Bet you thought I was done blogging. And... perhaps I am. So many times I've sat down and written something only to delete it. Or I've been driving somewhere and thought "That'd be an awesome blog topic!" only to get home and think "Nah, that's boring..." and not blog.

But here lately, I'm thinking I should go back to blogging. So here's a quick rundown on some things in my life:

Still working remodeling projects. Working on a kitchen now (same house)... took it down to the bare walls, tore down some, built some, and just have 2 cabinets and finishing work to go and I'm done. After I finish I'm not starting another one till fall/winter, insha'allah.

Picked up a part-time job as a technical editor for a private consulting firm. Insha'allah this job works out and nets me some other editing gigs. I enjoy doing it and insha'allah the experience/skills will be useful if I ever leave the AK.

I'm adapting to the "new" job. The pay cut sucks, but alhumdilliah there's less mental anguish. I still feel like a loser cause I couldn't hack it. Life, however, is a series of trade offs. Fewer bad dreams and less suspicion towards my fellow man vs. "professional fulfillment" and using my ridiculously expensive degree/training to their fullest... Right now it's personal fulfillment for me.

Sold the truck and bought a newer compact car. Phew! What a change!! I've discovered that I was spoiled by my truck. This winter we've had a fair amount of snow and man, I miss that "full metal vroom vroom". However, I don't miss the horrendous payouts at the gas station, the sometimes questionable starting ability, or the on again, off again heat. The new car is front wheel drive, very low to the ground (it's relative, of course), not completely metal, and gets great gas mileage. Alhumdilliah, so far no wrecks or close calls, insha'allah I'll make it through the rest of the winter ok.

Hanging with friends, trying to give equal time to volunteer projects, and have plenty of "me time", too. Tough juggling act, but alhumdilliah I'm managing.

Joined a gym and trying to lose weight, insha'allah. I'm enjoying the exercise and looking forward to better health (insha'allah). I realized this winter that since I've moved to town and didn't have to "hussle my tush" for the basics of life that I've really packed on the pounds. As my health has declined I've gained more weight, which contributes towards poor health, and thus I seem to be firmly entrenched in the cycle. Insha'allah I can slow or reverse the trend and do better.

Avoiding numerous members of the local muslim community. There's a TON I could say on this, but I'm trying not to backbite so here are the basics:
-I try to avoid folks who run around proclaiming their salafi status and don't act it.
-I try to avoid folks with an "Us vs. Them" mentality.
-I have grown to HATE the term "kuffar".
-I avoid folks who say to avoid mixing with the "kuffar" (or imitating them) yet feel ok with sucking off the "kuffar" social services teat.
-I try to avoid folks who's standard answers to questions are "Because my husband said so" or "Because my husband said it was wrong".
-I seem to have developed an aversion to people who feel it necessary to chastise me for everything I do (working with men, working for "kuffar", volunteering with non-muslim agencies/projects, going out after Mahgrib (which, btw, is at 3:00 PM in the winter and since I'm not independently wealthy (or insane) I need to leave the house!!), and on and on.

I've realized I need to be less harsh with folks. Try to give them the benefit of the doubt, step back and stay quiet. Breath deep before speaking. Fear Allah in what I do, say, and think. If I don't think I can do that, I avoid folks until I've got myself under control. (I'm not just refering to my interactions with Muslims on this one...) Speak up when I see someone doing something wrong. Don't be afraid to call folks on things. Listen with my heart rather than my head/ego when folks advise me on things.

A mini list of things I need to do include:
-Work on gaining Islamic knowledge.
-Work on not letting folks hypocrisy falter my faith.
-Work on implementing my Islamic knowledge in my life.
-Fear Allah in all I do.
-Work on being less stubborn.
-Work on getting over myself.

Now I just need to get to work... but first I better get to bed. Monday awaits...