toronneto:

Hello beauties!

It’s been a while since the last “Girl, yes he did” series and I do apologize! I know it seems that I’m forever apologizing but trust that there’s a good reason that I’ve been so busy and neglecting you. *Besos*

With this week’s “Girl, yes he did” we introduce Mickey…

Ready, set, go…

So you’ve polished your resume, sharpened your interview skills and purchased a spanking new interview suit. You are confident and well prepared for the interview. While an interview is an excellent way to showcase your skills, several things can go wrong, despite your best efforts.

Let’s consider some of these things:

• You checked the weather and travel channels, left home early with well over 1 hour to spare, leaving you time to have a coffee and check out the surrounding area.  On arrival at the bus stop, the bus is eternally late and there is nothing you can do…
• Your car breaks down, rendering you late or worse yet, unable to arrive at the interview
• You were pulled over by the police while on your way to the interview and promptly slapped with a speeding ticket. Despite your best efforts at begging, the officer still proceeds to keep you at the side of the road for a very lengthy period, subsequently issuing you a huge fine and sending you on your way
• You checked the address on mapquest well over a week ago, however on the day of the interview, you left home, forgot the address on your night table and had to return home to retrieve it
• You arrive at the address, but one or more of the interviewer is ill and the interview has to be rescheduled
• You fall sick on the day of the interview or the day before and will not be able to attend
• …and the list can go on

Sadly, any of the above scenarios can and do happen. What are you to do? The verdict is out on each of these.  Firstly, it is very rude to show up at an interview late, or not show up at all.

We’ve put together list of DO’s and DON’Ts and welcome your feedback and comments. 

• Once you realize that you are running late, DO phone the contact person at the organization, or the interviewer him/herself indicating that you are running late.  
• DO offer a reason for your lateness and ask whether it is ok to show up a bit late or possibly reschedule.
• If you fall sick on the day of the interview or prior, DO call and indicate this and ask whether it would be possible to reschedule when you feel better.
• DON’T take it for granted that it’s ok to show up, as it’s just a few minutes late and they will ‘understand’, since these things happen…
• DON’T show up with a cold, migraine or other form of sickness and try to make it through the interview

DO, stand firm and remember that what is for you is for you and nothing can stand in your way. Good luck and go wow them. Remember, the world is your oyster!

Literacy is the foundation upon which we should all stand.  I firmly believe that for a country to be successful, our citizens need to be empowered through literacy and ongoing education. (CLThurab)

I would like to thank everyone who visited, prayed, called, text and reached out in every way possible during my recent surgery.  God has brought me safely through what has been one of the most difficult periods in my life.  I am now at home recuperating, the pain is getting less each day and I’m so excited about what the new year can and will bring!  

Thanks again, you have no idea how much I appreciate each of you.  

Cheers and God’s blessings always, 

Cher

Believing you are exactly where God wants you to be in life!

This morning while listening to CNN I learnt that ‘more than 200 Indian girls whose names mean “Unwanted” in Hindi, have chosen new names’ in order to get a fresh start in life’.  The girls took to the street to protest the use of the name…You will not believe the story behind this.  

Would you name your daughter ’ Unwanted’?  I certainly won’t.  My daughters were very much ‘wanted’ and have brought a great deal of joy to my life. Each day, I thank God for them.  Should I should have named them ‘Wanted’, ‘Joy’, ‘Treasure’ or ‘Eye Apples’?  Perhaps.  

But in all seriousness, this story is very sad.

Check out the entire story at http://news.yahoo.com/285-indian-girls-shed-unwanted-names-122551876.html.

Ps. Do feel free to steal my name ideas for your unborn child and I will be honoured to be the Godparent.

Yesterday, I also had the pleasure of attending U of T Students Union, Kelly’s Corner breast cancer awareness night and fundraiser on behalf of CBCF.

Thanks to all the AWEsome students who came out to this event.  The turnout was amazing and everyone was very engaged.  A special thanks to the organizer, Muriam Salman for putting on this event.  

c.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the Ryerson University Pink Hijab Day, breast cancer awareness day and fundraiser on behalf of the Foundation.  It was an honour to be asked by the students to wear a hijab for the day. They also wanted my feedback with regards to the reaction by others, including my co-workers, to seeing me in a hijab.  

My reaction:  It was my first time wearing a hijab and I felt very comfortable, confident and beautiful. The students thought I looked ‘amazing, and so beautiful’. I was amazed at how beautiful they all were in their hijabs and the ‘strength’ (this was the theme this year’) they showed in wearing the hijab and their faith. Even the guys wore pink scarves around their necks, or pink kufis. In addition to being at the event and wearing a hijab, I was very happy to have the opportunity to meet the students and people who are helping to make a difference in the lives of others, including Nida Khan, my contact at the event, and the entire Muslim Students Association.  

On the street:  I walked from Ryerson back to my office, which was about a 10 - 15 minute walk. No one seemed to take any notice of me in my pink hijab. I did not feel invisible, nor that I was sticking out like a sore thumb.  I felt confident, beautiful and honoured to be wearing the hijab. (Ok, perhaps that was the reason… I walked with so much confidence, head held high, accompanied by pocketbook and briefcase, giving off a very professional aura, daring anyone to look at me differently :-)…well not ‘daring’, but you get the picture! 

My co-workers: Those who saw me thought I looked ‘lovely’, or ‘like I was from North Africa’.  Only one showed some surprise, as she didn’t recognize me with my back turned, but none of them looked at me strangely. Again, that could be because, in their words, they never know what new hairstyle I will be sporting on a daily basis. I guess this passed as another of my ‘hairstyles’. 

In conclusion, I was happy to support the event and to have the opportunity to wear a hijab.  While I still can’t know the extent of what a woman experience while wearing the hijab on a daily basis, it was an honour and sure beats going with your head uncovered on a cold rainy day!  

So on behalf of everyone at the CBCF, thanks to the folks at Ryerson University Muslim Students Association for your ongoing support.  Check out the attached video and pics of the event.

c.