Your facial expression

Lately I have become so obsessed with facial expressions and body language. Well I’ve always been and I’ve always judged people by their expressions. I think I can read people’s feelings through how they express themselves both bodily and facially. Surely everyone can figure out the basic expressions; like differentiating between an angry and a happy face.

I find it more fascinating when I analyse someone’s face and instantly ask them what’s wrong with them and their answer matches my own thoughts. I believe this is a valuable skill to have. But you know what? Sometimes I over read it and it worries me to approach someone because I know what they would say. I wonder most of the time if I would have the right response to elevate some of their burden or even share their happiness when I’m in awful mood.

It was only a month ago when I was commuting with friends on the bus and I realised this middle aged white man looking at me abstractedly. It throw me away for a couple of seconds; especially when he couldn’t get his eyes off us. I let it pass and I didn’t comment but then he initiated a conversation. He said without any prior greeting ‘wow, do you know how many facial expressions you guys have made in the past 5 minutes?’ – Now, at this point I actually laughed. Firstly, he was a stranger conversing with us about our facial expressions and secondly he was confident enough to expect a reply from us. We could’ve easily pretended that he was perving on us.

I with my curious nature continued the conversation with him and we talked for a long time, mind you everyone on the bus was stunned at the depth of our conversation and I can see people’s eyes on us. Regardless, I found the conversation even more intriguing since then.

I’m also growing fond of photographs of facial expressions & portraits, especially B&W. Everything about it; the smallest of details makes me appreciate every muscle in our face and its capability.

truly a photograph can tell a story

I don't even know who he is but god, do I love the expression?!

This another clip a friend share with me, love it.

I sometimes can't wait to age with time, to see my face changing and telling my story and journey, it's truly a pleasure to witness it with my own eyes. Things should be left to change and no one should tamper with nature.

Behind the Scenes

Is it your face
that adorns the garden?

Is it your fragrance
that intoxicates this garden?

Is it your spirit
that has made this brook
a river of wine?

Hundreds have looked for you
and died searching
in this garden
where you hide behind the scenes.

But this pain is not for those
who come as lovers.

You are easy to find here.

You are in the breeze
and in this river of wine.

- Rumi

Me encanta España

I and my friends went through a phase where we would go to the cinema and watch whatever movie is on the list; just simply pick one without checking the review or even the trailer. Our victim movie that night was Vicky Christina, Barcelona. I think we were the victims. How? Well ...!

How can we get caught in a movie that half of it contains sexual references. We would unconsciously gaze down whenever a scene comes along. Secretively we would laugh at each other and at times giggle silently at our stupid mistake … why don’t we check before hand?! Anyways lesson is still being learnt.

PS: storyline was ridiculous, beyond ridiculous!

But one thing I love about this movie was the beautiful introduction it created to Barcelona – Spain. How I love that country and its language. I must admit till today I aim to learn Spanish one day. I think it’s a dead easy language to learn and I can speak Arabic which could make words far too easy to pick up and learn.

So in this movie everything was dreamy, of course apart from what I have mentioned earlier. The beautiful scenery of Spain and the guitar melody, it was a bit touchy, leaves you feeling all mushy. It teleports you to this other place where everything seems and feels gorgeous.

This is one of my favourite scenes –

I think this was during the phase where I was quite curious to learn about Spain’s history and especially the Islamic civilisation and Andalusia, so no wonder why this movie fitted in perfectly location-wise.  

Obviously Javier Bardem had a share in this whole special love *winks* but on a serious note, I think he is a great actor and even in his role in his last film Eat Pray Love was amazing.

Lastly, the beautiful Dee aka Ikran aka Deeqa reignited my love for Spain, ever since she moved there to study. <3

I always remember you!

Reminiscing Ramadan, the holly month where our soul ponders over what we have done the past whole year. This nasheed and highly produced clip by Shiekh Mishary Al-Afasy cuts it for me. The melody sometimes brings tears to my eyes and of course the lyrics do its part to trigger it.

This coming Ramadan I don’t think it will be the same, grandmother won’t be with us. We’re one down and all I wish is that her soul is granted Janaat Al-Fardous inshallah, I hope she is resting in peace and she can hear our prayers. Ameen!   

Ramadan is all about gathering with your family and retying the broken strings, to feel like you’ve your souls have intertwined with love and care.

Just as I type, I received a text message from a number which is not saved on my phone “My father’s brother passed away last night, please make dua’a for him and for us and for all the ummah” .. Subhanallah.

You never know when your loved ones are due to let go of the world. Do yourself a favour now so that you don’t regret it later for not being there for them

Peace & blessings

Counting down...!

It feels like a beautiful spring morning today. The breeze is gently caressing my cheeks and it almost feels like I'm smelling the scent of the blossoming flowers. I think the smell is coming from my sister’s hijab which I’m wearing now. She has collections of perfumes and even though I love perfumes I avoid wearing it when I go outside.

Anything that smells beautiful triggers my memory to beautiful spring or summer days and if this is complimented by any melody that just lifts my mood and makes me bask on cloud 9. Well this how I feel now, despite the fact I’m at the library and I’m doing my methodology to my thesis. What a great way to start the day <3

I’m counting down till it’s march and it’s spring. 25 days to till March and then one more month and it will be my birthday. I love the fact I was born in spring. I’m counting down…!

Craving all things red

Yes that’s right. It has been months now since I first craved having anything red to wear and the need only grew stronger in me. It could be a new red hijab, bag, shoes or maybe just maybe red lipstick *thinks twice*.

        

Red is a very bold colour and a strong statement to anyone who dares to wear it. It just flashes many labels like ‘strong personality’, ‘confident’, ‘brave’…! For me it was a mere cravings and I doubt till now that I have the bold personality to actually wear one; especially a red lipstick.

It was only when I saw a picture of a friend (Shamsa) that my cravings were triggered immediately. She looked absolutely stunning, mashallah!

I and my friend decided to pay a visit to MAC where it holds my favourite and most suitable make-up. We had one thing in mind, which was to try the red lipstick. I wont lie I looked unsightly but my friend insisted that it looked good and all I need is full make-up for it to look perfect.

Red Satin

In my own humble opinion I think not everyone can pull this colour and not every skin complexion can compliment this colour very well. Even though I own a caramel complexion it didn’t suit me much. But I tell you what suits me:



Media Satin




Yes it’s the MAC range of intense reddish-purple (Satin). I have always loved the colour maroon. It suits be perfectly but it’s not something I would wear publically, only in parties.

I think my cravings to all red are slowly dying… HELP!