Lessons from my grandmother

My grandmother is one of my role models.

She has taught me many things. The most important of these I learned by observation.

My grandmother is/was a true Emirati bedouin. People of the desert. Unlike my grandfather, who belonged to the sea-faring folk. Later to be called "the civil". She did not always belong. Yet she made the most of her new environment. She adapted, she learned, but still she defines herself as a member of "the people of the desert".


There are many people to this day who belong to the family and the community who don't really like her. From what I've overheard from my mother and aunt, they are rude and despicable. How very civil indeed! (sarcasm intended).


Still. No matter what they say or do. My grandmother is gracious and hospitable. She is kind, and she never responds to their wrongdoings.


Now THAT is inspiring. Something a lot of people strive to achieve but very few actually do. To treat others as you would like to be treated. To be nice to people not because they are, but because you are.


This could be the greatest lesson I have ever learned from my grandmother. Perhaps my whole family even.

Can't stop listening to: حبيبتي مرت على بالي

Wise Words: Thomas Szasz on Forgiveness

" The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget" 

Thomas Szasz (1920 - present) - psychiatrist, academic, 1979 humanist of the year

He's right! You know what they say; forgive your enemy but never forget their name! I think the meaning behind this is to never really trust that person again. Be nice and civil, but be wary of them.



I'M LOVING: Mara Hoffman Fall 2011 Presentation

The geometric prints. The ethinic jewellry. The sheilas (veils). The knits. The braided fabric. The sunglasses. The braided hair. The tassles. The turbans. Especially the turbans!

I'm loving the vibe, the look, and the feel of this collection.
                                                   

picture source: Zimbio

H's surprise party in pictures

Quick shopping trip at DCC - It changed so much I got lost there!

At Panini, Grand Hyatt to pick up the cake

The bellboy who helped with my bag - thank you!

Getting ready with H - she didn't know there was a party

Post-Surprise - cutting the cake

This made me smile!

The National Geographic brings Up into life. They created a real-life version of the house lifted into the air by balloons.

picture credit: The Symphony Style File

picture from the animated movie Up

TED: Seth Godin on Standing Out

LOVEMARKS: Arab Countries

I am currently reading Kevin Robert's book "Lovemarks: The future beyond brands". It was a special gift from my uncle among other books by Kevin Roberts.

I think I'll be posting ideas and thoughts on what I read here on the blog every once in a while.

Here's what I found interesting from the first chapter:

"In the Middle East I learned lessons that have been invaluable to me about how to connect with consumers, and how to do it in a place where mass marketing was in its infancy.

I learned to love the poeple. In Arab countries yoy make friends for life. The people were genuine, emotional, family-focused, hospitable. They understood their traditions and the past, and they really understood that they had a completely different future. It was very exciting. There was little resistance to the new because they didn't have much of a present. They had a past and they had a future."

This made my think of what's happening in the Arab world. I think you can substitute the words "Arab countries" with a  specific name of any other Arab country and that thought would be just as true.

Thinking about the UAE I find that it applies perfectly. We know our history, we understand our traditions, we know that the future will be a lot different than that, but what about our present? I don't think that we don't have a present. I think where we are right now the lines between the past, present, and future are blurred. I am not what my grandmother was, I am not what my (future) children will be, but I am the bridge in between.





What do you think?

Changing the World One Shoe Box At a Time

I belong to a university organization in the name of the "Hala Ambassadors". We represent the College of Communication and Media Sciences.

Our most recent projects is collecting what we call "Laborers' Aid Kits." The kit contains basic items that laborers working in the city need. This is your chance to give back to the people who contribute in making Dubai what it is, but  recieve little or no credit.


It starts with a shoe box! Everyone has some old shoe box they don't really use. Use the shoe box to assmeble the aid kit.

Items to include:

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Shampoo/Soap (2 in 1)

Razors

Shaving cream

Deodorant

 Optional item:

T-Shirt - Alternatively you can include a small towel or a cap

2 boxes ready to go!
You can decorate the boxes if you want!

You can ask your family and friends to make aid kits too!

After assembling the aid kit, you can drop it off at Zayed University in Dubai. Here's the link for location: ZU maps

Contact me beforehand so we can arrange it. If any case you can't reach Zayed University, we can figure out alternative ways to collect the boxes. Just leave your email in the comments, or contact me via Twitter ( @AliaAlmidfa).

Make a difference!

DEADLINE: THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2011

WISE WORDS: Steve Martin

"Be so good they can't ignore you." 

- Steve Martin 1945 - present (actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician, composer).

Everyone loves Steve Martin. He's funny! I believe this little piece of advice on making it in show business, is just about useful in anything and everything. No matter who you are and who you want to be or what you're trying to prove: BE GOOD AT IT. I'm making this my new motto! 

I'M LOVING: Sheikha Mozah Al Missned

Sheikha Mozah of Qatar is one my favorite Arab style icons.

She is graceful, classy, smart, and elegant.

She proves that high fashion can go Khaleeji.

I love the way she incorporates the turban with her outfits (I'm crazy about turbans!).  I also like how most of the times her outfits are simple and not fussy. This is especially hard to achieve when you're wearing non-revealing dresses.



Here are some of my favorite Sheikha Mozah looks over the years: