Saturday, December 31, 2005
HAPPY 2006!
Friday, December 30, 2005
Your Horoscope for Today
March 21 - April 19
You're likely to receive an enthusiastic yes to that important question. You should be able to multiply your rewards considerably.
April 20 - May 20
Your interest in matters historical will serve you well, as you study your own heritage for signs and omens. A clue is discovered later on.
May 21 - June 21
A domestic situation is likely to be blown out of proportion unless you are willing to take charge and keep things under control.
June 22 - July 22
Look toward the future, and think about devising new ways to accomplish most necessary on a day-by-day basis.
July 23 - Aug 22
Someone you know well may be unusually combative, and it will be important for you to stay out of the line of fire, no matter what.
Aug 23 - Sept 22
Though you may be feeling proud and confident, someone younger and less experienced than you may actually overshadow you at some point.
Sept 23 - Oct 22
A close friend may have let you down recently, but that is no reason to take any kind of revenge. Make forgiving overtures.
Oct 23 - Nov 21
Don't be premature in thought or action, or you will be the one to suffer the consequences. Others are looking to involve you in some way.
Nov 22 - Dec 21
Give someone else the credit he or she deserves. Don't underestimate your own staying power. Do what you can to help a friend.
Dec 22 - Jan 19
It may take you some time to figure out logistics and other practicalities. Concentrate on the details, and don't overlook finances.
Jan 20 - Feb 18 (mine, & yes gifts will be accepted from 1/1/2006)
It's time to work on your romantic strategy. Even if you're in a permanent relationship, you were best to turn on more than the charm.
Feb 19 - March 20
Try not to expect too much from yourself; you have your limitations, and you must be willing to accept them and live with them day after day.
You're likely to receive an enthusiastic yes to that important question. You should be able to multiply your rewards considerably.
April 20 - May 20
Your interest in matters historical will serve you well, as you study your own heritage for signs and omens. A clue is discovered later on.
May 21 - June 21
A domestic situation is likely to be blown out of proportion unless you are willing to take charge and keep things under control.
June 22 - July 22
Look toward the future, and think about devising new ways to accomplish most necessary on a day-by-day basis.
July 23 - Aug 22
Someone you know well may be unusually combative, and it will be important for you to stay out of the line of fire, no matter what.
Aug 23 - Sept 22
Though you may be feeling proud and confident, someone younger and less experienced than you may actually overshadow you at some point.
Sept 23 - Oct 22
A close friend may have let you down recently, but that is no reason to take any kind of revenge. Make forgiving overtures.
Oct 23 - Nov 21
Don't be premature in thought or action, or you will be the one to suffer the consequences. Others are looking to involve you in some way.
Nov 22 - Dec 21
Give someone else the credit he or she deserves. Don't underestimate your own staying power. Do what you can to help a friend.
Dec 22 - Jan 19
It may take you some time to figure out logistics and other practicalities. Concentrate on the details, and don't overlook finances.
Jan 20 - Feb 18 (mine, & yes gifts will be accepted from 1/1/2006)
It's time to work on your romantic strategy. Even if you're in a permanent relationship, you were best to turn on more than the charm.
Feb 19 - March 20
Try not to expect too much from yourself; you have your limitations, and you must be willing to accept them and live with them day after day.
My Adopted Cat, Safi
She came to our house as a cute black and white kitten, and she decided to call it home. Safi has always been sweet and gentle but she never lived inside our home. Recently she's become more adventurous and has been trying to come in, when i allow her, she runs back outside.
Today she's napping next to me on the sofa in my diwania, i'm very happy that she has decided to accept me :)
Today she's napping next to me on the sofa in my diwania, i'm very happy that she has decided to accept me :)
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Unfaithfulness: Where do you draw the line?
Your boyfriend/girlfriend is hiding from you his/her friendship with an ex?
Your husband/wife is chatting for long hours on the net with the same person, regularly?
Your friend is always calling your husband/wife on the phone?
Your friend is dating your ex and he/she has not told you?
Your husband/wife gets physically very close to certain people when saying hello?
Your cousin has a crush on your husband/wife?
Your husband/wife has a crush on your cousin?
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
What Would You Do for a Loved One?
Would you move for them?
Would you lie for them?
Would you change your religion/beliefs for them?
Would you change your habits/lifestyle (good or bad) for them?
Would you quit your job for them?
Would you give up a friend for them?
Would you give up drugs (includes recreational drugs and alcohol) for them?
Would you wear the hijab for them (girls only)?
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Intolerance
I do not know if its age, or a result of disappointments, or it’s my hormones, or all of the above, but I’ve become outwardly intolerant to more issues than I used to be a few years ago (3 to be exact).
Doubts: I cannot handle anyone doubting my integrity because I work very hard on it. Latest example: I called a real estate developer, my questions were general. So:
Man: Are you calling from a real estate company?
Me: No sir, I am just looking to invest a very small amount of money and need your advice.
3 minutes later into the conversation:
Man: You sound as if you work for a real estate company.
Me: Yes I do.
Man: So why didn’t you say so when I first asked you?
Me: Because I do not and this is not a way to talk to anyone, especially a potential customer. Good bye.
Consideration: When I show that I care, it means I do and when I show that I do not care, it means that I do not. So when I sense that a friend is not feeling comfortable about something I said or did, I will try to fix the situation as soon as I notice his/her discomfort, and take a mental note to their sensitivity. When this kind of consideration is not reciprocated, it automatically translates into indifference, and because it’s someone you care about, it hurts.
Your feet go where your heart loves (badly translated from an Egyptian proverb):
I had several meetings to arrange in Dubai, and since W was going, I arranged them so that I’m there at the same time she was. It was difficult, but it is rare that she travels in the Middle East, so it was an opportunity I had to take. Another wonderfully loyal and considerate friend (who needed a break from her home teaching schedule, since her kids vacation just started) joined us too.
We didn’t do anything wild or crazy, we didn’t discover new things or jump from an airplane, but we had an amazing time because we were together.
Doubts: I cannot handle anyone doubting my integrity because I work very hard on it. Latest example: I called a real estate developer, my questions were general. So:
Man: Are you calling from a real estate company?
Me: No sir, I am just looking to invest a very small amount of money and need your advice.
3 minutes later into the conversation:
Man: You sound as if you work for a real estate company.
Me: Yes I do.
Man: So why didn’t you say so when I first asked you?
Me: Because I do not and this is not a way to talk to anyone, especially a potential customer. Good bye.
Consideration: When I show that I care, it means I do and when I show that I do not care, it means that I do not. So when I sense that a friend is not feeling comfortable about something I said or did, I will try to fix the situation as soon as I notice his/her discomfort, and take a mental note to their sensitivity. When this kind of consideration is not reciprocated, it automatically translates into indifference, and because it’s someone you care about, it hurts.
Your feet go where your heart loves (badly translated from an Egyptian proverb):
I had several meetings to arrange in Dubai, and since W was going, I arranged them so that I’m there at the same time she was. It was difficult, but it is rare that she travels in the Middle East, so it was an opportunity I had to take. Another wonderfully loyal and considerate friend (who needed a break from her home teaching schedule, since her kids vacation just started) joined us too.
We didn’t do anything wild or crazy, we didn’t discover new things or jump from an airplane, but we had an amazing time because we were together.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Oppression?
The anonymous blog http://anonymous.kuwaitblogs.com, put up by Nibaq, is an excellent social study. It revealed that many of our Kuwaiti brethren are suffering from oppression and they have now found a place where they can vent out.
Meanwhile, in the land of truer oppression, i was in Riyadh last week, and went to Harvey Nichols, and all of a sudden and at the call of prayer, i got rushed in to the fitting room by the security guards and was stuck there for 45 minutes. I felt like i was cattle and the smell of Jimmy Choo leather did not help. I was so mad i wanted to break something.
Imagine if you had to go through this kind of treatment over and over again. What would the anonymous posts and comments look like?
Meanwhile, in the land of truer oppression, i was in Riyadh last week, and went to Harvey Nichols, and all of a sudden and at the call of prayer, i got rushed in to the fitting room by the security guards and was stuck there for 45 minutes. I felt like i was cattle and the smell of Jimmy Choo leather did not help. I was so mad i wanted to break something.
Imagine if you had to go through this kind of treatment over and over again. What would the anonymous posts and comments look like?
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Bloggers
Yesterday on Anonymous.blogspot.com i read a post by someone who was very disappointed after she met other fellow bloggers because she imagined the bloggers she saw to be tall, dark, mysterious and handsome, but infact she was faced with geaks with sweaty palms and hairy necklines (not quoting, but rather guessing the hairy part).
So i sat and wondered what would people imagine me to look and be like? And what do you the people, bloggers, which i read and/or comment on their blogs look like. Do you want to have a chance at guessing?
So i sat and wondered what would people imagine me to look and be like? And what do you the people, bloggers, which i read and/or comment on their blogs look like. Do you want to have a chance at guessing?
- Nanonano from 7anna7inno.blogspot.com
- Catch-22 from thedramaofliving.blogspot.com
- bujaij from q8ymonkeys.blogspot.com
- thedon from q80chopper.blogspot.com
- Misguided from dwblog.net
- Msbaker from dwblog.net
- georhythm from georhythm.blogspot.com
- shosho from q8iat.blogspot.com
- shurouq from jabriya.blogspot.com
- papillona from papillona.blogspot.com
- Equalizer from q8restaurants.blogspot.com
- Jewaira from jewaira.blogspot.com
- kilama6goog from kilama6goog.blogspot.com
Note: (1) I read more blogs than the above mentioned but the above would suffice. (2) I would have added Zaydoun but everyone has seen what he looks like by now and there's no guessing there.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Hard Core Blogging Post
Remember the good ol' days when we would just ramble on in our blogs not caring who was reading and how they reacted? Well here is a post i will write straight on blogger (without even spell checking) ...
I was in Dubai for the day yesterday for a meeting with suppliers from France and Holland. Present at the meeting was also a Christian Palestinian from Jerusalem. I didn't stay overnight to save on costs to the co. and so that i do not miss 2 days of work (reminder: i work thursdays) and it turned out to be a pleasant meeting.
After business talk, we discussed politics and religion. I find everyday that Europeans are probably more intouch with Middle East politics and culture than most of us living here are. For the first time i was not afraid to say
"Hijab was not mentioned in the Quran"
"All the Abrahamic religions are the same, they call for us to believe in one God, and whether i eat the bottom part of a lamb, or if i eat pork or not does not make my religion"
I was in Dubai for the day yesterday for a meeting with suppliers from France and Holland. Present at the meeting was also a Christian Palestinian from Jerusalem. I didn't stay overnight to save on costs to the co. and so that i do not miss 2 days of work (reminder: i work thursdays) and it turned out to be a pleasant meeting.
After business talk, we discussed politics and religion. I find everyday that Europeans are probably more intouch with Middle East politics and culture than most of us living here are. For the first time i was not afraid to say
"Hijab was not mentioned in the Quran"
"All the Abrahamic religions are the same, they call for us to believe in one God, and whether i eat the bottom part of a lamb, or if i eat pork or not does not make my religion"
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Payback
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Hand Shake Etiquette
I am confused as to when to extend my hands or when not to and here is how I became confused:
As a youngster, when it was okay for everyone to pinch my cheeks and kiss me adoringly, I used to observe my grandmother (God rest her soul) shaking hands with the few strange men she would come across from behind her abbaya-- Believing that if she didn’t do that she would have to do the wudhoo ritual again for prayer.
My mother and father on the other hand, always shook hands with the opposite sex with their bare hands.
So of course, curious little sheba decided to research why grandma shook hands that way, and found that in the teachings of Sunni Islam, there were different schools. Our family for example followed imam Al-Shafii. Shafites would not need to do wudhoo before prayer if they shook hands with someone from the opposite sex, while other scholars stated that wudhoo is a must. (Note: so grandma covering her hand with the material from her abbaya was more culture influenced than religiously driven).
Of course, then came the peak of Islamic fundamentalism in the Ninetees, when all of a sudden anyone with a Phd could decide what is sinful and what is not, and they decided that a man and a woman should not shake hands. From then onwards I think common people stopped listening to the bearded fanatics but still they left us confused.
Recently, I received a guest who comes from a very conservative and religious background, and he extends his hands to me (no he was not a perv either!). Then I received someone who looks very “regular” and when I extended out my right limb, he apologized for not being able to reciprocate my gesture by putting his hands on his chest and bowing. I know that it is usually up to the woman to extend her hands or not, but I am now totally confused because I do not want to embarrass anyone, in spite of my beliefs and/or teachings.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Colors
I went out yesterday with a dear friend of mine who wears the hijab. She’s also one of the most elegant women I know. However, she was in black from head to toe. And all of a sudden I felt suffocated and remembered the Taliban blue burgaas and I also remembered that I’ll be going to Riyadh soon and I too will be covered in a mono color. And then I realized or perhaps imagined that the men (from the Taliban or the Haya’ah in Saudi Arabia) that are or were appointed to ensure that women are not individually dressed are probably the lowest ranking ones, those who have been made to believe that they have the biggest roles in saving women’s chastity via their uniform while the higher ranking officers were/are enjoying the powers which count, the power which brings loads of money into their greedy pockets and which allows them to get away with murder.
So, in my next trip to the Kingdome, dare I break the Wahabi mono-color dress code? Or will I fear that my individuality will be translated into a sinful desire to attract men?
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