Report Says Nearly 1 in 4 People Worldwide Is Muslim

Report Says Nearly 1 in 4 People Worldwide Is Muslim

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Get me that Jasmine

Jasminum polyanthum
(whilte flower jasmin/arabian jasmin)

I have been feeling low much of the winter of last year as it was a challenging time for me and my son to get settled down in my home and with my husband. Seattle was nothing but a dreary place that I had to adjust and thinking about what I had to give up to relocate made it all the worst. The absence of the sense of the pleasure and confidence I used to derive from having a stable career, solid friends, and sharing home (in London) with my mum from whom I used to depend on so much for strength and guidance at times when life gets bit shaky; are all real reasons that make the whole relocation to my new home difficult. But lately the search for happiness in the hope of coming to terms with my new abode fueled my drive and so I kept thinking back and forth of what it is that could make me happy in my home and allow me to become passionate about life and living in my 2-bed apartment ...just I used to be!!.

It took me a good 8 months to figure out that having a full grown JASMINE PLANT in my apartment was the answer and I knew all along that plants that I associated with my childhood years in Somalia always uplifted my spirit. And white Jasmine along with the cactus and acacias has very endearing memories for me. The sweet and the unusual fragrant of Jasmine flowers was something I learnt to associate with happiness. The dew in early mornings on my bedroom windows in my grandmother's home in Hargeisa, Somaliland/Somalia always used smell so wonderful; especially during the Deyr (autumn) season. Mornings in my childhood while on vacation in Hargeisa at grandma's were times full of reassurances, hope and anticipations of the wonderful adventurous times to be had in the environment we lived in. So serene and child-friendly!.

Post-war Hargeisa in its desolate and semi desert outlook, of course, is nothing like the environment of the old city at the time (mid/late seventies) which was full of green forests filled with all kinds trees and edible plants bearing all sorts of berries. My favorite berry was gooseberry (dhafaroor in Somali) and grandma's place had three large shrubs of the plant just by the entrance gate; where I used to hang around playing with other children during the day. We used to often peak through the gates to see who would be walking outside or coming towards the house so that we could throw ripped gooseberry at them just to dirty their clothing….We were such a precocious lot...so full of innocent mischief. Such were the joyful times of my blessed childhood in Somalia.....Yes there was once upon a time! a Somalia which had all the beauty and potential anyone could wish for.

So coming back to my adjustment plans in Seattle, I have decided to get white (flower) jasmine plant to uplift my home and myself. However, I am having hard time as it is in locating a plant nursery shop which sells white jasmine. However through talking with native seattlites I am told that white flower jasmine is only available in certain times of the year here in the Northwest of USA....one of which is late winter (February) about valentine time when it's really a hot item for lovers. For me the thought of preparing for yet another northwest winter without the warmth of my childhood and old home happy memories which can bring zest to the living room of my new place is really daunting. So I must soldier on and keep searching for that jasmine plant that I so wish to have next to my sofa by the entrance door leading to the balcony. Yes that would put me at ease!!!