Lilli's corner

Take me there

2008-11-23T21:44:00.000+02:00

This is an unfinished piece that i found in the drafts... i just wanted it posted unfinished like this.
-------------------------------------------------------

Take me to the place
The place where the sky is clear blue
The blue cloudless sky of autumn
Take me to enjoy the gentle sun beam on my face
The smile
I miss the smile facing the sun
I miss seeing smiles all around

Take me where they still believe each other
Where they still smile to each other for real
Take me where evil still makes some effort to invade hearts

Today's Quote

2008-10-12T14:26:00.000+02:00

Tough times never last, tough people do.

Robert Schuller

Stop being needy.. start living

2008-10-11T18:50:00.003+02:00

Most of our time we spend it on trying to satisfy ourselves, buying stuff, looking for things or people to please ourselves. It became the main concern of our modern life. In fact we turned to needy people. People whose lives depend on things, events and other people's attention.

Don't you see something wrong in that??

When all people become needy, who will give? Who will give these needs and attention? When i am focusing all my power on my needs, and who will provide me with what will make me happy, and what i should do to keep me satisfied.. it is a waste of time, and a wasted life. We were not created on this Earth only to please and satisfy ourselves, we are not babies who should be taken care of every second. We have more potentials than just being those ugly needy creatues.

Stop being needy.. start living. Start making a purpose out of your life. Give without waiting to receive back. Give love to the people around you. Give attention to the ones really in need. Give sympathy to the ones in pain. Stop waiting for your life partner to always give you, because he is also waiting for you to give... and both of you will end up unsatisfied, with unfulifilled needs. That's why relationships fail. Instead of waiting, stand up and start living and giving. When you give, your partner will be happy and he will start giving you back. That's when the love flow grows and continues. And that's when we start being real people, not needy creatures.

هل تظنه بعيد؟

2008-06-28T00:38:00.003+03:00

فهل تظنه بعيد؟

هل تظن أنه صعب المنال؟

لا بل هو قريب جداً

الحب قريب لمن يفتح قلبه له

الحب منتظرك خلف الباب، حتى متى قررت فتح الباب تلقاه حينها

ليس خيال أو أسطورة نتناقلها

بل حياة وأمل وفرح

ليس ببعيد

وليس مستحيل

فعندما تحب نفسك وتحب الحياة

وعندما تدرك قيمة الحب نفسه

تلقاه

وتحياه

لن تجد الحبيب إلا عندما تدرك معانى التضحية والإخلاص

عندما تدرك أن ما تتمسك به ليس له قيمة

عندما تكن مستعداً لإعطاء الحنان وأخذه

تجده

وتحفظه فى قلبك وتحكم الغلق

لئلا يضيع

ليس هو ببعيد

ليس بغريب

لن ترى حبيبك المجهول كما فى الروايات الرومانسية

فتقع فى حبه من أول نظرة

بل حبيبك هو من قضيت معه أحلى أيامك وأحلكها

هو من مسح دمعك، وفرح لفرحك

إفتح له قلبك وكلمه

قل له كم أنت محتاج للحب والدفء

إحكى له عن ضعفك قبل قوتك

إقترب

أكثر

فهو ليس بغريب

وليس ببعيد

إفتح قلبك الآن ثم عينك

فتش حولك عنه، تجده

هل تظنه بعيد؟

لا ليس ببعيد

هو هنا.. قربك

Feeling unhappy?

2008-06-28T00:18:00.005+03:00

This is directed to all people who are feeling unhappy at this moment!

If you are feeling unhappy, then the most obvious and easiest solution is to blame it on others or the circumstances, right?

WRONG

Happiness really comes from the state of mind. If u think u should be happy, u will be happy. The opposite is also true. So u r doing the trick to urself !

A human being doesn't really need all the things that life is offering now, to be happy. It is an old deception that we all fall into its trap. The needs of a human being doesn't go out of the Mazlo's pyramids of needs. Even the higher levels, like self achievment & feeling one's value, can still be achieved.

So what is the trick? The trick is from inside. You have to sit with ur self first and see what REALLY makes u happy, not what others tell u that u should own or do to be happy. Don't think it is easy... it is complicated, cause by time, the extra stuff is now considered basic.

Let's take an example. Television. Like 60 years ago, TV was Sceince Fiction. A person who owned one, was considered the wealthy, up to date man. By time, the poorer people got hands on it and was a common entertaining equipment. Could u have imagined that after only 60 years, having a TV with sattelite dish installed is a must now? and who doesn't have one thinks he "should" have it one day? knowing that 60 years is nothing in the age of humanity.

Forget about things. Forget about places. A person would really be happy having loving people around him in his own comfortable place. So look around you, if u dont find this comfy place, or those loving people around u, then u should be unhappy. But if u don't have a G3 mobile phone connected to the sattelite, and feeling unhappy about it, then it's ur pure fault.

Life is precious. Don't waste it in worry or disappointment. Stop looking for what u don't have, and forgetting to enjoy what u do have. It's not easy believe me. I'm telling this to u, and to myself first. Be ambitious, no problem, but don't be ungrateful. Be thankful, for the good will go away from the unthankful.

So decide today if u want to go on with acting the lead role in the misery play, while u don't have a real script. Or just come out of ur coma, and start enjoying life again.

Don't worry :) Be happy :)

Beginnings..

2008-06-28T00:12:00.002+03:00

Everything in its beginning is beautiful..
New things are always glamorous and shiny..

We get excited, we look forwards and hope.
We wish the days run quicker and bring new joys.

Beginnings are beautiful and wakes up our souls.
What if we can keep this spirit up for longer?
What if we try maintaining the excitment?
Won't this be even more beautiful?

But can we really do this? Or beginnings are just beautiful because they are beginnings?

Think about it..

Today's Quote

2008-06-04T09:11:00.002+03:00

A well-developed sense of humor

is the pole that adds balance

to your steps as you

walk the tightrope of life.

William A. Ward

فى مسألة الجواز 2

2008-06-01T21:06:00.002+03:00

أنا عجبتنى الكتابة فى الموضوع ده بصراحة

:)))

كتير قالولى ان الأسباب اللى فى المقال اللى فات مش هى كل حاجة

ما هو طبعاً فى أسباب أكتر لمشاكل الجواز

طبعاً أشهرها المسائل المادية

المشكلة ان الجواز عبر السنين كان دايما وسيلة فك عقد أو اعلان انتصار معين أو انتقام، أو ببساطة منظره

العريس جاب شبكة بكام، والفرح اتكلف اد ايه، واتعمل فين

بلا هم

كل ده ملهوش لازمة فعلاً وضياع فلوس ومجهود وأعصاب

مجرد تمسك بمظاهر غبية وعقد مقارنات بين العائلات

وتسمع جمل بقى زى: ده العريس جابلها شبكة ب25 ألف جنيه

ايه قيمة حجر بيلمع فى صباع بنت واحدة، وفى ناس جوازها كله ميتكلفش المبلغ ده؟

ينفع بايه الحجر ده، ولا عفش الشقة، والسفرة أم 30 ألف، لما الزوجة تبقى قاعدة تبكى فى البيت لوحدها ومتلاقيش ايد حنينة تمسح دموعها، والبيه مثلاً سهران مع أصحابه؟

ينفع بايه ده لما تبقى الزوجة عينيها فى وسط راسها وعلطول عايشة فى قلق عشان جوزها كل يوم ليه قصة مع غيرها

الناس خلاص بقت تاخد كل ما هو تافه وتحطه فى المقدمة، وكل ما هو مظاهر عبيطة وتعتبره هو ده الجواز

بس فى ناس بتعتبر الزنقة اللى بيحطوا فيها العريس دى دليل على جديته وانه مش ناوى يبيع بسهولة

ويكع ياعينى الراجل ويبقى نفسه يعمل كل حاجة زى ماهما عاوزين، ويتجوز فعلاً، وبدل بقى ما يريح باله، ويبقى سعيد، يفاجأ بأن مطالب الهانم مبتخلصش، ولو قال لأ، يلقى البوز المتين متصدر الشاشة

والبنت طول الوقت حاطة عينيها على أصحابها وجيرانها وقرايبها

سافروا فين، جابو ايه، عربيتهم شاكلها ايه

وتنسى

تنسى يعنى ايه جواز وعشرة واتنين بقوا واحد

ليه الانسان يقرف نفسه وينكد على روحه؟

مش جوزك (أو مراتك) النص التانى

يعنى لو نكدت على نصك التانى، حتبقى مبسوط؟

ليه البنت نسيت انها فاكهة البيت، اللى تطبطب وتدلع

وليه الراجل مابقاش قد المسئولية؟ العامود اللى الأسرة كلها تتسند عليه

ونرجع نقول مفيش رجالة عدلة، مفيش بنات

ماهو لا البنات فاهمين ازاى يبقوا بنات

ولا الرجالة فاكرين ايه الرجولة

الجواز مش سوليتير ولا فرح فى فندق

لو يقدروا يعملوا الكلام ده، جميل

بس مش ده الهدف

الهدف هو شركة طول العمر

هو حب يجمع الطرفين، والأسرتين

هو بيت يتبنى بالحب والأمل

ده مش كلام أغانى

ده اللى مفروض يحصل

فى مسألة الجواز

2008-05-31T01:02:00.004+03:00

كل الناس بتشتكى من الجواز

الرجالة تشتكى ان مفيش بنات كويسة خلاص

والبنات بتشتكى ان مفيش رجالة تستاهل

طيب يعنى هى فزورة

ما دول موجودين ودول موجودين، ليه كل واحد مش شايف التانى؟

أنا شايفة الاجابة من وجهة نظرى ان كل طرف من الطرفين اتخلى عن دوره الأساسى فى الجواز، وتخلى عن المميزات اللى مفروض تكون فيه علشان ينجّح جوازه

البنات حصلهم تغيير: بقوا معتمدين على نفسهم قوى فى كل حاجة، ودى كانت تبقى حاجة كويسة لو كانوا فضلوا لسه عندهم الفهم الطبيعى لأدوارهم فى المجتمع وفى الجواز

لكن كتير وقعوا ضحية للنزعات الاستقلالية للمرأة، وان الست مش محتاجة للراجل

ماهو مش لازم يكون الاحتياج فيه مذلة واعتمادية، ليه مايكونش احتياج تكميلى وبناء علشان الحياة تكتمل وجوهها

وكل طرف تكمل دايرته فى الدنيا

أصبحت البنت رافضة لدورها كأنثى، عاوزة تبقى دايماً كسبانة وتحس ان لو فى يوم مشت كلام الراجل تبقى هى اتكسرت

بقى فيه صراع غريب كأن الطرفين دول متنافسين

نسيت البنت انها لازم تكون الفرحة والجمال فى حياة الراجل

نسيت تعرف ازاى تبقى انثى جذابة، مش بس تبقى مهندسة ولا دكتورة

احتقرت كل ما هو بيفرقها عن الراجل، رغم ان ده تميزها وجمالها الخاص

طب يعنى هى البنت السبب لوحدها؟ لأ طبعاً مايصحش

الراجل كمان أكيد عنده غلط

أكيد الرجالة بتقول : ليه كده ماحنا كنا كويسين

بس الراجل كتير بينسى انه المسئول عن الأسرة

فى كل حاجة: القرارات المهمة، الحماية، الصرف

مش لازم يكون هو الوحيد اللى بيكسب فلوس ويصرف

بس يكون هو راعى الأسرة اللى بيفكر ويخطط ويدبر

وماينساش أن دايماً الست بتدور عن الجدعنة

ليه الرجالة اتخلت عن جدعنتها وحسوا ان خلاص مش فارقة

هل علشان الست حاسة باستقلالها طول الوقت ورافضة تخضع لزوجها

ولا عشان احساس الرجالة نفسه بالضعف نتيجة ظروف الحياة

الجواز ده عامل زى ثمرة الفاكهة: القشرة الخارجية اللى بتحافظ عليها وتديلها شكلها وجمالها ورونقه هو الراجل

والست هى قلب الثمرة الحلو الجميل المخصوص للثمرة دى وبس

والأطفال هما البذور اللى جوه، اللى في يوم من الأيام حيبقوا ثمار تانية ويكملوا الحياه

لو كل طرف رجع افتكر دوره ايه وايه المطلوب منه، مش حيبقى فى صراع

لأنه أصلاً مفيش تعارض فى الأدوار

المفروض يكملوا بعض

يساعدوا بعض بالحب والتفاهم

ماينفعش كل طرف عاوز يبقى الكسبان واللى مايتنازلش أبدا

ونرجع نقول بعد كدة

مفيش رجالة

مفيش ستات

لأ هو الحقيقة مفيش فهم صح وحكمة فى الاقدام على الجواز والاختيار

What's eating Gilbert Grape

2008-01-13T22:24:00.000+02:00

Inspired by the movie "What's eating Gilbert Grape"

It's up to you in the end. You can run away from your problems, or you can stay and try to deal with them. But be careful, while dealing with them, you must put your values and guide lines in front of you.

You can be a coward, or you can be a "good preson". It's your choice. But whatever choice you make, it's up to you. Don't blame no one else.

A person with no problems, is there such a thing?? Everyone has his own form of problems and dilemmas. They might be hiding somewhere, but sure they exist.

If you pay attention, you'll find that others are trying to make you sneak in and have a look at their problems, the source of pains in their lives. If you aren't interested, and don't want to have a look, they'll shut away the peaking window.

Then there might comes a time when the load is too much, and you feel like running away. You start your runaway road, but you are never able to take the load off your chest. You run but the further you run, the heavier the load gets.

.........

can't live without it

2007-11-18T00:38:00.000+02:00

It's when u feel so white and blue, and your mind is summer sky clear...
you pick up a brush, and draw a milky way..
you sit by the beach, and let the sand run through your fingers.
you hold your pet close and look in to its eyes
you put a loving kiss on your love's cheek, just next to his mouth
.
.
It's when u feel so hurt..
colors seem to fade ..
you pick up ur violin
and let it cry out ur pain with its melancholic blares
as it drips between your arms, your sould drips blood.. and the wound gets purified
.
.
It's when u feel reddish waves of anger
you want to scream out loud, and let the rage loose
your run, you climb, you break stones
you turn your anger into power.. into the power of will
.
.
It's when u get doubtful and confused
you lose track of your daily thoughts.. your hopes and dreams
you find the word "reach out" describing you perfectly
you reach out for your paper and pen
you pour yourself into a friend's heart and lap
no need for advice
just a pat or a hug does it all
.
.
don't be afraid
for even fear, will teach u .. will push u one step ahead
.
lay down the sandy beach and enjoy the sun one your face
.
make the violin cry with you, for it has no better use..
.
your paint brush looks so much better when paint is staining it, and the new road is drawn on a piece of white new cloth
.
hold him tightly, study his face closely
when he goes out of your sight, you'll have his picture in your heart
.
and when the red waves hit you.. hang on, cling to me, i can bear you in your wildest.. just promise me, you will always be true to your life..

ما انتوا بتعرفوا تعملوا مسلسلات عدله أهو

2007-09-23T15:18:00.000+02:00

رمضان بقى ومسلسلاته... من كام سنة وانا مش مهتميه بأى حاجة بتتعرض فالتليفزيون، ولا بتابع أى مسلسل

انما السنادى، أول مرة مسلسل يشدنى، و طلع اننا بنعرف نعمل حاجة عليها القيمة أهو

مسلسل "قضية رأى عام" بتاع يسرا، مصدقتش فى الأول اننا لسه عندنا حاجة مش هايفة ولا مستفزة نعرضها فى المسلسلات، أخيراً كلام جد مفيد وبيقول حاجة

ببساطة مسلسل فعلاً مهم وبيناقش مش بس قضية الاغتصاب ، انما بيناقش كل عيوب وتخلف مجتمعنا، واننا مهما ظهرنا متحضرين ومتفتحين، لسه كل اللى جوانا زى ماهو زى أجدادنا

أحلى حاجة فى المسلسل انه جاب ردود أفعال أسر كل ضحية على حسب بيئتهم ومستواهم، بس المشترك بينهم انهم كلهم اعتبروا المغتصبة دى عار وفضيحة ولازم يتكتم عليها، ممنوع نبلغ البوليس لحسن نتفضح!! وكأن المجنى عليه هو الجانى

رد الفعل الطبيعى ماكنش الغضب من الجانى، انما كان ان العار طال العيلة، وكأن متقبل ومتوقع ان سلوك زى ده يحصل، انما كل المشكلة انه يحصل لحد من أهلى، من بيتى

كل بلاوى مجتمعاتنا طلعت فى المسلسل، بجد مبسوطة ان لسه فى ناس بتفهم وبتعمل حاجة ليها قيمة

تابعوا المسلسل

;)

Today's Quote

2007-09-23T12:38:00.001+02:00

Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life,

and when it comes, hold your head high.

Look it squarely in the eye, and say,

"I will be bigger than you.

You cannot defeat me."

Ann Landers

when u thought you figured it all out...

2007-09-02T10:34:00.000+03:00

"To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top." Robert M. Pirsig

in the twinkling night

2007-08-10T11:50:00.000+03:00

in the twinkling night..
when she lets her hair loose on her shoulders..
and her bangs fall softly on her eyes..
she takes off her dusty cloths..
and puts on a tender night gown..

she sighs with a moan..
and lets all her muscles relax..
then her sky starts to clear, and stars appear..
her rivers run slower, carrying the boats to the calmest places..
giggles and laughs fill her silence
and friends gather

the streets look its best
when all the noise disappears
and you can hear her breath
calmly
without the covers
without the dust

she then shows her best
reminding people of how beautiful she is
and how they could be humans again

..

2007-08-05T17:08:00.000+03:00

Knowing a lot and understanding things perfectly can be..
Getting a firm grip on technology and all complex things that life is offering now is possible..
Managing everything with a sharp mind..

Knowing the paths and how to go through them without getting lost..
But all knowledge stands still in front of a baby crying
Sharp minds paralyze on the touch of a loving woman
Perfect plans fall apart when faced by a human tragedy

No matter how deep we know about things, we can never get deep enough into human nature
Logical explanations can not always be found to explain why humans act the way they do
Don't try to comprehend jealousy, or measure love, or estimate anger..
The most complex sceinces stand small next to the joy of a lover when seeing his beloved
The tear of a child can melt the tough hearts

In the night

2007-07-14T17:09:00.001+03:00

In the night, in the open air
And the summer wind is blowing gently on my face
I sit there very calm and relax
Nothing is worrying me
Nothing is being planned for
I look at the surroundings
The big tree and the high buildings
The cars parking in every place
Few people moving in the streets
And I also have a look at my life
What's gone and what's already been done
I look at my life and think
Did I make good use of it till now?
All the different paths I could have taken and didn't
And all those I did take
And I found the words in my mouth and heart
It was all worth it
All the turns and bumps
All the mellow paths paved with green lawn
And the bumpy roads with edgy stones
Yes it was worth it
For all this contributed in making what I am today
And still the word in my month till today
I've never ever regretted one single thing
Never went till the end with a path I know it'll take me no where
Or will take me where I don't want to be
So on this cool summer night
I sat there admiring what's around
And what's inside
And I found this rare thing deep inside me
What people spend their lives looking for
Struggling with their world and searching for an alternative
I simply found it
The peace
The content
The deep feeling of satisfaction
With what that had passed
And what have been done
And with what’s still coming
And what could be done

Sunday 10 June 2007.

تردى

2007-07-14T16:44:00.000+03:00

حالة عامة من التردى
حالة طالت كل شئ
الانسان بشكل عام
والعقول والنفوس بشكل خاص
كلمة التردى تملأ فكرى
و لا أجد لها بديلاً لتفسير ما يحدث

التردى هو التحول من جيد إلى سئ أو من سئ إلى أسوأ
لا يوجد فى حياتنا الآن ما يمكن أن يتحول للأفضل
فقط حالة التردى

تردى فى الأخلاق، وعدم وجود ما يدعوللسمو بالأخلاق
فكل ما هو فاسد وقبيح يكسب الآن

تردى فى الأحلام، كل من لا زال يحلم فهو يحلم بالملذات والحماقات
أو بالقوة والنفوذ، فلا يذل ممن تردت أخلاقه

تردى فى علاقاتنا، لا نستأمن الآخر، لا نستطيع محبته
الآخر هو خطر قائم يهدد مصالحنا دائماً

تردى فى مجتمعات كنائسنا، أصبحنا اما مشعوذين، نتبارك بتقبيل الأيدى ومسح الأيقونات
اما منافقين نمدح الرتب ونعلنهم قديسين وهم أحياء بيننا
إما مرائين، نسجد فى الهياكل وقلوبنا ملآنة دناسة
نملأ أفواهنا وأرففنا بكلام كثير لا نعيه
فقد وصل التردى لأرواحنا كما لنفوسنا

تردى فى أعمالنا، لا نقوم بأعمالنا بالشكل المطلوب إلا اذا تأكدنا من وجود مراقب نتقى شره أو نتعمد لفت أنظاره
كل يبحث عن مصلحته الشخصية من كل حرف يكتبه، وليس مصلحة العمل
نضيع ساعات وساعات فى نفى مسئوليتنا عن الأخطاء، أو محاولات سلب النجاحات، فلا نجد الوقت الكافى للعمل فى النهاية

التردى ملكنا، وأصبح العادى والسائد
عندما يتغير هذا النمط، وينعكس التردى إلى تحسن، نخاف ونتشكك
ونشكك وننقب محاولين اثبات وهمية هذا التحسن

لا أدرى لما أكتب هذا
فالتردى الذى تسرب للنفوس لن يجعل لهذه الكلمات صدى فينا
لكننى أكتبه
ربما هو أمل فى التحسن
وربما دعوة لنفيق ونتمرد على حالة التردى
لنحاول تغيير النمط ان كان التردى لم يمس عقولنا بعد
فالعقل وحده يعى نتيجة كل ما يتسرب الينا من مزيد من التردى

تعالوا نحاول ، نحاول أن نحسن عمل شئ واحد

Today's Quote

2007-06-05T17:13:00.001+03:00

"Forget mistakes.

Forget failures.

Forget everything except

what you're going to do now and do it.

Today is your lucky day."

Will Durant

Painful to think about..

2007-06-02T10:50:00.000+03:00

هوذا أنت تسمى يهودياً، وتتكل على الناموس، وتفتخر بالله، وتعرف مشيئته، وتميز الأمور المتخالفة، متعلماً من الناموس وتثق أنك قائد للعميان، ونور للذين في الظلمة، ومهذب للأغبياء، ومعلم للأطفال،ولك صورة العلم والحق في الناموس. فأنت إذاً الذي تُعَلِّمُ غيرك، ألست تُعَلِّمُ نفسك؟ الذي تكرز: أن لا يُسرق أتسرق؟ الذي تقول أن لا يُزْنَى أتَزْنِي؟ الذي تَسْتَكْرِهُ الأوثان، أتسرق الهياكل؟ الذي تفتخر بالناموس؟ أبتعدي الناموس تهين الله؟ لأن اسم الله يُجَدَّفُ عليه بسببكم بين الأمم، كما هو مكتوب
(رو 2: 17 ـ 24)

Flashlight

2007-06-02T10:23:00.001+03:00

Why is it the trend now to talk and debate more than working? Our lives are filled now with more words that we need, and much less actions that we should be doing.

I've always said: "I do not trust people whose jobs depend on their talks", and being eloquent should never be a measure of productivity. And on the other hand, the less you talk should be adding to the balance of your actions.

So please, yes you, please: try to work more than talking about what you should do. At least save us hearing what we do not need to hear, and do what could be useful!

And believe me, it feels so good when you look at your own hands creation, feels better than your happiness with the sound of hands clapping to your articulate words.

My churches adventures in Izmir :)

2007-06-02T10:20:00.001+03:00

Churches in Izmir

"I need to write this down before I forget how peaceful and happy I am today. I woke up early today determined to visit a church in Izmir. The passed days I noticed 2 churches near the hotel, one very close, and another on the main street behind the hotel. So, 8 o'clock in the morning I got up, and I was in the street heading for church at 8:30."

This is how I started writing about my church visits in Izmir, but I never finished it while I was in Izmir, so am finishing it now.

The first few, short visits to Izmir, I didn't look for a church in the neighborhood. But during the long stays, I started to search for one, and I found 3!

The first was the one beside the hotel, just 5 minutes away walking in the same street of the hotel. It was a 100 years old Italian Catholic church. The service was in Italian! and the priest looked a lot like the late Pope John Paul II

And for my surprise, I arrived at 8:30 and found the service is almost finishing! Ten minutes later it was the communion, and at exactly 8:45 it was over!

I looked around and had a look at the attendants: most of them were elderly people, of different nationalities, and in total there were round 20 people in the church. They didn't know each other, and as soon as the service was over, they quickly left the church. I went to one of the old ladies before she goes away, and asked her when does the service start, and she answered: 8:15! And I asked her again: 8:15? She said yes, with a suspicious look!

It mean I arrived at exactly the mid of the service J it was only 30 minutes long! And I remembered the average service in Egypt is not less than 2 hours by any means J

Then I went to the second church that I had noticed on the way back from work one day. I was like 15 minutes or less walking from the hotel. Since the first service I attended was only 15 min. so I decided to go and check the other one. And am so glad I did.

The second church was a 40 or 50 year old Evangelical church, called Saint John, it's American I think.

It was so beautiful! The service was in both English and Turkish. The hymns were so wonderful, reminded me of the Evangelical services I used to attend in my school long time ago. The priest was a Canadian one, it was this kind of missionary churches found everywhere. I enjoyed the service so much, and because it was in English I could really participate in praying.

Then after church, they did this gathering for breakfast that's found in most churches, and especially in USA where I've used to join such gatherings. So it was a good chance to get to know new people in Izmir, and there were lots of English tongues of course. The total attendants were over 40 person, varying from Turkish to Americans to Canadians to British, even an Iranian woman, who had "escaped" from Iran and married the British guy who I've come to know later. He was responsible for the prayer books and he always handed me the Turkish books first, then I'd ask for English ones insteadJ. Everyone there thought am Turkish by the way.

And on the first time I've been there, I got to know my dear Karen, an American old teacher who has been living in Izmir for 18 years now. She was round 70, and she looked so much younger. She came to Izmir years earlier, to work as a teacher in a school there, and after she retired, she found out that she fell in love with Izmir, and couldn't leave it and go back to USA.

"I have a life now in Izmir; I have my friends and service at church. I don't want to go back to USA now and leave all this", those were Karen's words to me. She was this kind of woman that sweeps you off your feet with her tremendous kindness and welcoming. She made friends with me so quickly and easily and started introducing me to everyone and the priest. Then she told me about the third church that I got to go in Izmir!

She told me that every Sunday after the Evangelical church service is over, and the little breakfast gathering is over, she goes to this Turkish church nearby, where she has a service: she did like a Sunday school for the Turkish young kids.

And she invited me to go with her.
Okay, to know the risk I took here, imagine with me:
It's the first time ever for me in this church, it's the first time I meet this lady, I do not know all the places in Izmir well, and I found out later that I had no money with me! (because I thought I will just finish church and go back to the hotel, so I didn't remember to take money)

And in spite of all this, here I am, riding the car with Karen and another Turkish lady with us, heading to this church. And am also glad I went J

We arrived to the church to discover it was just the basement and the first floor of a normal house, which was turned into a church, without an altar, without a perfect arrangement, but it was so full of love and God's presence.

First there were some spiritual songs in Turkish, with music and the wordings on the wall with a video projector, so I was able to follow. They were amazing! I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed the songs, even though I couldn't understand everything. But the words were clear, part Arabic part English, so I could get an idea of what the song said. To get an idea, the Holy Spirit was "Kutsal Ruh" J so it was clear, u know.

Then in the break, Karen told me how those Turkish people (over 50 – 60 person, the biggest number as u see) they took the Christian faith, and they started this church with donations, and they were facing lots of problems to oblige them to quit Christianity, and they gave them a hard time to give them a permission to build a church, that's why they are using this basement! (Sounds familiar to somewhere else, doesn't it?)

But the truth is, of all the 3 churches, this was the holiest, the most filled with God's presence, and the prayers were so real and heartily. Those people haven't been brought up in faith, so they appreciate it so much. They know they've been blessed and they carry this bless in their eyes and smiles. They welcomed me like they know me from years, because they knew am a Coptic Christian, and because they are so welcoming and loving. After the break they celebrated having a new member in their church: a young, cute little baby, the daughter of a couple in the church. Everyone was so happy with the newly born, and we all prayed for her & her family.

Then I had to leave, and Karen was to start her service, that's when I found out I had no money J and I do not know where we are, since we came by her car. But because I had enjoyed the morning so much, and I've prayed in 3 different churches and took their bless, I knew certainly I don't have to worry about how I'll go home. Luckily I had my mobile, so I just called one of my colleagues in the hotel, told him to wait for me at the hotel door with money, because I'll be coming in a taxi and I don't have any money... and he did. (Did anyone get worried about how I went back? :) )

For the next few weeks, I used to go to the first 2 churches, I skipped the Turkish one because of the distance, but I'll never forget that day when I went to all 3, and I've experienced things and met people that I'll never forget in my whole life..

Note: in Izmir there was also a very famous historical church called the "Ploycarpa", but I didn't have the chance to visit it. Maybe next time :)

And for those who don't know, Izmir is the city in the bible called "Smirna", one of the 7 churches in the Revelation book.

Are you strong?

2007-06-02T10:17:00.000+03:00

Well, you must have thought about it before, haven't you? Where is your strength? How do you call yourself strong?

First put your parameters of strength. Yes it can differ from one person to another. Your idea and parameter of strength is purely your own. You might think that your strength comes from what you own, from your ability to accomplish, your physical abilities, psychological traits, faith…etc.

We can never list here all the things that make us (or make us think we are) strong. So you must define your own terms of strength.

You can also bear an instantaneous strength or long term strength. Both are needed and both are kinds of strength. You could be under preparation all your life to be strong in a one moment that needs strength of a lifetime. And also you could be working all your lifetime with the same strength that is needed for your normal everyday life. Actually both kinds help each other. What preparation could be better than going through small, short & hard situations and learning bit by bit how to be really strong? And when the big moment comes you already have a good supply of patiently built up strength.

Why do we need to be strong? I leave this question to you my dear reader, and while thinking it over, remember the last time you couldn't sleep at night…

Back again

2007-06-02T10:14:00.000+03:00

My very dear Corner,

I'm back again.

I cannot explain the serenity I feel now coming back to you. The happiness and peace that crawl to me when I sit writing, knowing my words are addressed to you.

I missed you. I really did. I know I left you alone for a long time, but I was longing to have our special moment back together again. But being too busy to do any thing besides work, made me leave you all this time without anything new.

So now, after things began to calm down – hopefully – the first thing I thought of is coming back to you, telling you how I spent the past few months.

First you must know that I went through a lot lately. Many major events, good and bad, happy and worrying, I experienced all sorts of feelings and conditions.

But the biggest and most important was the 1 year project I've just finished.

There are 3 dates I cannot forget in this year:

Wednesday, May 31st 2006, when I first heard of it all in the interview: the traveling, the new position, and I still remember the innocent excitement I felt about the whole idea, not knowing still what lies under.

Thursday, February 15th 2007, at exactly 5:30 pm: there is no title for this event, but for me it was the night of Success. It was the first time to feel successful and triumphant after long months of hard work and traveling. It was the night I was congratulated. I never needed congratulations as I did that night, and oh I did get it. Can't tell you how strong I went home that night. Yes you know how hard and honest you worked, but still the words of appraise makes a difference.

Tuesday, April 10th 2007, our day came to reality. The date that has been a dream to all of us, became "Today". It was our Go-Live day. The time when you see the dreams and drawings come true. Not that everything was magically working, but that we were able to reach that point. Problems will never disappear, but knowing you can do it, makes you even more accomplishing. It's a day by day effort, step by step success. It will always be one of the landmarks in my career.

Dear Corner, I learnt a lot in this time. On all levels: professional, personal and human relations levels.
I learnt that no effort goes in vain. And no laziness brings you anywhere.
I learnt that how low people might go; never let them drag you down with them.

I learnt to make this total separation between work and life. The moment you step out of the office (if you ever do!) just forget work and forget the fights you had with your work mates, just go and enjoy dinner with them.

I learnt that it's most important to have your own identity in whatever you do. Put your mark, never be shy to make it clear and say it out loud. Life went into the direction of those who led it to, not those who just went with the stream.

I learnt that no matter how much you dislike a person, spending long times with him and experiencing all kinds of situations together, will definitely bring you closer and you'll begin to like him. A connection starts to grow between you which will go stronger everyday and will make you forget why you disliked him.

This project exhausted me physically, emotionally and intellectually, but in the end I feel it was worth it. I learnt a lot, got some experience that normally I will never get in just one year…

So I'm trying to settle down again, make a new routine for my life now. And what will never change is the time I spend writing on your walls, my dear corner.

Difference..

2007-01-27T16:01:00.000+02:00

If you are eating so quickly, looking into your wrist watch every 2 minutes, drinking your coffee while it's still hot and making it cooler by adding cold water, to run afterwards quickly down the stairs to catch your ride: this is a business breakfast.

If you are dinning in a fancy restaurant, with an exquisite menu, paying to much attention to the choices more than you pay to your companions, then finishing your meal thinking about sleeping early to wake up early: this is a business dinner.

If you are shopping for everything because you are staying in a hotel, and looking for a teethbrush because you forgot yours at home: this is business shopping.

But, if you are sitting relaxed with your firends, enjoying the dinner and the conversation, trying to eat Sushi for the first time and laughing about it, talking about personal matters freely, hating the quick passing of time because you don't want to leave, feeling so happy and knowing that you will remember this moment forever: this is a real dinner with real friends ;)

Thank you Mine & Hussein ;)