Me, Myself and I...ALONE!!!

RAMADAN . . . The Holy Month

2010-08-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Now it is Ramadan, the holy month for the Muslim world. It's a month of prayers, fasting and celebration during the night. People in Arab countries are not allowed to drink, smoke or eat during the day. They do a lot of charity and give gifts to each other at the end of Ramadan.

I'd like to show some of the symbology associated with Ramadan. If you're a Christian, think of this list as if you are referring to the Muslim Christmas Tree, Jingle Bells, Santa, etc...

Moon and stars

The Muslim calendar is based on lunar phases. And the month of Ramadan covers a full cycle. Therefore the most widely used symbol is the night sky.

Let me take the opportunity here to ask everyone who works on such a layout not to put stars in the empty (dark) area of the moon. See bad example above. If there were stars in the empty area, it would mean those stars are between the earth and the moon. So, just keep that area starless please.

Cannon

A cannon is fired just when the sun goes down and is used to signal the very first second when people are allowed to eat after the whole day of fasting. It's kind of a social activity to gather around the cannon with sandwiches and drinks in hand waiting for the cannon to go off.

El - Misaharaty

The Ramadan drummer. El Misaharaty is the name given to the person who walks and beats a drum in residential areas to wake people up to eat their sohor (a meal eaten before the beginning of the fast) before morning prayers. It's not practiced anymore in modern cities. Alarm clocks replaced the drummer.

Fanouz

The Ramadan lantern. This lamp is basically a colorful storm lamp and it comes in dozens of different forms and shapes. Children in small groups wearing colorful embroidered clothes carry and swing these lamps while singing a traditional song. They are rewarded with nuts and candies. Much like during Christmas in the US.

QURAN [Koran]

The holy book. The main focus this month is prayers, so the Koran is an important part of the symbology. Rarely used for commercial materials, because of its strong religious connotations, but one can see it in greeting cards and other more personal communication.

Calligraphy

Arabic calligraphy is very much associated with religion, therefore it's also part of Ramadan and used quite often. Verses from the Koran are visualized in endless number of different forms and styles. Creating a unique calligraphy requires great skill, therefore only the more sophisticated design pieces feature this form of art. Read more about it here.

Mosque

During this month Muslims go to the mosque even more regularly for prayers. The big famous mosques are not usually shown in this context. Usually it's a siluette of a lonely building in setting sun. Interesting to note that around mosques there is usually a lot of charity food being distributed to the less fortunate as part of the Ramadan traditions.

Dates

The fruit of the date palm is an important symbol because many break their fast by eating a piece of date and drinking a sweet juice. One should not break the fast with any heavy food. It takes time for the digestive system to kick start. It is told, that you can survive on a glass of milk and 10 pieces of dates a day for any amount of time.

Food

Ramadan is about fasting during the day but it's also about feasting during the night. Wonderful dinners (or so called Iftars) served in tents. Many times such social dinners are accompanied with water pipes and soft music. Theoretically one should eat the bare minimum, but it's rarely the case nowadays.

I Cry Foul for the Senior Citizens of Our Land!

2010-05-10T03:39:00.000-07:00

I really hope that we keep in mind our Senior Citizens when we try to find ways to improve our country's electoral process.

There were so many Senior Citizens whose Ballots were declared invalid due to unnecessary marks found on it.They stayed long in the line and waited for their turn under the intolerable heat and yet that was all they got. I really feel for them!

This happened to the lady just beside me a while ago. She was very careful in filling up her ballot. She even helped her husband who was much more older than her to cast his vote. But when it was her turn to insert her ballot, it was immediately rejected by the PCOS machine. 3 times she tried and 3 times she failed. With a heavy heart, she just opted to give her ballot to the watcher of the precinct and watched him put it in a brown envelope at the side of the table. And that my friends is the end of her Election 2010 story!
Oh come on people, give the oldies a break. For some of them, this might be their last election. All they wanted to do was to exercise their right to vote and make a difference!

I do not think typo errors, smudges or even Arthritis is enough reason for their vote not to be counted!
It is actually better to take the Board Exam, at least there is a take 2, 3 and I believe even a 4.

DI BA KAYO NAAAWA!!! UNFAIR!!!

Active Voter from the Afterlife

2010-05-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

I know my dad is very dedicated with the PPCRV and if he were still alive, I would imagine him helping out again this 2010 Elections, but this is 101% absurd!

He'll really leap from his grave once he learns that he is still eligible to vote at our precinct even if he's been dead for almost 2 years now!

Something just dawned on me . . .

2010-04-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Fact: People have this natural fear of getting old...

I used to wonder why my friends would look at the mirror and inspect their forehead for wrinkles and lines or apply creams & anti-aging radiants for hours. I would constantly ask myself why these people are not confident about their looks when most of them are aging with grace & style. Affirmation from their peers about their physical appearance has become a necessity for them to continue functioning the right way everyday. I used to tell myself that I would never feel that way about myself since it seems that I possess, as my peers would always say, "the gift of youth" (believe me guys, in my profession, it is more of a liability/curse rather than a gift).

A few days ago, while attending the debut of my former student, I began to wonder; what if growing old is really something that we should fear...

I was part of her 18 candles & believe me, it felt really awkward! Well for one, I was surrounded by a "fresh from High School Graduation" crowd. I was the oldest amongst the candle people. Need I say more? It is not like I looked like their Grandma or something. I actually looked like their Atsi instead of their former computer teacher from their freshie year of HS (well, that comment certainly didn't come from me!). It was awkward since I kept picturing myself at the same student's wedding (this was the start of a futuristic daydream telenovela situation), then her daughter's baptism, high school computer class/club and debut. Honestly, this will go on and on.

Questions started to fill my head . . . Will I be doing this until I become Grandma Joie? Will I continue to see my kids (by the way, I call my students my kids) age time and time again, from generation to generation before my very eyes? Is this manifested by fear? Is it about me growing old or my kids growing old in-front of me?

This is really not because I'm not so fond of parties anymore (put stress on the anymore). Neither is this because I don't want my kids to grow old. Honestly, I really do not know why I am blabbing about this at all. I guess its just a momentary epiphany (i think) that I wanted to share. Or is it my simple cry for help? Maybe there are people out there who could shed some light to this. Who feel the same way as I feel. Am I just going crazy or simply confused? Please do enlighten me!

- = - Lessons Learned - = -

2008-03-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

" Fulfillment and Happiness doesn't come with a BIG pay check! "

I've finally found my true vocation...TEACHING!
I may have an empty pocket most of the time, but I'm extremely Happy!