Imagine you and a friend sitting on the couch watching TV.  All of the sudden, your friend remembers that she needs to pray.  She jumps off the couch, makes wudu, and comes back into the room.  You, having already prayed, are sitting on the couch continuing to watch TV.  Your friend stands up, faces the qiblah, puts her hands to her ears, and says the takbir.

What do you do?  Turn the TV off?  Or leave it on?  Isn’t having the television on during salaah distracting for your friend?  And wouldn’t it be a courtesy to her to turn it off?  Or do you think that she should just have enough khushoo‘ to concentrate over the TV and that her imaan is strong enough to focus on her prayer.  You, after all, were sitting there first, and were enjoying whatever show was on.  And concentrating on her salaah is her duty, not yours.  You already fulfilled your obligation of praying, so now she must deal with the consequences of waiting, and having to pray in a loud environment.

You’re nicer than that, aren’t you?  And wouldn’t you agree that it’s easier for you to turn off the TV than it is for your friend to concentrate in her prayer?  We all know how hard it is to concentrate even when the room is quiet.

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Shyea… I wish.

I’m bored.  School is almost done and I need something to do this summer.  Any suggestions? Someone at school wants to be tutored over the summer, but I don’t know if I want to spend more time teaching, preparing lessons, and working around someone’s schedule.  That requires too much productivity, and I don’t think that word goes well with the summer.

Speaking of productivity, this past weekend I was productive with Osman and Hunno.  We painted their nursery   It’s striped!  And it’s also very well done, if I may say so myself… ahem

And speaking of coughs (are we really speaking of coughs, or did I just make a cough sound effect?) I’ve had an annoying cough that hasn’t gone away for three weeks.  It isn’t as bad as before.  Now it only acts up after I drink anything.  One or two coughs and it’s gone, but then it always comes back.

Speaking of coming back, I wonder when Shoaa’s coming back from her honeymoon?  I want to talk to her and see how married life is treating her.  I’m sure it’s sunshine, lollipops and rainbows… insha’Allah.

Speaking of rainbows, it’s been raining a lot lately.   No signs of any rainbows though.  I remember last year after the MIA graduation there was a magnificently beautiful rainbow in the sky.  Fati tried to take a picture of it.  The camera didn’t do it justice.

I accidently ran a red light the other day.  Here in the wonderful state of Illinois there are cameras set up at most intersections just to take pictures of people who violate traffic laws… even the ones who do it accidentally!  I’m scared I’m going to get a notice in the mail.

Speaking of the mail, I flipped through the Meijer circular today.  It was sitting on the kitchen table.  There are a lot of good deals this week!  I wish I could go there and buy some groceries.  But I don’t think we’re in any need of discount cereal and chips.

Speaking of chips, I made myself a lunch–turkey sandwich, pineapple slices and juice.  No chips though.  We only had Cooler Ranch Doritos, and I’m not a big fan.