Gaza - Humanitarian crime at its worst

I am not one to watch the news. However, the situation in Gaza is absolutely shocking and prompted me to do some research into what sparked this particular episode in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

I found that this was caused by allegations that three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and murdered by Palestinians (or Hamas). To my understanding, no concrete evidence was found to verify this allegation. The result of what ensued stands thus:
More than 220 deaths and almost 2000 seriously injured - 1 death and 4 injuries in Israel and the rest in Palestine, of which an alarming amount are children.

Now, as a Muslim, I am appalled at the atrocities being inflicted on my Palestinian brothers and sisters. Make no mistake, I would be equally appalled if there were any Israeli child-victims (and I am sincerely grateful that there aren't any).
But what disgusts me even more is that the world is placing blame instead of addressing the red elephant in the room: children are dying unnecessarily. This is not simply political or religious conflict - this is humanitarian crime at its worst.
The world was up in arms when Hitler massacred thousands of innocent and defenseless people. Is this not what Israel is doing now?
And whether you are a Muslim or a Jew, pro-Israeli or pro-Palestine, NOTHING justifies killing children.

To the US and UN - by standing by and doing nothing, when you have the power to prevent further conflict, you are enabling and supporting war and humanitarian crimes. The blood of these innocent people and children are on your hands.

I do...

This post is dedicated to my new Twuddies (Twitter Buddies)... @HiddlesTigress @Debsloth1 @S_Absolem @tomschesthairs @HiddlesEducates @KGullic @HiddlestonedZ

It's nice to know I am not alone in my quirks...and despite the fact that our initial contact was through our shared obsession with Tom, it is really nice getting to know 'real' things about all of you :)

I do, indeed, cherish you all :))

Making peace with certain realities

I read a blog post on this lady who is having some trouble with finding the right guy (sista, you ain't the only one with that problem).

The following was a comment I left..and I hope it helped somewhat.

What I have made peace with regarding men….

1. Check lists - My signal for when a guy has managed to attract me is, literally, a gut feeling…seismic activity in my belly, and sometimes triggered by someone who has none of the qualities on my ‘check list’…so much so, that the only thing on my check list right now is “Causes seismic activity belly”. Check-lists are for children.

2. Learn to love yourself…it shows (and no, not in the annoying, I-am-so-perfect-whats-not-to-love way)...Others will see it (hopefully the right ones) and respond to it..

3. Multi-faceted - It may not be in God’s plan for your to experience that kind of love in this life. There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s so much more to ourselves than we realise... And while we may not be someone's girlfriend or wife, we are so many things to so many different people...in roles that are equally as, if not more important. Embrace and be proud of what you are right now!

Having said all of the above, it would be lovely to love someone and be loved in return, so do not be afraid to ask Him for what you want…

Who knows, you just might get it

small things that make life beautiful

For the past two weeks, I've been having random experiences...

We took our netball girls for a fixture at a very poor school in a dangerous neighbouring area. Not only were we well received, after all the matches were done, the educators of the school offered our learners and educators oranges. A small gesture, but our learners were so touched...and even scolded us for not doing the same.

The following day, one of the learners in the above mentioned squad came to the office and brought me a packet of naartjies...all because I mentioned the previous day that they were my favourite citrus fruit.

On my walk from the bus-stop to school one morning, I didn't realise that my new cellphone had fallen out of my bag...and a gentleman drove behind me to tell me that I'd dropped it. On walking back to look for it, another gentleman came up to me with my phone in his hand.

My father came home one afternoon from his weekly business shop with a tub full of liquorice...because he knows its one of my favourites.

Not exactly life changing events and quite random, but connected by a synonymous theme which, in my opinion, is one of the things that make life truly amazing and beautiful...Kindness

home

My brother bought our childhood home when he got married 26 years ago. Even though I don't live there anymore, it's doors have always been open to me, and I remember spending almost every holiday there as a child. Today was the first time in more than thirty years that we've had a gathering in that house.

My little nephew was born nine years ago with a suspended liver, two holes in his diaphragm and two holes in his heart. His chances for survival was minimal, at best, and the last nine years have been a battle for this little boy...operations, hospital visits, waiting for theatre dates...and about a month ago, he finally had his last operation (God-willing).

An old man, who is like a father to my brother, asked whether he could hold a little prayer ceremony (thikr) today, to give thanks to the Almighty for delivering my nephew safely through his trial and making his surgery a success. It was our family, and others who have been family friends for decades.

Twenty six years is a really long time, and many many things have happened during it. Many changes have occurred...as is normal, with the passing of time and progress of people.
Some things, however, do not change. And today I basked in a feeling I always get when I step into that house, but have not felt for a really long time.

I was home.

Intimacy

Intimacy is not limited to relationships of a romantic nature, nor is it automatic and natural in romantic or familial relationships. It can take years to build with some, an instant to form with others.

The first thought that pops into my head upon hearing the word 'intimacy' is 'physical'...being comfortable enough to let another person discover your flaws and being confident that despite those flaws, they'd still want to discover your perfections.

Two senses I associate with intimacy (and which are heightened) are smell and touch.

I think one can only be truly intimate with someone if there is a mutual attraction on a chemical level, which has nothing and everything to do with physical appearance. Nothing, because it does not solely rely on aesthetics; and everything, because without a physical attraction to a person, intimacy will be impossible...and attraction itself is subjective, what appeals to one may not to the other.

But, what truly takes intimacy to its peak is a mutual attraction for the qualities that are unseen-a mental and emotional intimacy. Being able to communicate, cause a reaction or inspire a feeling through non-verbal and non-tacit means...be it a single look or a thoughtful gesture...

Dearest Tom

Dearest Tom

I'm sure that at some point in your life, you've had an insane, irrational crush on some celebrity.
Insane and irrational are exactly what my feelings are concerning you.

For starters, we have never met nor do I entertain any ideas or hopes that we ever will.
I admit, I do have fantasies...I've written a book in my head of meetings between the two of us (don't worry, they are mostly inspired by your roles as Henry V and William Buxton...and of course, you, as the gentleman that you are).
But despite my fantasies, I take comfort in the fact that we will never meet...
I fear I'd be so overwhelmed by you that I'd forget that I was Muslim and do something that I'm really not supposed to.
Whenever I see you in a movie, or a picture, when I hear you speak (more especially in a low voice, or whisper), everything between my navel and hipbone clenches, and it feels as though a million butterflies are dancing an Argentine Tango in my belly...my signal, for when I'm attracted to a man physically.
Whenever I hear you laugh, really laugh, in your interviews...is it possible that someone's laugh can affect a person's heart rate??

However, what attracts me most to you is your mind, and heart (from what I can see), your kindness and your ability to laugh at yourself and not take your celebrity status seriously (your velociraptor and Zach Levi impressions from the Nerd HQ conversation never fail to make me laugh). I love the fact that you're so well read (and that you love to read). I admire the work you do with UNICEF. My heart swells when I see or read of your kindness to your fellow actors and especially your fans.

I am soo envious of the woman who manages to capture your heart one day.
I have this feeling...I know...you will cherish her (and I fervently hope that she will cherish you...not Loki or Hal or Magnus or any of your characters...you).

Maybe, at 31, I am too old for fangirling or 'hero-worship' as my sister tells me.
However, a girl is allowed to have dreams...and until my own Henry/William Buxton comes along, you will feature in mine for a long time...

Confidence of Youth

I've been trying to reconcile two parts of myself lately...the fun, confident, exuberant teenager of fourteen years ago with the adult woman of today...but it got me thinking: which parts of my teenage self do I want to resurrect?

Some things I am really grateful for now: I am a LOT more tactful than I was at seventeen; I am no longer skittish around education and actually find myself fully embracing new learning opportunities; I take a lot more pride in the things that I do...
These are all things, essential things, that I lacked as a teenager and yes, I suppose all or most teens are like that and I shouldn't feel like I was the only miserable and lazy adolescent. But I was constantly reminded and berated for those 'normal' shortcomings and found that when I hit my twenties, I could no longer bury my head in the sand and be oblivious to these things. I needed to make a change.

But in all of the changing, I lost some good bits as well. And the thing I miss the most is the confidence I had back then. I wish I could combine the confidence of my youth with the wisdom (I hope) and maturity (I fervently hope) of my 31 year old self.
I'd be unstoppable.

Feeling inspired

Inspiration that hits you out of the blue is the best kind.

One of our school parents started working for us unofficially a year ago. She started as a feeding scheme assistant and running the aftercare. She is a lovely lady, who helps with everything. No task is too menial for her hands. She is such a team player, and when one of our caretakers retired at the end of last year, we retained her in that capacity.

A few weeks ago, we applied to our education department to make her a permanent employee, which would mean a very positive change in her earnings, as well as job security. Today, our principal called us both into his office. He handed me a camera and asked me to take a picture of the two of them as he handed her her first official department payslip. My heart burst at this moment!

She started out as a parent volunteer, who wanted to assist the school in some way to compensate for the fact that she couldn't afford to pay the school fees. Through her determination and work ethic, this is the rewards she is now reaping.

I am sooo proud of you Aunty Fay!!

Shakespearean Lovers

About two and a half years ago now, I posted a piece on my favourite literary couples (http://ravingsofanalien.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-favourite-literary-couples.html). I have read a few more books since then and have met with some more interesting couples.

For the last 4 months or so, due to fandom and Twitter (here's looking at you, Tom Hiddleston and @HollowCrownFans) I have been reading more of the Bard and have come across some new couples.
So, thus far, these are my favourites...

1. Benedict and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing - these two make use of my favourite thing as foreplay...humour :))

2. Henry V and Katharine - Act 5 Scene 2. I need not say anything else. This entire scene is one of the most romantic I have ever read. But I leave you with the following quote...
"You have witchcraft in your lips, Kate. And there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of the French Council. And they should sooner persuade Harry of England, than a general petition of monarchs."

3. Marcius and Virgilia - Coriolanus. Okay, so this is a very bloody piece of drama from Shakespeare. It deals with politics and war and deception...and the stubbornness of the title character's character...

Caius Marcius Coriolanus is an absolute snob. He has been reared with a epic dislike and prejudice against any person who is not of the nobility and without the ability to mask it, or any of his true feelings on any subject. He cannot pretend.  "He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, Or Jove for ’s power to thunder." (3.1.321)

But with his wife, Virgilia...the beautiful names he calls her (My Gracious Silence, Best of my flesh), his gentle manner of speaking and dealing with her...we see a side that only comes out with her, a complete antithesis of the soldier he is in the rest of the play.