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Sugar Land Sara

Writer & Content Creator

Favorites, Lifestyle, Motherhood · March 13, 2020

The Time I Met Oprah…

The Time I Met Oprah

As we were sitting around home today, watching the news & trying to do our part to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus, I fell down a rabbit hole of old pictures & came across these from the time I met Oprah back in 2014. It was one of the most bizarre, ethereal experiences of my life and as many times as I’ve told the story, I hadn’t ever written about it & decided to expend some of my nervous energy tonight by putting it down in words. In writing this, I kept thinking of that quote from the book Rebecca:

“If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like a scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again.”

-Daphne du Maurier Since no invention like that exists, I’ll have to make do with the written word. For my 10-year wedding anniversary, my husband gifted me a meet & greet ticket to go to a Life You Want tour that @oprah was bringing to Houston. As soon as I found out, I purchased regular tickets for my mom and aunt to come with me because we were all huge Oprah fans from back in the day when she wasn’t an international public figure but just a local Chicagoan with a morning show at 9am. So the day of the show, I arrive at the @toyotacenter with my mom & aunt only to immediately separate from them b/c they have nosebleed seats while I find myself in the second row from stage – sitting in front of @gayleking (who was an absolute sweetheart through & through) and one of my favorite writers of all-time, @elizabethgilbert. You guys, I swear when I turned around to talk to @elizabethgilbert, she stood up and hugged me like I was her favorite person in the entire universe (she was the best hugger I’ve ever embraced). I was inches from the stage and Oprah ran an electric discussion with inspiration, grace and the unwavering impression of being present. She was fire and the entire room of 20,000 women were a puddle. At lunch time, there was a break where vip ticket holders got to go meet Oprah & as I went through the corridors, I was filled with anxiety. I felt guilt-stricken that I couldn’t have my mom meet Oprah knowing how much she would h ave loved the experience. I felt cautious knowing that real-life Oprah was not going to be anything like what I imagined & it would only be a quick photo encounter where I would barely get a good look at her. As I entered the large room, brimming with women in a never-ending makeshift line, I heard nervous laughter and again, felt some sense of dread at the disappointment ahead. I caught the kind eyes of two women nearby & they began chatting with me & asked what I would say to Oprah. I rambled on about how I couldn’t possibly say anything she hadn’t heard before but had drank the Oprah kool-aid since 1986 when I was a newly-migrated Pakistani kid trying to learn English with my mom. Come to find out, the lovely ladies (Patti & Karen) were working with the tour & gave me a great pep talk before I bid them goodbye & proceeded with the line. So, it’s a pretty fascinating thing to be in a room with Oprah. The entire room buzzes with this palpable energy and as you shift closer to the source; the reverberation was like nothing I’ve experienced before. And then all of a sudden, you’re face to face with THE Oprah Winfrey. Larger than life & fixating her large, all-knowing eyes on me. She reached over, took my hands tightly in hers and thanked me profusely for coming out to the tour. Here’s the thing, you guys. The entire room was a circus but Oprah did not take her eyes off me. It is not an easy task to render me speechless but there it was. I got it together & let some overly emotional words tumble out. Something along the lines of “My mom & I watched you every morning at 9am in a small Chicago apartment. I’ll never forget those cold mornings when the heater never worked & we were in this new country that didn’t make sense. I think you had a profound effect on raising both my mom & me into much more open-minded, compassionate women”. She hugged me so hard, y’all that I got excited that she was going to take me back with her. That didn’t happen but she did give me the immense gift of being completely present with me and giving me her absolute attention. She never glanced sideways to look at how many people were behind me or signal to her handler to move me along. She shared the space with me in its entirety. And that was a magical thing. Then it was over. As I walked out of the room, feeling more than a bit stunned, one of her producers approached me & asked where my mom was now. I told her how my mom and aunt was stuck in the 300s section & she took my phone number & said she was going to fix that. I walked back to my seat & found my phone ringing. It was the producer & she had my mom & aunt in tow with her and they were coming to find me so we could all sit together. YOU GUYS!!!! As luck would have it, the two people sitting right next to me had just departed (after we facebook friended each other, of course) b/c they were driving back out of town and didn’t want to hit traffic. So…my mom and aunt joined me and we squealed and laughed. But then as the show was about to resume, here comes Oprah waltzing down the aisle and high-five’s my mom – which I captured you guys!!!! So much joy, I can’t explain it. THEN Oprah gets on stage and proceeds to tell the entire audience about how she just met me and what I said meant so much to her that she was going to write about me in her journal that night. I don’t know if my jaw actually ever came off the floor the whole afternoon!  On the way out, as we’re all floating out of the Toyota Center with 20,000 other attendees, who do I see standing by the exit door? Karen & Patti!! I was able to exchange email addresses and thank them again for being so kind. I don’t know how much they had to do with all the things that transpired but honestly, they were angels in disguise that day. The entire experience was so much more than I could have ever imagined. And I just wanted to share something euphoric with you guys tonight. I felt like magic because I felt seen. And that was the start to everything.

Posted In: Favorites, Lifestyle, Motherhood

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School is right around the corner and I know a lot School is right around the corner and I know a lot of us are scrambling to get organized with the prospect of homeschooling for now. It's such an overwhelming time but we can do this -- get organized and take control of the things you can! 💪
There's nothing I love more than a good planner from @erincondren. And they just launched a fabulous Wonder Woman collection so I thought this would be the perfect time to gift one of you a collection of goodies to help you get squared away this autumn! Here's all that I'm giving away in the pack:
1️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Classic Comic LifePlanner™ ($55)
2️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Classic Comic Note List Pad ($8)
3️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Flair Pin ($8)
4️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Sticker Pack Trio ($8)
5️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Productivity Petite Journal ($9)
6️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Classic Comic Stationery ($15)
Total value $100+⭐💙🍎
Make sure you're already following me @sugarlandsara and simply sign up for my newsletter (link in bio) and you'll be entered. If you are already signed up for the newsletter, nothing else for you to do, you're all set and already entered!💃
I send out a bi-monthly update packed with goodies, resources and tidbits about things I've been up to so make sure to subscribe!🌈
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#ECSQUAD #organizer #personalorganizer #organiza #organize #professionalorganizer #organizermurah #organization #homeschoolorganizer #planner #homeschoolplanner #organizing #organized #getorganized #quarantineorganizer #erincondren #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmoms #homeschoolingmamas #homeschoolkids #homeschool2020
Happy humpday friends! Today is turning out to be Happy humpday friends! Today is turning out to be another really busy day and I'm thinking of getting curbside pick-up from my favorite new Sugar Land Town Square restaurant, State Fare! 🎉
We did their incredibly efficient (and contact-less) pick up recently and the food was SO, SO good!! I especially loved the braised beef short ribs and even my pickiest of eaters loved everything (asparagus included!! 💃)! If you haven't tried them out yet, I highly recommend you get to it and don't forget to try the dill pickle dip & queso blanco with brisket (yum!) 😋
And my boys went WILD for their freakin' huge funnel cake (I personally loved the mason jar banana puddin'). Whether you're in Houston or Sugar Land, make sure to check them out and #supportlocal! ❤️
⭐PLUS, if you really want to stretch your dollar, be sure to take part in the Visit Sugar Land Sweet Cash program where every time you purchase a gift card from a local business in Sugar Land (minimum of $40), you can get a bonus gift card from another small business in our city! So for example, I purchased a gift card from State Fare and received a FREE $20 gift card from Guru Burgers and Crepes and I nominated a front line worker to get the same thing! 
Head over to the link in my bio to check out more details and let's go all in for Sugar Land 🌈
🌟🌟Giveaway Time🌟🌟#complimentaryfromMer 🌟🌟Giveaway Time🌟🌟#complimentaryfromMerciHandy
Happy Monday friends! I've partnered with @mercihandy to gift one lucky person $75 worth of goodies from their colorful line of products such as the gorgeously scented shower jelly, cleansing hand gel, deodorant, hand cream and so much more!! 🌈
To enter, simply make sure you're already following me and complete the following two steps:
1️⃣Follow @mercihandy on IG
2️⃣Drop a comment below! 👇For multiple entries, you can tag friends & each comment counts as a new entry! 
Giveaway ends on Friday, August 7th at 5pm and winner will be announced shortly thereafter!🎉
✳️This giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Instagram or a Facebook. Open to US residents only. By entering, you release Instagram and Facebook of all responsibility. Void where prohibited. ✳️
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#mercihandy #giveaway #octolyfamily #wocblogger  #houstonmoms #houstontx #houstonmomblogger #houstonblogger #houstoncontentcreator #htxmom  #texasmoms  #sugarlandtx #sugarland #sltx #sugarlandblogger #sugarlandmoms #houstonkids #htxkids  #momhack #momlife #quarantinelife #momsofig #mondaygiveaway #skincaregiveaway
I got a byline in @huffpost yesterday. Showing up I got a byline in @huffpost yesterday. Showing up with vulnerability about #ppd still feels so scary. But the important thing is to show up. ❤️ 
(link in bio).

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hey there!

I'm Sara. I’m a Muslim-American Texan writer and mom who utilizes my platform to discuss and share my passion for motherhood, community, inclusivity, and mental health.

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School is right around the corner and I know a lot School is right around the corner and I know a lot of us are scrambling to get organized with the prospect of homeschooling for now. It's such an overwhelming time but we can do this -- get organized and take control of the things you can! 💪
There's nothing I love more than a good planner from @erincondren. And they just launched a fabulous Wonder Woman collection so I thought this would be the perfect time to gift one of you a collection of goodies to help you get squared away this autumn! Here's all that I'm giving away in the pack:
1️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Classic Comic LifePlanner™ ($55)
2️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Classic Comic Note List Pad ($8)
3️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Flair Pin ($8)
4️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Sticker Pack Trio ($8)
5️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Productivity Petite Journal ($9)
6️⃣Wonder Woman x EC Classic Comic Stationery ($15)
Total value $100+⭐💙🍎
Make sure you're already following me @sugarlandsara and simply sign up for my newsletter (link in bio) and you'll be entered. If you are already signed up for the newsletter, nothing else for you to do, you're all set and already entered!💃
I send out a bi-monthly update packed with goodies, resources and tidbits about things I've been up to so make sure to subscribe!🌈
.
.
.
#ECSQUAD #organizer #personalorganizer #organiza #organize #professionalorganizer #organizermurah #organization #homeschoolorganizer #planner #homeschoolplanner #organizing #organized #getorganized #quarantineorganizer #erincondren #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmoms #homeschoolingmamas #homeschoolkids #homeschool2020
Happy humpday friends! Today is turning out to be Happy humpday friends! Today is turning out to be another really busy day and I'm thinking of getting curbside pick-up from my favorite new Sugar Land Town Square restaurant, State Fare! 🎉
We did their incredibly efficient (and contact-less) pick up recently and the food was SO, SO good!! I especially loved the braised beef short ribs and even my pickiest of eaters loved everything (asparagus included!! 💃)! If you haven't tried them out yet, I highly recommend you get to it and don't forget to try the dill pickle dip & queso blanco with brisket (yum!) 😋
And my boys went WILD for their freakin' huge funnel cake (I personally loved the mason jar banana puddin'). Whether you're in Houston or Sugar Land, make sure to check them out and #supportlocal! ❤️
⭐PLUS, if you really want to stretch your dollar, be sure to take part in the Visit Sugar Land Sweet Cash program where every time you purchase a gift card from a local business in Sugar Land (minimum of $40), you can get a bonus gift card from another small business in our city! So for example, I purchased a gift card from State Fare and received a FREE $20 gift card from Guru Burgers and Crepes and I nominated a front line worker to get the same thing! 
Head over to the link in my bio to check out more details and let's go all in for Sugar Land 🌈
🌟🌟Giveaway Time🌟🌟#complimentaryfromMer 🌟🌟Giveaway Time🌟🌟#complimentaryfromMerciHandy
Happy Monday friends! I've partnered with @mercihandy to gift one lucky person $75 worth of goodies from their colorful line of products such as the gorgeously scented shower jelly, cleansing hand gel, deodorant, hand cream and so much more!! 🌈
To enter, simply make sure you're already following me and complete the following two steps:
1️⃣Follow @mercihandy on IG
2️⃣Drop a comment below! 👇For multiple entries, you can tag friends & each comment counts as a new entry! 
Giveaway ends on Friday, August 7th at 5pm and winner will be announced shortly thereafter!🎉
✳️This giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Instagram or a Facebook. Open to US residents only. By entering, you release Instagram and Facebook of all responsibility. Void where prohibited. ✳️
.
.
.
#mercihandy #giveaway #octolyfamily #wocblogger  #houstonmoms #houstontx #houstonmomblogger #houstonblogger #houstoncontentcreator #htxmom  #texasmoms  #sugarlandtx #sugarland #sltx #sugarlandblogger #sugarlandmoms #houstonkids #htxkids  #momhack #momlife #quarantinelife #momsofig #mondaygiveaway #skincaregiveaway
I got a byline in @huffpost yesterday. Showing up I got a byline in @huffpost yesterday. Showing up with vulnerability about #ppd still feels so scary. But the important thing is to show up. ❤️ 
(link in bio).
Today marks the holiest Islamic holiday for Muslim Today marks the holiest Islamic holiday for Muslims called Eid-al-Adha. It honours the obedience & sacrifice that Ibrahim made to God. But for me, this day commemorates how one year ago, I went on the pilgrimage of a lifetime, Hajj. 🕋
In 2019, I joined 2.5 million Muslims from around the world (yes, that number is correct & not a typo!) who felt compelled to go visit the House of Allah. They say that God invites you when it is your time and I never gave it much thought until all of a sudden, I knew it was my time to go.❤️
I’m not a very religious person by practice and far from pious. But the seed had been planted in my heart & I had no choice but to show up. 
These are some pictures from the trip but they don’t depict how arduous the pilgrimage was. Or crowded. Or even dizzying with an otherworldly spirituality.
Throughout the course for my 14-15 days there, I experienced the most profound mental challenges of my life & felt at times that I wasn’t a part of the living world anymore. Then there were instances when the collective energy of SO MANY people became palpable & lifted me up time & again, like an adrenaline shot of mercy & forgiveness. 
There really is no easy way to put into words what the experience was for me. But I continue to be full of gratitude & awe at everything that transpired a year ago & hope that you are afforded an experience this transformational at least once in your lifetime, irrespective of our differing religion or beliefs. Because divinity can touch all of us, believers and non-believers, saints and sinners alike. 
Eid Mubarak to all celebrating today. 🕌
Happy Wednesday, you guys! 🎈You all probably kn Happy Wednesday, you guys! 🎈You all probably know about my love for my adopted hometown, @sugarlandtxgov but did you know that I've lived here longer than anywhere else in the world? It's been 20+ years here and I think part of my love comes from the fact that I moved around SO much. I've lived in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Chicago, Atlanta, Minnesota, London and can honestly say that there's no better place for me than this diverse gem of a city, deep in the heart of Texas. 💝
Which is why I'm genuinely thrilled to #partner with @visitsugarland and their generous SWEET CASH program that is helping small businesses during this economic downturn and pandemic. Here's how the program essentially works: You buy a gift card from ANY small business in SL (minimum of $40), fill out an online form and then receive an ADDITIONAL gift card (value dependent on the purchase value of initial gift card) and a front line worker receives the same gift card as you! Simple enough, right? Here's an example:
1️⃣I bought a $60 gift card from @decadentsugarland 
2️⃣I then submitted an online form (that took 2 mins to complete)  along with a copy of my gift card receipt
3️⃣While completing the form, I nominated a front line worker of my choice (optional)
4️⃣Once approved, I received a bonus $20 gift card from a small business located in SL. AND the front line worker I nominated also got a $20 gift cards from a small business in SL!
5️⃣Along with getting a great value of $80 in gift cards for the price of $60, my purchase provided a $20 gift card for a front line worker AND helped small businesses thrive in our local community! ❤️
I'm #allinforSL, are you?? 🌈
⭐To view details if the Sweet Cash program, head over to the link in my bio! 
📸: @lipstickandbrunch 
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#sweeterinSL #sugarlandtx #sltx 
#sugarlandmoms #sugarlandeats #sugarlandtexas #sugarlandfoodies #sugarlandtownsquare #sugarlandfood #sugarlandblogger #sugarlandkids
With July almost over, I wanted to share a few res With July almost over, I wanted to share a few resources for #bipocmentalhealthawarenessmonth and have some new posts up on the blog. Head over to the link on on my bio, today I’m featuring @coreyempowers — lawyer, mental health advocate and all-around badass! ❤️
“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” Glenn Close
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