Smile... because tomorrow is a new day!

So the semester is finally coming to an end. It's been a long, long semeter with a lot of frustration and anxiety. There was a constant battle over the traffic, parking spot and trying to grade  student paper while trying to keep up with my own things. Yesterday during Colloquium, one of my collegues really laid it out to our professor. At first I was a bit uncomfortable with her being so straight forward and I guess, for a lack of a better word, "mean." She told him the 2 hours we spent every week just sitting there just talking and troubleshooting certain problematic students didn't do anything for us. She told him she felt the class was a waste of her time because the "talking" part could just as easily take place in our office and we do that anyway. What she was said we really needed was syllabus and lesson plan support. I definitely agree with her. If we did get syllabus support or even lesson plan support, half the stress we had to deal with as new GTAs would't have affected us. Most of us were just improvising as we went; I definitely did. But the only thing is... our professor is also the chair of the English department... so I don't know if that was a smart move on her part. When I went to talk to him later on, he did seem a bit upset and asked me my opnion on it. I played it safe by saying it would have definitely helped to have lesson planning support but I didn't think the class was a complete waste. I think that made him feel better because he then sent out an email kind of saying what I said.

Either way, that was interesting to say the least. But what I really want to talk about is something that many people take for granted or think is cliche. One of these mornings when I was so very tried and didn't want to do anything at all but still had to get out of bed to teach, I was having not such a great morning. I was a bit behind on the grading and I barely got any sleep. I risked being late by stopping at a DD on the way to school. Before I got out, I was already not looking forward to going in because that place is prominently white and being me usually doesn't sit well with them. But once I got there, I was greated with such a smile and such a nice good morning it just made my day. Obviously, for the working at DD it was just part of his job (that almost all other employees fail to do) but the guy's cheerful attitude and bright smile really lifted the anxiety a bit.  And to my surprise, the other guy who was walking in around the same time as me, I thought he was giving me a dirty look or that he was judging me. Instead, he held the door open for me and said Salam with such a nice smile. It helped me realize that the judgement I was afraid people were going to pass on me... I was doing it myself. I assumed the guy would be a jerk because he was covered in tattoos and was wearing laymen clothes. By the time I walked out of there, it reminded me once again that I shouldn't be so quick to judge because I must the change I want to see in the world.

And also, most importantly... smile at people. You never know what your smile could do for someone :)

Winter is coming!

Today started off a bit hectic.  Woke up at 6 to finish my teaching philosophy paper. On top of that I had to  drop off akhi at school. In the end it wasnt too bad. I finished it 7 minutes before the due time. I sat outside and graded some papers.

The weather was so beautiful. And I loved the cool breeze.  With how grossly hot its been here, its was a lovely change.

Once I got home, I thought I'd nap and wake up at 1 to continue grading. I guess I was really tired because I ended up waking up at 4. It felt lovely . After thay I went for my dance class but they were holding it outside. I didn't feel up to making a fool out of myself publicly so I just graded papers. Once J was done with his class, we had 3 games of ping pong and then went on a mini coffee date. It was a great way to end the night.

Once I got home I created a power point for my class on quotes and graded one more paper. I know im going to regret sleeping so late since I have a 10 hour shift tomorrow but Breget is coming to observe me. I wanted to make sure I did a good job tomorrow.  Oh well. Guess that's the life of a teacher.

Life as a GTA

It is definitely not easy being a teacher.  Some days I just feel like I should just not bother. But then when that one student finally gets it or I see scenery like this after a 10 hour shift... life doesn't seem so bad. :)

Oops, forgot to post Day 22-25..

Silly me, here they are:

Day 22: Ya Allah, today I pray for FINANCIAL SAFETY. For those of us who work, Ya Muta'ali, let us keep that job or get a raise. For those who have their own business, let them be successful and change the heart of their employees so they do not steal. For those who are looking for a job, Ya Ghani, help them get a job quickly. Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) has said, "Every Ummah (people) has a test to undergo, my Ummah will be tried through the wealth." During such hard times when the economy is hurting everyone everywhere, mostly the middle class and the poor, we pray to you to help us through this test and lessen our burden. Ameen.

Day 23: Ramadan is a month in which us Muslim try our best to get better habits and drop bad ones. We try harder to reconnect with our Creator, pray more, read the Qu'ran more often, be more aware of the blessings that He has bestowed upon us. We try to live the way Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) wanted us to and try follow the Holy Qu'ran's guidance. We remember to be humble, to control our anger and swallow our pride. So, tonight, I would like to ask of something that many of us have trouble asking for-- forgiveness. If you can read this, no matter who you are or when I've spoken with you last, I ask for your forgiveness. If I have ever (intentionally or unintentionally) lost my temper, took my anger out on you, said something rude or hurtful, lied to you, taken something from you, hurt your feelings or anything of that sort, I apologize. I am not perfect but I can try my best to make sure I'm a good person. I have been taught that, "the repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it. But if someone pardons and puts things right, his reward is with Allah. (Qur'an, 42:40)" I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and my actions so we may move forward.

Ya Allah, I pray that you soften everyone heart so they can find it in them to forgive me and that you accept both my prayer and their forgiveness. Ameen

Day 24: Ya Allah, tonight I pray for our significant others. For those who are engaged, may your engagement be fun and the wedding be blessed and perfect. For those who are waiting to get engaged, may the proposal be beautiful and bring tears to your eyes. For those who have not found that someone yet, may Allah introduce you to your soul mate at the right time and place. Ya Sami, for those who have someone in our live, bless them with good health, good fortune and protect them from harm. Bless them with an easy path to Heaven and allow us to be together here in this world and in afterlife. Ameen.

Day 25: As the last few minutes of Layatul Qadr is slipping away from us, Ya Allah, tonight pray me. Ya Quddus, through this month of Ramadan, I have tried my hardest to be on my best behavior and be the best Muslim I can be. Even then, Ya Mu'min, I am not perfect nor am I flawless, so I know I have made many mistakes, either while reading the Qu'ran, during prayer, while speaking with my elders or million other things I've done through out the day. Ya Mutakabbir, look past my mistakes and forgive my sins. Accept my prayers and my Qu'ran recitals. Ya Musawwir, thank you for keeping me alive to witness another beautiful day and another blessed month of Ramadan. Ya Fattah, bless me with another fruitful year, for you have given me many reason to be grateful. Continue to watch over me and show me the path to success. Continue to bless me with reasons to be happy and laugh. Keep me safe during my travels, from Satan, from going astray from you. Guide me to be the kind of Muslim and person you would like me to be. And when you decide to take me away from this world, Ya Mumit, take me when you are most pleased with me so I may enter Jannat ul Firdous. Ameen.

Day 21

Ya Allah, on the second blessed Qadr Night (Night of Destiny/Measures), a night which is just as important and as it is blessed, I want to make a special dua (prayer) for our parents. Ya Khaliq, without our parents we would not be here. We would not be raised with as much unconditional love without them, nor would we be clothed, sheltered or fed without their protection. They have dedication so much of their life, time, money, and sacrificed so much in order to make us into the person we are. Most importantly, our beloved Prophet (S.A.W) has said parents "are your Paradise and your Hell." Ya Shakur, thank you for blessing us with such amazing parents who continue to love and support us every day. Bless them with long, healthy and happy life. And allow us the honor of repaying them for their love when they are old and need us. Ameen.

Day 20

Ya Allah, tonight I pray for you to open our hearts towards CHARITY. Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) has said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1.12) Not only is charity a pillar of Islam, but charity acts as a way to purify our hearts from greed. Ya Wahhab, it is you that everything belongs to and it is you who blesses each of us with what we have. Ya Razzaq, soften our hearts so we may help our brothers and sisters in need and relieves their pain as we would like for you to relieve ours. Ameen.

Day 19

Ya Allah, tonight I pray for the overall health and well-being of our friends. Our friends help us stay sane, keep us in line, and have our backs when we are in need. They are like angels sent by heaven to help us get through life. “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” Ya Nafi, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for blessing me with such great friends. I pray for their long, healthy and successful lives. Continue to bless us with such wonderful people and steer us away from the false ones. Ameen.