to know that I can sit down for a minute, or five, and tell God my troubles, my worries, and my joys.  It reinforces my strength and my faith.  As Islam teaches, if true spirituality is in the heart, it will show through religiosity.  I'm paraphrasing.  My point is that if we believe, so should we practice.  Now, only the perfect and near-perfect among us (read: the Prophet [pbuh] and the Sahaba [pbut]) could really hold a candle to this statement, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still apply.  For this this means that application comes from faith.  But let's face it.  If we sit around day saying we believe and don't attempt to get up and pray, then we'll never pray.  Each supports the other.  Believing in Salaat will guide is to performing our prayers, and in turn, that will strengthen our faith.  InshaAllah.  Sidenote: I believe one practice other than prayer that can help me become stronger is fasting.  It's Sunnah to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.  It is a practice I intend to work on, and I invite you to join me.  We can build brother- and sisterhood while building Iman.

This last week, man.  Things be craaaazy.  (Or maybe crassie?)  My mother is home from the hospital Alhamdulillah, and recovering slowly yet surely.  And I'm glad I was there every step of the way.  It's honestly an honor to be able to help one's mother regain her health.  I have to wonder though, whether I'm the only one appreciating the outcome.  Not her illness, obviously, but the fact that I have been able to step it up as a daughter, and as a woman.  I've decided to discontinue with my DBT group (Dialectical Behaviorable Therapy) and just focus on the things I have going on.  I am struggling hard against the words I hear at home and the feelings they produce in me, but in the end I think I'm coming out on top, Alhamdulillah, even though right now I'm only ahead by millimeters.

More later, iA tonight.

xoxo

First Saturday Back

Salaam.

I was standing in the kitchen over a pot of five lbs of chicken. That's right, people, I was cooking it. I thought that with all my free time, I should learn to do something useful. Since I'll have to feed a family someday, this seemed like the perfect chance. I think I'm even getting the hang of it. This particular dish, I mean.

There have been a few things on my mind lately. I'd like to share one, and feel free to give advice.  The issue is how much I've been slacking as a practicing Muslim. My regularity of prayer has gone down. That is the most disappointing thing. I was never the strongest at praying on time, but I was doing my best and working to do better, and now I have to start from square one. I'm frustrated with myself that I let this slip, you know?

I got to see Slanders, Sabah and Nikita last night.  AND I finally met Nikita's fiancee Laura!  A quiet night with great women (and Char) and lots of laughs.  It's been a while since I've gotten to see them in that kind of setting.  Tonight should be more of the same.  I'm headed back to Wellesley in a hour to see Anne!  Maybe Maliha and Laila will show up, too.  I'll call them when I get there, to see if they're still on campus. 

xoxo

Huh.

Guess that first post was published. Oops.

Back home

Salaam!

Well, this blog was supposed to start the day I left for Bangladesh, but instead its first post of today, month later. C'est la vie.

I've been wide awake since six am. Yay jetlag. I'm glad to be home, though. With heat. I did bring back something nice - a cold. d:

Let's start with Dhaka.  It was dirty and crowded and smelly. But I had the family and friends to make all the difference. Most of the extended family on both sides are there, and I had a great time seeing them all. I got a lot of new clothes and brought back a few knick knacks, too!

The most remarkable part of Bangladesh, though, was outside Dhaka. We went to a great picnic resort in Bhaluka, played at the beautiful Enani beach in Cox Bazaar, admired the national monument in Savar, saw the high tide on St. Martin island, walked in the bustle of evening-time Chittagong, rode the train to Brahmanbaria,  and learned national history at the museum in Sonargaon. It was an amazing trip, Alhamdulillah.

Other highlights: It is wedding season there now, and I attended four. Yup. Four, in fewer than as many weeks. I met the President of Bangladesh because he's my dad's cousin. I got my nose pierced, finally, and it looks so good. I ran into Rimona on the way there, AND on the way back!

More later, I promise.

Salaam.