[mood: Appreciated =)]
[craving: An appetite.. I lost it.. anybody seen it around?]

Ever missed an opportunity for something you thought was a chance of a lifetime? Ever felt sour because you didn’t get something you worked so hard to get? People pass through some bad experiences and feel bad about them and just start cursing their bad luck.. but we never actually look at the big picture.. Allah even mentioned it in the Holy Quran:

Though there are many lectures about this.. and we always hear this from the elderly (our parents, grandmothers, teachers…etc) but we take it for granted. We don’t really realize the value of it or appreciate it till we really experience it.. Just when you thought "Darn.. I really should of taken that chance" or "Why didn't they pick me?" or "Uffff.. why is this taking sooo long".. and everything gets dark in your face.. you suddenly see the sun shining again.. and when you least expect it.. an even better opportunity comes up.. making you grateful of not taking the previous opportunities.. and by then you realize.. that God always knows better & is always keeping what's good for you in store till the right time comes up.. it's all just a matter of patience.. & an open mind.. =)

[Final whisper: What goes around.. comes around..]

[mood: Ready.. very]
[craving: The time]

We all have our own dreams.. goals.. wishes.. targets.. & we all keep dreaming on and on about them.. how it would feel like to have them.. & how far-fetched they are from us.. and you always also hear those proverbs and sayings by people who made it.. action plans on how to reach your goals ..etc making it sound so easy.. so idealistic..
Ofcourse the reality is a completely different wake-up call.. the moment you see all the efforts and hard work it would take.. your brain immediately sends a shut-down message and makes it even seem harder than what you really thought.. you feel discouraged and just sigh away..
I won't sit here and lecture about text-book proverbs, give shiny glorious examples of how to reach there.. but I can share one thing that is very real.. and very useful about how to reach your dreams & make them your reality: Always.. always convince yourself its easy.. & doesn't require much.. keep looking at the end result.. not at the long way that gets there.. Its like walking on a rope trying to get to the other side.. the more you concentrate on looking at the other end.. the faster and easier you reach.. the moment you look down at the rope leading there.. you will see how hard it is.. see how high up you are.. feel dizzy.. feel discouraged.. slow down and eventually fall off..

Just wanted to share a little inspiration from my side.. =)

Quick Messages:
-Osama: Thank you so much for the newspaper mention! B) I am famous now.. hehe & you're so sweet.. =)-VOID: Happy be-lated birthday.. sorry for sending the present late.. (>_<")-PinkSushi: Get well soooooon..! *hugglez*-Surrealist: Raincheck!-Banoota & Mai: Good luck for tomorrow! -Naser: Mission accomplished! ;) hehe-MissArmani: Awaiting the sun on Friday! ;) *missing ya*-Na9er, Leena, Gazty, Dave: I read your emails.. I will get back to you soon coz you each need extended replies *gulp*-Rakan-Dubai: What happened to your website? =z-SHMILY: February is round the corner! =D *yaaay*-Prince: continue ruling in your own kingdom away from everyone.. -The Unnamed Ones: I miss you..
That's all for now.. hope everyone enjoyed their break.. I did! =D

[Final whisper: You will always be special.. If only you can see yourself through my eyes..]

[mood: Very very happy]
[craving: A Pause button!]

..and so I really believe! I'm going through one of those times when everything brightens up in your life.. alot of things just pop out from no where and make you happy.. incidents.. people.. opportunities.. It's a time where my life would take a totally different direction.. but surprisingly, and unlike any other time, I am not confused.. Infact just the thought of it makes me feel good all over.. It might still be early.. but you can always see the golden rays before seeing the sun.. ;)
Just felt like sharing a moment of bliss.. el7amdellah 3ala kil shay.. =)

Samsoomah: Thank you for being the greatest supporter on Earth..T: Though I never say it.. & things sometimes get bumpy.. but thank you for being there.. your existence just brings a smile on my face.. (and your psychic powers always amaze me!) lolM&Ms: I know you might not even see this.. but typing it down is a record in history.. Thank you for everything.. you are an angel in disguise.. =)

Before it gets crowded.. 3eedkom emubarak oo 3asakom mn 3awada.. may this Eid be a little extra happier to everyone.. =) *confetti & fireworks*

Does anyone know where I can get books about Graffitti?? I am nearly giving up on trying to find any!Please email me if you know.. thanks! ;)
[Final whisper: Get well soon.. both Samsoomty & Banoota.. *hands you boxes of chocolate & flowers*]

[mood: 1]
[craving: A time machine]

Some useless yet true facts for your weekend:
-The word "queue" is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed. (so I guess the rest of the letters are just queue-ing behind..)
-Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon.(So wonder no more and end your confusion.. now you have a preview of the tempting cuisine =x)
-Of all the words in the English language, the word 'set' has the most definitions!(See this for yourself)
-"Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order, and "Rhythm" is the longest English word without a vowel.(Teachers' pets: find use of this info..)
-A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off!(As if they need to be more creepy! *cringe*)
-The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump!(Less earthquakes)
-Women blink nearly twice as much as men. (Most of the 'blinking' is mistaken with fluttering of the female eyelids for various reasons)
-Honey is the only food that does not spoil. Honey found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs has been tasted by archaeologists and found edible.(Sweet!)
-Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a "Friday the 13th." (Gotta go check the calender..)
-Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.(Imagine how much eyeshadow that would need.. =P)
-The placement of a donkey's eyes in its' heads enables it to see all four feet at all times!(Talk about a FULL view!)
-Some worms will eat themselves if they can't find any food!(Self-hannibal-ism)
-Dolphins sleep with one eye open!(They don't miss a moment in their lives! *wink..wink*)
-It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. (Kids: Do not attempt this at home)
-The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds.(haha.. you go chicks!)
-Queen Elizabeth I regarded herself as a paragon of cleanliness. She declared that she bathed once every three months, whether she needed it or not.(no comment =x )
-Slugs have 4 noses.(No wonder they leave all that slime behind.. excess mucus)
-Owls are the only birds who can see the colour blue.(that’s why they always seem to be ‘blue’)
-A man named Charles Osborne had the hiccups for 69 years!(Maybe his hiccups just grew too old and died after 69th age?!)

Anyone want Gmail? Got a few spare invites left..

[Final whisper: My wallet shall go on a diet..]

[mood: Low battery]
[craving: Apple crumble!]

Introducing Apple Crumble submitted by Mai *thanx gurl*, implemented by me.. ;P (with slight modifications) and added in the Especially 4 Guys cooking section.. Check it out.. its super-highly recommended! =D

Also thanks to Mai again for sharing this cute photo:

Yes it's all about Mai.. 3ady she deserves even more.. *hugs* ;)

[Final whisper: I am missing alot of people.. They all know who they are!]

[mood: workaholic]
[craving: water]
On the first day of 2005, my family and I went for a one-day BBQ trip somewhere outside Al-Ain, beginning Oman, specifically in a town called Mohadha.. the weather was amazing and the place was just breath-taking.. I don't feel like talking much so here are some photos from the trip..

This weekend is flooded with plans for me.. oh boy.. this is one super busy week! *sigh*
[Final whisper: Links updated again!]

[mood: Sleepy]
[craving: Change]
As I was flicking through Al-Khaleej newspaper yesterday, I found this little article about an egyptian guy who had the first new-born of 2005 in Egypt:

As you can see, out of all the names, he chose to name her "Maa Sha' Allah".. because she was a gift from God.. My friends and I were discussing this yesterday.. and just imagining how this girl would go through living her life with a commonly-used phrase as a name.. =/

All babies are gifts from God.. and just because parents happen to want to be 'creative' in naming them, doesn't mean that the baby lacks the right in having a proper name! The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said that parents must name their children with proper names, ones which won't let people make fun of them..

I can also think of many.. maaany other names that were always the source of jokes amongst people.. This was once a topic of discussion in AD Radio and I happen to listen, one incident was of a teacher calling the radio.. talking about how one of her students was suffering from her name.. She was called "Sa3adet".. (which means his highness).. and when they asked her dad why he called her that, he simply and proudly said that so everytime they would call her full name.. it would be like mentioning him in a royal manner "Sa3adet Flan el-Flanny".. =x

Enough said.. off to work.. next update: PACKED with photos.. ;)

[Final whisper: Links: Updated]

[mood: Hungry]
[craving: A movie]

Yesterday was the last day of 2004, and yes it was one of the longest, most action-packed, weirdest years of my life.. I learnt & gained alot of experiences throughout it.. I had alot of ups as well as many downs.. I met alot of new special people.. and lost others too.. I discovered how to see the 'real' faces of those around me.. & try to be in others' shoes.. It was a tough year.. and I already learned all the lessons.. I packed the good stuff with me and won't be looking back ever again..
This year:1) I will appreciate myself more.. as well as those who deserve it.. 2) Continue giving more than receiving.. (I hate maths anyways.. who says the equation must balance!)3) Go professional in my other fields.. (Its time to shine gurl) B)4) Be more organized & punctual.. (I always say this.. it sounds nice.. ok ok I will be inshallah this year)5) Wear others' shoes more often & try understand them.. (My size is your size.. ALWAYS) =P6) Change is fun.. continue doing it.. =D7) The grass is NOT greener on the other side.. infact my grass is the greenest.. continue taking care of it!8) Meet old friends to renew relationships.. check on existing friends.. and meet new ones.. the more.. the merrier.. ;)9) Good things come to those who wait.. patience is a virtue.. (post-it note in brain)10) Finally.. face my fears.. accept failures and worry less.. after all there is just one God who is superior to all.. keep faith strong.. and I shall be fine.. =)
Enough new year resolutioning.. =P How do you have a fun-filled, laughter-packed, amazing end-of-the-year day? Spend a day with Samsoomah and Pink Sushi!! ;)

One unforgettable day.. with 2 unforgettable people.. *hugs*
p.s. Happy Birthday Keka.. you are being missed.. Hope it's special.. =)
p.p.s. Shiokaze: UNDELETE.. UNNNDELETE!! *ultra-hot, red laser rays* lol
[Final whisper: T.. #12 yes.. PBM next time.. ;)]