My Soul: Change

It's really outstanding how sometimes our perspectives and goals in life might take a complete turn. a few months ago I was extremely stressed doing what I have been doing for ages since graduation back in 1993, which is teaching literature and elementary ESL courses for both teens and adults. I was working on my PhD proposal in order to pursue an academic career at private universities in Cairo/Egypt. One day, I chatted with a student of mine who is a movie critic about publishing some personal articles that I wrote out of fun and love for writing critiques on life and film. She offered me the chance to show my work to her editor in chief at a small local film magazine in Arabic. He happened to be looking for someone who masters Arabic/English to fill in for the western film critiques section. My articles got published in three consecutive editions and there was two more getting ready for print while I was moving with my family to Dubai and leaving everything behind. I'm writing about this because now I only want to write professionally and I have no clue where to start. Ironically enough, I started discovering the pleasure of blogging and it's my soul's satisfaction at the moment. Soon, I should try and find a way to accomplish my new goals. Now, I must settle for the practice until the real thing.

Creation: Megan Fox Charcoal Sketch

Thanks Nourhan for sending this my way, just lovely!

Creation: Nothing Compares

I received this beautiful short promo about Egypt my home country and all I could think about was how a positive outlook can bring out the beauty and essence of any given place. People can choose the pictures they want others to see. They can create messages of hate & decay or be messengers of love and progress. This promo doesn't cover the realm of Egypt but it does show what lies underneath the piles of sand and aimless camels. enjoy:)

The Eye: Correcting Misconceptions

It's always astonishing to me how racial concepts get deeply rooted to the extent that it becomes illogically accepted & nonnegotiable. Ben Affleck touches on this with a smart argument about the negative connotations now associated with being "Arab." Speaking of the way such remarks fuel intolerance, Affleck's speaks a simple word of logic and truth.

Put an end to stigmatizing any given race or ethnicity, become one with humanity at large, these are the values I embrace & respect. -L.

Cinematic: Surregates

Surrogates is the latest movie I have watched. It's a Sci-Fi film by Bruce Willis who gets to play both a futuristic & human cop controlling an advanced surrogate body that's connected to his nerve system along with humanity at large. Every person gets the luxury of a custom made human robot that gets to deal with the outside world while he/she lies comfortably at the convenience of their living room. As surrogates vanquish and get replaced, humans remain safe & sheltered from danger until an unprecedented occurrence of brutal deaths, while being connected, threatens the lives of users and the purpose of the product. The heightened action scenes, visual effects & make up give the movie its unique features. It's a thriller that's worth watching as it raises questions about man/ machine & the advances of science at the expense of human values.

Physique: Idole by Armani

I'm a one perfume woman :) when I pick a perfume, I stay with it until it's drained or broken! My last one Brit Sheer from Burburry fell under the category of broken! so I usually get the smallest bottle to give it maximum protection. Anyways, after a depressing while with no perfume & after accidentally buying DKNY apple for MEN!(they all look alike & I'm stupid) I finally, got a new one that I'm proud of & it smells yummy, Idole d'Armani!

My Soul: Finding a comfort zone

As much as I like people and enjoy gatherings, I have learned to enjoy my quality time with myself. I'm always talking inside my head to the point of driving myself crazy sometimes! Analyzing and observing is usually stressful, but it gets truly rewarding when I infer something valid, worthy and comprehensible. I enjoy creating art forms, keep busy blogging and writing, can't wait to get me a pack of decent chalk pastels to resume drawing. I'm taking a forced break from work since I came to Dubai with no prospects of driving soon. I'm in tech-savvy- house wive-mom mode:) now! which is a great time out from the buzzing world. Live streaming with God is a major comfort zone, thanking Him for the little things such as watching a white sailboat passing or some colorful fireworks touching the roofs of the night , little affectionate poodles that rub themselves at my feet out of no where, or dancing water fountains. Finding a comfort zone is essential to keep one whole. -L.

The Eye: New Pop Culture Morality

Marriage, Abstinence and good girl vs. hot girl are current subjects for some of the most acclaimed pop culture songs, literature and movies in the US. I must admit that I've always observed since I was a child how the entertainment business has shaped most of our moral concepts, particularly the relationship between men and women. In a conscious or a subconscious attempt to fill our free time with some fun and our free brains with some BS, excuse my french:), many moral lines have been crossed, distorted and even became the accepted norm. However, lately I've noticed a distinct change in some forms of pop culture songs, clips, literature and film!

These are the lyrics for All The Single Ladies by Beyonce Knowels; the song is a bold statement for men who reject marriage. These are some lines:

Single Ladies Lyrics

All the single ladies (7x)

Now put your hands up
Up in the club, we just broke up
I’m doing my own little thing
you Decided to dip but now you wanna trip
cuz i cried my tears, GAVE three good years
Ya can’t be mad at me

[Chorus]
Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
*************

Don’t treat me to the things of this world
I’m not that kind of girl
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Is a man that makes me,
And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
Pull me into your arms
Say I’m the one you want
If you don’t, you’ll be alone
And like a ghost I’ll be gone

All the single ladies
Now put your hands up
woo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh
oh oh oh

Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it

Is that a call for marriage or what?!

Abstinence and resisting temptation is the main theme for the Twilight Saga a deeply Romantic teen story, written by a Mormon mom, that hits the roof with sales and popularity among the junior and adult women. Stephenie Meyer's portrayal of Edward Cullen has brought women all over the world out of their mind because he is everything that men aren't today. As an angelically beautiful 108 year old vampire who looks eternally 17, Edward doesn't yield to his natural desires to kill and quench his thirst for human blood. He must resist the urge to be with his beloved human Bella out of fear for her safety. These are concepts that revolutionize the moral beliefs and boundaries of today's young generation common beliefs regarding the intersection between sexuality and romance.


I've also watched Taylor Swift's music video where she plays two different characters the hottie and the serious. Taylor is an adorable 19 year-old country music singer loved by the young generation. The song (You belong with me) sends a message supporting smart, polite moderately dressed girls. These values are shaping concepts which redefine male/female relationships and call for new moral values. (this video is displayed on my i pod on the right)

Corruption might still dominate, but some artists are trying to make a luminous difference that the world definitely needs. -L.

Cinematic: Pick a team!

Upon the request of my bff Manoosha I had to post something about Kivanc Tatlitug, aka Muhanad in the Turkish romance Noor. The hype for the Turkish invader of Egyptian screen and women's heart's in the Arab world can only be compared to the hype surrounding Rob Pattinson around the globe. I must say that Egypt is a breeder of hunks too! I vote for Ahmed Ezz in support of local merchandise ;P
-L.

The Eye: Toni Morrison a gorgeous woman/author

If there is some one that I owe the knowledge and a deep understanding of the complexity of life other than my beloved grandma, it would be Toni Morrison. Morrison's first five novels where literally my companions for five years I've spent away from home as an expat in sister middle eastern countries. Studying her novels for my MA thesis was not merely an academic research, it shaped a lot of my views, judgment, how I perceive difference in a world full of injustice, discrimination, assumptions and oppression. The richness of the human concepts and unique experiences of the African American woman that Morrison tackles are still applicable and universal. I've researched the problem of beauty standards and how physical attributes of Africans have acquired negative moral connotations due to racial discrimination. This is one of zillion issues that you can explore through reading works by a Noble Prize awarded African American woman author.
Review Morrison's biography here.