MAHER ZAIN - INSHA ALLAH -

MAHER ZAIN - INSHA ALLAH -

Everytime you feel like you cannot go onYou feel so lostAnd That you're so aloneAll you see is nightAnd darkness all aroundYou feel so helplessYou can't see which way to go
Don't despair and never lose hopeCoz Allah is always by ur Side.......

Insha Allah [x2]Insha Allah you'll find your way

Every time you commit one more mistakeYou feel you can't repentAnd that it's way too lateYou're so confused, wrong decisions you have madeHaunt your mind and your heart is full of shame

But don't despair and never lose hopeCause Allah is always by your side
Insha Allah [x2]Insha Allah you'll find your way

Turn to AllahHe's never far awayPut your trust in HimRaise your hands and prayOh -  Ya AllahGuide my steps don't let me go astrayYou're the only one who can show me the wayShow me the way [x3]

Insha Allah [x2]Insha Allah we'll find our way

Courtesy - Maher Zain - Insha Allah !

Ras Malai - A Sweet Indian delicacy -

            "Anything sweet a morsel, after a sumptuous meal makes us happy and healthy."
    well, that's what I feel and believe for the last 25 years since I started enjoying the flavor and tang of tasty foods.
 I do this posting in memory of the Ras Malai that I happened to taste yesterday from the downtown from a Hyderabadi sweet shop. After having the awzum dessert, I came home and googled about the Origin and recipe of the dish and discovered that it was a modified sequel of the much- known Rasgolla.
 Though Rasgolla originated somewhere in Orissa, Ras Malai started off from the old city of Calcutta by a confectioner named Krishna Chandra Das in the year 1930. It resembles the Rasgolla as it itself is a creamy, white or yellow coloured balls (often flattened ) of Paneer (cottage cheese ) soaked in sweet milk cream called Malai which also is sprinkled with ingredients like Cardamom,Badam,Pistachio and a li'l bit of Saffron.

        Aji Ras Malai......Aapke Liye, Itni Mithai......Aapke Liye, Pehle Joote......Khayenge Kya ,  Aapki Marzi           Na Ji Tauba Na Ji Tauba...Na Ji Tauba.......! ( lyrics adapted from the song - Joote do Paise lo from the movie Hum Aapke Hain Kaun ). It is from this song which I came to know about this sweet Indian dessert for the initial time. Also I would like to reveal that I love this wonderful dessert as much as I love my all time favorite Gaajar ka halwa or the Carrot halwa which is good in taste as well as in nutrition.

The Wrath of Solitude........

I am here in a desert forest with dry twigs and figs that sway in the kiln wind

Its the time of Summer where the dates ripe in the humid space .
No hope to dream and no trust to aspire in the warmth of the desert steam.
Only my shadow and my Solitude with me to share my woes n' Sorrows.
No sight of the cattle or a pasture land with free breeze and a nature song.No presence of a narrow stream or a white old oak with a gentle thud.
No bird's squack or a cow's boo or a swing of a bright green bough .

Only the silence of the sultry air and the dormant time for my urban dream.

An Error can change the outlook of a Flag........!

       After the Californians revolted against the Mexican government, they wanted to raise a flag to commemorate their victory. One of the rebel leaders, Captain Robert Bartlett advocated they use an agricultural symbol to embody the rich agricultural regions of their beloved republic (This was no coincidence considering that Captain Bob had developed the Bartlett pear years earlier!). They quickly pieced together a rough preliminary design and shipped it off to William L. Todd  with instructions for him to paint a large pear across the middle of the flag. These instructions must not have been very legible, because instead of painting an enormous fruit, he instead painted a gigantic grizzly bear across the front, despite the fact that there ARE NO grizzlies in California! 


                                The Recommended Californian Pear Flag

                                   The Current Californian Bear Flag -

 Regardless, the rebels still hoisted the erroneous flag, intending to change it at a later date. This never happened though, because within a month the Americans captured the Mexican capital of Monterey and officially proclaimed California to be an American territory!
When California chose its official state flag in 1911, officials decided to go with a modernized version the one used during the revolution. Though a giant bear seems to be a strangely notable choice even today, most do not even realize the flag was intended to have been far more bizarre!

You raise me up, to more than I can be........!

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.


You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... to more than I can be.


There is no life - no life without its hunger;

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.


You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
And I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... to more than I can be.
You raise me up... to more than I can be......

                                                ( Written by Brendan Graham.......)
  
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhYz4_-wp0I&feature=related

My New 'Henry' T-Shirt & some Soccer Stories......!

Lets start this day with some Soccer facts and my previous affection to the 'french national team' which was
guided by 'Zizou' alias "Zinadine Zidane",who helped France to win the 1998 world Soccer Championship.
French team was blessed with a lot of talented players like Youri Djorkaeff, Patrick Viera, David Trezeguet,
Thierry Henry and Robert Pires apart from the mid-field 'General - Zizou aka Zidane.The Peculiarity of the team was that of the cultural mix within the team as most of the players were of different Origin.
    I happened to go to the Sports bazaar here in Jeddah were most of the youngsters have a vogue towards
football and its accessories.I found a wide collection of Sports Jersies and other stuffs kept for sale there.
One of the sales guy in a shop waved me to have a look at those collections.I simply barged in for a look without showing much interest.Yes,as I said earlier there was a wide collection of Jersies from Club level
to National Team level.Those with much demand was for Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Anyhow I checked for the Jersey of  the french National Team which was called the 'Les bleus'
( the blues) for there bright blue color.At last I found  the 'Henry' one though I was looking for the Zidane or the Trezeguet version.But later I realized that this Jersey was the best one as 'Thierry Henry ' was the top goal Scorer for french national team and he is still playing for the 'Les bleus '.So, I Picked the 'Henry T-Shirt'
though I found other T'-s from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

                                                   The 'Insignia' of Liverpool

Yeah itz me the same old Guy after an awzum break......(Vacation) !

The Woods (Kerala ) were lovely dark and deep
but I had promises to keep.........
So I had to come baack after a break.
So I'm baack here in Jeddah....ooops !
I would like to resurrect a thousands words abt  the so called 'Gods own County or Country
with an additional 'R',as the penultimate letter,which doesn't make much difference........!
I was able to visit only two of the prime cities of Kerala within my congested One month of vacation.
Both starts with the letter 'K' and both the cities are blessed with beautiful and dazzling backwaters.
Yez, its Kochi and Kollam( My home town).I didn't find much difference in these two cities.
Though I landed in Trivandrum Airport, I wasn't able to explore the city which i wished to....but
didn't get a chance.Baack to Kochi and Kollam. Being my Dad's hometown I had my Eid-ul Adha
this time in Kochi with my paternal relatives and had my Eid salaah (Prayers) at the view of the Splendid
Marine drive Eid Gaah.It was an awe-inspiring experience for me at the Eid-Gaah as i was able to meet
much of my relatives,friends and my old-time buddies there after the Salaah.Also I got the chance to enjoy
the charm of the daashing back-water of kochi at Marine drive.
Later we visited the much talked about castle in Edapally,Kochi - "The Oberon Mall" with my Kinz 'nd cousins .These days, all the Jangoes and Yo-Yo's ( I mean the Young freak-outs and buddies who wish to
catch others attraction ) goes to this mall in Kochi in spite of going to Veega-land or any other esplanades.
So we had a tremendous and destructive moments there playing X-games and a sumptuous feast @ the end.
I wished to order pure vegetarian as i have been messed up with all the bloody chickens,beefs and the bash-
ful fish for almost two weeks frm the time I landed on the moon (.....Sorry, I mean  my native province- Kerala) Aw !

You can juz view some of those moments in You-Tube through- the following link .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBh1eXD2Nqg

I should say that Kochi's backwater is really charismatic as it creates a sense of nostalgia in me as i had
the fortune to have my boisterous boyhood in Kochi. Even the mashed-up roads in Kochi makes me nostalgic.Yes, the two things that remains the same like the late 80's of Kochi are the Serene backwaters and
the guttered inland roads.( My visit to Kochi helped me to discover that the Kochin PWD is the worst and the slapdash department in South India - the current condition of the inland roads says that......).

Back in Kollam - Visited all of my relatives,two of my uncle's rennovated and newly-built houses and also the marvellous beach of Kollam with my friends. The Key thing which I noticed as I cruised thru Kollam was that the value of everything just doubled within a period of One year.
Tea - Rs 4  from Rs 2, Fresh Carrot Juice - Rs 25 frm Rs 12 , Uzhunnu Vada or Banana fritters - Rs 4 frm Rs 2 and the price of the thing which made me cry is that of the Majestic Apple Juice - Rs 40 ( incredible ).

After hardly 28 days of time, I had to say bye-bye- or Ma'-salaama to my family and Companions.

The Incident which made me proud as a Keralite on my trip back to Jeddah via Dubai in Emirates flight was the acrobatics and the pandemonium created my some drunken passengers from Trivandrum.They had heavy drinks on-board. Some of them even fierced at the Air-hostess' and Stewards as they warned them for walking rashly thru the aisle when they were supposed to sit on there respected seats.
As soon as the flight landed on the run way, One drunken Malayaalee jumped upon his seat and shouted at anothen drunken co-passenger -"Arrest him, he is the real culprit - he created all the mayhem on-board".
The Steward came on to the spot and said to him - " Sorry, I can't do that, b-coz- I'm not a Police-man" !

The Hurry' burry Kurry - Aka Chicken Fraanks -

    As the name cites, itz indeed a hurry burry dish made from processed chicken (normally called Chicken -franks derived from the french cuisine).This is a tasty dish that can be made by all lonely Adams'(bachelors )short of time within 15-20 min's and to be sure not more than that.There is an axiom that "Hurry - burry will always Spoil the Curry"- Yepp,True to an extent . So make sure that you are not in much hurry though the time needed  for this dish is very minute. I assure you  that this dish will be pretty gud with pancakes like Chappathi, Ari Pathiri or the Middle - eastern Khubz.This can be made in varied kinds and modules.
The One 'am gonna' try here is a Saucy one with enough spice and blocks.
So tie up your Aprons  -
Here we go......

Ingredients :-

1.Chicken Franks - 1 Packet -400 gms ( consisting of abt 10-12 Strands)
2.Potatoes   - 2  ( big size )     
3.Tomatoes -  2  ( big size ) ,you can also use tomato paste instead.
4.Onions     -  3-4 ( normal size ).
5.Ginger n' Garlic - Small piece and 4 pods.
6.Garam Masala - 2 tsp.
7.Chilly Powder  - 2 tsp.
8.Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp.
9.Coriander Powder- 1/2 tsp. (optional )
10.Coriander leaves - Grinded or 2 to 3 strands.
11.Green Elaichi   -  2  to 3 no:s.
12.Mustard seeds - A Pinch.
13.Coconut milk -   2-3 Cups.
14.Coconut Oil  or Sunflower Oil -  3-4 tbsp.

Preparation.

 Wash the chicken strands thorougly and let it to drain.Cut the Strands into small cylinders or blocks as you can figure it out from the Picture.Heat the oil in a pan  on medium temp. After the oil get heated up, put the pinch of mustard seeds into it and make sure tha you hear the CRack-CracK sound of the bursting of the seeds. If you don't hear it , juz' curse the seeds .......Sorry, I won't be responsible for that.......he.....he......!
Now saute' the veggies like sliced Onions, Potatoes and Tommies along with chopped ginger/garlic and elaichi pods till the  Onion becomes goldy brown. You may also feel a pleasant smell by that time ,which I can't express or make you feel by typing on this clip board.
Now marinate the chicken franks with the Garam masala and all the above said powders with a little bit of oil. Gently put the marinated Chicken to the saute'ed mixture on the pan and heat it for a while.
Now add the 3 cups of coconut milk and heat it in low flame.Add the grinded coriander paste or you can garnish it with strands of coriander leaves.

NB: - I even added some fish masala by gaffe.........Thank God, it didn't taste weird. Everything was okay
by the end though it was a little bit spicy. Addition of coconut milk made the curry simple and humble.

Some Hilarious Superstitions..........lol !

1.An Apple a day keeps the doctor away.....!

    (Mmmm.....quite haard to believe.I even tried a trial to check on the authenticity of this proverb.
I had 'two'- apples for an assurance on one fine 'May', morning and went out on rain to beat the 'Quote'.
Sorry to say that, the very next day I was struck with fever and cold.

Damn', who cited this Proverb. Kudoz to him - May his soul rest in heaven for quoting such a wonderful
blunder. (May be becoz, I had 'two' A-Apples......Insha Allah,nxt time I will try with a single one.)

2. If a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck.

    (Oooh....Some are haard-core believers of this proverb. A very ancient axiom, which can't be condemned
so easily.......fairly a good  no: - of experiences to share for all boyz and gals......Aaah, le'mme start with

mine......frm my Childhood. I was on my way to an auditorium to attend a marriage function with some of

my ja'angoes ( frnz). Abruptly a cat crossed my path......Pardon, I was not in a temper to check whether it

was black, white or spotted......as i was more concerned abt the food and the gals present there.....!

So, I entered the hallway footing the right leg first for a good omen. Straight away, I went to the first row

to catch the mob's attraction.Within seconds,a flamboyant boy came with some drinks and concentrates.....

I took one and to help one of my friend , I took another one too. I was abt to offer the drink to my nearest

friend. Alas, the tumbler slipped from my hand and fell on the floor with much noise breaking' the pande-

monium of the big hall. I felt embarassed abt wat happened at the moment. Meanwhile, some of my friends

nodded on my shoulder uttering "Cool on my boy,nth'ng to worry,Itz juz a glass of drink and not a bowl of 

pudding or kabaab".Aaaah, I felt greatly relieved with the pat of my buddies.

Swiftly, I thought - "Was that bloody caat ,Yellow, brown ,white or black !".

3.If a crow caws at your corridor,make sure that some guests are gonna' come.

   True to an extent.....Let me go baack to my childhood again.......(Yes, I was a much experienced guy in

my childhood more than wen i was a teenager or a youngster....he...hee !). During weekends and also
during my summer vacations, I used to spend most of my time in my home playing 'Snake and ladder' and

watching 'Doordarshan'- the most tedious channel that existed during those days. I even had some local

prankos to play with. You may feel amazed to know that I came to know abt this axiom from the ever time

great comic 'Boban n' Molly'. I was not a regular reader of this comic,but anyhow I got this information
frm this funny periodical.Yes,and it was true.....might be because we didn't have any famine for guests.

And a guest can be any one - neighbours, relatives (close or distant), family friends, Parents' colleagues or

their old time buddies, Well-wishers ,country-men etc......

I was not bothered abt close relatives, but i was indeed worried about distant and strange guests' becoz it will destruct my azaadi (freedom) for Speech, food,Television and all sorts of mayhem.

So when ever i find a crow on my corridor , I do pelt stone at it shouting -" Get lost you dirty black raven "!

4.Garlic protects from evil spirits and vampires.......!

   I don't consider this as a superstition.This is a science of nature or a gizmo believed and practised by the
elders with respect.Factual to a good scope. Itz all abt Science or the garlic factor more than the what so called superstition. The ingredients of Garlic like Allicin and other Sulphur compounds have the power to

keep away vampires and reptiles. Let me share my experience - During my high school days, a long legless

reptile ( I don't want to quote the five letter word, 'S_ake !) came for a visit at our backyard. My mother
got scared after seeing it -"who won't get scared at its sight".She called me up and gave me a bowl of grinded garlic water. She advised me to shower it on the deadly creature.
 It was hung on the branch of our custard-apple tree on our backyard. I went up the balcony and sprinkled some garlic water on it after the ineffective pumbing of water and throwing of stones at it.

To my surprise, it got rid of the branch and went away.
Thus I judged that "Garlic,indeed has got some magical powers on nature".

5.Our fate is written on the Staars.....

   This is the most beautiful axiom I love. Itz not a matter of belief or conviction, but I simply picturize this maxim.There is a lot of superstitions and beliefs regarding the judgement of One's fate all around the world.

It is a common cliche' that Indians,East-Asians and Africans are wildly vulgar in their Superstitions. But in the matter of one's fate,the westerners are not far behind.Nowadayz they do find craze on their horoscopes and

astrologies.India, is a country with a lot of appeal on astrology varying from Palmistry,Zodiac-signs,facial- signs,birth-stars,bird-Science and quite more. Wen I was in my college,I had a chance to meet a bird astro-

loger.he Predicted, Mr.Afsal,at your age of 22, you will be  *$#&@&)%$!$%$%^*.....
I fancied......

Damn.......nothing haappened.......!

(to be continued.......)

The Kerala Greenery -

    A lush  green  lawn in  front of a  housing  colony in  Kuttanad .

A Tribute to MJ - And to All Tiny,Painful And depressed Hearts -

Have you seen my Childhood?

I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me

[They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me....]

People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I've never known....


Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...


Before you judge me, try hard to love me...
Look within your heart then ask.......


People say I'm strange that way

'Cause I love such elementary things,
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood I've never known...



Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly...


Before you judge me, try hard to love me...
The painful youth I've had........

An Iftaar Lamb Fiesta -

Seen here is a Whole Lah'm Khabsa (A Fried Rice dish with whole lamb served with Yoghurt and Vegetable Salad). This was served for our Iftaar feast at Hotel Inter Continental - Jubail with all our Colleagues and friends.This is a dish served for 20-25 people .Though we where twenty in number , we  found it haard to complete the whole dish.

Zain Ramadan English TVC

Something funny, but Genuine -

Cracking your knuckles does not actually hurt your bones or cause arthritis. The sound you hear is just gas bubbles bursting.

Cracking your knuckles (or any of your joints) can have therapeutic benefits. When you crack one of your joints you are pulling the bones that are connected at the joint apart from each other.
This process stimulates your tendons, relaxes your muscles, and loosens your joints.
Chiropractors - the Physicians  who diagnose and treat the defects on musculoskeletal system and there effects on nervous system do this for spinal joints when your back is sore and stiff .You can do this on your own for your knuckles, toes, knees, neck, etc. So never misunderstand that it will lead to Arthritis rather than keeping away from it.But too much stretching of your ligaments will cause damage to your fingers related to the arm injuries endured by some Sportspersons.

The Cheese factor -

Still staaring @ the block of Cheese on li'l Jerry's tiny head or the charm of the flamboyant Picture. Which eva'........ , Itz all about the varieties of Cheese all around the world and its nutritional  factors.
Ever thought abt the diversity of Cheese and its subsidiaries ......?! Well, I should admit that It can be an interesting topic for research  for students relating to food and dairy science .
Cheeses are generally classified as Hard, Xtreme Hard, Soft &Semi-soft.  It also has priority based on ageing and the kind of milk used varying from Cow, Goat or Sheep.It may diverge from the Dutch Gouda Cheese to the Middle-Eastern Labneh. Some other delicious cheese assortments  include the Danish Blue Cheese, the Russian Circussians, the Spanish Manchengos,  the Swedish Herrgårdsost and the grilled Halloumi from Cyprus. As I said earlier its a matter of exploration as there are an innumerable range of Cheese.The Indian Cottage Cheese called Paneer is a main ingredient in some of the Mughlai dishes.