Self-Control

I'm finally making some progress with this healthy living-gym freak business. I can feel and see the difference. And how do the forces that be decide to repay me?

1. Today is 31 cent scoop night at Baskin Robbins, and it's for a good cause!

2. The Panera I study at several times a week is celebrating it's one year anniversary today. I was here the day they opened, doing the same thing I'm doing today, "studying" or not. They're celebrating with free cookies! No limit -the cashier gave me a paper bag to take some home with me!

If this isn't a test in self-control that I'm going to fail, I don't know what is.

At the same time, I can't complain: discounted ice cream and free cookies!

One of Those Happy Hijab Moments

The other afternoon I (as usual) spent a couple of hours at Panera attempting to read ahead. Randomly some man approached me and asked if I'd do him a favor. My usual response to that question is "it depends." He explained he needed to run to his office for 15 minutes and asked if I would watch his stuff.

In a moment of niceness I agreed and asked where his belongings were. (He was standing before me empty handed. He pointed to a booth about six feet away. He walked back to it, packed up his laptop and whatever else he had and brought it all back to me placing it on the floor next to my bags.

He left and two thoughts came to mind: 1. Gosh I hope I don't get an airport type question from one of the Panera staffers. You know the "did you pack your own bags" deal? 2. This man doesn't know me, did he really pick me out of a crowd to watch his valuables for him?

About 15 minutes later, he returned from his office. When he walked over to retrieve his bag from the floor and thank me he voluntarily quipped "I trusted you because you have a sign of righteousness," waving his finger around his face to indicate my hijab was the sign.

subhan'Allah!