Creation: Good Life

I just LOVE One Republic, they just feed my hungry soul, Good Life fills me up with joy hope it does that to you too:)

thank you Jan for pointing out that album you brought me happiness:)

My Soul: The Power of Fasting!

Fasting is an ancient training course for humans to take charge of their mortal bodies and its total urges and empower their immortal souls.


It is quite often that you yield to the demands of the body at the expense of bettering your spiritual side.


By naming any physical need and putting it aside the soul takes command. It’s quite rewarding when fasting is over and you know you uttered no lies,offended no one, got a grip over your anger, and restored your inner peace.


Finally when it’s over, you’ll have to make another tough choice should I remain in command or have that body pull me down?


That’s completely determined by who you really are!

My Philosophy!

Creation: Where is the Love? -Black Eyed Peas

I couldn't have said it better, lovely song, great lyrics! I just love it when talented people use their creations to spread a word of justice and peace. Black Eyed Peas "Where is the Love"...

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself

Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

Sing wit me y'all:
One world, one world (We only got)
One world, one world (That's all we got)
One world, one world
And something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit the wo-wo-world, yeah
We only got
(One world, one world)
That's all we got
(One world, one world)

Cinematic: Avatar in Defense of The Other

Avatar is a movie that has rocked the world and certainly mine. It's revolutionary in every aspect of its making. James Cameron takes the most acceptable form of transgression of our modernity, the right to ravish lands for resources, and turns it into an epic story of the perspectives and lives of the victimized Alien, the expendable Other. He takes a crippled marine to experience the unique unison with a man-made alien avatar that gives him infinite access to physical freedoms that can only be real in dreams. The Avatar is supposed to mingle with alien masses of planet Pandora, convince them to let go of their sacred lands which is lying on top of a huge natural resource the human military forces relentlessly seek. The movie takes us to Pandora's divine haven and its magnificent inhabitants and creatures, their beliefs and rituals and gradually have us witness the change that overtakes that soldier who becomes the leader, the chosen one that brings victory to the oppressed. A story that can not be broken into a few lines, for each and every detail carries a message that must be analyzed in depth.

For the first time a western movie explicitly points a finger against warfare, against imperial assault, and transgressions which are justified in the name of survival, wealth and upper interests. And for the first time, the point of view of the natives are treated with respect and is represented without sarcastic overtones.


Cameron utilizes every tool in this movie and particularly an unsurpassed CGI simulation system for the actors to convey feelings, movement and actual real life reactions so that the Avatar experience is not only an idea in the movie but also an actual experience enjoyed by the actors. The massive production is reflected in the superb quality of 3D massive Avatars and the minute details of their design to perfection.

The repeated words the natives use to bound, " I see you" is amazing for the layers of meanings, they reflect. It represents their spiritual insight, their unified vision, their common values and respect for the choices and the decisions of its individuals; certain they are always motivated by the best interest of the community. When Neytiri saves and brings Jake Sully's avatar to her tribe every one respects her decision. When Jake becomes one of her people he repeats the words to reveal his inner transformation.

One of the most expressive moments of the movie is when Jake seeks to be taught the ways of the tribe and he is told "you can't fill a cup that's already full." and Jake replies "believe me, I'm an empty cup." Unlike the brainwashed soldiers, Jake didn't receive the training or the preconceived misconceptions that mobilize the arsenal behind him. In fact, he lost his freedom and the life of his twin brother in the name of such invasions. Jake is made the perfect receptor, the perfect open minded character that is meant to see. Being a mindless follower ripped him and left him empty. These qualities become the essence of his eminent leadership that's prophesied from the minute Neytiri aims her arrow to kill him and he is saved by the peaceful passage of a holy seed.


God as one with nature is evident in the celestial beauty of Pandora, cleverly named after the mythical box of evils that once opened it unleashes evil, and in the invisible energy that lurks at its every corner binding all as one. When Jake prays for support, he summons the divine forces that bring them to victory in a moment of desperation and once everyone has done what's right within their capacity. Jake laments the loss of green to a state of destruction that he refuses to let happen to his newly known world and genuinely attempts to stop it from happening again.

The amazing ending, the moment Neitiri saves Jake again this time as a human is awesome! and the communal ritual that seals Jake's final rebirth or resurrection by dying to his old crippled form, is an epic visual spectacle to a puzzled audience that doesn't wish to see Jake hooked up to the simulator or departed from his love and new home. The movie is a milestone in the history of cinema and I say in the shamefull history of mankind.

I clap with every molecule in my being!

Physique: Hair Food Recipe!

I have tried a great natural blend to feed my hair, and that's my major field of experiment!


Here is a great Luminous recipe for healthy shiny strands!

Ingredients:
1. one egg
2. 2 tea spoons of olive oil
3.1 tea spoon of vinegar
4. 1 tea spoon of honey
5. half cup of yogurt
Steps:
Blend well to a creamy consistency, warm it up 20 sec in the microwave or in hot water pool.
Brush your hair and distribute the blend on your hair, put it up with a clip then wrap your head with clinging film:) yes it will help your hair absorb it better.
After 40 minutes wash your hair thoroughly until you are sure it's completely clean, dry as usual!
This recipe is great specially for thin, fine or dry hair. you will notice immediately the increase in volume and shine!

My Soul: Happy Eid. Peace & Blessings

Being away from home during the holidays and specially during Eid in Egypt is quite disappointing. I usually start my first day of Eid very early to get ready to pack the bundles of lamb to give to the poor and needy and put aside a thigh to cook for a family gathering. It's such a great feeling of fulfilment when I drive up and down the block for those who missed knocking at our door for their rightful share of Eid blessings. I miss that... a lot... I miss their grateful prayers of thanks that charge me with humbleness for I have done nothing but being chosen to do so. Happy Eid and Blessings to Every living being whether seen or unseen.

The Eye: Driving in UAE

Can you imagine the time and money required to get a driver's license in the UAE? Well, that's another issue, In Egypt dr iving was a piece of cake fo r me:) there is no safe distance between you and your neighbor ly cars we literally snuggle all the way. If you get to third gear that's your lucky day! Dubai is something els e! I've been here for three months now I can hardly find my way home! I failed my first test but that's the trend they say lol! so wish me luck I'm heading for my 2nd try ,I should worry about finding my way when I get to the photo booth for that flash of approval!

Physique: Perfect Bodies & Photoshop

The only reason I'm posting this is that it may help a little in making us, women over 30, understand that seeking the perfect body within reasonable limits is an ok goal. seeking that unattainable touched celebs' bods, is not far from achieving with the brush of skilled digital artists, so no need to torture ourselves:). I think women and little girls are in a desperate need to separate between the real and the ideal images of beauty so as to not reach that state of out of control the video is pointing at. To be thin and to look young is an unavoidable cultural demand that needs to be approached with wisdom and awareness.

(Read Toni Morrison's Tar Baby it deals with this crazed pursuit for artificial beauty at the expence of the natural).

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.

Creation: New Template & Twilight Blog!

Hey! everyone I guess loneliness is the mother of creation at least in my case lol! Well, I found my way through posting Youtube vids. and that required changing my layout for the video to appear without distorting my side posts! So, this a new one!
Also, my crazed Twilight obsession found it's way to this supposedly neutral and twilight free zone ;) so I decided the more the merrier.. A Twilight blog for the Egyptian fans, aka, me lol. I had to find a release without imposing it on innocent nontwilight addicts...being such a sensitive person, I made a new blog & called it: Apotamkin: The Cold One of Egypt! you can say it's the first Egyptian Twilight fan site!! I googled it and it wasn't common lol. You can find the link in Luminous fix in case you are interested. We should shout out the Egyptian presence in Twilight. Special thanks to Stephenie Meyer; she covered all areas in her Saga including us Apotamkins, yay!
-L.

Creation: Arab Stand Up Comedians LOLs

Love the Axis of Evil Stand Up Comedy! They are the only ones I know of who are genuinely trying to improve the image of Muslims to the outside world, and they are doing an absolutely hilarious job!! If you are not familiar with the names Ahmed Ahmed, Dean Obaid Allah, Maz Jubrani and Aron Kader, you are missing a tearful lol!
-L.