smart life

Peace & Pomp

2026-04-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Every Ramadan promise cleansing ones entire being and the hope of redemption and increasing good deeds in anticipation of spiritual rewards but this Ramadan somehow disappointed and saddened us by the sudden outbreak of war, celebration and awe reserved for the Eid got converted to delusion and worry of the safety of loved ones abroad. Though leaders tried to remove clouds of concern by emphasizing their measures adopted to face crisis indeed ease off many mother's mayhem, as an ex expatriate and many of my friends,colleagues,relatives working overseas, we stayed in tune with updates and prayed for peace and safety of everyone.

From this small country side of Kerala ,from God's own country I request every one to earnestly make a wish to stop the war and to bring back peace and harmony instead of hatred & violence. Though in dilemma and feeling low sending loads of white flowers on your way as a silent symbol of peace. My heart goes out to all those who meticulously planned trips and vacations planned to buy house, planned career shifts,planned family reunions May every nationality across the globe feel safe & sturdy and let the season shower blessings and abundance to all. Amen

A new year musing of a nostalgic expat

2026-01-15T07:04:00.000-08:00

As we all welcomed the new year with enthusiasm and a determination to be a better version of oneself, amid all the chaos and the mistakes treaded upon we had a humble new year and to bring a smile on the face of our kids we took them to shanghumugham beach and kids enjoyed the crowd and hustle and bustle of the stalls created (to loot the money of innocent people could not help calculating the inflated prices, to satiate the extra oalfactory function of our son my husband ordered fried fish and I almost fainted when he paid the bill. ) The realisation dawned on me that we have been living in Trivandrum for the last 11 years as expatriates and the aeroplanes flying to different destinations made me nostalgic and the memories of my frequent airtravel with my husband pricked my ego and when we passed the air terminals I felt like I somehow got alienated from a world altogether and I heaved a sigh and told our kids about the life once we had abroad. And promised them a trip once luck favors us again something like a paradise regain tale.

We enjoyed the sea breeze, mystic tides and the coffee house reminded us of our wedding time visits almost 20 years back, when we look back we lost most of our loved ones during the pandemic time. The times we used to roam together have parties and fun with dear and near ones all seemed a distant dream.

My daughter taught me how to ask chatgpt to determine gender of papaya trees and to better aid pollination of jackfruit and custard apple and guided me to have a smart garden, new generation obviously think and act smart unlike an old fashioned me who constantly worry about price and inflation.

As I received a pretty good feedback from my kids teachers on their exam report (apart from the laziness, naughtiness chatter issues) I felt elated and thanked the almighty for abundantly blessing us. We pray to almighty to guide us and give us health and focus to mould our kids to brighter and responsible citizens. A heartfelt note of gratitude to siblings,family friends,neighbours who tolerated our previous years fights (property dispute and jobless issues) our kids teachers and our well wishers we hope more good days are yet to come. Dreamingly,declutteringly,gardeningly and funny parently yours Shabina Sanad

Reconciliation note to friends & Relatives

2025-11-19T13:52:30.296-08:00

As I realise shutting out myself from friends and relatives is not the right way to solve any misunderstanding, I implore you to send me friend request in facebook(blocked & blocked as I could not figure out who have been hacking or prying or for what reason?) I have friends and relatives spread across the globe including my husband's side. Its true that I did overshare , our overseas life I flaunted too much creating confusion in many and I think created distance and an unhealthy competition hence our patience has been tested to the core for survival here ,

because of my naiveness I don't wish my husband or our kids to suffer. I still value and cherish each and every one of you who taught me to be a better person. My native place, first workplace, my husband's home, overseas life, infertility treatment ,Siblings, our family friends , neighbour network and support and the almighty God's grace guided us so far and Iam at a state wondering how to contribute to add more value and meaning to our existence. My husband's suggestion on generating money online got me thinking about adsense and analytics and brought back memories of Google analytics sessions at office in Dubai back in the year 2007. Do enlighten me with your more broader and sharper views and help us uplift us. Think starting a new blog for our hometown and the funny tales and tricks each contestant try out to win would attract traffic or atleast keywords but the funnier point is though I treasure and love my husband I don't love the party least his family staunchly believe, so better to hide my party allegiance and write and talk sweetly about other walks of life.

Sugar coating my tooth ache and Facebook ache once again forgive me and let's be friends again for friendship sake.

Wishing to be friends again in facebook

Yours Shabina Sanad

Friday musings

2025-10-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

Good morning All

Wishing you all a vibrant and positive day. I just felt hugely blessed (though there are hundreds of unresolved issues dancing to the tune of the damp whether and rain) after speaking to my mom( who is struggling with her new treatment plan and troublesome kids like me lol) and a family friend of ours (a proud father of a Doctor Daughter) who used to visit us while we were in Dubai.

Who used to guide and offer suggestions when we made mistakes after mistakes with regard to choosing career or retaining the status. Now we are ex NRIs struggling to fend for ourselves in the chaotic world and decided to take the matters to a slower pace and decided to keep a safe distance for the rat race to luxury or abundance. We learnt to appreciate the simple pleasures of laughter and naughtiness thrown by our kids and the joy of cooking and gardening without worrying about any deadline( though I lose temper over the uncertainty his parents imposed on us apologies to sasuralwale inlaw's kith & kin ) I reason out that it's our responsibility to preserve the legacy of my Medical Officer mother in law and to raise our kids in this very house she built passionately for her kids. I felt happy and my joy found no bound when the mango tree in our garden blossomed after 20 years when I threatened the tree after making a ring on her wood and provided nourishment, I felt proud indeed though sanad laughed it off and said Iam crazy like my mom (who needs credit he should be wise enough to stop piling up credit that's all Prince of Doctor mom) Believe he is also trying hard to whether the gloom.

Jokes apart I really need your views on generating income with a laptop at home ( I could write stories poems articles and can do online marketing as well don't mistake me Iam not blowing my own trumpet ) I have eight years of overseas experience in creative writing for Dubai property, events calendar and travel & Tourism portal) If you have got any reference or idea to help me earn some pocket money please feel free to drop an email to sanadshabina@gmail.com

Optimistically freelancing job searchingly yours Shabnam, Shabna, Shabina, Shabina Sanad

Have a fabulous Friday !

Back to Scool

2025-06-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

It was indeed a pleasant day today as sun shone brightly very much making us happy as we could dry the clothes in sunlight. The interval from torrent rain was a mood uplifter. We were planning to make our school shopping at Police store to save money but the rain and condition of the car changed our plans and we went to Sabari and finished our shopping. When Mohid started throwing tantrum on using old notebooks that looks brand-new with only very few pages used, my sister's son came to rescue on phone and pacified Mohid over the issue and made him realise it's not necessary to buy all the notebooks new and there is no harm in using unused old note books. Spider man umbrella, water bottle ,shoes and other accessories for school purpose bought illuminated their face and they happily volunteered to bind the books and put name slips on it and I had to simply supervise and lend a hand in between.

We followed the instructions from School and I smiled when I heard Manha reading it aloud for Mohid.

After two months of library book reading. Tv watching, family gathering, gardening, experiments and cooking sessions,fun, laughter, giggles and bonding with kids and fight sessions now we are back to 'back to School mode' Hope you are also excited and in good shape to welcome the new academic year with mirth and joy. I wish you all good health,happiness and lots of love and patience yours Shabina Sanad

Summer vacation tales

2025-05-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Listening to the tune of the lashing rain I finished reading Agatha Christie's somewhat mystic novel, my other half has been listing the troubles and dissatisfaction one face while working in Kerala, I just wish to forget his Serco Dubai metro accommodation in Al Nahda and my late-night inspection visits ( we used to stay near Dubai metro accommodation a stones throw away distance to be precise) it was a single yet chic and cosy accommodation provided to him. we used to pay rent and live near Serco Dubai metro accommodation next to Emirates Hotel Apartment and Istanbul Supermarket, almost all his Dubaimetro colleagues knew me, I really miss the naughty smiles of his friends and colleagues when I snoopingly travel in Dubaimetro to reach my office in Airport Road Dubai where I used to work as a creative writer. Our meet up in the evening and window shopping, siblings and cousins join us to gossip and laugh at each other over queer habits especially they all know my husband drink like a fish and iam always on the lookout of catching him red-handed,God how I miss all those shawarmas I ate and the metro stations wrongly passed while listening to music and daydreaming now I feel guilty to deviate my kids attention from junk food I wonder how could I supress my own sweet tooth, may be the magic of motherhood, on this summer rain I wish to proclaim my love for Dubai and my love for my better half whose lavish heart could forgo all the lavishness and facilities of a metropolitan city for the sake of family.

The coconuts,passion fruits and all the flowers and plants in his garden are the symbol of patience, love and care mother earth bestowed us for Manha & Mohid. Our summer vacation resolutions went on pretty well visited library many times,was too excited to welcome my smart sister,her son ,mother and brother to our somewhat old retreat and kids enjoyed playing together and converted one room to a DJ ambience with the studio lamp Manha received from Yippee Noodles and with the speaker system. I enjoyed cooking for them(as they provided parties to us many a times) though had a row with mother over cleanliness in kitchen (who is a supermom raised 4 kids and managed tending to her mother-in-law as well) so as to prove my efficiency I washed the whole area and sent the photos the very next day though I regret being so harsh on the phone. We did munch on the snacks they brought and resumed our somewhat laidback life striking the checklist where they suggested attention like putting bulb in places where no light is there, changing gas burner and deviation tips to bed wetting and tantrum throwing, after my in-laws absence God has been leading us and when my mother and siblings came I felt so happy to bond, his relatives stopped coming to our house may be because of the property disputes and misunderstandings, our neighbours often reassures and inspire us through good words and good deeds by giving us sweets and gifts for kids I wish and pray that his parents blessings and love towards us would make our every steps more bold and optimistic bingingly,gardeningly,homingly yours Shabina Sanad

Our unsolved mysteries

2025-05-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

It's raining heavily in Kerala very much giving us all relief from scorching summer heat. The rhythm of rain drops prompts me to exhort your help for solving a myriad thread of mysteries we have been experiencing for many years.

Somebody has been deftly taking almost all our digital gadgets, iphone,apple Ipad, Sony vio laptop,HP laptop and Apple Mac, we both worked abroad Sanad in Radisson SAS, Dubaimetro and myself in various firms across Dubai all our cherished memories with friends,colleagues and relatives are there in the stolen hard discs, we never worked for FBI or any sort of secret service as we were always busy finding means for settling rent,loan and leaves to continue infertility treatment, by God's grace and Credence Hospitals expertise we are gifted with a baby girl named Manha now she is in fifth standard and our son Mohid in third standard. Though we both have overseas experience in prestigious firms our State so far is keeping a blind eye to it and Sanad supress his frustration and his BP shoots up quite often and take Lasix shots for quick relief, with regard to me my mother and siblings are pillar of support though I doubt them also sometimes for our Paradise lost status.

Upon his Doctor mother's demise we still don't have any clue as where the house and flats property document vanished I like to believe the Howdiney is none other than his sister who so far took the lion's share with regard to his mother's earnings. Here iam like a female thug shouts and shows holy cross to scare them away and promised the ownership of my mother in law's consulting room to my son to compensate my 5 cents land I bought in 2008 and sold in the year 2016 to settle debts( though he keeps on changing his ambition from Doctor to Driver and Fireman) I find solace in gardening and household chores and brainstorm with kids to find answers to all the mysteries.

In another words we have been going from pillar to post ,even approached mosque authorities as well with no solution offered. Now what we have is strong faith in God and the innocent smile and laughter of our kids to tackle the brainy web weaved by the mysterious someone, hope your views on our delusions would keep our wit in tact. Lovingly, laughingly ,rainingly Shabina Sanad

Vacation tales

2025-04-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

The love hate relationship between me and my two kids gets a new dimension this summer vacation. The gadget savy naughty kids observations keeps my already jumbled up hormone levels a hilarious ride. It's my son who reported the missing of our cat and he revealed innocently and mimicked the action of the cat he met when he went out with his Dad to a nearby hotel and he reasoned the cat needed more food and that's why left our house in search of more food and he reaffirmed that it is not a look alike cat and mused over the cats desire for freedom and gut.

It was indeed a refreshing experience to attend our cousin's wedding amid the recent loss of a family member. We did touch base with everyone. Indeed received coolness to eyes watching little versions of our cousins and their curiosity witnessing Indian Muslim wedding. we scheduled activities to spend vacation productive and less cumbersome as my brother postponed bringing his family to Dubai we dropped our plans of taking an international vacation. doing the math of finding fund for settling debts already amassed for educating two kids scarred taking trips further. So we went to Library and brought books from children's section. My daughter nagged over the kitchen utensils while baking bread (Her Home science session in my in-my mom in laws kitchen) I did show her the photos of oven,toast maker we had in our Dubai accommodation almost 17years back. Just to deviate my kids attention from mobile games I bought them coloring books and color and gave them sermon on the side effects of junk food while feeding them junk food pretty ironically and told them that mashmellows taste like rubber so that they won't pester me buy it and involved them in beating the summer heat with natural resources available. We decided to walk our talks on summer vacation and bought refreshments to keep the energy levels intact when they went for cycling. Would love to hear from you as well on your vacation resolutions. These are all the tales from Kerala so far. Enjoying the cool breeze and starlit nights and missing vibrant Dubai life once in a while and finding peace and contentment watching greeneries around and the growing plants planted newly for a more fruitful connection with Nature. Feeling blessed and wishing everyone more blessings.with lots of love and prayers Shabina Sanad

Transport Lesson

2025-03-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

As I have been trying to teach my son about transport prior to exam I couldn't help talk about the evolution of transport in my life to them. I talked to them animatedly even I could sense that for convincing them I needed proof and pitied my irresponsibility in losing the gadgets and documents that speaks volumes about our overseas social life. I shared my nostalgic memories about my father's ancestral home Thacharazhikam in Paravoor with manaveli mathil( a traditional wall and gate that divides within the entire house ) around the half acre land. We used to play hide and seek inside the pathayam (a traditional wooden storage used to keep grains and rice) bullock carts come home carrying coconuts from the nearby 25 cents of land my father owned (funnily it belongs to his friend now) and the ancestral home belongs to his cousin now ( can sigh atleast in relief as the property did not go to outside hands. Like Raja Ravi Varma my artist brother using charcol used to draw all over the wall as in Mural Paint and my mom sent him aptly to Raja Ravi Varma School of Arts to learn drawing . We both used to go to madrassa together and even a small drizzle come he would bunk the class. And my brother had to take the pain of standing throughout the entire anganwadi session (old version of prekg) as I would cry if he would go out of sight and he tries to escape by bribing me with green color Parry's candies. My clear and deep memories of my father's place and people often moistens my eyes. I told my kids about my constant road trip from Paravoor Kollam to Trivandrum to my mother's place in my grandfather's car a sort of juggle from village to urbane society (mother's home brings back memories of BonyM, Rambo, my childhood friend G for whom I used to keep aside icecream and in return he would selflessly give his coloring book for me to color, the aroma of fryumes form the pebbled courtyard when I peek through my window draws the bulgan of his French Professor Dad and nurse mother and a cute granny who is smartly dressed and pleasant always. All the cousins mostly boys used to play cricket,badminton,carroms and do all the pranks to each other (the situation is still the same lol) when I was in standard 8th my father moved to Trivandrum disposing Thacharazhikam and bringing all the antiques including the pathayam wood and pettakam (my grandmother's wooden case) I wrote a story in Malayalam when he sold it off along with other furnitures after the Trivandrum Restaurant Fiasco at Aryasala Trivandrum in the year 1998 I was studying in women's College for Predegree and had to switch to college bus from normal bus transportation. My Literature batch year in women's College too was splendid and all the lovely and brighter friends still cherish the friendship. Soon after graduating I joined imanager Learning Solutions as Front office Executive and joined for Business Management course, the firm moved to Technopark and my friend circle got widened yet I was homely and after my parents found my life partner sanad my office transportation changed for a while till he went back to Sharjah after our engagement.

He used to work at Radisson SAS Resort Sharjah and we had a brief courtship as he used to come to office to pick me in his Maruti 800 after getting consent from his Doctor mother and my homemaker mother. Though it was an arranged marriage we both were in head and heels over in love very much making many prospective suitors to gloom and doom lol those who got lucky in other words to be frank(though we used to fight a lot afterwards over silly matters) yet God's hands always made our bond stronger though however erratic we both turned out to be after losing overseas status, for him it's a span of 20 years abroad and mine half of it.Our constant flight trips to Sharjah and Dubai makes me yearn for a trip for the sake of our kids just to show them Radisson SAS, Dubaimetro where Sanad worked and to show them Alphamed, whom generously sent me to Iran Kish for visa change and brought to Dubai the very same day.Gowealthy in Emaar office if they are still there I worked at Gowealthy Sharjah office in Sharjah Airport International Zone and got the wonderful opportunities to attend prestigious press meets and property tours in and around the emirate. Rare and opulent GulfHoldings in Sharjah the royal dignitaries office however short the association may be, then Asia Pacific Tours and Travels and Oasis Palm the amazing opportunity to work for their magazine and portals.

Finally at Dar Al Asalah in Mamzar where I attended Zayed giving event at Emirates Palace. Throughout the Emirates we both travelled a lot and met friends and relatives

It wouldn't be fair if I don't mention our current transport system my in-laws indigo CS so rashly and carelessly used by us declared strike by not functioning very much sabotaging my wish of taking up driving license at my old age of 43 my mom in law advised it when I was 23can't help laughing at the jokes cracked by my colleagues on the speed limit of my walk over my pedestrian crossing fines in Dubai pls don't think that iam that much absent minded after becoming a mother of two kids I have become more alert and conscious by God's grace. I pray to almighty to make our wish a reality during this holy month and provide us health and eeman to weather our tougher times as always lovingly playfully emotionally and hopefully yours Shabina Sanad

Ramadan Mubarak

2025-03-02T02:14:00.000-08:00

Ramadan Kareem to all

When the holy month of Ramadan started filling our hearts with anticipation and piety to make the most out of the blessed month I wish all my friends relatives would also be taking the resolution to do good and to bring a smile on everyone's face

I wish to pray for those who didn't make it to this Ramadan.

Our cat cheered our spirits by catching one of the rat who has been a source of trouble with regard to hygeine in our old kitchen.

Our sons curious ramblings on food brought back memories of our expatriate life in the Gulf, it is raining in Kerala and I long for a rain of blessings on the career prospectus of Sanad at the same time I wish how could I stop sulking about the missing Apple I pad, hard discs of our laptops, I kept on guessing the culprits and the list gets so big that I dream one day a good Samaritan would emerge from nowhere to gift me all the photos we have lost so far through the gadget magic game.

I pray for health,happiness and healing for everyone this Ramadan. I hope all our genuine wishes gets fulfilled to feel elated and contended throughout this month

Lovingly , mystically devotionally yours Shabina Sanad

Please remeber us in your prayers

2025-02-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

How could you patch up with friends and relatives who misjudged you by observing the snippets of your glorious career phase that faded into oblivion by your own IT investigation and over blunt remarks on social media (mostly boasting opulence and luxury in reality myself and Sanad were always struggling to survive)

How could you remove the clouds of disbelief (as my father's sister gifted my sister a Honda Amaze on her wedding day, it was a decent and fat Muslim wedding as my mother sold her 4 cents of land gifted to her by her husband's sister to build a house of her own and to lead a dignified life after my father's demise yet selflessly she sold it to meet my sister's marriage expense (as my father came to Trivandrum from his ancestral home in Paravoor Kollam in the year 1994 and disposed the house he built in Pravachambalam in the year 1996 ) and from 1996 till 2025 my mom has been living in rented house thanks to my artist NRI brothers efforts and sacrifice we were able to overcome many difficult phases. So I keep asking myself the question is that me who created confusion and unnecessary competition among our cousins and siblings? Does someone felt like teaching us modesty and empathy when I was on a blocking spree when I suspected hacking ?Does someone wanted to make us mellow down as we all inherited bit of domineering and adamant nature guess it's creative people's birthright to be different from the rest. Anyway my mother got sick all of a sudden and she is in pain and worried over lot of issues including the hospital bills, shamelessly as always ,the secret reporter of family ego clashes and emotions yours Shabina Sanad hope and pray that Iam not hurting your egos anymore

My fairy kitchen tales in the time of gloom

2025-02-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

My incessant efforts to figure out a solution for the dispute with regard to my husband's mother's properties led me to the religious scholars in our mosque as I reasoned out they could alleviate the confusion of an expat Indian lady who parted with the 5 cents of land to honor the debts here and abroad. Even after proof reading and editing the content with my mother highlighting all the points of loot and injustice happened (who is also funnilly a similar victim having a spoiled husband and weathered the storm gracefully allalong) I received a cold response (very much stressing the influence they must have played to change the version of the content presented) I pondered over other issues making me lose temper and sleep unnecessarily. It was none other than two rats who regularly make a visit to our kitchen through the airhole, we have been sharing a special bond as we both know what to expect each day some sort of extra sensory perception perse. Sometimes I deliberately keep the lid open for certain food for them to indulge, sometimes I change the position and place of the things they are sure to encroach, so they anticipate and I too anticipate their different moves, as I finally made a decision to close their entry by closing the airhole I felt a bit of triumph somewhat like you sense when you blocked the hackers (though I asked my son to take a watch as I daringly jumped off the wall to do the task) my very old kitchen witnessed my rain of tears as I got drenched in tears upon hearing the demise of my mother's sister, the very kitchen tap unintentionally I broke when I angrily thrown plates on the sink upon listening to an unfair financial talk about the

laptop we bought to find out content writing work. My husband came to the rescue and fixed the tap in no time with the plumber. I try to cheer myself up by doing yoga, five times prayer, gardening and spending time with kids and the cat family who give us company other than my mother's remote advises, funnily ,gloomily yet cheerfully yours Shabina Sanad

A humble effort to motivate my better half Sanad

2025-01-20T06:31:00.000-08:00

It would not be fair if I don't give the due share of credit to my husband who has been a pillar of support through thick and thin though we both behaved silly and did so many blunders and an uncountable number of fights over here in India and abroad and created confusion and chaos among kith and kin mainly due to difference of opinion and perception related to a million things. Yet I adore my husband, for his pure love and patience and his grudge against those whom I show affection stemming out of possessiveness. He has an amazing level of perseverance that is obvious in his resume 10 years service in Radisson SAS Resort Sharjah and 7 years service at Dubaimetro, as he struggles with finding a good job matching with his trackroad, I find it hard to suppress my rage that fumes every now & then, he has pretty good number of good service entry certificates from Defense,Serco Dubaimetro and when I go through them I feel like giving a punch to those who fail to see his worth, he silently suffer and supress his frustration along with his ailing health, asthma could be treated and cured but how can we cure the mindset of people who belittle you once you lose overseas job status? Why don't anyone need his discipline,punctuality,hardwork,skill sets like multilingual capacity, IT,supervisor capacity in house keeping driving,swimming,karate,skating bullying capacity as well (lol when it comes to the role of husband & father) Let me implore to all the prospective employers out there to re assess my husband's calibre 17 years overseas experience is not a joke to be ignored callously, he might not be having cream delacream new generations chubby cheeks or potbelly (upon consuming all junk food on earth) By God's grace he has a generous heart that has been corrupted by opportunists

and favortakers, a sharp mind and a brave soul I wish and pray that someone realize his true worth and offer him a job that would help him whether the tough times and yield him sustain his dignity and male ego.

with lot of apologies for provoking him to the edge to reclaim his career either in India or abroad, I wish almighty would shower blessings again to our family as well Keeping fingers crossed and digitally knocking doors Yours Shabina Sanad

Congratulations brother and habibti

2025-01-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

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

2024-11-29T08:13:00.000-08:00

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

2024-07-24T05:40:00.000-07:00

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

2023-12-10T21:09:00.000-08:00

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

2023-10-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

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

2021-07-24T08:35:00.002-07:00

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

2019-06-15T05:09:00.000-07:00

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

Soulmate

2019-03-12T22:07:00.002-07:00

He was like the flames out from the burning fire He was like a strong wind so difficult to harness He was like the tapping of the torrent rain....... And she like an innocent child Wanted to touch and feel the depths of the elements She knew there is a spot as melting as a candle, as soft as a gentle breeze and as moist as dew drops Ready to give comfort and protection spreading light, fragrance and freshness to her soul....... When she tried to reach for the flames he hid himself in the day When she tried to embrace the wind he blown himself away When she tried to hold the rain drops he poured himself out in the wasteland And one sober day He vanished mysteriously Leaving her perplexed and lonely She searched her soul to find The answer to the puzzle or riddle...... Seasons passed and on a bright morning Like a prince, emerged her beloved other half mirroring her old buddy And blessed her life forever.

Iam a stone

2018-09-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Iam a stone I search for the hands that once tickled me and caressed me fondly You Rain and Fire! How can i forget you who put fire on my emotions a thousand times How can i forget you who rained on me a hundred times to the tune and dance of gentle breeze I go weak yet i get up to regain my confidence When you were giving pleasure to your eyes my heart the stones heart was bleeding Iam fully a stone now I touched the rain drops and gazed in awe at the red dots of fire I dwelve deep to find A touch of love A word of care A smile of naughtiness A gist of giggle I can forgive the betrayal Take away the harshness And dubious chauvanism Deliberate attempts of jealousy creation The love is lost but iam not lost Iam a forgiving stone Come back to me clean and fresh Iam waiting

Writing after four years

2017-12-06T11:16:00.001-08:00

Dear all, hope all is well at your end. Iam writing exactly after four years so many things have happened in everyones lives including mine now iam mother of two kids finally god has granted my wish upon seeing my touching and yearning poems and prayers my inner cries reached the mountains and now iam awake trying not to wake my toddlers never thoght parenting is such a wonderful yet crankier affair each day is a discovery trial and errors indeed i really wish to hear from you, your views on parenting in the new era love u all urs shabs

Wishes

2013-06-07T03:55:00.000-07:00

I wish to be the rhythm of the drizzle to hide my tear drops I wish to be a mesmerizing dream to seal my yesterday’s laughter I wish to be the waves of the ocean to snatch away memories to the depths I wish to be a gale of wind to be with my other half I wish to be the soil on earth to blossom a being I wish to be a twinkling star to smile at the world I wish to be a note of silence to sing my life’s story………

Pre Ramadan thoughts!

2010-08-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Basking on the warmth of care and attention at home, I reflect on my life, blessed yet eventful I couldn’t help thanking the people whose gentle acts made a heap of difference…….I lower my gaze as in trance filled with gratitude…..my beloved parents who gave me good education and values, affectionate siblings and the puck (my little sis )…….my cousin in the IT Industry who had referred me to a start up firm in Trivandrum when I have just finished my graduation……..My boss who has given a boost to my career by giving opportunities and always encouraged to study further……..my colleague whose intelligence and bullying instilled an urge for perfection……my cousin who took the pain to deliver the gift on my wedding eve even after meeting with an accident……. My spouse who unraveled a world of freedom ,wonder and passion………Sanads Philippino friends kind act when we had difficulty finding accommodation in the initial phase abroad……. The pieces of advice, criticism, genuine support and appreciation from the managers at my workplace in sharjah………. The cute ever loving and helping Doctor in Sharjah……..my colleagues who had supplied me with books to weather my toughest and lonely days…..the sober and soothing waves along the sharjah corniche that swabbed my tears…….The MD of the IT firm in Dubai who has given the freelancing writing assignment……..Sanads friends unselfish act of introducing the dignitary, the privilege to associate……….Now here iam with a beautiful life with ups and downs with laughter and sighs…more like a fairy tale……My heartfelt thanks to all of you out there…… let me welcome the holy month with this note of gratitude filling its fragrance!