Starting hungry time

After the last few days of joking/discussing/inquiring from neighbors and friends, I decided that I would start Ramadan this year by fasting. It coincides with a couple days of down time for work. As you probably know, Muslims observe Ramadan (as one of the five pillars of Islam) by fasting between sunup and sundown for 30 days.

Ramadan is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving, and self-accountability

Last night I set my alarm for 4am so that I might eat a little before the following sixteen hours without any food or drink. When I heard the alarm this morning, I very quickly shut it off and got straight back into bed, hah. Then around 7:30/8 started really waking up. Here is how the rest of the morning has gone and what I expect this afternoon:

• 9:15 - first hunger pangs, check phone
• 10 - sick of being in bed
• 11:30 - visit with neighbors, clean house up and down
• 1 - study Arabic and/or Hebrew from a textbook
• 2ish - talk with co-worker and start load of laundry
• 4 - read and nap (dream about food and drink)
• 5:30 - get angry at something, look at phone for a while
• 7 - wish Ramadan hadn't fallen in June when the days are longest
• 7:45 - break the fast with my neighbors
• 9 - play cards with friends

Sending good thoughts to others observing the month, and those just learning about it.