Qur'an 20171101

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

53.  Say, "O servants who have transgressed against their souls!  Despair not the mercy of Allah, for Allah forgives all sins, for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

The crowds 39:53
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Sushi

That was a fun post the last time, huh?  Certainly being an adult isn't very funny, so we have to get our humor whenever and wherever.  Doing endorsements is just one aspect of my business diversity, and the beauty of it is that I can endorse whatever, as long as I believe in it inshaAllah.  Of course I have been doing endorsements for a long time now along with other things, so inshaAllah everything will pile up and compound together in a payoff for me, perhaps I will attain wealth enough to marry.  At least at this point people have stopped trying to kill me so that they don't have to owe me anything, alhamdulillah.  For the most part, that is.  Not that I have ever asked them for anything.  I ask Allah.  So don't give up on us, baby.  Observe, and strengthen your heart.  Allah will bring us together inshaAllah, so have faith.

Other projects this month are pizza and sushi.  The pizza ingredients were easy enough to gather.  But there's a new sushi restaurant opening in town, and this one is straight from Japan believe it or not.  Out here in the sticks!  And suddenly, I can't find seaweed sheets anywhere.  Hm.  I guess this means I have to design boutique sushi rolls not even the Japanese have ever thought of.  InshaAllah.  That's the story of my life, doing the best I can with what Allah has given me.

Hey Natty, you beautiful girl!  What's up, Sweetie?  I'm sure you are over Halloween by now, it's just an excuse to dress up and party.  Well, try to rest while you have the chance.  Partying is work too, so please don't overwork.  Stay clean, safe and healthy.

 

 

 

Qur'an 20171031

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

46.  Say, "O Allah!  Creator of the heavens and the earth!  Knower of all that is hidden and open!  It is You that will judge between Your servants in those matters about which they have differed."

47.  Even if the wrongdoers had all that there is on earth, and as much more, would they offer it for ransom from the pain of the penalty on the Day of Judgement, but something will confront them from Allah which they could never have counted upon.

48.  For the evils of their deeds will confront them, and they will be encircled by that which they used to mock at.

The crowds 39:46-48
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Fried chicken

Hi Honey!  Are you hungry?  Today's project is fried chicken.  I do know how to fry up my own chicken, but I'm so unmotivated to do so because it generates such a mess, and you can't reuse the oil.  Besides, everybody else on the planet makes fried chicken.  I used to walk into KFC in the States and ask them, "I would like to have 2 breasts, please".  That joke is lost in translation here, and today I bought 3 breasts from the 3 separate local vendors at the night market down the street.  The last time I bought 3 breasts at KFC locally it cost me a little less than RM12, and that was a few years ago.  Today I spent RM12.20, and I think I got about the same amount of meat.

This one cost RM1.70.  I like this one the best because the flavor and crunch appeals to me the most, not to mention it's the cheapest.  They also have RM1 portions, which are smaller of course.

This one cost RM3.50.  There's more meat of course, and the batter is very well distributed throughout the chicken, making for a more absolute crunch.  Mild but good.

This RM7 portion clearly has the most amount of meat, but you get what you pay for.  In all fairness, they were about to cut it up and add more spices to it so it had more flavor coming, but I told them to pack it as it was.  It looks huge, but it's actually just a half rib that has been butterflied.

 

 

 

 

Qur'an 20171030

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

39.  Say, "O my people!  Do whatever you can: I will do.  But soon will you know."

40.  Who it is to whom comes a penalty of ignominy, and on whom descends a penalty that abides.

41.  Verily We have revealed the Book to you in Truth, for humankind.  He then that receives guidance benefits his own soul.  But he that strays injures his own soul.  Nor are you set over them to dispose of their affairs.

42.  It is Allah that takes the souls at death, and those that die not during their sleep.  Those on whom God has passed the decree of death, God keeps back.  But the rest God returns for a term appointed.  Verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.

43.  What!  Do they take for intercessors others besides Allah?  Say, "Even if they have no power whatever and no intelligence?"

44.  Say, "To Allah belongs exclusively Intercession.  To God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth.  In the end, it is to God that you shall be brought back."

The crowds 39:39-44
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Coffee

Hi Honey!  How's it going today, my love?  I hope you are feeling great and having a grand old time.  I finally got a little money in so I can buy food, and I have a couple of cooking projects planned for November.  I had to quit coffee recently, not just because money was so tight but also because I was getting drowsy while drinking coffee.  So I just got rid of the expense.  But today I bought a pack of coffee sticks.  I've been getting so knocked out after an hour of singing, I've had to take a short nap in the middle of voice training.  Having those love songs bounce around in my head makes me want to faint, and there's no way I sound good when I'm passing out, and the purpose of voice training is to get a perfect set every time.  So slamming a cup of coffee after an hour into the set really did the trick for me today.  Singing well is so very difficult.  Having a perfect set means having the perfect feeling all through the set, and you know as well as I that the perfect feeling is extremely hard to come by.

Hail Queen Natty!  Hey, it looks like you're all set to party.  What are those marks around your neck, are they love bites?  By the way, isn't Halloween on Tuesday?  I guess party in on weekends, even for people who party every day.  I don't celebrate Halloween myself.  Even when I was still in the States, I didn't celebrate Halloween.  Not even for an excuse to dress up.  Besides, every day is Halloween in Second Life.

 

 

 

Qur'an 20171029

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

36.  Is not Allah enough for God's servant?  But they try to frighten you with others besides God!  For such as Allah leaves to stray, there can be no guide.

37.  And such as Allah does guide, there can be none to lead astray.  Is not Allah Exalted in Power, Lord of Retribution?

38.  If indeed you ask them who it is that created the heavens and the earth, they would be sure to say, "Allah."  Say, "Do you see?  The things that you invoke besides Allah, can they, if Allah wills some penalty for me, remove God's penalty?  Or if God wills some grace for me, can they keep back God's grace?"  Say, "Sufficient is Allah for me!  In God trust those who put their trust."

The crowds 39:36-38
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Dream

Oh I had a dream about you last night, Erin.  I used to be hesitant about posting my dreams here in this public place, but the world should know that I love you, so why not.  We were in this house on a bright day, in a party consisting of your friends.  You didn't look like you even though I knew it was you.  You know how sometimes you know someone is who he/she is in dreams, even though he/she doesn't look like him/her?  You were 5'2", 105 lbs, with short dark hair.  You were showing your poetry and paintings to your friends, and they were critiquing your work.  You were busy explaining yourself, and was getting emotional in the process.  So I gathered all your poetry and paintings, and kept them.

Oh Natty, what an awesome look that is.  Covering your hair, and gold on your face.  I must say that your bosses are doing a splendid job, and you make it so easy with how beautiful you are.  Yeah you've been crazy busy, but the world is bigger than you imagine, then the spiritual realm.  This is only the beginning Sweetie, so pace yourself.  Don't be in a big hurry.  Waste time.  Pray.

I drove the girls crazy with my outfit last night.  I admit it kinda turns me on too.  What do you think?  I would not have posed with the statue if I had a choice, but I was out of time.

 

 

 

 

 

Teacher

Today was Friday, and as usual I had to go attend the Friday prayer.  But before that, I joined the thousands of other people who gathered at the Islamic school a couple of hundred yards down the street in paying final respects to and praying for a deceased teacher.  Yes there were a lot of people, but he was no celebrity.  He was just a 78 year old man who gave lectures over at the local mosque, and a well-respected religious teacher.  I usually attended the lectures he gave every Monday, and listened to him talk.  He seemed to know without my telling of how dangerous my work is, and would pray for me an a few occasions.  He seemed rather alert and energetic for a 78 year old man.  Probably too much so.  His body was laid to rest on the school grounds, beside the graves of other beloved teachers.  From Allah is our origin, and to Allah is our return.

 

 

 

6 bucks

Hi Honey!  How are you feeling, my most beautiful love?  I hope those emotions are beginning to calm down.  Don't worry, everything will turn out all right inshaAllah.  I've been looking at babies lately too, but I have so much to do that I don't let it get to me.  So much to do, leading up to you.  It rained today, so I didn't do any yard work.  Instead I spent the evening opening up coconuts, and getting the juice for my Mom.  These coconuts are older, the juice is a bit sour, so she didn't quite like it.  But I have 18 coconuts to consume- do you know how heavy 18 coconuts are?  It was not easy getting them off the tree.  Good thing I'm getting a taste for coconut meat, and the hang of cooking it.  I don't have many fruit bearing coconut trees, so I'm going to run out of coconuts soon.  It's almost the end of the month, so I'm low on cash, so it's looking like coconut everything on the menu.  Good thing my Mom gave me some bread and eggs.  I need bleach, though.  Can't live without bleach, or the cats will take over.  I need tea, too.

Ha ha, Natty!  What an excellent looking girl gang.  Kudos to your bosses, and whoever thought up the idea, because it's a great idea.  Certainly you didn't cook it up yourself, judging from how expensive those clothes look.  Everyone is going to stare at you!

 

 

 

The Butterfly Effect

Hi Honey!  How are you feeling?  Are those raging emotions dying down somewhat, or are you too busy to tell?  I have been longing for you as usual.  It was hot as usual, and I kind of slowed down today.  So this afternoon I watched the movie, "The Butterfly Effect".  I'm sure you've seen that movie.  Wow, he tried so many ways to save the girl he loves.  In the end, she was happiest when he didn't exist at all.  But was she?  Consonant to the premise of the story, we don't know what happened after the end, after she got married.  We are left to assume she was happy, but we just don't know.  With all these crazy events and crazy people around us Erin, how would we know what other kind of life there is?  Would you have married a big, muscular football player?  Well, we don't know.  The story isn't over yet.  It's barely just begun.

Oh so you're in NYC, Natty?  I thought you were, then for some reason I thought you were in Paris.  Could it be some crazy chaos theory effect that the 2 cities are becoming similar?  No. I don't think they are becoming similar.  Paris will never be like NYC.  And no, I've never been to either city.  I don't have the desire to go, either.  Maybe if I had billions of dollars to spend, I might want to go.  Ooooh, what a beautiful side profile you have!  Just like a crescent moon, and every bit as luminous.  By the way, please wear a helmet when you putt around on your fancy scooter.  Try not to ride on just one tire.

 

 

 

 

Qur'an 20171025

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

11.  Say, "Verily I am commanded to serve Allah with sincere devotion."

12.  And I am commanded to be the first of those who bow to God in Islam.

13.  Say, "I would, if I disobeyed my Lord, indeed have fear of the penalty of a Mighty Day."

14.  Say, "It is Allah I serve, with my sincere devotion."

15.  Serve you what you will besides God.  Say, "Truly those in loss are those who lose their own souls and their people on the Day of Judgement.  Ah, that is indeed the evident loss!"

16.  They shall have layers of fire above them, and layers below them.  With this does Allah warn God's servants: "O My servants!  Then fear you Me!"

17.  Those who eschew evil and fall not into its worship, and turn to Allah: for them is good news.  So announce the good news to My servants.

18.  Those who listen to the Word, and follow the best in it.  Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones endued with understanding.

The crowds 39:11-18
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I love Erin

My life is not complete without my wife.  We are only beginning, my love.  How was your day, Honey?  How was work?  I hope you are not overworking.  I had an easy day today.  That's probably because I slept in after the dawn prayer, and woke up later than usual.  That's probably because I woke up at 3 am and did some extra worship.  That's probably because some mosquitoes woke me up, so I got up, lit some mosquito incense, and did extra worship.  I should probably be more proactive about early morning supplementary worship, but I guess that time will come when I have to nurse infants.  You get back to sleep Honey, I'll take care of the baby and pray at the same time.  I didn't do any yard work this evening.  I had to make a batch of dough, and after that I fired up some bread and heated up the curry that was in the freezer.  Curry gets sour like milk does, so it has to be frozen every time.  It was a huge helping of chicken curry, so I'm very full right now, and there's more left over, which I stuck back in the freezer.  Want some?  Then my Dad gave me some donuts.  Local donuts.

Oh, you are in Paris!  Natty, I thought you were in NYC.  That's just awesome.  I think you should spend most of your time in Paris, I think you would find it very rewarding and relevant.  Let someone else have the USA.  I must say you are look very modern and metro, but I love that easy-going, feminine and modest look best.  Gets to my heart, that does.  Have you tried escargot?  I guarantee you will get the runs.  Sensitive tummy.  I think escargot would taste great on pizza though.  You've never tried it?  Tastes like shellfish.  Except the foot of the snail, which is like a fish scale and unpalatable.

 

 

 

 

Qur'an 20171024

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

7.  If you reject, truly Allah has no need of you, but God dislikes ingratitude from God's servants.  If you are grateful, God is pleased with you.  No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another.  In the end to your Lord is your return, when God will tell you the truth of all that you did, for God Knows Well all that is in hearts.

8.  When some trouble touches man, he cries unto his Lord, turning to God in repentance.  But when God bestows a favor upon him as from Godself, he forgets what he cried and prayed for before, and he sets up rivals unto Allah, thus misleading others from Allah's Path.  Say, "Enjoy your blasphemy for a little while, verily you are of the companions of the fire!"

9.  Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night, prostrating or standing, who takes heed of the hereafter, and who places his hope in the mercy of his Lord... Say, "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?   It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition."

10.  Say, "O you servants who believe!  Fear your Lord.  Good is for those who do good in this world.  Spacious is Allah's earth.  Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!"

The crowds 39:7-10
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Hi Honey

Are you feeling OK today?  Aw Erin, I love you with all me heart.  You are so beautiful, and you are my life, my future.  Please take heart dearest heart, I will not abandon you inshaAllah.  Every day, bit by bit, we are coming together.  God will bring us together inshaAllah, so let's work towards that.  It's Monday over here, and this morning I had to take my Dad to the hospital.  Before that and after my usual daily chores cleaning up after the cats and watering the plants, I vacuum cleaned my parents' house.  Then I had an early lunch: I made some tortillas and wrapped up some burgers with leftover eggplant on mole sauce and leftover coconut cole slaw.  Good stuff, not bad at all for leftovers.  Then I drove my Dad to the hospital, then came back and took a nap.  I've been taking my noon naps outside, I think I told you that.  I picked up my Dad right before voice training, and after voice training I cut the grass over at your house inshaAllah.  I cut the grassy areas front and center of the house.  The other parts don't work too well with a nylon blade, because of all the saplings.  The west border of the house is full of saplings, and vegetation grows fast here in the tropics.  I'll go over them tomorrow with a scythe before I take the weed whacker to them.  The weather was hot, and it made me cut the grass faster, because I was uncomfortable.  I seem to cut more area and save more gasoline when I cut fast.  We need a gardener.  And a maid.

Natty, what a beautiful Sunday outfit that is!  It's so modest and feminine and pretty, I love it and you!  I'm guessing that's NYC, there's lots of places to eat I'm sure.  Did you have a nice brunch?  You should take photos of your food.  Terrorize the food industry!  Oh, it was fruit and salad?

 

 

 

 

Sunday

Hi Honey!  How are you feeling today, my beloved?  Oooh, I'm in a bit of a rush, trying to keep things on schedule.  I have to work everyday, and if you're involved with football and sports as you usually are, then you must be working too.  This morning I cleaned my mother's bedroom as usual.  I had clam chowder, extra thick and made with coconut milk for lunch.  I took my noon nap outside on a chair, because it's cooler and not as stuffy as my bedroom/office.  I need my nap so I don't pass out during voice training- all those love songs can put me into a coma.  After voice training I cut the grass, really slowly.  The weather had turned mild, and I found the chore to be relaxing.  Which was an error, because it left me little time to cook my dinner.  So hurriedly made a batch of coconut croquettes (which were too big) after I showered, ate then prayed, I'm writing this letter and next I'm going to the mosque.

Hi Natty honey!  Oh, you're a lingerie model now!  Well, don't try too hard in the area.  What I mean is don't try too hard to be a VS model... just let it go.  They are fading out, and you are the real thing.  You are my wife inshaAllah!

Lots of fun and games in Second Life!  I can't describe it, you have to be there!