Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Time to rest


It is nearly Christmas and the advantage of being a teacher is that I get 2 weeks off work! This is an amazing opportunity to go somewhere nice, to spend time with family, to have time for one's self! I have chosen to come to Bali this Christmas, even though I would've loved to spend it somewhere with snow... Bali is wonderful, don't get me wrong, I am enjoying it!
I was talking to Maite last night about rest and we were questioning whether it's a good thing to spend 2 weeks doing nothing too productive in a place like Bali (which seems like heaven on earth). I did point out that our bodies need rest, we need to get away from the busy life at work, from the craziness of the city and that it is important for us to rest; the way I see it is that I am honouring God with my body, by taking care of it (therefore the previous post).
I've been reading a bit about rest this morning and I am going to post it below; these are not my words... they are Jodi Schumm's words.
“Sit down!” I ordered my 2-year-old. He walked across the bathtub and grabbed more toys before obeying me.

I wanted Brock to enjoy playing in the tub; I just didn’t want him hurt trying to get toys on his own. He needed my help.

For a while, he pushed his little boats. Then he stood up again.

“Sit down!” I repeated. “If you stand in the tub again, you’ll have to get out.”

“But,” Brock stated, quite proud of himself, “I’m Jesus, and I’m walking on the water!”

At times we try to do things on our own. Like Brock when he grabbed his toys, we follow our plan without realizing the dangers of our independence.

God, a father who watches over his children, sees our need for his help. And he tells us to “sit down” with the biblical commands to rest.

Resistance to rest

Even as adults, we don’t like to rest. We try to complete our to-do list without God because we think resting will delay our productivity.

Instead of resting, we try harder and work longer. Yet even work we enjoy becomes burdensome when we don’t take time to rest.

God’s people rested one day each week in Old Testament times.

We don’t live under Old Testament laws, since Jesus’ death on the cross offers us the grace of the New Testament.

Some people use that as a reason to resist resting. Yet God’s view of rest is not just an Old Testament command. The New Testament also instructs us to give our burdens to God so we can enjoy rest.

A time of rest is a time to set aside distractions and focus on God. Resting is relying on God’s help to accomplish our task in his time.

When looking at how and why we rest, Keri Wyatt Kent’s book “Breathe” states, “If I gave you three easy steps, you would miss out on experiencing God’s guidance for yourself.”

Keri is right. Our focus shouldn’t be on following someone’s instructions on what rest should look like in our lives.

Our focus should be on what God tells us about rest through his word.

Resting ‘how-to’s

Jesus said that rest is not just a spiritual exercise – it is a gift: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

Resting in him is not a reward for accomplishing our tasks or something we enjoy when the holiday season is behind us. It’s a gift he wants to give us today.

When we recognize resting is a gift from God, we’re more willing to enjoy it without the guilt of feeling lazy.

Jesus’ discussion on rest revealed that it is not the same as being idle: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 NIV)

Rest is more than just enjoying a time of relaxation. Taking his yoke means we trust God with our burden so we can enjoy doing what he calls us to do. 2 Thessalonians 1:11b states: “and we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds.”

Relying on God’s wisdom and power to complete tasks removes the sense that work is a burden. We realize that the results of our efforts are in God’s control.

Finally, resting is learning from Jesus’ example. Jesus was busy with an important to-do list that included healing the sick and feeding the hungry. Yet he rested regularly: “Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place” (Mark 1:35 NIV); “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountain to pray” (Luke 6:12 NIV).

The world didn’t fall apart when Jesus rested, even though he created it. Our world won’t fall apart when we rest, either.

As we obey God’s instruction to rest, our responsibilities will not change but our spirits will be transformed. Like Brock, we can act like “I’m Jesus” and face our responsibilities on our own. Or, we can obey God and become more like Jesus by resting.

HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY

The next time you sit down to a thick, juicy steak dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy , white rolls and butter, and homemade apple pie, ask yourself this question: Am I honoring God with my body? When you run to the store late at night for your favorite flavor of Haagen Dazs, ask yourself this question: Am I bringing glory to God with my body? When you get to the bottom of a new bag of Ruffles while watching the tube, ask yourself this question: Am I worshipping God with my body?

What does it mean to honor God with our bodies?

    "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. 6:19,20 NKJ)

Most Christians know and believe that fornication and adultery are out with God. We usually agree that illegal drug use is a sin. Drunkenness and pornography are routinely condemned by the church. Why? Because these things go against Scripture and are harmful to human beings.

Is it possible to sin, or fail to please God in our eating?

A while back, I heard a Christian make this comment: "We don't smoke, drink, or fornicate, so all we have is eating." Since then, I have often heard the same sentiment, usually from overweight believers. Some people even laugh about the way they themselves or other believers eat, thinking it's funny. We, as Christians, proudly put off the heinous sins of the world and think of ourselves as righteous, while in private (and some feel no shame doing it openly) we'll eat an entire box of doughnuts, or whatever, and pack on the pounds. We sit down to meal after meal after meal, snack after snack after snack, eating in ignorance, or to the contrary, in absolute rebellion.

Consider theses tidbits:

    • The average American carries 8 pounds of material on the walls of his colon due to the foods he eats.
    • Fatty deposits that lead to atherosclerosis are being found today in 3 year olds.
    • Many, if not most, sicknesses and diseases, including mental and emotional problems are, directly or indirectly, caused or exacerbated by poor diet.
    • Healthy or so-called "diet" foods often contain ingredients more harmful to health than the foods they are meant to replace.

      "For you once were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. (Eph. 5:8,9 NIV)

    It's up to us as individuals to find out what the best, most healthful way to eat is and then do it. Don't wait until your pastor tells you to change. He might not ever do it. But God has made it plain in His Word.

    I've had people tell me that God doesn't care what we eat, so long as we are moderate, so long as we don't get too fat. What is too fat anyway? Ten pounds, 20 pounds, 100 pounds overweight? What is moderation? How can you set the limit, when it takes sometimes years for certain foods to have their full impact on health? Most disease takes long enough to develop that the connection to diet is lost or overlooked.

    Why does God care about what and how much we eat? Because He's mean and He doesn't want us to enjoy anything? No, because He has a plan for your life, and you need to be fit and full of energy to perform it. And you need to be alive. You can't serve the Lord on the earth from an early grave. You won't do all you could for Christ from your sickbed or sleeping off the sugar blues. You won't serve the Lord to full capacity if you're too ashamed of yourself to minister to others. Our health is vitally important to God. Christians, more than any other people, need to eat to live, not live to eat.

      "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (Rom. 12:1 NIV)

    Eating right, like doing anything else right, involves sacrifice. But, as we know, sacrifice is a necessary part of the Christian life. Remember the supreme sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, who "for the joy set before Him endured the cross." If we will but follow the example of our Savior, and focus on the joy--the joy of a long, healthy life, the joy of the security we can offer our loved ones, the joy of helping others and touching many, many people's lives, and the joy Paul described in 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." --then we will find the changes much easier to make and stick with.

    Now don't come under condemnation and make a mountain of new rules for yourself that you can't live up to. Some of us know very little about health and good nutrition or have attitudes surrounding eating that need uprooting. Many of us have flesh that has been out of control for a very long time, and it's going to take time and diligence to reign it in. Change is often synonymous with process. First, make a commitment to learn and to grow. Then ask God to show you what you need to do, or stop doing, and to give you the willingness and strength to perform it.

    "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31 NIV)

Friday, December 3, 2010

Qatar 2022


Yesterday became a historical day for Qatar. They have won the bid to host the World Cup in 2022. As I turned my computer on in the morning I was surprised to see that google had this image on!! Well done!!
When I arrived in August there were sign everywhere, big posters with the logo "support Qatar's bid for 2022"; I didn't pay too much attention to it at that point. It wasn't until I actually put a sticker on my car that says: "I support Qatar's bid for 2022" that I got in the spirit of the whole thing.



The emir and his wife, the sheikha were thrilled!!

2022 is in 12 years from now - I asked myself where will I be in 12 years?? Definitely not in Qatar anymore, though it would be fun to experience the world cup here. Who knows, maybe I will come back! :)
Anyway, it is quite amazing that I got to experience history yesterday, even though I was in my flat - I could still hear the honking and the excitement of all the people. The interesting thing was that the people honking and cheering were not Qatari - most of the population here is expats, but we all felt happy for the nation that is hosting us! We all hoped they will win the bid and it was nice to see so many people, from so many countries rejoicing for one thing!

Friday, November 19, 2010

First day in India - Delhi

The journey started at Doha Airport, flying Etihad Airlines which was quite impressive!! It reminded me of Qatar Airways and how I felt like a princess… They treated us well. I tried to watch a movie but was too tired so I used all the other 3 available seats next to me to lay down. I was woken up by Maite saying we’re landing in Delhi!

Getting off the plane and into the airport it already felt like India, it actually smelt like India – a mixture of spices, food and don’t know what else.

We were told a taxi should be around 600-700 rupees; we managed to get one for 450 rupees and that is when the adventure began! The guy drove and drove through dark alleys and through crazy traffic and once we got closer to our destination he kept on stopping asking for directions; he had no idea where to take us!! Why was I not surprised? Well, I lived in Cairo for two years! We ended up at a tourism office and spent some time there figuring out where to go. We took advantage and booked a tour to Agra for our last day to see the Taj Mahal (that turned out to be another adventure!) Even after we left, the guy still didn’t know where to take us; we were taken on a dark alley, behind dodgy buildings and Maite started to freak out! It took us 1 and a half hours to get to our hotel. It was already 6 am when we got in!

Next morning we woke up at 10 in time for breakfast and our tour of Delhi. Breakfast!

This funny Indian man asked us what we want and then he asked: “omlette?” Yes!! Well, I forgot I was in India and expected to get a regular omlette – this one was not!!! It was

SPICY!!!!!! It had chilli in!! Goodness me!! But I ate it all and I realized soon I am getting used to this food; it is surprising how everything they eat is so spicy! I am sure when Indians go abroad and try our food they think it’s not good, and it tastes like nothing to them! J

As we were having breakfast it started to rain! Part of me was excited as it never rains in Doha and I was looking forward to see rain, but not on the day of our tour. Thank God the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy the city. We were taken to different places – most of them temples and tombs! It is required that you take your shoes off whenever you go inside a temple… well, I was wearing trainers, so imagine me having to take my shoes and my socks off at every single temple! Next time I will wear flip flops! I’ve learned my lesson!

The most interesting place was the lotus temple and people made comments on how it was made to resemble the Opera House in Sydney, Australia! Hmm… I am not too sure of that!

This was definitely contemporary architecture and very different than the other temples; while the others had different statues of different gods with offerings and incense burning this one was like a large hall with seats (pretty much like a Catholic church), vases of fresh flowers and big windows. No gods, no images, no nothing! We were welcomed by foreigners who worked or volunteered there and they gave us a little speech about the temple; it is supposed to welcome people from all religions, it encourages peace and EVERYBODY is free to go inside and pray to whatever God they want. I found that concept very modern… Anyway, we prayed there and blessed the people and the country.

The evening tour finished by India gate where a lot of people were hanging out whether families, couples, singles, schools; there was a mixture of ages and of course colours (I love the colours of India! The women dressed in they colourful saris are a delight to my eyes). We tried some food on the streets (actually Maite did – I was too scared I might get sick) and got henna. Sundar, our driver, took us to a nice Indian restaurant to finish the day. We enjoyed the food and I decided I won’t have Indian food for a month when I get back home! J

Delhi is an amazing city – very green and seemed very busy; the traffic is crazy; if I were to compare it to Cairo traffic I’d say it is “similar but different” (a very Arab thing to say). It is hectic and disorganized, people drive in between lanes and when 3 lanes should fit 3 cars, here they fit 5! There’s no concept of using blinkers (they don’t want to tell the “enemy” their next move) and cars move from lane 1 to lane 5 in one go! We define it as disorganized, but there is some structure to it, as there were no accidents when I expected us to crash into the first bike, rickshaw, truck, bus, person! The one way that is common for all drivers is honking! A long honk means “I’m coming, stay in your “lane” do not move to the right or left” and it keeps going until the car has overtaken another. If I were to honk at home, I’d tell the other driver: “Go ahead!”

I cannot say I have experienced Delhi – I just saw it from a car and got off to see the main attractions and that is all I needed! I got to see more of the “real India” in Lucknow, where we were thrown into the cast system, learning about the people and getting a better understanding of the reality of this country!

Monday, November 15, 2010

What should I have for dinner?

Last night Maite and I were having dinner at our hotel and I wanted some pasta; (too much Indian food is not good for you!) so, I asked the waiter if I can have Bolognese pasta (though it wasn't on the menu). He said yes we'll make it for you (and moved his head in the typical Indian style)!!! We waited and waited for 35 minutes... our food was not there yet, when suddenly I had a thought: in this country they don't eat beef (coz cows are holy) and they don't eat pork coz of the Muslims; how on earth are they going to make Bolognese for me? it was stupid of me t ask for it from the beginning anyway!!! So, I went and asked the guy: how are you making it? His English was rubbish, he didn't understand me, he called the manager, he sends somebody to the kitchen.... I said: in my country they make it with beef or pork, but you don't have that here! And I said: I hope you dont make it wt mutton coz I dont eat that! The guy comes back from the kitchen and he says: "Ma'am, we make it wt mutton meatballs!!!" NOOOOO!!! Anyway, I changed the order to Napolitane spaghetti, which wasn't great, but I ate it! I was so hungry coz I only had breakfast that day!
I guess I'll be having some beef as soon as I get back to Doha! :P

Monday, November 8, 2010

Power to ... go on, power to stand and continue

I came across this the other day and it is so interesting how it applies to my life at the moment. I felt very encouraged by it and that is why I am sharing it!
It is so interesting how we want to do so many things, to stand up for what we believe in, to follow our principles and live according to them.
This is from a series called "Unstoppable Life" by John Ortberg.

I think the great need of human beings is for power. I think most people that I know, regardless of background, even religious tradition, most people have really pretty good intentions for the kind of lives that they want to lead. We know the kind of people that we want to be. We think about the kind of relationships that we’d like to have. We want good things. We just seem to lack the power. We just somehow can’t do good stuff that we want to do and life kind of trips us up.

Life has this way of showing us—whatever field or dimension or area it is—we have these dreams, we have these thoughts, we have these plans and they are often quite good, but I find myself not living them out. I lack power to be who I want to be and do what I want to do. That seems to be the human condition.

There is power to go on, there is power for everything; you just need to find it! How? More to come!!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

You know you're Arab when....


1. You reply with a NO when you’re asked if you would like more food, and it somehow translates into a YES
2.You refer to your dad's friends as Um-mo ..
3. Your mother has a minor disagreement with her (or your dad's) sister and doesn't talk to her for ten years.
4. You arrive one or two hours late to a party and think it's normal
5. You hug and kiss relatives you have never seen before in your life.
6. You ask your dad a simple question, and he answers by telling the story of how he used to walk miles just to get to school and how we ‘”have life so easy”
7.After a family meal, the women fight to death over who should wash the dishes while the men sit on their behinds and discuss politics, waiting for their Turkish coffee. ..
8.Your parents want you to become a doctor or engineer. ...
9. You still go back home and live with your parents after you graduate
10.Your mother yells at the top of her lungs to call you to dinner even if you're in the next room....
11. You have at least thirty cousins. ...
12. You pity anyone who is not an Arab and think all other cultures are morally corrupt.
13. If you are 25 and unmarried, your parents make you feel that you are getting old.
14. You talk for an hour at the front door when leaving someone's house....which leads to walk to the car and another hour of talk
15.You say bye 17 times on the phone. ...
16. Everyone is a family friend.
17. Your parents don't realize phone connections to foreign countries have improved in the last two decades, and still scream at the top of their lungs when making long distance calls. ..
18. Your mother does everything for you if you are male...
19.You do all the housework and cooking if you are female...
20.Your relatives alone could populate a small city.....
21. You make Turkish coffee before leaving home to work, at the office, before lunch, after lunch, when having guests, before the guest leave, after the guests leave and before you go to bed.
22. You teach Westerners swearwords in Arabic
23. You watch the hell out of Arabic Satellite…or at least your parents do
24. You have to lie to your parents when you go out, even if ur doing nothing wrong.
25. Your mother calls you "Mama" and your father calls you "Baba"
26. You have someone tell you your fortune through your coffee cup.
27. You've seen a sword dance. At a wedding.

28. You've heard Amr Diab's "Habibi ya nour el ein" 764363 times in your life.
29. Your Mum has a creative nickname for you like "Natoosheh," or "Tuntooneh."
30. You play cards till the break of dawn.
31. At weddings it takes the bride and groom 4 hours to kiss all the guests
32. You use Arabic bread as a utensil in every meal
33. There is no such thing as quiet time
34. You get pissed when an Arab is displayed as a Terrorist in a Movie.
35. You pronounce your p's as b's ( bolice and airblane)
36. You get happy when your friends use Arabic (swears especially) in normal speach.
37. You go to Arabic Restaurants, tell the owners your Arab, and think you're going to get free food.
38. You fight over who's going to pay the bill and make the biggest scene!
39. Your family is over your house all the time
40. You put salt, olive oil and garlic in everything
41. You always say “walaw, 3ala rasi wa 3ayne” ….as if you doing a great deed for someone
42. The satellite dish cuts out and everyone is looking for a new code cos it wasn’t a legal one
43. When you wanted fast food you got a shawarma
44. When you're parents call you while you're out with friends screaming:
"You're Late! Its already 12:00am yalla come back home!!” when its actually only 11:00pm
45. If you're a girl, every time you make coffee when your aunts come over, they look at you and say "mashAllah!! sayri 3aroos"
46. Shisha is a social thing…you neva smoke it alone
47. You say “Yalla Bye” after every phone call
48. Your aunt asks when she can dance at your wedding
49. There is NO such thing as Israel. It is Palestine
50. Your standing next to the largest suitcases at the airport

51. You know that 3 people can fit on a motorcycle, 8 people can fit in a 5-seat car, and 20 people can fit in a 12-person minibus

52. You've been to a gold souk.

53. You smoke as if it were your last day on earth…and you only smoke Marlboro. (LOL)

54. Your middle name is your father's first name.

55. If you are male, you're named after your grandfather or great-grandfather.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Just a reminder



You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer,

My Shelter, Strong Tower, my very present help in time of need.

Whom have I in Heaven but you.
There's no one I desire beside You

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Ramblings after 2 months...

It's been a couple of months now since my move to Qatar and I am still enjoying it! :) A friend was saying the other day that I am the only person he has met that actually loves Doha! Moving from Cairo, the city of pollution, craziness and bargaining this feels like a breath of fresh air!
I can walk on the corniche every day whenever I want, I can buy anything I want, I can go anywhere I want, I can drive... there;s many things I can do!
Unfortunately there's not much contact with Qataris (unless they're the parents of the kids I teach) - sometimes I feel they're hiding somewhere!!
Even after 2 years in Egypt I am still learning about the Arabs and the Arab world; such a shame I didn't invest more in relationships with locals in Cairo!! Doha Film Festival happened this past week and I took advantage of it and watched a few movies; one of them, "Just Like Us" talked about Arabs and their sense of humour; the producer made a point out of the fact that not all Arabs are suicide bombers and terrorists! Of course I've never thought that, but it was like an eye-opener for many of the people present.
I came to realise I am still quite ignorant when it comes to this culture; like a great Romanian man once said: "The more I find out, the more I realise how less I know!" this is how I feel now - I am learning so many things (most of them consist of "do's and don'ts ..because.... this is what Arabs think of...." ). No display of affection in public with the opposite sex, not even talking if possible!! Come'on!!!!! I should make a list one day....

Monday, October 25, 2010

Thank God I am a woman??? Not too sure...


I took this picture in a shop in Germany this summer and I thought to myself: YESS, thank God I am a woman!! Not feeling very feminist today ... I am not up to defend my "race" but I would rather be on the other camp!
Why are we women so emotional? Why do we overthink everything, we make scenarios in our minds about a certain fact/person/situation, we can't read maps properly, we talk too much (a comedian once said: "I didn't speak for 6 months - I didn't want to interrupt my wife!"), we PMS, we expect everything to be done our way, we make a big fuss over everything and we cry a lot!!
I like the simplicity of men's brains, the straight-forwardness they use when they talk, their wish to solve your "problems" (even though what we usually need is just a ear to listen), the need to come up with a solution....
So what is there to love about being a woman?
Did I mention the picture was taken in a shop?

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Giving...

I've been baking a lot lately and my friends appreciate it a lot, as I shared my cakes with them. This one time I made cake, and I didn't even get to try it, but I was very happy to share! I can always make more, I said to myself!
I've just come to realise that I do this a lot in my daily life - I am concerned about the people around me and I forget about myself! This is not a selfish thought, but what happens when you want a piece of cake and there's no one to offer it to you because you're usually the baker?!
Who will help you move the furniture? Who will take you home? Who will give you medicine when you're sick? Who will cook for you? Who will give you a hug? This issue can consume you for ever and ever; it can lead you to disappointment, to loosing trust, loosing friends etc.
There is at least one person in every man's life who will do those things! I am happy I do have one!
Do not give up giving! It is the most rewarding thing!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Scrisoare deschisă către preşedintele Traian Băsescu C.T.Popescu

Domnule Băsescu, te-am privit şi voi continua să te privesc cu statornică scârbă. Însă, dincolo de scârba mea, un concurs de împrejurări care conţine prostia unora, ticăloşia altora şi indiferenţa celor mai mulţi a făcut să devii preşedinte al ţării mele. Nu m-am aşteptat nicio clipă ca, ajuns în această demnitate, să poţi deveni altceva decât eşti, dar am vrut să sper că măcar vei încerca să pari. Mă felicit că nu am investit prea mult în această speranţă. Ex nihilo nihil. Dispreţul pe care ţi-l port e lesne de argumentat: reprezinţi suma a tot ce are mai detestabil poporul român. Fără a avea măcar una din însuşirile admirabile ale acestui popor.

Vreme de şase ani am trăit o neîncetată stupoare, colorată când şi când cu indignări sterile ori revărsări gastrice provocate de conduita ta.
Vreme de şase ani, mulţi dintre noi am încetat să fim doar cetăţeni ai acestei ţări şi am devenit victime ale tulburărilor tale de personalitate, ale crizelor tale de nervi, ale sevrajelor tale, ale revărsărilor tale de ură, ale ticăloşiei tale, ale incompetenţei tale.
Nu ştiu dacă în istoria modernă există şef de stat care să fi insultat atât de mulţi dintre propriii cetăţeni, cu atâta nesimţită uşurinţă. Observi că nu folosesc pluralul politeţii.
Pentru că tu însuţi, în dialogul cu ceilalţi, ai răul obicei de a nu-l folosi. Şi voi refuza să îl folosesc doar formal, demonstrativ, numai pentru a vădi că sunt mai bine crescut decât tine.

Vremea convenţiilor şi demonstraţiilor de tipul acesta a trecut. Am privit cu îngrijorare, în aceşti şase ani, obsesia ta maladivă pentru puterea absolută. Au fost concetăţeni de ai mei care au crezut că poate ţi se cuvine, că poate, atunci când o vei avea, vei face din ea instrumentul schimbării în bine al ţării.
Se înşelau. Ai folosit puterea doar pentru a revărsa urâţenia dinlăuntru-ţi asupra noastră, a tuturor. Iar ţara e astăzi mai schimonosită ca niciodată. Sărăcită, desfigurată, doar un contur înlăuntrul căruia cei mai mulţi sunt prinşi ca într-o capcană, prizonieri ai unui rău destin. Precum în cel mai întunecat fanariotism, ai folosit demnităţile publice ori resursele statului pentru a-ţi căftăni apropiaţii, pe cei care ţi se închinau cu ipocrită smerenie, într-un detestabil qui pro quo. Astfel au ajuns cele mai multe demnităţi ale statului să fie ocupate de incompetenţi, imbecili şi neamuri proaste, personaje lipsite de orice merit, dar cu prea-plin de obedienţă faţă de tine, despotul. Şi când ţara e rânduită după legea aceasta, nu e de mirare că astăzi am ajuns la această mizerie, promiscuitate şi decădere a instituţiilor.

Ţi-ai făcut din minciună un crez politic. Şi unii găsesc asta scuzabil. Peste cei care au îndrăznit să spună altfel decât crezi tu că se cuvine spus ai revărsat diluvii de ură. Ai inventat categorii generice peste care să îţi reverşi ura şi insultele primitive. 322, moguli, tonomate, reprezentau categorii încăpătoare în care mizeria ta să poată fi eficient distribuită. Toţi cei care nu acceptau fanariotul qui pro quo erau detestabili, maculabili, expulzabili. Rar mi-a fost dat să văd atât risipă de resurse (ale statului, ale instituţiilor publice ori ale unor dubioase instituţii private) menită unui singur scop: împroşcatul cu mizerie.
Au fost şase ani urâţi. Iar rezultatul lor e reaua stare de azi a ţării. Prea mult şi prea des am vorbit despre toate cele care au fost pentru a le mai repeta acum. Altul e motivul pentru care scriu astăzi.

Afirmi, domnule Băsescu, fără să roşeşti, cu o nesimţire prietenă cu iresponsabilitate, că ţara mea e o ţară de mâna a doua. Iar când îndrăzneşti să spui aşa ceva vremea pamfletelor şi a indignărilor din laringe a trecut. O ţară care cere bani cu împrumut, o ţară care nu poate plăti pensiile este o ţară de mâna a doua - spui tu cu o nesimţire care sfidează orice stupoare. Nu ţara a cerut bani cu împrumut, domnule Băsescu, ci tu. Împotriva tuturor acelor voci care se opuneau acestui demers. Nu suntem toţi amnezici şi încă ne amintim cum predicai nevoia acelui credit de la FMI, deşi nu puţini erau cei care strigau că e o cale greşită. Şi i-ai potopit cu insulte. Aşa cum ştii să faci. Ai susţinut acel credit nu pentru că ţara avea nevoie de el, ci pentru că tu, deprins cu logica licuricească, ai încercat să cumperi bunăvoinţa unor stăpâni pe care noi nu-i vedem. Şi ai fost gata să plăteşti acea bunăvoinţă cu sărăcirea, umilirea şi nenorocirea noastră a tuturor. Iar dacă ţara nu poate plăti pensiile este pentru că tu ai adus-o aici. Nu mogulii, nu tonomatele, nu noi. Noi doar trudim, îndurăm şi plătim biruri.

Nici nu ar trebui să mai spun lucrurile acestea. Sunt deja ştiute. Şi nu ar trebui să accept logica rudimentară după care funcţionezi, aceea care măsoară demnitatea, înălţimea ori măreţia după grosimea pungii. Doar judecând cu maţul poţi ajunge să spui despre ţara mea că este o ţară de mâna a doua. Iar dacă punga ţării nu e azi îndeajuns de plină pentru gustul tău, asta nu se întâmplă pentru că eu şi cei asemeni mie nu trudim îndeajuns pentru a o umple, ci pentru că tu şi cei din jurul tău sunteţi prea hămesiţi, prea nesimţiţi şi prea necinstiţi pentru a şti să o chivernisiţi.
Dar ţara asta încă are bani să îşi plătească preşedintele şi imbecilii deveniţi miniştri, are bani să îşi plătească nulităţile devenite europarlamentari, are bani să te trimită la reuniuni internaţionale unde să ne umileşti pe toţi respirând dispreţul cu care eşti tratat de ceilalţi, are bani pentru a plăti pentru capriciile neroade ale favoritei tale, are bani pentru a îngrăşa guşile lăudătorilor şi numeroşilor tăi servitori. Are încă bani din care să plătească sinecuri pentru cei care ştiu să îşi manifeste îneajuns de zgomotos şi fără ruşine obedienţa faţă de tine.Are bani să îmbogăţească afacerişti suspecţi, dar cunoscători ai conturilor de partid. Să ierţi, atunci, biata ţara dacă nu mai are îndeajuns pentru a plăti şi pensiile acelea.

În aceeaşi zi când eu scriam: Pentru că eu nu accept că România e o ţară de mâna a doua în UE. Nici că eu aş fi un cetăţean de măna a doua. Dar admit că avem politicieni de mâna a şaişpea. Mai pe seară, preşedintele României spunea că ţara mea este o ţară de mâna a doua. Iar asta nu mai poate fi îngăduit. Pentru aşa ceva nu mai este de ajuns să ne revoltăm pamfletar, să respirăm vocalele indignării la televizor ori să risipim cerneala stupefacţiei în gazete.
Atunci când mizeria ta nu mai încape în hârdăul categoriilor generice şi nu se mai revarsă doar asupra tonomatelor, parlamentarilor, mogulilor, ci asupra ţării înseşi, atunci e vremea să fii trimis definitiv acolo unde îţi e locul. Atunci când, nu are rost să ne mai ascundem după cuvinte, îţi îndemni cetăţenii să îşi părăsească ţara, tu trebuie să pleci, nu ei. E timpul!
Asta e tot ce am avut să îţi spun, domnule Băsescu. Aşa cum ţi-am promis, îţi sunt pe mai departe dator cu întreg dispreţul. Şi îţi promit că mă voi achita de această obligaţie. Dar vreau că de acum să te dispreţuiesc ca pe un ticălos oarecare şi nu ca pe preşedintele ţării mele. Du-te!

Rândurile care urmează nu îţi mai sunt adresate, deşi te privesc. Vreau să sper că prieteni şi neprieteni din blogosferă mi se vor alătura. Pentru că este o limită care nu trebuie trecută. Şi aşa, prea multă vreme, prea multe am îngăduit. Şi mai vreau să sper că, mai ales, politicieni, cu şi fără blog, vor prelua revolta mea şi îi vor da cuvenită îndreptare. Acelor politicieni le cer, neîntârziat, iniţierea procedurii de suspendare a lui
Traian Băsescu. Dincolo de meschinăria calculului politic de conjunctură, dincolo de laşitatea cu care ne-au obişnuit, dincolo de indolenţa pe care le-am tolerat-o. Sau puteţi cu toţii tăcea, prudent, vascularizaţi de precauţia pe care o putem numi şi laşitate. Şi atunci am să-i cer scuze lui Traian Băsescu. Şi am să admit că trăiesc într-o ţară de mâna a doua.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

New place - Qatar!

I know I've emailed this to a few people, but I thought I should post it anyway for others who didn't get my email.
I have arrived in Qatar almost 3 weeks ago and I have been enjoying it so far. Flying with Qatar airways was like a treat!!
My accommodation is great! I have a brand new flat (wt just one bedroom, which is enough for me) wt a spacious living room and a beautiful kitchen. A lot of the new teachers live in the same building, so we have been getting together frequently to play games or just for a cup of tea. It feels like we have our own little community here! Everybody at school seems very nice and friendly; we were all taken for breakfast at the Ritz and dinners at fancy restaurants! I have met a lot of people - there's quite a large group of newbies this year (a lot of Scotts and I have to tune my ears to understand them!); we've been exploring the city together and trying to cope with a new school and new ways... Everybody is very nice and supportive! I was driving back home a few days ago (yes I have a car now!!) with Maite, my friend and we were saying how we both feel at peace with being here and things seem to fall into place. We both went to church on Friday (services are on Fridays) and we like it.
I met another Romanian girl here; she's been praying for a Romanian to come, so I guess her prayers were answered! :)
Last week at the souq this man in his 50s came up to me, together wt his two wives and actually wanted to take me to Saudi Arabiaas his 3rd wife!!!!!! Interesting offer, but I had to say no!! lol

Qatar is an interesting country; it has a lot of oil and gas (by the way, I pay around $7 to fill up my car wt petrol) and most Qataris are VERY rich! There's a few of them and most workers at the banks, shopping malls, drivers, cleaners etc are foreign - Indians, Phillippinos, Pakistani, Nepalese, Egyptians. It is clean here and I feel safe. Roads are fantastic, driving can be intimidating at times, as the Qataris drive huge SUVs and they drive FAST! I am still trying to find my way driving here; I got lost last week and drove for 3 hours straight trying to get somewhere.
I started art classes; I feel relaxed when I paint, so I thought I'd go for classes so I can actually get better at it.
I've been baking a lot since I arrived, although i havent brought measuring cups with me, so I am eyeing everything up; they don't seem to sell them here; I read this morning on the internet that some shop might have them but they're over $25!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

His eye is on the sparrow....

I know he watches me...
Cast your anxieties on Him ...

I feel inspired to paint now.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

NEW

We like new things... growing up we probably liked new toys or new clothes, a new washing machine or a new car, maybe a new computer. I've always thought of myself as a person who likes new things, new experiences. As I was having dinner the other night wt some friends and I was offered a different kind of tea, I found myself picking the same old Lipton... So, I started questioning myself whether or not I like new things.
Moving to a new place is part of the question as well - changing home, changing countries, changing friends... We all start fresh at some point and we bring our background, our experiences of life, our principles and ways of life and we somehow expect everybody and everything to fit into OUR way/s. Well, it's not going to work most of the time... Therefore I am the one who needs to adapt to a new environment, new people, new ways of doing things, otherwise everything gets frustrating. How do I do it? Well, I do not have a recipe but trust that God will change me, mold me, make me a better person through every single experience coming my way!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Starting fresh...


Today was the first official day at school; after the first week of orientation when we were not very productive, because not a lot of things happen during Ramadan, I finally got to go into my classroom and set it up.. or at least I've done something. Some people were taken for their medicals, some were taken to get their driver licenses ... I stood behind which I was not too happy about... you feel a bit left out when that happens... to find out this evening that the girls just sat on the bus while the guys did their medical and only 3 of them succeeded to actually get everything done. At least I got things done at school.
I am not complaining, but trying to get back into the Arab schedule; being Ramadan doesn't help either! Anyway, things are starting to fall into place.
I am richly enjoying my new flat - which is brand new - I have pretty much everything I need, I met a lot of new people and getting to know them. I baked tonight - banana bread - and it actually turned perfect! I know somebody who would be proud of me! Maite made salad, Vicki made falafel, Anita had more salad and pasta and Kimberly made rice curry. We got together at Anita's house, which is in the building next to mine. We had such a lovely time together!!!
People seem very nice and friendly - there's 24 of us, the newbies like Chris calls us! :) We were well taken care of and shown around; every morning the bus comes to pick us up from our buildings to take us to school or wherever we need to get.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Suitcases, packing, traveling

I do not like packing – it takes me a whole day to pack when I have an important journey, such as moving to a new country; what to take, what not to take, what will I find there, what is difficult/expensive to buy? I spent Friday packing, with my mum around telling me not to forget so and so and driving me insane, because every time I heard her I freaked out: “Oh no, not another thing to fit into my suitcase – or should I say not another thing to add to the 20 kg baggage allowance!”

I left Egypt in June with two suitcases and a backpack after I packed 7 boxes to ship to my new destination – Qatar! How long did it take me to pack 7 boxes?? Days!!! Don’t even want to get into that! I arrived home and spent the 4 weeks of my summer at my mum’s, sorting out some business and living off two suitcases… not fun! After that the traveling began…. Unpack one suitcase, pack it again go to Ireland! Come back, unpack, pack again, go to the mountains; come back, unpack, pack again, off to Germany…. My mum kept putting my things in the suitcases that were laying in the room…. This gives a new meaning to “living off a suitcase”! And now pack again and go to Qatar!

So here I am again, this time only with a suitcase and a carry on ready to head off to Doha, my next home for the next… who knows how many years?! I always freak out over the weight of my luggage and I couldn’t sleep last night and probably I will not sleep tonight either… At least I will be at Cristina and we can stay up late, have tea and chat… unless she leaves me in the kitchen while trying to put Gloria to bed and she falls asleep too! J

I am excited I am flying Qatar Airways – they say it is one of the best airlines! With 20 kg baggage allowance … I’m not sure about that now! L Anyway, this is going to be an exciting and long trip – fly to Munich first and then back this way to Doha; it’s interesting how you fly out of your way or in the opposite direction to get to a place and it is cheaper!

Alright.. I promised my mum we’d make pizza today before I leave….

Friday, June 25, 2010

Raindrops and babies

Raindrops in my window ... raindrops all night - sounds like heaven after a year in the desert! raindrops are fresh, it is the sign of blessing coming down from heaven!
I found myself surrounded this year by friends who were/are pregnant and had/are having babies. For some reason I am connecting raindrops with babies ... it makes sense in my mind. Last night I found out another friend is pregnant - how lovely!
Just before I left Cairo I went with my friend, Sarah to the doctor; she is pregnant too and we went to see the baby. John asked me not to post the pictures, but I am anyway!!! I am too excited for them not to!
I am excited for all my pregnant friends! God bless!!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Have a "Cairo Crouch Cocktail"!


You know how sometimes people get you so pissed off that you don't know what to do?? Well, I do!!! Go and have a Cairo Crouch Cocktail!! But oh no... you don't have Neil and MJ as your neighbors!!! too bad!!!
I was introduced to the Cairo Crouch Cocktail some months ago and I thought I wouldn't like it, but it is now my favourite!!! it is basically gin and tonic and guava juice with ice!
I've always liked gin and tonic and even though I am not a drinker, I would pick this drink off a menu in a pub, let's say. But the Cairo Crouch Cocktail (CCC) is not just a cocktail... it is a whole relationship... it is a love that has been established between me and this older couple that could almost be my grandparents. They are lovely!!! I have never met such people with such common sense and a wiser woman than MJ or a more calculated man like Neil!
This relationship was built around many CCCs and stories about life in Egypt and they are definitely the people I will miss the most from Egypt! They are from Canada and lived here for many years... Although in their 60's they are full of energy .. sometimes I think they have more energy than I do!
But anyway, I just love being able to go downstairs anytime, just knock at the door and be welcomed! I love you Neil and MJ!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Renting flats and security deposits in Egypt

Communication is a very important tool that can save us from our own misery, I would say ... It is a very useful tool to have and especially know how to use it in this country, where things are so different. What might work for me in my country, will definitely not work here!
So, I had another encounter with the Egyptian culture yesterday ... Very optimistic and full of energy Nichole and I went to see our landlady yesterday asking for our 2500 LE security deposit back, since we are leaving the flat/country. Some people told me today I had quite the nerve to go and ask for it back, since it is a known fact you do NOT get your security deposit back.
Well, in my understanding, I pay a deposit that will guarantee that if anything gets broken in the flat during my stay there, those money will cover that expense.
In the Egyptian understanding - you pay a security deposit to ensure your stay in the flat and there is no way you will get it back!
Our landlady was shocked that we asked for it and said that if we had left at the end of our 1 year contract, then we would've gotten our money back, but since we stayed for a 2nd year, there is no way she will give it to us! We tried explaining that this was not communicated to us and when we have told her that we want to stay for another year, they didn't suggest that we should sign another contract (which means nothing here anyway) etc.
They said they did us a favour by letting us stay for another year at the same price, because usually in Egypt the rent goes up every year. She made it sound like she would've raised it to 3500, which is ridiculous because the rent goes up 10% every year, from what I've understood.
Anyway, we had some sort of agreement in the end and we will get it back, but this is not an usual situation. I advised her to make things clear in the future with other people, to explain the situation as we come with different mentalities and we assume things according to what we are used to.
Hooray!!!!!!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Stop and smell the roses

That's exactly what I did today on my way home; after stopping at Radio Shack to look for a flashlight, I went on to Rd 9 and entered my favourite Cairo flower shop - Pharaoh's Flowers or smth like that! Their flowers are more expensive than others, but they are always fresh and you can find flowers that are not in season. I love it when they have tulips or my favourites, calla lilies.
I go into that shop every time I need to "breathe", so today I went in and actually smelled the roses and the lilies... The man greeted me and didn't say anything else ... he probably knows me by now!
This reminds me that this saying "Stop and smell the roses" is actually a misquote of advice from the golfer Walter Hagen that appeared in the 1956 book "The Walter Hagen Story":

"You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."

I am here for a short visit ... I am not in a hurry, I will not be worried ... and I WILL smell the flowers along the way!

Friday, May 7, 2010

The day I slapped an Egyptian

Right after the incident with the security guard making kissing noises at me, the best thing ever happened!! I got back to them.. to all Egyptian men!!!!! Or at least in my mind, I did!
I was leaving school with Nichole to go and have coffee on Rd 9; we want to take the shortcut, but we see the boys outside the boys' school. It's ok, I said... Nichole asks: "Do you feel brave?" "YES!!" That was exactly what I needed; so we start walking, we pass the boys and nothing happens!!! Unbelievable! But... right when we reached the main road here comes a rock; "Hold my bag", I told Nichole! I turn around and see this 16 yrs old boy running, so I run after him. I chased him and surprisingly enough, I caught him!! I grabbed him by the collar and started shouting at him.
By this time, two men arrive to help me; one of them was carrying a large rock. By this time the boy is scared; he tries to run, I still have him and this other man grabs him by the arm. He tries to tell us it wasn't him! I tell him to look at me, take him by the chin and slap him on the face!
By the side of the road, Nichole is shouting at the security guards to come and help me, instead they were standing there with their jaws dropped.
This one man who grabbed the guy by his arm slapped him on the head too, and then I asked him in Arabic "Le???" (Why?) and I slapped him again. This other man was trying to get me off of him, telling me "it's ok madame, we have him..let him go!" I was furious!!!!!!!!!! I let go of him, then saw the security guards standing and watching .... so I left him to them!
Nichole asked me: "Did you slap him hard?" Well, not as hard as I should've... but that taught him a lesson I hope. Just because he is a man he thinks he can do whatever to women... well it ain't working with me!!!
It seems like a radical thing to do after one rock, but the feelings that I had inside of me have been building up for weeks and months and I have thought about this a lot. These boys do not speak any other language than violence and in order for them to get the message, I had to speak their language.
After posting it on my facebook status, I got a record of 21 comments and my favourite was: "On behalf of all foreign and Egyptian women, thank you Gaby!!"

Gabriela Mocanu I have done it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chased an Egyptian man, got him, grabbed him by the collar and slapped him twice!!!!!!! It felt so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday at 20:53 · ·
Marty R.
Marty R.
you're amazing, gabi!
Tuesday at 21:00 ·
Debbie Nell
Debbie Nell
YAY!! What did he do to you?
Tuesday at 21:01 ·
Eddie Serdenciuc
Eddie Serdenciuc
wow!!! u should teach me that =)))))))
Tuesday at 21:01 ·
Gabriela Mocanu
Gabriela Mocanu
He threw one stone ... missed us (I was wt Nichole) but I was determined to chase him and beat the crap out of him; 2 men had to pull me away!
Tuesday at 21:02 ·
Mona Radu
Mona Radu
Bravo, Gabi!!! Te felicit!!!
Tuesday at 21:29 ·
Helen Reid
Helen Reid
Well done!
Tuesday at 21:37 ·
Leen De Mondt
Leen De Mondt
great!! were it the same boys that we 'met'?
I am so amazed that you really did that, good to let them know they can't do that to you!!!
Tuesday at 21:41 ·
Lavinia Zah
Lavinia Zah
Gabi, esti de nota 10... si eu am vrut sa fac asta de multe ori
Tuesday at 22:47 ·
Gina Ruth Smith
Gina Ruth Smith
You go girl! Don't take no rubbish from them!
Tuesday at 22:52 ·
Wally Nell
Wally Nell
Gabby!!!! Yeah!!!!!
Tuesday at 23:01 ·
Kristen Kelley
Kristen Kelley
SHUT UP! No you didnt! What did he do?????????
Tuesday at 23:29 ·
Kathy Mattingly
Kathy Mattingly
you go girl!
Wednesday at 01:58 ·
Tania Mulki
Tania Mulki
hahahaha great!!!
Wednesday at 02:23 ·
Quistelle Ragbir
Quistelle Ragbir
what?!?! why?!?!
Wednesday at 05:00 ·
Wendy Badeau
Wendy Badeau
On behalf of all foreign women (and probably many Egyptian ones too), thank you Gaby! :) Well done!
Wednesday at 05:57 ·
Quistelle Ragbir
Quistelle Ragbir
Ooo sorry just saw the reason..I must applaud u! Teach those men some respect (and fear of those crazy foreign women!)
Wednesday at 06:11 ·
Cristina Dumitru
Cristina Dumitru
u creizi ;)
Wednesday at 09:10 ·
Clio Lawrence
Clio Lawrence
Yesss!!! well done:)
Wednesday at 09:43 ·
Alice Tan
Alice Tan
YOU ARE GOOD!!!! Tell me all about it when we meet later!!!
Wednesday at 10:14 ·
Nadine Joubert
Wednesday at 10:54 ·
Danielle Van Der Linde
Wednesday at 12:48 ·
April Joy Tan Pleasants
Wednesday at 16:24 ·
YOU ARE WELCOME! I would do it again!