Salaam.
It's been a rough few months. School's been kicking my behind, and what with a full time job, I have had zero gym time. I know. It's gross. As in, my clothes are being stretched. Blech. Next semester I will also be busy. My Millipore contract has been extended through the end of January, but inshaAllah I will also be starting a volunteer position at Lahey Clinic (keep your fingers crossed!). In addition, there is one course that I want to take: Anatomy & Physiology II. Anyway, we'll see. Regardless, there will gym time a-plenty....or at least more than now. d:
BUT. Since there is no time like the present, I have decided to give the 300/30 Day Challenge a try (http://www.thepetiteathleat.com/p/the-300.html). I began last night (midnight on Dec1), and just finished my second set. I'll be honest, I cut out the Leg Climbers. I. Can't. Do. Them. They're so hard. I can even manage to do the Roll-Up, V-Ups, if not well, but I can't seem to figure that one out. I took before pictures (for my eyes only) and some measurements, and I'll be sure to post again when the month is over with any changes. I think there might be, if I stay disciplined about it. I can already feel a burn! I read a blog post in which the woman said the first four days are the hardest. She is far more fit than I, so maybe it'll be a week for me. ( :
xoxo
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Happy Anniversary, My Dearest.
Happy anniversary to me and my beloved Char!! Another year stronger, and with things moving in the right direction, iA.
xoxo
xoxo
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Happy 5-year Reunion to ME!!
Salaam.
The first weekend of June was my five-year Wellesley Reunion. Talk about crazy times. I can't believe it's been five years. So technically I graduated in 2010, but so what? My class, Golden 2007, graduated five years ago. ( :
It was a too short of a weekend, but it was amazing while it lasted. Seeing my ladies from Al-Muslimat (The Muslim Women - Wellesley's MSA) was incredible. I saw most of Stone Second Short - I've known those beautiful women since the first day of Orientation. We broke a record for most reuning students in a class with 222! The Alumnae Association Board gave the class a shout out. I don't know how to explain how it felt to be with all those amazing women again, laughing, sharing stories, eating meals. It felt good. It felt right. We've all come a long way, and it's a wonderful feeling to know that I will always have them to lean on.
The first weekend of June was my five-year Wellesley Reunion. Talk about crazy times. I can't believe it's been five years. So technically I graduated in 2010, but so what? My class, Golden 2007, graduated five years ago. ( :
It was a too short of a weekend, but it was amazing while it lasted. Seeing my ladies from Al-Muslimat (The Muslim Women - Wellesley's MSA) was incredible. I saw most of Stone Second Short - I've known those beautiful women since the first day of Orientation. We broke a record for most reuning students in a class with 222! The Alumnae Association Board gave the class a shout out. I don't know how to explain how it felt to be with all those amazing women again, laughing, sharing stories, eating meals. It felt good. It felt right. We've all come a long way, and it's a wonderful feeling to know that I will always have them to lean on.
Golden Class of 2007!
The other updating point is that Immunology grades came in and I got an A! Alhamdulillah! YAY!
xoxo
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Congratulations Class of 2012
Salaam.
My dear baby brother graduated with his Bachelors degree on May 20th. In Religion and Biology, masha'Allah. He's now a proud alum of the mighty brown and blue! Alhamdulillah. In his honor, I made these delectable blue velvet cupcakes with an unexpected chocolate butter cream frosting. Get it? It's the red velvet cupcake recipe from before (Chef Google), and that's how I found the frosting as well. The best part was leveling the tops by hand before frosting, and eating the scraps!!
My dear baby brother graduated with his Bachelors degree on May 20th. In Religion and Biology, masha'Allah. He's now a proud alum of the mighty brown and blue! Alhamdulillah. In his honor, I made these delectable blue velvet cupcakes with an unexpected chocolate butter cream frosting. Get it? It's the red velvet cupcake recipe from before (Chef Google), and that's how I found the frosting as well. The best part was leveling the tops by hand before frosting, and eating the scraps!!
Congrats 2012!!!
xoxo
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Start of Spring
Salaam.
Spring is the start, innit? Flowers blossom. Trees bloom. The whispers of new beginnings around me have made me decide to rekindle some of my old flames. My stage? Pinterest! As usual, I'm late to the party. But I'm glad I came. It started out with a Pinboard of fitness-related motivational quotes, suggested by Climbing. I'm doing a terrible job with my cardio (although I've definitely gained muscle)!! Anyway. After finding incredible inspiration from Pinterest, I'm bringing back my creative side. That's right, folks! DIY PROJECTS YAY!!
I've made a couple of jewelry items so far, but have so many pins and bookmarks saved for future to-dos. I do have to say, though, that my favorite item so far is my new jewelry board! It's made to match my navy-blue-and-spiced-butternut-colored room (like the first board I made). I used fabric store ribbon, simple brass hooks from Lowes and a framed corkboard from Michael's. I absolutely LOVE that I can hang all my long, hijab-friendly necklaces on there, and not only do they stay untangled, it almost looks like art! There are extra hooks for bracelets (most of which are also handmade), and forthcoming are hooks for earrings. I haven't figured out whether I need something for rings a shown on other boards, but it's a great start, no? Oh and that top right corner is being saved for a wire monogram!
Call me dorky, but I lovelovelovelove it when things match!
Newly made ring and dangle-y earrings.
Spring is the start, innit? Flowers blossom. Trees bloom. The whispers of new beginnings around me have made me decide to rekindle some of my old flames. My stage? Pinterest! As usual, I'm late to the party. But I'm glad I came. It started out with a Pinboard of fitness-related motivational quotes, suggested by Climbing. I'm doing a terrible job with my cardio (although I've definitely gained muscle)!! Anyway. After finding incredible inspiration from Pinterest, I'm bringing back my creative side. That's right, folks! DIY PROJECTS YAY!!
I've made a couple of jewelry items so far, but have so many pins and bookmarks saved for future to-dos. I do have to say, though, that my favorite item so far is my new jewelry board! It's made to match my navy-blue-and-spiced-butternut-colored room (like the first board I made). I used fabric store ribbon, simple brass hooks from Lowes and a framed corkboard from Michael's. I absolutely LOVE that I can hang all my long, hijab-friendly necklaces on there, and not only do they stay untangled, it almost looks like art! There are extra hooks for bracelets (most of which are also handmade), and forthcoming are hooks for earrings. I haven't figured out whether I need something for rings a shown on other boards, but it's a great start, no? Oh and that top right corner is being saved for a wire monogram!
Keep reading; there's more after the pics!
My job search as Alhamdulillah ended for now. I've accepted a 6-month contract position at the amazing Millipore! Hooray!! I start Monday. Let me tell you one thing? They didn't even ask for references. Suck on that, BMF. I saw something online that explains how I feel about all that now. Moving onto school. Based off requirements at MCPHS, I'm trying to take Expository Writing, US History, and Intro to Psych over the summer and following semesters. I just registered for a couple of Information Sessions. It's going to be a hard road, but I'm incredibly excited.
Which brings us to something that's been on my mind as of late: racism. It's not really a soap box speech, but here we are nonetheless. Trayvon Martin's shooter was recently released on bail, even after being charged with 2nd degree murder, and I'm very surprised. I don't know to much about the evidence in the case, but I don't think that, with the national outcry, such little could be done. The man is under suspicion of murdering a minor. You don't just let that guy pay his way out of jail, even if it's to await trial.
I'm not naive. I'm a Muslim woman in America. Sure, I live in the Northeast in one of the nation's most liberal and tolerant cities, but I've been the recipient of the occasional odd look or insult mumbled under one's breath. It's not right, but this stuff happens. I'm a big girl; I don't let it faze me. But the thing that's really bugging me is Wellesley College , my alma mater. I was there last week and I was told that students were unofficially boycotting the bookstore. Why? Because the owner, a middle aged Caucasian man, has called a Black student "suspicious." She was in the store with her hoodie up. It's literally the same situation, down to the words Trayvon's killer used in Florida. It is appalling news. We were taught to pride ourselves on being tolerant and politically correct. I've shopped at that bookstore. I honestly can't say that I've felt completely comfortable while there, but nothing overtly sketchy ever happened. The owner allegedly followed the girl and her friend around the store to keep an eye on them. That's so ridiculous! Yes, I know I am only ranting. I just can't believe that the place I'm so proud to be from had an episode I'm completely disgusted with. After preaching and preaching about tolerance.
My next installment is going to be soon, I promise. ( :
xoxo
I'm not naive. I'm a Muslim woman in America. Sure, I live in the Northeast in one of the nation's most liberal and tolerant cities, but I've been the recipient of the occasional odd look or insult mumbled under one's breath. It's not right, but this stuff happens. I'm a big girl; I don't let it faze me. But the thing that's really bugging me is Wellesley College , my alma mater. I was there last week and I was told that students were unofficially boycotting the bookstore. Why? Because the owner, a middle aged Caucasian man, has called a Black student "suspicious." She was in the store with her hoodie up. It's literally the same situation, down to the words Trayvon's killer used in Florida. It is appalling news. We were taught to pride ourselves on being tolerant and politically correct. I've shopped at that bookstore. I honestly can't say that I've felt completely comfortable while there, but nothing overtly sketchy ever happened. The owner allegedly followed the girl and her friend around the store to keep an eye on them. That's so ridiculous! Yes, I know I am only ranting. I just can't believe that the place I'm so proud to be from had an episode I'm completely disgusted with. After preaching and preaching about tolerance.
My next installment is going to be soon, I promise. ( :
xoxo
Thursday, February 16, 2012
And Off We Go!!
Salaam.
Two thousand and twelve. And it's already February! Crazy, right? I have these faded memories of October 1990. A baby brother being born, my mom staying in the hospital overnight. And now it's just over twenty one years later and that tiny little baby with the giant head is graduating college in four months, inshaAllah. And he's kickin' ass and takin' names. He doesn't know exactly how proud of him I am, but I hope he knows in his heart that I am.
I have a LONG overdue shout out to this amazing lady for her delicious peanut butter blossoms earlier this year (although I'm not she knows she gave me some!). I have added them to my growing list of things I want to bake. Here are some of the treats I've made (and not posted):
Slice of TURTLE CHEESECAKE (recipe below)
NY style cheesecake decorated with kiwi, strawberries, and mango!
OREO-STUFFED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, from my girl at Savory Edibles.
Two thousand and twelve. And it's already February! Crazy, right? I have these faded memories of October 1990. A baby brother being born, my mom staying in the hospital overnight. And now it's just over twenty one years later and that tiny little baby with the giant head is graduating college in four months, inshaAllah. And he's kickin' ass and takin' names. He doesn't know exactly how proud of him I am, but I hope he knows in his heart that I am.
I have a LONG overdue shout out to this amazing lady for her delicious peanut butter blossoms earlier this year (although I'm not she knows she gave me some!). I have added them to my growing list of things I want to bake. Here are some of the treats I've made (and not posted):
After all that delicious food-stuffs, let me say that the gym is.....well, it's going. I'm still going, and I even got myself a trainer. My biggest problem, as it is with lazy people, is self-motivation. So Rich is kicking my (soon-to-be-muscular-and-toned!) behind with the weight machines, and it's on me to do cardio regularly. Today, my legs refuse to cooperate with me. I'm pretty sure my jeans are a tiny bit loose, but I don't want to jinx anything.
I never thought I'd say this, even though everyone I know said it. I want to go back to school. I've enrolled in an Immunology course at the graduate level, partly because it's interesting and partly because for fun. So far, I haven't been disappointed. Class actually energizes me, even though it ends at 7:30pm! I've found that learning about the complement pathways and how they play their parts in an innate immune response fascinates me. Damn, right. I am a nerd.
To end on a sappy note: I had an amazing Valentine's Day. Last year, the date marked eight wonderful months together. This year, one year stronger, we celebrated. An early dinner at Legal Sea Foods and then time spent in each others' arms. আমি ওকে অনেক ভালবাসি.
The promised recipe:
- 2 cups crumbled chocolate graham crackers
- 6 tbsp melted margarine
- 14oz caramels
- 50z can evap. milk
- 1 cup chopped pecans (can be toasted)
- 16oz cream cheese, softened (2 pkg)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1tsp vanilla (I always add extra!)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup special dark chocolate chips
1. Combine crumbs and margarine well, and press into the bottom of a 9-in spring-form pan. Bake at 350 for 10min.
2. In a saucepan, melt caramels with milk over low heat until smooth. Pour over crust.
3. Top with chopped pecans. Refrigerate for 20min.
4. Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until well-blended.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well.
6. Pour mixture over pecans. Bake at 350 for 40min.
7. Loosen spring-form. Allow to cool for 15min before removing.
8. Top as you please! I drizzled (heavily) caramel and chocolate, and added more pecans!
2. In a saucepan, melt caramels with milk over low heat until smooth. Pour over crust.
3. Top with chopped pecans. Refrigerate for 20min.
4. Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until well-blended.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well.
6. Pour mixture over pecans. Bake at 350 for 40min.
7. Loosen spring-form. Allow to cool for 15min before removing.
8. Top as you please! I drizzled (heavily) caramel and chocolate, and added more pecans!
xoxo
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