Yes, I See You Right There. Thank You Oh So Very Much.

As you all probably noticed, I have been incognito from the blogosphere for the past couple of weeks. I sorely apologize for that. Sophomore year came along with the requisite overcommitments, jobs, friends, and let's not forget: schoolwork.
Yet I have felt a little bit melancholy not to have posted for so long, and I hope all of you lovely, lovely readers accept this apology from a college student. 

Whenever I see someone giving me the eye, I always make sure and act extra polite/sweet/nice towards them. 
You might know what I'm speaking about. It's that thing, the unconscious happening that goes on sometimes when you suddenly see someone who fits your idea of a stereotypical-this or stereotypical-that.
In my case, as evidence while I walked about in the airport today, the stereotype is suspiciously oppressed Muslim woman. I always feel uncomfortable when I sense someone is doing the ole one-up, one-down look, but I have on my smiley face: Why let it ruin your day, righhttt?
And then by the third instance, I'm simply frustrated. Aggravated. Distraught. 
I love attention, peoples, but can it please be some positive glitter? Please? With sprinkles on the top? 
In deference to my sweet friend Banana's post, I'm not going to go into stereotypes. If you missed out on that gem of a post, simply click here.   
But in the meantime, I just want to expand a bit on the eyes thing.
Go into it. A rant, I suppose.

I pride myself on being a polite person, thank you very much to the conscientious efforts of my dear parents. Don't stare, don't whisper, don't point with your fingers.
 Good God, I have seen the strangest looking/behaving people, and I still abide by the rule of only looking for a second, then it's just straight ahead all the way.
So it surprises me when I see people I would otherwise (yes, stereotypically, I didn't say I was flawless) categorize as the cultured type begin staring when I walk into the room.

[staring. cats. what more can you ask for? img cred]

And it isn't as though I have huge, curly red painted nails and flippered feet. (Let's not forget that dragon's tail)
I simply don a headscarf and modest--but fashionable--clothes.

As a heads up for any confused people out theere (don't be afraid to admit it! it's alright), when I say "modest", I mean "long-sleeved-shirts-under-minimally-knee-length-dresses/skirts/tops,-long-pants/jeans".

So please. It's not as though I'm sporting wings.

Oh, and I'm also going to answer a question I think most everyone has brooded over (even me!): Do I get hot in the long-sleeved stuff during the summer?

Sure, I am warm, but then again, isn't everyone else? And honestly, do you see the bedouins (nomads) in the desert walking around wearing short shorts and tank-tops in the stifling desert heat?

[bedouins! img cred]

No, of course not. And the fact is, that is wholly unrelated to religious reasons.
Because it's a scientifically proven fact that the less access UV-rays are given to your bare skin, the cooler you'll be.

So please, please, please. I know it might be THIS hard not to stare at a strange/different person, but come on! Restrain yourself.

It honestly isn't that hard if you put that head to it. :) Have you ever experienced this happening to you? Or to someone close to you? How do you feel about it?

Until next time, remember to stop and take in the air!


-Laila