tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7834809717016805512024-03-08T15:16:46.613-08:00Rukhpar MorRukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-46608136694132394872012-06-19T20:05:00.001-07:002012-12-25T20:22:10.264-08:00Education for New Mothers<p>This past quarter, I took a <em>Public Health Nutrition and Biology</em> class, in which we focused on various subjects related to nutrition and its association with public health, as well as how it could affect our biology over the course of a lifetime. One of the lectures dealt with pregnancy, breastfeeding, and nutrition. We spent three hours talking about mother and baby issues. Many new mothers (and not-so-new mothers) are not in the loop about information pertinent to the health of their newborns. What a mother does (and doesn’t do) can have an effect on multiple generations. For this reason, it is important to provide education to mothers. For example, many assume that breastfeeding is instinctive, but the reality is that mothers need training on properly feeding their babies. </p> <p>This particular lecture reminded me of some of the traditional practices that my mother was taught about how a newborn should be treated during the first few months. I want to mention each oral tradition and talk about its relevance to modern science. </p> <p>1) When you are pregnant, eat a variety of foods. </p> <p>In this particular class, we learned that there should be an increase in body weight during a normal pregnancy. Pregnancy is not the time to go on a diet. Even before getting pregnant, folic acid from dark, green leafy vegetables (think: spinach) are a must. While you are pregnant, you should be eating nutrient-dense foods and getting your nutrients from a mixed source of vegetables, fruits, and grains. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00476" border="0" alt="IMG00476" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bhrrf_1B8r8/T-E-AxckogI/AAAAAAAAAx4/oOSSE-asL7o/IMG00476%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></p> <p>Interesting fact: Did you know that the habits, behaviors, and health of the mom during pregnancy has the potential to influence health for generations to come? Children born to a mother while she was pregnant during a period of starvation will have a higher chance of becoming obese in their adult years. Similarly, mothers that are either overweight or obese when they are pregnant increase the chance that their baby will be overweight in his/her life as well. </p> <p>2) Keep your bundle of joy bundled up. </p> <p>I think my grandmother aggressively emphasized the importance of keeping the baby warm and it is definitely something to keep in mind. However, make sure that you are not overheating the baby. I read somewhere recently that the baby’s temperature should be between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius. You should buy a thermometer and diligently check if your baby might be overheated. Apart from warm clothes, it might be good to invest in cute baby hats. </p> <p>3) Breast milk is the best milk. </p> <p>I think we might have spent close to an hour or so talking about the benefits of breastfeeding. Our professor pointed out that breast milk is the cheapest, eco-friendliest, and most nutritious milk for babies. It provides the necessary nutrients as well as antibodies. I had a friend that decided to go the baby formula route because she said that her baby looked too thin. She was only 19 at the time so she did not have much education on baby basics. Breast milk provides the right amount of nutrients and energy for the baby. There is no need to use formula milk and it could in fact hurt the baby in the long-term. </p> <p>It can be a daunting task to be a new mother, but a rewarding experience as well. Make sure you consult with your doctor or nurse about practices that are safe as well as healthy for your baby. If you have friends that are pregnant or new mothers, share well-researched information with them and encourage them to visit their primary care practitioner.</p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5ad44d86-490f-47d5-b505-10a2901ce585" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health" rel="tag">health</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pregnancy" rel="tag">pregnancy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mothers" rel="tag">mothers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/education" rel="tag">education</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-86215868463786378192012-05-21T15:20:00.001-07:002012-12-25T20:26:13.966-08:00Is Torture Ever Acceptable?<p>This quarter, I am taking a class called <em>Public Health Ethics</em>, in which we discuss the moral and ethical justifications of actions taken by public health professionals, governments, or any other entity in the name of protecting society as a whole. During our first class, the professor posed an interesting question. He handed us the <em>Universal Declaration of Human Rights</em> (compiled by the United Nations) and asked us this: Which one of these rights would you be willing to put boots on the ground and fight for? Which one of these would you think are ideal to have, but maybe not worth fighting for? He proceeded by reading some of these ‘rights’ outlined in the handout. All was well until we got to the part about torture. The comments made by a woman in class have been forever embedded in my memory. </p> <p>Article 5 of the <em><a href="http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/" target="_blank">Universal Declaration of Human Rights</a></em> reads:</p> <blockquote> <p>No one shall be subjugated to torture or to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.</p> </blockquote> <p>He asked again: Is this something that you would advocate for? No one should be tortured no matter what? What about prisoners of war?</p> <p>At this point, a woman in her 40s, dressed in a nurse’s uniform, raised her hand. She said that she had a son who was fighting in the United States Army and that the topic of torture by the American soldiers has been on the news quite often. She was referring to the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. The justification she used for the torture of the prisoners was what bothered me. Her conclusion was that the American soldiers were justified because if they had been the ones captured, the “others” would have inflicted a more cruel form of torture on them. </p> <p>I know where she is coming from in her thinking. She has a son that has been through a lot with the military service and obviously she will be more sympathetic to the soldiers. However, I think this notion of “they” is problematic. When we start differentiating in this way, it is easy to justify inhumane actions on others, whether it’s killing, torture, or something else. Her answer prompted me to think about this subject more and I decided to do my presentation on “War and Public Health”. My partner is talking about the needs of those that are stuck in the middle of a war (and after the war) in terms of food, water, shelter, mental health, and the like. I will be focusing more on the subject of torture and if this is something that we can justify as public health professionals. </p> <p>Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Justice sanctions torture to an extent that it deems appropriate. The Bybee Memo redefined torture and concluded (among other things) that there needs to be a ‘ specific intent’ for torture to be considered as such (1).  It is easy to justify these actions when they are being done to terror suspects, but the reality is that many of these suspects are actually innocent. Over 80% of the prisoners at Abu Ghraib were innocent (2). Furthermore, the confessions taken from these prisoners (even from those that were rightly detained) have been incorrect or fabricated, which has led to even more drastic and unnecessary measures by the U.S. government (1). </p> <p>The next issue that arises is the role of the public health professionals, including nurses and medical doctors. Do they have a moral responsibility to protest against this? Unfortunately, a loyalty conflict arises where a physician is torn between providing care for the patient and working for the military (3). In this case, should the physician ensure that the prisoner’s medical needs are being met, or be a silent observer? It’s known that clinicians have been complacent in these activities and they have reached to the point that they are aiding in the exact science of the torture techniques. For example, physicians might fabricate reports that state that the detainee is healthy enough to go through the ‘interrogation’ process or not treat the appropriate medical conditions of the detainees(3). </p> <p>I feel that it is an obligation for public health professionals to advocate that governments provide a torture-free environment for the detainees. Torture is plain bad policy, with few (if any) positive outcomes. It would send a strong message to governments if public health workers united against the atrocity of torture, wherever it may happen. </p> <p>References:</p> <p>1.    Iacopino V, Allen SA, Keller AS. Bad Science Used to Support Torture and Human Experimentation. Science. 2011;331(6013):34-5.</p> <p>2.    Lenzer J. Oath Betrayed: Torture, Medical Complicity, and the War on Terror. BMJ: British Medical Journal (International Edition). [Book Review]. 2006;333(7564):401-.</p> <p>3.    Singh JA. Treating War Detainees and Terror Suspects: Legal and Ethical Responsibilities of Military Physicians. Military Medicine. [Article]. 2007;172:15-21.</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Side Note: Here’s a video that I found, but I haven’t watched all of it. It goes into the details of how medical complicity is present in many cases of torture:</strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:143748cf-7fc6-4810-a3f1-cd275878997d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="5d9d05a2-2591-4524-944f-19e41b79ea22" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLdAUoOAMMo&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pmLLgdqH768/UNp8ZMVFtbI/AAAAAAAAAyY/nElOrKMMB1E/video00bbb8b34ad1%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('5d9d05a2-2591-4524-944f-19e41b79ea22'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/RLdAUoOAMMo?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/RLdAUoOAMMo?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a5ff2f8a-287c-476e-acf8-4504422e9693" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/public+health" rel="tag">public health</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/torture" rel="tag">torture</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ethics" rel="tag">ethics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/graduate+school" rel="tag">graduate school</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health" rel="tag">health</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-61155927028898373552012-05-19T18:25:00.001-07:002012-05-19T18:25:02.680-07:00A New Chapter<p>A new chapter has begun in my educational journey and from now on, you will be reading a lot about my time at this new graduate program. I am pursuing a Masters in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Global Health. Don’t ask me what I want to do with this degree! I say that not because I randomly picked a degree program to get myself busy, but because there is so much I want to do! I think this degree will open many doors for me, but it will not be the end of my educational journey. I will definitely pursue my studies beyond my MPH. </p> <p>I moved into my dorm on April 2nd and am still adjusting to living on my own without family. My parents wanted to visualize the place so I made them a short video. I have edited it (mostly by cutting out the part where you can see me) so I can share it here. Please excuse the choppy editing. </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b70f6088-9849-41d8-a51c-9743ada410ba" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="d37d97c2-07c3-44f1-b538-6238ff14a61c" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9o7ZKCa9SA" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NigeQaB8z88/T7hH519QVkI/AAAAAAAAAwo/83dKHxRU9AY/videod47649619b96%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('d37d97c2-07c3-44f1-b538-6238ff14a61c'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/O9o7ZKCa9SA?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/O9o7ZKCa9SA?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>*Lota= Urdu/Hindi term; I’ve had to deal with awkward stares during my bathroom visits. I take this ‘watering can’ with me so that I can clean myself with water once I have finished using the restroom. It’s a religious thing. As a public health student, I think I should start advocating for the use of the lota.</p> <p>In case you are wondering, I wanted to show my parents that I have lots of space (more than I need). That’s the reason you had to go through the torture of looking through all those empty drawers and cabinets.</p> <p>Here are videos of the study rooms on my floor:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:1500ea55-d5d1-47b6-a307-0306a78cd171" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="2431a6a7-3d7d-4b47-9a31-cebd21551341" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DbgKoifYss" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oVyXY3s6BnE/T7hH6f-tboI/AAAAAAAAAww/Oq-qyinTZMg/video44f25c682b52%25255B37%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('2431a6a7-3d7d-4b47-9a31-cebd21551341'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/5DbgKoifYss?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/5DbgKoifYss?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:27d49300-af27-4bff-a6af-58cd9dc5b2fe" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="ab254131-7689-4876-9c54-b0d463226fa0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdIXNC40xIs" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kBMshfG0B9k/T7hH6sHg6zI/AAAAAAAAAw4/GNJ3fl0IVrc/video226cd45c7e04%25255B32%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('ab254131-7689-4876-9c54-b0d463226fa0'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/DdIXNC40xIs?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/DdIXNC40xIs?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>Here is the gym on my floor:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7c466ad9-5654-4caa-908c-36dc9ac001b7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="0bf7dbd6-5ae5-4bb9-9c3a-1322907425ba" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm4Hu_kYOQY" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--80mhrIvMRQ/T7hH7CyAPGI/AAAAAAAAAxA/ez-Z300DsvI/videodab8cebb66fe%25255B37%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('0bf7dbd6-5ae5-4bb9-9c3a-1322907425ba'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Xm4Hu_kYOQY?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Xm4Hu_kYOQY?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>I have used the gym at the dorm maybe twice because I prefer taking fitness classes at the main university gym.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c5e94353-2c41-4dde-97bb-579c9753f1c8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/graduate+school" rel="tag">graduate school</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dorm" rel="tag">dorm</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/random" rel="tag">random</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-89365870940382643332011-10-27T10:59:00.001-07:002011-10-27T10:59:40.962-07:00Crowd Control<p>I started work as an afterschool program leader (aka afterschool academic and enrichment instructor) and for most of the time, I feel like I am directing a crowd. It is only 21 students, but each one of those twenty one children have their own twenty one different things going on. I don’t blame them. We all rather be somewhere else, doing something <em>fun</em>, than listening to someone tell you what sound the letter ‘m’ makes while you have to sit up straight in a chair that has not left your behind for a couple of hours. </p> <p>But as an instructor, there are boundaries and agreements you have to create in order to make the environment as stress-free for you as possible. This ensures that the students get a chance to do what they came to do-<strong>learn</strong>. Obviously, <a href="http://www.camelbackdisplays.com/CrowdControl.htm" target="_blank">crowd control</a> in a classroom is different than one in a concert or airport line. Although, it might seem like a good idea to have those queue stanchions leading to the bathroom, the field, or anywhere else you need to take the students during the course of your program, it is not a practical solution. </p> <p><a href="http://www.camelbackdisplays.com/crowdcontrol/Removable_Traditional_Queuing_Stanchions.html" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7E6iHl2CjN0/TqmcC1fCdlI/AAAAAAAAAu8/uM8bWOP7N3w/image4.png?imgmax=800" width="241" height="226" /></a></p> <p>If you are interested in crowd control for large adult audiences, a company that offers barricades and stanchions will be most useful for you. You can select from a variety of designs that suit your needs. <a href="http://www.camelbackdisplays.com/CrowdControl.htm" target="_blank">Stanchions</a> are mainly for lines in an airport, grocery store, or other events. <a href="http://www.camelbackdisplays.com/CrowdControl.htm" target="_blank">Barricades</a> are normally used for security and privacy. </p> <p>If you are dealing with school children, here are two suggestions for you:</p> <p>1. Teach in the field. </p> <p>The best place to teach children about rules and procedures is out in the field (not just in the classroom). When you have to go out for your physical education, use orange cones liberally. Place the cones as boundaries for your students. Tell them that you want them within the orange cones. Place additional cones a couple feet away and have students run to those and back. I have found this to be the best way to teach children about boundaries.</p> <p>2. Enforce ‘proper line behavior’.</p> <p>Whether you are going to the bathroom, or to an adjacent classroom,make sure the students are always in a straight line. Having them hold on to one side of a long rope helps them stay in a proper line. If you are consistently diligent about proper line behavior, it conditions them to follow rules and agreements in other areas as well (such as inside the classroom).</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:769d874f-799a-4f6b-b9f2-c7bfae2fd551" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/school+program" rel="tag">school program</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/crowd+control" rel="tag">crowd control</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-17900017528119401712011-09-16T10:43:00.001-07:002011-09-16T10:43:54.311-07:00Q&A with Brianna<p>One of the best reasons for blogging is the opportunity to network with other bloggers who might have similar interests (or not, but they become your friends anyway). Along the way, you form friendships you may not have otherwise even considered. One way of showing your appreciation to your blogger buddies is by promoting their blogs. Today, I am doing just that. Brianna is a lovely lady who blogs about fashion, beauty, and décor. After you read the Q&A, please go and check out her blog <a href="http://bresbaubles.blogspot.com" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>So let’s get started!</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K1k-b3qo324/TnOK0gxMDII/AAAAAAAAAu0/phJkvuJnrek/IMG_7020%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="147" height="244" /></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Segoe Script">RukhparMor:</font> When and why did you start blogging? </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">Brianna:</font> I started blogging around the beginning of this year. This is my third attempt at blogging. My first couple of times were not successful. I didn’t have or make the time to put anything into it and I didn’t share it with others. It was all private. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to share with the world.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> What is your blog about?  </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> My blog is evolving slightly since I began. It began as a Style/ Décor and Beauty themed blog where I share pretty things, give away fun stuff, and meet new people. Ultimately, I would like my blog to be more streamlined and represent my inner “Martha” and mimic the idea behind Real Simple. I do crafts, cook, and decorate. But, I am also very much into styling and beauty advice. So, I would love to merry them all together and offer some posts on each subject per month. </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> Tell us 3 unknown facts about you. <u></u><u></u></p> <p><u></u><u></u></p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> 1. I suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. It has been a constant battle. After much thought, I started seeing a therapist and it has dramatically helped me come to terms with events in my life and move forward. I realize now that I am not crazy. I needed to deal with my problems instead of bottling up emotions and bursting at the seams. I would advise anyone that takes a sudden turn toward moodiness, withdrawal and anxiousness to seek out professional help. <u></u><u></u></p> <p>2. I am the oldest child of 5. I have always been quite independent even when I was young and have always acted as the “mother hen” to friends and family alike. I’m bossy and it’s quite annoying sometimes but its just the way I am. People close to me don’t take it personally and laugh with me and endure my silliness.<u></u><u></u></p> <p>3. Relay for Life, a benefit for the American Cancer Society is a huge passion of mine. I spend lots of time and energy fundraising and spreading awareness for this cause. I do it in remembrance of my Grandmother specifically and all the other family members I’ve lost to Cancer. Cancer Sucks!<u></u><u></u></p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> What is the first thing you think about when you wake up? </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> Oh gosh, it’s a scramble. I wake up every morning to several of my husband’s alarms set to really crazy music and then I hear mine and tap on him and if I realize he isn’t there, then I understand that it is MY alarm going off. I worry instantly that I am late, wonder where my husband is (even though he leaves earlier than myself for work) and I start figuring out what I’m going to wear/ how my hair will look/ time for coffee or not? It’s kinda funny really! </p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> What is something you would like to change about yourself?  </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> I really like myself the way I am honestly but I’ve always said I wish I was born with a chin! Mine is non-existent. </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> What brings a smile to your face?  </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> So many things…. my husband, the life God has blessed me with, children, my cat Plato and every single Cancer Survivor and Patient that I meet while volunteering. </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> What is one thing you would never joke about? </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> I won’t make jokes or support r<sup></sup><sup></sup>acist comments. I HATE them. I think they make people look ignorant and unimportant. </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> Since your blog deals with fashion , is there any fashion tip you would like to give us? </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> Be yourself. Don’t be afraid of who you see yourself evolve into, embrace it and be confident.</p> <p> <br /><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> What is something you will never be caught without? </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> Lip Products. I guess I’d say I have good lips really. I keep chapstick & several lipsticks and glosses in my purse at all times, each and every single purse too! I find that it’s a great way to change the mood of your outfit, project confidence, and it just lifts my spirits when I have a pretty pout.</p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">RM:</font> What is one thing you want to know more about? </p> <p><font size="3" face="Segoe Script">B:</font> I am a nerd for information. I love it! I have become slightly A.D.D. when it comes to research because I enjoy it that much. Whether it deals with the blog, work or Fashion…I become entangled and lost like a good book.  There are so many things I want to know and learn more about, I can’t quite put my finger on just one topic really. </p> <p> <br /><a href="http://bresbaubles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bloggy Buttons - Page 001" border="0" alt="Bloggy Buttons - Page 001" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gEI39B75IyI/TnOK2HSGxlI/AAAAAAAAAu4/V1331AhLqSo/Bloggy%252520Buttons%252520-%252520Page%252520001%25255B13%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="190" height="193" /></a></p> <p>Click <a href="http://bresbaubles.blogspot.com" target="_blank">here</a> to visit her blog. </p> <p>Visit her Etsy page <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/briannauk" target="_blank">here</a>.  </p> <p>Visit her on Smashion (New & Used Items) <a href="http://www.smashion.com/market/store/briannauk" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p><u></u><u></u></p> <p>Visit her on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Baubles-Accoutrements-and-Garb/238152926205760#!/pages/Baubles-Accoutrements-and-Garb/238152926205760" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> <p>Twitter: @Bresbaubles</p> <p> </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:2d80a50e-4cd2-41c7-80be-d01d2fe6d902" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blogging" rel="tag">blogging</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/community+news" rel="tag">community news</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/social+networks" rel="tag">social networks</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blogger+buddy" rel="tag">blogger buddy</a></div></p> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-30311996573401028002011-09-04T11:12:00.001-07:002011-09-11T14:04:42.538-07:00A Toast to Toastmasters<p>I joined <a href="http://www.toastmasters.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">Toastmasters International</a> in May 2011. </p> <p>I heard of Toastmasters while I was studying at University of California, Irvine about a year or two ago. At that time, however, my reaction was, “there is NO way that I’m going to participate!” Fair enough. I mean, who wants to be giving speeches in front of an audience when the thought of standing in front of two people is tormenting. I didn’t mind learning about public speaking-how important it is and how to be a good speaker-but I was not in the least interested in actually <em>doing</em> it.</p> <p>That is where the problem lies for many of us. Listening to lectures titled “How to be a Great Speaker in Ten Days” or “How to Get More Twitter Followers” is not automatically going to make you a better speaker or get more people to ‘follow’ you on twitter.  </p> <p>Finally, I decided to check out Toastmasters this April. I went to their main website and searched for a local club. I found a club in Cypress,CA called “The Talking Heads of Cypress” and saw that they were having a communications workshop in the month of April. </p> <p>I was hooked after the first day. I met some of the nicest people who were dedicated to becoming better communicators and helping each other along the way. During this workshop, I gave two speeches and was asked to give impromptu answers to questions during a section of the meeting called “Table Topics”. </p> <p>I officially became a Toastmaster in May and have given four speeches and participated in lots of Table Topics. Additionally, I became secretary of my local club and am ‘Contest Chair’ for a competition taking place this month. My job as ‘Contest Chair’ is to recruit volunteers, assign them a role, tell them their job requirements, and make sure they do their job on the day of the contest. I am also in close contact with our Area Governor (for Toastmasters International) and she has become my mentor.</p> <p>If I hadn’t joined Toastmasters, I would not have gotten a chance to experience leadership. In my 22 years of existence, I had never taken a leadership role in any of the clubs or activities that I was a part of. It’s very different with Toastmasters. Everyone encourages you to become part of the leadership team and there are mentors available that can help you along the way. </p> <p>I am so grateful for Toastmasters and I encourage all of you to join as well. Visit the <a href="http://www.toastmasters.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">website</a> and click on ‘find a club near you’ and follow the prompts to locate a club near you. There is a club in almost every country! If you don’t have one close to you, start one! It’s a great way to improve your communication and leadership skills. </p> <p>To read my ice-breaker speech, click <a href="http://rukhparmor.blogspot.com/2011/04/milestones.html" target="_blank">here</a>. To read my second speech, click <a href="http://rukhparmor.blogspot.com/2011/04/blindisms.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> <p><em>Do you know of any clubs that help you develop a skill? Make sure to mention them in the comments. I would love to know!</em></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:65a3fde1-24aa-4f36-bc03-bd8f06c5e24f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/speech" rel="tag">speech</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/toastmasters" rel="tag">toastmasters</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/public+speaking" rel="tag">public speaking</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-22520868938506267312011-09-03T16:41:00.001-07:002011-09-03T16:41:31.009-07:00I’m Linkin’ it: Recyclebank.com<p>Just yesterday, I heard a speech promoting frugality in our consumption of food, electricity, water, etc. The speaker mentioned a time when his colleagues went to Germany on a business trip. They stopped over at a restaurant, ordered some food, and then (since they enjoyed it so much and had the money to spend) ordered some more. When they were finished, while they went to pay, an older lady sitting across the room called the police. The police officer fined them a good sum of money. What was their crime? They ordered more food than they ate and the rest was wasted. </p> <p>Whoa! I didn’t know that existed. Americans are among the top in consumption and wastage, yet we have nothing in place like that. Even in a month like Ramadan, which is dedicated to consuming <em>less</em> food, Muslims in the US aren’t exactly practicing the true spirit of Ramadan. </p> <p>I remember reading a poem written by a Chinese lower class citizen. One of the lines of the poem mentioned how the emperor had milk spoiling in his reserves while the rest of China was starving. Every time my mom has to throw away milk, that poem comes to mind. </p> <p>What if there was an incentive to recycling and ‘greening’ our lives? Would more people do their part? That’s exactly what <a href="http://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=c3JjbGxnQGFvbC5jb20=&utm_campaign=Refer-a-friend&utm_medium=direct%20link&utm_source=R0420791&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-R0420791-_-referral" target="_blank">Recyclebank</a> is set to do. Not only do they have tips and tricks on living green, but they have incentives so that you can feel good about recycling. You earn points at <a href="http://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=c3JjbGxnQGFvbC5jb20=&utm_campaign=Refer-a-friend&utm_medium=direct%20link&utm_source=R0420791&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-R0420791-_-referral" target="_blank">Recyclebank</a> by recycling and taking pledges. It’s easy to earn points and you can redeem these points to buy coupons (valued higher than the regular newspaper coupons), gift cards, or magazine subscriptions. For example,to get a one-year subscription to Redbook, Whole Living, Better Homes and Gardens, you only need 115 points and it’s easy to get to 200 points.  </p> <p>So, join <a href="http://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=c3JjbGxnQGFvbC5jb20=&utm_campaign=Refer-a-friend&utm_medium=direct%20link&utm_source=R0420791&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-R0420791-_-referral" target="_blank">Recyclebank</a> today to get involved in making our world greener! It’s absolutely FREE to join!</p> <p>Once you join, click on EARN REWARDS and play the Green Your School Challenge. Just the challenge earns you 110 points. After that, take other pledges on the page to earn more points. Once you receive at least 115 points, you can order a one-year subscription to the following magazines:</p> <p>Better Homes and Gardens <br />Food Everyday <br />Good Housekeeping <br />Bazaar <br />Marie Claire <br />Midwest Living <br />Parents <br />Popular Mechanics <br />Redbook <br />Seventeen <br />Siempre Mujer <br />Town and Country <br />Whole Living</p> <p>Remember, you can earn enough points to order the above magazines in one day! I’ve already ordered mine. Join <a href="http://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=c3JjbGxnQGFvbC5jb20=&utm_campaign=Refer-a-friend&utm_medium=direct%20link&utm_source=R0420791&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-R0420791-_-referral" target="_blank">Recyclebank</a>! It’s free so you have nothing to lose.</p> <p>Note: Some programs are only for residents of certain countries. Make sure to check if it is available in your country. </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8ec9cbff-2c89-4541-b2eb-268a07548d5e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag">food</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/recycle" rel="tag">recycle</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health" rel="tag">health</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/links" rel="tag">links</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/muslims" rel="tag">muslims</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ramadan" rel="tag">ramadan</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-60167072446176914242011-08-02T21:11:00.001-07:002011-08-02T21:14:18.357-07:00Mom’s Ramadan Recipe: Chhole<p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00762" border="0" alt="IMG00762" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D4_uo78GIwI/TjjKYjDjYBI/AAAAAAAAAuU/rCF45_Dm2wE/IMG00762%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="354" /></p> <p>What you need:</p> <p>2 cans chickpeas, drained and washed <br />3 tablespoons oil <br />1/2 teaspoon turmeric <br />1/4 teaspoon ground cumin powder <br />1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper <br />1 tablespoon yogurt <br />1 tablespoon tamarind paste <br />Salt, to taste <br />Water, as required <br />Optional: 1 cubed potato</p> <p>For garnish: <br />Chopped cilantro <br />1 sliced tomato <br />1/4 sliced onion <br />1 chopped green pepper</p> <p>How to make it:</p> <p>In a small bowl, mix the turmeric, salt, red pepper, ground cumin powder, and 3 tablespoons of water. </p> <p>Heat oil in pan on low heat. Add above mixture and stir well. Keep adding 1 tablespoon of water every 30 seconds for 3 minutes while stirring (so that the mixture doesn’t dry out). Finally, add potatoes with another 2 tablespoons of water and stir. Add chickpeas and 2 cups of water. Cover and simmer on low heat.</p> <p>Meanwhile, mix yogurt and tamarind paste in a separate bowl and keep aside. </p> <p>Once water has evaporated and potatoes are tender, remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes (the chickpeas should be tender as well, but not too soft).</p> <p>Add tamarind and yogurt mixture to the chickpeas and mix well. Place in serving bowl and garnish as desired. </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0a10c8e2-e56d-4b3e-a2be-dd56b6b8465a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/recipe" rel="tag">recipe</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag">food</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ramadan" rel="tag">ramadan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/muslims" rel="tag">muslims</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-48854540816043115412011-08-01T22:49:00.001-07:002011-08-01T22:53:10.599-07:00Ramadan Season 2011<p>Today was the first day of <em>Ramadan</em>. Out of the 12 months in the Islamic lunar calendar, <em>Ramadan</em> is when Muslims are supposed to fast. Fasts begin at sunrise and last until sunset. My family starts their day by waking up really early and then fueling themselves for the day ahead. After the morning prayer, everyone goes about their day as they normally would, but without eating or drinking. About an hour before sunset, preparation begins for <em>Iftar</em>, the time at which we break our fast. </p> <p>People usually greet each other by saying <em>Ramadan Mubarak</em> or <em>Ramadan Kareem</em>. [Because of the recent events in the Middle East, many Egyptians are avoiding anything with the term Mubarak in it.]</p> <p>Click <a href="http://rukhparmor.blogspot.com/2010/08/ramadan-season-2010.html" target="_blank">here</a> to read last year’s post on <em>Ramadan</em>. </p> <p>I have a few goals this <em>Ramadan</em> that I wish to accomplish:</p> <p>(1) Memorize <em>Juz ‘Amma</em></p> <p>Explanation: The Koran, the Holy Book of Muslims, is divided into 30 parts to make it easier to read in a month, or to memorize it. The whole Koran contains 114 <em>Surah</em> (chapters). <em>Juz ‘Amma</em> is the 30th part of the Koran. Since the <em>Surah</em> are shorter in this part of the Koran, Muslims start memorizing the Koran with <em>Juz ‘Amma</em>. </p> <p>For a better explanation of what a <em>Juz</em> is, click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juz%27" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>(2) Memorize <em>Surah Mulk</em></p> <p>Explanation: In simple terms, a Surah is a chapter of the Koran. Each <em>Surah</em> has a name and this particular one is called <em>Surah Mulk</em>. Since <em>Surah Mulk</em> is 30 ayaat (verses), it is an ideal <em>Surah</em> to memorize during <em>Ramadan</em> (which also lasts for 30 days), which means we memorize one ayah (verse) per day. </p> <p>To access <em>Surah Mulk</em>, click <a href="http://quran.com/67" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>(3) Read Islamic fiction/non-fiction</p> <p>Explanation: To keep with the spirit of Ramadan, I want to promote Muslim women writers. I will read books, essays, short stories, and anything else written by Muslim women and review it on my blog. </p> <p>I will be using a Facebook page created by a friend for recommendations. Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/iloveislamicfiction?ref=ts" target="_blank">here</a> to take a look. </p> <p>(4) Reach out to my non-Muslim connections</p> <p>Explanation: This is probably one of the most important goals I have this Ramadan. I have a lot of non-Muslim friends and acquaintances, which is why I wanted to reach out and include them in my Ramadan celebrations [I have already asked one of my friends to fast with me for one day].</p> <p>In the coming days, I will be sharing book reviews by Muslim women writers and some recipes of my mom’s <em>Iftar</em> dishes.</p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00761" border="0" alt="IMG00761" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oxZ18a7VCrg/TjeP8aMhjbI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/PvTeznEZePk/IMG00761%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></p> <p>^<em>Iftar</em> feast, clock-wise starting from upper left: dahi bade, chhole, pakore (traditional Indian/Pakistani cuisine for Ramadan).</p> <p><em>How are you planning to spend your Ramadan? Do you have any goals? If you are not Muslim, what are your thoughts on Ramadan? If you have any questions, feel free to ask them too!</em></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0c131cf2-29d9-4a5f-9924-564feef1676e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ramadan" rel="tag">ramadan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/muslims" rel="tag">muslims</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/islamic" rel="tag">islamic</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag">food</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/koran" rel="tag">koran</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-73638810423795854532011-06-27T12:11:00.001-07:002011-06-27T12:14:59.926-07:00She Writers 2nd Anniversary!<p>How cool would it be if there was a place for women writers of all backgrounds to come together, share ideas, learn from each other, and grow in the process? </p> <p>Wouldn’t it be great if aspiring writers could connect with established ones to gain insight on the process of writing and publishing? </p> <p>How about two women from different religious faiths sharing their stories about their experience growing up? </p> <p>Well, there’s something out there just like that and it’s called “<a href="http://www.shewrites.com/" target="_blank">She Writes</a>”. I joined this network of female authors, publishers, and bloggers almost a year ago (August 2010) and am enjoying the virtual company of my fellow writers. </p> <p>Here’s a chance for you to not only join She Writes, but also meet some of the lovely ladies face-to-face at a meet-up near you! </p> <p>She Writes 2nd Anniversary is coming up on June 29th, 2011 and there are meet-ups being held all over the place! To give you an idea, just in Southern California where I live, I know of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties each having their own meet-ups! That gives you a chance to meet your fellow writers without having to travel too far from where you live.</p> <p>If you see that there is no meet-up near you, you can start your own. It doesn’t take too much planning! Follow these easy steps to celebrate She Writes 2nd Anniversary:</p> <p>1. Join She Writes, if you haven’t already (Just do it!)</p> <p><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://static.ning.com/socialnetworkmain/widgets/index/swf/badge.swf?v=201106232016" FlashVars="backgroundColor=0xE9EEE8&textColor=0x797979&config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shewrites.com%2Fmain%2Fbadge%2FshowPlayerConfig%3Fxg_source%3Dbadge%26size%3Dlarge%26username%3D02cca5ur8u809" width="206" height="242" bgColor="#E9EEE8" scale="noscale" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"> </embed> <br /><small><a href="http://www.shewrites.com">Visit <em>She Writes</em></a></small> <br /></p> <p>2. <a href="http://www.shewrites.com/profile/VolunteerHQ" target="_blank">Click here</a> to visit the Volunteer HQ page, where you can find more information about the She Writes celebration. Read the discussions and posts. </p> <p>3. <a href="http://www.meetup.com/SheWrites/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to find a meet-up near you or create one of your own.</p> <p>4. Attend a meet-up, have fun, and make some new connections!</p> <p><strong><em><u>Here’s the info about meet-ups in Orange County:</u></em></strong></p> <p><strong>Nirvana Grill, 303 Broadway Street, Laguna Beach, CA <br />Wednesday, June 29, 2011 6:00 PM </strong></p> <p><strong>Java Joe's, 4973 Yorba Ranch Road, Yorba Linda, CA <br />Wednesday, June 29, 2011 7:00 PM </strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:71417ccb-b538-4e9e-a9a0-ef81ed54785b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/she+writes" rel="tag">she writes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/she+writes+anniversary" rel="tag">she writes anniversary</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/event" rel="tag">event</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/she+writes+celeration" rel="tag">she writes celeration</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/celebration" rel="tag">celebration</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/community+news" rel="tag">community news</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/social+networks" rel="tag">social networks</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-83645432612635053642011-06-21T10:39:00.001-07:002011-06-21T11:43:40.296-07:00Yearning for that ‘little girl’<h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">I used to be obsessed about God. I really thought about Him and called on Him for the littlest of things. I remember that thick, silky curtain that separated the living room from the rest of the house (it was used when guests were over). I used to wrap myself in that curtain and pray. It made me feel like I was invisible from the rest of the world. </font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">I remember I used to pray all the time (no joke). I was hopeful at every moment during the day. I would hide behind those curtains, form a cup with my hands, and ask for things. A doll house. Australia. A pet. America. I wouldn’t quit asking. I wanted to leave Pakistan. My uncles were living in Australia and the U.S. and I wanted so bad to leave and live life in a better place. </font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">“Allah* mian  mujhe kahin bahar janaa hai” (Allah*, I want to go outside, i.e. abroad). </font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">“Allah mere test mein achhe scores deejiye ga” (Allah, please give me good scores on my test)</font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">“Allah please mujhe aaj Papa se ice cream dilwaiye ga” (Allah, please make my dad buy me ice cream today)</font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">So many years later, after having moved to the U.S. at the age of nine, that little-sparkly-eyed-girl has become extinct. A once-upon-a time-species. She is similar to those birds that I talk about during my naturalist meetings. The ones that used to exist, but now are only in the memories of the birders that were enthusiastic about them.</font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">I wonder where she is now. </font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">I know she’s here somewhere. She’s overshadowed by years of so-called “adulthood”. Morose-hood is a better term. We don’t just become adults. We somehow become epitomes of pessimism. Why should we define when childhood ends, and adolescence starts, and when that is overtaken by adulthood? Why can’t we just live as innocent, little, curious creatures? (Yes, I understand that I might not be making any sense).</font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">Now, it feels like a chore to ask God for anything. It makes me sad and frustrated. What happened to that little girl? Where did she fly off to? Will she ever return?</font></font></h6> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">Maybe one day I will go back to being the girl that asked, asked and asked from Someone who gives, gives, and gives. Today I ask God for something –I want that little girl back.</font></font></h6> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00491" border="0" alt="pretty flower" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZF20-IgbzU4/TgBZcgbOj1I/AAAAAAAAAtM/Q7HErHMSdQs/IMG00491%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="117" height="92" /></p> <p>*Allah= literally translates as ‘The God’ in Arabic. It’s unique because it is neither a masculine nor feminine word. </p> <h6><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">Technorati Tags: </font></font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/little+girl" rel="tag"><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">little girl</font></font></a><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">,</font></font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+me" rel="tag"><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">about me</font></font></a><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">,</font></font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/God" rel="tag"><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">God</font></font></a><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">,</font></font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/prayers" rel="tag"><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">prayers</font></font></a><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">,</font></font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/childhood" rel="tag"><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">childhood</font></font></a><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">,</font></font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/memories" rel="tag"><font face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal" size="2">memories</font></font></a></h6> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-61877273023840387842011-04-21T15:59:00.001-07:002011-07-23T21:47:53.971-07:00Blindisms- Are you guilty of these?<p><em>[This was my second speech for <a href="http://www.toastmasters.org/" target="_blank">Toastmaster’s International</a>. The objective was to organize my thoughts with a clear goal in mind. I talked about a topic that I have always wanted to share with people ever since I started working at the <a href="http://brailleinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Braille Institute</a>.]</em></p> <p><strong>A person with a badge with the letters V.I.P is standing next to me. A conversation occurs:</strong></p> <p><strong>Me: Excuse me, I am trying to get to DeAnza Boulevard and Prospect Drive. Do you know where that is?</strong></p> <p><strong>Other: Sure. Take this bus and get off at the third stop. Walk about 5 feet and take the bus at that stop. That should get you where you need to go.</strong></p> <p><strong>Me: Thank you!</strong></p> <p>A similar conversation took place about five years ago. It wasn’t an unusual exchange as you saw. I asked for directions at a bus stop and was kindly given an answer. Instead, I want to bring the entire focus on the man that helped me. He is someone who one of my acquaintances would call a VIP; in other words, a ‘visually impaired person’. This acquaintance is herself blind so she uses this acronym in a light-hearted way.   </p> <p>Today, I want to talk about a concept that is frequently discussed amongst VIPs called “blindisms”.“Blindisms” is a term coined by one of the instructors that I assist at the Braille Institute. These are ideas, perceptions, and mainly misconceptions that many of us sighted people might fall into. I want to focus on only two of these “blindisms” that the visually impaired community wants the rest of us to know. I talk about the following two specifically because they come up often in conversations amongst the students at the Braille Institute. </p> <p>First, you can’t always tell whether someone is blind.  Although we might imagine a blind person to ‘look’ or ‘act’ a certain way, like carry a cane or perhaps have their eyes look ‘different’, there will be many VIPs that do not fit into that mold. As an example, although a white cane can be an identifier for us to know if someone is blind, not every VIP feels comfortable carrying one. I met an elderly lady who lost her sight due to glaucoma and macular degeneration and because she was an independent woman all her life, she said it was hard for her to rely on a cane. She refused to use one and thus, most people would not know just by looking at her that she is actually blind.</p> <p>Secondly, visual impairment is not only limited to complete blindness. In fact, only about 10 percent of all blindness is one that causes its recipient to be in ‘complete darkness’. The rest either have only light perception, or their central vision is intact and they see nothing in the periphery.  For example, I met someone who said that people at the grocery store wouldn’t believe her when she said she was legally blind because she was previously seen reading (or trying to read) some signs (though she had to stand touching her nose to the sign to figure out what it said). So, you might have some vision, but this certainly does not mean that it is any easier to complete daily tasks in a sighted world.</p> <p>Like I said earlier, there are many “blindisms”, but I presented you with the two most common. The reason I talked about these was the frequency with which they occur and with the hope that by sharing  them, I inspired us all to recognize the diversity that exists in the VIP world.</p> <p><em>[The speech was very good, according to my evaluator, but the conclusion was too abrupt. I felt that I stumbled many times, but apparently no one noticed.]</em></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c8bdc43b-592c-4d48-aa0f-21edaaf3b6b5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/toastmasters" rel="tag">toastmasters</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/speech" rel="tag">speech</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blindisms" rel="tag">blindisms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/braille+institute" rel="tag">braille institute</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/visual+impairment" rel="tag">visual impairment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/VIP" rel="tag">VIP</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-49688951144852656492011-04-07T16:03:00.001-07:002011-07-03T16:50:01.435-07:00Reaching Milestones, One Rock at a Time<p><em>[I wrote the following for my first <a href="http://www.toastmasters.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">Toastmaster</a> speech. It was supposed to be an ice-breaker speech, where I talk about myself in any way that I wanted to.]</em></p> <p>Imagine this: You are holding onto a 20-foot wall with all your might. You haven’t reached the top of that wall yet, but you anxiously look down at the distance between you and the ground. You have your harness wrapped tightly around your body. One end of a rope is securely fastened to your harness while your partner holds on to the other end on the ground. Your face is sweaty, your palms are cracked, and your legs are sore. </p> <p>That was me on my fifth attempt to reach the top of a wall during one of my very first rock-climbing classes. On my previous attempts, I would get nervous and come down after getting about half way to the top. This time was a little different. One of the class instructors decided that he would be the one holding my rope at the other end. Before I started climbing, he said to me very seriously, “You’re going to the top.” </p> <p>So, I started climbing thinking that I will be down after another failed attempt. However, the instructor had a different plan in mind. He decided to keep me up there until I reached the top. He kept saying, “I’m not letting you down until you reach that bell.”  There was a bell at the top and I kept staring at it, desperately wanting to reach it. After about an hour or so, I made it to the top. </p> <p>The reason I talk about this event is because it was a milestone in my life. I told myself, “After this, I can do anything.” Two years later, I decided to take it one step higher. Last summer, I went bungee jumping with my friends. Though I waited till the end to attempt that 100-foot jump, I still did it. Whenever I am faced with a new challenge, I tell myself “You climbed that wall. You jumped off that bridge. You got this!” These experiences summarize my passion for trying new things and the more scary they are, the more satisfied I am after having accomplished them. </p> <p><em>[The speech went well, except that I had too many “Uhm’s” and “Ah’s” and I tended to clasp my hands together too much.]</em></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7c5f9739-e9a6-4d49-8d4c-ddd0796dfc86" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+me" rel="tag">about me</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/toastmasters" rel="tag">toastmasters</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/milestones" rel="tag">milestones</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/speech" rel="tag">speech</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ice-breaker" rel="tag">ice-breaker</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/random" rel="tag">random</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-17295733729956171422011-03-30T17:31:00.001-07:002011-03-30T17:31:21.657-07:00I’m Linkin’ it: Gawaahi.com<p><a href="http://gawaahi.com/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="gawaahi_2" border="0" alt="gawaahi_2" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TZPLVMpXn6I/AAAAAAAAAsw/RcAveQ9NtEM/gawaahi_2%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="129" height="129" /></a></p> <p> <a href="http://gawaahi.com/" target="_blank">Gawaahi.com</a> is a new website aimed at bringing testimonials of every day Pakistanis to the rest of the world. Whether it’s the survivors of last year’s devastating flood, minorities being oppressed, or a Pakistani celebrating her heritage, the website brings it to you via videos, pictures, interviews, articles, etc. </p> <p>It’s refreshing to see the perspective of those that are actually affected by the events we hear about in the news. “Official” stories do not give us a real insight because it’s not personal. Through <a href="http://gawaahi.com/" target="_blank">Gawaahi.com</a>, Naveen Naqvi, Nofil Naqvi, and Sana Saleem (<a href="http://gawaahi.com/about/" target="_blank">founders</a>) bring stories of everyday Pakistanis to you through digital media. These are stories that celebrate and educate. I think it’s a great initiative and I hope to contribute something to this project myself. </p> <p>Here’s a video found on <a href="http://gawaahi.com/" target="_blank">Gawaahi.com</a> about a woman named Mangla Sharma. She is the Chairperson for the Pak-Hindu Welfare Council. She talks about protecting the Hindu temples that already exist in Pakistan, as there is a law that prohibits the enacting of new ones. </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:226a039e-303d-4982-9947-9ab4cf40ac99" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="6ba534d4-cede-4298-ae53-7d0d1bfdaedc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9IoHkr3cmE&feature=player_embedded" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TZPLWEeSyWI/AAAAAAAAAs0/5Qag8EmBE6c/videofd6e67a5045c%5B15%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('6ba534d4-cede-4298-ae53-7d0d1bfdaedc'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/A9IoHkr3cmE?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/A9IoHkr3cmE?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:80847f76-d70d-4fc3-b024-d099db845b3c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pakistan" rel="tag">pakistan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/website" rel="tag">website</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/links" rel="tag">links</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/social+networks" rel="tag">social networks</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/minorities" rel="tag">minorities</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/welfare" rel="tag">welfare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/testimonials" rel="tag">testimonials</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mangla+sharma" rel="tag">mangla sharma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pakistani+hindus" rel="tag">pakistani hindus</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-9922275072984241692011-02-25T17:59:00.001-08:002011-02-25T17:59:40.715-08:00Stylish Blogger Award<p>The Rukhpar Mor blog received the ‘Stylish Blogger Award’ from Zarina Hassem, who blogs at <a href="http://muslim-women-exposed.blogspot.com/#" target="_blank">‘Muslim Women Exposed’</a>. Sister Zarina is a counselor with an M.S. in Psychology and resides in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has authored a book titled <a href="http://www.islamicbookstore.com/b10951.html" target="_blank">‘7 Things to Talk About’</a>, which deals with important issues about Islam and encourages Muslims to reflect upon these. </p> <p>JazakAllah Khayr (meaning: May God grant you goodness) for the award Sister!</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TWheijSOl_I/AAAAAAAAArs/X3-XmF33534/image%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="211" height="217" /></p> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-81610113446385148192011-01-12T21:41:00.001-08:002011-01-12T21:41:04.862-08:00Talat Farooq: The Voice of Pakistan<p><em>Guest post by J. Jacobs</em></p> <p><em>J. Jacobs is a guest blogger for </em><a href="http://www.guidetohealthcareschools.com/blog/"><i>An Apple a Day</i></a><em> and a writer on </em><a href="http://www.guidetohealthcareschools.com/"><i>online nursing classes</i></a><em> </em><em>for the Guide to Health Education.</em></p> <p><em> <br /></em></p> <p>Talat Farooq is nothing short of extraordinary. Anyone trying to fill her shoes will have to find multiple pairs of feet, as Farooq serves as a poet, educator, human rights activist, student, columnist, and the executive editor of the Islamabad-based <i>Criterion Quarterly</i>. Recently, Farooq has taken up study at the University of Leicester United Kingdom, specializing in American policy towards Pakistan after the September 11th disaster. Although international affairs remain important to her, Farooq also focuses on what goes on in households behind closed doors. Farooq strives to communicate to the world about the struggles of women (Pakistani women, in particular) through her enticing poetry. Her work highlights how difficult it is for women to exercise control in a world run by men, especially in countries where women have continued to be cast aside. Through her colorful writing, Farooq helps the reader to understand the powerlessness and emptiness felt by many females across the world. One of the ways Farooq carries this out is by writing of instances of domestic violence.</p> <p>Farooq has written two books of poetry, but her second book, <i>Scheherzade</i>, focuses largely on the many forms of abuse carried out against her beloved people. The National Language Authority (NLA) and the literary organization in Sherzad, Islamabad, came together to launch this powerful piece of literature, which has been spoken highly of by NLA chairman, Iftikhar Arif and Urdu poet and activist, Kishwar Naheed. <i>Scheherzade</i> incorporates the political sphere, as one cannot avoid it living as a female in Pakistan. Farooq's poems touch on certain areas of democracy and memorable events, such as the 2008 Pakistani elections, the assassination of former Prime Minister to Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, and former President Bush's visit to Pakistan. If you seek to learn about women's empowerment, <i>Scheherzade</i> is a necessary read.</p> <p>Personally, I honor Farooq for speaking out about some issues that frequently go ignored. Because domestic violence occurs in the private sector, many people believe that it shouldn't be brought to the forefront. Too many have been misguided to think that what happens at home should stay among the family. However, if what happens at home results in bruises, lacerations, tear-stained cheeks, or any other destruction to a human body or soul, something must be done to prevent it and/or to ensure that retribution comes to the perpetrator. I'd like to give my personal thanks to Talat Farooq for bringing this issue to the masses. As of now, certain legal blockades exist that prevent us from fully addressing domestic violence in certain parts of the world, but that doesn't mean we can't speak out against these atrocities, thus granting voices to all those who have been abused. </p> <p>Additionally, abuse does not only come in the form of five fingers. Farooq's writing teaches her readers about the countless social injustices experienced by Pakistanis. Lastly, although women are often the targets, I respect Farooq for recognizing that both males and females are victims of injustices. If we are to move forward, we cannot place the blame on an entire gender, but we must work to end the cause of suffering of all sorts.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6c2996ab-69df-47f8-9a4e-8b55041f9c23" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pakistan" rel="tag">pakistan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/women" rel="tag">women</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/men" rel="tag">men</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/abuse" rel="tag">abuse</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/books" rel="tag">books</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/guest+post" rel="tag">guest post</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-36637549781372212662011-01-01T23:13:00.001-08:002011-01-01T23:26:38.528-08:00Gurdwara Adventure<p>I went to Houston,Texas last week to take part in a wedding. My dad’s first cousin’s son was getting married and we wanted to be part of the celebration. Since I am not a huge fan of wedding celebrations, I will just skip to the part about the adventure I had with my cousin (the groom’s sister). </p> <p>We decided to take a walk in her neighborhood and small white domes caught my eye from the distance. I asked my cousin if it was a mosque and she informed me that it was actually a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurdwara" target="_blank">Gurdwara</a> (Sikh temple). </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00598" border="0" alt="IMG00598" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TSAlf2ngcqI/AAAAAAAAArI/xAxFMcniai8/IMG00598%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="186" /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00601" border="0" alt="IMG00601" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TSAlgbLWDII/AAAAAAAAArM/Whk0SqM6Hk0/IMG00601%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="186" /></p> <p>I got excited. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to take a look inside a place of worship belonging to a religion so similar to the one I follow (i.e. Islam). So, we embarked on a journey. The Gurdwara seemed close enough from where we were, but getting there took a while. We ran into two or three dead ends before we finally figured out how to get there. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00592" border="0" alt="IMG00592" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TSAlhVClWuI/AAAAAAAAArQ/j1CQLgkhzL4/IMG00592%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="369" /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00593" border="0" alt="IMG00593" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TSAliC0Oh1I/AAAAAAAAArU/ynT9bkagiCg/IMG00593%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="259" /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00595" border="0" alt="IMG00595" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TSAljJgfSDI/AAAAAAAAArY/VfUe9LtnBYA/IMG00595%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="341" /></p> <p>We found a nice man inside who gave us a tour of the building. We saw a shrine that holds the Holy Book called the Guru Granth Sahibji. Sikhs show utmost respect to their Gurus (religious leaders, including the last one-Guru Granth Sahibji) and when our guide entered this room, he prostrated before this shrine. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00597" border="0" alt="IMG00597" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TSAlj-Y5IJI/AAAAAAAAArc/qcomIHnlvnU/IMG00597%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="302" /></p> <p>^shrine with Guru Gobind Sahibji</p> <p>Sikhs also have the concept of ‘seva’, which means to volunteer services to their community. </p> <p>We were given prashad (food served at religious ceremonies). While I devoured the prashad, I talked with a sweet lady who told us that there was a religious service every Friday for kids and every Sunday for adults. They teach the kids to play tabla (drums) because the religious ceremony often involves singing from the Scriptures. </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00596" border="0" alt="IMG00596" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TSAlkKeY3oI/AAAAAAAAArg/p1FxgV44TGI/IMG00596%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></p> <p>^Parshad-made of flour and sugar</p> <p>Here’s some other tidbits I’ve learned from Dr. Google:</p> <p>-The members of the Sikh congregation that have been baptized are referred to as a ‘Khalsa’. These sikhs carry the Five K’s or ‘panch kakke’ as they are called-kara (bracelet),  kanga (comb), kes (uncut hair), kachha (undergarment), and kirpan (dagger). </p> <p>-There are eleven gurus, of which the last one is the Guru Gobind Sahibji. The tenth guru established that the last and final guru be the Holy Text that he left behind. </p> <p>Here’s to a new year with many new adventures to come! =)</p> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-39974655643479443802010-12-11T09:33:00.001-08:002010-12-14T07:54:56.813-08:00Weekend Video: Agnostic Jewish Woman on the Koran<p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8a4912f4-8358-40ff-baa6-08c4d0a55a81" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="5789c9d8-0bb2-48c3-b8d8-40dfdadc3ad3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7yaDlZfqrc" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TQeTTz4HLJI/AAAAAAAAArA/p3f8xbDSJSk/video4c927294856a%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('5789c9d8-0bb2-48c3-b8d8-40dfdadc3ad3'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"476\" height=\"381\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/O7yaDlZfqrc?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/O7yaDlZfqrc?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"476\" height=\"381\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>Snippets: </p> <p>"Part of the problem is that we can't read the Koran like any other book"</p> <p>"The Arabic has a hypnotic quality that begs to be heard rather than read"</p> <p>Lesley Hazleton blogs at <a href="http://accidentaltheologist.com/" target="_blank">The Accidental Theologist</a>. </p> <p>I plan on reading her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385523947?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwmarylifeor-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0385523947789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0385523939" target="_blank">“After the Prophet: the Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam”</a>, as well as her upcoming book about the Biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him).</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5df0d92d-87cc-4de2-b1de-a175b20a8fe2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/islamic" rel="tag">islamic</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/muslims" rel="tag">muslims</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video" rel="tag">video</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-52048366491383749992010-11-17T12:55:00.001-08:002010-11-17T12:57:51.728-08:00A year older<p>I can tell that I’m getting older when I have to wait in a long line at a pharmacy to fill another prescription. It makes it worse that it’s a new prescription, which my doctor recently prescribed for me. This makes it two medications that I’m taking as an otherwise healthy individual (and I’m only 22). </p> <p>I think I’m one of the few people that can actually <em>feel</em> a year older on my birthday. Four years ago, I was visiting my uncle and his family in San Jose. My birthday happened while I was still there. The day I turned 18, I had pain and swelling along my gums, towards the back of my mouth. I waited for days until my uncle persuaded me to visit a dentist. </p> <p>When I walked into the dentist’s office, I explained what was wrong and he immediately said, “Those are your wisdom teeth coming out. They are expected to come out at around this age.” </p> <p>“I’m getting old!”, I shrieked internally. </p> <p>A year later, at 19, I was visiting the phlebotomist (the person that does the blood work) and fainted after having my blood taken out. I have been to a phlebotomist numerous times before and this has <em>never</em> happened. Ever since that day, I have fainted at <em>every single</em> blood withdrawal and vaccination. I’ve talked to nurses, doctors, and friends. They all say that maybe I’m scared of needles. But how come I suddenly became scared of something that never used to bother me at all?  I secretly think it’s because I’m getting older. </p> <p>Three years later, while waiting patiently at the pharmacy, I had the same thoughts about my age. Thoughts about the age I used to be and the age that has entered upon me.</p> <p>But a sudden epiphany overtook me while typing this:</p> <p>Yes, I <em>am</em> getting old. I am a year older than last year. I will be a year older next year. But you know what? I might be 22, I might look like I’m 26, I might feel like I’m 30 sometimes, but I’m still young at heart. I do act more mature than most my age. However, I’m also <strong>much</strong> more adventurous, fun-loving, and I am proud of all that I have accomplished in my life thus far (and I didn’t feel conceited while saying that). </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG00556" border="0" alt="IMG00556" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TORBXBUo-9I/AAAAAAAAAqo/WRstpicHFac/IMG00556%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="258" /></p> <p>^ My pill cutter and medication</p> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-64255087175933788152010-10-28T10:28:00.001-07:002010-10-28T10:28:49.387-07:00NaNoWriMo<p>A couple of months ago, I came across a website called <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> and I immediately liked the idea. How many times have you thought of some wacky story in your mind and told yourself, “This would be a great idea for a book!” Then, you tuned it all out and got back to what you were doing. I know I have! I’ve concocted some insane plots in my head, only to shut them all out because I told myself, “Who has the time to write it out? I have other things to do.” </p> <p>Well, <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> has a solution for all of us creative geniuses out there! The name stands for <strong>National Novel Writing Month</strong> and it’s a month dedicated to working on any crazy plot that we desire to pursue in the month of November. The goal is to write down 50,000 words, without worrying about the quality of your writing. It’s like when your high school English teacher made you do those journaling exercises in class and told you to write down whatever comes to your mind, without discriminating against any thoughts. </p> <p>What’s the perk of doing this with the <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> rather than on your own? Well, if you were going to do it on your own, you would have done it by now. You need some motivation to crunch out those 50K words and <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> offers that. Plus, you can join a write-in where you live and make some new friends. If that wasn’t enough, winners can receive a free proof copy of your novel from <a href="https://www.createspace.com/nanowrimo?ref=621064&utm_id=5513" target="_blank">CreateSpace</a>. Isn’t that exciting?!</p> <p>So, hurry up and sign up for <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> because it starts in 3 days! You wouldn’t want to miss out on all the fun! </p> <p><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="nanowrimo1" border="0" alt="nanowrimo1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TMmyzVjz_WI/AAAAAAAAAp0/TDicxFII2Fg/nanowrimo1%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="124" height="244" /></a></p> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-45935852129328614932010-10-12T10:51:00.001-07:002010-10-12T10:56:33.453-07:00How to eat with your hand<p>Howdy! Here’s a tutorial that might be useful if a spoon or fork is not in sight.</p> <p>I had lunch at my friend’s house a couple of weeks ago and I saw that she wasn’t shy about eating with her hand. I almost always eat with my hand at home, but I don’t do it if there are guests over. I realize that I need to get over my shyness because I really do enjoy eating with my hand. I feel like I am more aware of what I am eating because I can feel the texture of the food. </p> <p>Now you can experience the pleasures of feeding yourself with your bare hands too! </p> <p>I lived the first nine years of my life in Pakistan, where it is quite common to eat with one’s hand (yes, they have spoons there-but some people prefer not to eat with them). I also knew that our neighbors in India do the same. I recently found out that it is common in Sri Lanka too. Now I think it must be a common practice in many other places as well, despite the availability of eating utensils. </p> <p>So, here we go.</p> <p>Let’s say you want to eat this:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00363" border="0" alt="IMG00363" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSfplGb6lI/AAAAAAAAAm4/UbxZAY7C0_w/IMG00363%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="289" height="222" /></p> <p>And you want to use this:</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00366" border="0" alt="IMG00366" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSfr9j-uNI/AAAAAAAAAm8/O6iSMMZCiDA/IMG00366%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p>(1) Form a shape with your hand as if you are holding a baseball. Here, you can see it from different angles:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00367" border="0" alt="IMG00367" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSftqLKLOI/AAAAAAAAAnA/4TI3xb0Ki7Q/IMG00367%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00368" border="0" alt="IMG00368" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSfwSPSy1I/AAAAAAAAAnE/rIAnDZELK6c/IMG00368%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></p> <p>(2) Now, shrink the imaginary baseball until it’s as big as the amount of food you want to stuff in your mouth:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00371" border="0" alt="IMG00371" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSfyRvwBgI/AAAAAAAAAnI/iAQuFA3Ds30/IMG00371%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00372" border="0" alt="IMG00372" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSf0txLJSI/AAAAAAAAAnU/vsAvpM3fYmw/IMG00372%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00374" border="0" alt="IMG00374" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSf4L4p7zI/AAAAAAAAAng/uLfIPTRjM8Y/IMG00374%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p>(3) Now, take some rice and form a little mound with the hand that has the tiny, imaginary baseball:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00376" border="0" alt="IMG00376" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSf6KgyOCI/AAAAAAAAAns/cuJgVeYMhFA/IMG00376%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p>This is how it will look like:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00377" border="0" alt="IMG00377" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSf7iVe1SI/AAAAAAAAAnw/0C03NKvEhmc/IMG00377%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p>You can add some meat or whatever else you eat your rice with:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00378" border="0" alt="IMG00378" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSf_76lxqI/AAAAAAAAAn4/kt0Gtdj_abw/IMG00378%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00379" border="0" alt="IMG00379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSgB0ggoxI/AAAAAAAAAn8/yFSjpjacjzE/IMG00379%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></p> <p> (4) Pack it really tightly between your fingers:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00381" border="0" alt="IMG00381" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSgDwisLFI/AAAAAAAAAoE/LRLm9hZCZAM/IMG00381%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p>(5) Then, pick up the rice with your fingers and you are ready to eat:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00383" border="0" alt="IMG00383" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSgFzhYSDI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/mUGW9pVYwBk/IMG00383%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="231" /> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00426" border="0" alt="IMG00426" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TLSgIOExZQI/AAAAAAAAAoY/VkLXTbWgTFo/IMG00426%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>=)</p> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-16509424799660671072010-09-04T20:42:00.001-07:002010-09-04T20:42:01.942-07:00Prayer Desktop Gadget<p>This is a neat desktop gadget that tells you what time the prayers are in your zipcode, plus it gives you a countdown to the next immediate prayer. You can also go to the settings and get a short verse of the Quran recited both before and after the Azaan (the call to prayer recited immediately before the prayer starts). You can even choose where you want the Azaan recited from!! </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="prayer gadget" border="0" alt="prayer gadget" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TIMRcFlNy1I/AAAAAAAAAko/AaRQGJjUWjc/prayergadget4.png?imgmax=800" width="369" height="234" /> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="prayer gadget 2" border="0" alt="prayer gadget 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TIMRdp31K4I/AAAAAAAAAks/g_3TGSc3vtA/prayergadget25.png?imgmax=800" width="377" height="230" />  </p> <p>Here’s how to install it (I have Windows 7 starter): </p> <p>Go to the Start Menu</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="clip_image002" border="0" alt="clip_image002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TIMReMA-bVI/AAAAAAAAAkw/gwNE0bHYlEY/clip_image0025.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="145" /></p> <p>Click on ‘All Programs’:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="clip_image002[6]" border="0" alt="clip_image002[6]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TIMRe1NMXwI/AAAAAAAAAk0/EOWwhMY-jsk/clip_image00264.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="135" /> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Click on ‘Desktop Gadget Gallery’:</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="clip_image002[10]" border="0" alt="clip_image002[10]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TIMRfh9B7YI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Uub03qBhJ5U/clip_image002105.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="368" /></p> <p>Click on ‘Get more gadgets online’ on the lower right hand side corner:</p> <p>(Your browser will automatically open a new window with the ‘Windows Live Gallery’)</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="clip_image002[12]" border="0" alt="clip_image002[12]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TIMRgTP9MrI/AAAAAAAAAk8/pJWfG8FaNu4/clip_image002124.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="267" /></p> <p>Once you’re at the Windows Live Gallery in your browser, scroll down and click on ‘Get more desktop gadgets’:</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="clip_image002[14]" border="0" alt="clip_image002[14]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TIMRhGByyAI/AAAAAAAAAlA/HKCaGEtIk5Q/clip_image002145.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="206" /></p> <p>Click on ‘Miscellaneous’ on the left hand side menu and look for Prayer Times gadget:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="clip_image002[16]" border="0" alt="clip_image002[16]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TIMRiEpgJBI/AAAAAAAAAlE/A9H3SF4VbMM/clip_image002165.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="309" /> <p>Click Download and follow instructions.</p> <p>Happy Praying=)</p> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-83911904694609172982010-08-21T12:00:00.001-07:002010-08-21T12:03:39.127-07:00A Day At the Bay<p>Yesterday, I was a front desk volunteer at <a href="http://www.newportbay.org/bayintro.htm" target="_blank">Upper Newport Bay</a>. </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00453" border="0" alt="IMG00453" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/THAiUvHGyWI/AAAAAAAAAjg/ymW2DUGM1FY/IMG00453%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="283" /> </p> <p>I answered a phone call, guided some people around the center, reunited a mom and child, played a movie for the kids, and played cashier for a little bit. </p> <p>At the end, before leaving, I decided to buy some of the cool things that were there. I bought two “Quick Guides”; one about birds in Orange County and another about wildflowers in the O.C. </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00513" border="0" alt="IMG00513" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/THAiVOjhqAI/AAAAAAAAAjk/kcSLWNTlTPo/IMG00513%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00514" border="0" alt="IMG00514" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/THAiVppu4wI/AAAAAAAAAjo/UTPavhoeLDU/IMG00514%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p>Then, since my mom is finally coming back today (after two months in Pakistan), I decided to greet her at the airport with a red-headed woodpecker by my side (obviously it’s a stuffed animal) so I bought an Audubon bird (with a real woodpecker bird call). </p> <p>Meet Mr. Woodsworth:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00512" border="0" alt="IMG00512" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/THAiWfwLvaI/AAAAAAAAAjs/BcOxL7Xz6EU/IMG00512%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="222" /> </p> <p>Isn’t he cute? </p> <p>Here are some more pictures of the area for your enjoyment:</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00450" border="0" alt="IMG00450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/THAiXaC6AJI/AAAAAAAAAjw/XEwQDotZ5_I/IMG00450%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="287" /> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00452" border="0" alt="IMG00452" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/THAiX6-XFPI/AAAAAAAAAj0/3vTHzyU2CeY/IMG00452%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00455" border="0" alt="IMG00455" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/THAiYbrtmdI/AAAAAAAAAj4/XFUByCkwamE/IMG00455%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f28dbfdf-12a3-4ed2-bada-f734242b8f8e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/orange+county" rel="tag">orange county</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/upper+newport+bay" rel="tag">upper newport bay</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-20473320765122056872010-08-08T10:40:00.001-07:002010-08-08T10:58:17.288-07:00Ramadan Season 2010<p>Are you excited? Well, you should be. Ramadan is almost here. </p> <p>I have a strange relationship with this month. When it comes near, I go on panic mode. I don’t know why, so don’t ask me. I just know that towards the end of Sha’ban (the month before Ramadan), I start to freak out. </p> <p>“Oh no, Ramadan is almost here!” </p> <p>“I won’t be eating from sunrise till sunset!”</p> <p>“Will I be able to do it?”</p> <p>And the thoughts keep coming. Maybe this would be a good place to tell you that sometimes my thoughts really get the best of me. </p> <p> I am inspired by others who have such a positive attitude before this month. And that is how it should be. I don’t know if I will be alive for Ramadan next year and it’s a blessing to be alive to experience Ramadan for this year. Plus, the benefits of Ramadan are numerous; the main benefit being the self-discipline that one achieves. </p> <p>Most problems can be remedied by the self-discipline approach. We should promote Ramadan as a beat-your-bad-habit-in-the-rear-and-become-a-new-person-in-thirty-days type of program. It really is a thirty-day boot camp that seeks to rid individuals of the spiritual and social toxins that  are ruining their relationship with not only God, but with other human beings as well. </p> <p>And this last point brings me to the main reason I opened up a blank post (even though my post jumped from how ridiculous I act when Ramadan approaches to how some people don’t, to how that is a good thing, to how Ramadan is beneficial, and finally to my main point). How wonderful would it be if we could get our Non-Muslim buddies participating in this month, fasting side by side with us? </p> <p>I recently posted on a community at <a href="http://www.theblogfrog.com/1322951/forum/45424/ramadan.html?start=1&replyid=371712" target="_blank">blogfrog</a> about Ramadan. Then, I asked if anyone wanted to participate in fasting from either food, water, a bad habit, or all three. Surprisingly, some people responded right away and said they would be willing to give up one thing for the month. I definitely think that’s a start. </p> <p>Here’s my request from you. If you are a Muslim, would you like to make an agreement that you will try to recruit your Non-Muslim friends (from either online or not) to participate in this Holy Month? Wouldn’t that be a great opportunity to educate others about Islam? If you are Non-Muslim and reading this, would you like to participate with me. Just leave a comment or send me an email (whichever you are comfortable with) and let’s set goals together=)</p> <p>"O you who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God" [2:183]</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TF7sFJgVpqI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/o0vZNKQKAis/s1600-h/IMG00294%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00294" border="0" alt="IMG00294" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TF7sF2WwXiI/AAAAAAAAAjU/t0KpH12FeFY/IMG00294_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="123" height="94" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TF7sHB_YO2I/AAAAAAAAAjY/TPCSz_TmSaM/s1600-h/IMG00356%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG00356" border="0" alt="IMG00356" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TF7sHjIbUlI/AAAAAAAAAjc/ehwuNw1-o4g/IMG00356_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="128" height="98" /></a> <a href="http://masoodmemon.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/prostration.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="http://masoodmemon.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/prostration.jpg" src="http://masoodmemon.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/prostration.jpg" width="126" height="92" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e1a1e11c-eb7d-433f-a436-0f8c8a669106" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ramadan" rel="tag">ramadan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/islamic" rel="tag">islamic</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/muslims" rel="tag">muslims</a></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-783480971701680551.post-41676163099442691412010-07-22T18:14:00.001-07:002010-07-26T20:01:41.734-07:00Eating Better (from Sisterswhoblog)<p>I wrote this post for <a href="http://sisterswhoblog.ning.com/" target="_blank">Sisterswhoblog</a> and wanted to share it here as well because I think a lot of us can relate to this (on a side note: please join this network. If you’re not a sister, then you should follow <a href="http://swbmagazine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the blog</a>). </p> <p>I recently took a class titled ‘Neurobiology of Learning and Memory’ and one of the topics of the lectures was the connection between eating disorders and the brain. In earlier lectures, we had talked about Depression and Alzheimer’s. Both of the latter two are causes of either a decrease in activity of the brain, or death of neurons in the hippocampus (part of the brain involved in memory and learning), respectively. However, with eating disorders, it’s very different. The attitudes, emotions, and feelings that arise during an eating disorder are actually caused by the starvation, not by an underlying neuronal problem. </p> <p>I do not want to bore the readers with any biological mumbo jumbo (even though I kind of already have), but the real purpose of this post is this next idea: Most anorexics and bulimics have a high recovery, as well as a high remissive rate when they follow the correct way of eating. <br /> <br /><a name="more"></a>Basically, the idea behind a new treatment plan for patients with eating disorders is teaching them the difference between hunger and satiety. It’s like learning to eat like a kid again! Children will eat when they are hungry, and will let you know when they are done. As adults, we become ‘deaf’ to our bodies natural eating pattern. We eat when we’re hungry and continue to eat long after our body has reached it’s satiety level. <br />This new system was developed in Sweden and it uses a device called a Mandometer. This device is plugged in a computer and you place your plate of food on top of it. You eat while the plate is still on the scale. The mandometer will tell you your speed of eating and ask you of your satiety levels. Eventually, the patient’s goal is to adjust his/her curve to the ‘normal curve’ for eating. More information can be found <a href="http://www.mandometerusa.com/treatment.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></p> <p>The reason I found this to be interesting is because of two reasons: 1) it resembles the way our Prophet (SAW) ate and 2) it works with other eating problems like obesity, as well. So, if any of you are ever in need of a diet plan, just read the Sunnah of the Prophet (and follow it too). This goes first and foremost for myself. <br /></p> <p>"No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath." – Prophet (SAW); narrated by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’I, Ibn Majah <br /></p> <p>“It’s not <i>what</i> you eat, it’s <i>how</i> you eat it.”- Professor M</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:627a9aa3-9395-477d-9615-ac9505aa087f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="7319ed0c-b1dc-4d8c-848e-a998d8d61c05" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEKpFRPjKcQ" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-1aLrGYI1WU/TE5ME4wPxQI/AAAAAAAAAis/zxsUGftbrQo/video2df5d2b3c5dd%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('7319ed0c-b1dc-4d8c-848e-a998d8d61c05'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/xEKpFRPjKcQ&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/xEKpFRPjKcQ&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Rukhpar Morhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03357579094214268759noreply@blogger.com0