Salaam and Hello!

After a year of continuous bullying (mainly by NM and MD) I have finally started a blog! I feel the first post should explain the name. Those of you who have been around me pretty much 24/7 during Ramadaan will get the name, others will think I am a weirdo. ‘Sponge’ is a word that a friend of mine randomly said live on air whilst on a serious radio programme which made me and her collapse with laughter, ‘spoons’ comes from a really weird animation on youtube called salad fingers (very disturbing!) and is about a creature that likes rusty spoons and ‘squirrel’ because I pretty much see at least one squirrel a day on my way to the bus stop or out of my window and it amazes me every time!

Ok, that out of the way, you all still think I’m pretty strange but that’s fine, we can work with that! On to a more serious note, this has been, ‘technically’ my first Ramadaan. I say technically because I fasted last year but I wasn’t officially a Muslim until a few months ago. The first day of fasting was a day to remember as well as it was the ANTI WAR demo. What a brilliant day. It gave you hope again that this world does have its beautiful people who will unite regardless of colour, religion, gender, political background ect when there is a just cause. This is especially important to remember at this time where Muslims are slated pretty much everyday on the news. Plus it was good to make a bit of noise and to lead a march!

This Ramadaan has been special on so many different levels. I have learnt how to pray (pretty much) and managed to keep it up 5 times a day, I have been to taraweeh prayer most nights and to my first qiyam, so it has been a much more spiritual Ramadaan as opposed to a practical ‘just don’t eat’ month. The amazing people I have around me also have to take responsibility for the beauty of this Ramadaan. (Amazing fact of the day - I have only had iftar on my own ONCE throughout the whole of Ramadan, every other time at some ones house or with my adopted family, NM‘s beautiful lot!) Without them, it would not have been this special, I wouldn’t know how to pray, what to do, where to go ect. There’s only so much a book can teach you. It really illustrates just how important the Ummah is, to feel so secure and welcome in your faith and social circles is something that many people will never experience. I have made new friends and built on older friendships and got to know people much better. You guys will never know how much you have done for me, to quote Native Female, you have brought me closer to God practically and spiritually. I love you guys!

Mushy stuff out of the way, I have also helped out with Radio Ramadaan which has been a privilege and a pleasure. Especially the journey to the radio and the infamous Masjid show!
Yup I realise that this is a looooong entry, but forgive me, its my first one and I’m leaving a lot out that I would like to put in! Lol, lots of back dated entries to come inshaallah!