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Saturday, November 30, 2002 ( 12:30 AM ) iggry Jumuah Mubarak Assalamu Alaikum! I was late to Jumuah :(. We planned to drop some cake off at a friends house, and ran out the door without it. So I turned around to get it, and made myself a couple of minutes late. Then the parking lot was packed, and people were parking on the grass. I eventually found a spot that wasn't blocking anyone, but was a little tight, and ran in to listen. Alhumdulillah the Masjid was packed also, so we found a seat in the back. I had to pinch my son :,(. We talked about it before, but for some reason they started talking and playing, and just a frown wasn't enough to settle them down... Poor him, sitting and pouting until prayer. I felt sad for him. Especially since some college kids were talking loudly down the row disturbing everyone around them. Alhumdulillah, he sat quietly after that, and was very well behaved. Then they both helped pick up the rugs in the 'spill-over' area. Usually, my kids are in school, but they were off for Thanksgiving break, so it is special when they get to go with us. Wow, My manager made someone come in from 1st shift to cover peoples vacation. This poor guy is here from midnight to 4am just so I don't have to work alone on a regular day. All three of my team-mates are on vacation, or out of town for the holidays, so someone on another shift has to cover. Heh, I didn't hear back about the teaching position yet, so probably I didn't get it. It is a relief because I was nervous to teach in an area out of my expertise, and there is going to be a lot of family activities going on next year. So, Alhumdulillah. I'm happy anyway. I've had two unusual dreams in the past two nights. This is fun... Any interpetions are most welcome. The first: My family was looking at a new house. It was a spooky old house, but I felt at home in it. We found a secret corridor that lead to a master bedroom with stairs in the corner. So we followed the stairs up, and decided that this next room would be the kids room. And there were stairs in the corner of the kids room. These let to a loft, with another set of stairs leading up to another loft. All of these rooms were well lit and very comfortable. At the top, there was a hole, with a ladder going down. At the bottom of the ladder was a living area with another ladder in the opposite corner. It had a fireplace, and was nice and cozy also. Up the other ladder led to a beautiful garden by a pond, on the edge of a forest. Then I woke up... This dream was after fajr, and before getting up in the morning. A couple of friends of mine have had dreams of a similar house so it must have a common interpretation. My 2nd dream. I dreamt that I was laying in bed meditating, dozed off, and woke up in another bedroom, in another house. I remember feeling relieve that I was dressed properly (not in nightgown), but I didn't have keys, or billfold. I knew I had to call wifey to come and get me, but I didn't know where I was, nor how to get back home. I remember filling unconcerned, and amused, like I knew I would get back somehow. Maybe my minds been bored, and came up this this for entertainment?!?. Or a premonition that I am going to learn to teleport to other places and live in a house like the munsters :-) That would be so cool! I could live in M'sia and teleport to work and back home, sorta like Star Trek. And old houses with secret passages are always cool. I guess that's enough daydreaming and back to work... # Sunday, November 24, 2002 ( 2:14 AM ) iggry Thanksgiving is almost here in the U.S. Last year wasn't a problem as my parents visited my sister. This year, it is there turn to spend Thanksgiving with us. Alhumdulillah, they are very understanding with my decision to follow Islam. But it just feels weird on holidays during Ramadan. They are postponing Thanksgiving from their traditional late lunch to after Iftar, so we will get to pray at home, and run over to their house for dinner. Working for the railroad, trains run 24x7, with no break for holidays, so I have to work Thanksgiving morning and don't get as much of a holiday as more traditional jobs :-(. But that's enough complaining for me. My co-workers love me! I signed up to work Christmas, and New Years, and asked off for Eid. When I work that many traditional holidays, they are more than happy to let me off for the Eids. Wish me good "luck". Last week, I got a call out of the blue. Last year, I applied to teach at the local community college, and didn't hear anything back from them. Last week, I got a call for a 2nd interview to teach Windows 2000 night classes. I have mixed emotions about teaching computer classes, but I would love to get back in front of the classroom. Insha-Allah, when my kids start College, I want to return and finish my degree. Then I can make a career move to teaching, not having the same financial responsibilities of raising kids and saving for their future education... Anyway, InshaAllah, I will get the position. # Saturday, November 23, 2002 ( 2:32 AM ) iggry Alhumdulillah! Friday prayer was wonderful. We have an Imam from Bosnia and an Iman from Sudan who alternate every Friday. Today the Imam from Bosnia spoke about events on the 17th of Ramadan, including the battle of Badr. Internet Clock # Friday, November 22, 2002 ( 4:41 AM ) iggry YEA! It's Friday at last! No Friday Five until after December... # Thursday, November 21, 2002 ( 2:55 AM ) iggry Selamat Ramadan Today is the 15th of Ramadan! Visit to Malaysia Trip to Singapore While staying with my mother-in-law, she said we should visit her sister in Singapore. We get up early in the morning to catch a cab to JB, and catch another cab to my Auntie's apartment. While there, my cousin takes us to the Masjid right by the apartment complex for Zuhr. It was a very attractive Masjid, and about 30 showed up for prayer. Alhumdulillah, we arrive just in time to join in the congregation. Afterwards, I head out to find my shoes, and they have been replaced! My shoes are gone :-(. We wait until almost everyone has left, and determine that an old holy pair of boots were left as a trade. I visited the Masjid office to lament about my missing shoes. They take my cousins address and promise to call him if they show back up. In the mean time, some brothers are walking by, and here my woeful tale. Three different brothers offered me their shoes as a replacement, and offered their sympathies. Alhumdulillah, they were very friendly and we chatted for awhile before heading back to the apartment. Insha Allah my missing shoes are being put to good use,. It looked like the man who took them *really* needed a new pair of shoes, and through the experience, I got to meet several very generous, and friendly brothers. Heh, my cousins have cool jobs! He has been with the harbor patrol for over 17 years, and his wife works for the metro-link (subway?). They were both very friendly, and welcomed us with open arms. I really enjoyed it because they both speak English, so I had someone new to talk to. (My Malay is very limited, but I am still learning more) We got to eat out, and visit a mall before going back to Ayer Baloi. # Sunday, November 17, 2002 ( 4:25 AM ) iggry Wow, a week without writing! Sorry... Happy Ramadan Everyone!! This week, I finished TimeLine by Michael Creighton. It was a wonderful book, creatively bouncing back and forth between a high-tech quantum physics lab in the middle of New Mexico, and Old France, in the 1300's. It is definately worth reading! # Sunday, November 10, 2002 ( 12:56 AM ) iggry Friday Five 1. Did you vote in your last elections? Yes, everyone in my family that was elegible to vote, we all voted 2. Do you know who your elected representatives are? Alas, yes :-( They are not who I voted for. 3. Have you ever contacted an elected representative? If so, what was it about? Yep, several times. House, Senate, President, Media... I contact them regarding issues relatig to being a Muslim American. 4. Have you ever participated in a demonstration? Yes, To end illegal Israeli occupation in Palistine. 5. Have you ever volunteered in an election? What was the result? Nope, haven't done that yet. # Thursday, November 07, 2002 ( 5:54 AM ) iggry Happy 2nd of Ramadan! Hah, I just got caught praying Fajr in the computer room :-) One of the other Engineers slipped in the back way to reboot a server. He gave me a big smile when I was walking out. # ( 5:19 AM ) iggry Pest Removal In Ayer Baloi, there are lizards everywhere! Mostly little ones, that run up and down the walls... They look so cute! But the first person up had to carefully walk through the house, and clean up any 'gifts' left behind by these little creatures. At my Mother-in-laws, there was a bigger one that lived in the attic. We would see him occasionally peak his head down and watch us or scout for food. Sometimes it looked like he was watching TV with us! I was sitting in our room, peacefully reading a book, and all of a sudden wifey rushes in and asks for my assistence. The lizard in the attic lost it's balance and fell to the floor. He was running around the floor terrorizing everyone while looking for a way out. It was cute the way he ran around. His legs would move so fast and his claws would slide on the floor. This made him look like a cartoon character, where their legs start moving rapidly for awhile before they start moving anywhere. It became my job to get him out of the house. A visiting Auntie said I just had to catch him by the neck, so he couldn't bite me. He was about 14-15 inches long, so I didn't *really* want to catch him. Instead, I tried chasing him out with a broom. Alas, he was too quick. Each time I had started sweeping him toward the door, he headed down the hallway, or into the living room. *Gulp* I had to catch him! The little creature started trying to climb up the wall. My broom was a tied bundle of Banana stems, so the handle at the top had about a two inch diameter. I used this to pin him to the wall, and quickly grabbed him behind his neck. As soon as I grabbed him, he just as quickly swung his tail around my arm, twisting his torso His back legs claws were digging into the back of my hand near my wrist. I quickly rushed to the front door, and threw him out to the yard. Everyone was happy that I had come to the rescue and removed that pest from the house. My 'battle wounds' turned out to be just deep enough to bleed a little bit but not serious enough to warrent any extra attention. Well that night, I still heard something scampering around the attic. Sure enough, he found his way back up there. Hopefully he learned his lesson, and will not fall again! # Wednesday, November 06, 2002 ( 4:28 AM ) iggry Ramadan Mubarak Everyone!!Visit to Malaysia Nasheed Recital What I miss most about Malaysia... hearing Azhan across the countryside. From my Mother-in-laws house, one Masjid was about a 5 min walk, and the other one was about a 10 minute walk. So it was nice to walk to maghrib, listen to a lecture, and return after home after Isha. One evening after Isha, there was a Nasheed contest, where different groups entered to perform. There was a group in Kindergarten that was so cute! The oldest group was from the Community College. Alhumdulillah, everyone did a wonderful job, and I had a great time listening to them. Also all of the traditional Clothes were so beautiful! After Isha ended, a grandfather took my hand, and lead me to the front row of seats, which was occupied by a group of elementary school girls. He smiled at them, and said (translated) 'I'm going to sit here with you. whoever doesn't move, I will marry.' Needless to day, all the young ladies jumped up giggling, and allowed us to sit. A little bit later the mayor of the village and the Iman came to sit with us also. After the 2nd group performed, grandfather nudged me, and said turn around and smile, so I did. He tne told me that the announcer said 'Please give Daud a warm welcome. He came all the way from North America to hear this performance and is staying with his mother-in-law Mariam'. Wow, I felt so special! After the contest, we all ate Curry in the Masjid. Alhumdulillah, many people offered salam, and made me feel very welcome. Terima Kasih Ayer Baloi!! May Allah bless everyone who made me feel so welcome during my visit there! Amen. # Monday, November 04, 2002 ( 3:47 AM ) iggry Visit to Malaysia Assalamu Aliakum I just finished catching up on Blogs that I read, and started thinking about my experience in Malaysia this summer, and thought about recording my memories... Lessons in Bahasa Melayu Alhumdulillah, we stayed at my In-laws house for the six week visit. While there, I frequently met Isa, a guy who stops in and helps around the house frequently. He runs errands for several families, and helps them with small chores occasionally. He also works as the security guard for one of the village schools. During his visit one day, I asked for his help in learning some more Malay. I would point to an article of clothing, and he would translate it for me. I thought the system was working out very well. I pointed to my watch and he said "Jam". My shoes are "kasut". Shirt is "kemeja" and so on. After he left, I was practicing my new vocabulary with my wife and mother-in-law, proudly displaying what I had just learned... "Selaur" pointing to my pants, "pinggang" pointing to my belt, each time getting a nod of approval confirming that I had the correct word. With little correction on prononciation, I happily continued, and pointed to my glasses. All of a sudden, I heard laughter! What had I done wrong?? Alas, when Isa told me the word for glasses he said "Mati" which actually means death. So much to their amusement, I pronounced death upon my glasses, and they helped me to learn that glasses = "mata". Needless to say, Isa also got a lot of teasing. # ( 2:43 AM ) iggry AARGH!!! I started coming down with a cold yesterday, and spent today in bed resting. I took some cough medicine, and was out for most of the day! I woke up at 11:45pm, realizing that I was late for work, and hadn't set my clock properly. Then rush rush rush! I wash my face, change, and run out the door. Driving to work, speeding, I happen to see a police officer coming onto the road that I am racing down. I start thinking "Ya Allah, please don't let him give me a ticket", slam on by brakes, fasten my seat belt, and nervously watch the rear-view mirror. (I was going 115kph instead of the posted 95kph). Alhumdulillah! He didn't chase me, and I proceded more slowly to work. I come in the door, rush up the stairs, and most apologletically sit down beside my manager, quite stressed that he is working the floor in my absence. I finally got around to checking my e-mail when things quieted down, and someone sent me a Ramadan Mubarak card :-) Alhumdulillah, it really brightened my day, and helped put everything in perspective. Allah is Most Merciful, and Most Compassionate. # Friday, November 01, 2002 ( 5:55 AM ) iggry Yesterday I finished Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach. It was an interesting book, but I can see where it would be offensive to many religious people. It is written on the premise very similar to the movie the Matrix. The world is an illusion that we live in. We can choose to follow, and interact with the illusion, or we can escape from the illusion, and perform seemingly impossible tasks. People who are able to escape the illusion are seen as Messiahs, people of great wisdom, who are able to perform miracles. But rather than teaching the golden rule, it taught "do what makes you happy". # ( 4:43 AM ) iggry Friday Five 1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith? Southern Baptist!! My uncles were deacons in the church, as was my grandfathers. My mom was my Sunday school teacher... As a teenager, I was elected president of the youth group, but I declined because I had too many other responsibilities, I went on mission tours, sang in the church choir, and played in the church orchestra, and lead Prayer meetings in high school before school started. I even faithfully attended Monday service where a group of use would go visit wayward souls, and try to show them the way to Christianity. 2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not? Alhumdulillah, I do not. My church had a wonderful Youth outreach program, but once people entered University, they dropped off the face of the earth, and the activities stopped there. I still led a bible study on campus. However, without the constant socialization in the church that I had in high school, I started questioning aspects of the Southern Baptist church that I had always wondered about, but never pursued (since the social aspect was so great). I started visiting other churches, and denominations, searching as it were. At the same time, there were several Malaysian’s on campus with whom I studied. Studying together lead to an exchange of ideas and soon I was learning about Islam. As I learned more, the religion made more sense then Christianity and it clarified many questions that I had about the Trinity, which were always glossed over by my church… Unfortunately, I graduated, and moved to a new city to attend graduate school. I was soon caught up with my studies, and didn’t allow myself time to learn more about my religion. Not to say that I gave it up, I just neglected that aspect of my life, and then found myself making excuses to further neglect my responsibilities. That was my life until about 4 years ago. I found a Masjid in my area, and started attending classes, and my thirst for Islam started to grow again, after being neglected for so long. Alhumdulillah, I started turning my life around again, and taking Islam more seriously. I begin appreciating the beauty of Islam. Now, there is still so much for me to learn about Islam. InshaAllah 3. What do you think happens after death? I believe that we are held accountable for our lifestyle, and gain rewards/punishment for our good/bad deeds during this life. Insha-Allah I will make my way to heaven, but it would only be from the Mercy and Compassion of Allah. 4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)? Friday Prayer, and the Eids. I always get a sense of peace during Friday Prayer, and comfort knowing that we are all gathered together to worship and server Allah. Eid is the same way, but bigger, since all the Muslims from all the area Masjid’s meet at a central place for Eid prayer. 5. Do you believe people are basically good? I don’t know what to believe. I believe the average person tries to abide by the “golden rule, and they have the intention of doing good. Living in America after September 11, all of my neighbors have been very supportive, and gone out of their way to see that I was doing well. However, there are political entities that deliberately misguide people into harming society to increase their own profit or power. Current examples of this are the oil pipeline in Afghanistan or the wildlife refuges in northern North America. # |
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