Recognise these guys...

Picture from Qasim...

Here comes 2005...

Salaams,

Can you believe that 2005 is already here? New Year in Stanger was always fun. Cassim from Ladysmith used to drive down every year for it. It wasn't fun cleaning off the polish though.

Naseem left for Stanger today to start work at Stanger Hospital. Good luck to him. It was nice having him around and we will miss him. Well done to Nafeesa with her matric results. I hope the studies continue.

Witbank is the in the outbacks, Farid. Isn't it the same as Woodie Woodie...

Ashraf, if the braai meat is not up to standard over there then we will only visit once the standard improves. We have been having too many braais over here recently and I can't imagine life without them. I will have a chop and steak for you Ashraf. How was the new year over there?

Anyone noticed the 4D picture story changing or was it just me, Aslam...

Sumaiya, Issa and Ibrahim are well.

Salaams
As'ad

Good News All Round..

Very happy that Yunus has finally got his visa and is on his way, may he have a safe and meaningful Hajj that will be accepted. Also good news from Nafeesa... future plans? Ashraf sounds like he is missing home a little, but enjoying the experience as well. Not so good meat... that could be a disaster for braais.

As for Farid, way out in Witbank... Perth seems to be closer than Witbank! Just kidding, we must get together. As every one else I am also lost with the whole Marie Biscuit issue? Naseem may be a little delirious from him returning to his moms cooking for another year! His last day in Jhb tomorrow...

Yes, New Years in Stanger was nice.. Essop Paps used to take us down Cooper street in the back of the Pilkies van... with loads of ammo...tomatoes etc. You had to throw and duck. The buggers on the balconies had a good aim on us! Was fun.

Salaams to all...
Qasim

....more news from Perth

Yes Sunny boy, you need to explain the marie biscuit issue. We do get marie biscuits here but not the SA blue lable ones. I'm sure if I pop around to the South African store it will be available at a price. Naseem, hope you are looking forward to being at home...........I can still remember the days when you used to work in Pilkies on Saturdays. The highlight of your day was getting that lorettas mutton curry pie and a 200ml coke from cafe kat. Thanks to all of you for the news and updated info. The 4D scan looks good and Katy says the baby looks like Aslam....(looking for food)..ha ha ha . Hope everything goes well for Saaleha and Sameera. Congrats to Nafeesa.....what does she plan to study Firoze? Hope Zaynab is doing ok with the second pregnancy. Pretty soon choti mamee will need a star wagon for all the grand kids! Tonight is new years eve and I'm sure it will not be like Stanger. For the last four years, we always had a braai at our flat with great company and lovely views of the fire works from the balcony. Talking about braai's, the meat here is nowhere close to the stuff we get in SA....pretty sad. It's prompted us to search the internet for good marinades. So if any of you out there have excellent recipes please start e mailing them. We are settling in alright and enrolled Azhar in the Islamic College (http://aic.wa.edu.au). School starts on the 27th January. I'm enjoying the last bit of the holidays before I start work next Wednesday. Please convey our Salaams to all.

Ashraf

Good News from Tongaat

Salaams Everyone

Just wanted to let you guys know that Yunus (Marie Biscuit ???) has received his Visa and will be leaving for Haj on Thursday Insha-allah.

We also received the great news that Nafeesa passed matric with 7 Distinctions.

If Farid’s memory of New years in Stanger is anything to go by I am may have to abandon other plans and head down there.

Anyway got to get back to work.

Salaams

Firoze

New Years

Salaams,

Sorry about the MTN Disclaimer thing, it seems to be automatically inserted. You guys seem to be travelling the world, so when are your’ll coming to WITBANK ??

Hope you guys enjoy the NEW YEARS EVE Celebrations. I will certainly miss NEW YEARS EVE in STANGER. It was the best. Collecting rotten, over-ripe fruit for throwing, wearing old T-shirts and coming home face-full-of-polish. Those were the days. Is it still the same in Stanger ?

Farid, Yumna and Farihah Asmal

4D Picture of Baby

Alhumdulillah Saaleha and the baby have been doing very well. This is a 4D scan of the baby....not very good because the baby's face was against the placenta. Make dua the rest of the pregnancy goes well.


Aslam

Marie Biscuits and other things...

Salaams. Very nice to see new people posting onto the blog. It is easy enough. Dont worry about the extra unwanted stuff that appears after the message...I clean it up as soon as I get the chance. Just remember to email pictures to me for posting directly onto the website.

Its been hot in Durban for the last 2 days with rain in the evenings. Saaleha is well and the baby is due in February. Anyone wants to guess the day that the bay will be born. If they are right then they can name the baby. On second thoughts, no way. I was one day off with Zaynab and Riyadh's Qaylah. In fact, Qaylah was about 45 minutes away from being Maryam. Make dua that all goes well. Insha allah Yunus a.ka. marie biscuit and his wife will leave for hajj soon. Naseem - please post a story onto the blog to explain the marie biscuit knickname. People must be laughing everytime they see a packet of maries. Seen any in Australia lately, Ashraf ?

Aslam

Taking off...

Salaams,

Nice to see new bloggers. Zaynab, we don't really need to know all the directors of Nedbank, and Farid, MTN disclaimers should be kept internal. Just joking...

No news from Suliman for a while. What's the news from down under?

Joburg is quite at this time of the year...no traffic.

Salaams
As'ad, Sumaiya, Ibrahim and Issa

Salaams

Salaams to everyone,

MTN certainly isn’t the same without Ashraf and his advice within the company, but its good to see that he is enjoying himself Down Under.

As for Yunus ( where does the “marie biscuit” thing come from ??? ), he is still in Durban waiting for his Visa. The agent apparently is blacklisted and he seems to be doing people in every year. Insha-allah they will leave either on Saturday ( 25^th ) or Monday ( 27^th).

Take care and salaams to all
Farid Asmal

Another addition to the Khan Family

Salaams all

Found out recently that I am pregnant - 13 weeks this week. Another baby on the way...hope its not too hectic. Qaylah will be in the middle of the terrible two's - so wish me luck! Riyaad and I are very excited...so is mummy, she is enjoying the regular additions of grandchildren - Issa in September, Qasim and Sameera's baby due in January and Aslam and Saalehah's baby due in February. So far all is well, make dua that it stays that way. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ashraf, sent you an email, hope you get it way out in the bundu's.

Zaynab

hey ashraf is that you!

Hey, Ashraf! You're not even there for a month yet & you're lurching my sister once again. Hows the chows there at the outback! I'm sure you dont need Rehana from weighless there! Ebrahim called me the very same day that you did. He says you'll take it easy & take enough breaks....no wonder all the calls from both you guys to most of us here. Yes we've had four braais already, since you've gone & everytime we light that fire, we think of you. Please dont forget to fill me in on the bar b ques you guys have. Laami'a is almost 7 months old & is now crawling! ...&cutting her first tooth. Sa'diyya&Leyya are enjoying their holidays tremendously, now that they have their own swimming pool!

FATHIMA MAHOMED

Hello Woodie Woodie...

Salaams,

It was nice to hear from Ashraf in the outbacks of Australia. Sounds like he is having a memorable experience. Ashraf always spoke about backpacking across Europe. Although the continent is different the experience will always be with him. Please post some pictures for us to see, Ashraf! Then I can decide if we should visit...just joking we hope to visit soon.

All well in Joburg. Not as hot as Woodie Woodie or even Perth, but hot enough.

Spoke to Cassim from Ladysmith yesterday aftera long time. He is well and gives Salaams. Said that there was a problem with Yunus and haj trip. Make dua that all goes well.

Salaams
As'ad

almost there....

Salaamz to all

Good to see regular postings. Yunus from Tongaat (more
affectionately known as marie biscuit!!) has just left for
Hajj. Lets hope he does not forget us in his prayers.
Internship is almost over, GOING BACK HOME, for community
service and MUMMYS CHOW! (no offence Sumaiya!!).
Read you later

naseem

Sounds good...

Great to hear from both Ashraf and Suleman.... hope that Kathija and kids setlle down. You guys will have to send us pics of all the 9 kids...The outback sounds VAST, makes one think alot. Just chatting to As'ad now, it would be great to visit early next year and experience some of this first hand! have you got a GPS system yet! Sameera is now 34 weeks, time is flying, and we are going to Durban this weekend and the usual Stanger visit as well. Ashraf used to really keep everyone informed about each other, now he is gone... we will have to take that responsibilty ourselves. Please send us pics from Down Under...

Qasim

The Heat is ON!!!

Nice to c that Ashraf is communicating with the rest of the world from somewhere in nowhere. Perth had its hottest day for December in 30 yrs. Anybody want to guess??? A top of 41.5 degrees celcius in the shade at 14h00. at least it is no where as humid as durbs. The electricity utility called western power gets hot under the collar when the temperature reaches this level. Last year they came under heavy fire for not being able to supply enough electricity and had to ask all major shopping centres and corporate buildings including their own to turn off their air conditioners or face power cuts and severe fines. Otherwise all is going well down under. Till next time.

Suleman

News from Down Under

I have so much to say and really don't know where to start. Ebrahim and myself are presently working at this manganese mine in a small outback camp called Woodie Woodie. It's a 3.5hr flight from Perth and it's so remote you simply cannot believe. I'm sitting under a satellite dish in the middle of nowhere writing this mail.......could u do this years ago? Today was 37deg cel and the temperature often soars to 55 deg cel......and Aslam, you think SA was hot after Saleeha and yourself returned from Germany! We will return to Perth next Monday. This was a a great chance to see the outback...nothing to see really, drove about 400KM and saw NOTHING, absoutely nothing......but just the feel of the vastness is amazing. Met a guy who lives out here and his closest neighbour is 250Km away.....he lives, eats and sleeps in his cattle ranch and he would not trade his home for anything in the world. Also saw these road trains.......monster of a truck that tows upto four trailers......in total there are almost eighty tyres, yes 80.....the driver tells me that he starts to break about seven km before the town, I remember this famous Stanger saying "if don't apply breaks at the Tinley Manor turn off, you will miss Shakaskraal and end up in Umhlali....remember the old road -R102..am I going crazy but maybe I'm home sick. Talking about home, yes we do miss the family and friends back home. We are very fortunate to have Ebrahim and Suleman around to show us the ropes. The kids are really enjoying it (nine kids in total......now those that know all the kids names, raise your hand!!...ha ha ha). There are so many parks and outdoor activities for the kids. The Swan river and sea is really beautiful and I know where I'll be spending most of my summer days. These Australians are way too organised, everything is in order and there is so much of red tape that it's sometimes irritating. Speed limits are 50km/h in a residential area and 110km/h on the freeway.........will have to get used to this or else my licence will be suspended (no chance of giving a twenty buck or buying the cop a coke here) Khatija is well and busy helping Hajra to pack. Once we are settled she wants to continue with her aromatherapy. Ebrahim and Hajra will be moving into their new home soon. Suleman and I are assisting Ebrahim to wire his house. Perth also gets hot and dry...it feels like Stanger without the humidity. We are looking for a place to rent and should move in before our container arrives from SA (mid Jan). We bought a car....a burgundy 95 Toyota Camry station wagon and I also have a job. I start on Jan 05th at a ship building yard. Two luxury passenger cruise liners will be built here and then sailed to France. I'm looking forward to it because I was never involved with marine electrical. I will also be studying part time (need to write 4 exams between Feb and June). I'm sure everyone would want to know whether we will make Perth home but only time will tell. The initial plan is to get over with the two years and decide after that. So all of you, better visit us soon. All the best to Sameera and Qasim, hope all goes well with the delivery...I'm sure Qasim will post a few pics of the baby on the website. Zaynab, happy belated birthday...I didn't forget...just didn't get a chance to call /e-mail. As'ad, hope you haven't changed your mind about visiting us! Yunus, hope you guys have a great Hajj, make lots of Dhua for us and the rest of the ummah. Naseem, enjoy Stanger hospital.....don't try anything silly or you will be on e-TV. Farhana & Zahedah, stop flying to exotic islands and visit us, Fathima, we miss Desai's meat and the braai's are not the same without your'll. Naeem, come over for a while as there is heaps of work in the civil eng. industry. Can't name all my cousins here but to all of you, please keep in touch and hope to see you guys sometime. I will fwd some pics soon.

Assalaamu Alaikum,
Ashraf & Khatija

khatijachohan@yahoo.com
ac_chohan@yahoo.com
chohan_a@hotmail.com

Just blogging

Salaamz to all. Just trying this out. Hope I can find
some good news to post soon..

Postings

Just wondering whether people are having trouble posting via email. Qasim, As'ad and Ashraf have been able to but I have had calls from Naseem and Yunus about posting. To post send an email to bhorat.blogspot@blogger.com. The title of your email will become the title of the posting and the body of the email will become the post itself. You cant include pictures in the email. Send those to me via email for posting manually.

Please email me if you have any trouble.

Aslam

Back from the cold

As Asad mentioned, Saaleha and myself went over to Germany recently. Saaleha attended a 1 week course at a hospital in Koln which is in Western Germany. After the course we drove through Holland spending 2 nights in Amsterdam. Then we went onto Brussels in Belgium before spending a few nights in Paris. I really liked Germany. Brussels and Luxembourg were nice. Did not think much of Amsterdam although they do have the Van Gogh Museum (which I really liked.) And I loved Paris. Zaynab, Riyadh, Qasim and Sameera had been to Paris last year, and before we left Zaynab told me that she had not liked it at all. We, however, enjoyed ourselves in Paris immensely.

Only arrived back yesterday. Still not over the flight yet but safely home alhumdulillah. The temperature in Paris on our last day as a high of zero. Today the high in Durban is going to be about 30. Not sure which I prefer...what's the temperature in Perth, Ashraf? Send some news through for us. Maybe a few more Bhorats will end up in Perth if you and Suleman do a good enough publicity job.

Salaams,
Aslam