Monday, June 22, 2015
Saturday, June 6, 2015
"A child of Cleopatra" - Cleopatra speaks from within me
As always I wrote something, hide it in a closet with hundreds of other things and decided to share months later :) haha enjoy, I'd like to hear feedback if you read this!
"A child of Cleopatra: Cleopatra speaks from within me"
March 24, 2015 2:30 pm:
"A child of Cleopatra: Cleopatra speaks from within me"
My parents are always telling me to not share my mind publicly. My mind and all it encompasses; thoughts, ideas, theories.
'Everyone already knows you're smart wa betfakary f Bhagat 3'areeba.'
'Betektby hagat 3al fb' they say, 'balash tekteby'. Making me feel weird for not being like other women. Not living of the obsession of material objects, and preparing my housewife skills. Sigh. I am not like the other girls and I do not want to be.
It's almost wrong,
That I came out as in individual in constant pursuit of wisdom. That people, countries, cultures, books, experiences, ancient philosophy, and the theory of world systems fascinates me. It's ungirly. Unseen. Unattractive. Its unheard of in my ancient city of Alexandria. Ironic -
The women of Alexandria have been known to be exotic and unique in their own way for centuries. 'Banat Iskindriya', they say. That's a thing, and for a reason. The city itself has always been a beacon of history, arts, education and power. It's ironic because that makes my being simply a byproduct of my ecological location. Alexandria's women, are it's name. We are Pearls of the Mediterranean. The spirit of Queen Cleopatra was reborn through me and each and everyone one of us. Her courage, might, will and wit can be found in your soul. Just because present day society does not give you the space to be the daughter of Cleopatra that you are does not mean the space isn't there. And just because you realize you're lost and have become a product of society, does not mean you can no longer find your path and reach your destination. For the path is there, it's just waiting for you to step on it and take charge.
Don't let the negatives of our culture & society hold you back from ruling your kingdom once more. You were built to conquer and born to succeed. Create your space, and pursue what your soul desires. For Imagine how deprived your eyesight will be if you were trapped inside for months unable to see the beautiful sea along the cornish everyday. And imagine how numb your tongue would become if you could nolonger devour fresh fish and seafood from our ports. Now imagine what you have been doing to your soul all this time. Consciously or not. Let it breath. It's time to ignite the fire that won't burn out. Quit preoccupying your precious time with present day materials, gadgets and gossip. Make your way through the crowd and break free already.
The fact that my parents know their daughter is already and will becoming an even more powerful valuable woman, is not what they expected. But it is something in me that I cannot silence.
We are all children of Cleopatra.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Why I don't blog much
People always ask me why I never post more on my blog, why I never share my work.
I'm a thinker, also meaning that I am an over thinker.
I think too much about anything and everything.
Everything fascinates me and is worth pondering in my eyes.
I have the creativity of a child that fuels my thoughts to go on and on for hours and hours.
I'm always writing, I'm always thinking.
I think too much, I write too much.
When I write too much I fear that I have out spoken myself. Every. Single. Time. Even now as I'm writing this.
I don't free your judgment as I have posted this to explain. It's just that my thoughts bounce of each other leading me to endless places.
It's the same thing that happens when I speak too much in person & passion strikes through my larynx.
I pause and recollect in fear. I question if the person understood, if they were following, if they even cared because surly nobody cares as much about something as I do when my passion roars.
It's off putting, many times I've noticed that female intelligence is unattractive and weird.
I don't mind being an alien, I'm content with my power and capability that people don't understand because they don't possess it.
I've always been the odd one out because of this.
I wish I had someone to bounce ideas of off. I think it's fun... thinking, creating.
As stressful and nerve racking as it can be when on over drive, I appreciate the stimulation.
So that's why.
I stop in person or prevent myself to save you the concern. As I do on this blog.
I try, but everytime I write a piece I write 5 more. And as a perfectionist I vow to wait till a later time to look over what I said & filter or make it more coherent.
Because surly it's the same as when we never make decisions when emotional whether being extremely happy or extremely upset.
When I free write, I write with passion. When I'm done, I wait but then I never end up getting to cleaning all this up, so these stuff just sit their in my notes to collect virtual dust...
This is why I don't blog much.
(PS: This is my 4th free write today)
(PSS: cleaning this up was such a struggle,
maybe also cause its extra work for no reason.
Yet at the same time its productive in so many ways,
...i could start another rant just about this... ughh see what i mean, k final bye.)
Sunday, March 1, 2015
The Suns Continue burning till this Day - 11/1/12
The suns continue burning till this day.
Conversations forever minimized;
The grains gently slide away.
Heart enlarges due to the feeling of pleasantness.
laughter echoes;
The suns continue burning till this day.
Name engraved deep into their souls.
Now filled with mold, allowing
the grains to gently slide away.
Hand in any angle should I fall.
Support loosens;
The suns continue burning till this day.
Iceberg struck down
The movie fades to black;
the grains gently slide away.
Still owning a huge meaning to my life
ache in place of the absence.
The suns continue burning till this day,
the grains gently slide away.
- Shourouk Abdalla
I loved poetry. I love writing poetry. I loved poetry class. I got a 18 out of 20 for this in my AP english class 3 years ago. I still don't understand how you can grade poetry, or Art in general. "Beautiful lines" she said "could use light, meaning could be little clear" she said. You have to look deep into yourself to find the meaning because you'll never be able to look deep into me and take mine. That's the beauty of poetry.
Conversations forever minimized;
The grains gently slide away.
Heart enlarges due to the feeling of pleasantness.
laughter echoes;
The suns continue burning till this day.
Name engraved deep into their souls.
Now filled with mold, allowing
the grains to gently slide away.
Hand in any angle should I fall.
Support loosens;
The suns continue burning till this day.
Iceberg struck down
The movie fades to black;
the grains gently slide away.
Still owning a huge meaning to my life
ache in place of the absence.
The suns continue burning till this day,
the grains gently slide away.
- Shourouk Abdalla
I loved poetry. I love writing poetry. I loved poetry class. I got a 18 out of 20 for this in my AP english class 3 years ago. I still don't understand how you can grade poetry, or Art in general. "Beautiful lines" she said "could use light, meaning could be little clear" she said. You have to look deep into yourself to find the meaning because you'll never be able to look deep into me and take mine. That's the beauty of poetry.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Time so self evaluate Egyptians
Notable reflection while being in Egypt this past winter
Dec 1st 2014:
"I'm actually not comfortable at all with the hierarchy system here in Egypt. I was waiting for an elevator and their was a delivery man waiting ahead of me. When the elevator came he opened the door out of courtesy to let me in but then closed it without entering. I felt ashamed; since he was obviously less wealthy than me, I automatically had the right of way? My status automatically gave me entitlement. It wasn't my turn. It was his turn. It was too late to demand him to come in or ride first. Even if possible, how would I have been able to do that. How would I have been able to convince him that it's his right to ride right now. It felt unfair. It felt very unfair, and I am not even the one who should be upset. For me it's injustice, for him it's the norm. This tiny incident really stuck out to me. Made me ponder a reoccurring question. How can we want to implement democratic values in a country where the opposite is so deeply rooted within our culture?"
"I'm actually not comfortable at all with the hierarchy system here in Egypt. I was waiting for an elevator and their was a delivery man waiting ahead of me. When the elevator came he opened the door out of courtesy to let me in but then closed it without entering. I felt ashamed; since he was obviously less wealthy than me, I automatically had the right of way? My status automatically gave me entitlement. It wasn't my turn. It was his turn. It was too late to demand him to come in or ride first. Even if possible, how would I have been able to do that. How would I have been able to convince him that it's his right to ride right now. It felt unfair. It felt very unfair, and I am not even the one who should be upset. For me it's injustice, for him it's the norm. This tiny incident really stuck out to me. Made me ponder a reoccurring question. How can we want to implement democratic values in a country where the opposite is so deeply rooted within our culture?"
I saw this situation everywhere, even with my closest friends. So let me help put y'all in check. You are in no way any better than the man or woman standing next to you. Being richer doesn't mean anything and it sure doesn't mean you have the right to live a patriarchic life and ignore equality. Just because you're a materialistic fool who wears all brands or wants to always be best dressed during EVERY outing *cringes*, DOESNT, let me repeat DOES NOT mean you're automatically the leader of the pack, the cooler person in the group etc etc etc. Please realize that this is wrong and needs to change for the sake of progression in our country. The real things that are holding us back is the people, el sha3b el masri. Start trying to evaluate your self and daily routine life. Search for flaws (trust me they're there) and over time think about how you can change that about yourself and inner family. If you find this too hard (if you think 'garabt wa mafesh haga 3'alat') simply watch your family or group of friends. Make this a goal in 2015. You'll come to realize a lot and come out transformed, at least in thought, I promise. If everyone tried this with their inner family our country will be way better off. And while there's a possibility of 1k reading this I'm more than satisfied knowing tat 15 people read this, 10 are willing to try this out in order to better themselves, and 5 will talk about there findings/conclusions with someone else and encourage them to try it out. If you to reflect with someone but don't have that person in your life who's interested in talking about anything outside the mainstream, Message Me!! I'd love to listen to your reflections and go back and forth with you and exchange opinions.
With Love,
Shourouk
Friday, May 9, 2014
The God Abandons Antony - Konstantinos Petrou Kavafis
Translation 1:
When suddenly, at midnight, you hear
an invisible procession going by
with exquisite music, voices,
don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now,
work gone wrong, your plans
all proving deceptive—don’t mourn them uselessly.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving.
Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t say
it was a dream, your ears deceived you:
don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
as is right for you who proved worthy of this kind of city,
go firmly to the window
and listen with deep emotion, but not
with the whining, the pleas of a coward;
listen—your final delectation—to the voices,
to the exquisite music of that strange procession,
and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.
Translation 2:
If unexpectedly, in middle night,
an unseen company be heard to pass,
with music and with voices exquisite, —
turn not away and uselessly lament
your fortune that is giving in, your work
that came to nothing, the projects of your life
that proved illusory from first to last.
As one prepared long since, as fits the brave,
bid now farewell to the departing city,
farewell to the Alexandria you love.
And above all, do not deceive yourself:
say not that your impression was a dream,
that, it may be, your hearing played you false:
to futile hopes like these never descend.
As one prepared long since, as fits the brave,
as most fits you who gained so great a city,
approach the open window steadily,
and with emotion, but without the plaints
and supplications of the timorous,
listen — knowing it to be your last delight —
listen to the elysian sounds, the exquisite
instruments of the mystic company;
and bid farewell to the city you are losing,
farewell to the Alexandria you love.
When suddenly, at midnight, you hear
an invisible procession going by
with exquisite music, voices,
don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now,
work gone wrong, your plans
all proving deceptive—don’t mourn them uselessly.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving.
Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t say
it was a dream, your ears deceived you:
don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
as is right for you who proved worthy of this kind of city,
go firmly to the window
and listen with deep emotion, but not
with the whining, the pleas of a coward;
listen—your final delectation—to the voices,
to the exquisite music of that strange procession,
and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.
Translation 2:
If unexpectedly, in middle night,
an unseen company be heard to pass,
with music and with voices exquisite, —
turn not away and uselessly lament
your fortune that is giving in, your work
that came to nothing, the projects of your life
that proved illusory from first to last.
As one prepared long since, as fits the brave,
bid now farewell to the departing city,
farewell to the Alexandria you love.
And above all, do not deceive yourself:
say not that your impression was a dream,
that, it may be, your hearing played you false:
to futile hopes like these never descend.
As one prepared long since, as fits the brave,
as most fits you who gained so great a city,
approach the open window steadily,
and with emotion, but without the plaints
and supplications of the timorous,
listen — knowing it to be your last delight —
listen to the elysian sounds, the exquisite
instruments of the mystic company;
and bid farewell to the city you are losing,
farewell to the Alexandria you love.
Monday, March 3, 2014
"World has failed Syria"
So I wrote this a couple days ago on Facebook after seeing this headline. I received many amazing responses so I thought i'd share it here as well. I love it when I get the urge to write and passion happens, so i end up typing pages. Better than any paper! :)
Note: feel free to share opinions and ask questions on my ask.fm page! Have you failed?
Reading this broke my heart. It's true, the world has. The truth is, people don't care and won't care unless it happens to them. I only wish that people could walk just a day in the shoes of a Syrian. Only then the world will unite, only then people won't rest until the slaughtering and injustice stops, because it'll be a huuuge slap in the face.
People need to wake up. They make you think what they want you to think. You only know what 'they' want you to know. You don't know what's really going on in Syria, Bosnia, Ukraine, and Venezuela (and many more) for a reason. You don't care for a reason.
You, scrolling down your FB newsfeed right now, you're the perfect result of how your government wanted to shape you as. You're a victim of your own system. They've succeed. Keeping you busy with the latest technology or your worries like paying for college. Making sure your education price tag increase every year while little do you know your government spends much more money than the cost of higher education on a prisoners living expenses (in the US). $50,000+ dollars. Let that sink in.
People need to wake up. I think I know how Syrians feel. During the 2011 Egyptian revolution when things got really serious, as thousands were dying daily in riots for their freedom, the government shut down all communication in Alexandria (Cairo, Port Said, etc.). That means no phones, no internet, no nothing. I can't describe how wrong it felt... being striped only of that one right.
As it was too dangerous to leave my house (and along with the city curfew every night) I was left with a lot of time to think. The whole week I was actually excited, despite the day-to-day fear, tension, and despair...I was excited. I was excited to see what the rest of the world was doing. All week along I remember thinking 'whats happening is so crazy, this is historic, the whole world must be watching! My friends abroad must be worried sick! My FB must be blowing up'.
When we received internet access and service again, when I got the chance to see how angry the world must be at my government because of what's happening outside my window, I did what anybody would do, I signed onto Facebook haha. And guess what, I had a sad realization that the world was not watching. I received only one post from an old friend in elementary school saying she saw 'something' on the news about Egypt and she asked about what's going on.
Most people don't give two cents about what's going on outside their small fixed lives. Don't be that person. Death is not 'something'. Lock Down is not 'something'. Prison breaks are not 'something'. Trying to overthrow a dictator is not 'something'. Risking your life for a better future is not 'something'. Dying for freedom is just NOT 'something'!
What I went through is nothing compared to what the Martyrs (r.i.p) went through or what Syrians and Venezuelans are going through right now at this very moment.
Do you wake up thinking about death? Do you pray begging God that Bashars army doesn't bomb your street today? Do you fear going to a hospital because you know that every time it's rebuilt the doctors are attacked or the building will be blown up because your president wants to make sure you don't live?
No you don't. There are parts in the world where peoples daily struggles make all ours feel so small and pathetic.
For the sake of humanity we have to act on things. Some people question God at this point. Thinking why does He let all this happen then? All this chaos and slaughterings of innocents? It's because He gave us the ability it to fix things, to do something about it. The mind to think with, the strength to act, and the heart to care. It is us who have done nothing.
We have truly failed.
Note: feel free to share opinions and ask questions on my ask.fm page! Have you failed?
Reading this broke my heart. It's true, the world has. The truth is, people don't care and won't care unless it happens to them. I only wish that people could walk just a day in the shoes of a Syrian. Only then the world will unite, only then people won't rest until the slaughtering and injustice stops, because it'll be a huuuge slap in the face.
People need to wake up. They make you think what they want you to think. You only know what 'they' want you to know. You don't know what's really going on in Syria, Bosnia, Ukraine, and Venezuela (and many more) for a reason. You don't care for a reason.
You, scrolling down your FB newsfeed right now, you're the perfect result of how your government wanted to shape you as. You're a victim of your own system. They've succeed. Keeping you busy with the latest technology or your worries like paying for college. Making sure your education price tag increase every year while little do you know your government spends much more money than the cost of higher education on a prisoners living expenses (in the US). $50,000+ dollars. Let that sink in.
People need to wake up. I think I know how Syrians feel. During the 2011 Egyptian revolution when things got really serious, as thousands were dying daily in riots for their freedom, the government shut down all communication in Alexandria (Cairo, Port Said, etc.). That means no phones, no internet, no nothing. I can't describe how wrong it felt... being striped only of that one right.
As it was too dangerous to leave my house (and along with the city curfew every night) I was left with a lot of time to think. The whole week I was actually excited, despite the day-to-day fear, tension, and despair...I was excited. I was excited to see what the rest of the world was doing. All week along I remember thinking 'whats happening is so crazy, this is historic, the whole world must be watching! My friends abroad must be worried sick! My FB must be blowing up'.
When we received internet access and service again, when I got the chance to see how angry the world must be at my government because of what's happening outside my window, I did what anybody would do, I signed onto Facebook haha. And guess what, I had a sad realization that the world was not watching. I received only one post from an old friend in elementary school saying she saw 'something' on the news about Egypt and she asked about what's going on.
Most people don't give two cents about what's going on outside their small fixed lives. Don't be that person. Death is not 'something'. Lock Down is not 'something'. Prison breaks are not 'something'. Trying to overthrow a dictator is not 'something'. Risking your life for a better future is not 'something'. Dying for freedom is just NOT 'something'!
What I went through is nothing compared to what the Martyrs (r.i.p) went through or what Syrians and Venezuelans are going through right now at this very moment.
Do you wake up thinking about death? Do you pray begging God that Bashars army doesn't bomb your street today? Do you fear going to a hospital because you know that every time it's rebuilt the doctors are attacked or the building will be blown up because your president wants to make sure you don't live?
No you don't. There are parts in the world where peoples daily struggles make all ours feel so small and pathetic.
For the sake of humanity we have to act on things. Some people question God at this point. Thinking why does He let all this happen then? All this chaos and slaughterings of innocents? It's because He gave us the ability it to fix things, to do something about it. The mind to think with, the strength to act, and the heart to care. It is us who have done nothing.
We have truly failed.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
I want to learn sign language.
I want to learn sign language, just for that one time if i ever get to meet someone who is mute. Just so I can be able to communicate right away with him as if nothing makes him less capable for the general public to greet him and wish him a good day. Just to be able to say 'Isn't it a beautiful day out sir' or simply 'Good Morning' or even to compliment his attire. Just to be able to communicate with him like everyone else.
I truly do wish so. I want to learn sign language.
I truly do wish so. I want to learn sign language.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
What do you Desire?
"If you say that money is the most important thing, you’ll spend your life completely wasting your time: You’ll be doing things you don’t like doing in order to go on living, that is, in order to go on doing things you don’t like doing — which is stupid!" Alan Watts
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Missed me? :p
I haven't posted anything in a while, but I have indeed been writing 24/7. I written many lyrics and poems that'll make no sense, a greater amount of pure 'rants' but I'll start edited them up and posting them isA :)
Until then I'd like to share this beautiful deep song with you, If you haven't already come upon it. This song somehow means so much to me, has taken a toll on my life, and is already dedicated to my future husband isA. <3
Women reading this: Prepare to cry
Men reading this: take your ego aside, unwrap the bundle of feelings you've stashed away and let this song touch your heart and melt into your soul. And then come and tell me how it felt to feel like John. Capish?
lol on a side note, ill try to make my posts short so I can actually post them and not get lazy about it! Enjoy :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450p7goxZqg
(Copy and paste the link into a new tab to view)
Until then I'd like to share this beautiful deep song with you, If you haven't already come upon it. This song somehow means so much to me, has taken a toll on my life, and is already dedicated to my future husband isA. <3
Women reading this: Prepare to cry
Men reading this: take your ego aside, unwrap the bundle of feelings you've stashed away and let this song touch your heart and melt into your soul. And then come and tell me how it felt to feel like John. Capish?
lol on a side note, ill try to make my posts short so I can actually post them and not get lazy about it! Enjoy :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450p7goxZqg
(Copy and paste the link into a new tab to view)
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
I have No Pictures to Show.
I repeatedly tried to take a picture of the sunset and it never came anywhere close to its mesmerizing beauty I saw with my own eyes. The lens did it no justice.
I realized that sometimes the most beautiful things can't be captured, like laughter, the feeling of butterflies in your stomach when you're on a high of happiness or that ease you get once your eyes meet with the eyes of one dear to you. So I put what was blocking me from seeing the beauty of the world back in my pocket and just stood there till the very tip of the sun finished sinking, put to bed and tucked by the horizon, leaving a soft cotton candy glow to illuminate the sky.
I had nowhere to be, No rush. Don't look at me funny I'm watching one of Gods beautiful creations, no shame.
We see pictures of beautiful places around the world on some random Facebook page we probably liked called 'luxurious places' or 'best beaches' wishing we could go to that place because we know Its better to actually experience the atmosphere personally. Yet when we're there, we dare to take out our own phones and take a dozen of snapshots rather then actually letting the beauty of the place put us in the state of trance we wished to feel when we were once while looking at the picture online. Ironic.
Our generation should never forget for a second that there's a better life, an actual life outside our phones. If we do we could miss a breathtaking sunset, like what I just saw.
Stop and take a moment to admire all the beautiful things you take for granted every day. (:
Sidi Heniesh - August 12th 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Gets me every time...
This video keeps me in check of my goals for Masr isA. I dont know why but I literallly cry everytime I watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsVdo_dSXgE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsVdo_dSXgE
Sunday, May 26, 2013
A Feminist Critique of Ms.Sara Bellum
I've made a discovery! Kinda...you know how now we realize all these subliminal messages in the old cartoons/ movies we used to watch as kids? Like how Shaggy from Scooby Dooby Doo is actually a huge pot head? lol Well heres a few things about Ms. Sara Bellum, it's completely right wing I admit but still interesting. And as always, tell me your thoughts :) ( ask.fm/askShourouk)
Ms. Sara Bellum
As
a character in the Cartoon series ‘The Power Puff Girls’, Ms. Sara Bellum is
the Mayor’s very competent, statuesque, and redhead right-hand assistant who often
handles things the Mayor can’t, which is practically everything. The
multi-stereotypical face is never revealed on screen, clearly producing a gaze
that objectifies women as it shapes the minds of the youngsters to believe that
you don’t need a ‘head’ in order to be successful.
Among
eyes Ms. Bellum is a common predilection because of her sexy appearance. The
hyper-feminist has an ‘Hour-Glass’ shaped body that the majority of men dream
about. Simply constructed from a thin waist (the base); making its way up to
large breasts or down to her round hips and toned butt, her body is considered
as full. Characters in the cartoon often claim that she is very
beautiful (Pro. Utonium is always stunned
and usually weakened in her presence) which makes sense because all her
features are ‘long’ which is considered beautiful or attractive now, and
apparently when the cartoon was being produced. She is a tall woman with long
legs, hair, nails, and also a long neck which is said to be beautiful as is
symbolizes a horse’s neck. Ms. Bellum with her perfect lady-like posture always
struts herself in a pair of red (the color of seduction) heels, a short
skin-tight skirt, a golden necklace, and a black belt to make her tight,
slightly revealing business vest even tighter. Whenever in the center of
attention an object has to cover her face or just her great deal of curly red
hair does the job. But what impact does this have on the viewer and did it
affect our society today? Yes, the girl eyes staring at screens know
that since they are smart they will have a successful future but because of Ms.
Bellum they now think that there success won’t come a long unless they have the
exact appearance as Ms. Bellum, including the incorrect fact that what matters
is what’s going on from the neck down. This applies to the society today as
millions women who were never able to climb up to the standard of ‘Ms. Bellum’,
end up feeling incomplete, unconfident, not good enough, or just the plain old
unattractive loser who was never able to have the highlight of correcting a
teacher while she glows emitting her beauty. She also indirectly teaches a type
of seduction to kids in one episode through teaching ‘The Power Puff Girls’ to
be nice the ‘Rowdyruff Boys (villains)’ (in other words, kiss them) instead of
fighting to destroy them which ended up working. Furthermore, Ms. Bellum is
also the reason why men only focus on women’s bodies because that’s exactly
what she did. She taught the once young boys to only focus on what underneath
the head because that is what is important.
At
first Ms. Bellum is seen as a sex object, ironically until she speaks, even
though her voice sounds insouciant. Matching her appearance Ms. Bellum’s tone
is kept constant while her throaty, alluring, and quite unruffled voice
displays her intellectual side. While it’s hard to believe that as she says
stuff like ‘It’d be my pleasure…’ her “Do tell…’s” show the stereotype of a
very successful woman were her only super power is her high intelligence.
Unfortunately, this does criticize the patriarchal structure or the society
because distinctly she is the brains of the Mayor operations, deserving his position.
Yet she’s just an assistant to the dumb unproductive male just because being
Mayor is defined as ‘a male job’ like being the president. In one episode she
expresses an obsessive attachment to the Mayor after he died, proving that she
is in love with him which easily connects to the society now as usually the
assistant ends up falling for her Boss or vis versa.
The
gaze of Ms. Bellum strongly objectifies women as it teaches youngsters to judge
from the head down and that it is only possible to be ‘something’ high in life
if you have ‘The Look’. Although, no-matter what your IQ is men remain inferior
to women, and women have to stay trapped under their planned authority. Who
knew a headless woman in a cartoon for kids could explain today’s society moreover;
engrave such a huge impact in the world today, huh?
Friday, May 3, 2013
Hey stalkers! <3 lol
Okay so I found this on my camera and I dont know... I think its a cool shot.
Okay so I found this on my camera and I dont know... I think its a cool shot.
Anyways... this was taken last week when my aunt and uncle visited us in chicago <3 It was the best time ever, we basically ate out every night at fancy restaurants (cha-ching!) (I forogt how our parents have to fight for the check to pay for them #EgyptianCulture101 you must always pay!), I got to sit in the business lounge with all the representatives of the Rotary districts around the world! o.o Only one person per district and yall know being a boss runs in the family so course my uncle was chosen to represent district 2450 again. All the people were super fancy too, even the hotel, it started raining lightly and they gave us all free fancy wooden umbrellas I wish I didnt had mines so I could take one low key haha :p
First things first, that day I spent 4 hours in Lord and Taylor with my aunt helping her pick out dresses for my cousins... like don't get me wrong, I absolutely love her, but over FOUR hours in just one shop? Whatsapping pictures to them back in Egypt, to see which ones they like? and me turning into a manikin? Dragging 40 dresses? no, just no.
First things first, that day I spent 4 hours in Lord and Taylor with my aunt helping her pick out dresses for my cousins... like don't get me wrong, I absolutely love her, but over FOUR hours in just one shop? Whatsapping pictures to them back in Egypt, to see which ones they like? and me turning into a manikin? Dragging 40 dresses? no, just no.
And you probably think im joking about the 40 dress, hail nah I aint, she picked out any nice dress she saw, they were really heavy to, I stared doing curls haha ;D. I only got cranky because she wouldnt eliminate some dresses and when we went to pay she disappeared to look at more dresses and I was holding her phone and stuff trying to whatsapp the cousins but then there wasnt internet connection, and it was all a big mess. Yea, she left, when we were at the casher! hahaha omg I literally was like 'excuse me shes not from here... and shes a shopaholic' lol . But the best part is when she talked to any American here because she's always joking around. She's just going up to employs speaking in arabic, totally serious, using like two English words in her sentences to play around. Wa kaman fe wesho7om bet ol 'inty habla wala eih? bayenlak habla?' and stuff like that hahaha.
Mini story: she was buying a really nice BCBG red dress I picked out for her and the cashier was Russian and CRAY, and of course my aunt is just mocking everything she says, anyways the women asks me if its for me all shocked because the size was huge for me... and my aunt goes 'Its mines ya habla' and she goes 'ohhh its for you ;)' Aunt ' yessss ;) shofty ba2aa, its for my boyfriend'
Cashier 'ohh red for your boyfriend ;) are you getting married then'
Mini story: she was buying a really nice BCBG red dress I picked out for her and the cashier was Russian and CRAY, and of course my aunt is just mocking everything she says, anyways the women asks me if its for me all shocked because the size was huge for me... and my aunt goes 'Its mines ya habla' and she goes 'ohhh its for you ;)' Aunt ' yessss ;) shofty ba2aa, its for my boyfriend'
Cashier 'ohh red for your boyfriend ;) are you getting married then'
Aunt ' yes next week *bats her eyelashes like cray, by this time my brother and I were like dying of laughter*
Cashier: Ill put it in a special bag to keep it safe!
Like really, no bride in the world would ever buy a red cocktail dress for her wedding?! Habla fa3ln! lmao
Like really, no bride in the world would ever buy a red cocktail dress for her wedding?! Habla fa3ln! lmao
That was a great day expect for the fact that I couldnt find a dress my size for prom, not even a ugly dress. In every store I went to, NADA... ._.
And that was like what, the forth time I spent a whole day on a hunt for the 'Perfect Prom Dress', and now theres nothing my size.
I hope you guy have a good ya hear? In the mean while I'll be crying in this corner till cause I'm dressless and Proms two weeks from now...
And that was like what, the forth time I spent a whole day on a hunt for the 'Perfect Prom Dress', and now theres nothing my size.
I hope you guy have a good ya hear? In the mean while I'll be crying in this corner till cause I'm dressless and Proms two weeks from now...
Friday, April 19, 2013
T.G.I.F
Thank God it's Friday!
These last weeks of senior have seriously been a big 'blekh', but its Friday, another week passed thankfully!
Pictures? If you insist...
I seriously cant, beach? Tanning? You gotta be feeling me now I know i'm not alone on this here. If you're not, you got problems bro go get a check up. lol I cant wait for spring either cause it defiantly ain't spring in Chicago! -_- Literally havn't seen light in two weeks, the weather is so depressing. :(
I seriously cant, beach? Tanning? You gotta be feeling me now I know i'm not alone on this here. If you're not, you got problems bro go get a check up. lol I cant wait for spring either cause it defiantly ain't spring in Chicago! -_- Literally havn't seen light in two weeks, the weather is so depressing. :(
Fresca guy <3 haha the best ones are the ones with pistachios<333...just saying o.o
I'm on a hunt to find these...so cute <3 And theyre perfect for graduation ;)
High fashion, they look soft, love <3
There will always be a light :)
This is the saddest image ever and my favorite... it makes you think about so many things, also makes you cry. Or maybe that's just me, I tend to put myself in other peoples places so yes, I have sobbed after seeing this multiple times. Brave, strong kid... ugh there are really no words to describe this. Makes you thankful for having your parents around too, elhmduallah. And if you're reading this and you've lost a parent or both, you should know that you're not alone. <3
Me starting today, I need a lot of motivation though... :/
Quote of the day, make of the best of today, embrace it because you only get to live it once!
And to end this post on a funny note lol...
"Bitch be drunk as hell, losin' shoes and shit"
"Bitch be drunk as hell, losin' shoes and shit"
HaVe A gReAt WeEkEnD!! <-- harakat el sees :P
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Querencia
Hey guys! :)
Sorry that I have been slacking on blogging... merp :/ But anyways today I have another lengthy post, it'll be a querencia essay. I actually wrote this for English class but i honestly think it is of my best pieces of writing that its worth sharing. Also I'm kind of too lazy to type something up, heck i'm to lazy to do anything that involves effort anymore! I have a bad bad cause of 'senioritis'. For those who don't know what a Querencia is, it's specific a place that makes you feel at home, a place where you feel comfortable and feel all the good stuff inside. Whether it's on a bench at the park, at your grandpas house or in your bathroom haha. I hoped you liked the last post and without further ado I present to you... *Sound the trumpets*, My Querencia!
Sorry that I have been slacking on blogging... merp :/ But anyways today I have another lengthy post, it'll be a querencia essay. I actually wrote this for English class but i honestly think it is of my best pieces of writing that its worth sharing. Also I'm kind of too lazy to type something up, heck i'm to lazy to do anything that involves effort anymore! I have a bad bad cause of 'senioritis'. For those who don't know what a Querencia is, it's specific a place that makes you feel at home, a place where you feel comfortable and feel all the good stuff inside. Whether it's on a bench at the park, at your grandpas house or in your bathroom haha. I hoped you liked the last post and without further ado I present to you... *Sound the trumpets*, My Querencia!
A
Vacation spot
At an open lunch
beach bar on the Titanic Beach Resort in Hurgada overlooking the Red Sea is
where I realized how beautiful life is. With the gentle sea breeze softly
whisking across the fine hairs of my cheeks as I gently took a sip of Pepsi
from a giant plastic beer mug to rehydrate my evaporated body and sun kissed
skin, I found myself in the cool comfort of a beautiful tropical paradise. Sitting on my bamboo
chair, I allow the ocean sounds of the soft rolling waves to hypnotize my mind
into a state of wide-awake-trance with every shut of my eyes during the brief
slow sips.
The golden sun casts its rays upon my tired
and exhausted body as I notice the pretty pastel colors of the environment. The
crystal waters of the Red Sea darken the farther you look away from the shore
reminding me of the pleasant time when I snorkeled among the colorful chorales
and parades of fish earlier in the day. This all reflected a sense of experiencing
the pure pleasantness of life as I look upon the water. A friend of mines
finally found me. We walked to the bar to grab some food to revive our empty
stomach from the calorie burning, water sport action filled day. The happy
feeling of not having to pay for food as it was included in our package made me
thrilled like never before to eat French Fries. At that point I was thankful
for everything in my life. While standing in line among all the tourists one of
the chiefs calls us up and asks us what we want. As I leaned over the smooth
marble table all I could smell something awful, beer. We asked for two plates
of fries and two hotdogs while some worker behind the counter exclaims to him
that there’s a line for a reason. The chief quickly put a smile on his face,
rested his arm on the waiter and swayed his hand out towards us as if we were
some masterpiece yelling with pride in Arabic, ‘Dol Masreyen ya 3am! (They are
Egyptian man!). The waiters face smiled instantly, it glowed along with the
chief and it apologized to us, in fact to prove his apology he yells to all of
the staff behind the counter, “Guys if these mademoiselles ever come upon you,
wait on them hand and foot, Egypts beauties first”. At that point the muscles behind
my smile hurt from smiling to hard. My friend and I constantly glanced over at
each other so surprised and proud of their treatment towards us. The hilarious
waiter turns around and says ‘See I hooked you guys up perfectly(shoft
zabatokom)’ and asks us what we’d like to drink then ran to the drink machine
with two cups and of course yelled out ‘Beera?’ as a joke. The whole staff
seemed to be taking part in our conversation now as they laughed and giggled at
every joke Jala, the Waiter and I exchanged.
A Russian
tourist next to me complained about us being waited first with a thick stench
of beer in his mouth, I quickly turned around to be able to breath; I could not
take the scent any longer. The Chief whom was busy on the grill looked up clearly
irritated, said in Arabic “Go sit a side drunken idiot(Ro7 a3d 3ala gamb yahbal
ya sakran) ”. We busted out laughing, I laughed as if I never heard a joke before
in my life, my stomach contracting, my mouth wide open and hands clapping like
an odd seal. The chief laughed with us and when we looked over at the man, we laughed
some more because of course he did not know what we were laughing at. The
waiters around asked for our names and told us theirs proudly becoming friends
with their own people. Ahmed came back with our drinks, telling the chief to
stop making fun of the tourists, reassuring the Russian man something in
Russian and waved bye to us as we made our way back to the chairs.
Passing through the confused drunken tourists while laughing hysterically at what just happened we finally reached the corner of the bar, sat down and caught our breaths. After I thought I stopped I would look at Jala and laugh again, and then she’d laugh and then we ended up laughing without reason. I could not believe how happy I was to be there at that moment, in a beautiful place, laughing, with a friend, making new friends, and still relaxed and undisturbed. The scent of the ocean mixed with the warmth of the fries reaching deep into my excited stomach. As the fries in my hands moved closer to my mouth, the tide of the sea moved towards the shore. The scent of the fries got stronger, the tide even closer and once I bit into the crunchy deliciousness the tide I was keeping track of collapsed hugging the shore while the insides on my mouth felt the texture of the fry changing as my tongue opened the soft center.
Passing through the confused drunken tourists while laughing hysterically at what just happened we finally reached the corner of the bar, sat down and caught our breaths. After I thought I stopped I would look at Jala and laugh again, and then she’d laugh and then we ended up laughing without reason. I could not believe how happy I was to be there at that moment, in a beautiful place, laughing, with a friend, making new friends, and still relaxed and undisturbed. The scent of the ocean mixed with the warmth of the fries reaching deep into my excited stomach. As the fries in my hands moved closer to my mouth, the tide of the sea moved towards the shore. The scent of the fries got stronger, the tide even closer and once I bit into the crunchy deliciousness the tide I was keeping track of collapsed hugging the shore while the insides on my mouth felt the texture of the fry changing as my tongue opened the soft center.
Jana left to see
what her mom was calling her for and I remained still till I finished my plate.
Longing to swim in the clear waters before me, I stood up and strolled over to
the emerald waters washing upon the soft sand. Looking into the sea lagoon, I
saw a whole world that exists under the depths of the sea. The plants and
animals of this majestic place seemed to sway like the waves of the ocean. My
eyes were drawn to a scene of sparkles glistening underneath the water. Dancing
and piercing through the water, the majestic fish are like shimmering sequences.
Gazing at these beautiful creatures I decided to swim with them once again.
So yea... I kinda like the beach. lol that was my specific moment in time but the general place is on vacation in Egypt :)
That was long aye? If you have any questions feel free to ask at ask.fm/askshourouk... and if you're cranky about this being long be like this cute kitty below!
haha meoww ;D Toodles :*!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Never give up on Egypt.
This happened three days ago during school when I was excused from class for an interview and the people amazed me! From the amount of likes i got on Facebook for posting this I believe its a good read and a great first post! :) Let me know what you think by commenting, stay classy :*
I had an interview with 5 elder adults full of life, they seemed fascinated by just the fact that I am Egyptian, that I have lived through the revolution, that I moved from continent to continent and back, out of all of their reactions to my responses to their questions, one stood out to me the most, left me day dreaming all day in fact.
This one lady who said her job had to deal something with ‘multi-cultural affairs’ asked me from where exactly in Egypt I was from, with this delightful grin on her face. I replied 'Alexandria :)' just hoping they knew the main cities in Egypt. The women’s hands had burst into the air, her smile immense, as she shouted 'Iskandariyya!' with strong vibrant passion. My heart skipped a beat, and before I was able to question myself whether she actually just exclaimed 'Alexandria!' in Arabic. She continued... "That is my favorite place in the w-o-r-l-d! The most beautiful city I have ever been too!”. Her hands fell back on the table as she leaned forward and gazed at me as if I were the city of Alexandria. I think the man on my right, Brian, felt ashamed that he haven’t been because he immediately added "As a diplomat I traveled a lot as well and the closest I got to Egypt was Tunisia..." The only thing that has been coming out of my mouth since we started this conversation was 'Really?!’ The woman said "well when I visited I meet Nasser and chatted with him a lot." Smiles exchanged around the table when fireworks continued going off in my head. Nasser? The President? "What was the name of that artiest? I love her! om? om...?” At this point I did not know what would happen to me if she was making reference to the great Om Kalthoum. 'Om Kalthoum?' I asked hesitantly. "YES! Om Kalthoum!" And even oh so proper Brian added "Ohhh, Om-Kalthoum! ^_^". 'Woah, I love Om Kalthoum!' I exclaimed. "Her music is very old now but it's gold, she is THE best artiest in history!" I had to pause to absorb what was happening all in, keep in mind I was not walking into this meeting expecting to talk about anything related to Egypt.
"Wow, I love that you love Alexandria." I said.
"How could I not?" She smiled. "So tell me how has Alexandria been? The Citadel? How is it like now?"
I felt like she wanted me to paint her a picture for her or like she was ready to be taken back in time to her visit in Alex by a story I would tell her, and then I thought to myself about all the negativity I have been hearing about Egypt from my friends now, the ‘Ugly Truth’ everyone calls it. I was afraid to tell her "Oh well it kinda sinks right now", I didn't want to wipe of that genuine smile on her face…
"Well since the Revolution things have gotten really bad honestly..." I admitted.
"Well yes it’s a changing period now" she said. "Ofcourse we have to expect so, the country has gone through a Revolution, it takes time for change and adaptation."-Brian agreed. "...but the beaches are still gorgeous haha :)" I joked. *laughs all around* "They will always remain gorgeous and so will Alexandria :)" the woman smiled.
I was in complete shock, how in the world did a worldly old woman living in Oak Park be bestowed upon me to express he love for Alexandria? A woman that made me want to get in a 'But I love Alexandria more' competition? A woman who gazed at the ceiling in thought of the Great Om Kalthoum, or almost jumped out of her chair after hearing the word Alexandria slip out of my mouth? A woman who was not even Egyptian?
For the whole day I have been thinking about that 5 minute conversation. And realized something, those two people have spent there entire life working with multiple cultures and countries, and the smile on their faces remained there after I revealed the 'Ugly Truth'. These people were alive in the years of Nasser, I have no doubt theyve have been through a lot of life changing experiences that followed by rough times themselves, especially with their jobs that brings them to countries outside of the U.S. Maybe, just maybe, they learned to always be optimistic, like an Egyptian has always been? I think through their experiences they learned that things always come around, that there will be light at the end of a tunnel. Because if not they would have shown a sign of worry, concern, disappointment, or even contribute an analytical statement. But No, all smiles.
Even if it’s going downhill now, there will be an uphill isA. The Great Depression passed, Wars, Epidemics, Earthquakes, Hurricanes they all passed! Remember the 8.9 Tsunami that engulfed Japan two years ago? Look at them now, standing on their feet! I don't know about you but to me that must have been a much worse ‘rough time’ than what's happening to Egypt currently. Have faith that things will get better, because they will, it just might take a longer time than expected. That woman seemed too look on the bright side of things, the same way us Egyptians used to always do. Looking on the bright side doesn’t mean that you’re hiding from the ‘ugly truth’, there is no ugly truth. It’s just reality and reality is… it only takes a drive on the Cornish to be captured by the mesmerizing sea, to have the natural beauty of Alexandria alone take your soul on a journey that will make your day. Like the lady said "The beaches will always remain gorgeous and so will Alexandria". . No need to emphasis the bad, nothing good comes from it. Instead emphasis the unalterable beauty of our Nation, the same way the glorious elder women from Oak Park did. If there is such thing as a moment of pure complete ‘Happiness’, talking with that women, yup that was it for me.
I had an interview with 5 elder adults full of life, they seemed fascinated by just the fact that I am Egyptian, that I have lived through the revolution, that I moved from continent to continent and back, out of all of their reactions to my responses to their questions, one stood out to me the most, left me day dreaming all day in fact.
This one lady who said her job had to deal something with ‘multi-cultural affairs’ asked me from where exactly in Egypt I was from, with this delightful grin on her face. I replied 'Alexandria :)' just hoping they knew the main cities in Egypt. The women’s hands had burst into the air, her smile immense, as she shouted 'Iskandariyya!' with strong vibrant passion. My heart skipped a beat, and before I was able to question myself whether she actually just exclaimed 'Alexandria!' in Arabic. She continued... "That is my favorite place in the w-o-r-l-d! The most beautiful city I have ever been too!”. Her hands fell back on the table as she leaned forward and gazed at me as if I were the city of Alexandria. I think the man on my right, Brian, felt ashamed that he haven’t been because he immediately added "As a diplomat I traveled a lot as well and the closest I got to Egypt was Tunisia..." The only thing that has been coming out of my mouth since we started this conversation was 'Really?!’ The woman said "well when I visited I meet Nasser and chatted with him a lot." Smiles exchanged around the table when fireworks continued going off in my head. Nasser? The President? "What was the name of that artiest? I love her! om? om...?” At this point I did not know what would happen to me if she was making reference to the great Om Kalthoum. 'Om Kalthoum?' I asked hesitantly. "YES! Om Kalthoum!" And even oh so proper Brian added "Ohhh, Om-Kalthoum! ^_^". 'Woah, I love Om Kalthoum!' I exclaimed. "Her music is very old now but it's gold, she is THE best artiest in history!" I had to pause to absorb what was happening all in, keep in mind I was not walking into this meeting expecting to talk about anything related to Egypt.
"Wow, I love that you love Alexandria." I said.
"How could I not?" She smiled. "So tell me how has Alexandria been? The Citadel? How is it like now?"
I felt like she wanted me to paint her a picture for her or like she was ready to be taken back in time to her visit in Alex by a story I would tell her, and then I thought to myself about all the negativity I have been hearing about Egypt from my friends now, the ‘Ugly Truth’ everyone calls it. I was afraid to tell her "Oh well it kinda sinks right now", I didn't want to wipe of that genuine smile on her face…
"Well since the Revolution things have gotten really bad honestly..." I admitted.
"Well yes it’s a changing period now" she said. "Ofcourse we have to expect so, the country has gone through a Revolution, it takes time for change and adaptation."-Brian agreed. "...but the beaches are still gorgeous haha :)" I joked. *laughs all around* "They will always remain gorgeous and so will Alexandria :)" the woman smiled.
I was in complete shock, how in the world did a worldly old woman living in Oak Park be bestowed upon me to express he love for Alexandria? A woman that made me want to get in a 'But I love Alexandria more' competition? A woman who gazed at the ceiling in thought of the Great Om Kalthoum, or almost jumped out of her chair after hearing the word Alexandria slip out of my mouth? A woman who was not even Egyptian?
For the whole day I have been thinking about that 5 minute conversation. And realized something, those two people have spent there entire life working with multiple cultures and countries, and the smile on their faces remained there after I revealed the 'Ugly Truth'. These people were alive in the years of Nasser, I have no doubt theyve have been through a lot of life changing experiences that followed by rough times themselves, especially with their jobs that brings them to countries outside of the U.S. Maybe, just maybe, they learned to always be optimistic, like an Egyptian has always been? I think through their experiences they learned that things always come around, that there will be light at the end of a tunnel. Because if not they would have shown a sign of worry, concern, disappointment, or even contribute an analytical statement. But No, all smiles.
Even if it’s going downhill now, there will be an uphill isA. The Great Depression passed, Wars, Epidemics, Earthquakes, Hurricanes they all passed! Remember the 8.9 Tsunami that engulfed Japan two years ago? Look at them now, standing on their feet! I don't know about you but to me that must have been a much worse ‘rough time’ than what's happening to Egypt currently. Have faith that things will get better, because they will, it just might take a longer time than expected. That woman seemed too look on the bright side of things, the same way us Egyptians used to always do. Looking on the bright side doesn’t mean that you’re hiding from the ‘ugly truth’, there is no ugly truth. It’s just reality and reality is… it only takes a drive on the Cornish to be captured by the mesmerizing sea, to have the natural beauty of Alexandria alone take your soul on a journey that will make your day. Like the lady said "The beaches will always remain gorgeous and so will Alexandria". . No need to emphasis the bad, nothing good comes from it. Instead emphasis the unalterable beauty of our Nation, the same way the glorious elder women from Oak Park did. If there is such thing as a moment of pure complete ‘Happiness’, talking with that women, yup that was it for me.
Never. Give Up. On Egypt. ♥
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