CLVB

I was born in the US state of Wisconsin, to a Dutch father and a primarily Norwegian mother. I have lived in Wisconsin my entire life.

I was raised Lutheran, but as of last year I have converted on my own to Islam. My life, I must say, has changed very much and for the better, and I could not have asked for a better one. Islam is undisputably my path in life!

I first was introduced to Islam two years ago, in school history classes. Though very breif and only lasting a few days, the introduction on Islam left an impression on me. Since then, I had always been very curious about Islam and enthusiastic to learn about it, but alas, american media and the war in Iraq had me nervious to even dare checking out books on Islam from our school libraries. Following the next year, I had gone through a very difficult void in my life, for I had already abandoned Lutheranism long ago, and I knew I needed to find my true path. I read about many religions, and no matter how hard I rtied, none of them filled that void or made me a better person, which I think is a goal one should aim for in life. Eventually, I had circled my way back to the Islam sections in the libraries, and this time, I had to go against the norms of my small village and do what I wanted: read about Islam. For six months, it was all I did- and one day, I knew that everything I had learned was right for me. I had always known somehow, but then I had accepted it. Next thing, I took my shahada, bought a Qur'an, and wore my hijab. And to tell the truth, I couldn't be happier.

Aside from my life dedication to Islam and schooling, I am a devotee of the art of novels. I am, as of yet, an unpublished novelist, working on my first book intended for being such. I began this book as only a story for my firends to read, but as two years have passed, it became a full-fledged book and my aspiring career. Sometimes my writing career comes into conflict with my school career, but I always think ahead to what will matter most- a published novel or a worksheet for health class.

My current career being school, I have three more years until I graduate high school. I constantly find myself on different levels than my classmates, as I make better friends with my teachers than the people in desks around me. Not only does my religion seperate me, but I must say that those my age around here are not very open to other cultures or curious enough to at least consider them. It's a bit of a cliche for americans, and even I, an american- think that the younger generations need to open thier eyes a bit more- or at least where I live! I do, however, like those around me- they are very kind and do not heckle me and my hijab. Now, if only they would try my looqemat.

Besides school and my book, I spend my hours cooking, sewing, weaving, all sorts of cultural pastimes- and studying various topics at local libraries. I most love studying anthropology and psychology, and human disease and disorders. In the case of failing at a novelist career, I aim to be an anthropologist and a historian.