Fairytale’s Folly

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a princess who had an evil step mother and a doting father. The step mother tries to harm her but the princess somehow escapes, usually with the help of a dashing prince. They fall in love and get married, but not before the step mother tries to sabotage the union one last time. However, she is not victorious, all thanks to the princess’ non-human friends. In the end, instead of being punished, she is graciously forgiven by the princess and they all live happily ever after.

Sounds familiar? Of course it does! It is the premise of every Disney movie ever made! But, let’s think for a second? What effect does this damsel-in-distress saved by a knight-in-shining-armor have on the way we live our life? Do we wait for our fairy godmother to appear and grant us our wishes? Do we wish for the teapot and teacups to start talking to us? Do we jump in joy when we see a frog because we expect it to change into a handsome prince, upon true love’s first kiss?

Happy endings are over-rated in most cases, and in the cases that it’s not, the path leading to the ending is a rough passage full of thorns. Then why do we still endorse these views, albeit subconsciously? If you ask me, it’s because people want to cling on to hope. They want to believe that everything is going to be alright. How else did clichés like ‘if it’s not okay, it’s not the end’ come into existence? 

Ultimately, what these Disney movies are trying to tell us is that when all else fails, we still have delusion.


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The Woes of a Creative Mind

You know that feeling when you want to write about something but you don’t know what to write about? You just want to pick up a piece of paper and jot down the first thing that comes to mind. But, the problem is, nothing comes to mind. You don’t have a topic defined in your mind. All that you know is that you want to write.

That is what I am going through right now. There is an itch in my brain and my fingers are dying to type something up. I just am at a loss of topics. In fact, right before this I wrote a couple of paragraphs about chocolate, but I quickly erased them.

Last night, before I went to sleep, a topic came to mind. I knew I should have written it down but dear old sleep washed over me and all was forgotten the next time I opened my eyes. Don’t you just hate it when that happens?

A night before the opening night of one of the plays I was working on, I was trying very hard to fall asleep. My mind, however, had other ideas. It was so worked up that it wouldn’t calm down. My mind had a mind of its own. Every time I closed my eyes and I felt I was nearing the point of sleep, a thought would jolt me awake. 

Instead of just letting these thoughts go away, I would pick up my phone and write what it was. The result? In the morning, I had 20 things recorded in my phone: things that I had do before opening night. The director of the play, who was also my professor, was so impressed that I remembered to set up the things that he had absolutely forgotten about. 

What is it that they say? Your mind works better when it’s relaxed? They don't? They do! Well, even if they don't I'll say it! When you're not thinking about anything (harder to do if you are a woman) you will think about quality things. OH! It's like saying, 'when you stop looking for something, you find it!'

Ok, I feel smart now!

Friends of Convenience

Ever had one of those friends who are normal with you as long as you agree with them? The moment you say something against what they are doing, or offer a piece of advice or share your concerns, it all goes downhill. Now why is that anyway? What is friendship?

Is friendship seeing your friend row away in a broken boat? Or is it pushing them off a cliff when they are already on the edge? I would think friendship is quite the opposite of all this. It's protecting your friends from heartache, fussing over them when they are down, making sure they don't repeat their mistakes.

So what do you do when you are friends with someone who does not welcome your advice? I mean, what kind of friendship is that? There is no freedom of speech, which is ironic, because friends are who you vent and babble to. Friends are who you can mention any concern to and they would still be there. Do you have to agree all the time? Nope! But should you only say what they want to hear, all the time? I don't think so!

But, apparently people believe that that should be the case. You should keep your mouth shut about the mistakes they are about to make. Oh but you are not allowed to repeat your mistakes. But they are special since they aren't like the rest of us. They can handle the heartache and the consequences. Isn't that denial? Refusing to accept the reality? Getting angry when someone points it out because you know they are right. Truth's dagger hurts and that is why they become mad. But, who should explain this to them? Because if you try to you will be told that you don't get it.

So, you let them drive away in a car with faulty brakes. You let them jump off the bridge and drown, and you keep your mouth shut tight. Although, if you do that, are you really friends with that person? They are on a suicide mission and you refuse to stop them. I guess sometimes you have to let a person take the fall for them to realize that they were wrong. Isn't that what 'tough love' is?

Flash from the Past

Nostalgia hits you when you least expect it to. A few days ago I watched the commencement ceremony of my university since some of my friends were graduating. What I didn’t expect was that it would make me go back to my graduation day. 

I know what you’re thinking, ‘how could she not think that watching the ceremony would take her back?’ Well, you see, I was not emotional on my graduation day, or the day after, or the day day after…you get the drift! In fact, I hardly remember feeling anything at all! In all honesty, it may have been because the pain from standing in heels for two hours had numbed all other feelings or because I had been feeling blue since the beginning of my last semester. Whatever it was, I wasn’t super excited, or sad – just a little nervous, that too because, “Good luck for today and make sure you don’t trip on stage,” was all that I heard.  

In retrospect, I think I may have focused all of my energy on walking on that stage without falling flat on my face, and that might be the reason towards my indifference to the day, and my memory block. I seriously have no recollection of walking up to the chancellor, or getting my diploma, nodding to my dean, and walking back to my seat. My 30 seconds of fame, and I don’t even remember them, sigh.

So there I was, sitting and watching the ceremony on TV, when suddenly, I teared up. The stage looked beautiful; the soon-to-be graduates ecstatic; the parents proud. 

In that moment, I realized, whether it has been 5 months, or 5 years since graduation, you are always going to miss it. And if you are like me, you will miss the classes, writing papers, studying for exams. In short, you will miss being a student. 

You see, things always change after that day. You have more responsibility since you have now graduated into ‘adulthood.’ All the free time, that you think you will have after finishing studies, is not really that great because it’s hard to break from your routine and do nothing.Plus, no matter what they say, people don't really keep in touch! You might be fast friends with someone, spend all your day with them everyday, attend any and all events together, but if they are not the 'keep-in-touch' type, there is nothing in the world that would make them call or text you. So, what is free time without having anyone to spend it with?

On the plus side…umm, can I get back to you on that?


To read a slightly different version of this same article, click here.
 

Brown Girl Problems

What would you do if there was only one thing you were good at and people tried to take that away from you? Rebel? Say no? Give up?

I know it depends on the situation. Well, consider this: my friend has been getting a lot of marriage proposals and the families want her to give up her job. She loves working. It has been her passion since she started studying. So what should she do? Give up everything for a guy she doesn't yet know? What is he sacrificing? She will be the one who will be uprooted from her house and go live with another family. Shouldn't he be doing everything in his power to help her feel comfortable?

I honestly don't understand this! Why are South Asian families like this? First, it's the whole issue of the girl getting married by the time she is 23. I mean, what is up with that? How is 24, or 25 for that matter, different from 23? They are all merely numbers. Oh but, God forbid, the girl reaches 26 years of age without being hitched! Armageddon! Catastrophe! What a disaster!

Then, there's the demanding attitudes of the boys and their families. The girl has to be thin, tall, fair and beautiful. Excuse me, are we running a "Customize your girl" factory? This is real life! You don't get everything you want! DEAL WITH IT! Oh and did I mention how girls cannot be demanding? It's not right for them to ask for a 'handsome' boy! Seriously!

Instead of carrying on this close minded tradition forever, why not give 'change' a go? Do we really have to follow what has been going on for 10000 of years before us? If yes, then just switch off your air conditioner, and power. Light a candle. Wash clothes by hand. Travel on horseback. Yes - don't just follow what you like or that which is easy and convenient.

And, to all the guys out there: beauty is not skin deep! There is more than that to a person. If you are going to be superficial, so be it. You will probably end up with a dumb barbie, with a jelly for a brain - and you'll deserve it. Have you never heard that the secret to long marriage and a happily married life is compromise, trust, honesty, love and GOOD CONVERSATIONS?!!

So, before you reject a girl based simply on the way she looks or walks, talk to her and get to know her.
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder - so look past the surface. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed!

Running Scared

Cockroaches are yucky, slimy creatures. They crawl up and down, run on the tables, scurry across the counters and hide in dark corners. Every time I see this brown creepy crawly, my heart stops, and then starts pounding like crazy. I start hyperventilating and my legs are not in my control. I scream and dart across the room. 

One time, I ran out in the yard and would not go in until the alien creature was removed.

Which makes me think, this has to be more than just an ordinary fear; I think it’s a phobia! Upon further research I discovered that fear of cockroaches has been classified as ‘katsaridaphobia.’ We all know phobia stems from childhood traumas, and they are extreme fears. I just can’t seem to remember what exactly it was that has made me feel this way.

All I know is that for as long as I can remember, I have been petrified of these insects.

My parents tried to help me overcome this fear by making me kill one every time we were blessed with its presence. Did it work? Well, if it did, would I be writing this piece? And so, for a long time my parents thought that I just acted like a scared little girl. Now I can tell them that they were wrong. I have a REAL phobia.

Lesson derived: Knowledge is power. Use it to your advantage! Oh and shun cockroaches... they suck!


To read a slightly different version of this same article, click here.

Fear of Change

Being a newbie can be a challenge – you are always cautious of everything that goes around you, and so unsure of what to do. You are hesitant to ask a lot of questions, lest people think you’re dumb. Needless to say, this feeling takes some time to disappear, depending on how people around you treat you.

I’m not talking about being a newbie at a new school, but anywhere, be it a new office, a new gym, a volunteer activity.

In the past two months, I have been a newbie two times. I completed an internship last month, and started a job right after, and let me tell you, the two couldn’t be more different.

At my internship, I felt the odd one out. No one talked to me. I would come in, do my work, and leave. In fact, when lunch was ordered no one would ask me if I wanted something as well. Not that I would have said yes; I pack my own lunch. It’s common courtesy, though, which, based on my experience, is as uncommon as common sense.

So, obviously when I started my job I was extremely guarded. I had no idea what to expect. The thought of my ‘first day’ made me sick to my very core.

What I felt, however, surprised me. The people around me were not only friendly and helpful, but they treated me just right. They greeted me with smiles, walked me through everything and told me what to expect. After my first day, I thought, is it too soon to say I love my job?

Everyone dreads change. I think it’s the fear of the unknown. No one likes to venture in unknown waters but it’s a harsh reality that nothing is constant in life except change. However, no matter how much you try to be open minded towards it, change has a way to always make you anxious. But you know what they say: change in inevitable except from a vending machine.


To read a slightly different version of this same article, click here.

Road Rage

Just for the record: if you are a woman and you have a big car that you’re scared of driving, DON’T DRIVE IT! Or, if you really want to drive, practice on smaller roads first so you don’t become a nuisance to the other drivers on the main roads! Also, please STOP at stop signs! Oh, and be a dear and try to not run over pedestrians? Okay? Thanks so much!

Yes, yes, I am aware of the irony and the hypocrisy. I am a woman too! I also know that it’s almost always the men who speak this language. But, maybe there is some truth in what they say. I am not going to be stereotypical and say that ‘all’ women can’t drive but I am quite sure that most of them can’t, especially those in big four wheel drives!  I just don’t understand why.

You maybe wondering where this burst of road rage induced feelings came from. Well, the other night my friend and I were walking towards our cars and this car almost ran us over. Who was driving, you wonder? A woman, of course! And, yes you guessed it: she was driving a land cruiser!

I am not saying that I am a perfect driver, but I can honestly vouch for the fact that I’m one of the better ones! Knock on wood. All I know is, if you don’t know how to do something and you really want to learn, why not try elsewhere? I mean, when you start cooking and learn to make a new dish for the first time, don’t you just cook it for your family? You don’t throw a big banquet to debut your cooking skills, do you?

So please, take this into consideration before getting out on the roads. A friend of mine once told me: “One time I overtook the woman, only to find her looking at herself in the mirror. I thought, ‘Hey that is a good looking woman. I bet she would look even better sitting in a bus.’”

Therefore, for the sake of women’s reputations everywhere, please drive carefully!

Yes, I know, I might alienate a few women readers but bear in mind: some women are extremely good drivers! But some of them should not be allowed near a vehicle!

To read a slightly different version of this same article, click here.

Coffee Blues

 I hate coffee! Whether it is in the form of a candy, ice-cream, or any of its other variations – espresso, latte, etc. However, desperate times call for desperate measures. And so, I have had the displeasure of drinking double espresso once before a class, but only because I was super sleepy and could hardly keep my eyes open. I needed a caffeine fix.

I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I was sitting in class with a cup of double espresso, trying really hard to not throw it up.

Finally! The last sips! Hold breath, open mouth and gulp it down! I thought to myself.

Bad idea, for as soon as it was down my throat, I almost choked on the nasty taste.

Fortunately, my friend who was sitting on the table next to me saved me with mint tic tacs.

What a relief it was when the minty taste hit my palette and my throat was consumed with the minty cool taste of the tic tacs. There was no taste of espresso to be found! Phew!

Alas, if only life was fair. I soon realized that the coffee + mint = horrible taste in mouth!

Search for something to chew on – a mint gum, perhaps?

I scanned the room for chewing mouths! Bingo! The girls sitting next to me had a gum pack!

Mint gum located and acquired!

Lesson: If you don’t like something, don’t do it, no matter how desperate you are. Even though, the espresso did keep me bouncing off the walls all day, I rather just sleep next time.


To read a slightly different version of this same article, click here.

The birth of a blog

Well here it is! My first blog entry. I don't know yet what this blog will be about. It maybe about all things random. After all, variety is the spice of life!

For those of you wondering who I am, let me introduce myself. I am a journalist living in the Middle East. I work as a sub-editor in a daily newspaper. I immensely enjoy my work and I thought that starting a blog would be the best way to share it with the world!

Other than that, I am a normal human being, and just like any of you out there, I have my share of ups and downs! But, obviously, that does not mean you forget to live life to the fullest! Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.

Oops I have babbled!

So keep looking here to see what I have to say!

Toodles, for now!