So its been a while and the reason I never lived up to my promise of blogging at least once a week, was because for the most part I had no passion in me to blog. The other part I got swamped with work and took on more then I could handle with some freebie work I was doing. Yes say it, I know you thinking it anyway – Douche Bag I am!

So the passion to write is slowly returning and the freebie work that I was doing was actually all about writing. I was writing blog posts and reviews for some sites out there. [No I am not sharing it with you, if you find it you do, if not it doesn’t have anything to do with you.]

I’ve also been jamming up my weekends with the Football mania that is gripping my beautiful country South Africa.

Managed to make it to the opening game of Soccer City, Johannesburg. Thanks to my lovely friend Aasia for organising the tickets and making sure I got there. Was so unreal to hear about 80 000 plus [close on to 95 000 I hear] fans blowing vuvuzelas*, cheering their team and bottom line getting into the spirit of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, though it was a Nedbank Cup final between Wits University and AmaZulus.

Capacity crowds at the opening of Soccer City

Then Sunday was all about chilling but Monday brought on another bought of Football Fever. Headed to Soweto once again to see my country South Africa take on Bulgaria. I felt the stadium tremble under the feet of the supporters, I head shouts and screams and vuvuzelas from people of every colour and race. I felt a country united and I had goosebumps, not from the cold, the entire night.

I also learnt that my country will be behind the player 101% even when we know they could be doing better, much better.

I could criticize the players here but that’s for a different blog and a different audience.

Orlando Stadium, Soweto, behind Bafana Bafana 101%

Another exciting and interesting event in the last four days with regards to football was the Kia Street Soccer experience. I watched Under 13’s play with such skill that would make grown men feel ashamed. I heard the streets of Alexandra township come alive cheering for teams of 6 players which had to have 2 girls in their team play to win a trophy. Also I heard that Kia will be taking all 4000 kids who participated in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to a 2010 FIFA World Cup game, to be part of it and for these underprivileged kids to be able to say “I was there”.

Makes me realise that this world is such a beautiful place with so many great people who will always try to make a difference in peoples lives no matter what.

Winning team from the Kia Street Soccer - Soweto Young Ones

Thank you to the beautiful people out there with the biggest hearts.

PS: Did I mention I also watched GREASE at the theatro on Tuesday. Was amazing and once again Thank you to Aasia.

*Vuvuzelas: are horns or trumpets that are blown at almost every football game in South Africa. It increases the experience by 10 folds but can leave you hard of hearing or short of breath or even both . More info find it here and for pics you can find here.

Nelson Mandela's walk to freedom - 11 February 1990

On this day 20 years ago one of the greatest men walked out of prison to the welcoming arms of his people.

Many people in South Africa today are remembering this day, but like many I was one of those too young to realise the meaning of it all. Sure my parents had set me down countless times and told me why this day was important and who Nelson Mandela was, but a six-year old only knows the excitement that surrounds her and not what is happening. I remember running around the room waiting to see the first images of the man everyone kept talking about.

Not only was is a memorable day because of his release to me, but it was also a hot, sunny one in Durban, meaning pool time for sure. Yes, thats how I remember it.

One thing though that everyone today seems to be forgetting is the if it wasn’t for the push and the person FW de Klerk is, we really would not be having much to celebrate. Mandela is a great man especially for calling for peace and holding a country together which threatened to spill the blood of innocent people, but I personally also have to give credit to de Klerk. Yes, he was part of the Apartheid system, yes his morals and ethics need questioning but he did set free the man who brought this nation together.

Thank you to de Klerk and thank you very very much to Tata Madiba, for giving me the opportunity to grow up FREE and to let me finish school, go to campus and be the person I want to be – in – SOUTH AFRICA!!!

***YouTube vid of the events of that day…20 years ago!!!***
BBC News: Nelson Mandela released from prison

Performers at opening ceremony

Told myself that I needed to start blogging again and more frequently but it never seems to happen. This is me making a concerted effort to blog at least once a week even if its only a picture or a video, even if it also only makes sense in my mind and not my readers. Maybe that way I can generate some interesting conversations on deciphering code.

I have this insane passion for sports and most of all for football/soccer*. This year is Africa’s year of football greatness.

But it was with sadness that we witnessed tragedy strike the Togo international team in Angola this past weekend. To top it all off CAF is lead by some pretty stupid people. The Togo team had decided to return to their country to bury the dead and then make a decision and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) asked that they stay and play in the AFCON [African Cup of Nations].

They removed themselves from the competition but have no decided that they would like to return and to play in the competition. CAF – the bloody idiots – are not allowing them to return to the competition.

Some one please explain the stupidity that lies behind such decisions?

Anyway, not only is CAF stupid but the world if they think that one incident in a country that is approximately more than 5000kms aways [ok I have no idea how far it is] should affect the World Cup in South Africa, shows how devious and low handed people can be.

I mean when there was a bombing in Atlanta AT the Olympics did the rest of the world ask the USA to call of the games or move it elsewhere. This happened in another country NOT in South Africa.

It is not a security risk to SA. We are ready we are prepared for this competition and we want the world to see us for us. Stop grouping all countries in AFRICA as one.

“I think everybody understands [the attack] has nothing to do with South Africa,” Jordaan said. “When there was a bomb in London no-one said we should not have 2012 in London so we cannot have double standards.”

“The world must be balanced and must not apply different standards when it comes to the African continent. Our World Cup is secure and we are confident because we have employed a lot of resources to safeguard the event in our country.”

Blatter wrote to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Isaa Hayatou, saying: “I have faith in Africa, and it is with this faith that together we will organise world football’s showcase event in 2010.”

[Times Live, 10Jan10]

My condolences are with the Togo nationals.

On the other hand, with the opening game already played, and if that’s anything to go by, this is going to be one cracker of a AFCON competition. With Angola leading 4-0 to see the match finish in a 4 all draw, you know this is going to only get better and better. The usual teams are firm favourites – Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana but anything can happen and I for one am excited to be watching African football.

Makes the lead up to the world cup all that more interesting. From today there is only 150days left to the biggest sporting event being kicked of in South Africa. Excitement only continues to mount and every time I see one of our amazing beautiful stadiums I get shivers and tingles down my spine. Also with the number of people coming into our country there is no doubt going to be some beautiful eye candy.

*Most of the world regard the beautiful game as football, but with Americanisation soccer has become as popular globally. Americans already had American football and therefore call football soccer.

Fireworks and laser light display during the opening ceremony

blog more often…blog about sense more often…must blog…blog…vlog…keep blogging…make time to blog…blog more often…yes blog…trying blogging…love blogging again…tell stories on my blog…yes i must…yes i will…yes…yes…yes!!!!

Delusional illusions always find me wondering if I am doing the right thing or not. For now I think I am and that’s all that matters.

So you asking yourself what am I going on about. Well I have changed professions. And moved to an amazing company. It’s all pretty cool and exciting and interesting. I may have sold my soul to agency life but for now it’s definitely the place I want to be at.

So I’m the newbie at Cerebra/Brandsh. Yes confusing, as I have no idea where I fall in as yet but apparently on both sides. Not that I’m complaining. This is me loving it!!

The new offices are pretty cool as well. I love the colours and I’m such a g33k for brightness. Apparently after my first day yesterday, I was over enthusiastic explaining the colours to my flatmate. Well they awesome and a def change from what I am usually use to.

This is definitely an entire new ball game for me. So hoping everyone prays for me.

Over and out!!

yes only in Johannesburg do you get snow in Summer. You wondering what the hell I’m going on about…well…last Friday saw me caught in a fierce hectic Hail Storm in Johannesburg. It hailed so much and so badly i was wondering if my poor car would survive the onslaught. The ground became iced sleet and the side walks, roofs, gardens covered in ice that blanket every surface making it look like snow.

It’s Ramadan, and during this time most people hate travelling. Somehow though it always happens with me that I get sent away to some African country. First year in Jhb and lucky I was sent to Madagascar about 2 weeks after Ramadan. Second year in Jhb [last year] I get sent to Accra, Ghana. This year the beginning of my third year I get sent to a country on South Africa’s doorstep, yet I haven’t visited till now…Mozambique.

I started typing this delightful blog entry in Maputo, but it got forgotten when the workload came in. So excuse the late posting of this here simple piece…
“””
So here I sit in Maputo typing this and wondering how much longer to go till I can break my fast. Supposed to be paying attention to the training programme that Inter Press Service Africa is running with journalists from all over Africa, but my priority is food right now.

Maputo is an awesome place. I’m one of those weird types who loves travelling Africa. So far every country I’ve been to is awesome in my book. And Maputo is no different.

Flight sadly was delayed so landed only at 9pm [SA and Maputo share the same time zone]. But the plane ride alone was an experience and a half. If you’ve been on a rollercoaster you know the feeling when it falls and the pit of your stomach just goes upside down. Well it was exactly like that. Travelling in a brand spanking new LAM small plane – smaller then the conventional plane we use travelling between cities in SA – the take off went smooth but the ride just got bumpy. Any turbulence hit sent the plane up and down like a rollercoaster — only thing missing was the loop the loops and the funny twists and turn.

Landing the first thing I noticed was that Maputo is a brightly lit city, no different from Johannesburg or Cape Town, BUT the streets are heavily lit and not really the houses. An oddity to say the least.

The hotel we were accommodated in was the same one the conference would be held in. the Fanrpan dialogue, would be an interesting one as only their name alone can suggest. FANRPAN = Food Agriculture Natural Resources and Policy Analysis Network – Regional Policy dialogue.

Yes that’s exactly what I attended. A mouthful and a half to say the least.

So first thing was worrying about sehri for the next morning. Yes I know as a traveller, I did not have to fast but I wanted to and I also felt that I needed to as my journey was not a difficult one and neither was it an entirely different time zone. So I fasted and it was easy. [well some what easy – have to admit I had moments where I wished I wasn’t fasting but I kept them all]

Sehri was provided by the hotel kitchen before I headed to sleep. Two rolls and some butter. Its very hard trying to communicate with them if they only speak Portuguese. Water in my hotel room and I was sorted for suhoor. Why didn’t i just order room service? well for one it ends at midnight and two because they were terribly expensive! No idea why but they were!

I was lucky that my old housemate Zakiyya’s sister is married and staying in Maputo as well. Hajra took it upon herself to make sure I had food for iftaar and sehri every day till I left. Thanks to her I was sorted for the one week from Monday till Friday. But the Friday to Sunday I fended for myself. I had carried some Kajoor so that again was no problem, the hunger and thirst though was madness. Use to head straight out from the conference to my room and hunt for some chips [crisps] and junk food.

After though I royally indulged in the delicacies that make Mozambique famous. Portuguese chicken, fresh fish, crab curry, prawns and even a huge lobster was on the menu for me when I joined my colleagues for supper around the town.

I think I most probably put on more weight in Maputo then I have ever done in any other Ramadan.

I hunted for a mosque near where we stayed, but found none sadly. I was though shown one on one of the field trips slightly out of the city. Managed to catch Iftaar with some of the locals. Portuguese bread is amazing. Not like the synthetic rolls we get here.

definitely my highlight moment.

Next blog… all about Maputo.

http://zahira.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/blog2.JPG

Mosque approximately 12km out of central Maputo. They all sitting on the stoop for iftaar waiting for Azaan to be called.

Another year in Johannesburg, completion of my second to be exact, but its my third Ramadan here. If people tell me once more that life gets easier remind me to cut them off from my life. Life doesn’t get easier, it gets weirder and at times harder.

Ramadan is one of those difficult times in the year. Times like these you wish you were at home surrounded by family. Mum who somehow even though she is working has food for iftaar ready, and dad who is always there making sure you wake up for sehri.

But truth be told, even though Ramadan is difficult alone, I love the month. It’s a time when I seek myself again. When I try and figure out who I am and where I want to be in the next year.

Ramadan for a person staying away from home always starts at least a few weeks earlier. Especially if they the unmarried ones [yes meaning me].

So what do I mean by weeks earlier. Well the usual preparations may happen at home as per normal, but ours begins with the first phone call from mother dearest. “You want samoosa’s, pies what else must I prepare for you.”

Dearest mum is trying to freezer pack everything she can for me. Which also means that a special trip to Durban would be needed to ensure that I collect everything or hopefully a friend will be able to bring it up.

But I’m the weird kind. I hate putting my mum out of her way so I tell her not to make everything and I will be fine. So I head to Durban over the long weekend for my cousins wedding and sure enough my mum has stuff ready for me. Not as much as the last two Ramadans, but enough that I know for at least 2 weeks I wont need any fries or pies.

Love my mum for doing this but there are also the calls from my aunts and most def my grandmother. Love them all to bits but seriously there is only so much place in my freezer and I share it with 2 other girls.

And the really really bad thing about it is that when I fast and I break fast I need FOOD. Not samoosas and pies but food. Yes I’m that kind of person. I wont need a lot but I will want and need food.

So the long rambling process that I am getting to is that people please check out Ramadan.co.za for full world coverage of this years fast. Get in touch with your spirituality, find some good recipes and live everyone’s experiences and understand the similarities and differences of Muslims from across the world.

Inshallah this year I hope to get a chance to blog from Maputo, Mozambique for the blog. Somehow I always get sent for work around Ramadan. I think it’s a test and I welcome the experience. Last year was Ghana, this year Mozambique…next year who knows.

Remember me in your duas and remember your fellow Muslims across the world.

Ramadan Mubarak!!!

Picture taken on Hajj trip 2005/2006

Was feeling a bit lost since I hadn’t written a blog post in a while.
My down side is that I usually write when I feel passionately about something, and if that’s the case then sadly these days I’m not a very passionate person.

So I visited my old blog home. Went through some deadly old posts and realised that my virtual world has now evolved to a point where my friends who previously just commented on my posts are now what another friend call it: my “21st Century Friends”.

So got me wondering if I truly believe that these amazing, wonderful individuals are really friends or just acquaintances on my journey through life. Well some are most definitely that…mere acquaintances but the others are not.

I have come to meet some wonderful and weird and arb people in the last three years of my life through the Internet. These people I have also come to rely on and to cherish and treasure for who they are. We have gone past the obscene Internet connection communication and moved to deeper understanding face-to-face love and communication. Built over time these friendships will continue to grow and no doubt be friends who my children will refer to as aunts and uncles.

This is not saying that I am leaving my old school, campus and face-to-face non-internet friends. Definitely not!!! But I am saying that all my relationships are unique and significant in their own ways. And when people question me: can you really have true friends over the internet? I can turn around and tell them YES!!! And when I say it I believe every single word, emotion and meaning behind the word.

To all my friends … 21st century or not… you are my world!!!
I may never call, I may forget to even sms, but i think of you and I miss you and love you!!!

It beens a while since I posted or blogged for that matter on either of my blogs. Theres been a reason for this. More then anything i wanted to start anew. I thought that once I found the right host and started creating this site, I would find peace and my love for blogging would continue.

But damn was I wrong. Not only did I start learning xml/html/design I became so fussy to a point of going through countless themes till I found the right one. A few of my friends even helped me out by other offering pearls of wisdom [thanks Saaleha] or testing out whether my themes actually worked or not on the various browsers available [thanks to saaleha, nafisa, killa and Aasia] and also for letting me know how much some themes SUCKED!!!

Guessing that’s what friends are for

So to new beginnings and foundations and endeavours and here’s to hoping that I can maintain this blog. Its been and uphill and it still feels like one, but you never know what the future holds and brings.

[damn i sound so cliche ]

Please all friends change your link love to this brandnew spanking one.