Raas Royalty 2010

In His name, most Loving, most Forgiving.

A couple months ago I was given the opportunity to do what I love to do.

I picked up my camera and began shooting for an event. A solid and legit event.

Below are several pictures that was taken.

For more, visit:

http://mypage.iu.edu/~akhidhir/raas/

If you are interested in having me shoot for your event, please don't hesitate to contact me. I always love every opportunity I get to do this. Especially with my busy schedule, sometime these events in a way forces me to pick up my camera rather than it be a big, black paper weight.

Fi'amanillah.

BLOOMING-ton

In His name, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Spring has bloomed.

Or is it summer... I really hope Mr. Weatherman isn't teasing me.

It is the season of picnic on the evergreen lawn.

Playing "baling selipar", ultimate frisbee, and touch football.

From evening until sunset.

Put aside those thoughts that brings sadness,

Step outside and breathe in the blessings He has provided us.

Picnic @ Dunn Meadow

"The shortest distance between a problem and a successful solution is the distance between your head and the floor (prostration). The one who bows down to Allah can stand up to anything." (Imam al-Ghazali)

Spring Break 2010

In His name, most Loving, most Merciful.

Not a single break goes by that I do not enjoy... even if it is merely sleeping. It is the little things that I appreciate most.

This spring break was one that was not normal. It was one that I spent on the road without my family... (trust me, by the end of it, I was extremely homesick).

I met the most amazing people, I was enlighten spiritually, and I took so many pictures :)

...but for some reason, this morning when I woke up, I felt like I had left a part of me there.

"Allah answers prayers in three ways: He says yes and gives you what you want, He says no and gives you something better or He says wait and gives you the best in His own time."

Oh yes, pictures will be uploaded soon :) :)

A little sneak preview.

joy & delight

In His name, most gracious, most merciful.

"When you are joyous, look deep into

your heart and you shall find it is only that

which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in

your heart, and you shall see that in truth

you are weeping for that which has been your

delight."

-Excerpt from Kahlil Gibran's poem: The Prophet

You think you know, but you have no idea #1

In His name, most Gracious, most Merciful.

A way to my heart is through my stomach.

As sad as this sounds, it is true. Good food makes me happy and when I'm happy, everything goes well :) However, I have this bad habit of feeling sleepy after eating, but it's got to be a pretty darn good food! It's very rare that this happens all the time... but with my mom's cooking, it is a guarantee.

I am a hopeless romantic... maybe because growing up I watched a lot of Bollywood movies thanks to my auntie. I close my eyes and always imagine what it is like to have someone that spoils me. Yes, I do believe in love. It is sad to me when I hear that people do not believe in love. Love is not just for that one person -- when and if I fall in love with that one person, I know he will encourage my love for the Almighty to grow, my love for my family to be everlasting, my love for my friends to stay true, and my love for what I do to persist.

This is my definition of love.

And this is His promise that I live by,

"And among His Signs is this that He created for you mates among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts; verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." (Al-Quran 30:21)

Ma'salaama.

11 years.

In His name, most Gracious, most Compassionate.

It has been awhile since I've updated my blog. A lot has happened since January 14... for one, the weather here is having an identity crisis. One minute it will be sunny and warm, the next it will be gloomy and snowing. Nonetheless, subhan'Allah.

I finally have the time to share my past week experience. Last week, as I was in class, I got a notification on Facebook saying that an old friend of mine has tagged me in a picture from 11 years ago. Though I wasn't in the picture, a lot of my childhood friends were in it. After 11 years of not being in touch, I finally got in touch with the "bestest" friends a little girl could have asked for. We would talk forever online, reminiscing and catching up with each other. Prior to this tagged picture, I was only in contact with a few of my friends who were fortunate enough to have internet. But as the country's internet technology improve and some of them leaving to obtain an education overseas, Facebook has reconnected us. I cannot be more thankful, alhamdulilah.

Also last week, after 11 years growing up with my parents' long friend from their undergraduate years, "uncle" finally left for home after 25 years. After a long past few months of struggle with health and financial crisis, we finally managed to get him home, where he belongs and where he can get the best treatments. Insha'allah he will get better soon and that my parents' friendship will never die off. This same event also made me realize what true friends are made up of... and I have began to wonder who MY true friends are. I cannot be more thankful, alhamdulilah.

11 years of growing up. 11 years of maturing. 11 years of tears. 11 years of laughters. 11 years of blessings. 11 years of praise to the Lord I owe.

Haitian

In His name, All-Wise, All-Knowing.

God has prepared rewards for the calamities that you've beared patiently or with contentment and that what is hidden inside the folds of these calamities are blessings. (Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, "17 Benefits of Tribulations")

"And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good ye send forth for your souls and before you, ye shall find it with God: for God sees Well all that ye do." (Al-Quran 2:110)