God knows how many times i have started new posts but ended up keeping them in the draft folder instead. In order to post a blog entry, i have to be REALLY feeling what i want to jot down, & so if im REALLY serious about an issue, it’s the best time to update, & if am REALLY in a “sakhafa” mood, excuse the silly updates .. I’ve never really kept a dairy for more than a couple of days since my childhood, but a blog is something i have been keeping since 2001, since Microsoft Front Page & Dynamic Drive were the coolest things around …. I’ve always kept it, even if it ended up lifeless for months..

I cannot let go of it, its an important part of me…..

There are so many topics I’ve been wanting to discuss in here, some of which may be too sensitive.. but I am waiting for the right time…

by the way. May i complain?

Honestly speaking, the culture here irritates me sometimes, a lot of times it becomes such a heavy burden, meaningless protocols that irritate the hell out of me… i like to have the freedom of choosing how to do things, & when , i truly despise the idea of someone forcing me into doing a certain thing, with the most annoying reason in the world, which is “that’s how everyone does it around here!” if you want my demons to rise, just say this line to my face! i honestly don’t care how other people do their thing, this may be rebellious and a rude thing to say about ones own culture, but commmmon, lets face it, culture is man-made, which means yes, it has lots of lovely things, yet so many illogical expectations! and that , i cannot bare .. i never really understood why i have to do things the typical way, whether its dressing or talking or even the mere act of liking or disliking a thing.

I am not criticizing the Emarati culture, i am referring to culture in general, where you are expected to act a certain way because that’s how everyone else does it in your area…

I prefer sticking to Religion & it’s practices, i am 100% willing to follow Islam, but the Arabic culture in general, i’m not sure it wins me completely. Don’t get me wrong, i believe the Arabic culture contains thousands of beautiful aspects,t’s one of the most beautiful cultures in the world, it’s warm, it’s friendly, it’s family engaged, it gives without expecting anything in return, its actually based on generosity, whether you’re Shami, an African Arab or a Khaleeji, those norms are simply there ….

but here’s what i don’t like, cultural, habitual or maybe just a life style matter …

- i don’t like the fact that everyone thinks that he/she has the right to tell you what to do, or let me put it this way, sometimes people around here think you really care about what THEY think, & that their opinion actually matters, dudes, seriously? i mean seriously!

- i cannot stand women gatherings, i guess this applies to women in every culture, i just don’t understand whats enjoyable about sitting with a bunch of ladies TALKING

- i don’t like how men’s mistakes are always ignored, & they always have the famous supporting phrases:

“when he marrys, he’ll change”

or “change him after you marry him!”

or  even worse ” Rayal, may3eeba shay” as in nothing really stains a man’s reputation! puhhleaaaaaze

- i HAAATE the curiousity, i cannot understand why someone wants to know every single detail in another person’s life, whether its a family member, friend, or a complete stranger, people, you like to have your privacy, so don’t invade others’ privacy!

- i literally suffer from mental asthma attacks due to the fact that a lot of typical people around here believe that more is always better (yeah its possible to have such attacks) .. a pinch of makeup? why use a pinch? use some three or four tons, Geee, don’t be “ga7a6″ or “cheap”… plain abaya? seriously? are you going to a funeral? Geeee add some strokes of colors and crystals “vomits” … pastel colors? Pastel?! *waves to Reem* whyyyy girl, are you depressed? wear fuchsia, vibrant RED! how’s anyone gunna notice you with such colors, add more HUE! i think its not only about MORE around here, its also about SIZE

- i don’t like how people almost hate you if you haven’t told them about a specific situation, indecent, happy or sad, new or 10 years old, that you’ve witnessed or lived,  you’ll see the biggest shock on their faces, like you’ve betrayed them, so many things happen to us, are we really supposed to talk about every single thing we went through with every human being who claims he cares about you?

- it kills a trillion cell in my brain when someone uses this sentence “don’t do this! what will people THINK” …….

i can go on and on .. but i think ill stop, because, well, i think people reading this post will start to think i prefer living alone, no human beings around, actually, it is true, i like being alone

People, please , live & let live, you have your way, & others have their own, so be it!

alwaslgirl, you’re sweet gestures are always SWEET! homemade chocolate chip coockies IN A JAR! this is a very smart way to win my heart for ever & ever

cool find, it’s Meeeee Mario

the apple of my eyes

her artwork, on the arm rest, in mums car! imagine the terror of my poor mother lol

before i go,

I’d like to know, what irritates you about your culture?