It's ALL about HENNA!
Monday, September 26, 2005
no i did not fall off the face of earth. just been depressingly busy ...
rushed mini-project deadline
favourite uncle passed away
mugged for exams
attended a wedding
yes, in that order ...
anyways, i've been tagged by three people so i shall be a good sport and participate (well, a bit of humour can't hurt, eh?)
so here we go, three random facts about me ...
1) i'm a blardy SPG (so shoot me)
2) i once won third prize in a beauty contest (don't ask)
3) i am a direct descendent of javanese royalty
(paternal gramma was from kraton ... not krayon hor)
no, i will not tag anyone else
and no, i SHALL NOT discuss the above any further ...
i feel suffocated ... need fresh air ...
Jewel mused @ 5:58 PM | | Permalink
Monday, September 19, 2005
we had a blast at the "roots in motion" gig last saturday. those who came and supported us, THANK YOU!! it was lovely meeting all of you (you know who you are!). those who couldn't make it, fret not. insya Allah we'll be organising a 3 day henna gig sometime end of ramadhan. more details will be announced closer to the date. we'll be happy to see more of you then.
today is the 15th of syaaban. this means that in 15 days time, we'll be welcoming ramadhan al-mubarak. here's wishing everyone a happy nisfu syaaban. let's make a doa that we will get to experience another ramadhan yet again, and that we can accomplish our fast in good health and the best of iman. Amiin!
last friday, i hennaed myself. i can't remember the last time i did that. i've just been too busy hennaing brides-to-be that i didn't even think of beautifying myself. i've been staring at a beautiful pattern for the past few weeks. it's a nick cartier original. nick is a talented and accomplished henna artist in boston, usa. he does one of the most beautiful and precise henna-work i've ever seen. his work has often inspired me to be more creative and imaginative with henna, and more often than not, released me from any kind of "artist block" (and i often get that). so, here's to nick. i know i didn't do justice to the pattern, but i tried my best.
right after application (paste still on the skin)
6 hours after paste removal (the morning after)
more than 24 hours after paste removal
Jewel mused @ 10:06 AM | | Permalink
Thursday, September 15, 2005
what: roots in motion
where: lot 1 shoppers' mall, near choa chu kang mrt station
(look out for big white tentage)
when: saturday, sept 17, 2005 (4:30 - 6:30pm)
who: the hennaphiles (me and her lah, DUH!)
errr ... doing henna lah (duh!)
why: cos we are cool (heh!)
so, come on by this saturday k? otherwise be boring and stay at home.
don't forget to say hi when you're there. we won't bite. scouts honour! *grins*.
Jewel mused @ 3:09 PM | | Permalink
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
my best friend of 26 years has given birth to her third babe.
a boy.
his two sisters are esctatic.
i guess that completes the picture for them. i wonder if she'll have more.
anyways, R&R, congrats! i'll see you guys soon, insya Allah.
in the meantime, i've been sick, busy and a little melancholic (what? again?). i'll henna one more bride this week, then no more. exams next week. and soon ramadan will be here again. i can't wait. i love ramadan. i wish i could spend it somewhere else. anywhere but here. i wish i could go back there. i miss that place. insya Allah, insya Allah.
Jewel mused @ 9:54 AM | | Permalink
Friday, September 09, 2005
i really hope you both like the henna. enjoy your hols, babe!
oh, and the feeling's mutual, sweetie. i really like you too! heehee!
Jewel mused @ 11:38 AM | | Permalink
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
the last time someone stopped me in my tracks and spoke to me in rapid-fire arabic, i was totally dumbstruck. i was in makkah. the land of the arabs. and i didn't know enough arabic to save my life. nope, i couldn't even say, "i don't understand arabic" to that lady. i just shook my head and she swept away in frustration. i remember how arab-speaking women in the masjid would initiate a conversation with me. they don't speak a word of english. i don't speak arabic. sometimes they'd show a hint of irritation but most of them would just pat me on the shoulder, hold up their hands and exclaim "Alhamdulillah!". perhaps showing gratitude to Allah for being there, no matter what language we can or cannot speak.
i'll always remember a "conversation" i had with an elderly syrian lady. she had asked me if i spoke any arabic. strangely i understood her so i shook my head. i then said, "english". she shook her head. heh. i wasn't asking her, i was telling her. i think she then asked if i was alone. my mom was in the row behind us. i said "La" (that's no in arabic) and pointed to my mom and said "Ummi" (mother). "Aaahhhhh!" she said, her face lighting up. she then asked a few more questions, out of which i could only understand "where are you from?" cos she was making gestures of airplane flying. when i said "singapore", she smiled, pointed to herself and announced, "suria" (syria). she then pointed to the ring on my finger and asked (i presumed) if i was married. i shook my head and she smiled, put her hands up and recited something in arabic. i really hope she was making a doa that i'll be married soon. amiin! heh. what i didn't realise is, my mom had been watching us all that time and she told me afterwards that we were both gesturing wildly. she knew that we had trouble understanding each other. haha! (macam ayam dengan itik berbual)
when i returned, i enrolled in an arabic course by al-markaz. i believe i posted about it here sometime in june. anyways, it's been a couple of months into the course and i find it very effective. at least now i can understand, write and converse (albeit haltingly) in arabic. hey, i can even understand the mu'alim (teacher) when he rattles off in arabic. but i believe the best part of this course is it's the closest arabic you can get to quranic arabic. insya Allah, as you progress with the course, your understanding of the Quran will improve as well. baby steps, baby steps ...
anyhoos, they will be starting a new round of the course again soon. please see below for details.
i'll always remember a "conversation" i had with an elderly syrian lady. she had asked me if i spoke any arabic. strangely i understood her so i shook my head. i then said, "english". she shook her head. heh. i wasn't asking her, i was telling her. i think she then asked if i was alone. my mom was in the row behind us. i said "La" (that's no in arabic) and pointed to my mom and said "Ummi" (mother). "Aaahhhhh!" she said, her face lighting up. she then asked a few more questions, out of which i could only understand "where are you from?" cos she was making gestures of airplane flying. when i said "singapore", she smiled, pointed to herself and announced, "suria" (syria). she then pointed to the ring on my finger and asked (i presumed) if i was married. i shook my head and she smiled, put her hands up and recited something in arabic. i really hope she was making a doa that i'll be married soon. amiin! heh. what i didn't realise is, my mom had been watching us all that time and she told me afterwards that we were both gesturing wildly. she knew that we had trouble understanding each other. haha! (macam ayam dengan itik berbual)
when i returned, i enrolled in an arabic course by al-markaz. i believe i posted about it here sometime in june. anyways, it's been a couple of months into the course and i find it very effective. at least now i can understand, write and converse (albeit haltingly) in arabic. hey, i can even understand the mu'alim (teacher) when he rattles off in arabic. but i believe the best part of this course is it's the closest arabic you can get to quranic arabic. insya Allah, as you progress with the course, your understanding of the Quran will improve as well. baby steps, baby steps ...
anyhoos, they will be starting a new round of the course again soon. please see below for details.
****************************************************
Al-Markaz The Centre for Arabic Language, Culture & Trade is offering a course on Conversational Modern Standard Arabic (Level 1)
About the course
This twelve-week course aims to provide participants with the basic linguistic foundation in Modern Standard Arabic.
This is a highly interactive course that engages students in Arabic conversational activities to enrich their vocabulary and understanding of the use of the language.
At the end of the course, the participants will be equipped with the ability to speak basic conversational Arabic fluently.
Course Facilitator (Zuraimi Bin Naharudin)
Zuraimi received his education in the Arabic language both in Damascus, Syria & Cairo, Egypt. He holds a Diploma in the Arabic language and a Certificate in the teaching of Arabic from Cairo University.
Course Duration / Time
Once a week x 12 weeks
Saturdays, 10.00am to 12.30pm
Beginning 10th Sept 2005
Delivery Mode
Arabic & English
Pre-requisite
Able to read simple Arabic
Course Fees
$65 monthly payment for three months
One-time registration and book fee of $20
Course will be held at:
Al-Markaz LLP
The Centre for Arabic Language, Culture & Trade
58, Bussorah Street
2nd Floor (above Wardah Books)
Near Masjid Sultan
For enquiries / registration
call Zuraimi: 8112 7976 or email zuraimi@al-markaz.biz
About the course
This twelve-week course aims to provide participants with the basic linguistic foundation in Modern Standard Arabic.
This is a highly interactive course that engages students in Arabic conversational activities to enrich their vocabulary and understanding of the use of the language.
At the end of the course, the participants will be equipped with the ability to speak basic conversational Arabic fluently.
Course Facilitator (Zuraimi Bin Naharudin)
Zuraimi received his education in the Arabic language both in Damascus, Syria & Cairo, Egypt. He holds a Diploma in the Arabic language and a Certificate in the teaching of Arabic from Cairo University.
Course Duration / Time
Once a week x 12 weeks
Saturdays, 10.00am to 12.30pm
Beginning 10th Sept 2005
Delivery Mode
Arabic & English
Pre-requisite
Able to read simple Arabic
Course Fees
$65 monthly payment for three months
One-time registration and book fee of $20
Course will be held at:
Al-Markaz LLP
The Centre for Arabic Language, Culture & Trade
58, Bussorah Street
2nd Floor (above Wardah Books)
Near Masjid Sultan
For enquiries / registration
call Zuraimi: 8112 7976 or email zuraimi@al-markaz.biz
Jewel mused @ 10:51 AM | | Permalink
Friday, September 02, 2005
gorgeous girl?
she's not me ...
but the henna is definitely by me
it's an "ayu", a very popular pattern
thanks to ezayu who inspired me to design that
now who's more famous?
jewel or the ayu?
*winks*
september 2005 issue of manja's special bridal edition
i'm really sorry for being so forgetful but if you're her, could you contact me?
redherring, thanks for the heads up. good eye, babe!
Jewel mused @ 5:38 PM | | Permalink
Thursday, September 01, 2005
chiclets: 14 (including a small molar) ... and counting
yep, i think he's about ready to be a monster now
watch this space for his initiation ...
i luv my neffy-poo! *huggles*
Jewel mused @ 9:39 AM | | Permalink
.:: how to book ::.
* NOTE *
i'm not taking anymore bookings until further notice. apologies!
* NOTE *
i'm not taking anymore bookings until further notice. apologies!
.:: spinning ::.