The crazy journey we call LIFE

The Death Penalty

2009-05-24T19:28:00.002+03:00

If you are a movies fanatic as I am, you may have tripped over yourself a couple of times thinking that the world is as black and white as it is in the movies. Certain things are labelled as black or white very very simply in movies, like the death penalty...definately a black! I tripped over myself in that very same topic. If you asked me do I believe in the death penalty, I would immediately say NO without a seconds' thought because it's just black...not sure why it is, but it just is! At least it WAS till a bunch of young men were sentenced to death for an inhumane crime recently. These men kidnapped a woman from her home in the middle of the night, took her into the fields, and proceeded with raping her one after the other till the morning. This woman had just had a Caserian done, and was raped by these men just because they wanted to punish her husband...I know what alot of you are thinking, would raping a woman really deserve a death sentence? Well, let me tell you why I was so relieved by the court's decision to put these men to death. Firstly, this crime happened here in Egypt, a place known for the safety of its streets (when compared to other places such as New York), where you could walk at 3am and not be afraid. Secondly, harrassment crimes have started rising here with noone putting a strong stop to it since very few women here would have the courage to go report such crimes. If they reported it, they would subject themselves to the glares of their own families, the possible harrassment in the police station, and the total shame of having lost their virginity before marriage. So, the idea that harrassing or raping a woman being seen by men here as something they can get away with would've been a disastor. An example had to be made of these men who so aggressively raped this woman and had the nerve to say "you're killing us over a woman!" Thirdly, again, men here seem to believe that the law is in their favor and that women are not regarded as equal members of the society, giving them the impression that they are above the law. The death penalty in this particular case with these particular circumstances was the right thing to do.

Bravery - Having the Courage to Make an Already "Good Deal" a "Better Deal"

2009-03-08T12:48:00.004+02:00

The older we get, the harder it is to really make a risky change. If you're not too sure of what you want out of your life, its usually much easier to just keep going in what you are in rather than to risk everything by pursuing a hunch.

But oh can you imagine how great it would be if the risky move was the IT for you? The thing that would make your life a whole lot more interesting? How much happier you'd be? I found myself thinking about the people in my life whom I've seen get up and do this...how much happier they are :) I admire their courage.

One friend worked for years in a high paying oil-related job abroad, which anyone would've probably died for, but decided to drop it and pursue film-making. And now, here he is, sending me the link to his first ever documentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeIR8lJeWlE&feature=channel_page

One friend dropped everything and went to the States to build a new life with his wife

One friend was brave enough to try all sorts of industries, and all sorts of job descriptions, and even though is in a very good job now, still has the energy to study a totally different field altogether :)

One friend resigned from his job to pursue his academic career...loves academia and has decided to dedicate all his time to make sure he can get into a good school and get his PhD

I found myself remembering how I managed to do such a risky step...ONCE...I never regretted it...and I find myself this morning knowing very clearly what my next move should be but am too much of a coward to do it hehe. Maybe talking to these people today will give me the push I need :) And maybe the push YOU need.

Dont get me wrong, I am not here telling you to please quit your job and risk it all. I am just saying if you KNOW what you are passionate for, and want it enough to risk all you have to MAKE it work, then go for it. ANYTHING can work if you invest ALL of you in it. This goes for work, study, pursuing a relationship, pursuing a hobby, just go for it, and if you want it enough, by risking all, you really give yourself nothing to lose so have no choice but to MAKE it work :) Its about having the courage to risk things that are ALREADY good, for something that you know may be BETTER...

Movie Theaters Will Never Be Extinct

2009-02-07T22:21:00.006+02:00

I was in the movie theater today and found myself thanking God that movie theaters will probably not go extinct with the evolution of technology. We download music, walk around with IPODs, dont come near CD stores, and just lost the thrill of buying music (remember the mystery of buying a CD and finding at least 5 songs on there that you've never heard before?). With the movies, yes you can watch DVDs, yes you can download them too, but still you would feel the need to experience watching a movie at the theater. You wont always settle for the small screen in your bedroom :)I relish that thought. I dont want technology to rob me of all tangible and truely moving experiences.

New Years Resolutions

2009-02-04T00:09:00.007+02:00

A little late I know but I got home today thinking that maybe it was about time to admit that yes new years eve has passed, yes it is 2009, and yes you are turning 26 this year...so are we gonna sit and ignore it? Follow the crowd and realize that it'll probably be a "TOUGH" year? It kinda started that way though didnt it? Well...even if it does, doesn't mean I cant still have my own resolutions...but then should I write them here and risk not following them? Oh well...why not! Since I still dunno what my resolutions are, I have nothing to fear hehehe.

Hmmm...lets see...

1. Do sports before going to work. Why is this hard? I have the time, I go to work at 10pm...might mean I have to cut down on outings to sleep early, but why not? I miss the energy boost of doing sports.

2. Enjoy spending time with me. I used to be able to do this and now I cant stand it. Wanna try painting again, sitting and really listening to music, writing my thoughts down, etc.

3. Meet new people. I used to be good at this but now feeling myself slip into the comfortable zone most people are in; go to work, and spend time with your close circle whom you never get to see. This is great coz you spend your free time with people who matter but that doesnt mean you still cant make the time to meet new people and learn more about what's out there.

4. Spend more quality time with the people who matter. This kinda contradicts with the last resolution but I need to do more of this really. I will admit outloud now that I am very dependent on people; my mood is very much related to my relationships to the people who mean the most to me. So would be good for my soul to remember that :)

5. Learn to accept the bad in growing up. The more you see in life, the less secrets to life there are. You become less innocent, less gallible, less amazed, and this is just a fact of life, not something to cry over. I want to learn to accept it and grow from it to keep my life fruitful.

6. Decide who and what I wanna be in the year 2010 so that I spend 2009 going towards that.

7. Allow myself to want things again :) I did a good job of not caring to WANT anything in the past few years...I think that's enough of that now :)

Hmmm...if I keep going I'll probably get into things that are too private so I'll just leave it at that :) Good night to 2008, you were quite a handful and quite a difficult year. I am pretty glad to say goodbye to you, but I must say that you had your precious moments that will stay with me forever. Hoping 2009 will have more of the moments and less of the saddness.

Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg

2009-02-03T00:31:00.002+02:00

I think that possibly, maybe, I'm falling for you
Yes, there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you

I've seen the paths that your eyes wander down
I want to come too

I think that possibly, maybe, I'm falling for you

No one understands me quite like you do
Through all of the shadowy corners of me

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

I think that possibly, maybe, I'm falling for you
Yes, there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you

I've seen the waters that make your eyes shine
Now I'm shining too

Because, oh because, I've fallen quite hard over you

If I didn't know you, I'd rather not know
If I couldn't have you, I'd rather be alone

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

All of the while
All of the while it was you
You
You
You

Jack Johnson: mmmm mmmm

2009-01-29T00:20:00.002+02:00

Before putting the lyrics of my favorite Jack Johnson songs, I went searching through my blog to make sure I hadnt done this before. I could not find anything in the past 6 months but considering I started my obession with him a few years back, I apologize in advance if this is a repeat for anyone...he's AMAZING! Listening to him while cooking a nice breakfast with close friends is the ideal...wait a minute, we actually did do that that before to "Banana Pancakes" (this is for you Gouna trip people). It really is the mood he puts you in which is just so soothing. Other recommended Jack Johnson songs: Fortunate Fool, Upside Down, and Bubbly Toes.

Banana Pancakes
Cant you see that its just raining
Aint no need to go outside...
But Baby, You hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what your supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
Ill make you banana pancakes
Pretend like its the weekend now

And we could pretend it all the time
Cant you see that its just raining
Aint no need to go outside

But just maybe, laka ukulele
Mommy made a baby
Really don't mind the practice
Cause your my little lady
Lady lady love me
Cause I love to lay here lazy
We could close the curtains
Pretend like there's no world outside

And we could pretend it all the time
Cant you see that its just raining
Aint no need to go outside
Aint no need aint no need Mmmm MMmmm
Cant you see cant you see
Rain all day
And I don't mind.

The telephone is singing
Ringing its too early
Don't pick it up
We don't need to we got everything
We need right here
And everything we need is enough
Just so easy
When the whole world fits inside of your arms
Don't really need to pay attention to the alarm
Wake up slow, yeah wake up slow
You hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what your supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
Ill make you banana pancakes
Pretend like its the weekend now

And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
Aint no need to go outside
Aint no need, Aint no need
Rain all day and I really really really don't mind
Can't you see cant you see,
You gotta wake up slow

Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips

2009-01-29T00:02:00.002+02:00

Audrey Hepburn wrote this poem as her reply to her recommended "beauty tips", and it was read at her funeral. Its simply beautiful...

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself and one for helping others.

The Recession: Is It Real?

2009-01-28T23:07:00.002+02:00

In Egypt, we have all been feeling quite safe that the countries most hit by the recession are out there...nowhere near home. We are going to work as we are, spending the same, going out every night, etc. What we are really feeling is our high inflation, bad traffic, polluted air, etc. That's Egypt's REAL problems which have been appearing strongly in the past year or two. SO we're already struggling, and seeing the poor getting poorer, the rich getting richer, and the middle class just getting completely pushed off the edge. So what's with this recession they keep talking about? This was the attitude a few months back, but now, all of us have witnessed our companies having to lay off people, announcing to us that we'll probably have no bonus/promotion/raise this year, plus seeing our own clients ask to cut their fees to us. Could this recession be real? To me, its starting to seem like a big dream that we are all getting sucked into. The recession is BIG excuse that if you dont capitalize on, you'd be an idiot coz everyone will believe you; "recession" is the magic word. You may think I am crazy to think this, I mean the whole world is suffering from the recession. I am not undermining its effect, but I think its effect in Egypt is slowly creeping up on us but I am not sure if its due to the recession directly, or due to us feeding our own panic of the recession "coming" thus we are creating it for ourselves out of nothing! I see that we are all spending just as we always were with complete disregard to the recession...what do you think?

Weakness of Attitude Becomes Weakness of Character

2009-01-28T22:45:00.002+02:00

Albert Einstein once said that quote and I discovered it in a forward today. It got me thinking...it rings pretty true doesn't it? If you dont have a certain attitude towards things, if you dont have opinions, then you simply dont have character do you? I think having discussions about impersonal topics build more character than gossip or talking about your personal life (granted that the second option can be way more fun and psychologically relieving). Spending time with yourself writing, reading, or just thinking about life builds more character than regretting the past, surfing the net, or thinking about your to-do lists. Putting the effort to do things that build character seems too tiring in comparison to doing random fun easy things, but we should remember to try to do them from time to time. Last thursday, met some friends, and we had deep discussions about things that happen in the world and we got into arguments, and discussions that felt good for the soul. I couldnt remember when was the last time I had such a conversation, and it really is a shame because its nice to feel you have an opinion, and are sharing it and listening to others sharing as well. Its healthy and people's attitude certainly will surface...and I think I agree with Einstein, that that builds character.

Sandboarding

2009-01-19T01:26:00.004+02:00

I thought I was getting older so would find less and less things to thrill me or make me laugh out loud. But, then I discovered sandboarding. Nothing has scared me like that in quite some time! The thrill of the speed and of my fear was just so amazingly refreshing! I got my ass kicked by the sand dunes but it was great to feel the pain :) and taste it...literally hehe. Im hoping there are still things in life that can make me feel like that.

A Lot Like Love

2009-01-19T01:19:00.002+02:00

Ok...so this movie was to supposed to leave me feeling all cute and fuzzy, instead it made me sad...A very good movie but goes to show how much time we lose and how much emotions we waste...

Small Things That Make Your Heart Melt

2008-12-17T20:30:00.003+02:00

Isn't it funny how small things can overwhelm your heart with instant joy? I was taking my normal dreaded walk home from the office, the same walk where I turn grumpy and am ready to pounce at any harrasser who gets into my way, then I hear this small squeaky sound...I look down and find a tiny tiny kitten who, at seeing me stop, put his paws around my shoe. It melted my heart right away. I watched him climb onto my shoe and curl up there meowing at me. It literally broke my heart to leave him 5 minutes later...those 5 minutes melted the horribly stressful day I had...

Katy Perry - The Latest Craze!

2008-12-10T21:53:00.002+02:00

Ok, so I see "I Kissed a Girl" on MTV and unconsciously change the channel. I wouldnt want my parents catching me watching that song! What would they say?! The first thought that came to my head was "woooo how old am I again to be fearing my parents?" THEN I thought, who IS this Katy Perry? My music buddy the next day tells me to download "You're so Gay"...by whom I say? You guessed it, our very own Katy Perry! I still was unable to swallow what this chick was about. I felt she was overdoing it...pushing buttons for the sake of pushing buttons and everyone was eating out of her hand, everyone thought she was so freakin cool!...but not me, I was way smarter than everyone of course :P Then...it happened...I found the song that made Katy Perry cool to me. "Hot N Cold" is so HILARIOUS and so upbeat! I saw it on MTV, then found every girl I know playing it in their cars with all of us singing at the top of our lungs! Needless to say my music buddy's only comment was "I knew you'd come around when it came to Katy Perry". Oh here it is on MTV!House is empty, so up goes the volume, and I'm off to sing along!

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
Yeah you PMS like a bitch
I would know

And you overthink
Always speak cryptically
I should know
That you're no good for me

'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up

You! You don't really wanna stay, no
You! But you don't really wanna go, oh

'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down

We used to be just like twins, so in sync
The same energy now's a dead battery
Used to laugh 'bout nothing
Now you're plain boring
I should know
That you're not gonna change

'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up

You! You don't really wanna stay, no
You! But you don't really wanna go, oh

You're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down

Someone call the doctor
Got a case of a love bipolar
Stuck on a rollercoaster
Can't get off this ride

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes

'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up

'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up

You! You don't really wanna stay, no
You! But you don't really wanna go, oh

You're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down, down, down, down...

Intimacy

2008-12-08T00:09:00.003+02:00

A good friend of mine a few days ago was having this interesting discussion with me about friendships. We were talking about reaching a crossroads where we had to choose a friend to continue the journey with. We made it hard on each other by making all paths have people who seem to be the closest to us...how would we choose? I found this question to be a difficult one but in a moment of clarity I made a choice. I chose the person who knew ME the best. Someone else could've chosen the person they have the most fun with. Not me...in that moment of clarity I realized that I wouldnt want to choose a path with someone whom didnt know what made me tick.

I think we all seek that kind of intimacy in our close friendships, love interests, and family ties. Having someone make fun of your silly habits and thoughts is amazing because it means they took the time to get to know these habits and thoughts. They took the time to observe your actions and understand why you do them.

Hehe that explains why girls always melt in the movies when a male interest points out small things that they do. Its a nice feeling to have someone know you like that and understand you so well.

I hope you all have such an intimate relationship with at least 2 people in your lives...its truely a blessing :)

Intimacy - a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship with another person or group

Disturbing...

2008-11-30T00:45:00.002+02:00

The recent murders in 6th October district has gotten me quite nervous...how could this happen here? I'm so down for the girls' families...maybe not everyone deserves to be trusted...

Aging

2008-11-22T23:26:00.002+02:00

One could describe aging in many different ways. One could see it as the slow deterioration of a person's life; the young always have more fun. One could see it as the long awaited calming of the storm where you know who you are and the confusions of life become non-existent. One could see it as the accumulation of experiences; you find less and less things to do for "the very first time".

I have often thought of what my view would be and I would find that it would always be associated with panic. I worry that its always NOW that you must be beautiful, must do the correct career move, must do masters, must travel, because later you'll be older and you wont be able to. I should be fit NOW because I could never be as beautiful as I could be today. I should study NOW because later I may be in a relationship where I wouldn't want to leave my love behind. I should travel on this trip abroad NOW even if I dont have the money because it'll get harder and harder to get the people together as we get older.

At the same time, I cant wait till I have had enough experiences to be truely confident in who I am so that I am less confused. Imagine where you are so at peace with yourself that you become more predictable, with more people understanding you, and you have less explaining to do. Your next step in life is clearer and things are just...calm. Its an inner bliss that I cant wait to have but at the same time am afraid to gain at the expense of more excitement and activity.

From time to time ask yourself what aging must mean to you because it may change your view on what your life's about and what it SHOULD be about.

Mamma Mia!

2008-10-22T23:50:00.002+02:00

I have been wanting to go to the Broadway show "Mamma Mia!" forever! I kept saying that I probably shouldn't watch the movie so it doesn't ruin the show for me...but who am I kidding? I'd always get out of anything that had anything to do with ABBA with a huge sincere smile on my face. And that's exactly what happened after watching Mamma Mia. I went in, and came out on top of the world :)ABBA songs have such simple lyrics that really hit home and cause such an overload of emotion whether happiness or sadness. You're probably asking yourself "sadness?! When are ABBA ever sad?". Well, let me introduce you to one of their best songs that manages to make me cry my eyes out no matter how many times I hear it...and it made me cry in the theater even though it was Meryl Streep singing to Pierce Brosnan which was odd hehe. Its called "The Winner Takes it All" and the lyrics, simple again but hit the right chords, are:

I don't wanna talk
About things we've gone through
Though its hurting me
Now its history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play

The winner takes it all
The loser's standing small
Beside the victory
That's her destiny

I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking I'd be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules

The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
Its simple and its plain
Why should I complain.

But tell me does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed

The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner takes it all

I don't wanna talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You've come to shake my hand
I apologize
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
But you see
The winner takes it all
The winner takes it all...

Thanks to a special friend for taking me to the movie :) And this song is dedicated to you my friend ;) (ya rab tit7ifiz ya rab! Coz I wont help you memorize it again hehehe)

Mamma Mia!

I've been cheated by you since I don't know when.
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn
I don't know how, but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything.

Ooooh Ooooh,
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I COULD NEVER let you go

I've been angry and sad about things that you do
I can't count all the times that I've told you we're through
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you won't be away too long
You know that I'm not that strong
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything

Ooooh Ooooh,
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go
Mamma mia, even if I say
Bye bye, leave me now or never
Mamma mia, its a game we play
Bye bye, doesn't mean forever

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I've missed you

Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why why, did I ever let you go
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go

The Secret...is it really?

2008-10-14T23:28:00.004+02:00

I've been hearing so much about this book "The Secret" and thought "ok another self-help book that is so big like 7 habits but that I will find so boring!". I ended up reading it since so many people were praising it so much that my curiosity got the better of me. To my surprise, I was right! It was an easy read but never has a book taken me so long to finish. To me, it didnt say anything new. Think positively and you'll get positivity, think negatively, and you'll get negativity. Hmmm...ok. Want a car? Just really think it, and you'll get it, somehow some way...Hmmm, really? Some thoughts were new and interesting but they were embedded in the middle of alot of repetitive paragraphs all saying the same thing. The writer was OVER selling the whole concept to a point that it wasn't very believable. I was struggling to find a new anything in between the constant explanations of the exact same argument. So would I recommend it...well read the summaries given for each chapter (yes, even after all the repeating during the chapter, it just had to be summarized AGAIN at the end) and you'll get the main tips and tricks :) I am sure that if anyone lives by "the secret" they will definately have a happier and more fulfilling life, but I just dont think of it as a "secret" really...been there done that

Surge of Energy

2008-10-04T18:28:00.001+02:00

Out of days of many days of boredom and laziness, came this sudden surge of energy! Must put it to good use! I have many ideas, and all are feasible...but not feasible THIS SECOND...hmmm what is a girl to do?

My Love Affair with Batman

2008-09-12T00:04:00.002+02:00

Recently I had a discussion with a friend about superheros, and which ones were our favorites. It started as a light chat to pass the time on the beach but it soon turned into a pretty enlightening discussion. Since I was a kid, no movie has struck me emotionally and caught my attention as much as Batman 1 and 2 did. Till today I remember the goosebumps I felt when Batman went into The Penguin's cave and how seeing Batman didn't bring the YAY reaction from me as Superman would. Instead his presence made me silent and intrigued. So my friend kept asking why Batman? My answer to that was always because he was more human than all the other superheros. He's a deep dark person with complexities. He is mysterious, with a lot of layers to discover. I just was attracted to that. Why would I do that to myself, I don't really know...but there it is...I am insane! And like complex people who don't necessarily fit your definition of "normal". Oh well, maybe life will teach me to start liking Superman instead...wouldn't that be a drag?

Standing outside and looking in...

2008-08-29T21:08:00.002+02:00

Did you ever feel like you wanted to step out of your skin and watch yourself? Just to see if you are who you really think you are? To see if you want to re-evaluate your life? Remember again what's important and what's not? I'd like to think that I know all the answers but maybe I don't...too many people, memories, emotions, and familiar surroundings get in the way sometimes so you forget what you found to be really important in life...

Belief - John Mayer

2008-08-23T13:51:00.002+03:00

The song we were listening to in the middle of the Basata sea was this song. Thank you to Samir who had the greatest invention ever; waterproof IPOD player which can even be heard underwater!

Is there anyone who ever remembers
changing their mind from the paint on a sign?
Is there anyone who really recalls
ever breaking rank at all
for something someone yelled real loud one time?

oh, everyone believes
in how they think it oughta be
oh, everyone believes
and they're not going easily

Belief is a beautiful armor
but makes for the heaviest sword
like punching underwater
you never can hit who you're trying for
some lead the exhibition
and some have to know they tried
it's the chemical weapon
for the war that's raging on inside

Oh, everyone believes
from emptiness to everything
oh, everyone believes
and no one's going quietly

We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for

We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for

Is there anyone you can remember
ever surrender with their life on the line?

We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for

We're never gonna win the world
We're never gonna stop the war
We're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for

What puts a hundred thousand children in the sand?
belief can, belief can
What puts a folded flag inside his mother's hand?
belief can, belief can

Basata's where I find Bliss :)

2008-08-23T11:53:00.003+03:00

I used to always say that Basata is my heaven on Earth. Summer was the north coast for most people, for me it was Basata. After going to it last weekend, I was happy to find that it was still the closest place to my heart. Even though I went with the least bit of enthusiasm this time (I didn't even take my camera if you can imagine that!) I came back with it being one my best times there.

To enjoy Basata you should do the following things:
1. Take random people with you rather than your closest friends. You'll come back remembering how nice it feels like to connect to another human being whom you've never met before
2. Bring floating mattresses, but be prepared to share them with everyone
3. Mingle with the Basata guests and staff; it doesn't take much effort since everyone's so laid back that you'll find them talking to you on their own
4. Do a group cooking session at least once.
5. Chill out at night on the beach in the dark.
6. Bring interactive games like Taboo or Pictionary. You'll find yourself laughing so hard!
7. Snorkel while the sun is setting; you'll see amazing things after everyone's out of the sea and the sea creatures are feeling safe to come out
8. Spend some time alone just taking in the atmosphere. It heals the soul :)

The things that tickle me in life have become difficult to find in the busy city life, and I find them all in Basata. The intensity of a deep conversation. The stomach hurting laughter that comes out of you when you're sincerely happy. The feeling of cool water on your heated skin. The sight of a dark sky full of shooting stars. The stillness of your mind as you are looking at something so beautiful. The click you feel with someone new...its all there in Basata. There's no rush, no need to think, its just peace and my soul's medicine.

Inside the Actors Studio

2008-07-19T00:38:00.002+03:00

There's this really cool show called "Inside the Actors Studio" which my dad actually got me interested in. What's it about? Well, you have this presenter, who asks actors questions related to how they do their job. Sounds like any other interview show right? But no, this takes place in an acting class amongst students learning the acting profession. So its down to earth, students get to ask these big actors professional questions, and its just so down to earth. No flashing lights, no ass-kissing presenters, its just you and the actor hearing about their profession, rather than their private lives or hearing them trying to sell one of their movies. Each episode also ends with the following questionnaire, which has gotten pretty funny and unique answers from each of the actors:
1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is your least favorite word?
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
5. What sound or noise do you love?
6. What sound or noise do you hate?
7. What is your favorite curse word?
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
9. What profession would you not like to do?
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

And just so you can get a little taste of the show, here are some episodes:
Kevin Spacey
Angelina Jolie
Robin Williams
Tom Cruise

Happy Bday to Me :)

2008-07-05T12:06:00.002+03:00

Couldn't have dreamt of a better way to celebrate my 25th bday...
- Was surrounded by the closest people to me
- PICTIONARY!
- I was allowed to take photos, which I know is extremely hard to do hehe
- Sincere smiles all the way :)
- Coziness
- Thoughtful gifts
- And just lots of love...

Thank you for such a special day and for reminding me that as long as there are good people in your life, then everything will be ok :) Love you all