Which is the greatest gift?
Wisdom or Laughter
Thursday, October 12, 2006
wanna know a secret?
Are you good at keeping secrets? This part of the world is really bad w/ gossip... don't think I'd trust anyone w/ a secret. I have only a few close ppl that I share things w/ and tell things to and know, if I told them something, that no one would find out. I guess that I should add that I have made the mistake of telling things to a few ppl, only to be shown that, indeed, you can't trust even those that tell you that you can trust them.. in this part of the world. I guess it's a cultural thing. Even in families, secrets aren't kept.
Even the men in this part of the world are like women w/ gossip and telling things to ppl. I wouldn't even trust a man w/ something private... not that I go around telling every joe my little morsels of lusty, mouth watering information... yeah, like I have anything that juicy!! ;) But seriously, guys are really bad here. They sit around and gossip worse than women!!
I have been told secrets though in the past, never to share them w/ anyone, except when I got married, then I shared it w/ my husband. I tell him everything, which is totally different than a lot of women in this part of the world or maybe the world over. I know many women who keep secrets from their husbands... some are little white lies, but some are really big secrets that one shouldn't keep from their spouse... because if the spouse ever found out - well, there could be trouble. But hey... some ppl live their lives like this.
In the States, the secrets I knew were mainly due to shopping... well, and a few others ;) but I'll never tell!! I knew this one girl that would buy clothes and keep them in her trunk until her husband wasn't around and then take the clothes inside, take off all the tags, hang things or put things away, and if her husband commented, she'd say "oh, I've had that for years". Men can be stupid, you know. Or maybe they play dumb because I often wondered if she thought her husband would never find out. What happened when the bills came in? But then again, she probably paid for her own stuff and he paid for his own stuff and it was never shared and such. This happens a lot in American culture.
I personally don't find it wise to keep secrets too often. I don't like being told secrets... ok, unless they're really too delicious to turn away! ;) It always makes me nervous for some reason... I guess for fear that I'll slip and say something. I've been told by girls, "don't tell your husband", but you know... if they don't want him to know, they shouldn't tell me and I always tell them this.
I die inside trying to keep something from him. And... if he later found out that I knew this or that and didn't share it, I think he'd get pissed for the mere fact that I didn't share it sooner! ;) But then again, maybe not... I guess it would depend on the secret!
Even the men in this part of the world are like women w/ gossip and telling things to ppl. I wouldn't even trust a man w/ something private... not that I go around telling every joe my little morsels of lusty, mouth watering information... yeah, like I have anything that juicy!! ;) But seriously, guys are really bad here. They sit around and gossip worse than women!!
I have been told secrets though in the past, never to share them w/ anyone, except when I got married, then I shared it w/ my husband. I tell him everything, which is totally different than a lot of women in this part of the world or maybe the world over. I know many women who keep secrets from their husbands... some are little white lies, but some are really big secrets that one shouldn't keep from their spouse... because if the spouse ever found out - well, there could be trouble. But hey... some ppl live their lives like this.
In the States, the secrets I knew were mainly due to shopping... well, and a few others ;) but I'll never tell!! I knew this one girl that would buy clothes and keep them in her trunk until her husband wasn't around and then take the clothes inside, take off all the tags, hang things or put things away, and if her husband commented, she'd say "oh, I've had that for years". Men can be stupid, you know. Or maybe they play dumb because I often wondered if she thought her husband would never find out. What happened when the bills came in? But then again, she probably paid for her own stuff and he paid for his own stuff and it was never shared and such. This happens a lot in American culture.
I personally don't find it wise to keep secrets too often. I don't like being told secrets... ok, unless they're really too delicious to turn away! ;) It always makes me nervous for some reason... I guess for fear that I'll slip and say something. I've been told by girls, "don't tell your husband", but you know... if they don't want him to know, they shouldn't tell me and I always tell them this.
I die inside trying to keep something from him. And... if he later found out that I knew this or that and didn't share it, I think he'd get pissed for the mere fact that I didn't share it sooner! ;) But then again, maybe not... I guess it would depend on the secret!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
adoption in the ME
edit: this is a long ass post! ;) i was in a rambling mood today, obviously. what do you expect when it's ramadan and i'm bored stiff!? hope it makes you think though.
Seems like Madonna is the latest celebrity, as of late, to get on the adoption bandwagon. After reading a few reports, looks like she's adopted a boy from a very poor African village. Some reports are saying that she and her husband, Guy Richie, have had problems because he didn't wan't to adopt, but seeing the way Madonna is, I'm sure nothing would stop her. Ppl are saying that she's done this to look good because Angelina Jolie is so widely popular for adopting children from poor nations and for her humanitarian work, and since Meg Ryan has recently done the same - but I think her child is from an Asian country, if I'm not mistaken - I guess Madonna wants to look like the good samaritan and do her part for humanity.
I've always really liked Madonna - except for that time in her life when she went thru that crazy Sex period - and always thought she was a smart woman, so I'm just hoping she did this for the right reasons. I know she's at the age where it would be risky for her to become pregnant, so I always assumed that that was the reason behind her adopting... but reports are saying otherwise... but ppl love to gossip and create stories, it seems.
Which brings me to the point of adoption. Years ago, I decided to never have kids and thought if the desire ever hit me, I would adopt instead. Plus, there was a part of me that didn't like babies and little kids... so you can see why adopting would be a cool idea, because you could go for an older kid as well, which so many ppl don't want. But as I got older, started working w/ lots of different men and women, I started meeting ppl who had been adopted, and I realized that many of them had major issues surrounding their adoption cases, meeting their birth parents, and just problems in general from being adopted. And, sometimes, on the tube you'd see horror stories of families adopting little kids and the kids would turn out to be truly evil and such. So... this sorta put a damper on my adoption ideas... or at least w/ adopting an older child.
Obviously all of these thoughts and ideas came before I got married. It was after working thru my own issues for years, learning to trust and wanting companionship, meeting someone that finally touched my heart, and being able to trust love... well, that is when getting married and the thoughts, feelings or even the idea of having kids started appearing in my mind.
Really, in looking back at it, I thought I'd never want kids, plus w/ so many kids in orphanages and such, and needing homes, it seemed senseless to have children. But after marrying my husband and moving to Bahrain, my views have changed... but not w/out the enormous, constant, every increasing, pounding pressure from the in-laws, and everyone else who felt the need to get involved in our lives - which seems to be every tom, dick and harry, to have little rugrats... but that's a whole nother story!
Anyway... where was I.... oh yes, adoption.
There are orphanages here in Bahrain... and there are tons of kids that could use a good home, but ppl don't adopt. I've never understood the logic behind it really... there are so many women here, I know a few myself, that can't have children but desperately want children - one woman, in particular, stands out in my mind. She's had 13 miscarriages and her dr. told her that she'd never be able to conceive... so wouldn't adoption be the natural alternative? I think it's a great idea... but it's never been something that I've heard her speak of, nor anyone else for that matter.
You don't hear about adoption in this part of the world.... ppl don't speak of it... or the ppl that I've been around. There are so many issues surrounding this topic, I guess that's why. But you know, what about the women who are older and not married as of yet? What about if they get married later in life and want children... wouldn't that be a natural course of action - to adopt?
This is what I know about adoption in this part of the world. You have kids that would come in the home but not be part of the family, so the females in the family would never be able to be themselves and not cover, if they covered. Then it gets into property and inheritance and such after the father passes... for the orphaned/adopted child is never considered to be a true part of the family here so that child would never be eligible for any inheritance and such from the family, nor would they be allowed to own any property and such that is passed down from this family. Am I right w/ this? I have limited knowledge on such w/ respect to the ME.
In the States, families get on huge waiting lists to adopt children. Many families adopt inter-racial children because of their love and need for a child. And once the child is adopted, the child is a true part of the family. He/she takes on the name of the family and is, from that point forward, a son/daughter, brother/sister, niece/nephew, etc. to all in the family. When the father/mother passes on, that child inherits what any other part of the family would inherit and such... w/ no one ever blinking an eye and saying "oh but he/she was adopted and they don't deserve such".
I know the adoption process entails much more here or so I'm assuming... adoption is probably not done for religious reasons as well... but I don't understand it all, and I don't understand this logic and part of the culture here... when it doesn't allow for children, who are need of loving families, to be adopted. It just doesn't make sense to me. It actually seems quite cruel, to be honest. When there are so many children in need of homes... it just seems somewhat barbaric in that a faith/religion/govt wouldn't push for the children w/ no one, no families to be accepted by the masses.
There's a children's home right around the corner from my office... I sometimes wonder about these kids. I think about what they do, what activities they have, do they long for a mother and father, are they happy, will they succeed in life..... but you know, I never see them outside. Sometimes I see things in the paper about money being given or educations being paid for and such, but that's about it. But in thinking about it, I'm not sure that it's for these orphan kids.
Seems there's somewhat of a stigma attached to these children and even special needs kids in this part of the world. They seem like a group that society has forgotten about or shunned even. Maybe I just don't know enough about this topic, but one thing I do know is that ppl don't adopt here, and I don't understand it.
For instance... there is this child that I read about in the paper recently that has been left in this country by his mother and father. He's 10 yrs. old and has never been to school. He has no papers (passport, etc.) and isn't Bahraini. Actually he is w/out country, from what I read. He has just now been registered for classes and from all accounts, is doing well. He was scared at first but now seems to be adjusting. So basically.. this young boy was left here by his Sri Lankan housemaid mother after she left Bahrain and returned to her native country. The boy's father isn't in Bahrain, I think he's Indian, and the little boy has been raised by an aunt or someone from the family, I think... but they can't really afford the child. And instead of someone stepping in and helping to raise this child or adopting him... he has been made to suffer. He is 10 yrs old and is only now going to school. Why is this child and his plight only now being talked about? What's happened for the past 10 years? Apparently, the family doesn't have enough money for books and such, so there was a plea in the paper to donate funds to help out....
I wonder how many ppl will do this - help out? How many ppl donate time and money to these kids that have nothing? It's Ramadan now... a time to reflect and give... but does anyone think of these kids?
Are other countries in the ME like this? Does adoption take place anywhere else? Is there a stigma attached to it in all countries over here or is just some countries? I'd be interested in hearing your views and knowledge on this topic.
Seems like Madonna is the latest celebrity, as of late, to get on the adoption bandwagon. After reading a few reports, looks like she's adopted a boy from a very poor African village. Some reports are saying that she and her husband, Guy Richie, have had problems because he didn't wan't to adopt, but seeing the way Madonna is, I'm sure nothing would stop her. Ppl are saying that she's done this to look good because Angelina Jolie is so widely popular for adopting children from poor nations and for her humanitarian work, and since Meg Ryan has recently done the same - but I think her child is from an Asian country, if I'm not mistaken - I guess Madonna wants to look like the good samaritan and do her part for humanity.
I've always really liked Madonna - except for that time in her life when she went thru that crazy Sex period - and always thought she was a smart woman, so I'm just hoping she did this for the right reasons. I know she's at the age where it would be risky for her to become pregnant, so I always assumed that that was the reason behind her adopting... but reports are saying otherwise... but ppl love to gossip and create stories, it seems.
Which brings me to the point of adoption. Years ago, I decided to never have kids and thought if the desire ever hit me, I would adopt instead. Plus, there was a part of me that didn't like babies and little kids... so you can see why adopting would be a cool idea, because you could go for an older kid as well, which so many ppl don't want. But as I got older, started working w/ lots of different men and women, I started meeting ppl who had been adopted, and I realized that many of them had major issues surrounding their adoption cases, meeting their birth parents, and just problems in general from being adopted. And, sometimes, on the tube you'd see horror stories of families adopting little kids and the kids would turn out to be truly evil and such. So... this sorta put a damper on my adoption ideas... or at least w/ adopting an older child.
Obviously all of these thoughts and ideas came before I got married. It was after working thru my own issues for years, learning to trust and wanting companionship, meeting someone that finally touched my heart, and being able to trust love... well, that is when getting married and the thoughts, feelings or even the idea of having kids started appearing in my mind.
Really, in looking back at it, I thought I'd never want kids, plus w/ so many kids in orphanages and such, and needing homes, it seemed senseless to have children. But after marrying my husband and moving to Bahrain, my views have changed... but not w/out the enormous, constant, every increasing, pounding pressure from the in-laws, and everyone else who felt the need to get involved in our lives - which seems to be every tom, dick and harry, to have little rugrats... but that's a whole nother story!
Anyway... where was I.... oh yes, adoption.
There are orphanages here in Bahrain... and there are tons of kids that could use a good home, but ppl don't adopt. I've never understood the logic behind it really... there are so many women here, I know a few myself, that can't have children but desperately want children - one woman, in particular, stands out in my mind. She's had 13 miscarriages and her dr. told her that she'd never be able to conceive... so wouldn't adoption be the natural alternative? I think it's a great idea... but it's never been something that I've heard her speak of, nor anyone else for that matter.
You don't hear about adoption in this part of the world.... ppl don't speak of it... or the ppl that I've been around. There are so many issues surrounding this topic, I guess that's why. But you know, what about the women who are older and not married as of yet? What about if they get married later in life and want children... wouldn't that be a natural course of action - to adopt?
This is what I know about adoption in this part of the world. You have kids that would come in the home but not be part of the family, so the females in the family would never be able to be themselves and not cover, if they covered. Then it gets into property and inheritance and such after the father passes... for the orphaned/adopted child is never considered to be a true part of the family here so that child would never be eligible for any inheritance and such from the family, nor would they be allowed to own any property and such that is passed down from this family. Am I right w/ this? I have limited knowledge on such w/ respect to the ME.
In the States, families get on huge waiting lists to adopt children. Many families adopt inter-racial children because of their love and need for a child. And once the child is adopted, the child is a true part of the family. He/she takes on the name of the family and is, from that point forward, a son/daughter, brother/sister, niece/nephew, etc. to all in the family. When the father/mother passes on, that child inherits what any other part of the family would inherit and such... w/ no one ever blinking an eye and saying "oh but he/she was adopted and they don't deserve such".
I know the adoption process entails much more here or so I'm assuming... adoption is probably not done for religious reasons as well... but I don't understand it all, and I don't understand this logic and part of the culture here... when it doesn't allow for children, who are need of loving families, to be adopted. It just doesn't make sense to me. It actually seems quite cruel, to be honest. When there are so many children in need of homes... it just seems somewhat barbaric in that a faith/religion/govt wouldn't push for the children w/ no one, no families to be accepted by the masses.
There's a children's home right around the corner from my office... I sometimes wonder about these kids. I think about what they do, what activities they have, do they long for a mother and father, are they happy, will they succeed in life..... but you know, I never see them outside. Sometimes I see things in the paper about money being given or educations being paid for and such, but that's about it. But in thinking about it, I'm not sure that it's for these orphan kids.
Seems there's somewhat of a stigma attached to these children and even special needs kids in this part of the world. They seem like a group that society has forgotten about or shunned even. Maybe I just don't know enough about this topic, but one thing I do know is that ppl don't adopt here, and I don't understand it.
For instance... there is this child that I read about in the paper recently that has been left in this country by his mother and father. He's 10 yrs. old and has never been to school. He has no papers (passport, etc.) and isn't Bahraini. Actually he is w/out country, from what I read. He has just now been registered for classes and from all accounts, is doing well. He was scared at first but now seems to be adjusting. So basically.. this young boy was left here by his Sri Lankan housemaid mother after she left Bahrain and returned to her native country. The boy's father isn't in Bahrain, I think he's Indian, and the little boy has been raised by an aunt or someone from the family, I think... but they can't really afford the child. And instead of someone stepping in and helping to raise this child or adopting him... he has been made to suffer. He is 10 yrs old and is only now going to school. Why is this child and his plight only now being talked about? What's happened for the past 10 years? Apparently, the family doesn't have enough money for books and such, so there was a plea in the paper to donate funds to help out....
I wonder how many ppl will do this - help out? How many ppl donate time and money to these kids that have nothing? It's Ramadan now... a time to reflect and give... but does anyone think of these kids?
Are other countries in the ME like this? Does adoption take place anywhere else? Is there a stigma attached to it in all countries over here or is just some countries? I'd be interested in hearing your views and knowledge on this topic.
Monday, October 09, 2006
addicted to a new series
As of late, you can catch both me and the sweetness watching the Smallville series.... and, I must admit, we're totally addicted. I was a huge fan of the original Superman movies w/ Christopher Reeve, but I didn't get into the Superman series they did after that - the one w/ the dark haired guy... can't remember his name, but it was the one w/ Terri Hatcher as Louis Lane. I thought it was really lame, so I never watched it.
This Smallville series though... gosh, it's really good. The stories are great, character development is terrific, and the acting is better than I ever expected. I wasn't prepared to be a fan at first, cuz from my past experiences, I've never enjoyed such. But w/ this one, well it starts out w/ Clark Kent as a small child being found by the Kent's after a meteor shower in Smallville, and since they couldn't just give up a small child that had no family to speak of, they adopted him. Only learning later that he wasn't a "real" boy after all and that he didn't come from our planet.
It's after this that everything starts to happen. The next episode takes you to when he's in high school and learning about all of his super powers... each one coming one at a time. No one knows at first about him. His family is afraid of what will happen if others find out, and it sometimes even scares Clark when he learns what he's capable of. But later, as time progresses and things start to happen, he lets a few close pals in on his secrets.
With each new episode, you have a new set of problems arising from the various things that happen because of the meteor shower. Ppl are changed in ways that you would've never imagined, have powers that are unexplainable, and so on and so on.
Are any of you watching this or have you watched it? We get the series here on cable, but I'm not sure where it's at in the series... so we've opted for renting the DVDs.
One of my husband's friends started watching the series first and told us all about it, and pretty much insisted that we watch it. I was hesitant and first and refused to watch it... telling myself that it wouldn't be any good and it would be just like the other one.... I was shocked. It's nothing like the other one... they've taken a whole new direction w/ it, so I applaud the writers!
We've now started Season 3 w/Clark taking on a new persona. Some things happened in Season 2 that upset him, so he's left the farm for Metropolis. He's somewhat evil because of the red stone that he's wearing, so you see a whole new side of Clark. Our friend loves this new side of Clark and thinks all guys should have red stones! HA! What about us girls??? ;)
Anyway... if any of you watch it, what do you think? Are you as addicted or don't like it, or what?
This Smallville series though... gosh, it's really good. The stories are great, character development is terrific, and the acting is better than I ever expected. I wasn't prepared to be a fan at first, cuz from my past experiences, I've never enjoyed such. But w/ this one, well it starts out w/ Clark Kent as a small child being found by the Kent's after a meteor shower in Smallville, and since they couldn't just give up a small child that had no family to speak of, they adopted him. Only learning later that he wasn't a "real" boy after all and that he didn't come from our planet.
It's after this that everything starts to happen. The next episode takes you to when he's in high school and learning about all of his super powers... each one coming one at a time. No one knows at first about him. His family is afraid of what will happen if others find out, and it sometimes even scares Clark when he learns what he's capable of. But later, as time progresses and things start to happen, he lets a few close pals in on his secrets.
With each new episode, you have a new set of problems arising from the various things that happen because of the meteor shower. Ppl are changed in ways that you would've never imagined, have powers that are unexplainable, and so on and so on.
Are any of you watching this or have you watched it? We get the series here on cable, but I'm not sure where it's at in the series... so we've opted for renting the DVDs.
One of my husband's friends started watching the series first and told us all about it, and pretty much insisted that we watch it. I was hesitant and first and refused to watch it... telling myself that it wouldn't be any good and it would be just like the other one.... I was shocked. It's nothing like the other one... they've taken a whole new direction w/ it, so I applaud the writers!
We've now started Season 3 w/Clark taking on a new persona. Some things happened in Season 2 that upset him, so he's left the farm for Metropolis. He's somewhat evil because of the red stone that he's wearing, so you see a whole new side of Clark. Our friend loves this new side of Clark and thinks all guys should have red stones! HA! What about us girls??? ;)
Anyway... if any of you watch it, what do you think? Are you as addicted or don't like it, or what?
Saturday, October 07, 2006
comfort food
today, Les Horton (GDN), wrote about comfort food in his article. it got me to thinking about this, especially w/ it being Ramadan and so much energy and focus being on food right now, so i started running down the list in my mind of my comfort foods. here goes....
1) mashed potatoes (i have to say that i make really good mashed potatoes... i've had some ppl try to copy them here, but can't! ;) ... tip for good ones - use russet potatoes and don't overcook the potatoes and whip 'em until they're nice and fluffy - add lots of butter, salt & don't forget the milk - whole milk is the best and you can add just a tad of cream, if you'd like)
2) macaroni & cheese casserole (this is a dish that my mom fixes for thanksgiving or christmas. it's not the usual "outta the box" kind, but homemade and i love it!!! i was actually sorta craving this today... might make it tomorrow)
3) potatoe and asparagus casserole (this is another fav of mine. i could prob sit and eat several helpings of this, but since it's topped w/ cheddar cheese, it is rather fattening, but gosh, it's oh so yummy!!)
4) i love bread pudding. my mom makes the absolute best... you serve it w/ pudding after it's made and been in the oven and nice and toasty... oh gosh, this is so good. but i can't remember the pudding name and now it's bugging me ... now, i remember - butterscotch pudding... and they don't sell it here!! :( this isn't the english version of bread pudding, just so you know.
5) i love french fries dipped in gravy or chili cheese fries. they make the best in texas.
6) i love sonic burgers.... gosh, i haven't had one of these in sooooooooo long. too bad.
7) fried green tomatoes. this is something my mom has fixed since i was a young girl. i love to make them but only get green tomatoes sometimes here in bahrain, so it's not often that i get to fix them. but luckily, the hubby loves 'em as much as me. sometimes when i make these, i eat so much that it makes me sick. but... they're so good i can't resist.
8) i also love sweets and some of my favorite comfort deserts are brownies, pineapple upside down cake, german choc. cake, choc. chip cookies, no bake cookies (these are an absolute fav of mine), and pudding. i love choc. pudding.
9) my husband also reminded me that i love to sit around munching on chocolate. i'm sorta particular about choc. though and don't like just every variety of it. i love butterfingers (can't get here), hershey bars w/ nuts, choc. kisses, M&Ms w/ nuts, twix, and a few others that i can only get in the States. needless to say, i love candy. :)
anyway... i love food, if you can't tell... there are so many things that i get cravings for and just have to fix. i love good 'ole fashioned american food. the other day these two young guys came into my office at work and were talking to me about food. they first thought i was british, like a lot of ppl think, altho i don't have a british accent but many don't know the accents here... anyway... when they found out that i was american, they then asked me if my favorite food was hamburgers, when i said "no", they then asked if it was steak. again, i said "no". most of the foods i told them about, they didn't know and since their vocabulary is limited and my arabic is limited, it was hard for me to tell them about all the good down home food that my mom makes and i make too, things that i so dearly love.
my mom is such a great cook. i miss that. my younger sis is so lucky in that my mom lives w/ her and she gets to have whatever she wants, whenever she wants. i'm severely jealous over this! ;)
anyway... what are some of your favorite comfort foods? i'd love to hear yours. :)
have a good saturday everyone and for all of you starting your weekend, have a good one!
1) mashed potatoes (i have to say that i make really good mashed potatoes... i've had some ppl try to copy them here, but can't! ;) ... tip for good ones - use russet potatoes and don't overcook the potatoes and whip 'em until they're nice and fluffy - add lots of butter, salt & don't forget the milk - whole milk is the best and you can add just a tad of cream, if you'd like)
2) macaroni & cheese casserole (this is a dish that my mom fixes for thanksgiving or christmas. it's not the usual "outta the box" kind, but homemade and i love it!!! i was actually sorta craving this today... might make it tomorrow)
3) potatoe and asparagus casserole (this is another fav of mine. i could prob sit and eat several helpings of this, but since it's topped w/ cheddar cheese, it is rather fattening, but gosh, it's oh so yummy!!)
4) i love bread pudding. my mom makes the absolute best... you serve it w/ pudding after it's made and been in the oven and nice and toasty... oh gosh, this is so good. but i can't remember the pudding name and now it's bugging me ... now, i remember - butterscotch pudding... and they don't sell it here!! :( this isn't the english version of bread pudding, just so you know.
5) i love french fries dipped in gravy or chili cheese fries. they make the best in texas.
6) i love sonic burgers.... gosh, i haven't had one of these in sooooooooo long. too bad.
7) fried green tomatoes. this is something my mom has fixed since i was a young girl. i love to make them but only get green tomatoes sometimes here in bahrain, so it's not often that i get to fix them. but luckily, the hubby loves 'em as much as me. sometimes when i make these, i eat so much that it makes me sick. but... they're so good i can't resist.
8) i also love sweets and some of my favorite comfort deserts are brownies, pineapple upside down cake, german choc. cake, choc. chip cookies, no bake cookies (these are an absolute fav of mine), and pudding. i love choc. pudding.
9) my husband also reminded me that i love to sit around munching on chocolate. i'm sorta particular about choc. though and don't like just every variety of it. i love butterfingers (can't get here), hershey bars w/ nuts, choc. kisses, M&Ms w/ nuts, twix, and a few others that i can only get in the States. needless to say, i love candy. :)
anyway... i love food, if you can't tell... there are so many things that i get cravings for and just have to fix. i love good 'ole fashioned american food. the other day these two young guys came into my office at work and were talking to me about food. they first thought i was british, like a lot of ppl think, altho i don't have a british accent but many don't know the accents here... anyway... when they found out that i was american, they then asked me if my favorite food was hamburgers, when i said "no", they then asked if it was steak. again, i said "no". most of the foods i told them about, they didn't know and since their vocabulary is limited and my arabic is limited, it was hard for me to tell them about all the good down home food that my mom makes and i make too, things that i so dearly love.
my mom is such a great cook. i miss that. my younger sis is so lucky in that my mom lives w/ her and she gets to have whatever she wants, whenever she wants. i'm severely jealous over this! ;)
anyway... what are some of your favorite comfort foods? i'd love to hear yours. :)
have a good saturday everyone and for all of you starting your weekend, have a good one!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Born Into Brothels
Born Into Brothels is an award winning documentary made in 2004 by Zana Briski. I saw it on cable prob 3 wks ago. Been meaning to blog about it, so here goes.
I caught the last part of this documentary one evening and, even though, let me say that it touched my heart in such an extraordinary way.
Zana Briski went to the red light district in Calcutta, India, to photograph the brothels there, and wound up befriending 8 to 9 young children whose parents/mothers were prostitutes. My wish is to see it all the way through one day... hopefully our DVD guy has a copy of it.
I caught the film at a place where Zana was taking the kids to the sea so that they could start using the cameras and photography equipment she had given to them - but from reading a review of the documentary, I realize there's so much more to this story that I didn't get to see - she trains the kids, teaches them how to use the equipment, etc. - I didn't learn until later in the film what the picture taking was all about... it turned out that she was trying to help these kids get an education so that they could get out of the brothels.
The documentary follows these kids into their daily lives. It shows the interaction w/ their parents, which was incredibly troublesome to say the least. The scenes fill you w/ heartache and, in most cases, you feel as though you are right there w/ them. There were no interviews of the parents and such... just silent watching, waiting and encouragement.
Some of the kids seem to handle the pain of their lives through joking and kidding around, while some are very serious, and some are troubled young souls. You can see the pain in their eyes, but when they smile, you smile. To watch these kids and the way their parents treat them, well, it makes you incredibly sad. I found myself crying several times before the end of the film. The mothers treat many of them like slaves and/or worse than animals really. They yell and call them names.... even refusing, at the end, to allow so many of the kids to make anything better of themselves. After watching the footage, it's hard to imagine a life such as this. I can't imagine the pain and difficulty of growing up in such horrible situations, especially not having the love from a parent... it's truly sad.
Like I said, the film carries you through the day-to-day struggles of the kids, and allows them to open up and find a freedom through photography. Their artwork/pictures are eventually shown at a gallery in New York so that money can be raised to help fund their education. Many of the kids' photographs are sold during the gallery showing and worldwide, and they even have a showing in India so that the kids and their families can attend, sadly... none of the mothers/fathers/grandparents attend.
In most cases, the children weren't bothered by this and even make excuses for their mothers... I guess their only want is to feel good and to see how much they are appreciated in a world they know so little about. When they realize their pictures are selling, they are all so excited and filled w/ joy. They are so happy to know that ppl really like the pictures they've taken. You should see the smiles on their faces, and the joy they have for the first time. It lifted their pain and brightened their hearts.
One boy, in particular, had a real knack for taking pictures and the producers were trying diligently to get the boy away from his family so that he could attend school.
Spoiler:
It turned out that many of the kids highlighted in this film left their families to attend school, but in the end only a few stayed. Many of the mothers had no desire for their children to learn anything in life and insisted that they stay home to help them, to take care of the babies, and made any excuse to keep the kids w/ them or bring them home after the fact. The little boy who was so popular and made such a mark w/ his photography - well, it took forever to finally convince him to go to school. His mother had passed away during the taping of this film - she was beaten by her pimp and, if I'm not mistaken, was set ablaze by him and died - well, the little boy seemed to totally distance himself after this (understandably) and started missing the get-togethers w/ the others kids, even hid away during some of the tapings, so it took forever to find him and then to convince him that he had potential and to not fear leaving.
Eventually, they were able to get a passport for him so that he could attend an event for photography. It was his first time to leave home and to meet other children and ppl w/ the same interests. After he did this, his mind changed and he realized that he really wanted to go to school. It was such a touching moment.
At the end of the film, this little boy was still in school and doing quite well. I guess only about 3 of the 8 or 9 kids wound up staying in school when so many of them wanted it more than anything. Their parents took them out for various reasons and a few of them left on their own. Living in the brothels and being poor was the only thing they knew, so it was easier to go back to that in most cases.
I can't do this film justice really... one, it was weeks ago when I saw it and was reminded of it only today when I visited a movie review blog and, two, I caught the tail end of the film. In saying this, I truly suggest the film to you. It was such a gripping piece of work and showed what encouragement and persistence can do for a child. So many of these kids will have nothing in their lives... many of the girls will wind up in prostitution like their mothers and grandmothers, and no one seems to care. They are very poor and it's the only thing they know.
If you get a chance, watch this film. It touches your heart in a big way... and honestly, I think there should be so many more made like this one... there needs to be a focus on a world that not many ppl think or know anything about. I know I didn't think about this world or know anything of it prior to seeing this film. It was the first time I had heard of this place or saw the brothels in India. I had heard of prostitution there but knew nothing about it.
Watch it if you have a chance. It's such a touching piece of work.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
happiness, love and simplicity
Sometimes ppl wonder why I moved to Bahrain and my first answer should be obvious - for love and for happiness. My second way of looking at it would be to say that it's more of a simple life.... or can be for those who want it. Things can be at a snail's pace, which can be good at times and very relaxing, but I've had those days where it drives me batty... but mostly, I like it.
I'd say that I'm a simple girl. There was a time in my life when I worked a lot, sometimes pulling all-nighters when I worked on large bankruptcy cases for AA&Co. I made a lot of money, which to some would be heaven... but the thing about making a lot of money is that sometimes you realize that money isn't what life's about or that's how I started feeling. Sure, I was able to buy the finer things in life, had a really nice car, designer clothes, ate at some of the best restaurants... but I wasn't happy. I hated my job, my favorite car turned into a lemon, and there's always the next season and the next season and the next season in fashion. So I decided to make a change. I left that job, later met a man who then, later, became my husband and, eventually, moved to Bahrain.
When I was a young girl, I was pretty much a tomboy. Yeah, I played w/ my barbie dolls and loved them, loved doing girly things to an extent, but I also loved to climb trees, play in the barn in hay stacks, feed the pigs and chickens, go on nature hikes w/ my cousins in the cow pastures, and I loved to go fishing. I even dug up my own worms and put them on the hook w/out batting an eye. I loved it. I used to go fishing all the time w/ my oldest brother. He's a great fisherman. Sometimes I'd go on fishing trips w/ him that would last weeks. And sometimes we'd even sneak into places just to fish their ponds. It was so much fun and I loved it. Once I thought I was catching this HUGE fish, it fought me and it took everything I had to pull it in... well, it turned out to be a turtle. We let him go. The one thing that always bothered me though was seeing the fish as they gasped for air. Their gills would move up and down and they'd stare at you w/ those blank eyes... I couldn't stand it. I'd sit there and feel so sorry for those fish. Just wanting to do something to save them. I always felt happy when he finally skinned them so that they'd be out of their misery. Boy, he made the best fried catfish... ummmmm.... it was so tasty.
This all brings me back to my original point... the simple things in life and happiness. I no longer want, like I used to, for the most expensive clothes, the most expensive shoes, the most expensive anything... I was trying to fill a void in my life w/ these things... to fill an emptiness that existed inside of me, to mask a loneliness... and it does work for a while, but then what? Those feelings come back when you aren't happy. It does give you a rush to buy things... it soothes that ache inside of you for a while... but it doesn't last. The thing that lasts is happiness. Do I still like nice things, yes. Do I still buy expensive things, yes.... but my charge cards aren't maxed out and it no longer gives me the buzz like it used to do.
I've realized, thru my own experiences, that being happy is most important. I know a lot of ppl find what they think to be true happiness when spending money but I never did. Don't get me wrong... if I see a beautiful outfit, yeah, I still sometimes long for it and sometimes even buy the darn thing, but it's nothing like it used to be. Plus, things are different now. I appreciate things in a way that I never did before... I guess some of this comes from a maturity, from growing older, from realizing there are more important things in life.... and from finding an inner peace.
Don't get me wrong, I still get unhappy. I still get sad... but I am able to go back to that happy place inside of me when I feel that way. Yeah, sometimes it takes a day or so, but it does come back to me. I have a happiness now that is able to shine inside of my heart, it soothes my spirit and calms me. Is that love? Does true happiness come from love? I believe so.
A yoga instructor that I admire, Erich Schiffmann, says "love is what's left when you let go of everything you don't need." Now... HOW TRUE IS THAT?!!! This is a favorite quote of mine and I find it to be remarkably true. It has a calming affect when you sit and really think about it.
I'd say that I'm a simple girl. There was a time in my life when I worked a lot, sometimes pulling all-nighters when I worked on large bankruptcy cases for AA&Co. I made a lot of money, which to some would be heaven... but the thing about making a lot of money is that sometimes you realize that money isn't what life's about or that's how I started feeling. Sure, I was able to buy the finer things in life, had a really nice car, designer clothes, ate at some of the best restaurants... but I wasn't happy. I hated my job, my favorite car turned into a lemon, and there's always the next season and the next season and the next season in fashion. So I decided to make a change. I left that job, later met a man who then, later, became my husband and, eventually, moved to Bahrain.
When I was a young girl, I was pretty much a tomboy. Yeah, I played w/ my barbie dolls and loved them, loved doing girly things to an extent, but I also loved to climb trees, play in the barn in hay stacks, feed the pigs and chickens, go on nature hikes w/ my cousins in the cow pastures, and I loved to go fishing. I even dug up my own worms and put them on the hook w/out batting an eye. I loved it. I used to go fishing all the time w/ my oldest brother. He's a great fisherman. Sometimes I'd go on fishing trips w/ him that would last weeks. And sometimes we'd even sneak into places just to fish their ponds. It was so much fun and I loved it. Once I thought I was catching this HUGE fish, it fought me and it took everything I had to pull it in... well, it turned out to be a turtle. We let him go. The one thing that always bothered me though was seeing the fish as they gasped for air. Their gills would move up and down and they'd stare at you w/ those blank eyes... I couldn't stand it. I'd sit there and feel so sorry for those fish. Just wanting to do something to save them. I always felt happy when he finally skinned them so that they'd be out of their misery. Boy, he made the best fried catfish... ummmmm.... it was so tasty.
This all brings me back to my original point... the simple things in life and happiness. I no longer want, like I used to, for the most expensive clothes, the most expensive shoes, the most expensive anything... I was trying to fill a void in my life w/ these things... to fill an emptiness that existed inside of me, to mask a loneliness... and it does work for a while, but then what? Those feelings come back when you aren't happy. It does give you a rush to buy things... it soothes that ache inside of you for a while... but it doesn't last. The thing that lasts is happiness. Do I still like nice things, yes. Do I still buy expensive things, yes.... but my charge cards aren't maxed out and it no longer gives me the buzz like it used to do.
I've realized, thru my own experiences, that being happy is most important. I know a lot of ppl find what they think to be true happiness when spending money but I never did. Don't get me wrong... if I see a beautiful outfit, yeah, I still sometimes long for it and sometimes even buy the darn thing, but it's nothing like it used to be. Plus, things are different now. I appreciate things in a way that I never did before... I guess some of this comes from a maturity, from growing older, from realizing there are more important things in life.... and from finding an inner peace.
Don't get me wrong, I still get unhappy. I still get sad... but I am able to go back to that happy place inside of me when I feel that way. Yeah, sometimes it takes a day or so, but it does come back to me. I have a happiness now that is able to shine inside of my heart, it soothes my spirit and calms me. Is that love? Does true happiness come from love? I believe so.
A yoga instructor that I admire, Erich Schiffmann, says "love is what's left when you let go of everything you don't need." Now... HOW TRUE IS THAT?!!! This is a favorite quote of mine and I find it to be remarkably true. It has a calming affect when you sit and really think about it.
Monday, October 02, 2006
freedom of choice
What is it about some Arab men and not wanting their wives, fiances or significant others to have any sort of independence or freedom? Right now, I'm thinking about how some make their wives and such wear abayas and hijabs/shaylas. How some insist on it.
For instance, I know a couple and she was very open and free prior to getting married to this guy. He knew this about her or maybe not.. I wasn't around then and I'm not really sure how she presented herself beforehand... but anyway. I know that she dyed her hair, wore regular clothes w/ and w/out an abaya, went to coffee shops, etc... now, he won't allow her to dye her hair, she has been told to wear a shayla and abaya when going out and such and she no longer goes anywhere, unless it's during the day while he's at work. She still does most of what he doesn't wan't, but lies to him about it.
She wanted a tattoo, for instance, and he said "no". She got one anyway and told him that it would come off over time - which is a lie. She goes out while he's at work and doesn't cover her hair, and - like I said - she dyes her hair - and I wonder - how does she get around this w/ him - it's beyond me (not like you can't tell that she's dying her hair - does he not notice??).. maybe he's finally accepted it because it is starting to get considerably lighter... so how could he NOT know that she's dying it!??
I find myself wondering about this. Why is it that he doesn't allow her to be herself... to be modern if she so chooses. She was before and he was attracted to it, but not now?!! Oh.. but I forget one big thing.. she is now married to him and Lord forbid someone, a man, look at her! Ok, ok.. she is a tad bit flirtatious... ok, maybe too much so and has taken the flirtations a bit far, so I can understand his logic, but... doesn't one think that he could also be driving her to these distractions by his controlling ways? Would you call what he's doing love?
This is not the only case.. in one of my other jobs, there was this girl engaged to this guy. He insisted that she wear an abaya when going to work and going out.. but she didn't and he didn't know it because she lied and told him that she did. She wore **very** revealing clothes to the office and even went out to coffee shops afterwards w/out covering, and once when a bunch of us were out, she saw his cousin and almost died because she didn't have an abaya on. She ran out of the coffee shop and insisted on going someplace else. It caused a lot of problems for them and he eventually broke it off w/ her. But, he knew how she was before and even left another g/f to be w/ her.... so what gives? I don't get it really.
What is it about men not wanting or allowing their wives and such to be themselves? Is it that they want these women stupid? Is it control? Is it all in the name of religion? I think many use religion as an excuse! Or is it that girls, some girls, take it too far? Is it that they aren't in love and married because it was arranged and don't like the controlling natures of the men? Do men, in the ME, become much more aggressive or jealous once they get married? Is it like animals or dogs where they feel it's their territory and how dare another man see their goods? Maybe they should pee on the girls.. maybe that would help! ;) That way, another male could smell it and know immediately to stay away.... oh come on, it could work.... ;) ;)
I was told to wear an abaya by a girl at the office not too long ago, but there's no way I would. I dress very conservatively.. in business suits, pants suits, long skirts and such, so it's not like there's a real valid reason. I was also told, when I first came here - by some ppl - to wear an abaya when going out and I did for a while, but I refuse to do that now. If I go to a funeral, I wear one, or if I go to certain villages in Bahrain, I'll wear one, but that's the extent of it for me. But I'm a rebel and won't have anyone trying to control me and feel that this is a form of control. I know there are a LOT of women out there who wear them and want to wear them, but there's also a stigma attached to not wearing them. Not for expatriates so much (but we do get stared at), but for Bahraini/Arab women there is a stigma attached to not covering or in some social circles it exists.
I know this lady, she's a news woman here in Bahrain, and she got a lot of grief from a lot of ppl when she chose not to wear the abaya and not to cover her hair. Why does this happen? The ridicule wasn't only from men, believe me. I've heard the stories and it amazes me. I know the reason behind it... but the question keeps coming to my mind - WHY???!!! Why isn't it up to the woman?
People should be free to choose. Women should be free to choose. Some men wan't their women stupid... that way they don't ask any questions or question their authority. Lord help the girls that study in the States and come back to marry a guy from the Gulf! Ok, ok... not all the guys are back wood's thinkers... and many are open and love free thinking women (alhumdallah!), but... there are many out there that aren't... but then again, when thinking about it, I guess the ones that aren't, aren't marrying the girls coming home from the States either.
Both of the men I talk about above are college graduates... and one even studied abroad... so what gives? Oh yeah, the 2nd guy wouldn't even allow this girl to wear nail polish! He used religious reasons for it....
I'm just thankful that I wear what I want, in reason, and don't feel the need to go out looking for any other attention, other than from my husband. I married for love and feel it's the only way.
For instance, I know a couple and she was very open and free prior to getting married to this guy. He knew this about her or maybe not.. I wasn't around then and I'm not really sure how she presented herself beforehand... but anyway. I know that she dyed her hair, wore regular clothes w/ and w/out an abaya, went to coffee shops, etc... now, he won't allow her to dye her hair, she has been told to wear a shayla and abaya when going out and such and she no longer goes anywhere, unless it's during the day while he's at work. She still does most of what he doesn't wan't, but lies to him about it.
She wanted a tattoo, for instance, and he said "no". She got one anyway and told him that it would come off over time - which is a lie. She goes out while he's at work and doesn't cover her hair, and - like I said - she dyes her hair - and I wonder - how does she get around this w/ him - it's beyond me (not like you can't tell that she's dying her hair - does he not notice??).. maybe he's finally accepted it because it is starting to get considerably lighter... so how could he NOT know that she's dying it!??
I find myself wondering about this. Why is it that he doesn't allow her to be herself... to be modern if she so chooses. She was before and he was attracted to it, but not now?!! Oh.. but I forget one big thing.. she is now married to him and Lord forbid someone, a man, look at her! Ok, ok.. she is a tad bit flirtatious... ok, maybe too much so and has taken the flirtations a bit far, so I can understand his logic, but... doesn't one think that he could also be driving her to these distractions by his controlling ways? Would you call what he's doing love?
This is not the only case.. in one of my other jobs, there was this girl engaged to this guy. He insisted that she wear an abaya when going to work and going out.. but she didn't and he didn't know it because she lied and told him that she did. She wore **very** revealing clothes to the office and even went out to coffee shops afterwards w/out covering, and once when a bunch of us were out, she saw his cousin and almost died because she didn't have an abaya on. She ran out of the coffee shop and insisted on going someplace else. It caused a lot of problems for them and he eventually broke it off w/ her. But, he knew how she was before and even left another g/f to be w/ her.... so what gives? I don't get it really.
What is it about men not wanting or allowing their wives and such to be themselves? Is it that they want these women stupid? Is it control? Is it all in the name of religion? I think many use religion as an excuse! Or is it that girls, some girls, take it too far? Is it that they aren't in love and married because it was arranged and don't like the controlling natures of the men? Do men, in the ME, become much more aggressive or jealous once they get married? Is it like animals or dogs where they feel it's their territory and how dare another man see their goods? Maybe they should pee on the girls.. maybe that would help! ;) That way, another male could smell it and know immediately to stay away.... oh come on, it could work.... ;) ;)
I was told to wear an abaya by a girl at the office not too long ago, but there's no way I would. I dress very conservatively.. in business suits, pants suits, long skirts and such, so it's not like there's a real valid reason. I was also told, when I first came here - by some ppl - to wear an abaya when going out and I did for a while, but I refuse to do that now. If I go to a funeral, I wear one, or if I go to certain villages in Bahrain, I'll wear one, but that's the extent of it for me. But I'm a rebel and won't have anyone trying to control me and feel that this is a form of control. I know there are a LOT of women out there who wear them and want to wear them, but there's also a stigma attached to not wearing them. Not for expatriates so much (but we do get stared at), but for Bahraini/Arab women there is a stigma attached to not covering or in some social circles it exists.
I know this lady, she's a news woman here in Bahrain, and she got a lot of grief from a lot of ppl when she chose not to wear the abaya and not to cover her hair. Why does this happen? The ridicule wasn't only from men, believe me. I've heard the stories and it amazes me. I know the reason behind it... but the question keeps coming to my mind - WHY???!!! Why isn't it up to the woman?
People should be free to choose. Women should be free to choose. Some men wan't their women stupid... that way they don't ask any questions or question their authority. Lord help the girls that study in the States and come back to marry a guy from the Gulf! Ok, ok... not all the guys are back wood's thinkers... and many are open and love free thinking women (alhumdallah!), but... there are many out there that aren't... but then again, when thinking about it, I guess the ones that aren't, aren't marrying the girls coming home from the States either.
Both of the men I talk about above are college graduates... and one even studied abroad... so what gives? Oh yeah, the 2nd guy wouldn't even allow this girl to wear nail polish! He used religious reasons for it....
I'm just thankful that I wear what I want, in reason, and don't feel the need to go out looking for any other attention, other than from my husband. I married for love and feel it's the only way.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
What is it about FEAR??
Lastnight I was watching the 1st season of Smallville and in one of the episodes some guy asked another person what they feared most.
I started thinking about this and thought about posing the question to you. What do you fear most?
I guess about 2:30 a.m. this morning, after not being able to sleep, I started thinking about this and should have gotten up to write about it cuz I tend to have the most brilliant of thoughts at this hour (or so I think), but I didn't. So... in thinking about it today and examining myself, I would have to say that if I still lived in the States and in the big city (Dallas, Plano area), I would have to say that my biggest fear would be of getting raped.
While living alone in the city and as a woman, you tend to think about these things - rape, murder, sexual assault and the likes. Or maybe it's just Americans who think about this stuff - I'm not sure - I guess since we're raised on fear, it seems appropriate now in thinking about it that I would obsess about that in my life.
In saying this, I can remember living in some apartments near Plano and it wasn't but right down the street that a lady was raped right outside of her garage when she was bringing in groceries one evening - her husband was w/ her and he was held at gunpoint while she was raped in front of him, and then the husband was shot and killed.... after hearing about this I can remember being really afraid. Rape was something that you heard about all the time. It was on news reports, in the paper... I even worked w/ a girl that had been raped in her own neighborhood by a guy that lived on one street over from her. She lived in Plano.
She had gone out for her morning run and he had been watching her and the schedule she kept for weeks. Well, that particular morning, he grabbed her and took her into the woods not too far from her house, where he proceeded to rape her multiple times over the next few hours. He also made her take off all of her clothes and follow him from place to place inside the woods.
I remember when she was telling me about it, about how her husband had asked her not to go that morning and how she had had second thoughts but went anyway..... and how she had seen this guy many times before, and the eerie feeling she got when she saw him that morning. She even crossed the street to avoid him, only for him to cross over to the same side. He held a gun to her head, smoked crack and threatened her life while he was raping her. Her husband and two daughters went out that morning after she didn't come home looking for her, not knowing that she was in the woods not far from their house w/ this maniac of a rapist.
He finally left her, after blindfolding her and telling her not to move. She waited until she couldn't hear him any longer, took off the blindfold and ran for her life. When she got out to the street, some ppl spotted her and took her to the hospital where her husband was called, the police, she filed a complaint, etc. She later went to court to testify against this man and they put him away... not for life, but for several years. She told me that the fear and memories lived inside of her though and wondered if they always would.
I've had what I consider to be two close encounters w/ this myself... nothing like what she experienced but it scared me nonetheless. Rape is a terrible thing and no woman should ever have to go through that... and I am thankful that I live in a country where I'm not afraid of that, like I was in the States. Not that Bahrain doesn't have problems w/ sexual assault because it does happen, but I don't feel afraid here like I did living in Dallas.
I have a lot of things that I fear... I'm not sure if it's really healthy, but I find that it's better to be open to the idea rather than to live in a fog that nothing will ever happen to you... plus, I'm really pretty much a fatalist, I would say.
Anyway... I think that this rape fear is not as strong as it used to be cuz I now live in Bahrain and I'm thankful for that.
My next biggest fear would be dying of cancer. This is scary to me and I really fear it. Yeah, I know it's sorta morbid to think about death and/or extreme fear, but I do it. I sometimes even think about how I will die. I don't sit and worry about it or anything and I don't think about it daily, but it has crossed my mind in the past. And when I do think about it, I think about cancer. So... this will be another post at a later time... about death... and I'll talk about cancer then... until then... tell me about what you fear most.
And to wrap this post up in a sweet way cuz I don't wanna bring all of you down by talking about rape and cancer ;) ... I'll end it here w/.... Have a good day my friends.. and enjoy your weekend! Today is the last day of my weekend, so I'm really trying to make the best of it!!
I started thinking about this and thought about posing the question to you. What do you fear most?
I guess about 2:30 a.m. this morning, after not being able to sleep, I started thinking about this and should have gotten up to write about it cuz I tend to have the most brilliant of thoughts at this hour (or so I think), but I didn't. So... in thinking about it today and examining myself, I would have to say that if I still lived in the States and in the big city (Dallas, Plano area), I would have to say that my biggest fear would be of getting raped.
While living alone in the city and as a woman, you tend to think about these things - rape, murder, sexual assault and the likes. Or maybe it's just Americans who think about this stuff - I'm not sure - I guess since we're raised on fear, it seems appropriate now in thinking about it that I would obsess about that in my life.
In saying this, I can remember living in some apartments near Plano and it wasn't but right down the street that a lady was raped right outside of her garage when she was bringing in groceries one evening - her husband was w/ her and he was held at gunpoint while she was raped in front of him, and then the husband was shot and killed.... after hearing about this I can remember being really afraid. Rape was something that you heard about all the time. It was on news reports, in the paper... I even worked w/ a girl that had been raped in her own neighborhood by a guy that lived on one street over from her. She lived in Plano.
She had gone out for her morning run and he had been watching her and the schedule she kept for weeks. Well, that particular morning, he grabbed her and took her into the woods not too far from her house, where he proceeded to rape her multiple times over the next few hours. He also made her take off all of her clothes and follow him from place to place inside the woods.
I remember when she was telling me about it, about how her husband had asked her not to go that morning and how she had had second thoughts but went anyway..... and how she had seen this guy many times before, and the eerie feeling she got when she saw him that morning. She even crossed the street to avoid him, only for him to cross over to the same side. He held a gun to her head, smoked crack and threatened her life while he was raping her. Her husband and two daughters went out that morning after she didn't come home looking for her, not knowing that she was in the woods not far from their house w/ this maniac of a rapist.
He finally left her, after blindfolding her and telling her not to move. She waited until she couldn't hear him any longer, took off the blindfold and ran for her life. When she got out to the street, some ppl spotted her and took her to the hospital where her husband was called, the police, she filed a complaint, etc. She later went to court to testify against this man and they put him away... not for life, but for several years. She told me that the fear and memories lived inside of her though and wondered if they always would.
I've had what I consider to be two close encounters w/ this myself... nothing like what she experienced but it scared me nonetheless. Rape is a terrible thing and no woman should ever have to go through that... and I am thankful that I live in a country where I'm not afraid of that, like I was in the States. Not that Bahrain doesn't have problems w/ sexual assault because it does happen, but I don't feel afraid here like I did living in Dallas.
I have a lot of things that I fear... I'm not sure if it's really healthy, but I find that it's better to be open to the idea rather than to live in a fog that nothing will ever happen to you... plus, I'm really pretty much a fatalist, I would say.
Anyway... I think that this rape fear is not as strong as it used to be cuz I now live in Bahrain and I'm thankful for that.
My next biggest fear would be dying of cancer. This is scary to me and I really fear it. Yeah, I know it's sorta morbid to think about death and/or extreme fear, but I do it. I sometimes even think about how I will die. I don't sit and worry about it or anything and I don't think about it daily, but it has crossed my mind in the past. And when I do think about it, I think about cancer. So... this will be another post at a later time... about death... and I'll talk about cancer then... until then... tell me about what you fear most.
And to wrap this post up in a sweet way cuz I don't wanna bring all of you down by talking about rape and cancer ;) ... I'll end it here w/.... Have a good day my friends.. and enjoy your weekend! Today is the last day of my weekend, so I'm really trying to make the best of it!!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
my husband's blog
ok, i don't do this often but i can't help myself today. the hubby has posted one of my all time favorite songs that he composed prob 4 yrs ago while we lived in lewisville, texas to his blog. it was composed and recorded after one of our kitties got hit by a car, which, to get personal, it's the first time he'd experienced the death of a pet... and he took it hard.... but the song that was produced outta the sadness is just so beautiful.... i've always found that sadness can bring so much creativity... am i the only one that sees this? i know that i paint best or write the best poetry when i'm depressed or sad... and it seems to be almost the same for him... can't say it is cuz he does do some good music on good days too! ;) btw, the song is called Little Velvet...
SO.....
for any of you that love music, check out the song he recently posted to his blog. it's an instrumental and so full of emotion. i love it. i could go on and on... but i'll let you guys take a listen for yourself. i hope you like it as much as me.
SO.....
for any of you that love music, check out the song he recently posted to his blog. it's an instrumental and so full of emotion. i love it. i could go on and on... but i'll let you guys take a listen for yourself. i hope you like it as much as me.
Happy Thursday
today is the last day of the week for me and i can't wait to sleep in tomorrow! ;) my sister has been calling me at 7:00 a.m. in the mornings here lately but i told her today that if she calls me tomorrow or sat., i will definitely hurt her in a major way. she thinks it's funny to call so early - even tho i'm usually up (but the hubby isn't and this is the prob! ;) ). i told my mom to put the phone next to her so that i can be sure to call on her weekend at 7:00 a.m., since she doesn't usually get outta bed until 9:30 or so!!! it's good to give her a taste of her own medicine... don't ya think!!? ;)
it's been pretty uneventul this week other than coming up w/ new and exciting recipes for iftar. today i'm looking at some pasta salads, stuffed bell peppers, or different veggie salads. the family makes a lot of fried foods, which can be good, but i'm sorta sick of it already, plus fried food tends to make me sick. how ppl can eat so many fried samboosas and such w/out feeling ill is something i don't get. the greasy stuff always has a way of staying around and annoying me until a good 4 hours or so later.
i've been really bored as of late... so haven't had much to blog about. am thinking of finishing a few paintings that i started months ago but haven't felt the desire until just a few days back... so i might actually do some painting this weekend, and a blog friend (munther) suggested a good book, so maybe i'll do some reading.
tonight we might go to Al Bandar late, just to sit and watch the ppl, maybe have a late bite and then listen to the music. we haven't been out for Ramadan yet, so i'm really wanting to do something. i know of a few places that have some great live music but they're usually super crowded and i'm not really into large crowds. sometimes i like to just ride around but even that sounds sorta boring.
but anyway... not much to blog about... just wanted to say hi. if you guys have any good recipes, let me know... i'm up for some new recipes. :)
have a good one!!
it's been pretty uneventul this week other than coming up w/ new and exciting recipes for iftar. today i'm looking at some pasta salads, stuffed bell peppers, or different veggie salads. the family makes a lot of fried foods, which can be good, but i'm sorta sick of it already, plus fried food tends to make me sick. how ppl can eat so many fried samboosas and such w/out feeling ill is something i don't get. the greasy stuff always has a way of staying around and annoying me until a good 4 hours or so later.
i've been really bored as of late... so haven't had much to blog about. am thinking of finishing a few paintings that i started months ago but haven't felt the desire until just a few days back... so i might actually do some painting this weekend, and a blog friend (munther) suggested a good book, so maybe i'll do some reading.
tonight we might go to Al Bandar late, just to sit and watch the ppl, maybe have a late bite and then listen to the music. we haven't been out for Ramadan yet, so i'm really wanting to do something. i know of a few places that have some great live music but they're usually super crowded and i'm not really into large crowds. sometimes i like to just ride around but even that sounds sorta boring.
but anyway... not much to blog about... just wanted to say hi. if you guys have any good recipes, let me know... i'm up for some new recipes. :)
have a good one!!
Monday, September 25, 2006
a taste of Ramadan
For all of you that don't live in a Muslim country... I thought it might be fun to give you a taste of life during Ramadan in Bahrain.
Let's start w/ the bad things first:
The thing is... you fast from sun up to sun down during Ramadan. So... when you get up in the mornings, there's no drinking of water or any type of beverage, no intake of food, no smoking, no sex, no nothing. Even for non-Muslims... there is none of this.. well, unless you're inside your own home, of course. ;)
Every restaurant on the island is closed until after 5:00 p.m. every day. You can find little cold stores open in the mornings in case you're not fasting, but you are not allowed, by law, to eat, drink or smoke on the streets or in public during Ramadan. If you are caught doing this, you will be arrested. I can imagine how difficult it is for the ppl who smoke... and who are accustomed to smoking in their cars while driving some place or while they're walking on the streets. But... this is a BIG no no.
All workplaces close the kitchens during Ramadan so you have no access to water, tea, coffee - nothing. If you are non-Muslim, you should close your door when eating so that no one will see. It's of VERY bad manners to eat or drink in front of a Muslim during the fasting hours of the holy month.
If you're fasting, it's very common to have severe headaches in the first several days of Ramadan, and many Muslims stay in bad moods during the holy month because they're fasting. You'll find tempers flaring over small things and ppl are more argumentative, in general.
At 3:00 a.m. every morning, for a month, in some neighborhoods (this happens in ours every morning), young men and boys march thru the neighborhood banging on drums. This is to wake everyone up so that they can have their last meal before sunrise. I don't eat before sunrise... and because I'm a light sleeper, this wakes me up every morning and then I can't get back to sleep. This year, they have other instruments to accompany the drums... and there are probably 15 young men in the group. It's quite a nice wake up for any of you that find it hard to sleep at night... I have this to look forward to every year! And this year, it's especially loud and seems to last forever! ;)
And one of the big things that can be very bad, depending on where you work, is that so many ppl stay up until 4:00 a.m or 5:00 a.m. every morning, that they are practically like zombies at the work place. At some companies, it doesn't matter, but when you're busy and need the help of some ppl, it can be very aggravating because ppl are too tired and can't function properly. Ppl also keep their children up until these hours and then send them off to school the next day. Imagine trying to learn and study when you've only had a couple hours of sleep!
Some of the good things about Ramadan:
Ppl tend to give more to the poor during this month. You'll find famlies making big meals especially for the poor.
Restaurants and coffee shops are open until the wee hours of the morning and you'll always find huge crowds of ppl out and about during Ramadan. Ppl love to socialize during Ramadan and many visit their family members and friends during this month.
Huge meals are prepared for Iftar (breaking of the fast) every night of the month. This is especially good. It reminds me a lot of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in the States, altho the meals are much different. You'll find a large array of food items including different rice dishes, samboosa, chicken or lamb, soups, salads, harees (some type of smashed beans w/ shredded meat and olive oil on the top - very tasty!!), kufta (meatballs w/ a tomato-based sauce and potatoes), thareed (soggy lebanese type of bread w/ potatoes, tomatoes, meat, onions, carrots cooked on the top - very delish), hummos, olives, dates.... almost any kind of food that you can think of. It's so wonderful and I always look forward to Iftar during Ramadan. There are many other types of food, but I don't know all the names - so I welcome anyone to give more detail.
Sweets/desserts. These are always so wonderful during Ramadan. There are so many that I especially like, but I don't know the names. I like Um Ali... it's so good. And there are many other desserts that have cinnamin and I always love anything w/ this spice.
There's also another dinner at around 9:30 p.m. or 10:00 - sometimes later - in order for ppl to get together. It's called ghabga. Lots of companies do these types of dinners for their employees during the month of Ramadan. At these dinners, you'll also find a huge assortment of food and sweets... anything your heart can imagine... you'll find.
You get more movies and shows on the TV during Ramadan. It can be quite enjoyable but sometimes the shows aren't very good.
Many coffee shops have musicians during Ramadan, so it's always a lot of fun to sit at coffee shops during the night to listen to the music and have a good time, if you're a night owl - which many tend to be during Ramadan.
There are usually lots of sales during the month of Ramadan at clothing shops, electronic shops and the likes. So you can get some really good deals on items.... it's always fun to shop during Ramadan cuz if you're looking for a big TV, this is the time to buy it.
These are just some of the things I can think of... but I thought it might give some of you that aren't familiar w/ Ramadan a glimpse into the life of a few during this holy month.
I will add this particular thought ... I find that Muslims have it very easy in this part of the world during Ramadan. Everything is closed and there is no temptation in front of them so they have it rather easy, I think. In the States.... this is where the true test of faith comes in... or in any other non-Muslim country, for that matter. Wouldn't it be better to allow restaurants and such to be open? Isn't that where the true test of faith comes to play? Having what you desire in front of you but still not partaking in the exquisite fruit? If everything is closed and there's no chance of slipping... then where does the true test come in?
Let's start w/ the bad things first:
The thing is... you fast from sun up to sun down during Ramadan. So... when you get up in the mornings, there's no drinking of water or any type of beverage, no intake of food, no smoking, no sex, no nothing. Even for non-Muslims... there is none of this.. well, unless you're inside your own home, of course. ;)
Every restaurant on the island is closed until after 5:00 p.m. every day. You can find little cold stores open in the mornings in case you're not fasting, but you are not allowed, by law, to eat, drink or smoke on the streets or in public during Ramadan. If you are caught doing this, you will be arrested. I can imagine how difficult it is for the ppl who smoke... and who are accustomed to smoking in their cars while driving some place or while they're walking on the streets. But... this is a BIG no no.
All workplaces close the kitchens during Ramadan so you have no access to water, tea, coffee - nothing. If you are non-Muslim, you should close your door when eating so that no one will see. It's of VERY bad manners to eat or drink in front of a Muslim during the fasting hours of the holy month.
If you're fasting, it's very common to have severe headaches in the first several days of Ramadan, and many Muslims stay in bad moods during the holy month because they're fasting. You'll find tempers flaring over small things and ppl are more argumentative, in general.
At 3:00 a.m. every morning, for a month, in some neighborhoods (this happens in ours every morning), young men and boys march thru the neighborhood banging on drums. This is to wake everyone up so that they can have their last meal before sunrise. I don't eat before sunrise... and because I'm a light sleeper, this wakes me up every morning and then I can't get back to sleep. This year, they have other instruments to accompany the drums... and there are probably 15 young men in the group. It's quite a nice wake up for any of you that find it hard to sleep at night... I have this to look forward to every year! And this year, it's especially loud and seems to last forever! ;)
And one of the big things that can be very bad, depending on where you work, is that so many ppl stay up until 4:00 a.m or 5:00 a.m. every morning, that they are practically like zombies at the work place. At some companies, it doesn't matter, but when you're busy and need the help of some ppl, it can be very aggravating because ppl are too tired and can't function properly. Ppl also keep their children up until these hours and then send them off to school the next day. Imagine trying to learn and study when you've only had a couple hours of sleep!
Some of the good things about Ramadan:
Ppl tend to give more to the poor during this month. You'll find famlies making big meals especially for the poor.
Restaurants and coffee shops are open until the wee hours of the morning and you'll always find huge crowds of ppl out and about during Ramadan. Ppl love to socialize during Ramadan and many visit their family members and friends during this month.
Huge meals are prepared for Iftar (breaking of the fast) every night of the month. This is especially good. It reminds me a lot of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in the States, altho the meals are much different. You'll find a large array of food items including different rice dishes, samboosa, chicken or lamb, soups, salads, harees (some type of smashed beans w/ shredded meat and olive oil on the top - very tasty!!), kufta (meatballs w/ a tomato-based sauce and potatoes), thareed (soggy lebanese type of bread w/ potatoes, tomatoes, meat, onions, carrots cooked on the top - very delish), hummos, olives, dates.... almost any kind of food that you can think of. It's so wonderful and I always look forward to Iftar during Ramadan. There are many other types of food, but I don't know all the names - so I welcome anyone to give more detail.
Sweets/desserts. These are always so wonderful during Ramadan. There are so many that I especially like, but I don't know the names. I like Um Ali... it's so good. And there are many other desserts that have cinnamin and I always love anything w/ this spice.
There's also another dinner at around 9:30 p.m. or 10:00 - sometimes later - in order for ppl to get together. It's called ghabga. Lots of companies do these types of dinners for their employees during the month of Ramadan. At these dinners, you'll also find a huge assortment of food and sweets... anything your heart can imagine... you'll find.
You get more movies and shows on the TV during Ramadan. It can be quite enjoyable but sometimes the shows aren't very good.
Many coffee shops have musicians during Ramadan, so it's always a lot of fun to sit at coffee shops during the night to listen to the music and have a good time, if you're a night owl - which many tend to be during Ramadan.
There are usually lots of sales during the month of Ramadan at clothing shops, electronic shops and the likes. So you can get some really good deals on items.... it's always fun to shop during Ramadan cuz if you're looking for a big TV, this is the time to buy it.
These are just some of the things I can think of... but I thought it might give some of you that aren't familiar w/ Ramadan a glimpse into the life of a few during this holy month.
I will add this particular thought ... I find that Muslims have it very easy in this part of the world during Ramadan. Everything is closed and there is no temptation in front of them so they have it rather easy, I think. In the States.... this is where the true test of faith comes in... or in any other non-Muslim country, for that matter. Wouldn't it be better to allow restaurants and such to be open? Isn't that where the true test of faith comes to play? Having what you desire in front of you but still not partaking in the exquisite fruit? If everything is closed and there's no chance of slipping... then where does the true test come in?
grocery store madness
For any of you that haven't been to the grocery store during Ramadan... believe me, it's a place you don't wan't to be, unless you have no other choice in the matter. We've cruised in to the local Al Jazeera for the last two nights in a row and the place is always packed. You wait forever in the produce department, even if you only have a couple of items to be scanned, and then the lines at the check-out are a nightmare. Everyone's at the grocery and they're all buying carts and carts of food. It amazes me really.
One thing that I really enjoy though, while standing in line to check-out, is being able to see the goodies in everyone's carts. I think you can tell a lot about a person by what they buy at the grocery store. You're basically seeing their life as an open book, don't ya think? You see what they eat, what junk food they like and the magazines they read - so many things really. I find it all very fascinating.
Lastnight, as I was standing it line, I started thinking about what ppl buy and wondered what your favorite thing is to buy in bulk or in large quantities?
In the States you have stores like Sams Club and others where you can buy huge quantities of food items, toiletries, clothing items, electronics, automotives... all sorts of things. We don't have a store like that here in Bahrain, but we do have Geant. At Geant, you can buy regular items for somewhat less than what you pay at the grocery store. This is where I like to stock up on certain items. Not like I'm getting a huge discount, but you would think that I am by the way I buy.
These are some of the items I tend to buy in bulk:
1) toilet paper (I always keep tons in the house)
2) spray starch (I get sorta paranoid about running out of this stuff)
3) Detol - all around cleaner (One can never have enough of this! ;) )
4) tissue paper (We buy large quantities of this stuff)
5) spray cleaners (I prob have several cans of this under the cabinets, but everytime I shop, I buy more)
I buy one food item in large quantities for some reason and that's canned tomatoes. I have several cans in the cabinet, but every time I shop, I can never remember how much I have, so I buy more. I guess you can never have enough canned tomatoes. ;)
What about you... what do you buy in bulk?
One thing that I really enjoy though, while standing in line to check-out, is being able to see the goodies in everyone's carts. I think you can tell a lot about a person by what they buy at the grocery store. You're basically seeing their life as an open book, don't ya think? You see what they eat, what junk food they like and the magazines they read - so many things really. I find it all very fascinating.
Lastnight, as I was standing it line, I started thinking about what ppl buy and wondered what your favorite thing is to buy in bulk or in large quantities?
In the States you have stores like Sams Club and others where you can buy huge quantities of food items, toiletries, clothing items, electronics, automotives... all sorts of things. We don't have a store like that here in Bahrain, but we do have Geant. At Geant, you can buy regular items for somewhat less than what you pay at the grocery store. This is where I like to stock up on certain items. Not like I'm getting a huge discount, but you would think that I am by the way I buy.
These are some of the items I tend to buy in bulk:
1) toilet paper (I always keep tons in the house)
2) spray starch (I get sorta paranoid about running out of this stuff)
3) Detol - all around cleaner (One can never have enough of this! ;) )
4) tissue paper (We buy large quantities of this stuff)
5) spray cleaners (I prob have several cans of this under the cabinets, but everytime I shop, I buy more)
I buy one food item in large quantities for some reason and that's canned tomatoes. I have several cans in the cabinet, but every time I shop, I can never remember how much I have, so I buy more. I guess you can never have enough canned tomatoes. ;)
What about you... what do you buy in bulk?
Thursday, September 21, 2006
what about you?
Once, a few years ago, some friends of my husband's asked me an interesting question. It was: What is something you want to do before you die?
Weird in that I had never been asked that question before, not by any girlfriends, not by anyone. So.. I sat there and thought about it and said, "well, I'd like to swim with dolphins". And thinking about it now, this is still something that I'd like to do, but I wouldn't put it on the top of my list.
I've done a lot of things but there's still many things that sound like they could be life changing events - and, for me, that makes all the difference. For one, I'd love to go on a safari or live like Jane Goodall for a while, altho my husband would totally disagree w/ it. But, there's just something about the idea of living in the jungle, getting up at the crack of dawn and watching monkeys all day that sounds really appealing to me. Yeah, maybe I'm strange, but really, it sounds fabulous. The thought of being out there w/ nature... hearing the sounds of nature... I think it would make me feel alive.
Plus, you don't have to worry about the bitchy women at work being nosey and all the gossip they insist on spreading (I hate this more than anything and had a taste of it yesterday), you don't have to worry about make-up or if you look fat... and you get to sit in complete silence, except for the monkeys, take notes if you wish and be a spectator of true nature and life at work. I love animals, so this sounds like a dream to me. What a great escape!
There are so many things that I'd love to do before I die... and yeah, it may sound morbid, but have you ever thought about it? I could mention all the crazy stuff that I haven't yet done, but when I really think about it, I would love to have more life changing events happen in my life... things that really make me a better person and have a impact on my soul. Do I think living w/ monkeys could do that??? Well, altho some may think me crazy for saying it, I do. Or maybe it's just the thought of getting away and being free of some of the burdens that these day-to-day struggles can bring to your life. Not that there wouldn't be stress in that environment because there is... for any of you that have watched Jane Goodall at work or seen the shows or read up on anything that she's done... there's a whole set of probs that come w/ that. But still.... I'm a daydreamer, what can I say!
I'd also love to travel thru Europe w/ a backpack for several months, but only if I had no worries attached to it. Worries w/ money or job safety... and I'd want to take my mother. Not that she'd backpack... but I'd love to travel w/ her.
I'm sure others can come up w/ all sorts of things that I haven't thought about cuz when I sit here and think... I can't really come up w/ all that much. I wonder.... is that's good or bad?! Shouldn't I have a whole list of things or something?
Some other things that I'd like to do are: take my husband to the Grand Canyon and hike that w/ him. I would like to do this before I get old and gray, and before I have trouble walking! ;) I would love to run a marathon. And I'd love to have the money for a sailing cruise - one of those where they take care of your every need and there's only like 6 or so other couples on board... and it would last like 30 days or longer. That would be a little slice of heaven... I'm sure. I'd also love to live in the country again or someplace w/ a lot of nature.... I hate cities... and I don't like lots of noise, busy streets... and the likes. It's funny but when I was younger, I couldn't wait to leave Indiana... I hated the small town quality of it. But now, I long for it.
What about you guys? I know lots of ppl like to do daring things and wan't to try sky diving or jumping off of cliffs and such before you die, and I guess there's a lot to say for that.. but it doesn't really interest me.
Weird in that I had never been asked that question before, not by any girlfriends, not by anyone. So.. I sat there and thought about it and said, "well, I'd like to swim with dolphins". And thinking about it now, this is still something that I'd like to do, but I wouldn't put it on the top of my list.
I've done a lot of things but there's still many things that sound like they could be life changing events - and, for me, that makes all the difference. For one, I'd love to go on a safari or live like Jane Goodall for a while, altho my husband would totally disagree w/ it. But, there's just something about the idea of living in the jungle, getting up at the crack of dawn and watching monkeys all day that sounds really appealing to me. Yeah, maybe I'm strange, but really, it sounds fabulous. The thought of being out there w/ nature... hearing the sounds of nature... I think it would make me feel alive.
Plus, you don't have to worry about the bitchy women at work being nosey and all the gossip they insist on spreading (I hate this more than anything and had a taste of it yesterday), you don't have to worry about make-up or if you look fat... and you get to sit in complete silence, except for the monkeys, take notes if you wish and be a spectator of true nature and life at work. I love animals, so this sounds like a dream to me. What a great escape!
There are so many things that I'd love to do before I die... and yeah, it may sound morbid, but have you ever thought about it? I could mention all the crazy stuff that I haven't yet done, but when I really think about it, I would love to have more life changing events happen in my life... things that really make me a better person and have a impact on my soul. Do I think living w/ monkeys could do that??? Well, altho some may think me crazy for saying it, I do. Or maybe it's just the thought of getting away and being free of some of the burdens that these day-to-day struggles can bring to your life. Not that there wouldn't be stress in that environment because there is... for any of you that have watched Jane Goodall at work or seen the shows or read up on anything that she's done... there's a whole set of probs that come w/ that. But still.... I'm a daydreamer, what can I say!
I'd also love to travel thru Europe w/ a backpack for several months, but only if I had no worries attached to it. Worries w/ money or job safety... and I'd want to take my mother. Not that she'd backpack... but I'd love to travel w/ her.
I'm sure others can come up w/ all sorts of things that I haven't thought about cuz when I sit here and think... I can't really come up w/ all that much. I wonder.... is that's good or bad?! Shouldn't I have a whole list of things or something?
Some other things that I'd like to do are: take my husband to the Grand Canyon and hike that w/ him. I would like to do this before I get old and gray, and before I have trouble walking! ;) I would love to run a marathon. And I'd love to have the money for a sailing cruise - one of those where they take care of your every need and there's only like 6 or so other couples on board... and it would last like 30 days or longer. That would be a little slice of heaven... I'm sure. I'd also love to live in the country again or someplace w/ a lot of nature.... I hate cities... and I don't like lots of noise, busy streets... and the likes. It's funny but when I was younger, I couldn't wait to leave Indiana... I hated the small town quality of it. But now, I long for it.
What about you guys? I know lots of ppl like to do daring things and wan't to try sky diving or jumping off of cliffs and such before you die, and I guess there's a lot to say for that.. but it doesn't really interest me.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
native american heritage
Been thinking about my maternal grandmother lately. She passed away when I was in the 10th grade... years ago. My grandmother was a little more than 1/2 Native American (Shawnee, which is recognized by the U.S. govt to be part of the Cherokee tribe - I think I told a blog friend of mine another tribe, but it is Shawnee). She had long hair that she tied in a bun behind her head every day and was a very emotionally strong woman. She smoked like crazy and even when she had a heart attack and her doctor told her to stop smoking, she didn't. She smoked up until the day she died.
I remember being young and visiting w/ my grandmother. She lived w/ one of my aunts and I used to go into her room and sit w/ her for hours when I'd go there to visit. She was always putting together huge puzzles on card tables and I loved to sit and try to figure out how to put the puzzles together w/ her. I remember she always had all sorts of musical instruments and games in her room. One of my favorite games that she had was chinese checkers. I remember she had a really nice banjo and I'd sit and try to play it, and she also had this really cool accordian... it was a difficult instrument to play but I always tried.
She was always so sweet to me. I wish she was around now so that I could get to know her better. My grandmother had all sorts of cures for things that the Indians used to use on people. Let me tell ya about one.
When I was in my teens, I had a bad problem w/ warts. They covered the area around my large toe on my right foot and were starting to go down the left side of my foot area. They were spreading like crazy and no matter what I used, I couldn't get them to go away. At one point, I even tried to pick them off which is the worst thing you could possibly do w/ warts because if they bleed, they spread. I also started getting them on my hands for obvious reasons. It was horrible and I hated it. It was really embarrassing too. I couldn't wear certain shoes, like sandals, because they'd bleed and hurt so so bad.
Well, one night I remember being at my aunt's house and my mom was there. I was sitting in the dining room w/ my mom and grandmother. My grandma saw the warts on my feet and hands and asked me to look at them, so I showed her the warts that were all over my foot. That night, my grandma took a dirty dish cloth, did something to it, rubbed in on my foot and hands and then later that night, from what my mom has told me, she buried it someplace outside.
I don't remember how long it was... but ALL of my warts went away. I want to say it was the next day, but looking back I don't think it was... but I know it wasn't any time at all. And.. believe it or not, I've NEVER had another wart since. No place, no where on my body.
This is a Native American thing that my grandmother did to me. I wish I knew more about it... I really do. I wish I had taken the time to talk to her about it. I'd love to know all of these things/secrets. My mother knows some of them but not a lot.
One of my aunts had warts all over her hands when she was a teenager as well. My grandmother did the same to her and they all went away. And you know, some ppl that I've told this to say it's all a matter of believing, but really, it's not about that. I know that because it wasn't like I knew what she was doing and really believed in it or anything. I had no idea. I just know that whatever she did, it worked and my warts went away.
Actually, I know somewhat about what she did that night. She took this old, dirty dish cloth and wiped in on my feet and hands. She said something and then late that night or on a full moon night, she buried it near something, in particular, I think. I'll have to ask my mom to be for sure... cuz I don't remember all the details.
I don't know about you... but I'd love to know about these things because I do believe in them. I wish I knew more about my Native American background/heritage. I only have a little of the blood in me... but, I still wish I knew more. You know, you'd never know by looking at me that I'm part Native American because I take after my father who is of British/Irish decent. But, if I look at pictures of my mom and then compare them to me, I will admit that I have her high cheekbones... which are very Native American... and I'm glad. :)
I remember being young and visiting w/ my grandmother. She lived w/ one of my aunts and I used to go into her room and sit w/ her for hours when I'd go there to visit. She was always putting together huge puzzles on card tables and I loved to sit and try to figure out how to put the puzzles together w/ her. I remember she always had all sorts of musical instruments and games in her room. One of my favorite games that she had was chinese checkers. I remember she had a really nice banjo and I'd sit and try to play it, and she also had this really cool accordian... it was a difficult instrument to play but I always tried.
She was always so sweet to me. I wish she was around now so that I could get to know her better. My grandmother had all sorts of cures for things that the Indians used to use on people. Let me tell ya about one.
When I was in my teens, I had a bad problem w/ warts. They covered the area around my large toe on my right foot and were starting to go down the left side of my foot area. They were spreading like crazy and no matter what I used, I couldn't get them to go away. At one point, I even tried to pick them off which is the worst thing you could possibly do w/ warts because if they bleed, they spread. I also started getting them on my hands for obvious reasons. It was horrible and I hated it. It was really embarrassing too. I couldn't wear certain shoes, like sandals, because they'd bleed and hurt so so bad.
Well, one night I remember being at my aunt's house and my mom was there. I was sitting in the dining room w/ my mom and grandmother. My grandma saw the warts on my feet and hands and asked me to look at them, so I showed her the warts that were all over my foot. That night, my grandma took a dirty dish cloth, did something to it, rubbed in on my foot and hands and then later that night, from what my mom has told me, she buried it someplace outside.
I don't remember how long it was... but ALL of my warts went away. I want to say it was the next day, but looking back I don't think it was... but I know it wasn't any time at all. And.. believe it or not, I've NEVER had another wart since. No place, no where on my body.
This is a Native American thing that my grandmother did to me. I wish I knew more about it... I really do. I wish I had taken the time to talk to her about it. I'd love to know all of these things/secrets. My mother knows some of them but not a lot.
One of my aunts had warts all over her hands when she was a teenager as well. My grandmother did the same to her and they all went away. And you know, some ppl that I've told this to say it's all a matter of believing, but really, it's not about that. I know that because it wasn't like I knew what she was doing and really believed in it or anything. I had no idea. I just know that whatever she did, it worked and my warts went away.
Actually, I know somewhat about what she did that night. She took this old, dirty dish cloth and wiped in on my feet and hands. She said something and then late that night or on a full moon night, she buried it near something, in particular, I think. I'll have to ask my mom to be for sure... cuz I don't remember all the details.
I don't know about you... but I'd love to know about these things because I do believe in them. I wish I knew more about my Native American background/heritage. I only have a little of the blood in me... but, I still wish I knew more. You know, you'd never know by looking at me that I'm part Native American because I take after my father who is of British/Irish decent. But, if I look at pictures of my mom and then compare them to me, I will admit that I have her high cheekbones... which are very Native American... and I'm glad. :)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
baseball cards... or sort of
As a teenager, I often became obsessed w/ things... and I guess I still do somewhat. But, as I was looking for the concert tickets for my earlier post, I came across all the baseball type of cards that I've saved since childhood - why... not sure. I have my favorites, which are of Elvis Presley w/ all the vital info on the back of each, then I have some from the series The Bionic Woman - I loved this show as well as the Six Millon Dollar Man. I have some cards from the series Mork & Mindy - don't have any idea why I kept these... and also have a few from Jaws, and then I have lots from the original Star Wars.
Here are some pics. Am I the only one whose kept such things?
aaahhhh, concerts!
My mind has been filled w/ music today. My fav song of late is Sexyback w/ Justin Timberlake. I never wanted to like this song... cuz I don't care for the guy.. but, I really am really crazy for it! I hum it all the time. I'm also really liking James Blunt as of late. I saw him on Oprah... and he seems so, uhhhh, I don't know.. so soulful. Not in his singing, altho I really like his voice, but, I mean, in his heart. Who knows tho, maybe he's not. I do like his music though.
Well, this got me to thinking about concerts and all the concerts I've been to, so I thought it would be fun to share all of them w/ you and then see which on my list you've seen and to add your own.
So.. here goes.. now.. I may not remember all of them, but I hope. Oh yeah.. I WILL for sure take a pic, when I get home, of all of my old concert tickets, cuz I've saved all of them or most of them - NO KIDDING!
1) My first concert was to Heart and John Cougar (he's now John Mellancamp). I really liked John Mellancamp.. he was raised in Bloomington which is a short drive from where I grew up. Me and my girlfriend made fake passes on our hands w/ markers and got down on the floor for Heart. It was fabulous! It was my first concert and we stood on the chairs. One guy asked to see our tickets and we pretended to have lost them. He was cool and let us stay there w/ him. We were probably 4 or 5 rows back from the stage. :)
Now, I can't remember all the concerts in order, so I'll just write them down and maybe make comments here and there.
2) Rick Springfield. yes.. I did go see him. Actually, he made my heart throb. I remember when the lights went down and he was coming out on stage.. oh gosh, my legs started shaking so bad I could hardly stand it. His concert was great! I still like some of his old stuff. :)
3) Journey. Loved this show. I still think that Steve Perry has one of the best voices I've ever heard.
4) The Cure. I went there to see their opening act, but I can't remember who it was. My girlfriend, Caren, wanted to see this band really bad, so we went. I found myself loving their music after this.
5) one group I saw used to wear red tight pants but I cant remember the name of this band. I'll have to look when I get home, or maybe I'll remember in a few. edit: band was Loverboy. Does anyone remember this group? I think they were a three hit wonder ;)
6) Rush. Hated this concert! I've never liked this band and went w/ a school chum to see the concert. It was way too loud and lasted way too long.
7) George Michael. I adore him and loved this concert. He controlled the crowd like no one I've seen since. I stood in line starting at 4 a.m. w/ my girlfriends and younger sister to get tickets, and we still got lousy seats! But it was still a fab concert.
8) The Rolling Stones. Good concert but would have preferred better seats. During the concert, someone fell back on their seat and collapsed all the rows in back of them.
9) Bush. I had front row tickets! I thought I'd die during the concert because everyone rushed the stage and I couldn't breathe. They only played a few songs, which sucked and pissed me off.
10) Billy Idol. Man, oh man, that was a good concert. He fell off the stage during the show and stayed down on the floor for a bit... he was totally out of it during the whole show.
11) AC/DC. Good show but they kept taking drug breaks after every set, which I didn't like. What's his face took off his pants and ran around the crowd.. that was interesting. ;)
12) Rod Stewart. Really good show. This was later in his career after he had mellowed somewhat. I really enjoyed it.
13) Kiss FM show w/ many artists including Milli Venilli (however that's spelled) and Ton Loc... if it's spelled that way.
14) Berlin. Oh man, I love Berlin!! This was a fantastic show! She has such a great voice.
15) B-52s - Great show!
16) Cindy Lauper - Another great show!
17) Prince. Good show but it freaked me out afterwards - a bunch of ppl got into a huge fight before leaving Reunion and I got trapped. During the show, I was pretty mad because he didn't sing any of my fav songs.
18) Robert Plant. Good show and good seats. He came over to where I was sitting at one point and looked right into my eyes! ;)
19) Michael Jackson. Good show. I actually was really thrilled to see him. This was years ago when he was really quite popular. And he put on a great show.
20) Elton John. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! He's a terrific artist and this was before he came out and he did all the fantastic costumes. I loved the show.
21) Jewel. This was a nice show. She is a great singer and controlled the audience well.
22) Cher. I love Cher!!! We had the best seats - 3 rows back from the stage and at one point, she looked right in my direction. She puts on a great show... I'll never forget it. This was her farewell tour.
23) Collective Soul. They opened up for Cher. Very good!! Altho, my girlfriend was late and we missed part of the show. I didn't like!
24) Garth Brooks. This was when he was really popular and I was going thru my country phase... thank gaawwwd I'm thru w/ that! ;)
25) Creed. This was the first concert my husband ever went to.. he loved it. We were both Creed fans... and the show was really good. We had great seats too, which makes it all the better!
26) I took my mom to see a country singer that she likes, but I can't remember his name. It was a good concert and she loved it! edit: This was Vince Gill and Tanya Tucker opened up for him. Thanks to my sister for reminding me of this! :)
edits:
27) Backstreet Boys. Bad, bad, bad!!! worst concert ever!
28) Def Leppard. My sis reminded me that we saw this concert. How could I forget?!! This was really good. My fav part was when the drummer took a solo and water poured down on him from the ceiling and how he played thru it and how it sounded.... it made the most unusual and hallow type of sound... very cool indeed!
Gosh, I used to go to concerts all the time and have seen others, but I can't remember. I'll look thru my tickets today, take a pic and then maybe edit this post. I'm looking forward to hearing about who you've seen.
edit: sadly, I looked thru my tickets and I don't have as many as I expected! Makes me wonder where so many of them have gone. I don't have many of the latest ones, including Creed... so I wonder if I lost them in the move to Bahrain. I also saved some tickets to various musicals... which I really enjoy.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Who would you choose?
If you could have dinner with two ppl, anyone of your choice - famous or not famous - alive or the dearly departed - who would it be and why?
Me... well, I think a long time ago I would have said Elvis as one of my choices, and I might still like that because I think he'd be a fascinating person to talk to and I've been an Elvis fan since I was a young girl... gosh, I mourned and cried for days when he died!, but I have read so much about him that I'm not sure he'd still be on the list. I also would love to talk to John Lennon... so I'm not sure who I'd choose between the two of them. I think John Lennon had an interesting life and I'd really like to talk to him about peace, his music, what inspired him, did he regret decisions in his life... and so on.
As for the other person... gosh, there are sooo many ppl. I'd love to gossip w/ Marilyn Monroe and talk to her about her life, her loves and what happened to cause her death. Not that she'd tell me, but it sure would be an interesting conversation. There's so much speculation around her death... did the Kennedy's kill her or did she commit suicide.
It's hard for me to choose on this one because there are so many ppl that I'd love to sit down with... there are so many ppl that are living today that have been such an inspiration to me - like Maya Angelo - she's such an incredible writer. She has been thru so much, seen so much... she's just truly gifted and an incredible person. I also would love to sit down w/ Stephen King. Now... that would be a fun evening.
Yeah, I know I was only supposed to choose two... but I can't choose! ;) Can you?
Me... well, I think a long time ago I would have said Elvis as one of my choices, and I might still like that because I think he'd be a fascinating person to talk to and I've been an Elvis fan since I was a young girl... gosh, I mourned and cried for days when he died!, but I have read so much about him that I'm not sure he'd still be on the list. I also would love to talk to John Lennon... so I'm not sure who I'd choose between the two of them. I think John Lennon had an interesting life and I'd really like to talk to him about peace, his music, what inspired him, did he regret decisions in his life... and so on.
As for the other person... gosh, there are sooo many ppl. I'd love to gossip w/ Marilyn Monroe and talk to her about her life, her loves and what happened to cause her death. Not that she'd tell me, but it sure would be an interesting conversation. There's so much speculation around her death... did the Kennedy's kill her or did she commit suicide.
It's hard for me to choose on this one because there are so many ppl that I'd love to sit down with... there are so many ppl that are living today that have been such an inspiration to me - like Maya Angelo - she's such an incredible writer. She has been thru so much, seen so much... she's just truly gifted and an incredible person. I also would love to sit down w/ Stephen King. Now... that would be a fun evening.
Yeah, I know I was only supposed to choose two... but I can't choose! ;) Can you?
Sunday, September 17, 2006
hollywood girls/tramps and the likes
What's up w/ these hollywood young starlets? Today I visited Elaine's blog, Sanity, Interrupted, and she has her Friday letters to the stars posted w/ one, in particular, to Lindsay Lohan. (If you haven't checked out Elaine's blog you should, it's good.) Miss Lindsay seems to have forgotten her undies recently and when getting out of a car some photog snapped a pic. The pic proudly displays all of her goodies for the world to see. And believe me.. the pic isn't for the faint of heart. Be prepared for the whole enchilada!! One line comes to my mind.... it's from a Jim Carey movie... but I'll play nice and not say it! ;)
I don't get it. Why not put on some panties before leaving home? Was she too wasted to notice or what? I mean, come on, how do you forget the panties? And... it's not like her skirt was a long one by any means... oh no, it's a short skirt... so the chances are way higher of it happening.
She's not the only one who does this since Paris Hilton made it oh so popular a few months back. She was snapped not once but twice showing her precious to the world. Am I missing something because I think I am, or I've gotten too old for this stuff, because really I'm not getting it and I'm not impressed.
These tramps are starting to grate on my nerves. Here you have a girl, Lindsay Lohan, that wasn't a bad actress in the beginning but she's wasting her life away w/ drugs and boozing. She recently got called on the carpet for not showing up to the set on time and/or missing days by the director of her latest movie and several stars have come out against her and talked badly about her behavior. Since she's compared herself to Marilyn Monroe, I'm sorta just waiting for the rerun of that huge tragedy. Seems she's headed in that direction and no one gives a crap... not even her mother. Her mom just makes excuse after excuse... but hey, when you have a money train in front of ya, what's a girl to do, right??!!!!
Paris Hilton recently got pulled over for drinking and driving - FINALLY... but the poor thing, she claims that she hadn't eaten all day and only had one margarita and then had to have an In N Out burger. This is when she got pulled over. I don't know but I think it's time for the authorities to throw the book at this ppl. The rest of the world has to pay the piper, why don't these ppl? She got off w/ a slap on the wrist but when your papa is a Hilton, what do ya expect!
I guess I'm still somewhat stunned that Paris Hilton is actually selling records. She redid the video to her Stars Are Blind single, which is smart on her part because her lip syncing was the worst I've ever seen. She's a lucky little tramp, I will say that. The money this girl makes... it blows my mind! But hey, I think she shot to stardom after her One Night in Paris or was it after her constant partying ways and provocative outfits on the red carpet? Whatever it is... she has made the most of it.
I don't get it. Why not put on some panties before leaving home? Was she too wasted to notice or what? I mean, come on, how do you forget the panties? And... it's not like her skirt was a long one by any means... oh no, it's a short skirt... so the chances are way higher of it happening.
She's not the only one who does this since Paris Hilton made it oh so popular a few months back. She was snapped not once but twice showing her precious to the world. Am I missing something because I think I am, or I've gotten too old for this stuff, because really I'm not getting it and I'm not impressed.
These tramps are starting to grate on my nerves. Here you have a girl, Lindsay Lohan, that wasn't a bad actress in the beginning but she's wasting her life away w/ drugs and boozing. She recently got called on the carpet for not showing up to the set on time and/or missing days by the director of her latest movie and several stars have come out against her and talked badly about her behavior. Since she's compared herself to Marilyn Monroe, I'm sorta just waiting for the rerun of that huge tragedy. Seems she's headed in that direction and no one gives a crap... not even her mother. Her mom just makes excuse after excuse... but hey, when you have a money train in front of ya, what's a girl to do, right??!!!!
Paris Hilton recently got pulled over for drinking and driving - FINALLY... but the poor thing, she claims that she hadn't eaten all day and only had one margarita and then had to have an In N Out burger. This is when she got pulled over. I don't know but I think it's time for the authorities to throw the book at this ppl. The rest of the world has to pay the piper, why don't these ppl? She got off w/ a slap on the wrist but when your papa is a Hilton, what do ya expect!
I guess I'm still somewhat stunned that Paris Hilton is actually selling records. She redid the video to her Stars Are Blind single, which is smart on her part because her lip syncing was the worst I've ever seen. She's a lucky little tramp, I will say that. The money this girl makes... it blows my mind! But hey, I think she shot to stardom after her One Night in Paris or was it after her constant partying ways and provocative outfits on the red carpet? Whatever it is... she has made the most of it.
what's in a weekend?
our weekend was pretty uneventful, so i don't have much to blog about. we did walk around the corniche thursday night, which was nice. the weather was good, ppl were everywhere sitting on blankets, talking, and laughing. children were running and playing, ppl were jogging, guys were playing soccer and there were even rollerbladers - which was a bit odd since it was dark out, but it was nice to see so many ppl enjoying themselves.
while we were walking down the pathway by the seaside, i was somewhat dumbfounded by what i saw coming towards us. there were two guys walking and one guy had a monkey on a leash. it was a little monkey and he had it dressed in girly clothes. i sooo disagree w/ this and it took everything inside of me not to say something. but really, it wouldn't have done any good. i wonder how he got this monkey. i'm assuming they're being smuggled into bahrain.
there's a show that i watch on animal planet called monkey business. the facility is located in the UK and they take in monkeys that have been abused, used for shows on TV or in the streets or in countries in far east asia or the middle east, and some of the monkeys are some that ppl have taken as pets only to realize later that monkeys can't be pets. so many ppl leave these animals chained up outside, in small cages, or try to keep them in their homes, which as soon as the monkey gets old enough, they realize how destructive they are and strong... so they wind up doing whatever they can to get rid of them. anyway.. this is a great show and i'm seriously thinking of contacting them to let them know that monkeys are being brought into bahrain - whatever the means - if they're smuggled or brought in legally. it doesn't matter because it shouldn't be happening.
this is a trade that i so disagree with. usually the mothers are killed in order to get the babies. they are smuggled in crates where many die. they are cared for by ppl who aren't capable of taking care of them, abused because they won't do what their owners want.... or used in shows on TV or in countries like thailand and such... for the enjoyment of humans. so you get ppl seeing these shows and the first thing they think is "oooohhh, i want a monkey". who would get a monkey w/out reading up and researching it first? it's not like having a cat or dog.
my FIL was talking about getting a monkey. i couldn't believe it and, this time, i didn't stay silent. i remember one indonesian housemaid that we had. she told me about the monkeys that her son had tied up outside of their house. i couldn't even listen to the story. sometimes i want to shake ppl and say "WAKE UP!!!!... monkeys shouldn't be pets".
and then... we walked past what used to be the dolphin park. i know that animal orgs have been very busy trying to keep this place from opening up again after the fire... but i have a feeling that this guy knows some higher ups and it will be opened again. here, a fire broke out, one marine animal was killed, parents who left their children unattended at the place rushed there in hopes that their kids hadn't been killed, the place is tooooooo dang small for all the marine animals that they have, it's a safety hazard, what training do the employees at this place have???, but... they wan't to reopen it and put on nightly shows for the public once again. even the owner has argued at how well the animals are kept. OH OK.... yeah, i bet. what degrees do these ppl have that are taking care of the animals? where were they trained? who's training the animals to do the tricks? i believe this place even has a whale, if i'm not mistaken. this place is small and they have a whale, dolphins, sea lions and such! what a shame, truly. ppl don't care here. it's just a place to drop off your child for the night.... and looky looky children... you get to see a whale, dolphins... and they have games for you... and popcorn.
which reminds me of the circus. here they're moving to juffair and i thought they were leaving the country! they've been here for like 3 years now. i grew up w/ circus' coming and going. NEVER have i seen a circus stay so long in one place. usually they are up and outta there in a few wks time. the tigers are kept in small cages outside in this heat - which i informed a few animal rights orgs about some time ago... but... once again, nothing can be done. i wonder why! who's financing this circus? they have a whole village set up for their use. i guess they'll be here forever and no one gives a damn! nightly you see cars packed into that place and for what? to see a man riding around on a horse? to see the tigers come out and be hit w/ whips to jump from one stand to another?! all for the amusement of humans. it makes me sick. i wonder what'll happen when the tigers get sick of it and kill one of the handlers? then... they'll kill the tigers and it'll be talked about for months. personally, i believe the handlers and the ppl who back this crap should be whipped, chained, put in small cages outside and be eaten alive by the tigers. yeah... that's the ticket that i'll buy!!!!!!!
while we were walking down the pathway by the seaside, i was somewhat dumbfounded by what i saw coming towards us. there were two guys walking and one guy had a monkey on a leash. it was a little monkey and he had it dressed in girly clothes. i sooo disagree w/ this and it took everything inside of me not to say something. but really, it wouldn't have done any good. i wonder how he got this monkey. i'm assuming they're being smuggled into bahrain.
there's a show that i watch on animal planet called monkey business. the facility is located in the UK and they take in monkeys that have been abused, used for shows on TV or in the streets or in countries in far east asia or the middle east, and some of the monkeys are some that ppl have taken as pets only to realize later that monkeys can't be pets. so many ppl leave these animals chained up outside, in small cages, or try to keep them in their homes, which as soon as the monkey gets old enough, they realize how destructive they are and strong... so they wind up doing whatever they can to get rid of them. anyway.. this is a great show and i'm seriously thinking of contacting them to let them know that monkeys are being brought into bahrain - whatever the means - if they're smuggled or brought in legally. it doesn't matter because it shouldn't be happening.
this is a trade that i so disagree with. usually the mothers are killed in order to get the babies. they are smuggled in crates where many die. they are cared for by ppl who aren't capable of taking care of them, abused because they won't do what their owners want.... or used in shows on TV or in countries like thailand and such... for the enjoyment of humans. so you get ppl seeing these shows and the first thing they think is "oooohhh, i want a monkey". who would get a monkey w/out reading up and researching it first? it's not like having a cat or dog.
my FIL was talking about getting a monkey. i couldn't believe it and, this time, i didn't stay silent. i remember one indonesian housemaid that we had. she told me about the monkeys that her son had tied up outside of their house. i couldn't even listen to the story. sometimes i want to shake ppl and say "WAKE UP!!!!... monkeys shouldn't be pets".
and then... we walked past what used to be the dolphin park. i know that animal orgs have been very busy trying to keep this place from opening up again after the fire... but i have a feeling that this guy knows some higher ups and it will be opened again. here, a fire broke out, one marine animal was killed, parents who left their children unattended at the place rushed there in hopes that their kids hadn't been killed, the place is tooooooo dang small for all the marine animals that they have, it's a safety hazard, what training do the employees at this place have???, but... they wan't to reopen it and put on nightly shows for the public once again. even the owner has argued at how well the animals are kept. OH OK.... yeah, i bet. what degrees do these ppl have that are taking care of the animals? where were they trained? who's training the animals to do the tricks? i believe this place even has a whale, if i'm not mistaken. this place is small and they have a whale, dolphins, sea lions and such! what a shame, truly. ppl don't care here. it's just a place to drop off your child for the night.... and looky looky children... you get to see a whale, dolphins... and they have games for you... and popcorn.
which reminds me of the circus. here they're moving to juffair and i thought they were leaving the country! they've been here for like 3 years now. i grew up w/ circus' coming and going. NEVER have i seen a circus stay so long in one place. usually they are up and outta there in a few wks time. the tigers are kept in small cages outside in this heat - which i informed a few animal rights orgs about some time ago... but... once again, nothing can be done. i wonder why! who's financing this circus? they have a whole village set up for their use. i guess they'll be here forever and no one gives a damn! nightly you see cars packed into that place and for what? to see a man riding around on a horse? to see the tigers come out and be hit w/ whips to jump from one stand to another?! all for the amusement of humans. it makes me sick. i wonder what'll happen when the tigers get sick of it and kill one of the handlers? then... they'll kill the tigers and it'll be talked about for months. personally, i believe the handlers and the ppl who back this crap should be whipped, chained, put in small cages outside and be eaten alive by the tigers. yeah... that's the ticket that i'll buy!!!!!!!
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