Is it a Curse from School ?

I don’t know what’s wrong with the school I graduated from! We’ve always heard bad news every now and then about classmates, friends or other students from different classes. I remember the first serious bad news I got that had to do with me and my childhood memories, and even more strongly it was related to my brother. It was one of his friends whom he has grown up with. He was two years older than I was. When we were little (I was in third grade) I remember his sister and I teamed up against him and my brother. We used to run all around the playground, we used to eat together; we used to fight over stickers and have the most childish conversations ever. I remember how he would try to get us envious of his name while he told us how famous it was and very common among cartoon characters. That’s because his name was not a common Emirati name at all. I remember he would tell us about Greece and then his sister and he would speak some Greek to make us familiar with the language. Then, I remember the bell would ring, I would go to my class, his sister would go to her class, my brother and he would go to class together. Years passed by… my brother and I left that school and when we came back I don’t even know if they remember the memories we had. We really weren’t in touch much. As the years passed by, we came back to the same school, my brother and I. I was in tenth grade now and my brother and he were seniors. They graduated and I remember the girls and I would make fun of him and call him Enrique for he looked like Enrique Iglesias. I remember that for a while he never attended his classes because of a fight that took place. The guys made fun and joked saying that he most probably died… well, what did they know? A year after that, he really died at around the same time. He died in an accident while driving to meet up with some friends. He was wearing a shirt that belonged to one of his best friends whom he was supposed to meet that night. What do we know? Later that night, that friend of his saw him die… wearing his shirt. The whole school went dark and sad. I remember that day very well. All I was haunted by is the memories I had of him and his sister. They only had each other and their mom. Their house must have been so empty after his death for he was the only man. He was also a kind hearted person who cared a big deal about his sister.

After this incident, and after I had graduated, I never stopped hearing news of students’ deaths – students from my school. My friends and I really began to think that our school was cursed. We heard rumors about two other guys who died and a girl, too.

Today, I again heard the saddest news. Back then when we were in school, there were those very highly respected twins whom nobody spoke of in any manner other than respect and pride. They set the perfect example of ideal youth. Throughout the years I spent in school, never have I ever heard anything negative of them. And today the news just struck me. My brother was sitting checking his mobile phone and told me “The twins… they had a terrible accident. One died, one is in the ICU and might not make it”. It was very sad because I never saw one without the other… what would his life be without his closes brother all of a sudden! His brother who was his TWIN which means he was LITERALLY part of him! I shall stop here. To keep on talking about this does no good at all. “Allah yer7ama… w y9abber haleh… w yeshfy o5ooh w y3eeena 3ala frag his twin”. But one last word, though! I must say that people like them “ma yen5af 3alaihom” mashalla. Yen5af 3ala those illi lail w nhar ‘3afleen 3an rabhom w a5rathom… Allahomma as2aloka 7osn al 5atema… Death really knows no age.

My Forbidden Tan

I went to the beach yesterday. I spent all day there. I mean it – I literally spent all day there (from 12:00 noon to 9:00 PM). You see, I am already bronze and I don’t need to get a tan. My mother doesn’t want my skin to get exposed to a lot of direct sun because my color really changes quickly – more like immediately! And she warned me saying: Itha yaiteeni min9al5a la ted5leen el bait. From her tone, I just knew that she meant what she said because she’s been having enough of me going out and coming back home with a multicolored skin hehe.
So, this fear got planted inside me now because I know my punishment would be “No more going to the beach for you this summer”. For that reason, I decided to sit inside the café and read magazines while having a light snack hoping that the time would pass quickly until the sun gets less burning. Meanwhile, my friends were out there lying under the sun dying to get my color ;) Doesn’t it feel great to know that you’re born with the perfect tan already??? (Sorry, S.Mad and ReeZ I just had to say that sentence).
Anyway, I had a lemon margarita with some French fries… and just sat there! It started to get boring and not even half an hour passed yet. And guess what is facing me? Just guess what was in front of my eyes the whole time? THE TEMPTING BEACH! It was never bluer than yesterday and the sands were never more crystal-like than yesterday, and the shore was never clearer than yesterday. The seashells were of all colors and they also shined under the bright sun. Yes, it was like the glittery shores that we see in the movies.
I tried to sit still, I fought each minute and each second but the beach was irresistible. Finally, I stood up… and flew to the beach where I saw my friends still suffering to get a decent tan. I called them crazy for not yet swimming and enjoying the water. And there I went enjoying the swim and floating while I daydreamed and listened to my own breathing. It’s the best feeling on earth to float among the sea waves and get lost with your thoughts under the bright sun and the clear blue sky.
I then freaked out when I saw myself in the mirror after taking a shower in the club. I became what my mother warned me not to be. I got a tan which I thought was extremely sexy and amazing but I know to my mom it’s TOO DARK and not nice! Hehe Well, I got yelled at, but hey when I remember the lovely sensation of floating under the sun and feeling the waters travel with you in waves made think: It’s WORTH ALL THE YELLING!!

P.S: Dynamic Deeds walla you missed it. I wish you could have made it. Next time inshalla (Whenever I'm allowed to go again =P )

Photos, Changes and Lessons.

I was going through old albums looking at photos of when my siblings and I were really young. Young with dirty cheeks, clothes that had stains of all colors you could imagine, messy hair, face expressions only children would have and most importantly; we were being us - being purely natural. Looking at these photos also took me back in time. I could relive the moment when each photo was taken. I still remember when, why and how some photos were taken. In some photos I was very shy I wouldn’t even smile. In other photos where my mom had really done a great job keeping my hair and dress very neat, I would look so stiff with a forced smile. That is of course because I was never used to being so neat as a child. Not forgetting the fact that I never had sisters back then which meant that my role models were dirty messy brothers. So you could only imagine how hard it was for me to smile with glee to the camera. I just couldn’t wait to take off all the pinky stuff and put on my raggy shorts and go out to play on a pile of sand with my brothers and whoever else was there too.

Oh yes… how we’ve changed! Life really filled up our minds and brains. It’s not only life alone but in fact, the contribution first comes from within YOU. It comes from what your parents filled your spirit with. It’s the push behind your parents wise decisions and choices. It’s the guidance and escort from your parents. But most importantly it’s YOU who decided to follow these steps with acknowledgement.

Looking at those photos I couldn’t stop thinking - I never knew back then one little tiny bit of what I know today; I never expected to have the dreams I have today; I never even thought of thinking of what could today be like; I didn’t know how innocent I was and I definitely never thought of what I would be capable of doing today, let alone tomorrow! All these meditations kept rushing in and out my head. I then thought; What does man know anyways?! Man is week with his knowledge but according to his time he is certainly a mastermind, only to become tomorrow’s ignorance, for tomorrow a new genius shall stand.

Feelings grow with us as we grow. Photos are only kept to prove to us that we are still who we are - only a bigger, funkier, more rebellious version has taken shape. I still remember my pink blouse that had the drawing of a woman. I remember that if I were wearing it at night I would never go stand in front of a mirror because the reflection of that lady scared me. I remember how I kept checking all day if I turned into a werewolf yet - just because I had a nightmare on the subject. I still remember how I slapped my dad late at night when I was about four because he scolded me earlier that day. I will always remember the anger I carried when I was around certain people.

As children we all went through these feelings, but hey, have we ever noticed that the feelings are still as strong today as they were back then? As kids we got so scared and worried over silly things because compared to our age, the fear is just as big as it is of today. The fear that I got when I was 19 getting my "yatho0m" is just as strong as the fear I got when I was only about 5 or 6 watching the episode of Tom & Jerry where the witch comes along. Just imagine that! Anyway fear is just an example, there’s all kinds of feelings like sadness, nervousness and excitement.

All this really teaches me to never underestimate a child’s reaction to something. Just like how we have to take our cameras to the eye level of the interviewee or the scene of action, we should also take our minds and walk or play along our conversations putting in mind the level this child is seeing themselves in. When we were kids we needed that. I have temporarily moved to Live at my grandmother’s house and it opened my eyes to many things. I learnt that mood swings are your worst enemy and should be defeated in order to survive. You either kill your mood or lose the people. I’d rather choose none of the above. Instead, I’ll use people to please my mood and vise-versa; I’ll reshape my mood to please both, me and the people. So, yes we do take photos as lesson reviews besides as memories that could make us either smile or cry. And yes, we do learn from children around us because we were once the children surrounding other grownups. The plan isn’t for you only to grow and survive but also to play a role in helping and escorting the younger generation the same way other grownups held your hand lifting you up to the world and dreams you live today as a young grownup.

When I see a photo I see more than just an image. I see words, lessons, reflections and facts. You see how you’ve changed and how you can bring change to others. But best of all, you see that no matter how much "change" can affect the "you" inside you, you still grow to keep the "real" you somewhere inside.

However, if you lock yourself and your mind out of this world, you will find that little child in you again. Such a graceful moment that would be... !

I admit I have made mistakes in my life just like anybody else. The more mistakes I make, or the more balance I lose, the more attached I get to the innocent photos which remind me of who I am and what I was. Hopefully they would reload my spirit. But unfortunately, some photos take me to painful memories of sad times or evoke an old pain. However, I keep thanking Allah and my parents that I am who I am. I am proud of who I am and what I do and my dreams will build a stronger base until I could finally touch them and see them alive. I push everyone to pride because pride pushes away all the torpedoes life can offer along the way. Positive, optimistic pride is highly needed and recommended.

Natacha St Pierre

Natacha St Pierre… she’s young… she’s Canadian from New Brunswick. Her voice and telent in singing and playing the piano are just impecable. There is not one song that I didn’t like; or maybe it’s because of her magical voice. My friend’s car is invaded by my Natacha songs hehehe.. Sorry S.MAD but come on I know you love all my CDs the way I love yours :P.

Anyway… here’s a list of my fav songs by her:

Un ange frappe a ma porte
Tant Que C’est Toi
De L’amour Le Mieux
Tu Trouveras
Sans Le Savoir
Tu M’envoles
Je T’aime Encore
Dans Mes Nuits

I would say her songs are perfect if you’re looking for relaxation.

When it’s time to go wild and crazy I have a different list of crazy Spanish songs which also already invaded S.Mad’s car =P

Translation: "Puertas Misteriosas"

I have translated what I wrote under the title “Puertas Misteriosas” at the request of my friend “S.Mad”. =)
So here’s what I wrote and I wrote it when I was bored and just “breathing” letting a million thoughts flow in and out my head…. :

I find a door in front of me each time I reach a new stage in my life. Each door is a mystery. Each door is a story. Each door is an adventure… and each door has an answer. If people already knew what is behind every door in every stage of their life, then what would be the purpose of their existence? People are brought to life to search, learn, work and decide to take the right or wrong path. Finally, there is heaven and there is hell. The question is: Which door takes to heaven? Which door takes to hell?
Yes. Every door is a mystery and every door hides an answer!

Puertas Misteriosas

Encuentro una puerta delante de mí cada vez que alcanzo una nueva etapa en mi vida. Cada puerta es un misterio. Cada puerta es una historia. Cada puerta es una aventura... y cada puerta tiene una respuesta. Si la gente supiera ya cuál está detrás de cada puerta en cada etapa de su vida, entonces cuál sería el propósito de su existencia? La gente está en la vida para buscar, para aprender, para trabajar y para decidir tomar la trayectoria derecha o incorrecta. Finalmente, hay cielo y hay infierno. La pregunta es: Qué puerta lleva el cielo? Qué puerta lleva el infierno? Sí. Cada puerta es un misterio y cada puerta oculta una respuesta!

Note: Me disculpo si mi espanol tiene errores gramaticales. Intento mejorar mi espanol.

Body Combat

This summer, just like every summer, I plan to do different things that would be of a nice change in my life. I look for something that would be new, useful, interesting and DIFFERENT. Usually, my plans remain un-acted words or just thoughts on hold! Yeah… yeah… this is me! But this summer I aimed and planned with a stronger willpower! As a result, I did not only apply for a summer job and actually started working, in fact, I have planned and decided to go to BODY COMBAT sessions at the Dubai Ladies Club along with my friend S.MAD.

S.MAD and I have similar interests and similar tastes in what we like and what we hate to do. We are always ready to try something new as we live the “ why not?” theory. So, I am working at Summer Planet and in August I intend to also change my job and work at a travel agency… one which my mother knows very well. It would be interesting and really beneficial.

So let me tell you about this BODY COMBAT. It is the new, different, interesting and useful thing that would spice up my summer. It’s a martial art with loud techno hip hop music. “it is the empowering cardio workout where you are totally unleashed”, is what most people would say about body combat. Anyway, Recently I have been attending the sessions and the more I go the more I get attached to it. The last time I did something like that was two years ago. So, guess what? I looked like a fool when I attended the first session. S.MAD on the other hand, is already well skilled at catching and keeping up with the rhythm of it all. *She does Taekwondo*.

Even though it's hard to get my muscles used to the pain of all the kicking, all the punching, all the jumping and attacking and dancing with the music, deep inside I just know that it's not only fun but also very good for my body. Enough of the laziness and the "potato couch" life !!! Time to add "LIFE" to my life!

PUNCH RIGHT...PUNCH LEFT...PUNCH RIGHT ...RIGHT.... KICK LEFT... "YAAAAAAA"......... KICK LEFT ...KICK RIGHT... PUNCH LEFT... AGAIN LEFT... LOWER RIGHT "HAYYYYYYYYY"! ...... hehehe