She kept going up to me every other minute telling me ‘5 more minutes, ok? I am very sorry.’ ‘No problem!’ … each 5 minutes extended to another 5 and another 5…I waited for 2 hours at the salon for my turn to get my eyebrows done…When it was finally my turn, she rushed and was done in 5 minutes! What the hell? She didn’t even trim them… She missed a few hairs…she didn’t do a good job! and I still keep going back…

Out of conditioner … my hair looks awful!
Took a vacation … it’s nothing even close to that!
My nails looks horrendous … I’ve been wanting to schedule a manicure/ pedicure appointment for the past month but haven’t gotten the chance to!
I challenged myself to jump rope for 15 minutes non-stop … I got around doing 3 minutes!

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Our neighbors from across the street have a backyard … why don’t they use it instead of entertaining guests in the front yard!
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Why the hell do we keep meeting people… seriously, what’s the point!
Is there one single person that we can completely and wholeheartedly open up to …I seriously don’t believe so!
When I look at the faces of my nieces, I cannot help but genuinely wish that they will never ever have to go through any hardships in their lives!

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My next vacation is not going to be until next summer … I hope I am not crabby till then!
I am so looking forward to taking the train to and from work … I will actually have some handsfree time!
So many weirdos take the train … I am the only exception!

That Never Escapes You!

The ultimate question that I hate the most asked by some of my favorite people

I was babysitting my 3 neices and nephew today, and kept reminding myself that it really isn’t too bad…I mean so what if I have to put up with the constant nagging, yelling, fighting and crying of little kids …that’s my idea of a perfect vacation…Overall, they’re not too bad, but sometimes they just manage to drive you crazy!  Anyway, so as I was reading the news, Amoonah comes to me and randomly asks: (Read on …)

The musical ensemble Turab (Soil or Earth in Arabic) was started in 2004 by a group of seven musicians living in Palestine. Turab performs original songs based on lyrics by contemporary Palestinian poets.
Hada Leil, Turab’s first CD, contains eleven songs and one instrumental piece drawing on a number of different musical styles—often simultaneously. While much of the music is derived from the classical and pop Arabic music traditions, other influences are at times overt and at other times subtle.
For instance, Tafran (Broke), the tenth track on the CD, transits from verses which combine reggae with a Latin beat and a walking bass line to choruses which are purely Arab pop. The group uses a combination of Arabic and other instruments including the ‘oud, bazouq, guitar, string bass, clarinet, nay, accordion and percussion from the Arab tradition, Iran, Africa and Latin America.
The group held  its first concert in the Ramallah Cultural Palace for an audience of 600. This was followed by other concerts in Dar El-Nadwah in Bethlehem and in the village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights. The group is planning many more concerts in Palestine and abroad.
The music of Hada Leil is directly informed by the lyrics written by five poets. The poems that form the basis of the songs deal with topics of freedom, occupation, poverty and love. Some of the poetry and accompanying music were written during (and in reaction to) the Israeli invasion of Palestinian cities in 2002. For instance, the words of Hada Leil, the title track, were read to the composer, Basel Zayed, by the poet, Samer El-Salhy, with the last of his cell phone battery during the invasion of Ramallah when the city had no electricity or water. (Read on …)

we all need to once in a while!

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” — Stephen Hawking

Who are the terrorists again? And aren’t Fateh and Hamas ashamed of their internal fighting that has domintated the streets of Palestine the past few months? Isn’t what the occupation forces doing to them enough?

An Israeli navy gunboat fired shells into northern Gaza on Friday, killing at least seven Palestinians on a beach, Palestinian medical sources said. The Israel Defense Forces halted firing pending an investigation into the strike at Beit Lahya. The IDF apologized and said it “regretted the strike on innocents,” the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. Haaretz said the IDF’s chief of staff, Gen. Dan Harel, had ordered a halt in the shelling. The Israeli paper quoted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as condemning the killings as a “bloody massacre.” Oh Come on, Abu Mazen…People make mistakes and besides… they apologized!

Trying to live your daily life as normal as possible is not a luxury in Palestine! 

And so the bloodshed continues, innocent lives continue to fall, barbaric bastards continue to be idolized by Arab ‘leaders,’ and Fateh and Hamas continue fighting, forgetting who their real enemy is!

On Being Judgemental:  I hate it when people automatically assume that you’re being ‘too judgemental’ …I base my ‘judgement’ on my interaction with others, so I don’t randomly form any blind opinions on someone. Seriously. By saying I am judgemental, you’re being even more judgemental…So please, keep your judgemental opinion to yourself!

Immigration & Integration: When ‘basic’ traditional values collide?  Someone please explain to me how is the notion that women should be free to make choices independent of their fathers and husbands sinful?

Chicago Curfew in Effect: Curfew hours begin at 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 on Friday and Saturday. The curfew applies to children 16 years old and younger. Legal guardians will be fined if their kids are involved in a crime while violating the curfew. Police Superintendent Phil Cline says police have cited 33 parents since they started enforcing the new rule last week. 33 in one week!! I feel safer now!

Al-Qaeda opposes Mid-East vote: Ayman al-Zawahiri urges Palestinians to reject a planned referendum on a future state. ”Palestine was a land of Islam, and its liberation is the duty of every Muslim.”  stop targetting innocent civilians then! obviously Palestine and Palestinians are the least of your concerns!

The thoroughly modern moustache?: “I think it’s sexy,” Donald Bradford, 26, says of the bushy growth that has adorned his upper lip for the past two months. I think it’s a major turn off!
“It’s just cool, right?, and it’s fun,” said Bradford, a tall man with blonde highlights in his hair to match his silver jacket. No, it’s not cool!
“It’s a male accessory, just like highlights or make-up for women,” said Vasseur. “I would feel naked without it.” I wouldn’t go as far as comparing it to highlights or make-up. Perhaps a very neatly trimmed trace of hair is acceptable, but nothing more!

Know Your Appetite: Real hunger is the body’s physical need for food. Appetite, on the other hand, is an emotional desire for food that can be caused by stress, boredom or depression. ( Add excitement, great company and…) Eat only when hungry. (And take out your appetite on something else! be creative!) (American Institute for Preventive Medicine)

“Never take someone for granted, Hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day and realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones.”

Aren’t diamonds referred to as stones as well?

When you open a bag of chips, -if anything is left- seal it after you’re done!
When you chew, close your mouth!
When someone holds the door open for you, say thank you!
When you ask someone how they’re doing, mean it!
When you want to change lanes, use the appropriate signal!
When the light is yellow, don’t try to beat it!
Don’t tailgate me!
When you take your clothes off, put them away!
When you’re done using the bathroom, put the toilet seat down… please!
When you’re done washing your hands, turn the faucet off!
When you’re hands are wet, dry them before you touch me!
Don’t touch my hair unelss you’ve washed your hands!
Don’t stare at me, especially if you’re not good looking!
Don’t call me before 11 a.m. on weekends!

according to Chinese Astrology…  

I was born in a Year of the Earth Horse! The Horses are the physically active, oratory and quick-witted athletes of the zodiac. Charming, independent, and “decisive,” the Horse prefers to be ‘on the move’ with places to go and people to see. Natural leaders, idealistic and humanitarian in character, the Horse is a gifted speaker and strong communicator. Elegant, witty, and charming, those born into Horse years are difficult to defeat in an argument, and always make a persuasive case. Often successful in politics or public speaking, the cheerful and friendly Horse is effusive and needs absolute freedom to maneuver through life’s pastures. This independent 7th sign of the zodiac needs a mate who stimulates their mind and appreciates their wit. Rejuvenating time of day for Horses is during their own high-noon hours, between 11:00am - 1:00pm. Earth is the humid afternoon element, the symbol of the protected, padded nest, of peace and serenity; of slow and deep changes. (Read on …)

A conversation between me and my 3 year old nephew over the weekend went something like this:

The best Amto (aunti) on earth: Taita and seedo (grandma and grandpa) miss you so much and send these hugs and kisses for you, Ahmad!
Ahmad:  Where are they Amto? I miss them!
The best Amto on earth: They’re in Palestine.
Ahmad: Where is Palestine? Is it far?
Ahmad’s father interrupts: Filisteen, Ahmad
The best amto on earth turns to Ahmad’s father and with a tone of condemnation says: Well, amto…your father will have to take you there so you can see it!  
Ahmad: Is Filisteen, Palestine far? or is it close to my school?
The best Amto on earth: It’s very far… we have to get on a plane and cross the ocean to get to it.
Ahmad: I crossed the ocean and I saw sharks… (he’s referring to the time he went to Jordan last year)
The best Amto on earth: wow, I know you did…were you scared?
Ahmad: Nooo! 

He then started running away…I think he lost interest in the conversation….
I seriously think every single child born and raised away from his ‘home’country needs not only be told about it, but to experience it first hand…live it…see it…feel it… (Read on …)