Saturday, September 26, 2009

Canada :: Part uno!



Here's the Canada post that my brain has been avoiding...

A note about Canada::


Well, don't let anyone fool you into thinking that Canada is just like America-- it's not... they might have similar landscapes, the same language ( if you're in the English speaking side) and are on the same continent. But let's just clear this once and for all. Canada and America are two different countries, with different cultures, norms, people and all that follows in how these things work.
( you guys are probably all thinking, well duh! of course! Yes. I know, the above paragraph was more or less for me. Unless you happen to think like me. Then, it's for you too!)
Clear?

Canada was tough!
I have never been that exhausted in my entire life...

I was dropped off with my two, under three years old daughters- by a very patient husband, who spent almost the entire month of Ramadan away from his family. I went more or less for moral support for my very pregnant sister, who was in the middle of moving her pregnant self along with her 9 year old daughter, from one country to the next, followed by moving from neighborhood to the next. Setting up a life from scratch. From buying furniture and setting up a phone account, to finding doctors and enrolling her nine year old in a new school... etc. Her husband was not able to be with her all this time ( for very good reasons may I add-- just trust me.) He came after the birth of his son. God is the best of planners.

A note about me::

I am not one of those amazing people that can do it all. You know raise a family, excel in a career and help the needy and so on and so forth. I am frankly amazed at women who can just manage their kids and a six o'clock dinner by the table every night. (Forget a clean house.) A full round of applause to you.



Truth be told-- I am a very lazy person. Hmmn, let me rephrase that: I am as lazy as the circumstances will allow me to be.
( No mother on this planet has the luxury of being lazy. Even if she tries) for instance it's not likely for me to go out of my way to help someone, unless forced to. It's sad but true. So know that in-any-case in-which I state or mention a little story about me helping someone-- It's merely because, I had no other option. I am fortunate enough to have God throw people along my way that need some sort of help. Because God knows that other wise-- I stand no chance.



So this Ramadan was spent in servitude.Well, sorta!- as much as I would like to have you all believe....Umm no. I was merely there for moral support. 'cause truth be told, if anything-- I probably slowed her down, more than she needed. With no license to help drive her to places, and two babies under three to care for--I was pretty much useless. Yet still I would like to believe that my presence was needed. Because seriously, just caring for the girls on a 3 hour a night sleep, for over three weeks ( insert two visits to the ER. And one night in the birthing branch of the hospital. plus another night before that in anticipation.)Well- I would totally freak. And thankfully my sister is sweet enough to tell me what I needed to hear.

If you're still waiting for the birth story, you might want to check on me later...

Canada, apparently is complicated.

So you know what comes next?

... peace.

** A note about the photos::
That forte was one of the projects I had the girls do. The cardboard later served as our dinner table. Since we were furniture-less for a big chunk of the time we spent there.

All the photos come from my phone hence the poor quality-- I somehow mis-located the "real" camera that has all the Canada photos.

The faceless photo- is staying on this site for exactly two days. I am still not that comfortable with even a faceless photo. This is my way of reassuring all my faithful readers who don't know the "real" me-- that yes. It's true- I exist in the real world too ( sorta!). A big holler at ya!
And just in-case you're wondering... Yes Mei is wearing a mermaid costume ( unfortunately not made by me.)

** Edit: The photo is gone...


3 comments:

Robyn said...

Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure it was incredibly reassuring to your sister to have you around. I'm just glad you're back in this space; missed your insights. :0)

Muslim Hippie said...

Robyn- You're too kind. I am not hard on my self on the contrary, if anything I paint a pink picture of myself/life. I'm glad to be back:)

Regal Heights Toronto said...

Canada and the US are not the same, you are so right. Many people tend to think they are, though - it's not just you, trust me. Anyway, a nice story, I really did enjoy reading it.

Elli