Thank you All, again...

Salaam,

Yes, its been quite a while since my last post almost a forthnight ago. And welcome back to my story of a trailing spouse for the new year 2011. Unfortunately or rather, it all began with my being hospitalized yet again for the second time since my last admission to Kasra Hospital almost two years ago (Thank you all... dated 16 April 2009). It all began with an emergency midnight visit to Erfan hospital on Thursday 6th January until I was eventually discharged a week later.

Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah the most merciful, the most benevolent, the treatment went out extremely well and after a dozen drips of serum and other medications, the infection was finally diagnosed and accordingly treated. Thanks to all the wonderful jobs by all the professional doctors and experts, the well-trained nurses and other personnels of the hospital, and the excellent treatment, their skills and pleasant services rendered.

Thank you so much also to all my dearest colleagues, friends and relatives for all their continuous support and encouragement and their unceasing prayers during such a difficult time. Not least to my hubby who had always been, patiently, by my side throughout my ordeal. May the blessings of Allah always be upon us all, Amin...Wassalam.

continuous high temperatures...

dawn view of the city from my hospital room...

my daily 6am breakfast...

and lunch & dinner...

two days of continuous downpours of snow...

well-wishers from my dear Indonesian colleagues...

and a heart-warming visit from the ladies...

prayer n encouragement...

joyfulness...the night before being discharged...

one of the best, sophisticated and advanced medical centers...

in the city...

and finally n happily... home again...

Wintry day returns...

Salaam,

The cold spell and the wintry weather is here again. Waking up this morning feeling extra cold and chilly. When I peeped through the window curtain, yes it was almost all white over our front garden. Last night and this morning rain sleet had started spreading over this northern part of Tehran. During the last few days, temperatures were forecasted to drop to as low as zero. The sleet, slush or wet snow, whichever way you called it, are usually accompanied by freezing rain. But this year though, it has not been snowing yet compared to the last two previous winters when it snowed heavily during this time of the year.

Well, don't mind the snow, but not the long and severe cold spell, please...

Wassalam.

frozen raindrops...

slush or wet snow...

wintry and cold day...

New Year day in Tehran...

Salaam,

Spending the first day of the new year of the Gregorian calendar in Tehran...yet again away from home.

Well, nothing much really happening around here on the first of January though. Iranian does not observe the day as a national holiday. Saturday is in fact the first working day in Iran after their two-day weekend.

As it is also still weekend (Friday & Saturday) for the embassy, we decided to spend the day out for some groceries, eating out and not least some windowshopping. Sightseeing, is not in the program though, as it was reported that lately the city's pollution level has again reached an alarming level. And the cold wintry day, minus the snow, can already be felt everywhere in the city.

So there goes our first day of the new year...spent away from our beloved ones...for the six consecutive years.

Happy New Year 2011 everyone...

Wassalam.

Golestan Mall

sunny n chilly day...

a good day for some windowshopping...

and relaxation...

view of milad tower from golestan

less congested drive on the highway

Happy New Year 2011...

Salaam,

To all my dear friends and readers,

Alhamdulillah, as the year 2010 left us, all praises only to Allah the Almighty for answering our prayers and pouring us with His endless blessings throughout the year.

And as the new year begins, let us reiterate our prayers for a long and healthy life, success and prosperity and continued divine blessings for us and our family and indeed for all humanity in the coming new year.

Wishing all our beloved ones, friends and relative our best wishes and happiness into the new year 2011.

Happy New Year to all...

Wassalam.

Artificial Flowers...

Salaam,

Nothing says it quite like flowers. But if you are looking for an option to decorate your house with flowers, artificial flowers is one of the best things and just the finest alternative for you.

During one of my recent visits to the Shoush wholesale market in the downtown area of Tehran, I found this flower shop located on the ground floor of the Shoush bazaar-e Shar Dari complex. The range of artificial flowers and colors available at the shop are endless. Once you step into the shop, you can't help admiring at the wide-range and realistic-looking collection of artificial flowers, varying in size, designs and color combination. They are so well crafted...the quality and the realism of the stems, sprays, bunches and bouquets is quite simply amazing, so much so that a second look is often required to determine if they are real or not.

Artificial flowers or more grandly known to as 'permanent botanicals' nowadays are widely used and become highly sought after interior decorative accessory throughout the world. They have existed in the market place as a long lasting alternative to everyday fresh flowers for many years to come.

Just like the real thing, artificial flowers are fabulous to brighten up a home all year round. They are a cost-effective, less hassle and maintenance-free alternative to real flowers yet pack as much punch as the real deal. Stunning and vibrant, natural looking and versatile...they are just the perfect vase filler to enhance one's home throughout the year, and are sure to kindle just a little romance in everyone's heart.

And just to share a lovely and adoring poem entitled "Artificial Flowers" originally writen by K.P Kavafis, (translated by Peter J. King and Andrea Christofidou) to bring home the message of the beauty of artificial flowers...

Artificial Flowers (1903)

(Kavafis)

I don't want real narcissi - neither lilies

nor real roses please me,

decorating trite and common gardens. I am grieved,

fatigued, afflicted by their flesh

their perishable beauty bores me.

Give me artificial flowers - porcelain and metal glories - neither

fading nor decaying, forms unaging.

Flowers of the splendid gardens of another place,

where forms and styles and knowledge dwell.

I love flowers made of glass or gold,

true Art's true gifts,

their painted hues more beautiful than nature's,

worked in nacre and enamel,

with perfect leaves and branches.

Their charm derives from wise and pure Good Taste;

they didn't vilely sprout in dust or mud.

If they lack scent, we'll pour out perfume,

burn romantic myrrh before them.

Wassalam.