New Year 2009

New Year is wonderful time to reach out to your loved ones and express your heartiest good wishes to them. Here's wishing anyone who visits my blog, a successful year ahead and more power to your future.

All hands rise in praise of Prophet Mohammed PBUH,

All heads bow in praise of Allah

May he bless you on Muharram On this final day of 2008, we bid farewell to another year gone by and begin thinking about how I can makes changes for the better in the year to come. My personal new year's resolution is to be happy, enjoy life, and not let little things get to me. I would also involve myself by touching the life of another person in a positive way, or improving myself in a spiritual way, although I find this more meaningful than when it effects another's life, or somehow contributing to making the world a better place. I feel that I have live life on this planet much like a slug, slogging along with little interest (or even awareness) of others, or my place or purpose here, content to exist until it is time to leave. So much time has been wasted! A happy New Year to all!

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Almost an end to a great vacation

Tomorrow will be our last day at beautiful Daytona Beach Resort. We have done some packing and will be having an early night tonight so we could be ready to roll in the wee hours of the morning. We would be passing places like Atlanta, Tennessee, and Kentucky before reaching our final destination of Indiana. The longest ride would be between Florida and Atlanta, and praying for a great weather along the way. When we left, it was raining cats and dogs!

Packed a bunch of snacks for everyone and I had a special order of tandoori chicken plus naan bread! I am sure gonna have a great time snacking in the car.

Well, hope to update everyone on my other stories.

A scene at daytona beach

It was an extremely beautiful day and Ramzi decides to play ball with his daddy. There were people everywhere, some are just sun-bathing, others just watching the waves, some are surfing or just walking, while some rode their bikes or cars.

After spending their time for hours on the beach, they decide to relax by the pool

The beach patrol car is always on the look-out for people.

I was busy scanning the beach and saw this old couple. Looks like the man is dragging his wife forward or she might have some problem with her eye-sight. Not sure which!

There are all kinds of birds here and some are such a pest. This crow here is just waiting for food.
These birds or sea gulls are also a pest. They pooped all over the place and I for once, refused to walk bare-footed. They are not scared of people, but some kids would just chased them away and they would land back.

The water is just so blue and it's a beautiful sight

Apart from the throng of people walking up and down the beach, here's a scene of a guy making big bucks! He uses his ATV to load up beach loungers, mats and umbrellas for those who wants to rent it. By mid day his cart is totally empty.

The guy is walking towards his customer, to collect payment. He goes bare-footed the whole day. Does not need shoes for this kinda business.

Here he is again, sitting under his own umbrella, calculating how much he had earned for the day.

Christmas eve at my in-laws

On christmas eve, we went to my in-laws house in Newburgh. I had prepared some snacks for us all. We arrived a little early because Ramzi just couldn't wait to see his many 'surprises'. We also had invited Dussti and Jamal. Here are some pictures.

hotel fees horror

We were feeling pretty good when we snagged that great deal on 'The Shores Resort and Spa hotel' that we had seen online and left yesterday for our 14 hours long journey to Daytona, Florida. We had arrived yesterday and in our mind we were ready to hit the beach and enjoy the excellent summer-like weather compared to the freezing or unpredictable winter weather of Indiana.

Upon checking in, a friendly receptionist explained that we had to park across the street and a small printed card on her reception counter explained about other charges that we will have to pay upon checking out! With what supposed to be a great deal, would probably make our jaw drops when we see the final tally on this "bargain" accommodations. The receptionist was trying her best to explain "resort fee" of $15 a day, when we may not even set foot in the hotel's gym nor were we able to swim in their main heated pool today because of a major problem with the parts. On top of it all, we were told we have to park across the street! When we checked about free breakfast, she in return told us they don't provide free breakfast. I was saying WHAT!! On the 2nd day another guy from the reception was saying they would be happy to provide room service, which again is a total rip-off because the cheapest breakfast on their menu for room service is 2 eggs cooked any style with a side of either hash browns and sausage, bacon or ham (which we don't eat) cost around $12 and if you add like small pot of tea or coffee will be an additional of $10 and Florida sales tax and an 18% gratuity will be added to those charges and not forgetting a $3 delivery charge! Talking about a cheap vacation!! Of course, their minibar are full to the brim and they would go all out by knocking on our door to see if we are in need of restocking our minibar!! hahaha. Being a seasoned traveller and used to hotel stay, I had another shock with this supposed 4 star hotel. I was looking high and low for a shower cap and did not find any! Since this is the 2nd day of our stay here, they've not even given us any new soap or shampoo ! Feels like THE SHORES RESORT & SPA hotel are really really trying to dragged us into their economic miseries!! The only great thing about this hotel is that it is located right on the beach and the view is superb. Here are some pictures.

Surprise!

My friend Nafeez called around 4 pm to inform me of our friend, Wanda's birthday. We made a plan to give Wanda a surprise birthday visit to her house. Nafeez bought a cake and a bouquet of pink roses, while I made some fried noodles. Here is the outcome....
Wanda, with her son, and parents in the background.

Cutting the cake

Come to think of it, it's not roses... not sure what it is, but it's pretty!
Here's the pretty pink cake

Icy road

I was alerted by an early morning call from my dear husband who was already on his way to work, wondering if I got his message on the answering machine. I told him NO. In reality, I was not even aware of any phone ringing, but on second thoughts, I must have been in the bathroom when he called!

He told me to tune in to News 25 on Ch. 11 to find out if my son's school will be closed because of the treacherous road condition. Instead of relying on the TV, I instead went online on the Evansville School Corporation website. Schools in the EVSC area will be delayed for 2 hours! Seven of the Evansville School Corp. buses have run off the road this morning and others are slowed by slick conditions, while 3 buses that slid off will either have to maneuver themselves out or having to be pulled out, but there was no injuries reported.

My son was happy that he got an extra sleep this morning, and prays for more bad weather!! Fancy that!

Eid- Ul-Adha

Eid-Ul-Adha (a.k.a. the Feast of Sacrifice or Day of Sacrifice) is observed after the Hajj -- the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. In the US, it falls on December 8, 2008, on a Monday. After sending my son to school, I drove myself to the Masjid and was happy to see a large crowd of people already there.

“Hari Raya Haji or Eid-Ul-Adha literally means the ‘festival of pilgrimage’. This festival is celebrated by Muslims to honour pilgrims who have completed their Haj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Hari Raya Haji falls on the 10th day of the month of Dzulhijjah, the last month of the Muslim Calendar. In Malaysia and Singapore it is celebrated on 8th December, Monday. The 10th of Dzulhijjah marks an important event in Islamic history dating back to beginning of mankind of Adam and Eve. Just outside the holy city of Mecca at Arafah, Adam and Eve were sent down to this world by Allah (God). After their expulsion from Heaven, Allah sent them to separate places. Adam was placed in India and Eve in Jeddah but eventually met on an open field and were reunited. Thus, the blissful reunion of the father and mother of mankind symbolises the reunion of the whole of mankind.

Also known as Hari Raya Korban, which means the festival of sacrifice. Traditionally, the sacrifice of a cow or goat as food offerings to the poor is done. Though not a compulsory religious duty, it is considered an obligation for those who can afford it.”

Here are some pictures taken at the Masjid today.

Myself & Nafeez in the midst of khutbah, her daughter took this picture.

Couldn't help taking picture of this cute little girl in her full gear
Shown here from left, Wanda, (not sure who the lady in red is but I know her), Nafeez and Angie
From left, Mona fr Egypt, Nafeez, Angie & myself
Breakfast time in the basement of the masjid

Scene in the basement during breakfast time at the masjid.

At last this 2 little cutie pies decide to pose for us after a lot of persuasion!

Holiday weekend Pot Luck Lunch

Talking to Mak Cik, Nafeez, Wanda, Angie and Dussti in the breakfast nook area.

Jamal, Kareem, Mohd & AZ posing in the living room
Nafeez chatting with Wanda



Mak Cik (Wanda's mom) frying corn frittersHome made beriyani lamb by Nafeez

Beef Rendang specially made by the host!

Chicken satay, another dish made by the host Since it was too cold to grill the satay, I had them placed in the oven and mix in the satay gravy all at oncet.

Stir fry Shrimp cooked in tomatoe sauce and onions another dish made by the host.

Yummy tandoori chicken specially made by Nafeez

For dessert we had egg sandwiches, carrot cakes, chocolate chip cookies, peanut brittle and another caramel cake which I am not sure what it's called!

Here is another indonesian delicacies which I have forgoten what it's called! Forgive me Wanda & Mak Cik! It's really really yummy

We had arrays of other foods like the Bee Hoon, keropok and other ulam.