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Professional Development

It's hard to believe that I have spent so much of my last days of Ramadan in a resume/coverletter stupor. A film now covers my eyes, and I suppose my heart too. I see only PT or FT, paid or unpaid, internship, search agents, and opportunities as catch phrases to my day. I have sent out 10 applications in total over the past week, but feel I am still lagging behind on follow-ups.

Looking for a part-time job is no joke, my friend.

I guess I always thought it would be. I imagined I would be a youth coordinator at SAYA! after I graduated, but now I guess I am designing my own intergenerational program in New Jersey. I have a lot of homework and research to do on my project actually. I want to get in touch with some possible mentors and that, too, seems difficult with all the pending work that lies before me. The mountain of applications is subsiding, but i am going to look into other opportunities for professional growth. Internships are simply one avenue.

This Ramadan has been the best one of my life. It is the first time in my life I am not working in a traditional office/school setting. I am in charge of my day, and chose to structure time according to salaat as much as possible as opposed to that arbitrary lunch that has been deemed so important in American culture. I have listened to Islamic CD's, have listened and read Quran every day alhamdullilah, have prepared iftaar for my family, have gone to tarawee often, have kept my home relatively clean and orderly, and have established a study/work schedule of sorts. I have avoided the usual time suckers that keep me from accomplishing anything: TV and NPR. I am accountable for my time to God alone.

I have reestablished ties with friends. I love them, but have struggled to keep those ties strong. But I think that once someone enters your heart, she remains there for as long as you have a memory.

I have forgotten how to write. How to well, anyway. I am working on reading now. Trying to improve my reading speed and comprehension by reading, learning words, writing flashcards. Oh the usual stuff I used to love in high school.

I am slowing returning to normal. Domesticity has a place but cannot be the excuse for laziness.

I've missed you, my reader. Welcome back.

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