Updates and Ramadhan

After reading a few entries by my dearest someone, it intrigued me on updating this outdated blog. I somehow suddenly felt selfish not sharing my experience here, when I have a blog with constant visitors checking updates every single day but is feed with the same old entry.

Ramadhan had ran for 14 days now, and definitely would sprint for about another 16 days ahead. We are in the middle of the holly month, and looking back at the past 14 days, how sure are we that we had spent the time wisely? As I'm writing this, I wonder if I had made full use of all the 14 days? I hope I had.

Fasting during September is not quite bad. Fajr starts around half past four, and Maghrib is around half past seven. It is getting darker constantly every single day and colder, hence making the period of fastig shorter.

I would usually wake up an hour before Fajr, do 2 sunat prayers and have something to eat which usually is the meal cooked for buka the other night. While waiting for Fajr, read the Quran, and when the azan from my computer starts, I'd do my Subuh prayers.

While waiting for my digestive system working on the food consumed, I'd start continue reading my book. Due to the fact I have plenty of time this summer, I started to enjoy reading. I started with a few books, and now whenever I finish reading one, I can't wait to visit the bookstore for my next book. I personally felt weird of myself initially, because I'm not an avid reader. I rather watch TV, play Wii, do outdoor stuff, or Youtube instead.

I still have the habit of getting sleepy after reading too much, although how interesting a book is. By that time, my digestive system had fairly did their job well, and I'm under the duvet again before waking up aroud six.

As I locked the door, I quietly walk alone in the semi-dark atmosphere with still little cars on the road going to work. Working as a cleaner in a retail store isn't really tiring. I take it as a morning exercise. Apart from getting some side income, I made new friends. Although there are 3 other Malaysian guys working at the same place, I got to know George and Graham. I started to get a grip on some Glaswegian words, phrases and accent. They are all nice, and one of them even asked me to join play football one day. Hopefully after Ramadhan I would.

I started wall climbing a few weeks before Ramadhan started. Now, I have my own shoes, harness and a belay device. During the introduction course which is a must for new climbers who wish to climb at the climbing centre, I met Robin. He is friendly and we get along together well. Since, a climber needs a belayer, and a belayer is to belay a climber, Robin and I need each other. We climb twice a week.

Ramadhan doesn't stop me climbing. During this fasting month I had to limited myself for only once a week. Usually we'd start climbing about an hour before buka and I'd buka at the climbing centre with some dates, bananas, and other fruits I packed from home. While on my way to the underground, heading home, I'd stop by a little maddrasah for Maghrib before buying some dinner at a Chicken Cottage nearby.

My housemates usually break their fast at home. Cooking is now not a problem for any of us. I think. Or probably we are just used to our cooking. Nah, I don't think so. Curry, sup, masak merah, kicap, they're not that dificult, are they?

Sometimes, we get invitations to buka at some other houses. Especially during the weekends, there would always be an invitation with usually the host prepares the main dishes while we, the guests bring some additional fruits or kuih muih.

Throughout this summer, I'd also frequently go to Glasgow central mosque for Iftaar. Everyday is biryani day, but with a different type of curry. Usually they'd serve chicken curry. However, everyday, not only me, perhaps others too would hope it is their lucky day and would be served lamb instead of chicken curry. The sweet-rice sometimes served is also a dish to look forward to.

Maghrib and Isyaa is separated around 2 hours apart. Most of the jamaah head home after Iftaar and would come back for Isyaa and Taraweeh. As for me, I would sometime stay and while waiting for Isyaa, I'd read the Quran. But staying in a big prayer hall designed for hundreds of jamaah, knowing most of the them had reach home and have some rest doesn't motivate me much. Therefore, I'd also sometime jump into the wagon and head home. Once in my home sweet home, it's hard to get out, so I'd just join the guys for Isyaa and Taraweeh in the living room.

On the first day of Ramadhan, a friend of Zack and Hafiz came from Malaysia to continue his studies at Strathclyde. Since I'm the only one in the house currently having my own room, I am now sharing with Faisal. I don't really mind, and actually I think it is a good thing. Zack would probably return to Malaysia either in January or February and Hafiz would probably accept a job offer in Aberdeen. Sharing this house by 2 person is still affordable, and I won't be having problems finding a housemate in the middle of a busy semester ahead.

Salam Ramadhan and hope all the best for the remaining Ramadhan to Abi, Umi, Umar, Zaid, Asma and especially Abang.

Abang Hud.