Interesting, I do cover all but my hands and face... but Julianna what you said does make sense.. Iam feeling better having gone for a walk. Went to the mailbox and foun inside I got my passport with my married name on it... and I sat outside talking to neighbors for @ 2 hours.

Chaishai, I like the "learning Arabic" I started but for some reason I stopped.... I think it's a good time to start again.

Thank you all.... I really don't like this feeling I am in and it feels like I have to baby sit myself.. am I eating? am I sleeping? I have to "take care to watch myself:" If this continues I go see the doc.

Thanks again everyone....subhanallah, knowing I am not alone in all this helps.

Rajaa

Oh! that's so good that she was on top of that with your daughter. As far as I understood it, doesn't breastmilk generally contain a fairly constant ammount of each vitamin/mineral/etc no matter what you are doing for yourself, excepting, of course, if you are highly deficient in something?

I actually worry about my Dh for a lot of deficiencies-- he seems to refuse to eat a lot of vegetables, and he refuses to take any vitamins either. Sigh. I'm slowly trying to sneak things into his diet. I know he should get enough sun for 1/2 the year anyway, as he mows the lawn once a week. Fish is a good source of D-- it's what helps the Inuit survive with their darker skin in the northern lattitudes they inhabit So obviously, it works!

Rajaa-- I think many of us went through a similar experience at some point, whether related to this immigration stuff or not. Everyone has something in their life which can trigger a mild form of depression. A big thing is exactly what you just did-- getting out and doing some things, keeping somewhat active, and not allowing yourself to withdraw. there is a time for the latter, but generally it's more healthy to try the former. I am more like Chaishai- -I try to find a kind of goal and work towards it to keep myself active.

Actually, Nescafe is delicious when prepared as a cafe con leche - very yummy - but with water -blech. But I do love my Starbucks or Arabic or even Cuban coffee - which is just like Arabic...yummy, yummy - and nothing better when you're dragging a$$ and need an afternoon pick me up.

You know what they say, "the family that prays together stays together". It really is the truth - even when I think that my DH and I are going through some unbelievably hard times and we both want to run, I pray for God to give us peace in our marriage and He does.

Pardon my ignorance, but I ask with respect - Do you have to wear hijab at all times? If you don't, I would suggest that you just take off the hijab and abaya and hang out in your yard in private for a little while on a sunny day. I live in Florida and although I don't sit in the sun a lot, I do get plenty of exposure and seem to have excellent Vitamin D - but I do take a supplement to help with some other conditions. I also think that aside from Vitamin D, sometimes just feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin will lift your spirits.

Good luck to you...being away from your husband is so very difficult. When I was away from my fiance, now husband, it was so hard - all I wanted was my fiance to meet my father but my dad died one month before the visa was approved and 6 weeks before he came to the US. These are moments that you can never get back - it can bring you down, but by putting it in God's hands - which you have done, He will bring you both through this.

Yes Staashi, I can remove my hijab and abaya if alone or with family... it felt good to be in the sun yesterday so i will have to make it a point to do that everyday..

unfortunately I am sick today though.. I think I have the flu, so it might explain why i've been so tired. Anyway, getting my passport yesterday with my married name was very nice.

I am sorry Staashi about your father I am sure it's been a while but it still doesn't always make it easier. Thank you for your kind words and congrats on your husband's ceremony on the 4th...

Rajaa

Rajaa.....its good to get out and think I have to live my life for my kids and myself. I am sure your hubby would want you to do the same. Try and keep busy and you will find a world of difference in yourself. I do hope that you feel better with the yucky flu! Tell me about the passport, did you have to pay the fee over again?

Anybody know where to get an English version of the Quran reasonable? I haven't found any stores around here. What would be a good price to pay for it?

The elite brand powdered "Nescafe" that they have in israel is complete powder and not as good as Nescafe brand nescafe. I have had "Nescafe Frappe" in greece and other countries and I think this is what you are referring to and yes it is yummy. No amount of sugar milk or even heavy cream can help israeli "Nescafe". Yet tons of israelis have a taste for it...

I would just order one online - they have the most selection and shipping isn't that much.

The one I got was from Oxford Press and has alot of good foot notes explaining word choice in translation and some historical context. Got it in France though, never looked for it online

a GREAT WEBSITE is www.quranexplorer.com . it shows the arabic and english and it recites for u. it has a whole bunch of options and i can't remember them all. check it out! I use it all the time.

Most Mosque will give you one for free, You might also try CAIR's website.

Thanks guys!

Thank you honey. Time, in many ways, does not heal all wounds. It does not make it easier, but in the end, I believe my dad is kind of looking out for us, so it helps.

Aside from that, getting some sun each day beneficial. I know that last year when I was in Argentina, I would spend all day in the sun - during their winters. The benefits were amazing and it made me feel very positive and energized. I was basically covered from head to toe - except no head covering, but just feeling the warmth of the sun on a 40 degree day made me feel great.

Yeah, instant coffee really can be hit or miss. I'm cool with the Nescafe, although if I had my druthers, I love one from Argentina called Arlistan - mmmmmm it is soooo delicious!

I actually had my original passport within some time frame to do it for free so I went ahead and did it. It did take longer than the original one but I this is probaby a busy time for them. I showed my husband my new passport via cam and he was all excited. He kept calling me Mrs. T.... (his last name but I never know who reads our posts) it was sweet.

I have two different Qu'rans I like one I carry with me in my purse in ARabic and English and another just English version. i prefer the ones that give some references and a directory. But that's me. I found mine in a book store and the small from an Imaam that gave me my certificate of conversion I needed to get married in Morocco.

Good luck.

I've got to get in on this conversation!!! is this the nescafe the family gave me with milk in it not water???

I make the greek ones at home all the time! They are so yummy!!!!!

i've actually been doing some reading up on this, because i've been trying to learn more about whether or not it would be unhealthy for ayah if i fast this year. i read a study that found that milk can become deficient in certain minerals even after fasting just one day. potassium was decreased significantly too. it seems like it can be a pretty sensitive balance.

as well, vitamin d seems to be the exception to all the other nutrients being perfectly provided through nursing-there's more about it here, if you want to read more. the american academy of pediatrics recommends supplementing for babies who are not fed formula.

Thanks for the info! I'm not as up on nursing/babies as I am on the whole anthropological aspect of adaptations of skintones Yet, one is very much more likely more practical than the other (which would be the nursing thing). i'm going to go check out your link.

I was extremely depressed and tired last week and then i got tonsilitis! Turns out its all it was. So take care of yourself.

I loved the coffee in argentina. I dont know if this is customary in Argentina but where I was they served me my cappucino with a club soda and it was so refreshing with the strong coffee. I loved it! Almost as much as the Malbec!

Rajaa, I would think so. I buy Nescafe at Walmart in the Latino food section - I get it in a huge jar for about $7 and it lasts for a good while. I use two teaspoons and about 10 to 12 ozs of milk - sweeten to your liking - put it in the microwave for 2 and a half minutes and you are golden! It is a nice change of pace in the mornings, as compared to tea or regular coffee. Especially good with toast or pastries. Also, for any of you chefs out there, if you like to make your cakes mochaey or enhance the chocolate flavor, toss in a teaspoon of the instant coffee into your cake mix - delish!

Oh yes! Isn't that hilarious...I loved how coffee and wines always come with club soda on the side. And the cuisine of Argentina is to die for - I would kill for some good medialunas right now (Argentine pastries in the shape of a crescent with a light sweet glaze on top.) <Sigh> When will I be going back???

In Jordan I've seen them use Nescafe like any other Arabian coffee and brew it in the pot and pour it out thick, etc... that's just with water. Ammar has been on this "good coffee" hunt since he got here and has finally said all the coffee is the same-- expired! he's decided all the coffee we have is over 6 months old, and thus expired.

(I'm activating a cellphone right now-- and it's messing with my wireless LOL).

I'm a big fan of this trick. I also use it when I make homemade chocolate frosting and I get rave reviews every time. That coffee flavor is perfect with chocolate

I know - it is soooo yummy. I think I'll make my DH a rocking chocolate cake this weekend - he deserves it!

i've been craving chocolate....but even more, i want caramellos or caramello type stuff...

my husband always tries to say he doesnt like chocolate but oddly enough every chocolate thing we have seems to magically disappear. and not always by MY hand.

Julianna let me send you a pound of coffee that will bring back fond memories of your days in Jordan. I have a store near here that grinds and mixes (1/2&1/2) like Jordan. Would be a nice suprise to make for your hubby.

Jackie

Real coffee...yummy, yummy. I remember growing up in LA and one of my favorite "Arabian" nights, as we used to call them, was when my friends from Lebanon and UAE brought Arabic coffee and a boatload of ME pastries - it was heavenly. I was having some unreal type of sugar/caffeine high after that.

hi ladies.. took a bit of a break from MENA and VJ land... but I am feeling the passion once again to fire up my lap top and sit for hours staring at a screen. lol.


Maybe it has something to do with getting glasses for computer use.. oY! I am getting old...

JJ I love the map way cool... and look I am platnum hehe working on hearts now.

Nescafe is on my shopping list now

and lastly..... freaked about Ramadan!!! first one as a Muslimah how do you survive the days in Retail without eating or drinking????

EAT in the early morning. And eat good.

Don't try to live on bread and cheese. Get in some fruits, fiber........something that will stay with you. Me,,,I try to consume everything I can PLUS coffee, tea, juice................See food diet for me at 4am.

jackie

lol I am just thinkin my breath will be rancid talking all day and no water hehe that might be an added plus maybe they'll stay away from me thereby easing my work load some.hehe

Invest in a siwak (aka miswak) and rinse your mouth periodically throughout the day.

IMO working kills ur time so by the time u come home u will take a nice nap then wake up right on time for iftar.... dnt forget also that during the day u can do thikr while u work or during ur break u can read some quran... just keep trying to gain thawab as much as u can inshaAllah in a week or so u ll be used to it

I've been adding a recitation of the entire Quran to my Blackberry so I can listen to it as I work and fast during Ramadan.

I have it on my mp3 player and love it! I have the cassette thingy in my car so I can plug it into the cassette player and listen to it when I'm driving or riding in the van. I've got the entire Quran with English translation, the last juz without translation with a beautiful recitation that I love and almost all of the last juz with a teacher reciting and his students reciting behind him for my kids to listen to.
I didn't put it on my blackberry because I carry my phone with me in my purse all the time and didn't want to carry it into the bathroom or something with the Quran on it

I'm not ready for Ramadan. I have to deal with sick ppl all day long and I can't be havin horse breath ESPECIALLY if I'm trying to have private conversation with them. And then there's this binge madness my body is doing right now that I dunno if I could go a whole day wtihout SOMETHING...

one day at a time..............

I'm soooooooooooooooooo ready for Ramadan!!!
The first year I wasn't at all enthusiastic about it... I couldn't wrap my head around what all the hype was about but after reading about the benefits and rewards associated with Ramadan I look forward to the opportunity!!

Now I love it. You'd think starving yourself all day would be a horrible experience but it's really not and it's actually a great form of meditation and a wonderful chance to reflect on life and how well you're living it and death and how prepared you are for it. You never know which Ramadan will be your last. I pray Allah makes Ramadan a mercy and a blessing for all of us, ameen!!

I also love going to the masjid and breaking my fast each night with the other muslims who have also been fasting all day. There's just something about breaking fast with the community that's indescribable. I hope they do that here.....

I am trying to visit my habibi during the last part of Ramadan... would like to break my fast with him for my first one as a Muslimah

Are you feeling better Rajaa_Reda?

Yes Alihamdolah I am feeling better thank you for asking?

Rajaa

hey Rajaa! Hope you are doing great !!!

salam everybody.

its very good feeling to see many of you became muslims now , i mean the american spouses ,brothers and sisters. and how that shows on your daily life , and how much your happy practicing it.

But i want to ask something i dont know if you been asked this before or not, but i hope you answer me..

im sure most of you were christians before being Muslims , so i would ask what got you to believe in Islam and dont believe that you have to die as christians as i know Jesus did not mention in Bible that will be any religion after him. It was for sure brave and Important step to take regarding all what you would face from yoru families and friends,
Your Answeres are very Important to me

Shokran

Hitchoo---I am not yet Muslim but have contributed a small portion to this thread. Right now I am curious about Islam and I am spending my free time learning as much as I can and asking lots of questions. I have been interested in the religion for years and had lots of misconception about it prior to meeting my husband. I am finding quite a few similarities to Christianity although Jesus is the biggest belief difference that I have noticed. I have a son with my husband that will be sent to Islamic schools and raised Muslim so I as a mother have a duty to become well educated and get my religion prioritized. I have found that I love the peace and dedication that I have seen towards the religion. It is something that is not as common in other religions. I know there are good and bad in every religion but even my parents have noticed how my husband is very faithful and prays and they even state how they give him credit for being so dedicated and how they have seen very little of that here with other religions. I'm not stating that there is a right or wrong in how others worship this is their own responsibility and my viewpoint only.

Tasha

******By the way if anybody is interested in learning about Islam I found two books that I am reading and they are really helping me out. One is Islam for Dummies and the other is Koran for Dummies. I figured I was a dummy about the religion so I would start with those books. My husband had been looking over them and said that pretty much he agrees with what I am reading.

wa salam

in my really feeble, dumbed down manner of explaining, i guess my mind really finally turned as i learned more about the true nature of God and His attributes. the oneness of God in islam that i could never really reconcile with my anglican upbringing and its belief in the trinity. the all powerful nature of God in islam that i could never reconcile with thinking that God would deem it necessary for anyone, much less Jesus (may God be pleased with him), to have to die in order for mine or anyone else's sins to be forgiven. that was for starters anyways. it goes on...

Salam T and A , thats awesome , inshallah your reading will lead you to the right way , thats what im asking about , what attracted you to Islam, what you found special about Islam, Did you realy use your Mind , or been involved in it owing to other circumostances.(notice that very good thing about Islam that you Believe in it with your heart but your mind can reach it first , no thing in it contrasted with mind if you you got it right)
so you beind muslim or Christian that wont change anything of we all being humans and we can share love and respect , the thing is i want to know why you new muslims became Muslims , the actual reasons , the ideas you pased on your belief,

Shokran

Mashallah Sister ,

i completley agree , this can be a real start to wonder , the unity and the oneness as you said in Allah , makes your mind satisfied , the powerfull nature,,, and for sure allah,s uniqueness. can be too.

the reason for why im asking for why you became Muslims, that you can find many christians have a very strong believe and even can be stronger than many muslims , which makes me wants to know what made them have this belief . so iw ould read and always ask seeking knowledge. so i assumed maybe the right way not always by your heart Allah gave you a Mind too. till now im reading and seeking more Info
shokran
salam

Well Hitchooo.. good question. I had been studying Islam for many years (military Intel) and always had a muslimah friend around me different ones throughout my life but always had at least one.

I was raised catholic where we were taught to pray to Mother Mary and ask forgiveness from a Priest. (both human) I started questioning that at quite a young age.

There is a scripture in the old testment (i am paraphrasing here so bare with me) God said worship noone but your GOD..... how do we find it acceptable to worship a man? I know we are to believe he is God on earth (Jesus pbuh) but even Jesus (pbuh) said to Pontius pilate when he was asked "Are You God?" Jesus replied you said that not I...

When Jesus was crucified (still makes me feel so sad) he looked to the heavens and asked "Why have you forsaken me?"

These are a few that lead me away from worshiping Jesus as God on earth... how can and why would he say those things if he was God????

Anyway, I know this is a very "hot" topic and I dont' mean to start a disagreement but these are what I found to cause more questions about my deen... started reading more about Islam and the Qu'ran and asked tons of questions to my husband (which wasn't my husband at the time).

And Hamdolah after many many years... said my shahadah in December last year.