Friday, January 11, 2013
Posts.
Why do i feel, after having read my older posts that they are better than my new ones? I don't like that.
Family.
Living in a country away from home and away from most of your extended family is not easy. Especially when there are hardly any people from your country. And to make it suck more..when so many of your family members are scattered around the world. It's not easy.
However, i think it made me to a certain extent appreciate and understand the importance of family. To have them in your life. It also made my immediate family rather close. My aunt and uncle who live about 6 hours away are included in that immediate family. I've always tried to be in close contact with my cousins, second cousins but you know how it is..eventually i got fed up and stopped trying.
I know family may sometimes cause you grief and annoy you and make you want to kill yourself. But bottom line is they are usually all you have. When times are tough..when friends are gone..your family is there..at least i know i will be there for my family whenever they need me. And then of course there are friends who are exactly like your family.
I don't think extended families should actually live together..it causes and leads to too much conflict. But i mean when we grow up and leave our first homes to make our own, when it's just a blur of memories we will miss it and a part of us will want it back.
To la familia..
However, i think it made me to a certain extent appreciate and understand the importance of family. To have them in your life. It also made my immediate family rather close. My aunt and uncle who live about 6 hours away are included in that immediate family. I've always tried to be in close contact with my cousins, second cousins but you know how it is..eventually i got fed up and stopped trying.
I know family may sometimes cause you grief and annoy you and make you want to kill yourself. But bottom line is they are usually all you have. When times are tough..when friends are gone..your family is there..at least i know i will be there for my family whenever they need me. And then of course there are friends who are exactly like your family.
I don't think extended families should actually live together..it causes and leads to too much conflict. But i mean when we grow up and leave our first homes to make our own, when it's just a blur of memories we will miss it and a part of us will want it back.
To la familia..
The Ramblings Of a Scattered Mind VI
I have been on summer vacation for about a month now. I hate summer. I hate the heat. I expected to blog much more about more meaningful things than just silly thoughts and what not. But i have not been able to due to laziness and what have you so here we are..I'm going to try but for some reason it's like swimming against the current. I feel i need to change now. I don't really want to but i feel i really should. I feel i need to now find my personality, my character. Know who i am and what i need to do. I never thought i had an identity crisis..but maybe. These past couple of weeks taught me a lot about family. So i think the next post will be about that. Bittersweet family..Also, i feel like i may be losing touch with some of my friends..and i feel i may be okay with it. No one wants to put the effort of maintaining our relationship so maybe it's not worth it. We don't tell each other what's up in our lives or what we're doing anymore..you know the things friends usually do. I don't think we'll ever fall out..but just lose touch. Basically..growing up sucks and either we get used to it or it will only get worse..All the decisions we have to make in our foolish youthful years that will affect the rest of our grown up lives. It's just a lot of pressure to make the right ones for the future even if it means you won't enjoy it now. I guess that's part of growing up..investing in the future while you may not necessarily be totally happy in the present. Or am i doing something wrong here??
Friday, October 12, 2012
yes, i'm still here..
Many times i've opened my blog and said to my self 'wow, I haven't blogged in 2 months, I really should.' Then I close it. However I feel it is time to do a quick update. It is that time of year again, not only are my exams around the corner but i still have tests and assignments due. And since this semester I have been committing myself so much more to my work it has left little time for my other activities, nonetheless i will still try to blog as much as i can and especially since my holiday will start soon.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
If you don't believe..
I'm not going to go into the turmoil and troubles of my country, Sudan for they are so many and so much, it would complete this article before my trying to reach my point.
We find ourselves at a point in time where there is potential and a chance for change. A time to make things better. A time where we can make life easier, more bearable. We face brutal opposition, a regime that refuses to give up its power. We fall, we wake to try again. However, this is not the worst of it. The worst part is when our fellow Sudanese put down the whole notion of revolution in our country. As if they do not need it. Cowards.
They spread their negativity, pessimism and skepticism, when people are being arrested, tear gassed and injured. They talk about how the next government could be worse, and how an evil you know is better than one you do not. They talk about how a full pocket is better than a new government with empty pockets. Meaning they'll most probably be more corrupt. About the loss we'll suffer if it fails, and how it is not worth it. And so they go along their normal lives, turning a blind eye to the next street.
How in the world can they think that when people are dying in Darfur and Nuba mountains. Is there really a government worse than one that kills its own people? Do they not see the bigger picture of how we can change our whole constitution? That everyone is given their rights so that they can have their dreams. That we can implement measures that monitor our new government and hold them accountable. Do they not realize how our country has not only been stagnant but also regressing? And how it has tremendous potential to improve.
I'm not for a single moment denying that all this takes time, but that it also starts with a single step. The first being out with the old. To start a fresh we need a new slate. So believe. Have hope for a better future. And if you can't do that then just keep quiet. Don't put down the attempts of a whole nation when they are ready to give up so much. After all, they don't only do this for themselves, or their families. They do it for everyone.
We find ourselves at a point in time where there is potential and a chance for change. A time to make things better. A time where we can make life easier, more bearable. We face brutal opposition, a regime that refuses to give up its power. We fall, we wake to try again. However, this is not the worst of it. The worst part is when our fellow Sudanese put down the whole notion of revolution in our country. As if they do not need it. Cowards.
They spread their negativity, pessimism and skepticism, when people are being arrested, tear gassed and injured. They talk about how the next government could be worse, and how an evil you know is better than one you do not. They talk about how a full pocket is better than a new government with empty pockets. Meaning they'll most probably be more corrupt. About the loss we'll suffer if it fails, and how it is not worth it. And so they go along their normal lives, turning a blind eye to the next street.
How in the world can they think that when people are dying in Darfur and Nuba mountains. Is there really a government worse than one that kills its own people? Do they not see the bigger picture of how we can change our whole constitution? That everyone is given their rights so that they can have their dreams. That we can implement measures that monitor our new government and hold them accountable. Do they not realize how our country has not only been stagnant but also regressing? And how it has tremendous potential to improve.
I'm not for a single moment denying that all this takes time, but that it also starts with a single step. The first being out with the old. To start a fresh we need a new slate. So believe. Have hope for a better future. And if you can't do that then just keep quiet. Don't put down the attempts of a whole nation when they are ready to give up so much. After all, they don't only do this for themselves, or their families. They do it for everyone.
Monday, June 25, 2012
A revolution in Sudan?
It has been an eventful week for Sudan, a week that reignited hope for the future of our country, a week that proved Sudanese are not cowards waiting for someone to save them.
For as long as I can remember my country, Sudan has only had negative media attention and terrible things associated with it such as war, famine, human rights violations, ethnic cleansing etc naturally we blame the government and for good reason. 23 years ago the NCP came into power through a coup meaning no one VOTED for them to lead us. And unfortunately they turned out to be a lousy government full of corrupt, greedy, self righteous, lazy buffoons who had no one to answer to. It has been almost a year since the South seceded, they couldn't take living like second class citizens in their own country. Our government gave the South zero attention with regards to any type of development even though the South was their main source of income since most oil reserves are located in that vicinity, 75% of oil revenue was lost. So here we are now, the government is broke. Last week austerity measures were put in place in an attempt to increase government budget. Fuel subsidies were removed, meaning fuel prices increases by almost 60% naturally causing the price of EVERYTHING else to sharply increase. Import taxes were increased, the exchange rate to the dollar depreciated, and basically Khartoum is the most expensive city to live in for no damn good reason. After 23 years and the austerity measures being simply the tipping point the people have had enough, they are fed up, 'girifna'
So the reason this past week has been so eventful is that protests have been taking place all over Sudan calling for the government to step down. What started of as student protests at the university of Khartoum became full blown demonstrations of people of all ages. Basically the Arab spring has finally reached Sudan and better late than never. Albeit the protests have been small to medium gatherings of people in different areas of Sudan, the government definitely feels threatens. Protestors have been hard hit with tear gas, rubber bullets and physical assault by police and national security NISS, and there are allegations of live ammunition being used. Many people have been injured and are in dire need of blood donations, which there is a huge shortage of. June 30th will be the day to remember, it is the NCP's anniversary but will hopefully soon be remembered for the day that the NCP lost its power.
On the 30th of June the whole of Sudan will be protesting against their rule, we hope that millions will take to the street in a united and peaceful demonstration. So far media attention has not been extensive but as time passes and as the revolution increases that will change. Sudanese know that the NCP resigning or being overthrown is only the first step in the long journey to democracy and development. The destination we all want to reach where people have good chances and opportunities to make good lives for themselves. Where they can live free and happy, with jobs, high quality education systems and proper health care. Where we have a strong constitution with a monitoring body for government. Our hopes are not ridiculous they are merely the want of our rights, that we should have anyway, simply because we are human.
We pray God helps the people of the Sudan, and that He has written a bright future for the country, also one that includes south Sudan, in trade and good relations. We pray that the revolution is a success and that no lives are lost. God be with us all.
The protest in pictures from different locations in Sudan, AlDaim, Omdurman, AlJiref etc and i'll keep adding more.
Police and national security (NISS) have been brutal and violent towards protestors, injuring and
arresting many.
So the reason this past week has been so eventful is that protests have been taking place all over Sudan calling for the government to step down. What started of as student protests at the university of Khartoum became full blown demonstrations of people of all ages. Basically the Arab spring has finally reached Sudan and better late than never. Albeit the protests have been small to medium gatherings of people in different areas of Sudan, the government definitely feels threatens. Protestors have been hard hit with tear gas, rubber bullets and physical assault by police and national security NISS, and there are allegations of live ammunition being used. Many people have been injured and are in dire need of blood donations, which there is a huge shortage of. June 30th will be the day to remember, it is the NCP's anniversary but will hopefully soon be remembered for the day that the NCP lost its power.
On the 30th of June the whole of Sudan will be protesting against their rule, we hope that millions will take to the street in a united and peaceful demonstration. So far media attention has not been extensive but as time passes and as the revolution increases that will change. Sudanese know that the NCP resigning or being overthrown is only the first step in the long journey to democracy and development. The destination we all want to reach where people have good chances and opportunities to make good lives for themselves. Where they can live free and happy, with jobs, high quality education systems and proper health care. Where we have a strong constitution with a monitoring body for government. Our hopes are not ridiculous they are merely the want of our rights, that we should have anyway, simply because we are human.
We pray God helps the people of the Sudan, and that He has written a bright future for the country, also one that includes south Sudan, in trade and good relations. We pray that the revolution is a success and that no lives are lost. God be with us all.
The protest in pictures from different locations in Sudan, AlDaim, Omdurman, AlJiref etc and i'll keep adding more.
Women have played a vital role in the protests, initially starting from the female dorms of the university of Khartoum, women continue in the front lines.
arresting many.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Business as unusual..
I remember a few years ago when my mum first got the idea to import lakoom aka as Turkish delights, to Sudan, that was just the beginning, a lot of other products came after. It was so exciting. A few weeks into it, hearing about procedures I would get surprised about some trade policies that restricted the ease of commerce in Sudan. besides the high custom duties, cargos would get held up for many days without reason, talking to each official or asking for help meant you needed to dish out money every time. Everything moved slowly. Another issue was the fact that stores would never pay on time, mind you this was before things got as bad as they are now. It wasn't easy.
In more recent times after the secession of the North and South, the government began losing funds generated by the oil industry, and led to the instability of the exchange rate. It is even harder now to do business in or with Sudan, and this is when she decided that it was enough. It was time to pull out of Sudan, it was getting costly, time consuming and hardly any returns were received. I always thought maybe the business could succeed and someday i'll take over, but when you look at the whole picture you realize that the Sudanese economy is not an easy one to breach, or to become established in.
In a country like ours where the government needs to formulate policies that make it easy to trade both in Sudan and with other countries, unfortunately this is not the case. By making it easy, and encouraging entrepreneurship especially amongst the youth they would combat unemployment and eventually increase their own budget. All it takes is a little patience. Again unfortunately this patience is unheard off, so what has happened now to sum it up is a big ball of instability.
Instability, the businessperson's enemy. A businessperson would literally halt all their operations if they don't feel a sense of stability in the economy. Taxation/custom duties now are not only very high, but always increasing. Imagine making a budget with a certain amount set for taxes and the next time you send a cargo realise it has increased by 50%, money which you now don't have, and the product is just sitting there in Port Sudan or the airport. Instability is extremely expensive. Factories should have some sort of subsidies and support from government which i doubt they're receiving, not to mention high transport costs, poor coordination and communication between private and public sectors, all which hinder economic activity and ease of trade. We may not be able to export oil as we once used to, naturally this would mean to focus on other products such as sesame, cotton, gum Arabic, cattle and sugar, all of which are in the primary sector of agricultural produce.
Yes, we need to turn to agriculture, and invest in the sector; with the use of modern farming machinery and techniques. At the same time we need to keep in mind the millions of graduates who now need jobs in the service sector and manufacturing sectors. It's no wonder after slaving for a higher education, that graduates who do not find work prefer to go abroad and settle down elsewhere. It is a loss to the economy and will hit us hard..if it hasn't already.
In more recent times after the secession of the North and South, the government began losing funds generated by the oil industry, and led to the instability of the exchange rate. It is even harder now to do business in or with Sudan, and this is when she decided that it was enough. It was time to pull out of Sudan, it was getting costly, time consuming and hardly any returns were received. I always thought maybe the business could succeed and someday i'll take over, but when you look at the whole picture you realize that the Sudanese economy is not an easy one to breach, or to become established in.
In a country like ours where the government needs to formulate policies that make it easy to trade both in Sudan and with other countries, unfortunately this is not the case. By making it easy, and encouraging entrepreneurship especially amongst the youth they would combat unemployment and eventually increase their own budget. All it takes is a little patience. Again unfortunately this patience is unheard off, so what has happened now to sum it up is a big ball of instability.
Instability, the businessperson's enemy. A businessperson would literally halt all their operations if they don't feel a sense of stability in the economy. Taxation/custom duties now are not only very high, but always increasing. Imagine making a budget with a certain amount set for taxes and the next time you send a cargo realise it has increased by 50%, money which you now don't have, and the product is just sitting there in Port Sudan or the airport. Instability is extremely expensive. Factories should have some sort of subsidies and support from government which i doubt they're receiving, not to mention high transport costs, poor coordination and communication between private and public sectors, all which hinder economic activity and ease of trade. We may not be able to export oil as we once used to, naturally this would mean to focus on other products such as sesame, cotton, gum Arabic, cattle and sugar, all of which are in the primary sector of agricultural produce.
Yes, we need to turn to agriculture, and invest in the sector; with the use of modern farming machinery and techniques. At the same time we need to keep in mind the millions of graduates who now need jobs in the service sector and manufacturing sectors. It's no wonder after slaving for a higher education, that graduates who do not find work prefer to go abroad and settle down elsewhere. It is a loss to the economy and will hit us hard..if it hasn't already.
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