Cup of tea with Aisha

Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullah all :) how have you been? Alhamdulillah. Feeling better. Today I overcame myself and went to see a newly opened second hand shop in our neighborhood. Didn't find anything, but at least I went. I took a small walk after too. I can't say everything went perfect, because my anxiety sure knows how to kick in, but now afterwards I am glad I went. This year is close to it's end. Do you celebrate? We don't, but I have eaten a decent amount of chocolate though if it counts. ... This past year has been challenging. Good still, mostly, alhamdulillah. I have done a lot work with myself. And I'm ready to step into a new phase in my life. A phase where I am confident, and will live my life, doing things I like. I have battled with anxiety enough. I just can't live my life worrying and staying home rather than doing something I would enjoy. Of course you can't just stop having an illness with all its symptoms, but I will do my best, in sha ...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh dears. How have you been? I haven't had so good day today. I mean, it has been ok but you know how even small arguments just set the mood wrong. I feel bad. Last night I had bad nightmares and now I want to just be voluntarily an outcast and stay away from everybody. Well that can't happen either, because my introvert a** is also very social, so of course I've already been talking with people (important things, like would they love me if I was a worm). But I think I should look into the mirror. Maybe I'm not a nice person at all? ... I have had a quite a past, I would say. My illness is not easy, it's one of the severe mental illnesses a person can have, and the time I fell ill was really difficult because I didn't get right kind of help either from my family or boyfriend at that time, or even the professionals. I was really out of control, very suicidal and had trouble with drugs. I have blamed myself thousand time...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh all :) how's your week going? I'm fine, alhamdulillah. Just been upset about the racism scandal our government is serving. Today the representatives were supposed to get a penalty for their racist posts, but they only got a serious note, and that's it. The now former Miss Finland at least apologized and lost her crown. In my opinion the Basic Finns representatives should've also had to resign. When racism is normalized like this, and when it comes straight from our government, it's very harmful as it send a message to our citizens and especially the kids and youth that this kind of behavior is something they just have to put up with. Or move away if you won't. I dunno, this has been going on for too long now. There has always been racism in Finland, but it has gotten wayyy out of hand in the past few years.  I have often said I am not good to articulate my thoughts about politics, I feel like a little Elina who just...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullah all :) how's your day? I wasn't gonna write today, but I had to come to say something. Dear readers, especially my Asian readers, I'm so sorry about the racism our government keeps delivering. This is not the first time and probably won't be the last. This right wing "immigrant critical" full blown racist government is the worst in history, and I don't stand with them. And so does not, so many many others. But the damage is done. Our prime minister can't seem to do nothing, and our president has stayed silent too. Still I want to say that this is not the opinion of the whole nation, we just have a portion of imbecile rotten apples in power right now. So sorry these are the news you had to hear from our country. I do love you, dear readers, and your support means a lot to me. I support you too, and how you're feeling is valid. Racism is somewhat new to me as a personal experience. I have been a muslim for 11 years no...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullah dears :) how are you? I am waiting some maintenance people to come and check our air conditioning valves. I could have gone out, since we have a beautiful sunshine today, but instead I started to do a little research about cosmetic products which I will share with you. Don't judge me, sometimes outside feels too difficult, especially alone. My husband went to jummah prayer so today we couldn't go together for a walk. (Jummah Mubarak everyone ♥) ... So, I have dug a bit deeper into the cosmetics. Earlier I wrote in my post that Ziaja is doing animal testing, and that is false! I edited the post, but just want to make sure you know. Ziaja is a Polish company, and EU has totally banned any kind of animal testing in 2013. Dermatologically tested means nowadays (I don't know which barrel I have been living in) tests on people  in the supervision of a dermatologist, or dermatological methods on people. So, good news, and so sorry that I have given...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh all :) how's your week going? I'm on my regular  optimal setting: both my men sleeping, other in the bedroom and other in the cosy corner, me sitting in the light of tv and an ocean documentary,  have a cup of tea cooling down, and the laptop and you guys. And even some mints! To help me to concentrate. Nice :) So let's go. ... I had collected some material to make a fashion post, about next Spring and Summer.. I have enjoyed fashion forecasting, just in my own little bubble, and I do love clothing. But it seems like such a vanity now. The glam has sparkled off the subject. Even the high fashion brands like Chanel are supporting the genocide in Gaza (with Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors). These are not brands that I would usually follow anyways but it just gives a final nail to the fashion's coffin, in my opinion. Fashion encourages consumerism and capitalism, and is now out. We don'...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh dears :) how r u? Sometimes we gotta try a little harder, and this was one of those days.. Alhamdulillah. This evening has been better though, more peaceful. I wasn't gonna write but I was thinking about it and then wanted to come and check up on you and myself too. ... I would like to make conscious choices as a consumer, but what comes to cosmetics, I often stumble. Just to be clear: I don't afford the brands I'd like to use, like all these natural cosmetics brands. I have to guard my pennies so I try to find affordable options. So far I haven't tried to make my own lotions, so I've had to buy them like most of us do.  Today I bought Ziaja face cream + night mask, and was happy about it until I read that they are dermatologically tested. I haven't noticed it before this in their other products I use.. so what am I gonna do now? Those who are not familiar with the term, it means a skin test, on animals like bunnies...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh all :) how have you been doing? Today was one of those regular days for me. I went to market, did the regular grocery shopping, bought the foods/ingredients we always eat + French fries. Came home, have been entertaining/fighting with our turtle, who has so much energy but zero chill. He is actually giving a lot of trouble because he won't settle down, not even to eat. That's why I'm now sitting on the living room sofa in darkness (except tv), so he can peacefully sleep in the corner under the curtains without disturbance.  A turtle/tortoise is a nice pet, and I love him so, so don't get me wrong. But I've noticed now that these adjustment periods take time, before he settles in his normal rhythm. He's just been sleeping more than three months in the row, so of course he wants to be out and explore. Also he is very cuddly and wants to come to my lap and on the sofa all the time. He doesn't like to stay in his vi...