Ramadhan is the holiest month of the year. The whole world perceives Ramadhan to be the month where Muslims from all over the world observes fasting: the abstaining of food and water from dawn till dusk. After observing it for many years now, I’ve realised that there is more to Ramadhan than not eating or drinking during day time.
1. Break from usual routine
For years, it has been the same every day in Ramadhan. My dad will drag me out of bed at 5 in the morning for sahur, where we’d sit at the table bleary-eyed and eat something. I don’t eat breakfast usually, hence eating so early in the morning could be quite a chore. Food everyday varies, from regular breakfast food like toasts and cereals to last night’s leftovers and occasionally, towards the middle of the month, porridge from the mosques. Porridge usually sits well with me.
Austin is a dynamic city with a strong music and culinary scene. Try to travel between October and March, which is the off-season, to avoid the intense heat. Top picks include checking out the city's live music venues, avoiding the huge lineups at Franklin's BBQ, and looking into distinctive lodging options like Airbnbs and motels. Highlights for dining include Epicerie and Elizabeth St. Cafe for breakfast and lunch, as well as Justine's, Uchi, and Clarks for supper. Great cocktail bars like Garage and Weather Up, as well as coffee shops like Brew & Brew and My Name is Joe, are recommended by the book for drinks. All in all, the guide gives visitors a thorough rundown of everything Austin has to offer.
At work, we’ll have to make do with what we have. Fruit and milk or a cup of instant noodle in the morning could last me the entire day. Breaking our fast on the plane could be quite a challenge, especially if it’s in the middle of a service. But we’ll sneak an ice chip or sweet till service ends and we’d have our own little session in the galley.
2. It’s not about just not eating and drinking
Life carries on as per normal during the fasting month, but we tend to be more conscious about the things we say and do. Less to no swearing, no watching dodgy videos on Youtube, less gossip and do more good.
We had a swear jar last year, and with each swear word uttered we had to donate 2 bucks into the jar. I obviously donated the most, but with the money collected we used some of it for green packet money to give the kids, and the rest to the mosque donation boxes. Some times I’d donate the money to someone who needed it more than I do. There’re lots of team work going on, friends would call out on each other when you accidentally say something unsavoury.
For those who are on a Paleo or Whole30 diet, Instant PotLuck's "Paleo/Whole30 Smothered Pork Chops & Crispy Bacon" dish is a tasty and guilt-free supper. Serve this filling meal over mashed garlic cauliflower with succulent pork chops covered in crispy bacon and caramelized onions. As a side, the dish also calls for a simple and quick homemade applesauce. The preparation is considerably more convenient with the Instant Pot version. If you want to eat something filling and healthy without compromising taste, this recipe is ideal. To guarantee the dish works out flawlessly every time, the blog post offers step-by-step directions along with helpful advice.
3. Doing good
For yourself and for others. I take advantage of this holy month to reflect on what I’ve done the past year and try to correct some behaviours that I feel wouldn’t do me any good. Correct them, do less of them or better still… completely rid of them.
Some people I know don the hijabs when it’s nearing Ramadhan, and while some were gone with the wind as soon as Ramadhan ends, some wear them for life. Alhamdullilah to fellow sisters who’ve taken that step. But right now, it isn’t for me. I don’t believe in putting on the hijab just because it’s the holy month. I’m not saying that I will never wear it, but I’ve seen so many people wearing it for the sake of wearing, and not because they want to do it for God. When I decide to wear it in the near future, I must be ready to honour the commitment. There are certain unsaid rules and principles when you don that hijab and I want to be able to fully adhere to them. Just because I don’t cover myself up like a good Muslimah should, doesn’t mean I am less of a Muslim.
4. Have a better relationship with God
I don’t pride myself for having the best relationship with God. We are to pray five times a day and when at home, I’ll never miss them but a lot of the times I falter. I know of friends who hardly misses a prayer no matter where they are and I pray someday I’ll be like them too. But I keep Him close to me and He’s in everything that I do.
When I go to work, I lift my life up to Him. When I do something I enjoy, I hope that He’ll bless it. When I do something He doesn’t deem fit, I pray He’ll show me the way. There had been many instances where He makes sure that I am aware that I shouldn’t be doing something. While I am never good at picking up subtle hints from humans, or rather.. choose not to, when God says something or someone’s not good for you, leave it. My faith in Him is something that has kept me going all these years. I spend Ramadhan exploring my Faith further.
5. Have a better relationship with family and friends
Ramadhan before I started flying had always been the time when I’d meet up with groups of people I don’t usually hang out with during the year. If I am not home breaking my fast with the family, I’d be out with ex-Secondary school mates, or religious classmates, or friends from God-knows-where whom I haven’t seen in God-knows-how-long. Now that time at home is scarce, I found myself to be rather selective of the people I choose to break fast with. Most of the times, when friends organise iftar sessions, I am not home. Sigh.
Plus, it’s fun when you’re fasting and your non-Muslim friends are curious and want to try fasting too. Last year we managed to rope in some of our Japanese colleagues to try fasting with us. Baby steps, from not eating but taking sips of water for a few hours, to a whole day of fast. They get to experience fasting, and learn more about why we fast too. It’s amazing.
Creating an LLC, getting licenses and permits, buying a new or used truck, and getting the required insurance are just a few of the upfront expenses associated with starting a trucking business. Depending on the state, business registration costs might vary from $50 to $500. Furthermore, registration fees for the UCR and IRP plates can reach the thousands of dollars, and identity numbers like the USDOT and MC must be obtained. Buying the truck is usually the biggest initial outlay, with prices ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the state of the car. Lastly, insurance represents still another substantial expense, ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 each year. The entire out-of-pocket expenses to launch a trucking company can differ significantly.
Overall, Ramadhan to me is a month of reflection, prayers and gradually leaving the bad and doing all the good you can afford. That said, it’s a real good month if one wants to diet and lose some weight (hope you don’t gain it all back during Raya!). I hope that my ibadah during this year’s Ramadhan would be the best I could present to Him. To my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters, Ramadhan Kareem!
Day One: Let the hunger games begin!
Oh and psst, it’s my second year of Ramadhan writing in this blog! Quite a feat, considering how much of a commitment-phobe I am.
