Ramadan & Eid El-Fitr 2017

When we are about to celebrate Eid El-Adha. Haha sorry for the late post. I knowww, I should've tried to find a time, now that I procrastinate like this, I literally have so many things to update.

Right. So I spent the whole Ramadan in Egypt. It wasn't my first time, but it was my last time there. It was still good as it usual did. Ramadan in Egypt was never ever disappointing. Like I used to post before about how merry they would celebrate this holy month. So alive. With decoration and so. I didn't manage to buy the fanoos to bring it back home - cause I was on a tight budget but I bought a carpet and few more Egypt-y stuffs instead. Hahaha can't wait for them to arrive to Malaysia! Since I sent them via sea shipping from Egypt - gonna take months to arrive.

Anyhow, Ramadan goals checked. Even though in the middle of my final exam (yes, gonna make a special post about that weee I can't wait). But still, I managed to juggle both and even more! In term of ibadah and all. I am so gonna miss Ramadan in Egypt guysss, like so much! Not to mention the free ifhar that we, Malaysian students got haha. Definitely one of the sweetest moments abroad.

Then Eid was quite nice. Lonely a little bit. Not my first time away from my family, but my first time as a wife but my husband was working on 1st Syawal. We're both just raya through whatsapp haha but it was okay. 

My friends and I decided to make a match kurung for this raya. We took pictures around Zagazig, and that made me realized how much I was going to miss that foreign land. Sigh. 

Raya as a foreigner is sure different. A lot. 

The foreign feeling and all. But still, that's going to be my sweetest memories. *sheds tears*

last autumn semester

Seems like I'm gonna post more on my 'last' things I do in Egypt now since I already have a few months left before I graduate.

Time really marches. Was it just yesterday I passed my 4th year final exam? Haha and now I only have one final paper left to end this semester. And my winter break starts (which I'm gonna spend it in Malaysia, Ameerul misses me so much guys hahaha). And there goes my very final spring semester afterward.

I was quite busy this semester. Really busy cause I started this sem quite late due to my long holiday in Malaysia haha I didn't start my classes on time, I cut a few classes at the first few weeks haha but don't worry I managed to catch up the syllabus. Plus it was a short semester, they crammed the midterm exams all at once. I barely able to breath! And of course, it gets tougher in final year!

Finished 7 papers now, only have 1 left.

Going back to Malaysia in 3 days! Someone's already excited hehehe.

summer hospital training

Going back to Malaysia in 2 days wohoo. Of course, I'm all excited. Should've have been feeling this earlier but I told you we all had a hospital training to attend, I postponed my holiday for a month zzz.

When my dad asked me about this, I said, "It's bored. We listened to lectures and seeing patients, that's all". But honestly, I learned a lot of things through this.

So now it's all over. 4 weeks of hospital training had over. And also we'd done with the final presentation. Truth be told, it wasn't all that bad. I had fun, really. Even though I had to go to the hospital everyday seeing the patients, attending the lectures for hours, in the hot summer - to be added. But never mind - it's all ended now. Hahaha.

And so we had a presentation to finish this. Supposedly the presentation would be after we finished with all the training, which means it's gonna be soooo late. We (ie: I) were running out of time! We desperately wanted to end this early, I even spoke to one of the coordinators to make everything so fast. She asked me why? I really have no choice but to answer, "I have to get married in Malaysia this summer break" hahaha.

(My apologize to any Egyptian colleagues who are happen to be reading this. Trust me, we aren't selfish. But we really have to back to Malaysia. We have to book the plane ticket early - so it won't be too expensive. And the time is very limited. Hahaha).

So yeah, she made it early, in the middle of the training. We had one day off of the training just for the presentation. She said "I made this for you. You Malaysian people are always polite". Yes of course, I was flattered. How could I respond to her kindness. Awhh. Bless her.

My team

And then like the usual annual routine, we had a class photo shoot. Everyone agreed to wear all green, so that's the theme of our class portrait for semester 8.

And so, we've done with Year 4 officially. 

See you guys again for Year 5, our final year. Seriously, can't wait to end this.

2 days 1 night in Alexandria

Just a very short trip to Alexandria with my Egypt sisters during Sham el-Naseem break.

It took 4 hours to Alex from Zagazig by road, my motion sickness got me sleeping throughout the journey after I took a pill and just to find myself wake up several times sweating. It's early summer at that time by the way. It's really hot - my face burnt. I had weeks-long episodes of not knowing myself hahaha. (After the trip, we all had nights of face masking to get rid of the sunburned face - totally discouraged haha)

I'd been there twice before, all with different people. And my recent trip to Alex was with my classmates and it was all 9 of us.

Day 1

So we started the journey early in the morning (couldn't get ready properly cause my neighborhood suddenly blacked out zzz) and they all had an egg and falafel wrapped by a pita bread as breakfast. 

In Alex, we fully traveled by public transports, except to a few first places we rented a van with the help of this one friendly Egyptian. And entered every places with the discount from our student cards. So here's the tip: Bring along your student card (though not from any local universities, and claim you're Malaysian. Cause people here treat Malaysians really nice haha)

Okay, at around 1130 am, our first stop was Pompey's Pillar (Amoud Al Sawari). I was kinda hypo at this time, cause I didn't eat my breakfast yet (didn't feel like eating so early in the morning) and I was still under the influence of my motion sickness med. Plus it' really hot there, I can't really focused. But we just gotta do what we gotta do; selfies (just girls doing what girls gotta do hahaha). And at the end, I just sat there quietly sharing my breakfast with a cat while the other were happily playing tourist around the area. 

You can read more about Pompey's Pillar online (Hi Rab the history lover hahaha)

Alright, next was Roman Theater (Masrah Rumany). Read more about Roman Theater here.

Lunch time at this one seafood restaurant near to Qaitbay Citadel. What's Alex without seafood, right. I was getting myself back - so energetic now, so alive hahaha. And we walked to Qaitbay after lunch. Shela and I had been here before with our families, so while the other entered inside, we sat there by the sea taking as much pictures as we wanted, talking to some random Egyptians, watching some people on the boats got hit by crazy waves, just enjoying a very nice breeze. 

Second tip: always check the availability of the places you wish to visit cause Qaitbay closes early on Friday so the other girls were mad that they couldn't get enough pictures hahaha and the guard just chased them out hahahah. 

It was still so hot but the breeze really helped. We really didn't feel like going to the next place. Just wanna sit there all day. More about Qaitbay Citadel here.

And spending some sunset watching at the Stanley Bridge which was so nice to get to see people just chilling an evening air with the loved ones, fishing and all. Then, moved to our home stay which operated by some Malaysians who was living there with a nice rates and facilities. At night, all of them going out to the mall to find some foods leaving me, Shela and Aifaa at home cause we were too lazy to go out. So we played Uno instead. They came back with food, some groceries and Uno game continued until midnight hahaha.

#themyth If you travel to this Stanley Bridge with your loved ones, there's a high chance that you will be together with him/her for forever. Awww hahaha.

Day 2

They woke up earlyyyyyy in the morning and had a few rounds of Uno games (at 5 am, seriously you people? Crazy haha), I was the last one to wake up to find Syaza cooked instant noodles for breakfast. Everybody got ready to Maamoura Beach.

The beaches here are clean, cause they treat them like a private one. Most of them need an entrance fee. We just had a productive morning by cycling hahaha. And brunch at the nearest restaurant.

We got home to check out and heading directly to The Library of Alexandria. That was my third time there. Having fun this time with the pharmacist-to-be at the Pharmacy books section, dreaming about becoming the book worm (which is never hahaha).

And so, we got back to Zagazig.

open house eid 2016

My first open house ever organized by my friends and myself. Usually in Malaysia, my mom will decide on everything. The meals especially. I am more like a kitchen helper. And I will just decorate the house and the hardest is to choose the table clothes to use hahaha.

This time was different. My friends and I made everything from scratch starting from buying the raw materials, to cooking to post-event house cleaning. Egypt is so hot and we basically walk to everywhere since we don't own any vehicle. Oh, if I could speak Arabic fluently, I would definitely just order them by phone and make them deliver the things to my house hahaha (just like we have Tesco online in Malaysia - my brother is one regular customer of it zzz).

We came out with several menu, with limited ingredients of course - but we did it! Like the previous years, we would packed our luggage with just food from Malaysia and for me, daun kesum (Vietnamese coriander)  and bunga kantan (torch ginger flower) are compulsory. Besides ginger and lemongrass. Because I really like asam pedas, so I often make it here.

We have a lot of daun kesum and bunga kantan supply this time, as well as daun kunyit. We made asam laksa as a main dish. Also, another main dish like rendang, lontong, instant ketupat palas, instant nasi impit and kuah kacang.

Phew. Hahaha.

Dessert: bubur jagung, green tea pudding, orange flavour cupcakes, chocolate cake.

Beverage: The best part. We had iced sirap rose, bandung, sarsi, green cocktail, lychee.

Phew again.

Hahaha of course the preparation wasn't that easy but we enjoyed making this. Gathered at the living room while peeling the onions whilst watching Malay movie, Isteri vs Tunang Raya and got mad at the stupid husband in the movie cause nobody ever like cowards zzz. At the same time preparing for beverages, making sure it wasn't too diabetic but still too sweet anyway haha.

We took turn to sleep cause yeah it was tiring. I slept for about 2 hours and got up at 7 am to bake the cupcakes. While of course, eating the rendang for breakfast hehe.

All set and ready. Let's make ourselves pretty, but danggg. BLACKOUT! I was about to iron my clothes. Ahh, so spoil.

We all became so bad mood, it was so hot. My neighbourhood  rarely affected by any blackout/short water supply or something but what a perfect timing, Zagazig government. You chose it that day wow hahaha.

Everybody managed to get dressed except me. I showered and just wearing a casual jeans and went to the campus to settle a few things regarding the studies (just to kill time) and came back home to see everything's came back to normal. Phew.

Catching the nemo for rendang 

Succeed.

Yes. We listed out the menus on the board, hung it in the living room where people eat. Actually I did it as a to-do-list memos at first. They were being funny when they said, "I'm eating number 4 now". "I'm at number 2 now, long way to go". "Where is number 6 on the table?". "Finished all 17 menus". "I'm eating according to the orders". "Is this buffet or we should order to you by the numbers?".

And we got more and more guest after Zuhr. We didn't invite a lot. Just coursemates and some close friends. My classmates stayed at our house till night to watch some movie and all. While I already knocked out at the corner of my bed. So tired hahaha.

But it's so fun. When it's just you and your friends, no curfew, no restrictions. Just us.

Definitely the valuable experience as a perantauan. I'm gonna shed tears to remember this one fine day. It's too sweet. Too diabetic.

summer hospital training

I really have much time now that I can blog frequently. Cause I'm still in Egypt doing my practical training at the hospital for 4 weeks. 4 weeks guys, so long. It gets longer when it's summer. 1 hour feels like forever.

Don't get me wrong. I like doing this. It's just that it's too long and too hot. Well, it isn't that long but I'd rather be in Malaysia right now preparing for a big day, but what am I doing here?! My heart is in Malaysia already.

Well, I survived the first week at O&G department. Gonna proceed to Peadiatrics next week. And next to Internal Medicine, lastly to Surgery department.

O&G should be fun. But it got so bored you know. Because we got to attend the lectures at the department's lecture room (which what we've already learnt daily at my faculty - listening to facts and so on). Then we moved to the outpatients/inpatients to learn about study cases.

Nightmare.

I don't like the smell of hospitals. Hahaha. Especially here in Egypt (sorry no offense). I can't really stand the smell. Especially when we went to the labour room the other day. Oh my god, I instantly covered my nose cause it smelled so hospital hahaha. Don't care if people ever judge me, or you'd rather seeing me throwing up.

I didn't make to be in the hospital. But I have to work there! Sigh. I remember the old times when I had my internship at the governmental hospital in Malaysia for the first time, I barely ate there. But then I got used to it and the environment. But now, it's a whole new story. It's Egypt by the way.

Ahhh. First week, done.

Gonna see poor-sick-cute babies next week at Peads ward.

Second week, I'm ready!

yellow me

Everyone knows I like yellow. Sometimes go for red too, if I'm suddenly feeling sexy hahaha anyway for the raya outfit the other day, this one uncle in my neighbourhood custom-made them for me so I could wear them for my raya. Yes, it's yellow.

Short sad story here. I ordered a few outfits in Malaysia with this Chinese aunt last year so that I could wear them this raya when I come back there, but little did I know I needed to spend the Eid here, ahhh bad bad planning ever. But still gotta have new outfits, so I made two here. The upside is that now I got a lot of traditional outfits hahaha.

But of course it's gonna be hard explaining to the Egyptian uncle about how you want your outfits to be. How do you expect him to understand kain kipas belakang or kain batik depan or the hardest kebaya nyonya hahaha. So I just made simple ones here and kept missing the raya outfits in Malaysia that I won't be able to wear (especially the emerald green one, I missed you).

I really like the fabric material for this one. Just a cotton but comfortable.

Mom said it looked beautiful, all moms are gonna say the same thing by the way hahaha.

Ameerul said I looked stunning. Okay. Maybe because it's an Eid and he just wanted to make me feel good.

But something strange happened. He kept saying the same thing all over again. I thought, okay maybe he should stop trying to make me feel better here. Hahaha. He insisted it's true that I looked so good the other day. He loved everything about me (and the outfit). The yellow colour suited me, it made me looked gorgeous and elevated my inner beauty bla bla bla hahaha, what he said.

Okay, okay. I got it now. That you loved to see me like that.

The next morning, I got a text message from him, "I still can't move on on how beautiful you were yesterday".

Okay, wow. Can he be like this everyday, please? *prays hard*

eid 2016

Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf Zahir & Batin!

My first eid in Egypt, ever! So many new things happened and I learned a lot from this. And it was so so fun actually.

The night of 1st Syawal, we all gathered at the Malaysian Hall for a free iftar (simply because it's free haha), and for Eid takbir. It reminded me of home, seriously. Cause that's what I usually listen to at the night of Syawal at home, so I had to play tough here. But it wasn't bad after all.

We didn't prepare much for the 1st Syawal. Except for the new outfit, that I once told you before about this one uncle who sews so well and I am his regular customer for the three consecutive years already. For the meal, nayy. Cause we got a lot of open house invitations which was so happy of me haha.

Earlier at the morning:

We slept quite late at 3 am cause Fajr got early now that we spent the night by preparing for our outfits and just enjoying raya songs. It was quite different this time that I wasn't really busy at the night of 1st Syawal, because usually in Malaysia, my mom and I would basically just sleeping in the kitchen hahaha kidding but sort of true. I need to make sure that everyone gets their outfits neat and arranged, I clean up the whole house, rearrange few stuffs in the house and I have to do so many more chores!

It gets different this year, I was one happy free kid. Hahaha.

Since Fajr was early, our Eid prayer started at 530 am. We got ready at 5am to rush for a prayer. All set up and happy. I managed to make a video call to my family in Malaysia to maaf zahir batin everyone and of course asking for duit raya hahaha. Quite disappointed when my duit raya was being postponed till next year.

Still got ones from dad and fiance by the way (happy kid I am).

Eid here was quite fun actually, when we had to do everything by ourselves, it's totally a new experience for me.

Syawal 1st to 6th were fulfilled by open house invitations. We held one on 5th Syawal. Gonna blog about that real soon.

Anyways, Eid Mubarak everybody. May Allah accepts our good deeds. I apologize to everyone if I ever hurt you intentionally/unintentionally. Let this Eid makes us a better person than before.

ramadan 2016

Done. Alhamdulillah.

Everything was so smooth. It's my first time ever to spend the whole Ramadan in Egypt and it wasn't all that bad. First three weeks of Ramadan were great. Despite of having final exams and all, I still managed to juggle them all. Forth week, I got all tired and exhausted. Maybe because I got all the exams done, I just wanted to relieve myself. I slept a lot. I have no appetite at all. Even after 16 hours of fasting and I was fine with having a glass of water for a break fast. #skeletoninthemaking

So, I'm on a multivitamin supplement therapy now to make everything balance back.

I told you guys before how amazing Ramadan here was. It turned to be extra amazing this year when we got a lot of free iftar invitation outside haha. Of course we loved it, even though it was all Egyptian foods (some that I couldn't really eat - plus I am not really a big eater) but the idea of having it free was just great hahaha.

We got a few iftar invitations from the campus, from our Dean, from our beloved Pharmacology lecturers, from Dr Afaf (Pharmacognosy lecturer who gives us free iftar every year without fail!).

And we had this one uncle living in the same neighborhood as us who cook for us EVERYDAY! So every evening before an iftar, he would gave us loads of foods with so many side dishes, fruits, juice and all. Crazyyy. We were so happy actually and we're just so excited to see what's coming on to us on the day. 

After a month of eating Egyptian cuisine, I am now totally look like an Egyptian already haha.

I know! I missed Malaysian foods so so so much. Sometimes we cook another Malaysian side dishes too, cause the stomach just kind of missed the chilli paste. Sigh. You really have no idea how much I missed those Malay foods. *cries* *reminds myself it's only a few months left*

Okay, done talking about food hahaha.

I told you before about my Ramadan goals. Alhamdulillah, I'm really happy to get all that fulfilled. I mean not 100%, I still feel like I'm lacking here and there. 

We managed to khatam the whole Quran and even made a small khatam Quran ceremony hehehe. I missed terawikh prayers too sometimes, but usually we all would prayed terawikh together at the living room. And sometimes just by myself. 

On the last day of Ramadan, I thought to myself about how happy I was to celebrate Ramadan this time and it was so meaningful. I learned a lot too! And my health just amazingly cooperate haha alhamdulillah.

My last Ramadan as a single lady, by the way. I'm happy I made it this way. May Allah bless us all. 

Eid post coming up!

semester 8 exam results

So fast, right? Exams results are always been announced real fast, like a week/two weeks after final exams finish. And now it's only 6 days ago that I just finished with my last paper, Phytotherapy. That my study desk is still stacked up with Phytotherapy notes haha. I haven't start to clean up all this semester's notes yet. Everybody at the campus must be so rushing for an Eid, right haha.

I was so busy just now rolling my sleeves up making biskut raya (honey cornflakes one is the tastiest, no kidding), then rushing for an iftar with the housemates. We made a joint iftar today with the other friends too, we made nasi tomato and suddenly our class WhatsApp's group beeped a message "The results are out, can check at the website".

My ayam sambal suddenly felt so hard to be swallowed.

"You guys check yours?"

"No, after iftar. Don't wanna spoil the appetite".

Hahaha.

So after iftar and maghrib prayer, I sat down on my bed holding the cellphone tightly, half nervous half curious. I keyed in my student number and password slowly, looking for a column labelled Natijah (Result).

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim..

Okay of course, I'm not gonna announce my results here hahaha, only a few people got to know.

Most importantly, I passed all the papers! Alhamdulillah, so thankful. I still maintain my CGPA above 3. But of course, still having a regret as always, like, "Oh, maybe I should do better next time" or "Awwh, this paper, a little more effort might make my grade look cooler on paper".

HAHAHA.

And a few marks like in Medicinal Chemistry which got me 84/100 (B+). I'm not quite satisfied, cause why I can't get 85! 85 is A-. Only 1 mark, guys. Only 1 mark to get an A. But you know, the old Qistina would go all bad mood and depressed. But the new me just be like, "It's fine. It's all rezeki. Let's be thankful".

And all the worries (which I wrote in the previous post) were just washed away!

But at this rate, I really need to work harder next year to make this 3 pointer looks promising.

I only have 2 semesters left.

Now, I don't really have anything more to wish, just maybe, be a little bit more hardworking next time, okay Qistina? Hahaha.

forth year

The end of my forth year! 

(Still have one year left).

When I sat for my last paper this semester, Phytotheraphy, I said to myself that I was gonna make it good. Let me ended this semester with a good one. Because the rest of 7 exams that I needed to take, they were all just fine, no too great but not too bad. I'm not sure if I did well or not, I just tawakkal and moved on. The worst feeling ever among all semesters.

I realized that this semester was the hardest among all since the first few weeks - already! Even before this, when I took General Immunology and Microbiology paper (the black sheep exam paper), it wasn't this hard.

Clinical year is no joke. 

I didn't really stressed out throughout my studies life here, except with this semester. I stared on the blank wall for a long time thinking what was I gonna do with the low carry mark for Clinical Biochemistry. I cried a little bit thinking about how hard Clinical Pharmacy final exam questions will be under Dr Amru supervision hahaha. Don't get me started on Drug Interactions. Well, I had a lot of useless thoughts! 

I was a little discouraged too this time. I wasn't as enthusiastic as before. Which I also pondered about what actually I was struggling in. I couldn't focus as before, which I made a conclusion that this may be the time when I was in the lowest level of all my study phases.

I convinced myself that nothing gets easier. Of course, I need to work harder. And I tried. 

Everything will be just okay, right? 

And on another note, I need to postpone my summer break in Malaysia this year, due to some hospital training in Egypt which I am not really happy about haha but we have no choice but to just carry on.

So, all the best? Hahaha thanks but no thanks!

Dear Past Me

Dear Past Me,


I've received your letter 5 years ago. Thanks for the effort to write and for the high dreams you had on me hahaha. Don't be surprised about what you are going to read now.

To be honest, the current me isn't that much differ to the past me. Just that, I'm getting better than you (a good thing right?). I'm not a pharmacist yet, but I'm turning into one. I'm doing my degree in Clinical Pharmacy in Egypt now. I know! You'd never had a slightest thought of me going far to Egypt. Never ever in your plan. But this is how life rolls. Allah has sent me here, with reasons. And Alhamdulillah for that. I'm happy here.

I've spent almost 4 years here, I'm truly blessed. I've learnt so many things, I get to know the real meaning of life. I feel closer to what we should do in life. My aim was only to become a pharmacist. But it gets so different now, I think being a good Muslim is all that matters the most. Speaking of studies, I think I am just you. Who still stays up late for the last minute revision, I am still the same me hahaha but still having the same aim to become what I've really liked; pharmacist.

(Is it possible for someone to become this loyal? Damn, I must be so weird hahaha).

Family is still the same. I got a sister in law now who is expecting for her first. I'm so excited! Dad is the most excited one, of course. Because he's getting old (taking antihypercholesterolemia now zzz I lectured him about this already don't worry) that he can't really wait to have his first grandchild. He already has his favourite names to give to our first newborn. He would selfies with any of our cousin's children and sends the pictures to our Whatsapp group just to say that "our time is next" hahaha. So exciting. Mum is mum, never change, she's pretty cool about this.

And as me, I'm not married yet. If the plan goes well, it'll be at the end of this year, if Allah wills. I'm gonna blog about this real soon. So maybe in the next letter, you are going to read more about my marriage life hahaha. Yes, with Ameerul (who else?). Told ya, I'm one loyal freak! Ameerul is still nice. He puts everyone ahead before him, as always. You know, it would have be a thick book if I'd got to write all of nice things he's done to me. I am not bragging but he's really one nice creature that Allah has made for me, so complementary and it fits so well like a puzzle hahaha. (That's why he says I'm good at words, I'm one sweet talker you see).

Damia and Adam are still my closest babies. Since I'm in Egypt now, I will only get the chance to meet them once per year. But they grow up so fast now, Damia has a cellphone already. She Whatsapps me all the time with her pictures, songs and so on hahaha.

Let me tell you about Dolls. They are growing up so so well. Many things happen in this 5 years. So many newborns, so many Dolls Jr. Everyone got married and all. And Mc Ah's baby had an operation for her congenital heart problem, it's really sad. But Baby Zara Humaira grows up so well now, she's really strong. And as for my diploma coursemate, we are still close. Still the same as the old us. I'm really happy about this friendship. And I've made a new circle now with my Egypt sisters, they are younger than me but that's really okay cause I feel younger hahaha.

Oh, shopping! I miss to shop. I haven't really shop for the longest time! Wow, can't believe myself. Cause I have no income right now hahaha I'm going back to become a student, so I only get my monthly allowance from my dad. What a sad thing zzzz. Don't bother to buy shoes anymore cause I couldn't find any of my size here, everything is so large, I'm miserable. Plus, collecting shoes now is a bad idea, cause Egypt gets so dusty and I love my shoes, so that's it. Handbag? Nayy. I'm a student now. Backpack is fine for me. Clothes? Nayy. Cairo is far. And everything gets expensive due to Egypt's currency. I used to collect MNG shirts and Charles & Keith handbags before. But any of international brands here are double charged to what they be in Malaysia due to the currency. I remember I really want this Charles & Keith handbag but it costed 600LE, nahh forget it I felt like giving away 6 pieces of 100LE notes, compared to what they'd be in Malaysia (just giving away 2 or 3 pieces of RM100 notes haha), so never mind hahaha. But H&M is tolerable.

So, I only shop in Malaysia when I get back there during summer break.

Well, I may progress slowly, it's fine as long as I put an effort to make myself better. Well, of course life isn't always be easy. But I'm thankful I got everyone around me through my every moments. I'm one happy girl woman.

Thanks to those who stay. I sound like an old lady now and I hate it. I'm still young! *applying anti-aging cream*

Hahahaha.

Not mine, obviously haha. Just me in 2016.

Sincerely,
The Future You.

ramadan kareem 2016

As I grow older (plus as I stay longer in Egypt) I realize just how exciting Ramadan is compared to Syawal. I used to be so worried of being not able to drink for 13 hours straight due to my UTI. But the childish me knew nothing. I've reminded myself every year that how amazing Ramadan is when Allah doubles your rewards and so many great things we would receive throughout this holy month that we wish it would be Ramadan the whole year.

I've got to spend my whole Ramadan here in Egypt this year. And Syawal too! Cause Ramadan gets earlier by year, now it clashes with my final exams and summer time too, so yeah. Basically it's 16 hours of fasting with the outside temperature of 40+ degree Celsius. Just wow hahaha. But Allah understands what we've gone through, He knows how we feel. I believe He has His special way to reward us on this.

Ramadan here is pretty exciting. People here celebrate it tremendously compared to Eid. They start to decorate their houses with fanous. The roads are just lighten up with decorations. A few days prior to Ramadan, you've got to see people would give away the foods/raw materials to those who need it. Numerous open invitation to free break fast. People/strangers happily wish you a good Ramadan. Isn't that exciting? The exciting part is the discount you'd get in supermarket hahaha most items are sold on low prices.

My first day of Ramadan went so well. We gathered at my house and prepared for suhoor and break fast together. We would stay up till fajr, so that no one would miss her suhoor (Fajr is at 3 am). Break fast is the exciting part, we cook so many things cause we want to eat so many things hahaha. Our first day of Ramadan just filled with silly conversations pretending we were in Malaysia. I wished we could go to bazaar to buy my fav murtabak. Shela wished she could go to Kedai 1Malaysia near to her house to buy her jajan. Mannn, can't believe I wouldn't be able to go to any bazaar in Malaysia this year.

This is my very first time to spend my whole Ramadan away from home. But it still fells like home anyway when you're surrounded by good companions. That always reminds you to be better,

One of our Ramadan goals is to khatam the al-Quran together. So we've decided to take part of reciting the divided juzuk for each of us.

My personal Ramadan goals are just want to khatam the al-Quran, perform terawikh every night (usually only at home so far) and just do many little things that Allah loves His servant to do. In shaa Allah.

Ramadan Kareem my brothers and sisters.

new house

I wrote before about how my house owner 'kicked us out' from my current rental house. So, we needed to look for a new house to live in. Like homeless people, we went around the whole neighborhood searching for any potential houses. We asked local people around. Using as many connections as we had. Exhausted.

We went for so many potential houses. Just to find that they weren't really as potential as we thought. Really, they lacked so many things compared to our old house. Too far. Too dark. Unfamiliar neighborhood. Too expensive.

Pening!

We had minor headache episodes for a month just thinking about this hahaha.

So, one day, my classmate called me. He said, his house owner was looking for female tenants. I said, we're going to have a look at the house first. My first impression was, "Hmm this is not that bad, but my old house is far way better".

But we really had no choice! The dateline was so near. So, we desperately said, "Okay, we are taking this house. Deposit is paid next week".

Just. Like. That.

Thank god that this new house owner is kind of generous (so far haha), she painted our house neatly to welcome us. So it seems like a new house now. She seems so nice and friendly. And since she lives just upstairs to our house (still on the same building), so she can always come to pay a visit to our house. Things I often hear so far is "Alhamdulillah, helwah giddan. Kuwaisy". (Alhamdulillah, so nice. Good).

Because female tenants take care of the house nicely, of course. Hahaha.

Well, actually it happens that my new house is just behind to my old house. It's really close. So I still live at the same neighborhood. Still living in the familiar surrounding, which is so much comfortable for me.

So, I'm now updating from my new house.