What are you doing today?

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 2 comments

Bismillah...
We've got a few things to keep us busy...

Today is International Children's  Book Day. The theme is:
 "Once upon a time, there was a story that the whole world told."
Will you be sharing a story with your children today? Check out the IBBY and how you can celebrate here. If you read a story tell us bout it in the comment section.
...

Happy Earth Hour. Did you know that the WWF, the Washington-based environmental group that organizes the event, said the number of countries and territories participating had grown from 135 last year to 147 this year. Libya, Algeria, Bhutan and French Guinea are among those participating for the first time. Are you participating? Do you have photos to share? Let us know...



Don't forget to enter Rainbow's latest giveaway. We hope you have a great week-end.


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I've been lagging on unschooling stuff...

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 2 comments

Bismillah...
Here's a new contest @ Poster for Tomorrow. I really wanted the girls to get involved in this but *sadly* I cannot commit to one more thing right now. For all you creative souls...artists...feminists...humanists...whatever...JOIN IN!
Note: I will stay true to my word and focus on unschooling, reviews and "Chasing Rainbow" on this blog. Please visit my personal blog for my daily updates, and random tidbits. 

The info below was not written by me, it is taken from their site.
Call for entries now open!
The condition of women has undergone undeniable improvements during the last century. But these improvements haven’t happened everywhere and even where they have been the strongest, well, they are far from being strong enough.

Gender inequality still lingers unchallenged: it’s one of those things that are hard to see precisely because they are right in front of our eyes.
That’s why we ask all of you to see beyond the status quo and imagine a different future. We need gender equality now, because more opportunities for women are more opportunities for us all.

The jury members of this current edition are:
Majid Abbasi (Iran), Cristina Chiappini (Italy), Gitte Just (Denmark), Maria Kurpik (Poland), Alain Le Quernec (France), Malte Martin (France), Leila Musfy Awad (Lebanon), Carolina Rojas (Colombia), Serge Serov (Russia), Paula Troxler (Switzerland), Rene Wanner (Switzerland) and Guy Schockaert (Belgium) as moderator.

Competition Calendar:
Call for entries open: 8 March 2012
Call for entries close: 10 July 2012
Online jury vote: 20 July - 10 September 2012
Live jury session, Paris: 5 October 2012
Worldwide exhibitions opening: 10 December 2012
Available downloads:
Download the complete call for entries right here and right now.
The brief is also available in a number of languages on the right hand of this page.
If you'd like to read the small prints, please download their contest regulations.
How to upload your poster:
Register to their website and upload your finished designs by logging into your account.
You’ll find the submission form at the botton of your personal account page.
Submissions must be JPG files, 2953x4134 pixels in size, 150DPI in resolution and in RGB colour space.
Files must be smaller than 10mb.

Please note:
To upload your design you’ll need to be registered on their website. You can do that by clicking on the “sign up” button at the top of their page.
Send in your artwork early to avoid last minute problems. Contest deadline is on 10 July 2012.
Do not try to send images in a different size, resolution or file format: the system will not accept your files.
Files larger than 10mb won't be accepted and heavier files in the 8-10mb range will often block our system, if you can't upload your file please try to reduce the export quality settings.

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/
http://www.posterfortomorrow.org/



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Friday Wisdom

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 4 comments

Bismillah...
I am joining the lovely blogger Muslim Mummy's Wisdom Friday. 



Typecast
 Any thoughts on this quote?
Everyone's Welcome. Join Muslim Mummy for a dose of Friday Wisdom!


Happy Friday ladies.

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International Children's Book Day ***Giveaway***!

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 24 comments

Bismillah...
"Once upon a time, there was a story that the whole world told."

At Chasing Rainbow, we are telling many stories with our newest give-away. Remember my post here? I am back with our giveaway and we hope that you will join us in reading, learning, and sharing. Our 2012 International Children’s Book Day giveaway is comprised of several books about people and places. We've also tossed in some classics.

This giveaway is unique because it is solely for the purpose of promoting literacy; it's all about kids and reading. You don't have to jump through the hoops of following blogs or anything like that, AND I will choose not just one, but 2 lucky winners. Iman and I have selected some books that reflect culture,learning, and the joys of reading as a family. We are happy to be able to give them as gifts to others who also love reading.

Each package will include:
1 fun read (a classic)
1 of Rainbow's favorites
1 book about people/culture/diversity
1 book about learning
( More info? Scroll over books...)

Package #1




Package #2


Rules:
Open to:  Readers/friends EVERYWHERE (international) BUT just to make it more fun... IF you are not a parent you can enter for a chance to win the prize/gift for a friend, even if she has already entered the giveaway. If your number is chosen, I will even send your friend a card on your behalf.


How to win: 2 separate comments please :)
1) Tell me how you share story-time with your family
                           &
2) Tell me which package you would like to win & why
It would also be nice if you would pass this give-away on to other bloggers and friends.

Special Note: Please know that while I would love to give you the package of your choice; there is no guarantee that this will be the case. Each winner is chosen by a random generator, and we have done our best to ensure that each package has something everyone will love.

*The Winners will be chosen on Wednesday April 4th and announced on the Chasing Rainbow blog on that day (**emails will not be sent- so please visit on that day**). Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize OR another winner will be chosen.

Happy Reading!








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Eeek! it`s time to Wean...

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 12 comments

 Bismillah...

Last week Rainbow was biting and I threatened to wean him. I didn't know that I meant it until last night.  I have loads of milk stored in the freezer, but he won't even look at it, lol. 

I don`t know what I did with Amira (who nursed forever...well, it felt like forever) but Rainbow won`t go without a fight. 
How did you do it OR How are you doing it now?



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*Giveaway* in honour of International Children's Book Day

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 3 comments

 Bismillah...

Did you know that Saturday March 31st is International Children’s Book Day? At home we celebrate reading every single day, and most of you don't know but it is also my job, so obviously I love and promote literacy as much as I can. People from all over the world have been celebrating International Children’s Book Day since 1967 on or around the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen.  International Children’s Book Day is facilitated by IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People). Celebrated world-wide it sets to promote a love of reading. 

What I love about this special program is that each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD. It decides upon a theme and invites a prominent author from the host country to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster. These materials are used in different ways to promote books and reading. Many IBBY Sections promote ICBD through the media and organize activities in schools and public libraries.

This year’s (2012) international sponsor is IBBY  Mexico.  
The theme is: Once upon a time, there was a story that the whole world told   
The message was written by Francisco Hinojosa, and the poster was created by Juan Gedovius. 
About Ibby 
 IBBY was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953. Today, it is composed of seventy National Sections all over the world.The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is a non-profit organization which represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together.
Often ICBD is linked to celebrations around children's books and other special events that may include encounters with authors and illustrators, writing competitions or announcements of book awards.


IBBY Canada is one of more than 70 National Sections of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a non-profit organization that was founded in the wake of World War II by Jella Lepman. This remarkable woman believed in the power of children’s books to bridge cultures and, ultimately, to promote peace.

What you can do on International Children’s Book Day
Some suggestions:
•   read and promote stories by Hans Christian
•   introduce folk tales from around the world to your friends
•   invite friends for stories and treats
•  share books about kids from other cultures
•   have a creative afternoon (paint, draw and read) about children from all over the world
•   start a pen pal club with children from abroad
•   share different ways to promote peace (draw or paint a picture with your kids)

IBBY
 USA

Literacy (& other) Organizations that we love


Check out some of our (Rainbow, Iman, Amira) favorite reading and literacy unschooling links here.


 We will be announcing our give-away on the next Book of the Week post (Wednesday), Please stay tuned!

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{ He's just not the right man for me }

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 8 comments

Bismillah...

Because he's from Yemen

because he lived in Egypt

Because he practices Islam

because he's a Muslim man

Because he chooses to practice Islam "here"

because he isn't like every other man (Western)

Because he does things differently

because he has an accent

Because we don't always see eye to eye

because he is protective of his children

Because his wife covers her body and her hair

because he is devoted to his parents

Because he doesn't chase other women

because he doesn't drink alcohol

Because he CAN"T look you in the eye and lie to you

because he would rather go home to his family at the end of the day

Because he is who he is...

                                          he must be set in his culture.
                                                                                                               he is a fanatic.
he is controlling.
                                                          he's a typical Middle eastern man.
he has no limits.
                              he is over-bearing and strict.
                                                                                      he doesn't know how to integrate.
                                                     he is selfish.
he's uneducated.
                                                                                   he is set in his ways.
                                  he's weird

This is the message that I receive almost every day from people who know nothing about my husband. They don't know our relationship, or our hardships- but they know that...he's just not the right man for me. They do not hesitate to point out that he is different, and that someone as educated as I am should "never stand for that...".

Do you know what "THAT" is? THAT is covering my body. THAT is being a humble servant of Allah and serving my husband as an equal partner. THAT is preferring to stay at home with my kids and husband...cooking...baking...reading...laughing with them instead of hanging out about town.
THAT is being satisfied with what I have, because I know it actually isn't that much better out there. How dare I ask my husband if I can do something? Sometimes I tell him I will do something...YET, many times out of respect, out of compromise I ask...what's wrong with that? MARRIAGE IS NOT A FAIRY-TALE...IT IS NOT HOLLYWOOD (like those people even stay married). Gheesh!

IF I COMPLAIN then I could not ask anyone to keep his mouth shut, but no one has a right just to assume they know him, or the life I live. If my husband was from the West, and he reacted or acted in a certain way, I wonder what the argument would be. I wonder why anyone would put a person in a position to defend why she married or loves a good God-fearing man.

I'll tell you what...just to prove everyone right I will leave my husband. I will tell him that popular beliefs and ignorance means more to me than my marriage vows. I will throw away my memories, and my partner in sharing and maintaining a home. I will do that. Then what happens? Who will pay my bills? Who will tend to me when I am sick? Who will raise my children? Who will commit to honour and protect me? Who will help me strive in my deen? What kind of idiocy...

AND IT GETS WORSE...
I am sorry to say this BUT I MUST (I don't personally have anything against ANY race..I hate that word & worse, I hate what the idea of race stands for. I also have no intent to single out a group of people, BUT this is from my own personal experience and it is tiring).   
From his end it is the same drama. He cannot meet enough Arabs who cannot understand why he married a Black woman...of all the women in the world. What makes Arab or Red people, or Blue People so much better? These people (these so-called fellow Muslims) are not nice people...they are not accepting of anything different from what they know. I know because I have had to deal with too many in my short time as a Muslim.  Is it a few bad apples? Hmmm...

They pick and choose bits and pieces of the Holy Quran to fit their ideals. They will smile to your face and sneer behind your back. They will preach blah blah blah about this hadeeth and that ayat (so what????). They torment people with their negative outlook on life, and most of all they are masters in excluding people- the Prophet never did that. Didn't they read the Quran...didn't they take anything good from the Holy Book and the Prophet of Islam?
"O Mankind, we created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you in to tribes and nations so that you may know each other (not that you despise each other). Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is most righteous of you." (Al-Quran, Chapter 49, Verse 13).
Did they miss this memo? Ah, sure they must have. But they will preach about Holy war against these people and these ideals...pathetic. They ask for rights that they would not extend to ANYONE  if  he begged with his life. They backbite and are so darn fake. So much for Islam- so much for the so-called ummah.

The Prophet came and gave us a message about humanity... he told us that none had a right over another- not rich over poor or vice-versa; not one race over another:  Did they not read????
"And amongst his signs is the creation of heaven and the earth, and variation in your language and colours; Verily, in there are signs for those who know" (Al-Quran, Chapter 30, Verse 22)
What have we taken from the teachings...what have we learned? What have we done with all our wisdom? Absolutely nothing! We have created a pathetic circus of racism, sexism and the ever popular “I am a real Muslim and you’re not...I come from the family of the Prophet...blah blah blah.”  This is our legacy?

Thinking that God created this whole planet just for one group of people, is like believing that we are the only beings in the whole universe. Seriously, some people need to get over themselves.

*So tired of it*









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It all happens on Saturday mornings...

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 3 comments

Bismillah...

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you all had a great and restful week-end. I cannot believe that Rainbow is almost 17 months, he's still quite tiny but very strong.

Here are some updates:

Building Social Skills
I was always worried that Rainbow would lack social skills. It wasn't a big worry, but as a former nanny, I remember how some children just couldn't socialize because they were home all day. That was one of the reasons why I started taking him to playgroups.
Since I have been working, Rainbow is in daycare, and he attends playgroup with A his carer. He actually goes to playgroup 2 days a week, and would be able to join in another outing if he went to daycare on Fridays (which he doesn't).
Rainbow has been ill sick starting daycare, and we have all been ill as well. It was expected, but it is still driving us crazy trying to fill in the gap for care because he can't go when he's sick.

Reading
I have been reading with Rainbow as usual, and take every opportunity to do so. Since I am nursing, it works out really well, and often we end up sharing 5 or 6 books daily- not bad. I have also set aside one hour on Saturday mornings to have our own play and sing time. I have been using videos, stories and toys for our special hour and so far it has been a hit.

I am trying to come up with themes, so that I can plan ahead, instead of just going with the flow (which isn't bad). The reason I want to have themes is so that we can really utilize that time for learning and relaxing, inshaAllah. We've been having so much fun!

Islam
Baba has not been able to take Rainbow to the masjid...I hope that soon our schedules will allow for that again. I will be ordering some Islamic books and toys this week, inshaAllah, and we will be using them for structured play-time.

Arabic
We are lagging here. Baba needs to step up to the plate.

French
...we act this song out...he loves it. Just picture me and Rainbow and the girls marching around the room pretending to play musical instruments, lol. Have you ever heard this song?

Bonhomme Bonhomme
Bonhomme, bonhomme sais-tu jouer?(bis)
Sais-tu jouer de ce violon là?
Zing,zing, zing de ce violon là.
BONHOMME!
Tu n'es pas maître dans ta maison quand nous y sommes.
Bonhomme, bonhomme sais-tu jouer? (bis Sais-tu jouer de cette flûte là? (bis)
Flûte,flûte, flûte de cette flûte là.
Zing, zing, zing de ce violon là.
BONHOMME!
Tu n'es pas maître dans ta maison quand nous y sommes.
 Bonhomme, bonhomme sais-tu jouer? (bis)
Sais-tu jouer de ce tambour là? (bis)
Boum, boum, boum de ce tambour là.
Flûte,flûte, flûte de cette flûte là.
Zing, zing, zing de ce violon là.
BONHOMME!
Tu n'es pas maître dans ta maison quand nous y sommes.
 Bonhomme, bonhomme sais-tu jouer?(bis) 
Sais-tu jouer de ce piano là? (bis)
Piane, piane, piane de ce piano là.
Boum, boum, boum de ce tambour là.
Flûte,flûte, flûte de cette flûte là.
Zing, zing, zing de ce violon là.
BONHOMME!
Tu n'es pas maître dans ta maison quand nous y sommes.

Storytime out Loud
Rainbow and I have been sharing the Child`s Play books. This is not our regular story-time; it is play through learning, combined with exercising and having fun. These "sessions" are all about jumping, and crawling, and bouncing around. He's getting so good at it...

We`ve also incorporated the Barefoot Books into our routines.

 I guess that`s our update for now.









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March Weigh-In

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 2 comments

Bismillah...

I didn't get a chance to weigh in so here it is. As you all know I went back to work after being off work (bed rest, MAT leave, Post-Mat leave break). Now that I am finally back in the working world, it makes a huge difference in everything that I do - including stress levels.

This month I was shocked to see that the scale didn't move (really). The thing is, my clothes are feeling more loose, so I don't know how that works, but I am happy regardless. I am still unable to fit into my jeans, and my jeans are the ultimate marker of my success, so I still have a lot of pounds to go b(not my over-all success, lol...just my weight loss success). There are also a lot of clothes (even new ones) that are hanging in my closet (unworn). I am waiting for my big moment ladies. It's coming, I know it.

Here's my weight scale here.  Scroll to the bottom of the page to see where I started, and where I am now.



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I hear it gets easier...*waiting*

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 8 comments

Bismillah. . .
I'm reposting from my other blog because I am too tired to think today. Rainbow's still sick...my whole world is upside down. Okay, it's not that bad but...
all 

i 

can 

think 

about 

is 

sleep












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World Water Day

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 5 comments

Bismillah...


Each year on the 22nd of March it's World Water Day. First celebrated in 1993, the day was established by the United Nations to celebrate the importance of fresh water around the globe. 


There are 7 billion people to feed on the planet today and another 2 billion are expected to join by 2050. Statistics say that each of us drinks from 2 to 4 litres of water every day, however most of the water we ‘drink’ is embedded in the food we eat.

Much of the water consumed on earth goes into food production. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that it takes 135 litres of water to produce one egg, 40 litres of water to produce one slice of bread and 65 litres per 100 grams of fruit and vegetables. Chickens, wheat, fruit and vegetables need water to grow, but not as much cows as pigs. It takes 208 litres of water for one glass of milk; producing 1 kilo of beef for example consumes 15,000 litres of water while 1 kilo of wheat ’drinks up’ 1,500 litres. It is this relationship of water to food security that is theme of this year's World Water Day.

And you? Do you know how much water you actually consume every day? How can you change your diet and reduce your water footprint? Join the World Water Day 2012 campaign “Water and Food Security” and find out more!


A selection of photographs on the subject Water and Food are now online on the Official World Water Day Flickr Page. 

You can do something about it.

Check out another water initiatives that I support here.














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Book of the Week: La flaque d'eau (The Puddle)

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 0 comments

 Bismillah...


Welcome to another Chasing Rainbow Book of the Week. Spring is almost here, and with Spring comes lots of raindrops. March 22 is also World Water Day so we decided that “Water” would be a fitting theme.
Our book of the Week is titled , La flaque d'eau by David M. McPhail, which is all about water (specifically puddles).  

What is the book about?
Rainy days and puddles go hand in hand don’t they? What about toy sailboats…frogs…turtles and alligators? How about Pigs and elephants too?  Our story is about a curious little boy who has an afternoon he will surely never forget. As he sets out to play with his toy sailboat, his mother has only one rule for him.
Soon the little boy finds that a lot can happen on a rainy day. Puddles can be great backdrops for adventure...

Since I am away from home all day, I know that Rainbow will not have any French time AND I also need to keep up with what I have learned as well. A lot of this time is fun time, I don't really think about it as learning anymore, as I used to- now it's Rainbow and mommy time.We've been reading a lot of French books lately. French doesn't come easy for me- I have lost so much over the years. With this loss of vocabulary and the lack of ease of just "jumping into it", my confidence is also shot. Also, I am very,VERY distracted with Arabic these days (not to mention work), so I am not at my best. I feel that I am floating somewhere in between the land of French and Arabic, and I suck at both, BUT we have to do it- we try our best.

 La flaque d'eau was a fun read. It was a bit old for Rainbow in the sense of him following the story (I don't even think he does, lol), but the book was still worth sharing, and we will read it again and again, inshaAllah. We do not own this book, it was borrowed from the library, and we read it a few times in our little play area. The illustrations are simple and elegant with just the right colours. We practiced colours and there were some fun vocabulary words as well all in French of course...I had to consult my dictionary a few times, but hey, that's the adventure. 
Of course the adventurous animals were the highlight of the story for a certain young reader.

Check out the English version of the story The Puddle. We haven't read it, but I am sure there are just a few variations {like the cover :) }

InshaAllah we will be able to share pictures again soon when I get a new camera.

xxo
Did you read any stories this week?







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