[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.

[Series] Dexter

Plot:

Based on Jeff Lindsay's novels Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Dearly Devoted Dexter this crime thriller follows Dexter Morgan. Dexter is a forensic blood spatter expert for the Miami Dade Police Department. He is the main support for his sister. He has a steady girlfriend, with two kids who adore him. He also has an active "night life". Based on a code instilled in him by his foster father, Harry, he hunts down people who have escaped justice and makes sure they don't get away with a crime again.

I've blogged about this series before and here I am blogging about it again since I think it deserves an entry of its own. So I love this series (surprise surprise) and I have to say, it gets better and better every season. I just completed Season 4 and well, it's the best one so far...and the creepiest! There was so much thrill and quick heart beating during some scenes but this is exactly what I like about it. Also, the soundtrack is just fantastic! Check out my favorite piece; Photo Albums.

I won't talk about Dexter him self because we already know (those who follow the series) how he's so good and does a great job with his role but instead I want to talk about the new addition to the series...the enemy.

John Lithgow people! You might know him from the hit series 3rd Rock From The Sun as the child-like character Dr. Dick Solomon. Man did he flip 180 degrees! I really thought I'd have a hard time taking him seriously but was I wrong. I think he was the scariest enemy Dexter faced. Utterly disturbing guy and seriously I don't think anyone else would've pulled the job better than he did. I will not say anymore, just watch the series!

This season had major events following from the previous season with new characters and problems revolving with and around Dexter. People dying, getting married, having babies, finding out secrets and the list basically goes on. But the most major part of the season was the finale. It was HUGE...and shocking! I don't think I was in such shock in the previous seasons. You might expect something but you can only confirm what you think when you see it right? Even though, you will still get shocked because it was...I still can't believe it! It was very bad to the point that I almost teared. Watch out for the big cliff hanger that will leave you at the edge of your seat and I really hope it's a dream but I sadly feel it won't be.

Season 5 gets released sometime late September of this year and I seriously can't wait. I have no idea what to expect, but till September comes all we can do is discuss and make assumptions about what could happen...which is always interesting because it makes you feel like a detective *jokes*

I will leave you with Dexter's Opening theme, which I kind of hate...makes me shiver every time I watch it lol

This opening theme is all about Dexter's real life: killing. The track sounds like a normal day of a normal person but you can almost hear / see there's more to it.

Oh yeah! I wish I was a forensic scientist...would've been such an awesome job!

[Series] The Office

Plot:

The Office is a mockumentary that documents the exploits of a paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Made up of head chief Michael Scott, a harmlessly deluded and ignorantly insensitive boss who cares about the welfare of his employees while trying to put his own spin on company policy. With an office including the likes of various peers who have their own hangups, The Office (2005) takes a look at the lives of its co-workers: bored but talented salesman Jim, his mildly sociopathic, butt kissing enemy Dwight, mildly righteous receptionist Pam, and indifferent temp Ryan.

So, The Office. You can say I'm pretty addicted to this series, which quite is funny because it's basically the most stupidest, brain-cell killing, annoying, awkward, dorkiest, nerdiest and funniest (just a little bit) series I've seen to-date. When I first watched it, I kind of hated it because of how awkward and annoying (okay and boring) it was. But, it actually sucks you in. I just kept watching. Maybe it was curiosity? Eventually, the more I watched, the more I got into it. I started liking some characters, despised some and I just wanted to know where everything was all going.

I'm sure everyone is familiar with Steve Carell who's the lead (plays Michael Scott in The Office) in this series and well...I liked him before I watched this series, but now, I just hate him lol Sometimes, I just want to slap myself from what he says, how he acts and the situations (some of which are by force) he gets himself into. He really, really, really gets on my nerves. But I think the series won't be what it is without him. It makes me think if there's someone actually like that in real life...with that sort of personality. Very disturbing!

Jim (John Krasinski) and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) would have to be my favorites from The Office. One is sweet and funny in which I'm very interested to know what will happen with him, while the other can be nice but has some seriously funny issues which could be annoying as well. New characters are introduced and involved in the many crazy situations that occur.

Yeah...it got me hooked, and so far I've finished 3 seasons and into the fourth season within just the past days. I think I love it lol but it still gets on my nerves. Maybe this is why it's interesting - it makes you react positively and negatively.

Oh, and the facial expressions made in this series are like none other lol They're just awesome!

The thought...

...of death is scary.

The thought of loosing someone dear to the heart is....beyond...horribly, terrifying.

[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.

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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!

[Movie] The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Plot:

Three student documentary filmmakers venture into Maryland's Black Hills to discover the truth behind the myth of the Blair Witch -- and never return. The only trace of their disappearance comes one year later when their film footage, documenting their final terrifying days, is found.

Yeah! This horror was on TV this morning and I just said to myself "Aah what the hell, let me just watch it." even though I was having second thoughts about it from all that I've heard of it. For starters, I can say I liked this movie! It's a typical story but it's like none-other really. The difference in these sorts of movies compared to other horror or thriller is that they use the real names of the main actors. I got fascinated by their real acting, if you could call it that because basically, they're not well known actors (if at all) but random people (I guess) just so that the movie can be unique and has that extra realness to it.

The atmosphere is the typical type to any horror movie, especially those of freakishly shaped trees and tree branches. I actually hate that! It was dark beyond dark. Literally, this movie had the least amount of light during...rush hour? lol. Plus, you don't know what exactly it was they're facing. Was it a monster? A tree that can walk and talk? A friggin' CHILD?!! Maybe a witch?! I still don't know exactly what it was that they faced but all I know is that it was bad *eyes wide open*

What I really liked about this movie - again just like in Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity - is that the whole 'filming' was raw footage. Yes! Raw footage basically rules all for me - at the moment, who knows I might get bored of it later lol - because it gives you the "real life feel" kind of feeling. Scary right?! Yes! But this movie was different. There were TWO cameras. Now that's new! Maybe I'm making a big deal over nothing but it was different yet annoying how magically the view changed from one camera to the other. Should that even be allowed to happen? Well, I'll just leave it at that.

Now the question is, did it scare me? It should have but it didn't. Surprised? I am. I honestly was expecting to be scared out of my comfy chair but I'm just sitting there with wide eyes open - I guess just trying hard to see what they were facing - and that's it. Like I didn't get the 'heart beating fast' feeling. Well maybe once. But yeah. I can say I was disappointed by that part but I still liked the movie. It had an interesting story to it but then it kind of leaves you with a cliff hanger. When the movie ended I literally screamed "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?". Yeah I was glued to the screen because I wanted to see...it!

I didn't want to watch this movie after I watched Paranormal Activity and you know how the whole hype between these two movies were; they got compared as to which was scarier. Well, they said that The Blair Witch Project was scarier...I'm gonna disagree. Dun dun dun duuuuun. Paranormal Activity left me paranoid for a few weeks and sleepless for a night or two. But The Blair Witch Project...nothing? I just liked it that's all.

I score it an 8/10.

P.S. An hour later I went out with my parents for lunch and I sat at our table kind of, let's say, "analyzing" the movie. This movie has a BIG flaw!! Hint: read the plot.

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!

Hysteria...

Looking at this shot just reminds me so much of myself and my current state. I think I've finally hit rock bottom today or maybe....this whole moving frenzy and work has finally got it's toll on me. I'm blogging about today because I want to remember it's "contents" for when I someday quit from blogging and read through my blog (I've missed it!). Another reason to why I want to blog about today is because it's apart of this whole moving from one country to another kind of process so it's like the step to a...new life.

Five days are left till our departure from NZ, back to Oman and basically, instead of us controlling time, it's controlling us! As freaky as this may sound but that's exactly what's happening.

A "normal" day for me, these days, is waking up around 9:30am, having breakfast, checking my email because there's bound to be a message or more from my client, then the rest of the day happens by itself. Basically it consists of running errands - a lot of them shockingly, packing/selling, some more errands, cleaning the room that my bro is moving to, and with a blink of an eye it's like 6pm-7pm at night where I'm fully destroyed and in the need of "me" time or relaxation time. But no. Actually that time is when I get to work on my clients website. Yeah I work. Sitting on my bed working on Photoshop and Dreamweaver breaking my back because I'm desk-less (lol). I do get to work on the site during the day but my day is usually hectic and my hours working on the site is not continuous so that's no good.

Today, the 10th of the 12th month of 2009 (sounds dramatic lol), mama and I woke up at 7am to finish packing the final two boxes left for shipment (by air). We had a total of four bags and seven boxes. We are moving to another country after all. Anyway, a really nice Scottish man with a HUMONGOUS truck picked up the eleven items and managed to get an interesting conversation with us about Palestine and the Jews -- that's what he called them, Jews because he says that Israel doesn't exist. He surprised me. Around 10am the good man was gone and our house was emptier. Mama and I sat on the empty floor to have breakfast; tummies were rumbling by then.

Somehow, the tiredness started to kick in. Not sleeping much + the amount of work we've been doing for the past month or two has made exhaustion and pain "come out". Despite this, we ended up going to my bros room and complete it's cleaning. Feeling what we felt, our smartness had decreased dramatically lol We reach the room and the following occurs:

Mama: "Aaaah! I forgot the keys to the room. I swear I was feeling like I've forgotten something but it wouldn't come to me."

G: *laughs like an idiot from tiredness*
"it's okay. Let's go back and get them."

*mama pulls out of the drive way and we head back home. On the way...*

G: "I feel like crying from all this. I'm happy and all but I'm so tired."

Mama: "Same here, haha. This whole moving thing has started taking a toll on us"

*takes a wrong turn that has no exit while still talking to me but does not realize it*

G: "Mama where are you going?"
*starts laughing*

Mama: *looks at me and starts laughing hysterically and uncontrollably while trying to reverse and turn the steering wheel which was a huge mission because of tiredness*

G: *laughs at mama for laughing the way she did and for not being able to turn the steering wheel*

We laughed for maybe a whole minute, turning tomato red and tearing up. It was the sort of laugh where "what's happening" is funny yet sad at the same time. I just thought we've gone crazy.

When we got the keys and went back to the room, again we had forgotten to get another important item. An adapter for the vacuum cleaner since it's from Oman and does not fit to the style of NZ sockets. So I drove, like a psycho, back home to get the adapter while mama began work on the room.

Windows (from outside and inside), a couch, the bed's mattress and the carpet were given a nice good clean. The place smelt good and looked clean. We're satisfied now.

We went back home, took nice long showers and had a cup of coffee while planning what needs to be done for the rest of the day. All plans went down the drain though because the two hour rest that we decided to give ourselves went longer than it should, so we decided to call it quits for the day and I decided to bring us kebab's from Salateen (a halal Moroccan restaurant -- I think it's Moroccan lol) since I don't want mama to cook. It was a good dinner. Quite beautiful actually. I'd have to say it was the highlight of the day because it was the whole family talking and letting out the "adventures" of the day.

After dinner, we crossed out yet another day of December.