York in the World presentation

Last month I got an email from York International, telling me about a new activity they are planning to launch for which they would like volunteers, someone with an international experience, the purpose of the presentations is to remind our students and let them know of the opportunities and options they have as York students through the York International office i.e. exchange programs, International internships, summer study abroad program, Emerging Global Leaders Program, buddy program and Letter of Recognition (International). However, the main element of going in there is for us to inspire the students by telling them about our experience in any of above mentioned and how significant it was. So last Wednesday, was another busy day for me; between classes and an information session I attended, I gave two presentations about York International, and I really enjoyed doing it. However, when I read the email from York International I felt mostly proud of the staff that is behind this idea and taking the initiative. It particularly reminded me of the time I wanted to go on exchange or do an internship and how limited my choices and resources of help from university were. I still remember having Gawish run around campus with me, from the main building to the engineering and back to the main building, because I was trying to get someone to talk to and figure things out. Thankfully, it all worked out well and I ended up going to Iowa and it was quite the experience. Of course, thanks to Professor Isaac, who set up information session and put up posters about going on exchange, out of his own initiative and lucky I was to be able to find him. I was especially shocked and frustrated with the fact the person who was in charge of the exchange programs did not know that the "exchange agreement" we had only worked one way, students from abroad came through but we didn't. That same semester, as I was communicating with professor Pernille,(a professor whom I whole heartedly respect and admire and need to email) about my endeavor in the going on exchange affair, hearing about my ordeal she asked me to print the email and send it to her husband who just then started a new position at the main building, in charge of academic programs. Earlier this year, as I was looking through the AUS website I got a nice surprise to see a link to the exchange programs and agreements that AUS has established and an International Exchange office as well :)

However, the email from York International was a like a déjà vu as upon my return from that summer in Iowa, Professor Pernille and I had a long fun and fulfilling chat about how everything went that summer; the experience, people, classes, culture and incidents. At the end of it she suggested that I set sessions or a talk for students telling them about my experience and the importance going on exchange adds not only to academic education but life skills. It was a great idea; I am passionate about helping others and particularly students, just making them have faith in themselves and be confident in challenging themselves, trusting that they will be up for it. However, unfortunately at the time, there wasn’t a way I could do that.

So, last week 2 years after that conversation I was able to give a presentation with the same objective, right here in Canada but as a York student. Of course it wasn't like a presentation that I would be giving in AUS to a class of 25 students; I gave it in a lecture hall that holds 100 some students and through a microphone. I will not tell you that I didn’t get a tad nervous when I saw the class I was getting into. The professor was extremely nice and friendly and excited about what I had come to tell the students. I think the most interesting part was having students ask questions and seeing the excitement in some of their faces, some came up to me by the door as I was leaving telling me about what their specific cases and what they had in mind, unfortunately I couldn’t answer all their questions as I was not to take up time from their class. I did leave them with York International fliers and bookmarks that had the office’s website, address and information. My second presentation was also to a big class, but of course by the second one I felt better prepared. However, I tell you, it is difficult having that many people looking right at you, I just didn't know where to look :p I wonder if professors get trained for giving lectures to a big audience.

I notice that I ended up giving you what looks like memo here and would better get going. Please share your thoughts and experiences, I like to know what you have in mind and you have been up to!

Tit for Tat?!

What do you guys think??

Since the best part of reading the news for me, is seeing how it is narrated by all sides of the party and if narrated at all. I thought of giving you that option too :p

(Click on the title)
Gulf News
The Toronto Star

It is quite interesting. Three things came to mind when I read about it

-Ye again, citizens abiding by policies that look like a political game

- A heads up for the U.A.E for seeking equal treatment for its citizens.

- Why Canada? I am sure there are other countries that are granted visa waivers by the U.A.E. of which is probably not reciprocated to Emaraties, is it because Canada is looked at as an easy and amenable state to negotiate with, opposed to let's say the U.S.?

-What happened to the so-called free market economy, if it isn't a security aviation issue, why is Canada protecting Air Canada airlines, it is privatized. I guess it goes to tell us how the government is not so "uninvolved" as is perceived here.

What's your say?

Some of Dxb and Shj :p

I have been organizing my emails the past few days and had come across this forward from Zol. If you have spoken to me anytime this past week, you would know how much I can relate to this. In fact anyone who frequently drives between the two emirates quite often would relate to this. Although some points are exaggerated, it is mostly true, BELIEVE ME!

ASK ANYONE WHO LIVED IN DUBAI OR SHARJAH.. THEY'LL TESTIFY TO THE FACT~! :P
1. If your Road Map is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and get a new one.

2. If you are in Rashidiya and your map is one day old, then it is already obsolete

3. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Dubai has its own version of Traffic rules, which can be summarized as 'Hold on and pray!'

4. If it is your priority to cross, forget it and wait.

5. There is no such thing as a dangerous High-Speed chase in Dubai. Everyone drives like that.

6. When you plan to get a new car, ask first about its acceleration from 80 to 160 Km/h (recommended: 3 seconds). Very important if you frequently use the Emirates Road.

7. All directions start with Sheikh Zayed Road, which has no beginning and no end !

8. The Morning rush hour is from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Evening rush hour is from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

9. Thursday's rush hour starts on Wednesday evening !?!

10. If you slow down at a Yellow Light, you will be knocked from behind by another Motorist and then, rewarded with a white ticket by the Dubai Police.

11. If you are the first one at the intersection, when the light turns Green, ignore the Car honking behind you and count to five to avoid crashing into one of the Cars jumping the Red Light from your Left !

12. Construction on all main roads is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. 'Sorry for the inconvenience' is an honor for your long-suffering.

13. All unfamiliar sights are explained by the phrase, 'Oh, we must be in Sharjah !'

14. Car horns are actually Toys for Adults.

15. Anyone in a Land Cruiser, Armada, Tahoe, Dodge,BMW or a Mercedes with less than 5 digits in their number plate and tinted windows, has the right of way.. You bet... it is a Fact!

16. If you are driving a Corolla, Sunny, or another small Japanese car, stay on the far right lane. No comment!

17. Most roads mysteriously change names as you cross underneath Intersections or Bridges.

18. To ask directions, you must have good knowledge of Hindi and or Malayalam.

19. A trip across town will take a minimum of four hours, although Sheikh Zayed Road has an un-posted minimum speed of 150 Km/h.

20. It is sobering to realize that local Arabs are taught how to drive by Malayalees.

21. 18 wheeler Trucks are one of the fastest vehicles in Dubai; they can do 120 Km/h on Hatta-Oman Road when fully loaded.

22. The minimum acceptable speed on the Emirates Road is 160 km/h, anything less is considered downright sissy !

23. Al Khail Road is Dubai's daily version of NASCAR.

24. Dubai Autodrome has a new extension: The Emirates Road !

25. New 4x4s and SUVs gulf specifications are coming without indicators and dim head beam light.

26. Slowest moving vehicle on road is Dubai public transport buses

27. Taxi drivers will drive like rowdy boys once vacant, and they will suddenly become a bishop once a passenger is inside so the meter make more fare

28. Don't give indicator to change your lane once you have a Mulbaari driver on that side, because he will start driving parallel in your blind zone

29. Once you see a car restlessly changing lanes in traffic jam, he has an Abu Dhabi driving license.

31. You will see your destination, but you can not reach there, it is Sharjah

32. You reached your destination, but you can not stop or park, it is Dubai

Flying Afloat

YES I got the window seat, and on a night flight :D…I love night flights! So just in case you were wondering where I was for almost 2 hours of the flight, well there you go, I also take pictures on the plane. :P Hmm somehow no matter how good a holiday or visit away from home has been, there is always a little spark inside my heart on the thought of going back “home”, somewhere I am familiar with and where all my belongings and close ones are. So at this sight, and with some Enya/Era music playing through my headset, I made a little prayer thanking God for all that I’ve got. A moment, in which, I completely felt the presence of my inner peace and joy.

More D'Alep

Some more pictures of the part of Aleppo I am mostly around, basically the street by Grandma’s house that I walk through every day. The first two are of “Jame3 el ra7man” Al Rahman Mosque, I just have to type it in Arabic, it gives me a feel of how it is pronounced with an Aleppine accent :p every time you take a cabbie to grandma’s house, you would know that you are heading at the right direction when you pass it. I love looking at it while I am walking. Often, in front of it is busy; microbuses stop by and people are going in and out of the mosque. The pictures at the intersection are right after the mosque by “madresat el Franciscan” which is the Franciscan School, left on the picture, oh and it is also a church. This again is VERY old, when Syria was under the French mandate. Anyways so this again, once you’re there, then you’re in the right way to grandma’s house and it is close to Khalo Nabeeh’s house. I pass by this intersection all the time when I go walking to the internet café and to the dentist. I take the turn at the left. Oh and the picture has Aleppo’s famous yellow cabbies and the bus is part of its reformation in public transport services. :)

Some D'Alep

Part of a visit to Aleppo at Grandma’s house is conditioned with an outing with Nana and her groupie :) so yesterday morning, grandma told me that we are passing by Khale Bushra to go for a morning visit and I was happy to comply. Half way through the visit, I wondered out into the balcony and got a feel of the beautiful weather, it is around 8c here. The pictures below are the best I have of actual Aleppo. For those buildings, is exactly what everyone who visits Aleppo would tell you distinguishes it from the other provinces architecturally. Most of the buildings are around 50 or more years old and are made of big stone bricks. I love them. The narrow streets are a tribute of it being an old city, full of civilization and history. This is my Aleppo to you for now :)

            

Arriving to Aleppo Land

I have come to Aleppo, Syria, numerous times, yet I have never left a repertoire or a brief description of any of my visits. Even though I’ve been coming here quite often recently and within short intervals, every visit is always unique in its own way and always leaves me with different experiences, thoughts, and feelings, which really makes it a fun and interesting place to be. Also as many know, Syria and Aleppo is where I would like to say “my heart belongs” and what completes my identity, it is a land I love.

Well this time I didn't come for a vacation, but rather to see a dentist and hence did not come with any exquisite plans. In addition, having to pay for many expenses last month, I had to lessen my budget this time, therefore, not having the chance to do very much. I basically came here to just finish what’s needed and see grandma. So there is nothing particularly exciting here, just thought of sharing some of the things little things that happened with me.

Hmm well my flight here was a pleasant one, it was an early morning flight and I did not have much sleep the night before which you can say took care of 2 hours of the flight, leaving an hour and a bit for reading. Ah I guess after experiencing a 13hours flight, 3 hours is more than tolerable.

So the first thing I notice, as many other fellow Syrian friends would is the Aleppine accent :D and that’s when I know I reached. Long time ago, when I was much younger and only occasionally came to Syria, I would feel like I am in a new place/country, now I just feel like I am in my home land and it feels great!

Well ironically however, this time, 3 Emirati men were in flight and as soon as I stood in line at passport control, I could hear them chit chatting behind me. I tell you it felt wrong, for a moment I felt like I was back in U.A.E., what on earth were they doing here, although I knew it was a stupid question to be asking, I know how people from all around and especially the Gulf come to beloved Syria, I just wasn’t used to seeing them around with their costume and accent.

The next thing that happened was that the police men were “requesting” the people to stand in line and wait behind the red line on the floor until the person getting their passport stamped was done. YES I thought, there is hope, I was very proud. AND the police man would “kindly” ask them to stay within the line every time they came out of it. You see some people just need reminding.

So I was standing in line and this lady behind me kept grudging to the lady in front of me about 'why is the police man taking with the person at the cabin, getting their passport checked', and she kept on complaining. I just don’t understand why people are always in a rush, and the point of her rattling. Apparently there was something wrong with the man’s passport. Anyways and you will be happy to know that 2 women took my turn, they actually came from the line next to mine to the cabin I was waiting at. THE NERVE. I was mad and wanted to ask them to go back, but I just brushed it off, thinking they at least stood behind the red line, plus they were old, but I promised myself that the next time it happens I would tell them off.

I got to the cabin and the following routine has to happen; police man shuffles through my passport, asks me a couple of questions, jokes around, and finally lets me go :p I guess I only do need these scenarios to be assured I am in the right place :p

I have to tell you, the most thing I look forward to as soon as I get to Aleppo, is my exit from the airport doors to the bustling road outside. I get that vision or feeling that you see in movies where a big door suddenly opens to a scene of a bustling, busy city at daylight, filled with people and cabbies running about doing their thing. And so I had that moment, I took in a full gasp of Aleppo’s beautiful crispy morning and by the time I took my second step a cabbie man ushered me to a taxi and off to grandma’s I was.

As usual, I was welcomed by a healthy, loving and smiling grandma, telling me that the house got brighter with my arrival :D to which I was flattered! I tell you; even if I am not hungry, deep down I am always looking forward to the food she has prepared for me. What do you know there was Me7shi, nothing I can completely sucker up for than that.

And the following happens, we fill in each other with all that’s recent, basically which is mum and then mum and then mum :p lol and everyone else of course. Well just in case you’re curious, I did have a full fledged Aleppine meal and an extremely delicious one. There was salad, Molekhia, Frikae and Me7shi bel bergole and Laban :) ah yes I know…eat your heart out!! :D