A wonderful day

A wonderful day

The last couple of weeks have turned into a blur. All merged into one. I don’t even remember when one stops and the next one starts. I fill my day with tasks & goals so that my time won’t be left meaningless. The one thing I wish I had more of – time. Whilst I know my time is ending, the time of my children are just beginning, God willing. But that makes days like these so much more valuable.


I started my day off like I always do – enjoying a homemade breakfast with my son. Around noon I jumped in the car with my daughter to drive and pick up my friend from work. We enjoyed our afternoon outside, finding a cute cafe were we could sit and chat for a while. The day only got better when we decided to buy two baskets of strawberries and then swing by at home to get my son. Norwegian summer doesn’t last very long so when the weather is good you’ll find most people at the beach, where we also ended up. Even though it took a while to get used to the cold water, it was still nice. 

A day to remember. Now I’m hoping that my daughter will fall asleep soon so that I too can catch some Zzzz. Good night.

Elizabeth

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My goals for 2018

My goals for 2018

I know it’s a week until new years but I thought I would share my goals a week in advance. Since I am going traveling the first week of January and I still want to film 2-3 videos in advance, I thought I would do this now.

I always take a look back at the year I’ve had and summaries my feelings, accomplishments and travels. I will still do this at the end of the year but for now I’ve picked my brain on what I want to improve in 2018.


MY GOALS FOR 2018

1. Read the Quran every day! I did this after Ramadan and even though I just read a page or two sometimes, I sat myself down after Maghrib prayer and read. Now I’ve fallen out of my routine and only read a verse or two on my Quran app.

"The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even though it were little." Sahih Bukhari 8/471

2. Listen to the Quran every morning. A great way to the beginning of a new day and why not start the day of right. This is something you can do while preparing breakfast, getting dressed or doing your laundry.
3. Do dhikr. Remember Allah (God) in everything you do. Say thank you for the food you have, the clean water, the job you’ve been giving, your faith, family & friends. Nothing would be possible without Allah.

Alhamdullilah - All praise to Allah
 Subhan'Allah - Glorious is Allah
 Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest

4. Learn Surah Al-Kahf. The 18th chapter of the Quran. A surah I’ve started to learn but then again forgotten because I don’t practice it. Insha’Allah I will learn at least the first 10 verses before Ramadan 2018.
5. Listen to Surah al-Kahf every Friday.

"If anyone learns by heart the first 10 verses of Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal (Anti-Christ)." Sahih Muslim 4/1766

6. Fast Monday & Thursdays. Prophet Muhammad saw used to fast on these days because these are the days our deeds are shown to Allah.
7. Wake up for Fajr consistently on time, and also pray Tahajjud (night prayer) at least once every week.

Our Lord comes down to the nearest Heaven every night when the last third of the night remains.

8. Write a gratitude journal. A place where I can write down what I’m grateful for, what I want to improve and my accomplishments for the day.
9. Create a new video every week with bonus videos sometimes during the week. Focusing on lifestyle videos, fashion & style and beauty related videos.
10. Gain 500 subscribers on YouTube.
11. Buy a Nikon j5 to improve my video quality. Support me on Patreon if you’d like!
12. Keep a daily diary on my laptop without any filter. Somewhere I can write exactly what I’m feeling and experiencing.


I hope you continue on following my journey and let’s check off this list one by one together. Do you have anything you want to add? Leave it in the comments.

Happy holidays!

Elizabeth

Autumn flowers light up my day

Autumn flowers light up my day

The weekend is upon us and even though I’ve had Friday feeling since Tuesday, I’m definitely going to enjoy this weekend. Tomorrow I’ll have a couple of hours to myself which hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy to the fullest. Hair appointment, coffee, running errands – well, running is the last thing I want to do on my day ‘off’.

Fresh flowers for the weekend is starting to become a priority even though I’ve been so lucky to get the last couple of flowers from my wonderful and loving mum. It does something with your mood when you wake up and see beautiful fresh colors shine throughout your living room.



My sons cousin also has his first birthday tomorrow so I have to get something for him. Even though I have no idea what that’s going to be.. I guess I have to brainstorm a little. And tomorrow evening we’ll be visiting him and his family.

Have a great weekend, hope it treats you well!

Elizabeth

A woman in hijab

A woman in hijab

You may think I’m oppressed by the way you stare at me. That I’m not free to make my own decision. Maybe you think I’m forced to cover up my beauty.
I guess it bothers you that I choose what to show and withhold from the world. But the truth is that a veil like the hijab represents so much more then what you see.
We don’t lie or steal, drink or smoke. We think before we talk and watch our tongue.
We choose to wear it, to be among the best of people.
I hope one day you can see past my veil and see who I truly am. Because my freedom is not determined whether I show my hair or flaunt my body. And remember that the hijab represents so much more than a cover to your hair.

Elizabeth
Fresh baked rolls & Marie Claire

Fresh baked rolls & Marie Claire

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To be honest I haven’t read my new Marie Claire magazine but I did go out to buy fresh baked rolls this morning. We have a tiny little bakery a few minutes from where I live and they bake the best bread and rolls. I usually don’t splurged on bread like that but it is a national holiday here. Even though we don’t celebrate or have anything to do with easter, it’s nice to do a little bit extra sometimes. It also reminds me of the best breakfasts we had with my late grandmother. The smell of fresh coffee and bread is just so satisfying. 

Other than that today was an uneventful day. Spending the day on the couch feeding and the frequently diaper change there isn’t much news to my life. A little guilt has sneaked up on me since it’s been a while since I’ve updated you, but right now there isn’t much to tell. As we speak the little one is asleep and today’s football game is on, Bayern v. Real Madrid. Not that’s of my interest. Other than that I will enjoy the quit sounds of the night.

Elizabeth
Let the weekend come

Let the weekend come

Today has been such a wonderful day. 17 degrees, sunshine with a little cold breeze. We went out for a walk a half hour ago and now the little one is sleeping next to me. I never know when the baby is going to wake up so I have to keep it short. Tomorrow we’re having a little celebration for my mum since she had her birthday a couple of days ago. I’ve already make a cake but it didn’t turn out the way I wanted so I might just make another one. Other than that I’m done with my daily chores, like vacuuming and working out. Now I can sit back and let the weekend come with the good company of my  family.

Happy weekend!

Elizabeth

Sunday

Sunday

Today has been a less productive day, but you’ve gotta have those sometimes too. I did manage to go for a longer walk this morning, which felt good but other than that I’ve only been laying around the house. Just what Sundays are for, don’t you think? Tomorrow is a new week and new opportunities can arise. I will probably start my day quite early and hopefully continue it with studying. Maybe I’ll allow myself a shopping break. But all of that can wait till morning comes. Right now I’m going to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. 


Elizabeth

Dear sister

Dear sister


When we live in a world
were being ‘ugly’ is a crime
and you gotta be hot to survive
You just have to submit before
the angel of death arrives

You may think it’s ugly
or i doesn’t fit your shoes
but on the day of judgement
this wont’ be any excuse

People may tell you it’s a sign of oppression
and under a man’s command
but it’ll come a day
where everyone will be asked a question
Will you then have the answer in your right hand?

Even though hijab isn’t in style
neither on the first page on a magazine
I promise you’ll smile
because this world lasts only for awhile
and with this smile
you can walk through every mile

So dear sister, do yourself a favor
Start to fight your own Jihaad
and don’t let your last day
be the first day you wear the hijab


Elizabeth