Lurve (February Bloggging Challenge)

(Firstly I apologise for a late blog post. One day late. My first February Blog Challenge fail. Forgive meee!)

Anyhoo, now that that dramatic moment is over...

The topic of today will be LURVE, LOVE, LUV, ELL OH VEE EE, L-O-V-E

Yes, it's February 14^th and everyone is in that lovey dovey mood and for those who are single – a foul/depressed mood. Firstly, if you are single – POWER TO THE WOMEN!!! (and men)

Love yourself. That's more than enough.

For those in love – get a room.

I am actually not a big fan of Valentines day:

1. 

   Haha. So my sister made me this a while ago (This is a joke)

   Because I believe the day of love should be everyday. Why have just one day to show your love and gift your partner?
2. You are actually getting ripped off. This day is not just about love and affection but a day of economic gain. (I actually think handmade gifts, home made meals, playing games etc. is more romantic than buying the latest Gucci bag or Lindor Chocolates... Though I wouldn't mind the chocolates)
3. Because Adam Saleh hasn't asked me yet (but that is another matter, he doesn't know of my existence...yet)

Despite not being a big fan of this day, I do go out with my family for a nice meal but to be honest, this is no different to other days. I just classify my four sisters to be my Valentines but they do wish they had a partner to spend it with rather than their sisters. HAHA. There is no escaping Salma!

We just show more love to one another (through violence... I do come from a pretty boy stressed background)

During my school days where I used to attend a girls only school, I remember the exchange of plastic roses, secret Valentines & pretending to be a couple with someone. Those were the days of stupidity, innocence and fun. And not to forget, the heart shaped face paint on the cheeks of every other girl and something red which was worn.

I'd like to see what young girls and boys do now. The time slot from 12pm to 5pm before their parents go out looking for their kids – Does this still happen?

Amateur photography by moi
The rose my pops gave to my beautiful momma

Talking about parents, my parents have been married for over thirty years. Even though my father takes my mother out on dinner dates occasionally (to the local kebab shop) and buys her gifts, today was the first time I witnessed him giving her a rose. SO CUTE!

(And he bought the rest of us crisps. Wooh!!)

I don't think he specifically bought it for Valentines (because he doesn't believe in this day) but rather because he went shopping, saw a pretty rose and bought it.

Either way, I found it beautiful how thirty years later, through all the ups and downs, they are always there for each other and always there for us. They will always and forever be my first true love.

To end this post, I just want to say, don't leave it to one day in the year to show your loved ones how much you love them, use everyday to show your affection. (Use tomorrow to show extra love because all the chocolates will be on sale. Just sayin'.)

Surprise your loved one once in a while with a hand written letter, a poem, a handmade macaroni necklace or something creative. It's not all about the money, its the thought and effort put into it which counts.

This was the Love Guru with the latest post.

Hope you enjoyed it and once again, apologies for the late post.  

If you haven't already, read my previous blog
http://salaamsalma.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/what-inspires-me-february-blogging.html

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Instagram: SalmaKhatun95 & SalaamSalma

Twitter: SalmaKhatun95

What inspires me? (February Blogging Challenge)

Before I make a start, I would like to make a short comment on something off topic to my post tonight.

I would like to say Rest in Peace to the three students in North Carolina who were shot and I apologise on behalf of the media which makes your lives seem worthless because you are nothing but Muslims. In this world, and the time we live in now, unless you are a Muslim behind a gun or behind a huge terrorist plan, you will not make the headlines.

To the little Moroccan boy who was held down under a security guard's foot whilst he stepped on your head with his military boots in a station in Sweden, stay strong and show the world your faith. Faith makes you stronger.

Today’s aim of this post was to write a few things about what inspires me and drives me out of bed but I felt this had to addressed before I could make a start.

Without further ado...

What inspires me?

They have so little yet smile and run around with eachother on the
streets. (Bangladesh - Chittagong)

Vague question, hard to narrow down but one thing which inspires me is seeing people who have been through a lot in life: challenges, problems, success, everything, but still carry on with life trying to make a better change and successful future. (Especially those who are humble about it)

People who smile no matter the circumstance – this inspires me. Everyday we pass people who smile at us. This could be a cover up of their traumatic life but they still choose to share a smile with us. I admire these people.

My family inspire me: My parents – they inspire me to love. To solve issues before it is too late. To be childish yet take the best care of my children. (Note: I am not married nor am I a mother, but when I am, God Willing, I want to raise my children the way my did us)

My mother inspires me to be a good woman and to be a good wife to whoever my husband may be. My father inspires me with his dedication to his job which he only works to make ends meat for his family. He has given up a lot for the satisfaction of not himself but for his grown ass children. (We vary from ages 32 to 20)

My siblings all come from professional backgrounds and growing up, all I have seen them do is study and learn new things to improve themselves. I have seen them take endless exams to get good jobs and this inspires me to follow the same path.

My friends – My closest friends who have characteristics of their own but all share one common characteristic of faith. When we discuss Islam together, share stories, experiences etc., they inspire me to get more in touch with my Deen.

What makes me go crazy?

When I am explaining something over and over and someone still doesn't understand what I am saying.

People who chew with their mouth open and make the 'chppp chppp' noise. (I have learnt to control my fist in situations like these)

People who leave the door open.

What drives me out of bed in the morning?

Knowing that this day will not come again and I only have one chance to live today as it comes. Everyday is a new experience and I look forward to each day even if it is not the best of days.

The laughter I know I will laugh with family and friends.

To educate myself (also because I know I will be paying back £27,000 for tuition fees, so getting out of bed is not an option).

The sunshine (on days it is sunny) and the sunset.

My imagination of me in the shoes of a top notch journalist somewhere in the Middle East reporting for the world to see.

Knowing that my smile may liven up one person's day or have an impact on someone.

The thought that I may be able to do a good deed.

Getting involved in charity work

(when I can).

Knowing that God chose to let me live another day.

(AND MY ALARM)

So that's that. 

If you haven't already, read my previous blog
http://salaamsalma.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/childhood-memories-february-blogging.html

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Childhood Memories (February Blogging Challenge)

So it's Monday again, the day that no one really looks forward to.

What should one talk about today? How about a short insight into my childhood?

So here goes.

Birth

My mum gave birth to a gem on a Monday morning on February 6^th 1995. 

My father and mother decided to call me Salma Razia Khatun. 

Khatun is my family name, Razia was chosen by my eldest sister so it could rhyme with her name 'Nazia'. I was told my father chose Salma for me as it ends in 'ma' which mean mother. So even if he had no mother, he would always have me. Salma overall means 'Safe' in Arabic.

It was the holy month of Ramadan when I was born. After I was brought home one of the first things my brother did was feed me sweet honey mango. I was three days old and already eating solid food. When my mum saw this she panicked and got out what was left in my mouth. (I was a big eater since day one)

My mother wanted a son initially as she only had one son, but God blessed her with another daughter. At the time while I was still in the hospital, my siblings were still at home. When they got they news that they had had another sister, they thought it was a joke until they came to visit me. 

I don't do jokes!

This didn't stop my siblings from buying me boys clothes and toys which I loved and could not stand feminine things.

Childhood

My best friend at nursery was a boy. I remember we would go around the playground and hit the girls... and remember those red and yellow plastic cars which two kids can sit in and you use your feet to move around... we used to pull girls out of those and ride around like bad asses.

As a kid I used to make up names for people I did not know. So that boy who was my best friend, till this day I have no idea what his name is. I used to call him 'Nahoolmi' and weirdly he used to reply. An Indian girl, her name was something like 'Vashinavi' but I used to call her 'Vitamin'.

For my fifth birthday my neighbour asked me what I would like to which I responded clothes. On the day, as I unwrapped her gift and came across a leopard print collared top and bottoms, my face dropped and in front of everyone I threw the gift on the sofa and ran out crying. Now don't get me wrong, I was not spoilt and didn't always get the best things (even till this day, gifts I get are probably bought from High Street shops and I appreciate them) but how can you give a tom boy something so grown up and girly.

As boy stressed as I was as a kid, I used to cry a lot. Every time my father used to go away for a month to tend to his parents in Bangladesh, I would cry my eyes out. I would hold on to his legs crying as he walked out of the house.

I used make my dad promise me that he would collect me from school and the days he wouldn't come, I would cry and think he didn't love me. 

I loved the comfort (and I still do) of sleeping with my mum and staying at home with her while everyone else was at school.

When I was about six years old, my father took us all to Buckingham Palace. My sister told me that the Queen waved at me through a window. I believed her. (I only found out the other day that my whole life had been a lie)

There's so much more memories that I could write down, but as always when it comes down to it, my mind goes blank.

Hope you enjoyed it so far.

Next blog will be out this Wednesday hopefully.

If you haven't already, read my previous blog
http://salaamsalma.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/birthday-girl.html

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Birthday Girl (February Blogging Challenge)

Probably when I was one years old

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY...
But that isn't going to stop me from posting today.
Sadly, I am no longer a teen but I am still 20 years young... that's younger than millions of you out there.
However, one must appreciate the beauty of ageing as it is a privilege denied to many. With age comes new experiences and new lessons. 'Experience teaches what no teacher taught'.

Family Traditions
My special day started four minutes before 12:00...
The tradition of birthday beats applies in this house and is taken rather seriously.
There is no escaping the punches, kicks, pillow beats and sometimes, the odd weapon comes out. (We've had: baseball bats, a samurai sword, boxing gloves, butter knives & even a saw... Do not try at home)
As I tried to make my narrow escape from the bathroom to my bedroom, I realised I was to be attacked by five monsters (my brother and four sisters). Luckily my father (my saviour last night) came to my rescue and became my human shield as the monsters attempted to grab me. I was caught from behind but made an escape. As I ran up, my father blocked the passage way cutting of access to the horrible monsters. I could hear their footsteps and conversations outside my door and the lie 'OK, we're going now'. Haha. I wasn't going to fall for that. Finally minutes after 12:00, one had to visit the little girls room and that is where I was doomed. It's OK. The self defence I taught my self in my room had come to use. I gave them as good as I got.
So entering my twentieth birthday was pretty … what's the word … hectic?

Blessings
But all in all, I am blessed to have such an amazing family by my side to give me such an entrance to a new age. I thank my mother for giving me birth and spending her life raising me to become who I am today. I thank my father for giving up so much and working hard to provide me with the basics and luxuries I may want. I thank my siblings for sticking by me through the thick and the thin, scoulding me and motivating me and being there whenever I have wanted a punching bag. 
May there be many more years to come.

Me today... Birthday cake...

All grown up
I find it hard to believe that I am actually 20 but still spent the morning of my birthday watching Disney Channel. Some things will never vanish no matter how old you get.
It's weird to see myself as a grown woman, 20 years old, having learnt so many lessons throughout my years, having had so many experiences throughout my years, being there for family and friends and having them by my side when needed. I think one thing that makes you realise how much you've grown up is when your family give you a chance and listen to you when making big decisions. As a kid, what we say doesn't really matter.
My tomboy years of wearing boys clothes (still applies to some extent till this day), beating the girls, using the boys facilities in my early years are all behind me, everything I've ever done, all the tears I've cried and laughter I've laughed are all memories now and I am on a mission to create more memories.


Let us make use of every year. We don't want to look back in another 20 - 30 years time and regret things we may have or have not done.
"A man who views the world the same as fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life". Muhammad Ali.
Oh something to note... me and Bob Marley share the same birthday... We are both Buffalo soldiers :D


If you haven't already, read my previous blog
http://salaamsalma.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/this-is-me-february-blogging-challenge.html

Follow me on:

Instagram: SalmaKhatun95 & SalaamSalma

Twitter: SalmaKhatun95

This is me!!! (February Blogging Challenge)

So here goes... My first proper blog post for the 'February Blogging Challenge'.

I'll start of by introducing myself (I have done an intro before in my very first blog but this is a bit more updated)

Hi, my name is Salma, I am a second year Journalism student with a dream to travel the world. I wanted to become a war journalist at one point in my life as the thrill of going onto war grounds and dodging bullets and ducking behind cars gave me a rush but the more I look into it the more dangerous it looks. But hey ho, life is full of risks right?

But to be on the safe side I have decided that I'll stick to freelancing but in different countries. Should be fun.

I come from a family of eight people – My parents, four sisters & one brother, sometimes nine when my Nan stays over. And I have a cat for a brother. Okay, so I come from a family of ten.

My parents are from Bangladesh but me and my siblings were born and bred in London. East London to be precise.

Salaam Salma – What does my blog name mean? Salaam is an Arabic word سلام which means peace so I thought why not use the use of alliteration to my advantage. My name Salma derived from the word Salaam so jackpot. Salaam Salma – what a contradiction to how I really am. As much as I want peace, I am not very peaceful. Always yapping, singing and bothering those around me :D

Travelling

I love to travel and meet new people from around the world and I have made some life long friends from around the globe. I used to be very active in youth projects and community work but the older I've become the less I've participated. I guess I'm falling out of that youth age.

I've travelled a fair amount compared to some people my age but then again I've gone nowhere compared to other people who have lived out in different countries.

Where have I been?

I have been to... Bangladesh (my mother land) 2002
France (school trip 2008 for a day & Paris for my 14^th birthday) 2009

Morocco (to celebrate the end of my GCSE's) 2011

Morocco - Ourika Valleys

Atlanta (for a conference for Usher's New Look Foundation) 2011

Usher

With Dougie Fresh & the crew representing the UK

Sweden (for an exchange where I made some amazing friends and lived near the lake) 2012 

Greece (for a European Exchange on environment) 2013

People from around Europe... (spot me)

Switzerland (Caux, for a conference) 2013

Then to Paris with family a few months later

And again to Switzerland straight from Paris

With my sisters sitting on a tree

Making a speech in the UN

Arabia (Makkah & Madina for the smaller Islamic pilgrimage – Umrah) 2014

Algeria (to tour) 2014

Monument des Martyrs

Bangladesh (again. To tour this time) 2014

Rickshaws

Lal Bagh Fort

and India (where we went to Kolkata & Darjeeling then back to Bangadesh).

Queen Victoria's memorial in Kolkata

With young girls in Darjeeling

I have always dreamt of going to Egypt. Not too sure why but it just appeals to me. Over the past few years I have been determined to go to Palestine and visit the holy Mosque – Masjid Al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock. I was meant to go last year but unfortunately I had to cancel my flight due to the bombings. Summer 2014 was a sad one for the civilians of Palestine and for those around the world who showed their support for them. I hope I can make these trips come to life this year. 

Education

Although I hate politics, it surrounds us hence why I need to have an awareness of it. And if I want to become a journalist, I'll need to have an understanding of a little bit of everything. But, Middle Eastern politics interests me more than British Politics. I guess I have always had an interest in the Middle East since my early teenage years and to be quite frank, British Politics is boring.

Goals

I know a month of the new year has already gone but I am actually struggling to accomplish or even make a start on my goals. New years resolutions are weird. Every year I write up goals which I hope to achieve for that year but I end up rewritiing the same goals for the next year.

I accomplished about seven goals out of sixteen in 2014 – To finish the Qur'an, Travel alone, Go Umrah, Go Bangladesh, Be happy and content with life, Appreciate and show gratitude, say Alhamdulillah 'Praise be to Allah' for everything. Small but doable. And every year for about six years, the one goal I've written everywhere is 'LOSE WEIGHT' and 'BE MORE HEALTHY'. I'll get there one day.

Some of my goals for 2015, apart from losing weight and being healthy are: To start and pass my driving, Make my blog bigger and better, Volunteer abroad, Go Palestine, Learn Arabic, Learn more on religions, and to be Happy. It is important that I remind myself to be happy especially during times I feel low. I need to remember that someone out there will probably do anything to be in my shoes so I should have no reason to complain and be sad about life.

So this is me. Salma.

Just an East Side girl livin' in a huge world.

I hope y’all enjoyed that.

Next blog will be this Friday around 9pm.

I look forward to it.

Follow me on:

Instagram: SalmaKhatun95 & SalaamSalma

Twitter: SalmaKhatun95

February Blogging Challenge

As off this week, I am going to do a 'February Blogging Challenge', something I have set for myself to get me into the routine of blogging as opposed to posting here and there due to my laziness. 

If you are someone who goes to Uni, is always on the go or sometimes extremely lazy, love to travel, have boring days and sometimes the most productive of days, you will be able to relate to my posts. 

Some days will be advice about anything and everything like lifting yourself to infinity and beyond if you are feeling down, other days will be about my opinions about the latest issues, other days will be me moaning about how much I've stuffed down my throat and overall, life. 

Ah and maybe a poem here and there if I am feeling creative. But we'll see. 

So... Why not embark on this journey with me through lifes highs and lows. 

Let February posts come alive!!!

I should be posting every Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays around 9pm. 

If February goes well, who knows, I may even do a different challenge in March.

Let me know what you guys think I should do and what my posts should be about.

(So show the support guys. Criticism and ideas will be appreciated)

Be ready for Wednesday's first proper post!

Can't wait!

If you have not already done so, check out my previous blog posts

http://salaamsalma.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/salmas-selma-experience.html

Follow me on:

Instagram: SalmaKhatun95 & SalaamSalma

Twitter: SalmaKhatun95