'Can I give, like, a quick hug?'

Today I had three groups of students in the library.

During the first group consisting of seven boys, two of them (who are cousins), starting to hit each other.

I called both of them out of the library and told the rest to continue their work. After I closed the library door, I just said 'Hug.' to them.

They both looked at me and started to giggle. I repeated the word and waited. They just couldn't stop giggling and looked at me with hesitation. I said that the best way to resolve the problem is to give each other a hug. Besides, I reminded them it is common to see Muslim men hugging one another when they meet in the mosque.

After about 30 seconds, one of them said, 'Can I give, like, a quick hug?'

I said a quick hug is fine as long as it is a hug.

They then gave each other a hug and we all went into the library.

Very interesting observation....

A Short Skit About Singlish - An Original Composition

I wrote the following skit about Singapore English 'Singlish' to share with students about this unique language that I love.

Disclaimer: This story is fiction and is not intended to be taken as fact. All publicly recognizable people are being used as characters in fiction and the author does not believe these events happened, will happen or should happen. The author is in no way associated with the real people and makes no claim of any sort on their persons.

A Short Skit About Singlish - An Original Composition

Setting: Classroom

Ah Beng: Gan-Cheong King (Nervous King)
Kumar: Kia-See King (Scared-to-Die King)
Ahmad: Blur King (Clueless King)
Ah Lian: Hao-Lian Queen (Show-Off Queen)
Ah Huay: Chin-Chye Queen (Easy-Going Queen)

Teacher: Today we are going to have a short quiz about Tamil, Pakistani, Arab, Chinese and Eurasian Muslim traders in Singapore in the early 19th century. You have five minutes to revise your textbook.

Ah Beng: ALAMAK (Portuguese: Expression of shock)! Jia Lat (Hokkien: Oh dear)! Not yet study! This time die lah!

Kumar: Siao Liao (Hokkien: Crazy already)! So su-ay (Hokkien: Unlucky)! Why the teacher so like that sabo (English: Sabotage) us one! Never remind us yesterday lah.

Ahmad: Ah? Eh-skew-me (English: Excuse me), what just happen? what teacher say ah?

Kumar: Eh Ahmad, why you so blur (English: Clueless) like sotong (Malay: Squid) one ? Buay (Hokkien: Cannot) ta-han (Malay: Tolerate) you! Teacher say got quiz today.

Ah Lian: Ai-yah, he always catch no ball one (He doesn't understand what is going on.). No need worry lah! Just take it easy lah! Not like end of the world lah. Eh! look at my ear rings, so su-ee (Hokkien: pretty).

Ah Huay: A-lo!This quiz not counted one lah. Ai-Tzai (Hokkien: Relax)!

Ah Lian: Eh Ah Huay! Why you tell them? You know I know can already mah. (Usually meant to be a secret between 2 person)

Ah Huay: Chin-Chye (Hokkien: Nevermind) lah! See them so gan-cheong (Cantonese: Anxious) mah.

Ah Beng: Wah-Tzai (Hokkien:I know)! But I kia-su (Hokkien: Scare to lose) mah! Cannot lose to Kumar leh.

Ah Lian: Ai-Yah! You not only kia-su, you also kia-see (Hokkien: Scare to die)!

Ah Huay: I double confirm (English: confirm and reconfirm) this quiz not counted one lah. Why you all boh-chap (Hokkien: Ignore) me one?

Kumar: Don want to talk to you now, chop chop (English: Do it fast... don't waste time) read textbook lah.. don't waste time lah." . I hope quiz easy one, if not gone case liao!

Ahmad: Yah, chop chop read textbook lah. Eh what page ah?

Teacher: OK, time for quiz now. Close your textbooks and take out a blank paper now.

All: WAT! MA-TEE LIAO (Malay: Die already)!

References:

YouTube:
Phua Chu Kang - Beng-speak http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULTAo-YOeDY

Web Sites:
A Dictionary of Singlish and Singapore English http://www.singlishdictionary.com/

Ah Beng Learns Singlish http://ahbeng.vlsm.org/aob-1.html

In Defence of Singlish http://www.tim-richardson.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=50

Singlish vocabulary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singlish_vocabulary

The Eurasian Association, Singapore http://www.eurasians.org/

Techno Fatigue

Since I switch to working part-time this school year, I have been getting 'techno fatigue' quite frequently. Basically I just want to get away from computers, digital camera, cell phone and even line phone as much as possible. Sometimes I can totally not touch the computer for as long as a week. I have been keeping myself busy with reading, card making, sewing, cooking, baking and gardening and it didn't bother me that I have not touch the computer throughout the day. In fact I enjoy letting my creativity energy flow through paper, fabric, flour, and soil.

I don't really know why I can getting this techno fatigue, and I am amazed that I have it. When I was a full-time librarian, it would bother me if I did not work on the computer or handle a digital camera any given day. Could it be that this techno fatigue is due to over handling of IT?

If anything goes, I think this is the right direction towards going back to basics. The basic joy of using my hands - to create beautiful work of art, to cook delicious food to eat, or to enjoy wonderful scent of the plants- and feeling the satisfaction of doing just that.

I think I am quite happy that I have the techno fatigue now.

Indoor Plants Help to Clean the Air

Husband and I purchased some basil, tomato, hot pepper and bean seeds at Lowes last weekend. I am trying to germinate them in these pots and see if I'm successful in my first attempt, Allah SWT willing. I have been reading about growing vegetables in containers and based on our last successful attempt at growing tomato and bell pepper, all praise be to Allah SWT, I hope that we will get a good harvest during summer, Allah SWT willing.



This afternoon I brought daughter to the Calloway Nursery to look for herbs. I decided to get thyme, sage and Italian oregano and planted them in one big round terra cotta pot. Since the outdoor temperature today is around 80 degree F, I'll let the plants enjoy some fresh air today.

I also bought a plant, dracaena, at the Calloway Nursery. This type of household plant requires low to medium light, and is easy to care for. I also read that this plant actually absorbs chemical pollutants, therefore improving air quality in a confined space. Since husband and I have allergy problems, I thought of getting one or two pots of this plant for our apartment.

According to the web site, Dracaena.com, this type of plant help to "scrub the air":

"Numerous studies conducted by the EPA over the last 25 years have shown measurable levels of over 107 known cancer causing agents in modern homes and offices. The presence of these VOC's (volitile organic compounds) are due to the switch from open windows to energy efficient living and working environments. This occurred in the 1970's due to the energy crisis that had developed.

Modern building methods and products, results in energy efficient homes and offices containing amounts of known cancer causing chemicals. In extreme cases, buildings with high levels of contaminants are known as "Sick Buildings." Exposure can result in multiple symptoms of sickness exhibited by the inhabitants who try to use them.

Scientists and doctors can't say yet but are concerned of the unknown effects to humans from long term low dosage exposure and contact to these cancer causing VOC's found in modern homes and offices today. Will increased incidences of cancer be the result of this exposure?
NASA research suggest indoor house and office plants (four of the top 10 plants were Dracaenas) may reduce substantially the amount of exposure to common VOC's you experience in your daily routine. The NASA research and the increasing amount of corroborating research indicates the benefits of live plants in modern environments to help improve indoor air quality in any building.
...
Look around your home or office; new desk, carpets and other items can help in making you "sick". Dracaenas and other plants may prove to be one of the answers to assist you in feeling better."

Source: http://www.dracaena.com/sick-building-syndrome.php

Connecting with the Great Outdoors

Husband and I strongly believe that we need to instill the love of nature in our daughter as early as possible.

He grew up in Cambodia spending endless hours in the forest with his siblings, cousins and friends. During the Khmer Rouge war, he survived in the jungle by eating fruits and wild vegetables, and using wild plants to treat injuries and sickness. All praise be to Allah SWT, these life-saving information were taught to him by the elderly before the war started.

I grew up in Singapore visiting the East Coast Park, Botanical Gardens, Mandai Zoo, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and MacRitchie Reservoir Park (see National Parks Singapore http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/) with my parents and siblings. Since I have been living in an urban area all my life, I always feel a special connection with the nature and look forward to hearing birds singing at these wonderful places.

While visiting the Texas Park and Wildlife web site, I found the following information that support our decision to bring daughter to state parks regularly and let her play outside as much as possible. It is our duty to let her have opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the great outdoors, and learn how to conserve the environment for future generations to enjoy.

Studies show that kids who play outside:
1.Are healthier physically and mentally.
2.Do better in school.
3.Have higher self-esteem.
4.Have good discipline.
5.Feel more capable and confident.
6.Are good problem-solvers.
7.Are more cooperative with others.
8.Are more creative.
9.Feel connected to nature.
10.Are tomorrow’s conservation leaders.

Learn more at lifesbetteroutside.org

Source: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/lbo/

Free publications for kids http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/kids/

Improved Meyer's Lemon

This morning husband and I brought daughter to Lowes. Initially we thought of just browsing the garden center there, but when we saw this lemon tree, we fell in love with it.

For six years, I have been telling husband that we need to grow our own lemon tree so that we can get fresh lemons since we use it in our cooking almost daily. All praise be to Allah SWT we finally found our lemon tree.

Here is more information found on the Acorn Spring Farms web site http://www.acornsprings.com/index.php?men=garden101&mod=pages&idp=30&id_ctg=78.

Of all dwarf citrus trees, the Improved Meyer Lemon is one of the hardiest and easiest to grow. It is also extremely productive. The dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon is not a true lemon though. In fact, the mature fruit of the Meyer lemon tree looks more like a large orange with a small nipple - which is fitting - since the Meyer lemon is a natural hybrid of sweet orange and lemon. It makes a delicious lemon substitute nonetheless. The Meyer lemon flesh is a light orange-yellow color, with juice sweeter than that of most lemons. This compact dwarf citrus tree grows well in most U.S. climates, but is not often commercially cultivated. The main reason for this is its thin skin, which makes the Improved Meyer Lemon difficult to ship safely. Introduced to the United States (from China) in the early twentieth century, it was discovered by Frank N. Meyer, who was on assignment from the USDA as an agricultural explorer. Meyer was originally hired by the USDA as a gardener and worked his way up the ranks in the USDA by studying flora in Mexico at his own expense. By the time his career was over, Meyer had introduced more than 2,500 plants to the United States. Why "Improved"? The Improved Meyer Lemon is relatively new. In 1975, the University of California released virus-free Meyer Lemon trees to the citrus industry. Such was necessary because old-clone Meyer Lemons generally carried tristeza and tatter leaf viruses. In 1976, the California Department of Food and Agriculture ruled that propagation of non-improved Meyer Lemon trees should be stopped. Currently, when a legitimate nursery or citrus farm propagates Meyer Lemon trees through grafting techniques, it uses budwood that originated in the California Virus Free Budwood Program.

Rasa Sayang

Sr. Ashley, the social studies teacher at the Islamic school emailed me this week to ask if I am interested to talk to her students about Singapore history.

I was really happy to receive this invitation and my mind is just so boggled with ideas on activities about Singapore history for students.

I immediately thought of Dick Lee's song 'Rasa Sayang'. I feel connected to the lyrics in this song because it really speaks about life in Singapore and I can use this song to talk about 'Singlish' (Singapore English) to the students.

Watch it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHyEKDB910w

Rasa Sayang (Composer, Lyrist, Performer: Dick Lee)

Rasa sayang Eh
Rasa sayang sayang eh
Hey lihat nona jauh
Rasa sayang sayang eh
Rasa sayang eh
Sayang

Once upon a time there were only trees
And a lion or two enjoying the breeze
Then a boat arrived one sunny day
And human beings were here to stay

Well the king of the jungle couldn't really complain
He got the whole damn island named after him
And as for the lions here's news for you
You can see their descendents at the Mandai Zoo

The island since has come very far
All thanks to the man named Utama
No we couldn't forget him if we tried
Eh what about Raffles (We love that guy)

So here we are having so much fun
Can hardly believe this was a jungle once
Sometimes I can still hear the lion's roar going
Singa Singa Pore

One, Two sing
Rasa sayang Eh
Rasa sayang sayang eh
Hey lihat nona jauh
Rasa sayang sayang eh

Now we can explain in a little while
This is not an ordinary tropical isle
Everything we have has to be the best
Of the fabulous East and the wonderful West
Of all the things we've got that's good
At the top of everybody's list is FOOD

We've got prata (from Indian)
Mee Pok (from Chinese) so sedap
What about the ketupat (from Malays) at the Satay Club

If no Chye Tow Kway (fried carrot cake) then Kai Fan (chicken rice) lor
Eat till you faint so cheap some more
Ya the best thing has to be the price
Singapore's my Fried Rice Paradise!

We can eat eat eat till we nearly drop
Then we all get up and we shop shop shop
And if you asked us how we rate this place
We'll just say this IT'S GREAT

Una, Renda, Muna
Rasa sayang Eh
Rasa sayang sayang eh
Hey lihat nona jauh
Rasa sayang sayang eh

Let's talk about work it's quite OK
Life here's like a holi holiday
We take things easy there's no big rush
Though we got slowed down because of SARS

We work then makan watch a film
Now got no more crowd no more tourism
Last time so plenty tourists but They scared got germs got bombing what

But on my own I can still can grow
My mobile phone can take photo
I never have to live in fear
Coz life is just like heaven here

Life in heaven is sometimes fast
The Holy Trinity is watching us
And who are they don't you know
The father,the son, and the Holy Goh

One, Two, Three
Rasa sayang Eh
Rasa sayang sayang eh
Hey lihat nona jauh
Rasa sayang sayang eh

Carrot Cake - So Easy and Yummy!

Although I am not a big fan of having veggie in my cake, I have been wondering how to bake a fabulous carrot cake after I had a slice at the Whole Foods Market's organic bakery section. I never thought that a 'veggie cake' would taste so 'unveggie' and I couldn't stop at the first bite.

All praise be to Allah SWT I found an easy but tasty recipe in the book 'Great Food Fast: 250 easy, delicious meals all year round' from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living. It only took me 15-20 minutes to assemble the ingredients and after baking the batter for 30 minutes, the carrot cake comes out so moist and delicious!

Instead of using a muffin tin, I used an 8 inch square pan and it turned out great. I also substituted some of the ingredients to use what I had available at the time.

Husband came back this afternoon just in time to enjoy this cake and he loves it! Even daughter keeps asking for more :)

Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

Part A:

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for pan, if needed

2 tablespoons plain yogurt (or fresh orange juice)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (I omitted this ingredient)

2 large eggs

Part B:

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or allspice)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Part C:

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour

Part D:

1 1/2 cups shredded carrots

1/2 chopped walnuts (or raisins)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Mix part A together.

2. Stir in part B.

3. Add part C; mix.

4. Stir in part D.

5. Oil the cake pan or muffin tin; distribute the batter evenly.

6. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Let the cake cool before frosting with cream cheese icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (I omitted this ingredient)

Whisk the ingredients together until smooth. Use immediately, or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Effective Islamic Parenting

EFFECTIVE ISLAMIC PARENTING
(Read each morning!!!)

I am raising my child to be a successful vicegerent (khalifah) of Allah, who will help create a truly Islamic World.

Today I will try my best to know and understand all the influences upon my child's development.

Today I will try my best to help my child understand the power of negative influences to take him/her away from Allah, and the power of positive influences to take him/her to Allah.

Today I will try my best to shield my child from the power of the negative influences to take him/her away from Allah.

Today I will try my best to enhance (increase) the power of the positive influences upon my child to take him/her toward Allah.

Today I will try my best to notice some positive things my child does or says, and tell him/her how much those things are appreciated by me and by Allah.

Today I will try my best to say nothing negative to my child. Even if I have to correct my child's wrong behaviour I will try my best to find some positive way to do so.

Today I will love my child unconditionally, but I will try my best to express that love at times which are most beneficial to my child.

Today I will try my best to be an example of a good and right human being (Muslim) for my child.

Today I will pray for Allah's help that I can be a good parent for my child.

(Source: http://islamic-world.net/khalifah-project/EIP.htm)

Human Beings as Vicegerent of Allah SWT in the Physical World

I have been thinking about how to instill the concept of self awareness in kids so that they are more conscious of their thoughts and actions. It is important for children to realise their own train of thoughts and self-correct when they are not on the right track.

Thanks to Sr. Norsofina's wonderful gift of two books - 'Understanding the concept of Khalifah' and 'Shaping excellent character: a manual for parents' by Prof. Muhammad al-Mahdi, I plan to introduce to the kids the idea that we are vicegerent of Allah SWT (Khalifah), and that we are to make effective and efficient use of material things to fulfill our destined greatness as ordained by Allah SWT.

Here is the timeline for this idea:

Theme: 'Make Myself Good'
Week 1: Self-Control
Week 2: Self Awareness
Week 3: Self Evaluation

Theme: 'Help Others Become Good'
Week 4: Friendship and Fairness
Week 5: Righteousness/Good Judgement
Week 6: Compassion & Caring

Theme: 'Make the Physical World Clean & Beautiful, so it is pleasing to Allah SWT'
Week 7: Reduce Wastage
Week 8: Reuse Often
Week 9: Recycle Everything!

In the coming weeks, Allah SWT willing I probably will tweak the timeline here and there until I am comfortable with how to deliver the lesson plan.

Note:
'Vicegerent' means one who acts in the place of a leader or king. Included in the meaning of vicegerent is the assumption that the person will act in every instance as the leader or king would want them to act, using not their own power but using only the power granted them by the leader of king.

Hence, to be Allah SWT's vicegerent means
a. to act in HIS place, and
b. to carry out HIS will, not our own, and
c. to use the power HE has given us to use not by any power of our own.

al'Mahdi, Muhamad. "Man's role as Khalifah of Allah." Understanding the concept of Khalifah. Malaysia: The Khalifah Institute, c2004. Pages 16-17.

Character Education: Self-Control

All praise be to Allah SWT last Saturday I discussed about how we can control our own thoughts and actions with the kids at the Dar Al Huda Masjid weekend school. I was glad to see about 20 students who turned in their homework 'My Kindness Diary'. Needless to say they were most happy to collect their prizes (a balloon, marble or an eraser) for turning in homework.

For the upper grades girls, we discussed about Valentines Day celebration. I explained to them that Islam encourages expressions of love between parents and children, husband and wife, brothers and sisters, neighbors and community members on a daily basis. Celebration of love between unmarried couples is prohibited in part to prevent pre-marital sex and pregnancies, which could lead to single parents bringing up children without role models and sufficient provision of living expenses. It was interesting to hear about their perception of how common it is now to see teenager girls getting pregnant while in school.

With the elementary school kids, I read the book 'Think before you act: learning about self-discipline and self-control' by Regina G. Burch (ISBN: 978-1-57471-833-1). Then I asked them to think about how they would act when they were angry and when they couldn't do what they want. I also asked them to think about how they can make themselves good if they were to be asked to do bad things e.g. hit someone, run and shout in the library etc.

For homework, students are to think about how they were able to stop themselves from doing something not appropriate and do the right thing instead e.g. stop themselves from hitting someone in retaliation, throwing litter etc. Allah SWT willing I hope that they will think about how to better control themselves in challenging situations.

15 Tips to Raise Great Children

Received via email from a teacher Sr. Yolanda.

15 Tips to Raise Great Children

1. Start by teaching them the importance of Worshiping only Allah SWT
The best thing any Muslim parent could ever teach their children is to emphasize, from the day they can comprehend, that Allah (SWT) is One and no one is worthy of worship except Allah (SWT). This is the fundamental message of our Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and it is our key to Paradise.

2. Treat them kindly
Kindness begets kindness. If we were kind to our children, they in turn would show kindness to others. Our Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the best example in being kind to children.

3. Teach them examples
Here are some tips you may want to follow in helping your children grow up with Islamic values of Muslim heroes: Instead of Batman or Superman, tell them about real heroes such as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn Khattab, Othman bin Affan, Ali bin Abi Talib and others. Tell them how Muslim leaders brought a real peaceful change in the world and won the hearts of Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

4. Let children sit with adults
It is preferable for children to be among adults, especially when listening to Islamic lectures. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would often put children in the front row when he spoke to the people.

5. Make them feel important
Consult them in family matters. Let them feel they are important members of the family and have a part to play in the growth and well being of the family.

6. Go out as a family
Take family trips rather than allowing your children to always go out only with their friends. Let your children be around family and friends from whom you want them to pick up their values. Always remember that your children will become who they are around with most of the time. So, watch their company and above all give them YOUR company.

7. Praise them
Praise is a powerful tool with children, especially in front of others. Children feel a sense of pride when their parents' praise them and will be keen to perform other good deeds. However, praise must be limited to Islamic deeds and deeds of moral value.

8. Avoid humiliation
Similarly, do not humiliate them in front of others. Children make mistakes. Sometimes, these mistakes occur in their efforts to please the parents. If you are unhappy with your children, tell them in private.

9. Sports
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged sports such as swimming, running and horse riding. Other sports that build character and physical strength are also recommended, as long as the children maintain their Islamic identity, wear appropriate clothes and do not engage in unnecessary mixing.

10. Responsibility
Have faith in their abilities to perform tasks. Give them chores to do in line with their age. Convince them that they are performing an important function and you will find them eager to help you out again.

11. Don't spoil them
Children are easily spoiled. If they receive everything they ask for, they will expect you to oblige on every occasion. Be wise in what you buy for them. Avoid extravagance and unnecessary luxuries. Take them to an orphanage or poor area of your city once in a while so they can see how privileged they are.

12. Don't be friends
It is common in the West for parents to consider their children as friends. In Islam, it doesn't work that way. If you have ever heard how friends talk to each other, then you will know that this is not how a parent-child relationship should be. You are the parents, and they should respect you, and this is what you should be teaching them. The friendship part should be limited to you and them keeping an open dialog so they can share their concerns with you and ask you questions when they have any.

13. Pray with them
Involve them in acts of worship. When they are young, let them see you in act of salaah (salat). Soon, they would be trying to imitate you. Wake them up for Fajr (prayer before sunrise) and pray as a family. Talk to them about the rewards of salaah so that it doesn't feel like a burden to them.

14. Emphasize halaal (things permissible in Islam)
It is not always good to say "this is haraam (sinful), that is haraam". While you must educate them on haraam things, Islam is full of halaal and tell your children to thank Allah (SWT) for the bounties He has bestowed on them- not just for food and clothes. Tell them to be thankful for having eyes that see, ears that hear, arms and legs and, the ultimate blessing, Islam in their hearts.

15. Set an example
As parents, you are the best example the children can have. If you talk to your parents rudely, expect your children to do the same to you. If you are disrespectful to others, your children will follow too. Islam is filled with Divine advice on the best ways to bring up your children. That makes it an obligation upon parents to be good Muslims so their children will try to emulate them. If you don't take Islam seriously, neither will your children. It goes back to our third point, which is to give them Islamic heroes. As a parent, you should be their number one hero.

Character Education: Kindness

All praise be to Allah SWT last Saturday I was at the Dar Al Huda Islamic Center to talk to kids about kindness.

The objective of the class was to get them talk about how we can be kind people by performing kindness of actions. I feel that sometimes these topics get taken for granted, and we need to let our children understand the positive and negative effects of the presence and absence of kindness in the society.

For the craft activity, the kids drew a 'Kindness Cloud' with big raindrops that contained messages of what kindness means to them. Some suggestions included 'being helpful', 'being nice', 'respect others' and 'sharing'. After that, they shared among themselves how they were being kind to others and what type of kindness they have received from people.

For homework, I gave the kids small booklets that was made from half a piece of construction paper folded into four panels. On the front of the booklets, the kids wrote the title 'My Kindness Diary' and their names. Their assignment was to write and draw how someone performed an act of kindness for them during the week. Students who turn in this assignment get to pick a prize next Saturday.

In between classes, I spoke with the principal and one of the board members about my plan to talk about character education with the kids. They agreed with my plan and said that to let them know if I needed any supplies. I also got permission to put up students' art work on the cafeteria walls so that parents and community members can see them.

I was really happy when the board member brought about 15 Islamic books for children, markers and construction papers to the library. They were purchased by a teacher and I am really glad that the library is getting positive support.

Sewing with a Vengence

Since Monday I have been sewing at least one thing per day.

All praise be to Allah SWT, my mother taught my dear sister and me the art (or danger) of sewing buttons and mending shirts and pants. Painful memories of yelling from needle pricks always remind me how 'fun' it was during those sewing sessions. My father would always get me to sew his pants and pocket holes and I would be happy that the job was done well.

After a week of searching, husband finally found my sewing machine and I set it on the table in the living room. Since Monday, my sewing projects include a tree, a butterfly, birds, ugly dolls and a bunny. Daughter was so happy to see me sewing so many things for her that before I even complete one project, she kept saying 'THANK YOU!'.

I am constantly amazed at how much I enjoy sewing because it requires me to sit and be patient until the project is completed, and I am not really a patient person. Maybe motherhood has made me slow down my pace, or it could be that with a toddler, I simply don't have much energy to go full speed at other things.

So, what do I plan to do with so many stuff dolls? Well I plan to bring them to the Islamic weekend school to inspire kids to sew, and I am sure that the kids will have fun with this craft.

BLOGS ON SEWING

Craftside http://craftside.typepad.com/

CraftyPod http://www.craftypod.com/

Pippi Joe Diary http://pippijoe.blogspot.com/

Wee Wonderfuls http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/