An Idyllic weekend

To say that my weekend away was great, is a gross understatement!! It was definitely what the doctor ordered and what I needed to get myself centered once again.

One needs to get away from the hustle & bustle of city life every now & again. What better place to do so than Club Mykonos on the West Coast. It was my first time there & I'm definitely visiting Mykonos again in the near future, Insha-Allah.

On arriving there, the first thing I noticed was that the whole setup looked exactly like Mykonos in Greece!! If you've seen the movie Mama Mia, you'll know what I'm talking about. Quaint little chalets painted in primary colors, cobbled paths as well as windmills!! Even the details on the harbor are similar.

By the time we had checked in I was ravenous!! We had decided on something quick for supper, which was borewors rolls with accompanying sauces.

We hardly had any sleep Friday evening, mind you!! All the ladies were far too busy talking about everything under the sun. I managed to get some shut eye around 5am Saturday morning, hehehehe. I probably had about 3 hours sleep,when I woke up to the smell of breakfast being made downstairs!! Yummy!! Debbie had jumped the gun & was busy making omelettes with viennas & cheese.

* I know you're reading this Sedick, so I purposefully put in pics of the food!! Hungry?? hehehe*

After the delish breafkfast we decided to explore a bit. Shiehaam & Debbie had been to Mykonos before so they were the guides, showing us the sights & sounds. There was a tiny fleamarket which we spotted & upon browsing around I discovered a beautiful wrought iron stand with glass bowl. The bowl had holes around the circumference, allowing for serviettes to be pushed through.



We then made our way to the harbour and then the beach. I'd been waiting for such a long time to take a stroll on the beach. Normally when I'm stressed I would either bake up a storm in the kitchen, dance till I was completely out of breath, clean my home from top to bottom or do some embroidery. When all else fails, I'd hit the beach and take in the rythmic sound of the waves. I haven't done it in a looooooonnnggg time.










I certainly walked away feeling rejuvenated & I felt like the cowebs in my mind had been cleared. By the time we returned to the chalet we were famished once again. For lunch we just finished what was left of breakfast & snacked on some chips, crackers with gourmet cheese & so forth. After lunch it was time for dancing!! YAY!! Shiehaam had brought along a cd with some of Mama Mia's sound track songs, so Cindy & I just let loose!! The two of us danced till we were completely out of breath!! Then it was Aneesa's turn to get her groove on. And did she dance Sedick, I know I'm rubbing it in!!



Out of breath & a couple of kilos lighter, preparation was made for supper *we really ate too much.* Braaied chicken, sausage & chops were the order of the day, as well as noodle salad, potato salad & a tossed salad. And no Sedick, we did not burn the meat AND we did not require any help from the neighbours (read: a man) to get the fire going!! Hehehehe!!



After stuffing our faces we relaxed a bit & then I went upstairs to take in the beautiful sunset.

Then it was time for our session in the pools & the sauna. I'm not one to swim when there are alot of people around. So I was quite chuffed when we arrived there & the pools weren't too full. The warm water was quite soothing!!




Thereafter we ended up in the sauna for about half an hour. When all the ladies had finished showered, we went back to the chalet where a huge pampering session ensued!! Debbie gave each lady a massage, making my toes curl!! Thank you Debs, it was much appreciated!! We ended up getting to bed in the wee hours of Sunday morning!!



It was my turn to make breakfast & yes, I did say I wasn't going to do any cooking for the weekend. But had I not made my choc-chip pancakes or chocolate mousse for dessert, I would have had to walk home!! LOL!!

After breafast it was time for some serious shopping!! The children wouldn't be very impressed with mum if she returned home without bearing any gifts,*wink, wink*

We returned to the Lagoon Mall to scout for gifts. Shiehaam & I went into a curio shop we spotted Friday evening already. They were selling the most beautiful trinkets. What was very surprising to me was that they were stockists of Carrol Boyes products. According to Theo, an email buddy, these products were only found at exclusive shops but then again Langebaan is a tourist attraction.

We all managed to find gifts for the little ones eagerly waiting for mum to come home. After having our lunch & dessert (bugger, I had forgotten to take pics of Sunday lunch, those pics would have been too much for you to handle Sedick!! hehehe) we reflected amongst ourselves about the past 2 days spent together. Saying our thanks to each other & expressing gratitude for the spritual growth that we afforded one another too!!





*And a unanimous decision was made to return to Mykonos but with the families as well*

YAY!!! The weekend's here!!

I've been looking forward to this weekend since Ramadaan month!! Yes, this weekend I get to go away & chill with a few girlfriends.

It will be the first time ever that I am away from my kids (they get to spend weekends away from me, if you know what I mean, hehehe). But it's a well deserved break, something I should have done a long time ago. Two days before Eid I had a wake up call in the form of an anxiety or asthma attack (I'm not asthmatic)!! That experience I will never forget. I suppose it was my body's way of telling me to slow down.

But what made it even worse was the fact that the attack happened in full view of my children!! The helplessness they felt and the fear in their eyes was heart wrenching!! I've been so used to doing everything for the last 7 years *(Uthmaan calls me 'superwoman')* that I had taken my health for granted.

I suppose I can't blame myself too, being the eldest I was reared to be strong at all times. So it's been a pattern of mine for years, just pushing myself and making no excuses at all. Well, today I'm making an excuse, from 14h30 today till 18h30 on Sunday I shall be doing absolutely nothing but relaxing!! No baking, no cooking, no cleaning, just reading, walking on the beach & having a great time with the ladies!!

*Club Mykonos here I come*

Ooooooopppppppsssssss!!!

I couldn't contain myself when I watched the following video clip!! I just had to post it on my blog, talk about the most embarrassing moment ever!! LMAO!!!

Had I been the News anchor I would never have been able to keep a straight face!!

They're back!!

My babies are back from their tour through the beautiful scenic Garden Route. Suffice to say they had a marvellous time & took many pics to prove their point. I'll say no more & let the pics say all that needs to be said!!

Aqeedah snoozing in the bus.

Aqeedah standing on ostrich eggs, the shells are very thick!!

Uthmaan holding an ostrich egg.

Uthmaan standing next to a replica of an ostrich.

Struggling to get one of the students onto an ostrich.

Oi, Oi, that's why the guide struggled to get him on!! Look at how chubby he is!! Funny enough, Aqeedah mentioned that he was the only one to remain on the ostrich, everyone else fell off!! LOL!! Must be the size of his cheeks that kept him there!!

Anyone else fancy a ride????

Easy peezy, innit???

Now there's a sight for sore eyes!! You certainly do not see this everyday!!

Yeeeeehaaaaaa!! Camel rides anyone???

Real Mothers

I've just received this beautiful email and thought I would share it, thank you very much Cindy!! This is in memory of all moms whom Allah has taken away.

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know
what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when
a little voice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure that she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
the passion that she shows,
and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

May you rest in peace!!

I've just received word that Aunty Mariam Williams has passed on, the Janazah will take place after Jumuah Insha-Allah.

Ina Lilahi was ina ilayhi rajie oon, From Allah we come and unto Him is our return!!

Shanaaz, to you and your siblings, may Allah make it easy for all of you. May He grant you all the patience to deal with your loss. For losing a mother is surely losing a compass!! You are in my duas!! Ameen.

May Allah grant this mother Jannatul Firdous!! Al Fatihah

She's been keeping me on my toes!!

Uthmaan & Aqeedah have been away on tour for the past week and Madam Ghaalietha has literally been driving me up the pole to say the least!! hehehe.....

I've actually realised that between the three of them, I've neglected her a bit. *hangs head in shame* And she has made no qualms about letting mum know this!!

So, for the past few days she's managed to wrap me around her little finger. Last night while preparing supper, she politely told me that she was going to help me make food. It doesn't matter how many times I tried telling her that the onions were going to make her eyes burn, she insisted on cutting them!! After cutting half the onion, she looked at me solemnly and told me to cut the rest of the onion because her eyes were tearing!! As stubborn as a mule, I tell you!! Just like mum, hehehehe.

While playing with her, she politely told me that she didn't really like girls toys because they weren't as fun as boys toys. She preferred playing marbles, spinning tops, riding bike, climbing trees and playing 'cops & robbers!!' Oi, Oi, do we have a tomboy in the making?? God help me!!

One 'girly' thing she does enjoy is having her hair done and playing dress up. There might just be light at the end of the tunnel, no???

Chick Flick Weekend

Uthmaan had been invited by a cousin to sleep over, leaving us girls to our own devices!! Since we don't' do junk food much I decided to order pizza and a sub for supper, chicken tikka pizza to be precise!! Yummy!! And what better way to spend Friday evening than with Bollywood movies!!

My schedule has been so hectic lately I can't remember when last I sat down to watch a dvd let alone a program on television!! Aqeedah, Ghaalietha and I thoroughly enjoyed 'Salaam Namaste', starring Preity Zintar & Saif Ali Khan. Although I was quite perturbed as to two 'scenes' in the movie!! Ooppppsss!! I had forgotten that the Bollywood movies of late are not the same I was used to!!

Nonetheless, the catchy tunes, love ballads and the tears (what's a good Bollywood movie without the tissue box!!) were exactly what I needed!!

Saturday I attended the lecture at Masjidul Quds, with Shaheema joining the class too!! Sheikh Faaik Gamieldien was at his best as usual and I walked away feeling spiritually uplifted. Thereafter the two of us joined the Islamic library, Shaheema taking the book, 'Not without my daughter' and I taking 'The International Jew.' So far the book has me riveted!!

Then it was fabric shopping for us. My birthday's coming up soon & I've been wanting to have a dress made for ages but just not getting there. So, what better time than for my birthday!! The fabric Shaheema & I chose is absolutely gorgeous!! And the style of dress I chose even more gorgeous!! Can't wait to see the finished product.

*Watch this space for updates on 'the making of the dress'*

Aqeedah cooks her first full meal!!

On arriving home from work last night, Aqeedah decided that she was going to make supper for the family. She wanted to make her favorite dish, which is frikkadel with mashed potatoes and savoury rice.

I was promptly told not to do anything but to just supervise her in the kitchen. Aqeedah went about gathering all the ingredients for her dish. Then she cut up all the ingredients for the frikkadel, placed them in a bowl and proceeded to squish them until it was all mixed through (personally, I think she just likes the squishing part the most, hehehe.)

She then cleaned potatoes and placed them in a pot to boil until soft. Nobody was allowed to touch the potatoes when they were done because she wanted to mash them (see what I mean, she enjoys the squishing bit!!) Ghaalietha then helped her take pieces of the frikkadel mixture, rolled them into little balls and passed them onto Aqeedah to place in the hot pan. Mum watched them closely at the stove.

Aqeedah then proceeded to boil some rice with mix vegetables. When the rice was done cooking, she strained it and washed the rice with cold water. She then placed the rice back on the stove to steam until done. During this time Uthmaan had set the table and everybody sat down to eat. Ghaalietha ate the most frikkadel!! She doesn't eat so many when mum makes them!! But the food was delish and it just made me realise once again that my little girl is growing up too fast!!

*Well done sweets!!*

I have also been trying to teach Aqeedah to do some hand embroidery. Even using the hoop hasn't made things easier for her. Suffice to say that she doesn't have the patience to sit still for such long periods of time!! LOL!! What she & Ghaalietha enjoy doing is glass painting, maybe I should try the embroidery again when she's a bit older. Mum enjoys the embroidery as it's a way of relaxing & de-stressing!!

Boeka with Iman & family

During the Ramadaan, I had the privilege of meeting up with Iman Rahima & family. I was introduced to her by a mutual friend who had emailed me her story.

Sheyaam & Iman

Iman and her family are originally from Kwazulu Natal but moved to Cape Town. The whole family reverted to Islam within a short period of time. Rarely will you find a whole family reverting, and if it's just one or two members of the family doing so, you would find that it would cause a rift between the parties.

Dylan, Iman, Sheyaam & Moi!!

Nonetheless, we were scheduled to meet at Shanaaz's home in Chappini street in Bo-Kaap. Now, the beautiful part of this Boeka was that not even Shanaaz had met Iman yet!! She had opened up her home to total strangers!! This was the beauty of the month of Ramadaan in it's full splendour. On arriving at Shanaaz's home, Sheyaam, Darwees, Abduraghmaan & I were greeted with such warmth that could only be ascribed to the Cape Malays of Bo-Kaap.

We were introduced to Iman's mom, her dad, her brother as well as her beautiful son, Dylan. He will be reverting to Islam once he has reached the age of puberty Insha-Allah. While everyone was becoming acquainted with one another, I took the opportunity of taking some pics!! Iman politely told everyone present that I was taking pics for my blog. Which reminds me that I am now referred to as 'the blog lady' by Sheikh Faaik Gamieldien. hehehe!!!

I have always maintained that there is always a reason why a specific person crosses your path. It doesn't matter who it is, what their background is or the period of time they're there. They have a lesson to teach, so if you're always aware of your surroundings and you're vigilant as to the people who pass through your life then you will be able to enrich yourself in so many ways!! In Iman's case, she has reminded me of how beautiful it is to be a Muslim. She has united many people with her story and she has also reminded me that Allah is the best of Planners!!

The whole family on Eid day!!

The whole ANC saga!!

Well, the rumours we've heard are definitely true!! The ANC has definitely split and a new party is to come into effect as soon as this weekending.

From a layman's point of view I think that this is a good thing. The ANC has held the monopoly with regards to the number of seats it has in Parliament. It is after all the ruling party and the smaller parties have not come close to toppling the ANC in anyway. Now, with the differences between Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma splitting the party in two, we could see a balance in the amount of seats taken up by each party. The smaller parties would now have a chance to even up the score.

The Democratic Alliance has encouraged all citizens to register to vote in the next election so that this goal can be achieved. Hopefully there will be light at the end of the tunnel and we could see Jacob Zuma getting a run for his money. Personally, I cringe just thinking that there's a possibility of Zuma becoming President of this country!!

How is it that the most scrupulous people have seats of power??? If you look at the world today, there are many leaders who are manipulating their positions. I've come to one conclusion, and that is, they lack morality. And in my books, if you have no morality you have nothing! While reading Islamic Jurisprudence by C G Weeramantry, I happened upon the following, extracted from the foreword which was written by M. Hidayatullah, M.A. (Cantab) LL.D., D.Litt., D.C.L., O.B.E. :

The author has pointed out that in the matter of secular rights:

the problem is not how man asserts his rights against man but how man discharges his duty toward God. It is not occupied with the horizontal relationship of man with his fellow man but with the vertical relationship that subsists between each man and his Maker. If the vertical relationship is properly tended, all human rights problems fall automatically into place.

Thus morality and not legality is the source of relationships.

That says it all doesn't it!! I couldn't agree more!!

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus??

I don't think I'll ever get to a point where I would understand men in general!! They're definitely a species on their own!! hehehe!!


I'm clearly aware that men are physical beings and women, on the other hand, are emotional beings. But must men be so obvious with regards to this fact?? Now, don't get me wrong. Every woman will agree with me when I say that getting attention from a member of the opposite sex is good for the ego and self esteem. But it depends on how she's approached isn't it.


Being catapulted back into the dating scene about 6 years ago had me rethink my whole dating experience. Everything had changed drastically. What I realised very quickly was that once guys found out you were a divorcee they automatically assumed bedding you after the first date would be on the cards!! Were they in for a rude awakening!! LOL!! Where were the times when a guy would be too shy to ask for your telephone number?? Nowadays you would have a dude sauntering over to you saying "Hey babe, you're hot!! How about you and I getting it on." HUH??? Did I miss something here???

A good friend once suggested I play the 'dumb blonde.' ME?? A definite no-no, me not the type to feign having no brains upstairs. Neither am I one to bat my eyelashes, drop my books, etc, etc. I'm always asking questions and the only way to keep me interested would be by stimulating my brain, please note that I did say my brain!! I'm quite forthright as to my views & opinions as I expect the next person to do the same. But I can sometimes get myself into hot water. Needless to say, I'm learning to bite my tongue, but it's taking a lot of effort to do so!!

Maybe I'm just being too prudish but I'm the type of gal who wants to be swept off her feet man!! The adrenalin rush of the chase is just too thrilling to skip!! Don't talk about the flowers, chocolates, knick knacks, etc, etc. But then again we live in an era where everything is so fast paced guys don't do that any longer. What with Internet dating taking place as well, you'll find that the global village has diminished. Inter-racial marriages taking place have become a norm.

Personally, I was quite weary about the whole Internet dating experience. After hearing a friend's episode I decided to try it out, just for the fun of it. Little did I realise how it would change my life completely. The experience opened a whole new world of colors, vibrant and beautiful!! Oh, I had my share of weirdos & wackos but the friendships that I have forged certainly make up for that!!

Now, there's one contact that has really interested me from the word go. His intellect is out of this world and I'm inclined to think that he has a Google search facility somewhere in the recesses of his brain, LOL!! The only thing is, I'm always shooting off my mouth at the most inopportune times!! Just when I think I've managed to get him to open up a little bit, I'd say something to make him go into hiding again, LOL!! Playing a dumb blonde is sounding a bit too tempting for my liking!! Men, you can't live with them and you can't live without them!!

Me go now to find a secluded spot.

Me go lick my wounds.

Me go find some way to keep my big mouth shut!!

Well, me go try ok!!

My little girl is a little girl no more!!

It happened a day before Eid, the news I had been dreading for the past 2 years!! Her shout echoed from the bathroom, making my blood run cold. In my dreams I had seen all this happening but, in my dreams I'm an emotional wreck, crying uncontrollably because this was a sign that I would have to let my baby go!


So, I get to the bathroom and Aqeedah says, "Mommy, what's this??" It's finally happened, my little girl has now become a young lady. I'm amazed at how calm I am, in essence it was probably more of an out-of-body experience!! hehehe!! I leave the bathroom and allow her to attend to herself. My brain's actually racing with what I'm supposed to say, I've rehearsed my speech so many times but words fail to come. It's time for me to give her 'the birds and the bees speech', not that we haven't spoken about this before.


Aqeedah & I have a very open way of communicating with each other. If I think about the relationship my mom & I had while growing up, it's completely the opposite. As a teenager, I was very naive with regards to topics about boys and sex in general. Most of my information I gleaned from friends (dangerous info) or at madrassa (the correct info). Approaching my mum for information was a definite no-no!! LOL!!


Even before I married she still couldn't manage to sit me down and tell me what was going to happen the first time having sex. I remember asking an older cousin who was married already. My cousin only managed to scare the hell out of me with her story about not being able to walk properly for a week after the first time!! I had nightmares for weeks before my wedding!! LOL!!


Sometimes I think my mom didn't know how to go about talking to her children about 'the birds & the bees'!! I don't blame her really, she was even more naive than I was!! When my mom was pregnant with me, she thought the baby would come out of her mouth!!! Sheesh, imagine that!! Yet today, when she speaks to my sister & I about sex, we end up giggling like teenagers!! But that still doesn't stop me from blushing as red as a tomato!! So, I think she's realised that she needs to open up, after all, we're grown up now & have children of our own.


After giving Aqeedah the low down on what was supposed to happen and what she wasn't supposed to do, blah, blah, blah; I suddenly had the desire to want to lock her up in her room till she was about 25yrs old!! I told her this and she just laughed at me saying solemnly, "I'll be okay mummy." I'm very hard on myself with regards to setting an example for her as a woman. I certainly do not want my actions to come back & haunt me, so I try as hard as I can to practice what I preach. And from my experience of a failed marriage, she's witnessed firsthand that from the most horrendous pain and anguish can come a beautiful beginning of growth & evolution!!


Ask any mother and she'll tell you that all she wants to do is protect her children from the grim outside world. She'll risk life and limb!! The day after Eid I saw a headline "Teenager raped on Eid day", I closed my eyes wanting to actually scream but made dua that Allah would please, please protect my babies!! From my point of view if anything should happen to my children, it would certainly send me over the edge into an abyss of despair!!


Let me just shake these thoughts from my mind!! For now, my message to Aqeedah would be:

I love you to the depths of my soul and know that whatever I do is for the benefit of you and your siblings. I am not perfect and there was no handbook given to me when Allah gave you as my Amaanah, therefore I learn by trial & error. I look at you and see a beautiful young lady who has the ability to achieve all her dreams and so much more. Be all that you can be and know that I support you all the way!!

Love, MUM!!

Labarang, Cape Malay style!!

My first memories of Labarang as a child, was the smell of freshly baked bread, corned meat being cooked and steak and kidney pie baking in the oven!! That is still how my Eid morning starts but with a little more drama!!

I had started baking my orders from Monday already and only managed to finish everything by Wednesday, Eid morning. Every year it's the same thing, I try my darnedest to finish everything the evening before Eid and have everyone collect their orders as well, but I fail to do so!! Nevertheless, there's always next time to try, yes??

I've always wondered why I work myself to a standstill on Eid with orders and I've come to one conclusion. It's a very emotional day for me, somehow working myself into a frenzy numbs the feelings this day evokes. I know that there isn't a husband returning from the Eid Salaah, clean shaven and smelling of musk to pass on the message the Imam had given to the congregation. That realisation hits home every single year!! I think it's time to change the situation, don't you think?? Insha-Allah, Allah knows best!!

Aqeedah was certainly a great help this year, I couldn't have done it with her!! Thank you my sweets!!

Lunch is served at my mom's home, my mom makes the food, Nadia makes the dessert and I have to see to all the cakes!! I certainly could not eat much as my system is still accustomed to the fasting. And who can eat cake after having to bake all of it anyway!! So, I just nibbled here and there like a little mouse, heheheh!!

The children looked stunning in their Eid outfits but I couldn't get them to pose a bit for the camera because they were too busy counting the money they had received from family members and neighbours for Eid. *rolls eyes*

It's the first Ediul Adha without Ma, and she was sorely missed as the family did their rounds to each others homes!! We would all normally gather at Ma's place during the late afternoon, knowing we would get to wish all the aunties there instead. There were many tears shed but everyone knows that Ma is now in a much better place Alghumdulillah. May Allah have mercy on her soul and grant her Jannatul Firdous Insha-Allah Ameen!! So, the next place to gather would be my mom's eldest sister's place. There, most of the cousins gathered, caught up with each other and just basically had lots of fun and took lots of pics!!

Now, there's only one thing I dread about family gatherings. That would be, when one member of the family would suddenly focus there attention on me and ask a very innocent question. And once the question is asked everybody else would be joining the conversation too!! LOL!! So this time it was Aunty Fazlin who asked me if there were any new developments in my life (read: have you found a man yet!!!) I just smiled and was about to say something when Nadia answered for me. For the next 15 minutes or so every time someone would pose a question to me Nadia would politely answer before I could say anything!! LOL!! All I could was watch amusingly while everybody else discussed my future for me!! Family, you got to love them don't you!! *rolls eyes*