"I Want To Explore On My Own''

I usually talk when I'm fully aware of the topic discussed yet I find that I'm always voicing out an opinion one way or the other. I don't know if others find this irritating though I honestly think it's better than having no say in things at all. What's worse than being quiet is talking complete and utter nonsense. Why word out others' thoughts claiming to be your own? I might quote and refer to some public figures if I happened to have read about any.

That leads me to my next point which is reading about various things. What brought this up is a certain saying that mentions something along the lines that "I'd rather not read to explore on my own" and that sort of stopped me in my tracks for a while: reading gets you in the mind of other people; They write out an organized document of their opinions and by reading that, are you allowed to ponder more? Or do you just agree with all that's there thanks to the convincing evidence laid out in front of you?

Same thing with fictional writings and this deal with your imaginative side. Does reading about new worlds stop your creativity at some point? Does it leave a room for you to imagine when new cool universes are already created and crafted beautifully for you?

Coming from an avid reader, I'm expected to mention the numerous benefits of reading yet I can't help but fall trap in the other contradicting side as well. Reading does harm you only if you’re totally dependent on getting to know other’s views without having any of your own. The trick is to read, analyze, weigh your opinions, try to contradict and support your reasons with logical thinking. If a text could get you to think, then it already did its purpose and it’s left for you to muse over the thought, consider it more thoroughly to come up with your own opinion, leaving aside the author’s.

So are you the type that prefers to keep quiet and listen without having a say in certain conversations? Or are you the one who reads, depending on others’ thoughts or rather choosing to think things through in order to have a clearer view on your point?

Published today, 4th of May on Oman Observer

[Documentary] The Cove

An eye-opening documentary that brought me to tears. You wouldn't have thought such cruelty existed before watching this;

Merciless annual killing of dophins that happens not far away from us, just over at Japan in Taiji. Local fishermen claimed that they do it for the sake of eating Dolphin meat but when the producers got more into it, trying to confirm their claims, they were proven wrong. Certain meats were sold with a whale's label, which was later tested to be Dolphin's (containing large amount of Mercury). Actually, the government used to provide dolphin meat to the nearby school's students during lunch time. A lot have been diagnosed with Mercury poisoning.

To know that this documantary did make some difference in this evil practice and made people aware of what's happening within the borders of their own country is amazing. Not to forget being chosen as the Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Help to spread the word by getting to know more about it HERE.

Dilemma

You know that feeling when you feel like writing but you just don't know what to write about exactly? (Noticed how I used the word 'feeling' and 'write' twice and now thrice?) I'm not talking about updating this blog or about my column. It's just that I used to write a lot before; poems, thoughts, stories, book reviews, etc but I've gave up on that now and I hate myself for it.When I really think about it, I realize that I've adored writing only because it helped me take my mind off things; kept me busy and occupied as long as I have fingers moving and there are words on the paper. With having days off for the past 2 weeks, not only have I been careless but I've spent most my days and nights in front of the TV screen. I've watched movies, shows, and a lot of news channels that had to do with Egypt's revolution.

There's just too much going on in the world and I hate how we're not giving them any support. You'd see some of us Arabs blaming those young people who gave up on everything and sacrificed their lives in order to have a dignified living when others out there call this destruction and causing chaos and disruption. I'm not one to get into politics but to see all these protesters holding on for more than 2 weeks is truly magnificent and utterly inspiring for all of us here. It's more than mere pleas of help; it has a lot to do with claiming ones' rights and speaking up their mind no matter how dangerous it is.

The past weeks have never been easy on the Egyptians in Tahrir square; they've fought mobs, thugs, tear gases, bullets, hunger, discomfort amongst other things. All of this to let their voices heard to those who have forgotten how to listen and might never will. Such heartless people exist everywhere but it didn't stop the protesters from doing what they believe to be life-changing to live decently and in peace once again.

Last night's interview with the detained (Head of Marketing at Google in the Middle East and Africa) Wael Ghonim gave a new meaning to the revolution. He was arrested by the Egyptian military for 12 days and have been blindfolded for that amount of time. Ghonim was released only last night and this was his interview with Mona, a show presenter on Dream TV 2; Part 1, 2, 3 and the emotional, tensed final part of the interview here if you've missed it:

Misunderstood Hijab Concept

I've spent ages trying to find another version of this video that actually lets you hear what they're talking about instead I only found that. It's basically an episode of Jessica Simpson's: Price of Beauty show featuring in Morocco.

There are certain things I'd like to point out;

(1) When asked about why women cover up, one of the Moroccan girls answered ''To preserve ourselves for our husbands". I'm sorry but that's about the ridiculous-est thing I've ever heard. Where's the religious part of this? Wearing hijab or covering up have never been a cultural thing, I beg to differ, it has everything to do with Islam. If the question in hand was ''Who are you allowed to uncover in front?'' then your husband might be the right answer. Islam honours women by giving her a value; instead of being judged on the amount of skin she shows or what designer's brand she's wearing, she should be judged by her actions and the way she carries herself in society. 

(2) The girl 'Laila' in the video was a jerk, a totally ignorant woman that shouldn't have been there to present her 'idea'. She was the liberal type-of-person and blamed Jessica for showing a big part of her legs when she was wearing a low-cut top . Laila thought Jess was offending the culture when she was a good damn example of that. 

I have nothing against Moroccans but I just think that the situations mentioned above only gives a bad idea of what our Islamic and Arabian culture is all about. 

/End of blog post. Just had to let that out. Good night.

World Cup Surprises!

(1) If today's result means anything, it only shows the unpredictability of this World Cup: Brazil losing against Netherlands. (When Italy, France and England were eliminated earlier, I said the only team that's left is Brazil and so I was right).


(2) Tomorrow's game between Germany and Argentina is the most deciding one. What are your guesses? Who'll make it to the finale?

(3) Speaking of World Cup craze, here's what this man's annoyance made him do;

Texas man kills daughter over World Cup annoyance

Washington - A Texas man has been charged in the death of his two-year-old step-daughter during a World Cup football match over the weekend, a Texas newspaper reported Tuesday.

The suspect, Hector Castro, 28, reportedly told police that he beat his daughter because she was screaming during Saturday's World Cup match between the United States and Ghana, The Monitor of McAllen, Texas, reported.

He said he had punched his daughter twice in the chest.

According to the police report, Castro shoved a screw down her throat to make the fatality look like an accident. Castro tried to revive her when she stopped breathing.

The autopsy report said the girl had four broken ribs, three of which were several weeks old.

...More like ignorance, if you ask me.

(4) Also, 'Wavin' flag' appeals to me along with Akon's 'Oh Africa' more than Shakira's Waka Waka.

Child Neglect

A recent TV show had a very interesting topic about Child Neglect. It was about a story of a neglected 4 years old girl who was found living in a dirty house full of mosquitoes, cockroaches and was not wearing anything but old diapers. Child service agency in America took a stand and sued the mother who denied the charges and said she only did what she could.

The girl was then adopted by two loving parents that worked hard to provide the healthy environment any child needs. Although, the young girl cannot talk, or comprehend things like a normal 9 years old. She acts as a 2 years old child due to the neglect she received through her rough childhood.

Medical studies show that a neglected child's brain is not as big as a normal one. The brain's size doesn’t shrink; it only stays put and cannot develop any further.

Abandoning a child will stop the process of development both physically and mentally. A physical connection should be there to the children at the early ages so that he could grow healthier. These means of communication includes hugging, eye contact, and simply talking.

A living proof of the girl we talked about earlier; Daniel who could not speak any words at all. But if she did, that would be her last time repeating it. 'It's like she can't reach the place where these words are stored in her brain' says her foster parents.

Also, Daniel had weird tics at first, like rocking herself, throwing fits 8 times a day and crying. Besides, once taken out of her old home, she had constant nightmares of her old house where she suddenly felt terrified of everything.

This is yet another true story of real life issues that the world suffers from. Education is the key role in solving all of this, I believe, and a keen understanding of parenting responsibilities as well.