Saturday, February 21, 2009
A Poem by Uncle Qassim
Oh, wow! Look what I found!!!! Uncle Qassim wrote this poem for me and Mom for our wedding 24 years ago. It's so special.
Friday, February 20, 2009
What I have to Endure at Work
Hi guys,
Mom and I were going about refinancing our home at the title company this morning and taking advantage of historically low interest rates. For a few sane moments, I was oblivious to what was going on in the office sans-Abdu, until I paid attention to my Blackberry and noticed a deluge of emails from work with the same subject line: "Abdulwahab on TV yesterday." Here's a sampling.
Well, I finally was able to reach the office and get my hands on the video. Please take a look at it. Outch!
Mom and I were going about refinancing our home at the title company this morning and taking advantage of historically low interest rates. For a few sane moments, I was oblivious to what was going on in the office sans-Abdu, until I paid attention to my Blackberry and noticed a deluge of emails from work with the same subject line: "Abdulwahab on TV yesterday." Here's a sampling.
- Linda: Hi Abdulwahab. I couldn't believe it when I spotted you on the news last night. Well done - it was a great story. In case you didn't catch it you'll be pleased to know I recorded it. Congratulations again. (I go:Hmmm! I wonder what I did that what on the news last night. Must be an old story.)
- Shirin: Sir Abdu…we’re not worthy (I’m doing the Wayne’s World bow as I write this).(What?????)
- Julie: We knew how great you are, Abdu, and now the whole world knows it, too. Congratulations!! Julie. (I really want to get to work and find out what's going on!!!!)
- Oksana: Boy, I am sorry I missed it yesterday. BTW, if you don’t see many people in the office this morning, it is because they are getting tattoos on their backs…. With Abdu’s name….. Long Live Abdu!!!!!!!!!
- Nigina: Oksana got hers already!
- Oksana: No, my appointment is in the afternoon. Suhaib is getting one now. ("Office!!! Now!!!!! RUN")
- Marie: Really? I didn’t know Maura gave tattoos in her office! Maura, you are so multi-talented! Me next, me next!
- Oksana: By the way, are your new tattoos itching?
Well, I finally was able to reach the office and get my hands on the video. Please take a look at it. Outch!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Fareed Zakaria in the Washington Post
Fareed Zakaria wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post, titled Israel's Existential Dilemma. The version in the print copy of the WP is a bit different (even the title is different: Israel's Arabs Within.) I thought Zakaria brought home an issue that has been absent from many American readers' calculations and shed light on one of the many complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian issue. I'm very interested in what you think.
On Alhurra
Here's a video on YouTube of my appearance about there weeks ago on Alhurra. It's in Arabic, without captioning. Sorry Zaiza.
There are a few others if you want to torture yourself a bit further. Check the videos YouTube lists as suggestions.
There are a few others if you want to torture yourself a bit further. Check the videos YouTube lists as suggestions.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Damascus wama Adraka ma Damascus
What I learned from my trip to Damascus in January 2009, one cannot read in any book. The amazing Syrian people; the unbelievable history; the stunning old souk; the little picturesque boutique hotels in the middle of Old Damascus; and the food... Ah!!! the food. What a city! I would recommend a visit to everyone. (Honey, please come with me next time)
The country is also experiencing a sort of economic revival and a quasi economic reform movement that is tempered by entrenched political and economic interests. However, this is not the forum for such a discussion. However, let me ask this: how many mosques around the world do we know house a mausoleum for a Christian saint? What about a baptism font? Is there a mosque that has four Mihrabs (niches), one for each of the four schools of Sunna, and also a Shiaa mazar for Sayyedna Alhussain? The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus has all that and more. St. John the Baptist (Prophet Yahya for Muslims) is buried in the middle of the mosque! Really! Actually, the Umayyad mosque was split in two: one side for Muslims and another for Christians, until the Khalifa bought the Christian side and expanded the mosque.
Did you know that Muslims built the first Me'thana (prayer call minaret) after they saw the church tower there. One of the Ummayad Mosque's minarets is still called Me'thanat Jesus. The Mehrab was copied from the Christian niche.
Here are some pictures:
Inside the Ummayad Mosque
This is the Minaret of Jesus
The country is also experiencing a sort of economic revival and a quasi economic reform movement that is tempered by entrenched political and economic interests. However, this is not the forum for such a discussion. However, let me ask this: how many mosques around the world do we know house a mausoleum for a Christian saint? What about a baptism font? Is there a mosque that has four Mihrabs (niches), one for each of the four schools of Sunna, and also a Shiaa mazar for Sayyedna Alhussain? The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus has all that and more. St. John the Baptist (Prophet Yahya for Muslims) is buried in the middle of the mosque! Really! Actually, the Umayyad mosque was split in two: one side for Muslims and another for Christians, until the Khalifa bought the Christian side and expanded the mosque.
Did you know that Muslims built the first Me'thana (prayer call minaret) after they saw the church tower there. One of the Ummayad Mosque's minarets is still called Me'thanat Jesus. The Mehrab was copied from the Christian niche.
Here are some pictures:
Inside the Ummayad Mosque
This is the Minaret of Jesus
The beautiful Sayyeda Ruqaiyah Mosque
The Souk
TEN Ways to Know That I Miss the One I Love and I Love the One I Miss When I Travel
10) Every time I return home I say that I will not go on a trip again for a very, very long time. “I can’t do this any more”
9) I rush to my hotel room so that I can Skype with her and when I go to bed I still think of her.
8) I don't feel Ok when I can’t reach her.
7) I walk really slowly when I am thinking about her.
6) At meetings, I suddenly realize that I have an embarassing smile of "content" every time I Think about her.
5) Every time I look at her picture, I do not see other people around me. I see only her.
4) I get to eat at the best restaurants and see the most amazing historical sites, but cannot enjoy any of it because she’s not there.
3) I meet the most interesting people, but she is everything I want to think of.
2) I know that I would really do anything to see her.
1) Washington Dulles is my favorite airport because it's the one where I see her.
9) I rush to my hotel room so that I can Skype with her and when I go to bed I still think of her.
8) I don't feel Ok when I can’t reach her.
7) I walk really slowly when I am thinking about her.
6) At meetings, I suddenly realize that I have an embarassing smile of "content" every time I Think about her.
5) Every time I look at her picture, I do not see other people around me. I see only her.
4) I get to eat at the best restaurants and see the most amazing historical sites, but cannot enjoy any of it because she’s not there.
3) I meet the most interesting people, but she is everything I want to think of.
2) I know that I would really do anything to see her.
1) Washington Dulles is my favorite airport because it's the one where I see her.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Athens in December
Athens was so cloudy when I arrived on Tuesday, but the view from the plane was interesting. Look how beautiful the view was from the plane. The mountain looked amazing in the background as it hugged the homes beneath it and touched the Mediterranean.
I arrived the Astir Palace Hotel and it was just starting to clear up, but the beach and the water ski resort were empty in the winter. I could only imagine how lively it must be in July. Maybe we'll get to see it one day. :-)
But it cleared to a gorgeous 65 degree sunny day with a crisp post-card like, blue sky, that contrasted with the red soil mountain and dark blue waters of the sea. Wow!!!
Selma asked me for a few things: The Greek flag...
Here it is:
She asked me to show her Greek food... Yummy. First dish is Dolathes, second is Pastitsio (pasta), third is a typical Greek salad, and the last one is Kepap.
And she asked me to find out out how to say certain words in Greek... Well Greek is tough but let's try:
Thank you = Afkharisto (kh is like Arabic 7' in Khalid)
Hello = Ya
Bye = Adio
Finally, Selma asked me for a surprise... She'll see it when I arrive. ;-)
I arrived the Astir Palace Hotel and it was just starting to clear up, but the beach and the water ski resort were empty in the winter. I could only imagine how lively it must be in July. Maybe we'll get to see it one day. :-)
But it cleared to a gorgeous 65 degree sunny day with a crisp post-card like, blue sky, that contrasted with the red soil mountain and dark blue waters of the sea. Wow!!!
Selma asked me for a few things: The Greek flag...
Here it is:
She asked me to show her Greek food... Yummy. First dish is Dolathes, second is Pastitsio (pasta), third is a typical Greek salad, and the last one is Kepap.
And she asked me to find out out how to say certain words in Greek... Well Greek is tough but let's try:
Thank you = Afkharisto (kh is like Arabic 7' in Khalid)
Hello = Ya
Bye = Adio
Finally, Selma asked me for a surprise... She'll see it when I arrive. ;-)
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