F. says

What if...

2010-05-06T12:14:00.001+03:00

...the only right person for me was just too afraid to make a move?

Black Smoke and Time Travel

2010-04-25T21:24:00.001+03:00

Everytime an episode of Lost finishes I find myself staring at my confused/stunned face in the black reflection on my laptop screen.

I love it.

I wanted to, but...

2010-04-25T13:41:00.001+03:00

"Hello." The hardest word? No, that's not right is it?

Ugh!

For all those who have exams...I wish you the best of luck.

Let Me Hold You

2009-11-23T11:33:00.006+03:00

I had a dream to match this lovely song...

I know what it means...do you?

***

I am at work, phasing out, blanking out in the middle of things or just finding myself with nothing to do. Maybe I'm tired...sleepy...suffering from after-rush + quick U-turn into depressing mode thing...

Decode people...decode! Try to keep up.

*I'm sure you understand how wierd I'm feeling right now. Sorry.

Wait. Should I even be apologizing? Hmm...

Confused Shopping

2009-11-03T19:13:00.003+03:00

I went to the supermarket by myself the other day, and as I was heading to the cash registers I was beckoned, quite enthusiastically, by the worker that puts the bought items in the bags to the cash register he was stood at. And I was like, "Okay. Fine. I'll pick your lane today." Now, I had gone shopping for only a few items and so I was carrying my stuff in a basket rather than pushing them along in a trolley, and I happened to also be carrying a 4kg box of detergent (because it didn't fit in the basket) and so this same guy comes up to me and carries the box for me and proceeds to empty my basket on to the conveyor belt.

I don't know if you noticed, but I refered to this guy simply as "the worker." And I did that intentionally because, frankly, I'm quite confused as to what his job really is. Does his job description include: push trolley, retrieve forgotten items from shelves, bag items, carry things for customers, empty items into customer's car, mop the floor, bring change from neighbouring cash register...? I doubt it. But they seem to be taking over that way. I mean next thing you know, they might flip out their wallets and pay for the stuff too.

It's ridiculous. Who do I blame for this confusing and bizarre phenomenon? Us, ofcourse...we...the people, who have become so dependant, so willing to have others do things for us, in return for some petty cash. And these poor guys need it so they do what they can...anything and everything.

Well, listen here mister...I can carry my own stuff, push my own trolley and I can damn well choose which cash register I'm going to pay at!

Sigh ... enough venting? Yes. I think so.

Human Nature

2009-10-29T17:21:00.003+03:00

I went to see This Is It at the IMAX theatre in 360 last night. Glad I did. Mainly because I got to sit back and groove to all his great songs.

Singing along and snapping my fingers to the beat...I genuinely had a good time and I now have MJ's song list on constant playback in my head.

He exuded professionalism, an immense attention to detail, and just pure love for what he was doing...he was passionate about making people happy with great music right to the end...

WEEKEND!!! Woohoo!

I miss my sister. She studies in Canada and is persumably emmersed in examinations right now...so I haven't talked to her in ages. Missing you girl.

I want to buy flowers...roses...

And the weather is amazing...fine drizzles in the early morning hours...with the great roar of thunder every now and then...mainly the overcast colour grey. Oh and the wind...ahhh the wind.

Moody P

2009-10-28T14:32:00.002+03:00

This week was the absolute opposite of its predecessor. I feel like I have nothing to do at work, constantly find myself looking at the time.

My work at home has been far more productive (don't get excited - it was small in size but more productive than work at work!) The Unfolding of Language is very interesting...and so easy to read. I always put off non-fiction because I feel like the seriousness is such a bummer and thus inappropriate for a light, after-hard-working-day (yeah right!) kinda read. But this book has proven me wrong. It's insightful, very interesting and informative but remains down to earth and cleverly humourous.

Going to see This Is It on IMAX today. Not so excited to be honest. But I promised my sister I would go, so...
Also, the 34th annual book fair was launched this morning...I'm sure it won't be any different from the ones before, but I might go in search for some good reads.

33 hours and 17 minutes to the weekend. COME ON!

Index Card

2009-10-18T21:51:00.003+03:00

This morning at work, I was typing away, sending e-mails to members of staff, reminding them about their deadlines, urging them to send the required elements...And for a moment, I stop. And I smile. A warm and bright light glows inside me.
The work was not done. I was, am and will be extremely busy for days to come. But I feel content. I feel like I'm doing something, no matter how little or insignificant. Doing things that are changing me, slowly, not into a different person, just a better version of me.
There are thousands of things that I still want to do. This very moment. But alas, we are bound by time, responsibilities, priorities. And yet, I somehow still feel content, satisfied, almost. I still manage to smile.

I've been writing more which is great. Reading more too. TV has become something of the past. It's like nothing good is ever on anymore. I miss movies and shows. All in good time though, all in good time.

Not spending so much time with my family. Not as much as I'd like. I thought I'd be really upset at that, which I am, frankly, but this break has made me appreciate them so much more, enjoy their company so much more when we are together.

This post was supposed to go up on Thursday. But it's still applicable so I'm posting it today. Also, it should not be mistaken for a sad or gloomy post. It's more of a saintly realization of contentment sort of thing...

:)

Finally, Fiction.

2009-10-09T11:49:00.002+03:00

“Grace!” Mummy called, “Can you please get the door?” I grunted as I put my dollies back into the box, promising them that I’d be back soon. I stomped down the stairs and I skipped past the mirror down the hall and I opened the door. There he was, standing tall and lean. His brown hair was curly, and it fell near his bright blue eyes. He wore pretty clothes, like the men in magazines. He wore perfectly ironed white trousers and a beautiful sky blue jumper with a white collar popping out near the neck. He kneeled down and I could smell his perfume. It reminded me of Dad on Sunday mornings. “Hello there!” He said. His voice felt nice, just like licking the rest of the cake batter from the bowl off my fingers. His eyes stared into mine for a second then shot upwards. “Ms. Carlson!” Mummy had come to greet the pretty man. “Hey James! I see you’ve met my Grace,” said Mummy, leading him into the house. “Cute kid” he said as he followed Mummy into the living room. It was a while before I got back to my senses. I thought the pretty man’s eyes had hypnotized me like I saw on TV the other day, but I managed to get back to my room all right. I felt different though and it was as if they had filled me up with air and I was floating like a balloon. I ran to my bed and grabbed Chester and hugged him tight. I couldn’t stop smiling.

We came into a spacious living room that was magnificently furnished. A huge window, looking out on a clean blue pool, let in the warm sunshine. There was rich, dark mahogany everywhere; the tables, the bookcase and a grand piano that was the centerpiece of the room. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was more than clear that Ms. Carlson had great taste, in furniture at least. We sat down and she said, “This is it. You think it’ll do?” “I think it’s perfect!” I replied. We started talking about the preparations for next week; what she needed to come in and what she wanted to be taken out. She then began to show me around the room. “I’d like to have some more chairs brought in here, about fifteen more, and that is where the food’s going to be.”
We slowly made our way to the bar, which faced the living room from the east side and was open to a small, tidy kitchen. We continued chatting about the party while she poured me some fresh lemonade. She then said, “I don’t know what to do with the piano though, it’s taking up so much space and I don’t know if I should keep it.” I didn’t have to think twice about it. “Don’t even think about it,” I nearly screamed. “It just pulls everything together. You should definitely keep it.” We talked about the colour scheme and the flower arrangements and the catering and all the while I jotted all the information down on my Blackberry. After a short while, it was time to head back to the office. It was clearly going to be a long week, but I was sure it would all be worth it in the end. I loved my job. I told Ms. Carlson to give me a call whenever she had to. “Thanks for the lemonade. Loved it,” I said as I headed out. “No problem, I’ll tell Grace you liked it.” “Grace?” I said looking back. “My daughter,” replied Ms. Carlson, as the little girl’s head turned quickly behind the wall.

“What are you doing, sneaking behind walls?” Mummy said. I could feel my ears getting hot. “I wanted to get myself some lemonade.” I ran to the counter where the cool jug was. “Who was that, Mummy?” “James? He’s going to help organize the party we’re having here next week, for Mummy’s new magazine.” “How come?” “Well, it’s what he does. It’s his job, and he’s very good at it.” I was still a little puzzled by this, I had never heard of anyone who threw parties for a living. “You can stay and watch him work next time he comes by. Would you like that?” My heart did a little flip; he’s coming over again. “Yes” I said putting my now empty glass back on the counter.

To be continued.

Fire Truck

2009-09-27T19:51:00.004+03:00

At the risk of repeating myself, I post this video. I couldn't resist the urge of sharing the utter genius, the sheer magnificense, the irresistable charm of Michael Bublé.
He's hip, he's hot, and he's happening. His music FEELS good. It really does.
I don't want to keep going on and on for fear of uncovering my secret obsession/crush (call it what you may)...
Just watch the video... :)

And now, at the risk of contradicting myself, I absolutely cannot wait. (Refer to the post before last if you don't get the joke. If you still don't get it, then I should stop trying to be funny.)

**Update on the writing: We're getting there.

Cheers.

0

2009-09-22T01:48:00.003+03:00

In an attempt at getting my writing mojo back in action, I've decided to take a look back on some random old posts of mine, with the hope of finding that lost spark.

I have to say, it was quite interesting. A lot of the time I would be like: "I wrote that?!" or "What was going on when I wrote that?" And to be frank, and if I dare say so myself, I was impressed with a lot of the things I had written.
I also went back and read some of your old comments. Your comments are really important and are a great source of motivation that pushes me to do something about writing again, because part of why I do this is to get feedback from readers, so...

Something tells me I could use this extra long Eid break wisely and try to come up with something. I'm going to try and continue with some fiction I started in 2008. We'll see how that goes.

Also I want to update my iPod. Watch a couple of movies. Maybe draw something.

So far it's been family get-togethers, which is'nt bad. I think seeing family is a healthy thing. And with it being Eid, everyone's there, and everyone's put that extra effort in looking good, and being nice and swell etc.

This is the first Eid I don't get any Eidiyas. :( It felt weird.

Wishing you all a happy Eid.

I Can Wait

2009-09-18T17:07:00.001+03:00

New Michael Buble single
Haven't Met You Yet:

*melts*

Frangipani

2009-08-15T21:17:00.002+03:00

I want to post more. I practically think about posting everyday, but I don't have anything to write about. I haven't written any fiction in ages either. It's like I go blank every time I think of writing.

I guess I can let you know what's been happening with me lately, with some random updates a la Amethyst (because I love you A.):

Been into fashion blogs. Some faves: The Sartorialist - Go Fug Yourself

Started watching Grey's Anatomy. I approve.

Thinking of ways to lose a few pounds.

Feeling uglier by the day. Advice much appreciated.

I want to cook. Not bake. Cook.

Strangely thinking about having a summer cleaning session for my room. Linked to the feeling ugly bit, I guess.

Battery running low. So I guess I'll be off. Any advice on how to get my writing mojo on...or on anything for that matter is highly appreciated. Thanks.

Kiss of Life

2009-08-01T18:56:00.001+03:00

I'm happy because I just:

Watched Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden

Bought two new books

Listened to a great song

Kiss of Life - Friendly Fires. Enjoy:

Movie Marathon

2009-07-21T17:17:00.004+03:00

Wow! It's 6 thirty already. Time flies by when you do lots of stuff. Between work and spending a little time relaxing with the "famille", and going to places...the day's suddenly over. And you can still think of things you have to do.

As long as I don't feel tired, I'm happy. Busy is good. I need busy.

So I watched a few movies recently (you can see which in the Last Movie F. Watched bit) and I must say I was pleased with all three.

The Half Blood Prince was very good. I enjoyed it a lot. Although in movies like this, where they have to cram a huge book into a movie time slot, you unfortunately don't get to see much of the characters. I mean, you could actually count the lines assigned to each character on your fingers. But quality beats quantity...so I guess it's alright. And while we're talking about lines and scripts...I just wanted to say how British the script seemed...The use of words like "bloke" and "snog" are used constantly...I loved it. And obviously...there were differences between the book and the movie...as usual, but still it was a good enough adaptaion and it was also a truly good movie in it's own right. Highly recommended.

Yes Man was cute. I enjoyed watching it with my sisters, eating gummy bears and Cheetos. Very cute. Jim Carrey was great...he didn't over do it with his faces and funny sounds (they were still there [how can they not be] but were used sparingly) I felt like it was a comdey with a story...rom-com meets comedy meets chick flick, sort of. Which is great...there's a story there...a story with heart. Recommended to those who want a fun afternoon get together with friends/family...

And finally, Doubt. Much more serious; requiring thought and reflection after viewing. This is a movie where the viewer decides what the story is. What more can you ask for...you end the movie how you want it. It's up to you! Great performances reign. They're everywhere. The great Meryl Streep, Seymour Hoffman continues to please, and rising star Amy Adams...I loved how they used recurring symbols or motifs to suggest different things. Recommended to those who prefer "deeper" movies with lots of dialogue.

Okay...enough blabbering for today.

Later.

Employed

2009-07-13T19:23:00.006+03:00

It's been hectic the past week. I feel like someone's plucked me out of my context and put me somewhere else.

I am finally working. I started last week. I'm really glad I found something similar to what I wanted...something that'll give me adequate training for my future plans. Like I said, it was a little hectic, all with settling in, getting to know the place and the staff, working out my duties etc.

But I'm optimistic. Hopefully it'll be a good experience to say the least. I'll let you know how it's going.

The thing is though, after spending a whole year at home, it's kind of weird spending less time at home and with the family. And I don't have to mention the waking up early part. I haven't done that in ages, so I'm adjusting.

I went to 360 Mall last weekend. It seems like a nice shopping mall...I mean what else can I say. But there was one thing that impressed me very much and that's the Om Kulthoom Museum they're holding there. It was really impressive. A good marketing tool too, to get people to visit the mall. Although you don't really need to spend that much of an effort marketing for a mall in Kuwait...Anyway, back to the museum, it's definately worth visitng.

What else can I cram into this post...let's see. Oh yes. Comedy. I never considered myself as a fan of the genre of comedy. I actually thought I hated it. I felt like it was unsophisticated, meaningless clowning around. I don't want to mention any names, but let's just say that the "comedians" I was exposed to prior to this point in time, weren't funny. They weren't funny, they weren't artisits, they weren't talented (And the list could go on and on and on...) But recently, I have seen the light, so to speak. I wandered unchartered paths and discovered treasures I never knew existed, great names like Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx and Charlie Chaplin, and now I can't stop admiring the gem that is comedy.

I feel like this topic is going to take many more words to cover, and I really want to share my new fascination with you, so I'll stop here today, but I promise to write more on this subject.

Until then...

The Funk of Forty Thousand Years

2009-06-30T01:19:00.005+03:00

Hello.

I know it's old news by now, but this is my share.

Michael Jackson passed away. I must say I was quite shocked, although the news came in like a looming fog rather than a bolt of thunder, if you know what I mean. I was shocked because it had never occured to me that he would no longer exist. I mean, it's not like he was constantly mentioned or always on my mind and now he's gone or anything like that, it's just that I never thought Michael Jackson would die...just like that. I never really THOUGHT about it, I guess that's what I'm trying to say. And that was the saddest thing about it all really. That it happened so suddenly, so out of the blue. Alas! At least he left us all with music that is pure genius. Music through which he will live on. I hope my kids, if I ever have any, will one day listen to his records and appreciate them as much as I do.

Okay, enough of that. I've been watching some old TV shows from the 50's on YouTube, and they've sparked something big inside of me. A pleasure and a yearning for the past. The charm, the wit, the beauty, the talent, the politeness even...*sighhhh!* More on that in later post. Let this be a tease.

Music that I'm into right now:
La Roux. Her music's fresh yet very reminiscent of the 80's. This is her single "Bulletproof". If you like it go ahead and listen her other stuff. Pretty much all of it has the same vibe. Very catchy, dancey...perfect!

Enjoy,

And now...
I must be going.

Where is Neda's Vote?

2009-06-24T02:45:00.005+03:00

The shocking video and images of martyr and now symbol of freedom and human rights, not only in Iran but the whole world over, Neda Agha Soltan, are ones that bring turmoil into the mind and soul of everyone who views them. I feel shock, grief, anger, responsibility. They are images that will never be forgotten, that stand for so much more than just the horrible act that brought them into being. I don't want to get into politics now, it's just too early in the morning. But justice will be served...one way or the other...be it today, or tomorrow...Neda's voice, which resembles that of so many Iranians, shall not be silenced, but made louder by her passing.

"You can kill the people, but you cannot kill the voice."

Back

2009-06-17T15:08:00.005+03:00

Hello.

I haven't disappeared off of the face of the Earth, so I don't have a good excuse for not posting in ages. Ages being exactly 2 months and 3 days. And I can't say that nothing has been happening because plenty of things happened but I just...and at the risk of sounding like a selfish, un-dedicated b****, I just didn't feel like blogging.

Whenever that voice of reason crept by my ear and said, "F., your blog needs updating. Go and post something, it'll be good for you," I shunned it, and went on doing the mundane things that have become my life. Even when the voice started sounding like, "Look at what you've turned into! Your brain cells have decreased in both amount and size, now GO BLOG!!!" I wouldn't listen. It was like I was lulled; I was alive, but not quite living.

Something needed to happen. I won't say it has yet, but I feel it coming soon. It's as if I have been walking along this road in a deserted town. But I have finally reached the turn, the curve in the road. and I can't really see what's coming, but I shall welcome it with open arms when it comes because I need the change.

And in the wise words of some Christina Baldwin, "Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix."

To celebrate "the come-back" and to reinforce this idea of change and new beginnings, I might be changing my layout. I have my eye on one which is new but still has the same feel to it. We'll see how it goes.

The above ramblings have been tweeked and twisted to make reality seem more dramatic. Trust at your own risk.

AbdulWahab AlAwadhi Art Exhibition

2009-04-14T15:28:00.003+03:00

Boushahri Art Gallery cordially invites you to attend the opening ceremony of the art exhibition by Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi on Saturday, 18th of April 2009 @ 7:00 pm

Date:
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Time:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
Boushahri Art Gallery
Street:
Baghdad Street
City/Town:
Salmiya, Kuwait

21

2009-04-12T17:09:00.002+03:00

Full-On Metamorphosis - Zwickau

2009-03-24T17:31:00.003+03:00

The Make-Your-Own-Album-Cover Tag:

(tagged by Amethyst)

The Rules:

STEP 1 - NAME OF YOUR ARTIST/BAND Go to “Wikipedia.com”, hit “Random Article” (or just click the following link) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first random Wikipedia article is “The name of your Artist/Band”.

STEP 2 - ALBUM NAME Go to “Quotationspage.com”, then click on “Random quotations” (or just click the following link) http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the “Title of your first album”.

STEP 3 - ALBUM ART Go to Flickr.com, click on “Explore”, then click on “The last seven days” (or just click the following link) http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

STEP 4 - PUT IT TOGETHER Crop the image to a square format. Use Photoshop or similar programs to put the text together in any way you like.

Here's mine:

I now pronounce the following bloggers: Eshda3wa and Moos ... TAGGED!

Flutter

2009-03-21T22:05:00.005+03:00

Crushing.

Over a boy that is.

A boy I might never actually meet. But still it feels amazing.

*SCREAMS A HAPPY SCREAM*

*Snaps out of it*

I am feeling really excited. Dancing and listening to music much more than before. Feeling like dressing up and looking good. Like doing something active. Going out. I'm being optimistic about the job. Wanting to go on a summer shopping spree. Craving cool pools and a good tan. The sound of the sun embracing by body and sizzling it into a deeper shade of copper. Copper. Lovely colour.

*Realises she hasn't really snapped out of it*

I wish my mother all the best. Allah y5aleeha lina inshallah wala ya7rimna minha.

Same goes out to all the mothers of the world. A mother is the root of everything.

Hugs and Kisses.

Shocking and Not So Shocking

2009-03-19T13:14:00.004+03:00

The inevitable finally happened. The parliament is now dissolved. By constitutional means.

The Emir has made a good decision, I believe...He's done his part, and it is now up to us, the people. It's in our hands to try and make change for the better. An end is always followed by a new beginning, so let's stay hopeful. But please, spread awareness about the necessity of making the "right" choice. If the same people end up in that Assembly...God, I wouldn't know what to say...This should be a wake up call. We have to seriously think about what's best, not only for us and for Kuwait now, but for the generations to come.

I'm so excited that I'll be eligible to elect this time around. It'll be my first time.

* * *

On to more shocking news.

I read today that talented actress Natasha Richardson died yesterday, at the age of 45, after suffering from a head injury while skiing. I read that she was hospitalized two days ago but I didn't think she would die. Poor thing. So unexpected. My condolences go to her husband Leam Neeson, her mother Vanessa Redgrave and the rest of her family, and to all her fans. She was a talented actress...

A Fruit Picker, A Missing Cat and Money in A Ditch

2009-03-16T10:45:00.006+03:00

I was scrolling through www.MSNBC.msn.com and came across some wierd news I thought was worhty of sharing:

*Woman mistaken for monkey, gets shot.
Apparantly she was trying to pick fruit from her neighbours tree and, hearing rustling in his yard, the neighbour shot at her thinking she was a monkey. She was hospitalized and suffered a wound to the abdomen but is now stable. This took place in Malaysia by the way.

*Sofa Surprise: Cat found inside $27 used couch.
Watching a baseball match in Washington, a man felt something move inside his newly bought used couch. Upon closer inspection he found that a cat had managed to climb in through a tiny whole underneath and gotten stuck. This explained the previously unexplained meowing his wife kept hearing, ever since they had bought the used couch from a nearby store. After some media exposure, a man came forth and claimed his cat Callie, who had gone missing at about the same time he donated his couch to the store. Poor thing.

*Teen gives away thousands in cash he found.
Ater finding a stash of cash in a ditch by the road, a 16 year old boy gave away $11,000 of the original $18,000 to fellow students and school aide. When questioned, he at first said the money was out of his allowance, but later confessed to police that he had found it in a ditch along with marijuana and a set of scales. The money was collected back from the students but the boy did not face charges. The police called him "a good kid" trying to help those in need. With a drug junkie's cash.

La Revolution Des Crabes

2009-02-18T22:24:00.003+03:00

Hello again. I don't normally publish a new post so soon after the last one, but I just watched a short film that I thought was absolutely fantastic. I had to share.

"Direcotr Arthur de Pins / France / 2003
Humorous and insightful animation about a blighted species of crabs." - YouTube

What do you make of this movie? What's the moral you take out of it?

Between You and Me

2009-02-18T19:51:00.002+03:00

As promised, here are a couple of pictures of the flag I made last week.

I watched a couple of episodes of this show that seems to be all the rage right now. It's called "Bayni O Baynkom" (Between You and Me) and it's aired on Flash TV, it's charismatic (or so they say) host is one "Bo Kharshad." Now I thought I'd raise a couple of questions regarding this trend that seems to be all the hype right now (yes there are others like this one on other channels.) It's basically a show with very little on the screen but the host ( I don't know whether they were trying to go for a minimalistic look, or perhaps their low budgets can provide for little more than just that...) and the host basically rants about negative issues going on in the country with a call coming in every now and then from a dedicated or amused viewer who either praises or makes fun of the said host. Now, why has there become this general tendency for us to just rant and complain about things? Sure, through this kind of behaviour we uncover the problems that we believe are being neglected, but I don't feel like these peoples' purposes are to bring change, I honestly believe they just want to rant. And why are viewers pulled in by this type of show? I seriously feel like I'm losing brain cells watching them. Try it, and tell me what you think. I feel like I know all this stuff already, and that what we really need are people who are willing to actually do something about these problems, rather than just act all concerned and rant about them on TV. We can all be doing something more useful with our time, like read a good book, go out for a walk, spend time making constructive chit-chat with family members, or better yet work do something that will make Kuwait a better place than it already is.

I'd like to hear your take on this. Post a comment.

Diary

2009-02-10T22:33:00.005+03:00

Hello. I've been feeling quite productive lately. I've been doing stuff instead of just sitting at my laptop all day. I've been reading more, that's one. I finished the second installment to the Twilight saga. I wonder what I'm gonna pick up next. I'm getting an urge to reread Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. Something eerie that'll match the strangely windy weather we're suddenly experiencing.

I've made some progress on my research. Nothing noteworthy, but progress nontheless. I hope I go through with it, and I hope it turns out good.

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today. First I made muffins, with lovely pink frosting. I have to say, they weren't amazing, could have been better, but they were good still. I later made some pasta with a yummy turkey and tomato sauce. My hamsters (aka my wonderful family) could not abstain from commenting on the food. Dad wanted more sauce. Mom and sister said the pasta needed to be cooked more. Brother wanted no sauce at all. Anyway, I had fun, and I thought both dishes tasted fine. If I don't say so myself.

Many houses in town have put up flags and all celebrating the coming National and Liberation days. I felt like I wanted to join in with the celebrations so I made a collage of the Kuwaiti flag to put up somewhere. I cut up old magazines that I have absolutely no use for, and stuck shreds of black, green and red on a white polestirene slab. One that I also had no use for. I felt great afterwards because it looked good and I had recycled stuff that I could have just thrown out.

Last but not least, I got signed up in the elections listings (I'm not sure what they're called exactly.) Basically, you get added to the list of electors so you can vote next elections. If you're Kuwaiti and you're 20 years old, or older and not listed, visit your local police station with a copy of your nationality and civil ID, and get listed. It's easy, it won't take much of your time, and you'll be able to have a say in the future of your country soon.

I hope it's not long till I post again.

Androgynous

2009-01-31T17:46:00.004+03:00

Well...it's been busy lately but the fuss is over. Most probably to make time for more fuss. But that's life, isn't it?

After the prize giving ceremony for honours students, and after watching the video over and over again with the family...I felt so loved. So I just want to say this, for the record: I love you all so much, proud to be one of you. This is just the fruit of what you have sown. My success is your own. Thank you so very much.

(That read like an Oscar thank-you-speech. :P Got a little carried away!)

(Oh and the rhyming bit was completely unintentional. LOL.)

I'm happy to say that I have finally gotten round to work on something...research paper-wise. When it's done I might give you guys a glimpse. Let's just hope I stick to it all the way through. Keep reminding me.

I've accidentally come across a German band called Tokio Hotel. And you know how sometimes you say things, or you make rules for yourself, like in this case, "I do not like to listen to emo teenagers singing about how they secretly love that nobody understands them." Well, I sort of can't help it sometimes. I'm stuck especially on two of their songs. And I listen to both the English and German versions (I prefer the German ones though. P.S. I am really really good with languages...I speak 3 and comprehend 2 other ones...but German is one language I cannot seem to be able to get my head around. But still I like the songs.)

I couldn't find a better video. This is a live performance in Italy, and the singing's in English. The song is called Monsoon (Durch Den Monsun):

Tags: The Butterfly Award and Favourites.

2009-01-19T15:33:00.004+03:00

I humbly recieve this award for one of the coolest blogs visited by Borzaiga. Thank you.

Also, I was tagged by A Journal Entry. I hate "What's your favourite" type questions...They are so hard to answer because I don't usually have one ultimate favourite of thing of anything. You can probably see I'm getting nervous already. So bare with me.

Favourite colour: See?! I seriously don't have one.

Favourite getaway place: Bathroom? :P

Favourite perfume (guys): I love men's perfume in general.

Favourite perfume (girls): I don't have a favourite.

Favourite pj brand: Again. (What kind of question is that?!)

Favourite clothes brand in general: No particular one.

Favourite person in the entire world: Me!

Favourite country (not including your own): None.

Favourite car: Classics in general.

Favourite sport: No favourites. I like tennis, volleyball, diving.

Favourite sport player: He's not a favourite, but I like tennis pro Rafael Nadal.

Favourite spot in Kuwait: :/ Who makes these questions? I don't have a favourite spot.

Favourite animal: I don't like animals. But I like my pet cat.

Favourite movie: No favourites.

Favourite singer: No favourites.

Favourite day in the week: I like weekends most I think.

Favourite time of the day: :S Between 2:30 and 5:30 pm?

Favourite holiday season: Summer.

Favourite number: !

Favourite food: I like french fries. And soups.

Favourite chocolate: I don't know.

Favourite cartoon: Samurai Jack is pretty cool.

Favourite bloggers: The ones I follow I guess.

Favourite Flavour Ice Cream: Depends.

Favourite actress: No favourites.

Favourite nail colour and brand: No preference.

Favourite drink: Water.

That wasn't so bad. For me at least. Although I'd like to see what you guys thought after reading that list of boring nothingness...Sorry! Oh. And if you like the idea...and want to continue the list. Go ahead. Tag yourself.

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

2009-01-10T18:36:00.004+03:00

So my sister left for school last night...she's probably still somewhere in the skies right now. I just want to say I love her so much, and I'm proud of her strength and will power. The last thing she whispered in my ear before heading towards the gate was to find myself a job already, which made be laugh despite my watery eyes.

It is about time...that I get a job. I've been unemployed since June...I'm just not sure about what I really want...I'm not sure where to start, or where to look...(this is your queue to spill encouraging and full-of-advice comments :P )

My dad thinks I should spend all this free time writing. "It's what you like doing, isn't it? And you've got all this time...use it before it's too late." Okay dad. I'll just have to grow inspiration seeds outside my window sill and everything'll be dandy.

We went to the carboot sale at AUK this morning. I loved the atmosphere...it was so...I don't know...get-togethery! The weather was beautiful, the spirit was fun, and there were some cool stuff on sale. We should definately have more activities like this in Kuwait. Way to go Marketing Club (organizers)!

Here's a GAP ad I really love. I love these two (Claire Danes and Patrick Wilson.)

Question: How many times did I say "love" in this post?

Good Times

2009-01-04T16:03:00.005+03:00

Hello everyone. It's been quite hectic lately with my sister back for the holidays and us trying to make the most out of her short visit. We went camping, had loads of fun with the family. We sang, danced, ate, played kids' games like "7ay Almeed." It was very cold. We played cherades and Uno till dawn. A Mcdonalds snack before going to bed.

That was last week. This weekend we went to the Khiran Resort. Again with the family. Again we danced, sang, ate, played ping-pong, bowling and air hockey...Again it was freezing cold. Again we stayed up till the morning, playing Truth or Dare...without the daring part. We celebrated my cousin's birthday and my parents anniversary on the 31st...then enjoyed a spectacular show of fireworks for the new year. I just love fireworks. They make me smile.

Anyway...I wish you all another year of love, of life, of laughter. I wish you all a happy new year.

Here's a very little piece I wrote while I was away...enjoy, and comment please:

At the 500M mark I sit. The cold wind pierces my skin like a thousand needles. The dark clouds invading the sky above, the sun forever trying to win back its place in the heavens. The sea an iron sheet of rippled steel, still but moving. At the 500M mark I sit. The quiet forces me to stay despite the ache that grips my bones because of the cold. The quiet intrigues me. It speaks to me, calm but tumultuous, silent but humming. At the 500M mark I sit.

My First Time

2008-12-24T12:12:00.005+03:00

I was anxious at first, almost afraid. Afraid of the unfamiliar. Afraid that I wouldn't be pleased, that I wouldn't like it and never want more of it. Indeed, I was treading new ground. It felt different, new, but really really interesting.

My first science-fiction experience proved to be anything but disappointing. I read Worlds Apart by Joe Haldeman and, thank God, I don't regret picking it up. Although it's part of a trilogy, I read it out of convenience (it's the only copy available at home...from back when my dad was in university) and I didn't feel like I was missing anything, so everything went fine. Like I said...I was a little hesitant to start science-fiction because, like with everything new, I was afraid I wouldn't like it...I was afraid that I pick up a bad book that would put me off the whole genre...

But Worlds Apart proved quite the opposite; it was easy to read, more or less a page-turner, and I must say, quite interesting...so I will hopefully be reading some more sci-fi in the future.

The novel picks up where its predecessor left off: after World War IV during which a bioweapon has killed all adults over the age of 20 on Earth. It follows two story-lines, first that of the heroine Marianne O'Hara, citizen of New New York, one of the last remaining artificial worlds orbiting Earth, who finds herself included in several missions back to Earth to help the juvenile savages that have become the entire population. Also, we follow the story of Jeff Hawkings, O'Hara's Earth-bound lover, who travels across Florida posing as the Healer, trading with the now feral children, providing medicine in return for power supplies that would help him contact New New York, which he isn't sure still exists.

Again, it was really interesting to get an insight of what someone thinks the future might hold. Overall, fantastic stuff! First, but definately not last.

Not Just an Ink Blot

2008-12-12T22:32:00.005+03:00

Visiting popular blog Confashions, an old passion of mine was revived.

Fashion illustration is a fabulous art that portrays fashion and beauty in a wonderful aesthetic form. One very talented fashion illustrator is David Downton, a british based artist with a magnificently simple style, almost minimalistic but still full of sophistication and beauty. A picture is worth a thousand words as they say so here are some of his works:

You Have The Right

2008-12-11T20:42:00.007+03:00

Because it is extremely important for each and every one of us to know what rights we have:

If everyone had all of these things...what kind of world would it be? Would it indeed become a utopia? Or would there still be struggle, hatred, prejudice and discrimination in the world?
Watching the film The Invasion a while back, I began thinking about how alien our world would become if we all got rid of our emotions. Ideally, a human race without emotion would mean that there would be no hatred, no fear, no greed or any other negative emotions that may cause conflict and war. But wouldn't that also get rid of happiness, love and all the other beautiful stuff we feel as well? Sure, we'd be a peaceful race but there wouldn't be any difference between us and, say, a bunch of vegetables...
Still...I'm not saying I'm against the universal declaration of human rights.

Maestro

2008-12-05T12:47:00.000+03:00

Fantastic stuff!

Back For More: Part III

2008-11-24T12:46:00.006+03:00

I was swept by the epidemic of disappearing bloggers, I admit it. But I'm back, after a major blogger's block, and with the help of a dear friend, with a third installment of a story I began writing in the summer. Here are the links to the previous parts:
Part I
Part II

Enjoy. And comment!

Things always get hectic when exams are approaching. Her room was a mess. So was her hair. The dishes needed washing. So did her hair. But everything could wait until after the exams were over. As much as she loved to have fun, passing was a priority. She sat at her cluttered desk and flipped through her notebook. She watched as the pages fell rapidly into place when she stopped where she had previously left a napkin.
He laid the last shirt and tucked it in neatly before snapping the suitcase shut. He'd be flying across the country tomorrow to start his new job at a huge business firm. He was excited but anxious. He sat on the edge of the bed and let his thoughts drift to her. They'd had a great time the few times they'd gone out, but they hadn't seen each other in weeks. Something about exams. He wanted to see her before he left, but he didn't want to push it. It was lucky enough that they had gone on seeing each other after the party, seeing as they were nothing alike.
She pulled out the napkin and turned it over. "I'm having a great time. Me too." They did have a great time. She remembered how she felt at ease when they were together. Like she could be herself with all her quirks and not have to worry about being judged. He accepted her as she was. She liked that about him. She also liked...She also had a final she had to study hard for. She didn't have time to dwell on some odd match she'd made on a whim at a party. Whatever it was that they were, it would probably never have worked out between them. He was really not her type. She tossed the napkin on an adjacent pile of paper and turned back to her notebook.
He flipped through his address book and found her number. He stared a while at it, then closed his eyes and tried to think clearly about what he really wanted. He had to at least say goodbye. He dialled the number and tugged at his collar for some air.
She had only just begun to digest the information she was reading when the phone rang.
He pressed the phone to his ear and cleared his throat.
"Hey, it's me. How are you?" "I'm okay...a little stressed." "Me too...Listen, I wanted to tell you something." "Yeah?" " I really don't understand this stuff about factorizing linear equations, could you maybe help me out?" "...Sure, Judy."
He blinked silently as he heard the busy tone line. He put down the phone. This was probably a sign that he should just let it go.

Lo Cor De La Plana

2008-11-02T16:26:00.003+03:00

Hello, everyone. Doesn't it seem like the blogosphere's been quite dead lately? Hmm, perhaps it's just me.

I'm sitting out on the window sill. It's cloudy, damp. It has been raining softly on and off all afternoon. The air is cool and the wind feels fresh. Lovely weather.

Today, I thought I might introduce you to a fantastic group of musicians. It is a group of 6 charming French musicians, who sing mostly a capella in a dying out dialect called Occitan, otherwise accompanied only by clapping hands, stamping feet and a few percusion instruments. Their name is Lo Cor De La Plana. I first encountered their captivating music at a small concert here in Kuwait. It was held at Mishref's AbdulAziz Hussain Theatre, and I remember bringing my little brother and my two sisters because I didn't want to go alone. We all did not regret going!

They say a picture's worth a thousand words...I wonder what they have to say about a video...enjoy!

This is them performing "Tant Deman" live (one of my favourites):

This is them performing live at a festival in Paris. They start a farandole (a festive dance):

Isn't it a wonderful setting to fall in love in? You find yourself holding a stranger's hand and then after a frenzy of kicking and turning and jumping you find that you don't want to let go...

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this post.

Cap ou Pas Cap?

2008-10-29T16:25:00.004+03:00

As advised by Nada, I got the awesome French movie Jeux D'enfants, and I watched it a couple of days ago. I absolutely love it.

A rom-com, starring Guillame Canet (who seemed awfully familiar, like really REALLY familiar...and I still can't figure out where I've seen him before!) and Marion Cotillard. The direction by Yann Samuell was very imaginative (reminded me of Science of Sleep [sorta] if any of you've watched that one.) It is a love story. And this is what brings me to todays DEBATE! :P Last time (Experience is Vital) it was pretty much just Nada and I discussing the issue at hand (and Moos adding a couple of really neat comments here and there too) so I urge you guys to join in this time.

Using her own words, Nada describes herself as being "emotionally crippled" and therefore enjoys love stories with not-so-happy endings. Stories that involve impossible love, love that leads to disaster, one-sided love...etc. She thinks Jeux D'enfants is that kind of movie. I watched it, and frankly, I think, that in the end, it is no different than any down-right mushy, lovey-dovey love story that exists on this planet. And that's why I loved it myself! The two protagonists are in love with each other but might not fully know it, they don't get together for different reasons, they live a "regular" (i.e. nothing special) life without each other for years...then they meet once more and choose never to go their seperate ways again (I am obviously over simplifying a great movie...watch it to get the big picture.) In what way is this love story different than your usual, let's say, Jane Austen type romance?

True, there's the whole issue of the "jeu" or the dare game that they play through-out the movie. But is that much different from the game of concealment that Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax play in Austen's Emma? (for example.)

Overall, highly recommended. Thanks to Nada for recommending it to me. Oh and sorry for the excessive use of brackets (or parenthesis, for those of you who prefer the American way of things!)

Singing in the Rain

2008-10-21T15:46:00.004+03:00

I was watching the National Assembly's first meeting today. As usual, they are voting on all the different committees and their members. Something struck me as bizarre and so I just want to comment on the MP's who choose not to vote on any article or committee or whatever they might be asked to vote for/against.

"Mumtani3."(I refuse to vote.)

Who came up with such an option?! What does it tell us when an MP refuses to state their opinion about a certain issue? What's the point of them being in the Assembly if they refuse to vote? They are basically refusing to make a difference, refusing to do their jobs! And what excuse could there be for this kind of behaviour other than the fact that they hope not to displease any party; neither their electors nor their fellow MP's or the governemt. Fear of being blamed for anything that might go wrong later on because of their decision...

If you strive to become a member of parliament, you are expected to have a certain line of thought, and when you get to the "green chair" you are supposed to fight for those beliefs which your electors chose you for (perhaps not in reality, but ideally speaking.) And so you are not doing your job when you sit there and you deny your right, your duty, when the time comes to make the decision.

*Sigh*

On a lighter note, here's a fantastic video for you. It's a commercial for a VW automobile. A remix (by Mint Royale) of the famous "Singing in the Rain" scene in which Gene Kelly is apparantly...poppin' it! Enjoy.

Here Comes the Sun

2008-10-14T15:57:00.004+03:00

She was tired of reading on the couch, and she had read in bed for too long she was starting to get worried about bed rash. So she decided to sit on the carpet, with her head resting on the sofa behind her. Very soon she realised that she loved this spot. It would be her new reading spot, the sunshine coming in from the large window behind her flooding the pages of the novel, and surrounding her with a lovely warmth.

***

She realised her book was not shining anymore. She put it down and stared at the carpet infront of her. Lying across it was a small rectangle of golden light. The carpet had stolen her sunshine. How good had I been to the carpet, she thought. Treading on it softly and never spilling anything on it, ever. And now, how rude of it to rob me of my sunshine. She snapped out of this reverie and looked back at the carpet, puzzled. The size of the sunshine had shrunken considerably so that it was now a mere strip of light. She watched as it continued to get smaller and smaller, until finally it was gone altogether.

***

She pushed her book aside and thought she'd write instead. The sun would be back tomorrow.

Experience Is Vital

2008-10-06T13:12:00.005+03:00

Becoming Jane. An autobiographical film that depicts the budding romance between not-yet-famous writer Jane Austen and a young Irishman Tom Lefroy.

Tom has a reputation. Let us just say that when a man has a reputation in late 18th century England, it is generally speaking not considered as being a compliment to his character. Barely staying awake during a reading performance by Jane soon after they are introduced, the two are off to a bad start. Tom later explains why Jane's writing failed to amuse him and gives her and the viewers his take on women and fiction.

If you wish to practice the art of fiction, to be considered the equal of a masculine author, experience is vital.

Tom here is referring to the kind of experience which has earned him his renowned "reputation". He suggests that in order for a female to be able to rise to the level of expertise that males have reached in the art of fiction, she has to forget all types of manners, all notions of propriety and decorum so she can gain the sort of experience needed, and considered absolutely necessary by Tom, in order to be able to write fiction that is worth reading.

Experience is, undoubtfully, crucial. But what type of experience are we really talking about? What are the modes through which a female is to aquire this experience? Most importantly, how has an unmarried English country girl, whose financial and social conditions were not of a high status, been able to produce 6 of English literature's most renowned novels? Surely, a female that falls under the labels listed above, can never be capable of doing, seeing, hearing anything, or capable of going anywhere that would finally render her "experienced".

Was Tom wrong in his presumption? Or was Jane Austen an exception to the rule? Or could it be, that Tom (along with the rest of the world) was blind to Jane's unruly ways, and that she indeed was, though in total secrecy, as experienced as any man in England?

Your thoughts please. Chop chop!

Review: The Kite Runner

2008-09-24T16:30:00.004+03:00

It has been ages since I last posted. I didn't know what to say, or what to write. I suspect that it was my Ramadan routine that was the culprit. Always the same; getting up late, not eating, eating, sleeping late. Basically, my life has failed to provide any inspiration for posting.

But I realise that nothing is going to change if I don't change it myself. Part of what has got me thinking again, is reading and watching The Kite Runner. So here's a book/movie review.

Well, I loved both. The book is a page turner, Hosseini's words flowing right off the page. The plot is greatly woven, the characters perfectly developed. I absolutely fell for Baba. And Amir is just the perfect protagonist. The movie was amazing too. A great adaptaion in my opinion. Although there were events that were ommitted, it was still quite faithful to the novel. Very well acted by everyone...Khalid Abdalla played Amir very well, and Homayoun Ershadi was perfect as Baba. The soundtrack was well chosen as well. I recommend both.

As you can tell, my writing has gone rusty. It needs a little oiling here and there. But it'll hopefully get back to normal soon.

***SPOILERS***
P.S. I cried watching the movie...When Baba died, and when Amir read Hassan's letter. *Sniff*

Dream Car

2008-09-03T22:21:00.003+03:00

When one turns eighteen here, there is an inevitable question that has to be asked and duly answered.That question is: What is your dream car? (Or some other variation of it)Generally speaking, the Kuwaiti youth would already have prepared an answer to the aforementioned question. A Range Rover Sport was my sister's answer. A pepsi blue Wolks-Vagen Touareg, a Jaguar and a Mercedez-Benz jeep were among my other sister's choices.They don't necessarily get those dream cars, but it seems to be absolutely essential that a decision be made as to what dream car you dream of getting once you're eighteen.But when eighteen hit me, so did the horror of not having an answer to that seemingly divine question. What car do you want to drive? To be honest, I gave the matter some serious thought. I said to myself, let's see...I hadn't come up with anything (I couldn't have, really, I only thought for about a millisecond) when my sister interupted with quite an angry remark: "How difficult can this be? What car have you dreamt about driving all these years?!"And then it dawned on me...I didn't have a dream car. So that's what I said, I said: I...I guess I don't have one...I really haven't ever thought about driving, and dream cars, and other things of that sort."My sister's reaction? Well, what seemed like an angry remark only seconds earlier, was topped by a furious statement: Stop trying to be different all the time! (But that's a whole other different story I'll have to tell you about later.)

I learnt how to drive though. I didn't buy a car (nobody bought me one either) but indeed, I learnt to drive soon after turning eighteen and have been driving ever since. I drive my mother's old car, which isn't really old, but it's not new either. It functions alright, you know, it moves. Some light signals work of their own accord, the A/C has proved to be of a faultering nature and the seat covers are splattered with permenant diet Coke stains, but it gets you to places and back. And that's what cars are supposed to do, right? That should be enough. And it was. It is. And I'm not complaining. Not about the car, that is. Driving and it's pleasures, after two humble years of experience however, have proven to be, at least to me, extremely over-rated. I've met a fair amount of people who have described to me the high they get when they grab the steering wheel, and push their foot on the gas pedal, to the max, and see that highway disappear into the horizon in their rear view mirror. I've heard them talk about how the most relaxing thing they can ever imagine is a slow drive in the rain. Driving seemed to be the best thing ever. Not to me it didn't. And I'll tell you why not.

There are so many things that can go wrong when you're in a car, or on the road. Traffic, for one, would drive anyone insane! You try to deal with it, put up with it, work your way around it, but having to deal with it day after day after day...it's just, too much. Plus, no one (I must not generalize) most drivers ignore all driving rules known to mankind which is plain frustrating. Also, when you are under the mercy of a vehicle, a moving man-made automobile, that might decide to stop moving in the middle of the road, or that might choose not to work the brake pedal...it's plain scary. What about the little things that happen oh-so-often when you drive a car? The thought of the trouble that a flat tire, or a leak might bring along increases stress levels to unprecidented hights. And I haven't mentioned accidents yet.

Today, when the family was discussing the dream car issue again, on my cousin's eighteenth birthday, it couldn't be easier making up my mind as to the answer to the question this time. I would rather walk!

Tag: Guess The Song

2008-08-29T22:01:00.005+03:00

This is all over Facebook, but I thought I might introduce it into the blogosphere.

The Rules:

Step 1: Put your mp3 player / iTunes on shuffle.

Step 2: Post the first line or two from the first 40 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song may be, ignoring those that are spoken or the first line if the song title is in it.

Step 3: Strike through the songs when someone guesses both artist and track correctly.

Step 4: For those who are guessing, looking the lyrics up on a search engine, it's CHEATING!Step 5: If you like the game, post your own.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1- ~~Well sometimes I go out by myself, and I look across the water.~~

2- ~~Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?~~

3- Pienso que un sueno parecido no volvera mas, y me pintaba las manos y la cara de azul.

4- Say you're leaving on a 7:30 train, and that you're heading out to Hollywood.

5- All the old paintings on the tomb, they do the sand dance, don't you know?

6- I've paid my dues, time after time. I've done my sentence, but committed no crime.

7- ~~When marimba rhythms start to play, dance with me...~~

8- ~~You had my heart, and we'll never be worlds apart.~~

9- Jalasat. Jalasat wal-khawf bi'aynayha.

10- Love makes me treat you the way that I do...

11- Celebrate good times, come on.

12- ~~...We've got a thing going on. We both know that it's wrong, but it's much too strong to let it go now.~~

13- Where you are seems to be as far as an eternity.

14- ~~I'm the type of girl that'll look you dead in the eye, eye.~~

15- Each time we have a quarrel it almost breaks my heart.

16- ~~It's getting late, I'm making my way over to my favourite place.~~

17- How many special people change? How many lives are living strange? Where were you while we were getting high?

18- ~~Do I attract you? Do I repulse you with my queasy smile?~~

19- ~~You're a fallen star, you're a get away car, you're the line in the sand when I go too far.~~

20- In kunta habeebi sa'idni kay arhal 'ank, aw kunta tabeebi sa'idni kay ushfa mink.

21- ~~What are we supposed to do? After all that we've been through?~~

22- You're wondering who I am. Secret secret, I've got a secret.

23- You're a part time lover and a full time friend.

24- ~~... go together like a horse and carriage. This I tell you brother, you can't have one without the other.~~

25- You say "Hello," inside I'm screaming "I love you."

26- Falling asleep at the wheel again baby, you're drifting over the line (the line yeah!)

27- ~~Time goes by so slowly!~~

28- ~~I was so high I did not recognize the fire burning in her eyes, the chaos that controlled my mind.~~

29- ~~... I'm sitting on a rainbow, got that string around my finger. Oh what a world, what a life. I'm in love.~~

30- I've been living with a shadow overhead. I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed.

31- ~~We'll do it all. Everything. On our own.~~

32- ... and don't you fall down again...it's time to take the chance.

33- ~~I've been crying for so long. Fighting tears just to carry on.~~

34- Through the water, and through the flames, my baby left me without a trace.

35- ~~This is the way you left me. I'm not pretending.~~

36- ~~Never know how much I love you. Never know how much I care.~~

37- At first I told myself, I need my head inspected. I noticedlittle things, same t-shirt and sunglasses.

38- Staring at a maple leaf, leaning on the mother tree I said to myself we all lost touch.

39- Hey pretty baby with the high heels on, you give me fever like I've never ever known.

40- ~~I'm Miss American dream since I was seventeen.~~

Get guessing!

La Foule

2008-08-21T14:05:00.003+03:00

Genre: Fiction
Inspiration: Dream

Exhiliration. Like when you come out from backstage after a great show. I join the crowd going down the stairs. Everyone is all smiles and I cannot keep it in. The happiness, the ecstasy overflows. Met with laughter, pats on the back, I barely stop to catch up with everyone. Thousands of familiar faces, but I am too high, too fast, too happy to stop. Then I see a face, a face I've been searching for for so long. But like a river running downhill I cannot help but pass it by. Yet there it is again. And again. Wanting to be noticed. Not wanting to give up, on me. He smiles, and I smile back. I give him a playful hit on the shoulder, like I always wanted to. He joins me in our plight against the crowd. Going up and down the stairs. He holds my hands and asks: "Would you do life all over again with me?" He looks so handsome in his turqoise shirt. "Of course I would." The exhiliration sweeps us up again, going through the crowd. Up the stairs again. Faces are now blurs of intense colour that swirl around us mercilessly. Our fingers slip and we are again separate. But like him, I refuse to give up. I fight the crowd to where we were only moments ago. But he is'nt there anymore. I look around and the colours begin to fade. I am alone.

Rehab

2008-08-16T18:02:00.003+03:00

I feel like doing a tag...so I tagged myself off of Hussain's blog.

Here are the rules:
1. Put your iTunes/music player on “Shuffle”.
2. For each question, press the “Next” button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT!

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Happy Ending - Mika
2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Wake Up Call - Maroon5
3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Must Get Out - Maroon5
4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Ritual Dance - Kaki King
5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Into The Night - Santana ft. Chad Kroeger
6. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Daddy's Little Girl - Michael Buble
7. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Lost - Michael Buble
8. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
If You Were There, Beware - Arctic Monkeys
9. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Pretty Vegas - INXS
10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Lollipop - Mika
11. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
How Does She Know That You Love Her - Amy Adams (Enchanted)
12. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Crazy - Aerosmith
13. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
14. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Hotel California (Spanish) - Gipsy Kings
15. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Mambo - Frank Sinatra
16. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
That's Alright Mama - Elvis Presley
17. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Home - Michael Buble
18. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
This Love - Maroon5
19. WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
Rehab - Amy Winehouse
20. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOURSELF?
Moondance - Van Morrison

Most of my answers don't make sense! Feel free to tag yourself.

I'm More Dipsy Than Laa-Laa

2008-08-16T16:59:00.003+03:00

I know it's been so long. I just felt rather empty...out of words, you know? But I'm back now, so you're going to have to put up with me again :P

A little update on the tennis issue I wrote about here. My dad visited the "hay2a" or the association for youth and sport. He talked to the man in-charge about how we were kicked out of the tennis court, not once but twice, because we were girls. My dad wanted to know if there was anything written that forbid females from playing in these public courts. And it turns out there isn't. The guy said that it was just a "3urf" or a tradition that females don't play sport, and that if anybody associated with the relgious party in the parliament found out that there were females playing on the courts, that these guys would get into trouble.
We are going to play tennis tomorrow, whether they like it or not.
But it hurts to know that this is what it has come down to in Kuwait.

I wanted to review La Vie En Rose, but I'm having second thoughts.

Comfortably Numb

2008-08-03T18:04:00.004+03:00

I was visiting Do0da's blog and getting a glimpse of his profile before I entered his blog, I realised that I hadn't changed my "Occupation" field.

I am no longer a student. Or I am currently not a student anymore.

Does it suck that I am now a nothing? I mean I'm a girl, yes. I am a daughter, a sister, a friend...but I'm also a nothing. Heh.

I'm not one for freaking out at something like that...but I kinda need your comforting words. So bring 'em on.

I advised my mum to do puzzles like Sudoku, crosswords and Rubik cubes because I'd heard that working your brain like that prevents one from getting Alzhimers. At the time she said that she'd do whatever she liked, even if it was to sit on the couch all day long watching Desperate Housewives on her laptop. But as I'm writing this post she's sitting infront of me scribbling on the puzzle page in the newspaper. How cute is that?!

Tennis Ball Fuzz and Movie Review

2008-07-31T15:40:00.003+03:00

I've been going with my family to play tennis in one of the courts in a nearby district. It feels great to finally be able to get a real taste of what it's like to be on court, having real tennis sensations. (Those who know me will also know that I am a fan of the sport.)
Anyway, so we were playing yesterday, and I have to tell you, the court is pretty much neglected. It's in better shape than many others that I've been to, but still, it could be much much better. (I keep going off track!)
Right, so we were playing, then along comes the "Hariss" or the ground-keeper (?!) and says that women aren't allowed on the court.
Yes, he said that.
My uncle, who'd come along to play, went up to him and asked him why women aren't allowed, who came up with such a rule, to go tell on us if he was serious, and that we weren't moving!
We didn't leave, rest assured. But I was pissed off at what had happened. I even missed a couple of balls because of it. What has become of us, of this country, of our mentalities?

On a lighter note, here's another movie review for you:

Nuovomondo. An Italian film, worthy in my opinion to be called art. It tells the story of an extremely poor Sicilian family which sets to migrate to the New World at the beginning of the 20th century. The story is imaginatively directed, superbly acted out. The characters who in reality are illiterate, simple and poor, are in fact deep, mysterious and sublime. The movie has a mystical quality, sometimes sureal and fantastical. The music is very fitting, adding great deapth to the film. A great one. If you don't mind following subtitles, I definately recommend it. (I personally found the Italian dialogue quite captivating.)

The trailer:

Speech translated:

"We're here to ask you something...Should we part to America, or should we stay here? Give us a sign...a sign."

From the creator of Respiro

Emanuele Crailese's new film Nuovomondo

Review: P.S. I Love You

2008-07-29T23:06:00.003+03:00

3 things I learnt watching P.S. I Love You:

1- Gerard Butler is HOT.

2- Hilary Swank is NOT.

3- The book is better than the movie.

P.S. -Question: Is there a fixed number of times a person can fall in love in a specific period of time? Cuz this is overwhelming...

A Short Film: La Tartine

2008-07-29T19:41:00.002+03:00

Here's a great short film. Enjoy, and comment:

Director: Guillaume Colomb / France / 2004
A habitual morning, breakfast is being prepared. But this morning, the honey got up on the wrong side of the bed.

Review: The Dark Knight

2008-07-28T22:38:00.003+03:00

Why so serious?

Update

So, I went to see The Dark Knight yesterday. Obviously. The movie was really really good. I mean I'm not so into the whole action, comic super-hero type of stuff...but this was great. I might actually go and buy me some Batman comics soon. Anyway. Most importantly, I was taken by storm with late Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker. It was out of this world. This just proves what a highly talented actor Ledger was. An amazing yet early end to a great career. This is why I found that I had to just post a picture. Very little words. As close as I can get to the sublimity of Heath's performance. Call it a tribute if you like...*sigh* RIP

Bale did good too. People were complaining about his lisp, and his gruff Batman suit voice. I liked it. Overall it was a great movie. But Joker "stole" it for me. I think i'm in love!

Book Review: Girls of Riyadh

2008-07-27T14:25:00.003+03:00

I have just finished reading Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa AlSanea. So here's a review as promised :)

This book was first written by this 26 year old Saudi Arabian woman two years ago in Arabic. It was a big hit as far as I know. (It was all over Virgin at the time!) It hadn't appealed to me back then. I'll have to admit that I thought it would be a lame excuse of a novel, probably about chat addicted Saudi youth in search of love on the world wide web.

Stereotypical. Yes, I know.

It was only when I happened to come across this book translated into English (not in Kuwait!) that I thought, "Hmm. I might actually give this a try." The facts that it was published by Penguin, it had an eye-catching cover, and that it had raving reviews by Time, The Associated Press, Glamour, The Seattle Times and more probably helped push me towards the cash counter with the novel in hand.

The novel tells the love stories of 4 Saudi girlfriends in the form of e-mails. The aim of these e-mails is to expose the "secret" and "scandalous" lives of young Saudi's who try to find love in an environment that closes in on their freedom's.

I think the book was an "OK" attempt at what it ventured to achieve. The narrative form was a little too simple, the plot-line a little predictable. I personally found the tone of thenarrator a little annoying at times. Although in the end you find that the novel doesn't really solve any of the problems it has uncovered,onemust give the author some credit for at least posing some important questions concerning the society she writes about. Though it might be a tip-toe of a step that AlSanea has taken towards change with this novel, it is a step nonetheless. Pick it up if you want a light read, only if you have nothing better to do. I'd give it a five on a scale of one to ten.

The Sound of Music

2008-07-22T15:51:00.004+03:00

So in case you haven't already heard, my iPod Nano went bust! I took it to the iPod guru at Digits in Marina Mall and he said the motherboard was infested with H2O molecules...Basically, getting myself a new iTouch would be a better choice than getting the old one fixed. Now it's only a matter of whether I should get the 16GB or the 32GB one...We'll see.

In preparation for this new purchase of mine, I thought I should make some sort of interactive post. All you have to do is list 3 must-have songs that you think I should have on my new iPod. How about it? 3 songs you think would add something to my music collection...Just for the record, I listen to all sorts of music, from all different genres, cultures and types. So surprise me! And sure enough, as soon as I get hold of the songs I'll be giving you feedback on what I think of the songs you chose for me.

Now I'm all excited so get typing. ;D

YSL: A Tribute to a Design Icon

2008-07-20T15:24:00.002+03:00

Yves Saint Laurent

1936-2008

Creator of the modern woman's wardrobe. Introduced luxe pret-a-porter, androgynous tailoring and multi-cultural influences, changing the silhouettes of the past century. He will forever be fashion's King of Paris.

Defunct

2008-07-20T14:51:00.003+03:00

Hey everyone!
It's been so long. I had to leave to Dubai very abruptly a week ago and I didn't have internet access so I couldn't blog. But I'm back now, so you'll have to put up with me again :P

Dubai was great fun despite the humidity...I love that place! I'll post some photos as soon as they're uploaded on my laptop, which is somewhere in Ibn Khaldoon street being fixed :(

My laptop isn't the only thing that has gone bust recently. My iPod Nano isn't functioning anymore either. It won't charge, and the buttons press funny...I'm upset...but is this a sign that I should get an iTouch?

I've been very hot tempered lately...I don't know what's going on, and it's upseting me and those around me...let's hope this bout of anger subsudes soon. One good thing that has come out of this though is that I've been spending more time alone, which has led to an urge to tidy, clean-out and redecorate my bedroom. Let's hope this urge stays put until the whole room has gotten the face-lift.

I have a load of new movies and books handy, so watch out for some reviews soon.

Sorry again for the long gap. Hopefully it'll introduce a new breath of life to the blog. :)

More Untitled Stuff

2008-07-06T17:31:00.003+03:00

These are two shorter (but in my opinion much better) pieces I wrote during my stay in Jordan. Enjoy.

A crowd. A surge of people. A flood of souls unknown to each other. Amidst all these people, all feel alone. Each rushes to their own destination, their own dark corner in life. They all look ahead, as if there was nobody there but them. They are emotionless. Oblivious to the commotion outside of their empty bubbles. Those who do realise there are others around are shy, embarrassed somehow by a quickly disappearing chain that links us all together. And they pretend they cannot see.
But I feel desperate to reach out. To call out. To share something, anything, with someone. I long to have a connection, a bond with one person, outof all these people, just one. A nod would at the least be acceptable, a knowing glimpse would be more than I expected, a smile sheer ecstacy.
In this crowd I am alone. I scream for company, but no one listens.

***

I sit alone, tired from the previous night's tedious yet pleasing endevours. Drowned in drowsiness, I sit lazily, passively taking in my surroundings, letting my mind wander to dreams of yesterday and fantasies of the future. This lonliness, though relaxing, I hate. I rest my head on my hand and I close my eyes, enveloping myself in darkness. I see you walk through the door, that all knowing smile of yours spread widely across your face. You come to where I am sitting, and you take my hand, issing it lightly while you take you seat next to me. You sigh, and I know what you are going to say because I am sorry too. Sorry we couldn't make much out of this. You look up at me again after your moment of deep thought, and you get up and leave. Then I open my eyes and I look out the window at the setting sun.

Please read the previous post and comment too. All sorts of criticism is

"Goodbye. Have fun tomorrow." It's surprisingly funny how four words, a smile, and a handshake can make you feel.

Untitled

2008-07-06T17:11:00.003+03:00

Once we come in we are rushedly introduced. Due to the awkwardness of the moment no one really remembers who you are. We sit and try to appear as polite as possible. Not that I'm not polite for real or anything. Just extra polite to give a good impression. After a short while, in an attempt to start a conversation, we start making small talk which leads nowhere. It is only after some food is served that the solid barriers raised by formalities begin to become lean and less rigid. As the food next has to be digested, and the blood in ones body rushes to the aid of the stomach, it leaves the mind unsupported, unattended which leads to us making fools out of ourselves. It seems that to have good sense of humour is the easiest way to get something going. You say the lamest things, you force a smile which is willing to show itself just to keep things going now that people have started to chat. You are never yourself. They are never themselves. Sadly, you only realise that when you lie in your bed, later that night, unable to focus on the bad book you are currently reading. If you're lucky, you might realise it as you shake hands, saying your thank-yous, come-agains, and your goodbyes, most probably never to meet each other again and you think, "I wanted to get to know you better. I wanted you to get to know me better." Without the formalities, without the unnecessary jokes, without the extravagant masks. Did you know that I can write, and that I love tennis and philosophy? Can you play the piano? Do you know first aid? Have you traveled the world? I wanted to get to know you better, and I wanted you to know who I really am.

I wrote this while I was half asleep. But I chose to post it (as it was first written, without any patching-up or editing). So forgive the oh-so-unprofessional shabbyness.

Souvenir

2008-07-06T16:45:00.005+03:00

Feeling post-vacation depression. And I haven't even left yet.

I saw a baby's t-shirt in a store that said: "I'm shy, come talk to me." I wish they sold those in a bigger size.

My cousin is now happily married. I wish him and his wife all the best in life. Congratulations to them.

Travel (or at least this particular trip) has been inspirational. I wrote a few pieces while I was here. I'll put them in a separate post. Meanwhile here are a few pictures as previously promised.

P.S. Unfortunately, the Jordan Festival starts the day after we leave. Mika is coming :(

Wish You Were Here

2008-07-03T00:02:00.004+03:00

Hello everyone!

I was so busy over the past few days, I didn't have time to blog and tell you that I'd be traveling to Jordan for 5 days with the family. So anyway, I'm here now, in the land of the Dead Sea :)

I've been here before, but I hadn't stayed long enough to visit all the cool tourist attractions. This time though...I shall hopefully make it to Petra and the Dead Sea...and if my conscience keeps nagging me, I shall hopefully post pictures and keep you updated.

And as agonizing as huge family group vacations are (trust me I've tried and suffered) it's still really fun to have everyone around. So far the bus trips have proven to be quite an amusing event, although the bus driver might disagree. Let's hope this happy-go-lucky atmosphere carries on till we reach Kuwait.

Oh yes, and my dad had to stay at the hotel because of post-flight headaches and dizzyness :( I really felt bad about leaving him behind on our first day. I hope he feels better in the morning.

Stay tuned for more juice on the trip.

P.S. Freddie Mercury look-alikes have been popping up quite frequently these days...to my delight of course! ;)

Tag: If I win KD 1,000,000...

2008-06-29T01:29:00.004+03:00

Let's see...

Well I would definately give my parents some, 50,000 each let's say. Then my two sisters and my brother...20,000 each for them. So I now have 840,000...

Invest 100,000. In the stock market perhaps...

I'd buy land here in Kuwait. A loft/apartment somewhere else...Dubai perhaps.

Give to charity...Fighting hunger, desease and illeteracy.

The numbers are a bit vague now, but I'd say those were my main concerns right now. Oh yes, and I've always wanted to have my own university for the gifted. I can imagine the smart uniforms, the lucious interiors, and the excellent quality education of course. Only that dream is rather far-fetched so...we'll leave it at that for now!

How about you? What would you do with a million KD?

Back for More: Part II

2008-06-26T16:09:00.004+03:00

Read part I here.

He watched her while she danced amidst the crowds, her red waves bouncing around her face. He hated parties. He always felt out of place. This time it was his best friends birthday and he had to be there. So there he was, sitting at the bar, where he always sat at parties he was dragged to. But tonight she danced and he was glad he came.
She could feel his eyes follow her as she danced. She chuckled to herself. Out of all the guys in the room, she had caught the eye of the weirdo who comes to parties and sits at the bar all night. Then again, she had always had a thing for weirdos. They were far more interesting than all the other guys. She turned his way. On other nights she would have probably let it go, but tonight she felt a little...experimental.
He turned round and ordered another cocktail. When he faced the dancefloor again, he did not have to look very far, because there she was, making her way over to him. He gulped as he fixed his collar.
She smiled.
He smile back. "Make that 2 cocktails please."

Tag: Flickr Mosaic

2008-06-25T17:03:00.003+03:00

Put your answers to the following questions into the search field on Flickr.com and choose your favourite picture from the first page only and create your own mosaic here.

What's your name?

Your favourite food?

Your High School?

Your favourite colour?

Your celebrity crush?

Your favourite drink?

Dream Vacation?

Favourite dessert?

Your dream job?

The thing you like best in this world?

A word that describes you?

Your (Flickr) nickname?

Back for More: Part I

2008-06-21T23:21:00.004+03:00

The sound of her heels ring in her ears as she makes her way down the corridor. She tightens her grasp and the leathers of her glove and bag rub against each other. There is no need to worry. This was strictly a business meeting. She would go in, get the job done and leave. She releases all the hot air as she exhales, straightening her pencil skirt as she faces the office door.
Time is the most difficult thing to deal with, he thinks. There was never enough of it at times, at others like now, there was so much of it there would be little room left for anything else. He wipes the droplets of perspiration from his forehead with his handkerchief and he pulls his tie up to his throat. This shouldn't be so difficult. Strictly business ofcourse. Lost in thought, he does a double take when he glimpses her silhouette through the translucent glass in the door.
She raises her hand to knock on the door.
He picks a piece of thread from the sleeve of his jacket, and he lifts his chin up.
She takes a deep breath.
He breathes deeply through his nose.
It's only my ex behind that door, they both think.

Tag: Summertime

2008-06-15T14:48:00.004+03:00

The coming of a new season is a happy time. Summer makes me think of ice cold tangy drinks, swimming pools, and straw fedoras. Oh yes, and tennis of course! A new season is also a time to seriously think about...your wardrobe! Here's a summer-fashion inspired tag I hope you all enjoy.

I will always wear:

Jeans! It's such a diverse item of clothing. Comfortable, classic...for everyday.

I will never wear:

Ankle bracelets. I don't like the vibe they give...

My bad-clothes-day advice:

Keep it simple. Less is always more. And put a smile on, that always helps.

I know I look great when:

I feel great.

Smart travel tip:

Think, then pack. Bring items you can play mix and match with.

To me summer means:

A long and relaxing holiday.

I tag: Amethyst, Angel and Sou.

Cool, Calm and Collected

2008-06-11T17:50:00.003+03:00

"I shall not succumb to your overused attempts at penetrating my strong soul. You might be able to wear others like rings on your fingers, but it's only because they cannot see past your fragile mask. I, on the other hand, let you do your thing, smiling on the inside at your naivety. You're only a boy in a man's body..."

I found some cool short films on YouTube. Enjoy:

Spider

Fallen Art

Stupid Mistake

2008-06-07T15:35:00.002+03:00

It's funny how one second you're feeling so confident...and the next you feel like a fool. You've always been prepared, always alert, always right. Then one day you wake up and you realise that you're only human after all. Everyone is only human after all. But after being on both your feet for so long, after being level headed for so long, then having a laughing devil make you trip, you fall face down, into the mud. It's embarassing. It's not fair. It makes you angry, it makes you scared. You wish you can go back in time and fix things. Erase this humiliating mistake, and make things right again. But we all know you can't do that. No body who ever wanted that to happen ever got what they wanted. What makes you think you're any different. You're not different. You're exactly the same. You are prone to all the mistakes everyone else makes. You should be ashamed of yourself thinking that you were so special. That things like that always happened to other people, never to you. Well there you go. Now you know. You are only human.

Today I learnt...
to always have my mobile open and charged. ALWAYS!
to never be 100% sure. Always check, check and then double check.
to be grateful that things turned out as they did. They could have always turned out worse.

Brainstorm

2008-06-02T18:58:00.002+03:00

I think I'm into the Arctic Monkeys thanks to X. Love you. Enjoy the song.

Tagged: Quirks

2008-06-01T17:07:00.003+03:00

Tagged by Amethyst

These are the rules:

1. Link the person(s) who tagged you.

2. Mention the rules on your blog.

3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.

4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.

5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

My Quirks:
1. I have double-jointed fingers.
2. I talk to myself in the car, when I'm alone.
3. I hate scary movies.
4. I find very long nails disgusting, on both men and women.
5. I sometimes have conversations with people that exist but aren't really there.
6. I like it when it's humid.

I tag:
Kaileena
Eshda3wa
The Archer
Um Mit3ib
Kaos
Amu

"Ooh! A Leaf."

2008-06-01T16:10:00.005+03:00

Exams have kept me. Now I only have one left, so I can kind of let myself off the hook.

"After struggling all day to find a topic for my exam essay, and after giving up and watching a depressing romantic movie on T.V., I suddenly got inspired at 1:40 AM, just as I got ready to sleep. Afraid that the thought might disappear as quickly as it had appeared, I jumped out of bed (leaving the cozy warmth only to tread on the ice cold ceramic floor) to get a piece of paper and pen, so I can jot the idea down. I grab what I can find as quickly as I could as my feet could not endure the cold any longer, and end up back in bed with a torn piece of paper and a pink colouring pencil. Oh well, it'll have to do. So I start writing as fast as I can, but before I could even finish the first sentence, the pencil breaks. Yup! It broke! Urgh! I look at the bedside table, there has to be a pen here somewhere, there usually is. Oh yes. The green pen that spills ink everywhere!...So I put pen to paper, and...Oh darn! Let's hope it comes back to me in the morning..."

Something I wrote the other day. Yes, it really happened!

Catching Up

2008-05-26T17:49:00.005+03:00

Love Actually was actually...quite good. I expected more, but what I got was very good. (Yes, sometimes I'm hard to please...) I fell for almost all the charming Englishmen, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman...need I continue?!

I also watched Message in a Bottle. It was a good movie! Really romantic and sad...Don't you just love those kinds of movies? The ones that make you go "Awww!" That's what it made me do, I said "Awww!" But you know what...I realised something, and it's that I'm not so emotional anymore...I can't remember the last time I burst into tears while watching a movie...as a matter of fact I can't remember the last time I burst into tears. Full stop. I'm even reading P.S. I Love You, which I shall follow with the movie adaptation once I'm done, and it's really sad at times. I mean I can feel the sadness but I have failed to shed any tears...Good? Bad? I don't know...

Oh yes, and I never knew Kevin Costner was such a babe :P

Sigh...

2008-05-18T19:02:00.004+03:00

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

Long and unexpected breaks screw up my routine. Slamming the pause button right after the fast-forward one can break your cassette player.

(WOW! Great example F.!)

Lots happened, and because of the routine trouble explained above, I haven't really talked about any of it. Sheikh Sa'ad passed away. May God rest his soul. 2008 elections...I was excited on the day, but we all know how that turned out, so it's for the best if I keep quiet. Trust me. The results totally ruined my day...

(You said you weren't going to talk about it!)

Right! OK.

My friend got me Love Actually which I'm dying to see. I am craving a good romantic comedy and with its line-up of stars this one should be good. I got to watch those two movies I mentioned in some earlier post...Man to Man and Before Sunset. They're both worth watching really. Man to Man starring Joseph Fiennes was okay. I'd give it a 6.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. A mix of Frankenstein and Amistad, sort of. Before Sunset was better. A 7.5-8...Low budget movie starring Ethan Hawk and Julie Deply. Two people who have a genuine "thing" for one day meet again nine years later. The whole movie is just that one conversation they have when they meet again. Suprisingly, though, it's engaging, thought-provoking...just really really good.

Right!

(Stop saying "Right!")

Ok. That's it for this movie-review/multipe personality disorder post. Please come back again, I'll try and be more sane ;P

Alone

2008-05-10T18:47:00.003+03:00

Don't you sometimes wish that you could be alone? No one but you in the world. Silence. Nobody to disturb, nobody to disturb you...just you. In an empty wide room, with a wall length window letting in the sunshine...white...

Just think about it...

You can do whatever you want. It's up to you to stay quiet, relax, meditate and indulge in the silent sound of the sun on your face...so warm it makes you shiver...or to blast the music, full volume and dance, screaming your freedom all the while, not caring what anybody might think, only because there won't be anyone there...but you.

This kind of blissful existence is what I wanted when I woke up today.

Snore

2008-05-05T15:45:00.007+03:00

It's been a while...

You know what?! I'll save you the hassle and cut to the chase :)

Beside the fact that I had a bad hair day, and I forgot my sunglasses, so I was blind after 2 seconds in the sun...oh yeah, and I parked pretty far away from the campus gate, this morning went fine :)

My God! That read like a total ... I don't know, just read it again and you can tell that it was nothing like me...

I really need to speed up my reading, it's been 3 weeks (I think) since I started and I haven't made any headway with Tom Jones (or History of Sexuality for that matter!)... Let me tell you this though...part of the blame does not lie with me. I shall leave it at that, and your clever minds should be able to figure it out...plus, I'm probably the only one in class who's read this far, so...

***

All of the above was supposed to be posted yesterday but I went out before I had the chance to actually post it.

***

Today I feel fat, ugly and tired. After reading this statement you should refer to the oh-so-difficult-to-understand sentence in red. I so don't read like myself anymore!

I went to the material market yesterday...(ilblockat) cuz I needed to buy material for a dress I'm having made. I watched as the salesperson let roll a sea of weightless chiffon and let it ripple and dance happliy in mid-air, until it settled in an elegant bundle at my lap...I was mesmerized. It's wonderful how things that would otherwise be considered trivial, can at a certain moment cause someone so much happiness...

I don't want to bore you, and I would like you to read the whole post, so I'm going to stop here. I apologize if any sentences above don't read like normal English...let's just say that I didn't promise anything normal in this blog...so please bear with me. Until next time...

At Last

2008-04-28T17:18:00.005+03:00

Why do we find people who are different than us awkward...?

Why aren't we willing to give them a chance?

LOL

The 5th annual English Day is coming up...Poetry and paper reading in Al-Otaibi building, Kaifan Campus at 12:30 pm on Wednesday 30th April...and the drama, art and musical show in Othman AbdulMalik Theatre in Shwaikh Campus at 4 pm on Thursday the 1st of May.

The English Department has shown great promise on previous occasions and this one should be no exception. We can do magic! Don't miss the show.

My sister's graduation ceremony was yesterday...I'm so proud of her. She's something that one...love you ;*

I feel artsy...listening to music right now...looking at art...thinking about the books that are waiting to be read, the movies that are waiting to be watched, the stories waiting to be written. I want to dance! *siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*

For some reason I had lots of stuff to say, but it seems like this is all for now.

Love.

I Need You Boo

2008-04-26T01:15:00.004+03:00

I went to the KU and Primary Education music concert tonight. It was lots of fun. Most of the music was very good if not really great. I had a great time. The evening ended with a surprise first time performance of Jason and Medea a play prepared especially for The English Day. It was very good despite the technical errors with sound and stuff.

So I dragged my sisters along. They didn't want to come, but I forced them. Not a very good idea. They impatiently waited for the songs they knew and were often distracted by other stuff during the songs they didn't know. At a certain point they went into fits of clearly audible laughter at a lady who didn't have a bra on, but desperately needed one...! I tried nudging, pinching, shushing but to no avail. I decided to concentrate on the show (the musical one, that is!) and to never force anyone to do anything...

Okay, I don't think I'm going to stick to that last statement...One has to be practical, and I might need to force one or two people to do stuff still...

I feel like downloading songs...illegally!

Hidden Camels

2008-04-20T20:14:00.004+03:00

I'm in my bedroom and my two siblings are pretending to be musicians while I prepare to write this post.

"Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit" "F-A-C-E" Do you know your musical alphabet?

I came up with this line before I had a shower this morning, I thought it was very good :P
"That's where you are mistaken my dear. Making students suffer will never cease to amuse me."

Or something like that anyway.

My brother is now reading the atlas with an English accent...yes he takes after his sister but it's very annoying.

Exams and presentations are on a roll. I need time off. Studying semantics is PURE TORTURE!My uncles have lent me a couple of movies (Man to Man and Before Sunset) that I want to watch, and that's not going to happen anytime soon. I can tell!

My sister is arriving from Canada in two days. I'm excited. Not because I can't wait to unwrap my birthday gift :)

I better get back to Semantics: A Coursebook cuz it's definately not going to study itself!

Shambolics

2008-04-16T21:54:00.003+03:00

I had the longest day ever...in fact, I have had the longest WEEK ever, and it's not even done yet!

Anyways, I'm going to a party tomorrow, and an opera the day after so I hope I feel better by next week ;P Oh wait! I think I have a presentation due Sunday! ARGGHHH!

I have some kind of story which I started writing a while back when I was SO into this type of music. I was SO inspired and I had the whole story mapped out...it was beautiful...but it was also all up in my head...meaning I had to get it down on paper or up on screen or which ever you like...

I need to start a new line cuz that was just crazy...

So, anyway, I started writing it...but I stopped before I was done. And now, I'm not inspired anymore. I mean, I still know and love the story very much, AND the music that began it all for that matter, but I think I've lost my muse. I really want to finish the story...but how can I go back to it?

If you tell me I might post it up so you all can read it :)

I was going to post a video but YouTube isn't working, so I guess I'll leave that for another day.

20

2008-04-11T00:56:00.005+03:00

I am 20 years old today...

I think I have Peter-Pan-syndrome...not wanting to grow up...sigh! I know I'm not going to feel much different...it's just the prospect of handling more serious stuff, having more responsibilities...but that's inevitable right? Ugh! Why can't I just enjoy this like all normal people?!

So anyway, I thought I'd give you all a gift to celebrate. I'm going to give each one of you a chance to ask me whatever question you choose, and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.

Surprise me!

Enchanted

2008-04-10T18:38:00.001+03:00

Awwwwwww!

Master of Swish

2008-04-08T17:33:00.004+03:00

Hey! I haven't blogged in ages...it's because of quizes and midterms and stuff...lots going on :)

So anyway, I came across the art of Giovanni Boldini...and this guy is absolutely amazing. He is very famous for his portraits. People would hire him to do portraits of themselves. They look like old fashion magazine photoshoots...I want one of those...

Anyway, so here are some of his paintings, enjoy:

Nothing Really Matters To Me

2008-03-31T20:02:00.003+03:00

Insecurity...ring a bell? Why do people feel insecure about their quirkyness??? I love talking to myself in the car! I do it all the time...AND I LOVE IT!
Why is it so easy for people to shut out all things good and focus on all things bad?!
People...love who you are! Have confidence in your "self"
"Reste integre a toi meme"

I dedicate the song "Goodnight and Go" by Imogen Heap to a certain M.

*HUNGRY*

Check this out
Do you feel like you were born in the wrong decade?!?!
YES! I want to be a teen in the 80's ;(

Noise

2008-03-27T17:22:00.003+03:00

Okay...I've made up my mind. I'm not going to trust...it's so easy to be let down. People should seriously learn to keep things to themselves more often! Those who trust so easy, and those who aren't trustworthy...funny how it goes both ways.

On a more lighter note...the weather has taken a fabulous turn ;P Wonder how long this'll last.

Project: Home Theatre has started full speed. I know we're all going to love it once it's done. It's going to be great.

I'm having huge attitude problems...turning SO mean all of a sudden. Problem is, lots of people find it amusing...I'm wondering about what exactly I should do :P

Here's a video of a phenomenal artist. Kaki King plays the guitar like nobody else. Enjoy!

Let me tell you something my dear...

2008-03-23T17:42:00.004+03:00

Well the heat seems to have gotten to everyone. I had trouble finding human beings outside today, save for the tough ones that could find a spot of shade. I miss summer, but I probably forgot how extreme it can get!

I don't know who to trust anymore! And for some reason, I don't seem to care. If people can't keep their mouths shut well that's their problem, right? Not mine! "Fix yourself" is all I've got to say!

I want to be busy...it's not happening yet this semester! I think this idleness is part of why I'm feeling frustrated...

The Beat

2008-03-18T21:54:00.003+03:00

I watched this commercial on TV, and I loved it! It's so energetic, lively, edgy.
I dedicate it to a friend, X. Reminds me of you :)

When they say boys can't be only friends with girls for long, I always think they're exaggerating. But it seems in many cases it's true. *sigh* Why can't things be as simple as they are in my head?

Time

2008-03-16T15:59:00.004+03:00

I'm writing this post on a computer with a sucky keyboard. Yes it's in the lab! I'll try not to make any typos because of it, but if I do please forgive me!

I skipped class today...I feel a little guilty :( I almost made it on time but it took ages till I found a parking slot. I almost gave up after the gazillionth time round so I decided to go to Shuwaikh to run some errands but the road was SO congested with traffic that I didn't think twice about going back to "doing the rounds" :P So anyway, by the time I found a slot I was 20 minutes late for class so I decided to spare myself the embarrassment of entering late, so I skipped!

So we went to Nino to celebrate D's birthday...we had great fun, the food was great, the music peculiar, the conversations not what you'd expect :p

Happy Birthday D :)

Does anyone know where I can find home theatre seats here in Kuwait?

You Sir! How about a shave?!

2008-03-12T22:16:00.003+03:00

I know that in comparison to a lot of people out there, I'm considered awefully optimistic...Is there something wrong in seeing the good in people rather than the bad?! Why do I find it hard to believe what people say, especially if it's bad-mouthing others, until I see it with my own eyes or hear it with my own ears? And what does it mean when I never see it with my own eyes, or hear it with my own ears? Are the people lying? If so then which people? The ones who claim others are bad? Or the ones that are always nice, unlike their reputations?

* * *

I watched Sweeney Todd :) Pretty graphic but Depp, Bonham-Carter and Burton deliver amazingly as usual. Highly recommended. Not for the faint of heart though ;)

Ice Cubes and Peaches

2008-03-11T00:05:00.004+03:00

I love the March cover of Vanity Fair magazine! It's FABULOUS! Words can't even describe it's beauty. A little too much? Judge for yourself :)

The issue also contains re-do's of Hitchcock stills and photos of upcoming stars in great shots. Visit their website to view these and more superb photos. Could one ask for more???

Feeling very political

I did it, I cut my hair :)

Sapna

2008-03-09T19:08:00.003+03:00

I think I've posted about this before...maybe in my old blog...but don't you just love to dream?

The feeling you feel when you wake up and remember the dream you had the night before...the one that seemed so real! I feel elated when this happens...

Do you think animals dream? I think they do. My cat twitches when she sleeps sometimes :P So presumably she's dreaming right?

I'm looking for a suitable image to go with this post, but I realised how difficult it is to depict dreams visually. So I've decided not to post an image for now...how would you depict "dreams" in the form of a drawing or a painting or a photo??? If you'd like to try and actually do this please send your work to f_heart88@hotmail.com and I'll post them to go along with this post :)

Cough

2008-03-01T21:32:00.003+03:00

So I haven't been feeling excellent lately. Plus, whenever I feel like blogging, I find myself searching for something to say, in vain! But I'm going to pull myself together and try to post something now. :D

***There's a programme on TV right now with a certain "Sheikh" talking about segregation...It's pissing me off!***

I'm not settled with school yet, though I feel buried in busy-ness already...which is weird. But still. I don't like how it's making me feel.

***refer to previous statement in between three astrexes***

I'm eating A LOT. A LOT!

I haven't come round to doing anything to my hair yet! It's frustrating me! I have to pull my act together and do something about it!

*Cough*

Take a Big Whif

2008-02-20T21:40:00.006+03:00

Which perfume are you?

Romance by Ralph Lauren

This scent is sweet, mild, and seductive. For the hopeless romantics, this perfume definitely tells who you are and what you're all about. Like this scent, you are cool and classy. Chamomile, freesia, oakmoss and violet, it's a captivating scent that captures all attention onto you.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

If you could capture 5 smells and put them in little jars...which would you choose?

Mine would be:
The smell we smell after it rains
My dad's smell
The smell of leather
The smell of barbequed marshmallows
The smell of books

High

2008-02-16T21:01:00.004+03:00

School has started again...Didn't go like I thought it would. Which reminds me how things rarely turn out the way you imagine them. I think it has something to do with my romantic optimisim! (I humbly roll my eyes at myself) I imagine something to be great and awesome and perfect...and when it's not, well I guess it's just not...It doesn't have to be a disaster...just not the way I imagined it.

Okay! You probably are thinking..."What's F. talking about?!" So let's change the subject.

Tidying stuff up gives me a certain pleasure...an elated feeling. So does seeing stuff in a nice sophisticated mess!

I dreamt of an old crush last night. It was great to see him again. Put in mind, however, that I've never seen him before.

LOL

Newly ordered books for university will not arrive to the student bookstore till the second week of March. Wow!

Love Talk and a Tent

2008-02-15T11:45:00.003+03:00

I wasn't going to do a post about Valentine's day, not because I'm against the whole thing, or because it rubs it in that I'm single (I'm happy and it doesn't matter) I don't know I just didn't want to do a post about it!

Just as spontaneous as this post is, you see, at our weekly family gathering, while the young generation dozed off inside the house after a long day at school, the aging generation reminisced about their love stories, and how they ended up with their spouses while lounging in the winter/springtime tent erected in the garden...not because it was Valentine's day though...It just happened spontaneously...What a coincidence though huh?! From the failed pursuits, to the arranged marriages...it was all so interesting and funny.

He was a bit of a fish really.

2008-02-13T18:24:00.004+03:00

I've never been to Virgin and found the book(s) I wanted! EVER! >:(

The colour of pink grapefruit juice is HOTT...for a wall.

You know you need a makeover when your parents urge you go to do something different with your hair... <:(

Don't you hate waking up a couple of minutes before your alarm clock goes off???

My cat looks ugly when she's wet

Artwork

2008-02-10T21:24:00.000+03:00

What do you guys think of tattoos? Besides the fact that Islam says it's forbidden...If it was ok would you get one? What kind and where? Sometimes I think they're cute, but they're never attractive or appealing, and most of the time they're plain ridiculous. To have something branded on you forever...the mere thought of it scares me. Look at Amy Winehouse for example...need I say more? Her arms look like a graffiti-ed wall!

***

Here's a cool site I found: http://artpad.art.com/artpad/painter/...you can create your own art, really fun!

Here's my painting :)

Child Philosophers

2008-02-09T16:28:00.000+03:00

While my siblings and I nerdily read in the back seat of the car, as Daddy drove us out for lunch, my 10 year old brother surprised me with this:

"Imagine all the insects in the world not having names before humans gave them names..."

LOL! He didn't even want an answer, he was just stating it. Reminds me of the philosophy of language I was learning about only last semester. I love clever kids!

***

Randomness:
Do you know people who have staple articles of clothing? I can't think of anyone I know personally, but I find it really interesting...Miranda Priestly (the boss from The Devil Wears Prada-Lauren Weisberger) always wears a white Hermes scarf somewhere in her outfit. Also, Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl...he wears this quirky scarf all the time...I think it's cute!

Au Contraire

2008-01-29T22:08:00.000+03:00

My sister insisted that I watch One Tree Hill...so I'm watching it. I wasn't interested before because I knew it would be the "Oh my God, she stole my boyfriend!" kind of thing...but I watched it for my sister's sake. It DID turn out to be like how I thought it would, but I'll have to admit, after a couple of episodes you get kind of hooked. I'm not talking about the plot here, since that's proven to be quite predictable so far, but the characters seem to become like your friends...Aww! Yes, how very cute!
For those of you who are familiar with the show, I think I like Nathan the most out of all the characters, oh yeah, and Keith. (Yes, I chose the boys...I never choose the girls! :P )

This brings me to another point I'd like to mention, and that's that I always like the ones that everybody else hates. ALWAYS! And it can be frustrating at times, because nobody can relate to what I'm feeling or experiencing...which is a real bummer! But I shouldn't let myself down because of that right? Amethyst always tells me, "Not everybody has to like what you like!" and yeah, I guess she's right...I just hope people'd understand how I feel about stuff sometimes...

Randomness:
There's something about seeing a bunch of sharpened pencil colours that makes me happy :P Does that happen to you? Not just with coloured pencils, with anything...

Lots of stuff give me that feeling, I just said coloured pencils because that's what I see in front of me now...

Insomnia

2008-01-24T11:16:00.000+03:00

It seems the forces of nature have taken a disliking to me...

I went to bed with a clogged up nose, so I had to breathe through my mouth all night...!

Also, some workers decided that the-middle-of-the-night was a perfect time to drill a hole in the road outside my bedroom window...I swear it felt like they we're drilling at my head...and with the flu, that isn't really necessary since you've got the headache along with the clogginess as a special offer!

Last, but definately not least, at one interval where I had to wake up and then try and go back to sleep again, I felt a searing pain in my lower lip, and it felt like it was swelling pretty quickly...! This morning I wake up and I look like I had been to the plastic surgeon...those damn mosquitoes!!!

Movie Review: Evening

2008-01-23T16:08:00.001+03:00

A beautiful movie indeed! It was just really beautiful.

Ann Lord, a presently sick old dying lady, hovers between reality and memories from the past. We are swept into an emotional reverie full of love, misery and lost opportunities. Ann's experiences puzzle but give hope to her two daughters who realise that we are all very mysterious creatures.

The cast is truly a line-up of stars. Claire Danes, Hugh Dancy and Toni Collette deliver exceptionally deep performances with remarkable appearances by Meryl Streep and Glenn Close. Dancy was absolutely stunning playing the vivacious yet tragic Buddy, and Mamie Gummer (Meryl Streep's daughter) who plays Lila shows promising talent.

The costumes, set design and soundtrack are perfect and they help the audience enter into the film's atmosphere.

The movie is based on the novel, under the same title, by Susan Minot. I haven't read it but it has surely made it to my "To Read" list.

Special thanks to my dear friend Zooza who thought this was my kind of movie...it was!

I'll leave you with one of my favourite scenes: