Danish Cartoons...

The Danish Cartoons (I have the link but it doesn't seem to go through, something tells me.. warns me..) that were published have caused so much brouhaha in the Middle East. Reactions over the forbidden act have ranged from flag burning, boycotting, harassing of Norge and Danes citizens, protests, destruction of Danish Embassies particularly in Syria and Lebanon.

Major shops in the Middle East have boycotted Danish products. So far, the only product that we have last bought was the, Lurpack Butter.

Anyways, whatever happened with it you can find it on the links I provided above. I have had chats with colleagues and Muslim acquaintances here in the UAE. With due respect to all concerned, I was just merely giving my opinion on personal talks between people I know. I agree that what the Jyllands-Posten have done is terribly and utterly way too inconsiderate knowing that every journalist although given the freedom of speech should do his/her own research before publishing anything. Yes, the freedom of speech entails that you can publish or say anything you want because you are simply exercising your right but every considerate and politically aware individual should not intentionally and deliberately insult a group of people just for the sake of publicity. Every diplomat knows this. And every individual is a diplomat in his own terms. How much more a publishing company?

The issue has caused various different reactions from everybody, some are just nonchalant about it, others are bickering about it, others have gone ballistic.

I have been asked of my opinion. Should I dare say it? Well, I will say it as it was discussed.

What was done against the Muslims was utterly despicable, what has been spinning around is debatable. It was blasphemous, inconsiderate (I will say it again), and really undiplomatic. I was asked, what would I do if somebody told me that my religion was a piece of s.... I was like, huh? I was taken aback but I came to my senses. I have my own reasons. First, I am not that religious so I would not really know how to react. Second, I would just probably say f... off to that someone who said it to me and think to myself, "who are you to say when you are not the one exercising or not exercising my religion"; and third, I replied with an essay or so. If you have seen the movie The Passion of the Christ, I would reply with the same reply as the question posed before me: "Why is your Christ not doing anything even when the people were spitting on him, beating him up, hurting him badly and crucified him?", "If he was so powerful, why can he only say 'please forgive them for they know not what they are doing'?". My reply was, our religion is based on forgiveness. If somebody slaps you on the left cheek, you give him he right cheek, if someone throws you stone, throw him bread. Something like that. So our religion is basically based on love and forgiveness and Christ was the one doing the real meaning of that. Islam is a religion of peace. This is the truest fact I know. The misconceptions surrounding it has been severely & badly portrayed by those who either have known Islam in a different concept. It is sad that with the few aggressive individuals reacting differently towards the cartoons, other Muslims have been affected. I sure hope there is a better ending to these hullabaloo.

God bless us all. Peace please.

Wishes and more

A friend recently celebrated her 25th birthday and she called me to be with her. At first I was hesitant because I was not really that close with her but since the invitation came from Sarah whom I was close to, I agreed to go. It was Karen's birthday, a Christian Lebanese who has amazing legs. I met her during my yoga classes with Sarah. Well, it was actually Sarah and Karen who started going there together at first. They have been friends since they were twelve years old or they have been friends for 12 years. Any way it was, it would still sum up to 12 years of friendship as both of them are only 25 or 26.

The party took place at Prego's and it turned out there were only six of us. Yasir, Sarah's boyfriend, with Sarah; Karen, the birthday celebrant; Mayze and Karen, common friends of Karen and Sarah's. It was pretty special because she chose only special friends and I did feel pretty special (though out of place at first). I always feel shy with new people specially younger ones. Its easier to seem foolish when with older people but its really foolish to be seeming foolish in front of younger people. I have never been comfortable with people younger than me. But that night I felt good.

When it was time to blow her candle on the birthday cake, each one got a turn to blow as well but I couldn't come up with any wish at that time. Well, maybe because all of the girls wished that they get married soon. I was dumbfounded and my mind went blank and I couldnt not come up with one wish.

I could not understand how such young pretty women with good careers would eagerly like to settle down soon, while I on the other hand, is almost aging, wrinkling and getting crankier by the day just tries to run from such thoughts as much as possible. Well, I think older women are more scared and more picky, or something. There must be something with older women. Ahem. Anyways, to view our pictures, see Karen's Birthday Bash

Anyways, last night I went to a friend's place or her boyfriend's place and she is regularly going there so she invited me over. The place is probably the niciest flat I have seen in the entire Abu Dhabi or UAE. Haha. Or maybe I have not been in so many flats. But the place is awesome. The entire first floor consists of the lounge (the size of which is almost like the size of my entire one-bedroom flat), kitchen, lavatory, and an office. There is a patio on the lounge, in the office, and I think also on the kitchen area. The second floor provides for the three bedrooms each of which has its own bathroom. Well, considering the furnishings of the flat, it reflects a man of good choice. Sort of.

We went to Sax and we were rudely talked to by one Arab guy who was a terrible guy to be in that position. But Sax isnt that good because it was awfully quiet that night so we went to Ocean's of Le Royal Meridien. It was a lovely night too except for the fact that I felt out of place because Jane was just hubnubbing and canoodling with John the whole time and I felt awkward in the trio. Add to that the taste of the worst PinaColada I have ever tasted in my whole life. Choices, choices. But the evenings are often lovely these days. I will keep it like that.

Have fun people. May you have the merriest Valentines... Talking of which.....

I am sitting at the reception today because our receptionist/admin girl, and the back up are both on leave. Cristy is such a lucky girl. She has spent her whole year (that's when I knew her) and more maybe trying to find the right man, as in her own words, she has spent her life being the good sister, obedient daughter and good provider for her family that she almost missed out on finding herself the right man because she was too busy. She will be turning fortyfour this year. She went for an emergency leave because she has finally felt something for someone and that someone has decided to see her in the Philippines and she did the best thing on deciding to go home to grab this chance. I wish her luck, love and happiness. I cried when she told me about it because I was elated for her. I will write more when I get the details. The last time we spoke was this morning and she said they are on their way to meet her parents and have dinner with the guy. Lovely. Makes me want to hold on to myself more because I know that somewhere out there is a good guy for me, or lets say the best guy for me. I still have a lot of years to go before I finally get settled with the idea of settling down. Valentines won't rush me, neither birthdays.

Love is beautiful. And it is worth waiting but at the same time, it is wonderful when you give it too.