Bainbridge Island

Last Monday, we had a field trip with the school to Bainbridge Island. I have never been there so I was excited to go especially with my dear class. We took the ferry to the Island which was so big and beautiful. I hope I took some pictures but I went directly to the broadside to enjoy the weather and the view. 

 On our way, I asked some American people for some recommendations of the beautiful places to visit or good restaurants to have lunch. Some of the people who I asked were tourists so they don't have an idea. After a while, I found a lady who lives in Bainbridge Island. She was nice lady, and we talked a lot until we arrived. I got some recommendations such as Cafe Nola for lunch, Blue Dil Park for picnic, and Mora Ice cream.

We walked through a beautiful trail heading to the town. On our way, we stopped to pick up some black berry. It was too sour!!

This is a wishes tree which people write their wishes or phrases on pies of paper and hang it on the tree. There are what I like. 

In lunch time, I went to the Cafe Nola with my classmates. It was small pretty cafe. 

I shared with Hanoof fish and chips. The meal was delicious. 

After the lunch, we walked to Mora ice cream. I had two scoops chocolate fudge and black berry. I was shocked when I took my ice cream because the scoops were too big! Therefore, I shared with Hanoof too. 

 

In the way back, I passed this museum and I didn't have a chance to visit it since I had to catch the ferry. I hope next time I can visit it.  

I like the Island's tranquility, simplicity and the wonderful nature. It is the perfect place to relax and refresh your mind. 

Seattle Waterfront

This was my card of 50 city walks assignment. In the beginning I didn't have any idea about the place, and I was exciting since I'm going to discover this place with my family as a trip. So, let's get started!  

Ivars fish bar 

 This bar was our first destination which is famous for fried clams and chowder, but we didn't try anyone! Instead of that we had a delicious ice cream in this shop next to the bar.

              

Then, we walked to Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, which opened in 1899 and characterize with strange stuff.

 

 

 

 

                           

Did you remember this candy?

The most interesting thing to me was this mummy..

Her name is Sylvia, and she was found in the highlands of Central Amenco. Scientists say that she died in her early thirties because of tuberculosis. She dates back to early part of the 19th century.




After we left this wonderful shop, we kept going on our way. We went through the Argosy Cruises which offers many tour options .

 

And here the most beautiful part of my trip, the waterfront Arcade.

  

    

Unfortunately, we couldn't ride the great wheel because there was a long waiting line since we went in Saturday. I hope I can next time.

 I just took a picture of Seattle Aquarium and I didn't enter because I have been in many different aquariums in different countries.

 We became hungry in the end of our trip, so we went to 56 Cafea next to Elliot restaurant. We had fish and chips and salmon taco. We ate when we were enjoying the nice sunset.

I really spent an enjoyable and happy time, and I strongly recommend you to visit Seattle Waterfront. 

My Great Mother

     I always want to write about my mother, but every time I don't because I think I can't describe adequately in terms of her effort to raise me and my sisters, and make our lives easy and wonderful. My great mom, I love to call her that. She is really a great person. She is a patient, struggling, and ambitious lovely mother.

     My father passed away when she was 25 years old, and left behind him three small girls and a baby on the way. I remember that day when my dad died, I was five years old and I'm the oldest child. I can't forget my mom's face that day. She was shocked, helpless, worried about us and what was going to happen to us in the future.

     We used to live in Jeddah, but after my dad's death we moved to Makkah to live with my mother's family. So, I spent my childhood with my grandparents, uncles and aunts. My mother was studying in King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, so she would go there every day from Makkah which was about one hour away by car. She wanted to complete her studying and get a bachelor's degree, so she could find a good job with a good salary.

     After she graduated, when I was about 8 years old, she found a job with difficult work hours. She used to work from 8 p.m. until 2 p.m., then she had a break until 5 p.m. , and would go back to work from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. I remember that we couldn't see her during the weekdays except in her break time when we had lunch together because she went to  work when we were at schools, and would come home when we already had gone to bed. Therefore, she tried to spend her weekends with us, taking us to the beach or the entertainment city. Finally, she got a good job when I was 13 years old.

     Honestly. I didn't understand what a great mom she was until I got married, especially when I became a mother. I realized what a hard life my dear mom had, and how many difficulties and obstacles she faced. She refused to marry again because she wanted to take care of us by herself even though she was young and many of her peers hadn't gotten married yet. I asked her one day about the reason and she told me that she couldn't forget my dad, and she couldn't imagine herself with another man!! She gave us all what we needed. We didn't feel sad or ashamed that we were orphans since we had our strong mom who struggled to live a decent life.

     I am in awe of my mom. She is my hero since she shouldered the burden alone. She raised us on her own, and completed her education to get a better life. She is a really great mother, and I hope I'll be like her.             

Ramadan the Lovely Month

Ramadan is the ninth month of the islamic calendar -Alhijri calendar- , awaited by all Muslims every year when they perform the fasting which is the fourth pillar of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims refrain from eating food, drinking, chewing gum, smoking cigarettes and the like from dawn to sunset. Muslims focus on praying and reading the Quran . 

How do we know when Ramadan is? 

Ramadan crescent moon 

The crescent moon is the mark of the beginning of Ramadan.  After proving sighting of the moon, people start to prepare 'Sahur' which is the meal before fasting.

Why Ramadan is special?

It is a precious and special month because it is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to complete the full recitation of the Holy Quran at least once during the month. With an average of 600 pages, this seemingly huge task can be achieved through the recitation of four pages before each of the five prayers daily throughout the entire month. 

The Wisdom of fasting

The fast is not simply about denying your body food and water. It is also kind of self discipline to avoid ill speech, arguments, loss of temper and malicious behaviour. The whole point of the fast is to demonstrate submission to God and keep the mind focused on a spiritual plane. Ramadan is viewed as a month-long school where graduates leave with a developed sense of self-control in areas including diet, sleeping and the use of time. 

Here are some videos explain Ramadan meaning

Ramadan in my home country

If you come to my country in Ramadan you will see the streets and houses decorated with lights and lanterns. 

Lights and lanterns

before the sunset, all the family member gather to have 'Iftar' together. There are many Iftar feasts for poor people in the mosques and in some wealthy people's homes. People break their fast with dates and water, then pray the prayer called 'Almaghrib'. After that, they eat some soup and traditional kinds of pastry called 'sambusa' which are stuffed with ground beef or chicken, vegetable, or cheese, in addition to other kinds of food.  

Sambusa

another kind of Sambusa

Iftar feast

After that, they pray "Al esha'a" and an extra praying named "Taraweeh" in mosques. This is my favorite part of Ramadan. After that, people sit together having Arabic coffee and sweets and watching TV until Sahur time. 

Here is the Taraweeh prayer in The Holy Mosque 

I miss Ramadan in my country, and I hope I'll celebrate it with my family next year Insha'allah. 

My Seattle

I mean by "My Seattle" is my favorite places and lovely memories in Seattle.

Mathew's Beach park was the first place I visited . It was in my second day in Seattle. I went with my little family in the morning and had breakfast. We had cheese and tuna sandwiches, some pineapples, and black tea.

 We sat down in front of the lake. The weather was so nice and we enjoyed feeding the ducks. My daughter was so excited, especially when one duck started to follow her to get more food!

My favorite restaurant is Crab Pot since I love seafood. I like the idea of breaking crab with a small, wooden hummer. It's funny!

This is our celebrate of Eid Aladha, the second holiday of  all Muslims, last year.

 I invited my friends and their children. It was a wonderful day full of candies, balloons, cake, games, and happiness!

I always see the cherry blossoms in an Asian dramas, but I never imagined their beauty until I saw them in the quad of the University of Washington. they are Amazing!!

I was surprised when I saw them because I thought there were only in East Asia! Recently, my teacher, Sudi, told us in the class that the cherry trees came from Japan as a gift to University of Washington. 

Last but not least, one day last winter, I was visiting my friend in a hospital when suddenly it started snowing outside!! I was so excited because it was the first time for me to see snow, so I left the hospital quickly to enjoy the marvelous snow. 

Introduction

It is my pleasure to introduce myself to you. My name is Jomana Bima. I'm from Saudi Arabia specifically from Jeddah. Let me tell you a little about my city. It is the biggest city in the west coast of Saudi Arabia and is considered to be the main gate to Makkah, the holy city and a holy for all Muslims. 

Jeddah is characterized by its beautiful beaches, amazing marine life, and great variety of restaurants and shopping malls.   

   

     I graduated from King Abdulaziz University with first Honors  in Islamic Studies. Now I'm a teacher assistant in that university. Actually, I like my job since it fits with my ambition. Being a perfect teacher is one of my goals. 

I'm married and have two beautiful kids, Alshaymaa and Omar.

We moved to Seattle last year to complete our studies and get Master's degree. I plan to get a Master's degree in human right's law to help make people aware of their legal rights. 

      I love to travel and discover new places and to learn about different cultures and societies. Moreover, I like to cook and try make new dishes for my small family and spend an enjoyable time together watching movies or playing with my children.