Looking forward to the weekend..

This morning was a cold and freezing start, bit of a shock to the system. As I let myself out of the house and let the door lock behind me, I realised how blooming cold it was and the car windows had freezing ice over them. It was too late to go back inside and get some warm water. I was already running late having set my alarm completely wrong, I really couldn't deal with shifting ice off my screen. I frantically sprayed de-icer and set off with visibility as poor as a blind bat! This is why dad always checks the forecast the night before!

I drove to the petrol station, since I had no fuel at all and it beeped all the way to the there. Speaking of which the flipping fuel prices have gone up yet again, I can't believe that fuel is close to £1.06p per litre. We must be one of the very few countries to be extortionately charged for our fuel but hey I needed to get to work so sod the prices!

Anyway, I had to dash home at lunchtime. I finished my paper late last night and shoved it into the envelope. I had shut the computer down and I couldn't be bothered to log back on to get my tutor details and decided I would do it at work this morning.  Only when I tried that, for data protection issues the university after God knows how long has suddenly decided that the addresses are no longer on the student home page. Damn it!

I arrived home to lovely culinary smells coming from the kitchen, where mother was stood at the stove stirring away at something bubbling in the pot that looked scrummy. I daren't even walk into the kitchen, aware that I had to go back to work, and the last thing I wanted was to walk back into the office smelling like, in my brother's word 'a curry-smelling-paki'. When I first heard this remark, I thought he was being utterly derogatory. But now I kind of smirk every time I think of this statement.

My niece came running to me with an excited little face wondering what on earth I was doing home at this time of a day. We sat on the floor as I got my books and papers out, and she watched me as I quickly sketched the gate-control theory diagram. The book shut and she opened it up looking for the picture that I was sketching 'Is this the one?' she asked. Without looking up I went 'yes sweetie, that's it!' Later when I looked up I realised she'd done a pretty good job trying to find almost the exact picture of what I had sketched, though not quite the same one, her perception was outstanding.

She proceeded to tell me Khadija didn’t talk to her in nursery today and looked rather despondent.  I looked at her and thought how some children don't really realise how they can hurt each other, whereas other children would go out of the way to make sure they don't hurt each other. My niece was definitely in the latter group.

I studied her little face and she looked ever so cute in her little summer dress which she said she put on because it was quite sunny this morning, even though her mother insisted to not but then in her words 'when I got outside it was really cold' Bless her, they are so innocent are kids, if only they could remain in such a state forever.

Trying to reassure her I said, well ‘maybe Khadija was having a bad day or maybe Khadija really liked your dress because sweetie you do have the ‘bestest’ dress in the world on today haven't you?' She nodded, she loves being complimented, but then who doesn't?!

She packed my things back into my folder sensing already that I was in a hurry, as I put my coat on kissed her and said goodbye to mum before I hurried back out.

Since I don't have children of my own, what you don't have, you miss the most but I completely adore my two nieces. Children bring you alive, they make you forget all the little and big worries. They make you feel wanted and special, especially when others don't and most of all; children genuinely, so innocently and undividedly need you and generally expect little or nothing in return.

I have had a really hectic week and almost every hour God has sent, I have been working flat out with very little time for recuperation. There is another huge project on the horizon which I am facing alone but I have faith in God to succeed.

Despite it all, I'm certainly looking forward to the weekend and to some 'me' time :)

Aisha