Heart….. <3

Ok, so I would ideally have wanted to get this post out yesterday…. it would have clicked in so well with certain events. Anyway – better late then never!

I have been a touch on the wrong side of emotions for a few days, so hang on with me as I try to improve my posts….

For those who haven’t been following the European Championships… well they’re almost over! But the one thing which we have experienced in the tournament is performances to be proud of. These were mainly by one team – Turkey. Now, they may not be everyones cup of tea, and there are better teams to watch playing football, but there hasn’t been a more determined, and gutsy team than the Turks. Their performances have been inspirational, ofcourse led by the Emperor – Fatih Terim.

The key to their performances was how strong they were to get back from every setback, from every situation when they were down and out – they played from their heart.

But why is playing from the heart generally spoken about only in sport? People perform from their heart in a work environment – although you have to be lucky to be recognised. Lovers put in every effort from their heart, yet hearts break and relationships fall away. I guess the spotlight of the world shines in certain places… leaving many other valuable places in utter darkness. But it doesn’t mean that you walk away from performing?

In the world of football (soccer), I have always admired one player who gave his all… The King. Even when he was taken out of the game, he came back and performed as if he was there all the time.

Enjoy the clip…. listen to the commentary – it kinda covers what I want to say in this post.

back again….

OK, so I haven’t posted in a few days…However, I checked in today and saw that yesterday was the highest number views that I have ever got since I began blogging. Furthermore, the number of views has increased significantly as well…

Not that I was de-motivated or ran out of subjects, I have been occupied with a number of things which have affected the activity. Either ways, I plan to start afresh and get going again!

So I think to kick off, I issue a “blog post challenge” (for the lack of a better term)… to the only blogger whom I actually know… Exams are over kiddo, about time you blogged again!

Challenge issued to – Mali@Changing Directions without my GPS

Kick start you posts dude, they are always enjoyable!

More from me shortly….

T-mac

Palestine…

Dr. Mona El-Farra is a favourite blogger of mine. She is based in the heart of the Palestinian conflict in Gaza, and sheds some light on day to day difficulties of ordinary people in this region.

Although the nature of the conflict is very complicated, and I don’t want to comment on the conflict in the region, Mona’s latest post should make everyone think – Does any one deserve to live in a situation like this? I can say the same for people in Zimbabwe, or Somalia, or North Korea, or Burma.

For now, I would appreciate if everyone could have a brief read of this post – http://fromgaza.blogspot.com/2008/06/no-power-no-gas-no-electricity.html

How does my playlist define me….?

RULES:
1. Put Your itunes, windows media player etc on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
– Ever Blazin (Sean Paul)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
- Imaginary (Evanescence)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
- Lithium (Duffy)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
- You know i’m no good (Amy Winehouse)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
- Bring Me to Life (Evanescence)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
- Leave you far behind (Lunatic Calm)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
- Deewanagi Deewanagi (Om Shanti Om) – (Translates to crazy crazy)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
- 2 Step bhangra (The Blitz Ft. So-D & Kashif)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
- Solitude (Karunesh)

WHAT IS 2+2?
- In the end (Linkin Park)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
- Cupid (Amy Winehouse)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
- Lacrymose (Evanescence)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
- Ask Cicegi (Ozgun) – (Translates to Love Flower)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
- Because of You (Ne-Yo)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
- Whenever, Wherever (Shakira)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
- Punkie (Sean Paul)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
- Where’s the party tonight? (Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
- All my life (Foo fighters)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
- Numb (Linkin Park)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
- The Crush Of Love (Joe Satriani)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
- Smells like teen spirit (Nirvana)

I think iTunes knows me well

Seasons…

Most people have a preference of a season. Some prefer the cool, fresh and moist feel of spring. Many enjoy the basking sunshine, heat and humidity of the summer. Autumn in the England is beautiful because the combination of both summer and spring can be felt in one season; the leaves falling, and the long days winding to a close. Winter is a surprising favourite for many people – there is a strange attraction of the crisp cold wind with the warmth feeling of wool against the skin. Personally, I prefer summer. It is the only season where anything and everything is possible. In this part of the Northern Hemisphere, our days begin at about 4am, and end at about 10pm – which, provided you have that much energy, give you a great deal of time to enjoy your day!

Having spent the majority of my life in the Middle East, I guess the only type of weather that I knew was hot! However a summer in the UK is something completely different. We spend a large part of the year wrapped up so the 4-5 months of generous weather gives us an opportunity to bare all. There is a consistent carnival atmosphere with fairs and events in most parks throughout the middle months of the year. I think most importantly summer out here is one of those periods which manages to bring people together across all walks of life. Spending quality time with family around the BBQ, off to the parks for a dash of sports, or road trips which couldn’t be contemplated earlier in the year – all these things help people to cross cultures and boundaries that they would not have done at other times in the year.

I think summer anywhere is always awesome, but summer in the UK (in my experience) is pretty close to the top of the best part of the year for me. So in anticipation of some nice hot weather, and a little less of the wet stuff compared to last year, I wait patiently for the good times to roll…

Thank You….

“The saying “thank you” is an expression of gratitude. For example, when receiving a present or favour from someone, it is polite (and often expected) to say “Thank You” as a communication of gratitude.”- Wikipedia (ofcourse!)

Two words… so simple… yet probably the two most difficult words that would leave the lips of any person.

I like observing people… not quite in the Big Brother form of things, but generally watching how people do simple, daily and routine things. I think this gives a good enough perception of how the people around behave, and what can be expected from them. Ofcourse, watching the same 5 people at home will give you a consistent result, so I aim to use random people, people on the train or walking on the street as a sample.

Right, so something must have touched a nerve for me to come out loud about this… well, there is something actually…

I do a fair bit of driving at the weekend, and London being London – there are lot of cars on the road. It is unbelievable how uncourteous a large majority of the people on the road are! Now, I am not looking for any appreciation in particular, but it seems that it is good manners to thank someone when they give you way to pass, or wait for you to pass through the narrow road when it could have easily been the other way round.

But it’s not only on the roads that this happens. Very rarely is it that you get an acknowledgement when you hold the door open for someone at the mall, or let someone jump the queue in front of you to enter the train station or at the deli during lunchtime.

So why such a change in behaviour within society? Well, for a start, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that people are more unhappy now than ever.  Unhappiness generally leads to lack of appreciation of pretty much anything. General bad manners is something else which comes to mind. But I think more than anything else – people don’t think about their actions anymore. I think selfishness would cover that, but it’s far more than that. Whatever it is, lack of a “Thank You” in certain circumstances have had dire consequences.

I guess what I really want to say is… people are ready to say “Sorry” with such ease, yet 2 words – “Thank You”,  which are even easier to say, are probably the two most difficult words to come by.

So, to all the readers, who have reached so far down my post, or even make an efort to read a post – all I want to say is a BIG Thank you!