Treasures of American History

A must see collections of the most valued contributions of US to the world. A wonderful and long forgotten face of US that can balance the awful effects of the current US policies, esp. for a middle Eastern like me... to name a few, Edison Light bulb, Morse-Vail Telegraph Key, Bell Telephone, George Eastman Kodak camera, the first machine that launched the computer industry, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) , Liotta-Cooley Artificial Heart, Alexander Fleming original Penicillum mold that lead to the antibiotics discovery, Salk Polio Vaccine and Syringe, Cohen Stanley Recombinant DNA Research notebook, Ed Roberts’s Wheelchair, Röntgen X-ray Tube among many other items of famous US figures and times, There was even kirmit the frog, so there was no one left out in recalling the US main historical achievements... In a strange coincidence, a group of commuters using magnificently convenient scooters were listening to their tour guide, they were innovative in the way they choose to commute & it did suit the event too...I did envy them after walking so long among museums and displays...but anyhow, the museum is worth the visit and made me think... why we don't have museums back home? It seems strange that no Ministry of Culture had ever paid attention to this, it could be a great tool to educate children about their country heritage and a way to document valuable historical events and reputable figures, we could be having displays of photographs of ancient times in Arabia (not so far from now), when there weren't much of a country yet, we have a huge variety of dates, a great selection of Arabic sayings & poems, a rich embroidered ancient customs specific of each region, a unique variety of Arabic horses and camels, a delicious cuisine and of course the most valuable Islamic treasures ... The list can extend and go for ever for those with a taste to preserve and value the culture for the next generation, we could even make money for real from local tourism, but for now it's just a dream... ٍٍSami Anqawi, the famous architect and former minister of Hajj institute, spent a good deal of his time and efforts trying to stop the extinguishing of the seven historical mosques (the last I heard there were 3 left) by the government to expand the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, tough luck, he wasn't at all successful, even though he drew the Western media attention.. It seems like somethings can never be changed...

How did I land in here??

I'm taking this course... It's called medical decision analysis. I have to admit that I'm not a decisive person, so if I ignore the fact that I can't stand the constant deviation from the topic in the class, the professor constant demand for our decisions on his extremely personal questions and a particularly annoying Saudi guy who was placed here -out of all other places on Earth- for a sole reason of testing my patience and self control, I can start to see the point of this..According to a small book called "the manual of life" that I read sometime ago, the events of life that we ran away from or avoid will hunt us over and over in order for us to learn how to deal with them properly instead of avoiding it...So maybe the lesson that I need to learn here is that decisions need to be taken sometimes ahead and not at the spur of the moment as I've used to be doing all my life as I generally react instead of pro act...Maybe I need to learn to enjoy the way things are instead of keeping a critical eye even if we deviates much from the subject...And maybe I need to recognize that there's an inherent defect in most Saudi men caused by their upbringing & culture and that I shouldn't be too shocked to see it happening over and over again...still I don't think I'll learn how to be decisive, life is way too confusing!!!

A stranger list of longings...

I've spent some time of my life as a stranger and I have this list which I'll be updating from time to time of the things which caused me to feel like a stranger:
1. Going back home and no one is there to talk to about your days or nights
2. Finding yourself in a waiting time and looking through your phone and not finding someone you can chat with to pass the time
3. Every child face reminds you of your lovely family children whom you terribly miss back home
4. Every weekend or short holiday reminds you that you will be alone and not setting on the table with your family members to chat or sample cooking
5. You have to ask strangers for help because you don't have a family member to carry your stuff, give you a ride or share an errand because you're too busy to do them alone
6. When someone is so straight forward and no more Nice talking or dealing, I really long for our polite culture
7. When you have to listen to ugly words (F..., SH..., D..., etc...) , I remember how musical our words to the ear (May god bless U, May God give u health, ...)
8. When you look to the faces around you and don't find anything in common...

Ouch!!

My article about Dr. Mohammad Al-qnabit was not published:
they said it touched a "sensitive topic", I quoted his words on National TV, so what sensitive topic? but then he was relieved from all his formal positions, what a waste!!!... this put me in a melancholy state... now I'm roaming the net and I found this blogger "Saudi jeans" for Ahmad Al-Omran, a shite Muslim who studies Pharmacy in Riyadh and who loves wearing Jeans (but he didn't in his posted photo) and blogging his views and opinions, all the ingredients for an upcoming antagonist for our traditional school of thoughts... his blog is excellent, a real joy to read and browse.... it drew much attention and discussed very important topics with a very objective and rational way, I have to say that I'm deeply impressed and I haven't been for some time... now I'm getting in a higher state, I read the impressions left by the blogger on Riyadh book fair and that kept me thinking about the way religion is conceived by the religious police as a way to show dominance and authority rather than to convey virtues, as if others have to be reprimanded... I think my next article will not be published as well, I kind of pressed on this topic... I think I'm getting louder and losing my careful cat approach... what a waste though for Dr. Mohammad, I really wish I could do something for his cause!!!

Ten cents for uncle Sam!!!

It's amazing how difficult it is to get a feel of the identity of the Americans, they are like the melting pot of all the nations, a great mixture of all nations, religions, shapes and attitudes...the English you hear in the Universities or the major cities are some weired derivation of all accents and linguistics, you are not sure how to respond or whether you heard the correct word or not... in the airport of Washington D.C., a Starbucks booth -the coffee shop landmark around the globe- has all-Egyptian employers, I handed the guy the 2 USD price for an Americano coffee, he looked at me and said with his funny Egyptian-English "and 10 cents for Uncle Sam"...now that was funny, he used the right term to identify Tax collector as any Egyption "Uncle Sam"...I just love the wit and sarcastic nature of Egyptians it's indeed their survival tools...I definitely meet non-American more than Americans in here...

Snow!!!!!

Something about my late walks back home through campus is magnificently beautiful and peaceful, tonight it was freezing, in the dark open landscape I didn't see why? until I looked at the street lights across from me...there were millions little tiny snow droplets showering the view... how graceful and pretty... I tried touching them but they were etherical, phantoms without real bodies but conveyed the harsh coolness of the long waited for winter that has finally arrived!!!

How do you like the Americans?

It's a question that I had from our hostess, a reputable professor who invited her two students -I'm not one of them- to dinner in a Mexican restaurant, and since I'm in a good mood since the driving license which didn't disappear yet, I accepted my friend's invitation to go with her to dinner, my friend is one of the students...The professor is so sweet and so as her husband who is also a professor, I kept an eye on him sitting between us the three women and seemed really comfortable, with no traces of boredom or obligations, he ate well and was engaged in conversations and helped his wife with her coat at the end, a real gentleman if I must say, I want one like him!!!... Now, what was I saying???Oh yes..the professor was so sweet, she suggested dinner choices to the foreign students and taught them how to wrap their food as the Mexican way and asked about their families and study arrangement, she looked at me and did the same and asked me if I liked the Americans...Ok you know my answer, I got my driving license here and here I am invited to a dinner by a lovely couple who entertained us as if we were their house guests, Sure, I said, I liked them a lot...they are nice, down to earth and very practical people, I asked them who they elected as president, the husband picked Hillary and the wife picked Obama...so strange!! then the husband said that he didn't think his wife would go after him and pick Obama, he thought she would pick Hillary as well, but he admits that Hillary had a very weak chance because of Bill packages she was carrying, shame on him for doing what he did as a president, he said...then both of them said together that anyone but Bush would be great!!!! I really liked them then!!!

I can Drive!!!

Yeahhhhhh!!!!! I can officially drive....I got my driving license, an official American one....not that I really know the directions or anything yet but still I'm happy, I can move and get my stuff and no more big NOOOOOOOOOOO to women driving, I'm lucky I guess, it's a small victory I wish I can share it with every woman in my country, every one should be able to commute and move safely without restrictions....I got a funny email on the same day of a very old Saudi Driving license [Picture posted], if you are wondering if it's for real, yesssssssssss....it's for real as real as my own small precious little driving license, which I wish I could've post its picture but No, I have to guard it from evil eyes...I was so happy that I decided that I'm not going to let anything disturb this victorious day, a strange thought, as if happiness can be guarded against harm way!!! but hey, why not...It's one of those real rare events where I'm really lucky!!! God bless all the American women and men who made the lives of women after them easier...I wish we could have some of them in my country!!!

Happy valentine's Day

It's a strange coincidence that I started this very day, 14th of February, the famous Valentine's day writing in my blog... In the morning, Beverly, my driving instructor asked me if ever I'm planning to get married or to have kids, I asked him why do you ask-I learn that this is the best answer to undesirable questions- and he said because then you'll have someone to take care of you when you get old...and before I let myself go blue over this, I asked him, what about you Beverly, your kids are grown up men now, do you think they'll take care of you?... he was quiet for a while and replied... I think one of them would, the other probably wouldn't...he himself is not living with his 80 years old mom any more...so I think 30 years from now, I maybe in real trouble...but I pray that I would be in good health until the end and as Beverly said, would always find a nephew or a niece somewhere to help me out if I needed to...a strange topic for a Valentine day indeed!!! but definitely touches on the importance of love and giving between people... how ridiculously we neglect such an important value which may become a real life saver someday... two days ago I discovered this wonderful blog [wanna-b-bride] and it just summarizes all the agony of the ever lasting search for Mr. Right... of course there's a good 50% chance like in any decent probability theory of never finding him...hmmmm...would be good though to actually participate in a Valentine's day instead of watching for a change...