The ramblings of a scattered mind IV

Its no use feeling sorry for yourself, really, you may feel entitled to it for whatever predicament you may find yourself in. But it is by far the most futile bordering on detrimental thing. I don't know i guess its easier thinking that since you already feel down, to push yourself further instead of doing the more difficult thing and snapping out of it; by dealing with the situation even if it is just mentally. Arrange your thoughts and mindset. And sometimes what sucks the most is you cant even feel sad without it affecting another part of your life, i guess everything should be in moderation even sadness and i say that because i never thought of being sad as a bad thing, on some level it must be healthy to occasionally be a little sad, and believe it or not i enjoy my sadness,  But only if it isn't destructive to my well being, i guess..
It's funny you know, sometimes you know exactly how you want things to turn out, some of those things you have control over like the amount of effort put in to achieve them and then there are things that you have no to little control over and all you can do is pray to God to make them happen. For you God, nothing is difficult. I just pray it ends well, i wouldn't exactly say it has been my year. But according to Shakespeare, all's well that ends well. There is still hope, there is always hope. sometimes you just feel tired, of living, of life. Were we just exist, in our mundane daily routines, i never really got it though. How do you live and not exist while still doing the normal things in life like work, or study. I assume it's all a mental thing, controlled by only the mind. It's always in the power of the mind,

This Twitter Thing

I used to think Twitter was really lame and i made it a point to let my friends know exactly how i felt. But recently i started logging into my account more frequently, and slowly slowly began to Tweet, several times each day. Now, i'm hooked, i don't really Tweet about personal things or intricate details of my daily happenings but just the cool thoughts that cross my mind, or cool quotes i've heard, or simply talk to my friends.

I am now making it my personal mission to get more followers, my target for the meantime is 100 followers. Help a sister out and follow me @dina_os

Over and Out.

Brand Sudan

Posted 10 August 2011 by Nicholas Kay | 

If Sudan were recruiting a marketing manager I wonder how many people would apply. Tough place. Tough job. Sudanese are legendary for their hospitality, gentle manners and erudition. Sudan, on the other hand is synonymous with war, atrocities, poverty and political repression. This disconnect between the essential nature of its people and its reputation as a state poses a marketing challenge.

It also makes the life of a diplomat hard. How do you interpret for your capital recent events? Did, for example, a delay in evacuating wounded Ethiopian peace-keepers contribute to their deaths and if so, what was the role of the Government of Sudan? How do you explain the ferocious response to the recent renewal of the mandate for the UN and African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the increasing obstacles Khartoum puts in the way of UN missions here? And what should we make of the continuing refusal to allow humanitarian access to Southern Kordofan and, above all, an independent investigation of allegations of serious human rights abuses there?

Readers of this blog react differently to my views. One local newspaper has called for my expulsion. Another merely recommended a long holiday. While a foreign expert has accused me of being an apologist for the Government of Sudan, a fool and a disgrace to British diplomacy. I don’t write to please. I write because I know there is a real interest within Sudan (and perhaps more widely) in knowing what an Ambassador to their country thinks. An Ambassador has a duty to foster better understanding between two states. Understanding does not always mean agreeing. But it does require a mutual respect. In the end it’s about good communication.

To that end, the UK has enhanced its efforts to engage with Sudan over the last few weeks. We have hosted both Foreign Minister Ali Karti and Presidential Assistant Dr Nafi Ali Nafi in London. Two weeks ago Mr Henry Bellingham, Minister for Africa and the UN at the FCO, visited Sudan. He was the first Minister to come after secession of the South. The symbolism was deliberate. The UK remains committed to a strong and long-term relationship with Sudan. We shall be even-handed in our dealings with the two new countries. We are forward-looking and constructive in our approach. The Minister’s programme reflected this. He witnessed the signing of an agreement between the British Council and the Ministry of Education to develop teacher training for teachers of English; he attended the award ceremony for Chevening scholars selected to do their Masters’ degrees in the UK (twice the number of scholarships than in 2010); and he visited Port Sudan to see the development needs and economic opportunities in a region where the UK has committed to spend millions of pounds in development assistance over the next four years.

The UK’s strategic intent is, I hope, clear. We want to work with a Sudan that puts the interests of its people first. A Sudan in which good education, religious co-existence, access to justice, healthcare and jobs are its hallmark. Some of this depends upon choices to be made within Sudan. It is a choice, for example, whether the national budget for the intelligence service continues to be higher than the budget for education.

But it is also a choice for others who care about Sudan. Relieving the $38bn external debt is largely in others’ hands. Since last September the UK has consistently championed the need for this. Decisions by foreign investors and businesses also matter. They can play a crucial role in boosting economic growth and creating jobs. But will they choose Sudan when there are other markets competing for their investment and business?

My guess is Sudan will have to sell itself better. That brings us back to marketing. Sudan like any brand requires careful packaging and presentation. But, as we all know, success ultimately depends on the quality of the product. Sudan will be judged not by words, but by deeds.

I wish all readers a very happy and peaceful Holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem!

http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/roller/kay/entry/brand_sudan

the hijab

This group i'm on really is quite useless, at least they give me ideas to blog about. I'm Muslim, if it wasn't clear, and i don't like to expose my sins, but i'm somewhat ashamed to say i don't wear a hijab. I'd like to think i dress decently enough especially with the way young women these days are attired..no judgement here, just saying.

Nonetheless, i don't think anyone a man, or a women in hijab can judge one without it. Wearing a hijab does not necessary make you a better women than the next one. Our relationship with God is a personal one. At the same time i in no way defend women who do not wear a hijab, i just can't judge you because i myself am not perfect. Also, the intention of your wearing a hijab is important, for your actions are based on your intentions, and that is something only God and you will know.

When i do wear a hijab, i will wear it with discipline, and modesty. I will not let hijab be something i do, but something that i am. It does not mean necessarily wearing a cloak but so long as your body and shape are covered. I will not wear it for a few months get bored and take it off. When i do it, i want to do it right.

To all the women out there in proper hijab, i have a special respect for you..so long as your doing it for the right reasons and don't put down our religion while you have it on.

Allah yahdina, and may He put us on the right track especially when it's become so hard to hold on to your religion.

fotografía..

I'm not a particularly verbose person. I think that's why I like taking pictures... they speak for themselves-Jeb Dickerson

Nikon D3100, twin lens kit. Need i say more? 18mm-55mm and 55mm-200mm. A perfect start up for the photography enthusiast they say. I agree, a nice DSLR camera with great enough lenses for all your zooming requirements. The only question now is; what should i capture? The answer is anything and everything. There are no limits, not even sky high, not when there are footprints on the moon. For a photographer the world is your paintbrush, your colour, your everything.

The next thing i'd say you need is a really good photo editing program. I'm thinking the latest Adobe Photoshop Elements. Dreams are not cheap and in this case neither are hobbies, so you better start saving your paper. Or if you have willing parents, you better start pleading your case. If you're young enough..

A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into.  ~Ansel Adams

I know having a fancy-ish camera does not making you a photographer, hell even having a camera phone or digital camera can make you a photographer, albeit not a very good one but so long as your photos have soul, then you are..And if your shots earn you money then regardless of your equipment you are a professional photographer.

Why, i like it? It's simple really. A picture says a thousand words, the nice part is it says it without really talking. A picture is a moment in time caught forever, it is a memory saved. Photography teaches you to not only look but to really see the beauty that surrounds you. The way you see things begins to change, you will start to see the splendor of this world in everything, wether it is sad or happy. And that's not something many people consider or thing about when looking at things and objects that seem very normal/average/common.

So, here is to an new soon to be start. If i impress myself, then i'll share it. If not, then some things are not meant to be shared. This is me trying not to oversell. We'll see how it goes.

The ramblings of a scattered mind III

I feel inspired tonight, i just don't know where to put this inspiration, or how to work it. I tend to start of really well and trail off with an ending that is too mediocre..so i have over 20 posts with great starts and no conclusions. It's Ramadan these days, i've had better of the month, but i'll take what i can either way.

New things are happening, and there is a lot to look forward to, stuff i've been waiting for, for weeks are finally around the corner. Right now though i just feel like i'm going through the motions, letting the tide take me where it may. I don't mind it.

over and out.

Misery breeds.

As Fall out Boy would say, "misery is over-rated"

For the average person, misery is more like a spasm, it is felt in those momentary times of failure or disappointment. It can blind you like in the case of Hitler or it can ruin your life and lead to your suicide, also like in the case of Hitler. You can decide how misery affects your life. As they say, "Its all in the head." If you choose to allow it to govern your life, it will only lead to destruction, however, if you turn it to your advantage, a world of Utopia inevitably awaits. All the successful people known to us today, didn't have everything handed down to them, well most of them anyway. They all started down in the ruts like anybody else. They made something of themselves. They rose above their misery and became the people that we admire. Nelson Mandela didn't cave in and declare a white flag to his misery whilst in prison. He educated himself and refused to be put down by the oppression of the white man. 
If Misery is like gravity then defy Newton's laws or go to space. Misery doesn't always need company, all it needs is a relishing force to transform it into something beneficial. Dr. Gregory House used his misery to save lives while Oppenheimer used his to destroy them. We all just need a little direction when it comes to misery, it could end up being the difference between Professor X and Magnito.


-Razan