Gratitude

One day perhaps, and that's a huge 'maybe', I shall write about something that happened recently. But I'll save that article for an unholy day or month because there's bound to be a string of unholy words that begin with 'F' that I may use while writing it.

Hey everyone. I know on my previous post I said that I was going to write about Hamed's and my new project, but since it's Ramadan, let me just get this short piece posted, and on the next post, I promise it'll be about his and my new venture.

So once again, Ramadan comes-a-calling and it's back to that familiar routine of sahurs, bazaars, tarawihs and iftars. In the midst of all that, one of the best things I love about Ramadan, is that it always puts me back into perspective and in a very good way.

This is always the time where I tend to push away life's shortcomings and focus on gratitude instead. This is where I always dwell on the wonderful things and people that I'm blessed with in my life. My every morning routine as I prepare sahur for my family, is a sense of lightness in my heart that I'm able to do this for the most important people in my life - my husband and kids.

I'm so thankful to Allah for giving me so many blessings in life that others may only take for granted. And although each morning when I wake up that's the first thing I reflect upon, but during Ramadan, it's constantly on my mind. Always.

And this, is another thing I'm so thankful for.. Kelly spent the weekend at my Mom's place. And even though my Mom is a staunch Catholic, she woke up extra early at 4.15am on Sunday morning to prepare sahur for her granddaughter. These are the pictures that Kelly sent me via text this morning.

Some simple vegetable soup and fried chicken. And my Mom sat down and ate with her before she herself got ready to go to Church.

These may be tiny stuff to some people. But to me, it matters a lot. And I'm so grateful to Allah for giving me a mother who respects my religion, even though she is deep into her own faith.

And as we complete the 2nd day of Ramadan, I wholeheartedly look forward to assist Ariff with the Ramadan dinners that he hosts for the unfortunate and underprivileged kids. He wants me to play a bigger role in it this year and has given me the green light in planning the concept, location, the event and even the date.

With that said, life's little defects pales in comparison with the huge blessings I have. As I always say, "if it's not a matter of life n death, it's nothing that I can't handle!".

And since I only focus on my blessings while pushing the setbacks far off  into oblivion during Ramadan, by the time the month comes to an end, all those negativity are normally forgotten or non-existent. I guess because science has shown that it takes 21-24 days for the human brain to adapt, form or break a habit. Do the same, everyone!

Happy Ramadan.

My Egyptian Kanyung

I said I'll be his monkey for the evening and so, every opportunity I had, tree branches were my victims. This is what I loved doing from the time I was little. Looks like hanging myself from tree branches never made me a taller person. But hey, I love the way I am.

Since Hamed got home from work early today, he asked is I wanted to go to one of our 'feel good' places before Ramadan comes a calling. It's the park on the street where he lives -  an exceptionally huge one and clearly, one of our favourite spots to go and sweat it out in the evenings when he's free and I'm able to. But mostly, we love coming here on weekend mornings when possible, have our breakfast (90% of the time it's the makcik's nasi lemak) on one of those picnic tables and then cruise the entire area on our feet to burn up the cals we just consumed.

So since he was free this Tuesday evening and as I was granted the green-light to socialise today, this is where we chose to go to. And that's not all. This is also where we sealed our plan to get started on something that Hamed has been wanting me to do together with him for the longest time.  Wanna guess what it is?

Well, *drumrolls* ,,, Immediately after Ramadan, Hamed and I will get started on our very own Youtube channel. But I aplogize in advanced, that it's going to be a public listed one, therefore, I won't be able to give you any links to it. I'll explain why later.

You're definitely wondering what our channel is going to be about. Wonder no more, because I'm about to tell you our plan. But just curious, any guesses? haha

I'll write about this on the next post. So for now,  join us at the park.

It was such a wonderful time there - breezy indeed as we further discussed plans for our upcoming project I mentioned.

As you see in some of these photos below, for unknown reasons, Hamed seems to prefer photographing the back of me, rather than front! Snap and snap. He's always like that.

And hey, checkout what else they have in this wonderful park..

Certainly not even close to being as sophisticated as the ones you'll get at a gym, but at least it's an added plus for those people who come for strolls at the park and later anticipate a short workout - like what I did this evening. Such a lovely area to hangout.

It's always awesome to come here especially when you just wanna have an easy going evening after being stressed out with the day's work. Because of it's size, kids somehow do not get in your way - although there's plenty of them around during this time. This is why we love coming here before we go home to shower and dress (he to his and me to mine) for our usual night hangouts and dinner at sophisticated places he likes - which we haven't done for ages since I've been under house-arrest!

So there you go. An incredibly lovely Tuesday evening spent with the man who snaps pictures of my back haha.

Have a colorful week and see you again.