saved

My feet ached. My energy ached more. Gatvol is that not-so-pleasant (eek) Afrikaans word that describes me. We are just pushing along this 24hours.

I do a zombie walk to the gynae ward at 3am, and scrutinize the files through the light of the passage. The patients' groans don't strike me as anything strange - most woman in this rotation are groaning anyway. As I scan the drs notes, the pt whispers "bietjie water asseblief" (some water please).

The gatvolness in me flares up - in retrospect unnecessarily so - my thoughts race... this is not my job, does anyone know how tired I am... I'm not a Sister, speaking of which where are them Sisters? Uff, sleeping as usual. If I have to walk around handing pts water I will never learn what I'm supposed... there's not even any cups in sight...

 Wait a min.

A parable of primary Madrasah comes back to me through my zombieness - 'that sinner-lady of long ago was granted Jannah (heaven) when she gave the thirsty dog water, using her shoe as a cup.'
I shook my sleepy head, severely rebuking myself for allowing my frustration get the better of my humanity. Of me, being Muslim.

Everything around me suddenly took the shape of a possible water-holding utensil.

I thanked Allah, glad that thoughts were not counted as deeds. It still bothers me as to why I was thinking of myself as not worthy of handing out water. As a Dr once told me  - its time for a career change if patient care is no longer the most important.
 May all my evil thoughts be highlighted so I can stop them in time.

Life is a Roller Coaster

I recall receiving a BBM that compared life to a roller coaster. I zoned-out after reading the first line which stated what anyone might have guessed; that life has ups & downs. (Aside: Blackberry users will agree - this derailment is an unavoidable side-effect after use of BBM longer than a year). Sure enough life has its ups & downs, the upward times that at first seem to drag along.The spectacular view when you eventually reach the peak and have courage enough to open your eyes. To see, not just look. Quickly, else you'll miss it. The thrilling moments that subjectively are only just that, moments. The times you're still catching your breath and wondering if such a tachycardia is compatible with life...and there you go again whoooooop. The fact the ride only lasts for a specified time-period. You need to enjoy all you can before it expires. 'Have your money's worth' they said. Spectators admire you, and wonder how you do it, smiling, sometimes shrieking. But you are secured with a safety belt -your Salaah- the ultimate protector. The guards checked you had it secure before starting. You feel safe regardless of whether its up or down. Nothing can throw you off-track. And besides, you are, with both hands tightly clutching the handlebar - the Qur'an - what more do you need for support?  

Refections on Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine is over. For this year at least. 8 weeks plus 1week exam. Khalaas.

This post is also rather old but I promised Fadiosis a post on Internal Med so here goes.

Pelonomi Hospital – General medicine.

The reality of the HIV/AIDS struck me here. We get really excited when our patients actually test negative. It’s true. And it’s sad. The biggest need is to get rid of the stigma attached to the disease. If people start accepting Aids like they accept diabetes and come for tests earlier, then we can use ARVs as Allah has provided us. Which (just like diabetes), doesn’t cure but controls the course of the disease.  Ok, let me get this clear – I am in no way condoning promiscuity – it’s just frustrating to see so many people discarded for palliative care. And often patients are victims of their circumstances. Sigh.

Anyway, the three weeks at PH were long and tiring. Pelonomi is hot and sweaty, devoid of purposeful air-cooling systems and lacks stock. Get used to making do. This is Africa. Also it seems to be constantly under construction so you have to quickly learn the labyrinthine ways of getting around.  At night we have a security guard that escorts the girls around because of previous ugly incidents.

But all’s not bad – the consultants & regs & interns are really cool and I learnt a lot.

Endocrine (Univeritas Academic Hospital)

You never want to get fat after rotating there!

Geriatrics (UAH)

It happened to be my birthday again during my rotation at geriatrics. (On a side note, one of the birthday messages I received said I should count years by the number of friends I have. Bleh. By that calculation, I should be dead already.) One of my patients was quite excited about it being my 21^st birthday. I smiled fakely at her - my thoughts were contrary to this big smile. As a child, I always yearned to be older.*rolls eyes. And to reach a super-old age like my grannies (86 and 90years)(May Allah grant them Jannah). I associated old-age with wisdom, experience and big families. With being retired and having free time to recite pages of Qur’an. True, it is an opportunity to be forgiven. Naively, I associated it with being without responsibility. I didn’t think that loss of elasticity meant more than wrinkles. It means being blind and deaf and incontinent and demented. It means being dependant on other people’s good nature and values to not laugh at you when you say something silly, to be patient when you can’t hear. To walk you to the bathroom in case you fall and get a death-sentence-hip-fracture. To speak for you coz most people can’t understand what you’re saying after that stroke. You are stiff all over. Your hands are tied coz the nurses complain about you pulling out the drip. The problem list fills the page. Somehow, you seem in the way.   

I don’t want to get old.

                      View from Geriatric ward, Universitas Hospital. Lol, I can see my flat in this pic!

Haematology (UAH)

The haematologists seem to be the happiest people around (and the cleverest IMO.)(All the internal people are too clever. I could never specialise in Internal Med – its too clever). Shame, the dr that assessed us at the end of the week kept asking us if we were satisfied with the mark he gave us. He really felt bad about the possibility of under-assessing us. J  Imagine me saying: “I don’t like this mark.” :D

Neurology (UAH)

I think I could probably write a separate blog-post for each one of the patients that we saw in our two-week rotation here. Neurological disease always seems to touch some softer part in me – I really pity most of them. Or indeed, I more admire their resilience and strong coping mechanisms. Neurology is very interesting but the frustrating thing for me is the most you can do for your patients is diagnose their condition and identify the lesion. Not many treatment options, many of the available treatment options have such horrid side-effects.

The OSCE

The most stressful thing ever. Read the question, enter the room, examine the patient with a commentary, say what you find and think the possible diagnosis and get out. Total of 6minutes.  9 patients (plus 7 rest stations).

Station9

This was my first one and I’m glad coz it was the easiest give-away BMI & blood pressure measurement.  Wow, they even have a stethoscope with two ear pieces so the examiner can also hear those korottkoff sounds!

Station1

In retrospect I feel like quite an idiot for not identifying the mitral stenosis. The dr was trying to give so many clues and I still didn’t figure it out. Whatever.

Station2

COPD – this station was fun enough. I had episode of blankness – not knowing what to do next. Then it all came back in time so Alhamdulillah, went wellJ

Station3

I thought I would have failed this station (surprisingly I didn’t). I’m not sure what I was doing or what was wrong with the patient L

Station4

Our instructions asked us to complete another respiratory exam – and apparently the patient had SLE. I didn’t get that far. Lol, the dr had his eyebrow raised throughout my examination –not a good sign.

Station5

Thyroid exam – honestly wasn’t all that bad. I could have given a better differential though.

Station6

Examination of lower limbs – patient had spastic motor paralysis. And hyper-reflexia. Also wasn’t all that bad.

Station7

This patient had the most awesome lymph nodes ever. I never felt such large ones before! Missed the epitrochlear one though.

Station 8

The epic fail station. Abdominal exam. There was no way I was going to know what was going on that obese patient in less than 5minutes. I had no clue what I was palpating there. I got nervous. And I failed L. I heard afterwards that saying the examination is difficult would have got you some decent marks. Abdominal exam and I scarred for life.

We had to get over 60% and fail only a max of two stations in order to promote. Alhamdulillah! I promoted so I don’t have to go through that torture again. Well... at least for Internal Medicine. JJJJ

Update

I too seemed to have without warning, disappeared from the blogging world. I actually had to remove the word “blogger” from my Twitter bio – I can’t be keeping the title when I only force out a post once a month. I felt a little relieved to find that many of the blogs I follow are also somewhat slack on posting. Glad I’m not the only one wrestling with time.


Twitter is one of the problems – it is a micro-blogging site after all, and it just seems so much easier to tweet if I need to vent. Also, I’m exposed to soooo many (too many) opinions on twitter that sometimes I feel I need not create more. We should start living by what’s already been said tweeted and facebooked.

The other big change is that I’ve got wheels :) I’ve finally mastered parking my Toyota Aygo (thanks to my friend) so my worst nightmare is over and I hardly ever switch off anymore. So of course the Waterfront and Mimosa Malls are becoming accustomed to my presence, or if I’m fed up of shopping then I go visit some Muslim families out here. (Strange how one clings onto anything remotely similar to home). It’s weird having a petrol expense to account for now, but I’m loving the independence. I no longer have to ask anyone to take me on a termly grocery shopping expedition, where I would buy everything in excess just so it lasts until another trip. I hate constantly asking people for favours – our family always maintains “ask from Allah, not from people” so I’m terribly grateful I don’t have to anymore. (a Big shout out to all my friends for never making me feel like a burden – may you be rewarded for your kindness).
May Allah keep me safe in my Nura.

And then the other thing is that, we are now academically forth year students. Allahu Akbar. It’s almost frightening to say forth year, I feel I know so little. Anyway, so we’ve began our clinical phase and now I’m convinced I love what I’m studying. It’s amazing to actually see patients, to see the signs and symptoms we’ve tried to by-heart. We’re currently doing our 10weeks through Internal Medicine =very chilled compared to the surgical rotation. Though I must admit, I often experience “that stupid moment in combo with the dumb-look”, coz we don’t know that much and have to guess our way through the drs questions. So we have to keep our Tally (insert Dr N’s accent) in easy access.


Seeing patients is also a source of reflection for me.

Our Geriatric patients remind me of where we might be heading if we reach a similar age. Value youth before old-age.
Our Paeds patients (&their parents) remind me of the trouble my own mother must have experienced with my numerous Sicknesses I used to have as a child. And do not even say uff to them.
And then the 22-year old neuro patient - I recall being bleek after seeing him with his severe cerebellar signs (which he suddenly acquired within three months). Without going into too much detail – he had total loss of coordination and balance. His speech was incomprehensible, he had severe dyskinetic movements on intention. In other words whenever he tried to do something, he would be unable to due to additional movements. He cannot sit-up nor walk. I can only try to imagine his frustration as he can perfectly understand everything we say or ask him to do. Imagine being unable to touch your nose…because you just can’t! Value health before sickness.

My awesome pink stethoscope (sorry for the krappy pic) that my dear sister bought for me. It attracts a lot of attention though. Also not the best thing to have around when I don’t want to be remembered by those doctors. “small girl with the scarf and pink stethoscope”. Whatever.


Until the next post, Ma'salaam

Studying Medicine

[This post is over a month old, written in the midst of my year-end exams and edited just after that. The new academic year brings a number of updates to this already, but I decided to leave it as is]

So I met a Grade 11 girl briefly at the airport, the other day; and she
asked me what I think about studying Medicine? I stared at her for a while not quite certain on how to answer. I was still waiting for exam results (*Nightmare*) so she got me in a wrong mood. Anyway, I managed to evade the question by elaborating on "hard work /consistency/IfYouLoveItDoIt" stories.

In retrospect, I decided studying Medicine can be likened to Bipolar Mood Disorder. This is especially true since mania and depression can occur within the same month, if you're lucky even within the same day.
(For the record: this post was written in jest and has nothing to do with bipolar disorder)

Manic Phase

• Experienced when you elicit the biceps reflex on your colleague for the first time. No wait. The knee-jerk is a lot much more fun.
• You can say dysdiadochokinesis. And you know what it means.
• Can impress people by talking about the small and rather insignificant facial muscle called "Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi" or when you say "keratoconjunctivitis sicca" and all you mean is 'dry eyes'.
• You actually understand the nervous system- you can talk about pathways and synapses with understanding. And think of everything that's happening when move your toes and when you're brushing your hair or driving or playing basketball (oops, I sound like Dr Z).
• The most hilarious jokes have to come outta med school. Everyone would agree on this :D
• You managed to spot aptly enough to get a distinction for a test. WOW. Brilliant. Note – these students are fully aware that they know bugger-all about what they just wrote. Spots and short-term memory fit well together.
• You are asked what you studied. This is the best high-school-like feelings ever.
• An ECG is no longer a series of squiggly lines.
• You draw blood successfully on a real patient (not Mr Cronje/Mr Green) for the first time.

Depressive Phase
This is characterised by tremors, palpitations, hysterical laughter and sporadic increased lacrimal gland secretions. "Why the hell am I studying Medicine???" is dilemma often faced during this phase.

• You fail an OSCE because you could not put up a neck brace. #Fail. (WTH! If the neck brace is there in that emergency situation, surely someone who can use the darn thing would be accompanying it. Just saying)
• The impending doom experienced when you sit staring at the question paper wondering how you can suck out 10marks worth of pharmacology. Ah well, it's drug interactions so we'll just alternate between increase and decrease drug concentrations. Why not throw in a 'no effect' as well. (you would probably manage to score 1/10, or 1.5/10 if you're good at this game).
• You see (in a test) the name of a drug or syndrome or bacteria that you've never heard of before. And now they asking you some detail about it.
• The assessing doctor smirks at everything you do in a practical. Or worse still, you catch sight of a frown, or a raised eyebrow or a stifled laughter. WTH is he trying to sssaaayyyy! (Personal story: I am remembered because of my conspicuous scarf wearing. They going to remember my dumbness *aaaarrrghhh*)
• You are sitting before a test with a list of acronyms or pneumonic, learning the answers to three basic questions:

                    What is the acronym?
                    What is it for?
                    What each letter stands for?
          You look pretty demented at this stage.

• Your ECG interpretations are wrong. Oops sorry. Mistake. Maybe they are just squiggly lines after all? O_o
• You screw an easy station in an OSCE by doing something so utterly stupid. It becomes immensely difficult to forgive yourself for this.
• Other physical signs (especially before exams) include, hair loss, pimples and related scars, raccoon eyes, caffeine stained teeth. Weight gain or loss might also be noticed.
• You start diagnosing yourself after every disease condition you learn about. A sore throat was probably some life-threatening pharyngitis. Ok, you're still living so it wasn't that; but something like it. Hoarseness of voice is often caused by laryngeal nerve compression. What! Carcinoma? Goitre? God forbid. Ag chill, you were just studying out loud. *Gasp*, are you now psychotic – talking to yourself???

You are welcome to add to any of these signs and symptoms.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

From the airport

So I'm finally on Holiday :) somewhat strange coz it's only 2weeks this year- damn, I'm going to miss my usual 6weeks.

I'm currently @ the OR Tambo Int airport, 3/4 done with my 5hour wait until my next connecting flight to DURBAN :D chilling @ a busy airport is not the worst thing ever. After doodling around the shops here, I entertained myself for over an hour @ the upper level of International arrivals. I find it rather amusing to watch different people's reactions as they see their loved ones.
* the man with the red jacket that seemed totally lost
*the two men that were undoubtedly father & son by token of their precisely similar gait
* the Indian family that were typically overloaded with luggage
* the man of IndoPak origin that looked like he was walking in the wrong direction. I hope he wasn't looking for departures!
*the sports team that came from somewhere, sorry I don't know players that well so I was unable to recognise any1
* the lady that sat behind and performed Salaah (love this)
* the Muslim brother that applied Itr for another Muslim brother
* And of course trying to assign nationalities to everyone

It was great to have this bird's eye view of soo many different people. Different shapes, different sizes, different colours, different dress styles. Some walking aimlessly, some with stiff tired legs, others almost running... Ay, I'm having fun
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Bored On Call

السلام عليكم
I'm terribly bored. Its @ times like these, you actually appreciate being busy. So this is my third night call of my life - obs & gynae dept. We have no patients other than two that are going for Caesarian-sections. So there is nothing we can do. Nothing, beside hope for some emergency case to come and liven us up. I need to watch two more normal deliveries + an episiotomy + do two post-partum examinations. So I'm really hoping that there are some babies meant to born @ National Hospital tonight. Maybe something totally exciting will come - who knows: amulance siirens, screaming, baby half out. sjoe, I could deal with some drama right now...
I'm still worried about my results, which are supposed to be released this Wednesday; after-which, I could possibly start concentrating on this years work. It really sucks to have started a new academic year without knowing whether you've passed the previous year.
I've already read Esha, checked my Twitter timeline about 5times, read all the lastest blog posts, exhausted stories with my collegue, and I'm way to awake to sleep now...

What is everyone else up to?
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Exxxaaammmmms

Salaam 'Alaikum y'all

I feel pretty much like the above picture:
* Blue all over (partly because of the extreme cold; -4/13 degrees yesterday)

* Hair standing on ends

* Watery-eyed

* Decreased desire to change - the warm gowns and multiple jerseys work well enough. Comical colour combinations makes it embarrassing to go out.

* Red nose - everyone has a constant nasal drip, Wintertime in Bloem.

* 2 cups of Coffee (both are mine). I need more coffee mugs.

* Overall an unpleasant sight.

* Oh ya, in need of hugs as well *females only*


All the best to all of you that are writing exams. May you be surprised at your own abilities, InshAllah. Ameen

#urgent request for Du'aas for Bint Mahmood, writing on the 7th, 10th & 14th of June
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Random update

Salaam 'Alaikum!
So now I have a new laptop Alhamdulillah :) and it's red *big smile*. I've become somewhat cynical about technology, I guess anyone would after:
1. My ol' laptop died. ( I hate to say 'crashed' here - it sounds so dramatic, on the contrary my laptop just quietly switched off and was apparently not feasible to repair)

2. My university memory stick contracted a virus, however was still usable until someone's antivirus decided to delete all viruses. This included all folders from memory stick. Yep, Semesters 1 - 5 all gone. Blog stuff all gone. :(

3. I was just looking for sumthing on my ol' cellphone and become suspicious when I couldn't find it. Yes, you guessed right. "Memory card corrupted" Whatever that means. Not funny anymore.

And worse, everyone blames me for not creating back-ups. *sigh*.

So tis great to have a new, clean laptop, though I must admit I have used up much of my airtime with all my experimenting and downloading :O A Big shout out to my sister for allowing me to take the new one - btw, my sis has also started a blog and has some entertaining posts coming along. Check it out here.

I've NO idea what I'm doin up @ 1:18:04 AM. But then tomorrow is a public holiday so I guess it's not such a crime :p

Take care y'all
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Awkward

Asalaamu ‘Alaikum.

 Dear diary. I can’t believe I have not posted anything in on to you (whatever, you know my English is going ugly) in an entire month! It’s kinda an awkward feeling- like when you meet someone after a very long time and you don’t know what to say or how start. Not having a computer disconnected me entirely. I guess am almost expected to say again; how much one realises the value of something only after it’s gone. Talking about disconnections, I was listening to a lecture by the eloquent Mufti Ismail Menk; and he created this analogy of spiritual disconnection. The same loss and emptiness felt when one loses internet connection ought to be felt when one loses spiritual connection. Every effort should be made to regain this connection.  [I don’t think I make as much as sense as he did.L]

Anyhow, I’ve had enough stories to tell you, but was too busy to go sit at Visimed. Lots of things happened this last month. Oral presentations, tests, community projects – only to mention a few! I can’t, no REALLY can’t believe that another term has passed and I’m in holiday again. Plus it’s soon gonna be April. *wide –eyed*.  Allahu Akbar! Awesome to be chilled again but this passing time frightens me. Check out Humayda’s thoughts on this same topic.

But I’m glad I have a Blackberry, so I have been reading some awesome blog-posts from my fellow bloggers but it’s a bit too irritating to comment from a Blackberry (I almost feel like a stalker, prying around on people’s blogs without ever leaving a comment *apology*). Eish, but these smartphones are pretty useful. In the absence of my laptop, out of desperation, I even studied Powerpoint presentations from my BB. Makes me wonder whether palm-tops will soon replace laptops? Recognised problem:  My typing skills have become rather Blackberry-ised as well – for the fifth time so far, when I want capital letters I hold down the keys and then glare @ my keyboard wondering why it’s not changing. Loq.

Ok, so diary, here’s me signing off as randomly as I began. Hopefully you shall see more worth-while posts in the near future, InshAllah.


Bint Mahmood :)

Weirdness personified

I’ve been tagged by dear Blue Pearl into doing this post about the weirdest things about me, so now I tag the following bloggers: Humayda, SS, Rose Water, Fadiosis, Mustika Sari, MuslimWife23, R (when I find your blog ;P), Sabeehah (when she eventually starts blogging, I give her till 2013 ;P) and anyone else who wants to be tagged! (I know I’m really delayed with this so apologies to anyone that has already done this post)

Asking my family was almost of no purpose coz they all answered “Everything” and then went off into peals of laughter. **on second thoughts maybe this does actually say something about me? **

Another 10-year old cousin said my teeth are rather big *hahahaha* but he withdrew his statement after a shouting from his mother!!

So besides my large teeth -

•  Can’t spell ‘attitude’ or ‘architect’ without using spell check. I’m not so sure whether this is weird or plain stupid.

• I eat terribly hot food. I mean really HOTT! Nando’s extra-hot is a must-have when I eat.

•  Hate it when anyone looks at my toes.

•  I claim I love reading books but don’t manage more than two a year?! Makes me wonder how strong my love really is. Does reading blogs count?

• I love different languages but can’t speak my home-language properly!

•  Can raise each eyebrow separately.

• My teeth are crooked even after two years of braces!

•  I can create a shallow pit in my shoulder (near the acromo-clavicular and gleno-humeral joints).

•  Eating ice-cream for breakfast is not strange for me neither is it abnormal to eat an entire slab of chocolate in one sitting.

•  I love butter. A few years ago, I could only take Panado’s after encapsulating it in butter. *sjoe! I'm glad that's over*

 

•  I have a driver’s licence but don’t drive.

 

•  Confuse my right and left.

•  I’m stuck – I suck at introspection.

Random

Dear readers!

Today I had my 1^st REAL experience of being a doctor. This time it was no playing “doctor-doctor” “doctor-patient” with my friends. This time we had to consult a real patient.

Fortunately, it was only IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses) and we were in groups. In addition, Sister S was there to overlook. *I wonder if the mothers (and babies) felt intimidated by 5 med-students consulting them? Maybe they felt special?*

Alhamdulillah, I really enjoyed my morning – May Allah keep it that way. Ameen.

I reminisced, yet again, my failure to be able to speak the native languages. Most people in Bloem speak Sotho and Afrikaans. In general my Afrikaans sucks and... well...Sotho... “ Dumela” (greeting) is as far as I can get! *language –crisis* 

Ps. I do realise that I owe 2 blog posts:

The weird stuff about me (tagged by Blue Pearl); and

The versatile blogger (awarded by Rose Water)

So watch this space 

The end of Summer Vacation!

I have only a few days left before I leave... (there are many ways to complete this sentence)... for Bloemfontein, InshAllah.

I won’t say I’m really looking forward to getting back but I guess it would be good to see my friends again and more-so to actually start this year! Everyone else at my home has gone back to work and my life these past few days has been somewhat stagnant. Pretty house-wife-ish, in fact. I spend my time helping our dear domestic worker, answering phone-calls, cleaning out cupboards and then waiting for everyone to return home! Gee, I’m not used to this!  

I feel like an over-recharged battery that is waiting to spark forward. Problem: I hope this spirit lasts for more than a week! I fear being totally flat as soon as I reach Bloem on Sunday.

Anyways, here’s a little something for us to think about:

Do you ever feel that people only notice the few things that you didn’t do but fail to notice the numerous things that you did? Don’t despair – Allah notices everything!

Seek recognition from Allah, not from people.

After hardship will always come ease

Yelelelelelelelelelelelelleeelleeeeeeee!!!!

My extreme ecstasy on this beautiful day of Jumu’ah, I cannot refrain from blogging this –

My Sister has completed her degree successfully and is now a doctor! J J J

[Alhamdulillah]^Infinity

Need I say more??

Of course all this was only achieved through the help and blessings of Allah Azza wa Jal and we cannot thank Him enough for this!

WELL DONE DOKKTERRRR!!!

(delayed) !عيد مبارك

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

I hope you all had a splendidly awesome Eid-ul-Adha. Eid in South Africa was celebrated on Wednesday (17th November). Mine was spent here in Bloem but I don’t think it really brings out the actual SA style of Eid-ul-Adha so I won’t say much about ‘SA style Eid’. As I mentioned to someone just the other day – “In Bloem we have loads of animals, just not enough Muslims!” lol

The Bloemfontein Muslim community, in an attempt of spending Eid together, organised a braai for the entire Muslim community. The food was great, but actually the best part for me was that Muslims from different racial groups spent the afternoon together – I love seeing this! I met a number of interesting people too. It was definitely a new experience for me – first time I ever spent my Eid with total strangers! Pity that there was no Qurbaani atmosphere though.

I had to unfortunately attend a lecture yesterday, it wasn’t all that bad since it was only 2 ½ hours long. However, one the lecturers had me frustrated. Her lecturing style includes much humour and her presentations are always filled with funny pictures to help us remember stuff. Enjoyable, no doubt. However, her one acronym read “HAMMAS” and she had a picture of a bearded skeleton entitled “Achmed the Terrorist”. She made mention of a group somewhere in the Middle East that wore baklavas and used guns. The class laughed at the idea; and while I fully well understand that she mentioned it only in jest (& to help us remember) – I was irritated with this perpetuation of negative stereotypes already formed by the media. Now most of the class would associate “Hamas” and “terrorism”. I didn’t find it particularly funny.

On a more pleasant note, I had the beautiful (and sometimes difficult) opportunity of explaining our celebrations to my not-so-well informed friends. [Through my limited experience I have realized that explaining Islam adequately in English can be quite a trying and difficult experience, for instance, in English there is one word - prayer - but in Arabic we have 'Du'aa', 'Salaah', 'Zikr', 'Qur'an recitation' etc.  and after all my explanations, I often receive a 'blank look' or an 'Oh' suggesting that my audience didn't actually understand. I recall my one classmate asking me "What do you do when you'r home, I mean your exact routine?" She almost didn't believe my response and smirked "...so that means you pray all the time???" What is seen as the absolute minimum in the life of an average Muslim was considered to be overtly religious!] Anyway, I think practice makes one better at correctly explaining Islam, this time wasn't bad at all because my friends related to the story of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) and I seemed to sense a bit of amazement that we actually commemorate this occasion.       

Sjoe! I've no idea why I discussed all of the above in a post titled "Eid Mubarak".

How did you spend your Eid?

Ps – the picture is not mine, I got it from a brother’s blog a long time ago but can’t seem to find the link right now so I can’t acknowledge it. 

مع السلامة و في رعاية الله

**this ought to have been posted yesterday but remained as a draft due to exhaustion, sleep deprivation and exams. Sorry**

Witnessing excellence in action

Israel Ponty Moletsane (a SA revert to Islam) hit the front page of Arab News. Israel PM is pretty well-known to many listeners of Channel Islam International [even though he never really comes on air, many presenters often refer to him].

Working at CII was instrumental in changing his misconceptions about Islam (e.g. Islam was something only for Indians) and he publicly announced his conversion when a scholar made du’aa for him in ‘Arafah last year. I’m amazed. **aside: I feel responsible for not doing enough in detoxifying the toxic-waste-stories about Islam**

This year Israel PM spoke to CII from the plains of ‘Arafah and said that one of the most outstanding aspects of Hajj was the total brotherhood that exists everywhere. No distinction.

He also, (in return for the du’aa that was made for him last year), promised to make individual du’aa for all CII listeners by making use of the CII Facebook page.

Israel PM was sponsored a Hajj trip by Mr Yacoob Vahed of the Al Imdaad Foundation. Now, I simply cannot bypass this opportunity to highlight the remarkable selflessness of the Al Imdaad Foundation, particularly Mr Y Vahed. A man who so subtly and quietly touches individual lives of many people globally, [including mine]; and admirably accepts no gratitude for the amazing stuff he does! It is utterly amazing how Allah Ta’ala places total strangers to assist one in the time of need.

May Allah bless the Al Imdaad Foundation and reward them in both worlds. Ameen.

Anyway, I am aware that this is a completely random post and I apologise for ending off even more randomly but I cannot seem to continue without divulging too much unnecessary information about myself – so we’ll leave it there then.

Ma’asalaam

This is Who I am?

Superiority complex or Inferiority complex

I went shopping today (yay!) and I saw some Muslim sisters (yay! again). Now, when you see Muslims in Bloemfontein – it’s something to be very excited about because unlike most of the other South African cities, the Bfn Muslim community is very small (though it is growing). Getting back to my story – I looked at them and attempted greeting them. But, I was unlucky enough not to get even a smile back in return! Okay, I was only trying to practice on the Hadith (to the effect): “Spread Salaam amongst yourselves”. And if you don’t want to greet its fine with me - I had three other totally strange Afrikaner non-Muslim ladies greet me. I thought it was supposed to be part of Islamic culture to greet other Muslims but it seems that not everyone likes to practice this. Bad thing is that the one who was trying to initiate the Salaam is left standing with a bit of a shocked expression and half-spoken words.

On this topic of greeting – have you ever had the experience of trying to greet fellow (female, in my case) Muslims especially from the African continent - and they just walk past you? I feel somewhat insulted. I don’t know if it’s because they think they are superior or inferior to me? WTH, we’re all the same and hey, I’m technically African too! Maybe I’m misinterpreting their lack of reaction but I as far as I know its Waajib to reply to a Salaam. 

10 Lessons: why it’s worthwhile to live on your own

These are in no particular order.


1. When your cupboard looks empty it’s generally not because of a lack of clothes nor because you forgot a bag at home – go check the washing-bin.

2. It is good to make use of ‘Energade’ (any plastic) bottles – reuse them at least once then throw ‘em away; forms a significant reduction in washing drinking glasses.

3. Unanticipated sleep sessions are always useful. Try the couch or even the floor.

4. There are two ways to clean your place:

    a. The ultimate thorough clean-up where you leave no place untouched. (excellent, but time-consuming and ensure you’ve left time thereafter to recover from exhaustion)

    b. The top-top style, where only the most important aspects are dealt with – the rest is covered up.

5. Remember to purchase :

    a. A slightly larger bin – the small ones get full too quickly.

    b. A ladder – changing light-bulbs when you can’t reach them is both futile and dangerous.

6. Never, ever, leave your bed undone – that’s the day someone will come to visit.

7. Laughing aloud or smiling to yourself suddenly is not a sign of madness.

8. Samoosas taste extra special at midnight. Just fry them quietly lest you wake your neighbours up.

9. If something breaks no-one needs to know right then.

10. By the end of it you become:

     a. An expert pest-controller; nothing is frightening anymore. You will receive specific training in running around with a ‘Dyroach’ tin and you also realise the Pyrethroid works well with other creatures too (including mice – that’s a first-hand report from my sister!).

     b. An experienced handy-man, any minor electricity or plumbing problems are no more stressful.

     c. An ‘easy-to-please’ person, tea/coffee without milk is now actually very tasty. In addition, childhood ‘I hate that’ dishes are in fact particularly pleasing to eat when you go home. Expect to be reminded about how you so used to hate that.

     d. Well aware of all the ingredients on items you use often e.g. Nando’s sauce, Butter, Mayonnaise etc. Any changes and/or comparisons are immediately noted.

Update on the Taliban (and me)

The following is an extract from the Christian Science Monitor (27 September 2010):

“The Taliban reportedly claimed responsibility for Sunday's kidnapping of a British aid worker and three Afghan colleagues in Kunar Province in Afghanistan, and have proposed a prisoner exchange for the Pakistani woman sentenced to 86 years in prison in the United States last week.”

In a weird sense, I actually admire the Taliban’s effort in strongly displaying their support of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui (dubbed ‘Lady al Qaeda’). The commander, Mohammad Osman said: “We are lucky that we abducted this British woman soon after the ruthless ruling by an American court on Aafia Siddiqui,”

What do you think? Are their kidnappings justified?

On a totally personal note: I gladly agreed to feed my neighbour’s pets (fish and birds); but was entirely distressed this morning; when the canaries refused to get back in the cage! There were three in one cage and they kept taking turns going in and out. You can understand my frustration when my calling “birdies, birdies” “foodie, foodie” was not successful. I even tried the Afrikaans – but I think they either got frightened or couldn't recognise my version of it because it didn’t help! So I just sat. And allowed them to taunt me until after about 20minutes they got bored (I think) and decided food was more important.

[Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy feeding pets but I was just afraid since I am responsible for these adorable little creatures:]   

There are two of them atop a curtain rail :)