14 Ramadan 1430h - to go or not to go..to the bar

Suhoor: Two plums, five dates and a cup of chocolate
Iftaar: water, dates
Dinner: paratha and bindi gosh, aubergine-peanut butter chutney, orange juice and a slice of ginger cake and banana custard.

I burnt two naan bread in the oven. Bad...very bad...

Tomorrow is my labmates' birthday celebration, five of them. At a bar. It is after iftaar. Should I or should I not go, that is the question.

I think if this was an ideal muslim community, it would be so much simpler to practice all the tenets and Islamic values, rather effortlessly. I always feel envious of those who are brought up in a good Islamically oriented family and the ladies are free to wear the hijab, they are encouraged by their parents and after a days work outside, they always look forward to going back home. I wished I was in their position.

About going to the bar for the birthday celebration. As a muslim, i should not, especially during this holy month. But as a labmate and to maintain good rapport amongst my friends at work...aught I go? aught I join them to the expense of my spiritual development?

I do not know.

Today has been a rather turmoilous day. The weather was so breezy and it rained intermittently. My umbrella upturned, thankfully it did not break. I got half wet by the time i reached the room, yet I still think there is so much to thank God for. If not for the breeze, how would the trees know autumn is coming and they need to shed their leaves. If not for the rain, how would the temperature change for cooler days are on the way.

To go or not to go?