At home ... alhamdolillah!

   When I last wrote, last year, we were packing and trying to get paperwork for the paperwork for the work in order... interestingly enough it got done!
    Winter finally arrived, people were seen wearing fur coats, layers upon layers inside malls, because the cooling was still on. Outside it was windy but inside was cool. Today however, due to solar eclipse or for whatever reason, the heat is back on. Total winter time - less than a week. Wondering whether to buy sweaters and jackets for my kids (which are on sale) or to get the summer stuff that has already arrived in some shops!
    Anyways, we had to sell a few items and www.qatarliving.com was a great help. We found out that when you sell ACs, the person buying the AC has to take it to the police station along with the person who sold him the AC, so that there is a proof that indeed this sale took place and it was not stolen. My husband praised this system.
     Phone got connected today and internet is back (hence the blog). Water and electricity transfered in our name also. The clothes are finally in the wash and ... life goes on!
Alhamdolillah.

So much is happening in the world... just today, Sudan might be getting split, which is a shame. California got a new Governor and Salman Taseer got assassinated. Birds are dropping out of the sky dead and fish end up dead on the shore.
I'm trying to look on the bright side... and I know that whatever happens happens for the best, so for now, I'm just sitting back and observing silently.
On a personal note, my teacher was mentioning being in UAE for the new year and mentioned about all the celebrations taking place on 31st Dec night. Her son mentioned to her why do we not do all this on the start of the new hijri. Interesting question.
Our class had a discussion about it and the summary was, we need to celebrate our two Eids in such a way that our children need not get overwhelmed by how people of other religions celebrate their events. Rightly put, because for some years going, we do not celebrate Eid like we did in the past. Majority of the people are out partying the night before Eid, regardless of where they happen to be in the world. Then we do go for Eid prayers and to meet friends, but most of the day of Eid is spent at home sleeping, as for most it is a holiday.. and for some, it is a work day as usual.
Another small point, I see this sticker many places here in Qatar. It says in Arabic, Daqaaiq Al Intezaar, Imlaaq Al Istaghfaar. It translates to "Fill your waiting minutes with Istaghfaar". For times when you are stuck in traffic or have to wait in line at the grocery or doctor's waiting room, instead of listening to the songs, spend some time doing dhikr or just Astaghfirullah.
May Allah make things easy for us all and make us spend our time for our best benefits. Ameen.
Ma asalaama.