People change, seasons change, situations change.. And before you know it, you are moving into a new house, you no longer go back to your old house, your old neighbourhood, the one that you've spent 14 years of your life in. They say change is good, the new house is larger, spacious and amazing and everything else. Only problem is, it doesn't feel like home. Even when I have all my stuff around me, my own bed, and my family, the place just doesn't seem... Home. There are no memories carved on the walls, no stories to be remembered or to be related to where it exactly happened. I have it all in my heart and mind, I just thought I won't have to hold on to them this much before because there was always a solid reminder.. A scratch, a mark..
The moving was difficult at first, I didn't want to start packing, I didn't want to believe that this was it. Later, however, I thought it would be best to deal with it. So with an absent mind, I began packing, loading the boxes and shifting them. It got hard when the furniture started disappearing, when I looked back to the empty rooms and for a second, it looked like nobody ever lived here. I hated to think in that way, so without looking back, I headed to the new house and busied myself with the unpacking dilemma. It took 3 days but I was glad I sorted out my stuff.
On the first night of the moving, I couldn't sleep. I drifted in and out of sleep, thinking that I'd wake up in my room; that this was just temporary.. It wasn't. It still isn't. The house is great, don't get me wrong, even more than just great, it's just that I'd need time to adjust to it, that's all.
Best Parts in Harry Potter
"From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe: She landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery flow faded he returned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
'After all this time?'
'Always' said Snape."
This was the best part in Harry Potter for me, it's when the impression I had of Snape throughout the series changed. Who would have guessed he had a thing for Lily? I know I didn't. And to have been loving her through these years, even after she chose James over him is truly amazing.
“‘Look…at…me…’ he whispered. The green eyes found the black, but after a second something in the depths of the dark pair seemed to vanish, leaving them fixed, blank and empty. The hand holding Harry thudded to the floor, and Snape moved no more.”
To know that the last thing Snape wanted to see was Lily's green eyes is such a lovely ending. Couldn't have been better.
'After all this time?'
'Always' said Snape."
This was the best part in Harry Potter for me, it's when the impression I had of Snape throughout the series changed. Who would have guessed he had a thing for Lily? I know I didn't. And to have been loving her through these years, even after she chose James over him is truly amazing.
“‘Look…at…me…’ he whispered. The green eyes found the black, but after a second something in the depths of the dark pair seemed to vanish, leaving them fixed, blank and empty. The hand holding Harry thudded to the floor, and Snape moved no more.”
To know that the last thing Snape wanted to see was Lily's green eyes is such a lovely ending. Couldn't have been better.
Why did they have to exist?
"The words. Why did they have to exist? Without them, there wouldn’t be any of this. Without words, the Führer was nothing. There would be no limping prisoners, no need for consolation or wordly tricks to make us feel better. What good were the words?"
~ Markus Zusak (The Book Thief)
How Long?
Sitting on the floor yesterday, next to the pile of the tossed-away books that I intentionally hid for the past two months to retrieve the piece of paper with the list of summer assignments made the fact that school's about to start dawn on me.
Besides the scary idea of starting my final year, I generally dread going to school.. The load of work, worries and drama are things I avoid thinking about during summer break.. For how long though?
I gotta get my head straight, kiss the days of sitting-and-thinking-about-nothing goodbye and just enjoy what's left of it for now.
Besides the scary idea of starting my final year, I generally dread going to school.. The load of work, worries and drama are things I avoid thinking about during summer break.. For how long though?
I gotta get my head straight, kiss the days of sitting-and-thinking-about-nothing goodbye and just enjoy what's left of it for now.
A Way Out
Things always seem complicated at the beginning, just like a puzzle, you say there's no way I can solve it but when you actually make your first attempt, it gets easier with every block that you move aside. And when more blocks come your way, you'll just have to think differently, try another trick, a positive attitude, and without knowing it, the block finally leaves the frame, giving you a sense of accomplishment and sheer knowledge that there's always a way out, always.
P.S I'm a Blue Block addict. Currently solving puzzle number 232.
P.S I'm a Blue Block addict. Currently solving puzzle number 232.
The Other Side of the Line
Memories are like lucky charms you'd want to wrap around your neck to remember them everytime you look at your reflection on the mirror, they're like the broken-winged butterflies that you hold in your palm and keep hoping beyond hope that they'd fly again.. They're the sweet carvings on the wall of your heart that will stay there even if your wounds are healed. Even if time washed away all your worries like the sand writings on the shore, the waves will keep coming and healing in the same way it did the first time. Memories are the fine line between what could have been and what really happened, they're like the dividing red line between this and that, one step back and you're left to reminisce and weep, half a step forward and you go back to your senses, to the reality that things are different here, on this side of the line.
Until I Have To..
"I will not feel, I will not
feel, until
I have to"
~ The Visiting Hour, Norman McCaig.
Every so often, we try to block out certain feelings.. It may be because we're afraid to experience them or we think that we're still not ready yet. But when the right time comes, you have no choice but to give in.. You feel like being numb on the inside but deep down, you're feeling what you previously chose not to. At the time, you think you won't bear it, to say the least, but ever so quickly, it'll be a part of you that you'd never want to be separated from.
Keep Writing!
When your mind can't come up with something to write about, you feel like you've no longer got it.. But guess what? You do, it's all part of the writing process. It's only natural that we go through writer's block.
So I've been asked about this quiet a lot, how do we get over it? Writing! Yes, pick up your pen and scribble whatever you could think of. Names, adjectives, recent events, anything but the point is to keep writing.
If that didn't do much help in racking your brain, try writing exercises, ask for topics and try as hard as you can to write about each one of them, as long as your pen is moving and you're pouring out your ideas then you're fine.
The first step that might be hard for all of us writers is the starting point. You do have an idea, which is brilliant but for some odd reason, you just can't start, mainly because you have no clue on how to go on about it. Don't think about it too much though, the starting point is very essential but the content matters too. Hence, once an idea hits your mind, get it down on paper! Who knows, it might be your inspiration in the upcoming struggle. Start plotting, then think of your audience, who are you targeting it to and most importantly, how do you want it to be read? Once you got the hang of it, you'll find that words come out so effortlessly.
I understood this from one of my favourite Young Adult author, Mary Hogan who when I asked for an advice about writing said that the only way to do so is to keep writing. The trick is to get both your pen and ideas flowing at the same time.
Happy writing!
So I've been asked about this quiet a lot, how do we get over it? Writing! Yes, pick up your pen and scribble whatever you could think of. Names, adjectives, recent events, anything but the point is to keep writing.
If that didn't do much help in racking your brain, try writing exercises, ask for topics and try as hard as you can to write about each one of them, as long as your pen is moving and you're pouring out your ideas then you're fine.
The first step that might be hard for all of us writers is the starting point. You do have an idea, which is brilliant but for some odd reason, you just can't start, mainly because you have no clue on how to go on about it. Don't think about it too much though, the starting point is very essential but the content matters too. Hence, once an idea hits your mind, get it down on paper! Who knows, it might be your inspiration in the upcoming struggle. Start plotting, then think of your audience, who are you targeting it to and most importantly, how do you want it to be read? Once you got the hang of it, you'll find that words come out so effortlessly.
I understood this from one of my favourite Young Adult author, Mary Hogan who when I asked for an advice about writing said that the only way to do so is to keep writing. The trick is to get both your pen and ideas flowing at the same time.
Happy writing!
Time
"Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me."
June passed by in a blur, even more frightening is that August is just around the corner. These two months have been like a dream to me, everything I ever wished for, and even those that I couldn't imagine possible.. came true.
I was caught in a whirl of time, not caring about which day of the month it is because for the first time in my life, I'm content with what I have in the real sense of the word. I'm also blessed to be surrounded by such great people that never fail to be there whenever I need and want them to.
My days felt like being in a roller-coaster.. One that you just don't want it to stop no matter what because all the ups and downs would surely lead to something so beautiful and magical eventually.
I'm forever grateful to whatever lead me to this point because when there's a change in your life, it doesn't mean it's for the worse. There's a good change and a bad one but for the time-being, I'll go on and on about how good the change I'm experiencing is.
Hope you all are having an amazing summer.
June passed by in a blur, even more frightening is that August is just around the corner. These two months have been like a dream to me, everything I ever wished for, and even those that I couldn't imagine possible.. came true.
I was caught in a whirl of time, not caring about which day of the month it is because for the first time in my life, I'm content with what I have in the real sense of the word. I'm also blessed to be surrounded by such great people that never fail to be there whenever I need and want them to.
My days felt like being in a roller-coaster.. One that you just don't want it to stop no matter what because all the ups and downs would surely lead to something so beautiful and magical eventually.
I'm forever grateful to whatever lead me to this point because when there's a change in your life, it doesn't mean it's for the worse. There's a good change and a bad one but for the time-being, I'll go on and on about how good the change I'm experiencing is.
Hope you all are having an amazing summer.
Quick Update
Ever since I started Omani Book Mania, I've completely forgotten about this one. But I'm glad to say that the latter have been very active and the amount of reposonse we got from the start have been really encouraging. The e-mails, the views and comments were enough for us to start our first book club which I've blogged about earlier. We're currently reading Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and so far, have finished 3 live discussion sessions and the fourth one is scheduled for tomorrow.
Other than that, I've started my holiday since the 13th and have been reading ever since. I'm trying my best to savour this summer indoors as I don't have any plans to leave the country. I'm determined to finish at least 30% of my unread books and review them for Omani Book Mania, can I do that?
What about you? What are your summer plans?
Other than that, I've started my holiday since the 13th and have been reading ever since. I'm trying my best to savour this summer indoors as I don't have any plans to leave the country. I'm determined to finish at least 30% of my unread books and review them for Omani Book Mania, can I do that?
Re-post: First Book Club Read
I'm re-posting this from Omani Book Mania Check out the site for more info on this.
With the Harry Potter movies coming to an end in July 15th I thought it’d be fun to read (or re-read in the majority’s case) The Deathly Hallows book together. For those of you who are as excited as I am, you’ll enjoy re-reading again, only this time with your favourite peeps online.So how does this work?
We’ll start reading on the 13th of June, an opening post will be put up to announce the beginning of the challenge. I’ve divided the 35 chapters in 3 weeks. Meaning: 5 chapters in 3 days. On the third day, a post by one of us will be put up reviewing what he/she thought of the chapters, asking questions for you all to interact and comment on what you’ve discovered/learned or liked in these 5 chapters. To make it easier for all of us and in order to understand the arrangement of the days and chapters, I made this calendar (Which, I hope, is clear)
How is this different?
Well for one, we’re all reading together at the same. Second, we’ll be reading and sharing our comments on the go.
This is my first time arranging a book club and without you guys, your willingness and contribution, this thing would not work. This is just an idea, I can’t go on about it without your support and input. Thus I’d really appreciate if you would tell me beforehand if you’re willing to step in and be consistent with the group. If you’ve read The Deathly Hallows before and do not intend on reading it again, do come in to add your comments, discuss and let us know your thoughts. If you’ve not read the book, then hey, it’s a fun activity during your summer!
Leave a comment if you want to participate and if you have any suggestions or ideas, don’t hesitate to e-mail me on: omanibookmania@gmail.comPlease spread this message around, re-post, share the link, tweet it, email it, for all those bookworms out there who haven’t read the book or want to re-read it again. We want to make this happen and you can help us.
"Live It Up" Album Review
If you're one of my Twitter followers, I apologise in advance for I have spammed your Timeline with my obsessive tweets over @LeeDeWyze and his songs. So here's my comments on his album "Live It Up"
The first song I heard in this album and fell head over heels for is “Beautiful Like You” The lyrics are so catchy, the beats are absolutely amazing and his vocals in this song are so beautiful. It reminded me why I’ve been rooting for him in American Idol since day one.
My next favourite song is “Me & My Jealousy”, the lyrics are great too and the idea of the only company that is left is just yourself and your jealousy is quite haunting. The chorus however didn’t appeal to me that much. It goes off to a higher pitch after a calming beginning and ending. I think the arrangement is somehow messed up but that aside, I really adore this one too.
Third in line is “Only Dreaming” a bonus track in the album. The composed beats of this song gives off soothing vibes and the lyrics are nice. Lee’s voice here couldn’t have been more stunning. Listen to it here.
Next up is “Live It Up” which reminds me a lot of Jason Mraz’s style of singing and that’s probably the only reason why I like it. Listen to it here.
The last one which I totally hate is "Sweet Serendipity” It’s not what Lee’s used to sing and I have no idea what he was thinking when he recorded it. Such a turn off.
The first song I heard in this album and fell head over heels for is “Beautiful Like You” The lyrics are so catchy, the beats are absolutely amazing and his vocals in this song are so beautiful. It reminded me why I’ve been rooting for him in American Idol since day one.
My next favourite song is “Me & My Jealousy”, the lyrics are great too and the idea of the only company that is left is just yourself and your jealousy is quite haunting. The chorus however didn’t appeal to me that much. It goes off to a higher pitch after a calming beginning and ending. I think the arrangement is somehow messed up but that aside, I really adore this one too.
Third in line is “Only Dreaming” a bonus track in the album. The composed beats of this song gives off soothing vibes and the lyrics are nice. Lee’s voice here couldn’t have been more stunning. Listen to it here.
Next up is “Live It Up” which reminds me a lot of Jason Mraz’s style of singing and that’s probably the only reason why I like it. Listen to it here.
The last one which I totally hate is "Sweet Serendipity” It’s not what Lee’s used to sing and I have no idea what he was thinking when he recorded it. Such a turn off.
Bigger Than Just "Us"
I was in such a depressing mood last night that I downloaded Tumblr and started re-blogging inspirational pictures and quotes. I called my page "What inspires me" but that's not what this post is all about.
I was frustrated from many things and I started to waste my time by looking at these photos and sayings. When I typed in "Palestine" in the browse section, my eyes fell upon a most horrific sight. I immediately hit the 'Home' button but a single second was all it took for me to break down in tears. The picture was like nothing I've seen before, it stuck into my head from that one glimpse and I could describe its every detail : a dead little girl was wrapped in a Palestinian flag, her eyes wide open and she was laying in an opened coffin. Little girls, no older than 8 years old, were around her too and one of those in the front was crying, one looked liked she was screaming for help, desperate. Another had a surprised and scared impression on her face. I did not cry because it was hard for me to see all of these emotions packed in one shot, no, my reason was far more important than this. It was because these young innocent girls were subjected to such sights. I might have experienced just a second or two of the pain of staring at a dead body but these girls were and still are subjected to many for every single day of their lives.
Our worries are so much smaller in comparison to theirs. Our troubles do not stand a chance near what they have to go through for basic human rights; like sleeping in peace without army planes hovering over their roofs and the examples are countless. Life have taught them so much that they treasure the few minutes of quietness they get to sense.
We breathe the air of freedom everyday yet we don't realise how precious it is. There are problems in this world that are bigger than just "us". We should be thankful and start caring about them too.
Determination? Check!
Exams are starting on Saturday. I'm stressed out yet I am trying my best not to. Not because I am not supposed to.. it's just that I know very well when I'm stressed, I freak out. This can be noticed by me trying to distract myself with something else. I could be eating, gossiping or even writing, like now. I get so scared of the thought of having exams that I'm afraid to start studying in the real sense of the word.
How do I get over it? Well by trying to remind myself that I know what I am doing, that I can fool whoever but I can't fool "me". I can lie and then realize that I'd start believing the lie myself then it'll be one huge lie that I'd fall for.
Funny thing is, I know myself more than anyone does and I'm the only one who could either destroy or win over myself.
I need to work and focus with everything that I can to ace these things people like to call "finals" just so they could scare the hell out of us. As if the realisation that what we'll go through is not enough for us to understand that it's what determines our grades. As if being called ol' plain "exams" wouldn't make us grasp the stress period we'll get in so they just named it "Finals"
Alright! Bring it on! I have my pens and brain ready.
How do I get over it? Well by trying to remind myself that I know what I am doing, that I can fool whoever but I can't fool "me". I can lie and then realize that I'd start believing the lie myself then it'll be one huge lie that I'd fall for.
Funny thing is, I know myself more than anyone does and I'm the only one who could either destroy or win over myself.
I need to work and focus with everything that I can to ace these things people like to call "finals" just so they could scare the hell out of us. As if the realisation that what we'll go through is not enough for us to understand that it's what determines our grades. As if being called ol' plain "exams" wouldn't make us grasp the stress period we'll get in so they just named it "Finals"
Alright! Bring it on! I have my pens and brain ready.
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