Log Ins to the Life of Ahmad

Salam. As you all know (to those who have been reading my blog since before) my step-father would go back to his village during the weekends, bringing one of his wife along, if he is in Yemen that is. Two weeks ago was my mum's turn to go there with him. So, went we did on Thursday night at around 11pm I guess. The journey, as usual, took 2 hours. Upon reaching we had supper, watched some tv (we don't have TV in our current and previous house) and went to bed at around 2.30am!! Thankfully, we managed to wake up for Fajr prayers but went back to sleep after praying.

As it was the first time for my sisters to be there, they were quite excited. Exploring the whole house the next morning and the house compound too with much curiosity to the new environment. hahaha.. After having breakfast they went to explore the swimming pool and of course, we couldn't resist the temptation of going for a swim and so we did went for a swim after having breakfast and cleaning up the house.

We swam for about 1 hour and it was such a lot of fun!! Even they haven't swam for a long time as they were preparing to move to Yemen, and a very long time since we all swam together. Up next on the agenda, was to visit the farm. Disappointedly, the farm had nothing as the winter season had just ended and the summer is just beginning. Once June/July comes, there will be tons of fruits "waiting" to be devoured by us!!

Salam dear readers. Now that I have internet access at home I'll be able to post all of my drafts, starting with this one.

As october/november came it was time for summer to move on and for winter to arrive. However, this year the winter has been quite warm for the first few months. Everyone was like, "this year's winter is not as cold as the previous years..." As the months went by the end of winter was getting nearer.. .. .. And suddenly, the weather became very very cold during the last few weeks of winter season (mid-december - 1st week of January), so cold that even in provinces such as Hadramaut etc that are not usually cold during the winter season are cold, water in the wells frozen and reports of snowing in Sana'a.

It was quite unbearable, especially for my mum and sisters who had just moved here 3 months ago, sudden change in the weather and eventually, they fell ill. Not only the weather but also the prayer times which even I was not able to "adapt" for the first month... - During the winter, fajr at around 4.40am-5.05am, zuhr at around 11.50am-12.10pm, ‘asr at around 2.50pm-3.05pm, maghrib at around 5.35pm-5.45pm, isya’ at around 6.35pm-6.45pm.

Another post by tomorrow..

Salam dear readers. Another long absence, sorry. I have been quite busy lately as my family has just moved here recently, about a month and a half ago.

At 9am, 3^rd November 2009, my mum and sisters arrived safely in Sana’a International Airport, Yemen. After 2 hours of being questioned in the airport they were finally able to exit and go to our new house – it was even the first time for me. Our house is located just a few minutes away from the airport.

For the first few weeks we were busy unpacking, arranging, shopping and re-arranging the house. Now, they have finally settled in, my mum is starting to work, two of my sisters schooling at Turkish International School and the younger ones are doing Tahfiz.

Currently, I am staying with them. But it won’t be for long as I might be staying at a hostel once I start in Iman University as our house is very very far and I have to be at the University before Fajr prayers!! And there will be no bus available at 4am in the morning.

Eid-ul-Adha:

This was their first ‘Eid here and also my first Eid with them here, in Yemen. We went to the house of Mr. Hardi, secretary of malaysian embassy. There were Eid prayers, breakfast then the slaughtering, and lunch. Also met the Adni students that came here for the arabic program, none of them I know, except for Harith Kamarul and his younger brother. We also went for "beraya" at some Malaysian houses.

More Change of plans for me:

Looks like I won't be going back to Malaysia next year. I am currently applying to enter Iman University this year and get in first year directly, without having to go through the 3 years of arabic language course. If I do succeed, then the plan is to study there for 4 years (4 years to get a degree, 7 years for Master) then only return back to Malaysia for my pilot studies

Malaysian Family Day:

It was held at University of Science Technology (UST), girls section on the 3rd of December. We had breakfast then there were some games which my sisters really enjoyed. After all the games there was lunch and we head back home later.

Later, on the 10^th December, was the prize-giving ceremony and dinner at University of Science and Technology Hospital Big Hall, which we also attended. First up was the dinner of course, which was Nasi Ayam. After dinner was the prize-giving ceremony, which my sisters won lots of prizes!! And we went back early.. hahah

Change of Season

Ever since last month we have entered the winter season. However, the winter this year is said to be not as cold as previous years.

One more thing to note during winter is that the prayer times have changed quite drastically!

During the summer, fajr at around 4.15am-4.30am, zuhr at around 12pm-12.15pm, ‘asr, at around 3.20pm-3.30pm, maghrib at around 6.25pm-6.40pm, isya’ at around 7.25pm-7.40pm.

During the winter, fajr at around 4.40am-5.05am, zuhr at around 11.50am-12.10pm, ‘asr at around 2.50pm-3.05pm, maghrib at around 5.35pm-5.45pm, isya’ at around 6.35pm-6.45pm.

Sometimes it feels like you have just prayed and the next prayer time has been called upon. Especially for zuhr and asr, and MOST ESCPECIALLY for maghrib and isya’.

last of all, HAPPY MAAL HIJRAH 1431! ALL THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURE UNDERTAKINGS.

I have finally found a new way in dealing with my bored and free time!! Usually I would just go to the cybercafe and play some games but now I can spend it in a better way!. A few days ago there was a book fair at the Apollo International Exhibition, Sana'a. I went in hope of being able to buy some novels and a Tafsir Ibn Kathir but in English or some books regarding pilot.

The place was really huge but I wasn't interested in having a stroll, I just wanted to find the books that I want and leave and that was just what I did. I found some novels and some books regarding pilot and bought it. Unfortunately, I could not find a Tafsir Ibn Kathir translated in English.

... no, not my mind but my thumbdrive! At around 2.55pm today, I went to the cybercafe to chat with my sisters and mum and left around 4.55pm and had LEFT my thumb drive at the computer. (I didn't even realize as I was in a hurry to get ready and go to my step-dad's house for Iftar.

Then I came back and was looking for my thumb drive as it was not on the table (where I usually put it) and started looking for it, frantically, but to no avail. As I was trying to remember where I placed it last, it came to me that I left it at the cybercafe!! *panicking..thinking: "damn!! its lost" but still hoping that it will still be there**

I straight away got changed and went down to the cybercafe. I tought I had lost it.. Then I saw it!! hahaha... *I forgot that I changed PC**

huhuh... Alhamdulillah nobody took it, perhaps no one saw it, if someone did they would have took it OR perhaps because it is in Ramadhan so, they don't feel like taking it..haha.. Anyways, I am really glad that it is not lost!!.. (I left it for around 3-4hours)