Half of My Life

Earlier this week, I reached a bittersweet and poignant point in my life. I realised that exactly half my life ago, I was embarking on a new chapter called ‘Marriage’. It didn’t last as long as I had expected to which, to be honest, I always imagined would be till the day either my husbandContinue reading “Half of My Life”

Wheels in Motion

Although I haven’t yet fully executed some of the plans I have for my future, in recent days and weeks, I feel that I have at least geared my mental state up and am taking tentative, exploratory steps, insha’Allah. I don’t wish to elaborate on details for fear that none of them will materialise orContinue reading “Wheels in Motion”

Shanghai Shines

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the opportunity to travel to the Far East. Both in terms of money and time, it was one of the those parts of the world that I could only ever dream of and assume it wouldn’t materialise. However, when my son asked me ifContinue reading “Shanghai Shines”

Post Ramadan Round-Up

It’s been a couple of weeks since I wrote anything here and a couple of weeks since Eid-ul-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan. Hands down, it was one of the best Eids I have had in my entire life, Alhamdulillah. The only thing which would have made it perfect would have been if myContinue reading “Post Ramadan Round-Up”

Knowing One’s Place

It might seem like a bleak and pessimistic perspective but the idea of living out the remainder of my life without a marriage partner, is something that doesn’t make me afraid. If anything, I feel a sense of relief and being unfettered from responsibilities of taking care of another person other than those related toContinue reading “Knowing One’s Place”

Forging Family Ties

Whilst many people were tucking into turkey and a roast dinner on Christmas Day, my family and I were busy attending the wedding reception of my cousin – my mother’s brother’s son. It was a beautiful occassion where I managed to meet up again with so many extended family members who I have not seenContinue reading “Forging Family Ties”

Family Reunions

Families come in so many different forms and sizes. This weekend was all about coming together, both for short and longer term periods. I went to collect my middle son from university which he has finally finished. So, for now, he is going to be at home with us whilst he makes plans for hisContinue reading “Family Reunions”

Online but Switched Off

Today’s reflections are a slight aberration from my normal thoughts. They come more from a culmination of years of teaching young children and observing some trends in that time. I would like to make a note of my observations here. It’s an undeniable truth that since its inception, the internet, and all the devices linkedContinue reading “Online but Switched Off”

When Small Equals Big

Life shouldn’t always be about the perennial search for things to do or see which are unequivocally different or mammoth compared to the run-of-the-mill version of things that the majority of people might do. However, it seems this is the path that many have chosen to take. We are no longer keeping up with theContinue reading “When Small Equals Big”

An Albanian Adventure

In keeping with the promise I made to myself, I have just returned from a short trip to Albania with my sister and niece. When others asked, “Why Albania?” my reply was that I wanted to go to a place which none of us had visited before and was also within our budget. It turnedContinue reading “An Albanian Adventure”