October 4 2004

Don’t Quit

Many many years ago mom bought this great poem: “Don’t quit”, she hung it on a wall in our home where all of us can see over and over again.

This poem never fails to cheer me up. Whenever I’m really close to giving up, this poem gave me back hope. In my latest visit, I saw it again, read it again, and remembered all the hard times I’ve been through, all the difficulties I’ve faced and all the great feelings I had every time I defeated failure.

I even wanted to take a pic of it… yes, I love it that much.
Today, and while surfing I came across it, and thought it’s a guaranteed way to give you the perfect dose of strength to keep on going in case you were feeling really down.

Thank you mom…

DON’T QUIT
by Edgar A. Guest

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
when the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit – rest if you must,
but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow – you may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man;
often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor’s cup;
and he learned too late when the night came down,
how close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out – the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
and when you never can tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems afar;
so stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit – it’s when things seem worst,
you must not quit.

September 30 2004

In Remembrance of Edward Said

Palestine, Palestinians; their story, their history, their journey with suffering, and their stolen rights, are all facts people learned from the great Palestinian intellectual Edward Said, who dedicated himself to his land: Palestine, and its people.
His writings showed the world the truth, which media failed to reflect. Injustice, humiliation, and cruelty of imperialism, were all subjects of his writings.
It’s been one year already since Edward Said the thinker, the teacher, the story teller and above all the proud Palestinian, has passed away.
Let’s not forget his work, let’s not ignore his words, let’s not waste his efforts.
Let’s all hope that Palestine will be generous enough to offer us such great people to spread the truth and remind the world of the “invisible people”… the people of Palestine.

Related links: Man To Remember , and Edward W. Said .

May 21 2004

Help Them Save Nature…

A week after I got this job, a company representative came to the office. He gave me his business card and then started his quick introduction of the company’s duty and activities. The company is called BARKA, it’s Tunisian, and this is its work description: “Régénération de tout type de consommables informatique”, which means regeneration/recycling of any type of computer usage materials. In other words, instead of throwing your printer’s empty plastic ink cartridge for example, you give them a call, they come, pick the cartridge, and fill it up for you with half the price. I couldn’t believe myself, because I was looking for such companies that do recycling and stuff, but couldn’t find any. After saying bye, I went to the boss full of excitement, and although he is “somehow” a friend of environment, but he had doubts about the quality of ink refilled. He didn’t believe they’ll provide good quality for half the price, and told me to forget about it. And since it’s not totally up to me, I gave up… partially that is. I mean if the office doesn’t want to do this I can still do this at home, and blog about here 🙂 So I’m waiting for our ink cartridge at home to be empty to try them out. Only problem is, it might take ages since we’re not using it :PP Anyway, at least I’m doing my best.
So for those of you interested the company is BARKA, Address is: 69, Rue Houcine Bouzaienei, 1st floor, Nr.9, 1001 Tunis.
Tel/Fax:+216.71.33.99.19, Mobile:+216.98.58.36.81
Email: barka.ms@gnet.tn

April 20 2004

What’s Up In Tunisia!

The European Film Festival:Tunisia will be hosting the European Film festival which will start on the 21st of this month and end on the 8th of May. Germany, England, Austria, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Sweden as well as Tunisia will be participating in this festival. The festival will take place in Tunis, Sousse, and Sfax.
More details are available Here in Arabic.

The International Book Exhibition:The opening will be on April 22, it will take place in the Kram Exhibition Hall as usual. The exhibition offers a wide range of international books of all fields: science, medicine, literature, cooking, novels, short stories, catalogues of countries, encyclopedias and much much more. Last year it was really huge and it was very interesting, and although there are books in different languages, mainly French, Arabic and English, but unfortunately French are the most available on the shelves. And the funny part is that all books that draw my attention are in French, lol, and even funnier is the fact that they choose to have the exhibition in the last week of the month, when people are hardly managing to go on with what’s left of their salaries. But well, whether you’re gonna buy or not, just hanging out with people and enjoying the sight of the books is enough to make your day. Make sure not to miss it.

Arab Star Academy Concert: The Star Academy members of the first Arab Star Academy ever will be holding 2 concerts, one on May 1st, and the other on May 2nd. Mosaique FM is taking care of the advertising campaign 😉 and is informing people about where to get their tickets.
I think so many people can’t wait to go watch a live concert for the Star Academy people, specially that there are two Tunisians, Bahaa and Ahmad among them. And talking of them, they had nice voices, but in my opinion the Star Academy program was unfair to Ahmad, he had a really really beautiful voice, was able to sing in different accents, he should’ve reached the finals, but then again, it’s a matter of luck and a matter of voting.
Anyway, all of them are sweet and I guess their concerts will be a great success 🙂

November 6 2003

A Clap For Palestine & Jordan

Both Palestine and Jordan have shown a very successful performance in “Carthage Theatrical Days Festival” in Tunisia.
“Best Play” went to Palestine who deserved winning as their play was so beautiful from script to acting to music and everything.
As for Jordan, they got the “Best Actress Performance” which is so impressive.
Both gave a great impression about theatrical talents in their region. Their participation is considered a step forward in the future of theatre in both countries, and their success makes all of us proud.
Actually a lot of plays were really good, and they all deserve admiration. And what I really loved about “Carthage Theatrical Days Festival” is the fact that all Arab countries gather to join in it. Tunisia gives a great chance for all talents to show what they’ve got and participate, not only this, but it also gives the chance for those talents to reach a worldwide audience with the help of media coverage.
Congratulations on a job well done for all participants, wishing them a non-stop improvement.