Here we go, it has taken me several days to write the second part to this, i have just be overly busy and so tired this week, don't know what's wrong with me....
Anyway, yes, our Islamic wedding. It was'nt what i expected at all.....
Firstly, i thought we'd at least be in the same roon lol. But we were in ajoining rooms with a curtain to seperate us. Women in one room and men in the other. Hubby had to come in a couple of times to translate. It is custom that a member of of my family should 'give me away' (kinda like a church wedding, where the dad gives the bride away), but as i did'nt have anyone, Youcef asked for my permission to allow his cousin to give me to Youcef, which i obviously agreed with.
The prayers and blessing continued, then he came back in and asked what Dowry (have forgotten the arabic word for it, it's something like 'maher'). So we have agreed on a bracelet. I felt under pressure to decide, even though i knew it was coming, i had'nt given it much thought.
After all was done, the Imam wished us a long and happy blessing and lots of healthy babies Incha'allah.
It's nice to be halal now and i feel that now God will help us have that baby we want :)
Hubby is so happy that all is done now :)
I am supposed to be writing about places i have visited, but i just can't remember. We went to Kasbah, walked throught the markets, bought a couple of bits, saw the really old beautiful Mosque.
Went to another market with my sister in law for a few hours, which was far too crowded!
Cheraga was my favourite place, so quiet and peaceful macha'allah. I believe it is one of the better area's, no heavy lorries allowed in the back streets etc.... It's where one of sister in laws lives and i spent a happy day there, was also nice to sit on her terrace and drink yummy peppermint tea.
With regards to the language barrier Ammena, it just did'nt seem to get in the way much. I know a few word in Algerian, a couple of them knew a few words in English and we just kind of managed. Like when i went to the market with my sister in law, she knew the word 'expensive', but not the word 'cheap', so instead she was saying 'mini money'. It was quite amusing.
I'm going to leave it there as have to go pick my friend up from the station soon. Luckily she was running late so i could afford the time to come and write this. Although i really do hate lateness, one of my pet hates!
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Algeria!
Macha'allah i had a wonderful time! I have posted a long story of my time there on the forum, so most of you will comment on there, if you can be bothered to read it, i know it is rather long.... sorry. There was just so much to tell.
Think rather than doing that all now, i 'll do it over a couple of posts on here and concentrate on just a couple of things at a time. So today, i'll concentrate on the trip and my family out there:
The trip was long, as we had to be up early, plus i was panicky on and off! Nerves! Heathrow T5 helped a little as lots of shops to look around and dream about buying some of those lovely handbags and matching handbags (small obsession i have there....)
Too many screaming children on the way there and even more on the way back. I would'nt mind, but the adults were'nt even attemptng to stop them and just let scream, have temper tantrums or be naughty. I remember my child days and my siblings and i just knew where to draw the line, mum was boss, end of! These kids were just plain spoilt really. I understand the young ones who cry during take off and landing, they don't understand what is going on, but that's about it really. When i child of about 7 is constantly kicking your chair, after your husband had asked his dad to make him stop and it continues, then i have seriously had enough. Then the kid infront was having constant tantrums when being told no for something (even before we got on the plane) and the parents were letting him scream, then i had had enough. None of this was helped by the fact that i have been ill all week and i am still trying to recover. I know kids play up, my point is that there did'nt seem to be any discipline from the adults and no consideration for fellow passengers. Ok, i have moaned, i will stop now.
My family are just fab! They were all so welcoming and wonderful and fell in love with me immediately al hamdulillah! My biggest fear was the language barrier, but we managed fine and just got on with it. Each of his sisters helped to nurse me whilst i was ill, hubby was great and rarely left me, did'nt go anywhere when i got a temperature and lost my voice. He was the best and is the best :)
I got on fabulously with 2 of my nephews who called me their sister rather then their auntie as i was young (their words) They are 20 and 23. Their mum (hubby's sister) is dead and their dad does'nt have anything to do with them and they live in the family home with my sister in law. I was protective of them when my hubby told them off and i stuck up for them. One of them even had tears in his eyes when we left and they both told hubby how much they would miss me. They are truly sweet, will miss the giggles with them.
My sister in laws all have different qualities and each are great in different ways. All good cooks too! I did'nt have to lift a finger whilst there, so i may have moaned that i did'nt get to sunbathe a bit, but everything was done for me, which was really nice :)
I am going t leave it there and next time i will write about our Nikah and the places we visited incha'allah.
Think rather than doing that all now, i 'll do it over a couple of posts on here and concentrate on just a couple of things at a time. So today, i'll concentrate on the trip and my family out there:
The trip was long, as we had to be up early, plus i was panicky on and off! Nerves! Heathrow T5 helped a little as lots of shops to look around and dream about buying some of those lovely handbags and matching handbags (small obsession i have there....)
Too many screaming children on the way there and even more on the way back. I would'nt mind, but the adults were'nt even attemptng to stop them and just let scream, have temper tantrums or be naughty. I remember my child days and my siblings and i just knew where to draw the line, mum was boss, end of! These kids were just plain spoilt really. I understand the young ones who cry during take off and landing, they don't understand what is going on, but that's about it really. When i child of about 7 is constantly kicking your chair, after your husband had asked his dad to make him stop and it continues, then i have seriously had enough. Then the kid infront was having constant tantrums when being told no for something (even before we got on the plane) and the parents were letting him scream, then i had had enough. None of this was helped by the fact that i have been ill all week and i am still trying to recover. I know kids play up, my point is that there did'nt seem to be any discipline from the adults and no consideration for fellow passengers. Ok, i have moaned, i will stop now.
My family are just fab! They were all so welcoming and wonderful and fell in love with me immediately al hamdulillah! My biggest fear was the language barrier, but we managed fine and just got on with it. Each of his sisters helped to nurse me whilst i was ill, hubby was great and rarely left me, did'nt go anywhere when i got a temperature and lost my voice. He was the best and is the best :)
I got on fabulously with 2 of my nephews who called me their sister rather then their auntie as i was young (their words) They are 20 and 23. Their mum (hubby's sister) is dead and their dad does'nt have anything to do with them and they live in the family home with my sister in law. I was protective of them when my hubby told them off and i stuck up for them. One of them even had tears in his eyes when we left and they both told hubby how much they would miss me. They are truly sweet, will miss the giggles with them.
My sister in laws all have different qualities and each are great in different ways. All good cooks too! I did'nt have to lift a finger whilst there, so i may have moaned that i did'nt get to sunbathe a bit, but everything was done for me, which was really nice :)
I am going t leave it there and next time i will write about our Nikah and the places we visited incha'allah.
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
10 things I Hope For
1. I hope to make my Shahada this year Incha'allah.
2. I hope to be a mother.
3. I hope to be with my husband until the day i die.
4. I hope to end up in Paradise next to my husband and may my children follow much later on.
5. I hope to meet my in-laws there too, as i did'nt get the chance whilst alive.
6. I hope to one day raise charity for an orphanage when i have more time to dedicate to one.
7. I hope to be a good Muslima one day.
8. I hope my husband will follow in my footsteps of number 7 and be a good muslim.
9. I hope one day there is more peace in this world we live in.
10. I hope to always remember all the blessings i have and not be ungrateful.
I'm sorry, i did'nt know how to tag etc.... But these are my hopes Incha'allah.
2. I hope to be a mother.
3. I hope to be with my husband until the day i die.
4. I hope to end up in Paradise next to my husband and may my children follow much later on.
5. I hope to meet my in-laws there too, as i did'nt get the chance whilst alive.
6. I hope to one day raise charity for an orphanage when i have more time to dedicate to one.
7. I hope to be a good Muslima one day.
8. I hope my husband will follow in my footsteps of number 7 and be a good muslim.
9. I hope one day there is more peace in this world we live in.
10. I hope to always remember all the blessings i have and not be ungrateful.
I'm sorry, i did'nt know how to tag etc.... But these are my hopes Incha'allah.
Monday, 12 May 2008
Hot hot hot... The weather that is lol
It has taken me half an hour to cool down after running around on my lunch break! It is HOT out there!
I scoffed my lunch and then went to Next to buy a couple of baby grows for one of hubby's friends whose wife had a baby. I bought a bag, even though i was'nt sure whether to get it (as thought it would be too small.) I then passed Oasis on the way back to the office and found the perfect bag! (I have been looking for a black bag for Algeria, that is bigger than what i would usually buy, to fit a couple of books in, my stitching, purse etc....) So bought the bag then ran back to Next to take the first one back only to find a queue of approx 8 people with only 2 people serving.... typical! So ran back to office (melting i might add) with 2 new handbags and baby grows! I'll take the other bag back tomorrow incha'allah.
Spent several hours in the park yesterday with hubby, had a great relaxing time. We did'nt talk much, we just enjoyed the peace, the sun and eachothers (quiet) company. He listened to the ipod, i stitched... was nice. But was disappointed that i did'nt get to read the Qua'ran, as i brought it out especially. Unfortunately, at the time i wanted to read, a group of youngsters (check me out, like i'm old or something!) came and sat near us and were swearing too much. So reading the Qua'ran just did'nt seem appropriate. Incha'allah i will have time in Algeria :)
I am reading such a great version of the Qua'ran, check it out above: by Muhammed Abdel Haleem.
Fi Amanallah
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Yay!
I just added a picture of Regents Park Mosque! I'm so proud of myself! I'm easily pleased as you can see lol!
An up and down day!
I can't say i've been overly impressed with my day! It started off nice with bright sunshine and lots of cuddles with Youcef. Got into work and it all started! I'll cut a long story short shall i: Tonight is a leaving do for one of the Directors in our company and everyone is going out for drinks. I am not going, instead i am going round to a new friends for a cuppa. My boss is going to this event and actually had the audacity to ask me to come in early so that he could come in later! At first i kind of agreed, but i got so angry inside that i brought it up and said it was'nt fair just because they all wanted to go out and drink etc.... And that it was'nt like he had a doctor's appointment or anything serious for me to get out of bef at 6.15am. He said i was right and he is now coming in at his usual time. Why should i have to come in early to cover him whilst he gets over a hangover?!
But on a brighter note, i did meet with a friend for lunch and we sat in the sunshine for half an hour and ate our sandwiches. It was lovely to be out in the sun and have a chat. Think i'll pack a packed lunch on Sunday and get down to Dulwich Park if it is nice incha'allah.
I want to go home, i want to get out of this office. The weather is too nice today. I am going to quickly get the car washed, cook some pasta then off to Merika's for coffee and no doubt some of her lovely cake! :)
But on a brighter note, i did meet with a friend for lunch and we sat in the sunshine for half an hour and ate our sandwiches. It was lovely to be out in the sun and have a chat. Think i'll pack a packed lunch on Sunday and get down to Dulwich Park if it is nice incha'allah.
I want to go home, i want to get out of this office. The weather is too nice today. I am going to quickly get the car washed, cook some pasta then off to Merika's for coffee and no doubt some of her lovely cake! :)
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
Bank Holiday Weekend
What a lovely Bank Holiday weekend mashallah! I don't know where to start....
I caught up with a sister from the forum on Saturday, she came round for a cuppa and brought along her youngest little boy, he's gorgeous! (yet another broody moment....)
She left and my neighbour then came round for a catch up as have'nt seen her in ages. Time flew too quickly and she was gone :( So put my flip flops on and walked round to my mums (she just move literally 2 min walk from me) and convinced her to come shopping with me. So we walked into town and i bought a couple of tops, although not really the type i wanted. I was looking for more tunic type tops, but could i find any... NO! I know i am fussy, but this was ridiculous. I did find a couple, but in Monsoon at around £50 each..... No thanks at that price!
Youcef and i went out to dinner in Clapham to a Morrocan restuarant. We were'nt that impressed with the food or service particularly, but the comapny was great, so we were happy.
Sunday i went to visit my nan and had a cuppa with her (i've had alot of tea this weekend lol). I picked Youcef up from the gym on my way back and we went to Bromely for lunch which was very yummy! We also bought some new towels. We invited one of his friends over for dinner as he just recently got married in Algeria and he wanted to show us his pictures. He brought another of my hubby's friends with him, so the four of us sat down to a very nice roast dinner cooked by moi! :)
Monday was my favourite day.... It was a beautiful day and went for a run (my new thing....) We had eggs for breakfast, got ready and headed to Regents Park Mosque. It was lovely. Hubby bought me an Islamic book i had been looking for called The Natural Way, then we went to Edgware Road for a Shawarma then Hyde Park for an ice-cream and some chill-out time. I read a little of the Qua'ran, was a really nice day. We had such a busy day that we literally flaked out last night out of exhaustion.
We have spent far too much money in the last week on going out, so no more until next month now. We are off to Algeria next Sunday, so that is our excitement now. Plus this weekend i'll be busy getting things ready, as i am working all of next week.
It is another beautiful day today so i walked into work. I thought i had charged my ipod, but realised i had'nt after setting off, so i had no company on my walk in. I leave work in an hour and can't wait to walk out in the sunshine again.
Chillie con Carne for dinner tonight........ I'm hungry already!
I caught up with a sister from the forum on Saturday, she came round for a cuppa and brought along her youngest little boy, he's gorgeous! (yet another broody moment....)
She left and my neighbour then came round for a catch up as have'nt seen her in ages. Time flew too quickly and she was gone :( So put my flip flops on and walked round to my mums (she just move literally 2 min walk from me) and convinced her to come shopping with me. So we walked into town and i bought a couple of tops, although not really the type i wanted. I was looking for more tunic type tops, but could i find any... NO! I know i am fussy, but this was ridiculous. I did find a couple, but in Monsoon at around £50 each..... No thanks at that price!
Youcef and i went out to dinner in Clapham to a Morrocan restuarant. We were'nt that impressed with the food or service particularly, but the comapny was great, so we were happy.
Sunday i went to visit my nan and had a cuppa with her (i've had alot of tea this weekend lol). I picked Youcef up from the gym on my way back and we went to Bromely for lunch which was very yummy! We also bought some new towels. We invited one of his friends over for dinner as he just recently got married in Algeria and he wanted to show us his pictures. He brought another of my hubby's friends with him, so the four of us sat down to a very nice roast dinner cooked by moi! :)
Monday was my favourite day.... It was a beautiful day and went for a run (my new thing....) We had eggs for breakfast, got ready and headed to Regents Park Mosque. It was lovely. Hubby bought me an Islamic book i had been looking for called The Natural Way, then we went to Edgware Road for a Shawarma then Hyde Park for an ice-cream and some chill-out time. I read a little of the Qua'ran, was a really nice day. We had such a busy day that we literally flaked out last night out of exhaustion.
We have spent far too much money in the last week on going out, so no more until next month now. We are off to Algeria next Sunday, so that is our excitement now. Plus this weekend i'll be busy getting things ready, as i am working all of next week.
It is another beautiful day today so i walked into work. I thought i had charged my ipod, but realised i had'nt after setting off, so i had no company on my walk in. I leave work in an hour and can't wait to walk out in the sunshine again.
Chillie con Carne for dinner tonight........ I'm hungry already!
Friday, 2 May 2008
Mosques and Meetings
The week draws to an end and it has been an emotional one, mainly for good reasons too mashallah. On Monday i visited a Mosque for the first time and hamdulillah it felt right. I was worried it would'nt, but i felt this nice calmness. I did'nt phsyc myself up and think it was going to be a life changing experience, as the religion in itself is getting me there and the Mosque is a part of that journey of changing my life. I can't wait to get back to the mosque :)
On Tuesday i went with sarah to Luton to meet some sisters from the forum and it was a really great day out. I came back home full of life, full of questions and incredibly broody after being around so many wonderful children mashallah. All the ladies were great and the children wonderful. Inchallah it will be me one day.
Yesterday hubby sent me a huge bouquet of flowers to work, how romantic. It was kind of an anniversary for us, but i did'nt think he was making a big deal of it. I wanted to because i'm a chick and that's just how i am. So i went out at lunch, bought him flowers, arranged to take him out for dinner and when i came back from lunch i got flowers! Great minds think alike eh! lol...
It is 15 minutes until i leave work and i can't wait for this bank holiday weekend to begin. I intend to catch up with family and spend some time at home for a change. Plus it's just 16 days (not that i'm counting) until Algeria and i can't wait for that either! Need to start getting prepared....
Oh and i also told my mum i am studying Islam to see what her reaction would be and she seemed fine. So that has made me feel good too hamdulillah :)
On Tuesday i went with sarah to Luton to meet some sisters from the forum and it was a really great day out. I came back home full of life, full of questions and incredibly broody after being around so many wonderful children mashallah. All the ladies were great and the children wonderful. Inchallah it will be me one day.
Yesterday hubby sent me a huge bouquet of flowers to work, how romantic. It was kind of an anniversary for us, but i did'nt think he was making a big deal of it. I wanted to because i'm a chick and that's just how i am. So i went out at lunch, bought him flowers, arranged to take him out for dinner and when i came back from lunch i got flowers! Great minds think alike eh! lol...
It is 15 minutes until i leave work and i can't wait for this bank holiday weekend to begin. I intend to catch up with family and spend some time at home for a change. Plus it's just 16 days (not that i'm counting) until Algeria and i can't wait for that either! Need to start getting prepared....
Oh and i also told my mum i am studying Islam to see what her reaction would be and she seemed fine. So that has made me feel good too hamdulillah :)
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