In case you're wondering, here's a play-by-play of what goes through some people's minds during a day of fasting in Ramadan. As difficult as it may appear, it does have its perks and benefits. We can't forget to mention the best part: it'll all be over in a few days!
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM - You turn off your alarm, noticing the house sounds so quiet without fresh coffee brewing in the morning.
8:56 AM - You start to envy the pedestrian drinking coffee while on your way to work.
10:08 AM - The hunger slowly starts creeping over you and you regret not eating that extra manoushe at suhoor.
10:47 AM - Your stomach growls for the very first time that day and you quietly congratulate yourself and strong willpower for making it this long without getting the sudden urge to eat everything in sight.
11:50 AM - Nausea starts to kick in and you mentally shut down knowing all you can think about is food and coffee.
1:07 PM You randomly decide to walk into the kitchen during lunch and secretly curse yourself for walking in on your colleagues eating, which is odd considering you know they've had lunch at the same time everyday for the past 2 and a half years.
1:54 PM - The take mental note to unfollow the man that shared the Oreo-Brownie Cheesecake recipe on Facebook.
2:33 PM - You continue to lose concentration and decide to take a bathroom break for absolutely no reason whatsoever considering you haven't had a single drip of water all day.
2:36 PM - You cry internally as you sit back at your desk and glimpse at the clock on your laptop for what may be the 72nd time that day.
3:02 PM - Your brain completely shuts down and all you can manage to do is just nod anytime your boss says anything.
4:09 PM - Your hunger returns with full power but this time coupled with thirst and anticipation to find out what's for Iftar.
4:09 PM and 22 seconds - You beat yourself up when you realize you didn't even ask your mom what she's preparing for Iftar.
5:20 PM - You try to escape the office early knowing your brain is way beyond the point of processing any additional information for the day.
5:47 PM - You torture yourself by trying to make it to the gym, end up barely getting past the warm up alive, benching the lowest weights possible, and leaving feeling ashamed and dissatisfied. And of course, hungry.
6:42 PM - You smell batata 7ara (spicy potatoes) on your way home and start drooling.
7:00 PM - Iftar - Everything between this period of time doesn't make much sense. As much as you try to concentrate, get work done, or be productive, time passes so slowly and all you can think of is breaking your fast.
Once that happens, you'll be feeling pretty full after a glass of water, dates, and soup, and completely stuffed after a few bites of the deliciously prepared Iftar.
Then you do it all again the next day.
Ramadan Kareem everyone!
