16th post - my journey to Tarim starts 8July2012... inshaAllah.

17 Jun 2012 @ 3.31pm

i have issued you a ticket with Raudha on 8 July.

The price is $800 (USD).

i hope you can pass to my mother (in Singapore) soon inshaAllah........

JazaakAllah khair..

i will email you the ticket.

the one-way flight is on Qatar Airways (Singapore-Doha-AbuDhabi). InshaAllah... we will arrive still dated 8 July, very late night in Doha (7hrs journey) and will then wait in transit at Doha airport itself before boarding another flight the following morning to AbuDhabi. upon arrival to AbuDhabi in the late morning we will then wait to board a flight to Seiyun the same afternoon (this is another flight ticket but inclusive in the USD800). 3 flights altogether.

as explained by Ustadh Muhammad, i will be travelling with two Dowra participants (lady & gentleman). on this note, my teacher, the good Ustadha Maimunah Al-Habshi has mentioned she has ever travelled to Seiyun alone BUT with school's knowledge (registered) so the school will arrange liaison from Seiyun. it is also common practice for Dowra administration to give out names and contact of students travelling to the school. students could then arrange to travel from their respective countries or meet in Seiyun to continue their journey together.

i have started thoughts on experiencing Tarim about 2 years ago. i toyed with the idea in concrete when i applied for Dowra July 2011 (40 days summer program) but was not selected. in October 2011, i opened my mouth after weeks of hemming and hawwing to my good teacher, Ustadh Ismaeil Al-Khatib (may Allah be pleased with him and his family always. amin). it was his question that got me into planning mode..."ente nak pegi Dowra ke nak blajar sana terus?"

literally he asked if i wanted to attend the Dowra or be an actual student at the esteem academy. i just have never thought i could... i used to love hearing and reading stories of learned men and women of Tarim... i can't express the delight and heart happy vibe i have being able to learn from visiting scholars from Tarim... the eager heart i have, knowing i get a chance to learn from alumni; Ustadh Ismaeil Al-Khatib and Ustadha Maimunah Al-Habshi for the couple of years they were in Singapore.

to even dream about being a full time student there... subhanAllah *speechless*... for one i thought i surpassed the age limit.. i am going on 32 this year.. my community paints a picture of career stability, husband and kids in tow by that age.. guess i subconsciouly self sentenced myself that if im not that then i just am a failure and should just cower quietly living my days. i am a person full of sins, the past though i have treaded and made peace with it, at times still haunts me... still pricks my self confidence. i just never thought having a life outside the norms of society is possible, period.

but back to my teacher's question; mashaAllah, to him i answered almost instantly, "inshaAllah i want to spend a couple of years studying there.." from then on, i learnt more and more about the people there, the study structure, the hidden gems, the heritage that is entwined -believe it or not- in Singapore's history. the last few months my work involved researching the pioneers of Wakaf.. much of it from the great Alsagoffs & Aljunieds... lineage to Hadramaut.

how i ever got here was Allah's works SOLELY. if anyone from my recent past sees or hears of me now... urm, i might get hurled the superficial label but so far Allah has covered my aib and taken care of this fragile heart. whatever abuses i have been hurled, i did what i have learnt from my good teachers.. calm yourself down and let go. i mean, of course i'll cry and complain initially but always to Allah... until it came to a point i started really believing whatever happens though bile at first bite.. is just for my own good. its training, a learning process... and Allah is definitely the best of Guide.

so my planning since i got my Visa confirmation includes;

1) handing in my resignation of which i felt SO bad cuz campaign launches are on its way but am SO heartwarmth by Dr.Shamsiah's support.. her good words were, "its not right to hold your life cuz of work..." once i end work at the end of this month, i'll have a week to prepare and pack my luggage.

2) extending the news in "hierachy" with good adab...

* parents & my only sister (& her hubby)

* selected spiritual teachers (to make a good exit from classes as well)

* dear paternal grandma with paternal eldest aunt & uncle

* eldest maternal aunt who is in ICU

* mum's sisters cuz i also have to end our weekly Al-Quran lessons

* the rest i.e. friends i leave to Allah to guide me as to whom

3) ask Ustadha Maimunah (or those who have ever been there) for advice on what to pack of which she mentioned specifically to bring a couple of long dresses for home use as it is deemed "rude" to wear pants even in the confines of a home. oh, and also multivitamins.

4) doctor's visit for my asthma inhalers and prescription to bring along there.

5) after 3 & 4 i could start to write my initial list to buy:-

  

* asthma inhalers & prescription (seretide 25/50)
* my medicine stash (lozenges, cold relief panadols, panadol Extra, menstrual panadols)

* comfy shoes (sneakers, slip on sandals, toilet slippers & 2 pairs of comfy casuals)

* toiletries galore

(i was told i could get these there easily but i'll bring couple months stash & ease into Yemeni brands i guess.. heh)

* toiletries holder (i see myself going back and forth room & bathroom with this)

* facial mist (Evian)

* battery operated handheld fan (thank you Ethar!)

* clothes hangers and clips

(you handwash your own clothes -bubye washing machine- and hang it out to dry. crisp dry 20minutes tops.. whoaaaa...)

6) print e-tickets & decide what goes where i.e. travel documents in handbag, which for check-in luggage etc.

7) visit Maqam Habib Nuh Al-Habshi with AnaBibi... cuz its our thang.. heh.

the rest are just little relax arrangements of elders visitings, my parents wish for a kenduri doa selamat (family gethering feast and prayers) and a little weekend sleepover with close friends.

inshaAllah my last few days will be home bound.. just taking it all in; reflecting in gratefulness and seeking guidance from Allah. please make du'a for me as my nerves have started to creep in. Allahu Akbar.