I was angry at Chris McCandless almost the entire time I was reading the book. He seemed like an out-of-control narcissist with impossibly grand notions about his personal destiny. Only as his sad, pathetic end became imminent did my ire begin to subside.
Although McCandless had a generous heart, he treated his parents very badly. I wonder why did he scare them to death ? It was as if cutting off all contact with them gave him the power to fulfill his odyssey.
I feel sorry for his parents. I could not cut off contact with my parents as I know they would worry. I think it would be too painful for parents not to speak to their children or not know where they were or what they were doing.
I really feel for the McCandless family and how hard this must have all been for them. Firstly Chris going off without saying anything for years and then later being found in the bus and secondly having to go through the public humiliation of their private lives in the media.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
My View About The Giesha
talbot_sam said...
Lovely work! You write very well about the Geisha in terms of description - could you expand upon this Ghadah, by telling us what you think about the Geisha? Task: Do you think the Geisha were exploited as women (by men) or do you think it is the Geisha who actually exploited the men (who paid them for their company)? Let us know your view? It's great to have something oriental on the blog!! Maybe we'll both get to Japan one day soon!!!:)
Well, In my opinion, I think that Geisha were exploited by men. Years ago, men in Japan were not constrained to be faithful to their wives. The ideal wife was a modest mother and manager of the home, so men used Geisha as tools for their sexual enjoyment and romantic attachment and they paid them for their company which make Geisha absolutely worthless as humans because these girls sold their bodies for sexual services!
On the other hand, Geisha themselves see it as a traditional Japanese art, and they actually very proud of themselves because they believe that they are skilled entertainers who perform various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance!!
Lovely work! You write very well about the Geisha in terms of description - could you expand upon this Ghadah, by telling us what you think about the Geisha? Task: Do you think the Geisha were exploited as women (by men) or do you think it is the Geisha who actually exploited the men (who paid them for their company)? Let us know your view? It's great to have something oriental on the blog!! Maybe we'll both get to Japan one day soon!!!:)
Well, In my opinion, I think that Geisha were exploited by men. Years ago, men in Japan were not constrained to be faithful to their wives. The ideal wife was a modest mother and manager of the home, so men used Geisha as tools for their sexual enjoyment and romantic attachment and they paid them for their company which make Geisha absolutely worthless as humans because these girls sold their bodies for sexual services!
On the other hand, Geisha themselves see it as a traditional Japanese art, and they actually very proud of themselves because they believe that they are skilled entertainers who perform various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance!!
The Use of the Third Person Narrative
Christopher McCandless changes his name to Alexander Supertramp when he hits the road after graduating college.
Being a person who frequently used metaphor and saw symbolism in many things and a smart kid who well read and frequently quoted authors such as Jack London, Henry David Thoreau, Ernest Hemmingway, and Leo Tolstoy in his writings, it is no doubt that this alias of sorts had some sort of meaning for McCandless beyond just the fact that it was a way to disguise his true name and this is why he used the third person narrative in his writing as well.
In my opinion, I believe that McCandless used this writing style for three reasons:
First: He was experimenting with a new genre in life, the open road. He wanted to avoid any possibility of being traces by his former identity. He wanted to be free from the entrapping that came with being Christopher McCandless.
Second: He wanted to protect himself as he did not want to be recognized by anyone that may have heard he was missing or perhaps knew his family somehow.
Third: maybe he was ashamed of himself because of what he had done. On the other hand, he wanted to express his feelings but he was too embarrassed to admit that he was talking about himself so he preferred to use the third person narrative and maybe that is what made him change his name at the first place too!
Being a person who frequently used metaphor and saw symbolism in many things and a smart kid who well read and frequently quoted authors such as Jack London, Henry David Thoreau, Ernest Hemmingway, and Leo Tolstoy in his writings, it is no doubt that this alias of sorts had some sort of meaning for McCandless beyond just the fact that it was a way to disguise his true name and this is why he used the third person narrative in his writing as well.
In my opinion, I believe that McCandless used this writing style for three reasons:
First: He was experimenting with a new genre in life, the open road. He wanted to avoid any possibility of being traces by his former identity. He wanted to be free from the entrapping that came with being Christopher McCandless.
Second: He wanted to protect himself as he did not want to be recognized by anyone that may have heard he was missing or perhaps knew his family somehow.
Third: maybe he was ashamed of himself because of what he had done. On the other hand, he wanted to express his feelings but he was too embarrassed to admit that he was talking about himself so he preferred to use the third person narrative and maybe that is what made him change his name at the first place too!
Diplomatic Incidents
At the beginning of the course, Sam asked us to visit the library and to choose
some titles of travel literature writing books to discuss them together. I found many interesting books but there was one book which I really liked and could not stop myself from buying it. That book is called Diplomatic Incidents by Cherry Denman.
I just finished reading the book and I am going to give a brief review about it.
This book represents the many real-life stories about life on the move that made Cherry think her life experiences had what it takes to be published. It talkes about the grit of living abroad as a Diplomat's wife, and Cherry delivers with one crazy funny story after the next.
Basically, the book describes the hilarious memoirs of an diplomatic wife Illustrated by brilliantly funny cartoons of diplomatic life and a collection of clever and very funny tales of global misunderstanding.
I think the book turned out to be a perfect holiday book as well as it featured exotic locations and a little mini-tour around Europe. It also was very light-hearted and entertaining. The journalist and one of the other diplomatic wives were characters that made me laugh out loud.
I strongly recommend this book for people who simply want to laugh :D
The Pursuit of Happyness (Theme)
Chris’s idea of happyness was to scarify all his possessions to complete an interesting unity with man and the wild. This is a quote that supports my theme came out of the journal of Chris McCandless stating, “I am reborn. This is my dawn. Real life has just begun”. A statement like that proves that Chris is very dedicated to achieve happyness.
I estimate that McCandless would have taken back these words if he considered his final outcome, which was death. This quote is based on the whole idea of Chris sacrificing plenty just to be pleased and it resembles the determination Chris had all to experience moments of happyness.
Everyone hates remorse and all strive to be pleased. Unfortunately, Chris struggled for moments of happyness to the point in which it cost him his life.
McCandless met a range of different people along his journey and sadly realized that true happyness can only be shared with others.
This life style that Chris was living is what made him happy.
This is Chris’ idea of living an independent, happy life.
Do you think it was worth it for McCandless to drive himself to death to achieve independent happyness?
I estimate that McCandless would have taken back these words if he considered his final outcome, which was death. This quote is based on the whole idea of Chris sacrificing plenty just to be pleased and it resembles the determination Chris had all to experience moments of happyness.
Everyone hates remorse and all strive to be pleased. Unfortunately, Chris struggled for moments of happyness to the point in which it cost him his life.
McCandless met a range of different people along his journey and sadly realized that true happyness can only be shared with others.
This life style that Chris was living is what made him happy.
This is Chris’ idea of living an independent, happy life.
Do you think it was worth it for McCandless to drive himself to death to achieve independent happyness?
Was It Tolstoy's Fault ?
Chris McCandless was a smart kid..So why did he trade a bright future ,a college education, material comfort, uncommon ability and charm--for death by starvation in an abandoned bus in the woods of Alaska?
This is the question that I tried to answer. However, I could not answer the question with certainty.
I felt like there was something forcing him to drop out of society and test himself in other ways. yet, I am still not sure what was the reason why he did that .
There are many possible reasons might made him want to go on that ODYSSEY. I think the strongest one is his influenced by Tolstoy.
He wanted to have the same life that his beloved spiritual writer had as Tolstoy wanted to give his wealth away and go to pilgrimages too.
I think Mcandless liked that and wanted to do the same so he foolishly imitated Tolstoy’s Death!
This is the question that I tried to answer. However, I could not answer the question with certainty.
I felt like there was something forcing him to drop out of society and test himself in other ways. yet, I am still not sure what was the reason why he did that .
There are many possible reasons might made him want to go on that ODYSSEY. I think the strongest one is his influenced by Tolstoy.
He wanted to have the same life that his beloved spiritual writer had as Tolstoy wanted to give his wealth away and go to pilgrimages too.
I think Mcandless liked that and wanted to do the same so he foolishly imitated Tolstoy’s Death!
Courage of Christopher McCandless
One of the few things I like about Chris’s personality is that he was very BRAVE.
Chris had a dream and he went out and fulfilled it (regardless of his detriment in the end). How many of us have something in the back of our minds but never go and do it? How easy is it to go and chase after that dream?
In many cases this may be difficult or even impossible. Was it impossible for Chris to go out into the wilderness for the too long years that he did without formal training? No it was not, because he put his mind to it and did it.
I could not do what Chris did nor do I have an interest in that type of adventure, but I respect it.
I need to be around people because this gives me satisfaction.
I believe that Chris felt the opposite which indicates his courage even more as he was satisfied living all by himself, he did not need anyone or anything to make him feel happy. Although he had No money,No family, and No shelter he was satisfied living all by himself!
Chris had a dream and he went out and fulfilled it (regardless of his detriment in the end). How many of us have something in the back of our minds but never go and do it? How easy is it to go and chase after that dream?
In many cases this may be difficult or even impossible. Was it impossible for Chris to go out into the wilderness for the too long years that he did without formal training? No it was not, because he put his mind to it and did it.
I could not do what Chris did nor do I have an interest in that type of adventure, but I respect it.
I need to be around people because this gives me satisfaction.
I believe that Chris felt the opposite which indicates his courage even more as he was satisfied living all by himself, he did not need anyone or anything to make him feel happy. Although he had No money,No family, and No shelter he was satisfied living all by himself!
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Plane Rides
Although I like the concept of flying,I HATE long plane rides. I mean, wouldn’t be nice to fly on a flat bed :D
One of the most annoying things about plane rides is unruly kids! I really adore children and they love me most of the time but absolutely Not in a long plane trip !
They start screaming and crying which drives me crazy to the point where I want to pull my hair out :(
I really hate Chatty passengers as well ! I think Saying hi to the person next to you is polite but no-one wants to be embroiled in a conversation that lasts the duration of the flight! prefer to Put on my eye mask, plug in my headphones and go to sleep.
Bad hygiene is another disaster on planes! I prefer to die than to sit next to a smelly person or a person with bad breath in a plane. Sometimes you really can’t believe how those people think! Seriously,there's no excuse for poor hygiene especially with all the perfumes and aftershave in duty free!
Monday, 30 August 2010
芸者
The Japanese Culture has developed over the years. From the ancient and classical Japan, to the birth of the samurais, and now a modern Japanese culture came to exist. It is indeed rich in the field of arts, music, literature, and many more.
In a previews class, Sam talked to me about a Japanese movie called “Memories of a Geisha” which I found very interesting so I decided to write a concise review about the movie here but first I would like to give a brief history about the geisha’s art.
The word geisha literally means "artist” Which is a traditional, female Japanese entertainer whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.
In the early stages of Japanese history there were female entertainers who were mostly wandering girls whose families were displaced from struggles in the late 600’s.
Some of these girls sold their bodies, while others with a better education made a living by entertaining at high-class social gatherings.
By 1800, being a geisha was considered a female occupation.
The evolving geisha style was emulated by fashionable women throughout society.
Before the twentieth century, geisha training began when a girl was around the age of four. Now, girls usually go to school until they are teenagers and then make the personal decision to train to become a geisha. Young women who wish to become geisha now most often begin their training after completing middle school, high school, or even college. Many women begin their careers in adulthood.
Geisha women dressed in kimono and the traditional makeup of the apprentice geisha is one of their most recognizable characteristics
The traditional makeup of an apprentice geisha features a thick white base with red lipstick and red and black accents around the eyes and eyebrows. Originally, the white base mask was made with lead, but after the discovery that it poisoned the skin and caused terrible skin and back problems for the older geisha it was replaced with rice powder.
The hairstyles of geisha have varied through history. In the past, it has been common for women to wear their hair down in some periods, but up in others. These hairstyles are decorated with elaborate hair-combs and hairpins.
Geisha sleep with their necks on small supports (takamakura), instead of pillows, so they could keep their hairstyle perfect !!!
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Reflections From Japan
Ahmed message is to live a balanced life, the same message as what Plato, Aristotle and the prophets said. “Be good in this life, never hurt anyone, perfect your work, and eventually this will come back to you as good on Earth and after death”.
In his program, Ahmed always says that he is not a scholar but a simple human being who just speaks his mind out and has hopes for the Arab and Islamic world to improve in all levels, economically, financially, socially.
His fifth season of the show Khawater “Reflections” which was aired last Ramadan was all from Japan. So he had 30 episodes about the Japanese culture, morals and manners and the Japanese work ethic.
He was aiming at showing the Arab world how the Japanese people are implementing a lot of the things that we “Arabs” are just preaching.
For example, we preach in our schools that cleanliness is a major part of the believer. However, you see the streets in the Arab world, a lot of is just a mess because we're not practicing this virtue of cleanliness.
He was showing the Arab world how the Japanese were able to have extremely clean streets and how they are implementing these morals.
Basically, he was talking about how these moral prescriptions offered by the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) are being carried out in an entirely non-Islamic environment because these commandments are universal “you don't have to believe in Prophet Mohammed to be clean!” .Ahmed said
He wanted to ask the Arab world, if the Prophet Mohammed came today, who will he see implementing his teachings more, the Japanese or the Muslim world???
This Ramadan, Shugairi is focusing on the Muslim world of the Middle Ages through visiting different countries such as Malaysia, Egypt, Turkey, Spain, Emirates and the UK.
Reflections of a Young Man
Candid Camera type stuff. is one of Ahmed's novel production techniques.
For instance, in one of the shows they had a man who pretends to accidentally drop a wallet, so that you test the reactions of these people.
Will they give the wallet back to the old man who dropped it or will they just take it?
So if the guy tries to just take it, they quickly stop him and say, excuse me, that wallet belongs to that guy. But then they say, why didn't you give it back to them? Is that the kind of thing that the Prophet Muhammad would have done?
I belive that people like Ahmad AL-Shugairi can make a big difference.
a lot of people who watch his show and admire him feel that they were faced with a very difficult choice. The world seemed to be divided for them into sort of a really secular path where they felt a bit like they were abandoning their culture and their traditions, or a really hard line, Islamist’s “I hate the West” kind of stance. And what they like about him is that he gives them a middle path.
Ahmed became extremely religious during a seven year stay in California after a hyper secular period.
He says his message of moderation grew out of the two extremes he lived while he was in the U.S.
“You know, a pleasure-based life and zero spirituality, just living day by day and having fun, and then I switched to the total opposite, meaning I just cared about spirituality and religion. And I guess the balance is what I believe I reached. Of course, everyone thinks he’s balanced at the end of the day. Even extremists describe themselves as being balanced. But I believe now religion helps me be a better manager, a better husband, a better student”. Ahmed said
During his saty in the States, the American media taught him the strategy of not focusing more than 20 or 30 seconds on the same frame! And he is using that now, he is not focussing on anything more than 30 seconds. So it’s a fast paced, right to the point, no lecture-y attitude.
For instance, in one of the shows they had a man who pretends to accidentally drop a wallet, so that you test the reactions of these people.
Will they give the wallet back to the old man who dropped it or will they just take it?
So if the guy tries to just take it, they quickly stop him and say, excuse me, that wallet belongs to that guy. But then they say, why didn't you give it back to them? Is that the kind of thing that the Prophet Muhammad would have done?
I belive that people like Ahmad AL-Shugairi can make a big difference.
a lot of people who watch his show and admire him feel that they were faced with a very difficult choice. The world seemed to be divided for them into sort of a really secular path where they felt a bit like they were abandoning their culture and their traditions, or a really hard line, Islamist’s “I hate the West” kind of stance. And what they like about him is that he gives them a middle path.
Ahmed became extremely religious during a seven year stay in California after a hyper secular period.
He says his message of moderation grew out of the two extremes he lived while he was in the U.S.
“You know, a pleasure-based life and zero spirituality, just living day by day and having fun, and then I switched to the total opposite, meaning I just cared about spirituality and religion. And I guess the balance is what I believe I reached. Of course, everyone thinks he’s balanced at the end of the day. Even extremists describe themselves as being balanced. But I believe now religion helps me be a better manager, a better husband, a better student”. Ahmed said
During his saty in the States, the American media taught him the strategy of not focusing more than 20 or 30 seconds on the same frame! And he is using that now, he is not focussing on anything more than 30 seconds. So it’s a fast paced, right to the point, no lecture-y attitude.
Ahmed Al-Shugairi
In this post, I’m going to talk about Ahmed AL-Shugairi, one of the most loved travel
writers and television hosts in Saudi Arabia who I personally respect and admire very much.
Ahmad is an active Saudi man. He started as a TV host for "Yalla Shabab" program on MBC channel. Now, he has his own Ramadan program Khawater " Reflections " which he started five years ago.
Ahmad also writes some articles in Saudi newspapers. He also published a book
" Reflections of a Young Man" and few months ago he published the second part of reflections book " Reflections 2".
Ahmad Al-Shugairi has always been interested in reading and books. He has his coffee shop "Andalusyah" in Jeddah which urges youth to read and be knowledgable.
His unique writing style and moderate entertaining way of hosting educational programs has Influenced many young adults and made him very popular in the Arab world .
Shugairi’s success stems from relating the tenets of Islam to everyday life.
For example he said that, it’s against Islam to waste and not to care for the poor. And he went to a wealthy neighborhood in Jeddah, where he lives, and showed huge amounts of food being tossed into a dumpster!! and then he showed images of people starving in other parts of the world.
He also talks about incredibly mundane things, which actually I think is one of the wonderful things about his show.
For instance, he talked about type of the way people park their cars, and he said, you know, there’s a careless way to do this.
A lot of what he’s doing is really sort of basic civics. He says be a responsible person, but he is talking about that in an Islamic language.
writers and television hosts in Saudi Arabia who I personally respect and admire very much.
Ahmad is an active Saudi man. He started as a TV host for "Yalla Shabab" program on MBC channel. Now, he has his own Ramadan program Khawater " Reflections " which he started five years ago.
Ahmad also writes some articles in Saudi newspapers. He also published a book
" Reflections of a Young Man" and few months ago he published the second part of reflections book " Reflections 2".
Ahmad Al-Shugairi has always been interested in reading and books. He has his coffee shop "Andalusyah" in Jeddah which urges youth to read and be knowledgable.
His unique writing style and moderate entertaining way of hosting educational programs has Influenced many young adults and made him very popular in the Arab world .
Shugairi’s success stems from relating the tenets of Islam to everyday life.
For example he said that, it’s against Islam to waste and not to care for the poor. And he went to a wealthy neighborhood in Jeddah, where he lives, and showed huge amounts of food being tossed into a dumpster!! and then he showed images of people starving in other parts of the world.
He also talks about incredibly mundane things, which actually I think is one of the wonderful things about his show.
For instance, he talked about type of the way people park their cars, and he said, you know, there’s a careless way to do this.
A lot of what he’s doing is really sort of basic civics. He says be a responsible person, but he is talking about that in an Islamic language.
Saturday, 21 August 2010
Into The Wild By Jon Krakauer
Currently, I’m reading a 1996 non-fiction book called INTO THE WILD by the American writer Jon Krakauer, bestselling author of Into Thin Air.
It is an expansion of Krakauer's 9,000-word article, "Death of an Innocent", which appeared in the January 1993 issue of Outside. The book was adapted into a 2007 movie of the same name directed by Sean Penn with Emile Hirsch starring as McCandless the protagonist of the story.
I have finished reading the first three chapters of the book which started to get interesting now as it was a bit boring at the beginning.
The book is talking about a young man from a well to do family who hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of MT.His name was Christopher McCandless.
His journey into the wild began right after he graduated with honors from Emory University in Atlanta in 1992, as a top student and athlete.
Chris abandoned his family, car, most of his possessions, gave his entire $25,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska, where he went to live in the wilderness. Four months later, he turned up dead and his body was found by a group of moose hunters.
It is an expansion of Krakauer's 9,000-word article, "Death of an Innocent", which appeared in the January 1993 issue of Outside. The book was adapted into a 2007 movie of the same name directed by Sean Penn with Emile Hirsch starring as McCandless the protagonist of the story.
I have finished reading the first three chapters of the book which started to get interesting now as it was a bit boring at the beginning.
The book is talking about a young man from a well to do family who hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of MT.His name was Christopher McCandless.
His journey into the wild began right after he graduated with honors from Emory University in Atlanta in 1992, as a top student and athlete.
Chris abandoned his family, car, most of his possessions, gave his entire $25,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska, where he went to live in the wilderness. Four months later, he turned up dead and his body was found by a group of moose hunters.
Sunday, 8 August 2010
My First Birthday Away From Home ( Part Two)
After meeting my friends: Dawlat, Norah and Samyah, we went to watch the Chinese New year celebration which was on the same day at the Old Market Square.
Drums
Fireworks
It was dinner time , we decided to go and have a nice meal.
“Let’s go to Zizi”. I said
“I prefer Tamatanga”. Norah replied
“What do you mean you prefer Tamatanga ? It’s MY birthday not yours!!” I answered sarcastically
“Actually I prefer Tamatanga too.” Dawlat said
On that moment I really started to get upset. “What’s wrong with you people ? It’s MY birthday for God’s sakes!!” I screamed
“Listen to me Doody, I swear Tamatanga will be better, It’s always busy at Zizi”. Samyah interrupted.
“You know what, I prefer to go to McDonald's!” I said in anger. LOL
“Come on, don’t be silly let’s go to Tamatanga. It’s going to be fun I promise”. Dawlat said.
We went to Tamatanga eventually. A lot was waiting for me there!
My friends had made a reservation at Tamatnaga that day for my birthday.
The staff were singing: “Happy Birthday Doody” from the moment we entered the restaurant!
They brought a big yummy chocolate cake and asked me to have a wish then to blow the candles.
I can’t describe how I felt. I was sOoOo Happy but yet soOoOoOoO embarrassed lol.
I had such a great time! My friends all came (well, most of them did) and it was such a fun and relaxing time!
it was neat to just sit at the table and look at all the people in my life who are now important to me that I didn’t even know a few months ago.
All in all, it was a super great day thanks to my great friends!
I can’t wait till my next birthday to see what unexpected things the next year will hold!
Drums
Fireworks
It was dinner time , we decided to go and have a nice meal.
“Let’s go to Zizi”. I said
“I prefer Tamatanga”. Norah replied
“What do you mean you prefer Tamatanga ? It’s MY birthday not yours!!” I answered sarcastically
“Actually I prefer Tamatanga too.” Dawlat said
On that moment I really started to get upset. “What’s wrong with you people ? It’s MY birthday for God’s sakes!!” I screamed
“Listen to me Doody, I swear Tamatanga will be better, It’s always busy at Zizi”. Samyah interrupted.
“You know what, I prefer to go to McDonald's!” I said in anger. LOL
“Come on, don’t be silly let’s go to Tamatanga. It’s going to be fun I promise”. Dawlat said.
We went to Tamatanga eventually. A lot was waiting for me there!
My friends had made a reservation at Tamatnaga that day for my birthday.
The staff were singing: “Happy Birthday Doody” from the moment we entered the restaurant!
They brought a big yummy chocolate cake and asked me to have a wish then to blow the candles.
I can’t describe how I felt. I was sOoOo Happy but yet soOoOoOoO embarrassed lol.
I had such a great time! My friends all came (well, most of them did) and it was such a fun and relaxing time!
it was neat to just sit at the table and look at all the people in my life who are now important to me that I didn’t even know a few months ago.
All in all, it was a super great day thanks to my great friends!
I can’t wait till my next birthday to see what unexpected things the next year will hold!
My First Birthday Away From Home
On the 12th of February 2010, I celebrated my 1st birthday away from my country , family and friends as I’m here studying in the UK.
I woke up that morning with tears in my eyes. My best friend had just called from Saudi Arabia to wish me a happy birthday.
I felt so depressed because I was missing her and my family so much. I cried my eyes out and went back to sleep trying to escape the grips of loneliness I was feeling.
My phone rang again, It was Dawlat, a great friend I met here in Nottinigham.
Dawlat: Good morning Birthday Girl, are u still sleeping?
Me: Morning hon, I just woke up, I stayed up all night working on a project.
Dwalat: Ok you got enough sleep now, take a shower and meet me at Costa cafe.
“I don’t feel like going out today Dalool I’m sorry”. I replied
Dawlat: Come On !! Let’s go and have some fun, It’s your birthday!
“Ok, I’ll meet u in an hour”. I replied with a big smile on my face.
Dawlat is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Knowing her was one of the good things that happened to me during my scholarship in the United Kingdom. She has two cute boys whom I love like my own sons, Rajeh and Ammar.
Rajeh
Ammar eating + sleeping at the same time lol
I went to meet Dawlat. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Usually the bulk of our birthday celebrations is family oriented.
I usually choose what I’d like for dinner and what activity I’d like to do, and then we do that as a family.
So, I wasn’t too sure how I would feel spending my birthday on the other side of the world from them.
However, my day turned out absolutely wonderfully!
To be continued ....
I woke up that morning with tears in my eyes. My best friend had just called from Saudi Arabia to wish me a happy birthday.
I felt so depressed because I was missing her and my family so much. I cried my eyes out and went back to sleep trying to escape the grips of loneliness I was feeling.
My phone rang again, It was Dawlat, a great friend I met here in Nottinigham.
Dawlat: Good morning Birthday Girl, are u still sleeping?
Me: Morning hon, I just woke up, I stayed up all night working on a project.
Dwalat: Ok you got enough sleep now, take a shower and meet me at Costa cafe.
“I don’t feel like going out today Dalool I’m sorry”. I replied
Dawlat: Come On !! Let’s go and have some fun, It’s your birthday!
“Ok, I’ll meet u in an hour”. I replied with a big smile on my face.
Dawlat is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Knowing her was one of the good things that happened to me during my scholarship in the United Kingdom. She has two cute boys whom I love like my own sons, Rajeh and Ammar.
Rajeh
Ammar eating + sleeping at the same time lol
I went to meet Dawlat. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Usually the bulk of our birthday celebrations is family oriented.
I usually choose what I’d like for dinner and what activity I’d like to do, and then we do that as a family.
So, I wasn’t too sure how I would feel spending my birthday on the other side of the world from them.
However, my day turned out absolutely wonderfully!
To be continued ....
Monday, 2 August 2010
The Alchemist
I can’t believe that I'm finally here at the same place where the Al-chemist was.
I really feel overwhelmed while I’m looking at the great Pyramids that Santiago made his dangerous journey crossing across the desert to look for his hidden treasure beneath them.
It has been 2 years since I have red that incredible book “The Alchemist” by the Brazilian writer Paulo Coeliho. It really captivated me and it’s the reason why I’m here right now.
It talks about Santiago who is a young shepherd boy from the Spanish countryside of Andalusia . He had a dream which reveals the location of a hidden treasure buried at the Egyptian Pyramids.
The king of Salem in Tarifa convinces Santiago that he has succeeded in discovering his Personal Legend so he should follow it because as the king told him following the Personal Legend to its conclusion is a person’s only real obligation in life.
Santiago listens to his heart and decides to go on a dangerous search for the treasure.
I joined a caravan to make a similar tripe in the desert. I’m now travelling the desert , crossing the golden sands. It is too hot . I can’t feel anything but the extreme heat of the sun and the desert dry, dusty wind blowing.
Now I began to understand the Soul of the World and how I fit in it exactly like Santiago did.
We soon reached an oasis. There are some palm trees where people went to sit under.
I don’t need to relax now as I’m too excited to get to the Pyramids where the treasure was.
I just need to wash my face and my hands because I got so dirty from the sand which got inside everything my bag, shoes and even my scarf.
Soon, we are moving again, the Pyramids are so close now. I can see how great they look from here.
I’m now way more excited to reach the Pyramid of Giza which is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Finally we are standing in front of the great Pyramids! I’m overwhelmed with the magnificent shape of them.
By looking at them right now I can imagine the joy Santiago felt when he finally reached them.
I really feel overwhelmed while I’m looking at the great Pyramids that Santiago made his dangerous journey crossing across the desert to look for his hidden treasure beneath them.
It has been 2 years since I have red that incredible book “The Alchemist” by the Brazilian writer Paulo Coeliho. It really captivated me and it’s the reason why I’m here right now.
It talks about Santiago who is a young shepherd boy from the Spanish countryside of Andalusia . He had a dream which reveals the location of a hidden treasure buried at the Egyptian Pyramids.
The king of Salem in Tarifa convinces Santiago that he has succeeded in discovering his Personal Legend so he should follow it because as the king told him following the Personal Legend to its conclusion is a person’s only real obligation in life.
Santiago listens to his heart and decides to go on a dangerous search for the treasure.
I joined a caravan to make a similar tripe in the desert. I’m now travelling the desert , crossing the golden sands. It is too hot . I can’t feel anything but the extreme heat of the sun and the desert dry, dusty wind blowing.
Now I began to understand the Soul of the World and how I fit in it exactly like Santiago did.
We soon reached an oasis. There are some palm trees where people went to sit under.
I don’t need to relax now as I’m too excited to get to the Pyramids where the treasure was.
I just need to wash my face and my hands because I got so dirty from the sand which got inside everything my bag, shoes and even my scarf.
Soon, we are moving again, the Pyramids are so close now. I can see how great they look from here.
I’m now way more excited to reach the Pyramid of Giza which is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Finally we are standing in front of the great Pyramids! I’m overwhelmed with the magnificent shape of them.
By looking at them right now I can imagine the joy Santiago felt when he finally reached them.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
The Book Of My Life (Part Two)
Chapter Two
The Toughest Time Of My Life
By the time I turned 17, my parents got divorced. Since that happened, nothing in my life is the same anymore. They got divorced in a summer holiday which I will never forget for the rest of my life.
I have experienced all kinds of emotions that humans can experience in two months only.
I was so angry about Mom and Dad, afraid that if one of them leaves, I would lose him/her forever, guilty because it might be my fault that they split up, soo embarrassed and didn’t want anyone to know about it, lonely because no one will understands what I’m going through, lost, worried and sad.
I also felt relieved somehow, I thought it’s going to be less stressful at home this way. Apparently, I was sooo verrry wrong!
We used to live in Jeddah before my parents got divorced. After the divorce, my father decided to take us to Makkah where his family live. He has a big house there so he decided we should move there to stay close to his family!
This part was the hardest. Because if we moved to Makkah, we won’t be able to see Mom everyday,,,
If we moved to Makkah, we would have to go to a new school and have new friends,,,
if we moved to Makkah, we would leave our lovely house where we belong, where we shared bitter and sweet memories together,,,
but yes,, we did move to makkah!
although the two cities are very close,it was like traveling to another country for me. I had a culture shock !!
Many things were so different. People in makkah are more conservative which required me to act in a different way at many occasions. I miss everything in Jeddah. Going to the mall every weekend with my friends, watching a movie at the gym :D :D , having a nice meal at a fancy restaurant. I couldn't do any of these things in Makkah. I felt so lonely. I can write pages about how bad I felt while I was there. I felt homesick although I was in my own country with my own family !
Dealing with all these changes was so difficult for me. I hated everything there. The house, the school, the people, even my Dad! I hated him so much that summer although he was trying his best to satisfy me.
One year after that, my father finally agreed that we can move back to Jeedah. So we did immediately.
I joined King Abdulaziz University, started to study English Language.
I began to get used to my new life . I even started to like it because it is less stress at home and I’m happy to have special time alone with each of my parents.
Everything was going ok, of course, I was still having hard time trying to play the role of a messenger between my parents but It was fine I would say. I was doing great at university, had fun with my friends, and got a scholarship to the UK :D
I still live with the dream that both my father and mother will get back together one day. Who knows!
The Toughest Time Of My Life
By the time I turned 17, my parents got divorced. Since that happened, nothing in my life is the same anymore. They got divorced in a summer holiday which I will never forget for the rest of my life.
I have experienced all kinds of emotions that humans can experience in two months only.
I was so angry about Mom and Dad, afraid that if one of them leaves, I would lose him/her forever, guilty because it might be my fault that they split up, soo embarrassed and didn’t want anyone to know about it, lonely because no one will understands what I’m going through, lost, worried and sad.
I also felt relieved somehow, I thought it’s going to be less stressful at home this way. Apparently, I was sooo verrry wrong!
We used to live in Jeddah before my parents got divorced. After the divorce, my father decided to take us to Makkah where his family live. He has a big house there so he decided we should move there to stay close to his family!
This part was the hardest. Because if we moved to Makkah, we won’t be able to see Mom everyday,,,
If we moved to Makkah, we would have to go to a new school and have new friends,,,
if we moved to Makkah, we would leave our lovely house where we belong, where we shared bitter and sweet memories together,,,
but yes,, we did move to makkah!
although the two cities are very close,it was like traveling to another country for me. I had a culture shock !!
Many things were so different. People in makkah are more conservative which required me to act in a different way at many occasions. I miss everything in Jeddah. Going to the mall every weekend with my friends, watching a movie at the gym :D :D , having a nice meal at a fancy restaurant. I couldn't do any of these things in Makkah. I felt so lonely. I can write pages about how bad I felt while I was there. I felt homesick although I was in my own country with my own family !
Dealing with all these changes was so difficult for me. I hated everything there. The house, the school, the people, even my Dad! I hated him so much that summer although he was trying his best to satisfy me.
One year after that, my father finally agreed that we can move back to Jeedah. So we did immediately.
I joined King Abdulaziz University, started to study English Language.
I began to get used to my new life . I even started to like it because it is less stress at home and I’m happy to have special time alone with each of my parents.
Everything was going ok, of course, I was still having hard time trying to play the role of a messenger between my parents but It was fine I would say. I was doing great at university, had fun with my friends, and got a scholarship to the UK :D
I still live with the dream that both my father and mother will get back together one day. Who knows!
The Book Of My Life
In each chapter of this book, I’m going to talk about so many different remarkable incidents I have experienced in my life. Some of them are going to be too personal as I can’t write about anything unless it meant a lot to me.
Chapter One
I was born in Jeddah city. A big busy city located in the western cost of Saudi Arabia. MY family is originally from Makkah which is about 70 km far from Jeddah.
Jeddah
Makkah
I have three brothers and only one sister who I am so close to.
My parents got into fights since i was 5, this continued for years. They used to fight about anything, they often tried to invent problems from nothing so they can stay mad at each other for months.
My 3 brothers, sister and I got used to that tensed lifestyle. In fact, we used to find it weird when they weren’t fighting!
Although It was like growing up in world war ||| I have tried not to get affected by that, I was a very good student at school, I had lots of friends, my teachers used to like me very much and all my cousins tried to be friends with me.
However, I was too ashamed from the fact that my parents hate each other. I kept denying it even to myself. When I was a little kid I used to draw family portraits that show how a happy family we are.
I wanted everyone to think that we are a perfect family so I was pretending that we don’t have any problems because I hated the way people showed pity toward us after they hear about the fights between my Mom and Dad. I wanted to believe that we are a happy family although I knew that happiness is very far away from us deep inside.
In spite of all that, I would have to say that I had a good childhood. My parents were always very good to me, and I can't remember a time when I didn't feel loved by them. I used to be my Dad’s spoiled girl, I always believed that he loves me way more than my sister which I used to like very much :D.
My mom and I have been best friends, and I have never ever felt like I couldn't tell her something. They gave me everything I wanted but not everything I needed. I know that they sacrificed a lot for me and I will be forever grateful.
Chapter One
I was born in Jeddah city. A big busy city located in the western cost of Saudi Arabia. MY family is originally from Makkah which is about 70 km far from Jeddah.
Jeddah
Makkah
I have three brothers and only one sister who I am so close to.
My parents got into fights since i was 5, this continued for years. They used to fight about anything, they often tried to invent problems from nothing so they can stay mad at each other for months.
My 3 brothers, sister and I got used to that tensed lifestyle. In fact, we used to find it weird when they weren’t fighting!
Although It was like growing up in world war ||| I have tried not to get affected by that, I was a very good student at school, I had lots of friends, my teachers used to like me very much and all my cousins tried to be friends with me.
However, I was too ashamed from the fact that my parents hate each other. I kept denying it even to myself. When I was a little kid I used to draw family portraits that show how a happy family we are.
I wanted everyone to think that we are a perfect family so I was pretending that we don’t have any problems because I hated the way people showed pity toward us after they hear about the fights between my Mom and Dad. I wanted to believe that we are a happy family although I knew that happiness is very far away from us deep inside.
In spite of all that, I would have to say that I had a good childhood. My parents were always very good to me, and I can't remember a time when I didn't feel loved by them. I used to be my Dad’s spoiled girl, I always believed that he loves me way more than my sister which I used to like very much :D.
My mom and I have been best friends, and I have never ever felt like I couldn't tell her something. They gave me everything I wanted but not everything I needed. I know that they sacrificed a lot for me and I will be forever grateful.
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