Yemen Winter 2009

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..

Iman University

Salam.
As you have been told, I will be entering Iman University for a few years and then return back to Malaysia for my pilots studies. . . .

On the 23rd December, my step-father took me to enroll me at Iman University. I had to go with him as it will be very hard if I were to go on myown especially since my secondary certificate is at Malaysia and I still don't have a visa here, having him everything went smoothly, or so I thought, thought too soon I had. They asked me to come again tomorrow morning for the registration etc.

So, the next morning I went with the thought - all is done, just the exam - but was proven wrong!! I was dragged here and there, and finally they asked me to get 4 copies of passport sized pictures, bloof test result and guarantee letter of when I will be able to give them my visa and secondary certificate.

On Saturday, 26th December I got my acceptance letter, next up is the exam to determine whether I can enter first year directly or not. Since the office was closed I had to go on Sunday.
Finally, on Wednesday I had an interview only (since I missed the exam) and was told to enter Level 2 of Arabic Section.

Classes have been on for almost two weeks now, timetable is out and classes are starting to get serious. I have two months to prepare for another exam, an exam which will allow me to move up to level 3 or level 4, depending on my results though. No worries, "kacang jer nih" . . . hehe. Classes are quite boring as I have learned most of it.. Well, might be requesting to move to level 3, may not. huh.

Got to go.. Till next time =)

Family ...

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.