Ally Salem's Blog

{ Ramadan Kareem }

Traditional Arabic/khaleeji sweet called "legaimat" thats usually made on Ramdan only!

Ramadan is a month of blessing, that includes prayer, fasting and charity. It is basically the holy month of fasting from dawn to dusk which lasts for approxiamtely 29 days. This time of the year is the time for reflection and devotion to God, and self-control. During the month of Ramadan Muslims show their devotion to God by fasting or abstaining food till dusk. Its not very different from other religions, as some religions also encourage fasting.
Ramadan is an important time for Muslims, not just because it helps a closer relationship with God, but also because Ramadan is a time to think about those less fortunate. Another goal of fasting in Ramadan is to experience hunger in sympathy for those without food, its a way that many Muslims learn to be thankful and to appreciate what they have.
Ramadan begins and ends at a different time each year, (last year Ramadan was on September, but this year, its on August.. it goes back about 10 days days each year depending on the lunar calender and the sighting of the new moon).

As a muslim student studying abroad, I still have to fast.

Yes, it might be abit difficult while I’ll be surrounded by people who aren’t fasting, but in the end, its all worth it =)
Aaaanddd.. Time passes quickly here.. so yehh hopefully I wont feel the hunger.. (Its not like I eat much anyway)

{ Ramadan Kareem }

Info about Ramadan is taken from:
http://people.howstuffworks.com/ramadan.htm

The hotel we stayed in for 2 nights.. Beautiful !

After settling in San Diego, my dad and I decided to go to Vegas, and have some fun (a little). Las Vegas is about a 5 hour drive from San Diego, (but when you’re with your dad, it takes 6 long hours to reach). Mountain after mountain, desert after desert, we finally reached Las Vegas, Nevada!
We stayed at the Bellagio hotel for two nights, I simply loved the architecture and the interior design, although the hotel was very crowded, so we had to queue up for almost everything! (apart from the slot machines).

Las Vegas is known as ”The City That Never Sleeps” , at first I didn’t really know why it’s known for that , but after spending a day in Vegas, I now know why.  It certainly IS the city that NEVER sleeps!
After the sun sets, that’s when the REAL fun begins. The city thats surrounded by mountainous desert starts to light up, shows, clubs, bars, everything comes to life, thats when you can really enjoy your surroundings!

I was told that the legal age to gamble in Vegas was 21, (and I was so excited when I turned 18 -.- ), well that didn’t stop me from entering Casinos.
I tell you Makeup does wonders.. Got all dolled up, walked in, head held up high, and sat straight where the Roullette table was. Thank God, didn’t get asked for my ID. Makeup sure does wonders.

I ended up losing my money(its not like I spent a fortune, thank god), but hey, thats Vegas, you  lose your money if you keep on going.
As for slot machines, I simply Love’em, eventhough I don’t really get much out of them, I still enjoy pressing the button and pulling down the slot machine thing.

That’s about it, my trip to Las Vegas was amazing, an experience I’ll never forget!

Breathtaking view in La Jolla San Diego

While walking through the streets of San Diego with my dad by my side,  not a stranger passed us without a smile. Made me wonder whyy people smile at random people, people they don’t know, at all!
You don’t really see that much people smiling at you in Dubai…

Seeing people smile gives me a warm feeling, it shows how friendly and approachable they are.
This made me think, with friendly people out there, I can survive alone.

One thing, I really liked the most in San Diego (well apart from the amazing weather), is that I actually got asked if not 5 times then more about how I was doing every single DAY ! Everytime I enter a shop, restaurant, or a department store I always get asked “hows it going?” or “hows ur day?”
thats something I dont really hear often in Dubai, which struck me!
People in San Diego are thaaat friendly ?!

I finally started getting used to San Diego, and to be honest, if it wasn’t for the friendliness of the people here, I don’t think I would’ve been able to find my way round. The friendliness of people encouraged me to interact more and approach people easily, this made settling in San Diego much easier for me.

When I first arrived to San Diego I was already with my dad. At that time, I felt that I was safe, knowing that theres someone beside me, here to help me, and to talk to. But then I thought, my dad won’t be with me for long, then whats gona happen? No one knows me here, besides my dad.. I’d be a complete stranger to everyone else..
I feared that I’ll be lonely, have no one by side, to help, talk or even hang out with. I realised that once my dad goes back home, I’ll be on my own.
The thing is, I’ve never been alone, not once, so I didn’t know how it would feel like, not having a parent or a friend with you.
Thought that I’d have to face everything on my own, including difficulties, don’t know what obstacles I’d have to go through.. I feared of being alone, not having friends and not knowing what do.