Always have faith in God because with hardship comes ease.

mood: :) :) :) :) :) :) 

craving: some hot soup at La Madeleine with some great sisters... <3 <3 <3 

Salam Alykom and hello to all my sweet readers out there. I hope everyone is having a great week. Don't forget to do something nice for someone today. It will make your heart sing..

Please STOP trying to rain on my parade, because I'm happy. I'm truly happy in my life. I've had a hard year, but God always comes through. I have had and still have faith in Him. Therefore, He has made my heart light and my mind free... 
♥ ♥ ♥
-Texan After UAE

final whisper: Lucky is the man who is the first love of a woman,but luckier is the woman who is the last love of a man.

Favorite pictures and Quotes..

mood: : ) 

craving: some good, good bubble tea.... 

Salam alykom and hello to everyone. I wanted to share some nice pictures with y'all. <3 Have a nice week.. God bless and be safe.

final whisper:  People are funny... They spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't need, to impress people they don't like......

The Strange Quiet

mood: Nostalgic

craving: Italia

Salam Alykom and Hello to all my followers. Over the years, I recalled stories of my past to my daughter. Today, she is writing a post solely about a few memories that mean very much to me. By writing this blog post, she is helping me in more than one way. Her writing is fantastic; and she is writing through the voice of me. Enjoy!

Today I woke up to grey clouds hanging low in the sky and  rain tapping salutations to my roof. My house was strangely quiet- that kind of quiet that befalls a house when everyone is soundly sleeping. I lay in bed listening to my two kids breathing in and out, in and out.

from left to right; Michael Angelo 1971-1997- Arrelyo (Lucia's Husband) - Marrico

There is something about rain that brings about my thoughts of nostalgia. Of course, I frequently dwell on the spirits of the past, but today is an exceptionally nostalgic day. My mind is hopelessly trying to recall the finer details of dead memories. Laying in bed with the goose-down cover snugly embracing me, reminds me of laying in bed with my Italian girlfriends and smiling at the previous day's events.
Italy never seemed so far as it does today.

I remember, twenty years ago, being fascinated by the new neighbors on the block. Their handsome, dark hair and eyes even shone in the Texas heat. I was introduced to them and found out the inevitable: they were Italians, straight from that artistic country everyone wishes they could live in. Michael Angelo, Lucia, Ivana, Gian Luca- pronounced  (John Luca) Gian Luca is Ivana's boyfriend and now Husband and Marianna... those were the beautiful names of the ones I was closest with. We spoke, laughed and ate together. I was taught, little by little, one of the romantic languages. A few months into our friendship, I could speak un poco italiano.

Lucia's mom and dad. :)

We would dream about traveling to Italy together and strolling through the famous olive tree farms. And while we would dream, Lucia would be making homemade Italian food just for my American taste buds to enjoy.
"Kristina," she would tell me, "the pizza here is bad! It's too thick. It's not good."

As I was laying in bed, thinking about my Italian memories, I got a call from one of my good friends all the way in England. I told him the stories of my friends, and he responded with enthusiasm, saying we could try and get a hold of them again. I rose out of bed and walked over to my closet. Inside, I keep a box full of the more physical memories of my past in the form of pictures. Looking through everything, I found letters that I would receive from Italy.

I will forever remember the good times I had with them. And I have the rain to thank for this.
--------------------------------------------------

What do y'all think about my lovely daughter's artistic writing skills? If I do say so myself, she's pretty awesome... Thanks, Amber, for this awesome guest post.  I love you and am so proud of you. I wish I had all the pictures of us, but my Dad sent them all to me when we lived in the United Arab Emirates. Unfortunately I can't get them back.

My daughter is always asking about my past and I always have a nice story for her. I swear, I regret nothing from my past, it made me who I am today. Thanks, Past. Almost twenty years ago, I had some great friends from Italy. I had such great memories of them. We had a lot of fun and they taught me Italian .  I picked up fast since I know Spanish and the rest is history.  I await our next meeting. Someday.  One of them in particular was my next door neighbor. His name was Michael Angelo. Yeah, really, that was his name. He was fun and very down to earth. He was stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base for his flight training, along with all his buddies. He in turn introduced me to one of his best friend's girlfriend, Lucia. Lucia had the biggest green eyes and darkest black hair I've ever seen. She was a beauty. 
I'm sure she still is. 

I await our next meeting. It might be sooner than I think. :) 

final whisper: This is dedicated to Michael Angelo. In 1997 Lucia wrote me and told me the bad news. Michael Angelo's star fighter air plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. He died on impact  doing what he loved most- flying. I still remember your voice, Mickey. I will never in all my life forget your funny ways. You are missed and will forever be. 

1971-1997 

Things that make me feel beautiful. :)

mood: happy
craving: tonight

A great big Salam Alykom and Hello to all my readers out there. I know I've really been neglecting my blog, so this entry will make all the gals (maybe some guys) smile. I hope everyone is in good faith and health. I just don't really have no time to be on the net these days. On to my entry. :) 

There's something about spoiling yourself with beauty products that just make your day. I admit my daughter and I just love to shop. That necessarily doesn't mean, every time we go out, we buy something. But, just going to the shopping center and being surrounded by nice stuff makes us smile and I have an excuse to act like a teenage girl with my daughter. So much fun. These are products that I have and love. Honestly, I'm the queen of trying different stuff out. These products that I have purchased are awesome, and I have tried so many though out the years. I think I'll just stick with these, unless I accidentally find another that is better. I'm done searching and some of these I have used for over ten years. So, take a look at what sits on my bedroom dresser crying out for my usage. Happy shopping everyone.

Beauty doesn't come from the looks, It comes from the heart. We are beautiful in different ways.

Feel beautiful so you can look beautiful.

The first product (upper left hand corner) is  amazing

ESSENTIAL SHEA TAME AND STYLE POT DE CRÈME. I'm telling y'all, I have tried several PRODUCTS though out the years and this by far (for now) the best. It's a little pricey, but so worth it. I am the type to also try the stuff from wal-mart and other places that are AFFORDABLE. However, I will pay extra for beautiful, soft manageable hair. It conditions and doesn't feel heavy or greasy. For girls with un-ruly curly hair. This product is for you. 

Upper right hand (perfume). Everyone who knows me, knows that I can't go with out my perfumes. I just can't imagine life without them. I have the best and I think honestly I could go a little over board when it comes to perfumes. But, hey, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm a total perfume guru. This recent gift I got is AMAZING, just simply amazing. This should be called "Sexy oud" because it is amazing. When I smelled this love in a bottle, I literally went weak at the knees. BRAVO! for creating such a warm and sensual fragrance that not only respects and has composed the oud in a way that elevates its intensity and animalistic qualities, keeping it earthy and very natural. Kudos to Miss Trish... Keep the amazing sensual scents coming our way. P.S. It's a little harsh on the pocket book. After this gift was given to me,  I priced it: $200.00 bucks. 

Lower left hand corner. Aveda has got to be my all time favorite product; I've been using it for over ten years. It leaves your curls soft and manageable and has such a great smell. A plus to the people out there who are watching the earth's environment. They are friendly with the earth. A million stars for this product. Get it together with the Fekkai cream, you all won't be disappointed. I promise. Very affordable. $25.00

Left bottom corner. Trish is getting a lot of recognition these days, from her sexy perfumes to her sensual creams. I can't get enough of this. This is such a pretty, feminine fragrance in cream form - it is so girly, but definitely NOT for little girls, if that makes any sense! The blackberry and white rose notes are flirty and young, but with the musk and vanilla, it has a sensuality at its heart too, that gives it depth of character that puts this perfume head and shoulders above pretty much every other "fruity floral" fragrances out there. Perfect for a woman of any age! Much better than its next closest imitator, Philosophy's Falling in Love. This is much more deep and complex, sort of like a young Victoria's secret. 

Upper left hand corner; Now, I just discovered Estee Lauder face creams and I just love them. With in the first five days, you can tell the difference in your face. It glows and only keeps getting better. Go to the nearest department store that sells these products and make sure and get the one that's good for your skin type. You won't be sorry. :) Ya, a little bit pricey, but so worth it. It last long and you'll be buying it at least twice a year. 

Right top hand side; Y'all will be happy to know that this foot cream is one of the best I've ever used and that the price is even better. I pay five dollars for a big tub of this. It works on the first application. You will notice your feet will be softer and look like the feet of a new born baby. So, go to your local wal-mart and purchase this . $5 bucks

We all love MAC and I know I just love to play with the vibrant colors they have. These two lip sticks are amazing. Something you should know about Mac, the colors stay even after you eat. The pink is very deep and the light one is sheer but gives you that color that we gals need when we're on the go. I'm in a hurry now, but will be back with the color names. 

Happy shopping everyone. My kids are ready to take me on an adventure today. Yep, we are going shopping. :) 

final whisper: Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

I waited so long to meet you

**Ar-Rahman – The Most Gracious** One of the most beautiful blessings in my life is remembering how peaceful you would become whenever I played this verse from the Quran for you. I would imagine your little eyes opening wide, a tiny smile appearing on your face as you listened so calmly, completely at ease. Night after night, I played it for you, dreaming of the day I could finally hold you in my arms. Today was one of those moments I will never forget. As I played the recitation once again, I reached out to you, and without hesitation, you leapt into my arms and rested your head gently against my chest. Looking down, I watched your eyes slowly close, as though you understood every note and every word. In that quiet moment, I could almost feel your heart smiling. Holding you close while listening to the recitation together brought back memories I will treasure forever. Isn't the human mind a wondrous gift from our Lord? The ability to remember, to connect, and to find comfort in familiar sounds is truly remarkable. I am endlessly grateful for the countless blessings He has placed in my life. Children grow, yes—but so do parents. While we watch them discover the world around them, they are quietly watching us, learning from the way we live our own lives. I cannot simply tell my children to reach for the sun; I must reach for it myself. The greatest lessons we teach are often the ones we live.

My final whisper: Children are always watching. Be the example you hope they become.

Sundays, manic Sundays...

There's something manic about Sundays...

Sunday mornings with my favorite people are the best. Breakfast tacos are always a good idea, I fast so, breakfast will be a brunch, we're eating healthy breakfast tacos. No Big Red this weekend; hot tea and water quenched thirst. The other day, I was asked, "Why didn't you bring all your stuff with you?" Well, for one, I didn't know I would be staying here in Texas. Is it really a big deal if I didn't bring my stuff? Will those things make me a better person? I'm most bothered by the question. Yes, I left all my stuff in United Arab Emirates and yes, I wish I had brought something with me. A lot of my mom's pictures and personal items. I also have stuff from my grandmothers. Still, that stuff is all material, and we won't take it with us. It is imprinted in my mind and heart that they gave me what they did, and I will always remember what they gave me. Can I ever forget her lovely face? It's impossible. Consequently, I'm making more memories with my kids. If only to see my son's grandparents and the rest of his family, it would be wonderful to return to UAE one day. Single life is very different from married life. As a result, I have to rely solely on myself, and my dad and auntie Millie have been an invaluable source of support. I don't usually talk about my private affairs. My dad makes me want to pour my heart out. Earlier this week, my sister told me, "Dad is very hurt that you had to endure this heartbreak." He called her up to see what he could do to lift me out of my funk. She told him, "It takes time, her heart will heal." She was right, I'm healing in ways I hadn't imagined possible. My faith in Allah is true and I have patience. Through this heartache, Allah helped me. My dad is happy to see me progressing. Each day he looks forward to hearing about my journey. Hopefully y'all are happy to hear that things are going well for me. A day at a time. Now for the biryani (rice with chicken) for tonight. Iftar is coming up. My sisters are fasting, so I'm cooking. Happy days are here to stay, with a few hardships thrown in. We wouldn't have anything to strive for if life were perfect. Final whisper: Ten years from now, I wonder where I will be? :)

Eid , Texan style

mood: blah

craving: to get over my cold and cough

Salam Alykom and Hello, I hope everyone is having a great Saturday. I'm sitting here with the sniffles and a RED nose with a tissue box next to me. I hope this cold subsides fast. :p I have to take my kids out today, we'll go shopping later when the weather cools down. On to my entry.

It's hard to believe that Eid is coming right up and this month has really gone by fast. This Eid will be the second one I'm away from UAE. Last Eid  I thought I would go back to UAE, so it wasn't so bad. But, this Eid is kinda like the first Eid that my heart strings are pulled down. I'm thinking of ways I can make it fun for my kids and spend it with my sisters whom I love and adore. I have to go out today and buy my kids something new to wear for that most special day. My daughter will be in school, so I have to get her a small gift without her knowing what I got her. I know what to get my son. :) I want every Eid to be special for my kids. We will even get my dad and sisters some gifts, too.  Inshallah Abo Azooz (Azooz's father) will call for Azooz, so that should make my son happy. I know Eid won't be as big as it is in UAE. I will miss the jumping to different homes and being exhausted by the end of the night. I'll wake up extra early on the day of eid and pray and then prepare something to eat before my daughter heads off to school. I would of kept her home, but she's been out of school for 3 days because she had surgery. So, I can't take her out. But, after she gets out of school, we will go to one of the sister;s homes here and spend time with everyone. So, it's going to be nice. Inshallah (God's willing). Well, I pray everyone's Ramadan is accepted and Eid is a beautiful day for y'all.

final whisper: This Texan misses everyone back in UAE (even more on the special holidays). I pray that Allah reunites us someday. If not in this life, God's willing in Heaven.