Book Review: Does My Head Look Big in This

What better place to be reading a book than sitting on the beach whilst the kids are being kept busy in the sand and sea on a loveley warm sunny day.

OK so I did not get through this whole book while at the beach and I did get into the sea for a dip but I was able to get through a substantial amount of this book whilst we were on the coast for a week.

Does my head look big in this? was an easy fictional read about 16year old Amal Mohamed Nasrullah Abdel-Hakim an Australian-Palestinian- Muslim and spans a over a period of approx 1 Australian school term (11weeks) and the dilemmas she faces as a teenager going to McCleans Grammar School in Melbourne.

Whilst on holidays Amal makes the decision that she would like to return to school wearing a hijab (head scarf) on a full time basis, not just part-time. That means she will be wearing her hijab in all public situations outside her family home including to school each day. Even if she may encounter negativity from others. Amal goes through the process of all teenagers wanting to wear the right clothes, looking nice and fitting in.

In the end Amal finds that through the support of her family, her old school friends and current school friends she gets through in tact and feels comfortable with the person she is.

This book whilst raises some serious issues is easy and lighthearted to read and a great recommendation to any teenager/young adult trying to fit in to their world whilst trying to be true to themselves even if it means sticking out a little.

I have been very fortunate to be brought up in a society which was so rich in diversity as a child my dad had a Lebanese friend and from a young age we were eating Lebanese foods, my mum worked in hotels and had friends who were Yugoslav, Thai, Japanese, Polish. At school I was friends with Muslims who would pray at lunch, Greeks and Chinese so for me I have a great respect for all humans who ultimately have respect for others. I am however Anglo and have not experienced discrimination due to race so I can not fully understand the dilemmas faced by making a choice to wear something which really makes me stand out but I guess as a teenager I faced many of the challenges of fitting in and belonging - in the end it is about surrounding yourself with a few friends who love and support you for all you are and ignoring those who choose to put you on the outer for whatever reasons they may choose.

Birthday Girl

WOW I can't believe my big girl is already 9.

She has had a great Birthday week celebrating with old friends down the coast and come home a beach bunny.

Tulei who is just 3 days older, who we met when we were both pregnant and have lost contact for the last 5 years - amazingly I received a text from her only days before we went on holiday and found they had moved down the coast so we spent a few days with them at the beach, pool and carnival

and catching up with her old friend Jack

We arrived home this afternoon and first on the agenda was present opening, Bronte was, as always spoilt getting lots of pressies - she loved them allThen out for a special birthday dinner.

Book Review: Marley & Me

I thought I would start a new meme - Book reviews of the latest books on my night stand so here is the first completed book for 2009 Marley and Me By John Grogan transformed into a motion picture out now in cinemas.

I bought this book on Christmas day whilst waiting to board the plane to mum's - not the cheapest place to be buying a book but I was on the last few pages of my book and was in need of a new one.

Marley and Me is a book about Marley and his 13 years with the Grogan family. Marley is a very anxious, energetic and very large lab who failed to pass puppy obedience due to his over enthusiastic outlook on life. He costs the family many trips to the vet and repairs to the family house and sees the family through 3 births and 3 moves 2 in Florida and 1 to Pennsylvania. Marley whilst his antics created chaos in the home was really loved by his family.

Marely and Me was an easy read and made me happy and surprisingly made me cry at the end of his life. It made me glad to have a cat (who in the last months has cost a small fortune in vet bills repairing war wounds), and a real reminder about how important it is to choose a pet very carefully but also how much love they bring into a family.

Whilst I enjoyed the book I would not run off to see the movie - I can wait for it to come out on DVD. However if you are not a book reader Marley and Me may prove a light movie to see for any pet lover.

We are heading down the coast "to the blue house" for a week along the water, some books and outdoor fun.

Lookout for my next book review coming in the near future.

High Fashion Toddler Style - Work It!

Still not smart enough to hide the chocolate raid evidence which covers the face and pygamas.

Weekend Sewing

Just because - I have had this fabric in my stash for quite some time now with plans to make an outfit for Miss M so I made some adaptions to a pattern I already own, added ruffles, raided her t-shirt draw and appliqued 2 already worn t-shirts for 2 new outfits.I really love long cotton pants on Miranda for Summer her skin is fair and our sun has a sting so these pants provide coverage without being heavy and hot.

Holiday

We have had a lovely holiday in Brisbane visiting Grandma, there were many things to see and do.
The highlights were Sea World and for Bronte a swim with the dolphins.

Dress up's - raiding Grandma's clothes.

Streets Beach - a beach in the middle of the city

For Bronte a touch of the finer life with VIP Tapis Rouge Tickets to Drallion with Grandma,

Whilst Miranda imitated a Pear at the Art Gallery and encoutered Crocodiles at the Museum.

My highlight was a luxurious trip to the hairdressers and my lovely new earings.

Thanks Mum for a fun holiday.

I hope you are all enjoying the fesitve season and enjoying time with family and friends.