First Day of Fasting

Nothing much happens so far today. I had my sahur at midnight last night and didn't get up except to drink some water. I still have the same problem as before, getting up so often to toilet to relieve myself. Though it doesn't effect my sleep as I go back to dreamland immediately my head touches the pillow, it's quite annoying.

School holidays have begun but the resort is rather quiet because few guests are arriving. The security guards have a reprieve this fasting month. They usually experience tough times dealing with demanding resort guests who pick a fight. Poor security guards. They are paid pittance and have to deal with aggressive, irresponsible people especially those who are drunk. Talking to them made me admire them for being patience, firm and diplomatic. They have little training but use common sense and experience as their guide. Most of the guards are retirees. Some of the young guards, mostly Indians, who were caught drunk on duty, their services have been terminated. This is quite a big relief to me as I have felt so unsecured having security guards who slept and got drunk on the job.

My brother, Mahir, and family paid me a visit last Saturday. In our conversation he said he didn't like traveling or going anywhere now except to stay at home where he felt most comfortable. Shahabudin's mother-in-law said the same thing - she doesn't even want to go out for dinner, preferring to have it at home. I do feel the same way sometimes, preferring to stay in but traveling bug is still bugging me. I still have plans and dreams to trudge places different from mine, seeing different things and enjoying different experience. I know one day soon I'll share the same feeling as my brother's when I'll feel most secured in my own environment, enjoying my own company with peace. But meanwhile, world you haven't seen enough of me yet!

The H1N1 scare is very real. I heard many people made a mockery of it saying the government is blowing the horn too loud and told me to disregard it. A friend told me that a Singapore doctor said it was ridiculous and that the government is making a stupid mistake. Whatever it is, they are entitled to their belief and I hope it doesn't infect them. Sometimes we always have the perception that other people will get it but not us but once we get infected then we blame other people. That's the arrogance of human beings. Anyway, I don't want to take chances and so further travel is kept on hold. I pray that this H1N1 flu will go away soon and not taking more lives.

A friend forward an email about taking care of our own personal hygiene and not depending on the masks to keep away the virus. It's simple and we should make it our daily practice. Washing hands regularly especially after using the toilet is important. I use hand sanitizer to avoid my hands being wet too often which can result in knuckle pain. The small bottle is always in my handbag.

Cleaning the nostrils twice a day is another must. This reminds me of why during abolution in preparing for prayer, Muslims are required to clean their noses. But most of the time we do it as a routine without understanding the purpose behind it. Blowing water out of the nose strongly helps to get rid of the dirt or virus which get stuck in our nostrils. I admit that I am one of those ignorant Muslims but with this knowledge, I change my habit.

Gurgling with warm salt water regularly is another way of keeping personal hygiene to keep away the virus. The virus enters our body through nostrils and mouths, so it makes sense to keep them clean. This is another practice which a Muslim is supposed to do during abolution - to wash the mouth and gurgle 3 times. We do it of course but as a routine practice - as long as we komor-komor 3 kali, cukup. There is a reason for every routine practice Muslims are supposed to do. For the uztaz and ustazah who teach Agama Islam, these are the information that should be given to children and adults alike - not just the routine practice without explaining the reasons why and focusing on the batal and the haram.

Using the mask helps but keeping personal hygiene and avoiding crowded places are crucial to keep away the virus. Let's hope H1N1 will go away soon and leave our country free. My itchy feet is just waiting for the fasting month and raya to be over so that I can travel again.

To my Muslim readers, Selamat Berpuasa.