25 Things About Me

I was tagged far too many times to avoid doing this. I'm just going to post it here because I couldn't choose just 25 people to tag.


1. My mother is the wisest person I know. I feel flattered when my husband calls me mini-Fadiah. \

2. I used to be able to do a headstand for as long as anyone was willing to watch. My mom used to have me do headstands for my younger sister Jude, while my mom force-fed her.

3. My favorite number is 3.

4. I am a terrible speller. Actually, up until 5th grade, I was a pretty terrible reader too. Oddly enough, I seem to excel at grammar.

5. As a child, my life goal was to a) be Alaa El-Buri, b) own all of Alaa El-Buri's possessions, or c) have blue eyes.

6. I often think I don't deserve my husband.

7. I have an unhealthy obsession with interior decorating. I went almost two years without curtains in my living room because I was holding out for curtains I really loved.

8. I hate it when people don't hustle. One of the most difficult things for me after my surgery was not being able to walk fast. Also, it is exceedingly bothersome when cars leave giant gaps during my commute, and allow other cars to sneak in front. I sometimes keep a mental count of how many cars behind I am during my commute because of gaps. Move people! That being said, I eat reeeaally slooow.

9. I don't enjoy talking on the phone, and I'm terrible at keeping in touch.

10. I feel like Allah (SWT) blessed me with the best of everything in life: the best mother, the best in-laws, the best friends, the best community, the best education, etc.

11. I can be extremely critical.

12. I once swallowed a giant bead in elementary school after a kid on the bus promised me $5. He never paid me.

13. I used to be the biggest procrastinator until I got married. Now I stay on top of everything.

14. I love to entertain, especially setting the table. Sometimes when I'm having a dinner party, I will first think of which plates I want to use, and then invite people based on how many plates I have in that set. It's sad, I know.

15. It took getting a deadly disease for me to finally be content with my body.

16. I know how to drive stick, but I do not know how to parallel park. Seriously, the woman who administered my driving test gave me step-by-step instructions..."Turn your wheel all the way to the left. Okay, now start reversing." I pray to God I don't have to retake the driving exam to get my New Jersey license.

17. My favorite ayah is, "Verily in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest!" (13:28)

18. I hate gum. I think it should be banned.

19. I love people intensely.

20. I used to be the pickiest eater in my family. When visiting Saudia I survived on a strict diet of mangoes and yogurt. But now I'm the most adventurous eater in the family.

21. I love Arabic names. I like finding out what they mean, and pretending to hoard them for my future kids.

22. I choose which grocery store to shop at based on its lighting. Fruits just look so much more delectable under the right light.

23. These past few months I've felt like a president leaving office, trying to figure out my lasting legacy.

24. I love pumpkin everything...especially pumpkin cheesecake.

25. I believe intentions are the most important thing in life. I fear I will fall into this group of people described in Surat Al-Kahf, "Say, 'shall I tell you. Whose actions are worst? Those whose struggles were lost in the life of the world, and they imagine that they are doing good work."