KSA's National Day celebration

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day today.  This means a day off from the university. There were so many things to settle before I leave the office last night. Alhamdulillah, I have managed to finish almost 90% of the administrative works piled up on the desk before signing off for the day.

Earlier, we had a mini celebration situated at the lobby of the main building where students and staff joined together to organise various activities in conjunction with the National Day. There were booths providing varieties of fantastic local foods (which names I don't know and I am still learning to identify them), a booth offering a service to draw beautiful designs on the palm using henna (there must be a specific name for it but at the moment I can't find it), the university also provided drawing blocks, water colour paints, beads, glitter dusts, glue, scissors and other drawing accessories for anyone who wish to express their happiness and excitement through the work of art.

At the lobby entrance, two beautiful ladies served the Arabic coffee and dates to visitors. Tasbihs, national flags, cup cakes and 'pop cakes' (tiny cake covered in icing sugar attached to a stick that looks like a lollipop) were also distributed as souveniers. MasyaAllah, this was an interesting event that took me a step closer to learn the Arabic culture. I enjoyed my day.


And oh! By the way... for my dear friends and blog readers who had not known of the big news...my family and I have moved to Saudi Arabia and now we live in Riyadh. I took the offer to work at the Prince Sultan University, College for Women. I am now an assistant professor attached to the department of Accounting, College of Business and Administration. Alhamdulillah, we have been here since 28th August 2014 and we are happily adjusting our routines at the new place. The children are going to an international school just four blocks away from our apartment. At the moment my husband is converting himself to become a house-husband and he likes the idea of quickly settling all house chores including cooking meals in the morning so that he can have more time for his internet thingy and tv and friends in the second half of the day.

 Like I said earlier, all of us enjoy living in Riyadh. Alhamdulillah...

Friday, Al-Fatehah & tears

  



In the name of Allah, the most beneficent the most merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

The most beneficent, the most merciful.

The lord of the day of Judgement.

Thee alone do we worship and thee alone we seek for help.

Guide us to the right path.

The path of those upon whom thou has bestowed favors, Not of those who thou has cursed once nor of those who have gone astray.

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Today I shed more tears than ever. Is it normal for ordinary person to feel sad and cry when looking at these pictures? Or is it only me becoming too emotional nowadays? Oh! Ya Allah! Please let our children survive this world under Your hidayat. I feel so helpless.

A sparkling love story

Atuk:  Where is my glasses?

Nenek: How would I know? Where did you put it?

Atuk: It was here a while ago. Now its gone! Did you take it?

Nenek: No I didn't. Owh..!! What for? I dont need the glasses. I'm not blind like you!

Atuk: Look, woman. There are only the two of us in this house. If it wasn't me, then YOU must have take the glasses and put it somewhere else. You're so forgetful!

Nenek: Now, don't start with me, man! I've told you I didn't take it. I DIDN'T TAKE IT, understand??!!

Atuk: Oh! Pickles!

Nenek: You are the ugliest man I've ever found when you're angry!!!

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I have always wanted to make myself as tiny as an ant when atuk (grandpa) and nenek (grandma) started their so called "fight". I tried the best possible to act as if I didn't hear their mind provoking conversations. If I have magic, I'd make myself invisible instantly. Sometimes such harsh conversation between them left an impression that they didn't like each other. But the funny thing was, they were married for more than 60 years! How can they stand each other for so long?

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Atuk: This curry dish is tasteless!

Nenek: You need to gargle more often. Your tongue must has shortened a bit.

Atuk: That's ridiculous! I know a good dish once I smell it. Yours is tasteless.

Nenek: Then don't eat it.

Atuk: What, you want me to die of hunger now?

Nenek: Oh! Shut up and just eat, will ya???!!
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And so they continued fighting while eating....

"Are they always fighting like that, mom?" I asked my mother one day.

"I don't know, honey. As far as I know, they love each other" mom shrugged her shoulder.

Atuk and nenek were not my real grandparents. Mom lost her parents when she was only 2 years old. Being an orphan at such a young age, she was taken care by her older sisters and brothers, in turn. That means, she did not stay at one place for long. When she got her first job as a nurse at a hospital downsouth, far away from home, she searched for an adopted family to live with.That's how she met atuk and nenek.

This couple have 7 children altogether, but felt pity for my mother so they took her as their own. Materially they are poor, but in their heart, they are the richest people. According to mom, the day I was born, nenek was the busiest woman making preparations with the tiny bed and bath and atuk was the happiest man announcing my arrival to everyone in the village and welcoming me into their house.

I grew up with them. As I became an ambitious, energetic teenager , they on the contrary gradually weakening. The day I left Malaysia for England to pursue my study, atuk's health condition has deteriorated badly. He passed away peacefully about three months after I delivered my eldest son. We were all sad.

Life was not the same anymore for nenek when her soulmate left. She has no one to argue with on pettty things in the house. The house turned so quiet as if nothing ever moved inside. Her sorrowness has taken toll on her health. We realised she was lonely, so we did all we can to make her happy. Her health regained, but not for long. Soon nenek was bedridden. She no longer talk to anyone. Mom said she was trapped in her own world. There was no sign of her coming back to reality.

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Hubby: See my glasses anywhere?

Me: No.

Hubby: Help me find it.

Me: Oh! You've always lost your things! Glasses, car keys, pen, what else..?!

Hubby: Stop preaching! Just help me find it, okay! I'm in a hurry here.

Me: You are so becoming old and forgetful, hubby!

Hubby: I'm okay with that. I have you to take care of me (smile)

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And he suddenly reminded me of atuk and nenek....

Similar arguments. Petty things. No hard feelings. Love thickening. Hugs. Grateful. Alhamdulillah.

Fighting and arguments are just the mix of spices of a married life. Now I understand what transpired between atuk and nenek long ago. I am experiencing the same. Funny, it doesn't hurt the feelings, instead, strengthen the love bonds between us. Mom kept reminding me on one thing few days before my wedding ceremony, 13 years ago. No matter how bad the fight was between you and your husband, at the end of the day both of you should resort to each other again, and the best place to do so is in the secrecy of your bedroom. Thanks mom. I appreciate the advice. It works as always.

Nenek followed atuk's path five years later. None of us her children and grandchildren could make her forget atuk.

May Allah forgive both of them, bless their souls and place them in His Jannah. Ameen.

Alfatihah.