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who's going to the retreat???

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who's going to the retreat???
Aabidah
05/06/02 at 00:43:59
[slm]

I don't know if anyone started this thread, but I'll ask away anyway  ;D

Who's going to Sheikh Mukhtar's Tazkiyah retreat? InshaAllah i'll get to meet some of the madinians at the retreat..
Can't wait, it's going to be awesome InshaAllah

[wlm]
Betul
Re: who's going to the retreat???
deenb4dunya
05/06/02 at 10:02:59
I'll be going inshallah....that is if Jannah doesn't get rid of all thje Ottawans :P ;D ;) :D (joke)
Re: who's going to the retreat???
Mohja
05/06/02 at 12:34:49
slm,

me too insh'Allah :)

Someone *cough*se7en*cough*  was supposed to tell me what to bring to the retreat like clothes and other necessities..i'm still waiting!

Could u also tell me what time are we supposed to finish on the last day?

Maybe i can rent a car and do some sightseeing if we're finishing early.
05/06/02 at 12:35:10
Mohja
Re: who's going to the retreat???
nouha
05/06/02 at 13:43:00
[slm]

inshallah il lbe going, u wont need a car for sightseeing, the place is soooo beautiful to go walk through:)

hmmmm clothes, bring some that are halal of course, and not really gorgous cause u dont wanna get them dirty...., maybe some pants for hiking, if u wear pants.......

if there is ONE thing i can tell u NOT to forget, it would be the BUG REPELENT, and bring lotsssssssssssss

wasalam
nouha:)
Re: who's going to the retreat???
se7en
05/06/02 at 18:06:14
as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatAllah,

[quote] Someone *cough*se7en*cough*  was supposed to tell me what to bring to the retreat like clothes and other necessities..i'm still waiting! [/quote]

girl I'm sorry..  I feel like banging my head against a table.. I'm just so behind on everything!

Okay hmm.. stuff for the retreat..

for both the bro's and the sisters, I would recommend clothing that is rough and tough.  The retreat is in the mountains and you spend a great deal of time outside, walking from one place to another, lounging on rocks, falling in lakes, etc :)  so don't bring any designer clothing, or any jewelry or anything that you would not want to lose.  

For sisters I would also recommend bringing pants or jeans, if not for external wear than at least to wear underneath your jilbab/skirt etc.  The bugs are a little insane and hiking and stuff is a bit hard to do without pants :)  Also an easy to wear jilbab/scarf ensemble to run around in late at night and for fajr is helpful :)

It also gets quite cold sometimes, so dressing in layers is a good idea.  I'd recommend a fleece or a thick sweater, some extra pairs of socks, as well as a jacket and rain gear.  Also a flashlight for moving about at night.

You also need some serious boots/ sneakers.. nothing leather or anything like that!  Lotion, personal products like toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, lotion, hairbrush, towels, feminine products etc etc..

A notebook, a Qur'an, good inspiriational, motivational books, headphones and Qur'an tapes/lectures..  and one thing you *definitely* need is a journal, so that every day you can jot down your thoughts, resolutions, feelings.  it's so amazing and inspirational to read later on.

A book bag or a big side bag is good to have to carry all this stuff around.

And of course, of course, of course BUG REPELLANT.  don't leave home without it, and make sure to get the big momma bottle of it too, because these bugs are killer ;)

did I leave anything out guys?

[quote]Could u also tell me what time are we supposed to finish on the last day?[/quote]

I don't know this right now.  

[quote]Maybe i can rent a car and do some sightseeing if we're finishing early.[/quote]

Hmm.. I don't think this is necessary!  I don't want to give too much away, but during the retreat there is *definitely* some sight seeing ;)

Hope this is of help inshaAllah..  I'll add some more suggestions when I think of 'em.. and any retreat kids feel free to add :)

take care chula!

wasalaamu alaykum wrt :)
05/06/02 at 18:30:46
se7en
Re: who's going to the retreat???
Abu_Hamza
05/06/02 at 21:55:39
[slm]

[quote author=se7en link=board=news;num=1020660239;start=0#4 date=05/06/02 at 18:06:14]
It also gets quite cold sometimes[/quote]

How cold is considered "quite cold" in New York? :)

"Quite cold" here would be low 50's, high 40's.
Re: who's going to the retreat???
Asim
05/06/02 at 23:23:42
Assalaamu alaikum,

Some more suggestions...

You need a *strong* bug repellant. Not all are the same. The one I brought was good, while some of the others I used weren't that great. Hmm, I don't remember the brand I bought... but in any case bring lots of it!

Bugs even bite through clothes/socks  :o So, for the brothers, do bring full sleeved wear that is *not* thin. The repellant may have to be sprayed on clothes as well. So, as mentioned earlier, bring rough and tough clothing. Bring several pairs of socks. They get messed up real fast!

[quote]"Quite cold" here would be low 50's, high 40's. [/quote]
Yes, that is about right for June up there.

Sometimes it does become chilly especially at dawn. The room next to the prayer hall in the basement once got real chilly one morning that it became almost impossible to sit for dhikr/reading without socks, sweater, bundling, etc.

Bring *at least* 5 pens/pencils. They have a habit of disappearing mysteriously. (after losing two ball points, the last one - which I was guarding diligently :) - decided to bleed! (and eventually die) I have a smudged notebook to prove it!)

Bring a decent sized notebook (or two in case one gets wet, etc).

If you are bringing battery powered stuff, bring extra batteries (or the charger) as well. My flashlight went dead after the first night of use.

Bring a book on duas. The retreat is a good time for memorization.

Bring a good watch and alarm. Trying to be extra careful, I asked a brother for the exact time... alas, I heard him incorrectly and set my watch 20 minutes behind! I almost missed a fajr prayer because of that. (so trust the watch you have been using for some time :)).

In addition to boots, you might want to bring slippers as well (for indoor or bathroom use).

Poncho (or raingear), unless if you don't mind getting wet :)

Hmm, it might seem that one has to bring a lot of stuff... well, no, be as simple as possible, just bring the right type and variety.

Most importantly, bring an attentive, reflective, receptive mind and body to the retreat. You are going to be bombarded; you need to be in the best shape to take it all in. .

Hope this was helpful. BTW, is Br. Mokhtar going to cover the same material that he did last year?

Wasalaam.
05/06/02 at 23:25:30
Asim
Re: who's going to the retreat???
eleanor
05/07/02 at 07:18:12
[slm]

Just reading about the retreat is exciting. I hope Allah makes it a beautiful, fun and rewarding experience for you all. :)

wasalaam
eleanor  :-*
Re: who's going to the retreat???
Mohja
05/07/02 at 10:16:39
Jazakum Allahu kheyran all for the advice :)

so any other sisters from the board coming?
Re: who's going to the retreat???
deenb4dunya
05/07/02 at 10:51:31
Assalamu Alaikum all,

Just a few more suggestions...

bring a POCKET size qur'an so you can carry it around

BRING A CAMERA- THE ADIRONDACKS ARE UNDESCRIBABLE..SO YOU'LL NEED PICTURES TO SHOW YOUR FAMILY WHEN YOU GET HOME

It is also important to remember your state of mind and of heart before, during and after the retreat.

One more thing..you should check out the old thread from last years retreat...there are some good reflections etc. in it. Anyone know where it is??

See you all there inshallah :-X
Re: who's going to the retreat???
Aabidah
05/07/02 at 23:52:43
[slm]

Reflect on this from last year's retreat, InshaAllah.  (from se7en's collection  :))

Khalid al-Warraq's servant - whose name we don't know
- was constantly in worship of Allah. Once Khalid
advised her about Allah's mercy and compassion, and
she wept.  She said,

Ya Khalid, I know.  I hold hopes in Allah so big that
if the mountains carried them, they would be burdened
by their weight.  And I know that in the generosity of
Allah there is safety for every sinner.  But where
will I be when it comes to the grief of the race?

Khalid asked her, what is the grief of the race?

She said, when there is resurrection on the day of
Hashr - when all that is inside the graves will be
spread, and the abraar [the righteous servants] will
mount the most beautiful of their works and race to
the siraat.  By the dignity I hold in my heart for
you, I swear that [...] the negligent will never be
able to move ahead in this race.

What will happen to me, then?  What pain and sorrow
and grief will I feel, when the banner is lifted for
those who have mounted their beautiful deeds, and the
banner is lifted for the muhsinoon [those who dogood]; and the banner is lifted for those who yearn
for Allah, and the banner is lifted for those who love
Allah - but I have to stay back with the sinners?

And she wept.

Ya Khalid, beware of anything that will interrupt a
fast race to righteous action - for between the two
homes [of dunyaa and akhira] there is no home to make
up for what one has missed.  

Woe on the person who is negligent in the servitude of
his master, while carrying hope in him.  Shouldn't his
hopes wake him up while the lazy ones are asleep?
Re: who's going to the retreat???
mwishka
05/08/02 at 08:49:11
i hate to see people suffer being bitten by biting insects, so i'll tell you how most of yku - not those few who are
true "bug magnets", but everyone else - can minimize or avoid bites altogether.  if it's black flies you encounter, it's
a little harder to get out without at least one bite, but for mosquitoes, gnats and no-see-ums, you can prevent being
attacked.

you won't like this part:  NO sugar for a whole week before you go.  while you're there, don't wear anything with any scent,
including shampoo, conditioner, deodorant  - nothing.  use an unscented detergent on your clothes, too.  wear light colored
clothing when you'll be most at risk of bites.

those bug magnet people seem to excrete more carbon dioxide in their breath than other people - i don't know how they can
change that, so if you know you're one of those people, you'll probably need some repellent at some point.

but the rest of you, if you take these precautions, you may not even need any bug repellent.  if you do need it, cutter's is best, and
second is.......this will sound very weird, but it's skin so soft by avon - it works so well they finally started selling it AS bug repellent.  
off! is also good.  also, for bug magnet people, you can buy bug repellent wrist bracelets at agway that may help you not to have
to use other repellent.  i rarely get bitten, so i can't vouch for their effectiveness.

but, please, DON'T use any repellent that has DEET in it!  you may have heard that it's the best ingredient to use, but it's both - the
best meaning the most toxic and the worst environmentally for the same reason.  this is a nasty, nasty chemical that should be reserved
only on adults and only for use in Lyme-tick infested areas.  last i heard - and i haven't paid attention for a while - the adirondacks were
not yet infested.  but check on that before you go - i've had lyme disease twice and i strongly advise you to do anything you can to ensure
that you never get it.  (you don't build immunity, either.)

have a wonderful, wonderful time there!  if you've never been to these particular  moutains, you're going to see, well, a little bit
of near heaven!

mwishka  
Re: who's going to the retreat???
Asim
05/08/02 at 23:59:37
Assalaamu alaikum,

[quote]DON'T use any repellent that has DEET in it!  you may have heard that it's the best ingredient to use, but it's both - the  
best meaning the most toxic [/quote]
So there I was enjoying my fish fillet sandwich with loads of BBQ sauce, and casually reading the ingredients on the bottle... tomato puree, water, garlic... deet powder (for color)...WHAT?! I almost choked on my sandwich! But, on closer inspection it turned out to be beet powder! (you know how they print the ingredients in real small fonts).

Anyway, so what exactly is deet.

I think I got a cutter bug repellent. It was a spray type can and not a liquid filled bottle. Some of the liquid stuff I tried last year weren't very helpful.

Thanks for the interesting advice mwishka. The retreat goers should try some of the suggestions out.

Wasalaam.
05/09/02 at 00:02:34
Asim
Re: who's going to the retreat???
mwishka
05/11/02 at 15:59:03
asim,

sorry, i didn't see your DEET question until today.  and i have to say that i almost
choked on MY sandwich from laughing when i read about your "deet" powder
experience. :D   (mine though was, of course, fried tofu!  it might just be that
my southern - though unusual southern, west virginia to florida - roots bring
with them a genetic tendency to fry EVERYTHING!  if food wasn't fried in cast
iron, it probably didn't come from my kitchen.....   i think a lot of this frying gets
to be called sauteing in butter..)

so, um, moving on from my story-telling compulsions to your question:

what is DEET?  ok, i'm going to let the US environmental protection agency do
their clever double-talking here - and they won't subject you to any chemical
structures - but i'll point out a few of their statements that ought to produce at
least a degree of nervousness in someone choosing to use DEET.

first of all, at this page, you'll notice that new stricter guidelines had to be
written since DEET was originally approved for use - this usually indicates a
"well, we THOUGHT it was safe" or "we thought no one would find out how unsafe
it is, but now they did.."

one of their newer statements is "human exposure is expected to be brief, and
long-term exposure is not expected."


among their recommendations of how to use DEET safely, they say this:

do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
(translation:  you do NOT want this stuff to enter your bloodstream.)

after returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
(trans:  this stuff is harmful if you leave it on your skin as you would any
ordinary insect repellent.)

wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
(trans:  this stuff is so nasty that it's not going to fade away from fabric by itself,
and even though we won't admit that you probably shouldn't even be using it, we
WILL tell you that if it were us, we'd get the stuff off of us as SOON as possible
after we used it.)

and that's not even mentioning how many times and in how many ways on this page
they tell you indirectly that DEET will harm your children.

(toluamide: a toluene derivative.  toluene: a benzene relative.  benzene and toluene:  potent carcinogens.)


http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/deet.htm


i hope this helps - sorry to be the bearer of bad news for anyone who's been using
DEET or had planned to.

mwishka
Re: who's going to the retreat???
deenb4dunya
05/11/02 at 22:19:52
ADVICE B4, AFTER AND DURING RETREAT:)

As salamualaikum wa rahmat ullahi wa barakatuh

I hope that this e-mail reaches all of you in a state of rising eeman and intense preparation for the upcoming retreat.

I would like to share a list of things to do and things not to do before, during and after the retreat - just in case any of these have slipped your mind, I thought that the reminder might be beneficial.  Please, take only that which is good.

Before:

spend a few minutes everyday - at least - in seclusion focusing on your intention for going to the retreat
bring bug spray
engage in much dua' that Allah facilitate this retreat for you and that he firmly implant the knowledge in your qalb
read books and phamplets related to the etiquette of seeking knowledge so that you do it in an appropriate way.  The book recommended by Shaykh Hamza is interesting by imam Zarnuji.  Also, I think I remember seeing an internet article that summarizes imam ibn al-Qayyim
etiquettes of learning
start talking less and trying to focus on getting up for qiyaam <-
more than likely it will be an integral part of the program
make sure too that you have a dua' book that has morning and evening
adthkar - you will have plenty of time to learn them at the retreat
try to read a half hizb of qu'raan in the morning and in the evening.
try to listen to at least the first khatirah from the last retreat
before you go
make dua' for the people in Ottawa and all Muslims

During:

Talk only when necessary, while not engaging in excessive joking
Talk only when necessary, while not engaging in excessive joking
Talk only when necessary, while not engaging in excessive joking
Keep focus on your long-term musharatah.  Never forget that you
willleave the environment of the retreat in 10 or less days, what is
going to be your plan when you leave
what are things you wish to remain steadfast in after the retreat
what are those things that you will implement daily
what are those things from home that you will now disassociate from
Take copious notes.
both in sessions and in informal discussions
don't be shy to ask sidi Mokhtar questions- within reason of course
;)
Do not forget to call your families and let them know how you are
Take time for khalwa, that includes those of you that are going with
"best" buds and even those that are married.
engage in much dua' that Allah facilitate this retreat for you and
that he firmly implant the knowledge in your qalb
make dua' for the people in Ottawa and all Muslims

After:

engage in much dua' that Allah facilitated this retreat for you and
that he firmly implant the knowledge in your qalb
make sure to ask all of those that you interacted with to forgive you
for any wrongs committed
talk only when necessary, while not engaging in excessive joking ->
let the car ride home be reflection time
as shaykh jafar once said upon leaving a company  of students at a
retreat - make istighfar, lots of it
make dua' for the people in Ottawa and all Muslims

wa salamualaikum wa rahmat ullahi wa barakatuh

Re: who's going to the retreat???
jannah
05/15/02 at 04:14:20
wow deen-b4-dunya u seriously put the rest of us retreaters to shame... jazakiAllah khair for the list....

let me just add:
bring LoTS of bug spray ;)
and
make dua' for the people in ALBANY and all Muslims !!




[wlm]

05/15/02 at 13:27:12
jannah
Re: who's going to the retreat???
deenb4dunya
05/15/02 at 10:03:47
sorry... i didn't write it...it was sent to all the people going to the retreat from Ottawa last year from some anonymous retreter:)
Re: who's going to the retreat???
taffi98
05/20/02 at 15:56:29
[slm]
hey u guys... i dont have boots!! am i in trouble? got sneakers... should i wear the worn down ones..? so its gonna be cold eyy?

yo.. im getting scared. i went to a retreat before. it made me feel really  clear headed.. but once i got back to college i felt like i fell apart. u guyz are making it sound really intense. im afraid im not worthy of going  :'(

the problem with college is that there arent any muslims to chill with. the ones that are there arent tight. i feel like i have too much time to myself. makes me feel disfunctional...  inshallah- just pray for me please.

masalaam
iffat
Re: who's going to the retreat???
nouha
05/20/02 at 16:36:45
[slm]

yes worn down ones would be the thing to wear, u can go shopping for boots if u really want to. personnally i think the boots help out if it rains....

wasalam
nouha:)
Re: who's going to the retreat???
Mohja
05/21/02 at 01:08:14
[quote]
bring LoTS of bug spray  
[/quote]

ok i'm starting to get a little worried here! what kind of bugs are we talking about exactly???
i got bitten by a bug once and ended puffing up like a baloon  :( just wanna know what i'm getting myself into  :o  :)
Re: who's going to the retreat???
mwishka
05/21/02 at 10:37:49
mohja,

don't let these city people scare you!  ;)       (you people are SO funny!)  

you'll see mosquitoes, gnats, no-see-ums, black flies, and maybe hornets or sweat bees. ( < yellowjacket wasps, not really bees.)  and if you're lucky, honeybees and - my favorite - beautiful bumblebees.  and if you're very VERY lucky maybe a wolf spider - other special friends of mine.  

you WILL get bitten if you don't take precautions, AND if you flail your arms about when "bugs" come near you.  (increased activity = increased rate of respiration = increased CO2 production = massive invitation to "bugs" that hadn't even been aware of you yet.)  even if a hornet tries to chase you, the best thing to do is remain very calm and quiet - but, in that case, please leave her territory, that's all she's asking.  i suspect there are other chemical signals that insects also pick up on from fear.

remain very calm and quiet when biting insects are around.

if you swelled up, chances were that you weren't bitten at all, but stung, by a wasp or bee.  swelling is actually a much more common reaction than people imagine.  if it happens to you (being stung), you need to immediately take two B complex, and stay quiet.  put a paste of baking soda on the site of the injection to neutralize the acids in the poison which act to destroy your tissue.  that sting just injected neurotoxins into your bloodstream, same as if you were bitten by a poisonous snake or stung by a scorpion - you'd do the same thing:  stay quiet to keep your rate of blood circulation as low as possible.  (and NO, you're not going to encounter scorpions there, and very unlikely to encounter a poison snake.  the only poisonous snakes in the adirondacks are copperheads, which are tiny and very SHY, and rattlers, which are big and very SHY.)

if you're eating outside, "sweat bees" (yellowjackets) come.  share your food with them!  stay calm, put a bit of something - they love meat - on the edge of your plate, STAY CALM, and let them eat.  or, if you're too afraid of them to let them eat WITH you, put a little pile of food at a distance, but be sure they know where it is, and they'll eat away from you.

and if a mosquito becomes extremely persistent, no matter how quiet you remain, let her feed briefly.  then gently swish her away.

remember, you're going into someone else's habitat - you're the intruders, not them.  you can get along with them quite easily, if you don't think of them as a problem, just little creatures who live there and just do what they always do whether you're there or not.  they're not trying to give you a hard time!

mwishka
Re: who's going to the retreat???
Mohja
05/21/02 at 11:53:48
[quote]
if you swelled up, chances were that you weren't bitten at all, but stung, by a wasp or bee.  
[/quote]

i don't know the name of the insect but it resembles an ant only bigger and black and it releases an extremely unpleasant odor, especially if bothered.

It happened back home (somalia) so i don't know if they would have them here but you're right it was an allergic reaction; swelled up all over my body; had to take an injection. The funny thing is that i didn't even know i had been stung untill i noticed the swelling on my face.

[quote]
if it happens to you (being stung), you need to immediately take two B complex, and stay quiet.  
[/quote]

why B complex?

thanx mwishka :) i really appreciate the practical advice!
05/21/02 at 11:56:40
Mohja
Re: who's going to the retreat???
mwishka
05/21/02 at 13:47:55
mohja,

oh somalia - i see.  yep, i have a lot of experience with living around things that could hurt you or make you very sick.

i grew up in florida, where about half of all species of everything are poisonous - well, it's different most places there now, since the, um, ehem, "northerners" moved down en masse and created great sterile areas around themselves to keep out the scary native environment......

the insect you describe sounds a lot like an insect that lives in both the north and the south here, called the "stink bug"...guess why?  (of course, the stink is its defense mechanism to keep from getting eaten by birds, etc.)   they come in a lot of sizes, but the biggest ones can give you a really nasty bite - make a big hole.  (ok, it's not THAT big!  it's the size of a big bug's mouth... don't want to alarm anyone...)  and i think they might be kind of related to a really big insect in florida which we always just called a "sidewalk bug", because they liked pavement and bright lights at night.  ( i only saw them when we went into town - they lived near the beach, where there were street lights and sidewalks. )  they're really giant water skimmers, but we were kids, what did we know?  they're about 6-7" long, and won't bite unless you really harass them, but they can really hurt you.  and squirt you with acids, too.  (ok, ok, this is all in florida - the adirondacks are quite safe by comparison...... :)  )

ok, better give my advice and get out - this is supposed to be a quiet, serious preparatory thread, i think.

stings inject nerve toxins - they act on the neurons themselves by disrupting firing, causing spasmodic firing, shutting down the ion channels, or a couple of other mechanisms.  B vitamins keep nerve function steady and smooth.  when you feel agitated and jittery, you know what it feels like to NOT have smooth function.  the giant dose of two tablets can even help someone who has serious allergic reactions to bee stings, but shouldn't be relied upon to substitute for the adrenalin or whatever shot you have to carry with you if you're one of those people.

my childhood method for dealing with insect bites that itch:  (you will think this sounds silly, but, on the other hand, there are SOME people - like my sister - who will actually scratch themselves raw)  if you feel a bite itching, scratch in a circle around it, never scratch across the damage.  and if it's very annoying - here's the silliest sounding part, but it works:  smack it hard enough to make it sting.  all both of these do is trick the nerve endings around the damage.

if you're stung by a wasp or bee, or if you get stuck by nettles or any other pricking type bush that makes you feel a little woozy, get a thick layer of baking soda paste on as quickly as you can.  it's just a simple reaction that neutralizes the acids.  it will even help to some degree even if you can't put it on immediately, it can feel very soothing, but that's only treating the aftereffects, and not neutralizing what was injected before it can affect you.

if you get into poison ivy, wash immediately with soap and water!  this is also an acid reaction, so once you've washed your skin off, you can put baking soda on this, too.  i don't get poison ivy - i suspect my skin is too acid to be burned by the oils - but i have a friend who is very susceptible.  there's a simple cream sold in most drug stores called "Ivy Dry"  that works really well.  if you get it bad, i suggest a homeopathic remedy, taken internally, called rhus tox.  if you get it REALLY bad, or near your eyes, go for cortisone cream - you'll find it in the drugstore near the ivy dry.  (before you go into woods or fields, make sure you know what poison ivy looks like.  it tends to grow near the base of trees...or..nevermind the long version of its habitat, just know what it looks like.)  

of course, if you see that you just got into poison ivy, look around for a plant called "jewel weed" - it seems to grow nearby to help us out.  it's a thin stalked, sort of lightish green almost translucent plant with orange hanging flowers. the plant grows 2 or 3 feet high, grows in bunches, and the flowers are about an inch long - a very obvious plant once you know what it looks like.  to use it, thank it for helping you before you take its life, then break open the stem and smear the juice over the poison ivy contact area.  this plant works great on sunburn, too.  very similar to aloe in function, but not at all in appearance or habitat (one's tropical, the other lives in woods or nearby fields.)

if you see a snake in full sun, DO NOT BOTHER IT!  they're cold-blooded, and need these little heat respites.  even though it'll be summer for you (june), it's not that far into spring at higher elevations, and it may have not been out of hibernation all that long, it could be full of food, or could even be trying to shed.  it will be somewhat groggy, so even if it turns its head to look at you, and you see it flick its tongue - don't be scared!  snakes rely on vibrations through the ground to know who's around, and they use their tongue as a heat sensor (kind of like infra-red for soldiers).  they're measuring the amount of heat you're putting off, to figure out if you're prey or predator - based only on size.  when they discover that you are GIANT, they're going to be wary, and might act defensively especially if you approach them quickly.  move slowly!  you can talk gently to them, even kindly pet the back of their head if you're very very gentle and you recognize that they're a garter snake or black snake or rat snake or some other harmless type.  BUT if the snake is quite small, thin, and reddish-brown DO NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR IT.  it's likely to be a copperhead, and yes, they're poisonous.  they tend to live in holes under big rocks - probably even because they are so small and need to get out in the sun when they can.  (i'm making that reason up, just based on their body size...)

um, that's it - unless i left something out or told anything in an unclear way.....

oh, here are some sounds you might hear:  a very loud giant aspiration is deer (loud snorts), sometimes with hoof stamps so loud you can hear them.  a loud whirring of air, usually overhead in thick woods is grouse.  a very short sharp high pitched loud squeak is chipmunk.  a chattering overhead, or short warning type screeps are squirrels.  any sound in the night that sounds a little like a baby crying is a fox.  owls you'll recognize - there are several you might hear.  low loud moans that end in big deep booms that nearly shake the air are alligators - somehow you ended up in florida.   ;)  

mwishka
Re: who's going to the retreat???
nouha
05/21/02 at 19:19:57
[slm]

i know i said i was coming, but i cant make it, sorry guys!!! for the ottawans that i know....inshallah next year, but u know i luv u guys right:)

wasalam
nouha:)
Re: who's going to the retreat???
deenb4dunya
05/22/02 at 09:18:11
It's ok Nouha.. we 4give u ahead of time:)... YOU BETTER COME NEXT YEAR....OR ELSE
Re: who's going to the retreat???
se7en
05/26/02 at 14:01:59

as salaamu alaykum,

[quote]BTW, is Br. Mokhtar going to cover the same material that he did last year? [/quote]

I asked him last week and he said that some of the material covered will be the same, and some will be new.  He emphasized that this is the type of knowledge that needs to be inculcated in the heart, not just understood intellectually, so reviewing is essential.

take care and lemme know if you have any more questions!

wasalaamu alaykum :)


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