27 Ramadhan 1447

It is already 27 Ramadhan and we have at least another two days to go (if 'Eid is on Friday). We are experiencing some problems this year (it could have been much better). Nevertheless, I accept this as fate. In many ways, we have less reason to celebrate this year but celebrate we must as it is an obligation at least for one day. We are hanging on to our prayers for some things to change, there is still a chance for at least the forthcoming two days.

This month, finance is tighter than usual; I just renewed my road tax and insurance for my Malibu last Thursday. Also, food spending tend to be higher this time but no regrets. I will be waiting for the next pension pay after paying my regular bills. It will be this way from now on, waiting for one paycheck to another, alhamdulillah. Next, I will have to pay my youngest's semester fees. In my head, sometimes I wish I was a tad more 'richer' than I am (if only I had a professorship pension but then we are reminded not to say 'if' as it opens the door to evil desires - no real regrets). With the war going on, don't expect it to get better financewise. Reminding myself, rezeqi comes in many forms. 

Some changes for my cats though; we have placed a cage just on the balcony such that the cats can slip through the balcony grill into the cage. In that way, my cats can have some whiff of the morning fresh air before the weather gets too hot outside.

Keeping myself updated on world affairs, muslims have been barred from performing prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque since the beginning of Ramadhan and the news over the weekend said that it will be extended even after 'Eid. Pray that nothing bad will happen (note the prediction of Prof. Jiang in my last post). There is much evil in this world (I am avoiding to post some of the things I have learned on this matter during Ramadhan). 

Speaking of Prof. Jiang, I know some speak unfavourably of him. Among these is the question of the title 'professor', but I take this as merely as simply what people has called him out of respect for his knowledge. In a way, I experienced a similar thing when people call me 'professor' despite not having a full professorship. In the beginning, I tried to explain it to people who do so but after a while one just got tired of it and let it go. I think Jiang has no qualms if people had called him simply by his name. In a recent interview by Gita Wirjawan, he was simply addressed by his name; the interview also gave his humble beginnings and how he had struggled. I was surprised that at some point he was into particle physics (his idol being Richard Feynman) but later changed to English literature.

One small happy note in this post, is the (in-press) publication of Dr. Mohammed (former PhD student) which was worked on months before the new year. During Ramdhan, we worked on another possible publication and has been submitted to a journal.