The last day of this tour was spent first with little anklebiters (the head start program children) reading them first Silly Chicken and then telling them my Big Red Lollipop story. It’s funny how the tone of my voice changes completely when I’m dealing with these tiny little children. Most of them are three or […]

After a day of four presentations, I certainly wasn’t expecting a boat ride out onto the bay. Kari Sagel, the librarian in charge of the Alaska Spirit of Reading program, asked me if I’d been able to go dog sledding or even snowmobiling in Barrow. Nope. Unfortunately neither of those opportunities arose. I wasn’t extraordinarily […]

What a few days it’s been! Went to the schools on Friday, and did two presentations yesterday at the Tuzzy Library. Wasn’t expecting any sort of crowd, it being Easter weekend and all… for goodness sakes I was competing with an Easter egg hunt! And yet I’d say there were close to 35 or 40 […]

This isn’t the first time I’ve presented to a mostly first nations audience. You’d think you’d get used to their reservation–pardon the pun (couldn’t resist!). I think it’s because first nations kids are so trained to be respectful to elders that they’re downright afraid to laugh. It’s kind of funny to see the laughs burst […]

I wonder if you actually do get comfortable with a radio mic in front of you and earphones on your head. I’ve been on radio a few times now. I remember the second or third time was the longest interview till this morning–about forty minutes. Today I spent an hour on radio talking to a […]

The clouds parted and the sun shone down on the sky in valdez! And my flight was able to not be cancelled! Apparently today was the first day back from a two week long spring break. I wasn’t surprised at all that it was a bit chaotic! Luckily a very nice local author drove me […]

and the proof of that is I’m constantly saying things I come to regret later. Last night, after presenting to the librarians at the conference I met with the librarian who’s going to be hosting me, insha Allah, in Barrow.  A charming lady, she asked if there were any dietary restrictions. I said an emphatic, […]

That’s what the snow looks like here in Valdez. Saw a church yard where a snow blower had carved out a path, and the yard was piled about five feet high with snow and yup, it looked like a layer cake. But you’ve got to admit there’s something amazing to be sitting at a restaurant […]

It wasn’t supposed to take 24 hours to get to Valdez! The longest thing was supposed to be the four hour wait in the Anchorage airport for the flight to Valdez! So I got to Anchorage, grabbed some lunch, found a place to pray, and sat down to read The Brothers Karamazov, when I hear […]

You know what the hardest thing of all is? It’s to create a presentation outside your comfort zone. And especially to people you’re actually trying to influence. This Saturday I’ve been invited to Ottawa to speak at a Muslim youth conference. Honestly I can’t believe they’re still having them! I am a product of Muslim […]