Hello there! I've been trying to work on my poetry and I assure you it hasn't been going smooth but here is something I came up with. It was inspired by a couple I saw earlier today.
I saw them for a second
Walking side by side
Just for a second
Moving stride by stride
It was just an ordinary couple
But my eyes saw more
And my heart perceived much more
There was nothing special,really
Yet I had such a beautiful feeling
There was an air of peace around them
That I could not help but admire
They were both young
Young and beautiful
They had so much chemistry
That I for a moment felt lonely
I'm sure they live a simple life
Nothing expensive,nothing extravagant
Now I'm convinced that
those who live simple lives,
live happy lives
It was just a second
Yet they made my day
Long live us!
Long live the beautiful ones!
Have a beautiful night rest!
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
MY PEN AND I
Hello there! Its been a while. I've thought about making this blog post for a while but I haven't been able to write. I think I'm suffering from writers block or something. I've been procrastinating a lot. I still haven't been able to figure out why, so I thought perhaps now is the right time to make this blog post. I want to inspire you and remind myself of why I write.
I started school a little bit late. I was five then. I was so interested in learning that I knew the alphabets and numbers even before I started school. Soon enough I fell in love with reading and my dad got me several story books. It was not until I saw nine years old that I started writing. The first story I wrote was about an orphan. Back then I had read a lot of stories about orphans so I guess that inspired me.
The older I got the more I fell in love with writing fiction. I would mostly write short stories but with time I wanted to do more,like to go further and write a novel. I made my first attempt at writing a novel when I was 12. It was inspired by 'Merlin',a television series about the wizard Merlin who see ed as Prince Arthur's manservant. At a point,I lost interest in it. I made another attempt when I was 14 and I was again unable to finish it. My third attempt was in 2013,which I was able to complete but I have choosen to keep it hidden because I believe its not good enough. All through my struggles,one thing remained unchanged...I still want to write,I still love it and I want to get better.
I started another story last year and I'm still battling to complete but I've been procrastinating. I made up my mind to start a blog so that I could encourage myself to write and also improve my skills. Its been a rewarding experience so far, I've been able to add more stories to 'Haneem's diary' and I'm just exploring my other interests.
I've ways been such a dreamer. My dreams,my goals and aspirations have kept me going. I dream of traveling the world and experience different cultures to experience more of nature and to meet different people.
I strongly believe that my pen can take me to wherever I want. I'm able to create characters and I'm able to live my dreams through my characters. I feel very blessed to have that. I've learned more about myself through writing; I'm able to express myself better,to be different people and to experience life better. I'm fully convinced that writing is a gift from God to me.
When I finished secondary school,I had no particular ambition probably because of the difficulties involved in gaining admission and getting your desired course. I just choose Microbiology and made up my mind to study it. Luckily,I was given the course and I'm presently in my second year! So you can say writing is my one true love.
I love reading too but its sad to admit that I haven't read many books. Its always been one thing or the other. I'm unable to do anything when school is in session,I dedicate my whole attention to school. Another problem is where I live,there is no standard bookshop where I can find the types of books I want to read.
My biggest fan and my biggest supporter is my oldest brother. He had encouraged me right about the time I started writing up to date. He is one more reason I have to keep writing-not that I was ever planning on letting it go.
I don't know if I'm boring you but I actually intend to inspire you. It doesn't have to be writing,it can be so many other things. Make wise use of your talent and let it take you places.
Lesson#1: Discover your talent and never let it go.
Blogging has been fun,I absolutely love it. The purpose I started it is to keep on writing. I've started a new adventure and I've discovered more.
Guess what? I've been blogging with my blackberry because its my only access to the internet. Its not exactly the best option and I've been having challenges but the important part is that I can share my thoughts,my story and my art with the world.
Lesson #2: Don't you dare use what you lack as an excuse,work with what you have.
Lesson#3: Keep dreaming! It helps a lot when you have a goal.
Thanks for reading! Love you all!
I started school a little bit late. I was five then. I was so interested in learning that I knew the alphabets and numbers even before I started school. Soon enough I fell in love with reading and my dad got me several story books. It was not until I saw nine years old that I started writing. The first story I wrote was about an orphan. Back then I had read a lot of stories about orphans so I guess that inspired me.
The older I got the more I fell in love with writing fiction. I would mostly write short stories but with time I wanted to do more,like to go further and write a novel. I made my first attempt at writing a novel when I was 12. It was inspired by 'Merlin',a television series about the wizard Merlin who see ed as Prince Arthur's manservant. At a point,I lost interest in it. I made another attempt when I was 14 and I was again unable to finish it. My third attempt was in 2013,which I was able to complete but I have choosen to keep it hidden because I believe its not good enough. All through my struggles,one thing remained unchanged...I still want to write,I still love it and I want to get better.
I started another story last year and I'm still battling to complete but I've been procrastinating. I made up my mind to start a blog so that I could encourage myself to write and also improve my skills. Its been a rewarding experience so far, I've been able to add more stories to 'Haneem's diary' and I'm just exploring my other interests.
I've ways been such a dreamer. My dreams,my goals and aspirations have kept me going. I dream of traveling the world and experience different cultures to experience more of nature and to meet different people.
I strongly believe that my pen can take me to wherever I want. I'm able to create characters and I'm able to live my dreams through my characters. I feel very blessed to have that. I've learned more about myself through writing; I'm able to express myself better,to be different people and to experience life better. I'm fully convinced that writing is a gift from God to me.
When I finished secondary school,I had no particular ambition probably because of the difficulties involved in gaining admission and getting your desired course. I just choose Microbiology and made up my mind to study it. Luckily,I was given the course and I'm presently in my second year! So you can say writing is my one true love.
I love reading too but its sad to admit that I haven't read many books. Its always been one thing or the other. I'm unable to do anything when school is in session,I dedicate my whole attention to school. Another problem is where I live,there is no standard bookshop where I can find the types of books I want to read.
My biggest fan and my biggest supporter is my oldest brother. He had encouraged me right about the time I started writing up to date. He is one more reason I have to keep writing-not that I was ever planning on letting it go.
I don't know if I'm boring you but I actually intend to inspire you. It doesn't have to be writing,it can be so many other things. Make wise use of your talent and let it take you places.
Lesson#1: Discover your talent and never let it go.
Blogging has been fun,I absolutely love it. The purpose I started it is to keep on writing. I've started a new adventure and I've discovered more.
Guess what? I've been blogging with my blackberry because its my only access to the internet. Its not exactly the best option and I've been having challenges but the important part is that I can share my thoughts,my story and my art with the world.
Lesson #2: Don't you dare use what you lack as an excuse,work with what you have.
Lesson#3: Keep dreaming! It helps a lot when you have a goal.
Thanks for reading! Love you all!
Sunday, 12 July 2015
HANEEM'S DIARY #7 :Her calm defense
"Salamu Alaikum!" Afraah said as she walked up to us. She had her phone in one hand and her ear piece in the other.
We were all on a big praying mat outside the masjid(mosque) in a spot we had managed to make ours. We spent most of our time-during Ramadan- there doing religious activities.
"Wa alaikumu salaam," we chorused.
"What's with the long face?" Bilkisu said.
"You have no idea what I just went through!" She said as she sat down
"What could it possibly be?" Zahra said absent mindedly.
"Hmm...I just got scolded!"
"Like seriously?" Zahra blurted.
"Where? How? From who?" I asked.
"On my way here, I had my ear piece plugged in my ears as I quietly strolled here."
"Ehen...then what?" Bee asked eagerly.
"Ali,one of the ustaz from our department came up behind me and said the salam so I removed my ear piece to say a respond to him properly."
"I've been meaning to have a talk with you Afraah" he announced.
"Toh,Today is your lucky day" I said cheerfully. "what is it about?"
"Afraah your way of dressing and manner of conducting yourself is unislamic!"
"Unislamic? How?" I was shocked.
"Even in this holy month,you still hardly wear the hijab and you are still listening to music!" he said sternly.
"All I could do was shake my head!"
"Don't tell me you didn't defend yourself!”I fired.
"I was so shocked that I almost didn't but I know that it would've been foolish so I questioned him"
"Brother Ali,what does the hijab mean to you?"I asked.
"The hijab is a cover for your body to protect your chastity and dignity from the eyes of men" he replied confidently.
"Good! Now tell me where it specifically mentioned that I have to use the traditional hijab most people use?"
"But that is the be..."
"Hold on..."I interrupted. "My veil is obviously not transparent,my clothing is not at all tight and the music...how certain are you that its music?' I queried.
"Most of you young girls who go around using that thing are mostly listening to music!" he accused.
"Ali, I am fasting!" I announced.
"Of course you shoul.."
"Hold on..I AM FASTING," I warned.
It seems like he got the message and he suddenly froze.
"The music you accused me of listening to is Sheiqh Ali Al Huthaify. Its actually amazing how well you've noticed the way I dress and the things I do. Shouldn't you be lowering your gaze?" I paused to get an answer but he remained mute.
"Brother Ali,not every hijabi is a devout muslim,not every one who doesn't wear the traditional hijab is not a hijabi. If you don't understand my hijab that's okay,after all its between me and God,it has nothing to do with you!" I concluded and walked away leaving him there.
"Allahu Akbar! (God is great) our Afraah is becoming tough,If someone else had narrated this to me I would never have believed it!" Zahra said mockingly.
We all laughed.
"I'm glad you defended yourself,some of these so called ustaz cross their boundaries most times," I said.
"I know right," Afraah crooned.
The quiet peace-loving girl was obviously drained by the conversation.
"Maybe the brother is interested in you," Bee said looking serious.
"What do you mean?" Afraah fired.
"He must have been observing you for a while before finally deciding to take a shot at indoctrination," Bee stated still maintaining her feigned serious expression.
"Bilkisu you can stop now,I've had enough of this!" Afraah announced. She reached for the Quran near Zahra and opened to the page she had book marked earlier. She was clearly done talking.
Bee winked at Zahra and I and we all smiled back.
We were all on a big praying mat outside the masjid(mosque) in a spot we had managed to make ours. We spent most of our time-during Ramadan- there doing religious activities.
"Wa alaikumu salaam," we chorused.
"What's with the long face?" Bilkisu said.
"You have no idea what I just went through!" She said as she sat down
"What could it possibly be?" Zahra said absent mindedly.
"Hmm...I just got scolded!"
"Like seriously?" Zahra blurted.
"Where? How? From who?" I asked.
"On my way here, I had my ear piece plugged in my ears as I quietly strolled here."
"Ehen...then what?" Bee asked eagerly.
"Ali,one of the ustaz from our department came up behind me and said the salam so I removed my ear piece to say a respond to him properly."
"I've been meaning to have a talk with you Afraah" he announced.
"Toh,Today is your lucky day" I said cheerfully. "what is it about?"
"Afraah your way of dressing and manner of conducting yourself is unislamic!"
"Unislamic? How?" I was shocked.
"Even in this holy month,you still hardly wear the hijab and you are still listening to music!" he said sternly.
"All I could do was shake my head!"
"Don't tell me you didn't defend yourself!”I fired.
"I was so shocked that I almost didn't but I know that it would've been foolish so I questioned him"
"Brother Ali,what does the hijab mean to you?"I asked.
"The hijab is a cover for your body to protect your chastity and dignity from the eyes of men" he replied confidently.
"Good! Now tell me where it specifically mentioned that I have to use the traditional hijab most people use?"
"But that is the be..."
"Hold on..."I interrupted. "My veil is obviously not transparent,my clothing is not at all tight and the music...how certain are you that its music?' I queried.
"Most of you young girls who go around using that thing are mostly listening to music!" he accused.
"Ali, I am fasting!" I announced.
"Of course you shoul.."
"Hold on..I AM FASTING," I warned.
It seems like he got the message and he suddenly froze.
"The music you accused me of listening to is Sheiqh Ali Al Huthaify. Its actually amazing how well you've noticed the way I dress and the things I do. Shouldn't you be lowering your gaze?" I paused to get an answer but he remained mute.
"Brother Ali,not every hijabi is a devout muslim,not every one who doesn't wear the traditional hijab is not a hijabi. If you don't understand my hijab that's okay,after all its between me and God,it has nothing to do with you!" I concluded and walked away leaving him there.
"Allahu Akbar! (God is great) our Afraah is becoming tough,If someone else had narrated this to me I would never have believed it!" Zahra said mockingly.
We all laughed.
"I'm glad you defended yourself,some of these so called ustaz cross their boundaries most times," I said.
"I know right," Afraah crooned.
The quiet peace-loving girl was obviously drained by the conversation.
"Maybe the brother is interested in you," Bee said looking serious.
"What do you mean?" Afraah fired.
"He must have been observing you for a while before finally deciding to take a shot at indoctrination," Bee stated still maintaining her feigned serious expression.
"Bilkisu you can stop now,I've had enough of this!" Afraah announced. She reached for the Quran near Zahra and opened to the page she had book marked earlier. She was clearly done talking.
Bee winked at Zahra and I and we all smiled back.
Monday, 29 June 2015
Inspirational Monday: Being beautiful
Beauty is all about being yourself. Set yourself free,open your heart and soul and free your mind. Do not conceal your true self because surely there is beauty in it and you must understand that not all eyes can see it. Not all minds can understand it only a few gifted ones.
You need to understand,believe and love yourself. This will help you appreciate your own beauty and uniqueness. Then people's opinion will matter less!
Monday, 18 May 2015
Motivational Monday: Happiness
Happiness is one of the most beautiful things in life. It colours life and makes it worth living. It is an important part of life,like a companion. If you carry it with you,then your whole life will never be gloomy. A happy person enjoys life to its fullest.
Most of us however, depend on other things or people for happiness. We just feel we can never be happy alone. Happiness starts from within,its born inside you and it is up to you to either nurture it or let it wither away. Then we'll end up looking for it elsewhere.
Yes there are people and things who make us happy. This is very natural but happiness resides inside you. It is up to you to set your heart to it till you achieve it. Believe me you'll start to see the beauty in things you had never ever notices before and that will trigger the happiness within you.
Its indeed painful when you lose something that gives you joy. But look around,its a versatile world. There are so many potentials that you have some you aren't even aware of. It'll surely lead you towards greater happiness. All you have to do is make an attempt,try hard to stay happy! Happiness is within you!
Sunday, 17 May 2015
HANEEM'S DIARY #6: A problem shared
I was busy folding the clothes that I had washed preparing them for ironing. I had been so consumed by it that I barely noticed that the top was quiet-too quiet than usual.
She was lying quietly on the upper bunk. I paused and turned to face her.
'Zahra are u okay?,' I asked breaking the silence.
'Yeah',she replied absent minded.
'Are you sure?'
'For God's sake leave me alone Haneem', she snapped.
I got the confirmation that I needed. Something was bothering her.
'What is the problem?', I asked gently.
The spring of her bunk made noises as she turned her back on me.
'So you won't discuss it with me right?, I understand,' I said quietly feigning hurt.
'Its 'the one',she said as she turned to face me.
'The one?' My memory retrieved the little I knew of the stranger who had become her friend.
'Nini,I'm in trouble',Zahra blurted.
She dropped down to the ground in one swift move. I cleared away what was left of my clothes to make room for her to sit on my bed.
'Wow! Slowdown,how?' I asked as I sat next to her.
'I've finally met someone I'm willing to be serious about but he is a piece of work darling,I don't know where to start from,' she began.
'Bulbul speak English,its like you're talking in parables.'
Bulbul is Zahra's nickname. I rarely called her by the indian name because it sounds funny to me. I used to wonder if it was gotten from the hausa word for balloon, 'bollon-bollo'-which is impossible.
'He is such a party rider-which I can totally relate to because I used to be one- but the things he does at the party...' She nodded her head in disappointment.
'Wait...he told you the things he does?' I asked in shock.
'Yes',she replied curtly.
'Then he is the honest type but are you sure he was not pulling your legs?' I enquired.
'I'm sure!',She snapped. 'Crazy people like me are not so plenty. Its so rare to find someone who goes to parties and just sits there observing everything, Zahra burst out.
'Well that's true but...'
'Can you believe he drinks?' She interrupted with an expression of disgust on her face.
'Drinks? Drinks what?,' I really didn't want to believe it.
'Alcohol of course!,' Zahra blurted.
'Auzubillah(I seek refuge in Allah)!' I exclaimed.
'In his words, "I never get drunk,I only sip a little just to shut my friends up," she said using air quotes.
'What are his intentions over you?' I asked with keen interest.
'We've had a really good start but I'm so confused right now.' She said sadly.
'Ignore the bad habits and tell me what you think of him as a person,' I questioned.
'I think he is very friendly,caring,thoughtful and you won't believe how educated he is islamically. I think that he is around bad influence,that's why he is struggling,' she confided.
'Bulbul,fix him!' I blurted.
'Fix who? Please Nini,where do I start from? I can't do it,' she announced.
'Yes you can! You're the best person for the job. You've helped me clear most of my confusions,this should be easy!'
'No its not!'
'Yes it is! You just need to remind him. He knows what's right and wrong, a little reminder is all he needs.'
'Haneem,why are you here? Why the hell are you studying MCB(Microbiology)?'
'Why is that suddenly a problem?' I asked confused.
'You should be a psychotherapist,you'll be super good!' Zahra suggested jokingly.
'Oh please...!' I sighed.
'Thank you so much darling!' She said as she hugged me.
'What are friends for?'
She was lying quietly on the upper bunk. I paused and turned to face her.
'Zahra are u okay?,' I asked breaking the silence.
'Yeah',she replied absent minded.
'Are you sure?'
'For God's sake leave me alone Haneem', she snapped.
I got the confirmation that I needed. Something was bothering her.
'What is the problem?', I asked gently.
The spring of her bunk made noises as she turned her back on me.
'So you won't discuss it with me right?, I understand,' I said quietly feigning hurt.
'Its 'the one',she said as she turned to face me.
'The one?' My memory retrieved the little I knew of the stranger who had become her friend.
'Nini,I'm in trouble',Zahra blurted.
She dropped down to the ground in one swift move. I cleared away what was left of my clothes to make room for her to sit on my bed.
'Wow! Slowdown,how?' I asked as I sat next to her.
'I've finally met someone I'm willing to be serious about but he is a piece of work darling,I don't know where to start from,' she began.
'Bulbul speak English,its like you're talking in parables.'
Bulbul is Zahra's nickname. I rarely called her by the indian name because it sounds funny to me. I used to wonder if it was gotten from the hausa word for balloon, 'bollon-bollo'-which is impossible.
'He is such a party rider-which I can totally relate to because I used to be one- but the things he does at the party...' She nodded her head in disappointment.
'Wait...he told you the things he does?' I asked in shock.
'Yes',she replied curtly.
'Then he is the honest type but are you sure he was not pulling your legs?' I enquired.
'I'm sure!',She snapped. 'Crazy people like me are not so plenty. Its so rare to find someone who goes to parties and just sits there observing everything, Zahra burst out.
'Well that's true but...'
'Can you believe he drinks?' She interrupted with an expression of disgust on her face.
'Drinks? Drinks what?,' I really didn't want to believe it.
'Alcohol of course!,' Zahra blurted.
'Auzubillah(I seek refuge in Allah)!' I exclaimed.
'In his words, "I never get drunk,I only sip a little just to shut my friends up," she said using air quotes.
'What are his intentions over you?' I asked with keen interest.
'We've had a really good start but I'm so confused right now.' She said sadly.
'Ignore the bad habits and tell me what you think of him as a person,' I questioned.
'I think he is very friendly,caring,thoughtful and you won't believe how educated he is islamically. I think that he is around bad influence,that's why he is struggling,' she confided.
'Bulbul,fix him!' I blurted.
'Fix who? Please Nini,where do I start from? I can't do it,' she announced.
'Yes you can! You're the best person for the job. You've helped me clear most of my confusions,this should be easy!'
'No its not!'
'Yes it is! You just need to remind him. He knows what's right and wrong, a little reminder is all he needs.'
'Haneem,why are you here? Why the hell are you studying MCB(Microbiology)?'
'Why is that suddenly a problem?' I asked confused.
'You should be a psychotherapist,you'll be super good!' Zahra suggested jokingly.
'Oh please...!' I sighed.
'Thank you so much darling!' She said as she hugged me.
'What are friends for?'
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Letter to the whirlwind.
Dear Whirlwind,
I have come to admire you. The way you go about swiftly and elegantly. I am in need of a friend,one who will just listen to me. So far I have found none,until I came across you. As you elegantly make your entourage dance around me,take my words with you. Take them to your far away home.
The arms I used to run to have become the weapon of my most dreaded monster...a monster of my own making.
The most loving man I had ever known turned cold. He became a different person. I guess he ran out of patience;All the anger he had kept locked up inside came out in the form of a merciless animal. I dare not even call his name. I've lost that right.
The arms that once held me lovingly now turned into claws that would scratch my delicate skin. The melodious voice that pacified me turned into an audacious roar that would bark orders at me. The very sound of his roars sent shivers down my spine. I could never have imagined this side of him.
He had made me so happy and so comfortable. He gave me every thing I had wanted and made all my dreams come true. He pampered me do much that I became too proud. I felt so big and I trampled on his heart. I grew wings-fake wings- and I flied around proudly and trampled on the people precious to me. I lost myself and my sense of direction. I got so high on an illusion. The nostalgia of those days keep me alive. I got so high on an illusion.
I realized my mistakes perhaps too late;I ignored the warnings of my loved ones and my wings failed me at the time I needed them most. The moment that I needed to fly high up in the sky and shout out my remorseful apology to him in the presence of the whole world. My wings broke off and then I realized that they were never really there.
No! He is not a monster. I'm the real monster. I'm the devil because a turned an angel into a cold blooded man. I took away his happiness and I left him filled with anger and pain. Little did I know that I was hurting myself by hurting him.
I'm in excruciating pain seeing him this way. He has lost his smile,that light in his eyes is no longer there. I can feel how unhappy he is. Even in his anger,I see his love and It breaks my heart time and again.
All I have is him. He is everything and I'm nothing without him. He is my home,the place my heart resides. I will stick to him,no matter how hard he tries to shake me off, I will stick to him like my whole life depends on it...because it does depend on him.
P.S: Its a fictional short story. Hope you like it?
I have come to admire you. The way you go about swiftly and elegantly. I am in need of a friend,one who will just listen to me. So far I have found none,until I came across you. As you elegantly make your entourage dance around me,take my words with you. Take them to your far away home.
The arms I used to run to have become the weapon of my most dreaded monster...a monster of my own making.
The most loving man I had ever known turned cold. He became a different person. I guess he ran out of patience;All the anger he had kept locked up inside came out in the form of a merciless animal. I dare not even call his name. I've lost that right.
The arms that once held me lovingly now turned into claws that would scratch my delicate skin. The melodious voice that pacified me turned into an audacious roar that would bark orders at me. The very sound of his roars sent shivers down my spine. I could never have imagined this side of him.
He had made me so happy and so comfortable. He gave me every thing I had wanted and made all my dreams come true. He pampered me do much that I became too proud. I felt so big and I trampled on his heart. I grew wings-fake wings- and I flied around proudly and trampled on the people precious to me. I lost myself and my sense of direction. I got so high on an illusion. The nostalgia of those days keep me alive. I got so high on an illusion.
I realized my mistakes perhaps too late;I ignored the warnings of my loved ones and my wings failed me at the time I needed them most. The moment that I needed to fly high up in the sky and shout out my remorseful apology to him in the presence of the whole world. My wings broke off and then I realized that they were never really there.
No! He is not a monster. I'm the real monster. I'm the devil because a turned an angel into a cold blooded man. I took away his happiness and I left him filled with anger and pain. Little did I know that I was hurting myself by hurting him.
I'm in excruciating pain seeing him this way. He has lost his smile,that light in his eyes is no longer there. I can feel how unhappy he is. Even in his anger,I see his love and It breaks my heart time and again.
All I have is him. He is everything and I'm nothing without him. He is my home,the place my heart resides. I will stick to him,no matter how hard he tries to shake me off, I will stick to him like my whole life depends on it...because it does depend on him.
P.S: Its a fictional short story. Hope you like it?
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