tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26895433302273322032011-11-06T07:29:47.339-08:00The Chronicles of TeresaTeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-64842792044107746242011-11-06T07:29:00.001-08:002011-11-06T07:29:47.399-08:002011-11-06T07:29:47.399-08:00My Peri-Meltdown<div><p>Eid Mubarak.  I am normally so filled with happiness and excitement on Eid.  But my hormones have decided otherwise. </p>
<p>As I was getting dressed this morning in my special Eid outfit (that I was super excited about) I realized how bloated I am today as opposed to just last week when I tried it on and it fit perfect.  Instead of looking like a beautiful Muslimah, I looked like a fat Sumo wrestler. </p>
<p>I just started nagging and complaining and the next thing I knew I was back in my sweats saying Good Bye to my family as they left. </p>
<p>I started to sob (and still am) so I am sure my mascera is running down my face now too.  </p>
<p>As much as I wanted to "look" beautiful it is making me realize that I "feel" horrible on the inside.  I make the excuse, well I can't pray right now anyway but I feel like I have let Allah SWT down and my family. </p>
<p>I know how blessed it is to be a woman, but why do our hormones make us feel oh so Not special?  I used to think, I cannot wait to start menopause so I can always do my Salat but I am rethinking that now when I feel so horrible. </p>
<p>May Allah SWT help us women through this time.  It is very tough. </p>
<p>Peace and Be Well</p>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-6484279204410774624?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-10155271316518659452011-10-04T22:15:00.001-07:002011-10-04T22:15:43.199-07:002011-10-04T22:15:43.199-07:00Angry or Just Bitchy?<div><p>Ya know I always thought Anger Management was for those people that basically tripped out and ended up attacking someone.  I know that "I" am moody and bitchy a lot, but isn't that just part of being a woman?</p>
<p>Wrong - in searching around for a nice retreat for anger, depression, etc.  I ran across testimonies of individuals from all walks of life who have either court ordered or non court ordered attended group and individual Anger Management counseling and tools. </p>
<p>My anger tends to happen mostly at home. I walk into my home and when the house is cluttered or dishes are in the sink or the trashcans are full... I start to get so angry-bitchy-naggy with the family. To the point where "I" cause arguing between other members in the house. </p>
<p>With this new insight I am thinking of attending some Anger Management sessions. </p>
<p>Will keep you all posted on this. </p>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-1015527131651865945?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-82230634037109220132011-08-30T19:56:00.001-07:002011-08-30T19:56:44.012-07:002011-08-30T19:56:44.012-07:00Dear Allah SWT..<div><p>Can I please have 1 day of "No Nick Drama" please... it is Eid and my prayer was lovely, our little fam breakfast was lovely. Then the phones start ringing, texts buzzing and my head pounding. Astghfurallah. </p>
<p>My husband and other son sound so cold to me when they tell me to let him figure it out on his own or when they tell me to get over it. They don't understand that Moms cannot rest until they know their child is in a safe place. </p>
<p>I pray to Allah to guide this kid in some good direction or to let my husband give him a 10th chance and sleep here at night..but..it just isn't happening. </p>
<p>Ya Allah...</p>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-8223063403710922013?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-51088608807264623402011-08-29T23:38:00.001-07:002011-08-29T23:38:24.048-07:002011-08-29T23:38:24.048-07:00Eid Mubarak<div><p>May everyone who celebrates have a most Blessed time and May Allah Subhana wa Ta ala grant us mercy and forgiveness on the day of judgement. </p>
<p>Ameen</p>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-5108860880726462340?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-46185570682470257932011-08-27T17:40:00.001-07:002011-08-27T17:40:38.672-07:002011-08-27T17:40:38.672-07:00Testing... 1 2 3... Testing<div><p>Subhana Allah, blogger for the Android. Super cool. </p>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-4618557068247025793?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-73423152157286436552011-08-18T14:48:00.000-07:002011-08-18T14:48:52.146-07:002011-08-18T14:48:52.146-07:00What's Up Yo?Ramadan Mubarak - sorry so late. Seeing that it is almost the last 10 days coming upon us.<br />
<br />
Since I haven't been on here since MAY (wow, was a little shocked that I had absolutely nothing to say) I am taking a short break from work just to say what's up and update.<br />
<br />
Lots of things have gone on (as usual) - a little family drama, a little family happiness - a little office drama, a little office happiness - I think you get the picture. Just normal life!<br />
<br />
Ramadan has been challenging this year. It was the first year that I didn't even try to fast (per MD orders). My feelings have been very mixed, but, I have heard from other women that they are feeling the same thing. Possibly all of the chaos going on in the world with our Brothers and Sisters fighting oppression in their countries / Famine Crisis in Africa / Natural disasters in our own country / Riots in the UK. It would seem with all of these things going on, those of us who are living in peace and harmony would really feel the blessings of this month. For myself, I know that all I can do is keep praying for these people and keep thanking Allah (SWT) over and over and over for the blessings He has placed upon me. And - Allahu Alem (only God knows) this is possibly what I am supposed to be feeling this Ramadan. It definately doesn't suck - it is just more of a sad, heaviness in my heart for those stricken with these disasters.<br />
<br />
Stay posted.. as I need to lose weight. And not just a few #'s, we are talking around 40 - 50 #'s.. Yes, I have let my old self go. So, will blog about this when I get started - Insha Allah.<br />
<br />
Be Well!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-7342315215728643655?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-13237966123953226522011-05-17T13:51:00.000-07:002011-05-17T13:51:02.977-07:002011-05-17T13:51:02.977-07:00Whoaaaaaa Hold On Now...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, as you may or may not already know... because I am very vocal and have complained to anyone I know who will listen to me about this... I was nicely offered to do my Salat in a cramped file room as opposed to at my cubicle, "since prayer is a very 'personal' gesture". Ummmm, okay! But, I have been praying in the confines of my cubicle since 2006 and I was NEVER offered a quiet place to conduct my <span style="color: magenta;"><strong>"personal"</strong></span> gesture before. So, I have therefore concluded that someone from one of the other 2 departments we were thrown into a huge office with, must have complained. I also find it interesting that no one complained 4 months ago - but now that Islamaphobe is back on the rise - I receive this <span style="color: magenta;"><strong>"kind gesture".</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I went to the oh so wise google search and found this: In CA, it is against the law for your employer to discriminate against you because of your religion. Additionally, your employer needs to reasonably accommodate your religious beliefs. when a group of Muslim processing plant workers felt that their prayer times were not being reasonably accommodated by their employer, they took legal action. (per the law offices of David H Greenberg - who is going to be my new favorite person)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Someone very close to me said - Well, just go along with what they say and pray in the file room...and to this I say - NO, because then the person who complained can say 'Oh, I won this' - now let me go after the way she dresses or what she eats or what car she drives or.. Ya see what I'm Sayin.. it could get out of control.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So.. any opinions on this??</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-1323796612395322652?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-11955889081920564922011-01-14T09:44:00.000-08:002011-01-14T09:44:51.249-08:002011-01-14T09:44:51.249-08:00Happy 2011 to you allTaking a look back at 2010; it was really a super awesome year for me. Why? because it was my first Ramadan in the 6 years I have been celebrating Ramadan that I actually understood and felt the reason for this blessed month. It was a very spiritual year for me and I actually felt "comfortable in my own skin" so to say. I am at peace with the fact that I am a little overweight, I am at peace with the fact that I do not have a perfect home and I am at peace with the fact that I do not have a fancy car and expensive clothes, etc. I know these all sound like such vain, materialistic things and that if I were truly a religious individual I would not even care about this. But, when you have lived 40 years of your life trying to impress other people - go on a month long spiritual quest through Italy - come home and are guided to a religion; well, it might take a few years to change the thought process one has had most of their life. So, it was a huge milestone in my life to accept things for what they are.<br />
<br />
My epiphany for 2011 came one night after I was doing my Isha prayer - the last prayer of the evening. I have been struggling and working very hard the last few years on doing Sadaqa/charity for the sake of Allah only. And this includes the daily work a woman does in her home for her family. Many times I will clean the house, do the laundry, cook dinner and I am exhausted from working that day or that week and I do the work as I grumble and complain about my families lack of help and empathy for me. Secondly, I have loved the people in my life so much with my heart that it has at many times hurt so bad. One can actually feel the pain in the chest when a loved one hurts you. <br />
<br />
So, what was my epiphany? I fell in love with Allah with all of my heart. It was the most awesome, but also sort of scary feeling that I have ever had in my life. I look at my loved ones and although I know I care about them, I do not have any feelings of guilt if I do not make them food, answer their phone calls, do their laundry, make them chai, etc. When I get up and do things around the house, go visit family, call someone - I know that it is not my decision to do these out of obligation or guilt - they are done because of my love for Allah. Only He has given me the strength and drive to do this, so I know that I am doing this because and only for Him. Even when I give donations or money to people - I do not think about it first, it just comes.. and you know what?... I notice that house chores seem so much more enlightening, the food I cook tastes so good, even the few dollars given seems to multiply.<br />
<br />
I still have a long way to go. The addiction of my son has brought out some pretty deep psychological issues from my childhood and past. So, in order to be able to submit to my epiphany, I need to let go of my past feelings. So, I am starting CoDA (Co-Dependant's Anonymous) to learn how to start letting go, stop feeling guilty for things I did in my past, etc. I know it sounds strange to let go of Today's issues, then go backwards and work on the Past issues - but, this is just the way Allah SWT has decided it must be and so, I must go with the flow...<br />
<br />
Be Well All...and...I send you Light and Love and I now Let Go!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-1195588908192056492?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-62284516468780327892010-12-09T07:42:00.000-08:002010-12-09T07:42:34.966-08:002010-12-09T07:42:34.966-08:00Hi, My Name is Teresa and I am...the Parent of an addict. I never thought I would stand up in front of a crowd of strangers and utter these words. Yet, I find myself at the ripe age of 40-something with an adult child at the young age of 21 who has a problem.<br />
<br />
Dear Readers, please forgive my absence, but my child admitted to me that he was an addict a few months back. We have been through Emergency Rooms, Psych Wards, De-Tox centers and now - ALHAMDULILLAH - he is settled into an Inpatient Residential Center.<br />
<br />
It is amazing how your world just stops when something happens to your child. The rest of your family, your work, your friends just sort of fade into the background of your life, because all you can think about is this person that you carried inside of you for 9 months, nurtured, raised, loved and now they are very ill.<br />
<br />
However, I do want to report that in just a few weeks of this, I am convinced that my real child was abducted by aliens and they have left this wonderful kid in the center. I honestly do not know who this kid is - he looks like my son - but, he is polite, happy, kind, rationale and just a pleasure to be around. I am thinking maybe I should check my husband and other kid into the center.<br />
<br />
So, I had mentioned months back - What does Rehab and Converting to Islam have in Common?<br />
<br />
Well, let me tell you...<br />
<br />
One of my sons Counselors told him - "You Need to Find a New Playground and New Playmates"<br />
When an addict starts to recover, this totally makes sense. But, why would I relate this to my own personal conversion to a Religion? Because, what did I do prior to converting? Ummmm, partied, hung out at haram places with haram people, used very foul language, dated, etc.. When, I converted to Islam I did not know any Muslim Sisters. I found myself needing to find a new playground with new playmates who could teach me more about Islam. Even today - 7 years later - I find when I go too long of a time without hanging around my Sisters, I start to slack - not in my daily prayers - but just in my mannerisms. When I am in a room full of my Sisters, I can feel the power of love and energy amongst us. It is much like plugging your mobile phone in when the battery is dying..and when I have gone months without that energy from my Sisters, I start to drag.<br />
<br />
So as you can see, when you convert, you do find a new playground with new playmates - much like the recovering addict.<br />
<br />
Peace and be Well..<br />
Wa Salaam<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-6228451646878032789?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-29206843194623652412010-11-20T11:46:00.000-08:002010-11-20T11:46:43.798-08:002010-11-20T11:46:43.798-08:00The Year-End Review - PART ONEThis is an Annual tune-up where we can bring awareness to our lives. Whether it be health, career, education or spirituality - it is always good to look at where you have been and what you want to do.<br />
<br />
I do this every year.. and one might think - why would I want to do this? To get depressed about my NON-accomplishments? Well, you might just find out that, while you didn't take that class you wanted to or didn't lose those pounds - you might just be right where you want to be in your life and that in itself is the biggest gem of all.<br />
<br />
So, here goes - (and I am going to blog mine so am doing it on a public forum):<br />
<br />
<b>The Past Year</b><br />
<i>How have you spent your time?<b> </b></i><br />
I have spent my time in front of a computer and in front of a TV - however, my job is mostly done via computer so in essence, I have performed approximately 1,040 hours working on patient safety. I have spent much time on Facebook and have connected with some great friends that I had back in school. I have watched some interesting things on TV - however, I sort of use TV as white noise much of the time.<br />
<br />
The negative aspects of this are that I have not gone out alot. Therefore, missing time spent with friends and family. And also missing time spent in the beautiful nature that God has given us. I have also spent much time trapped within myself and letting feelings of sadness overwhelm me.<br />
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<i>What were you grateful for?</i><br />
I am so grateful to have a husband and children that love me just the way I am. I am grateful for Debra and Meena - friends that accept me for who I am. I am grateful for my Mom's, Coni and Ethel, who have helped my oldest son<i>. </i>I am grateful for Doug, Tom, Paula and Gwen - my awesome Manager and Co-Workers who make me laugh and listen to me. <br />
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I am grateful most to God - for letting me live another year and not giving up on me.<br />
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<i>What were your sorrows and disappointments, and how did they change you?</i><br />
My biggest disappointment was finding out that my son had an abuse problem. It changed the way I viewed people with addiction disorders. We always think it will happen to someone else and not us - but, no matter who you are, where you live or how religious you are - it can happen to anyone.<br />
<br />
<i>What books, films, etc., moved you?</i><br />
The movie that moved me the most was one called, My Name is Khan - it was about a mentally disabled Muslim man who went out and helped people. Despite the odds, he never gave up.<br />
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I read many books, but nothing that really moved me this year..<br />
<br />
What about you.........<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-2920684319462365241?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-53654070241478440682010-11-06T00:58:00.000-07:002010-11-06T00:58:01.901-07:002010-11-06T00:58:01.901-07:00Hi, my name is Teresa and I just found out..that my son is an addict. I went to an AA meeting once with a friend and this is how I remember everyone introducing themselves. But, what does a parent do when they find out that their child is an addict? Who do I introduce myself to? Who do I get support from when I am breaking down and crying all night?<br />
<br />
You see, I am really strong when I talk to friends and family on the phone. And, of course everyone has the same advice - "Be strong Teresa".... "Don't enable him Teresa"... "Just put him in God's hands Teresa"...<br />
<br />
While I appreciate the advice, it is easier to tell it to someone else, than live it when you are trying to deal with it.<br />
<br />
What no one else can even fathom - is the fact that you carry this child inside of you for 9 months. You don't do drugs or drink while you are carrying him. You eat healthy, exercise, decorate his room, even start planning for his future before you even get to meet him. Then after he is born - you nurture, love, raise him to the best of your abilities. No matter what this little person does, you still love them with all of your heart. You say.. this or that will never happen to MY kid. Yeah, I said the same thing.<br />
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Do you think if he knew how my whole life has been placed on-hold since I found out...or...How I don't trust anything he tells me anymore...or...How I now check my medication and wallet to make sure he hasn't taken anything...or...How when I have my head on the ground praying to Allah; all I can do is think about my child and sob. Do you think he would even care? - Probably not.<br />
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When I see him, I just want to hold him and rock him in a rocking chair and tell him it will be okay - but, when I try to just give him a hug and tell him I love him; he pulls away.<br />
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I just want to curl up in a ball, sleep and wake up to a normal day.<br />
<br />
Peace<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-5365407024147844068?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-28634516267210523152010-10-30T22:46:00.000-07:002010-10-30T22:54:36.148-07:002010-10-30T22:54:36.148-07:00I "Heart" L.A.Ya know, I have been to almost all of the metropolitan cities in the US and parts of Canada. But, everytime I have flown into LAX or driven through downtown L.A. I just get this sense of "I'm Home"<br />
<br />
Tonight I was driving home from the O.C. and there was tons of traffic - but, it was amazing still to really enjoy L.A. from the 101 freeway instead of flying through there.<br />
<br />
It starts at Cesar Chavez Blvd - now, you need to roll your windows down to really experience this.. first, it's the smell of the foods that are cooking. You can almost smell which "Little (insert town here)" you are driving through. <br />
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Then, there is the symphony of music beating out of the cars surrounding you -the Latin beats; some Techno; of course, the Hip Hop.<br />
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Next, the amazing architecture - you have old churches on one side and the modern music halls on the other and warehouses everywhere.<br />
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My fondest memories are from hanging out in downtown when I was in my 20's. Starting the day at Santa Fe Artist Colony, heading over to Chinatown for dim sum, seeing a band play at Joe's Bar and always ending up at Gorky's.. (for those of you that have no idea what I am talking about http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/498245<br />
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This is why I heart l.a.<br />
<br />
Peace<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-2863451626721052315?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-5337417793443423352010-10-28T15:58:00.000-07:002010-10-28T15:58:34.519-07:002010-10-28T15:58:34.519-07:00Don't Blink<b>'You Blink, You die' by James Patterson and Howard Roughan</b><br />
<br />
What can I say? Just another Patterson Page-turner. So excellent, that I read it in 1 week. This is a fiction novel which follows a reporter, Nick Daniels.<br />
<br />
It starts out with Nick in Darfur doing an article on the Janjaweed Militia barely getting out of there alive. And this is just the first few short chapters..<br />
<br />
What follows when he is called back home to New York to do an interview with a legendary baseball player is just the beginning in his whirlwind life of getting to the truth and trying to stay alive.<br />
<br />
The end will shock you...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-533741779344342335?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-51196815950567110102010-10-22T13:27:00.000-07:002010-10-22T13:27:30.282-07:002010-10-22T13:27:30.282-07:00Inside the Crips<b>Written by Colton (Lil Cee Loc) Simpson and Ann Pearlman with Forward by Ice T<br />
</b><br />
This book was an eye opener. I was not only amazed to learn what is like to be inside of a large L.A. gang, but to learn about the corruption inside of the Jail and Prison system. Now let me just say this - Yes, the majority of these guys in the system have performed some henious crimes and maybe they were not caught at the time of the crime, but they would eventually be arrested and incarcerated at a later time for a crime they possibly did not commit. I am the first person that will tell you that I am a true believer in "what goes around, comes around". But, when you read that prison officials - individuals whom our tax paying dollars are funding - are enciting racial wars among prisoners and supplying some of the prisoners with weapons and also placing wagers on it. This just disgusts me. Human beings being treated like mere pit bulls placed into a fight against each other is so sickening.<br />
<br />
I lost my best friend in the world to the L.A. County Jail system. He had turned himself in to do his time and attend court for mere traffic violations. While in the holding cell he started to have an asthma attack. He asked the guards for medicine - they ignored him - so, he made a collect call to his Mother and told her "I am having an asthma attack and no one will help me".. she called all over the jail to speak to someone to help him. However, a mere few hours after that call to her, he was dead upon arrival at L.A. County Hospital. Yes, I blame the officers in the jail that night - I know their protocol is to help a prisoner who is having a mere asthma attack - I know their leader has praised his efforts that they are capable of assisting asthma and diabetic patients. RIGHT... Most important to me, is this man was not just my best friend, but my son's Father. It's okay, you can cry - I still do..<br />
<br />
Anyway - this book is just amazing - the best part is to see the transformation Lil Cee made from being a top tier gangbanger to becoming a successful writer and music promoter. To overcome what he did and get out of the lifestyle is incredible.<br />
<br />
While you are reading about the organizational structure of the gang, it reminds you much as though reading a large company or military's organizational chart. Really, made a shiver go up my spine. But at the same time when you read that a child the age of 10 can shoot and kill someone in cold blood and not blink an eye - this just makes my blood run cold. What can make a child turn out like this?<br />
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You would probably say to yourself, like I did, well, it is a socioeconomic thing. Well, Lil Cee's father was a famous baseball player. So, there was not an issue of economics in his family. No, the father did not live with the family and yes, the mother was in an abusive relationship with a man whom also abused the children. However, this happens all of the time and kids do not always join a gang because of it. There are many reasons for kids to join a gang and one of them does seem to be the power that they receive when in a gang. However, that power is stripped when they get to jail or prison. And, this is what the author describes.<br />
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Very good book and hard to put down.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-5119681595056711010?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-43784315484823435362010-10-21T12:58:00.000-07:002010-10-21T12:58:47.015-07:002010-10-21T12:58:47.015-07:00I watched this movie called "Trespass" - not so great movie made in 2000 - but Ice Cube, Ice T and Bill Paxton are in it. But, I ordered it because an old friend of Eric's (my eldest sons Father and my best friend who has passed away) is in it. His name is De'Vorouex White. Wow, just seeing his face brings back so many memories. We all had so much fun hanging out (before he got his big break in a sitcom). <br />
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I look at my life now and it seems so dull and monotonous. But, I am so grateful for all of my memories because I know as age sets in, we start to lose some of these memories. So, maybe that is what I should use this blog for - catching old memories..<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-4378431548482343536?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689543330227332203.post-29008381639008552222010-10-11T23:01:00.000-07:002010-10-11T23:01:54.005-07:002010-10-11T23:01:54.005-07:00To YSubhana Allah went out to pick up milk and met Y. A young man who lost his legs due to being shot and not getting medical attention in time to save them. He informs me that he has been shot 5 times.<br /><br />He got me at Salaam Alaikum my Sister. He said to me as he lifted his wrist to show me his Nation of Islam tattoo...I am Muslim too. My heart melted and I asked him does he have a place to sleep. Oh yes, he and his Mom do. Alhamdulillah I said. <br /><br />I said My Brother there is a reason Allah has kept you here with all that you have been through. As he took my hand I said May Allah bless you and make life easier on you. Ameen. <br /><br />He said Thank you sister that is the nicest thing someone has ever said to me. <br /><br />Please keep him in your prayers<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2689543330227332203-2900838163900855222?l=aishateresajustme.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TeresaPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148288602947211321noreply@blogger.com0