Impermanence of life

Impermanence of life (in whatever state- united or otherwise) as we begin out second month inUSA 23 Dec 2007

As we begin our second month in Milwaukee we also approach the end of another year As time flies we all must pause to realize that we have come one year closer to the end…………and that we must learn indeed…. to take stock of our baggage, long before we get our boarding passes and get rid of garbage.

I see sparkling lights and Christmas trees all-round. Festivity in the air . Shops are full of bargain hunters and the Sulaimans too taking advantage if it. Parties too I see in the neighborhood

December began with joys of life, new lives and hopes coming into this world in the form of newborns to our daughters. As the moon was waxing, we had Eid, biriyani, wattalappan and all to spread the happiness while aqiqas made the hores d’ouvre and Ullhiyas the dessert. Speaking of desserts, some of you may know, Al Haj Wazeer made a soup of the Jannah’s Aqiqa after flying home from the dry desert gasholes, to enjoy Eid with his family while we are in the cold. Ahsen from the Bay of Bengal started to show off his poetic talents in a tasty comment to Aashika’s baby blog. It was like steaming coffee to warm the snow which fell more and more bringing realities of life into the spectrum. The winds were cold and in mother Lanka rain took its toll. Shafi too exhibited his latent poetic talents bringing back memories of late Mr. Amarasinghe who was our English teacher. He made us enjoy English, prose, verse literature and worse the grammar.

Reality was that life is impermanent. Gampola Fahim’s brother died and Reyal my class mate who could not enter the university with me preceded me to enter the hereafter. May the earth rest lightly on them and May Allah grant them Jananthul Firdhouse.

Reyal was a great friend. Helpful, simple and always smiling even when he was ill and when I went to see him last he was really happy. He taught me driving in his old Mayflower and VW

We are born into the unknown and for a short time we sing, dance fight eat and delight, we make and break many things and relationships and try to hold on to things that have no meaning, collect garbage all the time and a few valuables to take along with us. But in reality all our luggage should be nett and value added.

Barushan ably assisted right through the week by Aadil has at last succeeded in doing what the stone age man did millions of years ago. Really it does pay to reinvent the wheel- once in a way. He has after shopping around for firewood in all the super markets in the state ------indeed succeeded and believe me and he has lit a fire not buy getting two stones from the stone age but by buying a fire starter pack ------giving rise to flames of hope in the fire place in this Brown Deer home ( I am still to see a deer, except my dear) this morning in anticipation of greater things to come by the time the sun takes the usual slumber and so we are all in heat as I write this and the electric heater is off like the Mahinda Chintanaya which is sure to go up in smoke like the old news papers through the chimney.

Beg your pardon, it is not the heat or the fire or the flames, but it is the warmth of his hospitality, the smiles of the new baby and the love of Aashika and Barushan, that we are enjoying and making us smile through the snowy winter.

Yesterday’s rain and last night’s cold eerie winds contrasted with the warmth of my daughter’s nest which is slowly taking shape and have swept away most of the snow in the garden and I can see some white patches and green through our windows ( No core2duo, vista etc yet) though I don’t know when Sri Lankans will see green again if Ranil continues to be there. These white patches of snow remind me of the dark patches all of us have in our lives, like the cholesterol buildup in our arteries, which must be removed by self surgery ere the final bells toll.

By the way waiting for Ameena’s A/L results is like waiting for Ranil to come back. Zainab I hear is making hay with the pre jettison visit to father country where it is raining kittens and puppies and is keeping poor Anfas in the shade.of ........now ..not Rainco but Kandurata umbrellas . Will it be a boy or gal God knows best and we do not.

I also heard that Feeaza, our cousin philosopher and guide had her first toss on the ice in New York pavements as she took of her eyes off the path to take a look at her brand new pair of vanity boots . Price of vanity!!! Fazeena is of course happy with her set of brand new non stick pans and unhappy at my waste of time trying to be a scrabble champion like the good old days at Akurana balcony. Hisham has sent a five letter Gmail greeting to show his presence.He does not waste his words like me. So I have taken a cue from him and we sign off wishing all a new beginning in the new year

Fazaadhil

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

I was studying the brain,
When you first gave your mamma the pain,
Within a few hours to this world you came,
Now you’ve joined our household to make a name,

Life may seem like a game,
But never are two moments completely the same,
And that is for you to tame,
Oh sweet little dame,

You are lucky to be born in this land of plenty,
But forget not your family,
For they have sacrificed many,
Just to enjoy your wonderful company,

I don’t know what your home looks like- but I know for sure,
It will be built with on trust,
Painted with love,
Tiled with determination,
And illuminated with wisdom,

You maybe black, brown or white,
But for our eyes you will always be a delight,
We will be there always to show you what’s wrong and right,
For that is our right,

Your mother- my dear sister; is a very simple and wonderful woman,
Likewise you must be a good human,
Let goodness flow in you,
Like the blood that flows across every organ, muscle and tendon,

This is not a great piece of art,
Just simple thoughts off my heart,
For you to read one day my dear little niece,
May you always be at peace,



From your ever loving uncle Ahsen

DECEMBER BABIES, BLUES AND BLOGS.

.12/17/2007 5:52:25 AM SL TIME

Time has been flying between coming and going nobody really knowing whether coming or going - oh what’s really going on. Ayoob, Came from salubrious Bogo, passing teapots, tea spots and water falls to AK in the centre to see the world and then came Muad home an home capitalizing on the facilities in the capital city amidst bombs and crossovers in the House, from where also came the princess Jannah all the way – half way across the world passing deserts, oceans and time zones, cultures and fluctuating temperatures to enter this wide welcome world in the midst of snow covered cold lakes and highways to warm the hearts so many of us- who waited for her day after day

May all these angels fill our hearts with joy and spread the message of happiness in this holy month of Haj, to one and all. They have made us forget our daily dues and duties to see the world as a playground spreading happiness. They have brought us closer.

New births have brought new hopes and new tasks,

Belly buttons have dropped
Hairs shaven and their heads all bald
Aqiqas given and duties fulfilled
The parents have new dreams made

Musketeers These three?
When will they meet
And when will they be free
On these bulletins to feast

It’s a week Aadil tells me
I have forgotten, believe me
Hooked to the daddy and new mummy
Faz at times and all the time me

Sunday last
Things happened fast
Doubts aside all cast
Jannah, came very pretty fast

This week brings snow – more and more. Then three days of Eid round the world showing where Muslim priorities are. But I need to wind up and let things be.

Que sera sera ,What ever will be will be. The future’s, not ours, to see……wow ..There I go again. But I can not leave without reminding my friends, philosophers and countrymen that we were in India last Eid. Next Eid…Where will we be , we be?

She has come

Oh what a fuss waiting for her
now it is a change of tide
we are waiting on her
almost as on a new bride

So much to be done
new chores galore
for one and all its good fun
washing, feeding, dressing and much more

Now there is little less time
on our hands - though so many are willing
and ever ready to help every time
dad, uncle, grandma, me and daughter mine

Home coming

11^th December 2007

THE FIRST HOMECOMING

Two days after you were born

Dear Jannah…………….

they waited for you for so long

Your dad and mum. grand ma
Uncles, aunties, cousins
And the great grandmas
Too many to count,

Friends and relations…….
and me the grand pa,
your dads colleagues
and mums e friends

Because of the goodwill built
by them over the years ……….
Perhaps an important lesson for you
So early in your life…

If you could only pause, now and then
To learn to give more and take little
Inspite of the rat race
That you inevitably will face

In your country, where even to throw garbage
you have to have a plan
an insurance plan , a medical plan
and a mortgage plan…far too much to an old man

But dear little princess..
Though you took your time
To come..into this world
Today, You come home…..

Don’t ever forget little one
Inspite of web cams and skype
Yahoo and messengers
Uploads and downloads

Find some time for the birds
Dew drops and flowers
The wild ones in herds
And the cool waters of the rivers

In spite of wwws and the dot coms
Bluetooth, 3G and wifi
game consoles and ipods
Which will be your world

You will soon come to know,
There is some thing more
Whiter than the snow?
Love! Which you can not outgrow

Be generous, Love them all
Your dad and mum brothers and sisters
grandmas grand dads, and great grandmas
Uncles aunts and cousins

Love them all and don’t make war
Love them , selflessly, all those who would travel
by your side, in the path of your life,
even if they come only to take a ride

One day your mum will tell
That one of your uncles studied
In a country far away from yours
And mine, with great sacrifice

In a country where even an apple is luxury
Lonely and at times going hungry
To be there, just to care and share
Not only when the medicine cupboard is bare

One thing leads to another
You will have a sister and a brother
And another and another
Too many? they’ll ne’er be a bother

Now we know, you have no choice
You’ll come home to rejoice
And walk life's path always with poise
Yet being simple and nice

Your mum is tired
Dad has the car showered
Your seat well secured
And an uncle excited

Come home my princess
Where it will always be warm
Be it winter spring or summer recess
‘cos ‘tis the place Allah will always bless

Your crib is done
by your dad and mum
and the room by your uncle, it was a scrum
for, you to sleep without a hum

Each day for you
will bring something new
may your joys be more
and pains just a few

Growing up is fun
It is always a run
To get a place under the sun
'cos you are not the only one

So dear little girl
It is your world
Make a nicer place
For one and all – young and old

with love and affection...........

From ……………Your grandpa, grandma,

and uncles Ahsen and Aadil too

for you to read and reflect

when you will have some time left

On a warm snowing afternoon

in Milwaukee West Deer Run Drive

Brown Deer,

in your house, dear

From our room

Just after lunch

Waiting for you,

Sweet honey crunch

It is 2.30 pm

and we need a nap

before you jump

off your mum’s lap

Baby blues

Well are Faz n I winners, losers or on lookers?
waiting for dodo?
Uncles too in waiting
till the stork arrives
with the gift of the season that
even Santa can not match.

Season of babies
hopefully will end with
the her arrival.,Will it really?
wait n see........

Then shaving of head, aqiqas, sadaqa, naming ceremonies and
robes ,a lot more to be done.
the first baths, meals and
prams and of course the commodes
and other comforts
Oh what a lot for these
bundles of joy..........

Next year Insha Allah
December will be fun
with so many birthdays parties
which the new uncles and aunties
can organise....may be in Little England

But Are we going to be the freshest
and the youngest grandfathers of the year
or do we put an end to the celebrations after
Zainab joins the group.

My fear is
by then will all the parents regroup
and recharge

May god bless all the new arrivals
and many more to come.
more the better

Us bulletin3

7 dec

Being here waiting to become grand parents is like waiting for dodo.

But the curtain raiser was the sudden arrival of Ayoob from the Tea pots of Bogo, beating the Santa followed by Faz n I becoming god parents to bundle of joy born to an unseen friend here !!

This little one too entered the world, one month early, virtually un announced when the father was in school-not learning but teaching …..beating his grandparents too who were scheduled to arrive later for the big day …. Were still in China………….

Who does the dad phone? …………..Of course ..Yours truly.

So quick advice over the phone by the three experts ,Faz , Aash and I ,Made his entrée easy, while the father was busy .The advisors on call were active for days for Aqiqa, First Shave, dates Zam zam etc

OF COURSE ALL CAME TO KNOW THAT THERE WERE NO PICTURES IN Ameena’s pictures. Just puss wedi…….like Mahinda Chin….

How’s that for starters,

The main course of is still to come,

Whereas, we have seen the snow. and have kissed the snowflakes and even made a snowman whose cervicals were week, And whereas, BRU HAS GOT THE CRIB all done n ready, and whereas Uncles are in waiting….here and in Bangla, Grand ma is anxious, and whereas even the great grandma is counting………not money but the days- and whereas, Mum to be too is ready and I am as cool as a cucumber in wal-mart , . ..

The chief guest is taking her own time. And we r waiting..waiting…..waiting

And then when it is our turn and she arrives, I think she’ll be coming down the mountain when she comes…….we’ve got to go back to another serving of starters and then for dessert ….. it is Skype being the hype, keeping our spirits ripe, while win messenger is the ice breaker, Time is the loser, the lap top the saviour.

Lunch on Sunday looking for Halal food in a food court was like looking for fresh water fish in the deep blue sea – that’s where we are mostly …ended up with our standard sea food of Jap n Chinese mix. Since we were all hungry all got a belly full each. Free from Bru.- Faz and bru busy as bee (chic) and the other three are always free. We even have Zurica’s green tea. I have started midnight yoga to cut the bulge and reduce my sweetness to a manageable level, while Aadil is having a losing battle with Bru for mouth watering chocolates.. The rest are greedily watching –barred from the delicacy for different reasons.

Bye folks .keep smiling \Saturday night fever by fazhilaad

MUM in waiting

This mum in waiting,
What is she really
expecting............?
a baby?


Our daughter..
she is singing...dancing and painting
in a world of her own ...awaiting a baby,

Is she going to be a mum.......
really, is she?
this child carefree.....
waiting for the baby?

We the grand parents
waiting, ....watching and doubting this mum
who is still a little girl.to us
and a wife to him -the expectant father



Is she ready.. we wonder

I know her,
with that secret understanding
she will be steady
when she is ready

and she will deliver
a
GRAND
DAUGHTER
Insha Allah

Waiting in the snow

Tis cold
outside, biting cold ...........
tiny snow flakes
too small to be seen
yet large enough to be felt
like the heart of a mother


looking from my porch
in this, Wisconsin winter...
seated in a sofa
inside the warmth of this nest
my daughter and son in law
are making

waiting.waiting.....and waiting
in hope, fear, anguish and pure love
for their daughter to arrive
suddenly one day
though we are ready...
When will she come..

Is she fair
do we care

does he have long hair
what will she wear
do we care

her uncles not aware
the pains that their sister will bear
to give them a niece
to share n care

Oh god let her be fair
let her care
right and wrong be aware
and not a burden to bear

A week after

Today December first was great, .

It was our first combined family adventure on snow, flakes, cakes and all including our own adorable snowman at the driving seat after a hot hot brunch prepared by culinary queen.. The quiet morning turned into light snow by noon and then it was our first real experience of driving through all white -- a real snow fall - , snow flakes kissing our cheeks.

Bru did well to handle the vehicle on the snow covered roads though my heart was in my mouth and god knows where his was? I came to correct myself that he infact had fresh unpacked grey matter carefully hidden under his post UMRAH cranium with anew lawn, and hardly used..

Our bellies are full most of the time , but we keep on stuffing pizzas, chocks, fruits, cheeses , nuts and anything with calories on it into out non protesting gastric chambers. The soya sausages are like Jamaican bananas that we have come to relish.Yet I get up in the middle of the night for nightcap.

Oh Fazeena's coffee, which Ahsen too has a pack. YOU must sip it in this cold Wisconsin winter to the weather storms. more than the snow



_________________
It is Sunday morning 2/12

We have enjoyed the now snow fall and the snow all around us. The snow has been cleared off the pathways by a small tractor- working throughout the night. Bru made his own omlette as his MIL like starve him for fear of raising cholesterol levels.



....

Milwaukee 2

01 Dec 2007 Our first week has ended with another feast of biriyani - this time home made with the unique culinary expertise of Fazeena. Though sleepy after the heavy gastronomic adventure, we are set to leave for Jummah. IINSHA ALLAH WE WILL COMPLETE THIS LATER. My children are lucky to have a mother and grandmother whose culinary expertise is the envy of many families. The net result is that I had to buy trousers to suit my new waistline which has seen a 5% increase in 7 days. I leave the rest for your imagination. The week has seen some quick shopping rounds to get the daily needs and also to make last minute preparations for the VIP ETA 13./12.. WE HAVE SEEN BARUSHAN'S EXCELLENT HOSPITALITY BECOME AN EMBARASSING INDULGENCE. I finally learnt that he is allergic to my purse. Then there are daily battles between mum and daughter to give each other a rest, but what I see a losing battle of bulging bellies though for different reasons. Fruits - a variety from oranges to strawberries and excellent bananas have kept us company. Of course we have not told you about the secret of our sugar factories working overtime with Aashika's choicy chocolates, and fruit juices. Still adding to our excellent health is our still life. We are like water plants, the difference being that there is no pool and but we are inside the house swaying. All food and no action- lot of sleep and nothing to do.. The days ARE SHORT AND THE NIGHTS ARE LONG., but our bodies are thinking that the day is night and the night is also night. So it is a fight between the body and soul.Usually the soul looses. NOW IT IS AROUND 5.45 pm and about15 minutes more for ISHAH. Last week also saw the ceremonial do it yourself fitting of the cot for the VIP by himself- A singular heroic task unmatched in the two hundred odd year history of the USA. NOW I AM ONCE AGAIN FORCED TO SUFFER THE HOSPITALITY OF MY DAUGHTER AND SIL WITH SALTED PISTACHIO and peanuts. NO wonder I am going nuts as you are now imagining- of course courtesy keeping your opinions private..Even the juicy strawberries cant beat the juicy jokes of BRU. Mum is looking forward to Eid to make watalappam which will be an event to remember, Wonder if Bush could emerge from the bushes to enjoy the feast. My practice session trying to make jaggery flakes ended in disaster this morning with a deep cut in my thumb and a bloody palm. The twice daily Google and messenger interactions is what the doctor prescribed to keep us closer to the Mahinda Chintanaya and home folks . This helps us to KIT (The Dialoge Type) faster than Mihin Air., Aadil's first tour of the West appears to be his best though frighted of the cold wintry winds of Wisconcin State. BRB after Ishah Now we have three important things to do to compete the day. CHAT, EAT N SLEEP and nothing else. QED. That completes this report. Tomorrow we are expecting a snow storm according to Bru, but what I am expecting is some new kits to fit our bulging bellies. Bru is determined not to take us to the gym or for a swim- both being lethal for bulges. See you next week Insha allah FazSulAad

MILwaukee 1

27 NOv 2007 Today we are relaxing on the first working day of the week after arrival at Milwaukee. Had a chat with Shafi and Ahsen in the morning. Barushan has gone to work. Yesterday was bright and sunny as well as cool and snowy, but today looks dull. Our flight from Colombo took off about an hour late with an assortment of passengers ranging from housemaids to houselords and sheikhs and halaal food. The flight meal was fish and lamb. Nothing spectacular about landing in Dubai for a 8 hour transit. Collected our boarding passes to Atlanta and Milwaukee. The airport security process included the removal of belts bangles and shoes. Having cleared all that we had to pray luhr asr combined and magrib isha combined while exploring the duty free from time to time. The cars on the raffle the Benz and the BMW were too tempting to ignore but we did not buy the raffle ticket. We had french coffee and McDonalds snacks to while away the time. Our first attempt to cross the Atlantic started at 11.50 pm and the flight took us over Turkey, London, New Foundland and the deep blue sea, New York etc .We were looking out for the Titanic but could not find it! We had halaal food again and a courteous crew which we did not expect. There was enough to eat and drink for the 15 hour endurance test which was our longest night in our lifetime. Since there were empty seats we could stretch ourselves and sleep in a couch form like the foetus in Aashika's womb and float our way through the skies. We landed at Atlanta at Eastern time 5.50 am Friday morning only to find one of our baggage missing and that too with all the stuff for the intended new arrival to this world. After some worrisome moments and complains we were asked to make a complain at Milwaukee the final destination. The Immigration process and customs checking was made easy by Almighty Allah in answer to our prayer and yours and contrary to what many people warned us of, even our spices went through easily. We have got 6 months stay. Another 5 hours of wait at the airport was cold and long this is when the Sri Lankan biscuits and cream crackers came to our rescue as halaal food was not available. We topped ourselves with American coffee with one large serving enough for all 3 of us. Took train to the domestic terminal and checked in. Our baggage was automatically transferred to the local flight. The flight to Milwaukee took 1 hr 40 mts. and many of the 6 footers could not stand straight in the plane as it was so small. Aadil found it extremely uncomfortable with his long legs and tall frame. We were served with peanuts and juice to the dismay of all of us. There was also a noisy young crowd to keep us awake. This was our first day time view of America albeit from the skies. Flying at low altitude gave us a fairly reasonable view of the topography of the land. Milwaukee is by the side of the beautiful lake Michigan and reminded us of our last visit to London and Paris several years ago. Some trees still had the golden leaves of the autumn and the others were naked awaiting the cold snow of the winter already hibernating. Milwaukee airport was quiet for an American one. Made a complain about the loss baggage and took taxi to Brown Deer Apartment which will be our home for the next 3 months. Barushan had gone for jummah and Aashika received us warmly. After an exchange of pleasantries, news, goodies and gifts Barushan joined us for a sumptuous chicken biriyani which was our first solid meal in the normal position after we left on Thursday morning having had sandwiches for breakfast. Our eyes were heavy with sleep and Aadil was shivering in cold and almost crying. The snow outside was a novel experience but we were too tired to enjoy it. The beds were too warm and inviting. We slept till dinner. Saturday was tiring with jetlag our bodies wanted to wake up in the night and sleep at day time. Yet we did some essential shopping with Barushan and Aashika. The missing bag never came. We had a sumptuous lunch courtesy Barushan The dawn of the Sunday saw the missing bag at our doorstep to our relief. After a heavy breakfast made by Barushan and Aashika did some shopping came home for lunch and slept. It is now Monday night.We went out after Isha 6.01PM and just returned. So lets get this across to first. Looking forward to hearing from you. Hilmi, Fazeena n Aadil