Helen Thomas....what a way to go!!!!

When I'm 89 I wanna be doing what Helen Thomas does....

Asking tough questions to all the US presidents since JFK...she has made a career out of saying what she believes and bringing the decisions of the white house administration into the public prosecution.....

It was the only way she can go out, With a BANG!....for someone who walked the walk and talked the talk, I think that's what you do at a time when you've done it all and seen it all....speak your mind and never care what haters say.....I wish she didn't apologize....but unfortunately because of the obvious pressure put on her she did....like anyone else before her who even slightly criticized Israel and its policies...

Nonetheless, Thomas has been one of the very few strong Arab Women who even set a great standard for all women around the globe.....hats off to you Ms. Helen....and thanks for being an amazing beacon of light for me, not only as an Arab but as great woman journalist!

City of Life....a sad but beautiful journey

Ever since I heard the buzz surrounding the first ever full length Emarati Film at the 2009 Dubai International Film Festival, I got myself on a mission to watch it. The Movie "Dar al 7ay" or 'City of Life' is directed by Ali F. Mostafa, A london Film School Graduate whose resume includes some local ads and a short movie called "Under the Sun"

Last week I finally watched the movie after months of skipping on exclusive screenings or film festivals all courtesy of my busy schedule and I must say it was worth the wait.

The movie tells three different stories belonging to three different individuals from different backgrounds and different paths of life all living in the city of Dubai. Their lives collide in a moment that changes everything forever. The de-glamourised Dubai and what it hides behind its sky scrapers is the journey this movies promises you to take on.

As a first timer for a full length movie, Mr. Mostafa proves to be a pro rather than an amateur, his techniques in filming allows people who even know Dubai the most go on a special expedition through his lens.

As for a personal opinion, the movie was more of a reality to people like me rather than a story that needs to be seen....maybe the expatriate stories are a bit foreign to me, but I'm sure the character played by Saood Al Kaabi and his friend Iraqi-Canadian Rapper The Narcissist should strike a chord with 98% of the Emarati households.

The sad reality of how the male youth acts in our society is very boldly presented in the movie, and I haven't met one person who was the personification of Saood's character and actually lives that life style, likes the movie. They usually go, well not all Emaratis are like that. YES, not all of them are like that but you are, so why don't you start with yourself and become one of the "Not all of them are like that" category.

One more thing which saddened me during my time at the movie, was how hysterically some of the boys were laughing at some of the most intense scenes of the movie....how can you get the massage across if that doesn't tell you that this lifestyle that you're living is eventually going to lead to self-distruct? How can you fix these big messes? Can they even be fixed?

I did object to some of the scenes though where there was some skin show or some sort of display of affection, I could've seen it without those parts baring in mind that it is an Emarati product and it has to have some sort of conservative restrictions attached to it, but I guess this was done in order for it to have a more global appeal as they are planning to release it overseas as well.

None the less the movie is turning point in the Emarati film making industry, and Even for all the Arab cinema fraternity as I think Ali has raised the bar for all the movies ever to come out of this region.

Dubai lover, Dubai haters, UAE Lovers, UAE Haters...EVERYONE should go watch this movie and see no matter how different we are and no matter how different our problems may be, the pain and the agony of the human spirit will still remain the same....

Mr. Mostafa has done us all proud....

Amazing TV!!!

It's been a while since I saw a great show on TV, especially after witnessing the late 90s-early 2000s golden era where TV was at its highest peak with great shows which satisfied all tastes and included various genres.....Now all we have is Gossip Girl and Desperate housewives (& all of them are going Gay..or rather Lesbian) but for the past month I have been absolutely hooked on the Amazing Race.....

Now let me tell you that I'm in no way remotely interested in reality shows...but this one is far from the current definition and reputation of "Today's Reality shows"....The show is about twelve teams competing against one another in a race around the world for....well the American version pays you $ 1 Million while the Asian's prize money is worth $ 100000. The general manager of SPE Networks-Asia which runs AXN and airs The Amazing Race Asia (TARA), Ricky Ow explained the smaller prize compared to the American version, saying, "It is not really about the money but the adventure and opportunity to be in one of the world's greatest reality shows".

and I absolutely agree with him....just take a look at the places they visit and the stuff they do...and you expect them to pay you??!!!
the experience in itself is worth way more them a million bucks....and I wish that the Arab world would have a version of their own...and quit doing those stupid shows like Ton of Cash and Star Academy....Besides I would so want to get on the show and travel the world and finish those legs (Hey, a girl can dream now, Can't she?)

The show also puts all sort of relationships to test....Siblings, Parent/child, Friends, Married Couple, Dating....etc. and allows you to witness some tense moments among team-mates, while they go through a series of emotions throughout the race, and while finishing challenges or as they are called on the race, legs. This is one of the greatest USPs of the show where you as a viewer feel the raw emotions of competitors.
The link below is the 1st episode of the second season of TARA...I absolutely loved it though initially I had my doubts and criticism comparing it to the original...but once you start to settle down and get to know all the teams you end up loving it...I was routing for those two phillipino guys Marc & Rovilson....they are sooooooooo funny, intelligent and strong....things that not only allow them to do great on the race but allows the viewers to get glued to the screens and enjoy watching the race...

P.S. I wouldn't want to recommend older versions of the originals because the race has been updated through out the years and currently it is in its 16Th season...so you better watch TAR Season 15 (American)....they visit Dubai and...oh well just youtube it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS4-waq3mpU&feature=related

DEATH....do we ever get used to it?

For the past few days me and my family have gone through a lot courtesy of my grandfather's deteriorating health condition... he went from being a totally normal old man with signs of Alzheimer...to all of a sudden ending up in coma...the doctors gave him just a few days more to "live" and we all rushed to his bed side and most of us weren't holding on as strongly as we should have...except for one man...my father...now there is something you should know about my dad..he has most of the attributes a typical Arabian man would have...strong, brave and not someone who can cry easily....and as much of a softie he is when it comes to me and mom (He does a lot of things that other Emarati men of his age or even today's generation would consider "3eeb" like hugging me in public or even kissing my forehead or holding mom's hand) I have only seen him cry twice in his life.....once when his mother passed away and second time when we last said goodbye to my grandfather before he started showing the signs & symptoms of Alzheimer....

The first one was totally understandable but the second one didn't make any sense to me (at that time of course)......I guess I don't really have a sixth sense....and I guess dad knew that this might be the only proper goodbye that my grandpa will have with him with all his senses in check!!!

coming back to his current situation...I was surprised to see how well my dad handled it all...in fact he was the one who kept the spirit of the family alive...and kept consoling me all through....

Is he used to the idea of death? Has he convinced himself of my grandpa's departure one day?

I know death is the biggest truth of life...and we all have to go sometime....but does it ever get any easier??

My grandfather's health has stabilized now....and everything seems to be better for the time being....but the sentiment still remains...so I'm going to end it with a do3a'a....Allahoma A7sen 5atematna ajma3een...

So I'm Back.....

Yes I am...and it's so good to be back...alot has happened since the last time I blogged...I left as a student but now I'm back as a full-time employee
My biggest concern is not submitting projects on deadlines anymore (Although I do miss it as being an end of the world thing for me) and I've realized how silly that one used to be....life after university is far more difficult yet more enjoyable
I have leaned that no one will grade you with As or Fs but sometimes a smile and tap on your shoulder is all that you need to give it your all...
I am at a time where everything is possible....where life is possible...do I have a goal...YES...I wanna be the best damn media & PR person this country knows...hell even the whole Muslim World should know about me ;-)

I have also seen some weird people and other interesting ones...I have been labeled as the innocent one and the naive one...at first I was offended...but coming to think of it...to an extend I maybe am...I didn't expect people to be that wild...to be that bad...I guess I have no one else to blame but myself....

I would write further more on that subject later on...WB Sugar....

The difference between you and me...

You always belonged somewhere
and I never belonged anywhere
for you definitions were ready
but for me I was lost,
between the riddle of words
Fidding-in was always a privilege for you
as for me; I was shown the exit sign all the time
you turned-down all that you have
and refused to be a part of it
while I still long for it
And that is basically,
the difference between you and me.

men are from mars women are from venus

For the last one week I was working at the Dubai International Film Festival. The environment allowed me to mingle with local boys the way I wouldn't normally and to my surprise I was up for a big cultural shock. As a part of a silly game known as "truth or dare" I was really not daring to hear the truth.

I would not like to go into details about what happened because I don't think that any good can come out of mentioning of such experiences and sinful activities. What I was really shocked about is that men were not stepping up to take the responsibilities and be men for once. Everything wrong is done by a woman...she is the one who seduces....she is the one who cheapens herself...she is the one that starts flirting...she is the one that approaches...OK so what?

I have guys approach me all the time but that doesn't mean I say YES to them....those are really lame excuses. Don't blame on the women when you guys start using them as chess pawns on simple dating scenes or those on the political or religious scenes. Men have to understand that she is a living, breathing human being....can they ever get that??? Can they ever get the fact that women are their mothers, sisters, future wives and daughters carved into their hearts and minds?

Women have to be virgins, while for men it's OK to experiment around is the thought that I got out of their heads....but how can that be right? Isn't that double standard? Doesn't my religion state clearly that I would be standing before god with all my deeds just like any other man on this earth? Then how can you say such things and bring me and my hopes down???!!! How can you twist the word of god so easily with your twisted mentalities and ideas?

I left the circle of conversation hurt and broken hearted praying to god in my heart to bless me with someone who considers a woman equal to him almost everything but doesn't forget that he's there for the purpose of loving, caring, honoring and protecting her.....after all she's a woman.

P.S. Despite the mention of religion in this post, it has nothing to do with nurturing such mentalities as MALE CHAUVINIST PIGS exist everywhere and anywhere.