A few things I wanted to add to my list:
17. "brush up" on my Italian (That's just a nice way to say re-learn the teeny tiny bit of Italian that I studied a gazillion years ago)
18. learn how to salsa
19. Get my driver's license
20. Get new passport pictures taken
21. maybe get a massage? :)
---------------------------------------
I am HOOKED on "Desperate Housewives".. They are just so realistically funny! And yes I'm a woman, I should not objectify women, bla bla bla.. but that Eva Longoria is GORGEOUS!.. is this what guys sound like?!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
My Summer Plans.. Finally!
On Saturday I had my last final!! AT LAAAAAAST! It's been so long.. over a month now.. crazy I know.. Anyhow, I don't have to talk about it, because it's OVER!!
I've been bumming around for the past couple of days.. Trying to enjoy the feeling of useless-ness.. It's sort of nice.. I say sort of because I am unable to just "do nothing" anymore.. the only "do nothing" sort of thing that i can do is lie under the sun.. otherwise I'll get too bored, too quickly..
And like the fellow blogger, Bassem, I will hereby announce my summer plans!
(btw, if you get the feeling that you read these plans elsewhere, you're right, I might've copied and pasted it from someone else's list --> I'm being lazy!)
1. learn how to create links in my blogs (he he)
2. Go to the gym and lose all my exams-weight (I already started.. i've already devised and plan to get to the same size I was last summer.. and God knows how hard that would be.. but it's soooo worth it )
3. Start reading the "pending" books on my book list (this would've been an apropriate place to add a link to my previous post had I known how) and get some more books too
4. Get ANOTHER closet (for my bags this time!)
5. Summer training for 2 months.. (yes, i AM a stress-freak.. happy Sunshine??!!) a month in Jeddah and another outside Saudi Arabia (I just got both my acceptances a couple of days ago!). I actually have a semi-list of all the things I'm planning to learn.. I'll finalize it later this week before i start my training.
6. Travel (I am actually thinking of squeezing going to Prague in the middle of my busy schedule; let's wait and see!)
7. Get enough outfits and actually go to all the summer weddings
8. clean the little barn that is my room (untidy is an understatement!)
9. organize the files on my computer and read the articles that I've been saving on my DESKTOP (it looks freaky!)
10. take my wisdom teeth out (I was supposed to do that today but i totally forgot!)
11. Get closer to God (I'm not sure how exactly, but maybe pray more?)
12. stop writing "actually" so many times!
13. Get a gorgeous tan :P
14. change my hairstyle (Maybe I'll be a blonde this year, or a red-head?)
15. cook?
16. and most importantly, HAVE FUN WITH MY FRIENDS!
I've been bumming around for the past couple of days.. Trying to enjoy the feeling of useless-ness.. It's sort of nice.. I say sort of because I am unable to just "do nothing" anymore.. the only "do nothing" sort of thing that i can do is lie under the sun.. otherwise I'll get too bored, too quickly..
And like the fellow blogger, Bassem, I will hereby announce my summer plans!
(btw, if you get the feeling that you read these plans elsewhere, you're right, I might've copied and pasted it from someone else's list --> I'm being lazy!)
1. learn how to create links in my blogs (he he)
2. Go to the gym and lose all my exams-weight (I already started.. i've already devised and plan to get to the same size I was last summer.. and God knows how hard that would be.. but it's soooo worth it )
3. Start reading the "pending" books on my book list (this would've been an apropriate place to add a link to my previous post had I known how) and get some more books too
4. Get ANOTHER closet (for my bags this time!)
5. Summer training for 2 months.. (yes, i AM a stress-freak.. happy Sunshine??!!) a month in Jeddah and another outside Saudi Arabia (I just got both my acceptances a couple of days ago!). I actually have a semi-list of all the things I'm planning to learn.. I'll finalize it later this week before i start my training.
6. Travel (I am actually thinking of squeezing going to Prague in the middle of my busy schedule; let's wait and see!)
7. Get enough outfits and actually go to all the summer weddings
8. clean the little barn that is my room (untidy is an understatement!)
9. organize the files on my computer and read the articles that I've been saving on my DESKTOP (it looks freaky!)
10. take my wisdom teeth out (I was supposed to do that today but i totally forgot!)
11. Get closer to God (I'm not sure how exactly, but maybe pray more?)
12. stop writing "actually" so many times!
13. Get a gorgeous tan :P
14. change my hairstyle (Maybe I'll be a blonde this year, or a red-head?)
15. cook?
16. and most importantly, HAVE FUN WITH MY FRIENDS!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Coming Soon..
My Next Blog.. titled "My Summer Plans.. Finally!" .. will be out tonight..
I know you can't wait :P
I know you can't wait :P
Monday, June 19, 2006
Pushups
So today I'm checking the Oprah website (I only watch her show occasionally; her website is more practical).. and here is what I read..
"According to Dr. Oz, the average 30-year-old woman should be able to do 45 bent-leg push-ups (and five fewer every following decade of her life), and the average 30-year-old man should be able to do 35 regular pushups (and five fewer every following decade of his life). "Those should be national benchmarks," Dr. Oz says. "
(Dr. Oz is the health dude who is sort of a regular on her show)
Since I haven't been to the gym in over 5 weeks, I will refrain from enclosing how many pushups I can do.. I will probably be able to comment on this in a week or 2..
How about you; how many can you do?
"According to Dr. Oz, the average 30-year-old woman should be able to do 45 bent-leg push-ups (and five fewer every following decade of her life), and the average 30-year-old man should be able to do 35 regular pushups (and five fewer every following decade of his life). "Those should be national benchmarks," Dr. Oz says. "
(Dr. Oz is the health dude who is sort of a regular on her show)
Since I haven't been to the gym in over 5 weeks, I will refrain from enclosing how many pushups I can do.. I will probably be able to comment on this in a week or 2..
How about you; how many can you do?
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Random Question
I have a question... you know those really sexy lip glosses; the high-shine variety?.. The ones that make you look like you have Angelina's pout even if you actually have a fish's lips?..
Why are they always so damned STICKY??!.. you can't even kiss some one on the cheek whilst wearing it, or even better, you can NOT go out in a windy weather and pretend nothing weird is gonna happen! (Hint: Striped Red Indian marks are not appealing!)
Maybe one day we'll actually have non-sticky lipgloss.. ahhh..
Why are they always so damned STICKY??!.. you can't even kiss some one on the cheek whilst wearing it, or even better, you can NOT go out in a windy weather and pretend nothing weird is gonna happen! (Hint: Striped Red Indian marks are not appealing!)
Maybe one day we'll actually have non-sticky lipgloss.. ahhh..
Thursday, June 15, 2006
All Nighters
Who here have ever stayed up all-night to work on a project, read proof a presentation or study for a test?.. MEEEEEE.. and I guess most of you have done that at one time or another..
As for myself, I've been doing this for a few years now, though i guess this year I haven't pulled as much all nighters as a couple of years ago, because I'm starting to learn about a little thing they call "Functioning When NOT Under Pressure" <-- (New concept to me)
However, my blog today is not about this, but rather about something I just discovered like 5 minutes ago, which I find to be as much of a help during an all-nighter as a faithful cup of coffee or a fellow all-nighter-puller..
I announce..
THE JUMPING ROPE!
Yup, you've read it correctly.. a jumping rope.. That thing we used to play with when we were like 5..
I'll explain..
Haven't you ever read an article about pulling all-nighters? Didn't you notice that they all refer to "physical activity" as a very effective way to stay awake, yet none offers a practical way to do that?.. And this is where the jumping rope comes into play.. It's easy to get, practical to use in the middle of the night (unlike a jog down the street or something), it's fun, and you only need to do like 30 seconds to feel energized.. and the best part of it all.. you don't have to leave your room!!
BONUS: If the reason you're pulling all-nighters is having your final exams, then it's quite possible that you've gained a few pounds as well (ehem!) and this is a great way to start burning some calories!!
I just did 20 jumps (I have one of those cool ropes which actually count for you.. he he).. And I'm aiming for 100 a day/night (not tonight ofcourse, it's almost 1 am)..
And last thing.. ENJOY!
P.S. Music helps too :)
As for myself, I've been doing this for a few years now, though i guess this year I haven't pulled as much all nighters as a couple of years ago, because I'm starting to learn about a little thing they call "Functioning When NOT Under Pressure" <-- (New concept to me)
However, my blog today is not about this, but rather about something I just discovered like 5 minutes ago, which I find to be as much of a help during an all-nighter as a faithful cup of coffee or a fellow all-nighter-puller..
I announce..
THE JUMPING ROPE!
Yup, you've read it correctly.. a jumping rope.. That thing we used to play with when we were like 5..
I'll explain..
Haven't you ever read an article about pulling all-nighters? Didn't you notice that they all refer to "physical activity" as a very effective way to stay awake, yet none offers a practical way to do that?.. And this is where the jumping rope comes into play.. It's easy to get, practical to use in the middle of the night (unlike a jog down the street or something), it's fun, and you only need to do like 30 seconds to feel energized.. and the best part of it all.. you don't have to leave your room!!
BONUS: If the reason you're pulling all-nighters is having your final exams, then it's quite possible that you've gained a few pounds as well (ehem!) and this is a great way to start burning some calories!!
I just did 20 jumps (I have one of those cool ropes which actually count for you.. he he).. And I'm aiming for 100 a day/night (not tonight ofcourse, it's almost 1 am)..
And last thing.. ENJOY!
P.S. Music helps too :)
Monday, June 12, 2006
The Blog
Oh God.. I miss the Internet!! Actually, I miss Blogging .. It's been three days since I've been online, and I already feel lost! I don't know which city my best friend is in, I didn't download any new music, and I didn't check anyone's blog.. (which reminds me, I should connect my Limewire.. )
Why are blogs so addictive?? How did they become such an important part of our lives?.. A little less than 4 months ago, a "blog" was something that other people did.. and you know, just like drinking tea every morning, not THAT appealing.. :P
But then, Sunshine "announced" her blog, and a chain reaction started.. we all started blogging! We even started "depending" on our blog to share our latest news, problems, or feelings.. That and i got to "meet" a bunch of really interesting and different people..
I totally love how I actually feel closer to my friends, probably because you get to "talk" when you have the time, and they get to "listen" when they have the time.. which is a wonderful thing for people leading such hectic lives, because most days, you're just too busy in your own life that the only time you have is almost always a time they're busy..
And also, how can we forget, the talents that have been uncovered since.. :)
Why are blogs so addictive?? How did they become such an important part of our lives?.. A little less than 4 months ago, a "blog" was something that other people did.. and you know, just like drinking tea every morning, not THAT appealing.. :P
But then, Sunshine "announced" her blog, and a chain reaction started.. we all started blogging! We even started "depending" on our blog to share our latest news, problems, or feelings.. That and i got to "meet" a bunch of really interesting and different people..
I totally love how I actually feel closer to my friends, probably because you get to "talk" when you have the time, and they get to "listen" when they have the time.. which is a wonderful thing for people leading such hectic lives, because most days, you're just too busy in your own life that the only time you have is almost always a time they're busy..
And also, how can we forget, the talents that have been uncovered since.. :)
Monday, May 29, 2006
The Paper
Since I started my finals and all (pray for me!), I thought I'd stop blogging for a while.. But you know what? I guess I'm addicted! Isn't this how you know? when you really don't have time, yet you have something to say, you go to your blog? Or is this just sad/weird?
Well..
I am pissed. That is the one word that describes what I'm feeling right now.
Why?
Because part II of my exam is tomorrow, and just today, I found out that my "college friends" have this really important paper that I know nothing about, and no one bothered to tell me about it! We were studying together, and then I had to leave. When I asked them where they were going to study subject X from, they were like, that paper. (!!)
"Which paper?"
"Oh, this one".
"where did you get that from?"
"Umm, I don't know, was it one of our classmates?.."
"since when do you have it?"
"A few months, since our last quiz"
(...) That's when i started to get annoyed
When you study with people, especially your "friends", you're supposed to share everything, right?
But the again, s*** happens, moving on...
"I would've appreciated it if you had copied it for me too, walla ma yi7taj?" (I couldn't translate that :P )
"well, you buy stuff and you don't always copy them for us!"
More silence, on my part.. fumes coming out of my ears (I have a very fiery temper)..
Do you know how annoying it is when someone says that to you, when you do the exact opposite? When you truly act in the spirit of the team and ALWAYS share everything you have or know with them?
(Just like a 50's wife: I work and I work and I work.. and this is the thanks I get??!)
"really?" <-- sarcasm is what I do to avoid starting a fight
"yeah"
"aha"
"and also, when you want to give us something, you never copy it for us. You just hand us the original and I copy it for everybody"
"don't start with that.." Now fumes are coming out of my nose, too. Now I'm pissed. Who was it that was distributing papers like a mailman every couple of mornings for the past month?
"but.."
"DON'T"
(silence)
"umm.. u can have mine if you want.."
I look at her..
"really it's ok"
"thanks"
---------------------------------------------
Comments on the story:
#1: What was that about?
It's not just the "forgetting" part that upset me.. It's the "pretending it's normal" part.. and "makin it sound like i deserve it" part.
It could be: a. habal /idiocy
b. gillat ihtimam / not caring enough
c. nadala
I'm not sure which is worse!!
#2: question: Isn't this the way it's supposed to be?.. That when you study with your friends you share everything?..
Or are there some rules written somewhere about how this should be done?
#3: Is it simply that every once in a while you should give people some attitude to get things done?
---------------------------------------------
P.S. to understand more about why i reacted this way, imagine a neat-freak, control-obsessed, hyperorganized person. Monica-esque if you may. Yup. That's me. Aha. I know it.
Well..
I am pissed. That is the one word that describes what I'm feeling right now.
Why?
Because part II of my exam is tomorrow, and just today, I found out that my "college friends" have this really important paper that I know nothing about, and no one bothered to tell me about it! We were studying together, and then I had to leave. When I asked them where they were going to study subject X from, they were like, that paper. (!!)
"Which paper?"
"Oh, this one".
"where did you get that from?"
"Umm, I don't know, was it one of our classmates?.."
"since when do you have it?"
"A few months, since our last quiz"
(...) That's when i started to get annoyed
When you study with people, especially your "friends", you're supposed to share everything, right?
But the again, s*** happens, moving on...
"I would've appreciated it if you had copied it for me too, walla ma yi7taj?" (I couldn't translate that :P )
"well, you buy stuff and you don't always copy them for us!"
More silence, on my part.. fumes coming out of my ears (I have a very fiery temper)..
Do you know how annoying it is when someone says that to you, when you do the exact opposite? When you truly act in the spirit of the team and ALWAYS share everything you have or know with them?
(Just like a 50's wife: I work and I work and I work.. and this is the thanks I get??!)
"really?" <-- sarcasm is what I do to avoid starting a fight
"yeah"
"aha"
"and also, when you want to give us something, you never copy it for us. You just hand us the original and I copy it for everybody"
"don't start with that.." Now fumes are coming out of my nose, too. Now I'm pissed. Who was it that was distributing papers like a mailman every couple of mornings for the past month?
"but.."
"DON'T"
(silence)
"umm.. u can have mine if you want.."
I look at her..
"really it's ok"
"thanks"
---------------------------------------------
Comments on the story:
#1: What was that about?
It's not just the "forgetting" part that upset me.. It's the "pretending it's normal" part.. and "makin it sound like i deserve it" part.
It could be: a. habal /idiocy
b. gillat ihtimam / not caring enough
c. nadala
I'm not sure which is worse!!
#2: question: Isn't this the way it's supposed to be?.. That when you study with your friends you share everything?..
Or are there some rules written somewhere about how this should be done?
#3: Is it simply that every once in a while you should give people some attitude to get things done?
---------------------------------------------
P.S. to understand more about why i reacted this way, imagine a neat-freak, control-obsessed, hyperorganized person. Monica-esque if you may. Yup. That's me. Aha. I know it.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
The Inappropriate Crush
I have a confession..
Lately I've had a crush - correction: a huge crush - on someone so.. inappropriate..
Let me explain..
U know how u have a "type"? Some sort of common ground among all the guys you've ever fallen for.. whether physical (most obvious), intellectual, emotional and even biological (this is the category which age falls under, right?)
What's that about?
Does it mean that i've reached a point where i've realized that my "type" is no longer good for me? Or did i falsely assume that they were my "type" just because it was easier and more convenient this way?..
Is this new guy my new "type"?
Or am I just being a typical woman who destroys every element of enjoying a crush by overanalyzing everything?
Oh well...
Fact stands..
I'm crazy about him..
And let that be it.. :)
Lately I've had a crush - correction: a huge crush - on someone so.. inappropriate..
Let me explain..
U know how u have a "type"? Some sort of common ground among all the guys you've ever fallen for.. whether physical (most obvious), intellectual, emotional and even biological (this is the category which age falls under, right?)
What's that about?
Does it mean that i've reached a point where i've realized that my "type" is no longer good for me? Or did i falsely assume that they were my "type" just because it was easier and more convenient this way?..
Is this new guy my new "type"?
Or am I just being a typical woman who destroys every element of enjoying a crush by overanalyzing everything?
Oh well...
Fact stands..
I'm crazy about him..
And let that be it.. :)
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
A Disturbing Story
WARNING: It's long..!
Little girl, 3 years old, admitted to the hospital for a heart problem she's had since birth.. sad, but not unusual..
But right there, near her name, for all to see, is written.. HIV +ve
Not in a hidden paper, not in a limited access file.. but right there, on the big book on the nurses' desk.. for all to see..
" Room Y: patient X Z (her full name), Saudi, 3y, HIV +ve"
Saudi? even more disturbing
An HIV patient in the middle of "normal" patients.. Odd.. (they usually are isolated in a creepy hospital near the port.. totally inhuman!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A cute little girl is sitting on the edge of the bed, short straight black hair, little smart eyes, obviously bored.. And her mom is there..
- "Al Salam Alaikom"
- "Wa alaikom al salam"
- "how r u?.. how's cute little X?"
- "she's fine.. waiting for her heart surgery to be scheduled" and she starts talking about the surgery and the doctor with my friend..
( Does the mother know? At such an age she most probably got it from her mother.. so she has it too..)
I smile at the mother..
- "does your daughter have any other disease?"
- "no"
- "did she undergo any surgeries before?" (maybe that's how she got it, you know, especially with the amazing hygiene rules we have in this country, and the fact that no one really bothers to check if hospital staff are actually cleaning instruments between patients)
- "no"
- "so she never got blood from anyone?" (another beautiful example of strict rules; people donate HIV infected blood and hospitals are not checking it properly. A case was in the Saudi news a few months ago of a hospital doing that. The hospital was fined 100,000 S.R. per patient. Nothing was shut down, no one was specifically implicated. Strict, huh?)
- "no"
(It's the mother then..)
- "did u get blood from anyone?"
- "no"
(could she be sleeping around?!.. not really the type. yes, I know, u shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but u gotta go with the odds..)
some chitchat about her age, other kids and stuff..
- "so does ur husband have any other kids? from a previous or second marriage?" (maybe he's married to someone not so.. umm.. "clean")
- "no"
a light bulb goes on in my head
- "did ur husband get any blood?"
silence
she knows
she knows that I know too
she inches closer
wants to look me in the eye but can't
lowers her voice
- "my husband has immune deficiency" (that's a "nicer" way of saying AIDS)
- "how did he get it?" (I don't know how I got the nerve, but I was glad she's honest)
silence
I repeat my question
- "how did he get it? did he take blood from anyone?"
more silence
she looks me in the eye
- "yes, he had a car accident and was given infected blood"
Silence
nothing to say
I tried to smile
- " I hope ur daughter feels better and her surgery goes fine"
what else could i say?
I left..
A man, his wife and their little daughter are all have an untreatable, deadly disease.. and all because of a stupid hospital's mistake..
and I'm still thinking about it till today..
to be continued..
Little girl, 3 years old, admitted to the hospital for a heart problem she's had since birth.. sad, but not unusual..
But right there, near her name, for all to see, is written.. HIV +ve
Not in a hidden paper, not in a limited access file.. but right there, on the big book on the nurses' desk.. for all to see..
" Room Y: patient X Z (her full name), Saudi, 3y, HIV +ve"
Saudi? even more disturbing
An HIV patient in the middle of "normal" patients.. Odd.. (they usually are isolated in a creepy hospital near the port.. totally inhuman!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A cute little girl is sitting on the edge of the bed, short straight black hair, little smart eyes, obviously bored.. And her mom is there..
- "Al Salam Alaikom"
- "Wa alaikom al salam"
- "how r u?.. how's cute little X?"
- "she's fine.. waiting for her heart surgery to be scheduled" and she starts talking about the surgery and the doctor with my friend..
( Does the mother know? At such an age she most probably got it from her mother.. so she has it too..)
I smile at the mother..
- "does your daughter have any other disease?"
- "no"
- "did she undergo any surgeries before?" (maybe that's how she got it, you know, especially with the amazing hygiene rules we have in this country, and the fact that no one really bothers to check if hospital staff are actually cleaning instruments between patients)
- "no"
- "so she never got blood from anyone?" (another beautiful example of strict rules; people donate HIV infected blood and hospitals are not checking it properly. A case was in the Saudi news a few months ago of a hospital doing that. The hospital was fined 100,000 S.R. per patient. Nothing was shut down, no one was specifically implicated. Strict, huh?)
- "no"
(It's the mother then..)
- "did u get blood from anyone?"
- "no"
(could she be sleeping around?!.. not really the type. yes, I know, u shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but u gotta go with the odds..)
some chitchat about her age, other kids and stuff..
- "so does ur husband have any other kids? from a previous or second marriage?" (maybe he's married to someone not so.. umm.. "clean")
- "no"
a light bulb goes on in my head
- "did ur husband get any blood?"
silence
she knows
she knows that I know too
she inches closer
wants to look me in the eye but can't
lowers her voice
- "my husband has immune deficiency" (that's a "nicer" way of saying AIDS)
- "how did he get it?" (I don't know how I got the nerve, but I was glad she's honest)
silence
I repeat my question
- "how did he get it? did he take blood from anyone?"
more silence
she looks me in the eye
- "yes, he had a car accident and was given infected blood"
Silence
nothing to say
I tried to smile
- " I hope ur daughter feels better and her surgery goes fine"
what else could i say?
I left..
A man, his wife and their little daughter are all have an untreatable, deadly disease.. and all because of a stupid hospital's mistake..
and I'm still thinking about it till today..
to be continued..
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Priorities
How much difference in priorities is too much?..
Is it better or worse when it's between you and your friends, or you and your teammates?
Are your priorities really a conscious decision?
Do most people realize their real priorities? Or do they just take what is handed down to them by other people, such as their parents, friends, husbands/wives, teachers, bosses, culture?
If you're "following" someone else's priorities, does this necessarily make you a failure?.. or unhappy?.. or is it just easier this way?
Too many questions.. too little time.. too confusing..
Maybe this is why people don't talk about it this much : )
Is it better or worse when it's between you and your friends, or you and your teammates?
Are your priorities really a conscious decision?
Do most people realize their real priorities? Or do they just take what is handed down to them by other people, such as their parents, friends, husbands/wives, teachers, bosses, culture?
If you're "following" someone else's priorities, does this necessarily make you a failure?.. or unhappy?.. or is it just easier this way?
Too many questions.. too little time.. too confusing..
Maybe this is why people don't talk about it this much : )
Friday, May 12, 2006
My Love
I can't believe how much I love you..
Looking at you from a distance, I know there's no me without you..
But you're so bad for me..
sometimes..
I know that..
I tried leaving you, oh so many times..
but still..
I come running back..
You know I always will..
and when I do, I just enjoy you so much..
You're just too.. is there just one word to describe you?
You're a hundred things wrapped into one..
You're hot..
You're dark..
You're sexy..
You’re smoky..
The way you smell makes my head spin..
you're just absolutely delicious..
And that is before all the whipped cream and chocolate syrup comes into play..
But you're yummy enough on your own anyway..
Oh my love..
How can I live without you…
my dear cup of coffee??!.. :)
Looking at you from a distance, I know there's no me without you..
But you're so bad for me..
sometimes..
I know that..
I tried leaving you, oh so many times..
but still..
I come running back..
You know I always will..
and when I do, I just enjoy you so much..
You're just too.. is there just one word to describe you?
You're a hundred things wrapped into one..
You're hot..
You're dark..
You're sexy..
You’re smoky..
The way you smell makes my head spin..
you're just absolutely delicious..
And that is before all the whipped cream and chocolate syrup comes into play..
But you're yummy enough on your own anyway..
Oh my love..
How can I live without you…
my dear cup of coffee??!.. :)
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Book of the Month
"The Many Faces of Men: The Definitive Guide to the Male Species"
This book is written for both women and men; for women to "identify" the men in her life and understand them, and for men to understand themselves.
(Comment on the side: is it just me or are all the books out there for women to understand men, and never the other way around?)
The authors theorizes that all men must fall under one of the 27 "Faces" that are listed, and rarely do some fall under more than one "face", unless they're in a transition period. (Yup, even MEN change!).
Under each face, he lists the "Face's" main characteristics; what he's like, what sort of women he goes for and if he's the man for you, what he's like as a romancer, long-life partner, father, boss and friend, then he adds some socio-psycho-babble to make it all scientific. Finally, he sums it up by tips on how to spot this face, his bedroom performance, what to do if he's your partner and his catch phrase.
At first I thought, no way, it must all be a bunch of B.S… TWENTY-SEVEN TYPES?? I mean. guys I know are basically 4 or 5 types: the bastard, the nice one, the nerd/geek, the blah and the womanizer. But as I got to read it, it all started to make sense.. women apparently ASSUME that they're just 4 or 5, which leads to incorrect classification and thus a wrong approach. (what kind of sentence was that?)
The Faces I read about till now were:
1. Achilles
2. Adonis
3. Alpha-male
4. backpacker
5. chamele-man (from chameleon)
6. club man
7. cool poser
8. corporate man
9. gadgetman
For "some reason", I'd like to elaborate on the gadget-man.. :)
GADGETMAN
Main Characteristics
A real techno-freak, good with his fingers, poor eyesight, insular and socially inept, contented in a sad sort of way.
what sort of woman does gadget man go for?
A woman who is just like him would be ideal. Unfortunately, or fortunately, there are fewer Gadgetwomen around than there are Gadgetmen, so he has to settle for someone altogether more socially rounded and mature.
Is gadgetman the man for you?
If like Gadgetman, you've decided you prefer the virtual world to the real one, he'd make the ideal lover or partner. Think of all the cozy nights, curled up in front of the PC screen, opening new windows together.
How does gadgetman perform in the bedroom?
Well, it's possible he's learnt some interesting stuff from all those hours spent on the internet, but that shows that he's better with theory than the practice. So I'm afraid that you'll have to take the led between the sheets.
Most likely to say:
"Damn, it's crashed again."
The book is a must read.. (girls, you'll defeintely find people you know in there!)
This book is written for both women and men; for women to "identify" the men in her life and understand them, and for men to understand themselves.
(Comment on the side: is it just me or are all the books out there for women to understand men, and never the other way around?)
The authors theorizes that all men must fall under one of the 27 "Faces" that are listed, and rarely do some fall under more than one "face", unless they're in a transition period. (Yup, even MEN change!).
Under each face, he lists the "Face's" main characteristics; what he's like, what sort of women he goes for and if he's the man for you, what he's like as a romancer, long-life partner, father, boss and friend, then he adds some socio-psycho-babble to make it all scientific. Finally, he sums it up by tips on how to spot this face, his bedroom performance, what to do if he's your partner and his catch phrase.
At first I thought, no way, it must all be a bunch of B.S… TWENTY-SEVEN TYPES?? I mean. guys I know are basically 4 or 5 types: the bastard, the nice one, the nerd/geek, the blah and the womanizer. But as I got to read it, it all started to make sense.. women apparently ASSUME that they're just 4 or 5, which leads to incorrect classification and thus a wrong approach. (what kind of sentence was that?)
The Faces I read about till now were:
1. Achilles
2. Adonis
3. Alpha-male
4. backpacker
5. chamele-man (from chameleon)
6. club man
7. cool poser
8. corporate man
9. gadgetman
For "some reason", I'd like to elaborate on the gadget-man.. :)
GADGETMAN
Main Characteristics
A real techno-freak, good with his fingers, poor eyesight, insular and socially inept, contented in a sad sort of way.
what sort of woman does gadget man go for?
A woman who is just like him would be ideal. Unfortunately, or fortunately, there are fewer Gadgetwomen around than there are Gadgetmen, so he has to settle for someone altogether more socially rounded and mature.
Is gadgetman the man for you?
If like Gadgetman, you've decided you prefer the virtual world to the real one, he'd make the ideal lover or partner. Think of all the cozy nights, curled up in front of the PC screen, opening new windows together.
How does gadgetman perform in the bedroom?
Well, it's possible he's learnt some interesting stuff from all those hours spent on the internet, but that shows that he's better with theory than the practice. So I'm afraid that you'll have to take the led between the sheets.
Most likely to say:
"Damn, it's crashed again."
The book is a must read.. (girls, you'll defeintely find people you know in there!)
Saturday, May 06, 2006
My Motto(s)
Today someone asked me what my motto in life was (!). It took me a while to answer, and I couldn't really come up with just one.. i came up with a bunch..
- Forgive, but don't forget. That would just be dumb.
- Wake up and smell the coffee.
- All men are bastards. No exception. Correction: All STRAIGHT men are bastards. The gay ones.. are .. well.. gay.
- Stupid people should have a license
- "رحم الله امرئ عرف قدر نفسه"
I don't even think these are even mottos!!
How am I supposed to come up with just one??!!
Possible answer: maybe you can share yours and i'll just steal it :)
- Forgive, but don't forget. That would just be dumb.
- Wake up and smell the coffee.
- All men are bastards. No exception. Correction: All STRAIGHT men are bastards. The gay ones.. are .. well.. gay.
- Stupid people should have a license
- "رحم الله امرئ عرف قدر نفسه"
I don't even think these are even mottos!!
How am I supposed to come up with just one??!!
Possible answer: maybe you can share yours and i'll just steal it :)
Friday, May 05, 2006
My Dream
Last night I had the most disturbingly weird dreams.. I'll share a few..
- In season 10 of FRIENDS, Joey and Chandler hook up and they're a gay couple. I am NOT disgusted by that, nor am I amused. I kinda saw it coming.. (??)
- I go somewhere, and someone points out that last time I was there, I was wearing the same exact outfit, with the accessories and all, just the top was different. I start by denying it and saying that no way that could be true, then I am horrified when I realize that he/she are actually right!
Conclusion # 1: I watch FRIENDS too much
Conclusion # 2: I should not drink Davidoff coffee so close to bed time
comment on # 2: but it is so yummy!
Conclusion # 3: I should ask WW what all this means : )
- In season 10 of FRIENDS, Joey and Chandler hook up and they're a gay couple. I am NOT disgusted by that, nor am I amused. I kinda saw it coming.. (??)
- I go somewhere, and someone points out that last time I was there, I was wearing the same exact outfit, with the accessories and all, just the top was different. I start by denying it and saying that no way that could be true, then I am horrified when I realize that he/she are actually right!
Conclusion # 1: I watch FRIENDS too much
Conclusion # 2: I should not drink Davidoff coffee so close to bed time
comment on # 2: but it is so yummy!
Conclusion # 3: I should ask WW what all this means : )
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
The Forbidden
Is there such a thing as "good" sex and "bad" sex?..
Is sex "wrong"?..
If not, then is talking about it "wrong"?..
If not, then why don't people talk about it more often?
The public lack of knowledge about sex never fails to amuse me.. even among the well-educated, modernized women.. Yes, they are light-years ahead of the rest of the Arab society, but still.. there are certain questions that remain un-answered.. some of the essential everyday mysteries remain unexplained..
Sex is not just an instinct.. It's not just a need.. It's not just an expression of feelings.. It's not just complete understanding and acceptance of both your bodies.. It's all that wrapped into one.. and a little bit more.. Yet, somehow, people are supposed to "get it".. no explaining, teaching, clarifying, or sharing required (!).. It seems sort of strange to me..
Through my studies, I have learned a lot about the male and female bodies; the way they're structured, the way they work, and the way they think. And the more I read, the more I learn.. There's no "end" to it.. (I had to do a hell of reading on the side!) In the midst of it all, I came across quite a few things that I find necessary to know, and it puzzles me why this important knowledge is not taught to the rest of the population. I mean, is it perfectly logical to teach the poor 11th graders about the body parts of a bee, but not their own bodies?..
Just think about it, can you really work with a machine if you've never read the manual?
Is sex "wrong"?..
If not, then is talking about it "wrong"?..
If not, then why don't people talk about it more often?
The public lack of knowledge about sex never fails to amuse me.. even among the well-educated, modernized women.. Yes, they are light-years ahead of the rest of the Arab society, but still.. there are certain questions that remain un-answered.. some of the essential everyday mysteries remain unexplained..
Sex is not just an instinct.. It's not just a need.. It's not just an expression of feelings.. It's not just complete understanding and acceptance of both your bodies.. It's all that wrapped into one.. and a little bit more.. Yet, somehow, people are supposed to "get it".. no explaining, teaching, clarifying, or sharing required (!).. It seems sort of strange to me..
Through my studies, I have learned a lot about the male and female bodies; the way they're structured, the way they work, and the way they think. And the more I read, the more I learn.. There's no "end" to it.. (I had to do a hell of reading on the side!) In the midst of it all, I came across quite a few things that I find necessary to know, and it puzzles me why this important knowledge is not taught to the rest of the population. I mean, is it perfectly logical to teach the poor 11th graders about the body parts of a bee, but not their own bodies?..
Just think about it, can you really work with a machine if you've never read the manual?
Monday, May 01, 2006
Interesting What People Do to Be "Beautiful"
I always thought that women these days went overboard to be "pretty"… A brief read about beauty across history proves me wrong..
- In ancient Egypt, Rome, and Persia, women applied the heavy metal antimony to make their inner lids sparkle.
- Upper-class Elizabethan women plucked or shaved their frontal hairs, as a high forehead was considered beautiful.
- Elizabethan women covered their skin with ceruse (lead-based) makeup, which caused loss of sensation of their extremities and disfiguring scarring (!) along with other very serious health consequences. Chronic users, such as Queen Elizabeth I, acquired a misshapen appearance. Upset over her grisly visage, the Queen banished all mirrors from her castle. Her servants sometimes painted a red dot on her nose, an inside joke mocking her clown-like appearance.
- In the court of Louis XVI, noblewomen drew blue veins onto their necks and shoulders to emphasize their exalted status ("bluebloods").
- In the 16th and 17th centuries, the wealthy used belladonna eyedrops to dilate their pupils. (Same as the eyedrops used by eye-doctors these days. You know, the ones that make everything around you blurry for a few hours..). Users acquired an "attractive" doe-like appearance, risking serious eye damage as a price for their "beauty".
- During the 18th century, vermilion rouge, concocted of sulphur and mercury, achieved popularity. Users lost teeth, suffered gingivitis, and had to deal with the unpleasant smell of sulphur. (remember sulphur from chemistry labs? the one that smelled like someone peed on an old egg?.. how could people kiss?... ewwww)
And to this day, some people still have an "interesting" approach to beauty..
- Famed opera singer Maria Callas deliberately infected herself with tapeworms to produce a malabsorption syndrome to maintain her lithe figure. (I once read that this is what all those Far-Eastern diet pills are all about.. dunno though!)
- In the United Kingdom, women can buy "Wonderbum" panty hose, made of DuPont lycra to mimic a "perfectly peachy, pert bottom." (That's what they're advertising!)
- Quite a large number of men have had cosmetic surgery to lengthen or widen their penises, as well as calf and pectoral implants to upsize their musculature.
- In 1938, a product called Kormelu, a depilatory, was widely sold in the United States. It was found to cause severe disfigurement. Turns out, it contained rat poison. (This product is one of the reasons that nowadays FDA are partly responsible for the safety of cosmetics.. You don't want cat pee in your lipstick, do you??)
- 89% of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR nor the FDA. Many products contain ingredients linked to cancer, pregnancy problems, and other important health issues. Still, this doesn’t seem to stop anyone!
- One company is currently seeking FDA approval to market a new drug dubbed Melanotan II, which augments tanning and promotes sexual arousal (at least in male rats). (This, of course, makes a lot of sense..)
- A bizarre phenomenon akin to tattooing is anal bleaching, once practiced only by sex workers and porn stars, is being performed on a small but increasing number of other women for about $75, despite the risk of eczema. (Now that's.. … NO comment!!)
Any comment??! :)
- In ancient Egypt, Rome, and Persia, women applied the heavy metal antimony to make their inner lids sparkle.
- Upper-class Elizabethan women plucked or shaved their frontal hairs, as a high forehead was considered beautiful.
- Elizabethan women covered their skin with ceruse (lead-based) makeup, which caused loss of sensation of their extremities and disfiguring scarring (!) along with other very serious health consequences. Chronic users, such as Queen Elizabeth I, acquired a misshapen appearance. Upset over her grisly visage, the Queen banished all mirrors from her castle. Her servants sometimes painted a red dot on her nose, an inside joke mocking her clown-like appearance.
- In the court of Louis XVI, noblewomen drew blue veins onto their necks and shoulders to emphasize their exalted status ("bluebloods").
- In the 16th and 17th centuries, the wealthy used belladonna eyedrops to dilate their pupils. (Same as the eyedrops used by eye-doctors these days. You know, the ones that make everything around you blurry for a few hours..). Users acquired an "attractive" doe-like appearance, risking serious eye damage as a price for their "beauty".
- During the 18th century, vermilion rouge, concocted of sulphur and mercury, achieved popularity. Users lost teeth, suffered gingivitis, and had to deal with the unpleasant smell of sulphur. (remember sulphur from chemistry labs? the one that smelled like someone peed on an old egg?.. how could people kiss?... ewwww)
And to this day, some people still have an "interesting" approach to beauty..
- Famed opera singer Maria Callas deliberately infected herself with tapeworms to produce a malabsorption syndrome to maintain her lithe figure. (I once read that this is what all those Far-Eastern diet pills are all about.. dunno though!)
- In the United Kingdom, women can buy "Wonderbum" panty hose, made of DuPont lycra to mimic a "perfectly peachy, pert bottom." (That's what they're advertising!)
- Quite a large number of men have had cosmetic surgery to lengthen or widen their penises, as well as calf and pectoral implants to upsize their musculature.
- In 1938, a product called Kormelu, a depilatory, was widely sold in the United States. It was found to cause severe disfigurement. Turns out, it contained rat poison. (This product is one of the reasons that nowadays FDA are partly responsible for the safety of cosmetics.. You don't want cat pee in your lipstick, do you??)
- 89% of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR nor the FDA. Many products contain ingredients linked to cancer, pregnancy problems, and other important health issues. Still, this doesn’t seem to stop anyone!
- One company is currently seeking FDA approval to market a new drug dubbed Melanotan II, which augments tanning and promotes sexual arousal (at least in male rats). (This, of course, makes a lot of sense..)
- A bizarre phenomenon akin to tattooing is anal bleaching, once practiced only by sex workers and porn stars, is being performed on a small but increasing number of other women for about $75, despite the risk of eczema. (Now that's.. … NO comment!!)
Any comment??! :)
Friday, April 28, 2006
Frequent Tanning May Be Addictive
As an addicted "tanner" myself.. i found this article quite interesting.. at least now you'd believe me when i tell you that I PHYSICALLY AM UNABLE to go to a country where i can't tan!! (i.e. Canada)
"Frequent tanning is addictive, according to the results of a small, randomized study reported in the April issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
"We had previously shown that ultraviolet light has an effect on mood that tanners value," lead author said in a news release. "Now, in this small study, we've shown that some tanners actually experience withdrawal symptoms when the 'feel-good' chemicals are blocked."
Frequent tanning has features of an addictive behavior, which may be mediated by induction of cutaneous endorphins by UV light.
"The finding was unexpected and is consistent with the hypothesis that frequent tanning may be driven in part by a mild dependence on opioids, most likely endorphins," says senior author. "The nausea and jitteriness induced by the medication (medication given to counteract the effect of endorphins, same stuff given to druggies when they're trying to cut the habit, but in much lower doses ofcourse!) are consistent with symptoms of mild opiate withdrawal.""
opiate = family memeber of fun stuff like morphine, heroine and the likes
P.S. the study define frequent tanners as those who tan 8 - 15 times a month :/ i do NOT tan this frequently!.. not everymonth at least :">
"Frequent tanning is addictive, according to the results of a small, randomized study reported in the April issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
"We had previously shown that ultraviolet light has an effect on mood that tanners value," lead author said in a news release. "Now, in this small study, we've shown that some tanners actually experience withdrawal symptoms when the 'feel-good' chemicals are blocked."
Frequent tanning has features of an addictive behavior, which may be mediated by induction of cutaneous endorphins by UV light.
"The finding was unexpected and is consistent with the hypothesis that frequent tanning may be driven in part by a mild dependence on opioids, most likely endorphins," says senior author. "The nausea and jitteriness induced by the medication (medication given to counteract the effect of endorphins, same stuff given to druggies when they're trying to cut the habit, but in much lower doses ofcourse!) are consistent with symptoms of mild opiate withdrawal.""
opiate = family memeber of fun stuff like morphine, heroine and the likes
P.S. the study define frequent tanners as those who tan 8 - 15 times a month :/ i do NOT tan this frequently!.. not everymonth at least :">
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Two Down, a Gazillion to Go : Tuesdays with Morrie
At last.. I finshed the second book on my list.. "Tuesdays with Morrie"..
(I actually finished it a week ago, but i was too busy to write about it... ehm)
To begin with, the story is about a guy (the author) who had an amazing college professor whom he really liked (Morrie). However, they completely lost touch. After over a decade from his graduation, he finds out that his professor is dying from a long, painful disease. He finds him and spends time with him and learns from him the lessons of life.
Well, honestly, i expected the book to be more "corny" than it was. It actually was not. It wasn't one of those books which keep on repeating the same stuff over and over again "love everyone, forgive everyone, bla bla bla" (those books just kill me). Don't get me wrong, it all basically leads to these same points.. but the way it's written is just.. great..
He talks about the world, feeling sorry for yourself, regrets, death, family, emotions, fear of aging, money, how love goes on, marriage, culture, and forgiveness.
One of the most intense parts was when he was talking about death; it's just so realistic, and so full of wisdom. He says: "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live". He has this interesting, wise approach to his disease and his death. Smart, realistic, even Islamic in a way.
I would definitely read it again, and i sure would recommend it to my friends..
Now next on the list, "The Many Faces of Men"..
(I actually finished it a week ago, but i was too busy to write about it... ehm)
To begin with, the story is about a guy (the author) who had an amazing college professor whom he really liked (Morrie). However, they completely lost touch. After over a decade from his graduation, he finds out that his professor is dying from a long, painful disease. He finds him and spends time with him and learns from him the lessons of life.
Well, honestly, i expected the book to be more "corny" than it was. It actually was not. It wasn't one of those books which keep on repeating the same stuff over and over again "love everyone, forgive everyone, bla bla bla" (those books just kill me). Don't get me wrong, it all basically leads to these same points.. but the way it's written is just.. great..
He talks about the world, feeling sorry for yourself, regrets, death, family, emotions, fear of aging, money, how love goes on, marriage, culture, and forgiveness.
One of the most intense parts was when he was talking about death; it's just so realistic, and so full of wisdom. He says: "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live". He has this interesting, wise approach to his disease and his death. Smart, realistic, even Islamic in a way.
I would definitely read it again, and i sure would recommend it to my friends..
Now next on the list, "The Many Faces of Men"..
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Thoughts of the Day
- All relationships need work from both people involved
- It's important that friends make for each other and maybe even plan some alone time together to reconnect (not just married couples!)
- I Love my friends :)
- It's important that friends make for each other and maybe even plan some alone time together to reconnect (not just married couples!)
- I Love my friends :)
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