"LIFE, A spiritual pickle preserving the body from decay. We live in daily apprehension of its loss; yet when lost it is not missed."
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It has been a while. Nearly a year.
I miss blogging.
A LOT has happened since the last time I sat down and started typing hysterically.
I still don't know whether I should go back in time and write about what has happened since, or just start fresh!
You tell me!
RnD
Ramadan is here.
This is the second Ramadan for us in Dubai.
I do not intend to write about the Holy Month nor the tremendous social changes that accompany it.
One of the Ramadan syndromes is the dozens of TV soap operas which now air on more than 25 TV Channels.
Recently, the Syrian drama has proved to be one, if not, the most successful amongst the other Arabic productions.
I stayed home last night, there was nothing much to do out anyway. Mom and my two lovely sisters gathered around the TV set and were patiently waiting for a certain Syrian soap to air.
I am not a fan of such productions, but since I had nothing else to do, I made myself a hot steamy café latte and sat to see what they had been talking about for more than a week.
The title of the TV series is “Bab El Hara” (The Neighborhood Gate). Basically it is a reincarnation of the old days in a neighborhood in the Syrian Capital. Taking place in the era of the Ottoman rule of Damascus, the production is nothing but useless crap. Not only it is a waste of time, it also re-introduces some old-fashioned backwards mentalities. I, intentionally, managed to watch 3 episodes so far so I can write a neural review which is not based on only one episode.
I do not really know how to describe the show best. The show has no story to tell of whatsoever. All what you can enjoy is, the old Damascene delicate and lifestyle.
Now, what really got on my nerves is, the women in the show. The show, in a way, sheds light on the discrimination between men and women in the old Damascene society. Women get beaten by their husbands or siblings of more than ridiculous reasons. Women fear divorce because they know they will ‘disgraced” for the rest of their lives. A scene of man talking down to his wife or sister is a very repeated scene. Men threatening other female members of the family is more than normal in the show.
Women are considered to be a potential source of shame and disgrace to the family if an outsider gets to mistakenly see her face or hands. I do not understand why we need to see such acts and mentalities being brought up on TV. What even worse is, you do not get to see somebody trying to defuse it.
I’m, personally, not proud of that era. I reuse to believe that those old days represent our values best.
To remain unbiased, the TV show also sheds light on other great traits of the old society, generosity, solidarity, honesty, etc.. I just wish they had something to show the audience that women were considered a very important part of the daily life in Syria, unlike what people think now after watching the show.
Forbes has published their annual list of the 100 most powerful women in the world.
For the second year in a row, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel ranks No 1 on the top of the list. That did not come as much of a surprise as Merkel became the first Female Chancellor in Germany last year.
China's vice premier Wu Yi came second. China is expected to replace Germany as the world's third largest economy during the next decade, and the Chinese have only one person to thank for that, Wu Yi.
Remarkable Women
Condoleezza Rice is now No 4 while she was on the top of the last year's list at No 2.
Indra K. Nooyi has managed to amaze and astonish me. The Indian American lady, who is now the CEO & Chairman of Pepsi Co is an example of the ambitious and hard-working women in the world. She is an idol to be followed.
The usual names remain on this year's list with different ranks, Sonia Gandhi, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Elizabeth II, Melinda Gates and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Among these powerful and sophisticated women, four Arab ladies strongly engrave their names.
Kuwaiti Businesswomen Maha Al Ghunaim is considered to be, according to Forbes, the most powerful woman in the Arab World, as she is No 1 among the four Arab ladies and No 72 Internationally. The extremely elegant lady who is only 47 years of age, is the founder and now the chairman of the Global Investment House,
The very influential Sheikha Mozah of Qatar was second. 79th internationally, she managed to achieve quite an impressive presence in the region and globally. Being the wife of the Emir of Qatar, Mozah had the privileges to engage herself in the political and social life in the Region. She has recently announced the creation of the Arab Foundation for Democracy with a $10 million endowment from the emir.
Queen Rania of Jordan came, was third regionally and 82nd internationally. With changing the image of Arabs and Muslims in the western world in here mind, Queen Rania has founded Injaz Al Arab, which is an non-governmental organization that focuses on educating children in Arabic countries. Her work has been noticed in the United States when, in May, Harvard University named two fellowships for Jordanian women in honor of the Queen.
Last but not least, and my very favorite name on the list comes Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi of the UAE. A shining star in the Emirati sky. The young minister has managed to earn a reputation of an ambitious and hard working woman in a world of men. A CEO, Co-Writer, Lecturer, Public Speaker and a royalty, she gives a great example for her fellow women in the Middle East. She is an example of a woman who gradually climbed the ladder not taking advantage of her royal family.
I turley wished there was a Syrian name on that list, but I can proudly say that Shiekh Lubna and Maha Al Ghunaim were a great source of pride for me.
Women, show the mean what you are capable of.
You can read more about the list, the names and the authos at http://www.forbes.com/women/
...But we miss her. She kissed us last thing at night. Her beaming smile greeted us from school. She laughed hysterically and uncontrollably when sharing something silly she might have said or done that day. She encouraged us when we were nervous or unsure...
So who sets our values?
It’s very interesting to see how people would define their values.
I wish they were as simple as “do not lie, do not cheat and do not steal”.
If values are to change in time, why are they called values in the first place? Why not call them Opinions.
Opinions do change.
Back to the question, who sets are values?
Is it God? Books probably? Maybe the wise philosophers? Prophets? Influential Politicians and Mind Makers? Teachers? Mentors? Parents?
Why is it ok for someone to cheat on their partners? Or to lie to their parents?
When I was a kid, all I wanted was to become someone who would help making the world we live in a better place for life. What happened to that naïve little kid in me? Or in us?
We strive to make more money now, we do not mind crashing someone or something in the process.
Desires complicate things.
Sex, appetite, passion, and probably survival.
Why an abused woman would abuse another woman if she had the chance to?
Is it revenge? Why do we take revenge of victims instead of offenders?
Stop for a second and think of this question, “What did I do today to make me feel proud?”.
When all you’re doing is completely wrong and unacceptable, what is it that makes you feel peace?
Whatever you are doing will be wrong according to someone’s values.
At the end, everything we do is wrong, according to someone’s values.
Why bother?
Labels: Changes, Personals, Philosophy, Politics
This song brings so many memories, it's amazing how one song can bring back a state of being.
Enjoy.
Don't Speak
No Doubt
You and me
We used to be together
Everyday together always
I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe
This could be the end
It looks as though you're letting go
And if it's real
Well I don't want to know
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Our memories
Well, they can be inviting
But some are altogether
Mighty frightening
As we die, both you and I
With my head in my hands
I sit and cry
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts (no, no, no)
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts
It's all ending
I gotta stop pretending who we are...
You and me I can see us dying...are we?
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts (no, no, no)
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Don't tell me cause it hurts!
I know what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't speak,
don't speak,
don't speak,
oh I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
I know you're good,
I know you're good,
I know you're real good
Oh, la la la la la la La la la la la la
Don't, Don't, uh-huh Hush, hush darlin'
Hush, hush darlin' Hush, hush
don't tell me tell me cause it hurts
Hush, hush darlin' Hush, hush darlin'
Hush, hush don't tell me tell me cause it hurts
Labels: Morning Aurals, Personals
When earth becomes a shelter, life can no longer be.
I urge everybody who is visiting or reading this post to donate, save a child's life.
Every single minutes, a child is dying or becomes an orphan. We can stop this.
Just click on the below link and donate, a dollar can help.
It's never too late to help.
www.KeepAChildAlive.org
I hope this clip will help you decide.
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