antimena's desert

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2010-10-05T21:49:00.001+04:00

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Give me your eyes - Brandon Heath

2008-10-22T15:26:00.001+04:00

A song, a prayer that touched my heart and wanted to share with all who will happen to browse by.

God bless
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?
Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
all those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Chorus

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten

I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone

Chorus (x2)

To get back or not to get back ...

2008-10-10T18:40:00.003+04:00

... that's the ultimate question!

Woah! It has been a couple of years (and a bit) already since I last posted! Wow ... and I can easily say ... LOADS has happened ... LOADS has changed :)

You see ... during these two years, I had plans to moving to Canada, to study and work, because I was tired of Dubai, and of my work. I have set a date to do that by the first quarter of 2007. Little did I know, what God has really prepared for me :)

On December 1st 2006, I get a phone call that changed my life. It was from the future Mrs. Migally :) By March 2007, I was already on my knee, proposing ... April we get engaged, and on January 10, 2008 we tie the knot and be united as One in His Name, to become the first new-generation Migally family :)

If I just begin to talk about Sara, my wife, I will never end. Let me just summarize the bunch of it, to - the one the Lord has set out for me ... just perfect :)

Now, exactly 9 months from our glorious wedding day, I sit in Starbucks, remembering how the Lord has been gracious to me and my new family, and with every thought I feel more and more unworthy of such grace.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe it is time for me to get back ... I am in a bit of a down mood (very much like the financial market) ... so maybe I get a chance to put down experiences that build, others to stay clear off in the future ... but heaven yes, I feel I am liberated already!

thanks for listening ...

.mena

P.S. Although on January 10th, 2008 I have dropped my 'antimena' nickname - but in here, it will always remind me of the my old self, the one always trying to get me back to a life I left behind centuries ago.

be a blessing +

Time for change - the rebirth of antimena's desert

2006-09-17T20:32:00.000+04:00

So many of you visited my new blog Teshrabo Chai aw Gahwa and already aware that i took the first step to fulfill the original purpose of this blog, by separating the contents accordingly:

antimena's desert will be the home of my altars that I will build as I tread slowly through the training desert the Lord has set for me (we will discuss the desert - not now though). It will also be home to the obstacles I will face during this time.

Mena ... what's the purpose buddy? Well, this place will be 1) a reminder to myself of God's dealings in my life and 2) a reference to whoever is going through the same - didn't you always want someone to understand the way u feel exactly, just when you are facing that? Well you could find that here buddy.

Teshrabo Chai aw Gahwa will be my coffee place/table where you can join me to listen to everything else going through this bald head. From extensive travel reviews, to photoblogging to cheesy lovey-dovey one liners .... this is where you will find it! Come join me ... and speak up! It is a chillaxation spot, buddy!

Friend and family who blessed antimena's desert throughout the past year (and a bit, thank you Yohn!) - thank you!

Come and join me ... chai aw gahwa, or in the desert, you are welcome ... just dont wear your sandals to the first, or come with your mug to the second.

time for change ...

Back to life

2006-09-13T13:15:00.000+04:00

That's a bold statement to make, I assure you.

It implies that a state of death, pf transformation (I call it miracle), and then of life were involved in the process.

Well lets not dwell on the past - that's where 'death' lies. Let's re-focus on the future.

That's a bold statement to make, I assure you.

It implies that the future was in focus at one point, but the focus was lost - maybe once, probably many times.

Well lets not dwell on the past - thats where 'de-focused state' lies. Now let's talk ...

All it required was one (year?) day involving many states and events - some emotional, others challenging: a dark state, an event , an advice, another event ... then a new state. A state that allows 'life' and 're-focus' ... a status called freedom.

That, ladies and gentlemen, was God's early birthday gift to me - documented here to witness for the 24 years of life that passed, all according to His plan ... all by His grace. An altar to stand for all above, against time, sin, laziness, complications and internet servers.

Happy birthday, Mena.

P.S. To all who were involved in my 24 years of blessings, I salute you - wonderful people you are, some even more than that. I am proud to be called a friend by many, brother by others, and to a few special ones - a son. I pray that that never changes ...

How high do you need to be … to be connected?

2006-08-20T21:47:00.000+04:00

Damn! I know I have not updated my blog for a quite a long time … but the reasons can wait!

This is to document that, for the first time in my life, I am connected on an airplane (Lufthansa LH470 from Frankfurt to Toronto – 747-400) – making this is the “highest” point I could be connected from (I am waiting for that blue status screen on the plane to tell me just how high I really am!) … and making this blog entry my first entry from a flying plane!

However, do not be fooled by my utter enthusiasm … I am just thinking: What would my kids think , lets say 20 years down the line [broken down into ten years to find a chik, convince her to get married then 10 years to have a 1 year old kid who will be able to hack into my wirelessly controlled BMW] …

“ooooh … my dad is a dork! He was going nuts over internet in airplanes! How could they have lived without an internet-enabled teleporter???”

so yeah … the bottom line: What next? Today’s exciting news, is yesterday’s bla history. Point behind this? I am starting appreciate all the little inventions that we took for granted … maybe when those nutsy brothers saw their first airplane fly – they went ballistic with joy too … the same plane that I am sitting in right now, with slight annoyance at the speed we are going at … too slow!

My trip details will follow in the next entry – lets just dedicate this one to those who make the world a more interesting place … and a harder place to live in (now my boss will want me to work from the plane … ugh!)!!

Football Fever ... are you feeling it?

2006-06-24T03:39:00.000+04:00

World Cup 2006 ... the long awaited event of the year, finally here! Supporting Germany, I watched other teams play many bad games, and some good ones - overall, I was getting frustrated with this World Cup.

But then Brazil vs Japan happened ...

Me and my kins, including my cousin joined a group of friends who decided to try the make-believe stadium built in the convention centre to air the football games last Thursday. It was the Brazil vs Japan game. Up to that day, Brazil did not seem to be in shape - barely winning their games with a few decent goals. I was not expecting much ...

Enter group to stadium from left.

Shock!

Huge room ... loads of people ... yellow and green filled the place ... loud music ... live drum beats ... dancing ... the excitement HAD to build on you! We crouched to the best spot we can find nearest to the centre of the stadium, fighting families and groups to it. We managed to secure the place ... and we just waited. Game started ... to the surprise and excitement of all - it was one of the most happening matches so far! With every pass, missed goal, corner, goal ... the crowd ROARED ... cheered like mad, the drum beats deafening whatever is left from your inner ear! Watching till the end of the game, felt like a few minutes as we watched one good game to the other ... final score Brazil 4-1 Japan.

Do you feel it? Come down to the convention centre ... it is a tad bit cheaper than using your (priceless?) mastercard to get yourself in Germany and in one of these games ... and just for nearly the same excitement!

P.S - on a personal note: John, Na22ash - i thought about the both of you there! It would have then been complete my friends :)

Most romantic things??

2006-06-21T10:59:00.000+04:00

Ha! Its funny how in Bahrain I read an article about how romantic things guys expect girls want, are the sometimes the extreme opposite of the truth ...

Ladies ... do me a favor, I have the highest failure rate known to Dubaian mankind: Check this out ... and filter the crap, help a brother!

Disclaimer: This list came thru mail - so dont mind the cheesiness - i am NOT that bad!

50 most romantic things to do w/ you b/f or g/f

1. Watch the sunset together.
2. Whisper to each other.
3. Cook for each other.
4. Walk in the rain.
5. Hold hands
6. Buy gifts for each other.
7. Roses.
8. Find out their favorite cologne/perfume and wear it every time you're together.
9. Go for a long walk down the beach at midnight.
10. Write poetry for each other.
11. Hugs are the universal medicine.
12. Say I love you, only when you mean it and make sure they know you mean it.
13. Give random gifts of flowers/candy/poetry etc.
14. Tell her that she's the only girl you ever want. Don't lie!
15. Spend every second possible together.
16. Look into each other's eyes.
17. Very lightly push up her chin, look into her eyes, tell her you love her, and kiss her lightly.
18. When in public, only flirt with each other.
19. Put love notes in their pockets when they aren't looking.
20. Buy her a ring.
21. Sing to each other.
22. Always hold her around her hips/sides.
23. Take her to dinner and do the dinner for two deal.
24. Spaghetti? (Ever see Lady and the Tramp?)
25. Hold her hand, stare into her eyes, kiss her hand and then put it over your heart.
26. Dance together.
27. I love the way a girl looks right after she's fallen asleep with her head in my lap.
28. Do cute things like write I love you in a note so that they have to look in a mirror to read it.
29. Make excuses to call them every 5 minutes
30. Even if you are really busy doing something, go out of your way to call and say I love you.
31. Call from your vacation spot to tell them you were thinking about them.
32. Remember your dreams and tell her about them.
34. Tell each other your most sacred secrets/fears.
35. Be Prince Charming to her parents.
36. Brush her hair out of her face for her.
37. Hang out with his/her friends.
38. Go to church: pray/worship together.
39. Take her to see a romantic movie and remember the parts she liked.
40. Learn from each other and don't make the same mistake twice.
41. Describe the joy you feel just to be with him/her.
42. Make sacrifices for each other.
43. Really love each other, or don't stay together.
44. Let there never be a second during any given day that you aren't thinking about them, and make sure they know it.
45. Love yourself before you love anyone else.
46. Learn to say sweet things in foreign languages.
47. Dedicate songs to them on the radio.
48. Fall asleep on the phone with each other.
49. Stand up for them when someone talks trash.
50. Never forget the kiss goodnight and always remember to say, "Sweet dreams."

PakLand: Last Days - "Slogans vs Rickshaw"

2006-05-30T09:45:00.000+04:00

Five days in Pakistan: Two in Lahore, One in Islamambad, and Two in Karachi - CRAZY! A total of four flights in five days is absolutely nerve wrecking, add to it your work back home + events + customer visits ... you would think I would not notice what was around me ... no! :D I will leave the more interesting to the end to make sure you read all!

1) Hotels: If you are planning to go to Pakistan (and I do not feel that anyone PLANS to go to Pakistan .. it is more like work sends me there because there are a big population and no money), their best hotel is the Marriott back in Islamabad. Although Islamabad as a city, was the quietest, definitely more modern, it lacked the colorful cultural feel of Karachi. Again, it being the capital - sort of raised the bar for Marriott ... making it so luxurious, you would forget about your food worries :D

2) Music: Ahhhhhhhh I still remember the high pitched drum beat! I could feel myself dancing to that! I love music ... and this was amazing to hear. In the Islamabad, in the Marriott lobby, a local 2 man show, one on their tabla and other singing while playing a sitar ... it was sensational. I might have not understood, and didnt like much the sitar, but the combination was amazing! The funny part was, there was a guy sitting opposite them ... basically doing nothing, but mouthing the words of the singer ... and actually using his hands to express the feelings behind them. As a semi-dry country, I didnt expect him to be drunk ... be he must have been some heartbroken dude ... who just lived their music. It was fun to watch ... and a treat to listen to.

3) Buses/Trucks/Rickshaws: It was amazing to see the art on their vehicles ... they take pride in their art. The more colorful, the better the vehicle. I am not sure if it is some pride competition between drivers, but I think it is more like they take pride in the vehicle that gets them their money ... and where they spend most of their day. End result for the tourist - a colorful broken down vehicle, carrying 100 people for the ten seats it holds.

4) Slogans - Now I would think this is the best part. As mentioned, I travelled via four flights to the different cities - all through PIA. While boarding the plane to Islamabad at 7 am (so i had to wake up at 5 for that) ... I look to my side, and see a huge slogan 'PIA: THE BEST IS YET TO COME' .... WHYYYYYYYY??? Why cant the best be now??? Do I have to get into a plane, where they are not sure when their best will be? and if what i boarded was not their best (which was very apparent), what else will they do? Serve bottled water, instead of water cups? I have to tell you I was not too confident travelling to Islamabad that day!

Another thing I realised about Pakistan - is that they are not ashamed they are the SECOND in the industry ... so a lot of the companies will have something like - 'SHAHEEN AIR - THE SECOND AIRLINE OF PAKISTAN' ... CMON!

The last one I remember, is an ad for some makeup kit that said 'the color that colours like never before!' ... what is that supposed to mean? So is there a chance the the colors we got used to, does not color the right way? Is there a chance that the existing "flower-faced" girls ... will get even more colorful because they are using this kit?

Anyways, I am back home ... getting ready for another trip by the end of the week :)

PakLand: Day 2 - "Question Saheb: What does Mena mean?"

2006-05-23T00:05:00.000+04:00

After waking up today ... I kinda remembered a couple of things relating to what happened yesterday:

a) In the airport - while waiting eternally for our turn in the queue, there was this huge blue sign "For Complaints please call Deputy Manager atOffice: xxx-xxxx-xxx Residence: xxx-xxxx-xxx, Cell: xxx-xxxx-xxx"!! ... at the back of my mind it was like "and please pee on my grave if you can actually get to me!" ... yup that sign did not really help.

b) The van drive from airport to the hotel: The van was in a bad shape (may i remind you this belongs to a five star hotel!), shaking like mad .. and the driver was not any better. He was driving like he was missing the local football match on TV ... so fast, potholes did not even matter anymore! At the only instance he actually decided to agree to the mere suggestion of the "manual" traffic light's STOP signal ... a motor bike just zoomed past the traffic light(may I remind you it was RED signal!) ... stopped at the other side's police stop (you would think they would fine him), shook the officer's hand and continued zooming!

--NEXT DAY--

1) Lahore's Shower head: While getting ready for a fine morning in Lahore, a worker from the hotel decides to knock my door ... and show up smiling with a Grohe shower head! As I understood little urdu, he apparently wanted to change the shower head in my bathroom ... but I never complained!!! He told it will take 2 minutes, so I continued preparing myself for the day. He calls me in the bathroom, shows me how beautiful the water is with the new showerhead (ehm), and then waits for his tip. Generally I am a very generous tipper ... but this really bothered me! It reminded me of other countries (no names!), where they would wait for a foreigner to get out the new stuff, so the foreigner pays double the price! Why was the showerhead originally a normal one ... and why is it now exchanged for Grohe? hehehe he left disappointed!

2) Rickshaws and more 2 wheelers: Being driven in a Mercedes E200 turned to be a luxury of great magnitude in this country! All around you were motorcycles ... and "rickshaws". Now this device is hilarious: It is basically a motorcycle with a special wagon attached to it ... depending on the wealth of the driver/owner of the rickshaw, the wagon would be made of good steel or just scrap metal. This device runs on some sort of liquid gas ... of which the cylinder lies between the legs of the driver ... hazardous profession? NOOOOOOOO! Main pollution contributor to the country I can tell you!

3) Lenovo 3000 vs Mena: Our event started at 8 pm with 50 ppl. By the time, my turn came to introduce the new Lenovo 3000 product line ... i had 200 ppl listening! So after a long presentation explaining the intricate details of our products ... i get my first question. Imtiaz, my boss, explained to me that they would be shy so I shouldnt expect questions ... so I was surprised. I puffed my chest, always commended at answering most questions I get ... I awaited the inevitable "What is Lenovo?" question ... but then there was silence after hearing the actual one ...

"What does Mena mean?" i.e. we thought you would be a babe, since mena is a ladies' name in Pakistan, India and Iran!

Stunned ... I smiled and gave them a the usual 2 line answer i have ready for this question, and that was the only decent question I had that night. Do you think I am working in the wrong industry?? :)

--- End of Day ---

Its 1:30 am over here ... I need to wake up at 6 for my next flight to Islamambad! See you there

PakLand: Day1 - Lahore

2006-05-21T21:27:00.000+04:00

I was not really sure how should I feel when I first heard that I will be going to Pakistan for a full week ... but by the time I was boarding the flight - I got really excited. I mean, I probably see a lot of Pakistanis in Dubai, dutifully dubbed as the second Bombay/Karachi (depending on who do you want to please) ... but I was ready to see something new ... a new country, the actual culture ... and probably get my hands on some good merchandise on me way back!

1- PIA

Yup - Pakistan International Airline (i think!) ... is not really the next Emirates Airlines, but it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe the stewardess had some issues communicating perfect english with me and nisreen (our marketing colleague) and maybe there were some loose screws on the plane stablizer, but hey: flight was empty, seats comfortable, and what tourists (like me!) thought of authentic paki food!

2- Lahore International Airport - the "Allama Iqbal International Airport" strikes you as a modern airport, the moment you set foot outside the plane and move towards the passport control. My colleage Qaiser, the country sales manager for Pak, made me eat my hat after I made fun of pak ... seeing this airport I was actually impressed. However, like a movie with a sweet record playing in the background, and then something suddenly stops it, making that annoying (ZzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzt) sound ... that is how I felt as soon as I saw passport control: definition of Chaos personified! Hundreds of Pakis packed (pun not intended) in the passport control hall, which is served by 6 or 7 passport control officers. The queues were not moving ... the queue for Foreign passports, was full of Pakis, the queue for women only had women and those who can be pushed in the middle ... chaos! I gave Qaiser the "I will make you eat that hat again buddy" look ... while he tried to squirm us into getting to one of the officers quickly. It was the kind of place, where you constantly look at your mobile phone, hoping that someone will call you and save you from this misery.

After what seemed like only 9 months, we finally got out of the airport ... with our bags intact ... we were on our way to the hotel!

3- Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore - their 5 star hotel, it is actually a hotel with an attached shopping centre, turned out to be ok. Im sitting here in room 236, making sure that I have everything ready and set out for a crazy week ahead!

... a semi-hot shower, a good old book and some TV ... its time to hit the bed!

Ode to my family

2006-05-14T10:18:00.000+04:00

Although this wasn't the topic I picked to discuss for today, but I had a sudden urge to write a bit about my family, and particularly my parents.

Being the first child, I am the (eldest?) pride of my parents - I was the first thing they got after they got married! A brother to a lovely sister, and a wacko brother - I live with my parents since birth (except for that year in Egypt). I will not say that I am close to them, in the sense that I discuss my problems or specific plans - but lately, especially since graduation day, the way i feel about them and think about what they did and what they do, is definitely different.

Dad, mom - I think I owe you eternal thanks for being my parents. Not only was I a tough kid to control, but I was a pain (in many parts) at many points - and yet you kept my best interests at heart. I might not show much appreciation for all that you've done, and still do, but I owe you my life. Two years ago, I wouldnt dream about saying all this, but thanks for everything ... you're stars in my book.

I love you

P.S. although the song aint really appropriate with the above - but hey :) its cranberries!

Artist: Cranberries
Song: Ode to My Family Lyrics

Understand the things I say
Don’t turn away from me
Cause I spent half my life out there
You wouldn’t disagree
D’you see me, d’you see
Do you like me, do you like me standing there
D’you notice, d’you know
Do you see me, do you see me
Does anyone care

Unhappiness, where’s when I was young
And we didn’t give a damn
’cause we were raised
To see life as a fun and take it if we can
My mother, my mother she hold me
Did she hold me, when I was out there
My father, my father, he liked me
Ol he liked me, does anyone care

Understand what I’ve become
It wasn’t my design
And people everywhere think
Something better than I am
But I miss you, I miss
’cause I liked it, I liked it
When I was out there
D’you know this, d’you know
You did not find me, you did not find
Does anyone care

Unhappiness was when I was young
And we didn’t give a damn
’cause we were raised
To see life as fun and take it if we can
My mother, my mother she hold me
Did she hold me, when I was out there
My father, my father, he liked me
Ol he liked me, does anyone care

Does anyone care

We can deliver your new mobile to your kitchen ... ma'am!

2006-05-11T00:14:00.000+04:00

Listening to noonshadow's radio the other day (seems like i do a lot of driving .. naah!) i was shocked to hear this ad about Emirates Computers, offering free home sales visit to sell you their mobile phones i.e. you are sitting watching Desparate Housewives, you decide to call Emirates Computers to look at the two airheaded mobile phones you saw in the show, they will actually drive to you with both phones so you can check them out, and then decide whether you want to be the next housewive or not!

At one point, when PHARMACIES were offering free home delivery of their medicines, I was like "what is this world coming to?" ... now, I am like "... and you really expect the obesity rate to fall?"

Isn't it crazy? Everything can be home delivered - think about it. From gourmet food, to your mail, to your concert tickets, to changing your tyres and repairing your car dents, to mobile phones and medicines! Is it really because people do not have time, or is this creating the illusion that you should NOT have time to go shopping, instead you need to work, or just lazy out at home?

... if next they decide that first class and business class passengers, will be picked up from their homes, by the plane itself - i dont think i will be surprised :)

Is it time to change yours?

2006-05-09T11:44:00.000+04:00

One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind, please help."

A creative publicist was walking by and stopped to observe. He saw that the blind man had only a few coins in his hat. He dropped in more coins and, without asking for permission, took the sign and rewrote it.

He returned the sign to the blind man and left. That afternoon the publicist returned to the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins.

The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was he who had rewritten his sign and wanted to know what he had written on it.

The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true. I just wrote the message a little differently." He smiled and went on his way.

The new sign read: "Today is Spring and I cannot see it."

Sometimes we need to change our strategy. If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten.

And remember too, sometimes it's not WHAT we say, it's HOW we say it!!

If someone's eating a hamburger and you give them SUSHI they'll always go for the ...?

2006-05-06T18:11:00.000+04:00

... although (when quote is complete) was used as an analogy to show what people will go for when deciding between what they are used to, and whats new .. its an interesting question to ask yourself ..

... I'll go for the sushi ;)

Childhood memories

2006-05-05T14:05:00.000+04:00

Coming back from lunch in Ibn Batuta Mall, I turn on the radio to be shocked with a song I have not heart since grade 6 --> Don't Turn Around by Ace of Base ... and a flood of emotions just swept me by ... and I couldn not control myself.

I remembered the good times of my primary school ... the music i used to listen behind my parents' backs, the friends I had, the games we played, the teachers, the nuns from my catholic school ... I remembered the carefree attitude, the serious times we sat down to study, the first girl I had a crush on, the chapel ... the list goes on.

A person on my msn list once wrote "Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened?". Sometimes - I remember the moments during my childhood where I acted mature, and actually wasted time. Now that I am (mature?) older, I wish I was back a child.

My childhood days might have gone by, but the child within will never cease ...

Artist: Ace Of Base
Song: Don't Turn Around

(Spoken) I will survive without you...

Don't tell me that you wanna leave...
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa

If you wanna leave
I won't beg you to stay
And if you gotta go, darling
Maybe it's better that way
I'm gonna be strong
I'm gonna do fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine

(Spoken) Walk out that door
See if I care
Go on and go, but

Don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me cry
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
But I won't let you know...
I won't let you know.
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa

I won't miss your arms around me
Holding me tight
(Holding me tight)
And if you ever think about me
Just know that I'll be alright
(I'll be alright)
I'm gonna be strong
I'm gonna do fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine

(Spoken) I will survive
I'll make it through
I'll even learn to live without you

Don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me cry
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
But I won't let you know...

I wish I could scream out loud
That I love you,
I wish I could say to you
Don't go........

(Spoken) As he walks away
He feels the pain getting strong
People in your life
They don't know what's going on
Too proud to turn around
He's gone

Don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me cry
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go,

Baby don't turn around
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Don't turn around
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Just walk away
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go

Don't turn around
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Don't turn around
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Just walk away
Whoa whoa whoa whoa

Bo2loz .. married!

2006-05-05T13:49:00.000+04:00

Ayman, a man known as Bo2loz, has finally married Ingi (or rather in Inci in Turkish) - a year after I attended his engagement party. He was a significant part of my first year of university - He used to be part of an inseparable group who met every day - racing with their cars, smoking sheesha, playing cards in Miramar or Umm Kulthoom, drinking beer at Bunkers ... he was the first one off.

However, I was bothered yesterday ... as I sat with whoever was left from our original group - I saw the face of his bride, Ingi. She was happy - but there was a look of worry or fear ... was it because she was overwhelmed with the future has to hold as a married person? or was it moving on from an era, to another life? Anyways, I was a bit unsure at the moment - but we moved on, and it was a happy night.

Bo2loz on the other hand showed a lot less emotions :) We enjoyed watching him ... heheh.

Just thought I'd share :) Mabrook to the newly weds :)

...back home

2006-04-29T22:03:00.000+04:00

But not all who wander are aimless, especially those who seek truth beyond traditions, beyond definition, beyond the image.

Betty Warren from MonaLisa Smile

Alex

2006-04-18T12:31:00.000+04:00

What happened in Alexandria is not something you hear and let go - you start praying for peace and comfort!

Visit Below:

My own world, thoughts, emotions, & senses!: Do we live in a Zoo?

Deja vu ...

2006-04-08T13:21:00.000+04:00

Have you ever experienced something ... then it feels all over that it happened before? the answer for me is ... yes ... a million times!

I will recount only one incident that happened to me yesterday: I was sitting in church, listening to Raed (our youth group servant and leader) share his sermon, when i decided to look at my watch, and as I did that, Raed said "... and Peter not only denied Him, but also cursed and swore at Jesus ..." . Right there! stop! I felt "and surprisingly knew" that I have experienced this before ... same setting, same church, same person talking, same line, and same watch (although it is 2 months old!)

I don't want to even research about it ... but its just a funny feeling.

Haven't i seen you before? ;)

Read about Fluffy's new love ...

2006-04-02T15:51:00.001+04:00

You will be surprised who is behind this!

Nice quote

2006-03-23T14:04:00.000+04:00

"The worst echo is ... silence"(Mena Migally after watching an ad on TV - 2006)

Dubai - my present home! ... Dubai - my future home?

2006-03-22T15:56:00.000+04:00

"I was born in Dubai, lived in Dubai for nearly all my life, and currently working in Dubai ... it definitely makes sense!" ... and that is how I thought 3 weeks ago while evaluating whether I should start investing time and money into an apartment in Dubai for the future. It makes sense ... this is my home after all!

Today ... I woke up with a jolt, got myself ready for a meeting, jumped into noonShadow and zoomed out ... and while waiting in traffic for 10 mins to move thankfully for an inch, I finally came to a conclusion:

"This place is too fast-paced to be my home ... I have to leave"

I finally came to rest, knowing that I prefer a chillaxed life - not a problem-free life, but a chillaxed life, slow-paced with the potential of doing more than just work, getting stuck in traffic and catering on different needs that I can live without.

Don't get me wrong ... I LOVE Dubai! I have memories lying in every spot and corner of Dubai, tyre marks on nearly every road in Dubai, different friends for every era spent in Dubai. It's just ...home :)

...but the problem is, it became too fast for my taste. I always enjoyed Dubai, where you can just relax driving in open roads, chillaxing at the beach with few people around you, going to a mall and find parking even on weekends, studying without the need to look at your mobile phone every second to make sure you didn't miss that "important" call from your boss, reaching your peaceful home in the outskirts of the city in under 20 mins - I just want that back. Now, all I think about is how to spend the 2 hours left after work, before I hit the sack ... dead tired.

I want to:

- Travel
- Do photography
- play guitar/sing/compose
- Dive
- Drive
- Kart
- Learn languages
- spend time with family
- spend time with friends
- read books
- write stuff
- study

and most of all ... spend time with God without feeling like you have something to do all the time.

Again, I do not want to become a free-rider! I am not saying i do not want to work ... or that I want to just live the "dream" ... i just want a more chillaxed life.

I cannot complain - I have a wonderful job, an amazing car, great friends, super family, a church life that I am envied for - but I want some of this, and still do most of the above.

Arguments:
1- Risk of living a backward life - yes, true but I can live with that setback in exchange for a quiet life.
2- Not the same money - yes, but I am spending this money because I am in Dubai, otherwise I am fine without most of it.
3- Plan flawless? - no it isn't but its the closest to ideal than I can ever imagine.
4-Giving up the life, friends and family ... just like that? No - but I love the idea of starting fresh again. As I said I love that part of my life ... so this will be the hardest part, or the only obstacle.

General Questions
Q)When?
A) Don't know ... definitely not before I sort my passport problems.

Q)Where?
A) Under investigation - I have a couple of places already in mind, but they don't appear to be cities to me. I am open to suggestions.

Q)Are you serious about all this?
A)I am getting there :)

Q) Going alone?
A) Not sure yet, but would hate to do this alone.

"Where I lay my head is home ..."

Poems from the attic ... pt 4

2006-03-15T23:36:00.000+04:00

I was not too comfortable sharing this poem. A poem reflecting the state of weakness I am in without my Lord ... but what i always loved about it, is that my struggles never end empty ... they always end with a promise: The rain must fall!

the rain must fall

how we live to see the rain
building up in clouds
things that are dark
things ... once green
with boulders and flowers lying on them
I walk around trying to capture the gloom
to cast it away
the spell never found
no more
never let it surround me
but it is in my soul now
ive inhaled the darkness ...

...and i fall on my knees
skin scorched by the touch of once soft grass
holding the sand that covers the earth
letting the wind carry it away
along with the song of agony
that my being let out
one cry
the flashback is back

violins crashing
drums booming
as i stand in the midst of emptiness
the emptiness of my heart
crumbling slowly in a corner
waiting to be held
but the silence engulfs me slowly
my breath marking the tick of time
blood running fast making me cold...

...and i go back
i watch the clouds again
but standing up high
wondering what these clouds mean now
but not wanting to hurt the flowers on the way
i walk on my tip toes
my eyes up to the one who controls what is in the clouds
for i just want the rain to come
let the flowers live
the grass carpeting the scene
the animals running
and the smile on my face
confidence in the Lord of Lords
peace from the Prince of Peace
i am a son ... i am a son
the words on my mind now
while i wait for the rain

He promised me

Father never betrays His son
never allows him to step on the flowers, mind you
but to use the boulders to touch the clouds
Father loves the son

He promised me ... the rain

the rain will fall

the rain must fall

when this desert is ready to become Eden

Mena "locked" Migally
20/November/02

Poems from the attic ... pt 3

2006-03-11T07:48:00.000+04:00

A more refreshing one ... from the 2001 era!

addicted to a smile

My body asked for mercy
My heart asked for confirmation
It is bloody red by now

I listened to her voice
as she spoke to me with grace
I tried comparing it to the sweetest song
she was still ahead
her eyes glazed under the midday sun
sitting there engulfed by lightning
I couldnt talk
my vocal chords were on hold
my heart raced
to the pace of lightning
clothed in blue and black
her smile was a reminder
that she was the best thing
that i have ever seen
and i asked myself
who will help me out

the answer was
she already did

staying up all night
to let her words remove
the soot from around my soul
to let her shake the muscles on my face
that i really wanted to use
to let her be the last thing i see at night
in my dreams i can see
her standing smiling at me
my hands go around her
we are already in the midst of a crowd
someone was playing a mellow Fade to black
all i was thinking of
"how life turned to be as sweet as her smile"

My brother woke me up
questioning the smile on my face

Mena "not my best ... but my favourite" Migally
Date: 14/October/2001

Poems from the attic ... pt 2

2006-03-06T00:05:00.000+04:00

Another one from an era I chose to forget :) Don't mind the black mood ...

See the light

Help me find it
I lost my eyes along the way
all I see now is darkness
because I was scared
to see the light when it was still there

Now my tongue is not there
the sweet voice that helped all
cannot help myself anymore
what I say now
is false and dark
because I was scared
to say the truth while I still can

I cannot walk anymore
my legs torn off
by the evil forces of this world
where I used to walk, I cannot go now
My crutches made of special deceit
because I was scared
to walk into the right place at the right time

My heart still beats
my brain is long dead
the battle between the forces
causing the pain inside
one day when a force wins
I will know whether I shall see again
whether I shall sing and talk again
whether I shall walk and dance again
whether I shall love not hate again
and that is because I was wise
to keep my faith in life
my faith in love
my faith in a world and its people
steady through the many bumps of my life

Mena "troubadour" Migally (10/Apr/2001)

Poems from the attic ... pt 1

2006-03-03T23:14:00.000+04:00

I have decided to dust off my old poems, and give them a chance to see the light again. With each poem, I revisted important and crucial points in my life ... points that shaped me as ... me, i guess :) I will share them with you ...

When I wrote these poems, they were never meant to be shared ... so don't be too critical :D Many hold very personal memories, therefore make much more sense to me than to others ... others are just words i put together to describe the way I felt. When did I write them? Age range 16 - 20, mostly the younger side of it, so do not mind the bad english :) Barely edited ... here is the first one:

David & modern Goliath

Freedom
Free them
Yes, those kids
Those kids in rags
with blood on their hands
Clutching the stone
Heavier than they are
They are so graceful

Yes their eyes
Carry childish fear
Fear of the dark
Yet, it sparks
With the need
With the desire
To have a land
Of their own
The land of the free

They took their land
The land they now defend
Till the very end
The land
That belongs to the people

Their ancestors looking down on them
Raising their hands
In praise
In protest
They took a shot
They were hunted down
Now it is the kids

Who is going to use the stone?
The bloody stone …

David and Goliath
Same story
Opposite sides
Same stone
Same sling
The big, the mighty
The child, the shepherd
The sharp sword with the golden grip
Now an AK-40 with an accurate cross hair
The sling
Still the same sling
The stone
The same stones
The victory
Is still at war
The loss of lives
The gain of faith

The end of the pain
Is in no ones hands
As I stand here
Alone
No stone
No side taken
No purpose
Just a screen
Displaying the kids
The same kids
With the same stone
And people in green
With guns
Big ones
Aiming at the little head
The scream
The terror
The shot
I switch the channel

Mena "the stone" Migally

Date: 11/6/2000

Get to know me ...

2006-01-05T12:38:00.000+04:00

I did not take part of one the following in a very long time, so filling this one up made me dig for old memories of high school days and the answers I probably would have had then. Anyways, enjoy ... you might get to know something about me today.

Why don't you answer these questions as comments to this post, so I get to know YOU a bit more?

1.What time did you get up this morning? 8:30 am
2. Diamonds or pearls? Such a girly question but I guess diamonds :)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Mother Teresa
4. What is your favorite TV show? CSI
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? I dont have breakfast
6. What is your middle name? Sherif
7. Favorite cuisine? Japanese
8. What foods do you dislike? Anything with coconut or raisins
9. What is your favorite chip flavor? Pringles Barbecue
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Lydia Shedeed - Maza Arod lilali
11. What kind of car do you drive? BMW Z3 2.8i
12. Favorite sandwich? Subway CRAB
13. What characteristic do you despise? backstabbing and disloyalty
14. Favorite item of clothing? I dont think I will share this one :)
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? The rest of the world
16. What color is your bathroom? I dont remember
17. Favorite brand of clothing? although many would think Giordano or Hangten, but Zara is my favourite
18. Where would you retire to? I do not want to retire
19. What was your most memorable birthday? my 18th - I started my first driving class then :D
20. Favorite sport to watch? Formula 1 racing - but on TV only
21. Furthest place you are sending this? as per the previous list :D
22. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Misk :)
23. Person you expect to send it back first? Sameh Magdy
24. Goal you have for yourself? Love Christ as my first love
25.When is your birthday? September 11th
27. What is your shoe size? 42
28. Pets: Dogs - Fluffy
29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I wish I had any
30. What did you want to be when you were little? Every job possible
31. How are you today? Tired
32. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate Chip Chocos
33. What is your favorite flower? Indian Jasmine
34. What is a date on the calendar you are looking forward? Everyday I look forward to the next day

EuroTrip 2005: No Money in Paris (the end)

2005-12-28T00:38:00.000+04:00

I realised that according to this blog I am still lost somewhere in Europe so:

1) I spent my last two days in Paris France
2) First day I worked, and spent my time with my boss (Rama El-Safty), who then took me out to a cool dinner place - totally forgot its name by now :)
3) Second day in paris, I visited the Louvre (sorry nards this will not be as comprehensive as you wanted), and i basically spent most of my day there! It is one of the greatest places i have been to so far - full of things you stay and gawk at. Monalisa is definitely overrated!
4) I was mugged in paris underground metro, where my wallet and all the credit cards in it, along with some cash was just gone ... what bothered me is that I lost my favourite cap that day too :(
5) After cancelling all my credit cards (i realised I had too many), I went to the Nottredam, but then had to run to the airport to catch my flight.
6) Spent the most miserable flight back home ever ... a flight from 9pm (france time) to 7 am (Dubai time), next to a fat french lady, with a miserable dinner :)

I was glad I was home then ... now I am sortta having second thoughts ;o)

to all the friends i made in Europe ... be blessed!

until my next trip ... see you around

Friends Never Say Goodbye

2005-11-15T12:10:00.000+04:00

I have to break the Eurotrip posts because I cannot wait to write this up. Many of my close friends are about to leave, or have plans to leave Dubai. One song will always come up, maybe to express what I want to say. Dubai is my home ... it really feels weird when I keep on seeing close friends coming and going. I learn from all ... but emotions? not handling too well.

I will really miss you all ... but friends NEVER say goodbye.

Friends Never Say Goodbye

Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Available on the soundtrack "The Road To El Dorado"

There isn't much I haven't shared
With you along the road
And through it all there'd always be
Tomorrow's episode
Suddenly that isn't true
There's another avenue
Beckoning the great divide
Ask no questions, take no side
Who's to say who's right or wrong
Whose course is braver run
Still we are, have always been
Will ever be as one

What is done has been done for the best
Though the mist in my eyes might suggest
Just a little confusion about what I'll lose
But if I started over I know I would choose
The same joy the same sadness each step of the way
That fought me and tought me that friends never say
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye

Suddenly that isn't true
There's another avenue
Beckoning, the great divide
I would choose
The same joy the same sadness each step of the way
That fought me and taught me that friends never say
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye

Day 9 to 12: Working Wachau Style

2005-11-15T11:01:00.000+04:00

Day 9

8:30 I leave my room, head down to the lobby to catch Sabine and her friend Robert waiting for me in his black BMW 318i. We were off to Wachau!

Wachau is basically an area outside Vienna that goes down a river (Danube I think?), covering a lot of historical sights as well as interesting landscapes. We were supposed to catch a boat that goes through every single interesting stop, however when we went there, it was not operational during winter! So we get into the car, and start touring on our own.

One of the interesting things I saw during my quick visit to Krems (first stop in Wachau), is the level marker they have placed by the wall of one of the buildings, showing where the flood of 2002 have reached … and boy it was HIGH! I was shocked because the river is really low from where I stood, and to reach this level it must have caused a lot of damage and havoc. What is good is that no lives were lost.

Another interesting thing is going to see the prison where Richard the Lionheart was held for in. We had to go up over 300 steps that is basically made from the mountain rocks, so it is not uniform, very steep, and very slippery as it was drizzling a bit. Although very dangerous, the moment we reached the summit, I was shocked. Even though the weather sucked for photography or even sightseeing, clouds and overcast all over, but it was still breathtaking! You could see for many miles ahead, and you can see the vineyards and the houses and churches, and across the river … it was semi-magical! Going down turned out to be the hard part! When Lionheart was released, he donated a lot of money to make a huge and very luxurious church in the village underneath his prison. That is also worth going to … its blue and can be seen from anywhere around!

All this mountain climbing, had to be complemented with a meal! :) The guys took me out to a nice restaurant where I had another Austrian dish (don’t ask me what is it .. but it was roasted pork) and some white wine. They have really good white wine. What followed this is some (sleep?) cruise that ended us in a Heuriger, a place serving wine and chillaxing food :) Some AppleStruddel (another crazy dessert they have) washed down with red wine … I needed sleep!

And I got that once I got back … slept at 8 pm that day … and then woke up 12 am to eat a toblerone ( I WAS STARVING) and then slept again to morning!

Day 10

Work Work Work … low pressure on first day, but it definitely isn’t an easy thing to be working with your boss’s boss’s team :) It was time of some planning, and it was difficult communicating with my team while being there. However the guys were welcoming, and it was finally great to see the faces of all the voices I keep on communicating with for the past 8 months.

Wolfgang, Sabine’s manager and our marketing manager for CEMA, took me to his place for a quiet dinner … then more sleep!

Day 11

Work Work Work … more pressure, I had to deal with issues with a bid that I am heavily part of. Met with boss to discuss our situation in MEEP. Part of the things that I love about that office is the fact they have their own restaurant/kitchen … and you can have a decent meal for a very good price. I also finally met the lady that serves coffee every morning on a trolley … Wolfgang usually would stop a conference call for 1 minute as he gets a coffee from the lady … another landmark I had to visit! Their coffee is very weak though …

Met Nevine again that night … where I finally bought the famous MozartKuglen … the round dark chocolate balls with Mozart on the wrapper :) A tradition in our office to get back a lot of it, and I had to buy a lot more for friends and family. I knew I had to carry over 5 kgs extra as carry-ons during my next flights .. YIKES!

We then go to Turkish restaurant, where I finally reunite with my favorite Turkish disk: Iskandar Kebab/Shawerma --- oh MAMA! Basically beef shawerma (strips) in yoghurt and sauce lying on a bed of bread. Yoghurt was a bit sour, but it was great! I can’t say I slept well the night … but I had to have that dish!

I had to say my goodbyes to Nevine and her brother (who joined us with his best friend) … she made my stay over there feel a lot more at home, then I imagined it would be. God is great!

Day 12

Work Work Work … last day at work over there! Even more pressure … discussions but I am finally leaving – I just wanna go back home! It was a nice time with the guys, but I miss my team and my friends :)

We went out at night with the team for another Austrian dish (don’t ask names! But it had beef bits with an egg on it :)) Said good bye to everyone … and had to run back to prepare my bags for a 6am flight … my final destination in my EuroTrip 2005!

Day 7 & 8: Sore feet in Wien!

2005-11-13T00:55:00.000+04:00

Day 7

Vienna is a magical city. The old Vienna is small, so did not need a lot of time to understand where to go and what to do. I started with the Stephansdom Cathedral, the landmark that could be seen from all around old Vienna, the north to those lost in the midst of a glorious city. Stunning from the outside; magical from the inside! Outside, hundreds of sculptures are carved in the building. Sadly, it is covered by something black, believed to be soot and car fumes, and since it was high some idiots decided to advertise on the scaffolding around the towers.

I can’t really describe my feelings inside the cathedral, but it was just as if I have been taken back a couple hundreds of years. I will not even describe it; whoever is reading this should go and see it.

I went on and started visiting landmarks. Following a great guide book, that I will recommend to anyone traveling ANYWHERE. It is by a group called Eyewitness, and they cover many cities. Very comprehensive and easy to read, this book made my sightseeing in Vienna bliss!

After this quick commercial break: So I started visting all these landmarks, but I had in mind that my aim is to cover all churches in the book. I will skip many days forward and say that that was an impossible task! The city have tens of churches, maybe even a hundred! All of them have artwork, sculptures, relief, and grand musical instruments. From the Karl Kirchen (pronounced Keer-khen), and Mara Am Gestade Kirchen to smaller ones like Dominakan Kirchen, they are all magical! The level of details found in each church is beyond belief and definitely beyond words! All I can say, with all these churches I am surprised that people have lost touch with Jesus. If I lived there, I would spend a full day in each church, probably having the most inspiring meditations and quiet times in my life.

In one of the churches, Scotten Kirchen (Scottish Church – another grand one!), I stepped into what apparently was a rehearsal of some concert. The acoustics of their churches are superb! The music was … out of this world. I just sat there for over 30 minutes, just listening. That was a blessing from God, as I did not have time to attend any of the classical concerts that they had over the weekend, so this was my only experience with their music.

I thought I would finish the Stephansdom quarter and also the Hofburg quarter in the first day but boy was I wrong! I couldn’t even get to finish the Stephansdom quarter. In terms of physical area, I did not cover much … but I couldn’t help myself from admiring each stop for a long time.

I stopped my tours at around 5, where I headed back to the hotel to soak my feet in hot water as I could not walk anymore! During November, Vienna gets dark by 5 maximum, so it was a good time for me to go back. I soaked up for around half an hour before getting ready to meet Niveen, Morris’s friend in Vienna. She picked me up, along with a couple of other chicks (hooray! ;) ) and we went off to do a little more sightseeing, before dinner. I did not have the heart to tell them that my feet were killing me, so I just walked (. We also met Niveen’s brother, Amgad.

Niveen is a sweet soul who practically took care of me during my Viennese (Wiener?) stay. She works for a security company (OSE?), but to make it easier on other folks, she just says she works in the UN ( Amgad, still a university student, pays his bills being a party planner. He is friendly, and cool and has a funky … hmmm its not really an afro … but its just a lot of hair (

We go to this Italian restaurant, where we have pizza and then just head back home/ As one of Niveen’s friends (forgot her name by now ( ) says: “In Vienna we do two things, we eat and we sleep: now we are done with the time to eat, it is then time to sleep!” Although a very primitive wisdom, yet it became the highlight of my trip – eat and sleep (

So I go back (home?) to the hotel, to just crash. Next day? Not sure, was thinking Salzburg …but since my GPS is down, and no chance to rent a car, I ended somewhere else!

Day 8

So I decide to go to the Schunbrunn Palace ( It is a little bit outside old Vienna, and required that I take the metro for the first time. I also planned to go to church, but was not able to locate it, so I just went directly from there to the Schunbrunn. The tour inside was impressive. They also give you a free audio guide to listen to, which makes your life easier, and will let you walk and absorb the beauty at your own pace.

The interior tour was lovely, especially the paintings. The history involved also with the palace was remarkable, so if you are going to Vienna, don’t miss out. At the beginning when I entered, I was disappointed, as they have painted the whole palace to a modern yellow color, however inside the true history is preserved.

The highlight of the trip to the Schonbrunn however was walking through the gardens and large land behind the palace. It was “winter” time so many things were closed, but there are AMAZING fountains and sculptures all over. The fountain that made my day, was the Nepture fountain. It was so beautiful, I cant remember how many times I clicked my camera trying to get it from every angle!

The whole Schunbrunn took me more than two hours, which, although not enough, yet was beyond the time I have set for it. It was time for me to go back to old Vienna, to continue with my tour. I stop in an area known for many other churches that I had to visit, but ended getting lost and reaching the Maria Am Gestade Kirchen. I haven’t visited it on the first day, so it was lovely seeing it. It was as magnificent as all the rest … however it began to rain. I mean, the two days before were cloudy all day, and although I find that grim, but the rain was when I decided that I could not hold the smile any longer, so I just pulled my heavy feet behind me to find a restaurant I can find shelter in. I haven’t had a single thing to eat all day, so when I found this “mama\s” restaurant across my hotel, I was happy! I ate some Austrian dish (don’t ask me what, because I just pointed and they got it for me () It was home cooked pork and it was super. I vowed that during my stay I would try to eat only Austrian food/ I broke that vow four times, once in Starbucks on first day, 2nd in the Italian restaurant the night before, and the rest will follow (

Met Niveen, and went to attend asheya (midnight praise I think) in our church, somewhere far far away (you need to take metro to Kagran and then a bus). That is when I felt homesick … and it hit me hard. I wanted to sms my friends, and tell them about my homesickness, but I kept it in. I wanted to distance myself from my friends during this trip. I do not know why, but it was a mixture of letting go of many negative feelings I had, as well as a break from everything and everybody I see everyday. I think that was a mistake that I carried on with until the last day of the EuroTrip.

I felt homesick because I missed my friends. All my best friends, the people who I care about, my parents, my sister and brother, my church, St Stephen … the asheya I attended was bad, and it just reminded me of how cozy my church was. I wanted to go back …

After asheya, Niveen’s dad takes me, Niveen and a couple of her friends (two new girls, still highschool … again I forgot their names) out to a mall to have dinner. They were a great bunch, with whom I had so much fun during our Burger King dinner (aha! Third time!). We go and have palatasdweqe, an Austrian dessert, which is notihing more than a crepe with the stuffing you like .

We all went our ways … and I went back to the hotel. Tomorrow … I have a crazy day!.

Day 6 - Vienna Timetable

2005-11-09T11:02:00.000+04:00

5:00 am – wake up
5:15 am – wake Samuel up
5:30 am – start the car
5:50 am – we reach airport
5:55 am – cargo bag on belt for security clearance
6:05 am – still fighting with security guy to get a USB cable “security cleared” using a “special test”
6:10 am – finally checked in, muttering curses at German security, leaving my penknife and checking my USB cable for issues!
6:15 am – Still in line for onboard bags security clearance
6:20 am – in line to get my camera security cleared (and my binoculars but not my laptop!)
6:30 am – still muttering more curses on my way to board the plane
6:45 am – first flight towards Vienna on Air Berlin
7:10 am – first flight lands in Numberg after a quick sandwich and water
7:30 am – second flight takes off to Vienna. Bigger plane, more leg space in an economy class than any other airline I have ever been in!
9:45 am – Landed in Vienna with another sandwich (
10:15 am - taxi takes me to Mercure Wien City in HollandStrasse for 30 Euros! Damn expensive country.
10:30am – inside my room, and getting ready to sleep
12:30 pm – I wake up and connect to the Internet to reach Sabine and let her know I am in Vienna
4:00 pm – I leave the hotel and start walking around the Stephansdom (the most amazing catherdral I have seen yet! And also the center of old Vienna)
6:00 pm – I am back in the hotel
6:30 pm - Sabine (ThinkPad Brand Manager for Central Europe) is waiting for me in the lobby. She looks a lot younger than I imagined her to be. However, she confirmed what Hashem said: Viennese are very TALL people (
7:00 pm – We are in Figmuller – the restaurant the serves the best Wiener Shnitzel (basically pork bouftek! :D).
8:30 pm – We go to a coffee/tea place. We have fruity tea :D Very nice.
9:30 pm – She drives me to the hotel (she parked her car in parking across IBM building, so we walk till there)
10:00 pm – I watch Legally Blonde 2 (felt like watching a movie … would like to start sightseeing tom!)
11:30 pm – ZzZzZzZzZzZzZz … dreaming of the crazy sightseeing tom!

Day 5 - Fishless sleep? Sleepless Fish?

2005-11-07T05:26:00.000+04:00

I wake up after 1 and half hours of sleep (I should have just stayed up!), and had to wake poor Samuel up at the same time to give me a lift to Big Samuel’s place to meet up with Morris and Sayedna. Freezing cold (getting used to it now ( ) we jump into the car and zoom to the other side of town, where we were greeted with loads of food on the table, that we no one touched!

After negotiations whether to make it to Stuttgart by car or by train, we end up taking the car for exactly 1 km before deciding that the train will be more convenient. Typical Egyptian ( So small Sam drops us to the train station where we get tickets for the fast train (ICE reaching speeds of 250km/hr and beyond). Tickets were really expensive being at 140 Euros for the three of us … one way! Anyways, that done we wait for the train drinking some coffee and chatting to make sure we are alive and awake.

Train comes, no place to sit … we should have reserved spots the night before. We find Sayedna a place to sit (and sleep) while we stand outside the cabin, close to a stinking bathroom … and just started talking. It was practically the first time after the airport pickup that Morris and I get to actually talk and have an intellectual discussion. He was a bit bothered about the reaction Sayedna has regarding the level of service in Germany, in which he holds Morris partly responsible. I had to agree with Morris that, sometimes we all get this reaction from Sayedna, because he is holding us responsible to the level of service in our respective areas.

He is holding us responsible, us who have felt and seen God’s wondrous work when we dedicated part of our time serving Him in Africa. I don’t blame him … and I actually take it as a new starting point for our service. If we do not continue the work, who will? The work of the Lord. I am not saying this being pompous about it, but rather being humbled by the fact that my life lacked the love needed to serve the people I know. There is no pride in service …there is no level of achievement to pursue … there is no reason to even to boast about previous outcomes, which were purely God’s work. Loving those whom God loves (everyone!) makes more sense than any other work in the world. My earthly job pays me really good, gets me a lot of prestige and high level of experience, and definitely something that I enjoy doing. Although I fulfill my responsibilities and even go beyond that, there is something else about serving God … that takes up your whole heart, and your life … even if you are leading a working life. This is a challenge on its own in this world, to learn the actual balance of work and Work: I take work as nothing else but means to pay for my personal expenses related to Work. That is a very difficult concept, that even I find difficult maintaining … but it is what I would like to achieve. My life is the Lord’s … not work, not friends, not even service as an action … my life is Love.

So we reach Stuttgart, where continue to carry Sayedna’s ten million plastic bags (actually poor Morris carried most of it!), and then head outside to wait for the character that made my day (and probably the others too), a very miserable day. Mr. Fish (no real names involved ;) ) picked us up with his new car, took us to the 4th underground level where he had his private parking, and took us up to his posh office in a prime location in the city, overlooking a nice looking clock tower. Sayedna was here in Stuttgart to visit many Germans who contributed and are willing to contribute to the new Hope Centre in Kenya, to help out with HIV that is killing more people than ever imagined. Mr. Fish is a very influential person with a lot of good contacts, who usually tries in his own way to help Sayedna find sponsors for this service. However, the way he spoke and the way he tried dealing with different matters, looking down at Morris as being incompetent and challenging him in every way possible, and at the end he just simply got on our nerves.

We had to stay there the whole day (

So our rounds of visiting friends (kind sponsors) of Hope Centre began, where Sayedna left them a box of fancy chocos as a small gift for their contributions. That was the easy part. The rides from and to these places were the nerve wracking bit. Without mentioning a lot of detail, Mr. Fish was involved in organization of a super massive Euro youth convention that housed more than 800 youths from the whole continent. That event was apparently a big flop, with little spiritual gain, and with big immoral incident happening. As expected, Mr. Fish started throwing the blame on everything else, but the fact that it might have been a bit TOO BIG to handle. He continued to show off about all the preparations involved, and how beautiful it was (not what I heard from the youth) etc. With a lot more local church politics involved, he continued to bother Morris the whole time, and I was just … quiet and not interested, but rather getting agitated for wasted time as well as for Morris. I could feel him burning up more and more, with everything that our slippery friend was mentioning. This was heightened by the fact that we were tired and lacked a lot of sleep.

The day came to a grateful end at around 4pm (from 9 am!), where took the train back. We were supposed to get some sleep … however: Since I forgot something in Mr. Fish’s car, I had to run back and get it. Coming back to the train, I hear the bells ringing announcing that they will close the doors, so I jump into the first carriage, thinking that all carriages are linked … nope! Morris and Sayedna were in a totally different section … and we had a problem: only one ticket gets printed (with the value of three tickets), and Morris had it. If I was in an English speaking country, I would have reasoned with the conductor, but since German is not a favorite language at the moment, I had to go hide in the bathroom until I can get to Morris. Halfway, I find out that I had the ticket in my pocket! Uh-oh! So I go outside and wait for the only stop between Stuttgart and Frankfurt, before I run and join Morris and Sayedna, who were worried that they will have to pay again for a ticket + fine ( So yeah … no sleep there!

We get to church, were there was a general meeting with Sayedna with the whole of the Frankfurt congregation (I thought it was only the youth!). It was a nice wa3za (sermon), but I continued to fall asleep in many parts. They asked me to do taranim for the prayer session before the sermon, and it was miserable as I had nothing to do taranim from, and their knowledge of Arabic praise is restricted to what the older generation knows and got to transfer to the younger ones; basically not my day (

A long and very strong prayer session followed, which sadly I slept throughout. Then I just gathered myself and asked Samuel to drop me back home. I know he wanted to be with Sayedna, but I couldn’t stay up any longer … and to think I had a flight to catch at 6 am the next day!

EuroTrip is about to move to Vienna …

Day 4 – God is good; we sing and shout it!

2005-11-05T11:35:00.000+04:00

My final two days in Frankfurt (  We decided that we would definitely go to the Coptic monastery during the day and then chill in Frankfurt, before meeting Sayedna Anba Bolous (Bishop Paul – Bishop of Mission Affairs) who is passing by after a long convention in UK. However plan did not quite work out:

In Day 3, after the prayer meeting, Johnny & Remon became Samuel’s guests at home. It was their last night in Frankfurt before flying back. So we agreed that some of us will go to the convention when we woke up. However, time dragged its two little feet, and we ended up staying home waiting for different things to happen such as Peter Khalil to pick up the refugees as well as errands that Samuel needed to do around the house. I found it to be the perfect time to sit down, chillax, go online and chat with some of my friends (even a notorious voice conversation over msn which the whole house held against me for the day!!) and just chitchat.

It was early evening when Samuel took me to the monastery, and that was a blast! The monastery felt modern from outside (compared to the ones in Egypt!) but when you step inside, you feel like you stepped into one of the really old, and traditional Coptic churches, with the wall painted with stories from the Bible, as well as the wooden benches, the Coptic art all over and the blessed bodies of some of our Coptic saints. We went into the altar and it was just the continuation of the authentic Coptic feel; three altars, and the paintings … everything. We stayed there to pray for a long time, probably half an hour … I did not want to leave.

I remember that when Amy got back from her Egyptian trip, I felt jealous and a tid bit sad. With my military situation I cannot enter Egypt for a certain amount of time, still to be decided by God. It is not like I miss Egypt as a country, but one of the three things I miss a lot is the monasteries and the churches over there. When I step into one in Egypt, I feel I became part of a great history that engulfs the place. I feel like I want to spend some time there to just sit and meditate on God and His wonders. I felt miserable that day. However, God, always being merciful and gracious, found a way for me to step into that feeling again, without risking my life in Egypt ;) It was amazing, something I will not forget.

The visit included a small chapel as well, that had the same features as the main church. Overall, if we did not have to run that day to catch  Anba Boulous, I would have loved to stay there for the night.

So we run back to get a couple of Samuel’s friends from the station and then head to Samuel’s house (the other Samuel, who was the second culprit of the glass mess we had in our convention ( ). There, Saydena was talking about commitment to service. Apparently, he was not too happy with the level of service in Germany. It was a day all the people who were there, bowed and asked for forgiveness for their lack of commitment. I felt no different than these guys. I had a lot to confess and ask forgiveness to, especially my laziness and lack of solid commitment to widen the Lord’s reach in Dubai.  A humbling prayer session followed. Much needed.

So, OK … after a lot of KFC (I seem to be eating that a lot in Germany!) and more chitchat, we decide to go back home. Saydena invited me to go with him and Morris to Stuttgart the next day – to leave at like 6 am! It was already 2:30 when we finished. I slept at 4 that day – for only an hour an half.

After visiting Stuttgart, I regretted I did not sleep more and missed that trip … :-D

Day 3 - Kanaan & Cuban Pizza

2005-11-04T03:36:00.000+04:00

Samuel had to go to university, so we dressed up and he dropped me to Peter Khalil's place (his cousin, who I also got to know in Zambia/Congo trip last August). Peter had two convention "refugees" staying over; Johnny and Remon. Basically the convention gathered youth from all over Germany and Johnny and Remon were just the case: Johnny from Berlin and Remon ... hmm i just hear its a far place :)

The plan was to go meet Morris, who also housed other refugees, and go to Kanaan: an evangelical nuns monastary. Gathering in Peter's Golf, we go meet the Morris clan at the airport (where I also got my Frankfurt/Vienna trip sorted out) and we drive off to Daarmstudt. This is where Morris is staying and apparently where Kanaan and other stuff are.

We pass by his university first, where get good home made food for pretty cheap and also where I get to learn some German. The language bothered me - everyone spoke it and sometimes it was the only language they spoke, so I had to at least be able to communicate if I need to. So I ended up memorizing the numbers from 0 to 12, and the general greetings - especially "Please take me to Frankfurt Airport" :)

We then stop at beautiful looking church (which I have no more info about except that it was good looking) that was closed and under construction but had a lot of engravings and was surrounded by a great setting ... something I deifintely do not see back in the Arab world.

Egyptians are Egyptians - no matter where you go, so we ended up going to Kanaan around 3 hours later than expected :D Ahh I can't complain - I wanted to chill out and just relax but I was just interested to see that Egyptian genes can never be change or "outmutated".

Kanaan is one of the most amazing places I have been to recently, and definitely so far in Germany. Formed by sisters ages ago, it is now a large area of land that is made to look like Canaan - the promised land. We attended the 3pm prayers, which was a remembrance of Christ's suffering. It was so beautiful, the sisters sang it with pure passion and humility. After that we took the great tour of the place. Through tunnels with stops for prayers and meditation, then through a lot of green land with different stops like Mount Tabor (the mount where Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ happened), a fountain with seven taps symoblizing different names of the Father, and definitely the most amazing part: a journey through Passion of Christ - from Gethsemane to Resurrection, with different stops that included engravings that tell the story of the stop along with a leaflets for meditation and prayer. This place is definitely by far the best Quiet Time place. You can go there and jsut forget you were there for like 3 or 4 hours! After the sunset, we went and got ourselves a lot of books from the bookshop, that included Arabic books (and all other languages possible) including Those Who Love Him, which Samuel got me many copies of as a gift to our youth group.

From there we went to Havana, a pizza place where all pizza is for 3 Euro, which was great. We talked and joked around, definitely nice. Then we went to Morris's place for a prayer meeting or a bible study whichever happens :D However, it took us a lot of time to get ourselves from watching God Father and browsing the net, to actually sit down and pray. It's like the devil couldn't stand the fact we were gathered to do so. However, it happened and we sat down and prayed for a very long time.

If there is one thing I can say about the German group: They have a lot of zeal to be with Christ in prayer and meditation. Some of them are highly committed to service around Germany (and neighbouring countries). I feel that God wants to use Germany as a centerpoint to all mission activities in those countries. They just need a lot of prayers, its definitely not easy. I am quite embarassed at my own attitude to service when I see these guys trying their best to have everyone know God.

I am praying for them.

Traveller's Log: EuroTrip 2005 - Frankfurt - Day 1 & 2 - The Convention

2005-11-01T01:47:00.000+04:00

Starting your trip running around for the perfect bag, for the right clothes and for your unfinished visa is definitely not the best start to a trip ...but it is definitely the price you pay for procrastination :)

I hated packing ... or it was more like being anxious to what comes next. I felt like I was leaving my home for good this time ... I felt like I wanted to leave for good. So when I finally got my visa, my upgraded business class ticket and the complimentary orange juice ... I nearly broke down into heavy tears.

DAY 1 & 2 - The convention of broken plates

After an uneventful (thank God!) 7 hour trip, I landed in Frankfurt International Airport at 6pm local time. I faced no problems getting out of the airport but since my plane arrived around an hour early I ended waiting for Samuel (my friend from Africa) and his friend (my new one) Morris ... the ever famous Morris of Sayedna's (Bishop Paul) adventures in Europe ... in a McDonalds that served bacon as its primary meal! horray! We then took the rented black Merc ML320 for a 2 hour trip to where they were having their convention. It was very dark and unfamiliar. I knew only 4 people in total ... and the other 20 + were friendly yet not risking trying to get the know the new stranger. It was felt a bit lonely ... yet I was not here for the people ... I was here to meet God again.

It was a bit too late to join the convention, but it was still a great blessing. I needed to get out of Dubai ... get away from everything that kept on bothering me, and just be with God for a while. Even though I ended up sleeping late (in addition to the fact I havent slept the night before and had a long trip (9 hours in total)) ... I still slept soundly and woke up feeling good.

Had my first quiet time in ages ... a proper one. It felt good ... sitting down on a cold log, on a cold German morning. Liturgy was then held in the one of the mess halls, where it was conducted in Arabic, English, German and Coptic making it a revival to the Kenyan spirit that I always longed for.

One of the funny events that happened in this Liturgy, was that when Bishop Angelos (a bishop from England, who was leading the youth conference) was giving us the Body and Blood, Morris and another person were trying to help by getting one of the cabinets found in the corner so Sayedna can place the plate on it. Suddenly we hear a loud CRAAAAAAAAASH, as dozens of plates fell from the cabinet onto the cold ceramic floor creating the biggest glass mess I have seen in my life! I couldnt stop laughing for sometime and it was quite an embarrasment for Morris and his friend .. but it woke us up at least! :)

A long breakfast followed, then the last wa3za (sermon) was given by Bishop Angelos about what to do with the renewed knowledge of God's love. It was a much needed sermon for me ... a gentle reminder for a cold heart. After many long breaks - we decided to end the mo2tamar and go back home. Another long drive back, this time in Samuel's crammed Opel hatchback. He is one of the friendliest people I know - always looking out for my comfort. Actually even though to my pampered self, it was a bit too cold and a bit lonely (since everyone spoke in German), Samuel & his brother Chris made this trip for me, especially the 2 days of the convention. I enjoyed his company throughout. Morris came in a close second ;) I can't say that I blamed the Germans - I am a stranger after all:)

We end up in St Mark's Church in Frankfurt, waiting for the rest of the convoy to come. Apparently the youth leaders were to sit with Sayedna for final words of wisdom and encouragement. Their spirit caused me to feel jealous and embarassed at laziness that I lead in my service. Samuel and Morris are always thinking about what to do next, never feeling satisfied with what was achieved and always making sure that the youth gets to know God better and more. Something to take back with me.

Although it was not late (in German standards - which was 3 hours later than Dubai - esp with DST starting the day i arrived), I was dead and could not help myself sleeping during the bishop's final words. Ikept on hearing amazing encouragments but could not hold my head up high for long enough to get a coherent sentence. Pity! We said goodbye to sayedna, getting a promise that this time when he stops in Dubai, transiting to Australia (his homeland), he will stop for longer than the usual 4 hours ... to bless our youth and church with his energy.

Sleeping came so easy that day ... I wanted to get to know the Germans a bit more ...maybe tomorrow

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz................ +

KFC Fest III: The Revival

2005-09-12T09:13:00.000+04:00

If you are reading this, then you have been invited to KFC Fest III: The Revival (R)!!! Proudly hosted (i cant say sponsored or Ill have to pay some money :P) by the Iskanders!

I will write up the history and procedures below. First more about KFC Fest 3:

1) Time & Place: KFC Fest 3 will be held on the 15th of September 2005, at 8:30pm at the Iskanders place. They live in The Green Community by the Emirates Road. Find the map for Marriot Courtyard Hotel, which is NEXT to the Green Community, here. They stay in Villa 433.

2) Gifts: NO GIFTS ...however, here is what i SERIOUSLY want:
I want a birthday card from each individual, and I want your favourie or most memorable memory written in it. I keep these cards forever, so they will mean a lot.

Please confirm to me your attendance NOW, by smsing me at 050/4563545. I am not asking you to think about it, and then sms me later ... i am saying NOW!

History:

KFC Fest started in September 2002, with a bit more than 25 people showing up to my place for a lot of KFC, some baskin robins and a crazy time watching ICE AGE. We then had KFC Fest II in 2003, with more than 35 people at my place in Jumeirah, with more KFC and a Cocos cake. Suzy's bday was also part of the KFC Fest II. We ended up watching Finding Nemo to midnight. In both events we also had a mini praise/prayer session with the crazy birthday Misk trademark, Memory & Wish (R).

With a break during 2004, I have decided this year that KFC Fest is too good to let go ... and this time we will be watching Shark Tale or Shrek II, depending on availability of fake DVDs :)

I can't wait till I see you all.

I wish I can tell everybody, but physically it is impossible. I am not celebrating my birthday ... I am celebrating the love I share with all my family ... not friends.

I love you all.

P.S. Visit Sameh's blog for a poem he wrote about this birthday :D Hilarious

THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND COFFEE

2005-08-25T10:37:00.000+04:00

I thought I would share this with you. Although I have read it many times, it is an interesting and encouraging thing to read :)

-------------------------------------------------------

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar... and the coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls

He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an infamous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things. Your family, your children, your faith, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions.

Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter. Your job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else. The small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities.

The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Endurance

2005-08-22T21:31:00.000+04:00

Definitions of endurance on the Web:

1)the power to withstand hardship or stress; "the marathon tests a runner's endurance"
survival: a state of surviving; remaining alive
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

2)Endurance is the act of sustaining prolonged stressful effort.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance

In one of my recent discussions with a dear friend of mine, I related the story that taught me the true meaning of endurance. Read and use as food for thought:

I am an avid enthusiast of go-karting. To those of you, who are not familiar with it, it is basically a small frame of a vehicle, running on one or two engines, capable of reaching very high speeds. Basically, it is a safer and cost-effective alternative to racing with cars. During my university years (not long ago!), I was part of many teams that participated in different races. The most exciting of these races, is the 24 hours endurance race.

Yes, 24 hours straight! You get to be part of a team, that runs around a circuit for 24 hours, changing drivers when the need to refuel or to have a mechanical check, comes. This race tests your strategy, your skills, your team work and more importantly, the level of endurance.

To me at the beginning of my karting experience, it was a game of pure speed. I would kill myself to reach the highest speed, and beat all. I started becoming good during the small races, mainly because of my weight loss (big factor) and skill level that kept increasing with every week of experience. That also taught me that strategy is important, which I started becoming good at.

However, when the first time came for me to drive in the 24 hr race, I made the terrible mistake of nearly-wrecking the kart a million times! I was called off. I went back home feeling miserable. The second time was even worse, and I started feeling that no way I would ever become good enough to race again.

My third chance was presented to me, and I felt terrified. What if I let my team down again? What if I continue to crash the kart? In this race, you have only ONE kart during the whole 24 hours: This means if we wreck the kart, we are out. Then I heard the comment that changed my perspective about this race.

My friend came and told me: “Endurance race is not about who achieves the highest speed. It is about the driver who is in control of his kart … who knows the ins and outs of the kart … who makes sure that the kart lasts 24 hours without the need to go for a mechanical check, and yet maintains his speed and strategy. You are alone in that race, there is no one else racing but yourself”

To me that sounded like gibberish, but then I thought about it. The kart is very delicate. If I hit something, then definitely a part of the kart will need repair. This means that I will have to wait while the mechanics fixes it, while my opponents are creating more distance between me and them. Then I realized, it is not only about who is fastest! It is also about the driver who is able to “endure” the race … because if you endure the race – you are a winner!

Many times in our lives, we find ourselves in the racing circuit … being in conditions that we hate, but that we are forced to go through. We know the end of the story, that whoever completes the circuit wins. However, it is not about who is fastest, but it is about who endures the race. If we hit a barrier, and do not get up, then we already lost the race. We are alone in our little races, but we know that we need to learn, not only to be skillful and fast … but also how to endure.

"Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory."
William Barclay

The Man Who Sold The World

2005-08-22T14:45:00.000+04:00

The Man Who Sold The World
We passed upon the stair, we spoke in was and when
Although I wasn't there, he said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone, a long long time ago

(CHORUS 1)
Oh no, not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

I laughed and shook his hand, and made my way back home
I searched for form and land, years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazley stare, we walked a millions hills
I must have died alone, a long long time ago

Who knows not me
I never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

CHORUS 1

SOLO

Come ... princess of light

2005-07-23T10:27:00.000+04:00

Come ... princess of light

I can declare many beautiful
it is but one whom my heart longeth for
their eyes are many drops of rain
thine eyes createth a rainbow

a rainbow only i can see

come! come closer now
hold me, princess of light
let your heart forever strum mine
let the rays of your morning sun rest on my shoulder
let me not waste the clenching aroma of your wealth
let my eyes step into your soul
searching for the smile of a unique ivory
my hands tremble
in fear of changing you
of breaking you
they reach out for yours
wanting to mold a love song in your fists
wanting to feel again...
whisper my name softly into my ears
let that high melody be a symphony of passion
sharing years of memories with a silent world
many years ...

many years i waited for this moment
many years i fought you away
now i stand helpless of your eyes
yet defeated by who you are ...
of the common blood that runs within
the blood that i want to be mine
the blood that snatched you away

my breath loses time
catching to half the rhythm of my heart
as i see you walking away
your fists of dawn's flowers reaching for my brother's
allowing your eyes to be seized by his
while my knees fail me

..............silently

i drop my eyes
to remind myself where i came from
allowing them to feel pain
allowing them to let rain
allowing them to let go of a love
knitted twice in the seams of my heart

... for yet a second time

Mena Migally
30 Apr 2005

Live 8 babyy!

2005-07-03T19:02:00.000+04:00

The amount of energy that came out of the screen when I flipped the channel to MBC 2, was overwhelming that I couldn't switch the channels anymore!

LiveAid, a concert held two decades ago, again for Africa, was the idea behind this concert. Bob Geldof organized this to be the biggest thing during the American Independence weekend. Finally something for Africa! The lineups featured were astounding! But I will leave this to the article I pasted below (Please read!)...

We need to make moves like these again and again! What is stopping us from caring about other people? If we cannot go there, we at least can help with our belongings, if it is money or other unused items. If not Africa, then even on a local level!

Yesterday i was sitting in a restaurant, having a late lunch, and one of the items I ordered was provided in extra portions, that I couldn't finish. So I thought: What if every restaurant gets a special fridge/freezer, that is there ONLY to store unwanted food from customers, obviously maintaining full sanity control, and then at the end of the day, just offer it to orphanages or to homes where food is scarce. I think that would be a wonderful idea.

I hope we can convince others to do what they can to help others, as each day that passes, we just get more and more self-centred and selfish .. not because we want to, but this is what the world dictates to us.

We can do more ... I know it ... I will, hope you do!

+<><+><>+<><+><>+<><+><>+<><+><>+<><+><>+<><+><>+<><+><>+<><+
Live 8 rocks the globe with concerts from Tokyo to Johannesburg
7/2/2005, 7:01 p.m. ET
By JILL LAWLESS
The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Bono effortlessly worked the crowd. Half a globe away, Bjork strutted the stage. Bill Gates was cheered like a rock star. And on the continent that inspired Saturday's unprecedented Live 8 extravaganza, Nelson Mandela outshone them all.

From Johannesburg to Philadelphia, Berlin to Tokyo, Rome to Moscow, hundreds of the world's top musicians and more than 1 million of their fans gathered for a music marathon designed to pressure the world's most powerful leaders into fighting African poverty.

Twenty years after he masterminded the legendary Live Aid concerts, rocker Bob Geldof delivered on his promise to produce "the greatest concert ever," broadcast live around the world on television and the Internet. But his ultimate goal went far beyond music: to squeeze debt forgiveness, trade concessions and $25 billion in aid for Africa out of next week's Group of Eight summit meeting in Scotland.

The power to even attempt such things came from Saturday's worldwide "declaration of interdependence," actor Will Smith, host of the Philadelphia show, said on Independence Day weekend in the United States.

"Today we hold this truth to be self-evident: We are all in this together," Smith said. Via satellite, he led the global audience in snapping their fingers every three seconds, signifying the child death rate in Africa.

Taking the stage in Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela received a five-minute ovation.

"History and the generations to come will judge our leaders by the decisions they make in the coming weeks," Mandela told the crowd of more than 8,000 people. "I say to all those leaders: Do not look the other way, do not hesitate ... It is within your power to prevent a genocide."

In London's Hyde Park, Paul McCartney and U2 opened the flagship show of the free 10-concert festival with a rousing performance of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd of about 200,000 as the two icons belted out the first line: "It was 20 years ago today..." — a nod to the mammoth Live Aid benefit that raised millions for African famine relief in 1985.

This time, the scale was bigger — 10 concerts instead of two and, thanks to the Internet, a potential audience of billions. The goal was different, too: "We don't want your money," said Live 8 banners in London. "We want you."

Bono, dressed in black and wearing his trademark wraparound shades, wrapped the crowd around his finger, enticing tens of thousands to sing along to the anthemic "One" and "Beautiful Day." The crowd cheered when a flock of white doves was released overhead.

"So this is our moment. This is our time. This is our chance to stand up for what's right," Bono said.

"We're not looking for charity, we're looking for justice. We cannot fix every problem, but the ones we can, we must."

Geldof appeared onstage to introduce Microsoft billionaire and philanthropist Gates, whom the crowd greeted with a rock star's roar.

"We can do this, and when we do it will be the best thing that humanity has ever done," Gates said.

The crowd joined in as REM sang "Man on the Moon," then heard U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan declare: "This is really the United Nations ... The whole world has come together in solidarity with the poor."

Geldof's claim that 3 billion people around the world were watching Saturday seemed overblown, as did talk in Philadelphia that a million people were on hand. But Live 8 was huge nonetheless, with a mile-long crowd stretching from the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and more than 5 million page views on America Online's music site, www.aolmusic.com, which broadcast all 10 concerts in their entirety.

AOL said more than 150,000 people simultaneously streamed its video, the most in Internet history.

The first concert kicked off in Japan, where Bjork and Good Charlotte joined local bands for a show that failed to generate much interest in Asia's only G-8 nation. Despite Bjork making her first live performance in two years, the crowd of 10,000 people was only half of what the hall in the Tokyo suburb of Makuhari could hold.

Still, "we believe passionately in what this is about," Bjork said. "Just the acknowledgment of the problem is an important step."

Live 8 then rolled on to Johannesburg. That show, plus one featuring African artists in southwestern England, were organized following criticism that African artists had been left out of an event aimed at their own continent.

"Africans are involved in helping Africa, which doesn't happen too often," Cameroonian singer Coco Mbassi said before the England show. "We're presenting a different image of Africa."

Near Paris, an eclectic lineup including Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Goth-rockers The Cure played to a crowd of 100,000 at the 17th-century Palace of Versailles. Faith Hill and Duran Duran joined Italian stars in Rome for a concert at the ancient Circus Maximus, which was packed with about 200,000 fans.

German crowd-pleasers Die Toten Hosen kicked off Berlin's show — which attracted about 150,000 people — with a string of power anthems while reminding revelers that helping Africa stood above the music.

"This is no rock concert, it's a reminder about next Wednesday," singer Campino told the crowds, referring to the G-8 meeting.

Canadian favorite Tom Cochrane started that country's concert with "Life is a Highway" before 35,000 roaring fans on a crisp sunny morning in Barrie, Ontario. And in Moscow, where 20 years ago residents heard little or nothing about Live Aid because of tight Soviet information controls, tens of thousands jammed a square in the shadows of the Kremlin.

In London, Madonna performed "Like a Prayer" hand-in-hand with Birham Woldu, an Ethiopian woman who as a malnourished toddler appeared in some of the most wrenching footage of the 1984-85 famine. Her life was saved, Geldof said, partly through donations from Live Aid viewers.

As night fell, Sting performed "Every Breath You Take" as a message to the G-8 leaders — "We'll be watching you," he sang. The Who belted out their classic "Who Are You?" to a backdrop of images of the G8 chiefs.

And the crowd went wild for the reunion of '70s supergroup Pink Floyd — the first time guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason, keyboard player Richard Wright and bassist Roger Waters appeared onstage together since 1981.

London concertgoer Tula Contostavlos, 19, said she was there to see Mariah Carey — and to send a political message.

"Obviously some people are here for just music," she said, "but they're forgetting what's important and what they're here for."

Ridiculous Decisions

2005-06-30T11:13:00.000+04:00

Did you ever reach a point, where you keep on taking the wrong steps, making the wrong decisions and you just continue and continue and continue to do?

It is funny how sometimes to fix one wrong decision, you make a worse one. When you are fed up about certain aspects of your life, you decide that it is time you take matters into your own hands. This is probably the worst decision of them all. I agree that we have to be drivers of our own life, but I believe in having God being the leader, and we just the followers.

I can confidently confess that I have made the worst decisions of my life ... only during the past 3-4 months. To those hurt in the process, including myself, I apologize.

Note (Tone?) Deaf

2005-06-24T23:46:00.000+04:00

I just had a weird thought:

What if we were all deaf, not completely ... but only in one note out of the many musical notes. To continue this theory, or insanity: What if we were deaf, but each one in different notes, so that everyone is "uniquely deaf".

Imagine how music that sounds good to one person, sounds terrible to another ... and this is only because we are deaf and we don't know it.

Even more provoking, the idea of everyone hearing the same note, differently! That would be nuts! I can imagine how one song that sounds too good to be true, to be totally rejected as noise by some other person.

Too bad that ain't true :)

Life for Rent

2005-06-18T01:26:00.000+04:00

Interesting song ... one of my favourite for Dido

Artist: Dido
Song: Life For Rent

I haven't really ever found a place that I call home
I never stick around quite long enough to make it
I apologize that once again I'm not in love
But it's not as if I mind
that your heart ain't exactly breaking

It's just a thought, only a thought

But if my life is for rent and I don't lean to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Cos nothing I have is truly mine

I've always thought
that I would love to live by the sea
To travel the world alone
and live my life more simply
I have no idea what's happened to that dream
Cos there's really nothing left here to stop me

It's just a thought, only a thought

But if my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy
Well I deserve nothing more than I get
Cos nothing I have is truly mine

While my heart is a shield and I won't let it down
While I am so afraid to fail so I won't even try
Well how can I say I'm alive

If my life is for rent...

Left Lane Maniacs

2005-06-17T00:23:00.000+04:00

Maybe this post is relevant to Dubai only, but go ahead and read ... u never know maybe you face the same stupidity and ignorance :)

When driving, you have to have a certain level of expectancy for stupid drivers, or you are just not realistic. However, in the past few years, I have witnessed an exponential increase in this specific number: the number of stupid drivers on the road.

One of the situations where they really shine, is their use of the left lane, or the fast lane. What the traffic rules say: use the fast lane only for bypassing other cars in the slow lane. The unwritten rules between professional drivers say: as long as the lane on your right, is moving slower than you, then stick to the lane you are in. However, what has been happening is that everybody thinks the fast lane is a miracle lane, where any car touching this lane is blessed with the eternal gift of speed. So the logical consequence of this is, all the traffic is on the fast lane, while the slower right lanes are all empty.

The funny part is that if police sees you bypassing from the right you are fined on the spot for reckless driving. Another thing is, you still find the good drivers driving on the slower lanes, so its not really free ... and this is where real traffic is formed.

We keep on blaming Dubai government for moving slowly, while i think they CANNOT go beyond 5/6 lanes on the highway! It is up to us to use it wisely. We keep on complaining about reckless drivers ... true, but out of all these reckless drivers, 75% are reckless because they are frustrated with the traffic generated by people who lost the ability to think logically. I am not placing the entire blame on them, but the fact that no blame was ever placed on them, drives me to post this with passion.

Gone are the days when driving in Dubai was fun ...

New Lesson about how God deals with us?

2005-06-05T10:37:00.000+04:00

Sometimes I would rather that I am at zero state ... han being in an "onhold" state ... a suspended state.

Many things in life happen and you wonder why they do not have an answer. I am not talking about an immediate answer, but more like you've waited many years and you still do not know the answer, or you have no clue (and i really mean no clue) what to do about it.

You think you reach a dead-end, which relieves you laced with some disappointment, but then you find out that instead of a block, you have two roads to choose from!

The time you wait to decide which road to follow, is nerve-wrecking and very frustrating. Hesitantly, you take the road you think is best, wondering if really God is with you on that road.

I still remember this verse about this very part:

"(Jer 6:16) So says Jehovah, Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old
paths where the good way is, and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your
souls ... "

If this is the Lord's promise, then it is true. If it is true, then you have to wait by the road and ask. The waiting can be very long, so I advice to go and camp there :)

Would I rather not be in this situation? yes! However, without the situation ... there will be no blessings and no lessons learned ... even if you take the wrong route.

... I am in that situation now: 5 years and still waiting ...

Isa 40:30-31 Even the young shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall
utterly fall; (31) but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

t. antimena +

Ill take the intiative!

2005-06-02T17:28:00.000+04:00

Thanks Rami for pushing this!

I am trying to get a promo going on for our region, and it is not working out so I really don't know what to write about now except this crap!

I am waiting for some crap from my vertical manager now... groan!

btw ... i hate fawzy!