The musings of the world

Kuwait Sandstorm 3 days ago, see more pictures here
Every morning I shuffle through different news sites to see whats going on...they range from news24.com, gulf-times.com, techcrunch.com and finally the Huffingtonpost. There's no greater amusement I get in the morning than reading the latter, the Huffingtonpost. This morning I enjoyed a chuckle on Donald Trump vs. Obama over birth certificates which started since Trump has become a potential president candidate. What fun! Have a read for yourself, here. Then there was this post, the return of Jesus on May 21, 2011.  I am not sure whether to muse over that last one or not:) If you want to see a picture of the dooms day van, look at this article
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I love flowers, I love animals, I love nature, I love children... Because I can talk and entertain myself with them for hours, and all I'll get in return is pure satisfaction. It is ofcourse void of that one on one conversation, we humans crave but alas it comes with nothing pessimistic like we humans tend to protract unto each other! I'm sure you'll agree with me?Source URL: https://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/life
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Its time

Change is not something that is always welcome as it sometimes brings heartache or dislike and while you fight the change, it is as if you are waging battle with a storm. Surely you will lose no matter how many times you try for the change has already taken its seat with no chance of leaving. 






You have two choices...



Mull over how much you dislike it, cry your heart out because you want your status quo reinstated and with every strength you push it out of your way, bringing only more frustration or no matter how much you dislike the change, you let it be, embrace the change and follow it on life's path. 



"Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall.  Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll."
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In the midst of the night

Rescuing an insomniac headache, sedating this brain this night, numbing a salvaged war wounded heart forcing narcoleptic closure for the day, I met a man in my dreams. His looks unknown reeking of strange unfamiliarity. I don't remember much other than his words. He echo'ed three things to me:





You will never smile again, if you cry but if you stop crying and take a ride, you'll find a green light, cross over to that beginning and you'll feel comfort again. There is milk in the sky in between the blueness of the day - seek it, that is your compassion.



You'll succeed on the premises of a glorified heart, no matter the pain, the frustrating circumstances of life, hold that pain in, like the breeze at noon that brushes you like a spell of wintery fresh calmness - it's the peace of a patient heart that secures the treasure. Thread your heart with silk, soften its wounds with honey and hate it not for it has done no wrong. 





You can not have everything that meets the eye, perhaps dreams are the bridge to the desired need but if you create a fantasy that lives in your head alone, it will amount to nothing except for slumber comfort. If you have to have it, then you have to take it out and make it happen. You are given this much, like the hollowness of a tea cup - it is up to you whether you choose to drink of it and if you do indeed drink of it, will you only fill it half way or until its brim can take no more? Apply some consistent thought in sipping off life's pleasures.




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Free Rice

In my interest to make a difference, no matter how small, I came across this great initiative today, thanks to 3F's.  FreeRice is a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Programme that provides an almost effortless means for people to donate minimal time in exchange for free rice to the needy. You play simple multiple choice games and for each correct answer, FreeRice will donate 10 rice grains on your behalf.




Getting Started:



1.       Go to www.freerice.com
2. Click on the sign up button (located at the left top corner of the page), register with a valid e-mail address. Once you receive your confirmation e-mail, logon with the pre-generated password supplied in the e-mail. (You can change this password by editing your profile after first login).
3. Before you start playing, you will need to select a group as follows






Click on "Select a group"
Click on "Find groups"
Join the Muslims United group as follows: Type "Muslims United" in the search box (top right corner)



Muslims United will appear in the list box (as shown above), click on it. On the next screen, select PLAY.
Remember, each type you login, you will need to scroll down to "Muslim United" and click PLAY so that you can contribute under this group. 





Select a category and start playing. It's fun, easy and non invasive. Imagine while you play, you're donating rice (food) to someone who did not have it 3 seconds ago.  Just 5 minutes a day secures a meal for one of the 925 million hungry people worldwide.













I gave 2210 rice grains today - how much did you give?




ps: 36 590 rice grains in a kilogram
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Make a difference

How can I make a difference? 
Feed someone | Give your coins away | Clothe someone | Give charity | Join a needy cause or visit an orphanage or elderly home | Support a cause to assist endangered species | Feed the stray cat or dog |Plant a tree or plant and care for them too |Recycle and go green | Let another driver go ahead of you, instead of speeding up | Assist an elderly person while shopping |Hug a parent, sibling, spouse or child to show them you care | Share your knowledge - teach others what you know |If you not worn something in a long time, give it away to someone who will

------
 ۞ وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ  أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا ﴿٣٦
(36) Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful.
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The Winter of our Disconnect

My weekend brought lots of blessings in rain and cold, dark chocolate, warm blankets and loads of tv and lazy comforts. Its this very lazy attitude that gave me a wake up call after finding a review on a book by Susan Maushart called,"The Winter of our Disconnect" giving living without technology a new meaning. As we all climb on to the band wagon of technology, whether consciously or unconsciously, the fact remains its hit us faster than a blink with no inkling of stopping anytime soon. No one can say that their actually technology free until you make that decision to switch off your mobiles, telephones, television, computers, consoles and the like. 





But Is it that easy? I would think getting away from the television would be easier for me than the mobile as it is my portal to the ones I love...but...anything is possible as this writer set out to prove, in her book, which explores the details of the six months that she and her family disconnected from anything with a screen. She turned off all televisions, computers, internet access and cellphones. While they took to it with a fight they ended up loving it after six months, wanting to stay unplugged. She writes how her kids discovered nature, saxophones, board games and the like...





As i read the review, I remember thinking how resemblant of my childhood which only became filled with television, satellite, telephones and computers later on in life. I was a technology free child - when I was 5 years old the only pass time was looking to nature and around the home for good old fashioned pass-time. I remember exploring the four corners of my house indoors and outdoors was a fascination but ask me to do that now and I wont have the time...dont get me wrong, im still very much a nature driven person. I can sit and enthuse myself with nature for hours but not with an explorable mind like I once did possess. Its because exploration extends as far as google these days - why challenge my mind when I can just google it?  





As we become robots of the world, how easy is it to switch off for you? Can you switch of the computer and walk to the shop to buy the newspaper, can you play  piano and board games in lieu of console games, evening walkings instead of tv or scouting for mushrooms in the rainy season? Is it a bit too healthy for us global technology munchers? 



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What is going on

Bluepearl (c) - Ben10's art
I think about the bizarre weather patterns like the servere snow storms (US), the floods (Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia and the like) that are killing many across the world, the Tunisian riots for the cause of unemployment which started as a result of a young educated man who could not find employment, setting himself alight outside government buildings, and innocent animals which are becoming victims of our wrong doings....I just wonder - what is going on? Are these signs (especially in the weather) starting last year meant to be a message from Allah?





Yet as I ponder,  I carry on living in the isolated routine of life... I wish you a thoughtful, inspiring weekend:)










رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ ﴿١٩٤
(194) "Our Lord! Grant us what You promised unto us through Your Messengers and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection, for You never break (Your) Promise."
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Sniffing cold

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١
(31) Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah-al-Imran]



Icy nose, cold and misty mornings seem to be inescapable these days, here in Doha. *brrr*
I hope you all are having a good week:)
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Rolling over to another week

"Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!"
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
[Surah-al Baqarah: 201]



The Asian football games started on Friday evening, here in Doha, so the city is bustling. 
I hope you all are having a great weekend. Can you believe its already week 1 down of 2011?
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Its another weekend

People often question how I seem to know so much about topics far away from my profession. The answer is very simple and it's something I urge everyone to do to elevate their general knowledge curve. Every day I take time to read the news, google (research) topics either sitting in my head, that I came across by means of conversation or just hobby linked topics -  I learn something new each day however I do admit I steer away from too much of politics. I'm not a fan of it. Another thing that I do, is I make use of synonyms online instead of using the normal words, I always search for an alternative to broaden my vocabulary. 



Moving on, for all of those who are interested, the next big thing for 2011 is a concept called "Cloud Streaming" - watch Google plus Apple push cloud technology this year with the other tech brands following suit already and oh, the other one, is the much anticipated Chrome OS.  Should be exciting!





Speaking of knowledge, here is my Thursday's verses to kick off the weekend:






قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿١٣٦ 
(136) Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya'qub (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and 'Îsa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)."





فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنتُم بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ ۖ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿١٣٧
(137) So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allah will suffice you against them. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. [ Surah-al-Baqarah]




Have a great weekend
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Even then

I just love lavendars
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A Thought

NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO ARGUE
HOLD YOUR TONGUE, BE KIND



HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD!
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Beauty

BluePearl (c) 2010




It seems as the holidays trod in that alot of blogs are on vacation  - while mines might be on some temporary vacation mainly out of lack of time and the inability to compose a post constructively due to scatter-brain syndrome, I did however, manage to put this post up today. Officially speaking though, it will be on vacation for the next week or so as I am on leave next week - off to South Africa if I can get on to the flight; the flights are really fully considering the Europe snow escapade. 



As far as tags, I just realised that I never tagged anyone for "weird things about me" so Deros, Rose Water, Rialive, Rationality, UmmAbdulAziz, Ati, Ranii, Mrs Handbag Addict, Mustika , Diaries of Bint Mahmood and CATGIRL!! consider yourself officially tagged by me.  



The weather is just so perfect on this end of the world - its winter and yet bearable enough to enjoy the open air. I just love this weather, winter is my favourite season after all next to Autumn. In the spirit of Thursday, let me leave you with this thought:





Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari:The Prophet said, "On every Muslim there is enjoined (a compulsory) Sadaqa (alms)." They (the people) said, "If one has nothing?' He said, "He should work with his hands so that he may benefit himself and give in charity." They said, "If he cannot work or does not work?" He said, "Then he should help the oppressed unhappy person (by word or action or both)." They said, "If he does not do it?" He said, "Then he should enjoin what is good (or said what is reasonable).' They said, "If he does not do that''' He said, "Then he should refrain from doing evil, for that will be considered for Him as a Sadaqa (charity) . " [Volume 8, Book 73, Number 51]



For all my dear friends who celebrate christmas, I wish you the best of the season. Do enjoy the family time and special lunches and if any of you are travelling/vacationing have fun and travel safely. 
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What beautiful words

إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا السُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ 


حَكِيمٌ ﴿٤٠﴾
(40) If you help him (Muhammad) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two; when they (Muhammad and Abu Bakr) were in the cave, he () said to his  companion (Abu Bakr): "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquillity, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. [Surah-at-Taubah]



Have a great weekend!
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Thought of the day

No matter how much something hurts, No matter how much you want something, you need to understand that Allah knows best why you can not have it. Allah azz wa jal. Inshallah.



Be Patient and put your trust in Allah. Have a great week!
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Wonderful sunday

Hope you're having a great weekend!
وَيَسْتَجِيبُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ ۚ وَالْكَافِرُونَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ٢٦
(26) And He answers (the invocation of) those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and gives them increase of His Bounty. And as for the disbelievers, theirs will be a severe torment ...
[Surah 42: Ash Shura]
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To tell you of something, me

1. The weekend has been kind in offering not only some relaxing time but perhaps some momentous time-capsuling moments for the Gulf ...



- It seems the gulf has had a great celebratory few days with the Queen visiting Abu Dhabi and Oman while Oman's King has been celebrating his 40 years of ruling, UAE celebrating its 39th Birthday and dear Qatar celebrates its win for the 2022 FIFA world cup. 





- For non-nationals, its an act of balancing the scales between the joy of winning the 2022 and the strengthening Riyal which will only become stronger now with all the open doors the World cup brings. Good luck to the exchange market. I saw the dollar dip :)  Have a look at this article.



- So if you want to read up on more on Oman, visit either Dhofari Gucci or Oman - travels into Oman. For UAE blogs, visit Al-Emirati-A local take on the world or Somalian Arab princess. There is also Rationality and Khaleejia's blog to take note of.



- I saw some really beautiful pictures of Saudi, composed by Blue Abaya which I want to share with you - I am sure you will savor them too, as I did -  have a look here. May Allah also heal the Saudi King soon, Inshallah wa Allahu A3lam. By the way, my other favourite Saudi blogger is With a Saudi accent. 



2. I been busy with my Fujitsu Project tasks which has been quiet exciting. If you still interested in seeing what others along with myself have been up to, visit the Lifebook4Life blog.



3. Yesterday I had a strange desire to have some pumpkin (something I miss from back home because its so much more popular there than it is here) - so I proudly cooked some lamb and pumpkin. It is also been a point for me to get back to healthy eating as I somehow succumbed to a lazy lifestyle since I been away from home, so lets see how long this lasts. 



4. I been catching up on some knowledge quests on technology and life - educating myself on odd mind boggling questions. 



5. I been silently reading your blogs and commenting here and there but I do apologize for being quiet - I am the type of person who occasionally slips away into silent thinking with myself. I am very mindful I cut off the big world but I just don't feel like talking - just sometimes I want to not talk:) I been regrouping my thoughts, my plans and trying to center myself again...its a very hard thing to do for a person like me who lives each day for each day.



6. I want you all to read this post by All my wonders - somehow maybe slightly off topic but with good intent as the post was written perfectly. A true lesson that deserves to be shared.



7. I been missing home so much recently and hoping to be back there soon again, Inshallah. I been craving Tinkies, my mommy's love & food & everyone else at home! It has also been a self-realisation that I never really introduced you all to my dear South African Blogger friends -  so here they are if any of you are interested in reading their blogs (which are great by the way): Crafty Muslimah, Girl Talk 786, Muslim Woman Exposed, The Diaries of Bint Mahmood, The Searching Slave & Cake Mama (although she is not writing right now - wish she would come back).



8. Another self-realisation is that I am not centered or patient when I don't read my salaat which has further re-iterated the importance of Allah in my life. I really love Allah and thank Him so much for standing by me in everything I do. Allah az wa jal.



9. Have a thoughtful, appreciative, super fantastic week ahead - Can you believe its December already - my gosh...Here's come 2011 in days!



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A sad day

BluePearl's granny (mom's mom) passed away this morning.
انّا للہ و انّا الیه راجعون والله عالم 
May Allah make it easy for her and grant her a place in Jannah, Inshallah
I am so glad I called her yesterday and told her just how much I love her.











وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِالنَّهَارِ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ لِيُقْضَىٰ أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٦٠



(60) It is He Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day, then He raises (wakes) you up again that a term appointed (your life period) be fulfilled, then (in the end) unto Him will be your return. Then He will inform you of that which you used to do.
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