2010

- Chicago, 2010 -

Ah, 2010, what a huge difference from 2009, masya-Allah. 

Had to go for surgery, barely ate for more than a month, fell twice in three days (literally, not in love), just recovered from a scabby face, and now I'm still recovering from an awful throat infection. It's probably not a good idea to do an end-of-year review while I am sick, but really, how could I be nothing but grateful to Allah SWT for all that has happened to me? Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) for Him taking such good care of me, giving me such kind, lovely, and wonderful friends, who look after me while I am thousands of miles away from home. Alhamdulillah for my wonderful family, who are always there for me. Alhamdulillah for all the people I have encountered, and who have become my new friends, thereby making my life a much more interesting one. Alhamdulillah for all my little adventures (and awkward moments), as I seek to complete the other half of my deen. Alhamdulillah for surviving 1.5 years into my PhD program, and finishing all of my required coursework. Alhamdulillah for everything, truly.

I can only pray that 2011 will be a better year and more, insya-Allah. To repeat a du'a from last year, may Allah SWT continue to look after me as He has done thus far, and bless me with spiritual peace, guiding me along the right path in every decision I make, and as an added bonus, to a soulmate, ameen. 

Here's to an absolutely blessed 2011, and again, may everyone find peace, love, wisdom, and happiness! :) 

A Spiritual Winter

- Saint Louis, MO, 2010 -

Just came back from Muktamar 2010, an annual meeting organized by the Malaysian Islamic Student Group (MISG) and Indonesian Muslim Society in America (IMSA), alhamdulillah. It was lovely to be able to attend talks and reflect on our deen; may Allah SWT  guide us to act upon the knowledge with which He has blessed us, ameen. Met with a wonderful American Muslim sister, who is a convert, and I pray that Allah SWT blesses our friendship, ameen. I also pray that my sore throat gets better soon, insya-Allah! :) This is the first winter that I'm not back in Singapore, so I hope that I'll be more productive in terms of work and catch up on lots of sleep, insya-Allah. Looking forward to writing my end-of-year reflection for this blog, insya-Allah, and I leave you with a quote that I paraphrased from Sheikh Omar Baloch: 

"When a girl loves a guy and wants the guy to know, she gives him subtle hints like a box of chocolates. The universe is like a box of chocolates. In the universe are signs that Allah wants you to discover and turn to Him, because He loves you."

First Snow

- Saint Louis, MO, 2010 -

The first snow fell during Thanksgiving last Thursday, subhanallah, which was a pleasant surprise, since all I was expecting was a "light wintry mix". Many things to finish up before the end of the semester, so it is time to put on my productivity "cap" and procrastinate less, insya-Allah. Keep warm if you are experiencing winter and may Allah SWT always make it easier for all of us, ameen.

Beautiful Day

- St. Louis, MO, 2010 -

Looking up I see,

A sun shining so brightly,

In this cold winter.

The Heart Within

- St Louis, MO, 2010 -

Was chopping up onions and found a lovely surprise in one of them, subhanallah. :) In other news, I have been really busy with grading, reading, writing, and studying, so I'm really looking forward to the conference at the end of the week and then the Thanksgiving holidays, which will hopefully give me some respite from work, insya-Allah.

In case I do not update my blog before Tuesday, Eid Mubarak to my fellow Muslims and may Allah SWT always guide us in everything we do, ameen. :)