Life is Funny, except when it's really not

Musings of a wacky American Muslim, with an obsession for all things literary, Asian pop culture and gummi candy as she lives life embracing both the funny and the not-so-funny.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Liebster Blog Reward ^__^

Hiya beautiful people!!!

So, a good friend of mine, Amanda, recently won the Liebster Blog Award. Join me in congratulating her... ~Congrats, Amanda~... Go say hi here: http://girlwithapenandadream.blogspot.com/

So, as a part of the award process, she's suppose to tag 10 people who each then answer the questions that she chose and then tag another 10 people. As I am socially inept, I don't have too many friends who blog, except one other and Amanda and there are no tag-backs! lol So, I'll just answer the questions, I never said I was one to completely follow all of the rules.

Don't know what the bleeding hell I'm talking about? Here's some info about the award:



The Liebster Blog Award is given to up-and-coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word which means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

The Rules:

1. Each person must post 10 facts about themselves

2. Answer 10 questions the tagger has given you and give 10 questions for the people you’ve tagged.

3. Choose 10 ONE (lol) people person and link them in your post.

4. Tell them you’ve tagged them.

5. Remember, no tag backs Whatever!


And here I go!

Me 10 Facts:

  1. My hair color is dark brown, but can look a little lighter in the sun. (I find that people are morbidly curious (as in are about to DIE, they want to know so badly) about my hair as I wear a hijab and it is rarely seen. So here's a little clue.)
  2. I am obsessed with Asian dramas! I watch so much Korean and Taiwanese dramas. Visit my review blog - Looney Express: Crazy Reviews - for more info of all of the ones I've watch. Do you watch Korean dramas too? Then, please comment! I need a fangirl buddy to gush with! =)
  3. As a result of my Kdrama obsession and listening to countless soundtracks, I am equally hooked on Korean pop music! It's so good! The US hasn't seen any real boy bands since the Backstreet Boys and Nsync, but Korean boybands are just coming alive! And man, can those boys turn a gal into a steaming puddle of goo! lol Visit my Favorite Kpop playlist here, for all of my faves.
  4. My favorite color is pink, though I once hated it as a child, deeming it too girlie.
  5. Despite being an avid reader, I've yet to read the Harry Potter series, though I've been meaning to for so long.
  6. I may be 20, soon-to-be-21, but, *whispers* my body hosts the soul of a perpetual 12-year-old. I love kid movies like "Up" and "Tangled". I'm very playful and silly. I bite my mom in affection. lol
  7. My favorite number is 13, cause it's my birthday. My birthday's been Friday the 13th twice already. I'm waiting for it to happen a third time, cause things happen in three's don't they? It won't be this year though, as my birthday will land on a Saturday. Maybe when I'm really bored, I'll skip ahead a bunch of years and see when it will happen.
  8. I put my watch on my right hand instead of my left. I never thought it was weird until I started noticing that everyone else puts theirs on their left. Is there an unwritten rule somewhere that says watches belong on one's left wrist? Pisses me off! lol
  9. I'm an avid reader and journal writer. I've been writing journals since I started high school. They're even numbered. I'm up to number 6...
  10. Last, but not least, my favorite fruit is strawberry. I even recently got strawberry printed pajamas from Old Navy. I love them. I almost feel as happy wearing them as I do eating strawberry, almost. ^__^

Amanda's 10 Questions for Moi!

http://girlwithapenandadream.blogspot.com/2012/07/liebster-blog-award.html

1. When did you start blogging?

Uh...? *runs and looks at first blog's archive* So, I've been blogging since April of 2008...WOW! Even I'm surprised.

2. What made you decide to start a blog?

I don't know. I've always liked writing and putting my thoughts down on paper.

3. Why did you pick the topic that you did for your blog?

...I have three different blogs with three different topics! lol I like blogging, so whenever I come up with an idea for a post that may not quite fit the theme of one blog, I create a new one. I have my Looney Express blog where I review dramas/movies/anime that I watch and books that I read, My Creative site--FH Photographs and Writing-- is where I post my writing and photography (not as often as I'd like) and this blog is an extension of my private journal.

4. How often do you blog?

Sporadically! I can write 3 posts, three days in a row, or go months without writing even one. Depends on what I have to say and whether I'm too lazy to say it!

5. Do you ever get into a rut with your blog?

YUP!

6. How do you get yourself out of it?

I don't try. lol Either I do, or I don't.

7. What is your favorite part of blogging?

The writing, the ranting.

8. Your least favorite part?

Not having much of an audience and interaction.

9. Do you plan to blog "long-term"?

I think so.

10. What is your favorite blog post you've written so far?

It was hard to choose, but I think this one about visiting my native country--The Gambia--for the first time: http://lifeisfunnyexceptwhenitsnot.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-20th-year-of-existence-2011-january.html

The people I am tagging:

http://rima4life.blogspot.com/

http://girlwithapenandadream.blogspot.com (Screw it, I'm tagging back. lol)

My Questions for my tagger (and ANY visitors who also have blogs. Let me know if you decide to answer the questions. Leave a link in the comments).

  1. What is your favorite fruit?
  2. Why do you blog?
  3. Do you like Asian dramas (esp. Korean)? *crosses fingers* lol
  4. What do you feel passionate about?
  5. What are your career goals? Current or future.
  6. If you had a dollar, what would you buy?
  7. If you could write a book, what would it be about?
  8. What's your favorite color? Why?
  9. What's your favorite movie or types of movies?
  10. What's your favorite fictional character?


DONE! That was a super long post.



Until next time,

Tuma
Life is Funny!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Top 10 Ramadan Resolutions

So, the time of no food or drink. Waking up early-early. Hunger. Becoming lightheaded. Crankiness. Dehydration. The list goes on. It’s that time again—the holiest month for all Muslims—Ramadan.

So, Ramadan is about more than fasting—not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset—it’s also about contemplating your life and thinking of both the good and the bad. It’s about doing more of the good and trying to end the bad. I’ve never thought about this additional aspect of Ramadan because, well, I just didn’t. But, I’m thinking about this year.

Ramadan is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Evaluating my life at this moment—where am I both spiritually and secularly? where should I be? and where do I want to be?—are the questions I find that I am asking myself.

My Top 10 Ramadan Resolutions:





1. Read more of the Holy Quran. I really don’t read it—like at all. *cringes* So, I’m going to try and read it in its entirely at least once (the English translated version of course!) and see what I can make of it. 
 
 
2. Perform my daily prayers… on time! God, I am horrible at keeping track of the time and doing my prayers when I’m supposed to. It’s worse when I’m in the middle of something, like reading a book, watching a show or doing homework. I just keep telling myself, when I finish this, as soon as I’m done with this. Then, next thing I know, it’s 11:30pm and I’m rushing to payback nearly all of my prayers. Bad bad bad, I know!

3. Become more pure of mind. I mean, I’m still a virgin for god’s sake (unmarried Muslim girl here), but my mind is a scary, scary place! lol I should really probably limit the amount of smut novels I read. It’s a lot. I mean, I read the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy in a day and a half! P.S. I’m in love with Christian Grey!
Oh, Christian Grey.... *swoons* lol P.S. Look below for link to funny article smashing the trilogy!
4. Start being more respectful to my mom and dad (dad, deserves it sometimes..maybe, just a bit. We just don't see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues). Man, I can be so rude sometimes, I’m often surprised to find that my head is still attached to my shoulders. I get angry and snarky whenever I’m asked to do something or don't agree with something. In the grand scheme of things, I’m not being asked to do anything major, but it sure feels that way during chore assignment time.

5. I should also probably memorize a few additional surahs (chapters in the Quran), and Du’as (prayers) to enhance my prayers.

6. Pick up a damn phone and give my friends a damn call! I never realized how truly anti-social and how much of a loner and introvert I am. It’s truly shocking. I can go days, or weeks without contact with any of my friends. If it wasn’t for the internet, people would think I was dead. I don’t understand myself. I love my friends, so why does it always feel so awkward to make the first move and make that call? Even with friends I’ve known for a long time. I’m probably the only girl on the planet who barely talks on the phone or video chats. So, I really want to grow some gonads and start reaching out to friends, or otherwise…sooner or later…I won’t have many or even any friends left to invite to my eventually wedding. That’s a really depressing thought.


Yea...not a pretty sight. I really don't want to end up this way!


7. Eat better! For someone who only weights 103 lbs., my diet is ATROCIOUS! A typical schedule of meals for me consists of: cup-o-noodle at 3 or 4pm, some frosted flakes at about 8pm and big bold gummi bears at 2am. How am I still alive?! And not deceased due to malnutrition?! I want to eat better, I do..I mean, I LIKE healthy foods, they can be very tasty. It mostly stems from excessive laziness, I think, which brings us to resolution #8… 

My newest addiction... these things are awesome. Really. Go to your neighborhood Walgreens and GET you some!


8. Stop being lazy!!! I am such a blob, a sloth, a good-for-nothing, a bum. If it was left completely up to me…I would life my life doing absolutely nothing: wake up mid afternoon, eat (kind of), bathroom, entertainment (movies, tv shows, games, reading etc) til about 4am, shut off computer, roll over and back to sleep (cause I’d never left my bed). What kind of life is that for a vivacious 20-year-old like myself?! So I hope to be able to give myself some kind of schedule and stick to here. Sigh…we’ll see how that goes.

Isn't he cute? In a "New-mom-thinks-her-newborn-alien-looking-baby-is-adorable" kind of way.

9. Be nicer. I’m such a jerk. To my family and in my head. I’m nicer to strangers than I am to my family sometimes. I don’t know if it’s the whole oldest sibling syndrome, or I just really enjoy torturing my younger siblings. Also, I often surprise myself at some of the thoughts that go through my head in reaction to people and their actions. I have such a low tolerance for stupidity (as do most people, as far as I know), but even idiots deserve to be treated nicely, right? lol

Lucky me! I have FOUR younger siblings to torture for ENDLESS entertainment.


10. Finally, my last resolution, is to learn more about my religion. I’ve been fortunate (or unfortunate, depends on who you’re asking) enough to be born into Islam. But what does it mean? I’ve never questioned it, simply going through the motions and what my parents and religious leaders tell me I should be doing. Instead, I’d like to come to my own consensus of what Islam means to me, personally. I’ve always believed that faith born out of doubt is much stronger than simple blind faith.

Well that's it. My 10 Ramadan Resolutions. I wonder, how much of this I can actually do. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I'm pretty sure that may apply to Tumas as well. =/

Au Revoir! Until next time, Bye!




As an English major, I couldn't NOT do this. I kept hearing the voices, telling me to always cite my sources and to never plagiarize, so here's my source link list for the images.
1. The Quran: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran
2. 50 Shades Trilogy: http://www.dorkadore.com/gadgetry/50-shades-of-grey-vs-the-geeks/
3. Crying Bride: http://www.flickr.com/photos/renatahenriques/3968803995/
4. Big Bold Gummi Bears: http://gummiexpert.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/gummi-review-trolli-big-bold-bears/
5. Lazy Sloth: http://annahumphrey.com/blog/?p=194
6. Older Sibling: http://imgur.com/0kdPY
 
 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Maybe My Life Doesn’t Suck as Much as I Thought #2:

Average Height.

I’m not as short as I have always thought I am. As a kid, I was. Short, I mean. The shortest in my class actually. From Kindergarten, I stood at the front of the line, sat at the corner end of class photos—all the way until about 6th grade when a new girl joined our class. Then, I was second tallest. Oh the joy, the bliss of that day.

Funny thing is that I still carry that childhood mentality of I’m Short and so I always carry myself that way. So fast forward a buncha years to today, and I’m now 5’4”. That’s not too short, is it? I’m perfectly average, I’d say.

Yet, I am continuously bewildered, shocked, surprised, flaggergasted (god, I LOVE that word), whenever I realize that many of friends are about my height, or *gasp* SHORTER!

Being short isn’t really such a big deal, but I’m still happy that I grew eventually.

Now…if only I could gain a couple of pounds… =)

 

Ciao!

Tuma,

Life is Funny

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Maybe My Life Doesn’t Suck as Much as I Thought #1

So, I often think my life sucks. I’m antisocial, unemployed, weird. I have strict parents, annoying siblings, no money…I mean, the list goes on and on.
And you always hear the cliché –“There is always someone worse off than you”—which I scoff at of course, because NO ONE’s life could possibly be as bland as my own.
Then, as an intelligent human being (or so I would like to think), I kick myself in the ass (metaphorically, as I’m not nearly that flexible) and call myself a dumbass among other things.
In the end, I decide to write a series of posts about the things I’m gratefully for, the things others might even envy me for, the ways in which maybe my life doesn’t quite suck as much as I thought it does.
Without further adieu,
Maybe My Life Doesn’t Suck as Much as I Thought #1:
I’m Healthy.

I mean, in my 20 years of existence, I have not been sick with anything more severe than the common cold. No broken or fractured limbs, so ear infections (as far as I can remember), no flu (and I don’t even get flu shots), no tumors, cancers, rare diseases….
That’s something to truly be grateful for, right? I mean life is hard enough to live, without having to live it with diabetes or sickle cell anemia, or asthma. So, I’m glad, thankful, absolutely ecstatic that I’ve yet to suffer or struggle that way.

So, that’s #1. I hope I haven’t jinxed myself now with this post. Next thing we know I’d be laid up in the hospital with some funky disorder that makes me sprout wings……though that would kind of cool, wouldn’t it?

Until next time!
Tuma
Life is Funny