Eid 2008 - Day four - 4th Shawal - 3rd October

A family day.

I will cut through, going to the main event. It wasn't a good start, but it ended in a good way (BARELY.)

Well, I was forced to go with my sisters to the... what's it called? Amusement park I think. Well, to be honest, even though I didn't do anything, it was really fun! Me and my eldest sister put our money together to buy a digital camera. It was on sale, a super great offer! 379 Saudi Riyals. It came with a 2 GB Sandisk. The optical zoom is 3X and it's 7.2 Mega Pixels. I'm so happy and excited about it. I took many pictures of my sisters and cousins, Saleh and Assim. I asked my little brother to take a picture of me. I like my new glasses, they are barely there! Well, I think that's all. I have very short term memory. So I barely remember much X3

Eid 2008 - Day Three - 3rd Shawal - 2nd October

Another long day of sleep. I woke up even later, it was almost 4 o'clock. I feel like an owl, sleeping all day, up all night. Well, it's 3rd of Eid, so Haitham, Dad and I went to buy some bus tickets to go back to Mukalla. First, we went to this bus company called "Quraish"... IT WAS INSANE!! Dirty buses, crowded, I'm not sure if it's safe even. It was so crowded that the luggage was put in the bus with the passengers. There were only two bus companies that goes to Mukalla through Sharorah. It was the fastest way to Mukalla, the trip lasts 28 hours. It's exhausting, but we kind of got used to it.

So, we had no choice but Bin Mo'ammar, the one we always use. The thing with those buses it smoking. The reason why we didn't go there is that they raised their prices. But thankfully, they lowered them again a

The drivers are so inconsiderate. They would smoke in the bus but if someone else smokes, they'd pick the speaker and say "Hey, who ever is smoking in the back there put off your cigarette, smoking isn't allowed in the bus." A few minutes later, the driver smokes a cigar. I have a sister with asthma and kids with me, I tend to be a bit angry around those drivers. I hope who ever the driver is, wouldn't smoke while driving. GOD! We have like a hundred stop every now and then! They should be smoking during those stops.

Oh well, we booked some tickets with BM and were heading back home. Haitham didn't want to go home so we dropped him at my uncles'. While heading home with Dad, I got a phone call from Ahmed Al Therwy (th as in thermo.) It was a life saving moment. I really had no intention of spending the whole day home. We've decided to meet after sunset prayer.

After the prayer we met, we were both wearing the ankle-length white shirt, the "thoub". He was wearing the whole Saudi outfit, a white "ghotra" and black "I'gal", I only wore my usual white hat. We took the bus to Al Balad and walked around all day talking, buying ice cream and coffee, and a bit of a social difference discussion. It was really fun, he bought me a farewell gift too. A bottle of Cologne. At 1st I thought he bought it to himself, but then I was really surprised when he handed the bag to me. He said "I hope you'd remember me every morning." It was really nice, a very nice day indeed.

Well, here ends the 3rd day of Eid to me. That's all? Yeah, there are other things that are so #$%^&* annoying which I would rather not mention.

Eid 2008 - Day two - 2nd Shawal - 1st October

I was 1st to wake up that day. I woke up around 10 am and took the plug and went online. As always, everyone was asleep so I plugged in my laptop and snuck online ^^." I was bored so I went to www.meez.com and got into my favorite room. It was still not crowded so it was really nice. I met a Romanian girl and a Greek girl. My Dad woke up around 3 so the fun was over. After 5 pm, Dad took everyone to my uncles' place while I stayed home. We were supposed to buy some tickets to Yemen. He came back but he was annoyed and decided to stay home. We sat watching TV until about 8 O'clock. We went to my uncles' and met with Uncle Khalid there. My little brother went with him ahead of us to the place where we were supposed to meet all together.

It wasn't a pleasant trip for me. Dad kept accusing me for being not proud of my own culture, away from all that is surrounding me. I admit, I was like that but not anymore. I'm really trying but pressing on me as if I will become a true tribal over night is really getting on my nerves. We were almost lost cause we got in a really big argument in the car.

Finally there! Things are at last calmed down a bit. At 1st it was just us, Uncle Ali and Uncle Khalid (with their families.) They wanted to block the road so we can have our private space. Dad and I refused, it was really inappropriate to do so. It's not like we own the street. Some people did so, but that doesn't make it right.

It wasn't long before the rest my uncles arrived. Uncle Ali and my Dad sat together talking about work =.=" Uncle Mohammed said it right, "it's either those two's work issues or the family name, we never talk about anything else." Uncle Abdullah was interested in their work though, money was in his head. He had a lot of papers, 30 years worth of bills and other stuff. WASCO, where I worked all summer, was part of MEPCO, where Dad and Abu Ghala (uncle Ali) worked. They buy used paper, carton, card boards and such, and send them to MEPCO to recycle them into new paper.

YES!! My long awaited meal! RICE AND MEAT! MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT!!!! I just meeeeeeeeeeeeat!! I feel like Luffy in "One Piece" X3

After dinner, my cousins gathered around their cars and started music. They started with a few Arabic songs, but then came the legend, Don Legend! The Wedding, by Qusai 'Don Legend' rocked the night.

After a while we put some classical Hadhrami dance music, called Hbaish. It was so much fun, but.. I don't know how to dance like they do T_T

Some people heard the music and they joined us. If Only I had a camera! I did record last year's dance. I have it on youtube.com, it's not really much but here it is, it's 2 parts:

 

 

Well, after that it was already getting late so we all headed home. G'night~~

Eid 2008 - Day one - 1st Shawal - 30 September

Part 1

After the long month of Ramadan, in which we fast from sunrise to sunset, it's finally Eid. Eid is the annual holiday that takes place after Ramadan, the 1st three days of Shaw'wal (the month that comes after Ramadan.) It's somehow similar to Christmas, we buy gifts and new clothes, give out charity, visit family and have a wonderful, wonderful time!

We didn't go to sleep since we woke up on 29th September, which was also the last day of Ramdan, the 29th too. We went doing some last minute shopping all night. Dad fell asleep, but me and Haitham, my little brother, went to catch the Eid prayer. T_T People were coming back while we were going, so sadly we missed it. So, it was 6:45 am and we're knocking on our apartment's door coming back a bit embarrassed.

My mother woke up Dad to take us to my uncles' place (Mom's side.) Dad was half asleep, he dropped us and left immediately back home hitting the sack once again. I've met my Unlces Ali, Khalid, and Mohammed and exchanged holiday greetings with them. Ahmed Khalid was with his father by the door too. Uncle Mohammed gave me the keys to his apartment and asked me to open up the door and air conditioners and then wait there. I went and did so, waited patiently with my little brother Haitham. I asked him to take a few pictures of me, it's not much though ^^."

The brats came up. Saleh and Asim, sons of my Aunt E., and Rayan, Abdullah and Rifal, Uncle Khalid's kids. Asim and Saleh are the most annoying kids you'd ever lay hands on. They keep telling me that they'll "grow out of it," but I can't seem to see that. I think they get worse by the minute. Every year they get more rude, more annoying, more harassing too. They don't rest until they really get on your nerves and start shouting on them. And they are only 7 (Asim) and 11 (Saleh.)

Abdullah and Rayan are such little Angels. Abdullah is 9 or 10 I think, but Rayan is barely 4 years old. Abdullah is so far the only one I like from my cousins, from my mother side. My sister begged me to ask one of them to go to the cafeteria. I asked Abdullah and the others. Of course, none of them wanted to go. I would have forced them, but I had a better idea. I gave Abdullah the money to buy from the cafeteria, and gave him a holiday treat (more like bribe) 4 Saudi Riyals (=~ 1$) and he went with a big smile on his face. I got bored so I went down to say hi to Grandma (we call her Sittu - pronounced like sit 2 - ) I found out that my uncles all went out and left me alone there with the kids. I felt a bit insulted. Why didn't they take me with them? They were going to visit my Uncles Omar and Abdullah (father's side, also their cousins,) so why didn't they take me with them? I gave my little brother the keys Uncle Mohammed gave me and decided to leave.

I was hungry >.< I walked by the cafeteria I used to go when I was little. Sheesh, was I this stupid to love his sandwiches? It's freaking disgusting! Plus the place was crowded so I passed it walking home. I saw another cafeteria but it was crowded too. Then, I saw Abu Zaid Restaurant. I didn't care how crowded it was, I just wanted to eat ma'soob! I went through that crowd and waited till it was finally my turn, took my food and went home. Dad was asleep, I started eating while continuing to read my One Piece Manga, I so wanted to finish it before I go back to Mukalla. I heard my Dad's phone ring, but he didn't answer. I automatically assumed he was really tired and didn't even hear the phone ringing next to him. You see, that was my fatal mistake, I "assumed"... NEVER ASSUME!! cause when you do, you make an "ass" out "u" and "me" >.< I'd rather skip this unfortunate incident, and move on with my day. It was almost 9 am, My family finally came back with my uncle Mohammed, and we all fell asleep immediately after having breakfast. Well, except for me, I loaded "The nightmare before Christmas part 1" on www.youtube.com and watched those ten minutes before I fell asleep. The electricity went off >.< I went out, turned off the power, and turned it back on and the electricity was on again. I was really tired, it's about 10 am, and it's been almost 24 hours since I woke up. It's time for me to hit the sack!

Part 2

I woke up by Mom around 7 pm. Well, it's the second half of the 1st day in Ramadan. The 1st day is all about visiting relatives and friends, but I don't think I'd be seeing any friends today. We all went to my Uncles' house again, and this time we stayed there all of us. We were talking about this and that, customs and traditions, festivals here and there, News about him and her. The usual family gathering. I asked My cousin Ahmed K. to take a picture of me and send it to my cell phone. My uncles (father side) came too. Uncle Omar came from Riyadh, and Uncle Abdullah brought him along with his son Majid Abdullah. His grand children were there too, Abdullah son of Majid, and Turki son of Salim Omar (Uncle Omar's grandson.) Mr. Mohammed Zaki came too, my aunt H.'s husband. It wasn't long before the whole discussion turned about the family's name and tribe's name. I won't talk about this now, cause it's a really annoying issue and there are too many details about it. But the good news is that things reached court, there's another family (Bin Silm) that say that they are blood connected to us, and they aren't really. Dad and his brothers aren't really getting along very well. It may seem that they are, but they aren't. He tried to call them all day long but they don't pick up. BOTH of them! And after they left, he tried to call and they didn't answer yet. After the long tiring conversation about the family's main issue, everyone went home. Except us, Dad decided we should go to his brother Abdullah's house, don't ask me why >.<

Another episode of the family name issue started there, and discussions went on and on. I kind of tried to appear modestly, not too involved and not to carefree about the issue. I sat by Mohammed Omar and went talking about movies, music, computers, hacking, and many things. I discovered that Ahmed K. sent me a virus along with my picture T_T I WILL KILL YOU AHMED KHALID!

Finally, after late dinner, and many different conversations and making better family relationships, we left! it's now 3:55 am (1st October) and I'm exhausted. We decided to wait a bit more and sleep after we pray Fajr, which is about an hour away. Putting the final touches for the 1st day post. Until then, I'm gonna figure out something to do cause my brother is using the net and I'm bored to death.

New clothes X'3

Yep, I think I found my coolness...Don't you agree?

Sisters in net

I was lucky enough to have met those amazing girls, who has become as close to my heart as real sisters. To me, regardless of distance and differences, they will always be my sisters, for ever. I might add more details on them in the future (n_n)

Jin

My 1st Arabian friend, my "big brother" for over three years, and one of my best friends. She was very close to me, we've met when I was still in high school, in a forum called Vampire Empire. I didn't know she was a girl. I thought she was a boy, and she didn't want anyone to know to avoid any unnecessary harassments by other members, which was very much spread back then. One might think that I'd be upset after keeping that secret from me all these years. I'm not, really. I'm really happy that she had stayed my friend all this time, and actually told me in person eventually.

Jin, You were, and still are my idol. I look up to you with great deal of respect and admiration. I show my little sister your drawing, I try to teach her your style, the one I like the most. She steals the chibi Hamada picture you made for me long ago. I still have it, I truly treasure it. I plan to frame it insha'a allah when I go back to Mukalla in October.

Phoenix

2nd Arabian friend online. I don't know why, but I got really clingy to her from the moment I saw her screen name in Vampire Empire. Her name was "Vampire." I remember clearly that most members thought she was a boy. I Think I still have a copy of her signature back then, a picture of Cloud (FFVII) with really beautiful words written on it. It was obvious to me, she was a girl, from the design of that signature (n_n)

Phoenix is really amazing, she's really talented in drawing super cool manga! I wish she would make a series, or her own manga book! I will buy every book she makes!!

The Thing about Phoenix.... I always seek her, for just one reason. To say hi! Well, once my little sister Rana is a bit older, I will introduce her to the both, Phoenix and Jin, Insha'a allah!

I was really sick with a high fever one day, disappeared from everyone for a long time. I was laying in bed, hardly awake, barely asleep. The phone rings...

"Hello!?"

A girl's voice answers me "AHMED!! How're you!? Are you feeling better?"

I didn't recognize the voice. "Who's this?"

"It's me, Phoenix!"

"Phoenix?...but...how!?"

"I took it from XXXX when he said you were sick. How're you now?"

We talked for a minute or so then she hung up. I couldn't believe it, really. I had to make sure, may be it was a prank by someone. I picked up the phone to check the last received call...

There wasn't any...

Cause the phone was switched off...

Bashayer

If you open the dictionary and tried to find the definition for "Bebe" (her nickname) you'd fine "The absolute definition of cuteness." ="3 It's unbelievable how I've become so close to her. She's became as close to me more that any other person in my life. As a true sister. She's a bit clumsy, childish, and naive sometimes. But she's really brilliant, kind and caring. She'll become a great doctor one day.

The think I cherish the most is, her absolute trust in me is my absolute treasure. I don't think I can live a single moment, if I ever betray that trust.

Her father is incredible! I only know him from what she tells me about him, and so far, he's my role model! I want to meet him someday! One day, I will go to Dubai and bring my wife and 1st born child to meet Bashayer and her father! I want to shake hands with him, and let Bashayer see the child I'd name after her! If a girl, Bashayer, if a boy Bash'ar! Insha'a allah (n_n)

Asma

Hmm... talking about her is extremely difficult. I don't think I have ever met anyone who knows me as much as she does. I don't think I will ever meet someone else who will! She speaks English so fluently and she's so good at it, I believe she's better than me. >.<

We had a rough time, at some point. Thing got a bit...messy ^,^" ... but it turned out well. She's a person I cherish deeply, and I hope to be friends for ever.

Aisha

hmm...

FREAK!!!

X'3

That's actually my at most compliment! In my dictionary a freak is "Some one who is super cool and totally knows how to keep up with a joke and makes it super fun!" She has a talent with crochet and she makes many cool stuff with them! She will teach me a bit... NO!! IT'S NOT GAY!! >.> sheesh...

What I admire the most in her is strong will. She keeps my heart close to God, and brings me back to the right path God Bless you.

Wafa'a

She studies cutting people alive.....X'3

She studying medicine and she loves surgery... -_-" I advice you not to mess with a girl who likes cutting flesh...

X'3 I'm so dead when she reads this X'3

Really, she super cool and fun-tastic! We tell each other about everything! I met her in a chat room two years ago, and we exchanged emails for a while and then we both stopped. I found one of our emails in my old inbox and I barely remember her. Still, I had a strong feeling she's a wonderful person... and I was right...we just "clicked" X'3

MY LITTLE SISTER

I Don't know where to start,
because I don't know when there will be an end.
Almost all of my life we've had each other.
We've laughed together,
Cried together,
Yelled at each other,
And lied to each other.
But there is another thing, too.
I'm not so blind to see,
How much you are like me.
In my heart I know that everything I do,
Will somehow have an effect on you.
I try so hard to always set a good example,
But I know in the past I have given you bad samples.
Life isn't easy,
And when it's not,
I wanna be there to guide your way with you.
When I'm torn between choices,
I always wonder how each one might effect you today.
I know there've been times when maybe I did the wrong thing,
But now I can really see just how careful I need to be.
You'll make mistakes,
Take the wrong road instead of the right,
But don't ever let people tear you down,
Always put up a fight.
Most of all I want you to know,
That no matter where I am,
What I'm doing,
Or who I'm with,
If you are in trouble in life,
I'll drop everything, and be there in seconds to give you my advice.
I want to say I will end this message with something special,
But it would be a lie,
Because there will never be an end,
What we have together will never die.

By,
Kristine Anna Usselman, USA


I really liked this poem so I thought I should post it here ^_^

Truth or Lie?

If I said I'm a lier, would that be telling the

truth or lying?

This is a real quiz that only HUMANS can

solve, no artificial intellegence can!!

It can't be true, because if it was, then I

just said the truth now therefore I can't be

a liar!

I can't be lying either, because if I was,

then I am not lier, but wait... that means I

just said the truth......

AAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!

the diary of a teacher

I was a little nervous. My very first job interview. I sat outside the ... wait a sec. I don't know his job title in English.. so, i'll go for vice principal (even though he's a different guy in our school systems).

ANYWAY, I sat outsie his office waiting and wondering. I met a friend of mine the other day, and he told me this school needed a teacher. So, I just came to look around. I never looked for a job before. EVER!! The only jobs I had was helping my family with house errands or helped with my Dad when he had a shop.

It wasn't long before I called in. I walked, and to my surprise, the vice principal was a teacher who taught me in High school. He greeted me excitely and asked me for the reason I was there. I explained to him how my friend, Helmi, told me that they needed an English teacher. I pointed out my excellent grade in English as I graduated, which he already knew. I was very well
known in high school for my good language (both Arabic and English).

So, after a few words with him. He took my hand, and guided me out of his office, up the stairs, into a class room filled with students, and said "Kids, this is your new English teacher!".... and he left! He left me there on my own with 25 7th graders. And believe me, I knew that those kids were sniffing the fear from me.

It went well, really! I was REALLY lucky, because they were the best class in the entire school. I talked to them a little, to get over my stage fright ^.^" and made "connection" with them. it wasn't long before I was the favourite teacher in the school. When ever a teacher calls in sick, the studnets come BEGGING me to cover for him. You don't find many teachers who tell you about legends, myths, great stories, and anime! Plus, sometimes I teach them a few
101 how to draw manga. There wasn't an art class in the school, and there weren't much activities around. I made a small scout group. It was really fun. I really worked hard for everyone.

But, it didn't have a happy ending. My youngest sister was sick. My dad didn't trust the doctors in Yemen. I finished up my classes two weeks earlier. I've talked to the vice principal, the teachers and the students and explained my situation. Everything went fine, I prepared the the finals and all, I made them extra easy (not too hard to fail, not too easy for losers to get high grades!). All is well, except that the principal came and ruined it all!

The principal was... hmm.. a JACKASS!! A real jerk! He denied me to go, asking to bring someone to "cover" for me. The last English teacher didn't just leave, he ran away! Our salaries were always late, lots of problems with the darn principal who's always never around unless there's trouble, which he happens to put some oil on the little fire. I was the #1 teacher, said by every single person in the school. Always 1st to come, last to leave, well dressed and well behaved. And he just came in, in my last day before I had to go to Saudi, he said that I can't go.

It was impossible for me to find someone to replace me. The school had a bad reputation of mistreating teachers. And there's only 2 weeks left for the school to end before the finals, who'd take such a lousy job? The V.P. helped me, along with the other teachers stood by my side. I left and he still owes me 15 days worth of salary. I never went back. I started the University, and couldn't work at the same time. After a while, I noticed that I really need money, and I need a job too. So, I went to an institute in Mukalla. I met with the manager, and then met the owner who's a teacher there. I got the job. I occasionly teach English there, if I don't have exams or anything big at the university.


Fellow students, please go to your teachers and tell them that you appreciate them, coming everyday, being patient and understanding to us, and most of all...
being there for us when we need help, in normal knowledge of life...

Thank you, all my teachers!

me cell phone!! :3

Yep! My cell phone..

I have two now!

this is the one i am using currently.

ME!!!!

YAY!! I finally have some decent pictures!!

I just want to share my joy with the world!!

Gaiaonline

I've been there for so long now. It's a really wonderful place! I've met many great people, some of which are now my best of best of best of best of best of friends! (Claire and Bebe!) and hundreds of nice people!

Yeah, there are those occasional freaks, but freak is goo x3

The thing is, I'm not good at making dream avatars. I just like to make mine simple ^_^
Instead, I spend my gold on friends and buying arts at the mini-shops!

I like hanging out at Chatter Box. Bumbing is something I started recently. While I'm at work, I can't talk to much people, so intead I bumb to get some gold ^_^

I like the Post Your Picture (PYP) threads. I love seeing people!! And most of those pictures are sooooooooooo cute!! Those who pierce really scare me T_T

I used to hang out in a lesbians thread xD
No >.< I am not mind twisted!
They are really nice people! They ARE people after all.
Not that I approve lesbianism, but that's a whole other issue x3

The thing about Chatter Box is.... people talk sanely about insanity!
If you post a thread with a vague title.... people will rush in just to post something x3

Life Style Discussions is a really nice place. Reasonable people talk there and discuss things very nicely. There some annoying gaians who just try to hurt others. I just hate them >.>

The mini-shops are AMAZING!!
I can't believe how many great artist in there! And most of them are so young!! They do many things, profiles, avatar arts, and really really great things!!

Well, another feature of gaia is the manga. Those artists are truly talented! You really should check them up! They are worth wasting your time on them.

Well.... this is all I have in my head about Gaia for now. The website is:

www.gaiaonline.com

If you want to add me there, feel free to message me or comment in this post ^-^

....

Ok....

I have no idea what to talk about x3

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