I had an itch last week that I had enough of this place. I think my brother, his wife and insane but cute daughter really put me on the edge.

I know that extending my vacation for an extra two weeks was a mistake. It cost me money, and sanity. I did it for my bratty sister, and to look for work. However, the economy, people’s attitude, companies that fear hiring people anymore and taking any chances, really is not helping my job search.

So, I gave up looking for work in this amazing city. I rather go back to Ontario, to my home, and to my house, and live in dignity. Yes, I mean it, my dignity.

Things I cannot stand

Sleeping on the couch is not so bad. Don’t get me wrong, I still do hate it with a passion, but it is not because it is a couch. Oh no! The placement of the couch is what annoys me. In reality, according to Arab culture, we are guests. I don’t care if it is my brother’s apartment, but we are guests living off a suitcase. I don’t need to stay awake and trying to sleep at 12:30 am or 1:00 am because the lights are on, the keyboard clicks won’t stop, and sometimes the talking won’t stop.

I understand that we all have the need to chat with our families back home, and the time difference of 10 hours is really annoying, but why do it all day long! Especially late AM!

Then you will ask me, “Mona, it is only 12:30 am or 1:00 am. You got nothing else to do?”

I agree, I got nothing to do. However, I am awaken every single day at 7 or 7:30 am by my niece. Even my sister cannot get much sleep and awaken extremely early by sudden head butting and jumps up and down on her stomach by a 2 year old.

Where’s the mom?

She is asleep till 11 or 11:30 am. If my brother does not come home for lunch, then she is asleep till 12:00 pm or later.

This morning, my sister complained that she suffered from constant hits and not able to sleep cause of my niece. His wife said, “This is her way of saying good bye. So you guys don’t have to remember her. ”

What the hell?

The stomach takes 4 – 5 hours to digest food

Last week, my brother didn’t come home for lunch because he had a lunch meeting. Fine, doesn’t matter. Well, his wife didn’t wake up till like 12:30 pm or was it 1? I cannot remember. Then, she didn’t make any food, and then she asked us if we were hungry or should wait till 5:00 pm till my brother came. I said, “I don’t think you should wait that long.” She said, “ok.”

3:00 pm came. 3:30 came and then she started preparing some food and left. My sister is still a growing teenage girl and I could see her restless, and kept going to the kitchen and back wondering what junk food she can grab to munch on. Then, my brother’s wife came and said, “you guys hungry?”

Then around 5:00 pm when my brother came, the food was done. Ok fine. I could have made anything for my sister to eat, but one thing I was raised to do is not touch anything that is not mine, because not everyone likes someone else touching anything. Also, my sister and I are really quiet and not demanding. So we just wait and not say anything cause we feel it is rude.

Religion is not parts, but a whole!

The one thing that I do not like is people lecturing me on religion. You can be as religious as you want, but you cannot convince me of many things that you cannot apply towards your life. The 5 pillars of Islam are one thing, but living life modestly and respectfully is another.

My brother’s wife does not wear Hijab (head cover) either. However, wearing tight clothes and showing off every part of your body is not COVERING! Why do people don’t get it?

Also, we don’t swear in our house or insult anyone. We are not allowed. I only swear on this blog because it is built up anger, and just thoughts in my head. However, I don’t use foul language or insult. So why does my brother’s wife do, and my brother picked it off of her? I keep telling my brother to friggen stop swearing. Not only that, he starts saying horrible things in the name of God against everyone! I am like what the hell?

His wife also has temper issues and she thinks she is tougher then my brother, and snaps at him all the time. She also has serious anger issues with my niece, and a lot of times does not even watch her. No wonder why the girl is uncontrollable. She rather spend her time on MSN or web camera all day, then bother raising a child! Then with simple things like change her diaper or feed her, she tells my brother to do it because she is busy chatting. She even leaves her diaper unchanged for hours, and does not bother!

And I get blamed if I fed my niece some candy cause she won’t stop crying?

I don’t get it… People, and I know her especially, look down upon me because they think I am the independent person who does not care about “culture” or “religion” as they think because I was the Arab Girl that was raised in North America. I don’t need to show every single religious and cultural tradition every single minute of my life. I have been living in North America since I was 11! I think I adapted by now, and I live life a lot more modestly and respectful then people that came here much older. I don’t want to appear as the odd one out, and think everyone and everything around me is satanic.

I can go on ranting, but there is more ranting soon after I leave this place. This was just part one! There are so many things, and reasons why I hate being here and don’t want to live here anymore.

Living with your parents is a lot better and respectful! I miss my mom and dad!

Angry, Culture, Ranting as usual!, Religion

Oh my God! I can’t wait to go home!

I am bored to death now from being here. I guess I over extended my vacation, and that’s it, I had enough. I want to go back to my house! To my  room. To my blog office! I miss my OFFICE! I want to go back and do some work! I cannot for the life of me create a website properly here with this tiny screen. I also miss my turtle Squibby.

I miss my office. I wonder how many updates I have to do on my computer!

You know what else I miss the most? SLEEPING ON A REAL BED! I am tired of sleeping on this couch and being awaken by a little rug rat at 7:30 am!!!

AHHHH!!!

Also, I got so many people sending me links to very interesting articles on the internet, and want me to comment about the subject or give my take on them. Oh my! I will try to soon!

I just can’t wait to go back home next Friday, and go back to my total un-satisfaction of my Arab life and my nagging but lovely mother. Oh I miss my mother! She is the reason my blog is popular! I miss MOMMY!

Yesterday, my mother was talking about some people who got engaged or married, blah blah on the phone with me, then she said, “A girl or guy should go find their other half. No one should intervene. It takes a lot of wit and savvy maneuvers to do so. Not like you MONA!”

Do you guys want to know what my reaction was, or do you guys wish I was in front of her face to face when she said that instead? It would have definitely been a huge scene!

Who ever wants to get married in this day and age, in this horrible economy to a generation X-er who doesn’t know what she wants from life except to be left alone to figure things out, then drop me a line. I will introduce you to my mother. She will change your mind right away!

Blah Blah, Confused, Culture, Funny, Random Thoughts, They said what?, Whatever!

I wrote an article a while ago regarding Honour Killings, and an avid reader of my site wanted to give their take on it as well.

This is the guest post by Peaceful Melody regarding Honour Killings in the Arab and Islamic nations.

Call the people ignorant. Savages. Violent. Animals with two feet. Whatever we want to call the people that kill for ‘honor’, we must always realize that it still happens. That no matter what we call them, or what we do, 5000 women yearly are still getting killed for ‘honor’. First lets point out that ‘honor killings’ is a retarded part of cultures around the world but mostly (and sadly) located in Muslim countries. They were reported in Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, Yemen, and other Mediterranean and Gulf countries. Or in other words ‘in the hands of damn ignorant middle Easterners’. It is condemned by Islam totally and rejected by all status of Islamic scholars and is known as ‘cultural’.

Christians and members of other faiths also participate in the acts in the middle east. Now in Turkey when honor killings happen in mostly Kurd inhabited areas they are claimed as ‘suicide or accident’. And the historical killings ‘sati’ can also be considered honor killings in which the widow is burned alive after her husbands death. This kind of killings happen in mostly South Asia. Though many honor killings are done in the Middle East, most of the honor killings are done in Pakistan and South Asian countries, or immigrants from those nations to Europe (Ex. England has seen more then a dozen honor killings from immigrant groups). There are a few reasons why honor killings take place: 1. When a women commits adultery, or is presumed by her paranoid family to have committed 2. When a women wants divorce and does separate from her husband. 3. Refusing to enter an arranged marriage 4. Being a victims of a sexual assault 5. Falls in love with a man outside her faith or town Now those reasons all don’t call the woman ‘the guilty one’ because all of the things she is a victim in expect maybe number one which she might be innocent still.

Why are they done? Because the family thinks that by that way the girl brought dishonor to the family and the family names ‘was thrown down the drain’ by her actions. It is committed by the females family. Sharif Kanaana, professor of anthropology at Birzeit University states that honor killing is: A complicated issue that cuts deep into the history of Arab society. .. What the men of the family, clan , or tribe seek control of in a patrilineal society is reproductive power. Women for the tribe were considered a factory for making men. The honor killing is not a means to control sexual power or behavior. What’s behind it is the issue of fertility , or reproductive power.[wikipedia] An Amnesty International statement adds: The mere perception that a woman has contravened the code of sexual behavior damages honor. The regime of honor is unforgiving: women on whom suspicion has fallen are not given an opportunity to defend themselves, and family members have no socially acceptable alternative but to remove the stain on their honor by attacking the woman [wikipedia]

Why is it surprisingly not stopped or has a strict law against it? Because countries where its culture (ex; middle east and south Asia) or religion (ex: Hindus in India) to kill the government won’t stop it and sees it as a ‘private issue’ for the family and not the state. Does religion permit honor killings? In Islam honor killings are totally rejected and has no proof in Islam. There is no specific saying in the Quran which condemns it, but it is forbidden by all interpretations of Islam, whether from an extremist to a moderate to a reformist, all honor killings are rejected. And honor killings are mentioned in the Quran when the killing of a young girl to protect family honor, which is strongly rejected in Islam. There is a difference between culture and religion, and because the culture of honor killings are located in Muslim nations it is confused.

Shaikh Atiyyah Saqr of alazhar fatwa committee said this about honor killings: Like all other religions, Islam strictly prohibits murder and killing without legal justification. Allah, Most High, says, “Whoso slayeth a believer of set purpose, his reward is Hell for ever. Allah is wroth against him and He hath cursed him and prepared for him an awful doom.” (An-Nisa’: 93) The so-called “honor killing” is based on ignorance and disregard of morals and laws, which cannot be abolished except by disciplinary punishments. {wikipedia}

What do I think about it? Well as a Muslim girl from middle Eastern parents and roots i think that honor killings are one of the most disgusting murders and deaths in human history of killings. I seriously condemn this to the core of condemnation and don’t know what drives family members to kill a women. I think its for illogical reasons and a family does not form a name based on acts of the females. I think a families good name and reputation comes from good deeds, and if some things considered bad by them happened, its should be put into the past and they should get on with their life. It is absolutely embarrassing to have it in Muslim countries and I’m embarrassed by the peoples open ignorance. What is very embarrassing is not much laws are against it, for example in Pakistan where a women is considered very worthless in society and women are stuck in jail for zina and not men, and where no law is against honor killings. I think ignorance should be put into an immediate stop and people who commit those crimes should be punished harshly by the government.

I spoke too much, but gave so little to the women who are suffering in hands of their families for crimes that they did not commit. Those women might be dead, but are forever in our hearts and minds. And tomorrow when honor killings are stopped, at that day i know when i look up to the sun and see its shine, i know that each ray is a girl who’s life was ended harshly telling the world who stood up against those killings ‘Thank you’. And to that I’ll smile to the sun. I hoped you like the article that took me two days to write and this is the international campaign against honor killings: http://www.stophonourkillings.com/index.php And in memory of Du’ua Khalil Aswad, a Yazidi girl recently stoned to death for loving a Sunni man in Iraq. Rest in Peace

Confused, Culture, Guest Post, Random Thoughts, Religion, They said what?

All this talk about religion this week, and reading others opinions, really got me thinking of lots of stuff to talk about today.

Many of you know about Sunnis and Shi’ite, the two main denominations in Islam. Well, as a Palestinian, it is very rare to find a Shi’ite Muslim. It is almost non-existent unless they are originally from Lebanon or Syria. Well, my grandmother was Shi’ite of Lebanese origin but born in Palestine. So that makes my dad half Sunni, half Shi’ite. Which makes me have many Lebanese Shi’ite cousins.

Ask me if I grew up caring about such a thing? The answer is no. To me, Islam is Islam. People just make a big deal about little past events, and give them selves new names with new religious traditions.

Unfortunately, many people make a big deal about denominations. It’s like Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Different customs and beliefs in minor things.

One time I was at an engagement party, and a Palestinian girl that I knew made such a big deal that our Sunni Syrian friend was getting engaged to a Shi’ite Lebanese. She treated it like the girl was committing a sin or something. I didn’t want to argue with her or start a never ending debate. I never tell people that I am 1/4 Shi’ite and it doesn’t bother me or I even care about denominations, because I know people’s reactions towards such a thing.

In the end of the day, I don’t care, and such segregations are the reasons for wars, hatred, and prejudice within a religion.

I wonder how children brought up with parents of different religions turn out? Hmm??

Blah Blah, Confused, Culture, Featured, Palestine, Random Thoughts, Religion, They said what?, Whatever!

I know I know! I have not blogged in like 3 days. I am sorry, but you have to understand this, I am lazy. When you are on vacation, you don’t have much to write except that you are taking lots of pictures and enjoying your time.

However, at times when I am not out, I do a lot of internet browsing and checking out lots of things. I do read a lot about religion and culture. You can say it is one of my main interests. I was watching a video the other day about Islam and marriage. I usually don’t watch these videos, but I got many emails from Arab girls to talk more of the problems that the younger generation (us) are going through. Also, to explain how different we are than our parent’s generation and that the gap is becoming bigger all the time.

I disagree, there is no gap because most of the kids end up like their parents. If people are not willing to change, then nothing will change.

So, I was watching this video that I don’t want to point to, but it was a video created by our young generation. It was a bit disturbing to see how people interpret things and will not change their opinion about some things, although life changed so much.

If life changed so much, and we are advancing as a civilization, then why do we still view female and male roles in society like we are in 1520 AD?

I am not against culture or religion. You have to understand that this post has nothing to do with that. I just want to argue the point in the video I saw that made me turn it off. Although it was supposed to be humorous, but I just couldn’t stand listening to it anymore.

The video I saw was of a Muslim female asking if she is too old now (she is over 30), and she should give up looking for Mr. Right. The guy answered her and said, “yes, you are old and to stop looking for Mr. Right, and accept any guy.”

The moment he said that I was like what the hell? Then he continued with his argument saying that a man can be any age, the older the better to get married. He would be well off, and have money and a good career. Also, that a man’s wealth is important for him to get married. Then he said that females should just get married young and stop worrying about career and money, because that is not important. That is the male’s responsibility, and women give birth and take care of a family only.

I was like what the hell!

Is it me or I don’t get it? I don’t understand the world we live in anymore. Some of our parents make us go to school and Universities to get an education, and expect us to work after and support our selves. I thought in Islam that we are supposed to get an education. Even if that education is going as far as China to get it. Yet, others think it is all wrong and pointless ???

Do you see the problem here?

Blah Blah, Culture, Random Thoughts, Ranting as usual!, Religion, They said what?, Whatever!