She got 49 buttons and took them to a rally this past Saturday where they were gone within 10 minutes.
She's now asked for more. I wanted to share them here because I'm proud of my Arab sister rallying for her country too!
Monday, April 25, 2011
FREE SYRIA (pins)
I've been asked to make a FREE SYPRIA button for a client on Zibbet who liked my FREE LIBYA buttons.
She got 49 buttons and took them to a rally this past Saturday where they were gone within 10 minutes.
She's now asked for more. I wanted to share them here because I'm proud of my Arab sister rallying for her country too!
She got 49 buttons and took them to a rally this past Saturday where they were gone within 10 minutes.
She's now asked for more. I wanted to share them here because I'm proud of my Arab sister rallying for her country too!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2011
I went up for the weekend to teach at the YMCA Camp Colman in Longbranch, WA. What a remarkable weekend it turned out to be. 
I had originally decided that I wasn't going to tell anyone else about this job, or try to recruit any girlfriends to go with me, only because I really needed a people break. I love everyone and am a very social person. But lately, I've decided I've been to too many social events and really wanted to spend some time with myself. Between the Libyan rallies, lectures, fundraisers, playgroups, girl scouts, book clubs, workshops, and the other five hundred things that I attend on a weekly basis, I really just wanted to take a break.
So when the opportunity to teach Quilling at Camp Colman's Women's Wellness Weekend came up, I jumped on it and was looking forward to some me time.
I must say I was ready for some beauty in nature, since I knew from having taught at the beautiful site of Camp Orkila in the past that the YMCA picks some astounding locations for their camps. But Camp Colman really took my breath away. It is in the Key Peninsula rested on top of a lake/lagoon that overlooked the Puget Sound and surrounding islands. In fact, you had to drive on this little graval inlet that separated the two bodies of water apart.
Our cabin were minimalist, having zero furniture other then bunk beds, but that was to be understood, since it has just finished being build two days prior. While there, I did get to visit in some of the other cabins, but I would say
Freeman 3 (where I slept) was the best by far since it was furthest away from the others (less noise) and had that new wood smell (which reminded me of my past job as Gallery Manager for the Northwest Fine Woodworking). On my second day there, I took a book, chair and some water and was reading by myself on the porch, when some chickens decided to come by and say hello. After I found some peanuts in my car to feed them, we became best friends and they followed me around for the rest of my visit.
The camp meals were unbelievably fresh, nutritious, flavorful and colourful! I would dare say they even compare to the meals I've had at Sleeping Lady when
I previously was a part of the annual Cultural Conference that was held there. And they had this wonderful Greek yogurt for breakfast that I could not really get enough of and keep sneaking more! I also tried acupuncture for the first time, got a facial and once again had a screaming good time on the giant swing. The staff was really something else and always went out of their way to make you feel special and comfortable.
But let's get to the fun part: my class!
The write up about it had used the word "advanced" but really, Quilling is super easy to do by anyone over the age of 16. I taught two classes and the first one was full with over 14 students, and the second one had about 8 I think. The ladies really had a lot of fun with it, so much in fact that I brought my supplies out the final day and they created more over breakfast! Some of the cards were so creative and I really hope they pick up the tools to continue to make more quilld designs at home.
It was a much needed break from life and I really hope I get privileged enough to be asked again to go and teach another time. It doesn't even have to be Quilling; I'd go and do anything for a chance to be surrounded by so much beauty, relaxed women and chickens! I drove home, crossing the Tacoma Narrows bridge with Radiohead blasting on the radio, ready to come back to reality of kids, email, phones, work, volunteering and all that life has going on for me.
Here is a photo of trillium that were all over camp:
I had originally decided that I wasn't going to tell anyone else about this job, or try to recruit any girlfriends to go with me, only because I really needed a people break. I love everyone and am a very social person. But lately, I've decided I've been to too many social events and really wanted to spend some time with myself. Between the Libyan rallies, lectures, fundraisers, playgroups, girl scouts, book clubs, workshops, and the other five hundred things that I attend on a weekly basis, I really just wanted to take a break.
So when the opportunity to teach Quilling at Camp Colman's Women's Wellness Weekend came up, I jumped on it and was looking forward to some me time.
I must say I was ready for some beauty in nature, since I knew from having taught at the beautiful site of Camp Orkila in the past that the YMCA picks some astounding locations for their camps. But Camp Colman really took my breath away. It is in the Key Peninsula rested on top of a lake/lagoon that overlooked the Puget Sound and surrounding islands. In fact, you had to drive on this little graval inlet that separated the two bodies of water apart.Our cabin were minimalist, having zero furniture other then bunk beds, but that was to be understood, since it has just finished being build two days prior. While there, I did get to visit in some of the other cabins, but I would say
Freeman 3 (where I slept) was the best by far since it was furthest away from the others (less noise) and had that new wood smell (which reminded me of my past job as Gallery Manager for the Northwest Fine Woodworking). On my second day there, I took a book, chair and some water and was reading by myself on the porch, when some chickens decided to come by and say hello. After I found some peanuts in my car to feed them, we became best friends and they followed me around for the rest of my visit.The camp meals were unbelievably fresh, nutritious, flavorful and colourful! I would dare say they even compare to the meals I've had at Sleeping Lady when
I previously was a part of the annual Cultural Conference that was held there. And they had this wonderful Greek yogurt for breakfast that I could not really get enough of and keep sneaking more! I also tried acupuncture for the first time, got a facial and once again had a screaming good time on the giant swing. The staff was really something else and always went out of their way to make you feel special and comfortable.But let's get to the fun part: my class!
The write up about it had used the word "advanced" but really, Quilling is super easy to do by anyone over the age of 16. I taught two classes and the first one was full with over 14 students, and the second one had about 8 I think. The ladies really had a lot of fun with it, so much in fact that I brought my supplies out the final day and they created more over breakfast! Some of the cards were so creative and I really hope they pick up the tools to continue to make more quilld designs at home.
It was a much needed break from life and I really hope I get privileged enough to be asked again to go and teach another time. It doesn't even have to be Quilling; I'd go and do anything for a chance to be surrounded by so much beauty, relaxed women and chickens! I drove home, crossing the Tacoma Narrows bridge with Radiohead blasting on the radio, ready to come back to reality of kids, email, phones, work, volunteering and all that life has going on for me.Here is a photo of trillium that were all over camp:
Saturday, April 2, 2011
My Islamic Life interview
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am the mother of 3 Muslim children, wife to an Egyptian Muslim. I have been a SAHM for 11 years, and have been sewing off and on just as long. When my girls started learning how to pray, I asked many women from the Masjid and my husband's family about getting hijabs for the girls to practice with and kept hitting brick walls. My mother and sister in law helped us track down little girl hijabs to buy, but it wasn't an easily found item because most mothers just make them for their daughters. In countries and families where you grow up practicing Islam, its just something you know how to make.
I went to my Halaka one Friday night and was venting about this problem and a dear friend offered to bring me some outfits for the girls from overseas. When she returned, she brought me beautiful outfits, trimmed in lace and ribbon. They were so dainty and girly and pristine that my ladies didn't want to use them. They were afraid of ruining something so special.
I thought, if I am struggling so hard with this hurdle, I know I am not the only one! I want to be supportive of my daughters and teach them the proper way to pray, but why is it soo hard to find the support I need? I saw the need for prayer outfits for little girls who love colorful, fun and soft clothing.
Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?
Aside from being a wife, mother and the creative vision behind My Islamic Life, I am a teacher, a daughter, a good friend and sister. I love to read and cook, watch movies, spend time with my family and be present in my daily life.
What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?
Growing up Christian in America, I took for granted that I could find inspirational and devotional gifts and trinkets everywhere. In just about any store you go to, you could find some little something with a cross or Christian saying on it to remind yourself of your belief, or gift to someone who was having a bad day. I have started making Islamic themed jewelry to fill this void. I use English letters, and I stamp phrases and words on silver, brass and copper shapes, making necklaces and, Insha’Allah, bracelets. I have also been creating pendants, bracelets and earrings from Islamic and Middle Eastern themed clay beads.
In addition to sewing and crafting prayer outfits for little ladies, I make one and two piece prayer outfits for adults. I spoke to many women who were mending their one piece outfits in desperation because they could no longer buy them overseas. I take the time to make the outfit the way it should me made and in the fabric and colors specifically requested.
How do you promote your work?
I rely heavily on word of mouth and repeat customers on my shop site. I have a blog where I address issues that come up as the non Muslim partner and parent of a Muslim family. I also have a fan page on Facebook, and a Twitter Feed. I am trying to explore other ways of getting my name out there as a resource to American Muslims, parents of Muslim children and reverts to Islam. Primarily my customer base has been people who know me in person, who I see on a daily basis.
In the future I’d like to be helpful to more women like me. I would like to make a difference so that someone else’s journey might be a little easier. I would like to continue being a source of support and comfort to my daughters so that they grow up strong and confidant in who they are and what they believe.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Libya 101
I have been very happy with the number of questions I receive when I wear my "Free Libya" button (which is all the time!). I've decided that I'm going to share with you the questions I’ve gotten and my responses over the last month:
“Are you Libyan?”
Yes, I was born in Libya, to Libyan parents. I came from Darneh (in the far east) where my father’s family is located, but I grew up in Bengazi, where my mother’s family is located. I also lived in Tripoli, where my parents were both teachers in schools and where I attending a British private school for three years. We came to the US when I was 7 so my parents can continue their education but received political asylum and became labeled as refugees by the US government since my parents participated in several anti-Gaddafi events. Most of my family lives in Darneh, Bengazi and Tripoli.
"Why are the rebels fighting?"
First of all, they are not "rebels" despite what the media is calling them. They are actually "revolutionaries" and here is the difference:
*A rebel is a participant in a rebellion; or more generally, someone who resists authority.
*A revolutionary is a person who either actively participates in, or advocates revolution. A revolution is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.
The Libyan people that are fighting the Gaddafi regime are revolutionaries, since they are actually trying to create a democratic change in Libya, not just resisting “authority”.
Now, the question of why the fighting can be explained in three simple words: Libyans want democracy. Libyans have been under the same ruler for 42 years and let me show you what that time line means. While Gaddafi was in power, the US went through these presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Regan (twice), Bush, Clinton (twice), Bush (twice) and Obama. Say what you want about those presidents and what they did to the US while being Democratic or Republican, but they were all different and brought different opinions and events to the White House. And they each were elected into power. Gaddafi, not so much.
“Why is it called a Libyan Civil War?”
This is another misuse of a media loving catch phrase “civil war,” which is a war between organized groups within the same nation. The correct word is Libyan Revolution, since the only divisions that are fighting in Libya are the Libyans who want Gaddafi out (99.9999999% of the population) vs. Gaddafi and his family (.0000001%). Pre dating the Libyan Revolution, the total number of the Libyan Armed Forces (the Libyan Army, Libyan Air Force and the Libyan Navy) personnel was estimated at 119,000, but that number shrank significantly when they were asked to fight against their own people have defected and joined the revolutionaries. It has been proven over and over, by reputable news sources, that when caught, the only people that are fighting against the Libyan people are mercenaries who are paid to do so.
“How is the No Fly Zone going to help?”
The revolutionaries are not trained to be soldiers. These are men and women that have never picked up a gun and had no training in using machine guns (some even accidently killing fellow revolutionaries). They were lawyers, students, factory workers, etc that have simply had enough of being ruled by a tyrant. Gaddafi has been flying in mercenaries from Chad, Niger and other parts of Africa to fight the Libyan people and paying them. He is also assaulting towns from the air. By imposing no fly zone, the Arab League and United Nations Security Council are giving a tremendous help to the revolutionaries by giving them a hand to fight a fair fight.
“We don’t want to owe China for another war like in Iraq and Afghanistan”
Trust me, I pay my taxes just like you do and I have to go to the gas pump just like you do. I don’t want foreign intervention in Libya, just as the Libyans do not want foreign intervention in Libya. They do not want “boots on the ground” they just need help getting the planes out of the sky. Freedom always tastes sweeter when you cook the meal yourself. Libyans want to fight this battle and get rid of Gaddafi on their own. Giving them a no-fly zone has only been the help they have been asking for, for the last 31 days. Time will tell if this is going to work, but we owe it to humanity to stop a leader from trying to annihilate the second largest city he governs.
“Americans are worried about how this (the revolutions in the Middle East) will effect the Israeli nation”
American should not be worried about how these changes affect Israel; Americans should be working to create a change in Israel itself. President Obama stood in the shadows of the Egyptian pyramids on June 2009 and asked that Palestinians and Israelis to end their conflict and that US does not support “continued Israeli settlements” in the Occupied Territories, yet it is still continuing to do so. He also asked Israel to stop the blockage of Gaza, since the “the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security” yet the blockage is still there. Yes, Israel should be worried about what is happening around them, because the Arab nations are demanding democracy in their countries. This might lead into Israel being pushed into creating one also, something it refused to do, since it would mean acknowledging the votes, and the rights, of the Palestinians living there.
“What is the next step? Isn’t the unknowing of what comes after Gaddafi scary? What if someone worse takes over?”
Libyans have already lived in hell, and they will not go back to this way of life, ever. Once Benghazi escaped out from underneath’s Gaddafi thumb the first thing they did was create an Interim Transitional National Council. Within days, this council restored order in hospitals, restarted trash pick up services, reopened businesses, started two radio stations and published a newspaper. When Gaddafi took power in 1969, he eliminated all forms of free speech, along with all non-profit organizations to create a country run by fear. This caused many Libyans to flee the country and live aboard. But once Libya is free, thousands will return to help build the new Libya, and they will bring with them the knowledge of what it means to live in a free society. It can not get worse because Libyans will not allow this, just as the Germans have never seen another Hitler.
“Is al-Qaeda helping the revolutionaries?”
No, al-Qaeda is not in Libya. This is another lie from Gaddafi who is trying to distract the American people while he is slaughtering his own people. There are no tribal wars, there are no hallucinogenic drugs and the only rats that are in Libya are part of the Gaddafi family. This man is not rational and will say or do anything to stay in power. The reason he is doing this is to make sure his son, Saif, takes over if he agrees to leave. If Saif is in power, then he is safe and no trials of what he has done can be brought forth against him.
"What is what is happening in Libya so important to the region?"
The Libyan Revolutionaries are trying to bring democracy into Libya. They want the regime out so that they can vote and take part into who will be their ruler. Just as the American Revolutionaries wanted to change who was governing them, what is happening in Libya can be used as a prime example of the need to be self governing. But if we as Americans truly want democracy to be a part of the Middle East, now is the time to show our support of these ideals.
“Now that the No-Fly Zone is being implemented, what is the next step?”
The rest of the world needs to band together and acknowledge that Interim Transitional National Council is the only form of representation of the people of Libya. France has already done this and the rest of the world now needs to follow suit.
“Are you Libyan?”
Yes, I was born in Libya, to Libyan parents. I came from Darneh (in the far east) where my father’s family is located, but I grew up in Bengazi, where my mother’s family is located. I also lived in Tripoli, where my parents were both teachers in schools and where I attending a British private school for three years. We came to the US when I was 7 so my parents can continue their education but received political asylum and became labeled as refugees by the US government since my parents participated in several anti-Gaddafi events. Most of my family lives in Darneh, Bengazi and Tripoli.
"Why are the rebels fighting?"
First of all, they are not "rebels" despite what the media is calling them. They are actually "revolutionaries" and here is the difference:
*A rebel is a participant in a rebellion; or more generally, someone who resists authority.
*A revolutionary is a person who either actively participates in, or advocates revolution. A revolution is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.
The Libyan people that are fighting the Gaddafi regime are revolutionaries, since they are actually trying to create a democratic change in Libya, not just resisting “authority”.
Now, the question of why the fighting can be explained in three simple words: Libyans want democracy. Libyans have been under the same ruler for 42 years and let me show you what that time line means. While Gaddafi was in power, the US went through these presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Regan (twice), Bush, Clinton (twice), Bush (twice) and Obama. Say what you want about those presidents and what they did to the US while being Democratic or Republican, but they were all different and brought different opinions and events to the White House. And they each were elected into power. Gaddafi, not so much.
“Why is it called a Libyan Civil War?”
This is another misuse of a media loving catch phrase “civil war,” which is a war between organized groups within the same nation. The correct word is Libyan Revolution, since the only divisions that are fighting in Libya are the Libyans who want Gaddafi out (99.9999999% of the population) vs. Gaddafi and his family (.0000001%). Pre dating the Libyan Revolution, the total number of the Libyan Armed Forces (the Libyan Army, Libyan Air Force and the Libyan Navy) personnel was estimated at 119,000, but that number shrank significantly when they were asked to fight against their own people have defected and joined the revolutionaries. It has been proven over and over, by reputable news sources, that when caught, the only people that are fighting against the Libyan people are mercenaries who are paid to do so.
“How is the No Fly Zone going to help?”
The revolutionaries are not trained to be soldiers. These are men and women that have never picked up a gun and had no training in using machine guns (some even accidently killing fellow revolutionaries). They were lawyers, students, factory workers, etc that have simply had enough of being ruled by a tyrant. Gaddafi has been flying in mercenaries from Chad, Niger and other parts of Africa to fight the Libyan people and paying them. He is also assaulting towns from the air. By imposing no fly zone, the Arab League and United Nations Security Council are giving a tremendous help to the revolutionaries by giving them a hand to fight a fair fight.
“We don’t want to owe China for another war like in Iraq and Afghanistan”
Trust me, I pay my taxes just like you do and I have to go to the gas pump just like you do. I don’t want foreign intervention in Libya, just as the Libyans do not want foreign intervention in Libya. They do not want “boots on the ground” they just need help getting the planes out of the sky. Freedom always tastes sweeter when you cook the meal yourself. Libyans want to fight this battle and get rid of Gaddafi on their own. Giving them a no-fly zone has only been the help they have been asking for, for the last 31 days. Time will tell if this is going to work, but we owe it to humanity to stop a leader from trying to annihilate the second largest city he governs.
“Americans are worried about how this (the revolutions in the Middle East) will effect the Israeli nation”
American should not be worried about how these changes affect Israel; Americans should be working to create a change in Israel itself. President Obama stood in the shadows of the Egyptian pyramids on June 2009 and asked that Palestinians and Israelis to end their conflict and that US does not support “continued Israeli settlements” in the Occupied Territories, yet it is still continuing to do so. He also asked Israel to stop the blockage of Gaza, since the “the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security” yet the blockage is still there. Yes, Israel should be worried about what is happening around them, because the Arab nations are demanding democracy in their countries. This might lead into Israel being pushed into creating one also, something it refused to do, since it would mean acknowledging the votes, and the rights, of the Palestinians living there.
“What is the next step? Isn’t the unknowing of what comes after Gaddafi scary? What if someone worse takes over?”
Libyans have already lived in hell, and they will not go back to this way of life, ever. Once Benghazi escaped out from underneath’s Gaddafi thumb the first thing they did was create an Interim Transitional National Council. Within days, this council restored order in hospitals, restarted trash pick up services, reopened businesses, started two radio stations and published a newspaper. When Gaddafi took power in 1969, he eliminated all forms of free speech, along with all non-profit organizations to create a country run by fear. This caused many Libyans to flee the country and live aboard. But once Libya is free, thousands will return to help build the new Libya, and they will bring with them the knowledge of what it means to live in a free society. It can not get worse because Libyans will not allow this, just as the Germans have never seen another Hitler.
“Is al-Qaeda helping the revolutionaries?”
No, al-Qaeda is not in Libya. This is another lie from Gaddafi who is trying to distract the American people while he is slaughtering his own people. There are no tribal wars, there are no hallucinogenic drugs and the only rats that are in Libya are part of the Gaddafi family. This man is not rational and will say or do anything to stay in power. The reason he is doing this is to make sure his son, Saif, takes over if he agrees to leave. If Saif is in power, then he is safe and no trials of what he has done can be brought forth against him.
"What is what is happening in Libya so important to the region?"
The Libyan Revolutionaries are trying to bring democracy into Libya. They want the regime out so that they can vote and take part into who will be their ruler. Just as the American Revolutionaries wanted to change who was governing them, what is happening in Libya can be used as a prime example of the need to be self governing. But if we as Americans truly want democracy to be a part of the Middle East, now is the time to show our support of these ideals.
“Now that the No-Fly Zone is being implemented, what is the next step?”
The rest of the world needs to band together and acknowledge that Interim Transitional National Council is the only form of representation of the people of Libya. France has already done this and the rest of the world now needs to follow suit.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A Crafty Arab Blog Giveaway Winner!!!
As you can imagine, my whole life has come to a standstill because of the events of my birth country, Libya.
I have family and friends there and I've been spending my entire existence keeping up with Twitter, Facebook, CNN and Al Jazeera to get news.
So I feel awful that I've totally neglected my random prize winner for the One World One Heart Blog contest I held from January 31st to February 17th.
I finally managed to steal a few minutes and do a random number search on random.com and came up with the number 9, which is Shedding the wolf from Saginaw, Michigan.
I'll send her the below card when I receive her address from her. Thanks so much to everyone for entering my contest and being patient in this troubling time.
Here is the card that will be going out :)
I have family and friends there and I've been spending my entire existence keeping up with Twitter, Facebook, CNN and Al Jazeera to get news.
So I feel awful that I've totally neglected my random prize winner for the One World One Heart Blog contest I held from January 31st to February 17th.
I finally managed to steal a few minutes and do a random number search on random.com and came up with the number 9, which is Shedding the wolf from Saginaw, Michigan.
I'll send her the below card when I receive her address from her. Thanks so much to everyone for entering my contest and being patient in this troubling time.
Here is the card that will be going out :)
3 comments:
-
Ta said...
-
I can only imagine what you must be going through.:( Stay strong. My prayers are with you and your family/friends in Libya.
-Margarita
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February 23, 2011 at 6:24 PM
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seval said...
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Hi Kay,
I hope it all works out well for your country and your loved ones.
Seval
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February 26, 2011 at 1:29 AM
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gpc said...
-
I received the card today, thank you so much - it's beautiful!
-
March 2, 2011 at 8:45 AM
Friday, February 18, 2011
Then They Came For Me
First the Tunisians needed cheering on with their voices,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't Tunisian.
Then the Egyptians needed support with their status updates,
and I didn't share Facebook posts because I wasn't Egyptian.
Then the Bahrainis needed help reposting their hashtags,
and I didn't retweet because I wasn't a Bahraini.
Then the Yemenis needed a hand getting exposure,
And I didn’t email the media because I wasn’t a Yemeni.
Then the Libyans needed extra voices to chant their injustices,
And I didn’t go to the rally because I wasn’t a Libyan.
Then my country’s government came for me
and no one else sought to Bing my cause.
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't Tunisian.
Then the Egyptians needed support with their status updates,
and I didn't share Facebook posts because I wasn't Egyptian.
Then the Bahrainis needed help reposting their hashtags,
and I didn't retweet because I wasn't a Bahraini.
Then the Yemenis needed a hand getting exposure,
And I didn’t email the media because I wasn’t a Yemeni.
Then the Libyans needed extra voices to chant their injustices,
And I didn’t go to the rally because I wasn’t a Libyan.
Then my country’s government came for me
and no one else sought to Bing my cause.
Monday, January 31, 2011
A Crafty Arab's first blog giveaway
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