Spring Break!

I’ve been exclaiming those two words around my husband since Friday when I came home from school.  It’s my way of making sure everyone knows I’m on… Spring Break!

Since I came home on Friday I’ve been having a lot of fun, alhumdu’lillah.  Friday, Saqib and I started studying for the Rays of Faith exam that was on Sunday.  As boring as studying normally is, it was actually enjoyable to review the class material with him and jogg my memory of all the interesting points that Shaykh Waleed had mentioned more than a month ago during the class.

Saturday, Saqib went to class and I stayed home to get a few things done on my own.  I went to the gym, cleaned the bathroom, dusted the furniture and made kaana.  We had a bunch of mushrooms left over in our fridge so Ummy wanted me to make use of them.  I added some mushrooms to my normal recipe for lasagna.  It turned out pretty much the same, ‘cept the meat layer tasted a little more meaty.  That night after kaana we continued studying for the exam until it was a quarter to midnight and we were getting tired.

Sunday morning, bright and early, we got out of bed, went to Panera, energized with coffee, bear claws, and bagels, and came home to continue studying and review for the exam.

We headed out to the masjid and arrived just in time.  This was my first exam I was ever taking for AlMaghrib, and the first test I’ve taken since I graduated college–I was a little nervous.  Alhumdu’lillah I think it went well.  I’m really anxious to get my score back.  I’ll be really disappointed if I don’t do well on it.

When we came back from the exam I took a completely unnecessary nap and woke up just in time to get ready for our third Sunday walima in March.  We miscalculated the invitation time, but still managed to get there right when the evening’s events were starting up.  I found a table with some friends, thank God.  Going to a wedding and not knowing anyone is… depressing.  I’m not super social, so it takes a LOT out of me to make new friends, or even just start a conversation with strangers.  I’m too lazy, I think.  So it helps when I know people–less work is involved

The dinner at the wedding was served family style, so the waitresses brought the meal to each table.  I was trying not to pay attention much, but the waitress at our table kept putting the food on the table right over MY head!  I was a little nervous that something would spill, when all of the sudden I felt something wet on my forehead.  She had spilled raita on my hijab, dupata, outfit, plate, napkin and all over my formal purse   It smells like mint leaves and cilantro now–not a good smell  for a purse I take to weddings.  I didn’t react much though, didn’t want the waitress to feel too bad.  I just pointed it out, she dried me off with a napkin, and all is well now that I’ve done the laundry today, alhumdu’lillah.

Yesterday Saqib took me to watch Monsters vs. Aliens in IMAX-3D!  It was super crazy exciting!  The movie itself had a so-so story line, I’d give it a B/B-.  But the 3D effects were amazing!!  I felt like such a little kid, tricked by the images.  At one point I actually reached out to see if I could touch what was in front of me, knowing well enough there was nothing there.  It was worth a try, right?

After the movie we went to Red Robin for lunch where we both ate more than we should have.  I got a Classic Cheese Burger and Saqib got an A1 Peppercorn burger.  He said he felt like he’d eaten an entire onion when we left because he subbed his French fries for onion rings.  For drinks he got a Coke, but I ordered a freckled lemonade–it was basically lemonade with strawberries in it the size of tongues!  It was gooooood.

At night I went to visit my brother who is currently home alone ‘cuz my bhabi is hanging with the parents in MI.  I got to his apartment a little before maghrib, and after praying we set out in search of something good to eat.  We first walked to the deli across the street, but unfortunately, it was closed.  Then we walked back, got in the car, and drove to a pizza place he had seen on TV.  It too, unfortunately, was closed.  Dah!  We drove around using google maps and yelp.com reviews to end up at Wholly Frijoles.  Thank God!  It was gooood eats!   I had tortilla soup and enchilidas, yum yum yum, alhumdu’lillah.  Osman liked it a lot, too.  He had his with shrimp, which were surprisingly, very yummy.

And finally, today!  Tuesday!  I went to the grocery store, picked up some supplies, and made dinner… all day.  In between I did three loads of laundry and graded some quizzes, so that I would be ready to go to Michigan tomorrow.  On the dinner menu was spring rolls, sesame chicken, and fried rice.  it came out a little more salty that I’d like, but over all, I thought it was good.  Pat on the back for me!

Anyway, it’s time for bed.  I’ve got an early train to catch.  How I spend the rest of my break is the topic of my next post.  So keep an eye out for that!