In the midst of chaos

2010-06-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

I have finally returned to blogging- insha'allah.

It has been way to long. I hope nobody has forgotten me!

I have so much to say, so much to catch up on.

Just be patient--- lots of posts to come.

Salam

-arabized

2009-02-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

A return to blogging?

I hope so.

;)

2007-10-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

A show of hands...

How many people had a crappy eid?!

(well virtually raise your hands)

-RAISES HAND!!!,MIGHT AS WELL RAISE BOTH-

Meh.

2007-10-02T10:06:00.000-07:00

The role of the Masjid is Losing its place in Society

Let me explain why I am writing about the loss of the Masjid in Society.
I have lived here for almost 7 years now, and till this day I remember my first fajr in the UAE. I'm in my hotel room, slightly dazed from waking up from a long restful sleep. I peered out my window and I realized it was still dark outside. I crack open my window and then I heard it. The call to prayer. It was memorizing. It came from all directions. I counted 8 muathens, (the person calling the prayer). each one different and unique in his own way. I will never forget that moment.

7 years later, it is the night before Ramadan. I am driving to the masjid to pray taraweeh. I knew I was slightly late because it was 8:15. I walk out of my home, and to my dismay, I don't hear a single thing. It was so bizarre. Why couldn't I hear the imam leading the prayer? I was so upset. Has it really come to this? Living in a Muslim country, and we aren't even allowed to hear the Imam recite Quran anymore? What about all those women who are at home and can't make it to the masjid because they have children to take care of? Why are we deprived of this?

The Masjid has become a foreign place to Muslims in this society. It is a weekly visit for men and boys hurry to get it over with. Oh and on top of that, they choose a masjid where they know the imam will recite quickly and be done with it. Or they complain when they imam decides to recite a few more verses than usual. The ignorance is so prevalent among the Muslims that it's disheartening. You see it right when you enter the masjid. I find children running around wild, screaming their heads off. I look at them, they are dirty and smell awful. I see older kids hanging around outside. Are you serious?! People pass by them and don't even give them a second thought. Someone please say something!!! If I ever ran around in the masjid like that, my parents would have taken a strap to my legs. As I enter the masjid, I find it dirty and the smell makes me want to hurl. At one point, I feel like crying from the total disrespect. What happened to cleanliness?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ROLE OF THE MASJID IN OUR SOCIETY?

It was once the core of our society, and now it is casted aside,deemed insignificant.

Please read this link that I am providing.

A Masjid is not only a place of spiritual worship, but a learning institution and a counseling center. If you look around you, you can see how the loss of the masjids role is evident. Look at the children, teenagers and young adults, they are ignorant and disrespectful.

Please bring back the Masjid!
http://www.islamfortoday.com/education01.htm

2007-09-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

What?! Traffic in Al Ain?
....oh never mind
............ they are just rearranging the flowers again.

Doesn't it suck to live in Dubai?
HA!

2007-09-27T00:37:00.000-07:00

Hilarious!! Check it out :D

Ninjabi comes from the combination of the terms “ninja” and “hijabi.” A hijabi is a Muslim girl that covers her hair. The term ninjabi is meant to be a fun way to refer to hijabis in the Muslim culture. The ninjabi in this editorial cartoon is a fusion of this and a Texan identity. She reflects the voice of many Muslims who have experienced discrimination and struggle with defining their identites post-9/11. Currently the cartoon appears every Tuesday in the Daily Texan.

**source: http://ninjabi.blogspot.com/ and a friend of mine :)

2007-04-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

Wow Im suprised that nobody posted about the fireworks explosion in Ajman that killed 2 police officers and injuring 2 police officers. The explosion rocked the whole city, causing windows to break in residential homes.

Come on people, get on the news!!!

2007-02-13T03:19:00.000-08:00

Take me to a place that I once knew

**at As3ad Basha's home, al azem palace.

So I'm back from Syria. I didn't expect to have such a great time.
I feared and expected the worst. BUT.. I had so much fun!!
I just loved walking around sham (damascus).
Looking, observing,hearing, smelling, inhaling all that Syria had to offer.

I'll just post a few pictures I took. Yes, they were all taken by me ;)
oh and it was FREEZING there :/
enjoy!

A tribute to Salahadeen Al Ayoubi. I love this statue. Everytime I go to Syria I take the exact same picture. He is the man.

I love prayer beads. Everytime I pass a stall in the khans (souks, bazzars) I am always tempted to buy soo many beads. I love the vibrant colors.

The pastry/breads looked so delicious, I had to take a picture. The baker was happy I wanted to take a picture, he even posed for me. woosa.

Spices and herbs galore!!

Hamam Al Souk (the baths). I randomly came across this one
at the Khan As3ad Basha. When I showed my friends here they said
its famous, when anyone from the khaleej goes to Sham
they go to this hamam. okkkkkkkkkkkkk.

And More pictures to come INSHALLAH, im not done. I took a ton of pics.

2007-01-30T10:30:00.000-08:00

MABROOOOOOOOOOOOK!!!

** The hats off to you boys!

UAE won the Soccer Gulf Cup!!

party on down,
Al Emarat wonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!

2007-01-26T18:36:00.000-08:00

A quote to ponder about

"Here a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared, or the reverse. The answer is, of course, that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved. . . . Love endures by a bond which men, being scoundrels, may break whenever it serves their advantage to do so; but fear is supported by the dread of pain, which is ever present."

-The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli

2007-01-26T11:11:00.000-08:00

Save the cheerleader, Save the world.

I saw one episode of HERO'S and I got hooked.

hmm maybe hooked is not the word im looking for

..maybe obsessed?

I watched the entire season ..YESTERDAY!

All I can say is..ITS AWESOME.

I use to love xmen cartoons as a kid, so you can understand why this appeals to me.

Its a must watch show.

here is an overview about the show:

As a total eclipse casts its shadow across the globe, a genetics professor (Sendhil Ramamurthy, "Blind Guy Driving") in India is led by father's disappearance to uncover a secret theory -- there are people with super powers living among us. A young dreamer (Milo Ventimiglia, "Gilmore Girls") tries to convince his politician brother (Adrian Pasdar, "Judging Amy") that he can fly. A high school cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere, "Ice Princess") learns that she is totally indestructible. A Las Vegas stripper (Ali Larter, "Final Destination"), struggling to make ends meet to support her young son (Noah Gray-Cabey, "My Wife & Kids"), discovers that her mirror image has a secret. A fugitive from justice (Leonard Roberts, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") continues to baffle authorities who twice have been unable to contain him. A gifted artist (Santiago Cabrera, "Empire"), whose drug addiction is destroying his life and relationship with his girlfriend (Tawny Cypress, NBC's "Third Watch"), can paint the future. A down-on-his-luck Los Angeles beat cop (Greg Grunberg, "Alias") can hear people's thoughts, which puts him on the trail of an elusive serial killer. In Japan, a young man (Masi Oka, NBC's "Scrubs") develops a way to stop time through sheer will power. Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world…

Here is a link so you can watch some episodes

http://www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full_episodes/heroes.shtml

happy viewing :)

2007-01-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

The other day, I had a slight twinge of homesickness. This usually happens during my midyear break. I wanted to be back amongst the people I grew up with, meeting on friday nights in the masjid for the halaqa's. Being together, no worries, no stress. Everyone is relaxed and chilled out. I found out the other day that the concept of having a 'Halaqa' group in the middle east is unheard of. Thats strange to me, because I grew up always being in one. We talked and debated about islamic topics. Every week we alternate and one person leads the halaqa. Its great, and the food at the end is pretty good too. ;)

So this slight homesickness lead me to the Zaytouna Institutes homepage.

and guess what I found? I thought it was random, but a really great idea. They now provide podcasts from Hamzah Yusef lectures, Imam Zaid Shakir, and a few others.

Here check it out :
http://www.zaytuna.org/podcast.asp

:)

2007-01-23T07:31:00.000-08:00

Finals are finished!!

* The Syrian pavillon at the global village

Its so good to be on break. No hassels, no worries at the moment. Im enjoying my time in Dubai before I head to the mother country, Syria.

Im a little ashamed at the fact that I haven't gone to Syria in 5 years. I use to go every summer and have a blast with my cousins. I guess its natural that you grow a little distant from them. People begin to be more concerened with their immediate family and the drama that comes with it. Its even more strange that im traveling alone. Im use to having my siblings as travel companions. My parents want me to get use to traveling to Syria alone, and to make it an annual visit. They pulled the guilt trip on me, saying "Would you go to Syria once we are dead?"

Of course I would go!!

Inshallah khair, Im sure Im going to have a blast. I even motivated my cousin who lives in the states to meet me in Sham (Damascus). The more, the merrier, right? haha.

By the way, the picture above was taken at the global village. I thought the Syrian Pavillon was pretty impressive. This is the first time so many vendors all over the global village asked me if I was an islamic convert. Thats it, I am now going to speak english with an accent. While in Iran, at the islamic art booth, the man tried cheating me because "I was a rich american convert".

oh well, inshallah the man will make use of all that money I gave him. It was pretty upsetting. Allah yahdey, andI hope he changes his point of view. Why would he cheat another muslim? Thats not very islamic behavior.

2006-12-23T13:13:00.000-08:00

In 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy was running for president and he gave a moving critique on the economic measures that were taking place at that time and applies to today.

" Gross Domestic Product does not allow for the health of our children,

the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the

beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages,

the intelligence of our public debate,

or the integrity of our public officials.

It measures everything,

in short,

except that which makes life worthwhile,

and it can tell us everything about America,

except why we are proud that we are Americans."

I thought it was really interesting that he spoke about GDP in this way, but what the author said keeps us all in check, even politicians.

The author writes :

Much of what Robert Kennedy says is correct. Why then do we care about GDP?

The answer is that a large GDP does in fact help us to lead a good life.

GDP does not measure the health of our children, but nations with

larger GDP can afford better health care for their children.

GDP does not measure the quality of their education,

but nations with larger GDP can afford better educational systems.

GDP does not measure the beauty of our poetry,

but nations with a larger GDP can afford to teach more of their

citizens to read and to enjoy poetry.

GDP does not take account of

our intelligence,integrity,courage,wisdom,or devotion to country,

but all of these laudable attributes are easier to foster

when people are less concerned about being able to

afford the material necessities of life.

GDP does not directly measure those things that make life worthwhile,

but it does measure our ability to obtain the inputs into a worthwhile life.

-N. Gregory Mankiw

So what do you guys think?

2006-12-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

Ahmed Bukhatir -Ya Ommie (My mother)

**http://youtube.com/watch?v=SMlLqY9mwKs

This gave me goosebumps.
A moving song.

2006-12-12T05:11:00.000-08:00

When will this semester end?
It has been soo long and soo dragged out, its driving me crazy. Im so sick of my classes. Khalas, ENOUGH ALREADY. I really like my proffessors, but I cant bear going to class listening to anymore lectures.
I'm soo out of it, that anything that comes out of the proffessors mouth sounds like "blah,blah,blah.blah".

not only that, our finals start AFTER eid break. Thats around JANUARY 11TH !!!!
I mean COME ON. JUST LET US TAKE THE TESTS NOW.

meh.

The last few weeks have been busy,busy,busy that my weekends are just not enough to chill and relax.

But im soo glad that I had soo much fun during the nationday day break. :)
I have a link of the right side where you can see the pictures mj and I took during the break (and other weekends).

We wanted to upload them on here, but it took forever and made our blogs slower. So take a look, enjoy and comment :)

Its a shame that we used flickr, i hate flickr. I hope it doesnt turn into those typical flickr accounts where people comment "cute" or "nice job" or "keep it up sis"

-stab stab-

anywho

2006-12-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

Update:

My blog has been under some maintance, i'll be posting regularly inshallah :)
Im adding something new to my blog. I want to try this out.

*btw this template is temporary

stay in touch :)

2006-11-27T11:09:00.000-08:00

Getting Ready for National Day celebrations

*The unvieling of the largest and most expensive mosiac picture in the world made at UAEU(2005).

By royal decree, national day must be celebrated like no other year.

Some info just in case people havent heard:
Our university(UAEU) will have a week long celebrations starting from this wednesday till next wednesday.

Tawam is also hosting an event for National Day this Thursday.

There will also be a very very large celebrations on saturday in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Watani is creating the largest map of the UAE by passing out thick poster boards to all schools and universities. Each student and proffessor are going to leave their marks on the boards. So far on one board, there are over 300 finger prints in green,black and red :)

I'll try to keep you guys posted on this with pictures as we prepare and celebrate this glorious day :)

2006-11-11T02:36:00.000-08:00

I admire the huge effort Dubai is undertaking to make the streets safer.

Last night on Sama Dubai, at the end of the show they showed
the crazy traffic violations, accidents and just pure stupidity of some people driving on the roads.
They also showed any motorist passing a red light caught on tape and shown on tv. His/her license plate zooomed in to see Exactly who it is. Oh and they called them a "Mojreem". Which means 'criminal' in english. A term that has a piercing effect to a person. Ouch.

The best part of the segement, was this a semitruck who made the wrong exit. Instead of proceeding and getting off at the next exit, he decides to slowly backup on the highway. Yes backing up, going in reverse. He blocks traffic and almost causing an infinite amount of accidents. And get this, a police vehicle in an SUV, swerves to get out of the trucks way, passes the truck and continues down the highway.

HAHAHA and YES ITS ALL ON TV.
the reporters were like 'yes, you did just see police officers passing the truck and not do anything about it'

Yup someone is going to get their ass kicked today :)

2006-11-07T02:58:00.000-08:00

My Country has been HIJACKED, and I want it back!!!

An election crept up on us and many people didnt know.

What is this election about, why its about The Congress of course. This is a MAJOR election! Huge in fact.

CRITICAL AND CRUCIAL.

Why is this election so major,huge,critical, crucial and very important?

*****Because The United States Constitution vests all legislative powers of the federal government in the Congress.******

The powers of Congress are limited to those enumerated in the Constitution;
all other powers are reserved to the states and the people.

Through Acts of Congress,Congress may

regulate interstate and foreign commerce
levy taxes
organize the federal courts
maintain the military
declare war
exercise certain other "necessary and proper" powers.

So if the Democrates win the most seats, they can kill most of Presidents Bushs plans.

Democrats said the air felt like 1994, when fed-up voters rose up and cleared out the halls of Congress.

I feel the same way, majorty of americans are just so fed up. Its time for a change.

"The demand for change grows and grows and grows, and only the President in his bunker doesn't seem to realize it," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

I think President Bill Clinton said it best:

"They can't run anything right," said ex-President Bill Clinton, campaigning for Democrats and taunting Republicans about the war in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina.

Come on Democrats, bring us back on track.

2006-10-31T17:19:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Digital Nomad!

Height: 5’4
Color: They coined me as the "white" arab
Piercing: 2 per ear
Tattoos: none
Time Right Now: 5:13 AM (fajr)
Mood: Worried
Taste: Orange juice
Weather: light breeze
Bad habit: naps turning into long periods of sleeping
Current crush: goodness, i dont have the time
Biggest regret:... i have so many i cant really pinpoint which one is the biggest.
Perfume(s): Carolina
Thing I want to do: Study for my marketing midterm

Favorite

TV show: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Book: Pride and Prejudice
Non alcoholic drink: Dr.Pepper
Milk drink: milk drink? chocolate milk?
Brand: (haha what?) Lacoste
Color: i love vibrant colors, i dont have a favorite.
Emblem: my favorite symbol? its too early to think
Perfume: Vera Wang
Designer: My friend, im too loyal ;)
Chocolate: reeses peanut buttercups
Have I Ever Broken the law: yes, many many times.
Misused credit card: Misused my fathers, but not mine ;)
Skipped school: HAHAH OF COURSE. what kind of question is that?
Fell asleep in the shower/bath: No, i dont have the tendancy to just fall asleep anywhere.
Had children: nope
Been in love: i plead the fifth.
Been hurt: of course.

Random

Have a job: at the moment no :(
My CD player has what in it right now: Kanye West: Late Registration
If I were a crayon, the color: ooo crayons! I'd be purple or turquoise
What makes me happy: Spending time with friends and family.

When/What Was the Last time

I got a real letter: 2005 from one of my best friends
Got an email: 3 seconds ago
Thing I purchased: Cheese Haloum Sandwhich Starbucks
TV program I watched: my lord, i havent watched tv since the summer, umm does youtube or googlevideo count? Bill Clinton gets fox news.
Movie I saw in the theaters: Taladega Nights
Hugged: my daddy.
Place I was an hour ago: In bed sleeping.
Song heard: Impossible -Kanye west
Phone call: My close friend asking me to send her my notes for marketing.
Was depressed: during eid break

What Comes to Mind When I Hear

Car: audi
Murder: Passion killing
Cape: Abaya?
Cell: communication
Fun: in the sun
Shoes: Pumas
Crush: Highschool!! (and middle school)
Music: Buena Vista Social Club
Love: cheesecake.
Chalk: Ms.Jackson (she was my fourth grade teacher and was allergic to chalk)

i tag:
Mj, Ahmed,SS,and Dxb Nights

2006-10-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Eid Mubarak :)

I hope your seyam, your prayers and your dua'as are accepted.

May you all have a blessed Eid

2006-10-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

A Man I Admire

Here is Malcolm X

a hero to millions of people worldwide

talking at Oxford December 1964.

Malcolm X formally converted to Islam in 1964,

shortly before he was assassinated.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7866392193877530906&q=MALCOLM+X%3A+1964

* a short video

2006-10-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

Must hear song

You CANT say that you lived in the UAE without knowing or have listened to this song:

http://song.l7en.com/ksa/mee7ad/mee7ad..a7eb-elbar-wel-mazyoon.ram

A7eb el bur wal mazyooooooooooooooooooooooooon

hahah, greetings from al ain :)

*When I first moved here, all my emiraty friends made me listen to this. I will never forget this song.

2006-10-18T02:23:00.000-07:00

Hold the Hookah/Sheesha/Argeilah

Researcher Warns Against Trendy Tobacco Use

The growing fad of smoking tobacco through a waterpipe,
sometimes known as a hookah,
is rapidly turning into a worrisome epidemic,
according to a Georgetown University researcher
who says smokers who think this form of tobacco use
is less toxic than cigarettes are wrong.

"People who use these devices don't realize that they
could be inhaling what is believed to be the equivalent
of a pack of cigarettes in one typical 30-60 minute session
with a waterpipe, because such a large quantity of pure,
shredded tobacco is used,"
said Christopher Loffredo, Ph.D.,
Director of the Cancer Genetics and
Epidemiology program at Georgetown University Medical Center.

and I just bought my brother 4 boxes of sheesha tobacco to send to him in china :/

2006-10-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

Finally Al Ain has a Newspaper!

www.alaintimes.ae

2006-10-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought?

Israeli president lies low after rape claim

The Israeli president, Moshe Katsav, yesterday cancelled an appearance at the opening session of parliament as he faced mounting pressure over a police recommendation that he be charged with rape.

But Mr Katsav, 60, gave no suggestion that he intended to resign his post, despite the wave of criticism he faces.

Police on Sunday said that after months of investigations they had enough evidence to call for the president to be charged with rape and sexual assault as well as fraud, illegal wiretapping, bribery and obstruction of justice. Five women from his office have provided evidence against him, saying in some cases he forced them to have sex. A further five women made complaints of sexual harassment dating back several years.

Thats INSANE.

here's the link to the full article.
** http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1923868,00.html

2006-10-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

I got this in an email, and I could relate to a lot of it.

enjoy!

You Know You're an Expat Kid
in the Middle East When.....

1. You can't answer the question, "Where are you from?" (And when you do, you get into an elaborate conversation that gets everyone confused and/or makes you sound very spoiled.)
2. You flew before you could walk.
3. You have a passport, but no driver's license.
4. You think California is cold.
5. You watch National Geographic specials and recognize someone.
6. You run into someone you know at every airport.
7. Conversations with friends take place at 6:00 in the morning or 10:00 at night.
8. Your life story uses the phrase "Then we went to..." five times.
9. You can speak with authority about the quality of various international airlines.
10. You feel self conscious around all white people.
11. You get offended when someone turns down an offer for food.
12. You live at school and go home for vacation.
13. You treasure pork and root beer as highly-valued commodities.
14. You have ever had to wait for prayer call to be over to finish shopping.
15. You are fascinated by any wildlife bigger than a gecko.
16. You know the true meaning of "football." (and in your mind can hear the shout, "GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!")
17. You know that it truly is a small world.
18. You have ever gone to the "hammam" or endured a "shamal."
19. You get all the jokes in Aladdin.
20. Rain is still one of the most wonderful sounds in the world.
21. You haggle with the checkout clerk for a lower price.
22. Your wardrobe can only handle two seasons: hot and warm.
23. Your school memories include duck-and-cover drills.
24. You are used to being stared at.
25. You think VISA is a document stamped in your passport, and not a plastic card you carry in your wallet.
26. You call a chicken burrito a "shwarma."
27. Your dorm room/apartment/living room looks a little like a museum with all the "exotic" things you have around.
28. You've heard of or tried "hubbly bubbly."
29. You've woken up in the middle of the night to watch the Superbowl on cable.
30. You have sat in a "men's" or "women's" section in an airport, hospital, or restaurant.
31. You know the geography of the rest of the world, but you don't know the geography of your own country. (Isn't Philadelphia its own state?)
32. Your best friends are from 5 different countries.
33. You're spoiled. You know it. You're VERY spoiled.
34. You ask your roommate when the houseboy is scheduled to come clean.
35. You have never spent a summer with your friends from high school because you all go back to your home town/state/country June - August
36. Camping involves duning, getting stuck, and counting how many camels you saw.
37. A sports tournament involves flying to another country in the Middle East.
38. You remember when the first McDonalds in your country had its grand opening.
39. You got days off school for Christian and Muslim holidays.
40. You secretely wished the rulers of other Middle Eastern countries would die so that you got days off school.
41. Not being able to eat in public during the day during the holy month of Ramadan.
42. Traveling to the states required buying candy, CDs, and Abercrombie and Fitch clothing for your friends back overseas.
43. You are used to giving directions according to landmarks, not street names.
44. It's normal to wake up and have four or more Pakistani men fixing your AC.
45. You didn't know how to do your own laundry until you left for college.
46. How come the houses in America don't have servants quarters?
47. You are used to seeing Arabic commercials dubbed in British English about Lux soap, Carnation condensed milk and Dove shampoo.
48. Seeing police drive on the shoulder of the road and cut people is not unusual.
49. You understand that being addressed as "ma'am/sir" by Filipinos is not an insult.
50. You know someone is referring to Pepsi when they say "Bebzi".
51. Having a walled in, cement house is standard.
52. Ford Explorer sized cars seem small compared to Toyota Land Cruisers and Nissan Patrols

2006-09-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

The worst thing to happen to you during Ramadan:

You start getting SICK.

My throat is killing me, my ears are ringing and I feel drowsy.

Tomorrow is really going to be rough.

:(

2006-09-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

Freshmen:

I never thought of naming the new freshmen males as "smurfs" or "sanafer" until I saw this cartoon of them:

I was literally on the floor with laughter. Now everytime I see the freshmen I start laughing.

The picture I added didnt turn out too clear. You can check out more here:

http://ain.ae/index.cfm?fuseaction=News.ListNews&categoryId=382&newsid=1614

(its all in arabic, sorry :/)

2006-09-29T17:32:00.001-07:00

I found this article in gulf news amusing

Al Ain:

Little shouting and screaming on the streets has made the UAE a "discomfortingly" quiet country for many visitors and expatriate residents, especially those with a Mediterranean background.

Thank god there is no shouting and screaming on the streets! Who would ever welcome that?
That has got to be the most idiotic thing to say.
How can people sleep at night with people shouting and screaming?
Thats discomforting!!!

So all of UAE is discomfortingly quiet?

But thats not the point of the article, but the research that is being conducted and the development of an Arabic-English mini-dictionary of UAE politeness formulas for visitors and newcomers to the UAE. This research is being conducted by UAEU.

I think that this mini-dictionary of UAE politenes is great and much needed!

You have to continue reading and reading to understand what its about.

You just have to laugh at the journalism found on gulfnews, khaleej times, emirates today (and most other online newspapers).

here is the full article :

http://gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10071241.html

2006-09-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Intellectual situation in the Arab world 'retarded'
Staff Report

Abu Dhabi:

The intellectual situation in the Arab world is not just retarded,
but is suffering from ignorance and lack of acknowledgement,
said a Saudi intellectual at a lecture yesterday.

DAMN!

“Arabs and Muslims are in a very bad condition. We live out of history.
As a matter of fact, we hinder the movement of history, and still live with pre-historic mentality,” said Al Belehi.

He said the world has keys, and we must know how to use them well.
He said the west started developing after authorities lost their holy nature,
and when reason and criticism prevailed.

Al Belehi said the Arab mind is too rigid, and relied too much on references and authorities, which results in duplications. Authorities must be criticised, challenged and questioned, and must not be given holy quality, he said.

He termed the current Arab culture as a culture of the dead — only the living deserve respect and encouragement, since they participate in change and
development for humanity’s benefit.

Al Belehi reviewed intellectual stages of the human civilisation, and the changes that affected them, and said cultures are infinite bodies that move and develop and interact with changes — they must move and compete to improve, and thoughts need to reach the public until the right vision is reached.

Following the lecture, which was introduced by Abdul Hamid Ahmad,
Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News, an open discussion was held,
and many said they did not agree with the bleak picture painted by Al Belehi,
while some agreed with him on the need to renew and keep up
with the new values of this age, while maintaining Arab and Islamic values.

to read the full article:
http://gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10070994.html

Does anyone have any comments regarding this article?

2006-09-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

Bill Clinton gets Fox News

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9026120716999978732&q=fox+news+interview+%2Bbill+clinton

This is the first 20 minutes of Bill Clinton’s interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday. In this clip, Wallace asks Clinton why he didn’t do more to capture or kill Osama bin Laden while he was in office. Clinton clearly feels like he has been set up and doesn’t hold back in telling Wallace just how he feels.

As he says to Chris Wallace " You have that little smirk on your face and you think you are so clever".

wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosa its BILL baby.

2006-09-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

Check out these muslim video blogs

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=www.ummah%20films.com&sa=N&tab=wv

ummah films website : www.ummahfilms.com

pretty funny stuff :)

-props to noor for giving me the link-

2006-09-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

If you could give up one thing during ramadan, what would it be?

(i.e. swearing,reading novels,smoking sheesha,watching tv,listening to music)

2006-09-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Ramadan Anticipation:

So how are people feeling towards Ramadan these days?
What are your thoughts?
Are you guys anxious? dreading it? excited? happily awaiting it? indifferent?

What is going through your head?
I was just wondering how people react towards ramadan.

Everyone reacts to Ramadan differently.

2006-09-22T10:33:00.001-07:00

Ramadan Mubarak

2006-09-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

I am delighted with my courses and professors this semester.
My overall university experience in the business college has exceed my expectations.
Every semester it just gets better and better. Inshallah it will continue in this way.

As usual there are many misconceptions about UAEU.

The first thing is that all the courses are taught in arabic.
That is NOT true.

The teaching methods are old fashion or outdated.
Another false statement.

Our curriculum isnt up to date.
that statement actually hurts me. It is one of the accreditated universities in the middle east. Our business college is the best in the Middle east. The college of Education is the first accredited college of education in the whole middle east. We have one of the best medical schools, IT college and Engineering.

Our sister schools include some of the best universities in the US. My brother studied one year at the engineering college at UAEU before transfering to the US. The courses he took were transfered without a problem to Georgia Tech, Purdue, The University of Michigan and the University of Chicago. He even got a full scholarship to attend the Georgia Tech engineering program.

This university is up to the academic standards. I just think its time for people to realize that. This isnt the same university that people have in mind 6 years ago. It is so different that people are astonished when they realize this is UAEU.

I can not neglect to mention the teaching staff. The staff that was hired about 6 years ago and onwards are great. There are some professors that have been teaching at the university for some time now, legends as we say, are so good :)

I love that my professors are from all over and they bring all that they have to the classroom.
Different nationalities but the same passion .

Statistics -Tunisian
Macroeconomics-Egyptian
Marketing-Palistinian
Financial Mangement-Emiraty
Health 101- Somalia
Nutrition 101-Indonesia

Each professor is so different from the next one, but its so awesome to hear them speak, lending us some of their knowledge and experiences. I love hearing the stories or ancedotes from their lives.

If only I could write about all the professors I have met and share their stories.
One professor speaks 13 languages!
The other is a Tia Chi master.
Another owns a famous ballet school in California.
One sailed around the world by herself in a small boat.
Another professor spent some time in Africa doing humanitary work, building water wells.

I will never forget about the time I spent in Al Ain or at UAEU.

2006-09-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

i love al ain !!

2006-09-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost

TWO roads
diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler,long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

2006-09-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

Im BACK !

Well i've been back for some time now, but its been a little crazy and hectic.
My life is getting back to normal, classes have started and im back in the game.
Im becoming a little more competitve and more driven.
I have a goal and im aiming for it. (inshallah bil iznallah i'll achieve it)

So inshallah i'll be posting more often.

Let me start off with something that happened to me at the MOE(mall of the emirates) a few days ago.
I decided to go with a few friends of mine to do some shopping before classes started. I first stop at starbucks at debenhems to get some coffee. Im enjoying my coffee and chatting to friends as im walking out of the store when the alarm goes off. What the heck? I didnt even look at anything in the store. The security lady comes to me and we open my purse to see if anything fell out. So im standing there, taking out my wallet, my cell phone, my ipod, my keys, my planner. There's nothing inside besides that. strange. I give the security lady my purse, and I walk out of the store again. Once again the alarms ring. Strange. We just shrug our shoulders and the security lady let me go. -sigh of relief-

Why are the alarms going off? The security lady said 'Maybe you have a lot of iron in your body, and its setting off the alarm' Seriously? No, I dont think that could be it. It must be something else. My friends and I discuss it as we head towards the luggage store. We go inside, and the alarms go off! I start laughing and I go to the employees of the store to speak to them. I ask them that for some reason the alarm goes off at everystore when I walk in and walk out.
My friends and I thought it would be a good idea if I stayed in the store to figure out why. The manager agreed, and so we began the search. My friend walked out with my purse first. The alarms didnt go off.

hmmm. Then its something im wearing. I take off my watch, and I walk out the store.
The alarm rings.
I take off my necklace and I walk out, and again the alarm rings.
I thought, maybe its my belt. So I go to the corner of the store and take off my belt.I come back and walk out of the store again. You guessed it, the alarms went off.
Now I cant stop laughing.
I take off my earrings and Im praying its my earrings. I walk out, and the alarms rinnnnnnng.
This is getting crazy.
My friends pointed out that I was wearing my new pumas. That made sense, it could be my shoes.
SO I take off my shoes. People outside the store are stoping and watching. They are like what the hell is going on? Everytime that girl walks out of the store, the alarms go off.
Now im in my socks, incredibly embarassed, and i walk out the store.
THE ALARM GOES OFF.

Maybe I do have too much iron in my body,( or blood). Still, it sounds ludacris.

I keep racking my brain, what could it be? why am i ringing?
i told the manager that im going to go to the bathroom and check all my clothes.
I go and i check and search and i didnt find anything strange or different.
I keep looking and looking and looking.
Ah ha! I found it. A little strange tag in the inside of my shirt. (all of my clothes were brand new).
I have never seen a tag like that before. The clerk at the store i got it from in the states must have forgot to take it off. I rip off the tag.
I hope this is what is making me ring.
I went back to the store, and I tried again.

I walked in and ... I DIDNT RING!
yay!

Hahah talk about an intense search. I got searched more than I do at airports.
lmao.

I kept the tag for future practical joke use. ;)

2006-08-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

In a few days I will be leaving the US.

Every year it is just getting harder and harder to go back to the UAE.

I'm just leaving so much behind here.

I feel like im that aunt,sister and friend
that misses every birthday,holiday and eid.

2006-08-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

My Nephews first pair of converse!!

* So cute(mashallah), i just want to squeeze him!

and to finish it off, im going to write his name at the very bottom of the shoes with a black marker ;)

2006-08-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

A glimpse of Innocence

2006-08-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Less Serious

I havent posted much about my summer travels.
My summer vacation has been fantastic. (hamdulla so far)
I've been all over the US,travelling seeing friends and family.

Chicago is awesome. I love, just love this city. Yesterday I drove up to have lunch with my cousins and spend a beautiful sunny day there. The weather was perfect, and I can't even remember how far we walked. We walked all over the city. We went to the Art festival, which was fantastic. We did some shopping, we had lunch at REZAS! (hell yea) and then Hit millenium park to catch a concert.

I love that chicago isnt so crowded, the streets are clean and you see people from all over. Everybody is just soo chill, they arent rude (they are so friendly!) and you can always feel the breeze of the wind.

What is even better is that, there is a chocolate factory on lake michigan, so whenever the wind blows, you catch a whiff of that deep yummy smell of chocloate. It drove me crazy! It smelt like chocolate chip cookies being baked or brownies. I love chocolate. I had to get a brownie from somewhere, so I ran into the nearest bakery. hahahah. I couldn't help it :/

Walking down the streets you may see famous celebrities, but people there are so nonchalant about it. My brother and I saw mary j blige driving a huge rolls royce, and nobody around us did a double take. I just pointed out that she looked lost because she was looking at all the street signs and had a puzzled look on her face. hahah oh well.

I hope one day i'll find a great job in chicago, I want to move back!

Too bad there isnt a good business school there to get my masters. :/

2006-08-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

As Americans,
we are led by the power of our conscience
and the history of our country
to defend and promote
the dignity and rights of all people.

Each person, however frail or defenseless,
has a place and purpose in this world.

Wow, such great and powerful words. Did you really write this Mr. President?
Im suprised, because if you did (and actually meant it), then your actions would have been
slightly different.....don't you think?

What does your conscience say?

As you said Mr.President,

Each person, however frail or defenseless,
has a place and purpose in this world.

Then do something!
Show us you actually mean what you say.

The Lebanese people are frail and defenseless, and each and every one of them has a place and purpose in this world!!!!!!!!

or is this proclomation a random day we celebrate in January?

2006-08-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

All that is left to us
by tradition
is mere words.

It is up to us
to find out what
they mean.

-Ibn Arabi

2006-08-01T22:57:00.000-07:00

Help Lebanon Rebuild

http://www.lebanonundersiege.gov.lb/english/F/Main/index.asp

This madness needs to end.

*thanks buj for the link

2006-07-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

From the US Embassy (website) in the UAE

Embassy Highlights

Statement on Three-Part Comprehensive Settlement
Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Jerusalem
July 31, 2006

SECRETARY RICE:

Good morning. Over the course of the past eight days, I have participated in a series of intense meetings and discussions with leaders in Israel and Lebanon -- as well as leaders from throughout the world gathered in Rome and Malaysia -- to try to find common ground and bring an end to the violence that has claimed so many lives.

This morning, as I head back to Washington, I take with me an emerging consensus on what is necessary for both an urgent cease-fire and a lasting settlement. I am convinced we can achieve both this week -- and I am convinced that only by achieving both will the Lebanese people finally be able to control their country and their future, and the people of Israel finally be able to live free from the threat of attack from terrorist groups in Lebanon.

Based on what we have accomplished, and the urgency of the situation, we will call for the United Nations Security Council action this week on a comprehensive settlement that includes three parts: a cease fire, the political principles that provide for a long-term settlement, and the authorization of an international force to support the Lebanese army in keeping the peace. We are working simultaneously on all three tracks so that a cease-fire can be supported by the deployment of an international stabilization force as soon as possible after Security Council action.

During my discussions, I found consensus on several important issues that, taken together will address the causes of this conflict and form the political basis for a truly lasting settlement -- and one that will prevent a return to the status quo ante.

Lebanon, Israel, and the international community agree that the government of Lebanon must be able to extend its authority over all its territory. To help achieve this, Lebanon, Israel and the international community agree that an international Stabilization Force should be deployed. There is broad agreement that armed groups must be prohibited in the areas where the international force is deployed; an international embargo must be enforced against the delivery of weapons to anyone other than the government of Lebanon or the Stabilization Force; no foreign forces will be allowed unless specifically authorized by the government of Lebanon, and Lebanon should, as assisted where appropriate by the international community, disarm armed groups.

During this proposed settlement, Israel and Lebanon would also agree to respect the Blue Line that divides them.I also found substantial consensus on the role of an international stabilization force: This force would support urgent humanitarian work and enable the return of internally displaced persons; assist the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy to the Blue Line and police the border with Syria; help create a stable and secure environment, especially in southern Lebanon, so that UN Security Council resolution 1559 and the Taif accords can be implemented.In our view, to implement a cease-fire, the Lebanese armed forces should deploy to the Blue Line border between Lebanon and Israel, and the Stabilization Force should always operate in coordination and support of Lebanon’s armed forces. I believe our work has prepared the way for the United Nations Security Council to act on both an urgent and comprehensive basis this week.

I have been deeply grieved by the tragic losses we have witnessed, especially the deaths of children, Lebanese and Israeli. Too many families have been displaced. Too many people urgently need medical care, or are living in shelters. I welcome Israel’s decision to suspend aerial attacks for 48 hours as it investigates what happened at Qana. We also obtained agreement on a 24-hour period of safe passage to help innocent civilians who want to escape southern Lebanon. I hope this can be renewed. I hope that this will improve the humanitarian situation and allow much faster and more significant delivery of desperately needed aid. These are important, yet temporary measures. An urgent and more permanent end to this violence is something that we all want, and that we must work together to achieve. To make a cease-fire more than words alone, the international community must be prepared to support and sustain it -- and I call on my international partners to do so this week in New York. Thank you very much.

*http://uae.usembassy.gov/

2006-07-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

You're not to be so blind with patriotism
that you can't face reality.

Wrong is wrong,
no matter who does it or says it.

-Malcolm X

2006-07-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

This picture is Hilarious

2006-07-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

Bush and Blair refuse to call for ceasefire

"Tony Blair and George Bush defied the
growing anger across the world yesterday
by seeking a UN resolution that fell far short
of a ceasefire to end the killing of Lebanese civilians."

will this ever end?
-sigh-

kul wahed akhra min el taney.
:/

*http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article1202887.ece

2006-07-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

A future fantasy is no more than vain hope
With wishful minds for which we grope
I’d rather improve my current scope
To an upward trend from a downward slope

-Omar Khayyam
Rubaiyat

2006-07-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

I pray for the day when we will have PEACE!

2006-07-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

إنا لله و إنا إليه راجعون

This last week has been insane.
I just can't believe whats going on right now in lebanon.
I always had a gut feeling something was going to happen during the summer.
I knew it would involve either Syria or Lebanon. I thought Syria would be bombed, but not Lebanon.
I pleaded with my friends to not go this summer, but they assured me nothing would happen.
Now they are trying to get out, rushing to Syria, trying to get tickets back home to the US. Where is the US? You took them this far, you assured them they were safe, and then what? You were so loud before, why have you become deafly silent?

What is more ludacris is that you know when Isreal is going to bomb, so you try to evacuate people before they do INSTEAD OF STOPING IT.

You werent even there for THE 25,000 AMERICANS IN LEBANON. Bush was going to ask them to pay the government for helping them evacuate,He wouldnt even help his OWN PEOPLE, but he can of course support the 300 billion dollar war in IRAQ. Thank god congress overthrew that, now why dont they overthrow Bush? Impeach his ass. Go back to Texas and hump some fucking deer. You freaking moron.

Coincidence that this is happening around the same time as the G8 summit? I don't think so.

I just feel so bad for the Lebanese,all that time and effort they put into trying to rebuild their country, and now it has returned to ruins. We sit and watch. Worried and distressed.

Rally's are taking place here, but not getting its full worth. Fox news covered the events and of course they place their bias views.

There is another rally today at Chicago Tribune Plaza435 N. Michigan Ave., downtown Chicago

Lets see how the news covers this big rally.

On CNN just now, people are saying this is Armageddon and many people are happily awaiting it.

Im sure Bush is in his racecar bed smiling.

2006-06-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

**** Culture Shock ****

Culture Shock, I get it every time I come back to the US and when I go back to the UAE.

and so my famous LISTS:

First Shock: Why are people staring at me, and then give me a smile? weirrrd.
Traveling domestically is a pain in the @$$!! The service is horrible too :/
I ran into a girl I knew in grade school at the airport, that is just soo random. I haven't seen her in years, and what is she doing way across the US?
People talk slowly when they first see me,and I give them a big smile and talk super fast. ;)
The speed limits are so low and people just drive so slowly, It drives me crazy.
COPS ARE EVERYWHERE, WATCHING YOUR EVERY MOVE.
You actually have to come to a complete stop at stop signs. YES COMPLETE STOP. or else you'll get a huge ticket fine, I mean HUGE $$$$$$$.
Around town, people will wave at you. They don;t know you, they are just being friendly. I always have to remind myself to wave back instead of wondering if I know them.
You get major discounts for being a college student, even if you are studying overseas.
A drunk man asking the waiter to read the menu for him because he can't read. I actually started laughing.
In the bible belt of America, homosexuals actually proclaim they are homosexual. THATS A HUGE CHANGE.
Renting a movie is so cheap (compared to the UAE).
GAS IS SOOO EXPENSIVE. People are about to sell an arm or a leg. Last summer the prices were $1.60, now its $2.60. I remember one summer, about 7 years ago the price of gas was $0.60. NO JOKE.
Super markets are so strange to me. I haven't grocery shopped for my parents in the longest time. There is just too much variety.
Electronic Stores don't have the latest electronics. haha.
Sex is always the topic on American TV.
Gossip Magazines are everywhere, and they follow the same people around everywhere. GET A LIFE.
I ran away from a thunderstorm yesterday. Literally, I saw black clouds approaching and lightning.I was at the neighborhood basketball courts. I was running at full speed, I was about 15 minutes away from the house. Right when I entered the house, I heard the loudest crackle of lightening and thunder!!!
Little kids here are so social and talkative!! (Mashallah).
And the last culture shock is that Food is everywhere here, you cant escape from it, its just too damn good. I didn't think I could hold down all that junk food. My friends were shocked that someone that tiny could eat that much, and not throw it up later!! ;)

2006-06-22T22:17:00.000-07:00

It starts today :)

Im glad I have time to attend this. It should be intresting. I can't wait.

2006-06-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

How snobby are you?

Your score = 20

What does your score mean?

Way to go! You don't appear to have a snobby bone in your body. Your answers on the test show that you are generally laidback, open-minded and down-to-earth. You try not to judge others based on superficial outer qualities like their car, clothes or bank account. Either you are the type of person who likes EVERYONE, or you have your own measures of whether someone is worthy of your respect; chances are you look beyond the surface and judge people on their character and inner worth. This attitude surely brings a lot of interesting people and experiences into your life and allows you to develop real, quality relationships. The world needs more people with this perspective!

** http://www.queendom.com/tests/minitests/fx/snob.html

2006-06-17T07:43:00.002-07:00

I'VE BEEN TAGGED BY AHMED!

20 Years Ago I...

I was a year old.
was spoiled rotten by my parents and siblings.
lived in the suburbs of the bustling city of chicago

10 Years Ago I...

Punched a boy(in the face) for trying to kiss me.
ate so much candy during halloween my stomache had to be pumped.
slide down the stairs on a cardboard and my foot&leg went through the wall.

5 Years Ago I...

arrived in the sandy desert of the UAE
got my car stuck in the sand between the ducan and chouefiat.
would drive with my non-emiraty license (illegal) ;)

3 Years Ago I...

I graduated from highschool.
Still hated harees.
I met MJ!!! (wasn't sure what she was about)

1 Year Ago I...

was very happy and loved al ain.
couldnt stand the wallpaper in my sisters bathroom so i took it down in the middle of the night.
celebrated my birthday numerous times,was suprised each time.

So Far This Year, I...

jumped in a pool fully clothed.
drank from a (green?) coconut
was sung to by a mexican band.

Yesterday, I...

listened to an awesome khutba from an inspiring Imam
ate a huge steak :)
realized why I never spent too much time at home. (haha)

Tommorow, Inshallah I Will...

plant some flowers.
spend some time with the younger muslim kids in the community.
watch me some FIFA!

In The Next Year, Inshallah, I Will...

cry because my nephew will be 3!!
probably be at mj's house eating heemba (the correct way).
still love al ain.

I Will tag...

3lo g
Arsal
Seher

2006-06-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

Update:

I'm Stateside!!!!

It's good to be home, im still a little jet lag though.
What do you expect after a total of 36 hours traveling. :/

I had some problems when I stopped in London for transit to the US.
The employees of the airport were extremely rude, racist and prejudice. They treated my parents as if they were sheep herders and automatically assumed that they were uneducated. Because of their conduct and their unwillingness to help me and my parents we almost missed our flight to the US. When I saw how they treated my father, a renowned doctor, I blew up and demanded to speak to the airports adminstration.It was all caught on tape and there were witnesses.

I demanded that they hold our plane and that proper transportation shouldl be provided for us. I can't believe how they treated us! My parents were speechless. They have lived outside of Syria in the US for more than 30 years and this has NEVER happened to them in the US, but surely enough it happend in London.

Funny, all our friends in the UAE warned us about people being treating us badly in the US, but they never mentioned ENGLAND.

It was a long and annoying trip, but the best part was the service of Emirates airline.

Its good to be home though :)

2006-06-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

The talk of travel is in the air.

While most people search and browse through endless websites and magazines about travel destinations around the world, I always had one destination in mind:

HOME = AMERICA.

So for me, my mind is at ease. Right now I just want to go home so fast. I've been counting down since May 20th. Every night I cross out the day that has finished on my makeshift note card calendar. Two more days and I'm gone! Poof!!

Home is where the heart is. I can't wait to wake up to birds chirping in the morning and the fresh clean breeze coming through my window. The bright blue sky with big white clouds spread across it. The bright green grass and the magnolia tree in full blossom of its gorgeous (yet scentless) flowers. What a beautiful way to start a day!

I'm so homesick!

While I have these frequent day dreams where I am home, I am often zipped back into reality by people snapping their fingers or poking me.(ha ha) My friends are in a dilemma! Where should they go for the summer if they do not want to go to Europe, Africa, Middle East, North America and South America? The world seems small when you narrow it down to that degree!!

Singapore is actually pretty cool. Its not on my top places I must see, but its pretty interesting. Its actually a lot like Dubai, so I may skip on seeing it. If I have the time and money extra to spare, then I would definitely check it out, but I don’t see that happening anytime in the near future. Its so much like Dubai, that its kinda scary.

Anyways, if anyone has suggestions, pray tell!!

I then can be left alone to sit and day dream until the day I arrive home : )

2006-06-09T06:22:00.000-07:00

JUNE 9TH: The countdown ends

THE FIFA WORLD CUP STARTS TODAY!!!!

Everyone in the UAE and around the world is gearing up for the world cup. I don't think I have ever been so excitied about the world cup before. Being American, soccer is often overlooked, we tend to focus more on american sports like basketball and football and more or less: baseball.

Living overseas for quite some time has effected me in a way. I actually go rowdy at soccer games now. I bring in my basketball and football cheers and use them to motivate my peers.

Also, having a brother in law with some south american influences really changed my attitude. I was pressured into picking a team to support this year for the world cup.

I choose : BRAZIL

I love the characters on that team. They are flamboyant and highly spirited. They are also highly skilled athletes.

so brazil it is.

let the best team win.

Here's today schedule:

wooooooooooooooooooooooooooot EMIRATES AIRLINE!! shhh hells yea.

for more info check out the website:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/

2006-06-09T03:55:00.000-07:00

BOOKS! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKS!! BOOKS!

My mind has been so overworked with academic coursework, conferences, activities, ect... that I haven't had the time to read in agesssss.

For me thats horrible! I love reading books. I love to hear what other people are reading. I love to discuss books with people. I love the exchange of ideas and opinions. I love the heated debates!

I get so annoyed when people say that they don't like to read or that they haven't read anything since they were in middle school. By the way, romance novels do not hold well with me, i may laugh in your face if you ever told me that you've actually read that crap.

A funny story, I was suppose to be celebrating the summer with a few of my friends, by going partying and going insane. We got too bummy and ended up discussing books! I felt the need to start compling my summer reading list! Two hours later and I found the books that I want to read over the summer. Haha I don't know how much will be read, but inshallah I want to read a lot.

You will always find a book or two in my bag. There are a few books that are not on the list because I re-read them every summer and they are usually always in my bag or on my bed stand.

They are :
1. Rajal houl al rasoul : Men around the Messenger.
2. The Search for Beauty in Islam.

And so I give you... My list .....

1.Einstein's Dreams, Alan P. Lightman
2.Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino, William Weaver (translator)
3.If On A Winter's Night A Traveler, Italo Calvino, William Weaver (Translator)
4.The Scarlet and the Black, Stendhal, Margaret R. Shaw (Translator)
5.Fathers and Sons, Ivan Turgenev, Constance Garnett
6.Dead Souls, Nikolai Gogol
7.Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger
8.Animal Farm, George Orwell, C. M. Woodhouse (Introduction), Preface by Russell Baker 9.The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
10.Life of Pi, Yann Martel
11.The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson
12.Namesake, Jhumpa Lahiri
13.Sixteenth Round, Rubin Hurricane Carter
14.The Dante Club, Matthew Pearl
15.The Coffee Trader, David Liss
16.The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Lucia Graves (Translator)
17.The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova
18.Cry, The Beloved Country, Alan Paton
19.One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez, Gregory Rabassa (Translator) 20.Don Quixote: A New Translation by Edith Grossman
21.The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
22.Angels and Demons by Dan Brown (currently reading)
23. 1984 by George Orwell (currently reading)
24.The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury(currently reading)
25. Me talk pretty one day by David Sedaris

2006-06-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

iEARN United Arab Emirates

On Wednesday, June 7, 2006,
U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office
in cooperation with Fujaira Education Zone
opened the iEARN United Arab Emirates Fujairah Center
at Saif Al-Dawla Basic School in Fujairah.
The iEARN program has been implemented in several schools
around the UAE the Fujaira center is unique in the country.

iEARN is the "International Education and Resources Network",
the world’s largest non-profit global network,
enabling young people to use the internet and
other new technologies to engage in collaborative educational projects
that enhance learning.

iEARN has been linking schools internationally since 1988.
Today, iEARN is a worldwide global community of educators
who share a commitment and vision that telecommunications
technologies can enhance teaching and learning and make a human
difference at the same time. iEARN involves students in interactive
educational work with their peers around the world.

In February, 30 teachers from all around
the Emirates participated in an iEARN workshop in Dubai,
conducted by two trainers from the Egypt,
followed by an intensive training for 10 Emirati trainers.

The iEARN program in the UAE is funded through
a small grant from the Middle East Partnership Initiative

*this is from the US embassy's website.

Interesting.

2006-06-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

The smothering heat

I park my car at the universities parking lot. I step out of my air conditioned car, and im welcomed by a harsh hot blazing wind hitting my face. A slap in the face. I curse myself for forgetting my sunglasses. I try to ignore the heat and grab my laptop bag and rush inside the universities gates. The only reason why I am at the university is to attend a series of important meetings. I enter the campus and the weather is brutal. The wind is strong and mercyless. My abaya is flying around, its a love hate relationship. It shields my skin from being horribly burnt, but its black, thus attracting more heat. My eyes are burning, I cant bring myself to look upwards. Im looking down and shielding my head with my folder. I grabbed my scarf and covered my face. This is one day i wish i wore a nikab. My friends joke that I cant handle the heat because im so fair. Sweety I am still arab, I can handle the heat, Im not sweating like a roasting pig. I thnak the lord above for those genes. The western professors at our university are drenched in sweat from the smothering heat.

We go on with life eventhough the hot weather is killer. I complain that the weather is just too brutal, and my friends reassure me that its always this hot at this time of the year. I think back over the last 5 years and think, yea maybe, but seriously ITS REALLY REALLY HOT. We've become accustomed to it and move on.

BUT IN REALITY ITS THE HOTTEST AL AIN HAS BEEN IN 10 YEARS!!!

damn.
I WAS RIGHT! its not that HOT usually.

the funniest thing is when i go back to the states, and the temperature outside is in the high 90's and everyone is complaining about how hot it is. I act totally normal and they think im a psycho because im not phased at the weather.

I give them a puzzled look saying ' Its not hot outside, its weather is pretty good, compared to where I live"

-jaws drop open-

pffftt WIMPS.

2006-05-31T14:42:00.000-07:00

Every man must decide whether
he will walk in the light of creative altruism
or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

2006-05-31T14:14:00.001-07:00

Tonight, while watching the news of Naji Al-Nuaimi's return, goosebumps and chills ran up and down my body.

I've been following the up to date news on his abduction and the plea of his parents for his safe return. Everyone around me, choked up with emotion on seeing such a sight. It has finally hit, people are waking up a little. We are in the midsts of chaos, but we try so hard to ignore it.

No one can fathom the fact that they could have killed him. Where have we been for the past couple years? People are being abducted and killed, and we have just felt and realized it? What will be done? What is being done?

And we say that we are one, one as arabs, one as muslims.
yea, sure, whatever.

Thank god that he was safely returned to the UAE to his family who have been awaiting his arrival and safety.

2006-05-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

I finished finals!!!!!

Aloha to the summmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmer ;)

2006-05-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know what to title this as,

This weekend some friends and I stopped at the MOE (mall of the emirates) and we noticed how few muthajeebeen (women who wear hijabs) there are! It was unsettling and weird to be a mall in an arab/muslim country and be felt as a minority. what the heck?! Maybe that food court was less populated. but we got a lot of stares (and the mocking demanor) and me glaring back at them.

-note: one thing to avoid, an angry arab woman, if she is glaring, then wipe that smirk off your face-

Is it hunting season? wait let me rephrase that MALE HUNTING SEASON?! I couldn't believe how the girls were acting over the weekend at these malls. Im not targeting any type of people, because i saw girls from all nationalities acting in the similar fashion. Is this the new trend here? Girls running after guys? Looking them up and down and giving guys winks and sleazy smiles -gags-. I remember a time when the girls would have that invisible 'FUCK OFF' written on the top of their foreheads. Now i see the guys with that same expression. haha.

Let me add: forums are so 1999, please stop using them. People get on with life, the internet wasn't discovered yesterday. Typical topic: When a girl wants a guy, he doesnt want her: but when a girl doesnt want a guy, he wants her. Thats so pathetic and lame. Move on people!

This weekend, I was scared shitless because of the jinn 'invasion'. Whats up with that? I know its there, but why the obsession and why do they harass people here? Can someone give me some kind of explanation? My family never talks about it. I have never had encounters with them before (hamduallah!!!!!). Its not a part of my life, but damn its huge here! I dont know where is it more scary: in Al ain (with the connection with oman) or in AJMAN?! Do people provoke them to enter their lives? its soo freakyyyyy.

I was in a mall today and i had to wash my hands before lunch so i went to the ladies room. My friend and I go inside and there was this lady wearing a very halter top that exposed a lot of skin and flesh that most people do not want to see. I didnt notice that she was looking me up and down and giving me looks until my friend pointed it out to me. When i noticed i gave her this look like 'EXCUSE ME? WHATCHA LOOKIN AT?, I hope you get burned like a roasted pig'.

Please god why do people dress like that in the mall? This place is crawling with families!

Also ITS BURNING OUTSIDE. ARE YOU INSANE? DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND YOU WILL GET SKIN CANCER YOU FREAKIN IDIOT?!

Let me rant about that also. Its hot outside. Really hot. For your own health, dont wear skimpy clothing, you'll get burned like never before. Also,dont pile on the makeup! You'll melt in this weather and its really gross when you see a girls foundation melting away. You can see the sweat trickling down their cheeks leaving a little trail. ewwwww.

LAST thing, what was a certain mall in dubai thinking having a belly dancer dancing in the middle of the mall on a FRIDAY after salat al juma'a?! ARE YOU RETARDED?! I just stepped out of a masjid, where the khutba was speaking about death and how the dead only want you to pray for them. I was in tears. After the khutba a man is pleading to the people of the community to help him because he is in dire need of help. Imagine leaving the masjid and going to the mall to just to pick up a few items and you see a belly dancer dancing, half naked on a stage for a very large crowd. that is crazy. Im sorry. Totally unacceptable.

but the highlight of this weekend was:

The drive from dubai to al ain with all the al ahli fans showing off their team spirit. It was awesome! 26 years?! mabrook and you deserved to win :) good game. lmao etisalat really tried with the marketing. haha. Throughout the whole game we were chanting

" people want to know,

people want to know,

who we are, who we are,

so we tell them, so we tell them,

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

areeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

the devilssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

YOU BEWARE!

also, i'd like to make a shout out to my number one team AL AIN SPORTS CLUB! woooooot.

2006-05-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

I haven't sat down and actually had such an intellectual discussion in such a long time.
Today after a long and tiring day, I decided to sit with my dad and just chill.

The things we talked about, the topics we discussed were so profound, I just wish I had recorded it. I feel like I haven't seen or spoken to my parents in months. When you are in university studying, you become so self-centered, you completely forget the outside world.

For example, my parents didn't know for months now I have been independtly studying arabic. Actually I don't think anybody knows this.
Lately, I have had this feeling that I am lacking certain skills that will not lead me to become succesful in life (socially and professionally). I can speak arabic (with my syrian accent), but I get incredibly shy. My words get jumbled up, even though i know them. I can read arabic, but it takes time because the structure is so different. I mean I understand what im reading, but just the reading aspect is frustrating. My god, how hard arabic is! When im reading the book, im concentrating so much and im trying to really focus to understand each word, by the time i finish the page i sometimes forget what was the whole point. Its driving me crazy! Seriously, talk about your brain hurting!

So when I told my parents that i have been working on this lately, they were shocked. They would always tell me i need to work on it, but i'd brush them off. I felt that I had to do it for myself, and i want to do it, and i dont want their help. I mean it sounds kinda mean or defensive, its just that i cant stand it when people saying things like 'OH YOU NEED TO READ ARABIC OR PRACTICE IT MORE'. that discourages me even more.

My father understood my dilemma right away. He gave me tips and just said that i need to take my time and just the more i practice it, the more i will get a hang of it. He reminded me of how i began reading in english when i was younger.

After that we had the most intresting discussion about arabic poetry. I love sitting with my dad, I swear he is mesmorizing. I can't get enough of the stories he tells me about the famous poets, and how their poems are so famous, and how everyone quotes them but they are wrong!

I will make a post about them soon, when i figure out the arabic keys on my laptop (since they arent shown).

I've learned so much arabic living here, but I am not satisified with what I know. Its just so frustrating!

2006-05-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Truly Great

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns
Endless and singing.
Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the
Spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.

What is precious is never to forget
The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth.
Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light
Nor its grave evening demand for love.
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields
See how these names are fêted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.
The names of those who in their lives fought for life
Who wore at their hearts the fire's centre.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.

-Stephen Spender

2006-05-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

Desert Tunessss

The end of the year is coming to a close. Of course going to the desert for a day of fun in the sun is a must at the end of year.

I am, as usual, in charge of the music (entertainment). So I just burned the first cd for our crazy day in the depths of the desert. haha, check out what we will be jammin (well one of the cds).

This day will be one of the many farewell parties. 15 of my closest friends are leaving the UAE. Many tears will be shed, and they can not be replaced. I can't imagine the UAE without them. I owe the best years of my life to them.

* I was going to put tupac's-aint nothing but a gangsta party, but I think they would strangle me. haha ;)

2006-05-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

HILARIOUS!!!!!!!

My brother in law sent me this video of a comedian performing "The Evolution of Dance".
Holy crap, I was laughing so hard. I literally had tears in my eyes. My sides ached from how much I laughed. This really made my day.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

*props to my brother in law who always sends me random and funny things.

2006-05-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

A little update.....

Ok firstof all, My finals haven't started yet.
I have been super busy with some university activities.

You can not begin to imagine how high my stress level has reached.
I haven been pushed to my physical and emotional limits.
Yet, I can not give up. I need to see that this is completed to prove a point that is so powerful.

Oh and believe me, our message was so loud it caused a stirr on our campus.
I promise to post about this whole ordeal once the storm has calmed and I have some free time.

Let me just leave on this note, a weaker person would have cracked. I will not be brought down. You think you can get me to crack? When you have walked in my shoes, then try me.

All I can say is... STEP UP... BITCH. STEP UP.

2006-04-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share

* A picture I took of the dubal (Dubai Aluminum) stand.

2006-04-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

my summer listttt

summer vacation seems so far away right now. I'm dreaming of it right now, when this week is going to be one of the craziest weeks of the semester. I'm soo burned out. Its pure evil not giving us a spring break. anyways what i want to do this summer:

1-its all about exposure, i want to be exposed to art, literature and history. Im going to try to hit as many museums as possible.

2-I want to meet new intresting people.

3-I want to stay in downtown chicago and just experience this amazing city. CHI-TOWNEEE whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat.

4-read as many books as possible.

5-spend time in the sun ;)

6-get a chance to paint. I haven't painted a single thing this academic year. I drew a lot, but i didnt paint anything.

7-my goal> go running every morning and workout often.

8-work on my tia-chi

9-take up kick boxing

10-spend as much time as possible with my adorable nephew, and teach him crazy words,phrases and songs.
i.e. b3eer
i.e. She's a witch! burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrn her. (hahahaah)
i.e. labak allah huma labak, the journey to allah that i wanna make.

poor kid, he's going to be quoting monty python the whole summer.

11-have discussions and debates about the latest book read, ibn arabi, and all that jazz.

12- eat at cheesecake factory as much as possible.

13-mock everyone i know that is on facebook. its so lame.

14-VOULNTEER

15- speak to the younger muslim kids about being strong and staying true to who they are.

16- attend as many workshops and conferences as possible. I have to learn as much as possible.

17- Celebrate July 4th to the fullest

18- have a mock thanksgiving (since i havent had one in 5 years :( )

19-rent movies like a psycho.

20- reading more quran, reconnecting myself with the muslim communities and just discussing islam with friends and family.

i cant wait!

2006-04-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

Biz's take on the Careers UAE 2006

I enter the trade center and it seems to be the largest congregation of UAE Nationals to ever take place in Dubai. I enter the exhibition halls, and there is so much going on. Lights, Music, the buzz of conversations. The more powerful the company, the bigger the stand, (so it seemed).

All in All I was impressed when I first entered and took a quick look of the surrondings, but when I actually took a closer look and began conversing with the HR's of each company, my opinion greatly differed and became more and more disappointed.

1- Why do most nationals want to work in banks? I mean they get the most applicants! I would rather shoot my foot than work in such a setting.

2-and if they do work in banks, they all try sooooooooo hard to become a part of the HR team. WHAT?! ARE YOU JOKING? HR?! Who the hell would choose to do HR when you first graduate from university? thats like so pathetic. For god's sake, do something productive while you still have the energy and capacity to do something. Most people go to the HR department when they burn out and they have probably fullfilled any type of desires they hoped to accomplish.

3- Ok if you are in the HR department, and you are trying to recruit people to join your company(or bank), at least try to be persusasive and have a little idea about the company(or bank) itself. oh and be a little more passionate. When i would ask the HR team, tell me something that distinguishes your company from the rest. tell me something that would want me to apply for a job at your company. Give me a little insight about the company itself. They would just stare at me and gap. They couldn't give me any real answers. they gave me brochures. Oh yes, gee thanks,thats exactly what i was looking for! im going to forward all this to UAEU students!! you idiots, i could have gone to the website itself and gotten all the info. Why do you think they hold these career fairs? Yea for public awareness of such companies, but to also get a glimpse of the company itself.

4-A member of the HR department came up to me and my friend, and was gushing how we were perfect canidates because our english was soo good. When I told her that I was not a national and my friend was, she was like well you would be perfect, come and apply. I was just shocked. I turned to her and said ' You want to hire them because their english is good? thats retarded! You look at their skills and qualifications,you would want to hire them because they can work well with others, is a natural leader, can connect well with people, self motivated, passionate about what they do, not because their ENGLISH is good' She blinked and thought for a second, and said ' Yea but their english is sooooooo good!'.

I swear i was about to get up and slap her. Is all that makeup you are wearing, not allowing you to think? I mean is it like weighing you down? I mean the 2 layers of kohl, and the 3 layers of eyshadow? I mean where does your eyebrow end and your forhead begin? I mean do you just know how to speak english, but have no thought process what so ever?"

5- Most of the female members of the HR team look like call girls. I mean who wears that much makeup?! In america if you were wearing that much makeup, people would think you were the hookers at the docks(or on the side of the street).

PEOPLE KEEP THIS IN MIND> ONLY UGLY PEOPLE WEAR MAKEUP, AND IF YOU WEAR TOO MUCH MAKEUP, DONT BE UPSET IF PEOPLE SLIDE(or pass) A 100 DHM BILL TO YOU. Its expected, its the unwritten code of prostituition.

6-This is a professional atmosphere, so why are female members of the HR team, carrying their purses when they are working? Are you going anywhere? You know there are cabinets to place your belongings. Do you understand the meaning of 'formal or business attire'? This means something elegant and simple. This doesnt mean that you wear Tacky CLOTHES, tight ass jeans with sequence and glitter, and BRIGHT PINK shirts that match their shaylas that are pink with little butterflys on them. Oh and their fake bling bling of ice (diamonds) all over their abayas, and those huge ass rings in the shapes of a heart,flowers, butterflys or whatever those tacky shapes. How can i take you seriously, when you look entirely ridiculous? You can look nice without looking cheap.

7- Are people actually looking for jobs or trying to find that special someone that they can call at night and make them feel all warm inside? This isn't the mall, take cupid elsewhere.

8-too the females and males>If a male member or a female member of the HR team, says hello to you and welcome to our stand, this DOESNT mean he/she is hitting on you, or that he/she wants to get it on with you. Ok?! Stop passing by and harassing the crap out of them. This is their job; to smile, be friendly and courteous in hopes of finding a few good applicants.

9- Companies are not diffrentiating between getting a University degree (A Bachelorette, any university degree) and getting a College(i.e HCT) diploma. what?!

Ok besides all that, the careers uae 2006, was great. festive atmosphere, meeting new people, networking with companies and banks. From what I gathered at the fair, most companies did not find a lot of emiraties that qualified for the positions they were looking for. Yes, emiratization is happening and needs to happen, but how can you hire someone that isnt qualified or what you really need at the moment?

2006-04-22T00:43:00.000-07:00

Oh God.....

I'm not one for "gossip" especially about "celebrities" -rolls eyes-
but I found this article...

Angelina Jolie is buying her own country to help impoverished Africans.The 'Tomb Raider' star is buying Richard Branson's man-made version of Ethiopia, located in Dubai.

The British business tycoon is having 300 country-shaped luxury island developments built, to form a map of the world.

And the 55-year-old entrepreneur is selling parts of the 'world' to anyone rich enough to afford them.

The 30-year-old actress, who is due to give birth early in May, is reportedly planning to turn her new purchase into a fair-trade paradise for hundreds of Africans.
A source said: "Angelina has been obsessed with Ethiopia ever since she adopted her second child Zahara from there. Her friends are very jealous of her purchase."

ewww go away!
And shu bait abu hatha englizy? ya khasey.

2006-04-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

A little bit about my day......

How many selfless acts do you do in a day? in a week? in a month? in a year? Have you ever stopped and thought about helping others in any way?

I try to carry that (niyah) intention in my heart at all times, but sometimes you are so self absorbed in whats going on in your own life, that you are oblivious to the outside. What a horrible trait.

Today I was walking around campus with a few friends heading towards the business college ,and we saw the blood donation bus. My god?! Has it been a whole year since I last donated blood?! I felt horrible because (hamdullah) i'm very healthy and I can easily give blood more than once a year. We stopped in our tracks and hopped onto the bus. They asked us the usual procedual questions. Man are those nurses a tough crowd. They were hardly civil.
I plop down on the clinical bed and extend my arm. The nurse was looking at me strangely. She asked 'Aren't you afraid?'
me> "No go ahead, I'm not afraid of needles or blood"
the nurse> "oh wow, the girls are always fainting" and she starts tapping my arm to find a vein. She injects the needle and I cringe in pain.
I turned to her and said "why did you choose a small vein, don't you realize its going to hurt so much when its going to pump blood, and its going to pump slowly and hurt even more?"

The nurse was suprised I knew that and said "I couldn't find a bigger vein!".
Before I could reply that thats a load of !@#%, my friend comes in and tells me to calm down.
I ignored the pain and began speaking to my friend and to the nurses. The more i laughed, the more it hurt. :/
It took me 20 minutes to fill up a 450 ml bag of blood. 3 girls came in, donated blood, and left and I was still sitting there trying to fill up my bag because that nurse had to inject the needle in the smallest vein possible.

When my bag finally filled up, and I was bandaged, I jumped off the bed and told my friend I was ready to go. Hahaha the nurses expressions were truly classic. I guess its not every day they see that.

Yea I went through some pain this time when donating blood, but believe me, the feeling of helping someone is an awesome experience. I felt so good afterwards. I couldn't stop smiling.
Throughout the day, if i came across someone i knew, i would go to tell them to donate some blood. Go out and help someone!!

Finally, in my last class, the professor noticed i was acting a little wacky. well wackier than usual. He asked whats wrong with me. I said "Dr. S, there is nothing wrong with me, im just a little woohoo, out of it, because i donated some blood"
I swear, I did not expect him to be so enthusiastic about it. He made the whole class start clapping!

In the end, I donated blood and I was applauded for it. What a way to end a day.

2006-04-16T05:04:00.000-07:00

Archives 2:

Masjid Ammawai is currently called this, but it wasn't always its name....

Masjid Ammawi, which I choose to call it, is my favorite place in the world. I truly love this masjid. Its basically the only place that draws me to Syria. The first thing I think about when I think about Syria is this masjid. When you enter this certain area in Damascus, you are just in awe of how truly old it is. You stand in front of the gates of this great masjid and can imagine that 1,000 years ago someone stood in the exact same place.

Let me introduce you to this awe inspiring masjid....

It's undoubted that Omayyad Mosque is absolutely the most important embodiment that represents Damascus. It's built on a sacred ground which was occupied by temples of different religions, that's why the history of the mosque itself represents the whole history of Damascus.

Moreover, Omayyad Mosque takes a special position in the history of the mosque itself and represents the history of architecture, particularly the Islamic architectural techniques, due to its special distinction, hugeness and luxurious ornamentations, paintings and mosaic which decorate the walls of the mosque forming some great coordinated masterpieces.

The Omayyad Mosque is considered as on of the most important architectural achievements during the early stages of the Islamic state.

The Hadad Aramaic temple is the first known temple where Omayyad mosque is located now. Three thousand years ago people worship Hadad, the Syrian god of lightings and storms. The temple had probably changed into a Roman one right after Romans ruled Damascus. However the new Roman temple had a new name: Jupiter, the Damascene temple.

Anyhow, according to the historians, Hadad temple was converted into a church at the end of the forth century A.C.

The Muslim leader Khaled Bin Al Waleed changed some parts of the church and made them a mosque when he conquered Damascus. Muslims and Christians used to enter the mosque from the same gate: Muslims were supposed to pray in the eastern side, while Christians had to pray in the western side.

In the Omayyad Era, the mosque was held by the Muslims and turned into an Islamic Masjid. A compensation was paid to Christians. The Omayyad Caliph, Abdul Malek bin Marwan rebuilt the mosque.As he kept all the Roman relics of the temple, the church wasn't damaged. The Mosque had faced many natural disasters, such as fires and earthquakes. The huge fire of 1893 damaged all its outlines. However, people of Damascus made considerable efforts to build the mosque again.
*thanks again to olddamascus.com

I truly love this masjid. Everytime I pass through the magnificant gates, I am humbled at such a sight that is before me.

2006-04-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Growing up in the United States, I have always been stopped and asked questions about my dress and religion. I had grown accustomed to it and accepted it, until I moved to the U.A.E.

When I would go back to the states, I would get so annoyed when people would stare at me and ask me very ignorant questions about my hijab and religion. I grew accustomed to westerners knowing about Islam. I even assumed that highly educated individuals would have a little knowledge about Islam. I mean why are you spending so much money to attend Harvard and Yale and Princeton if you aren't becoming more wordly and knowledgable?

No seriously, I would just stare or gap at people when they would ask me the most absurd questions, and say 'Are you kidding? You are serious?!'

So I decided to compose a list of things (with the help of references) called:

The least you need to know about Islam

The study of Islam in Europe and North America has been colored by false sterotypes that have hindered good relations and been the cause of much misunderstandings and hostility.

Muslims are found in every corner of the world and have a history and culture that is as rich as any other.

Muslims in general feel they have been stereotyped and are being treated unfairly by the media and entertainment industries.

It is unfair to point to a few villains in the Muslim world and then blame all Muslims for the actions of a very few.

Islamic beliefs are not difficult to comprehend. Ideas about God, angels,prophets, and such make Islamic concepts seem close to Judeo-Christian concepts.

The word Islam means peace and surrender to GOD.

Humans have a kind of free will that God is testing.

People have a moral compass called fitrah, which directs them to look for God.

There are 5 basic pillars of Islam

The first pillar is to proclaim that there is No other God, but Allah and that Prophet Muhammad is his last messenger. This is called the Shahada.

Muslims have to pray five times a day at predetermined times. This is the second pillar of Islam.

Muslims gather on Friday afternoon for their congregational religious service.

Muslim students and employees need a few minutes every afternoon to preform their obligation of prayer.

Zakat, the third pillar of Islam, is a yearly chairtable tax on every Muslim that amounts to 2.5 % of all the persons annually valued assets.

Ramadan is the name of the month in which Muslims fast from food and drink from first light until sunset.

Fasting, the fourth pillar of Islam, teachs Muslims to control their desires and urges of worldly satisfaction and to feel empathy for the poor. The reward for successful completion is forgiveness of the individuals sins.

Performing Hajj is the 5th pillar of Islam.

Every Muslim who can afford it and who is physically able to must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her life.

The Hajj ritual consists of a series of activities each designed to teach the pilgrim a different lesson.

The main idea behind the Hajj is to learn how to let go of what we love in place of God.

The hijab is worn by Muslim women to cover their hair.

It protrays modesty and sincercity and vanity that degrads women is removed.

Stereotypes of Islam being a violent religion began in the Middle Ages and have persisted into modern times.

Jihad does not mean holy war. It means the exertion in the cause of GOD.

Any war for conquest or glory is forbidden in Islam.

Terrorism is forbidden in Islam, and the actions of people who engage in it and use Islamic slogans are not sanctioned by Islamic teachings.

Islam has a strong tradition of social acitivism, and the Quran calls on Muslims to oppose vice by working for the welfare of their fellow human beings. Such a struggle is also considered a jihad.

* Go to your local bookstore if you are still intrested in islam and get the book "The complete idiots guide to Islam" no disrespect to anyone, but the book is actually very useful and educational.

I hope this was useful.

2006-04-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP ....
the annoying alarm of my phones goes off at 7:30 am for my 10:00 class. I open one sleepy eye and assume I placed the alarm on snooze. I go back into that blissful sleep, but in my head im debating wether or not to go to class. I can't remember how many absences I have, and how many I need before I get kicked out of that course with an F (from abscences). I suddenly jump out of bed and grab my phone. F!ck it's 9:30!!!!!!!! My body goes into shock from how cold my bedroom is and do a little dance as I run to brush my teeth. (My AC is placed on 11 C!!!)

I get dressed in record speed and manage to place my laptop in my bag and grab my keys. Now i'm running out the door and jumping into my car. My neighbor sees my departure and finds it amusing and waves at me. I meakly wave back as I reverse pyschotically and tear down the road. I realize that there are governmental buildings and police always around my residental neighborhood, i slow down and get on the main road to the university. Sadly, I live only 5 mins away from my campus, but by the time I park, go pass security and they check my ID and start walking to my class its already 10:00. Now im practically running to the Business College while holding on to my laptop bag. Girls are starring at me, its not everyday you see a student running to class. A girl from my 10:00 waves at me from a distance, so i slow down to talk to her.
I greet her and she asks me " Are you going to class?"
Me>"Of course, I have to go.. "
the girl>" You were running to get to class?"
Me> "uh..yea, why else would I actually run on campus?"
the girl> "Oh the professor didn;t show up, there is no class!"
Me> "What?! #@!$#@$#@#$$%#%$^%$^%$^$^%"
the girl> -mouth drops open-

I go and find my friends waiting for me at the nearest cafeteria, coffe and doughnuts are waiting. I open up my laptop and check my university email account, no email from the professor. I check again at 10:15, he sends an email saying, there will be no class today.

thanks.

2006-04-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

To all my friends out there sweating it out in Medical School,

GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO CARRY ON!

I'm on the sidelines cheering you on, when I should be there with you side by side.

I'm sorry I took the other road, but thats where my destiny lies. (so I think at the moment)

Don't ever give up! You guys are going to be great doctors, Believe me !

Bil Tawfeeeeeek Inshallah :)

**If I ever change my mind (after I graduate) I expect you to be there encouraging me on!

2006-04-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Moulad Al Nabawi !!

Today there was a national holiday for
Prophet Mohammad's (SWS) birthday.

(His birthday is not celebrated on the same day every year, it changes since the Islamic World follows the lunar calender.)

It is not a hyped up day, its more like a day of remeberance to the great prophet. I'm glad his birthday hasn't turned into a marketing and partying bonanza or another hallmark holiday!

I perfer it to be a day of quiet reflection and rememberance!

*A side note, our university did not give us Monday off, but on Wednesday.

It's the thought that counts.

2006-04-08T23:42:00.000-07:00

Remembering the Great Ones

Pursuing knowledge in childhood we rise
Until we become masterful and wise
But if we look through the disguise
We see the ties of worldly lies.

-Omar Khayyam
Rubaiyat

2006-04-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

How to make an

Arabized

Ingredients:
1 part intelligence
3 parts courage
5 parts leadership

Method:
Add to a cocktail shaker and mix vigorously. Add a little emotion if desired!

-props to Shaykhspeara Sha'ira-

2006-04-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

A funny incident....it deals with how stressed a person can get.

I may live in the UAE but it doesn't mean I speak arabic often. Majority of my time is spent on my University campus where the professors and students speak english. The coursework and materials used are all in english. I get things done by speaking in english. So basically I barely speak arabic these days. haha.

I've been stressed out lately, so a group of friends made me go out to a cafe with them, to just chill and relax. The waiter came for our orders, and i was the last one to order. They have this really good lemon and mint drink. Its awesome. So in my head I was thinking " 3aseer Laymoon wa na3na3" (Lemon and mint juice).

So i'm telling the waiter i want this drink. He just gives me this queer look and says "Are you sure? I dont think we have it. "
me> "How can you not have it? I had it last week!"
the waiter> 'We dont have this drink!"
me>"yes you do!"

now the dialouge is in english ( the waiter and i were speaking in arabic before).
my friend> 'are you sure you want that?'
me> 'Yea im sure, its soooooooooo good'
my friends,with my brother and the waiter are just starring at me, like is this girl for real?
my friend > 'Are you sure you are not on CRACK?!'
me> "what?!? why would I be on crack for ordering lemon and mint juice?"

The whole group cracks up laughing. My brother falls off his chair. They all started yelling,
'Do you realize what you were trying to order?"
me> 'yea lemon and mint juice! WHATS SO DAMN FUNNY ABOUT THAT?'
my brother> 'no retard, you kept insisting on '3aseer laymoon wa ba'adonis' lemon and parsley juice!"

me>-turning bright red, and apologizes to the waiter and fixes my order-

You see how stressed out I am?

2006-03-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

Archives 1:

Going back to my roots. A picture post with a few facts on the side. enjoy.

Welcome to Damascus!!
The oldest living capital in the world.

Which gate would you like to enter?
because there are 8 (and maybe some more) ;)

The Eastern Gate (Bab Sharki)

It was named according to its location in the east side
of the city, it has three carved arcs.
The Muslim Warrior "Khaled Ben al-Waleed"
entered Damascus through this gate in the Rashedi Era.

Peace Gate (Bab Al-Salam)

Thomas Gate (Bab Tooma)

It is locacted in the north of Damascus.
It was named after a famous Old Roman Leader,
his name is Thomas.

The Paradise Gate (Bab Al-Faradees / Bab Al-Amara)

One of the northern gates;
it was named the paradise gate
in the Roman age because there
were plenty of water and gardens
which used to surround the gate.
The other name , Bab Al Amara,
refers to a name of a famous building
where people used to meet in the 14th century.

The Small Gate (Bab Al-Sgheer)

It is located in the southern side of the city.
It had this name because it was the smallest gate.
A graveyard was erected near this gate;
it holds some graves of
Companions of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH),
and some Umayyad caliphs.

Al-Faraj Gate (Al-Manakhliah)

It is situated in the northern side of the city.
It consists of a geminate gate which had two functions;
the first was economic
and the second was to mislead the enemies attacking the city.

Al-Jabieh Gate

It is situated in the west of the city
along the same line of the eastern gate,
and they both have a similar design.
It has this name because residents of the
Jabieh village used to pass through this gate.

and the last gate that once gave passage to Damascus would be....

The Victory Gate (Bab Al-Nasr)
It is at the beginning of souk Al-Hamideya, and was destroyed in the Ottoman Era.

I am posting these archives posts because im trying to motivate myself to go to Syria this summer, I haven't gone in a few years and I'd like to see it as it is, for you never know what the future may foretell.
and if I do go, im trying to figure out which gate to enter from :P
Wish me luck!

-thanks to oldamascus.com

2006-03-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

We Wear the Mask

Paul Lawrence Dunbar

(1872-1906)

We wear the maks that grins and lies

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes-

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,

And mouth the myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be otherwise,

In counting all our tears and sighs?

Nay, let them only see us, while

We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Chirst, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

We wear the mask.

2006-03-24T12:24:00.000-08:00

In this moment in my life,
I love being in University.
It's just the atmosphere itself.

Everyday there is something new and different going on.
You are constantly discussing and debating topics and issues that are going on around you.

You look at the world differently.

You are always being challenged and pushed to do more than you thought yourself capable of doing.

You have so many hopes and aspirations.

You are so passionate about your views and thoughts.

You gather strength and motivation from your professor and peers.

They are your power source.

And sometime...sometimes... you feel utterly ……Invincible.

2006-03-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

In continuation of my last post.....

2006-03-10T12:15:00.000-08:00

Ok random post

These are just some thoughts going through my head at the moment:

Ok for some reason when people type in these words or statements into google, my blog comes up... i don't see any relation to my blog or the topics i discuss, so maybe i should mention them? suggestions?
these people typed this into google and found 'in the midst of chaos':

The word love isnt in the Quran
dancing pigs haram
I won't deny it im straight
Dr.Bukhari Cosmetic Surgeon Dubai

......... ok? I wonder if Dr.Bukhari is a good cosmetic surgeon? Obviously someone is in dire need of his help.

Ok in a class im taking, we are debating these topics:

When a country is first established, what is the first thing, your first step, your starting foundation? Democracy or education?

I fought for Democracy, establish this first and your next task is education.

Is oil a blessing or a curse?

I debated that it was/is a blessing. And I still persist that there should be more research done the byproducts of oil!

Another thought> What will come out of this conference im attending next week? Women as Global leaders. I predict not much, but it'll be an intresting event.

Another thought> I can't believe they rejected the port deal!!! I was seriously baffled! I read the title of this article :

Bush: Rejecting Ports Deal Sends Bad Message >>> nah duh!

WASHINGTON -- President Bush today expressed concern that a scuttled deal for a state-owned Arab firm to manage some U.S. port facilities would send the wrong message to Middle Eastern allies in the global war on terrorism. >> Yea, I think it did.

On this issue, i read in the new york times last week about this. Dubai became a household name last week. Good publicity or Bad publicity? I'd take Bad. The UAE was practically labled a terrosit harboring country :/While im on this subject, I think there needs to be better PR in the UAE. In another article, the PR man of Sheikh Mohammad didn't do a very good job. I mean seriously where did they get this guy? I mean is he really qualified? I frowned when i read what he said. Its the NEW YORK TIMES FOR heavens sake, at least TRY and put in an effort. mannnn. I was shaking my head when i was reading the article.

ok this has been going through my head also>

If the governments in syria, egypt (or wherever in the middle east) would just be stable/stablize, and established a free economy, a lot of problems would just go awayyyy.

and this is to be continued for another time.....

2006-03-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Emirati!

I usually don't have time to post so often, but I'll play :)

Four jobs that I’ve had:-

Basketball Coach
Math and Biology Teacher
Babysitter
Manger's assistant of a restaurant and café

Four movies that I could watch over and over:-

Godfather I
Monty Python-The Search for the Holy Grail
The Untouchables
Legends of the Fall

Four places where I’ve lived-

Al Ain, UAE
Statesboro, Georgia, USA
Westmont, Illinois, USA
Hinsdale, Illinois, USA

Four TV shows that I like:

Scrubs
Law & Order
60 Minutes
Chappele Show

Four of my favourite dishes:-

Lasagna
Yalangi
My brother in law's homemade Chili
Tabouleh

Four sites that I visit daily:-

Gulf News
New York Times' Website
An Emirates Thoughts
Pulling the puzzles apart

Four Books that I’ve read this year

Love in the time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Blink! The power of thinking without thinking by: Malcolm Gladwell
The art of changing the Brain By: James E. Zull
The other Boleyn girl by: Philippa Gregory

Four Bloggers that I’m going to tag with this:
· MJ
· Buj
· 3lo G
· Shaykhspeara Sha'ira

2006-02-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

I found....

I was doing some stat. and research for a project on the hotels throughout the UAE.
While visitng the Madinat Jumeriah website, i came across a picture and it reminded me of a recent post by 3lo g....

Could this be the mysterious 3lo G?

*note : without the black clad abayas hovering around him.

2006-02-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

Muslim pick up lines:

1. "OH MY GOSH! I just saw part of your hair, now you're obliged to marry me."
2. "I'd like to be more than just your brother in Islam."
3. "To watch you pray is a sin of its own."
4."Will my platinum VISA cover your dowry?"
5."You can't play basketball with a jilbab on, marry me, and we will go one-on-one our entire life."
6."Muslims are supposed to have many children, and I am willing to do my part..."
7."Assalamualaikum, so what time does a Hoor Al-3ayn like you have to be back in Jannah?"
8. So, read any good Surahs lately?
9. Do you believe in the hereafter? Oh you do? Then you know what I'm hereafter.
10. Would you like to see my collection of Bukhari's?
11. Lets get married so I don’t have to lower my gaze every time you walk in the room
12. I've had to fast every day since the day that I first saw you.
13. Do you work for Al-Qaeda? Because you've just abducted my heart.
14. Your father must be Osama Bin Laden, because you're da BOMB!
15. Are your feet tired? Because you've been performing Tawaaf in my mind all day long?
16. Would you like to help me wake up for Fajr?
19. Are you a Shiite? Because when I saw you, I said to myself, "She aiight".
20. Do you wanna date? I bought a box full when I went to Madinah.
21. Girl, you fine. I see praying five times a day has paid off.
22. That's a nice burka. Can I talk you out of it?
23. I need to break my fast. Can I have a date?
24. I didn’t trip over my thobe, I fell for you.
25. I know Halal meat does a body good, but damn, how much you been eatin'?

A friend of mine sent this to me, and sadly some of these pickup lines have been tried on me before.

Can anyone think of more pickup lines? Has anyone ever tried hitting on you with something similar? SHARE!

2006-02-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

Havana, Cuba, circa 1949: A dance club resplendent with the elegance of the island's nightlife before the Revolution. Sparkling chandeliers, bow-tied waiters, couples dressed to the nines. On stage, a big, brassy band fronted by a slick-haired heart-throb. There is the kind of gaiety in the air that can only brew in the company of young people and everyone here is young. (pbs)

Can you picture it? This is the buena vista social club.

This is the album that i've been listening to lately. this is what i've been drawn to. I recently found out about this group, but i've become a HUGE FAN! I just love their music.

The singer croons of heartache and devotion,
of love requited and not and, subtly, with light or dark double-entendres
and innuendo, of desire itself.
But he also invokes that which is beyond desire.
The metaphors often involve fire and water:
direct references to ancient deities that crossed, and survived,
Middle Passage and gave birth to
the New World Afro Caribbean religion of Santería,
the spiritual heart of Cuban music.
Indeed, the syncopated rhythms and similarly complex lyrics symbolically
link with some of history's greatest events:
the meeting of Old and New worlds, slaves and masters,
the feudal and the imperial,
the advent of the modern in the 20th century life in the city.
It's all there to be heard in the instrumentation, which is European (brass), and African (percussion) and, loosely, "American"
(the manner in which tropical music incorporates jazz influences).

-PBS

From the first time I heard their music, I was hooked. It just takes me to a differnt place, a different mind set. My brother in law introduced this group to me, him having some spanish in his background. The essence of music is beautiful. Its truly universal and can be a link one culture to the next. So open up your mind to something new and try them out. Im sure you'll love it as much as i have. I can not listen to at least one of their songs, and not walk away with a little spring in my step.

The history behind this group caught my intrest also. They started off as a young popular group in Cuba. Because of the Cold War conflict, and Fidel Castro's tyranny and position, the US prohibited them from playing in the US ever again. This group was to be forgotten by the americans for decades, until an american music producer heard their recordings and fell in love with them. These once young men had turned into old men. He vowed to bring them all together again and record them. He found them one by one, but they thought he was crazy because they haven't song in years.

To await the day to relive their former glory....powerful. After they accomplished this impressive task of ressurection, many of the original group members passed away. They left behind an album rich of beautiful music.

2006-02-11T02:46:00.000-08:00

An excerpt from my day:

A really good friend of mine came down with the flu over the weekend. She only came to university to take a quiz in our microeconomics class. She was soo tired and exhausted, so she stopped at the cafeteria to get an ornamin C energy drink before our class. She tried opening the bottle, but the plastic part came off. So i offered to pop it open with my keys. So we go to class and im trying to open the bottle, i've almost opened it i just need one last strong tug. We enter class a little late, sit down and take our quiz online. We finish, and the students are still taking their quiz. The class is soooo quiet. If you dropped a needle, you could hear it hit the floor. My friend asks me again to try to open it, because she really needs to drink it with her medicine. So i sit there trying to open it, and i jerk at it really really hard. All of a sudden we just hear a really loud

>>>> POP!!!!!<<<<

ornamin C goes flying all over the table and my pants. The bottle cap flies across the room, almost hitting the teacher.
Girls are screaming. The teacher is just stunned, his mouth just dropped open. All the girls bust out laughing insanely. Im trying sooooooooo hard not to crack up laughing, My face is red from embarassment. Im trying to hold a straight face, but i cant help but at least smile.

I get up and retrieve the bottle cap, trying to hide my face, but you can see my shoulders shaking from laughter. When i sit down and wipe the table and my pants of ornamin C, the teacher announces that FOOD AND DRINK are no longer allowed in class anymore. Not even water.

Damn!

I guess i should be thankful that i didnt get in trouble or kicked out of class.

Our professor is cool like that.

So remember, ornamin C can be dangerous!

2006-02-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

Another day, another semester

The first week of the new semester is always chaotic and extremely stressful.
As usual most of the sections are closed (full) and there are not enough classes to accomodate all the students. The university always end up having to open new sections at the very last minute. Untill the university opens new sections, students scramble to persuade the heads of deptartments,assistant deans, associate deans, and the deans of their colleges to raise the ceilings of the currently full classes. The students will plead their case to anyone willing to listen or give them the time of day. You see students camped out at the advising and registration offices of their college. At first glance, you just see a sea of black (from the abayas). You walk into the office space and you just hear such a commotion. Students pleading, students yelling, adminstrators yelling, students cursing, girls crying, adminstrators trying to calm the girls down, girls chatting(gossiping), girls laughing, phones ringing, security moving the girls along, printers and fax machines going bizeerk, the sound of students typing(more like banging) on the keyboards of their laptops. At first, you are overwhelmed from all the activity. You scramble out. You take a deep breathe, and you face the "mob".

They are relentless. It literally is survival of the fittest. Students will camp out for hours and hours and hours just to register for a class or two, and then try for more classes the following day. They come prepared; course catalogs,laptops,battery(charger),power outlets,mobiles, water bottles, snacks, etc.

And since you have to register online, sometimes the system starts lagging from all the users and sometimes it just gets messed up. That just causes even more problems because it delays the registration period for the students. Registration is not always open for all the students. It depends on what year you are and your GPA. Some students have it all week long, while others only have it for one day. Akhhhhh the chaos.

Me for example,I transfered from one college to another. So I couldn't register till I found out I was accepted into the college. I started off with 1 class. I needed to register 5 more courses. Once I found out i was accepted, I also had to scramble to get the courses i wanted with the instructors(professors) I wanted. You have to push, and push hard for the courses you want. You go to university from 7:30 am till 4:00 pm just trying and hoping to get a class. I sprained my ankle on tuesday night ( i can barely walk without screaming in pain and my doctor actually told me i was not to leave the house for any circumstances.) and that did not stop me from going to university bright and early on wednesday morning to finish getting all my courses. Hamduallah by 2:30 pm, I finished registering my 6 courses.

to recap this week> Registration week is a complete and total nightmare!

Its so annoying and frustrating that we have to go through so much crap just to get classes. I even get more annoyed when people say "Nothing comes easy". Im not asking you to make my schedule, but it doesn't have to be so damn difficult and frustrating. If advisors and adminstrators would do their damn job there wouldn't be all this chaos and confusion. Thats the problem, they just don't give a damn to try to solve or fix the problems at hand. They get paid, and thats all they worry about. Gob forbid if we give actually pay them for the amount of work they actually do. I mean you are wasting government money and resources by paying these incompetent people.

2006-02-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

CHINESE PROVERB

When there is light in the soul,there is beauty in the person.
When there is beauty in the person, there is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home,there is honor in the nation.
When there is honor in the nation,there is peace in the world.

2006-01-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting at a desk in a room that is dimly lite by the sun, unable to focus at the task before me.A simple proposal is awaiting, while my mind is wandering. The walls seem to be closing in. Too many thoughts are swarming in my head. Where do I stand on the issues that have been impacting my daily life? The crisis in the Middle East. The war in Iraq. The fate of Syria. The people have suffered enough, yet either way they will continue to suffer. Lebanon on the brink of civil war again. People in power dying, all around the same time. Hammas winning in the elections. Fate seems bleak. I'm in the midst of chaos.

The sun is setting. I hear the adhan, I shake away my thoughts and breathe.

All I can do is pray.