Congratulations brother and habibti

 As my brother sends me the message of the arrival of their new born baby girl our joy finds no bounds, I express my gratitude to the almighty for blessing them in their middle ages (though my brother never admit he is aging, thanks to the gene of relatively good-looking grand parents he tries to look chick amid all chaos) and he is indeed proud to have a wife with Arab lineage and we are all curious to observe and share the similarities with regard to the language of love affection and care, on many occassions  we cracked jokes and funny tales on family quarrels and reconciliations. First of all let me congratulate them on overcoming all the obstacles and pray the almighty lead them to set an example of marital bliss and follow a blend of Indo Arabic parenting style. Mamma Nujuma rocks when her sixth grand kid arrived in style though she is miles apart in her mind's eye she embraces her grand daughter. Yes I could imagine that. Having had the seniority in parenthood, we wish you well for the sleepless nights and nappy changing and crying episodes( beware though there would be times  funnily enough that you feel your enemy got a reincarnation in the form of your baby no intention to scare the new mom and papa I swear) on this wonderful day we wish you happiness, safety, good health, abundance and pure joy of being a parent. May almighty lead you kindly and rightly in accordance to sunnah. With lots of sisterly affection Shabna

Kitchen hacks to the real hackers

 

A big hi to all my friends and well wishers, today my mother's call and her constant nagging about the new generation kids indifference to validate elders wishes and her pure love for her grand kids made me write few lines. She used to be a supermom though how erratic and undisciplined my dad turned out to be with regard to the properties and land my dad inherited from his father who was a supervisor at the airport in Singapore.

Though his many moves were a fiasco he found the perfect match for me and my brother before his demise and I still adore him and remember the fond memories of him and his ancestral home and the coastal village life once we led, I  eagerly share the nostalgic memories with my two kids very much creating the place a fantasy world to them. When last day I had to resort to a thugs role to beat up my kids who were ruthlessly fighting for the remote after picking the fight over the sketch pencil whom one had opened and kept in another place rousing suspicion in another's mind, though I played the part of referee bit violently and felt guilty for the inappropriate words I used to calm the scene I laughed inside as I remembered the number of whacks I received from my mother for the pranks I did along with my siblings at home. I often ask myself as what kind of parenting style we should follow as my parents followed the helicopter parenting very much keeping our decisions known to them and I still open up minute details to mom very much to the chagrin of my husband and it did prove right sometimes as recently my procastinated wish of taking up license got crashed.  Was that the Driving Institute fooled me with the confusion over sensor and rope test disparity or was it the middle aged brain of me got confused over gear shifting my super ego of a quick learners capacity make faces and grin at me. (my mother in law who is a Doctor advised me to go for driving lessons in the year 2005 still I wish what if I would have listened to her and laddoos crack over my head when I think about the amount I could have saved on uber) 

Here's a quick kitchen hacks for the real hackers who hacks my emails and Facebook very much stealing my creativity that could have been used in the kitchen to make healthy and nutritious meals to keep the mind and body agile. Jokes apart do try to make the tea in the scientist way the number one hack to start the day the healthier way.  Do boil water or milk and turn off the stove then add tea keep the lid on wait for few minutes then pour tea and add sugar, the healthy tea with all nutrition and anti oxidant is ready ( scientist s would vouch that boiling tea and sugar causes chemical reactions very much causing loss of nutrients. Next hack is using jaggery instead of sugar if you have anaemic issues.(ideal for kids to stick to less sugar intake and keeping obesity at bay) Next is regular exercise and dehydration, hack three is reading and listening to Nature and Music for a clearer sharper mindset.

For the real hackers out there I really wish to hear from you as how would you be feeling when you invade someone's personal space and learn all about them without their consent? Didn't you ever feel any ethical dilemmas? I invite your views and take on the matter. With regard to parenting I would love to hear from you mostly I adopt the role of a friend rather than a disciplinarian and I enjoy and muse over their innovative and innocent ideas after listening to them. To bring more sunshine to your life do you have  more  tips to reveal, if so I would love to hear from you.  With lots of motherly  love and empathising with the loving mother's out there yours Shabna 

A home makers thoughts

 When I struggle to cope with the shooting price of commodities and devise strategies to cut cost without compromising the quality I fell into a reverie and nostalgic memories of opulence and abundance experienced working abroad ten years back makes me dizzy and I realise with little pity that all these ten years I have not made much progress with regard to upgrading my mindset though we upgraded our closet, kitchen, work area, toilet very much feeling aghast at the wages we paid for it. I wonder whether to cry or laugh when I check the dwindling amount got upon selling our five cents of land bought with lot of passion and imagination to build a Larry Baker model low cost house in the year 2008, and I feel a sense of gratitude to my late mother in law when I see our two kids playing and make noises around the house that she fondly built for her son and daughter and then I feel even the wind that blows in the direction where she built her spa room is divine (though I had to pay Rs 1500 upon constant bargaining with the snake charmer funnily enough) who came to catch the snake who must have come enquiring if any massage is available though my mother in law stopped treating patient in the spa room long back. Then I admiringly look at the mango saplings,passion fruits ,papaya,apple and the hibiscus trees that I planted near the well,somehow superstitiously I wish to give the credit to the eastern direction it bloom brought the sweeping victory of congress this Loksabha election.

I keep writing the steps to save money and crack my brain over frugal living and with a note on inviting your views on money saving tips on running family of two kids who goes to a prestigious private School I would like to use this opportunity to ask you for any freelancing content writing assignments that could be done along my home maker responsibilities. Lovingly and with lot of affection sans any frugality yours Shabnam,Shabbu,shabna, Shabina Sanad,Shabina Nujuma  honey & Sunshine......pls don't laught out loud hearing this many names

My doubts and thoughts

 Why we fail to see the beauty of Islam and degrade ourselves to follow practices that are forbidden 

Can an already dead Maulavi or mufti in grave do any magic and create any change in your life? Is it Islamic practice to sell things inside a holy place and do barbaric acts of tying the sick(rather than taking the patient to a hospital and figure out remedy for his ailment)? What kind of business psychology is applied to loot the innocent and ignorant people who seek spiritual healing at such fraud Islamic clergies?The almighty God sent Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam to enlighten and guide the people to noor(light) from darkness.

Kerala is a state known for religious harmony because of high literacy and intellectual rate,we boast about our natural resources and harmonious lifestyle. Yet we notice exploitation of ignorance, Islam upheld the fundamental principles of tolerance,love compassion and justice in every aspects of one's life,Islam encourage everyone to choose their  career,family and to engage in social work and make others life better.

 In Kerala we do have Islamic Scholars like Abdul Gaffar Moulavi and Noushadh Bakhavi who do their best to clear doubts from the minds of believers through their books and TV programms. While I was in college I used to attend Quran translation classes conducted by Muslim Association and I remember and try not to follow practising shirk.I fondly remember my English Literature Professor Velappan Sir who never took tuition fee from me as he knew that my father had a business collapse and only one earning member at that time was my brother who used to work abroad and provided for us and I used to take tuition for kids and attend my college,it would be unfair if I don't mention my first boss as well he is a Dedicated Christian yet provided my Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management course on Staff quota and gave editorial duties as well and it did help my parents less stress on marrying me off to my husband with the humble dowry. We both woked abroad met really awesome personalities,appreciated and enjoyed the lifestyle,but now after losing my apple iPad and Facebook hacking ,I feel people have prejudices when they see a person in Islamic attire,what are your take on this issue? Is all God fearing people are terrorists or what?kindly enlighten me with your thoughts ...with lots of love , harmony and smile Shabina Sanad

Dream of a new world order where no war ever happen

 when listening and reading  the news about the loss of innocent lives, being a mother could not help thinking about a world where peace reign instead of war. No matter what cast or creed or colour one is born with life is precious and it should be cherished for a better cause that is love and passion and the right to live not in fear but in dignity and honour. Recently I happened to watch the movie Forrest Gump again and I cried my heart out the movie itself makes it clear that around the globe the intensity of emotions and human relationships are almost the same. The pain and gain game intrigues me and I pray world leaders should come forward to stop wars through peaceful measures. In order to make sure that we are not shedding crocodile tears we should extend our hands of support and love to those who suffer and when each like minded thoughts and good wishes multiplies and reach out it could create impact and can save the world from downfall and shame. Charles Dicken's Tale of Two Cities starts with the words It was the best of Times and It was the worst of Times, similarly I have seen the luxuries of life and seen the vulnerable sides of life, from my humble life experiences , trials fun  and adventure I wish happiness and good vibes splendid childhood for all the  kids around the world indeed, lets pray for a peaceful world, where serenity, love, passion, trust and better education options always be at hand for everyone.

 

Parenting mantra amid pandemic

Hi friends, we are all waging a war against the pandemic staying home more and observing covid protocol to stop further spread. Parenting style too is getting a newer dimension. Our home is our new world, gadgets our aid to educate the new generation. How effectively we can leverage and overcome the hurdles as part of the system lies mostly on ourselves.Finding a perfect balance and synergy keeping all the financial, social, health uncertainties at bay requires lot of patience and hard work from parents. It is indeed the test of time to mould parents into better person. We realise now that all cast creed power feel equally vulnerable in front of the virus and more and more people are realising what it means to lend a helping hand to those who deserve humanity. Let's hope and pray that the almighty would guide us to bring up our kids with due dedication,inculcating value, love, laughter, affection, empathy utilising both nature's and technologies resources smartly. Do share your views and experiences and enlighten us. Sending flying virtual kisses with two masks on with lots of love and prayers

For my stubborn kingfisher

Hey wicked yet sweet birdie I almost finished decorating our nest Did throw all reminiscense of ur vices Bring honey instead of wine for the little birdies and a rose for ur devilish critic Lets start a brand new mallu story my love sarcastically and unapologetically urs she kingfisher