Excitement

Ramadhan is coming… I’m so excited!! Now I’m already used to fasting, after struggling for 2 days. It was (always) quite hard to do it at the beginning. Australia is a very dry land. It’s SO dry that makes your throat hurt when you don’t drink water for only 15 minutes!! Well, at least, that’s how I feel. Saudi Arabia is dry too, but my throat can still handle the absence of water for as long as 2 hours. Unfortunately I can’t do it here in Brissie. I have to bring a bottle of water wherever I go, just like my wallet. So it took time for me to get used to the whole scenario — living without a water hahaha. But now everything goes back to normal although sometimes I would crave for water LOL.

Whenever Ramadhan comes, I always feel like I want to go home really soon!! I hate spending this peaceful month without my family . Suddenly, I miss them so much. I miss the Arabic foods that my mom always cooks for us, our friends and families that we always invite to break the fast together, Jeddah’s shops that will be open til Fajr Prayer (only during Ramadhan), and the voice of the Grand Mosque’s Imam Sudais chanting the verses of Al-Qur’an during Taraweeh prayer that I always adore. When I was about 12 – 14 years old, my dad always promised to give me and my sister money if we could read Al-Qur’an til khatam (the end) from the day Ramadhan started until it ended. Hehehe. I’m glad that I did it, coz it became a custom for my sister and I, although nowadays my dad will never promise to give any money again hahaha.

Unfortunately for me, I don’t know when I’ll go back to Jeddah. I have a lot of plans that I want to do this summer. My boss told me that the real project will be started after I finish the final exams (November). I haven’t talked to him how many hours per week I’ll work during summer break, but I’m sure it’ll be intensive. On the other hand, I’m planning to take a summer course this time, so that I’ll only have to do 3 courses in my last year at UQ. My job is gonna be my priority; if the boss allows me to do the summer course, then I’ll definitely do it! Now, the thing is… I have no idea when I can go back to Jeddah!! There’s a possibility, which is during Christmas holiday. But I don’t think it’s worthwile to stay in Jeddah for only a week! It’s not enough, the flight ticket is so expensive. I need at least 2-3 weeks (or perhaps more than that.. no need to explain why hahaha..) because my family needs to renew the iqamah and I need to be in the Kingdom in order to proceed that. I must go back to retain my iqamah. Had I failed to enter the Kingdom at least once a year, my visa would be expired and it would be hard for me to apply a temporary visa if I wanted to visit my family. That means, I have to talk to my boss regarding the holidays… I honestly don’t want to do this, coz I don’t want to give him bad impression about me. But I need to talk with him so I can book the ticket as soon as possible.

I watched the Steve Irwin’s public memorial on TV today! It was great, Mayu and I were crying…. really, I couldn’t stop the tears. It was really sad and touching. It was great to see Bindi paid tribute to her dad [see the video here]; that’s when most of my tears fell from my eyes . It was so emotional. She’s so brave. Meanwhile, her mum, Terri seemed still devastated by her husband’s death. I feel sorry for her. Oh ya.. Mayu’s lecturer attended the memorial and gave a speech saying that “…in recognition of his standing and contribution to science the University of Queensland was about to appoint him as an adjunct professor, Professor Steve Irwin.” Goodbye, Steve!

Next week is the mid semester break!! wohooo… I’m going to meet up with many old friends back in IES on the weekend. I haven’t seen them for aagess!!!! Few years ago we gathered at the Korean restaurant, but this time we’re going to the Indian restaurant!! I’ll also meet up with ‘the other group’ of IES friends i.e. Zina, Lean, and Mami. It’s gonna be fun! I’m planning to finish 2 websites I’m currently working on by the end of next week. I can’t wait for it!!!

Ok, everyone… Ramadhan mubarak.. ramadhan kareem.. kullu sanah wa antum tayyibunnn!!! hehehe forgive me if I did something bad to you