Where I have really been...

Assalamu'Alaykum,

It was the eve of 'Eid when I started packing our belongings to head to the place where time stands still - my grandma's house.

The usual - packing the whole house into the carboot and leaving my laptop all alone in the house. I told my husband that when we returned to his parents' we would bring my laptop along so that I COULD BLOG throughout the holidays.

Well, time really did stand still at gran's for two whole days. By third Shawal we were back and repacking for the longer trip up North. We really see my husband's family so we always make it a point to stay a little longer than usual.

I thought I would catch up with my work and would actually have more time to myself since my kiddies' grandparents would be around to entertain them.

Unfortunately, the Malaysian torrential rains had led to thunderstorms. Lightning had hit the phoneline in my inlaw's house. They too had just returned from their hometown and looked at the gaping hole in my brother in law's room with much curiosity.

Yes, there was a hole. At first, my brother in law suspected somehad tried to break in. After making some sense and a few attempts to log on to the net, he decided that the modem had gone kaput.

By the time the contractor was over to fix the connection it was time to leave. I guess everyone was on holiday for that week!

As much as I enjoy visiting (most) of my family, I was quite pleased to return home, smelly pillows and all. I had some pending assignments too and felt so "out of it" without an internet connection! Ever feel that way? We can't live without technology.

I unpacked my laptop the night we returned and was eager to check my email. That was the least I could do at that time.

Unfortunately my phone had been hit too! Astarghfirullah!

We could not call out and neither could callers hear our voices when we received calls.

After a few days of prodding the phoneline company finally paid us a visit. I told them it was useless to call us and keep asking us "is there something wrong with your phone? Hello? Hello? IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG. WITH. YOUR. PHONE?"

Our phone was fixed immediately by connecting to the net was still proving a difficulty. The broadband guy sauntered over after endless calls to the company. Turns out he was in the neighbourhood.

He could not get us connected though. It is weird that my laptop would have been affected. It was unplugged when I had left it at home and it was with me during the rains.

I guess I will never know why.

As I blog, my husband is getting it checked at his office, while I have set up a mini station at my mum's place. Time to check out of the dark ages already! Golly.

Insha'Allah things will get back to normal. It shows that we really are not in control of our plans, no matter how efficient or effective they may seem to be! Best thing is, is not to get wound up and take it in stride.

People were probaby were less stressed out living in non-technology-reliant times. More time to focus on Allah Ta'ala alone. I wonder. I wonder. I wonder. What would it have really been like without running after time, the way we do especially when hooked up to the rest of the world.

Nevertheless, it is good to be back and enjoy the privilege of blogging for this blog. Even after an eventful 'Eid!

YAWN!

Assalamu'Alaykum,

I have been away. Luckily Humanist has done a brilliant job filling in for my posts. It would be great if you could leave comments. We know there are plenty of readers that drop by and sepend time browsing our posts. But letting us know what you think of our mini-dawa action here would be great. Sorts of gives us a confidence boost to continue posting and helping out with the Muslim predicament that most of us face today

Well, honestly, it is not about the comments. Who blogs for comments? It's just nice to have a two-way communication once in a while *winks*

Careful How You Type!!

Salaam and greetings everyone.

Today, as I went to type the URL for this blog, I had accidentally typed http://www.thingstoknowaboutmuslimsandarabs.blogpsot.com, it leads you to a "Mega site of Bible studies and information." I was shocked that someone or some people would actually do that.

See the different between http://www.thingstoknowaboutmuslimsandarabs.blogspot.com and http://www.thingstoknowaboutmuslimsandarabs.blogpsot.com ? The answer is blogspot (correct) and blogpsot (incorrect).

Does anyone know if there is action that I can take?

I should introduce myself...

Assalamu'Alaykum,
Dear Reader,

Humanist invited me to blog on in into Things to know about Muslims and Arabs.

Honestly, it sounded really intimidating at first. Firstly, I am not Arab, and have not even known 10 Arab people in my twenty something years of life. At the same time though, I am pro the embelishment of stereotypes. However, the more I entertained the idea of providing fair light to my Arab brothers and sisters, who are mostly also my brothers and sisters of faith, I decided that blogging here would expand my horizon and allow me to learn new things everyday.

Growing up as a Muslim with a Malay father, Chinese mother, with Indian "godparents" in Western Europe, attending a British School, I know more than enough I know about racism and discrimination to last me four and a half lifetimes.

I am glad you are reading this blog and would like to ask you to support this campaign to give Muslims and Arabs alike a rightful representation that they deserve, as opposed to general mainstream media.

As I blog though, I will make mistakes, so please do not hesitate to correct me, as I am also here to learn about different cultural upbringing and Muslims around the world.

Humanist has done a good job in setting this blog up and rolling out ideas already, masha'Allah, may we all partake in making it work for the sake of Allah.

All truth and beauty come from Allah and any mistakes are mine.

New and Improved Blog

Salaam and greetings to all of you. We have made a comeback at Things to know about Muslims and Arabs. I have added a co-blogger, named Maria. She will be blogging twice a week, occasionally one or two posts extra.

Our intention is to blog Monday through Friday with occasional Saturdays and Sundays. If you have topics that we should cover, feel free to leave a comment on our blog.

A Happy Ramadan to Muslims around the world!