Once Upon A Stage...

You really wanna know? Like you really wanna know!?

lol

Ok Quest, here's what happened.

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Yesterday- Writing for Stage and Screen class- 15:30

I've been preparing, like, all of last week for this lecture... reading about the damned 'Theatre of Catastrophe'... trying to get myself to understand what it stands for... blaa!

Our tutor asked us to read about it and react to it "even if you think it's rubbish, say so, and say why" ...


Well, he asked for it...


hehehe

Omg, I should be expelled!!

*exaggeration*

I'm not a bad student. I was just trying to get things straight... in a way or another. Cos, I hardly know anything about theatre, let alone Theatre of Catastrophe... it's like a Catastrophe on its own!!

So, he asks us what we thought... One of my colleagues expresses that he thinks it's absurd. I thought: "Ok, good. A negative perspective, so I won't be the odd one out."

Like that's some kinda justification to that type of thinking?! Puh-lease

Tutor turns to me: what have you to say?

Me: I agree with James, and think that it's unreasonable to presume that an audience would want to go and attend a play and subject themselves to pain and torture- which is what this type of theatre often explores- let alone the fact that we as humans don't appreciate the exposition of our lives in front of us (dunno where I got that from)

Tutor blinks: Well that's the main purpose of most plays is that they exhibit our lives before us.

Me: True. But the idea of wanting to go and witness what might be disturbing is quite absurd.

Tutor (his face turning red to his ears): So, if you were told to go see Macbeth or Henry V, you wouldn't go see it because of the violence within it?

Me (Ooops): Surely I would go see them as their being a classic...

Fortunately, the discussion shifts to another route.

********************


I dunno what happened there, but it kinda gave me the sense that I wouldn't get it. Unless I try mega harder. I'm an Anti-Complication type of person, if that makes sense.... hhhhh

But I spoke later on to my program manager, who is an incredibly nice man, and expressed my concerns about the module, and whether I'd be able to follow the pace. Luckily, I'm not obliged to write a stage script, rather a script for screen, which is kinda my thing, cos I get to write the story... as a story- hence imagining it as a movie- and then would transform it into script format.

Yippee... case solved hehe

Well, at least I went through the trouble of finding a suitable pic for my post... Who other than Tuxedo Mask (from Sailor Moon) would better serve the purpose *batting her eyelashes*

Today at the Short Story Workshop, we practiced writing in 1st, 2nd and 3rd person narrative. 3rd is great and a piece of cake. 1st is something of a challenge but is tolerable. 2nd... mmmmbbaa. lol quite out of the ordinary I must say. Never done it before, unless within dialogue.

NB: for those who are unfamiliar with this:

1st person: is when the main character is the narrator "I said... I did..."

2nd person: is when the narrator is indicating YOU lol "you ate your breakfast...etc"

3rd person: is when the narrator is the viewer of events, the one looking over the characters shoulder if I may say "he said... she said..."

Later after that, we went to our main building screen room to watch a documentary about two British citizens who carried out a bombing attack in Telaviv back in 2004. Shocking I must say. My program manager is one of the researchers on the case for the documentary, and we held a discussion about it.


Well packed day... and a rainy one too ^_^ beautiful weather when it's raining... I tend to feel better.... and calm.


Loads of writing to do.. and loads of stuff to start reading about (if you know what I'm sayin' ) lol


Till next time ;)

L' automne

Fall is Here


Helen H. Moore


Fall is here.
Another year
is coming to an end.
Summer's finished,
Summer's gone,
Winter's round the bend


Fall has come past me for years and years now, yet, I never seemed to think about it much.

I guess the only thing that I ever encounter during this season is the fact that winter is drawing near... winter is my favorite month... it's when snow falls... even though not in most countries, but it snows in my head and it fills me with joy.

Now, Fall. Hmmm... Fall is beautiful. We can say loads of stuff about this time of year: colors of trees, the rustling wind through the flailing leaves, the rainy mornings and misty nights... It is a grey month... but grey's not bad. At least it's not black! Who would want that?

It was sooo windy today outside. I couldn't go out...wasn't really inviting (plus I had loads of stuff to do...) but a thought popped into my head.

Although the majority of regions around the world go through the same season with every coming months... it struck me as to how we are all united in witnessing the same change in climate. Just like Ramadan and Muslims... except this one has a wider range... it includes millions and millions...

And it's not just us humans... it's all the creatures around us... they get ready to hybernate... such a busy season...


Sub7an Allah...

Isn't it beautiful that most of the world starts school in this season? How many of you thought about that? How many things could you think of that integrates us without us knowing so?


Wow!!

Autumn


Charlotte L. Riser


When the trees their summer splendor
Change to raiment red and gold,
When the summer moon turns mellow,
And the nights are getting cold;
When the squirrels hide their acorns,
And the woodchucks disappear;
Then we know that it is autumn,
Loveliest season of the year.



What's your favorite season? ^_^


Till next time ;)

Big Girls Don't Cry...

I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I

We've got some straightenin' out to do

And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry

Fergie-Big Girls Don't Cry


Yesterday, my folks headed back home. We all got up early (not my cup of tea...lol) and went to the train station, from where they'd taken the train to the airport in Manchester. And they left at 8:55 am...

I must go along...

I went to a cafe to have a decent breakfast, cos earlier I couldn't eat anything. Then I decided to head back home... wasn't a good idea. They had rented the apartment beneath mine, and the moment I set foot into the building... no comment.

So, I ran upstairs, grabbed my homework and laptop and headed to the University. I sat in the Grand Hall and did some of my homework... watching from time to time the passers by, wondering what makes them happy in their lonliness...

It's time to be a big girl now...

I know we're not used to be living so far apart for a long time... but their visit sure filled my life once again. I had someone to talk to for real. I had a brother to joke with (fist fight when neccessary lol)a mother to guide me through my life here... a father to push me harder ahead... a family.


Clairty, peace, serenity

Well, I'm glad they're home safely now and will be getting on with their lives... and so will I. Of course I'm listening to Big Girls Don't Cry as I write this.

But it's time for me to go home...It's getting late, dark outside...I need to be with myself

Julia called me later yesterday afternoon (she knew they were leaving, we spent the evening as a whole the night before and my folks met her husband) and suggested that we go out to a cafe (the usual lol). I'm so blessed with friends like her. You know, the type that would know you're distressed and would do stuff to get you out of it? yup, that's her.

And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry


Till next time ;)

She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain ...

School's back...

It is for most people out there. Our dear school students at their various stages; the ones at college heading for yet another year; teachers preparing for lectures etc...

Me?


Well, it's all just started ! lol




NB: Surely, ignore the fact that I should be asleep by now!!

I started yesterday, as in Monday the 28th. Last week was induction week, where we had general meetings about the program and what not, in addition to a lovely international student lunch.

Settling down wasn't that hard. Or maybe that's what I think... for now. I am the only Arab and muslim in my group of about 20 MA students(99.9% of which are English!) The problem I'm facing, basically, is the fact that their Yorkshire accent is nowhere near comprehensive ... pain... in... head. But they're very nice and friendly... so I have nothing to complain about.

I take writing for stage and screen as one of my optional modules (something which I never even dreamed of taking in my life!)And the tutor's in the habit of moving about the class in a dramatic fashion (I'm assuming unintentional, as it seems a matter of habit lol) with an occassional wriggle of his brows, and devlish glare when emphasizing a point. A masterpiece hhhh.

Today was Short story workshop. I simply loved it! I'm completely familiar with the narrating game where someone starts off a story by writing the first sentence and then another person adds on to it, as a result, a short story- not neccessarily sound, is born! Except our tutor took a different approach and asked us to do it orally...

Yikes!!

lol so he started off by one student then suddenly jumped to another and another etc. It was fabulous and we had a hell of a laugh.

That's about school... now family!

I know I haven't posted since Eid, but as you know, my folks are here and we've been going out and about. Our latest was a weekend in London woohoo (well... semi-woohoo, cos I got a cold from the AC on the road *sniff cough* and I'm still stuck with it!)

It was a fabulous trip and I'm glad we went as a whole. Can you imagine, almost 31 years ago, my parents came to London for their honeymoon... heheheee ! well, waddya know!

I bought some cool stuff, I promise to show them off here... LOL jk heehee

Boohoo ... my family are leaving this Thursday... sucks.

But they promised to be back for Eid Uladh'ha.. Inshallah ^_^

mmmmmm... yup, that's it for now y'all!


Till next time ;)

Ramadan... Day 29

Well... well... well

Seems like it's over already, huh?

Today's the last day in Ramadan... I miss it already *sniff*

So, happy Eid to all Muslims around this tiny planet. I pray to Allah that he will accept all your prayers, efforts, supplication and good deeds Inshallah.

The pic at the beginning of this post was dedicated to me from my dear ol' student in Libya (Fadwa).

My folks arrived to Leeds last Tuesday. Boy was it a relief to finally see them. I haven't seen my Mom and big sis since January!! Except via webcam... but that doesn't count to me :P

My Dad was here with me till February, so I haven't seen him for quite a while as well.

I'm so happy I don't get to spend the day of Eid alone... Al7amdulillah ^_^

My heart and prayers go to all people around the world, who are far from their family and loved ones... to those who are imprisoned in the occupied lands of Palestine... the others who suffer from deprivation of any sort... May Allah grant you peace and patience to go through the days.


Salam to all my friends and beloved family and relatives in Libya.

All my love to my dearest, best friend Lila in Switzerland * I miss yooouuuu *



To my dear blog-pals... all respect and appreciation, and heartfelt dedications on this special occassion.


Till next time';)

Ramadan... Day 22

lol ^_^ oops sorry part of it got cut off

"Do you, Jason, take Karyn to have and to hold, to E-mail and fax, to page and beep, until death do you part?"

Ramadan... Day 21

"When your serenity is through..."









Hello again my good people

The weather was fine today. I had to fax some papers back home so I went out with my brother. I met with Julia later on, and was glad that she wanted to look for an outfit, cos I was particularly aimless as to where I wanted to go.

This part of my sequel focuses on how many of us males or females could be led nowhere on the road to marriage if not directed to the right way. This can be by taking your hand, giving you a word of wisdom... helping by any means. There are times when even the wisest fail to assist others... and that's where the real loss is... and exactly what happened to me once upon a time. I'm glad to have been blessed to share this with others here... lest my experience be of any use to anyone out there.

Note: perhaps this part might not be clear or its morals hidden... but I had no other way of telling it, and this is how it went

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Confessing an Experience # Part 2


Year four commenced and I was in a hell of a condition.

There was the fear of going out, the fear of seeing people and them seeing me. It was like: "GASP! Sparkle you look terrible!" etc

I was pale and thin... and felt that every gust of wind would blow me away.
One day, I get a message from my Dad's cousin and she asked me to contact her as soon as possible. I called her...

Her: I know we've never been engaged in serious conversation before, or even know each other well, but I have a question for you.

Me: Ooo-ka-y...

Her: Do you find yourself ready to for marriage?

*crash clunk boing*

Me (after collecting myself): urm...I... ah... I dunno...

Her (barely waiting for my response): Surely you want to know who it is, right?

Silence

Her: It's Ahmed (another cousin of my Dad's) and he wants to know what do you think?

We talked a little but a short while later, someone came in and I had to cut it short, telling her that I'd first have to inform my family and see what will happen.

*****

At first, I said that to buy time... coz I didn't know what to answer her, and the only logic response I've grown aware of was: "I need to discuss this with my family first." They say that's how a girl would show her self-esteem. If she gave her response immediately, then she's regarded as 'too obvious' and can't wait to get married! Ok, I don't wanna dwell on that any further.

Moving on...

My mom wasn't at home. She was in our home town which was two hours' drive from the town where we lived, coz my Grandad was very ill... I couldn't tell my Dad, naturally.

Days pass and I inform her. I get no real reaction generally, but I let it slide as I didn't know whether this was going to take place anyway.

A few months pass and we hear nothing of the topic. I try to cope with my health and studies. Days after Eid el Adha, news spread in my home town... my cousins come for a visit and keep asking me: "Is it true Ahmed's asked for your hand?"

I had to deny, coz there still was no official word or even correspondence from him or his family.

Fourth year comes to an end...rumours spreading like fire... and still nothing.

That summer, our phone rings, I answer... it's him. My heart freezes. He asks for my Dad. He's not available. He hangs up... he does not know that it was me... or maybe he knew.

I only saw him twice in my whole life, and I think the same goes for him.

Another day, the phone rings... I answer (yeah, I know, it seems to ring whenever I pass by!) Ahmed's sister asks for me.

Me: Hi it's me.
Her: I'm sure you've been told about this and that... what do you think?
Me (sweating all over): Um... er... oh what can I say.
Her: Listen we didn't want to ask your family coz we wanted to know what you think first. You're the one in question here and your opinion is what we need.

silence...

Her: so...?
Me: Listen... I don't think I'm ready for this...(Yeah, that's what I said...)
Her: Meaning...?
Me: I'm still not sure about getting married
(Like say that to your Granma and she'll blow your head off)

lol

At that moment I felt a lot of pressure on me and I didn't know what to do. The phone call ended at that... surely she thought I was some kinda freak to reply like that. I never knew.

When I told Mom, she almost yelled at me. And I was like... Wha..?

Mom: How can you say something like that?

Ok, that's when the story gets confusing. When I first told my family no one gave me their opinion, good or bad. And that's what killed me. I had to have some kinda basis to my decision making... I had none.

Me: Mom, he's Dad's cousin he's supposed to know about him more than I do. What does he think?

Mom: He hardly knows him

(Ahmed's like 20 or 30 years younger than Dad... so that's probably why... or maybe I don't know)

So, whomever I ask and turn to, give me no direct response to my inquiry... It was all so strange... it was like I was asking for the secret of the universe!

One day, his Dad called mine and it was an official call.

Hearts beating... I was informed and asked to think about it. I prayed Istikharah... and decided to go for it, all the time repeating:

اذا كان في الأمر خير لي فقربه مني واذا كان فيه شر لي فبعده عني

Translation: If this matter is for my own good then let it be, if not, keep it away from me

(not totally literal but bears the meaning)


I agreed. Dad called Ahmed and asked him to arrange a time when he could come to our house to meet me face to face and get to know each other. Circumstances fell between him and that and his job had him all busy.

Word spread around my universe. Some said that I had had a family engagement party. Others started planning what to wear for my wedding... lol ... yeah, talk about being hyper!

I spent most of the summer without sleep. One week a cousin of mine came to stay for a few days, her sole ambition was to prep me up for the wedding (the one that still wasn't planned nor even arranged for) She said: "I am here to make sure you eat well. And you need to start hair treatment and stay out of the sun from now on!" And I was like, why did she make me feel hideous!? lol

Dad booked a chalet by the sea and she came along (my cousin). She refused to let me go out in the sun rofl... I told her I wouldn't go there even if I weren't to be wed... I'd immediately faint if I did so, plus I couldn't go swimming wither.. *sniff sniff*

Days passed... my cousin went back to her home... and there was no sign of him.

By the end of the summer, I had been bombarded with phone calls and inquiries about the wedding date... And I was like, there wasn't an engagement in the first place!
I had grown frustrated and my family started to feel manipulated with. And I totally agreed.

Rumours.

1) He didn't want to proceed with it all coz he felt that I was hesitant from the start.

2) His family didn't want to do anything till the rumours die out and they'd manage things discretely.

3) He had someone else in mind... he was somehow forced into this. Others said, she's the one who was messing with his mind.

4) I'm too picky and no one appeals to me.

5) some hated the idea that I marry before my other two sisters (older than me)

I'm sure there was more, but now, I just don't wanna dig them up.

By that time, I had grown indifferent to the case, and decided to let it slide and get on with my life. I had a career to get on with that year... and I dedicated myself to teaching English as a second language.

He never called, and never came. A few months back, I heard that he was engaged to the one I was told he wanted in the first place, but I never heard of any wedding plans... and I couldn't care less.


Case closed.



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