Dhani Alhamidi Lubis

Ramadhan and….. going home !! -_-

Ramdhan is a holy month for Muslims all over the globe. It is also a period where Muslims are not allowed to drink, eat, have sex(If they are married) for certain period of time. How we fast is we get up early in the morning(depending on where we live) because I live in Indonesia I normally wake up at 3.30am and break my fasting around 6.30.

For me, This ramadhan means so special, not only because I fast in USA but also I fast 3 hours longer than I do back home. I start considering what I eat for breakfast. 17.5 hours without eating is not easy to do. I also experience things I have never experienced before. A lots of American ask me about the purpose of fasting, consequences if you did not fast, and the most frequent asked question from American is “what if you do not fast as long as you are suppose to?”. These are my answers according what I have been taught about fasting.

The main purpose of ramadhan is to appreciate the poor who do not have food and drink. We bring ourselves to the level where we do not eat nor drink almost the whole day in order to know and understand what not having food and drink feels like for the poor. We are also expected to appreciate them and welcome them with open arms. If you could not fast for some reasons you can make it up later on. For instance, you are sick in ramadhan, you do not want to harm your self so you decide not to fast. It is obviously fine. But you can not be spoiled. You are not sick but because you find out not eating for that such period of time is not easy to do and your sloth, you don’t fast.

There is no physical consequence you will obtain for not fasting. It is about your faith between you and your god. If you believe in your God and religion you will absolutely fast, right? Eventhough you worry you are not able to fast. At least you try it first and when you feel it hurt you physically and mentally just stop fasting.

I am still in USA. My departure day is coming up. I am excited to go home, meet my family and friends, but in the other hand I am going to miss friends I have been close to, host family which is the one who always encourage me when I need support. Teachers, They all have taught me not only about the subject they teach but also something I have never learned before. They always try to amuse students before learning about the material so they can understand and apply what they learn better. Speaking English is an activity I barely do backhome that’s why there is no reason I will not miss it. I am not going to discover the moment where I do not understand what my teacher says , I should ask my friends a lot of questions about subjects we talk about due to language difference and many other interesting things.

I have never been away from my family for this such along time. I get to see them again in 20 days so exciting!!. I am definitely looking forward to celebrate Idul Fitri which is 20 days ahead from now. I would say leaving the place you feel comfortable living in is sort of bitter sweet. You are excited to see family and friends in your home country but in the other hand you do not want to abandon people you have been friends with where you currently live. SEE YOU GUYS SOON!!!

These are some pictures from activities I have done recently :) :