I love Sid

Have you heard of Sid the Science Kid? It's a great show with these cute characters drawn in funny colors and they have these mini science lessons. Last fall, they even had an episode that addressed H1N1.

They also sing these really catchy songs:



I couldn't resist another one



(My blog is turning into an advertisement for children's shows... just another way that my siblings have taken over my life ;)

Maybe too much Disney

It used to be just me, but that didn’t even last for two years so I’ve long since accustomed myself to being the oldest child and not the only child. Eventually, it was my brother, my sister, and me. The three of us were born within three years of one another so we grew up together. It never occurred to us that we wouldn’t be the only ones and that after ten years we would be followed by three more girls and a boy. The four have changed our lives in a lot of ways – a lot of unexpected ways.

I am not a religious follower of any particular TV show, but if there is a show that I watch more regularly than any other it’d probably be Sonny with a chance or another Disney channel show (except for Hannah Montana). Also, if there’s a Disney channel movie, I’ve seen it. We didn’t have Disney channel when I was a child – God, I sound old – so maybe I’m making up for something I missed out on… nah, my brother, sister, and I enjoyed watching Arthur, Gargoyles, and Power Rangers. Good memories. No, the reason my entire family is so familiar with Disney channel is that it’s usually safer and easier for all of us to watch their show than vice versa.

There was the brief period of time that I followed the series Bones. If my little sisters were in the room, more often than not I had to change the channel at least a couple times because it was too gory for them. And when I watch Say Yes to the Dress, I get suckered into switching to something not as ‘boring’ by my sisters’ begging. Seriously though, I don’t mind watching Sonny and Chad Dillon Cooper, they’re quite entertaining; you should try it sometime. I have made references to Disney characters and shows that I found particularly humorous or applicable to my friends. Funny thing is, they don’t usually get my very intelligent references, and it’s probably because they don’t have younger siblings at home.

Sigh…the sacrifices I make.

"We Are Family"

I haven't heard this song in forever. Does anybody else recognize nearly every character that comes up in the vid? Except for the huge grizzly, I don't know who he is.

"How You Say It Matters!"

How You Say It Matters! by Amal Killawi

I found this article about relationships interesting. It relates to my previous discussion of my relationship with my parents, but the suggestions are applicable to all relationships.

For those of you who don't get a chance to visit the link, I'd like to share with you the 'magic equation' from the following excerpt:

                      Research studies actually reveal that in order to maintain a happy 

                     marriage, couples need to engage in 5 to 20 positive interactions for 

                     every negative one. (Gottman, 1993; Notarius and Markman, 1993)

                    One negative = five to twenty positives.

                   This magical equation is not just for couples. It can be applied in our 

                   relationships with family members, friends, classmates, colleagues, and 

                   others.

  

Killawi, Amal. "How You Say It Matters!." Suhaib Webb. Suhaib Webb, 7 May 2010. Web. 22 Jun 2010.

Islam & My Parents

This post is prompted by something that happened this evening. My mom and I were in the kitchen this evening when my baby brother, who is in his crib, starts to cry. He had a doctor’s appointment today and the two shots he got put him in an irritable mood all day. He was tired and supposed to be asleep so for a few moments, nobody moves to retrieve him. I can tell that my mom is tired after dealing with a cranky baby and the rest of the kids all day; I know that she’d love nothing better than for me to go to the baby and calm him into sleep. I didn’t go. The baby’s cries got louder and with a sigh of frustration my mom left the kitchen to tend to the baby. I feel both guilt and shame. It would have taken me barely five minutes; instead, I ignored my mother and her needs. Moreover, I think I added to her burden by the lack of consideration and caring reflected in my actions.

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and [that you show] kindness to parents. If one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor repel them but address them in terms of honor.
(Quran, 17:23)

I believe in God’s command to worship none but Him and to treat one’s parents with kindness. Note that belief in one God is the foundation of Islamic belief. The Muslim declaration of faith states, “There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Prophet Muhammad is His messenger.” (Allah is the Arabic term for God). Now, notice that the command to worship Him alone (the basis of Islam) is immediately followed by the command to treat parents well. The two are inseparable and this reflects the value Islam places on parents.

Once again, I am reminded of Robert Munsch’s book Love You Forever because it highlights the compassion, patience, and love of a mother for her child – things that can be appreciated but never repaid in full.

In my Islamic studies, I learned stories and sayings that demonstrate how good treatment of parents is rewarded with God’s blessing. Prophet Muhammad said, “May he perish… He whose parents (one or both) attain old age in his life and he does not enter Paradise because of his goodness towards them.” Among the prayers that God is sure to accept, according to Islamic teachings, is that of a parent for their child.

Thus, I believe that my relationship with my parents can place me in either heaven or hell. More than kindness, it is also gentleness, honor, and consideration with which I must treat them. When in spite of my deep love and respect for them, I am tempted to lash out at my parents (whether I am in the right or wrong) or ignore their needs, it is this belief that serves as a reminder to me and keeps me in check. For all the other times, I hope that my parents forgive me.