The Not So Usual
Sunday, February 01, 2009
It's been a long time since I last updated.. I haven't been feeling very chatty and not much was happening (other than few fights, and a fall on the stairs, and well, my lips swelled very badly.. but that's the usual!).
Last week, the spring break started, but this year is different in that the mid-year exams will be after the break for our college and few other colleges, which means I'll have to spend most of the so-called-break studying.
I've been planning to start studying on Thursday, two days ago, but I caught the flu and had fever, and well, I thought I was going to die.. but here I am writing a post, and obviously, alive! (I know that I will eventually die but that's not the point!) I'm still not fully recovered though.
I wish I can get myself to be more serious about studying, but being 15 days from now, it's actually not very easy.
Last week was a busy week, we went to Erbil with my uncle and my aunt's families, we visited many houses in Mosul, and attended a wedding where I met many friends..
Erbil was nice, clean and relatively advanced.. We had much fun and I LOVED the food.
I bought a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ18 from Erbil. I've been reading and educating myself about photography ever since but I'm going to have to switch my attention to studying now..
The day before yesterday a car bomb exploded close to our house, but we were warned and expected it so there were little damages (a single window). No human losses in the neighborhood, thank God.
Oh, I almost forgot what this post was supposed to be about :)
Yesterday I finally got to vote on something without having a fight (that something being Ninevah's Provincial Council's Elections). I was feeling dizzy, and it pretty much felt like going to an exam without studying, and I proved quite dumb at the voting room: I was about to put my ID in the voting box instead of the voting card, I didn't know which finger to put in the ink pot, and finally, I almost took the voting pen home! but I FINALLY DID IT and voted! Now I have a violet finger and it shocks me every time I see it, until I remember..
Problem is, there has to be a closure.. and wish me luck is the easiest.. so..
WISH ME LUCK!
Last week, the spring break started, but this year is different in that the mid-year exams will be after the break for our college and few other colleges, which means I'll have to spend most of the so-called-break studying.
I've been planning to start studying on Thursday, two days ago, but I caught the flu and had fever, and well, I thought I was going to die.. but here I am writing a post, and obviously, alive! (I know that I will eventually die but that's not the point!) I'm still not fully recovered though.
I wish I can get myself to be more serious about studying, but being 15 days from now, it's actually not very easy.
Last week was a busy week, we went to Erbil with my uncle and my aunt's families, we visited many houses in Mosul, and attended a wedding where I met many friends..
Erbil was nice, clean and relatively advanced.. We had much fun and I LOVED the food.
I bought a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ18 from Erbil. I've been reading and educating myself about photography ever since but I'm going to have to switch my attention to studying now..
The day before yesterday a car bomb exploded close to our house, but we were warned and expected it so there were little damages (a single window). No human losses in the neighborhood, thank God.
Oh, I almost forgot what this post was supposed to be about :)
Yesterday I finally got to vote on something without having a fight (that something being Ninevah's Provincial Council's Elections). I was feeling dizzy, and it pretty much felt like going to an exam without studying, and I proved quite dumb at the voting room: I was about to put my ID in the voting box instead of the voting card, I didn't know which finger to put in the ink pot, and finally, I almost took the voting pen home! but I FINALLY DID IT and voted! Now I have a violet finger and it shocks me every time I see it, until I remember..
Problem is, there has to be a closure.. and wish me luck is the easiest.. so..
WISH ME LUCK!
posted by Najma at 4:44 PM, | 
30 Comments:
Salamat wa inshallah a full and speedy recovery. :)
I wish you well but since you were warned about the car bomb, may I ask whom it was intended to injure and didn't they deserve a warning as well?
Good luck. I linked to your blog from mine long, long ago it seems and then it was never updated! I am pleased to randomly visit after so long and see you alive and well and still blogging away. Another Iraqi blog ended on a much sadder note when the family moved to Syria apparently never to return. I always wondered what happened to that other girl. ...
It's good to hear from you, Najma! I am glad you are feeling better. And congratulations on your purple finger!
Good Luck Najma!
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Good for you and the voting too.
Take care of yourself.
Allen
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Good for you and the voting too.
Take care of yourself.
Allen
Violet,
Luck does work.. God makes it work ;)
Some people look young.. The worker is just a good judge of age.
I'm sure I left no doubt it was my first time.. and it needs no visit to the judge! LOL
Bookish,
Almost there.. :) Thanks.
My friend,
As I didn't get to talk with the car owner, I obviously don't know who it was intended to injure. We were warned by the police, that's their job.
Here's how it goes.. A strange car is reported, the police come and try to find the owner, if they have no luck, they have no choice but make it explode, lest it would explode by itself and surprise them. They warn the neighbors and DOOM! Now comes my part, sweep!
#6,
That other girl is one brilliant blogger. She has the right to live in safety, but I wish she'd return to a safe and stable Iraq one day.
John,
My purple finger refuses to come clean again.. I think it likes the color!
Allen,
Good :) Thanks for the prayers.
You take care too..
Luck does work.. God makes it work ;)
Some people look young.. The worker is just a good judge of age.
I'm sure I left no doubt it was my first time.. and it needs no visit to the judge! LOL
Bookish,
Almost there.. :) Thanks.
My friend,
As I didn't get to talk with the car owner, I obviously don't know who it was intended to injure. We were warned by the police, that's their job.
Here's how it goes.. A strange car is reported, the police come and try to find the owner, if they have no luck, they have no choice but make it explode, lest it would explode by itself and surprise them. They warn the neighbors and DOOM! Now comes my part, sweep!
#6,
That other girl is one brilliant blogger. She has the right to live in safety, but I wish she'd return to a safe and stable Iraq one day.
John,
My purple finger refuses to come clean again.. I think it likes the color!
Allen,
Good :) Thanks for the prayers.
You take care too..
hhh, I liked " it needs no visit to the judge":D
I hope you are getting better sis:)
BTW, you haven't answered my question i left on my post :D
I hope you are getting better sis:)
BTW, you haven't answered my question i left on my post :D
Glad you got to vote, and I hope voting makes things better!
Wishing you good luck on your exams. I think you will do fine.
Wishing you good luck on your exams. I think you will do fine.
Hope you're feeling better now. Also congrats on voting. When you have a moment, please click thru to my blog--I want you to know I appreciate you.
i am glad you are feeling better. i had a horrible flu for two whole weeks!
i'm wishing voting in mosel sorts itself out in a positive way! good luck
i'm wishing voting in mosel sorts itself out in a positive way! good luck
congratulations on voting!!!!
I'm looking forward to seeing your photos. :D, and good luck on revision and studying..it seems like it will neevr end, but only a few more months until the summer holiday. :D
Best wishes, and love
:)
I'm looking forward to seeing your photos. :D, and good luck on revision and studying..it seems like it will neevr end, but only a few more months until the summer holiday. :D
Best wishes, and love
:)
Violet,
I'm still in the transient mode.. almost fully recovered.
And the question's long been answered and expired now :)
Dancewater,
If voting makes anything better, I'd go vote every day! :)
I want to do GREAT!
Laura,
I appreciate you too.. I didn't know there was a blogger appreciation day! :)
Annie,
Thanks!
Thank God my flu didn't last long.. it was not a pleasant experience.
Touta, or let me call you Sindbad!
I stop following the blog for few days and then find you in London! I am too lazy to follow the sudden changes of your life :D
The summer break, wa ma adraka mal samar break ;)
I have training, a graduation project, a trip to Turkey/Mecca, a TOEFL test, and lots and lots inshallah :)
Much love, :)
I'm still in the transient mode.. almost fully recovered.
And the question's long been answered and expired now :)
Dancewater,
If voting makes anything better, I'd go vote every day! :)
I want to do GREAT!
Laura,
I appreciate you too.. I didn't know there was a blogger appreciation day! :)
Annie,
Thanks!
Thank God my flu didn't last long.. it was not a pleasant experience.
Touta, or let me call you Sindbad!
I stop following the blog for few days and then find you in London! I am too lazy to follow the sudden changes of your life :D
The summer break, wa ma adraka mal samar break ;)
I have training, a graduation project, a trip to Turkey/Mecca, a TOEFL test, and lots and lots inshallah :)
Much love, :)
I have a Panasonic DMC-LZ10, which is similar, and I find if you just leave it on "Intelligent Auto" (iA on the dial) it takes a good picture almost every time. It does need to be given time to focus - if you rush the camera, it can take an out-of-focus shot.
I have started experimenting with the bracketing option for very contrasty scenes. To get there, you set it to P on the dial, press the +/- twice, and set the spread with the left button. It then takes 3 different exposures - one will be right.
I hope you got a large memory card and some spare rechargeable batteries.
I have started experimenting with the bracketing option for very contrasty scenes. To get there, you set it to P on the dial, press the +/- twice, and set the spread with the left button. It then takes 3 different exposures - one will be right.
I hope you got a large memory card and some spare rechargeable batteries.
Thank God you are almost fully recovered:).
BTW,one answer has been expired but ,the other has been not. "the matter of brothers" If it's the same answer I will stop making any more questions:D
with love
BTW,one answer has been expired but ,the other has been not. "the matter of brothers" If it's the same answer I will stop making any more questions:D
with love
I went to look at your Flickr page. The goldfish shots are really very good.
Don Cox,
I use iA mode when I don't have time and can't afford to try again. Otherwise, I like to experiment and use the Manual and the other semi-manual modes so I can have more flexibility and a better understanding of how everything works.
I use autobracketing to get differently exposed photos that I can blend later using Photomatix to get a High Dynamic Range (HDR) photo. Fun stuff!
I'm going to start experimenting with RAW format but I have to get the exams off the way first :)
I still haven't got any accessories.. I'm stuck home studying and my parents haven't had the time to take me to some shops. I want about 4GB memory.. I'll leave the spare battery for the vacation.
I'm glad you liked the gold fish shot. I got lucky, didn't expect this to happen.
Violet,
I didn't notice another question :)
I knew your sister had a brother but I didn't know if you had one :D It IS the same answer.
You're welcome to ask any questions..
I use iA mode when I don't have time and can't afford to try again. Otherwise, I like to experiment and use the Manual and the other semi-manual modes so I can have more flexibility and a better understanding of how everything works.
I use autobracketing to get differently exposed photos that I can blend later using Photomatix to get a High Dynamic Range (HDR) photo. Fun stuff!
I'm going to start experimenting with RAW format but I have to get the exams off the way first :)
I still haven't got any accessories.. I'm stuck home studying and my parents haven't had the time to take me to some shops. I want about 4GB memory.. I'll leave the spare battery for the vacation.
I'm glad you liked the gold fish shot. I got lucky, didn't expect this to happen.
Violet,
I didn't notice another question :)
I knew your sister had a brother but I didn't know if you had one :D It IS the same answer.
You're welcome to ask any questions..
Why would they warn you of a car bomb? Did the police find it or did the person who planted it there warn you? That seems odd!
Hi Najma,
Congratulations on voting for the first time! I hope the people elected will do good things!
Good luck with your mid-year exams!
Sorry to hear that you were sick. I'm glad you feel alive again. :)
Congratulations on voting for the first time! I hope the people elected will do good things!
Good luck with your mid-year exams!
Sorry to hear that you were sick. I'm glad you feel alive again. :)
Keep smiling, Najma -- better days are coming for you. I loved your Flickr photos!
San Antonio Cicily,
I'll repeat what I said above:
We were warned by the police, that's their job.
Here's how it goes.. A strange car is reported, the police come and try to find the owner, if they have no luck, they have no choice but make it explode, lest it would explode by itself and surprise them. They warn the neighbors and DOOM! Now comes my part, sweep!
David,
I too hope the people elected will not disappoint us.. I have hope that they will do a good job.
I just want to get over with the exams.. THEN, I'll feel alive!
John,
I'm very glad you liked the photos. If you have a flickr account, I can add you as a friend and you'll have the pleasure of seeing some secretly uploaded photos of Aya and Ayman :)
I'll repeat what I said above:
We were warned by the police, that's their job.
Here's how it goes.. A strange car is reported, the police come and try to find the owner, if they have no luck, they have no choice but make it explode, lest it would explode by itself and surprise them. They warn the neighbors and DOOM! Now comes my part, sweep!
David,
I too hope the people elected will not disappoint us.. I have hope that they will do a good job.
I just want to get over with the exams.. THEN, I'll feel alive!
John,
I'm very glad you liked the photos. If you have a flickr account, I can add you as a friend and you'll have the pleasure of seeing some secretly uploaded photos of Aya and Ayman :)
Salaam NajMa,I pray that Allah grants you fast recovery, inshaallaah,, happy to hear that you participate in the election in musul, but I have a question there is allot of complain voters in musul complain from missing election pen !! I must call 130 :)) Inshaaallaah the list that you select it the winner list?? ...
Salaaam
Salaaam
Dear Najma,
My name is Sarah and I attend the University of Vermont in the USA. I am currently taking a class entitled Gender in the Middle East and find your blog both enlightening and fascinating. I was enjoyed reading about your voting experience seeing as I am also young and rather new to the idea of making a personal impact within the arena of politics. The car bombing incident was shocking to me. I cannot imagine that happening around me here and while I am not ignorant of such things, it seemed more tangible to me after reading your blog. I am interested in your experience as a woman in college in Iraq. You have commented on how the men have ignored you and I am wondering what the ratio of men to women is in your classes? Also, are there certain majors or areas of studies that women take more than men, or are certain subjects easier for women to excel in than others, particularly for social reasons? Sorry for the lengthy response, but I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you and take care
My name is Sarah and I attend the University of Vermont in the USA. I am currently taking a class entitled Gender in the Middle East and find your blog both enlightening and fascinating. I was enjoyed reading about your voting experience seeing as I am also young and rather new to the idea of making a personal impact within the arena of politics. The car bombing incident was shocking to me. I cannot imagine that happening around me here and while I am not ignorant of such things, it seemed more tangible to me after reading your blog. I am interested in your experience as a woman in college in Iraq. You have commented on how the men have ignored you and I am wondering what the ratio of men to women is in your classes? Also, are there certain majors or areas of studies that women take more than men, or are certain subjects easier for women to excel in than others, particularly for social reasons? Sorry for the lengthy response, but I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you and take care
Mohammed,
I've returned the pen, do not worry yourself :)
Yes, actually, they did win.. and I have hope for change inshallah. GOOD CHANGE!
Sarah,
I have exams starting on the 16th and ending on the 26th.. then I'll be glad to answer your questions.
I can't reply right now.
I've returned the pen, do not worry yourself :)
Yes, actually, they did win.. and I have hope for change inshallah. GOOD CHANGE!
Sarah,
I have exams starting on the 16th and ending on the 26th.. then I'll be glad to answer your questions.
I can't reply right now.
Najma, just discovered your lovely blog, and glad you are feeling better, winter months are the worst for getting bugs all over the world.
Just want to bring up a point about your one sentence, just so you know why the questions.
"The day before yesterday a car bomb exploded close to our house,.."
Only by reading your comment above do we discover that a suspected car was blown up, this is much different.
This makes your statement inaccurate and can be misleading to your reader.
In the fact that: a) there was a warning and b) it was the police who warned and conducted the action required by their mandate.
Had that car been discovered to have contained an explosive devise, then your could have stated:
Car bomb went off in my neighbourhood, but under controlled conditions. Or something to this effect.
See what I mean?
I don't mean to criticize just wanted to point it out since a couple of readers asked.
Stay well and all the best on your upcoming exams.
Just want to bring up a point about your one sentence, just so you know why the questions.
"The day before yesterday a car bomb exploded close to our house,.."
Only by reading your comment above do we discover that a suspected car was blown up, this is much different.
This makes your statement inaccurate and can be misleading to your reader.
In the fact that: a) there was a warning and b) it was the police who warned and conducted the action required by their mandate.
Had that car been discovered to have contained an explosive devise, then your could have stated:
Car bomb went off in my neighbourhood, but under controlled conditions. Or something to this effect.
See what I mean?
I don't mean to criticize just wanted to point it out since a couple of readers asked.
Stay well and all the best on your upcoming exams.
good luck on your exams Najma, i am looking forward to a new post from you sometime soon.
I'm glad to see you reply to the comments, so I'll ask some questions: You're far enough along in college to be thinking of what you might do after you graduate. Have your "top 3" ideas changed since you started (assuming you had a top 3...)? What would you like to do? What do you expect to have to do first?
Hope you have lots of fun with the Panasonic. I've had an Olympus C5060ZW for over 4 years (a gift from my company)and can't believe how much more I've been able to do with it than with the good film camera it replaced.
And of course I'll wish you luck and lots of fun, too, as winter turns into spring.
Hope you have lots of fun with the Panasonic. I've had an Olympus C5060ZW for over 4 years (a gift from my company)and can't believe how much more I've been able to do with it than with the good film camera it replaced.
And of course I'll wish you luck and lots of fun, too, as winter turns into spring.
Hi Najma
I've been reading your Blogg from the first day you started.
You do Iraq and Iraqis proud, demonstrating on a daily basis what Iraqis really are all about.
You've come along way with your English and most important your Engineering major.
You are truly a STAR.
I've been reading your Blogg from the first day you started.
You do Iraq and Iraqis proud, demonstrating on a daily basis what Iraqis really are all about.
You've come along way with your English and most important your Engineering major.
You are truly a STAR.
Anon,
Thanks.. I'll try to be more precise next time.
Annie,
It's up there already! ;)
Steve,
What will I do after I graduate? In short, get an MSc, get a PhD and get a life :D
I don't know what I'll do first.. but it's not the PhD!
The one thing that changed is now I think more of working in college than outside.. and live in Iraq rather than outside.
Iraqi,
I appreciate your comment.. thanks a lot.
Thanks.. I'll try to be more precise next time.
Annie,
It's up there already! ;)
Steve,
What will I do after I graduate? In short, get an MSc, get a PhD and get a life :D
I don't know what I'll do first.. but it's not the PhD!
The one thing that changed is now I think more of working in college than outside.. and live in Iraq rather than outside.
Iraqi,
I appreciate your comment.. thanks a lot.
hhh, youn really had fever, the worker there or whatever they call her made a prediction that it it's my first time i'm voting, i don't know how she knew ??!! maybe something is written on my forehead lol.
kind regards