Thursday, June 16, 2005
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Got back today afternoon. Almost didn't make it back because my name was on the waiting list, and I almost didn't get on the plane. But we all eventually did, and came home to welcoming relatives at Changi Airport. Hugs and tears and kisses and all. As is typical.
I don't know where to begin or even what to say. It was a very personal, self-changing experience. And now that am back, there's a feeling of aching loss, much like the feeling after leaving Egypt, just slightly different. I didn't sleep much, ate less, prayed a lot more and read a lot. Bought The Noble Quraan, an English Translation. I think it's fantastic. And some things in there quite scared me, or rather reminded me and consequently scared me. I'm scared, scared, scared. Baitullah is just... breathtaking. Not in its size, not just in its beauty (it is a beautiful sight)... but more of... how, you know, it is the centre of all things important. It's where we face everyday. And there you are, you know, looking at it. Indescribable. And Madinah is just nicely peaceful and calming.
And there, you feel humbled. How small you are, amongst the masses of people, all seeking the same thing. I am scared.
To put things on a lighter note... there were a lot of cute babies! Soooo cute. Everytime, I wish they'd come near enough for me to pinch their cheeks or something. And I saw a BLOND boy, about three years in age, wearing a jubah. Sooooo cuuuute. Oh, and it's incredibly hot. We were walking along in the scorching heat, and there was this digital thermometer which said 41 deg. Celsius. We laughed at it, because you know, it seems incredible. And as we walked, we'd stop by zamzam (holy water) dispensers and quench our thirst. And oh, you know what, the shopkeepers can all speak malay, albeit a very limited version! haha. They'd go "Murah! Murah! Lima rial! Lima rial!" Quite a number of beggars. I climbed hills. Saw the Red Sea for the second time. Ate kebabs. Found out white tiles remain cool in the scorching heat. Had aching feet. And had, overall, a very fulfilling experience.
Will post photos for your viewing pleasure and for my own keepsake.
I don't know where to begin or even what to say. It was a very personal, self-changing experience. And now that am back, there's a feeling of aching loss, much like the feeling after leaving Egypt, just slightly different. I didn't sleep much, ate less, prayed a lot more and read a lot. Bought The Noble Quraan, an English Translation. I think it's fantastic. And some things in there quite scared me, or rather reminded me and consequently scared me. I'm scared, scared, scared. Baitullah is just... breathtaking. Not in its size, not just in its beauty (it is a beautiful sight)... but more of... how, you know, it is the centre of all things important. It's where we face everyday. And there you are, you know, looking at it. Indescribable. And Madinah is just nicely peaceful and calming.
And there, you feel humbled. How small you are, amongst the masses of people, all seeking the same thing. I am scared.
To put things on a lighter note... there were a lot of cute babies! Soooo cute. Everytime, I wish they'd come near enough for me to pinch their cheeks or something. And I saw a BLOND boy, about three years in age, wearing a jubah. Sooooo cuuuute. Oh, and it's incredibly hot. We were walking along in the scorching heat, and there was this digital thermometer which said 41 deg. Celsius. We laughed at it, because you know, it seems incredible. And as we walked, we'd stop by zamzam (holy water) dispensers and quench our thirst. And oh, you know what, the shopkeepers can all speak malay, albeit a very limited version! haha. They'd go "Murah! Murah! Lima rial! Lima rial!" Quite a number of beggars. I climbed hills. Saw the Red Sea for the second time. Ate kebabs. Found out white tiles remain cool in the scorching heat. Had aching feet. And had, overall, a very fulfilling experience.
Will post photos for your viewing pleasure and for my own keepsake.
Monday, June 06, 2005
I'm posting from Changi Airport! Ahah. Our airport is so good.Am sucking on a strepsil... Ami Man and family are still taking their time coming through the gate. 4o minutes to take off. Flight is at 5.20 pm. Will probably reach Madinah at sunrise tomorrow. Hm. There was a delay of 5 hours just now... We were supposed to go at 12.20.
Am excited. Lots of people sent us off... Nekmah, Cik Nah, Salman, Mamibi, Ami Ali, Adel, Ami Yusof... :)
Iqah says: HI!
There's a time limit to this internet usage... I have approximately 10 minutes left.
Till next time.
Am excited. Lots of people sent us off... Nekmah, Cik Nah, Salman, Mamibi, Ami Ali, Adel, Ami Yusof... :)
Iqah says: HI!
There's a time limit to this internet usage... I have approximately 10 minutes left.
Till next time.
Leaving in an hour. Will be back next tuesday afternoon. I'll pray for all you who have asked me to, Insya-Allah. Yes, yes, straight As, 2 S distinctions... (: Happy studying while I'm away! Birds, help me ask about psych stuff at the UK counselling session thingum, ok? Don't miss me too much. Eheh.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
I've been so busy! Finally, I can spare time to blog. I've taken a break from ironing my clothes that am about to pack in my luggage...
Drama's over! Although we didn't have a full house (3 quarters), I think it was still okay. I think people enjoyed it. I'm happy. (: And I realise I miss drama rehearsals! Seems like madness cause when we were having rehearsals, I was so tired and I remember having to drag myself out of bed every morning. And travelling so much to and from school. And stressful times of ticket selling, and being afraid that we were not ready yet. Times when we can't remember lines for mayat. Haha. And video editing. And the boys freestyling the script, which was hilarious. Our movement exercises. Bloopers. And me being called ShamB. And eating together. So fun! And now it's all over.
Friday night, we decided to have supper, which wasn't that great an idea, although we eventually did eat. Went to Thompson to eat crispy prata. We sat in a dark corner, with lack of tables and crawling roaches and people were constantly taking photos. Zul was looking sad... and it turned out it was because drama was over! Aw. Which made me sad too. After gorging down my prata, I took off, because it was midnight. And Abah was being cranky already, waiting in the car so long.
Got into bed at about 1.30 am, but couldn't sleep till 2! I kept thinking about what happened and which parts the audience laughed at. It took me so long to fall asleep. Had to wake up at 6 am for SATs, which I was completely unprepared for. I was so sleepy, but I sat for the whole four hours of it anyway. And after that, went to celebrate Pigey's birthday! Got her a couple of things including a nice doggie bangle. At 7 pm, when I was eating topless 5 at swensen's with the birds, Umi called and practically yelled over the phone for me to get back. I know, I know, I've been coming home late every day of the week, but I haven't seen the birds for ages! So I had to cab home.
And today, sent Ami Omar and family off at the airport. And tomorrow's our turn! Wah. My life is so hectic.
Drama's over! Although we didn't have a full house (3 quarters), I think it was still okay. I think people enjoyed it. I'm happy. (: And I realise I miss drama rehearsals! Seems like madness cause when we were having rehearsals, I was so tired and I remember having to drag myself out of bed every morning. And travelling so much to and from school. And stressful times of ticket selling, and being afraid that we were not ready yet. Times when we can't remember lines for mayat. Haha. And video editing. And the boys freestyling the script, which was hilarious. Our movement exercises. Bloopers. And me being called ShamB. And eating together. So fun! And now it's all over.
Friday night, we decided to have supper, which wasn't that great an idea, although we eventually did eat. Went to Thompson to eat crispy prata. We sat in a dark corner, with lack of tables and crawling roaches and people were constantly taking photos. Zul was looking sad... and it turned out it was because drama was over! Aw. Which made me sad too. After gorging down my prata, I took off, because it was midnight. And Abah was being cranky already, waiting in the car so long.
Got into bed at about 1.30 am, but couldn't sleep till 2! I kept thinking about what happened and which parts the audience laughed at. It took me so long to fall asleep. Had to wake up at 6 am for SATs, which I was completely unprepared for. I was so sleepy, but I sat for the whole four hours of it anyway. And after that, went to celebrate Pigey's birthday! Got her a couple of things including a nice doggie bangle. At 7 pm, when I was eating topless 5 at swensen's with the birds, Umi called and practically yelled over the phone for me to get back. I know, I know, I've been coming home late every day of the week, but I haven't seen the birds for ages! So I had to cab home.
And today, sent Ami Omar and family off at the airport. And tomorrow's our turn! Wah. My life is so hectic.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Forgot to say that I figured the R word. (During RP's Daisy, when I was reading Turk's L notebook and she wrote 'Rosemary'.) Meano birds. You exploit my easy trust, and niceness. How could you??? Mislead me like that...
Moved to PAC. So no more disturbances. I like the carpet. And the changing room, backstage. So... professional, the feeling.
SAT on sat. Help help. Am dead. What am I doing, doing the SATs? Like I'll go to a US uni. I'd much prefer UK. And what are the chances, at the rate I'm going, I'll get to go anywhere? Ah sigh.
Think my back will break real soon. -_- What with carrying heavy benches and doing weird pigeon-y positions that do nothing but endeavour to add to my back strain.
Moved to PAC. So no more disturbances. I like the carpet. And the changing room, backstage. So... professional, the feeling.
SAT on sat. Help help. Am dead. What am I doing, doing the SATs? Like I'll go to a US uni. I'd much prefer UK. And what are the chances, at the rate I'm going, I'll get to go anywhere? Ah sigh.
Think my back will break real soon. -_- What with carrying heavy benches and doing weird pigeon-y positions that do nothing but endeavour to add to my back strain.