I’ve always envied kittens and babies. They live in a world filled with love. Their little minds know nothing beside pleasant things. But sometimes, you watch them sleeping, and wonder, what could they possibly be dreaming of? What do kittens see in their dreams? Do they have nightmares? You see their heart beating fast, and their ears twitching, and you wonder, is it the boggy monster chasing them again? Or are they having a pleasant dream? Probably eating some yummy sardines, or chasing butterflies in the backyard?
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Miss Perfection
Everything is perfect in Miss Perfection’s prefect little world. She is flawless. She has the most perfect little face, perfect hair, and a perfect smile.
Everyone envied Miss Perfection and her perfect life
She lives in a perfect house, in a perfect little village. She has perfect friends, and a perfect little cat. She loves to spend afternoons in her perfect garden. She loves to bake perfect little cakes, and host perfect tea parties for her perfect friends.
But no matter how perfectly perfect Miss Perfection’s perfect life seems, underneath her smile is nothing but hollow darkness, and perfect emptiness.
Cold nothingness lies beyond the borders of her perfect little village.
She is but an image, a few words, a victim of imagination. Her soul is trapped beneath her wax skin for eternity. She can never be free.
Everyone envied Miss Perfection and her perfect life
She lives in a perfect house, in a perfect little village. She has perfect friends, and a perfect little cat. She loves to spend afternoons in her perfect garden. She loves to bake perfect little cakes, and host perfect tea parties for her perfect friends.
But no matter how perfectly perfect Miss Perfection’s perfect life seems, underneath her smile is nothing but hollow darkness, and perfect emptiness.
Cold nothingness lies beyond the borders of her perfect little village.
She is but an image, a few words, a victim of imagination. Her soul is trapped beneath her wax skin for eternity. She can never be free.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Hi My Name is Mariam and I'm An Addict
For me, a meal without Coke is incomplete. A habit I’ve been trying to lose for more than a few years. I remember when we were little, this sweet poison never entered our refrigerator, it was only ‘diet’ Coke for the older folks. But with time, and as we grew up, we started questioning those rules, as it was not ‘fair’ for ‘them’ to drink coke, while it was forbidden for us! Our older cousins were the first to break those rules, and once they are broken… they’re broken!
The problem with us (and by us I mean mankind) is that we know all the harms we are doing to our bodies and our health, but as long as its something that won’t effect our health IMMEDIATELY , we see it as an insignificant thing.
Besides the fact that Coke causes bone fracture, and that it contains high amounts of sugar and other freaky things, the concept of drinking any cold liquid with a meal is totally wrong.
I read somewhere that drinking cold water after (or with) a hot meal can cause discomfort in the stomach and sometimes food poisoning! (yea food poisoning!)
It happened once to my grandmother, she ate something with melted cheese, and drank a lot of cold soft drinks after the meal. They had to hospitalize her!
What happens is, the cold liquid will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed, and slow down the digestion process, causing discomfort.
Well, after having said all that, are we willing to finally give up on that habit??
Yeah… maybe some day :-)
The problem with us (and by us I mean mankind) is that we know all the harms we are doing to our bodies and our health, but as long as its something that won’t effect our health IMMEDIATELY , we see it as an insignificant thing.
Besides the fact that Coke causes bone fracture, and that it contains high amounts of sugar and other freaky things, the concept of drinking any cold liquid with a meal is totally wrong.
I read somewhere that drinking cold water after (or with) a hot meal can cause discomfort in the stomach and sometimes food poisoning! (yea food poisoning!)
It happened once to my grandmother, she ate something with melted cheese, and drank a lot of cold soft drinks after the meal. They had to hospitalize her!
What happens is, the cold liquid will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed, and slow down the digestion process, causing discomfort.
Well, after having said all that, are we willing to finally give up on that habit??
Yeah… maybe some day :-)
Books Are My Best Friends
I've read this book about three months ago, but from time to time I like going though my favorite books, reading some of my favorite paragraphs. They always inspire me every time I read them.
Out of Ideas!!
This photo pretty much explains the situation I’m in right now! That photo block? Yeah… I’m going through it at the moment.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Story of A Man
This Poem is dedicated to all those who have been abused in the name of truth.
This is the story of a man
A story of faith and hope
A story of struggle and survival
A story of life...
It begins with the tears of a mother
It tells of wolves on the form of humans
And a dream that never saw the light of day
It’s a story of a man
Who witnessed his life being slaughtered!
His dignity being murdered!
His soul being stabbed!
His faith being punished!
His love blown away...
And yet... he lived
It’s a story of a man
Accused of existence
Abused with persistence
Denied of his right be human
And as the minutes and months passed by
Days seemed endless
And nights seemed morningless
But he never lost faith in Allah
This is a story of cruelty and injustice
And the concealed dark side of man
I can't tell this story
It couldn't be told in words
It’s carved on the remains of a broken heart
And painted with dry tears
I am sorry to disappoint you
But this story isn't of rainbows and ponies
Nor of happy dancing elves
It’s of reality
Cold
Cruel
Harsh
Unbearable reality
This man might have his happy ending
But soon... this story will find another man to tell of
-A Poem by Mariam A. (me)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
There Was an Old Flower That Lived in a Shoe...
Fluffy was a happy little flower growing in a happy little field with its happy little friends. Fluffy would wake up each morning when gentle sunrays would kiss its happy little face to announce the beginning of the new day.
Fluffy and friends would spend the whole day enjoying the cool breeze, fluttering as the sweet wind blows through their petals, whispering sweet lullabies as it passes them by.
Bumble bees would come visiting every now and then. Beautiful butterflies would spread their wings around them and dance a merry little dance. And when the sun says good night, and sends its golden farewell kisses across the fields, Fluffy and friends would all curl up in their grassy beds, and watch the shiny little stars twinkle in joy across the midnight sky. Good old Moon would spread its warm silver charms, and Fluffy would fall soundly asleep and dream of all things sweet.
Fluffy would not trade the humble little field it calls home for all the riches of the world.
But Fluffy’s happy little life would not continue to be a happy one. For Fluffy was taken away from the happy little field, and placed in an old shoe by the windowsill.
Everyday became harder for Fluffy to bear! The sweet little memories began to fade, and so did Fluffy’s beautiful petals. And before Fluffy realized, the young little flower that was once happy and full of life, became a wilted, old, lifeless flower.
Sometimes Fluffy would hear the sweet lullabies the gentle wind once sang, and the buzzing of bumble bees. But only to realize, the sounds are only illusions disturbing Fluffy’s weak and saddened mind.
And this is how poor little Fluffy spent the rest of its days… in an old shoe, by the windowsill.
Fluffy and friends would spend the whole day enjoying the cool breeze, fluttering as the sweet wind blows through their petals, whispering sweet lullabies as it passes them by.
Bumble bees would come visiting every now and then. Beautiful butterflies would spread their wings around them and dance a merry little dance. And when the sun says good night, and sends its golden farewell kisses across the fields, Fluffy and friends would all curl up in their grassy beds, and watch the shiny little stars twinkle in joy across the midnight sky. Good old Moon would spread its warm silver charms, and Fluffy would fall soundly asleep and dream of all things sweet.
Fluffy would not trade the humble little field it calls home for all the riches of the world.
But Fluffy’s happy little life would not continue to be a happy one. For Fluffy was taken away from the happy little field, and placed in an old shoe by the windowsill.
Everyday became harder for Fluffy to bear! The sweet little memories began to fade, and so did Fluffy’s beautiful petals. And before Fluffy realized, the young little flower that was once happy and full of life, became a wilted, old, lifeless flower.
Sometimes Fluffy would hear the sweet lullabies the gentle wind once sang, and the buzzing of bumble bees. But only to realize, the sounds are only illusions disturbing Fluffy’s weak and saddened mind.
And this is how poor little Fluffy spent the rest of its days… in an old shoe, by the windowsill.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Simplest Joys of Life
Its funny how we take everything for granted, all the splendors of nature that God created for us. We never stop to admire their perfection, or to enjoy their beauty. The amazing details found in a single plant, the heavenly perfumes produced by a single flower, the stunning blend of colors found in every inch of nature.. if we simply notice all those wonders, we surly would be more happier and healthier everyday.
Pink!
Pink has fascinated me for as long as I can remember! Everything I own has to have pink in it, even my mobile phone (which is totally pink!). Call it an obsession, or what ever you want to call it, but this color really does hypnotize me! My room is pink, the curtains are pink, the carpet is pink.. even the walls are pink :p
Although I’m really a pink addict, but I don’t get the whole 'girls have to love pink' stereotype. I read somewhere that in the early 18th century, pink was a boys color (ok girls don’t really have to love pink.. but boys??)
Pink was considered a boys color because it was thought of as a washed out 'red', and red represents strength. While blue was considered a girl's color, since blue was peaceful and calming. I agree, blue can be a girls color, I like blue sometimes, but the thought of a boy liking pink is totally out of the question!
Well.. I think of pink as a color of love and dreams! That’s how I see it :)
Have a happy lovely pink weekend everyone!
Although I’m really a pink addict, but I don’t get the whole 'girls have to love pink' stereotype. I read somewhere that in the early 18th century, pink was a boys color (ok girls don’t really have to love pink.. but boys??)
Pink was considered a boys color because it was thought of as a washed out 'red', and red represents strength. While blue was considered a girl's color, since blue was peaceful and calming. I agree, blue can be a girls color, I like blue sometimes, but the thought of a boy liking pink is totally out of the question!
Well.. I think of pink as a color of love and dreams! That’s how I see it :)
Have a happy lovely pink weekend everyone!
Friday, April 17, 2009
New Layout!
I've been searching the web for some textures to use on one of my photos, and I found this cute layout! I just love polka dots! I adore them!
[6/52] Week 6!
Been really stressed out this week! There's been a lot going on here.
First there's the new kitty, which we bought home after finding her wandering in the streets on her own. Poor thing must have lost her mother!
Any ways.. now she is sick! I just hope its nothing serious.
I just find it so hard to trust veterinarians here! I have had a horrible experience with one, he gave me the wrong medication, which resulted in the death of my baby pigeon!
The other problem is, each one has a different opinion, I called a couple of doctors this evening, and each told me the opposite of what the previous doctor told me!!!
Its really driving me crazy!
I just hope I won't need to take her to any doctor, and she would get better in the morning.
First there's the new kitty, which we bought home after finding her wandering in the streets on her own. Poor thing must have lost her mother!
Any ways.. now she is sick! I just hope its nothing serious.
I just find it so hard to trust veterinarians here! I have had a horrible experience with one, he gave me the wrong medication, which resulted in the death of my baby pigeon!
The other problem is, each one has a different opinion, I called a couple of doctors this evening, and each told me the opposite of what the previous doctor told me!!!
Its really driving me crazy!
I just hope I won't need to take her to any doctor, and she would get better in the morning.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
I Miss You Kitties!
Mickey first started showing up near our house, and of course on seeing him the first thing we did was feed him some of the left over chicken. Day after day he would show up at the kitchen window, taking advantage of his baby face and making us love him even more! After almost a week, a shy little kitten started appearing behind Mickey, making his way into our hearts too, we named him Figaro and he was an Egyptian Mau baby. Mickey loved him as if he was his father (he might have been his father) and soon Figaro's brother Kimba came with them too. It didn't take long before all of Mickey's friends found out about this gold mine, since we were the only cat lovers in our area.
A new face was noticed, a fluffy golden brown kitten, we called her Nouny. She was a unlike all the others, she was very fierce and aggressive with other cats, but very very sweet with us humans! She was the only one allowed inside the house, the others were just outdoor cats.
Honey and Flea found out about us, and came in to join the clan, they were very young, about 6 months old, and it looks like they had lost their mother. Its really strange, but somehow all those cats were living together in harmony, unlike most stray cats. Usually stray cats don’t get along much, especially male cats.
One day I woke up in the morning and felt there was something unusual, when I asked what has happened, I was told that last night Honey was found on the sidewalk, hit by a car!!! I cannot begin to express how I felt at that moment!! Flea, her brother was left alone... I could see the hidden tears inside his eyes; I could see he was devastated!! He lost all he has in this world, his loving sister. Naturally, he was allowed inside the house, fearing that what happened to his sister might happen to him also. From that day on Flea held a very special place inside my heart and my parents’ also. He was very weak, and always had fights street cats that were not ours, and mostly he would lose the fight and come back home with injuries. Once he went missing for seven days and when he came back he was injured so bad.. the skin on his head and left ear was all ripped off! He lost so much blood and his condition was terrible. I thought he would not make it, but thank God, in a week he was already starting to recover and the wound was healing, two weeks and it was like he never had this injury! It was a miracle!
In about that time, I discovered that Nouny was about to have babies! It was very exciting!
I started all the preparations; I made her a tiny little room under my desk, with a little cozy bed. Everyone in the house was excited about this, even the other cats.
In about three months Dbdoob (means teddy bear in Arabic), Kitty and Bunny were born! The babies and Flea were going along very well, he would even baby-sit them when mommy would go out for a walk.
A month after the new babies were born, Chiggy, (a stray cat who also joined the clan) gave birth to a litter of four in the garage. Tommy, Cocoa, Vara (strange name! It originated from the word Fara which means in Arabic ‘Mouse’, he looked like a mouse) and Qau (instead of saying meow he would say qaaau! so we called him Qau).
When the kittens were about two weeks old, a horrible accident happened.
Our German neighbors were walking their dog... when suddenly the dog would go lose and run into the garage and attack Chiggy and her kittens. He bit Cocoa by her tummy like she was one of his little toys!! The poor little kitty died of her wounds! She was still very fragile and small, she could not make it!
Those arrogant neighbors did not care at all to what happened to this poor little thing! They were supposed to pay a fine for walking their dog unleashed, but unfortunately, they wouldn’t even apologize for what had happened.
Chiggy the mommy was living in terror for almost a week, until she felt the threat was no longer there, poor poor cat lost her baby right in front of her eyes! I cannot imagine how cruel a human being can be!!! (it is not the dogs fault.. after all he is an animal!)
Days went by, the little kitties were growing up, the indoor babies were allowed to play in the garden every once in a while, and sometimes the mommies would go hunting and bring back food for them! (I thought it was gross, but that is nature!!)
I would cook food for them, and they would all eat from the same plate, and the best part is when I call them for their meal, they would be playing in the garden, some even outside the fences, and once they hear me clapping for them... a flood of cats would start running towards me! Cats of all shapes and sizes!
Well... it was all going well until once when I went out to serve them breakfast, Dabdoob was sitting in a corner all alone. I went to him to see what was wrong and he looked perfectly fine. I picked him up and took him to the plate so he can eat with his friends, but he could not stand!!! I held him up again but he kept falling and could not stand on his feet!!
I took him inside the house and called my mother's uncle who was an expert on cats, he said that I better call a vet, this could be serious. I called the vet and he said that he would come right away.
A few hours later the vet came and he said that Dabdoob could have eaten something poisoned and that he was paralyzed! He hoped that this would not be permanent.
Later that evening I noticed that another cat (Vara) was having the same problem!
It was clear to me that some of the neighbors were doing this on purpose ( and by the way, they all had dogs!!). The two cats were kept inside the house, treated and taken care of until they got well again.
I have never seen two cats love each other like those two, Dabdoob and Vara! They were like twin brothers. Vara imitated Dabdoob in everything that he did, and that’s how I think he got poisoned too. Miraculously, they both recovered and started walking again. It was one of the happiest moments of my life when I saw Dabdoob stand up on his two feet once again!
Nouny and Jiggy were pregnant again!
This time Nouny had four, Garfield, Dolly, Brownie and a kitten that died when he was still a few days old. Chiggy had five babies, Dumbo, Mickey II, Cocoa (named after her late sister) Spikey and the lovely Honey! Imagine a house with 8 kittens!! It was crazy!
When relatives would visit and would see what the kitties were doing... they called us crazy, especially when they see my hands and arms all scratches and looking like I have been to battle!!
But I loved these scratches... they were a sign that I had 8 little monsters roaming around!!
Kiri, Bugsy and Bunny came later on that year, they were also Nouny's kittens, but they were born outside the house so they were not as friendly. They were wild, and when I say wild I mean WILD!
Almost a year later Nouny had another litter of four, all girls, Caramel, Vanilla, Mocha and Fudge. Chiggy also had four, Danny, Snoopea, Spotty and Leely! The family of cats that started with Mickey grew to become a family of 39 cats!
Unfortunately, the same person who has poisoned Dabdoob and Vara the first time, was fed up with my cats, and decided that he did not want them in the neighborhood anymore, if I only knew who he was!!! I lost almost all of them! One after the other they would go missing, and none of them were found.
I could not take it anymore, I could not lose the rest of them... I decided to put them up for adoption. But since those cats were not of pure breed (here in Egypt they prefer Siamese or Persian) no one wanted to take them... or what’s left of them…
The cats who were Mau’s went to EMRO cat shelter (a shelter for rescuing and sheltering homeless Egyptian Mau’s) and the rest (Chiggy and one of her daughters) were adopted by a nice lady.
This is a summary of the story of how I became obsessed with cats. It was an experience I will never forget, and it made me learn a lot about the lives of our little fluffy friends. As in human world, there is the good and the bad, there is the good and the bad in feline’s world too. And every single one of them has its own unique character; even their voices are very different. I could tell which cat it is only by hearing its voice.
I don’t have any cats right now, but someday, my house would be open again for all those kitties who need a home, and someone to love them.
I miss you kitties.. and everyday I dream of seeing you again in the next life!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Lazy Afternoon
Flu season is here! It’s that time of year when getting the flu is almost inevitable.
All the members of my family have already got it this season, and most of them are still recovering. I woke up this morning with the feeling that the virus is invading my body! My throat felt sore, and I was feeling very lazy.
I can’t recall who said it, but I remember I heard once that if you feel like that you should take an extra dose of Tylenol to scare the germs away!! If you’re wondering, no, I didn’t do it :D
Well, I think the prefect remedy for this is a cozy blanket, a cup of hot mint, and cuddling on the sofa with a good book. But you’re still getting that flu anyway!
All the members of my family have already got it this season, and most of them are still recovering. I woke up this morning with the feeling that the virus is invading my body! My throat felt sore, and I was feeling very lazy.
I can’t recall who said it, but I remember I heard once that if you feel like that you should take an extra dose of Tylenol to scare the germs away!! If you’re wondering, no, I didn’t do it :D
Well, I think the prefect remedy for this is a cozy blanket, a cup of hot mint, and cuddling on the sofa with a good book. But you’re still getting that flu anyway!
Small is not a synonym for insignificant
I found this tiny flower near the fence in our backyard, its much smaller than it seems in this photo. Even though we might think something as small as this is an unimportant part of nature, or life, but it has been created for a reason. This tiny little flower was standing there, it seemed so confident and full of pride, and at that very moment, I wished I were in its place.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A Letter to The Moon
Dear Gentle Moon,
Floating through a sea of unknown realms
For centuries you have stood
Ever so graceful, ever so elegant
Throughout generations your spells were cast
On earthly mortals, and on still, silent nights
Beauty envied your clear glowing disk
Poets were inspired by your rare being
Lovers cherished every wee moment
Spent under the charms of your sliver beams
Loners found solace in your comforting presence
Stars refuse to glitter without your blue warmth
And clouded midnight skies weep
When you cease to illuminate their passages
But man had a dream
As old as the time he looked upon your radiant glow
His dream was to reach you, to get to you
Was it curiosity that was driving him?
Or his everlasting love for you?
Or was it greed? I do not know
But in the end, his dream came true
And I wish it hadn’t
For with it, it bought disappointment
Oh Dear Moon!
Is it true?
That you are nothing but a big cluster of celestial rock?
Darkened by the emptiness around you?
Feeding on light you steal from the sun?
Is it true you are infested with swollen craters?
Eating away your pale surface?
Leaving holes on your perfect face?
Is it true?
That you suffer loneliness? That you’re isolated?
In a dark chilling corner of the universe?
With the idea of bringing serenity to earthlings
As your only console?
Oh! Please tell me it is not true!
Are you not made of pure heavenly lights?
Does magic not dwell in your atmosphere?
Alluring fragrances fill your air, does it not?
Diamond mountains surround your vast blue plains?
Your silver trees bare fruits of rare jewels?
Do crystal flowers not grow on your pearly soil?
Your never ending seas of mercury?
Your gleaming gemstone riverbeds?
Your lunar skies, always radiant
As rich as a dark blue velvet dress
Like that of an enchanting fairy princess?
Your sublime beauty?
Untouched, unseen by any mortal?
You are all that, are you not?
Man claims he had fulfilled his dream
He claims he reached the moon
He claims he had landed on the lunar surface
An achievement he is ever so proud of
Tell him! Prove to him it was not you he reached!
But a distant waste land
Abandoned, and left to decay with time!
-A Poem By Mariam A.
For centuries you have stood
Ever so graceful, ever so elegant
Throughout generations your spells were cast
On earthly mortals, and on still, silent nights
Beauty envied your clear glowing disk
Poets were inspired by your rare being
Lovers cherished every wee moment
Spent under the charms of your sliver beams
Loners found solace in your comforting presence
Stars refuse to glitter without your blue warmth
And clouded midnight skies weep
When you cease to illuminate their passages
But man had a dream
As old as the time he looked upon your radiant glow
His dream was to reach you, to get to you
Was it curiosity that was driving him?
Or his everlasting love for you?
Or was it greed? I do not know
But in the end, his dream came true
And I wish it hadn’t
For with it, it bought disappointment
Oh Dear Moon!
Is it true?
That you are nothing but a big cluster of celestial rock?
Darkened by the emptiness around you?
Feeding on light you steal from the sun?
Is it true you are infested with swollen craters?
Eating away your pale surface?
Leaving holes on your perfect face?
Is it true?
That you suffer loneliness? That you’re isolated?
In a dark chilling corner of the universe?
With the idea of bringing serenity to earthlings
As your only console?
Oh! Please tell me it is not true!
Are you not made of pure heavenly lights?
Does magic not dwell in your atmosphere?
Alluring fragrances fill your air, does it not?
Diamond mountains surround your vast blue plains?
Your silver trees bare fruits of rare jewels?
Do crystal flowers not grow on your pearly soil?
Your never ending seas of mercury?
Your gleaming gemstone riverbeds?
Your lunar skies, always radiant
As rich as a dark blue velvet dress
Like that of an enchanting fairy princess?
Your sublime beauty?
Untouched, unseen by any mortal?
You are all that, are you not?
Man claims he had fulfilled his dream
He claims he reached the moon
He claims he had landed on the lunar surface
An achievement he is ever so proud of
Tell him! Prove to him it was not you he reached!
But a distant waste land
Abandoned, and left to decay with time!
-A Poem By Mariam A.
The Secret Life of Bees
[2/52] The Secret Life of Bees
Originally uploaded by Midnight.Silver
There is nothing I enjoy more than going out for a walk all by myself. Even if I’m walking in a somewhat crowded place, I feel that I’m the only human in this universe.
Some people would find this feeling suffocating, but I think it would make a person appreciate the world around him more, and pay attention to tiny little details he wouldn’t have noticed while in the company of other people.
I was walking in the club yesterday (clubs in Egypt are more like big parks with cafés, tennis courts, children’s playgrounds, facilities, etc.) and I noticed some humming around a bed of flowers. I came closer and there were around twenty bees buzzing in all directions, they seemed so busy and occupied by what they were doing. They would fly from one flower to the next, and in less than a minute, they would have sucked nectar from more than five flowers at a time.
Oh how I envied them! How is it possible that bees, one of the tiniest of God’s creations, could have more dedication and persistence than us humans?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Drying Me Some Flowers
The other day I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a gift. I don’t really like receiving flowers as gifts, I feel so sorry for the poor flowers! I think they would have preferred it if they were left alone in their own environment, with all their other flower friends. Besides, I think it can sometimes be a waste of money, seeing that flowers only last for a few days.
So I thought why not dry them? I haven’t dried any flowers before, so I thought it could be fun, and the poor flowers would live a little longer :)
After a little searching on the world wide web, I found two methods for drying flowers.
The first method is air drying, which is to hang the flower up-side-down for almost three weeks until they are totally dry.
The second method is dry them using glycerin.
I thought I could try the glycerin, since they said the results would turn out better, I used only half of the flowers.
For every 2 parts of water, you add 1 part glycerin, and fill a pot up to 5 inches of this solution and let the flowers soak for almost 24 hours. You would have to keep flipping them every now and then so that the solution would get to each part of the flowers.
After that you let them dry and then tie them with strings and hang them up-side-down in a dark dry place for about two to three weeks.
My Flowers are still soaking, so I guess I would tell you how they turn out in about two weeks insha’Allah :)
So I thought why not dry them? I haven’t dried any flowers before, so I thought it could be fun, and the poor flowers would live a little longer :)
After a little searching on the world wide web, I found two methods for drying flowers.
The first method is air drying, which is to hang the flower up-side-down for almost three weeks until they are totally dry.
The second method is dry them using glycerin.
I thought I could try the glycerin, since they said the results would turn out better, I used only half of the flowers.
For every 2 parts of water, you add 1 part glycerin, and fill a pot up to 5 inches of this solution and let the flowers soak for almost 24 hours. You would have to keep flipping them every now and then so that the solution would get to each part of the flowers.
After that you let them dry and then tie them with strings and hang them up-side-down in a dark dry place for about two to three weeks.
My Flowers are still soaking, so I guess I would tell you how they turn out in about two weeks insha’Allah :)
Project 52
The first time I discovered that I have an interest in photography was on a trip to one of our relatives' farm here in Cairo. I noticed that I was enjoying myself while shooting some of the flowers there, and when I uploaded them to my computer and showed them to my family, their first response was; “Have you copied that from Google images?”
That was almost a year ago.
Now that my photography skills have developed a “little”, I thought now is the best time to start project 365, I liked the idea very much since I also love writing, and I thought photography and writing would make a really good couple.
But shooting a photo everyday is not very easy, and like I have seen from many other photographers, once someone is out of ideas and things to shoot, you start taking pictures that lack quality and or substance just for the mere reason of taking a picture. Simply filling in the blanks.
So I came up with the idea of project 52, which is taking a photo once a week, or a collection of photos combined together to represent one week for a whole year. But I discovered that other people have done the same thing, so it wasn’t just my own idea, cool!
I know I have started late, seeing that it’s already March now, but I thought a year is a year, where it started it will end.
So here we go!
توكلت على الله :)
That was almost a year ago.
Now that my photography skills have developed a “little”, I thought now is the best time to start project 365, I liked the idea very much since I also love writing, and I thought photography and writing would make a really good couple.
But shooting a photo everyday is not very easy, and like I have seen from many other photographers, once someone is out of ideas and things to shoot, you start taking pictures that lack quality and or substance just for the mere reason of taking a picture. Simply filling in the blanks.
So I came up with the idea of project 52, which is taking a photo once a week, or a collection of photos combined together to represent one week for a whole year. But I discovered that other people have done the same thing, so it wasn’t just my own idea, cool!
I know I have started late, seeing that it’s already March now, but I thought a year is a year, where it started it will end.
So here we go!
توكلت على الله :)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Funny, I Don't Remeber Writing This...
So, I was looking through my old things the other day, and I found my old diary and jewelry box. Inside the jewelry box were two folded sheets of paper that I don't remember putting there. I opened the first sheet and read it, but I really could not remember writing it at all! But it was my handwriting, and it was something I was likely to write, so it must have been me. Here is what it said...
It is such a pity to be living in a beautiful planet as this and not be able to feel its beauty with your five senses. Oh if I had wings! The places I would go! I would soar through purple skies at sunrise, smelling the sweet perfumes of freshness. Up above the clouds I would fly, floating on waves of shining sun rays. Just to be able to feel the gentle wind surrounding me. It is such a pity to see the moon and stars glittering every night and not be able to touch them with your own fingers and feel them sparkle on your face.
But maybe all this is just an illusion? An artificial picture? Maybe holding the stars with your hands and flying over the clouds wouldn’t be as magical as it sounds? Maybe the real magic is the illusion itself? But still, I wish…
It is such a pity to be living in a beautiful planet as this and not be able to feel its beauty with your five senses. Oh if I had wings! The places I would go! I would soar through purple skies at sunrise, smelling the sweet perfumes of freshness. Up above the clouds I would fly, floating on waves of shining sun rays. Just to be able to feel the gentle wind surrounding me. It is such a pity to see the moon and stars glittering every night and not be able to touch them with your own fingers and feel them sparkle on your face.
But maybe all this is just an illusion? An artificial picture? Maybe holding the stars with your hands and flying over the clouds wouldn’t be as magical as it sounds? Maybe the real magic is the illusion itself? But still, I wish…
Monday, October 6, 2008
Emotions
Emotions are the language of the heart
When you feel sad
Your heart utters tears
When you feel happy
Your heart whispers smiles
And when you feel lonely
Your heart screams silence...
-Mariam A.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A Strange Dream
I had the strangest dream the other night, it seemed so real and vivid.
I was at my great aunt's old apartment, she was lying in bed, sick of old age. Everything around her was so grey and dim, and the apartment seemed like an old ruin that was once a very luxurious place. I could feel the memories the place held, beautiful memories that became tiny particles of dust lurking in the stale air of the apartment.
Suddenly I was transported to the time when the place was still fresh and new. My great aunt was young and lively again. I introduced my self to her and she did not recognize me. "I am Rasha's daughter" I said to her and she immediately knew who I was, I was surprised at how she could know me when my mom was not even born at that time.
The place that was an old ruin falling apart a moment ago was now bright, radiant and full of life. It was late in the evening. The place was lit by candles. Her husband came in and he was talking to her about their children. She asked me how my mom was "She doesn’t call anymore." She said to me. And with a blink of an eye I was back in the old place, all grey and dark again. There she was in her bed, just as I had left her.
I was at my great aunt's old apartment, she was lying in bed, sick of old age. Everything around her was so grey and dim, and the apartment seemed like an old ruin that was once a very luxurious place. I could feel the memories the place held, beautiful memories that became tiny particles of dust lurking in the stale air of the apartment.
Suddenly I was transported to the time when the place was still fresh and new. My great aunt was young and lively again. I introduced my self to her and she did not recognize me. "I am Rasha's daughter" I said to her and she immediately knew who I was, I was surprised at how she could know me when my mom was not even born at that time.
The place that was an old ruin falling apart a moment ago was now bright, radiant and full of life. It was late in the evening. The place was lit by candles. Her husband came in and he was talking to her about their children. She asked me how my mom was "She doesn’t call anymore." She said to me. And with a blink of an eye I was back in the old place, all grey and dark again. There she was in her bed, just as I had left her.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Daffodils
Its amazing how words can have a deep effect on a soul. Therefore,words in a poem don't just deliver meaning, they have their own identity, making the reader feel the poem instead of just reading it.
Here is one of my favorite poems, when I first read it, I flew beneath the trees, felt the breeze blow in my face, and danced with the daffodils :)
Daffodils
by William Wordsworth
I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
My Version of Dr. Seuss' "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!"
I had been a fan of Dr. Seuss' books since I was a kid, (explains why I love poetry!) and my favorites were The Cat in The Hat, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, Horton Hatches The Egg, Green Eggs and Ham, and the list goes on...
But I never actually liked "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!" so I decided I could write a better version :)
But I never actually liked "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!" so I decided I could write a better version :)
Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!
You can think of bees
You can think of trees
Or you can think of pink bees on candy cane trees!
You can think of anything
Or you can think of nothing
Or you can think of wearing hats on your knees!
Oh the thinks you can think
If only you can try!
You can think of blue ducks
Wearing yellow rubber boots
Did you ever think of purple kitties
Wearing dresses of purple lilies?
Think! Think and wonder...
What would you say to a talking cucumber?
Or what would you do
If you met a giant cuckoo?
Think of candy ships
Sailing in red Dr. Pepper seas
Think of funny people
Racing with sea horses under the sea
You can think of green spiders
You can think of pink cows
And the little ant that lives in a shoe!
Think! Oh the thinks you can think!
You can think of the sky...
You can think of the moon...
And the furry creatures having fun on the sun!
You can wonder...
How would it be like
To ride on thunder!
You can think of jellybean birds
Living in silver nests about the rainbow
You can try and think of flying elephants!
THINK! You can think of anything that you wish!
You can wish to think of traveling
Through the skies in a ship of clouds
Or you can wish to think...
Of spinning around the world in a bubble
Try to think of dancing gorillas
Or try to wonder...
What would a fly dream of in her sleep
You can think of living under the ocean
Or sleeping on a butterfly's wing
You can think of polka-dot frogs
Dinning in their fancy restaurant
By their pond
Oh... the thinks you can think!
THINK! Never stop thinking!
And you will think of all the thinks you can think!
You can think of trees
Or you can think of pink bees on candy cane trees!
You can think of anything
Or you can think of nothing
Or you can think of wearing hats on your knees!
Oh the thinks you can think
If only you can try!
You can think of blue ducks
Wearing yellow rubber boots
Did you ever think of purple kitties
Wearing dresses of purple lilies?
Think! Think and wonder...
What would you say to a talking cucumber?
Or what would you do
If you met a giant cuckoo?
Think of candy ships
Sailing in red Dr. Pepper seas
Think of funny people
Racing with sea horses under the sea
You can think of green spiders
You can think of pink cows
And the little ant that lives in a shoe!
Think! Oh the thinks you can think!
You can think of the sky...
You can think of the moon...
And the furry creatures having fun on the sun!
You can wonder...
How would it be like
To ride on thunder!
You can think of jellybean birds
Living in silver nests about the rainbow
You can try and think of flying elephants!
THINK! You can think of anything that you wish!
You can wish to think of traveling
Through the skies in a ship of clouds
Or you can wish to think...
Of spinning around the world in a bubble
Try to think of dancing gorillas
Or try to wonder...
What would a fly dream of in her sleep
You can think of living under the ocean
Or sleeping on a butterfly's wing
You can think of polka-dot frogs
Dinning in their fancy restaurant
By their pond
Oh... the thinks you can think!
THINK! Never stop thinking!
And you will think of all the thinks you can think!
Here We Go...
I've always wondered how bloggers have so much to write about. Now that I've created my blog, I have no idea what to say! Don't get me wrong, I love writing, in fact I consider myself a writer (although all I've written are a few poems and a couple of short stories :P)
But eventually... it will come!
But eventually... it will come!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Bloggin'
My very first post! YAY! I have created this blog five days ago, and since then I have been searching the web for an appropriate layout. I was looking for something dark, I had a theme in mind and I was determined to find it! Well... I didn't.
After three long days of searching, I settled down for a nice pink and white layout, with a header that I have created.
But somehow, later on I found it to be very crowded with colors, and I decided to stick with a plain white layout, and of course with a touch of pink (everything I own has to have a hint of pink :) this color really does hypnotize me!)
After three long days of searching, I settled down for a nice pink and white layout, with a header that I have created.
But somehow, later on I found it to be very crowded with colors, and I decided to stick with a plain white layout, and of course with a touch of pink (everything I own has to have a hint of pink :) this color really does hypnotize me!)
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