Thank you, I'm proud!

Just some randoms.

~ I had one pressurized week at work and imagine, there were no students yet. School officially starts on the 18th and yet I got swamped with loads of work. I was craving for a holiday immediately and I'm so glad we got a week off for Eid...it's more like a charging week before the battle. The week mainly consisted of preparations (so much of it for me) and creating posters for each class we're going to teach this year (eyes pop-out , I have 27 different classes this year, 30 hours of teaching per week). The higher ups wanted to get all this work done before we officially start and they don't want us to slack off apparently. Meh! I'm going to be teaching grades 3 through 11 this year...possibly grade 12, though I'm dreading grade 12 since they study Java...who likes Java?!!! Sadly, no more grade 2 for me. I LOVED grade 2's. They are so cute and said the sweetest things.

No but seriously, I can't wait to see my students. I do miss them! I saw 3 or 4 of them during the week and they sure made me smile.

Highlight of the week: I was saying hello to my to-be grade 9 student who was standing with her mother.

The Mother: "Who's this? Zameeltich*?"
Student: "Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam! She's my computing teacher!"
The Mother: "La wallah?! But look at her she has a baby-face!"

All I was doing was giggling like an idiot and thanking her hahaha

* Zameeltich = You're classmate


~ I was daydreaming about New Zealand 2 days ago. How much I miss it. How my University life was so interesting, weird and fun. How much I miss *real* sushi...Bongo cafe! The kind and peaceful people....and here's where I remembered one disappointing incident that happened to Mama.

This is how mama told it:

Mama was at a vegetable shop buying, well you guessed it, vegetables, when she noticed one Maori man giving her an unfriendly look. She had a feeling that he was going to 'drop a bomb', either swear at her in which she'd reply "You're mama" (hahaha) or call her terrorist. It was the latter. As she approached the tomato section (Mama can't live without tomatoes...she's a tomato herself haha), where the man was standing...she prepared herself for what's to come.

Man: "Terrorist!"
Mama looks at him in a disgusted yet I'm going to reply to that way and says,
Mama: "Thank you. I'm proud!"

The section had started to get crowded and he was too shocked to say anything back. Mama got her tomatoes and left happily.

She came to tell us this story that night, we laughed our heads off but we were so sad to know about this situation which has never happened to any of us before, ever. She said she didn't know what to reply with except for that...it worked didn't it?

But seriously, no one can generalize a whole people according to the actions of one person. We still love and miss New Zealand even after remembering that.

~ Oh! And here's what I did this shot for a Photography competition on English Sabla...the theme was Ramadan.

Before

After

There might not be a great difference, but it did make it look better. I used Diablo's tutorial so thanks Diablo! That's one awesome tut.

I won the competition...woooot!


Happy Eid ya'all!

Post of the Day

:: Sweet Oman was hit by a Tropical Cyclone given the incredibly awesome name, Phet. Parts of the country (especially the coastal regions) was under serious alert for 3 complete days. At first, the cyclone had a different course but then it decided to change it's route and visit sweet sweet Oman. It got pretty intense in some areas, where roads were flooded, water entered homes, PALM Trees fell, and sadly, the thing that everyone was mostly hoping for not to happen, the loss of 16 lives. May they Rest In Peace and may Allah have mercy on their souls. I also hope that the people that have been seriously affected by Phet get back up and going asap. The positive side of Phet is that it left Oman cool and cleaned the air for a couple of days, which was much needed in the current oven heat weather we're experiencing. Al 7amdulelAllah 3ala kulee 7al!

:: I'm sure everyone knows what the Zionists have recently done, right? Despite this being late to blog about, it's still the discussion/debate of today. Plus, I just want to get all my fury out there. Day by day I become more and more astonished by the level of illegal-ness the Zionists are allowed to exceed. YES! Allowed! No one seems to stop them so that means they're free to do what they want. Where is the world from them? WHERE? Despite the fact that the boats heading to Gaza contained many kinds of much needed supplies to the people of Gaza (who have been living in indescribable conditions), the Zionists moved out and attacked those Peace boats on INTERNATIONAL effin' waters. The Zionists claim that it was defense. Um...where is the logic in that? Last but not least, I don't blame the Zionists for what they're doing to Palestine, but I blame the Arab cowards who are just sitting there watching their fellow brothers and sisters get slaughtered in front of their eyes. You make me sick!

God bless Turkey!

These two event's happened very close two each other. It wasn't very nice at all!

:: Now, as for me, I've just been busy with what life has given me so far. As far as things go, school is my main occupation but honestly, I can't wait till it ends...this heat isn't helping me nor the children. I think the heat has some kind of crazy affect on them where they just go wild. Exams start tomorrow...God help us all lol and I officially get off from school on the 21st of June. It's going great...school I mean. All the 29 grades I teach are fantastic...except for ONE, but let's not go into that shall weh lol Anyways, the good thing is summer is JUST around the corner, and I will have more time to blog about all sorts of things InshAllah!

Lastly, savor the small or big moments (happy or sad) for as long as you can! They're truly worth savoring.

Not moving. Not breathing.

It was horrific. One would say, a miracle of miracles needs to happen for him to live.

I am currently in a state of shock since this is my first time I've ever seen, a strong possibility, a dead body. It is impossible to understand how the accident happened because of the point the two cars have been destroyed and I guess I'll never find out.

I was asleep in the back seat on our way back from the Sawadi Resort when I woke to the feeling of the car slowing down and my dad saying;

Dad: "A3ootho belAllah min '3athab eAllah, A3ootho belAllah min '3athab eAllah. Don't look, don't look!"

He aimed that second part to mama since I think he thought I was still asleep.

First I saw the car (silver) and the utterly horrific state it was in. A few seconds away was the other car (taxi) in a milder state than the first. Then, further away of these two cars was the helpless body of an Omani man, in a white dishdasha and a kuma, lying on the hot floor, in a puddle of his own blood that was coming out of his...head. He was on his left side; right arm over the left arm, and right leg over the left leg. I didn't see his face and I didn't want to either. The whole scene was disturbing and heart breaking.

My heart was beating so fast and eventually, I ended up in tears. Seeing the body of a human being...like that...was scary. A lifeless body, not moving, not breathing, while everything else around it is. It makes you realize how fragile and how very human we are.

Like I said, there is no way of knowing what happened (who's fault it was) unless if there were witnesses, but they are probably long gone now. I don't even know if the man was alive when we passed, or on the brink of death or somewhere in between just waiting to be saved. If he has passed on then may he rest in peace and may Allah have mercy on his soul. If he's in a struggle between life and death then God help him because it's not going to be easy getting over something like that. May God strengthen his family also when (I'm sure they've been informed by now) they hear about this horrible news and during the painful time ahead.

I wish people would wake up already and realize how bad the road situation in Oman is! What more do they need to know to tell them that this is a serious disaster that could happen to anyone! If you're not the one who made the accident then someone else would have put you in it.

I love this country, but it's roads are not safe...at all!

Allah Yustur 3aleena wa ye7meena. Ameen.

It's definitely something I'll never forget.

p.s. there's a huge difference between a dead person and a sleeping person =(

[What's This?] Indicate much?

....I don't think so!

So I'd like to know, what is the indicator function in cars used for here? Do you know what for? Absolutely NOTHING! Shocked much? I don't think so!

Seriously, I don't know why they're built in the cars here since they're not used for their only, sole purpose. I hate it and the people that don't use indicators when turning left or right I call them "Retard" or "Freak on a leash" or "Stupid Idiot"! I mean what the hell?! What annoys me more is some are already too lazy to just flick their finger to work the indicator so imagine someone with a phone in one hand and the other on the steering at an intersection or a roundabout. Oh oh! The hand that's holding the phone is the left which is the one you need to use the indicator...

=_____________________________=

I think one of the toughest areas on the roads of Oman are the roundabouts. Exclude the fact that one is supposed to slow down, and check for on coming traffic but here it's full on speed into the roundabout. If there's on coming traffic they're supposed to stop (which I don't understand for your information). Then there's me. I'm waiting for those cars to pass by with their full on speed thinking that they're going forward (passing in front of me since they didn't indicate that they'll turn and the speed they're traveling in gives you the impression there's going to be no turning!) but instead and sometimes last minute, they turn! WHY? Why did you not use the indicators? Why did you waste my time? People here drive as if they own the roads or that there's no one else on the road except for themselves. Or they expect you to read their mind or something. This is where people really need to think about others.

*sighs* One should give it a small thought really. Like what's it going to do if you indicated when you're turning? What's it going to do to the person(s) you indicated to? I know what! You won't be sworn at (in cases like me) and the other person's time will not be wasted and heck you might be praised even if you might not be able to hear it!

I don't want to generalize but so far I've only seen two people using the indicator so don't blame me.

[What's this?] My nose drowned...

I am gobsmacked by the heavy amount of oud that has forced it's way through my nose and up to my brain during the number of times I've gone out! It's so strong that I teared in countless occasions where also I felt my head spin. It hurt even! What I'm surprised by though, is that this vivid oud scent came from...women. It's not like I'm getting close to them and sniffing their oud but more like whenever a lady passes by me (or vice versa) I get this whiff straight to the nose. Actually, it feels like a slap to the face because one instant I'm in odorless air then in another BAM!

"What the?" expression on my face and eyes tearing from the concentration of the oud.

I mean do they drain themselves with oud or is it just the one drop that could cause this much odor and/or...damage? Seriously. The men that pass by do not give off such strong odors, maaaaaan! Actually I think they either wear a lighter perfume or oud, which I considered really good compared to the women. What's annoying is, after the women have left the area, the odor of the oud lingers. God have mercy!

I'm definitely sure some will find the strong oud, or oud in general, nice and/or attractive, etc, but I'm not a big fan of oud - it's really, really...really strong and some do not even smell that good. There are a few that have a lighter scent than others which I don't mind or may even like but seriously, I don't think a woman should reek (yes! reek.) of something strong; may it be perfume or oud. It's only for her own good.

========================

Thanks to those that voted on the poll (Whether I should change my template or not)...um what can I say, the fifty-fifty split helped a lot lol I have picked out some templates but I'm not sure whether I will use one, being quite indecisive lately. But thanks! =)

Twenty-ten: Happy New Year!

Good morning!

It's the first of the first of twenty-ten (01/01/10) ! Happy New Year to you all and may the year ahead be a blissful and eventful year full of wonderful things!

Looking back and remembering the fast days of 2009 I can only conclude that it was a good, nice year but with a few downs here and there (surely). Memories are rushing through my head right now and I don't know what and what to start of with.

+ I caught on to the perfect job for me. Most importantly it revolved around my field and what I wanted to do. Gchan became a Web designer/developer. February 2009

+ Semester A of my fourth and final year at Waikato University began. Favorite semester of my university life! March 2009

- I met R; the girl who turned my friends and I into heartless monsters. March 2009
Refer to posts [What's this?] Patience Test and From "Plan A" to "Plan B"

+ My first website became live! April 2009

- I lost a friend who turned out to be one of those friends where you're not sure if you did the right thing or not. When things end in a bad way you can get in situation where you don't know what to do or if there's actually anything that could be done. Even though, I learned that always, things happen for a reason! Around the same time another friend was acting differently around me. It was such a tiring time. May 2009

+ Semester A ended, and so did the struggle with R. It was time for a holiday and to enjoy the break. June 2009

+ Traveled with my family to Jordan to see our relatives who we haven't seen since 2003. It was the best holiday ever! June 2009

- I started in the second week of Semester B where I discovered that there are crazy things in store for me; personally and study wise. July 2009

+ My second website became live! July 2009

+ Faced the friend that was acting differently around me and got the reason to why that was happening. I got a shock but was understanding yet despite the reason things went back to normal and we even became better friends. We drifted apart but it made us realize many things. This is exactly why true friends, are definitely true and hard to find. July 2009

- Had to put my work on hold due to the hectic schedule of studies. Client was super understanding and thankfully didn't replace me. August 2009

- I became an angry person due to everything that was happening around me. Studies and people (some can be really, really stupid =_=) made me angry. Behavior and personality partially changed. October 2009

-+ University was coming to an end and at the same time a super, dear friend was drifting away due to studies and other stuff. I had doubted my self of not being a good friend and I tried a lot to protect the friendship. But a friendship takes two people to work. Despite that, my super, dear friend and I talked and got through it! We became closer than before. The outcomes, seriously, is what matters. October 2009

+ Uni ended and I had done well in all my subjects! I officially completed my degree! SCHOOL'S OUT!! HERE COMES SUMMER! November 2009

+ Began work on my third and final website. I missed designing websites, a lot! November 2009

+ Packing to move to Oman began. November 2009

+ I got my full drivers license!!! November 2009

+ My third and final website became Live! I gained another wonderful friend (my client). December 2009

+ Left New Zealand for good to a new step and life in Oman. December 2009

Okay, reading this seems like it wasn't a good year with friends for me lol. But el 7amdulellah for everything!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Its kindness is limitless

Well, eleven days have already passed - just like that *snaps fingers* - and I have to say that I'm enjoying my self and am very comfortable too (7amdulellah); finally! I've met up with almost everyone that I needed to meet up with but there are still a few to go (you guys know who you are *wink wink*) which I'm quite excited to meet.

One can say we've partially settled down with all that's left to do is receiving the furniture that we ordered and re-arranging the place to make it feel more cosy and homey.

I got the phone I've been wanting since June *huge grin*
I present to you Sony Ericsson C905.

I picked this very same color, bronze, since all that was left was pink and silver. I wanted black but they ran out of it (=.=) so I picked bronze because I'm not a big fan of pink and my last phone was silver; fair enough? C905 is basically the whole package, just to give you an idea in short. I love it!

I'm willing to update and fix up my CV so I can start applying for jobs since it takes a while for 'them' to reply to you here, sad enough. I know and heard that it's so hard to get a job here so it's worrying, you know. But inshAllah 5air. I don't know where to start with the looking part (websites/ads ??). But first things first prepare my CV.

I'm gonna talk about Oman a bit...just randoms things.

:: One of the coolest things about being in an Arab/Muslim country is the fact that any restaurant, supermarket and anything that sells food you go to is guaranteed to be halal *BIG grin*. So there is no need to worry or check if the product/place for that and best of all, you won't feel sad for not being able to buy it (especially when you want it badly). All you need to read is the Expiry date for products (Yes people, read the expiry date of every product!) and the menus of the restaurants! And as for the restaurants, well basically you're not just stuck with 2 or 3 places but instead you have like a bajillion places to pick from!
This part might not be about Oman, but I just had to mention it *innocent*

:: Oman is a BEAUTIFUL country. Very beautiful actually! Every time we go out (since I'm not driving) I'd be looking out the window just absorbing everything. It has changed greatly and has become tidier, cleaner, and greener (nice!). We visited Matra7 a few days ago and I was amazed by the beautiful harbor there and the very nice side walk, OH! and the greenery. I can only imagine this place at night *heart*

I enjoyed just standing there, looking at the beautiful green-blue pure water and feeling the cool breeze on my face. But it was in the afternoon, where the sun was at it's highest (big mistake), I think, and I got a minor sunburn on my nose and cheeks.

:: People stare a lot here and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT; may they be women, men, children and any nationality too. The old, married (some) Omani men are the creepiest. I'll just leave it at that.

:: Ooooh! The service here, may it be at supermarkets, banks, delivery are super super super slow. Btitla3 roo7ak (you're soul tries to escape) just waiting for them to get done. Some of them show it in their face that they HATE the job they're doing. They work bedoon nefs (with out interest). I don't blame them but come on, put a little effort in it!

:: Is it just me or has the double-head trend decreased? *thumbs-up girls*

:: Traffic jams are crazy here! No seriously, I've never seen anything like it. I think I'd enjoy the roads and driving if there was a bit of control, traffic lights here and there and actually if people followed the law. I love the roads here though! They're wide and endless. I'm not allowed to drive until I convert my license to the Omani license. Yeah! That sucks!

:: Majority of Omani's are super nice and polite! This is what I love about this country...its kindness is limitless *heart*

Can't wait to experience what more this country has got to give!

A song I've been constantly listening to for the past 2 days.

Thareed Oman

I don't know where to begin but here I am, the start of the fourth day since I arrived to Oman and I'm loving it! Pressure has seized. Stress is gone. If there is anything I'm doing then it's for sure relaxing and taking my time with what ever that's occupying me before the seven boxes and four bags arrive for the unpacking. I think unpacking is less stressful than the packing? *thinks* I mean one can just take it easy...no rush.

I've spent the last few days sleeping, reading (a lot), unpacking the bag that I travelled with, playing a bit of Mahjong Titans, and going out here and there hunting for a phone. I need to get in touch with so many so bare with me.

Day of travel was surely the most hectic day. We ran like crazy trying to get everything done and the only time where we actually sat down and relaxed was when I drove us to AUX airport (my last long drive in NZ *cries*). Having not slept that night, we were moody as hell and I had anger issues. Actually, my anger needed some major managing the last week or two before our travel. I mean, I practically snapped and swore (nothing bad or big) at anything, some of which were funny especially when my Palestinian accent and side came out.

Our flight from AUX to beautiful Muscat was really good. If I'm not over-exaggerating then I can say it's the best flight so far. I had a plan where I'd watch about ten movies - movies that I've been desperately wanting to watch and I finally got the chance to - since I don't think I'd sleep through the whole flight... Well, from AUX to melbourne, a three and a half hour flight, I managed to get down Ice Age 3 and half of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Now the flight from Melbourne to Dubai, fourteen hours, is where I thought I'd begin my marathon. I ate while I completed the other half of Harry Potter 6 (which was a major disappointment or I was just too sleepy to give) to check that there was about twelve hours and a half remaining to Dubai. I slept from then till the remaining time was only three hours that I killed by watching Up and an episode of Fareej which I enjoyed a lot! Sleeping that much was greatly unexpected. But I was glad because it only made the flight shorter and quicker.

Seeing Baba when we came out of the sliding doors was hands-down the highlight of the last month or two. Finally it was all worth it really. Plus I greatly missed our house here, and my room even though it's empty and not very G-chan-ee but still...it will change once the rest of our stuff arrive *grins*

At first I had agrophobia (fear of going out) for reasons like the weather and the driving. Yesterday though I decided I'm going to go to CC with my parents. Well one of the reasons I decided to go is because I need a phone but actually I wanted to see the Omani world. I ended up driving us to CC thanks to Baba's trust in me. Who knew?! I drove as if I don't hold a full licence or as if it's the first time I take the wheel. Well I wasn't comfortable. Mirrors weren't positioned for me and the seat was uncomfortable plus I wasn't used to the car and the steering wheel being on the left side. I think Mama was more scared of my driving than the take-off and landing on our flights. So much for cheering me on. Roundabouts where the creepiest and toughest parts I had to deal with, otherwise I think I'll manage.

I haven't seen anything weird while I was walking there...maybe the time I went was the reason *jokes* But I did get an unfriendly reaction. While in one of the shops, I wanted to pass to get to the pants that caught my attention but a lady was blocking my way. She saw I wanted to pass but didn't even bother to move. I softly asked her to "excuse me" to which I got a deadly stare in return. Mission accomplished but what the...?!

I drooled over the number of Mustangs I saw. They're gorgeous monsters!

I had Thareed Chicken? or is it Chicken Thareed? Anywho, I think I'm in love because that dish will have to be my favorite Omani dish so far! I luuuuuurved it. The bread oh the bread! *drools*

I start my day basically after Fajr prayer where after I finish praying and reading Qura'an I lie back in my bed and read Interview with the Vampire I for two to three hours. Definitely an exciting book and I'm pretty amazed by the detailed explanations:

"The lights were going out, first in the balcony, and then along the walls of the main floor. A knot of musicians had gathered in the pit below the stage, and at the foot of the long, green velvet curtain the gas flickered, then brightened, and the audience receded as if enveloped by a gray cloud through with only the diamonds sparkled, on wrists, on throats, on fingers. And a hush descended like that gray cloud until all the sound was collected in one echoing persistent cough. Then Silence. ...

Interview with the Vampire Vo. I - Anne Rice

I really liked this part.

I need a good visit to Borders because for the mean time books are my occupation. The rest of the day comes un-planned which is good enough for me.

I'm glad I'm finally home!