November 20, 2007
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Month of Traveling Around
Well, the last month has been so rough it’s like pulling teeth! Even work is like taking time off by comparison. In fact, work might be the least stressful part of my day right now. Though, it’s not all bad stress, mind you…
Nashville for Eid
First, Nashville (back in October) was good. There was some… disconnect as to when Eid-ul-Fitr was supposed to be. See, Islamic holidays are based on the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar: 12 months, and each month is one full cycle of the moon. The new month is signalled by the sighting of the new moon (these days we can use astronomical projections, as well). Since Eid-ul-Fitr is the first of the month after Ramadan, it depends on the sighting of the moon.
And if it’s one thing Muslims can disagree over, it’s when Eid is. Though, to me, it’s really not that major an issue as folks like to make it out to be. Back in ‘the day’, Mecca and Medina would sometimes celebrate Eid on two different days; I say to just roll with the city that you’re in. Most places held Eid on Saturday; Nashville ended up holding it on Friday.
Unfortunately, I was flying on on Friday afternoon. So, I missed the prayers that morning. However, because everyone was planning on it being Saturday (and… if you ask me, it was supposed to be Saturday regardless), all the family had plans on Saturday already set up. Catering, cooking, feasts, and parties were planned for Saturday.
So we went ahead and celebrated both days. I mean, if it’s one thing Bangladeshis won’t do, we won’t pass up a good feast. Some folks might see the minor disagreement on when Eid should be as a sign of disunity among Muslims. Us enlightened folks see this minor disagreement as a cause to celebrate for two days instead of just one. (Nevertheless, it is nice when everyone agrees on the same day.)
California for Business
One great thing is that I got to go to Southern California for business. There’s a course on SAS Enterprise Miner software (which we’ll be getting at work soon), and myself and one of my colleagues went to Irvine, CA, for that two-day course. My colleague coincidentally had planned his vacation for the preceding week in the Bay Area, so he just extended his stay and trained down for that. Me, I took the opportunity to fly into San Diego the preceding weekend to spend it with family in the area.
Since it was an improvised vacation, I was more so happy to be able to spend some time with family I don’t get to see that often. I did go with my cousin and his 15-month old daughter to the San Cabrillo National Monument, where there are some really nice views of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean:
After the weekend, I went up to Irvine for the course, and flew out on Tuesday. Took Wednesday off, on account of arriving at 5:45am that day.
Arlington for Rest
One of my friends came into town on Wednesday (and another on Friday-Saturday). Since that week was really light work-wise, and also there was an anime convention right in Crystal City near my apartment that weekend (AnimeUSA), it was a pretty good time.
Nashville for…
Since I’ve already gone on long enough, I think I’ll get back to some of the stuff I’ve picked up next week. I’m going to Nashville for the Thanksgiving weekend, and I’ll update when I get back. …soon, this time. KF
