Realizations And Resolutions From 2013

It's December 31st, 2013, just minutes to midnight and as I sit on the same couch in the same house as I do every year to write my resolutions, I can't help but think of how repetitive, broad and generic my so called resolutions have been over the past few years (here, here, and here): Pray more, Work harder, take better care of your Health. And of course, spend less time Online. Fast-forward 365 days, not much of a change, same realizations and same resolutions. But I wanted to give this year more consideration. I wanted to be more specific, more goal oriented. So after giving it some thought, I want to focus this on WORK and SOCIAL LIFE…

WORK: 

Ok, can I say this? Because I really want to get it off my chest: I want to teach the world about good service! And its a huge challenge, a concept most people I know just don't seem to get. What it means to put your client first, and to give him/her more than what he/she asks for. At the same time, I want to teach the world about ethics and how everything that comes out comes from within. How focusing on internal employee satisfaction resonates into external customer satisfaction. I want to teach the world my version of Business. And I want to learn from it too (because there's still so much I need to learn for myself)… The problem is that I've been "fire-fighting", spending most of my time solving other people's problems, trying to put out the fire instead of investing time in strategic thinking and development. THAT is what I want to work on. Time Management (You Don't "Find" Time, You "Make Time"). Organization ("Everything In It's Right Place"). Development ("Never Stop Learning"). 

In turn, I'm on the right track on my MBA. By next month I should hopefully be finished with 21 Credits, and hopefully be one semester away from graduating in 2015 by this time next year... 

Which brings me to THE BIGGEST part I've neglected in 2013…

SOCIAL LIFE: 

On the rare days that I do have free time away from work or school, the number of close friends I have in Lebanon, let alone in Tripoli, can be counted on one hand. The number of outings I've had with friends, the number of gatherings and reunions, the number of WLT's "Shoot As You Walk" Events that I've participated in, have hit an ultimate low in 2013. So to everyone I didn't make enough of an effort to keep in touch with, I sincerely apologize and promise to go back out and get back in contact soon…

So on those rare occasions, where did I escape to? Well, I travelled. In March, I went to Jordan to one of my best friends' Nadine and six months later in September, Nadine and I took a wonderful vacation to The USA. Going alone and for the first time to a country I've never been before made me feel alive. Like there's an entire world outside of the bubble you put yourself in… In 2014, I want to travel more. I want to go again to places I've never been before!

I've learned that these are the rocks, the building blocks around which you make your life. And then everything else just falls between. Take a moment to watch "Jar Of Life" to understand what I'm trying to get at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpau5YXk46Y

So with regards to these "in betweens", I've still got the same hobbies as I've had before: Reading, Writing, Music, and Photography. But the thing is that they don't need to be resolutions because they're not something you "work" at. No, they're just there to give your life a little balance, to give you a high when you're feeling low…

So I dedicate the year 2014 to self-development. It's not going to be a year for wishes or waiting around for someone/something or making life-altering decisions even though I'm honestly sick and tired of life in this city and country (which is a topic I'm not even going to get into right now). But those who know me know my positive spirit in the midst of negativity, and my big belief in God and loyalty. And I'm in a relationship with my work and my friends and family and my country. And like all relationships, when they get weak or broken, you don't just give up and let it go. You try to fix it (at least that's what I'm trying to do). And I've got a lot of fixing I need to do in 2014. So here's to 2014, and another chance for us to get it right! ;)

The Magic of My Tripoli...

It's been a while since I've written anything worthy of my city. Over the past few months, I've kept my head low and my expectations lower with all the shenanigans and trouble that's been cooking up in the city. I didn't recognize it anymore, and if I called it by name, you'd only hear it a whisper: Tripoli…

Two weeks ago, the holy month of Ramadan graced us. With it, the gunfire quietened, the burning tires and blocked roads stopped burning and opened up, and a fresh breath of faith breezed through the city. In this light breeze, I heard a voice. It sounded familiar, from not so long ago. It was my city, Tripoli, calling again. It was barely a whisper, but I heard it, I listened. And I answered... 

This calling was from a group and event I oh so love, We Love Tripoli's "Ramadaniyat" Shoot As You Walk. Every shot of every corner, street, place, and person in this city, every new lens test, and photographic learning experience, I am forever grateful to this group, esp. to it's head, Taha Naji. Our latest meeting was last Sunday, after the Taraweeh Night Prayers. Taha had decided we gather at a new checkpoint, The Municipality of Tripoli (i/o Nawfal Palace). It was quite a crowd; some there to socialize, some to walk, and some to take pictures. When we started, as we do every time, I like to make my way to the front of the group. I think you get better pictures of the streets and spirits as they are from up front. And that's where it all begins...

We walked as we always do, and I always start off frustrated with the difficulty in taking good night photos. After several darkened and blurry snapshots, I finally find an acceptable camera setting and scout my eyes for "moments". I sometimes don't have words to describe what I see and feel. But when we entered the old souks, to the children, that's where my heart started beating for Tripoli again. From the drummer kids in the street, to the children playing with fireworks, to the mischievousness and carelessness on their little faces, that was their real life, raw. And for a moment, I was a part of it. See there's a quote about photography which speaks from my heart. It reads: 

"WE ARE PHOTOGRAPHERS. We are not here to show people what they can already see. We are here to give them experiences they would otherwise never have experienced. We are here to preserve moments that otherwise would have been forgotten. We are here to capture things which have no words to describe." 

And then, I saw him. I hadn't seen him since last Ramadan, at this exact same location in Moussa's Cafe. I wouldn't mistake his cute face anywhere, and God, how he'd grown... 

I don't think he remembered me, as the only words I've ever told him year after year were "can I take a picture of you?" And he'd flash me his cute grin and enjoy the spotlight I'd give him. I later learned that his name is Omar. Omar had grown up so much since I first met him in 2010. He'd also gotten his hands on a motorbike, which he seemed to be enjoying more than anything. And his beautiful smile never left his face...

Omar in 2013

Omar in 2010

We walked through the crowded cafe, bustling with hubble-bubbling locals, kids with toy guns, and of course, Omar circling around on his motorbike. I knew when we reached this point it was the end of our tour.  But it was in that moment that I found it, I found that though I love shooting people candid, I loved shooting children candid even more. The souk kids, all of them, they just stole my heart. And I just can't wait to see them again!

So if you're still reading this, then with all my heart, I invite you to join me on some of the most beautiful experiences anyone can go through in Tripoli, and that's "Shoot As You Walk". And for double the magic, join a "Ramadaniyat" event because I still haven't shown you how beautiful it is… :-)

Lana Del Rey @ Byblos International Festival 2013

Yesterday was the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. It was also the first day of my TQM summer class at school. It was also the long awaited night of Lana Del Rey in Lebanon for the very first time! I barely had time to breathe yesterday, running from work to school and then off to Jbeil on an empty stomach. But wow oh wow, what a night!

I've always had a soft spot for Jbeil. The old souks, the beautifully cobbled streets and sidewalks, the vibrant night life, just walking through it is magic…

The opening act was for The Wanton Bishops, a local Lebanese band which I really wanted to like but it just wasn't music to my ears. There was then about an hour interlude, but from the moment she came on stage, till the moment she said goodnight, it was the most brilliant I've ever seen of Lana Del Rey. Her electrifying voice, her down-to-earth personality, being with my friends, the night… it was perfect!  Here's the recording I took for Blue Jeans, the song that introduced me to her and my favourite song of her's since:

ATM, I can't help but wonder what performance I'll be looking forward to at next year's festival… Thank You Byblos & Good Night! :-)

Tickets to Lana Del Rey @ Byblos International Festival 2013

"Video Games". It was her debut single, her claim to fame. It was the first song I heard and fell in love with for her. Swinging in the backyard, pull up in your fast car, whistling my name...

Throughout the year, I got introduced to more of her music and I especially loved "Born To Die", "Blue Jeans", "Summertime Sadness", and most lately, "Young and Beautiful". Lana Del Rey has definitely made it to the list of my top artists of all time. And, I still can't believe my eyes, she's coming to Lebanon's Byblos International Festival on July 10th, 2013! 

I remember my first Byblos International Festival in 2010, I went with Toastmasters to see the famous local Lebanese Band Mashrou3 Leila. Two years later in 2012, I went with my brother and cousins to see Snow Patrol (a band that I am absolutely in love with, and what a was a perfect night it was!). And now, just when I thought I'd seen the best, Byblos International Festival outdoes themselves again and brings Lana Del Rey (along with a brilliant lineup you can see here!) 

I know I'm a few weeks late in writing this post, but thank my lucky stars I'm not late in getting tickets (for me and two of my very best friends)! The very moment I found out she was coming, I booked! The only difference between this year and last year is that this year I decided to go seated because standing kills! And I'm too old to be standing these days! :-P Ahhh, and as of this moment, exactly one month remains till Lana lands in Lebanon! Can't Wait!

Till then, I leave you with one of her lesser known, but more upbeat songs (which happens to be my song of the week), PARIS:

Happy Mother's Day 2013!

If there's one thing I love about March, actually, three things I love about March, it's that March is Mum's ultimate month! See, Mum's birthday is March 1st. Mum is also a teacher and so Teacher's Day is her second March celebration. And of course, Mother's Day is in March, making it Mum's third March celebration. And seeing a triple smile on her face puts a triple smile on my face as well!

After work this afternoon, I stopped by our local flower shop to pick out flowers for Mum. There weren't too many left as the day was half over, but I managed to spot this beautiful pink and white bouquet, which I immediately picked up to take for her. Luckily, she was still out by the time I got home so I set them up in her room for her, which she was pleasantly surprised to find when she got home...

"For all the times you gently picked me up when I fell down, for all the times you tied my shoes, and tucked me into bed, or needed something but put me first instead, for everything we shared, the dreams, the laughter, and the tears, I love you with a "Special Love" that deepens every year…" 

This year, I truly felt the Mother's Day spirit, both offline and online! Today, each time I opened Facebook, my newsfeed was flooded with pictures of friends with their mums and heartfelt greetings. And to see all those posts and all those blessings makes me feel glad to live in a world filled with so much love… so again and again, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Realizations And Resolutions From 2012

Here we are, at the end of 2012, and I haven't blogged anything meaningful in months. I also just realized that I hadn't even posted my traditional "Realizations and Resolutions" post last year... Oopsie! But while most people hated 2012, and claimed it be one of the worst years ever, I have to confess, it was actually a good year for me… Let's recap!

One of the things I love most about my blog is it's archive. I can click any month of any year and an entire vault of memories unfolds. And browsing through 2012, though I didn't post much, I realize that I've had a bunch of great memories and accomplishments I'd forgotten about! Now let me prioritize them, and begin with my Realizations and Resolutions...

1- At the top of my list is God and my Religion. Though I'm definitly not one of the most religious people in the world, and though I don't pray as often as I should, I believe in and follow the holy book to the best that I can. I Thank God everyday for all of the blessings and people he has brought and kept in my life, Hamdella every single day. I hope to always keep my faith, and pray more often, with almighty God by my side every step of the way…

2- There is an old Arabic saying that I like, "الجنة بلا ناس ما تنداس" which translates into something along the lines of "paradise without people is pointless". One of the best parts of life is all the human relationships in it, and I can't imagine my life without my beautiful family and just as beautiful friends. The only one I'm missing is "The One". Though I claim not to believe in true love these days, deep down, I do. I do believe that there is a someone out there for everyone, and for me, I just haven't found him yet. Wherever he is, whatever he's doing, I can't help but hope this year will be a year that will lead me closer to finding him (or him finding me), inshallah...

3- I think one of the most challenging things for me this year was my health. Starting with the good though, after almost 10 years of wearing contact lenses, I finally got Lasik surgery done in May 2012 and it was the best money I've ever spent in my life (sing I can see clearly now the contacts and glasses are gone!). I also learned how to swallow pills this year - smile. Yes, I used to take syrup medicine until I got mocked at by almost every single person I know and so, the pill swallowing challenge began. Rest assured, I can swallow pills now! I still need to take better care of my health though. I need to eat more, at least more fruits and veggies. So that's another check I need to tick off the list of my resolutions by the end of the year... 

4- For quite a while now, I've been wondering what's the next move I need to make in terms of my education. I've always been torn between moving back to Canada, to Beirut, or staying in Tripoli. I always thought the most difficult decision would be choosing between McGill and AUB. And one of the things that scared me the most in terms of that decision was the GMAT. It was a rainy afternoon in April when I decided to just take the test. I registered to take it in May, a month's time from then, and then I racked my brains out studying for it. I even took a day off from work to take it and I passed it! What I don't know though, is why I didn't even think of applying to McGill or AUB. Something in my heart (which till this day I don't understand), made me stay in Tripoli and while I was still working, decided to apply for a part-time MBA at Balamand. I got in, and I started my first semester in October, with 6 credits… My plans from now till the end of 2013? I hope to pass those 6 credits, register and pass another 6 credits in Spring, register and pass 3 credits in Summer, and register and pass 6 credits in Fall. So inshallah, I should be close to closing 21 credits by this time next year...

5- As for work, I'm still where I was last year. I go and give my best day in and day out, but I know I need to do something to make me stand out. I'm going to give it even more this year… fingers crossed. 

6- Photography. I've definitely upped my game in this category. First and foremost my gratitude for my developed skills goes to We Love Tripoli, for their almost monthly "Shoot As You Walk" expeditions. Because of them, I got my first live TV-Interview on LBC's "Helwi Beirut" and got featured in two newspaper articles in Annahar and L'Orient Le Jour, in addition to having one of my photos make it to Al Safir's front page. I had a joint photo exhibition, "Uncommon Pictures" in Nawfal' Palace's Winter Cultural Season. And in the fourth quarter of 2012, I even started my own "30-Day Photo Challenge", which taught me a lot more about photography. To keep shooting is definitely still on my list...

7- Music was a big part of 2012! In the car, on the road, studying, chilling, I've always got my music on whenever I can. I was also quite lucky to catch several of my favourite artists and bands live in concert this year, including Cat Stevens, Evanescence, and my ultimate favourite, Snow Patrol… This year, I'm also proud to have read twice the amount I'd read in 2011. And by reading, I mean reading for fun! I read five chapter books, and I hope to keep the little bookworm in me alive! As for writing, ah, writing is a toughie. I love to write, which I haven't been doing at all. But there are these two stories in my head, and I hope to get at least one of them complete this year. At least one from now till June 2013...

8- There were times in 2012 when I couldn't stand it anymore. What couldn't I stand? It was basically this city called Tripoli. All the fightings, shootings, and chaos in the city that made it unsafe to set foot outside your house. When work would close early because of the "situation". I've never hated Tripoli as much as I did this year. But if there's one thing that I needed, it was to get out of it, if only for a while… In April 2012, I travelled to Dubai with my parents for Easer. And in September 2012, I travelled to Marmaris with my best friends Sura and Nadine, and another good friend I made along the way, Rola. It was those sweet escapes that calmed me down and made me return to my hometown with a smile on my face. As such, I am grateful for the blessing of Travel. My plans travel plans for 2013? Well, my heart's set for Vancouver, where I'd give anything to go whale-watching. As a second choice, I'd pick either Bodrum, Mykonos, or another beach-y getaway with my friends. Let's see which destination wins! 

9- Interests. This year I got pretty up-to-date technology wise. I traded my Sony Vaio for a MacBook Pro, my Blackberry for a Samsung Galaxy S3 and, well, okay maybe not traded but got along-side? :-P This world is full of way too many gadgets and gismos and programs and applications! Yet being a girl, I should probably be more interested in fashion, accessories, and make up. Or, I could mix the two! Let's see how this could go...  

10- Internet. Ah, my ultimate weakness. I think I spent the better half of my life online in 2012! FACE PALM! But I can't help it, it's an addiction I don't want to let go of. No, you know what the problem is? There's a lot of stuff I do using my MBPro and when I'm on it, I tend to get distracted on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. What I definitely need to control in 2013 is the amount of time I spend on those three sites and spend a little more time studying, researching, and of course writing...

All in all, it's been a good year, with ups, with downs, but that's life, eh? If there are no ups and downs in your life, it means you are dead… So Cheers to a New Year, and another chance for us to get it right! ;-)

                   

Man In The Mirror: The Michael Jackson Show

It was on the first night of Eid-El-Fitr where my parents were watching the news and I was idly browsing the internet. Fast forward till the end of the news where I heard something about Michael Jackson that caught my attention. I remembered seeing an ad for this MJ Event in Beirut about a month ago and as it turned out, Man In The Mirror: The Michael Jackson Show (a tribute band and act to the late king of pop) was coming to Beirut for four nights (on the 19th-20th-21st-22nd of August)! 

I quickly messaged Sura, asking her if she wanted to go the next night and she was just as excited as I was. So the next night, Sura, her brother, and I head off to Beirut. We left at exactly 7pm (the road normally takes 1.5 hours tops). But, not taking the fact that it was still Eid into consideration, we were still stuck in heavy traffic by 9pm, at the time the show was supposed to start!) All three of us became quite frustrated at the fact that we were missing the show. But somehow, by some miracle, we arrived, parked, got tickets, and were sitting in front of the stage by 9pm!

It was a great performance! I have to admit I had my hopes up a little too high but nonetheless it really was great! They played all of MJ's greatest hits, including my personal favourite, "You Are Not Alone":

I've been trying to upload one of the several videos I took but the internet here is killing me (so bare with me… sigh)

*Update: Finally, Uploaded "Beat It":

TEDx Beirut Salon in Tripoli 2012

I just got back from TEDx Beirut Salon, which, for the first time was held in Tripoli at the CCIAT (Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture), and it turned out to be one of the most inspirational events of my life! Whoa, mind = blown!

Before the event, I had no idea what TEDx was. As it turns out, TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is, in a nutshell, “a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate ‘ideas worth spreading’”…

I first heard of TEDx thru a social media invite on Facebook. I registered for the event and I have to admit, I was a little hesitant about going alone. Nonetheless I printed the online ticket and mustered the courage to go, and was happily surprised to see several familiar local faces…

As the Facebook event promised, they wanted to “spread inspiration all over Lebanon, not only in Beirut. And we could not think of a better place to start than in Tripoli.” Let me pause here for a second. That’s a big promise right there, spreading inspiration. How hard is it to spread inspiration? Well, believe me when I say TEDx Beirut Salon delivered beyond expectation!

After a warm welcome, in which they gave out complementary TEDx Beirut Salon CDs of previous talks, we took our seats as the event began right on schedule, at 3:00PM. It started off with a short video on Success, followed by a short discussion on the video, involving the audience. Then, the highlight of the event took place when I watched one of the most inspirational videos I’ve seen from one of the most inspirational people I know, Mrs. Hala Fadel. Here’s the video, entitled “God is an entrepreneur”:

Her words, her experiences, she just struck me. Though she was speaking to us all, for a moment I felt like I was the only person in the room and that she was talking directly to me. I have a newfound appreciation and respect for this woman, she’s absolutely down-to-earth brilliant!

She reminded me of this idea I have, an idea worth spreading, as the TEDx slogan goes, and I’ve never felt more motivated to work on it… stay tuned!

Ramadan Kareem 2012

It’s that time of year again, when we fast, count our blessings, and pray a little more each day. I always appreciate Ramadan because it brings me back to my roots, back to religion, back to God…

I especially love spending Ramadan in Tripoli, because there is no other place on earth where I feel the spirit of the season as much as I do in this town, among my family and friends. Though it’s a little tougher this year, with the massive heat wave and all, the faith I have is ever enduring. Hamdella! 

Throughout this blessed month, apart from the personal goals I’ve set for myself, there are two local initiatives that are keeping me inspired, and I’d like to share them with you:

Like last Ramadan, We LoveTripoli is going to be organizing weekly Shoot As You Walk events, starting next Saturday 28th of July 2012. It’s a wonderful opportunity to take my camera out again and revision night photography and Ramadan in the old souks. It’s also the gathering and the spirit of togetherness that I’m looking forward to as well!

And also like last Ramadan, I’ve become hooked to watching the Ramadan Web Series, Be7ke, which “is a series-based free-talk initiative that seeks to present the voices, concerns, ideas, and stories of a number of speakers. It is an independent project meant to inspire the youth who find themselves struggling against a tidal wave of stereotypes and misrepresentations… Three-minute episodes are released online every day throughout the month of Ramadan, featuring speakers who aspire to inspire…” To access these episodes, tune in to http://www.youtube.com/Be7ke

Ramadan Kareem to all, May God bless this month for us all… :-)

Tickets to Snow Patrol @ Byblos International Festival 2012

Snow Patrol has been, for a good four years now, one of my favorite bands of all time. A couple of months ago, my brother told me that he had got tickets to their concert in Montreal, and I was so jealous, especially since they were playing tracks off their latest album, Fallen Empires. And then, I still think this a miracle, I found out that they were performing in Lebanon this summer at the Byblos International Festival 2012!

I just bought the tickets to their concert on Tuesday, 17^th of July! Add to that the fact that they’ll be in Jbeil (not Beirut!), my second favorite city in Lebanon! Let the countdown begin!!!

Cirque Du Soleil: Saltimbanco

The first time I saw Cirque Du Soleil was last summer, with my family in Montreal. The theme was evolution, entitled TOTEM. And as much as I’d like to say that I loved them, I didn’t. I liked them, but I didn’t love them. I think they’re so overhyped that I had this great expectation from them and they didn’t meet it…

Several months since then, I heard that they were coming to Lebanon. A couple of old friends from Toastmasters were interested in going and so I thought I’d give them another chance with a lighter themed performance, SALTIMBANCO…

We arrived a couple minutes late, with the unorganized parking at Forum. We presented our tickets and quickly found our seats to watch the show. And it was just as I’d expected it to be, good but not good enough. But maybe I’m being biased here, because it wasn’t the greatest night for me...

During the intermission, I got a text message from my boss that tomorrow’s marathon had been postponed due to the current security situation. Shortly after, Dad called, telling me that several main roads in Tripoli had been blocked with burning tires and that they could hear gunshots. I checked BBM and my Twitter and Facebook timelines were all filled with the violence that was erupting back home in Tripoli. And of course I couldn’t concentrate on the show after that…

On the drive back, we got stuck in Jounieh for 2 full hours because they had cut off the highway in order to demolish the burnt carpet factory. After we got out of the traffic and got back on the main road, it was smooth… until we reached Chekka’s tunnel of doom, as I like to call it. The roads got darker and quieter until we reached Tripoli, by then a ghost city. And it all went downhill from there… :-(

N.B. SALTIMBANCO is playing at FORUM DE BEIRUT till MAY 20^TH. 

Happy Mother's Day 2012!

It’s Mother’s Day, one of the most beautiful days, especially in Lebanon. The weather is warmer, welcoming spring, the life in the city is at its up to its greatest spirits, the streets are jammed with cars and pedestrians, and there’re no parking places in front of the flower and gift shops…

It’s March, Mum’s month, because her birthday is in March, and Teacher’s Day is in March, and of course Mother’s Day is in March. I got her a beautiful crystal vase filled with chocolate from Van Belle for her birthday two weeks ago, and I’m inviting her out for lunch this Saturday. The only thing missing is… well, a bouquet of flowers!

You see, Mother’s Day = Flowers. There’s just something so right about flowers and so this year, in the spirit I decided to get her a bouquet of azaleas:

Happy Mother’s Day, Mum! You are the most wonderful mother in the world, kind and loving, and there aren't enough words to describe how much you mean to me, and how much I love you! Best Wishes :-)

Villager’s Opera

Last month, my parents went to watch Villager’s Opera at Caracalla Dance Theater. I wasn't too interested in joining them at the time, but when a group of colleagues from work asked if I wanted to join them, I thought I’d give it a visit…

So yesterday, we went to the matinee show and I must say, it was quite a performance! What I loved most about it was the visual effects, both during the show and intermission. Yet I found it to be a little too cliche of a story. It’s the typical girl loves boy from the village, but mother wants girl to marry boy from a more upper class. And of course, her true love triumphs…

Maybe it’s the love part that got to me. A younger me, or an in love me would have definitely fallen for the fairy tale ending. But in this age, would the boy from the village have come back and fought for her? Would the mother have given in and let her marry the village boy?

Ah well, I guess that’s not the point. Just sit back and enjoy the dance

(still running till April 1st, 2012)

Featured in L'Orient Le Jour

I was at work when We Love Tripoli tweeted a link to an article in L'Orient Le Jour. I clicked on it to find that I had been featured in it! Let me start you off with the introduction, about Nawfal Palace's Winter Cultural Season and it's participating artists here:

And here's a more in depth look at one of those participating profiles ;-)

Zambo 2012

Around this time last year, I remember my friend Taha posting photos of people painted in black and gold, dressed in wigs, masks, and costumes, prancing around on the street. He told me it was called Zambo, but I still didn’t understand what it was…

Then just this morning, while I was walking with Dana, we bumped into her cousin Nabil, who was also from El Mina. And he told us that today was Zambo, bringing me back to the title of the album Taha had posted last year! Now here was a local, telling me the tale:

It turned out to be an old tradition for the Christian community of El-Mina, celebrating the start of lent! They’d paint themselves and dress up, and parade around the street collecting money. Then they’d use that money to have a big feast at night and get drunk before starting fasting the next day!

I’ll leave you with some pictures Taha took today (more pictures here):

Featured in Annahar Newspaper

I just got a call from one of Nawfal Palace’s “Winter Cultural Season” organizers, Khaled Merheb, telling me that there was an article about my exhibition (written by Souhaib Ayoub) in Annahar Newspaper! :-)

Click images to enlarge or click here to read the full article on Annahar

"Uncommon Pictures" Photo Exhibition

Well, it’s officially over. The “Uncommon Pictures” photo exhibition I had at Nawfal Palace with a fellow amateur photographer, Noor Fattal. It was a pretty hectic, yet rewarding week. I got to develop twenty of my photos for the first time, in three different sizes: 2 A4s, 16 A3s, and 2 50*70. Here are two of my prized photos of the exhibition:

I first want to thank Mr. Elias Khlat and Khaled Merheb for giving me the opportunity to showcase my work. I then want to thank Taha Baba and Omar Bakkour for taking the time to help me hang up the pictures last week. The boards aren't very practical for displaying your work and so Taha came up with a creative way to display the pics. And a big thanks goes out to everybody from my family, friends, colleagues, and other visitors who came and showed their support and encouragement. It really means a lot to me when someone says that they admire my work. Thank You! :-)

Tis The Season To Be Jolly!

I just got back from a wonderful weekend in Beirut with two of my closest friends from AUB, Dan and Nadz. They both flew in from Kuwait and Jordan respectively and I took the weekend off to spend it with them. I haven’t been to Beirut in a while, and though I don’t appreciate the capital as much as I do Tripoli (shocker!), it was a good getaway and the Christmas spirit was in the air:

Pictures from Tripoli’s Car Free Day!

So, I know this is a few days overdue, but as I’d posted last week, last Sunday was “Tripoli and Mina’s Car-Free Day”, and what a day it was! I spent most of it at our BankMed stand, handing out gapples (organic apples), which were, all bias aside, the best tasting apples I've ever had!

I also got the chance to see Mr. President Michel Suleiman up close in the VIP section, and I got these two shots of him:

All in all it was a wonderful day, and it was beyond wonderful seeing Tripoli actually car-free! And instead of it being an annual event, I really hope it’s done a lot more often than that… :-)

TRIPOLI & MINA'S CAR-FREE DAY!

Description Of The Project:

The Mina-Tripoli Carfree Day is an initiative of the Tripoli Youth Network, and supported by BankMed, and Maurice Fadel Prize. It aims at promoting an environmentally friendly culture in Tripoli and Lebanon by banning cars in 2 major axes of Tripoli and Mina and organizing, within this track, sports, cultural and entertaining events, to which all inhabitants of Tripoli and beyond would be invited to participate.

The Tripoli Youth Network is a coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations operating in Tripoli and run by young active citizens driven by a common mission to positively contribute to the city of Tripoli as well as the nation of Lebanon as a whole. The Network and its constituencies have thus joined forces for organizing their first initiative: “A Carfree Day in Tripoli Mega-Event” promoting a better environment and responsible citizenship.

During this Mega Green Event we aim at: raising awareness about the environment and the environmental challenges confronting Lebanon in general and the North in particular, educating people on how they can become eco-friendly, and demonstrating in particular ways in which they can enjoy their city without necessarily being dependent on their cars, which is a major cause of air, noise, and visual pollution, giving local citizens the opportunity to enjoy the space freed from cars and rediscover their city and the treasures within it, while remaining a politically neutral event!

Program Of The Day:

Carfree Day in Tripoli and Mina Cities is on Sunday the 13th of November 2011. Super shiny sun or shy sun hidden under tiny water drops, BOOK your calendar and plan for a FULLY BOOKED day from 12 PM till 6 PM!

Our program is simple! 6 hours of nonstop environmental, sports, artistic, urban arts, musical, cultural, entertainment activities for everyone!

At 12:00 p.m. – The Inauguration Ceremony Under the High Patronage of His Excellency The President of the Republic of Lebanon General Michel SLEIMAN. From 1:00 pm till 6:00 pm – The Launching of all the Activities…

Competition And Activities:

Have you ever thought that a huge stage will be placed in the middle of the cross roads near Dar el Chimal with famous bands and singers playing and performing for 6-8 hours nonstop and another humungous stage standing in Cornish El Mina sparkling with Lebanese star bands and rocking the place with the sea breeze playing with your hair and your heart pounding from joy? Did you ever think that BENETTON’s side walk will be altered to become a kid’s zone? Did it ever come across your mind that you can bring your couch and use the asphalt roads as your rug? Have you ever dreamed of exploring your city, walking, jogging, skateboarding, “scootering”, cycling without worrying about the horns howling and damaging your serenity and peace of mind or a crazy car or truck careless about your escapade hunting your path? Don’t you just simply wish to take a nice long walk with your friends and family, shopping, exploring, learning, enjoying and that’s in two major road axes in Tripoli and Mina when seeing them “Carfree” was only a far, far, far impossible day dream?

Unlimited activities, nonstop artistic performances, 6 basketball playgrounds, urban arts, graffiti, awareness stands, food, beverages, 10 km race, solar car race, bike promenades, air blown games, paint ball, and so much more; Tripoli and Mina Cities will be as never seen before!

Saturday Night - 12 November 2011: Performance by the Superstar Ragheb Alama, Ambassador of the United Nations campaign for the Environment Program. (Tickets sold at Virgin Megastores for $10, $30, $50, $200)

Sunday All Day Long - 13 November 2011: Drawings exhibitions, kids’ zone, photo competition, 6 basketball playgrounds, 4 football playgrounds, Grafitti, urban arts by Gilbert Extreme, more than 100 stands distributed among reputable green NGOs, your favorite foods and drinks and entertaining activities, scouts parades, 4 bus stations to pick interested participants from one location to another, 10 Km Race (in association with Ma’an Loubnan),

On Mina Stage Performances: Mr. Vergo (Arabic rap, Tripoli Band), Killer Muffin(Grunge and Garage, Tripoli Band), Toxic Trash(Punk, Tripoli Band), Venemy (Metal, Beirut Band), Kristen Hope (Folk, US Band), Hezb L Taleta (Electro, Beirut Band), Adonis (Arabic pop fusion, Beirut Band), The Incompetents (Indie, Beirut Band), Lazzy Lung (Indie, Rock, Canada, Beirut Band), Belime

On Tripoli Stage Performances: Demons (Rock, Tripoli Band), Mohamad Cha’ar, 7 Ta2aT (Rap, Tripoli Band), Capoera Howl (English Pop, Tripoli Band), Tirashrash, and many, many more…