Its Ramadan Once Again....

i'm very grateful to Allah for granting me another Ramadan.
I am feeling so excited that I've witness yet another blessed Ramadan. Ramadan is a period of fast where every practicing Muslim is expected to keep fast during this holy month. last year i observed it in Thailand. It was quite different because there i was with myself all alone- no family gathering when its time to break the fast. I really thank Allah that this time around I'm with my family and well wishers- all observing it together. Ramadan is one of the most peaceful month in the Islamic lunar calender. One is expected to fulfil all its obligation, abstain from committing bad deeds, spend ampule time asking for God's forgiveness. We should also remember to supplicate to God at all times in order to be a better person. I just pray that we witness many more years to come with good health, strong faith and prosperity.

Till i come your way next time, enjoy my posts. Until then i remained

yours
tuti

tuk tuk!!!!!! in the gambia....

country wide tour( the Gambia)

the university administration building

After my completion of a semester at Payap University, Thailand, I returned to my homeland and participated in a country wide tour as a student of the University of the Gambia (UTG) together with my colleagues headed by a senior lecturer at UTG; Dr. Saja Taal which was proudly sponsored by a leading GSM operator in the Gambia called Africell. Forty-one people took part in the tour including a senior lecturer and two drivers. Students from the faculty of economics and management, social science, arts and humanities, medicine and allied health science, and science and technology of UTG initiated the trip geared towards seeing the various regions in the Gambia and to assess the level of development in terms of agriculture, infrastructure, education, health and so on. The slogan of the trip was Basse before Babylon; it simply means that before traveling abroad as a citizen of the Gambia, it’s our responsibility to know the country beyond the theoretical aspect. For instance, I was confronted with series of questions about my country during my stay in Thailand, some of which I don’t have answers to because of the little knowledge I had but now, I’m very confident that I can give positive respond to all the questions asked before. stone circles at wassu

On my part, the trip served as an eye opener in the sense that I only learnt about these places in text books, I didn’t have the chance to see most of it but that’s not the case now. Before leaving for Thailand, I gave little importance to traveling and exploring. The trips conducted during my stay in Thailand were very interesting and educative. Our visits to the different locations revealed to me the standard of living of its people, the level of development, challenges each faced and the intercultural differences that exist. I’m very confident to tell anyone about my country now that I’ve seen the north bank region, central river region, upper river region, lower river region and western region. I live in the kombo St Mary’s region. The Gambia having the river as its main transport artery consists of tributaries (Bolong __local name) such as the Bintang Bolong, Bao Bolong, Sofaniama Bolong, Miniminiang Bolong, and Sandugu Bolong. There are islands called the Macarthy Island, James Island, Baboon Island, Elephant Island and Dog Island. I saw important and interesting places in the history of the Gambia; namely stone circles at Wassu, slave house in Janjanburey(McCarthy island) and the nature reserve park in Kanilai( the president’s park). The nature park has lions, hyenas, crocodile pool, ostrich, snakes, giraffes, wild dogs and so on. I was so excited to see some of these creatures.

Each region is governed by governors who gave us a warmth welcome and brief us about the regional activities, the threats and challenges they faced in terms of the key factors of development. Accommodation was fully provided by the regional education office. We spent nights in different regions and each department was asked to give a brief presentation of their departments in order to inspire and motivate the high school students to apply to the UTG upon their completion. We were greatly respected anywhere we went as the highest tertiary institution in the Gambia.

that's the river gambia behind us...

The trip was successful, educative, interesting and worthwhile that I hope to take part in many of its kind in the future. It was so wonderful and impressive. I never imagined that I could find all the important and beautiful places I came across in the Gambia. I want to thank all those that made the trip a success, beginning with Dr. Saja Taal who is a man of high intellectual and a father figure, the cooks, the drivers and my colleagues.

thats me at the nature reserve park

Sad To Say Goodbye!!!!!

My America and barbadian princesses and I in the middle.

Spending this last four months in Thailand was like a part of my dream come true. I had the most wonderful experience that i would not have had else where. I'll call it my second home sweet home. The Thai Studies program is one in a million. Everything about the program is amazing.The staffs and the students. Oh my God, I'll miss them so much. At the beginning, i see myself as a stranger but that's not the case now. I live in the dorm where everyone is like brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts. The house is truly international because there lives Thai, American, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese,Barbadian,Chinese,Indians, Pakistanis,British, french and Gambian. so we have people all over different continents such as Europe, Asia, Africa and America. As for me, I'm so privilege to be the only one from my country and the continent at large. I know that opportunities like this comes but once in a life time.

During my stay, I became very close to all my friends that it was very difficult for me to say goodbye at the end of the program. It is true that we all have to go our separate ways but the memories we shared together was too much of a happiness for me. I miss my family back home, yes, but I think I've spent half of my life with them and am going back to spend the rest of it but when will i see the family i made in Thailand, my sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles.That i don't know. Only God has an answer to that. Only thing i can do is to pray to Him to see them one fine day. When I'm with my friends and well wishers, I hardly miss my family back home. May be that is because i had everything that my family gave me such as love, happiness, care, respect, hope and above all family. I didn't lack anything. Anytime I'm not feeling well, they will come to me and comfort me. I really want to remember all those moments when we go to the working street in the song taew, making fun, singing and dancing. They taught me a lot of things such as

songs and games. One of which is "make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold. A circle is round it has no end that's how long i want to be your friend". A game called the zib zab zob, I learnt that from Ajan Jessica. Am so lucky, God gave me all these happiness and good companies.

I want to remember joy( my Barbadian brownie), Katie(my american princess), Andrea(my mexican princess), Kato, Rooney, Asa, Emily,Kelsy, Sarah, Hannah, Andrea R, Daniel, Nick, Peter, Miriam, Angela, Junko and Danaan all are Thai studies student. Not forgetting the President of Payap and staffs Ajan Adam, Jessica, Pi Noi, Marcus, Pi Neung, Ajan Paul, Ajan Boy, Ajan Ray, Pi Gai, Dr Jenjit and Ajan Ho. We all know that we've been the best group so far. Thank you all, I learnt a lot from you and I'll make sure that i make good use out of it. Everything organised including the trips, lunches, dinners, anniversaries were so awesome. We are always happy and smiling every time we gathered together. It makes me felt like home. I believe that "no one is born happy... But all of us are born with the ability to create happiness... So today, make others happy, flash your sweetest smiles...Have a life full of smiles. Happiness always looks small when you hold it in your hands. But when you learn to share it you will realize how big and precious it is".... I'm wishing you all a great and happy life. Have Sanook at all times. It wasn't easy letting them go but i have to at the end.....i was given no choice. I'll love and cherish the precious moments we shared. My special friendly sisters. Love you. I wish in life we were given options to choose. Then i'll choose to be with my friendly sisters and brothers. But life goes on with either ways. I'll pray for you all to be happy where ever you are.

I'll always remember the residents of Paradornparp International House(PIH), the students and staffs including the care takers and cooks. They are so hospitable. They kept the house so clean that people living there are comfortable and healthy. Thank you for contributing to my hygenic needs.

Before coming, i know nothing about Southeast Asia but now i appreciate that i can tell someone about Southeast Asia. Am so grateful to Payap Thai studies program, university of the Gambia and st Mary's college Maryland for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to broaden my horizon and maximise my experience by coming for an exchange in Thailand. It was the best thing that could ever happen to me.

Let me practice the little thai i know with some ending phrases. Thanks to Ajan Boy for that challenging short period of learning Pasathai.

Thai studies group at the farewell lunch.

Chan Rak Tuk Kon.... Chan Kittin Tuk Kon.... Chan ja mai leum tuk Kon. Pob Can Mai....kha......

P.S. I want to say a big thank you to Ajan Jessica for introducing me to blog posting and writing journal. Now i know the beauty of it i'll continue to keep journals. I love you all sooooo much.

Now i can't wait to see my family back home. They've waited so long for my return. Now is the time for them to come pick up at the airport saying to themselves, our daughter has changed so much. she has gained more wait...more beautiful and so on... The only comfort i'll need as it is in my dream is my mother's hug. Her love and care i missed for four months. I've longed for them. I'll go for it the moment i see her. Ask for her blessing. She's the most important person in my life. She's is my treasure and I'll pray to Allah that i reach home safely so that i can fulfil my post dreams. Inshallah(by the grace of God). Amin

This is my last and final blog for ICU. Hope you enjoyed reading them. Bye for now till i come your way next time.

My Luckiest Day in Thailand

International Day at Payap University turned out to be a very happy and lucky day for me. It was the sixth(6th) international day. I won a 5000 baht at the raffle draw. I submitted a passport having stamps of different countries. Actually it was supposed to be 10 stamps but i had more than that. It was the criteria to be qualified for the draw. When i had 10 stamps in my passport i took it to the table and i won a t-shirt. Then i went for the second time and i won a Thai music CD. The final draw earned me a 5000baht. I was so happy because i told my friends that i wanted to win the money and God really answered my prayers. I'm so grateful to Him.

We the thai studies group sang the Thai Royal Anthem(King's song) at the beginning of the program. We've been learning the song for 2weeks and we finally made it. It was truly an International Day beacuse many booths were set up by different nationals such as Turkish, American, Thai, Burmese, Vietnamese, Canadian, Japanese, Korean and so forth. Most of them sold food, snacks, while others play games, dunk, american slang, perfomances such as dancing and singing.

that's me holding my cash prize

It was so awesome. I had a great time going around, saying hello to everyone. Seeing people in thier cultural costumes was so beautiful. I also dressed in my attire an i felt so wonderful.

Thanks Giving Day!!!!! Turkey Day.....

thanks giving dinner @ PIH

Thanks Giving day, the last Thursday of November. I've never celebrated this day because is an American culture. The Paradornparp International House hosted a Thanks Giving dinner and almost everyone at Payap University was invited. My friends told me that it was all about eating turkey, cinnamon rolls, pumkin pie, apple pie and so forth after which you thank God for what you're grateful for. I made sure that i tasted everything on the menu. And it left me no other choice than to get overloaded. It was really happy Thanks Giving that i wish we had everyday a thanks giving day when we have to eat so much and all our dreams will come true.....

Happy Thanks Giving

Homestay in an Ethnic Minority Village

the thai studies group at Lisu village with the lisu people

Last week, Thai stuidies group made their final trip to the upland holistic development project(UHDP) and Lisu village, an ethnic minority village . A village made up of a hundred families, spirit house, a Buddhist temple and a church. Women were not allowed in the spirit house because they're not pure till they reach menopause.It was a four nights and five days trip. We were asked to bring along sweaters because it was going to be very cold up on the mountains. We spent two days in UHDP and did activities like getting food from the forest which was prepared for dinner. In the morning , they slaughtered a pig infront of my very eyes, oh my gush, it was the most terrible thing i have ever seen. Actually, it was my first time to watch a pig been killed and mercilessly for that matter.It's quite different from the way islam does. As a muslim is forbidden to eat pig products, so this experience was an eye opening for me. It was my first and it will be my last. Anyways, we helped them prepare the poor animal for lucnh and dinner. Some of my friends who like pigs neither watched nor ate the pig. It was very sad. I prayed for its innocent soul to rest in the kingdom of God.

We went to the village which was a 2 1/2 hours from UHDP. It was high on top of the mountains and I saw the city of Chiang Rai from there. The villagers welcomed us nicely, each of us stayed with a family. I stayed in a 3months old mud hut with two other student. I had two sweaters, a blanket and a sleeping bag because it was very cold in the mud hut. The communication was poor because they use a different dialect. We could speak little Thai, so i had a barrier in communicating with some of them. Some can speak Thai. They show their hospitality by offering strong liquor to any visitor that visit the village.They forced liquor on some of my friends which led them to a very bad state, i mean drunkun state. If something is offered to you in that village, you can't refused it because is considered not right to do so. They would ask you to try little. As for me that was not the case. I don't drink alcohol nor pork, so i was so fortunate they understand my religion.In the village, many young people have migrated to the city inserach for better opportunities leaving behind their parents to take care of their children.

i stayed in this mud hut

I saw the cabbage and coffee filed.Harvest some coffee seeds which my host mother normally sells in the village and neighbouring villages. she mentioned something like 25 baht per kilo. It is cheap because many people are engage in coffee growing. The trip was so interesting and amazing. It was the last trip for the thai studies program this semester and now am looking forward to my last 3 weeks in thailand. Hoping to make the best out of it and realize my goals, which i've been working on since my arrival in thailand. I'm glad to say that not all have been fulfilled but i won't give up because there is still time even if it's a second.I know i can make something really good out of it.

cheers