100 days!

Hey, hey, hey!! So, we’ve reached a benchmark, I think. 100 days, and boy did the time fly. Its been an amazing time of joy, love, discovery, enlightenment, happiness and new-found contentment.

Up for another 100 days??

I made it!

So many resolutions, so many ideas, so many ambitions, so little time. Well, atleast I started doing one of them. And, that was to get my booty in shape.

Yesterday, en route home, I had every intention of getting home and jumping on the treadmill in an excited fashion to finally do what I know my body so desperately needs. Shoo, it’s been more than a year since I’ve exercised. Moving office was a bad idea, since then my walking time has been cut tremendously.

Anyhoo, no complaints. One must make-do with the situation at hand. So, as I neared home, sluggishness set it and the thought of the treadmill was floating away along with it. Getting out of the car, finally at home… my every intention had veered from seriously jumping onto the treadmill, to seriously jumping into bed.

Barely able to hold my laptop bag, much less move my feet transporting my body to bed, I saw my mom… whizzing away of the treadmill, looking overly energised and proud. I smiled and said. I was going to do that and before I could mention the word, sleep, my mom said: “Come, you up next!” I couldn’t deny the enthusiasm… Shukran MOM!

And, that was all the motivation I needed. So, I put my goodies down with some renewed energy and changed into my gym gear… something that hasn’t seen daylight for almost 18 months. It’s been way too long.

So, my turn came and I headed straight for it. Got on and pushed start, elevation 4 and speed 6. I was on my way. Only planning to do 15 minutes, I managed 20 minutes, walking 2km and losing just under 65 calories. I know its little, short and few, but I’ll get there.

This morning, I am proud to say I managed another 10 minutes, 1.1km, 41 calories and speed 7. Now, just to keep this up and I’ll be well on my way to getting the old Shaheema back… man I miss her. This new bod freaks me out…

3 Months Married!!!

Wowzes! Even I had to take a step back and realize how much my life has changed. And, best of all… I’m loving all the changes, every single one of them as well as getting to know my better half, even better.

So yes, time has passed, lots of time. Sorry, I didn’t know how to make my come-back as a married women… hehe, since I just left everyone out to dry right in the middle, or was it the end… whichever comes first.

Oh well, I’ve decided to forgive myself for not updating my blog as I would have like to, especially as it got closer to the wedding. Not that I needed to write down every thought at the time, I’m sure those memories will stay with me for a long time to come. And, to make up for it… I’ll update wedding stuff and whatever else I’d like to add to my blog – in time. I’ll move back, forward, be in the moment. But, one thing’s for sure, I have to have all the good stuff floating somewhere, in case I get amnesia some day and long for a trip down memory lane.

Jeez, what can I say. I’ve grown so much in so many ways. So much has happened and so much didn’t… hehe. I have new and added responsibility and I’m starting my second semester this month! So, I have to buckle up, it’s going to be a rollercoaster ride once again… and my only thought is “Bring it on!”

To my darling angel: Happy 3 Month Anniversary Snookums! As I said last month: “I’m looking forward to forever with you! Shukran for everything you do!”

And, I guess I should have taken your word Imtithaal… married life sure is busy!

Signing out…
Pledging to update blog more regularly.

Ever realised how far you’ve come?

Have you ever really sat down and thought of how far you’ve come in life? I know I haven’t. I’ve been rushing about, chasing, running, but never really seeing.

A new perspective has taken over my life. I’ve realised, I need to sit down and take time to smell the roses, and as my dad says, see the trees, smell the air, unleash all concern. I think right now I need it more than ever.

I’m about to enter the biggest decision of my life. A life of new beginnings, new moments, breathtaking experiences and most certainly, challenging times as things often tend to be. However, I want to be fully present, alive in each and every moment.

My soul has been such, that I’m forever searching. Searching for growth, new experiences, greater ambitions. Yet, never have I taken stock of the growth I’ve achieved, the experiences that have given birth to wonderful developments in my life, and celebrating the success after having strived so hard.

Just recently, I was faced with an enormous intervention in my life. I knew it was there, all along, always lurking in the background, but never did I want to face it, so I did what I do best, and just kept on paddling like mad.

Until one Sunday, after a busy but restful break with Shahieda and Debbie at the Protea Hotel, I was doing the dishes with Raafiek and we got into chatting. I ended up speaking and it was as if the words couldn’t wait to get out. Right there, my heart was talking. But, this time, was I going to listen, or just ignore it, once again?… go back to being the swan above the waters once more, while I continued to paddle like mad, just as before? Or would I really listen to my heart’s call and step up to relinquishing its turmoil knowing that in this time, long-term memories are born?

I thought about it for days on end. Fought it. Embraced it. Then fought it again. Whatever I did I knew it had to come from me. It had to be my decision… and oh hasn’t it taught me a lot. This year has been rather interesting, very trying but certainly eye-opening and enriching.

In the weeks to come, I learnt that I’m only human, just like everyone else. Some of my friends call me Superwoman, and for a while I even thought so myself. Others believe I’m the calmest person they’ve met, and I may be, but the swan theory comes into play here. Not too long ago, my friend Nadia told me that I should realise how far I’ve come. I realised for a minute or two, but then rushed on anyway. Till it really hit me.

I’ve rushed all my life. Chased. Tried a bit harder. Strived a bit more. Gave a little more effort. But, don’t get me wrong, no regret lives in my heart. For if it wasn’t for that very nature of my own, I certainly would not be where I am today. A place I treasure. And, this follows on from the post titled: “The CAN-DO Girl”. I really know I am. Because, whatever comes my way, I can do! I won’t allow myself otherwise.

But, for now, with the dire need of my heart to enjoy this beautiful moment in my life, I will calm down, even just for a while. I will take in the air of each bright new day, not forget to thank Allah for allowing me the gift of life. I will listen to the birds chirping, smell the roses as I walk through our garden at work, see the clouds, mingle with my fellows and enjoy each and every moment.

I will enjoy this crazy but fun planning time with friends and family. And, as I stand on my wedding day, Insha-Allah (Ameen!) I want to be fully present in that moment, embracing it with every vessel in my body and lounging with its memory throughout my lifetime.

For now, its just me and the air I breathe...

Why do we shout in anger?

I've just received this via email. Thought it so stunning, i had to share it with you!

A saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'

His disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.'

'But, why do you shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?'

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the saint.

Finally he explained, 'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.'

Then the saint asked, 'What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small...'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.

'MORAL' said the saint: 'When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return!'

An ode to my cousin...

Little does she know the impact she’s made. Little does she know how much I appreciate. Little does she know that she is treasured… and little does she know that she means the world to me.

Nadia, my dear cousin, celebrated her birthday yesterday. And, I’d just like to take this moment to thank her for her presence in my life. For ALWAYS going the extra mile and for constantly assisting me, thinking about me and valuing my contribution.

You know couz, we’ve come a long road. And, without a doubt, I hope you know you one of the most important people in my life (if not then now you do hey!). Most often it takes sad moments in our lives before we really appreciate the worth of someone. The day I visited you in hospital was a defining moment for me. I learnt there was so much I wanted you to be part of and my thinking was overshadowed. But I’m a big girl now, and will never let that happen again.


I appreciate and value your presence more than you’ll ever know. Here’s to wishing you life’s very best! May you always walk a path of happiness, contentment and pure bliss. And, when days are dark as life hands us our share, you know I’m the one to call.

Wishing you love, prosperity and utter joyfulness!

Time – an untreasured resource

Does anyone really think of its value? Do you know its true worth in your lifetime? My personal opinion is ‘No’. I think many take time for granted. Many don’t make the most of it… and many don’t give it a fleeting thought.

It is something which just passes by… yet we don’t realise that as each day passes, that’s one day less to make our dreams come true! What have you done today to move closer to your goals? Have you taken the first step? Have you moved forward to your true heart’s intentions? Have you stepped up and headed to where you know you really want to be?

Don’t leave it for tomorrow… for today is now, and now is the only time you have.

"Well, that’s all I managed before my laptop battery died at 23:58. Good thing though since it was pass my bedtime. There’s lots more I wanted to add, but for now I’m sure you get the essence of my intention. I’ll continue again one day when I reach a similar wavelength. Love ya!"