dodge ball

My body is aching all over from last night's dodgeball games. This is what happens if you force your "sleeping" muscles to work. But it's sumwhat worth it though, considering that team yellow turned out to be the champion. *hoyeah!?* We started out a loser, but then turned the tables around in the later half of the games. Hm..it feels great to work up some sweat in sports. It helps keep you in shape too. I haven't been working out much lately. In fact, I was surprised to find myself gasping when I was climbing up the stairs to my writing class on the 3rd floor! How serious is that? OK. This picture of Hanis below doesn't have to do with this entry, but I insisted to put it up because..she's so cute!! *I thought it was a guilt not to "share" her ^^"*

Hanis Nabila is in hijab now.. ^^

OK. We were supposed to go to Syracuse for this month's khuruj. But since we were short on people amir sab decided to go next week instead. Br. Nasir was pumped up to give the Somalian kids a follow-up visit. See if they can say the syahadah right this time. But for next weekend (the 4th weekend of the month,) the last halaqah syura assigned us the new Yamanese masjid on 300 Bay Street, just near downtown Rochester. I believe this trend of working within one's own locality has been encouraged by all the syuras, in line with the aim to strengthen local efforts. I've been longing to spend longer times in khuruj. Here, one and a half days don't really give the effect you expect, especially when going out with a group of youngsters; lack of tawajjuh (concentration) that is. I do enjoy going out with these kids though, just that sometimes I need to learn from more experienced brothers too. Sometimes, you need to listen more than talk. I miss to be in a jama'ah where there are hafizs of quran, madrasah students, or an 'alim. There's no limit to what you can gain from a good company. InsyaAllah this coming winter break will meet my longing. ^^ Oh, another thing. Br. Irfan is leaving for his hometown in India next week for Eidul Adha holidays. May he have a sound journey home, (and don't forget to come back!)

P/s: The moment I get home, I'll go pinch her chubby cheeks!

how do I kill the "killer?"

The other day a friend of mine showed me a piece of paper. This was no ordinary paper. It triggered a flow of strong feelings in me. The paper put me in denial. It made me smile and frowned at the same time. It is something I've wanted to have..what I've always looked forward to having. But its just a piece of paper. How could it be so provocative?! I only saw it for a glimpse, yet it kept playing in my head and didn't stop but long afterward. OK lets cut the drama. The paper was none other than a sijil kursus pra perkahwinan (pre-marriage course cert.) No wonder I felt so much affected.^^ My friend is unofficially engaged now and I have yet to find a candidate? No way! (OK you know I'm overreacting here.) My friend told me I should go propose to a girl (which I think I did?) Then I replied (in defense); "How can I propose to a girl when I'm still not done with school..and haven't started a job?" Then here comes the killer answer; "Sustenance is in the hands of Allah..u don't have to worry about that. Our sustenance had been written before we were even born." I answered back (after a little while, being defensive but pretty much in denial;) "Hm..I know that..that's not what I'm worried about..I'm more concerned about myself being not ready..in knowledge and wisdom. I think I'm still a kid (well at least I act like one..and he actually nodded at this! Cis.) Then here comes another killer; "Part of marriage is about learning.. In fact that's the sweet part to it..You learn how to live with your spouse, to manage your household.." Silence broke out..Remained..Until a new topic came about..

OK..lets take a break.

"Islam itu mudah."

P/s: Almost completed my 2nd essay which has been much of a pain in the neck (Alhamdulillah!)..I'd say this is just an echo or a follow-through from my "writing-too-much-of-randomly-thought-words condition"..^^"

read & write

I haven't been writing up here as often as I used to, but I certainly have been writing a LOT this few weeks back. Besides, I guess this is one of those times for a blogger when production is not as fruitful..^^ Credits to this writing class I'm taking, I feel like my mind has "expanded" from too much cognitive work. As much as I like to write, I actually had a wobbly history with writing classes. I remember dropping a class and withdrawing from another a few quarters back, merely because of this lousy thought that "I am not in the mood" to write. Now when I think back to that, I don't think I'm any more zealous to write right now than I was back then. But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not planning on withdrawing this time (considering the tremendous effort I've put into this course) insyaAllah. My professor is making me read and write a LOT. I've been either staying up late or waking up early (or both) every other day to finish all the homework before class. But I'm glad that she finally came to realize how much she has made us do. One time she said in class; "You know what? When I looked back to the homework that I've given you..I just realize..it's a LOT. You guys are doing really really great with your assignments. You should be proud of yourself. Congratulations! Do you feel good about it?" And the class was like "Um..Uh..Yeah.." Well, at least she does acknowledge our commitment to her class..and I must say I kinda like her style..^^ and I'm glad I have my housemate taking this class with me..otherwise, it would have been even harder on me.

p/s: I called mom the other day. Hearing her voice, it relieved my longing for home a bit..=)

news from Chicago

We got a call from Br. Kamran yesterday. This was the first time we heard from him since he moved to Chicago about two months ago. We have lost a great companion in dakwah since then. Alhamdulillah..he and his family have settled down and found a new house over there. From his voice I could tell he is enjoying his new home a lot. He was telling me how the brothers there were very welcoming and happy to receive a new member in their community. And how much they look up to him as a hafiz of Quran. I'm glad to hear that the dakwah effort in his new place is very established and they have strong brothers on the team. I remember being to the markaz masjid in Chicago, and seeing such a great dakwah effort by the Arab brothers, I have no doubt that the surrounding places would at least get sprinkles of its noor. He was telling me how he feels inferior to the level of effort they have over there, that he needs to step at a faster pace to catch up with them. As much as he enjoys his new home, he and his family are starting to miss Rochester already. He said Atiqa and Taha have been mentioning Rochester. I told him we would love to pay him a visit..maybe during this coming winter break insyaAllah, along with spending some time over there. Alhamdulillah. Praise be to Allah. Established or not, strong or weak, this effort is growing all around the globe..and I couldn't be more grateful to be part of it, despite my countless shortcomings. May Allah open this effort to more and more of this ummah..ameen.

p/s: glad to hear some other friend of mine is also enjoying her new home..enjoy the roses while u can..^^