2013 has been a year of new things. I feel like I've been constantly pushed out of my comfort zone. It's been terrifying, exhilarating and sometimes frustrating.

I wrote more than I ever have and I tried new genres. Some things I was good at (writing memoir pieces and a novel for children) some not so good (I now have a children's picture book in my bottom drawer that only me and my daughter think is any good).

I finished a lot of things. I finished my Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, and I finished my big, huge project of co-editing an anthology.

I learnt that I was capable of much more than I thought I was. At times I was juggling 3 or 4 commitments and wasn't sure whether anything would get done, but somehow I always did it.

So what does 2014 have in store? A lot more challenges and excitement. I got my first teaching job as a English and Humanities teacher at a Western suburbs high school, and I already have a few amazing things lined up for next year in my 'authorly' persona. 

My resolution next year is to be kind to myself. I have a tendency of setting ridiculous goals which means I then struggle to achieve them, and if I don't I feel like a failure. So I'm going to try this new thing called realistic goal setting. Let's see how I go. Bring on 2014!!!!

The new issue of Sultana's Dream is out now. This is an on-line journal written by Muslim women presenting a different perspective to the mainstream.

This issue focusses on promoting the Faith Fashion Fusion exhibition at Immigration Museum. 

There is behind the scenes insight to the exhibition with an interview with curator Tanseem Chopra.

Personal reflections from Muslim women about wearing the hijab
Nur Shkembi
Durkahanai Ayubi
Zubeda Raihman

As well as a book review of the Faith Fashion and Fusion book.

I also found this article by Amal Awad about the Muslim world's answer to Miss world interesting and slightly disturbing.

And of course there's a column by me the strange and winding journey I undertook to become an author.

I'm so excited to announce that the anthology I've been co-editing has gone to print.

I've been enjoying a blissful few days ever since. The last few weeks before it went to print were frantic with all the activity and stress. Now it's just so nice to sit back and wait for the advanced copies to come to my mail box.

I'm very excited about next year. There are a few things in progress  that I'll be announcing as they come into play, but for now I'm going to enjoy life and this window of peace and contentment after all the hard work of this year.

Note: The anthology will be available in bookstores in February 2014.