Going through airport security...

I must report that getting through airport security yesterday went much better than I'd dared hope, hijab and all! They had a line for military folks, so I zipped right through. There was one of the usual metal detectors - no issues there. The lady patted me down, but she was very professional and polite and it wasn't invasive. I felt very comfortable the whole time. The fact that she was very kind and friendly helped, too - many of the TSA agents look so cranky, it was almost odd to see a happy one. : P Then I had turkey dinner at Denny's with my friend after I arrived at my destination.

Woke up this morning to my kittens walking on me. : D So far this little vacation has been a great deal of fun. Fifteen minutes with my kittens just took away four months of stress. : ) I am much happier at this point in time.

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving with your families, lots of good food, and aren't too tuckered out from Black Friday shopping! I avoid shopping like the plague the day after Thanksgiving (partially because I'm usually finishing up my Christmas shopping at this point, not starting it), so I've been helping my friend out at her store after lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For those of you in the US, I extend my wishes for a happy Thanksgiving. I hope that this day finds you well and with your families. For those who aren't in the US or just don't celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you all a lovely day. : )

You won't believe this!

Something just occured to me a little while ago, so I dug around all the myriad piles of uniform stuff occupying my room (courtesy of Uncle Sam). And I found it. And tried it on.



According to the military, it is a "Fire Resistant Improved Lightweight Performance Hood", but by my calculations, it is hijab. It's hijab, and it's cold, so I can wear it outside! By golly, I'm going to wear it as often as I can get away with! That's why I'm grinning behind my hand. Because this is SO AWESOME.

On a side note, what do you gals think about the airport body scanner debate? I understand the need for tighter security measures, but at the same time, I don't like the prospect of a more invasive pat-down for those who opt out of going through the scanner. Either way, it's definitely a big invasion of privacy. You either go through the scanner and have some person - who could very likely be male, but you'd never know because the person who looks at the image is in another room - see you down to your undergarments (a mortifying thought) or you opt out and get practically strip searched as a result.

I know the TSA folks are just doing what they're told. The guy or gal running the machines and doing the searches doesn't have a say in the matter. They're little person on the totem pole. And I know that my hijab will make me a more likely target for paranoia, but not wearing it when I have the opportunity isn't an option. *sigh* This is one case where technology is more a curse than a blessing. (Unless they actually catch a bad guy would-be terrorist via this process.)

God is God is God...

Nothing too heavy tonight, ladies. Just wanted to drop a quick note, say hello, how are all of you, etc. Feeling very mellow tonight and comfortable with God. God is God is God. He doesn't change. He's the one being I can rely on at all times.

I must admit that I have a hard time seeing God as anything but a loving, gentle Father. Granted, He has to deal out the spankings from time to time because we get to rollin' on our "terrible twos" and just don't get whatever-it-is through our heads and try to "do our own thing" (in Army speak), but that doesn't make Him any less loving.

I kinda find it hard to believe that there are people out there who don't believe in God at all. I guess it's too deeply ingrained in me... I could never NOT believe in God. That's one thing that will be consistent for me.

So...just wanted to give a shout out and say: God, I love You. I really do. Even if I am a spoiled, bratty kid sometimes.

A time to give thanks...

I was just thinking of that verse... you know, there's a time for everything. Right now is a time for me to give thanks (which I really should do more often) for all of the wonderful people and things in my life. I'm thankful for such a kind and supportive group of ladies here in the Interwebs.

It's funny. I stumbled over Amber's blog during my quest for information on headcovering - could it really be something like a year and a half ago now? It's just snowballed from there. No matter what stage of covering you happen to be in at the moment (from none to full niqab) or what religion you belong to (Christian, Islam, questioning, etc), it's nice to have somewhere to discuss and rant and vent and just have someone tell you it's okay to question or be afraid to make a change.

You've all been a source of encouragement to me as my desire and ability to cover has been affected or curtailed by outside forces, or even those within me - may God grant me the strength to cover in my search for more closeness with Him, despite what other people, even my own family, think, Ameen.

Headcovering is scary, especially when there's no one else around you doing it. But it helps to know you're not the only one who feels that urge. (Although, honestly, I like bucking the system and not allowing myself to be stuffed into a box under this label or that one.)

I have so much to be thankful for, and you ladies are high on that list for helping me to make this journey closer to God through headcovering. It's a practice I intend to resume as soon as I return from this (literal) journey I'm currently on. I ask for your continued prayers.

New fall/winter items from HijabGirl!

I am absolutely in love with this:



I'm not usually a fan of sequins or beads, since they have an annoying tendency to fall off and leave dangling threads (or require you to handwash said article of clothing), but I think this is so cheerful and beautiful:



They've also been getting more wholesale/bulk hijabs, so you can get more at a lower cost. : ) If I were at home, I might go a wee hijab buying spree. : D That purple is just gorgeous...