Restless in Dubai

And We're Back

2008-07-16T12:09:00.001+04:00

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

Soap Operas and Women

2007-09-21T23:39:00.000+04:00

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.

The Power of She

2007-09-05T16:01:00.000+04:00

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/

A Touching Ode - Harry to Diana

2007-09-05T11:28:00.000+04:00

...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...

Very touching, read the complete text here.

Values

2007-06-29T13:23:00.000+04:00

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?

Severe Damage

2007-05-14T22:15:00.000+04:00

Image from Alexiou

I have been away for the last couple of weeks. Why? I haven’t got a clue.
Dubai seems to be capable of bringing whatever hidden inside of me.
Yesterday marked the first year of being in Dubai for me.
Messed up feelings that I have.
Love Dubai as much as I despise it.
I have a reached a level of materialism, I would never reach elsewhere. Life is just another pile of calculations. You do it this way, you win this much, you do it that way, you lose that much.
Unfortunately, I question my values everyday.
Losing contact with an old close friend does not affect me anymore.
I have been seeing someone lately; things do not seem to be working out. I am sure it’s me, or maybe both of us.
How much would you love someone if you could only see them twice a week for 4 hours?
I s it ok now if you tell someone that you love them in a chat session or via SMS?
I am starting to believe it’s just a big life, the 24 hours thing. Our day is made of only 2 hours, one you spend worrying about the other hour.
We expect too much from each other, very less from ourselves.
If you jump a red light, you are in a hurry, if somebody else does that, they are assholes.
Nothing seems to be enough anymore. You drive a car which you would never dream of taking a spin in, but still there’s always more.
You look at the mirror; you do not recognize yourself anymore. What has life done to you?
Blame it on God, on Politics, on Life, on your parents, but you never blame yourself.
Weekdays pass so fast, weekends even faster.
You rate your day depending on how many traffic tickets or phone calls you have made.
You never find time to call you mother, you always find time to call bank and stay on hold for 45 minutes.
You are suffering from a sever damage, the only cure is…

Morning Aurals: Don't Speak

2007-04-30T09:30:00.000+04:00

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

Keep A Child Alive

2007-04-28T13:08:00.000+04:00

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.

A Quickie

2007-04-11T08:57:00.000+04:00

Friday Night, Peppermint Club

The chubby boy can dance ;)

RnD

Is Everything Gonna Be OK?

2007-03-30T18:29:00.000+04:00

So I have been away for the past couple of weeks. I was still checking some of your blogs guys, dropping a line or two and in my best condition I made a comment or two.

As my last post proclaimed things were pretty messy at work. New things to be done, old pending stuff to be done, old finished-but-boss-wanna-revise stuff to be re-done. So in a nut shell I was working my ass off and still couldn’t finish every single thing she (boss) wanted me to do. I can see that this is how it’s gonna be for the next few moths at least.

On another subject, Mom was away, actually still Is, for the past two weeks. Supposedly every single one of us (the family) was to do his/her own chores so we can make up for Mom’s being away. Well, it ended up Dad doing all he house chores including Cooking. The reason I stressed on the work Cooking is, he turned to be a good cook. Seriously, I mean he is not as good as Mom, but he is not bad, not bad at all. Super dad. Other than cooking, everything is a mess. We all now appreciate how hard mom was working. She’s was doing a three-healthy-men job while she was ill. We love you Mom, we want you back ASAP.

I have been driving for 3 weeks now and I am falling in love with Civy (Her name is Civy, I mean the ‘car’). I love the traffic now as I get to spend more time with her.
On a side note, I heard that the Arab leaders were having a summit? Is that true? I mean gosh, are not they tried to repeating the same speeches all over again? Who the fuck cares for what they say? Are they still people who actually sit and listen to them? Go and watch Shakira or Hayfa better for you people, at least there is something amusing to look at. Not all old seventy something creatures.

I missed Shakira’s concert in Dubai. I am not her biggest fan but I wanted to have something for a change. For some reasons I couldn’t get the tickets and I just missed the concert. The feedback was pretty lame and I now thank God that I did not go. On the other hand we went to the Peppermint Club. My friend worked there and he used to tell me to come and see the club but I just did not go. We went last Friday and guys, that was a hell of a night. I danced till 3 AM and I could not stop. I just lost it. The DJ was amazing, the night was smashing. I am going next Friday as well.

I have received an email a couple of days ago. It was some photos that changed the world. I could not help it but post a few. The main theme for all these photos is “Is there Justice in the world”?

A kid in Uganda about to die of hunger, and a missionaire.

A mother in Somalia holds the body of her child who died of hunger

An Afghani refugee kid's body is being prepared for the funeral in Pakistan

An Iraqi prisoner of war tries to calm down his child

Busy Week

2007-03-17T15:32:00.000+04:00

It’s been a busy week for me.

First the domain of the blog was down and I had to make three phone calls to the US to have it fixed.
I got my brand new Honda Civic (the 2007 Model) and I am falling in love with it and I am thinking of passing the idea of finding a new love as she (Civy) is replacing all the hurt.
Dima my friend is here, she came two weeks ago and now we are busy cruising around the town, shopping, clubbing, shopping again, and trying to find her a job here in Dubai so she can keep shopping.
Things at the office were going crazy as I had a new trainee to get ready to join.
I wanted to post something interesting, I am just too lazy to and also my mind is blank now.
RnD

Morning Aural: Amy Winehouse

2007-03-08T08:47:00.000+04:00

Enjoy!

Amy Winehouse - Re...

They tried to make me go to rehab but i said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when i com e back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab but i won't go go go

I'd rather be at home with ray
I aint got seventeen days
Coz there's nothing
There's nothing you can teach me
That i can't learn from mr hathaway

Didn't get al lucky at class
But i know it don't come in a shot glass

They tried to make me go to rehab but i said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when i com e back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab but i won't go go go

The man said 'why do you think you here'
I said 'I got no idea
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
so I always keep a bottle near'
He said 'I just think your depressed,
kiss me here baby and go rest'

They tried to make me go to rehab but i said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when i com e back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab but i won't go go go

I don't ever wanna drink again
I just ooh i just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
have everyone think I'm on the mend

It's not just my pride
It's just til these tears have dried

They tried to make me go to rehab but i said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when i com e back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab but i won't go go go

Amy Winehouse

Your Wife's Manual

2007-03-07T17:09:00.000+04:00

According to Mr. Preacher, there are some women you can't live with, Unless you beat the hell out of them, enjoy!

Hope and Courage

2007-03-01T09:45:00.000+04:00

I rarely sit in front of the TV set switching between channels and I haven’t been really fan of the Oprah Winfery Show.

Yesterday I came back from work very tired, had dinner and lied down on the couch trying to relax and get the stress out of the system.

I began switching channels trying to find something that might be worth watching, I landed on MBC4, specifically the Oprah Winfery Show.

As I told you before, I am not her biggest fan, especially those shows where the audience is made of middle aged women screaming and yayaying in every single occasion.

Yesterday’s show was a bit different. It featured the compelling story of Kendra and Maliyah, a conjoined twin. Sharing one single kidney, bladder, a large intestine, liver and two legs, Kendra and Maliyah survived four years of limited life.

Their parents made a decision to separate the two sisters after four years of sharing a kidney will eventually fail. The operation which was carried out by a team of 8 surgeons and 16 nurses, it was a flourishing success.

Now for the first time in their lives, Kendra and Maliyah are able to have one single bed for each. The trip is not done yet, the two girls will face more difficult medial procedures to be as healthy as survival requires.

Here is a couple of pictures of the two lovely sisters.

Now on the same show, a story of a bold courage and amazing survivor was also told.

Meet Patrick.

Patrick was born without eyes and a birth defect that won’t allow him to stretch his arms nor legs. At just 2 years old, he started playing the piano and was able to take requests.

Today Patrick attends the University of Louisville, but he's not there alone. Every evening his father works the graveyard shift at UPS, finishing at dawn. This leaves him enough time to rest a few hours before heading out to help his son at school.

These two stories shook me like a hurricane. Suddenly I realized how blessed I was. Never thought of walking, eye sight, laughing, crying, or breathing as blessings. My eyes just watered with no permission from my brain.

Hope and possibility are the main keywords for these two stories. If you could only see how Patrick Sr. (the father) was proud of his disabled son. Patrick Jr. (the son) had one statement that stroke a chord for me, he said:

“Sighted people, they can see a person's hair length or the clothes they wear or their skin color. With me, certain words like 'black' or 'white' are adjectives that have no meaning whatsoever," he says. "I just see the love within a person."

Patrick, Kendra and Maliyah; you guys really taught me something I wonder never forget for the rest of my life.

RnD

Been Tagged

2007-02-26T11:12:00.000+04:00

image courtesy of Gwydion22

I have been tagged by Mystique, here is my response.

-After you die, what will happen to your email address?
I will donate it to the charity.

-Have you ever given your email password to anyone?
Yup, I have.

-Nature or relation to that someone?
Used to be a lover.

-Your Name?
Ramy

-Your age?
Old enough to be allowed in a bar, young enough to do a jungj jump.

-Horoscope?
Libra

-Field of Education?

E-Business

-Type of Personality
Sensitive, dreamy, moody, rebellious, practical, very emotional and fun loving.

-What does travel mean to you?
A new chapter in the book.

-Your Mood?
As I said, very moody. I am easiest approached at night.

-What do you do in your spare time?
Well, when I used to have spare time, I used to watch movies, design some graphics, chat with old friends, keep a diary, grow plants and make my bed.

-Favorite dish?
Well I have got many. Mlookhya, Kanyarek (Aleppian dish original Turkish), Fajitas, Sushi, Chicken Teriyaki, Gratin (All ingredients), gosh I am hungry..

-Characteristics inherited from father?
Appreciating family, generosity, his nose and hazel eyes, always smiling, creative, sense of humor and temper.

-Characteristics inherited from mother?
Sensitivity, her looks, her skin, selflessness, social ant, her emotional persona and her cooking skills.

-Things you dislike
Bigots, backwards, I can’t stand stupid people. I hate weak women. Criers. Superstitions. Myths. Traditions (especially in Aleppo). Bad sense of fashion. Odorless person. Big Cars.

-Things you like
My family and friends. Computers and gadgets. Fashion. Home Décor. Africa. Hand crafts. Syria.

-What does work mean to you?
Something I can’t live without yet keeps burning me out.

-What do computers and internet mean to you?
A Necessity.

Coming Soon

2007-02-25T13:14:00.000+04:00

Coming Soon

Tribute to Zahra

2007-02-21T09:45:00.000+04:00

I can’t really describe the feeling..

Is it anger? Or Sadness?

Is it pity? Or Shame?

I have read this quite a long ago… Yesterday, I came across the article one again…

I have written something…

It’s in Arabic.. Was the first thing the came to my mind..

My very first Arabic post is dedicated to the soul of Zahra… a victim of the so-called honor killing…

I want you to know that the names are not real, she might seem younger than she was when she was murdered… but this what I was thinking of when I wrote it.. it is a letter written by Zahra and sent to her parents...

A Tribute to Zahra

ماما

اشتقتلك...

ما بعرف شو صار...

كل اللي بتذكرو هو انو اخي كان كتير معصب و مزعوج مني...

ماما...

كنت عم احلم انك تشوفيني بتياب المدرسة و بالمريولة...

كنت عم انطر يصير عمري 12 حتى جدّل شعري و روح على المدرسة...

ماما...

انا ليش هون؟...

معقول تكون هي الجنة؟..

انا كنت خاف اني ما روح على الجنة...

ماما... الجنة حلوة كتير...

احلى من الجنينة اللي كنتي تخاديني عليا حتى العب مع بنات الجيران...

ماما...

ايمتى بدك تجي لعندي؟...

ماما... اسئلي لأخي أحمد ليش هيك عمل؟..

قليلولي خلص بطلت شغل الراديو و علي الصوت لما هو نايم...بس ما يزعل مني...

اشتقتلو لبابا كمان... بتذكر انو كان عم يبكي لما أحمد كان شايل السكين و عم يركض لعندي...

طيب اسئلي بابا ليش ما وقفو لأحمد؟... هو بابا كان دايما يقلي "بفديكي بروحي يا زهرة عمري"...

بس انا مو زعلانة منو... يمكن كان تعبان من الشغل كتير...

ماما...

انا كتير محتارة... وبدي اسأل سؤال واحد بس... جوابو ايه او لا...

بدي قلو لبابا... اذا انت ما بتحبني... ليش كنت تشتريلي غزل البنات من عند عمو السمان..؟..

ليش كنت تاخدني معك كل يوم جمعة على ساحة الجامع تألعب مع الحمامات و العصافير..؟,,

ليش كنت كل ما بيجي العيد تاخدني سيران حد النهر و نلعب انا و ياك شرطي و حرامي..؟..

كنت كل ما اخسر ابكي.. اخ شو ابكي.. و تجي انت تشيلي على كتفك و تدورني بالهوى حت صير اضحك...

بابا... انا أسفة اذا عملت شي خلاكون تزعلو مني...

بابا...كان بدي صير دكتورة اطفال حتى اعالج حمودة ابن الجيران.. حرام كل يوم بيسعل كتير و امو ما معها مصاري تشتريلو دوا...

بابا... ماما...

انا بحبكون كتير...

يالله انا لازم روح... في ملائكة عم تنطرني.. بدون ياخدوني على حد النهر تنلعب سوا..

زهرة...

H

2007-02-14T22:21:00.000+04:00

Image Courtesy of lolliepop-gurl

I am tired
I have the worst headache ever.
I wanted to vent and let the steam out.

It’s Valentine’s Day. I do not want to talk about it.
Our boss’s sister (and the angel of the office) brought us red roses, one for each.

I didn’t know what to do with mine.
I left the office wondering what I would do with the rose since I had no one to give it to.

As usual I took my lift back home.
On the road, she just came to my mind. We hadn’t talked for 6 months then.

She was my best friend. Someone I would literally die for. She was my secret keeper. A shoulder I could lean on.

Suddenly, she started not to return my calls, messages, emails, or text messages.

She just cut me out of her life.

I was too proud to admit it.
Today I found myself asking the driver to drop me next to her house.

I walked for 10 minutes holding the red rose in a hand and my briefcase in the other.
I had forgotten her flat number since I hadn’t visited her for more than 6 months.
I went up to the 17th floor, 1707 to be exact. I knocked the door, rang the bell. It took them 3 minutes to open the door.
A lady opened the door. And that was the shock of my life.
She was a bald lady. The type of bald only patients on Chemo therapy would have.
She opened the door, looked at me and shut the door again, all in three seconds.

I stood there. Time had stopped. I was speechless. My heart beats reached 200, I was sweating. I felt the symptoms of a heart attack. I felt dizzy. I dropped my briefcase and my red rose. I can’t even describe what I felt. It was something I have never felt before. Something spiritually odd.

Suddenly, I heard people talking from inside.
“Wait a second, that’s Hindi” I said to myself.

Thank god.

My hearts started to pump blood again, it was the wrong flat.
I took my things and rushed to the lift. I just wanted to get the hell out of there.

I went down to the 16th floor. Now it’s the right flat. I knocked and nobody answered.

I stood there for more than 20 minutes waiting for someone to open the door for me.
Nobody did.

I went down to the supermarket, bought a pen and wrote this note:

“H, it’s me.
“This red rose is the last thing I want you to remember of me, if you decide not to speak to me again”

I left the rose at the doorstep along with the note.

I just realized that I love her. Not the boy-girl kind of love. It was something spiritual. Can’t describe it.

I just got home; I smoked 6 cigarettes a row. I have never done that before.

H, if you ever to read this, please don’t let us waste more time away from each other.

RnD

Perfect or Fake

2007-02-06T23:29:00.000+04:00

Part of my new collection about things I wish to change.

Beauty Standards

The above image is basically what trigged this post. Apparently Dove started this new campaign calling for “real beauty” standards. Regardless of the reason or purpose behind its new campaign, but Dove certainly pushed the right button and the campaign is spreading vastly now.
Why every woman should have Catherine Zeta Jones’ face? Or Jessica Alba’s body?

Why every guy should be as fit as Brad Pitt or Matthew McConaughey?

Who is beautiful and who is not? Who says who is beautiful and who's not?

For some reason, every one wants to date a 3-sized girl. Beauty standards were never biased like today.

I took a look at granny’s face yesterday, she is 65. In my eyes there is no prettier woman on earth. She is a symbol of growing beauty. Well, ok she is not as sexy as Haifa in a vulgar point of view, but at least she’s the nature’s fruit of years and years of aging.

Suddenly all the women look the same to me.

Why a chubby girl or guy should live a life full of misery because the society put a standard of waist size which he or she does not measure up to?

Stupidity. Plain Stupidity.

I want to conclude my post with a part of lyrics I dearly love:

“Unforgettable
That’s what you are.
Unforgettable is every way.
And forever more, that’s how you will stay,”

Unforgettable by Nat King Cole

Guys Can, Girls Can Not

2007-02-03T20:49:00.000+04:00

I have promised you before that I’d be posting about things I wanna change in the world.
My very first one ought to be:

Image is courtesy of Claudia Fernety

Guys Can Play Around, Girls Can Not

It’s really deep within our society that men are allowed and most of the time forgiven for playing around before or after marriage.

I am not suggesting that also women should be allowed to cheat or to become ‘prostitutes’.
Why is it ok for a 17-years-old boy to have a girlfriend, have sex and fool around? While a girl is not even allowed to have a male friend?

Well this is of course is handled differently within the layers of society. A villagers’ daughter would be killed if she ever was seen talking to a stranger, of course in the name of honor.
I have never heard that a boy was killed because his father had seen him in a girl’s company.
When a man proposes to marry a young lady, if he has a bad reputation; “it’s ok, every ‘man’ has his own past”. But if the woman is the one to be in the spot light; “I won’t marry a woman I had sex with before marriage” This is what a typical Arab man would say.

In an ideal world:

A man or a woman should be judged the same way, if the society does not allow her, so it should not allow him.

RnD

She Remains

2007-02-03T18:58:00.000+04:00

She, Aleppo.

Someday I will return.. and When I do...

I will kiss every wall and smell every tree..

Aleppo... my wine..

God knows how I miss you,

All the hell that I've been through

Just no city, no world would take your place..

photo taken by www.worldviewbeder.com
design courtesy of www.restlessindubai.com

Five Things You Didn't Know About RnD

2007-02-01T11:49:00.001+04:00

Thanks to Razan, this is my very first I-have-been-tagged post ever. This tag's idea is to reveal five things you do not know about me. Well, since I haven't been in the blogsphere for a long time, and haven't generated that much of an audience, I will pretend that you know nothing about me and reveal things you might have known before. So here we go:

1. I am Claustrophobic and Acrophobic. Yeppie, I fear heights and confined spaces. My worst nightmare is being trapped in an elevator of a skyscraper in the 50^th floor. What might seem silly and absurd has almost got me killed once. I was in a lift and it broke down and I had to remain trapped there for an hour and a half ALONE. I was nearly suffocating and sweating like a dog. Now, I've been in Dubai for about a year now, and thanks to Dubai's real estate boom, an average person will have to use the crowded elevators four or five times a day, so my phobias are actually being slowly cured.

2. I love pets. Cats, dogs and turtles. All kind of birds. I wanted to have a chick and a duck at home (just like the ones in Friends) but my next "thing to reveal" kept me from doing that.

3. I am allergic. Basically, to everything that any one can be allergic to. Oyster kills me. Sand, perfume, dust, carpets, cats, dogs, birds, fur, fabrics, and the list goes on. This leads me to my next thing to reveal,

4. My nose, well guys, it's really picky. Smells basically are on the top of my list. Whenever, whoever and wherever. Smells turn me on and certainly they turn me off. Believe it or not, if I am on a date and whoever I am dating didn't choose the right perfume which matches the season, the attire, the place and the occasion, if it does not, I turn them down. Picky, picky picky.

5. I love belling dancing. And no I don't mean watching belly dancer. I mean belly dance. I do not care what other people think, but it frees me and I feel more balanced. For some reason, I enjoy belling dancing in public. I guess I am revealing a little bit more than I should. Lol : J

So Razan, here are my five things you never knew about me, and I hope you are happy and grinning now after I exposed my belly dancing extravaganza. And I forgot one thing, it scares the shit out of me to be in the same room with a roach.

RnD *Shy*

Random Feelings

2007-01-27T00:11:00.000+04:00

I have not written a valid post for a while now. I have been up and down for the last few weeks.

I do not even know where to start.

I’ve been ill for 6 days now; I have a really bad flu and fever. My nose was so congested for the past 4 days and I’ve not been able to breathe normally. Of course the office (the manger in fact) required a sick leave note from the doctor. Although I knew what was wrong with me, but I had no choice but to go to the doctor. I didn’t who are the good doctors here to go to, and to be honest I did not care; I knew what to take and already had started taking the pills. My colleague at work had told me about this new center in Crystal Plaza where you can register for them for 200 DHS only and have as many consultation and check ups you need. I went there, paid the money and ‘consulted’ the physician. Had to pay another 150 DHS for a sinus X-Ray, about 200 DHS for some more pills, in total that note cost around 550 DHS, for only two days leave. Anyway, I paid the money and moved on.

Those two days granted me a chance to realize how lucky I am to have my two moms around. And NO I don’t have lesbian parents, the other mom is actually granny, she’s been a really mother to all of us. She’s been here for almost 10 days now, for a visit. I realized that every moment you spend with a loved one is a blessing and a treasure you should hold on to. I feel repentant that I hadn’t cherished my loved ones before as one should do.

Change of subject. Relationship.
Another major event happened during the last week. I’ve ended up a relationship with someone I loved. I will have to be discreet about the reasons behind this for the sake of the other party.

Change of subject. Work.

At work, things have been really chaotic lately. We had another major operation to launch, I was in charge of a big part of it, let aside the continuous process of hunting, screening, selecting, interviewing, second-interviewing, recruiting and training new staff. No doubt the two days leave I took put a hell lot of pressure on my neck for the rest of the week to catch up with and sort things out. We were lucky enough and now have a new agent coming next week to join

Change of subject. Fayrouz.

I don’t know why, but I have never liked Fayrouz when I was back home in Syria. Out of the sudden now, whenever I hear a song of hers, tears rush into my eyes and start going out in public. Maybe it’s not Fayrous herself, maybe what she represents. I guess it represent Syria for me, in a way. Whenever I listen to her, I start recalling these images in my head which had nothing to do with Fayrouz, none of these images included Fayrouz singing in the background. I know Fayrouz is not ‘Syrian’ though I bet she’s got more fans in Syria that she does in Lebanon or any other country. Suddenly Fayrouz is my new favorite getaways nowadays.

Change of subject. Lebanon.

Most probably most of you guys have heard about what’s going on in Lebanon. I don’t want to take sides now and tell who’s wrong and who’s not, but what’s happening now is shameful and sad. I can’t believe that civil war would actually get ignited again; I hope not, Lebanon and Lebanese people deserve to live in peace now after what they had to go through. Love and peace for Lebanon.

Change of subject. A new diet?

I am sick of myself. When I went to the clinic for a check up, the nurse did some routine check ups for blood pressure, temperature, weight and height, pulse and some other stuff. I was stunned to know that I gained 3 kilos than the last time I had weighed myself, which was not long back. The overweight thing is really starting to be a serious issue now, I can’t climb the stares comfortably, my back and knees always hurt, I started to build a second chin under my chin, let aside all the embarrassing shopping trips which now are really a hassle. I am looking now for a new diet I could actually start up without giving in after three days.

Big sigh now… I am sorry for my unfortunate readers who had to read all of this.

Forgive my grammar and spelling mistakes if any.

Peace out.

RnD.

Ten Million Things I Want to Change – the start up

2007-01-27T00:06:00.000+04:00

Well as the title suggest, there are millions of things I wanna change in this world.
It’s something I came up with and hope I could keep up. From now on, I am starting a new theme in my blog, in which I will be creating posts about every thing I want or hope to change in the world, one thing at a time.

These things I am planning to write about may not seem as important or serious as global warming or international terrorism, but at least they matter to me.

Now, when I am saying “things I wanna change” I am not implying that I will certainly be changing or taking actions toward changing these particular issues. I may be able to do something about them and I may not. Therefore, I ask of all of you guys out there not to give me hard time for not doing anything to change anything I would write about, after all I am just a guy in a big world.

I will try as hard as I could to be neutral and objective when writing, though I will be writing out of my own perspective, not representing any religion, race, nationality, party or any sort of group. They only represent what I think and believe in at the time I write them.

I will create a tag or a category for these posts under the word “Changes”.

Certainly, any opinion, feedback or suggestion is highly welcomed; you can always place your comment here or write to me at my email address:

resltessindubai@gmail.com

Expect the first post very soon.

Peace out.
RnD

Mini Monster

2007-01-24T15:47:00.001+04:00

Most of you guys, who know me or got the chance to chat with me for 5 minutes or more, are aware of how infatuated and obsessed I am with Mini.

Now, imagine this. my favorite Mini Cooper Checkmate Supercharged comes as a 4x4 Off Road.!! Impossible huh? Well that's not what the guys at AutoBlog say.

I can't wait to test drive that little monster.

Read more about it here.

RnD