ReeMo's TaLL WorLD

John Galliano, head designer of French House Dior..

2011-06-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

[Apologies, this has been ready since last March, I have no clue why I didn't post it right away. Uni has taken its toll on me quite remarkably this semester I guess.. Anyhow, continue reading!]

...Has been suspended from the House of Dior due to "using anti-Semitic insults in a Paris bar".

Now let me get this straight, you're firing the top designer of Dior because of an 'insult' he made? This man has been with Dior since 1996. He racks in 700 million Euros annually. Was that a strong enough reason to suspend him entirely?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning talking about any race or religion in an inappropriate manner.. But come to think of it:

1- He's his own free person, and isn't freedom of speech the number one sought after right anywhere in the world? Whenever someone CAN'T say something the world roars about how deprived that person is and how freedom of speech is a must.

2- Assuming that his slur was regarding any another religion, would the Dior House have reacted in the same manner they did here? I highly doubt so. Like, really highly doubt so. And I say this with proof..

Exhibit A:

The Dutch Cartoon Controversy of 2005.

As many may remember, a Dutch newspaper had put out an announcement for a contest to who could draw the best "Muhammad" cartoon. On 30 September 2005 they said:

"the Jyllands-Posten daily newspaper ("The Jutland Post") published an article entitled "Muhammeds ansigt" ("The face of Muhammad"). The article consisted of 12 cartoons (of which only some depicted Muhammad) and an explanatory text, in which Flemming Rose, Jyllands-Posten's culture editor, commented:

"They [Muslims] demand a special position, insisting on special consideration of their own religious feelings. It is incompatible with contemporary democracy and freedom of speech, where one must be ready to put up with insults, mockery and ridicule. It is certainly not always attractive and nice to look at, and it does not mean that religious feelings should be made fun of at any price, but that is of minor importance in the present context. [...] we are on our way to a slippery slope where no-one can tell how the self-censorship will end. That is why Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten has invited members of the Danish editorial cartoonists union to draw Muhammad as they see him."

After the cartoons had been published, protests in Muslim countries had sparked. The backlash prompted the newspaper to apologise, but the Danish government defended its right to freedom of expression.

Going back to Mr. Galliano's case, I'll re-quote what I need here: "It is incompatible with contemporary democracy and freedom of speech" Wasn't Galliano expressing his freedom of speech? Why was he condemned for it? Is it not what the world demands? Shouldn't semitism be "ready to put up with insults, mockery and ridicule"? Or is it "insisting on special consideration of their own religious feelings"?

IRONICALLY

Exhibit B:

A group of Muslims had drawn a cartoon themselves. The cartoon shows two men, beneath an 'Auschwitz' sign. The Arab European League published the cartoon on their website. What do you think happened then? Denmark went nuts, fined the Muslim cartoonists 2500 euros (3200$), and quite frankly I don’t know what else. The Dutch court indicated that the cartoons were "unnecessarily hurtful" and pointed out that "the European Court of Human Rights, which considers freedom of speech of paramount importance and defends it thoroughly, makes an exception for the denial or trivialization of the Holocaust"

Why?

Here’s the excerpt I need, excuse the repetition if any:
“They [Muslims] demand a special position, insisting on special consideration of their own religious feelings. It is incompatible with contemporary democracy and freedom of speech, where one must be ready to put up with insults, mockery and ridicule.”

Um, excuse me? The “Muslims” demand special position and consideration? This is clearly not the case. Its been proved over and over again that any anti-semitic comments aren’t tolerated whatsoever and the people behind them are prosecuted, fined, jailed, and kicked out of their jobs as in Mr. Galliano’s case.

Not to mention the Mel Gibson anti-Semitism case back in ’06, and Charlie Sheen a little while back was told he was "borderline anti-Semitic" too after an interview with Chuck Lorre -his producer. These people are dragged to the ground and stripped of any titles or positions they held. They're ridiculed and stigmatized. All for expressing their simplest right, their freedom of speech.

That's not the part that irks me though, it's how inconsistent the world is in its reaction towards these religious/racial slurs.

I rest my case, I'll leave the rest for you to decide.

Again, I want to make my point clear, I do not condone ANY insensitive, rude, derogatory, or belittling comments towards people from any ethnicity or religious background, and I do not condone what Galliano said, but I deeply condemn the hypocrisy around this issue as the major movers and shakers of the world have proved to me time and time again how biased they are towards who they want.

June 2011 update:

According to the Financial Times, "if found guilty, Galliano could face up to six months in prison and a fine of €22,500 (US$31,187)." A Paris court had ordered he stand trial on charges of "public insults based on the origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity" against three people. The trial commenced on 22 June 2011.

^Note they've turned into three people now [A third lady popped up saying she faced the same situation from John last October, before this whole incident began.] They're actually making the man go into trial over a remark he made at a bar. Court trial. And I'd bet my entire savings account that if those insults were made towards a Muslim -especially- or a person of any other religion on that matter, not a leaf would've been turned in their defense. Yet its the Muslims who ask for special consideration, eh?

M A D W O R L D.

I'm sick of it.

Happy Birthday Chris Martin!

2011-03-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Wishing you many many more to come. Thank you for all your lovely music, I’ve been a fan since 2000 -I was 9. Seriously, thank you. You’re splendid, and I can’t imagine how the last 11 years would’ve been without you.

I find it amazingly funny that as soon as I'm done eating..

2011-02-25T13:41:00.000-08:00

As soon as the very last bite is in my mouth, This amazing unmeasurable feeling of guilt rushes through me. I’d say to myself “did you really need to eat that? Where you that hungry?” and it'll continue for quite some time.. Does anyone have a proper explanation for this? It’s really annoying to be frank. I just don't get why I must have such a complicated relationship with food!! I've said it before and I'll say it again, food is my abusive boyfriend :D no matter how much it beats me up I refuse to let go and always go back for more. FOOOOOD. LOL. Utter bullcrap. Anywaysss.... I'm dozing off as we speak. Must get to sleep!

Yes I'm lazy.

2011-01-26T15:08:00.000-08:00

I'm very lazy. I know that, I fully acknowledge it.

HOWEVER, there has been a slight glitch in communication between myself and my blog.

See, I've been posting a lot. Well, not a lot, but like, at least 2 posts a month.. And most of my posts were composed and sent through my lovely Blackberry -not so lovely apparently. Ever since October 1st, I haven't had the time to log into my blog from a computer. I'd send my posts through my phone regularly though. Up until a few days ago I wanted to check it out and change its appearance/layout only to find out that my most recent post was in last September :) My face went blank. WHERE. ARE. ALL. MY. POSTS? I don't know if I should try to get them all online here or something; I don't even know how the glitch occurred! I always send posts from my phone and its been great. Anyhow, it's almost 2:30 AM, and I really need to sleep because I need to get up super early tomorrow i.e.: in a few hours. I'll be testing my phone soon enough to see if I can blog from it properly.

Awkwardness.

2010-11-04T04:18:00.000-07:00

Just about an hour ago, I had the biggest awkward situation ever with someone.. And it kinda got to me, because I spend hours obsessing on whatever situation I was in for the whole day -possibly week. And I really really hate it because in an effort to make myself look all smug to the person who the situation concerns, I actually made a huge fool out of myself in the process. And now I hate me. And what happened. And I don't think I'll get over this soon, because that's just how I am. I dwell on whatever "embarrassing" situation I'm put through. UGHHHHH JUST WRITING THIS MAKES ME REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED AND GET ALL UNCOMFORTABLE AGAIN.

Its like I'm a freaking magnet to awkward situations. Why is it that I must encounter these on a weekly basis? Because this has been going on for quite some time now,, around 4 years now. I've noticed and counted.

I wasn't even done with writing that when something else happened, this time with a total stranger person who I must see daily (uni) but don't really know.
So from a weekly basis, I'm reduced to hourly. Yay :D

I hate this. Thank you very much.

Thursdaaay!

2010-09-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

I woke up with a fairly good mood, only downside was that I needed more sleep. But anyways.. Got ready, got in the car.. It's psychology Thursday! What better uni day is there?? Only two lectures of psychology back to back starting 10:30 (disregarding the anatomy practical I have at 3:30, meaning that I gotta stick around waiting for 3 hours).. Bliss! I am determined not to let anything mess up my mood :D

Until..

I reach the causeway.. And its crowded as ever (and I'm not saying its like that cuz its Thursday, cuz the causeway sucks errrryyyday ;) ) and all the cars.. Stuck in long long lines.. And all the horns and horn noises.. Bleh..

Still won't say my mood is fully messed up! This is a temporary mess up and will end as soon as I'm done with the causeway, or even better, when I see Customs Man.. The most exuberant happy optimistic man I've ever seen,,

Its psych Thursdaaaay!!!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from Aljawal

2010-09-21T12:49:00.000-07:00

"Let me take you down cuz I'm going to.. Strawberry fields.. Nothing is real, and nothing to get hung about.. Strawberry fields forever! Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.. Its getting hard to be someone but it all works out, it doesn't matter much to me.."
-Strawberry Fields Forever, The Beatles.

I wanna go to Strawberry Fields. Forever.
Really. Seems like a very cool place. And I can take my mind off of the current situation I'm in. And everything. Forever. Yay :)
Care to join?

That was lame. I know. I'll have a proper update up soon enough. Its just that everything is very hectic with uni starting and stuff so I need to get my mind -and everything else- organized first..

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from Aljawal

2010-09-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

"Ida Scott Taylor once wrote: Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."

-Lucas Scott, One Tree Hill

Just thought I'd share this quote because its so beautiful and real at the same time. I mean, if we forget the past and stop worrying about the future, if we could just realize how irrelevant everything but the present is, wouldn't life be that much nicer?
Unfortunately, I tend to dwell way too much on the past, and think too actively about the future to the extent that I sometimes feel paralyzed from moving on and evolving. I wish I could let go.. I'll try doing so from now on!

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Something I've Recently Become to Lack..

2010-09-06T16:14:00.000-07:00

Social etiquette skills.

I think I am by far one of the biggest losers ever -at least today proved so. At the mosque after prayer, I saw my friend and started chatting with her and stuff. In front of me, I saw a lady on a chair, late 40's perhaps.. She smiled to me and even though I looked at her straight in the eye, I shifted my sight away and acted like I hadn't seen her and continued speaking to my friend. To my amazement, the lady came up to us and said: "sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to say hello because I'm in a hurry nd I need to leave."

She shook my hand and asked me about myself, my family, my university, and like, everything that has anything to do with me in a minute. She knew I was doing medicine. She knew I was in Bahrain. She knew I was second year now. All my head could say was WHO IS THIS LADY? She knows a lot about me why don't I know her? Unfortunately, a weird habit of mine is not really speaking all.. Fluently (?) with people I don't recognize. I don't act even a tad bit welcoming. Its upsetting as I've been trying to let this go for quite some time but as I've come to realize, this was never an issue to me :/ I mean, I think I've only become this way during last year. I really was never this way. Heck, my friend would always call me the "social butterfly" of my year in high school! I guess losing a close friend for a long period of time (a whole year without her as opposed to seeing her on a daily basis) turns you into some sort of introvert?

Oh, and I never ever ask the person I don't recognize about who they might be. Ever. I just hope really really hard that they don't ask me if I know who they are, because I dread saying 'no' to them. Does this all make sense or am I being irrational? I'm almost 19 and at an average two times the size of the person I'm speaking to at any given time. Why can't I develop just a LITTLE more social etiquette skills? I mean, I don't have any issues with meeting new people.. Its just that I get all awkward around the ones who already know me when I have no clue who they are :S Also, its not like I intend to go all cold like that around them, it just happens. I just get so upset afterwards because I don't like giving people a wrong impression about myself.

Oh well.. I will discuss this in my head forever more.. Till I reach a more convincing state.

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Bread Buns With Holes?

2010-09-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

Guess what they are yet?
Bagels. They're not bread buns exactly, but whatever.

I made bagels. I woke up at 12 and made bagels. Being the fasting person I am at the moment, I am really craving those bagels. My problem with my bagels is though (besides their ridiculous calorie number) is that unfortunately, they look sorta ugly :/ although this batch looks considerably better than the last batch I made a week and a half ago, they're still lacking the beauty of those gorgeous New York bagels with the perfectly smooth round exterior. Mine are.. Grumpy looking. They taste amazing, as amazing as any New York bagel, I won't deny that. They just don't look amazing. They don't look so bad either, just.. Lackluster.

I need to find out the secret to the perfect looking bagel soon enough. Even though I personally don't mind eating them however they look like, some people have been asking me for bagels since forever, and I keep on blowing them off repeatedly :D because I refuse to serve anything short of perfect. I also can't bake bagels in Bahrain for the minor reason of me not owning an oven, but that's a whole other subject..

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August.. Back to the Sandbox

2010-08-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

August has arrived, and I just got back from New York a day ago, actually (:

I have lots of mixed feelings about being back in the "sandbox" as my friend would always call it :p After California, I insisted on my parents that we pass by New York again before we go back to Saudi. I won. Lol.. So instead of going back to Saudi on the 27th, we went to New York again and stayed there till the 31st. So, my issue is that wherever I go, EACH YEAR, is how attached I get to the place I travel to. Very attached. Like, I wanna live & study here and spend my whole life here and have kids here and have neighbors and meet people here attached. New York and California were two amazingly different places, yet I enjoyed each one so so much. People would ask me which one is nicer? Which did you have more fun in? My answer: your question is non applicable, sorry :p
so they'd get all pissed and give up in trying to make small talk with me. Unfortunately, I can't make up my mind and I can't give a more reasonable answer. I JUST LIKE BOTH. They're really different. So I can't compare. It's like asking me if I like steaks or oranges better :/ Anyways, yeah, after a pleasant dinner in Benihana of Tokyo on La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, we went for a drive through the city.. Nighttime in Los Angeles was truly something else. The cool chilly weather, the ambience of the streets, the whole setting of the city.. It isn't something you could forget! Especially that on that night, we drove through the UCLA campus, student apartments, and the fraternity and sorority houses with the huge Greek letters.. I gazed admirably at everything around me and tried helplessly to keep each bit in my photographic memory.. I wanted to study there! I really did with all my heart. Knowing that that's not going to happen anytime soon (hopefully for my residency though!!!), melancholy set in, and I started feeling bittersweet about the whole thing :( We got back to the hotel after a much enjoyable stroll around town, and somehow, my dad detected my unnerve-ness and asked what was wrong? I didn't say anything much.. Just a sigh and a hmph,, but what amazed me is what he said next. He put his arm around my shoulder and said while smiling: "Don't fall in love with California, Reem.. I'm telling you. Don't fall in love with L.A. It's a lost battle!" to which I replied.. HMPH! *DEEP UPSET SIGH* I was dumbstruck with what he said that I remained speechless :| To be frank though, that coming from a person who has studied in USC and Cal State and has practically lived in California for the whole duration of his late teens up to his mid-twenties, I think that's pretty unfair *talktohand* He got to fall in love, why can't I? :''''(
Aaah. So, yeah, New York on the way back was uber fun too.. 5th Avenue was a shoppers haven, and Macy's on 34th Street downright CONFUSING! LOL! It was HUGE! I hope I get to visit each year :D A med student needs a break every nine months now, doesn't she?

Moving on to Saudi news, Saudi has been hot, humid, and toasty :D Coming from weather that ranged from 22 to 32 (max) degrees celsius in the afternoon, I am now confronted with a forecast that has 45 degrees as a daily average :D YAY! So that's something I need to get used to.. Ramadan starts in approximately 9 days or so, and I'm looking forward to it! More Saudi news.. Umm.. I got to meet my new cousin Lulu! and I am now reunited with baby Saif, the cutest cousin anyone could ever have. Also, my close friend is leaving to Michigan to study human resources in 12 days. Only 12 days left and my friend leaves forever for the next 5 years (minus Christmas breaks, maybe.) and I can't get myself to come to peace with her leaving. I'm trying to be all happy about it and stuff but I'm just not feeling it :/ Mind you, this is the friend who I had planned my entire future with and the one who was supposed to follow our shared dream of medicine with me at the same university. I guess life likes to take abrupt turns and ruin all your prior plans fo evaaa :D I wish her future luck and all the best, even though things didn't turn out quite the way I wanted them to be.

Okay, soo...

2010-07-20T03:07:00.000-07:00

Hellooooo from sunny Californiaaaaaa! I take that last post back :D Entirely. Lol. HAHA.

The whole thing is that on the day my parents left to New York, I got an email saying that everything was resolved and that I could go. Now, on that day, after numerous calls from the parents (from the plane!!), I finally got their approval for me to come with my brother. Right after that, I rushed like a maniac to pack whatever I could (it was 8 PM and it was a total fail. After I'd actually got to New York, I'd realized that I'd forgotten half of the stuff I needed!!! GRRRR :@) and book tickets for the next flight at 5 AM!! That was a fail as well :) and I had to have my uncle go to the agents office to get us some tickets. Anyhow, after all of that was over and I had my tickets, I was off to the airport. Keep in mind that all previous events occurred in about 12 hours or so.. And well, 16 hours later I was in JFK international airport! New York was AMAZING. I cannot stress that enough. Everything about it was extraordinary. The streets, the cabs, the hotels, the lights.. Aah, beautiful! We stayed in a hotel in the middle of Times Square so the area was always always busy with people!

The huge Forever21 screen.. FIND ME ;p

I only had two full days there before we left to California.. First day was random sightseeing, Museum of Modern Art, walking through 42nd street, Avenue of the Americas, etc and by the time it was 7:30 PM, we went back to the hotel to get ready for Wicked the musical!

It was a comedic musical with a pretty story <3

Second day, I was on Good Morning America amongst the waving crowds :D Hahahaha :p

Their studio.

Sam Champion.

Yet again ;p

I don't know how to get the full episode of that day, but if you're interested, it was on July 15th. The rest of the was spent on 5th Avenue (FUN!!!) and again, at 8, we were going to Phantom of the Opera..

Now that was SPECTACULAR! Beyond amazing, beyond beautiful, it was basically indescribable! Everything about it was just too good. This is one musical I'm definitely going to again! The music was magnificent (cheers to the supercallafragalisticexpialadocious orchestra!!!!), the effects were incredible.. JKDHHJKSHKFJ! Lol.. I'm pretty sure you get the idea by now ;p

With those two swift days gone, we headed to Los Angeles, California!!!!!!!!!! YAY!

Flight from New York to California was good, and as an added bonus, Cindy Crawford boarded the same flight before us ;p So we had her on the plane with us :D How cool? She looked stunning!

In Los Angeles, the first few days there were spent in Downtown LA where I attended a fashion show and picked dresses for the store & stuff. We also saw Inception (best. summer. movie.) and basically just walked around the city.. The weather helps. It was very very cool in the middle of summer -emphasize: middle of July- to the extent that you may need to get a jacket on at night <3>

Next day, we went to Universal Studios!!! WOOT!

That was loads of fun. Very very exhausting day. I'm not going to go through it because this post would be a gazillion times longer and you'd kill me..

Finally, I'll end this post with:

Because nothing says more than that <3

P.s: Please disregard my grammar mistakes (if any) and my excess use of the word 'amazing' :p I'm in a rush we're going to Rodeo Drive :D

My Delightful Summer

2010-07-05T23:58:00.000-07:00

I'm currently writing (typing, actually) from Biella, an Italian cafe/pizzeria situated right across Virgin on the first floor of City Center in Bahrain. Today, I fear, has been a very very disturbing day for me.

8 hours and 53 minutes ago, I found out my fate for the summer.

I'd been planning to go the States ever since last November, marking each day off my -mental- calendar. As the academic year came to an end, I grew more and more excited. CALIFORNIA BABY! I haven't been there in forever and I desperately needed a booster shot. Planned take off day: July 11th. My god I have been waiting for this day since the 29th of December to be exact :D Anyway, back to the initial story.. My fate for the summer: spending it in good old Khobar. No States (for overpowering reasons we have no control over.) I've been maintaining my mental & psychological state fairly well since that had been announced. For the past 9 hours, I'd been acting pretty damn good. Sure I was sorta gloomy -and who wouldn't be after finding out something like that? But nonetheless, I'd been semi-normal.

My parents decided to go to Bahrain and tagged me along. We saw Toy Story 3 which didn't help in making me feel better contrary to what I believed its effect would be, because it just reminded me of Disney Land and Universal Studios, both in California. Where I'm not going. I'd become idle. And amazingly, not hungry :S I'd gotten a popcorn and a Coke for the movie, and didn't touch either until my mom asked: "are you fasting today Reem :S?" After that I forcibly had almost the entire bucket & chugged down my Coke. I think I thought that nothing was worth anything anymore. After the movie we went around shopping for stuff (with me being utterly uninterested in everything) and eventually we came here to have dinner. Being the gloomy uninterested apetiteless person I am, I barely spoke a word while deciding on what to eat. After a little chatting we ordered -I was obliged to order something or else my parents would've gotten extremely pissed at me. I got spinach and ricotta ravioli.

As we waited for the food, my parents started talking about their trip and travel plans. I just held the menu (yes, I did keep it even though it was far past ordering time. But in case I wanted a drink, since I opted not to get one) and read it. Again and again and again. I'd practically memorized it. Just so that I wouldn't have to take part in their conversation, to block them out. Their discussion was upsetting me and I couldn't -and wouldn't- tolerate it. 42 times of reading the menu later, cover to cover, I can now work as a certified Biella waiter :D

The food arrived, and I have to say, it was very good. Delicious. After 2 tempura prawns, one pizza slice, and 2 ravioli's though, I couldn't have anymore. And that's very alarming for a person like me :) minimal eating at a restaurant -or anytime, for that matter- has got to be a warning sign for something gone wrong. But I couldn't. I just couldn't. I tried forgetting about it and enjoying my time, but it just wouldn't happen. Aaannnddd, as I resumed writing this post in the car, my mom started complaining about my bad attitude and constant bbm use today -the latter being not true, I had my phone shut off the whole time we were in Bahrain. Most likely she meant my use of it in morning and afternoon..

Anyhow, I just wanna go to sleep and wake up realizing that this was all just a dream. Or a false reality. Or a hallucination of some sort. Unfortunately, waking up tomorrow will only make matters worse, as that means my summer days are ending and I'm not going anywhere. After all my planning, my hopes, my expectations, my everything for a half a month in Los Angeles and half a month in New York, it's all over. And its irreversible. It really is over. I have to suck it up till this summer ends, uni starts, JC 1 and 2 are over, and 11 months later, my summer starts again and I MAY or MAY NOT travel anywhere. Again. No London, no States, no Japan, no Lebanon, and no Turkey. Yay. I know I should remain positive and crap etc etc, that this isn't the end of the world.. But you're not in a position to judge me -.- so I'll exert all the negativity I want for the next year until summer '11 is here! Boo ya! Therefore, I'm sorry wall in Saks Fifth Avenue advising me to "think about smiling at everyone I pass on the street today because I wont believe how contagious it is." I just can't find it in me to do that today (or this month). Though I'd usually love doing so, my optimism has officially depleted.

10 hours after I'd found out my fate for the summer, the frustration and disappointment inside me are playing it up and are finally inducing me with a migraine.

As if I need one right now.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from Aljawal

June Highlights!

2010-06-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, here are a few things that happened during June.. Right from the start :D This was supposed to be posted earlier (and not as a highlight post, either) but I'm to blame because I lost the wire that downloads pics from my camera, and therefore, you are now getting a quick highlight post AND crappy Blackberry pictures :D Anyways,

Beginning of June: SUMMER STARTED :D

June 8: Nouraba7's 19th birthdaaaay! I wanted to do special cupcakes to celebrate this extravagant event, and I kept on thinking and thinking about what to do. After much searching (through final days as well!) I had nothing. I mean, I found nice ideas, but nothing amazingly special or different I wanted to do. Until June 7, at 10 PM, my head said Tetris :| Why don't I create something out of Tetris? I love Tetris, and she loves Tetris as well ever since I'd infected her with the Tetris illness (I really mean illness. At first we only used to play during breaks between lectures, but with time, we started playing through lectures of professors we don't like, then during lectures we thought boring, then all day basically -.- Even during final season, our breaks were comprised of Tetris. I hope you now appreciate my use of the word illness :D) at the beginning of second semester maybe? Anyways, we're both Tetris junkies and I thought that this was amazingly suitable. It'll be fun for me to do, and such a shocker for her I guess ;p With that, my Tetris (Oreo) cupcakes were born :')

Okay so they weren't perfect, but I only had a few hours to do the whole thing!

Then, I decided to get in touch with my artsy roots that have been dead for the past two years and use my time more effectively, that resulted in this:

Made with soft chalk pastels <3

A few days after, I had a ROAD TRIP! We went to Riyadh.. 4 hours via car. Loads of fun. NOT!

The trip was exhausting and I was only sitting! I pity my poor dad who was driving.

Ugly pic, pretty red sands :)

But while there I really enjoyed myself that I didn't wanna leave :S I enjoyed the streets, the nightlife, the hotelllll. Faisaliyah Hotel, best destination in Riyadh ever <3>so much fun that I couldn't handle myself and ate rape fish :D

Lol.. Just kidding. I don't do fish. Except very very scarcely. This was advertised in Riyadh Gallery near the food court and I thought it was very amusing. Rape fish ftw! ;p

Also, I bough World Cup memorabilia. Me and Zizo got matching shirts :D

He was uber exhausted after the Germany vs. Australia game.. 4 - 0 EPIC game!

Aaaannnd, at the morning of the day we were leaving, I got too excited and burned my abaya :( I don't know how it happened. The iron was on low. I know how to iron delicate items. I think I should've sued the hotel for their schizophrenic irons -_-

It was huge. Thank god we were leaving!

Then, a few days after we were back from Riyadh, I got baking again and perfected my very first New York style cheesecake..

T'was really yummy, except I disliked the lemon zest I put in it. Disregarding that, it was perfectooo <3>

June 28: My cousin had a pool party. My aunt -who happens to be in her last trimester of pregnancy- was supposed to make the cake, but on that exact day, she went to the hospital with Braxton Hicks contractions (Medic in me speaking. In plain English: fake labor :D) so my cousins mom was confused on what to do and stuff cuz she was busy with other things. Lucky for her, I happened to be there and made her the frosting and frosted the cake and decorated it & stuff. So this is the final product!

I decorated the cake while my previously spoken about aunt did the figures beforehand!

TODAY! June 30: I got back a while ago from Julia Stile's sisters graduation party.. Which was really fun, except that I made a huge fool of myself during truth or dare. Okay she wasn't Julia Stiles. She just looks like her. But she's prettier :D So yeh Meena, I'm declaring that you're way way prettier than Julia Stiles publicly in my blog. I hope you like this :D

For the party I made spider web cupcakes, just cuz she demanded that we wear black, for no reason whatsoever ;p

With that, June has reached its end, and tomorrow is the first of July, which means that I (hopefully) get to leave in 11 days :D That's all that happened during June though I think..

And I thought I wasted a whole month doing nothing.. ;p

P.S:

Even though I'd intended not to do this type of post again, I like it :/ Lol.. It took more time than I'd planned and it isn't so swift at all :D I think I'll be doing this again.

Change?

2010-06-07T04:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, so, quick post since I've been very busy lately.. As you can all see, my blog is called Reemo's Tall World. I made this blog back when I was in 9th, 10th grade maybe.. At that time, the name was amusing and pretty applicable to my daily life. It still is now, except that I feel like I want to change it into something more.. Old? Lol.. Not sure. I was thinking Confessions of a Med Student, that's more suitable right now.. Yet I don't want to change it because I like the fuzzy nostalgia the original name gives me.. Change is always good though, isn't it? Ah, the indecisiveness of the Libra. So irritating. And always on minor things. Any suggestions would be appreciated :D

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from Aljawal

2010-06-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. Summer is finally here.
Yes, as amazing as it seems, the year is over. I mean, it's been what, 9 moths since we started the academic year? NINE MONTHS HAVE PASSED SINCE I STARTED IN RCSI! I'm done with my first year in uni. Wow. That's pretty cool to think about. First year of med school: check :)
Haha, sorry I'm just repeating myself, but I'm really intrigued by this.
That means only 5 more years enshallah :D
About today, we ended our exam at 2 PM promptly, after which I rode with Noura in her car. Instantly, she hooked her iTrip and by 2:05 we were ready to celebrate! She announced this song to be pretty appropriate for our situation.. After which I declared it to be my official summer song (in my head or aloud, not sure :x)

I love it! So happy and upbeat. Haha, totally complemented the moment!!

We reached City Center by 2:15 and started our movie by 2:30. Let me tell you, Prince of Persia was very very nice. I loved every bit. I wont talk about it here so I wont ruin it for anyone who wants to watch it but it's definitely worth watching..
Aaaannnddd, after that, I was on my way to my beloved home.. Finally, a weekend with no uni on Sunday, or Monday, or any day after that for that matter :")
Anyhow, here's to a great year with the oh so fabulous Nouraba7.. We'll kick ass in JC enshallah! Oo 3ugbal 9aef our 6th year!

Moving on to my summer plans:

Bake cupcakes.
Bake big cakes.
Bake cookies.
Bake pies.
Bake some more.
Cook.
Bake.

(I'll stop this now)

Get a license.. Something I urgently need to do.
Lose 15 kg's. (This has been a summer plan {and a new year resolution} for the past 5 years now :D)
Get my room prettified.
Sleep. Gotta catch up on sleep.
CATCH UP ON SHOWS!!!!!!!!! I have way too many.
Read a few books.

Most are pretty pointless. Lol.. Buttt.. I have a right to be pointless. For the next three months at least.. So, not a very interesting post to you guys, but to me, it's pretty intense ;)
Till next time.. x

Pro-cras-ti-nate

2010-04-23T01:02:00.000-07:00

The war has begun, my friends.
Finals are just around the corner, with just one more months time to prepare. The war I'm talking about, though, is the one between my willpower and the little procrastination gremlins that live inside me. Frankly, the gremlins are winning. They have set up their empire long ago, and I think disturbing them with this coup of willpower insurgents might not work.

It was exactly the Tuesday before the last when I decided to stop my recent plunge in the "no studying" pool and to start prepping for finals. I made a schedule that was fairly easy to follow; 4 lectures per day will land me fully ready at May 7, leaving me with 18 days to revise once again and practice exam questions. Seems pretty simple, right?

Wrong.

I started Tuesday well, completing the 4 I had assigned. Wednesday however I only did one. Thursday I did none. Friday I did none too. Slowly I started going into the negative part of the scale and over a week later, I'm officially at -39. I'm useless. I will fix this, though. Seriously. Enshallah. Tomorrow.

I must point out that time is a major issue here. To me at least. Why is it that it runs out so quick when I need it to stretch the most? I just went back to Saudi today, and I got to my grannies house in the morning, before noon. I was in the living room chilling when I looked at the clock on the wall and said: "Okay Reem, you'll start studying at 12 o'clock. You have two hours to waste. Enjoy them.. " With a blink of an eye, it was 12, then 1, then 2. I decided to have lunch at 2 and to start exactly at 3. FAIL. I ended up starting at 7, in which I opened up the first page of my lecture, got drowsy, and opted for a 20 minute nap. Funny thing is that I'll look at the clock when it's (hour):06. Exactly. Each time. But each time, an hour would've passed. So so quick that I didn't even feel it. It's like the 6 hours that went today were in fact only 3 in my world.

Moving on to procrastination:

procrastinate |prəˈkrastəˌnāt; prō-|verb [ intrans. ]delay or postpone action; put off doing something : it won't be this price forlong, so don't procrastinate.procrastination -noun.

Procrastination is googling videos about procrastination and then watching them. Aah, procrastination. Pathological in me, it's a disease I tell you. A fatal one that I'm ~~going to cure. Soon.~~ slowly adapting to? (Haha, who am I kidding.. I think I'm far past adapting. I'm adapTED.)

To establish a more comfortable relationship between you and I, I'll take you through a day in my life. That way, you can understand me more thoroughly:

I have procrastinated sleeping to write this post even though I must wake up early in the morning to catch up on some studying and even though I have a migraine (but it seems like the Excedrin is working, 7amdella.) I am easily distracted by everything and anything. I mean, the first video up there isn't lying. That's how my head works. Seriously. Minus smoking a cigarette, and picking your nose. Sometimes I think I have the attention span of a goldfish. If only there were a way to procrastinate procrastination.

Is there?

Semi-rant..

2010-04-20T07:56:00.001-07:00

Hello all,

3 and a half months went by SO quick I really didn't feel them pass!

Regarding this post, I have a little story to tell..

When I was a sophomore in high school, I'd pretty much decided that I wanted to study medicine. Hell, I've been wanting that since the 6th grade. As the days passed, and I was in my senior year, I was constantly asked by everyone what I wanted to major in. Being the only senior at that time in a science stream as opposed to my two other cousins in the literature stream, everyone wanted to know what I'm thinking of. So, being confronted with an enthusiastic 17 year old with the aim of med school would be, well, pleasant, right?

Well, people didn't think so.. And people would go OUT OF THEIR WAY just to convince me to choose another major. I've been told I'm stupid, old fashioned, and lifeless for making that decision. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but when was it ever a strangers call to judge what I wanted to do? When was it ever my call to judge what anyone wants to do? I'd never try to convince a person to let go of their aspirations or tell them they're stupid for choosing them :/ The only people who ever supported me were my parents + grandpa (LOVE YOU!), and a few other people I can count on my fingers.

The reasons these nay-sayers (tacky) would provide are:

You can't do it.

My thoughts: You don't tell me what I can or can't do. That's up to me to decide.

It takes too long.

My thoughts: Nothing that is worth having comes easy. I'm fully aware of the time scale for pursuing medicine, thank you very much.

You're a stupid arse for turning down CPC, the opportunity of a lifetime that all girls would die (and drop all prior ambitions upon acceptance) for.

My thoughts: Umm, not really. I'm not that "mayta 3alaehum" as they say. Especially when being offered a major I didn't choose. Dear God, I can't imagine studying something I didn't sign up for in the first place just to be affiliated with a company of some sort, or "securing a job".. Don't I want to ENJOY my studying years AND future job? Excuse me, but if you think I'm letting everything go to work for you, you're wrong. I'm receiving the best education anyone could ever ask for and I actually LIKE the knowledge I'm learning! Besides, the more I think about it, the more I believe that studying abroad isn't all that (I'm not in a Saudi uni either so I'm happy enough (: ) If you wanna be a doctor, go for it. If you wanna be an architect, go for it. Don't abandon what you wanted just cuz you got a spot for a not so nice major (or one you didn't ask for but was put in). Because unfortunately, I know WAY too many people who did that and I sorta pity them :/

You'll never get married.

My thoughts: You don't get to decide that, God does. Eli Allah katbah bi9eer. Even though you're studying business or whatever doesn't mean you'll get married either. Not that this is a huge issue to think about when you're 17.. So I was quite amazed when I got that.

You'll never get a job.

My thoughts: Doctors will always have jobs (B2thn Allah). What if a huge pandemic attacks the earth and turns humans into cannibalistic zombies? Doctors must protect the rest of the population and save those who were bitten no longer than 72 hours ago. Haha, I'm kidding. But frankly, if I'm not destined to have a job, I'd be satisfied with the wealth of knowledge I gained. And there's always Doctors Without Borders, which I'd love to join from the first day I ever get to work!

Choose something newer.

My thoughts: Like what? Jewelry designing? No comment.

With that, I conclude this brief post which seems to be more like a rant, but anyways..

Till next time! xx

:X

2009-12-31T14:58:00.000-08:00

Ever since I'd announced this blog alive again, I haven't posted anything. And that's bad. It's just that I've been so busy, and especially in the past week I've been studying my butt out for finals on Jan 11th. I'm pretty back as it is right now and I'm really fretting on what might happen later on. I reeallyyyy want to pass :) Lol.. Hahaha.

Anyhow, we just entered the new year 2010, and I hope that it's a prosperous joy filled year to all. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

With that, till next time!! xx

*Pic taken in Yokohama Firework Festival, Japan 2009.

I am announcing this blog alive again!! :p

2009-12-11T15:02:00.001-08:00

Well, time really does fly.

I'm now in my first year of uni, as opposed to turning 16 in my last post.
Although I can't promise anyone that I'll keep on writing here, it's nice having my old blog back. I really do miss blogging. So now, as a first year med student, I'll try my best to post updates on what happens & what's new..
I'm too tired to think of anything now, but that'll change once I get enough sleep.
Which is something I need at this point, because I have a dental appointment nice and early in the morning (more like a few hours from now.)

To my next update, hope all is well!
xx

2007-09-30T13:08:00.001-07:00

Okay. In about 53 minutes or so, its my birthday. My day of wisdom. Goody!
I'm too busy to actually write anything here. Got 2 exams tomorrow and I havent studied for any yet. I should seriously get the day off.

Yay :)

Nori's F6oor!

2007-09-25T12:54:00.001-07:00

Today, I went to Nori's house for "futoor" :P
It was really fun (: I had a blast (: And saw all my 12th grade friends who are now all grown up and in college :D!!!!!!!!
I MISS EM!!!! I want em back!!! With me!! Gdam wajhee!! Everyday. In school!!!!!
Come BACCCKK :( :(
Aaaa5 ya Nori, ya3nee lazim tsabibeen li 2azma b3d ma -t8rebn- t2a8lamt :( :P!!!!!
I HATE you for that :p But I still love ya :) & it was fun :D
.
.
.
.
AND.. Everyone liked my 'jubnia' :D :P

My personalityy :D

2007-09-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Your Personality is Very Rare (ENFJ)

Your personality type is dramatic, expressive, proud, and demanding.

Only about 4% of all people have your personality, including 5% of all women and 2% of all men
You are Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

In reply to Wednesday!!

2007-07-30T04:18:00.000-07:00

In reply to my earlier Wednesday!! post:
fil nihaya, da55alt nafsee fil ta5aruj!!!! IN YOUR FACE ABLA W. F !!!
It was the best thing ever. Mo min na7yat elfa8rat (which were not bad, BTW) bss elbanat oo all my friends oo kitha.. In addition to it being the best thing this year, it was also the saddest, most embarrasing thing ever (for unmentionable reasons :p) But what the heck, that made the whole thing more memorable.. right? And it made ME look like I really really care ;) :p (which I do. Care, I mean :p)
It happened with no will from me, whatsoever. First thing I'm okay, next thing you now it, my face is all poofy and red :p I guess that was because I'm really really really REALLY gonna miss them!! My 12 grade friends!! Cuz actually, ALL of my friends are 12th graders!! I know more people in 12 grade than I know in my own!! I'm really gonna miss em!! They're the only reason I stayed in my stupid school this whole year. Now if they leave, who am I gonna have left?? No one. Harsh, I know. May god empower me to complete the couple next years. I sure as hell know its not gonna be easy!! I'm really sick now and cant continue anymore cuz my migraine is getting worse and my eyes apparently, arent working well :p Will finish later!!

A Public Service Announcment

2007-05-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

A Public Service Announcment to: Nora, my best cuz..

(a.k.a, Nony)

HapPy 18th BiRthDaaaaaaaaaaaay NoRAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I CANT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!! NORA IS 18 NOW!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!! WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN LIFE!!!!!!
Ma9adeg ina you're 18 now.. KIBARTEEEE :P
Days seem to go by SOOOO FAST!!!!!!!!!!! TAWWAH MA AMDAAA!!!

First, we were just kids playing in the sand outside baet Yuma.. Then we were pre-teens going to the library to get books & draw stuff on graph paper.. Sleepovers were a crucial part of our lives.. Walking to the dining hall early on Thursday mornings to get 2SR waffles :P

After that, everything just FAST FORWARDED.. Out of the blue..
No playing, no library, no drawing, no sleepovers, no dining hall, no waffles,, I guess people get busier as they grow older. I'll always remember those days. For they make up some of the most best moments in my life. No special moments now :P I think we were much happier as kids..

I wish I could relive those days, even if it was just for one day.

I love you no matter what <3>

You'll always be my best "older than me" cousin and the older sis I never had..
Sincerely,

Reem.

The Graduation Partyy..

2007-05-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

Nora's party was FUN!!!!!!!!! Istanaaast!!!!
First of all, I was the tallest person there. In addition to my own height, I insisted on wearing heels :P I had a BLAST!!! I DANCED MY BUTT OFF!!!! (bss 3ashanik, Nora :D) Bss it was great and I felt so happy that weekend.. Now its boring again :P
2 things I noticed. First thing, elrajjal elli kan ygool elshi3ir ka2ana ma gal Nora :P Gal Nawarah (Nora lazim t7i6 "alif" fi nihayat isimha bdal "ha2" >> نورا :P) so atwa8a3 ma 3iraf yigra isimha.
Second thing, MA RI9'A YGOOL EHDA2NA 7G NORAAA.. SHDA3WAA!!! MITNAAA WE7NA NGOOL LA!!!! bss 3al 3omoom, 7a9al 5aer..
Akthar shai kisar 5a6ree ina Nora started tearing up :( (tears of joy, ofcourse :P) That was so sad :( :P 7awalna niksir Fa6ma oo n5aleeha t9ee7 bss ma ri9'at oo galat lina bkil borood "6eero" :P Anyways, all is well.. Elzubda,
CoNGRatS NoooRa oo Fa6MAAA 3aL Ta5aRuj!!!!!

Wednesday!!

2007-05-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

ATLAAAAAAAST!!!! ITS WEDNESDAAAYY!!! YAAAY!!!Well, school wasnt all that interesting today :P But I did get to watch our 12th graders perform their graduation songs & stuff.. That was fun. I cant believe they're really leaving!!The stupidest thing is that,, I cant actually ATTEND their graduation. Stupid school =/ I'm really going to try to fix that :P I HAVE GOT TO ATTEND!!
Anyways, another fun thing to bring up is Nora's (and Fatma's :P) graduation partyy today :DThe party will start at 8 PM sharp at Al-Gosaiby Hotel :P So I'm looking forward to that tonight!! Hope its fun.. Wouldnt want to make my weekend even more frustrating by going to the party and getting pissed off there :P

Hi :)

2007-05-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone..
Atlast, I made me a new blog!! Its not that I dont have anything better to do than writing here.. Its just that procrastinating my studying for my exams & finals is so amusing and sorda mandatory in my case :P
Anyways, Nony made me do this :P It all started by commenting on her posts..
Now, I have a blog of my own :)