From the news world....

When you work in a news environment any breaking news becomes your life for the entire work day. And so it's been for the past two days in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto's assassination... every minute bought a new fact, a new detail, a new development of the day's events.

Sadly, every minute also bought news of more and more innocent people dying in the aftermath of the political turmoil Pakistan has been thrust into.

You would think that I'd have all the inside scoop into what's happening, with reports coming in from ABC reporters in every corner of the world.

But after two days of non-stop Bhutto news, I know nothing. I have no inkling of who's right or wrong in the political battlefield of Pakistan, who's innocent, guilty, who's honest and who's corrupt. All I know is the Pakistani public is the only one paying for the actions of its leaders.

5 minute soup!

I came home today and wanted something to eat with the pasta my husband made...lately I've been getting very efficient about having a real dinner after work, and planning and starting meals the night before. So I found a recipe for Stracciatelle , an Italian egg drop soup)

it came out delicious..I omitted the farina because I didn't have any..try it..it also benefited from a dash of black pepper..

2 large eggs
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons semolina (farina or Cream of Wheat), optional
5 ounces (half a 10-ounce package), frozen chopped thawed and well drained

Have soup simmering gently.
Beat eggs lightly in a bowl with grated cheese and semolina, if you opt to use it. Slowly stir in 1 cup of the hot broth and mix until blended.
If you are using spinach, add it to the simmering soup and cook for 2 minutes.
Bring soup to a gentle boil and beat in egg mixture with a fork so it breaks into clumps.
Let cook gently for another 2 to 3 minutes and serve immediately.

Afnan's Eid Poem..Allah’s mercy is greater than his wrath....

This is a poem from Afnan Altaf..a brother I met a few year's ago thru the MSA who freestyles and is an incredible talent...obviously I'm the whitest girl you know..but I can appreciate his style..I think you'll enjoy it too Inshalah..

Allah's Mercy, Hofstra Eid Poem

Allah’s mercy is greater than his wrath....

That doesn’t give you the right to deviate from the path
Or live in the present
With the sins of your past

Your living for now, but how long will you last?

The battle for self, is deep and relentless

Before the calm, we must face the rising tempest
Don’t be alarmed, but shaitaan’s in the trenches
He’s got heavy artillery, striking with such energy
Steadily just tempting me
To drive me astray
Riding shotgun is no option
With shaitaan and what he’s concocting
Steadily he’s plottin’
But readily I’m blocking...

With prayer and patience
Faith and recitation
Of the Book of God is vital
To ensure my soul’s survival
For every sin I’m liable
So I face off with my rival
My hand’s cupped in supplication
Asking for salvation
Indeed,
Time is something man is truly spending wastin’

We must walk with humility
Talk with simplicity
embark spiritually
to a place of delivery

There is one thing I know for sure above the sun
No matter where you’re from
Or the places you may run
God is watching you and God is only one.

Far from the norm

The average spirit gets an image
That his lifetime is infinite
When really it’s been written
The duration of our visit
Is short-lived and short winded.

Dajjal has one eye, so he’s lacking depth perception....

So why don’t you perceive the thing that he’s neglecting?

It seems I have to step on egg shells to avoid hell

You think you’re free
So don’t put your body on sale
But you walk around with short skirts and halter tops
Lettin’ scum bags plot
To get digits to your spot

Mom and dad thinkin’ you’re such a good kid
But if they saw this mess you’re in,
They’d collapse from the deception
And become recluse in depression

So imagine the disappointment
You cause to your Creator
Disregardin’ his appointment
Thinkin your selfish cause is greater

Put life on a pause

Analyze and prioritize

It’s alarmin me
That to attain harmony
People go to such lengths
Livin for this world
Selling short your strengths
All for some kicks and some laughs
Not thinking this will not last

But there are those that return
Before they let their spirit crash
Within Allah’s Blessings, they begin to bask
And for those people.........

Allah’s mercy is greater than his wrath.

About Girls Parties

Some would consider it a weird phenomenon..but in our Muslim world, WHY NOT?

Who says you need to be ogled at and flirting with guys to have a good time?
I LOVE, TREASURE, VALUE, and ENJOY the company of my sisters...

All I need is good company, good food, and good music to have a great time. Boys are not part of this equation.

I just wanted to say a bazillion thanks to everyone who helped, contributed, came to, and enjoyed themselves at this weekend's Eid Party at Montclair...you really made the party FaBuLoUs !

Today

Is a crazy day..
I am losing my mind and it is only 1 pm.

What does on do when they feel overwhelmed?

Sameera

My Neighbor...

Good Morning Everyone,

I found out this week that my neighbor Mrs. Dunn had passed away.
She was an elderly woman, who lived by herself and a caregiver came by everyday.

I only met her once briefly, it was more like "hi" in the hallway. But once I took over some lemon bars for her once and since she wasn't home, I left them at the doorstep. The next day I got a beautiful hand written note from her, introducing herself and telling me how much she enjoyed them. She asked for the recipe or the name of the bake shop where they came from, and gave me her phone number in case I ever needed anything from her.

A few days later, I went to talk to her, and give her a box of Krusteaz Lemon bars mix (yes it was a mix!). Her caregiver opened and door and so I asked for Mrs. Dunn, and she told me she was sleeping. I told her how she had told me she enjoyed the lemon bars and I wanted to give her the mix. She was quite annoyed, and told me that Mrs. Dunn had Alzeihmers and would not remember me, the bars, or her note. She told me sometimes she'll find Mrs. Dunn walking outside on the street, not remember where she was going. I insisted on giving her the lemon bars mix and she said it would be a waste and Mrs. Dunn could not make them. Nonetheless, I left them there.

I was profoundly sad that here was this old, lonely woman, living by herself. I wanted to be her friend, I wanted to cook for her, have meals with her. Sadly, I now have another missed opportunity to add to my long list. I look back now and wish I had done more, had i been able to get past her caregiver.

Now that she's passed away, I don't know what to do. Anytime I hear of a death I want to make dua' for that person, to be admitted to Jannah, to be saved from the punishment of the grave, for their forgiveness. But Mrs. Dunn was non-Muslim...do I make dua' for her? What kind of dua' can I make for a non-Muslim? I'm going to try to find the answer to this today...but please send me a note if anyone has advice on this.

Sameera

For my Foodie Friends

I made this fantastic recipe for the day after Eid, we had an informal gathering...guys played Halo and the girls played Cranium, it was lots of fun (low river???)

So anyways, this tasted great, it's from my Cooks Illustrated cookbook , 30 minute meals (my favorite cookbook!) and the next day I took it to work and everyone who walked by couldn't stop smelling it (it smells fantastic cuz of the fresh ginger) and I've received requests for the recipe..so I wanted to share it with everyone else..

stir fried chicken and vegetables w/ spicy Thai basil sauce

1 pound boneless skinless chicken cut into thin strips
2 teaspoons soy sauce2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 recipe sauce1
8 oz package mushrooms, sliced
4 oz (or 1 1/2 cups) sliced or julienned carrots
1 bell pepper, cored and sliced
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced/grated fresh ginger

(while chicken cooks, prepare sauce. Mince garlic and ginger while vegetables cook)
1. toss chicken with soy sauce. stir fry in 2 teaspoons oil until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. transfer to a clean bowl.
2. add another teaspoon of oil to the pan and return to high heat.add mushrooms and cook until lightly browned, then stir in carrots and peppers, cook until tender.
3. clear the center of the pan by pushing the vegetables to the side.add remaining oil, and garlic and ginger, crushing the mixture into the pan with the back of a wooden spoon. cook until fragrant, about 30seconds.
4. stir in cooked chicken, whisk sauce to recombine, add to pan and bring to simmer, cook until sauce thickens, 1 -2 minutes.
---
Sauce makes enough for one stir fry-spicy basil Thai sauce
1 cup basil leaves coarsely chopped ( i believe they mean Thai basil but i used regular)
3/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoon fish sauce (closest substitute for this is soy sauce...)
1 tablespoon Asian chili sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
--
mix together...then use in recipe

Eid Mubarak

Hope you guys had a great Eid..a belated Eid Mubarak to all..
I plan on extending Eid for as long as possible..

There's a sisters Eid Party I planned with some friends on Oct. 28th..hope to go to Eid breakfast on the 27th...having an Eid dinner for my cousins this weekend..

that's how Eid should be! Forget the 10 days of Christmas..this is much better...

oh and I got a beautiful J Crew coat for Eid..it has thinsulate which is more precious to me than a bag of diamonds in a harsh winter (that's every winter to me) If you've never tried on a coat with thinsulate you're missing out!

---

And one another note-- Fasting outside Ramadan? Is it because the Shaitans are unchained again?

It's impossible for me..I believe it's one of the hardest things to do...

Anyone else have this problem? Any advice?

ABC News Now

I know the point of a blog is to periodically post on it..but I don't have the time..nor the inspiration. So here's my second post today..

I recently started freelancing at ABC News Now...this is now my third freelance gig...freelancing is good because I get to turn down jobs when I feel I need a day off...or want to hang out instead...no guilt involved.

So this new gig is at ABC News Now...it's ABC's 24 hour cable news channel, to compete with the likes of MSNBC and CNN...it's still young, and not really available on television. I hear it can be watched on broadband and Sprint (I don't know how)..so it's limited access, but someone must be watching because they put a lot of work into it. Once it's more widely distributed, I shall let everyone know so you can watch what I work on.

Since it's still in it's baby phase, there's great opportunities there to have ideas picked up, produced and turned into something great..fantastic right? Except I haven't had any ideas...if you do please send them my way!

Last week I also met two on air reporters/anchors at ABC...who both wished me a Happy Eid on ...they both spoke Arabic fluently..and were not Arab..or Desi..or Muslim. One of the reporters (who has reported from Iraq, Lebanon and is the new Russian correspondent for ABC) told me she was meeting with her Arabic teacher the next day for Eid lunch. So sweet.

I am seriously inspired to commence serious Arabic studies within a month Inshalah. I have always been interested but held back because all other Arabic studies in my past have not been as fruitful as I had hoped. Over the years I took several courses, some intensive, in and out of college. My Arabic is still pathetic...the two weeks I spent in Egypt this summer were extremely beneficial (even though it was Egyptian Arabic), but now that I'm back, I need to put some serious work into it.

I will study Arabic with the Rosetta Stone program. I hope I have the self discipline to really benefit from it. I have been turned down from a job once because it was given to a candidate who spoke Arabic. I can't let it happen again. Arabic will benefit me in every way, professionally, socially and in my religion. Please make dua' for me that I finally learn!

On the down side of my new gig, yesterday I had to watch President Bush's presser. Usually I can change the channel, but since it was going ot be part of my news brief...it made me cringe..Luckily I had Rehab (fellow hijabi at ABC) amusing me with emails as I watched it.

Seriously?

I was walking home from work the other day in the city near Central Park ..I was wearing my usual uniform- big fat sweatshirt, jeans (baggy as I am between sizes and always go for the larger)..and sneakers..

I saw a woman walking her dog and the dog was wearing a brilliant blue striped sweater in what looked to be a very nice wool blend ..

I thought to myself.... "Seriously..this tiny dog is dressed better than me"...

Needless to say...it was a sad day..

MAS Youth Give

On a recent Sunday morning this Ramadan (Sep. 16th to be exact) I helped with our second yearly run of MAS Youth Give Project CommUNITY. Read more about the project below.

(p.s. I wrote this article in like 5 minutes as I was sitting bored at work) ---

Click here for the slideshow: http://www.masyouth.net/default.aspx?siteId=44
---
What do you do on a Sunday morning? Watch cartoons, sleep in, go out for brunch? For some people, the need to give back to the community took precedence on one Sunday morning. Nearly 30 volunteers convened at the Islamic Center of Passaic County on Sunday, Sep 16th. They were not deterred by the harsh sun or their grumbling stomachs. These volunteers were all motivated by Project CommUNITY 2007. Now it it's second year, Project CommUNITY was started by MAS Youth Give in New Jersey, under the guidance of Areeg Abbassi, former head of MAS Youth Give. As they sat down for Iftar last Ramadan, taking in the sight of a table full of fruits, dates, and everyone's favorite foods, they knew in their hearts "not everyone is this fortunate." Project CommUNITY was created as way to help Muslim families across New Jersey. MYG volunteers collected several thousands dollars for Project CommUNITY from friends and family. This money was used towards some of the goods in the baskets, although most of the goods were donated or given at discounted prices from local businesses. MYG volunteers worked with masjids in Newark, Paterson and Jersey City, to discreetely distribute baskets to families who needed a little help. These baskets contained rice, olive oil, dates, milk, bread and vouchers for nearly $100 worth of meat at local meat stores.
Project CommUNITY would like to thank the following businesses for their support and generosity:
Baraka Grocery and Deli - Paterson, NJ
Fattals Syrian Bakery - Paterson, NJ
Unity Halal Meat - Newark, NJ
A.K. Market - Paterson, NJ
Paradise Wholesale - Paterson, NJ

My First Blog Ever..and maybe my last

Disclaimer: I am not, nor have I ever claimed to be a writer. If you've read some of the incredible blogs out there, let it be known that this is where it stops. My blog will mostly consist of bakwaas, things I want to write for no other reason that because I am probably sitting somewhere bored.

As I'm writing this I'm listening to the newsroom chatter about a reporter here at News12 being kicked out of a meeting at a public school. It's at moments like this when people start spewing journalistic ideals...freedom of the press...freedom of speech...people's right to know...the truth will prevail. I love these ideals. I believe the reason I went into television is because I believe that these ideals (henceforth referred to as these powers) DO EXIST IN TELEVISION.

I find the title of my blog humorous...I went through several years of studying "journalism"...followed by several years of what I call "slave work"... actually I still am a slave..working terrible hours for terrible pay. So does that make me a journalist? Perhaps spending tens of thousands of dollars and going against my fathers wishes do? On that thought, I don't think we would have ever come to an agreement on any chosen path.

Journalist is such a catch all phrase really. It can be someone who seeks out stories, someone who goes out and interviews people, someone standing in on the roof of a building in a war zone reporting on the scene, someone who runs out shooting things with a camera, someone who takes other people's stories and rewrites them, or someone who sits at a desk and read off a television screen.

For me the ideal journalist does all of the above. That's what I hope to do, except the on screen part of it. Maybe if I was better looking...haha.

After weeks of talking about working in television, conferring with higher up, months spent looking for that "perfect job" and realizing it's not out there, I have decided to stick with journalism (against what some, inluding me, may believe to be my better judgement).

This much I know : I'll never really make money. But I hope to find contentment in what I do in other ways.

Keep me in your duas.

Sameera