My Article On Muscat Daily

While I was going through Muscat Daily on Monday, I found the ad about ‘Citizen Journalism’ and thought ‘why not?’ I then submitted my article based on the post: ‘Jump’, They Said via E-mail. Later that day, I got the acceptance letter.

And yesterday, Wednesday, Oct 28th, it got published on Muscat Daily:

Random Snaps

I haven’t updated this place for a week now and it feels like ages. It’s time for a new post even though I have nothing to write about except that I haven’t been getting some peace of mind because of the overload school work. Still, I have managed to spare me a few minutes of sneaking out in the afternoon and taking some snaps, plus, editing them, for the first time.

I shall leave you to enjoy.

Hypocrisy Or Ignorance?

According to our school, or to most of Omanis, the paranoia of using a daily sanitizer and the other health applications were restricted in the few first weeks of the conspiracy that is H1N1.

To know about all the applications they used to be crazed about, read my previous post in the month of September.

After exactly a week since school started, they no longer apply hand sanitizer on the students’ palms like they used to, there’s no mopping-the-tables-regularly routine, nor ‘the applying essence’ part (Luban, to be exact) to kill bacteria’s in the air, and most of all, they now allow us to go on breaks and even form a group in the corridors.

If this isn’t called hypocrisy, then I don’t what is. That or the ignorant mentality we simply seem to notice. I even got the guts and asked a teacher at school, and it went something like this,

Kitty: Umm, so, there’s no risk of catching the Swine Flu, is there?
Teacher: Why would you say such thing?
Kitty: Hmm, I don’t know, maybe because things changed and they no longer apply the daily routines they used to on the first days of school?

Oh-uh, she’d said that after spreading awareness, their job was over. But excuse me when I say, you were just pleasing and shutting up parent’s big mouths by being over-protective about the whole thing just to give the impression you so much wanted to give.

Is it just me, or the same thing applies to all Omanis out here? Prove me wrong if you can, but I still think it’s all because of our mentality and ignorance.

My Three Obsessions

I was extremely bored at Chemistry’s lesson today as I've dropped it recently, and thought of writing something. Thus, this post. I tried listing down my obsessions and as it seems I could only name a few.

1. Reading.
Ever since I was a child, I used to pick up every book my eyes set on, and I’d start to read it at that exact moment, people often made fun of this habit, but I really couldn’t care less.

Sometimes, reading soothes me in a way, the exact effect that music does to others. I can’t recall a single day in which I’ve been empty handed (be it waiting in a car, bus, saloon, etc) I’d make sure to carry a novel along, that or a notepad.

‘If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write’ - Stephen King.

2. Writing.
This obsession and the one above are linked, of course, and I could’ve mentioned them as one, but I didn’t. Writing was and always will be my passion (ignore the cheesiness, and bear with me for a while). I think I’ve inherited this from my Dad since he’s a journalist and his career is my first inspiration (Wait for the actual explanatory post)

3. Drinking Canada Dry.
For a while, my favourite drink was (Omani’s most common and beloved drink) Mountain Dew, after realizing this fact, the boredom of drinking the same thing zillions of times rose into me thus Canada Dry. (Cream Soda, to be exact) I’ve had this really weird obsession about it since the very first time I drank it.

In A Blink Of An Eye

Thursday @ 4:15
I tuned the conversation off as I rolled to my side and focused on getting some peace of mind. While trying to catch few glimpses of my latest dream, their voices faded out in the far background of my head. I tried really hard, but when the conversation (which disturbed my 2-hours-nap) grew intense, I then focused on getting the whole thing.

She (A close family member) returned back home from a tiresome day at work and sat across her lunch. Suddenly she started throwing up tremendous amount of blood and dropped down unconscious. Luckily, her siblings found her just in time as the Doctors clearly stated later on that she might have been dead is she wasn’t brought to the hospital. The on-call doctor wasn’t around at the time, and the nurse wasn’t much of a help, either. Surprisingly, my uncle (who happens to be a specialized doctor in the Emergency section of a whole other hospital than this) was nearby and was able to bring the poor girl back to life. (Alhamdullilah)

Friday @ 9:30
While I was cleaning up the table, my mom’s phone rang. When she picked it up, I noticed how sore her face became. I dropped down the dishes and paid as much attention as I could in an attempt of trying to know, or rather, read what’s happening. She ended the phone call saying ‘3asa 5air inshallah’, and I immediately insisted on paying a visit tomorrow’s afternoon.

Saturday @ 4:10
My mom and I were stepping out of the house’s gates when the damn phone rang again giving us the worst news for the following two reasons: 1. it turned out the girl had TB (which is highly infectious) and so it meant we’re not allowed to visit. 2. Because I had to regret wasting one hour of my life in dressing up, but that’s completely beside the point.

It made me stop for a while and think of how the above encounters happened in a matter of three following days; from good to bad, bad to worse and slightly better to whole lot of worse.

You can’t predict what’s going to happen, nor can you change what has been done already. But I know for a fact that you can do one very simple thing: Thank God for what he’d given you and always keep in mind that he could take it all back in a blink of an eye.

Keep the girl in your prayers, please; that’s all I’m asking for.

‘Jump’ They Said

‘Jump’ they said to him. He thought ‘what the heck? I can jump and I’ll just show them how much I can’. He stood up and jumped as high as he could but when he landed on the seat, the whole bus practically vibrated. They laughed their heads off, and I did too, merely for the fact that the boy hadn’t had a single idea on why we’re doing so considering his young age. Yes, you’ve guessed right. He’s an over-weight child and his friends were making fun of his body-shape.

Parents are the one to blame here, I believe. Generally, individuals are responsible for their own behaviours, but this is an innocent child who’s barely 7 years of age and who happened to gain all of this weight; Chips, macaronis, and other loads of junk food being sent along with him…to school! Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not pointing fingers on this kid because I’m sure there are others with the same situation out there.

Here’s a wake up call, parents. Just because you’re filthy rich doesn’t mean you should kill your kids. And that brings us back to the role of education.

Education, people. Education.

Assessment’s week

This week’s been all about assessments, hell load of school work and house chores.

This week’s assessments,
Saturday: Bio.
Monday: Math.
Tuesday: English.

I did fine in Bio and English, but I’ve missed some marks in Math’s. No harm done though, I still have a second chance on next week’s.

Next week’s assessments,
Sunday: Islamic, Arabic & Math.
Tuesday: Physics.
Wednesday: Bio.

And supposedly Chemistry on Saturday but I finally got the confirmation letter about dropping it once and for all. If you were wondering about the teacher’s response, well, let’s just say she’s taking it so hard,

Chemistry’s teacher: kitten, so you’ll drop it, huh?
Kitty: Yes *a big grin*
Teacher: But you’re capable of…
Kitty: I know, but I don’t like it *flashes a smile*
Teacher: Hmm, is it because of me, then? Errm, what can I do to…?
Kitty: No, it’s not you. It’s just that I don’t like Chemistry. *emphasizing the last word*
Teacher: Okay, but I think you can…
Kitty: I’m planning to study English Literature, and it DOESN’T require Chemistry *planning to run away*
Teacher: Okay…
Kitty: Yeah. *runs away*

See? She thinks this is the end of the world. But it freaking ISN’T!

Enjoy your weekend.

Pink Candies

‘Treed 7alawah?’(1) he asked his friend. ‘Aiwya’(2) , the other replied. He tossed the tiny candies into his friends’ cute palms. The boy with the candies turned around his sister who paid no attention whatsoever to the short conversation behind her. He then offered it to his little sister. She said innocently ‘Areed elwardi’(3). The brother nodded, and gave her what she asked for. They stared at each other while chewing the candy they both had now.

The reason I found this scene utterly adorable and decided to write about it, is that I’ve always wished for an elder brother. What I saw on Monday’s afternoon made me realize how awesome it would have been if I was that little girl sitting next to my elder brother and chewing the candy he thought he’s ought to share with me.

Allah ye5aleekom le e5wankom wo a5atikom (4) .

Trans:
(1) Do you want some candies?
(2) Yeah.
(3) I want the pink one.
(4) God bless you all.

Her Fairytale [3]

I’ve been busy with school work lately but I’ve got to achieve this amount of writing, only. Where/when, if you may ask? At the school’s bus. Yes, I’m dead serious. This is just a glimpse of the third chapter as I’m planning for a long one this time. Wait for ‘da real bomb’.

Chapter- 1
Chapter- 2

Chapter- 3
Her thoughts went back to when she was a kid of 9, when she looked up on him and admired his achievements. Watching him working used to amuse her. Every word he used to utter were words of wisdom according to Linda, and she made sure to follow his footsteps; become an important person in the society without having to lose your ethics and values, most importantly, not to forget those who love you.

Two hours passed by, and Linda’s smiling and grinning on her dad’s silly jokes and comments made her feel uncomfortable. She didn’t want to believe everything would be the same, because she knows for a fact that it won’t.

At exactly 3:00 PM, she wondered if she could stop the loud tick...tocks of the gigantic clock on the living room’s wall. It was so loud that for a second, Linda could have sworn she’d just heard her own heartbeats.

[To be continued..]

Another thing: Am I babbling a lot? Adding loads of unnecessarily details? If yes, do not hesitate and tell me right away.

Current updates,
Working on: Completing chapter 3.
Reading: ‘Cell’ by Stephen King.
Studying: For Bio’s assessment: Respiration, excretion, homeostasis, Human body; Liver and Kidney.

Not taking Chemistry this year!

Ever since I told my Chemistry’s teacher that I’m going to drop Chemistry, she’s been begging me to change my mind saying ‘it’s easy, don’t worry’ I don’t freaking like it, let me be, woman! Seriously, now that I’ve got to choose, I think she should shut up about her lectures on changing my mind, because guess what? I won’t!

At today’s lessons, she kept nudging me and saying ‘pay attention; you might change your mind' when I was scribbling down the notes, and to be honest here, attentive for the first time this year. I’m not supposed to be sitting there, nor am I forced to pay attention, but I was, by my own will.

Enough about that, the other thing: we’ve been separated to two classes depending on those who are taking ‘Extended’ level and ‘Core’ in IGCSE. And kitty's been assigned to do the ‘Extended’. Hallelujah. I’m thinking of taking 'Core' in Math though, since numbers is not my thing, to begin with.

Bio’s class was interesting today, mostly a continuation of Human’s kidney: Transplant. On the same topic, he also mentioned about ‘Stem cells’ and here’s what I go to know through Wiki;

Stem cells are cells found in most, if not all, multi-cellular organisms.They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitoticcell division and differentiating into a diverse range of specialized celltypes.

Amazing isn’t it?

And for the zillionth time: I’m not taking chemistry this year, whether you like it or not.

Wish-list

Maybeliene's WaterProof Liquid Eyeliner:

- LV's blue bag:

-Maxi empire waist dress from Forever21:

- The Curious Incidenct of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
- Gift by Cecelia Ahern

-The Giver
- Number the Stars ~ by Lois Lowry

-Uglies
-Pretties
-Specials
-Extras ~ by Scott Westerfeld.

-Marked
-Betrayed
-Chosen
-Untamed ~by P. C. Cast

-A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
-The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
-Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
-Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
-Looking for Alaska by John Green

[Poll] Which one to go for?

Labeling the posts with ‘draft’ irritates me, I think it’s about time for the story to have a name, I’m sure you guys think so too. So, how about a poll to decide which one should to go for? I’ve narrowed down my options to the following three:

- Her Fairytale.
- The Other Angle.
- Through Her Eyes.
- Other ~ Specifiy.

Let me know what you think, and if you have other options, I’m more than happy to have them into consideration.

A Draft [ 2]

[This is a quick update of what I've scribbled down. Remember: those are not the final drafts] Have a fun read!

Chapter- 1

Chapter – 2

She approached the mirror, admiring her own beauty and thinking of the impressions her appearance might give out about her. She was happy, filled with life, and the dimpled shy smile always drew its way across her face. She knew this. Knew it perfectly well, that her fake act will wear off anytime soon. One day she’ll finally give up faking and pretending she was fine. Though deep down inside, she realized the silly fairytale she’s trying to get herself drowned into.

Shutting the door behind her with a thump, Linda felt the sunrays burning hot on her skin and hurried into her old car. The engine roared back to life, making her curse under her breath. She hated it; having to do what she absolutely despised with a passion and was extremely scared from; driving.

Linda parked at the gates of her dad’s luxurious house, and checked her reflection once again, making sure that the eyeliner didn’t wear off. She stepped out, gazing at the huge house which every corner was a reminder of how it’d be like if she were to be living in it.

She knocked the door twice, and Susan’s smiling face appeared on the doorstep. Susan was her dad’s old housemaid, who usually greeted and welcomed her in. Linda entered Jamie and Anne’s room when they were playing their favourite video game on the LCD plasma screen. They both screamed together ‘Lindaaaaaa’ and fought their way to hug their eldest sister. She looked down on her siblings’ angelic faces, grateful about how little they knew on what’s yet to come. She wondered if they too, would hate, or rather dislike coming her.

They sat back down and enjoyed their time, while Linda counted the hours, minutes and seconds left to finally leave this place. When the door opened with a crack, her dad entered with the fakest smile Linda had ever seen drawn across his face.

Chapter- 3