Vacation - Arab style

It's 45 degrees. Sun is scorching. Shades get fogged up the moment you step outside. Peeps with long hair transform into Diana Ross.
'Tis the season for traveling.

For most people, traveling is the time for adventure at the destination: a relaxation time at the beach sipping cocktails from a coconut, or a cultural tour around a historic city, or an adrenaline rushed adventure with mountain climbing, cable rides, and a leap off a plane. Arabs have an even BIGGER adventure.

I Dream of Art, and Dreams Do Come True

Since I was in school, I have dreamt of finding a skilled caligrapher. This artists would do an artwork with verses from my favourite Surah in the Holy Quran: "Al Waqi'aa" - "The Event, The inevitable". In particular, I had envisioned the artwork to hold my favourite verses from the Surah, those that describe the heavens:

Boyfriend? No..Friend who's a Boy..Yes

I was checking my photos recently, and noticed a HUGE decline in the number of photos I have, last ones being the New Years 2010 party pics, and the class reunion pics I had sometime in Jan. What happened since then, why aren't I taking much pics when I carry my 2 cell phones & camera in tow ALL THE TIME?

I'll tell you why...no boy friend

And no, I don't mean "boyfriend"..what I mean is that trusty male platonic friend that willingly takes pics of you while u pose away.

Big Fat Arab Wedding

I last blogged in October, 3 months ago, or a million years in Internet time. I've had writer's block, been busy, moved houses, lived a little, but most of all, missed you.

During those 3 months, I've been to several important Arab events - in other words, weddings.
This utterly important day in the life of an Arab has evolved over the years. Traditionally, people married young, where the man's main desired qualities were his manners, character and his upholding of religious values. The woman's desired qualities were her family descent, her looks, her wealth, and her upholding of religious values. As such, it was not always the case that the man had a paying job, so it was quite common that the wedding was paid for by the groom's family. It was a huge affair involving family, friends, and friends of friends. Telling the world that there is a couple who now belong to each other and they invite you to join together in the aura of their happiness.

Nowadays, the desired qualities in a man are:

1. Has a good paying job, so he can support the spouse and future kids in a comfortable fashion that the bride has or has never gotten accustom to
2. Is kind, funny, sensitive, romantic, generous, a mind reader
3. Good looking, with a full head of hair, and preferably a six pack (abdominal 6 pack, not the beer)
4. Can open jars
5. Kills spiders

Breasts

Breasts are beautiful.

Breasts cushion your fall when you find yourself flat on your face.
Breasts protect your internal organs when you find a football going straight into your chest in front of a huge audience (True story. It didn't even hurt. Ball bounced halfway to field).
Breasts are floating devices. Test it, it's true.
Breasts ooze yummy delicious healthy food. I'm referring to a baby's perspective.
Breasts are a girl's best friend, they are always there for you. They're good listeners, and even hold your tears when you're crying.
Breasts are fun. Don't you enjoy how they bounce to music when you do?
Breasts are sexy.

It would be a crying shame if we lose them.