By IBRAHIM BARZAK and JASON KEYSER,
AP
posted: 3 HOURS 21 MINUTES AGO
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -Israel, under international pressure, is considering a 48-hour halt to its punishing four-day air campaign on Hamas targets in Gaza to see if Palestinian militants will stop their rocket attacks on southern Israel, Israeli officials said Tuesday. Any offer would be coupled with a threat to send in ground troops if the rocket fire continues.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed the proposal — floated by France's foreign minister — and other possible next steps with his foreign and defense ministers, Israeli officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not supposed to make the information public.
President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called leaders in the Middle East to press for a durable solution beyond any immediate truce.
And members of the Quartet of world powers trying to promote Mideast peace concluded a conference call with an appeal for an immediate cease-fire. The Quartet powers are the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia.
The European Union itself late Tuesday also urged an immediate truce and for Israel to reopen borders to allow vital supplies to reach Gazans. The Paris statement by the 27-member bloc avoided blaming either side for the current fighting.
In its Tuesday night meeting, Israel's leadership trio stepped up preparations for a ground offensive, conducting a telephone survey among Cabinet ministers on a plan to call up an additional 2,500 reserve soldiers, if required. Earlier this week, the Cabinet authorized a callup of 6,700 soldiers.
After the four-hour meeting, Olmert's office issued a statement early Wednesday saying no details of the discussion would be made public because of the sensitivity of the subject matter.
But Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release information on the meeting, said the leaders wanted Hamas to agree to stop the rocket fire before Israel considers a truce.
And even amid talk of a truce, Israeli warplanes continued to unload bombs on targets in Gaza. Powerful airstrikes caused Gaza City's high-rise apartment buildings to sway and showered streets with broken glass and pulverized concrete. Israel's ground forces on Gaza's border also used artillery for the first time.
Hamas kept up its rocket barrages, which have killed four Israelis since the weekend, and sent many more in running for bomb shelters — some of them in cities under threat of attack for the first time, as the range of the rockets grows.
A medium-range rocket hit the city of Beersheba for the first time ever, zooming 28 miles deep into Israel and slamming into an empty kindergarten. A second rocket landed in an open area near the desert city, Israel's fifth-largest. The military said later it successfully struck the group that launched those rockets.
A pattern of daytime lulls and nighttime spikes in rocket fire appeared to be emerging as militants found safer launch cover in darkness.
Four days into a campaign that has killed 374 Palestinians and prompted Arab and international condemnation, a diplomatic push to end the fighting gathered pace.
In two phone calls to Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday and Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner appealed to him to consider a truce to allow time for humanitarian relief supplies to enter the beleaguered Gaza Strip, two senior officials in Barak's office said.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was expected to travel Thursday to Paris for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has put his growing international stature to use in other conflict zones, most recently to help halt fighting between Russia and Georgia in August.
Israeli media reported that Sarkozy would also travel to Jerusalem Monday for talks with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
A Hamas spokesman said any halt to militant rocket and mortar fire would require an end to Israel's crippling blockade of the Gaza Strip. "If they halt the aggression and the blockade, then Hamas will study these suggestions," said Mushir Masri.
Any cease-fire between Israel and Hamas would face questions about its long-term viability. In the past, Hamas has been unable or unwilling to rein in all the militants, some of which belong to different factions. Israel has angered the Palestinians by continuing to target its leaders and by maintaining a blockade of the Gaza Strip.
"It's certainly difficult for Hamas because, having witnessed the losses that they have just suffered on large scale, their credibility is on the line and they're not going to easily agree to a cease-fire that goes back to the conditions that prevailed before, after all these losses," said Shibley Telhami, professor of political science at the University of Maryland and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. "So, we're likely to see more bloodshed, and I think that is where we are in a way, events on the ground are going to dictate."
Israel's military, meanwhile, pressed on, sending warplanes to strike a Gaza government complex that includes the ministries of interior, foreign affairs and justice. Bombs ripped the tops and sides from buildings that had already been evacuated and left fires blazing in upper floors.
It was the largest government target hit so far and involved the largest number of bombs dropped in a single strike — at least 16 in all.
The airstrikes have sent the people of densely populated Gaza on a zigzagging desperate search for safer ground — hard to find with no way out of the blockaded territory.
"I don't know what's safe anymore," said university student Rasha Khaldeh of Gaza City. She fled her home, fearing Israel would target her Hamas neighbors, then had to leave her uncle's house because of nearby shelling. She listens intently for the approach of pilotless Israeli drones.
After nightfall, Israel destroyed 40 tunnels under the sealed Gaza-Egypt border in another attempt to cut the vital lifeline that supplies Gaza with both commercial goods and weapons for Hamas and other militant groups.
Israel kept up the attack on the tunnels early Wednesday, as other aircraft hit Hamas positions in Gaza City.
Israel's military said it hit 31 targets on Tuesday, including a Cabinet building, rocket-launching sites, and places were missiles were being built. Some of the hits on sites with weapons stockpiles triggered secondary explosions.
The question still hanging over the Israeli operation is how it can halt rocket fire. Israel has never found a military solution to the barrage of missiles. The "Iron Dome," a system to guard against short-range missiles, will take years to build.
Beyond delivering Hamas a deep blow and protecting border communities, the assault's broader objectives remained cloudy. Israeli President Shimon Peres acknowledged the challenge, saying the operation was unavoidable but more difficult than many people anticipated.
"War against terrorists is harder in some aspects than fighting armies," Peres said.
Hamas also said it would take more to cripple it.
A spokesman for Hamas' military wing, Abu Obeida, said the group remained strong, and he vowed to fight on as long as Israel continues its airstrikes. He noted that even while under heavy airstrikes, militants had fired rockets that reached Israeli towns farther from Gaza than ever. "Rockets will be on your daily agenda," he said in a message to Israelis.
And if there's a ground invasion, he promised worse: "If you enter Gaza, the children will collect your flesh and the remains of your tanks which will be spread out through the streets."
The offensive came shortly after a rocky, six-month truce expired.
Emad Falluji, a former Hamas leader working at a Gaza-based think tank, said he believes Hamas had wanted to renew the truce but felt humiliated by Israel's decision to maintain a tight blockade on Gaza.
"Israel didn't want to give Hamas anything in return for the cease-fire, which was effectively free," he said.
Egypt, which has been blockading Gaza from its southern end, has come under pressure from the rest of the Arab world to reopen its border with the territory because of the Israeli campaign. Egypt has pried open the border to let in some of Gaza's wounded and to allow some humanitarian supplies into the territory. But it quickly sealed the border when Gazans tried to push through forcefully.
In a televised speech Tuesday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak responded to critics, including the leader of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, who have accused him of collaborating with Israel.
"We tell anybody who seeks political profits on the account of the Palestinian people: The Palestinian blood is not cheap," he said, describing such comments as "exploiting the blood of the Palestinians."
Mubarak said his country would not throw open the border crossing unless Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas — a Hamas rival — regains control of the border post. Mubarak has been rattled by the presence of a neighboring Islamic ministate in Gaza, fearing it would fuel more Islamic dissidence in Egypt.
Most of the Palestinians killed since Saturday were members of Hamas security forces but the number included at least 64 civilians, according to U.N. figures. Among those killed were two sisters, Haya and Lama Hamdan, ages 4 and 12, who died in an airstrike on a rocket squad in northern Gaza on Tuesday.
Throughout the offensive, Israel's military has released video taken by hovering drone aircraft showing its missiles and bombs hurtling into Gaza targets, including one on Tuesday that sent about a half-dozen bombs simultaneously into a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border.
During brief lulls between airstrikes, Gazans tentatively ventured into the streets to buy goods and collect belongings from homes they had abandoned after Israel's aerial onslaught began Saturday.
The campaign has brought a new reality to southern Israel, too, where one-tenth of the country's population of 7 million has suddenly found itself within rocket range.
"It's very scary," said Yaacov Pardida, a 55-year-old resident of Ashdod, southern Israel's largest city, which was hit Monday. "I never imagined that this could happen, that they could reach us here."
—
Barzak reported from Gaza City, Keyser from Jerusalem.

ok so that article is from aol. Here is my opinion:

Israel should have never started the Gaza air campaign that killed hundreds of innocent civilians. I do not understand why a country that has an excellent fully loaded army can bomb and do air campaigns and it is considered "protection" but when the other country retaliates it is considered terrorism. This is unfair and unwarranted. Israel needs to end its blockade on Gaza and needs to stop the sensless killing. Close to 400 civilians have been killed and 1800 have been injured. These numbers are after a four day air campaign by Israel. If they continue how many more are going to have to die before someone stops this brutal attack?

Free Palestine!! God bless them and God bless Israel. Both countries have a right to exist. It is not fair for either country to evacuate the region so they need to find a way to live together. May peace come to that region.

I am me

Who Am I???
I am a female. I am a teenager. I am a vegetarian.
I am a student. I am an activist. I am a voice.
I am a procrasintator . I am a comedian. I am a sister.
I am a daughter. I am a best friend. I am a granddaughter.
I am a niece. I am a cousin. I am a blogger.
I am a painter. I am baker. I am a want to be cook/chef.
I am a card player. I am a victim. I a product of my environment.
I am a teaser. I am a joker. I am a joy.
I am a flirt. I am the girl next door. I am a believer.
I am a pessimist. I am an optomist. I am a nightmare.
I am a dream. I am a leader. I am a spirtualist.
I am a follower. I am a protester. I am a sports fan.
I am Middle Eastern/European/Native American. I am environmentalist.
I am a supporter. I am a lover.I am sad.
I am happy. I am excited. I am hopeful.
I am wondering. I am scared. I am outspoken.
I am protective. I am creative. I am giddy.
I am bubbly. I am mean. I am a bitch.
I am a survivor. I am a soldier. I am an activist.
I am emotional. I am a heartbreaker. I am a teacher.
I am a cryer. I am an ARAB. I am an addict.
I am a shop-holic. I am anemic. I am a pill popper (not by choice).
I am misunderstood. I am loved. I am hated.
I am feared. I am a Republican. I am human.
I am a shoulder to cry on. I am your worst kept secret. I am your best mistake.
I am a fighter. I am a peace maker. I am religious.
I am a princess. I am spoiled. I am a daddy’s girl.
I am amazing. I am short. I am shy.
I am opinionated. I am smart. I am stupid.
I am naïve. I am proud. I am a photographer.
I am a filmmaker. I am a team player. I am individual.
I am original. I am organized. I am a mess.
I am obsessive compulsive. I am free. I am bound.
I am sorry. I am grateful. I am blessed.
I am amazed. I am thankful. I am a ditz. I am dork.
I am humble. I am conceited. I am selfish. I am needy.
I am tired. I am bored. I am weird. I am unique.
I am ambitous. Iam lazy. I am a devil.
I am selfish. I am giving. I am feminine.
I am tomboyish. I am outspoken. I am eccentric.
I am an angel. I am who I am.

I. am. me.

merry christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I hope it is a happy safe and healthy one for all my friends and family. Enjoy it and spend the time with friends and family. Be safe. See you guys next year.

Hopefully 2009 will be a better year for everyone. Lets kick it off right. take care and God bless

snowy icy and rainy day

So it is a friday afternoon, December 19th. I have just wrapped up another semester in college. Hopefully, it will be a successful one. But anyway, what is there to do on a crappy day like today? well since it is only days left until the big event: Christmas....I thought I would bake. So I am spending my day with music blasting in my house as I bake chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies and peanut butter cookies....mmmm yum. I am decorating in between that as well as wrapping Christmas presents. It is the perfect weather to just stay inside and bake all day.

Since I like to multitask I figure I would do some blogging as well. The hot topic of this week seems to be the fact that President Bush dodged two shoes during a press conference in Iraq this past weekend. In my opinion, no matter how much you dislike another country's president you should never throw a shoe at him, let alone two. To many people he is being called a hero. To other a brave man. To others one of the most stupidest people to ever walk the planet. No matter how much someone disagrees with the president, his policies, his administration etc, it does not warrant shoes being throw. However, in a sense it is a little funny. I think it is great how Bush dodged the shoes. Both times no less. Some people wonder if it was planned. I do not think you can plan that kind of matrix-like dodge that Bush did. Anyway nonetheless, in Middle Eastern culture it is a great sign of disrespect to have a shoe thrown at you.

In New York, during a meeting with the MTA just a few short days after the Bush shoe throwing incident, a man did the same thing with the head of the MTA. He shouted out "you made $300,000 last year" and threw a shoe at him. The man was immediately removed from the room.

HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA either situation is so laughable. Have some respect for people. What happened to this world? we resort to throwing our shoes??

barack obama being influential

n Obama will be an influential leader because of his excellent skills in public speaking and persuasion. Many people felt as though Obama is putting up a front. He is a man of all talk and no action. However, I see it a little differently. In a sense, Obama is like Hitler. Now this might sound totally preposterous but follow me on this. After World War I, Germany was in a terrible position. Their economy and society was in disarray. They were looking for any new hope, new ideas, new leadership; basically a breath of fresh air. When Hitler came along, the German people listened. He was very charismatic and an excellent persuader. He captured the German people through his excellent stage presence and speeches. They were looking for anything to grasp on to. With the current Iraqi War and war in Afghanistan, the tumultuous economy and lack of faith in the current administration, America is looking for that breath of fresh air. We found that in Obama. It is a similar situation- America is in a desperate situation. I am not in anyway saying that Obama will be a ruthless leader or create a Holocaust. I am simply saying that post-WWI Germany and present day America are in a similar situation. Yes Yes Yes. I know Germany's economy was much worse because of hyper inflation and what not but I am simply saying their economy was in disarray as is ours. Its just similar. At any rate, due to America's imperialistic ways and neoconservative views we are on a slippery slow to the lack of a hedgemonic hold of superpower.

culture

I have visited the Middle East on numerous occasions. However, I grew up in America. I find the differences between the cultures to be fascinating. From what I have observed during my visits to the Middle East, they tend to be a society that is far more relaxed and laid back than that of it’s American counterpart. Lets discuss Saudi Arabia and America for one minute because I feel as though they are two countries that are on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to cultural differences. First off, there are nine categories of cultural differences. They are language and body language, social values and ideas of status, decision-making habits and ethical standards, attitudes towards time and use of space as well as manners. To even begin to understand these differences, one must realize that Saudi Arabia follows strict Islamic law know as Shari’ a Law. This is a concept that Americans may find difficult to deal with because America has a separation between Church and State. One major difference I have noticed is the perception of time. Saudi Arabians in particular (not all of them obviously) do not adhere to strict time constraints. It is normal for a business meeting to be scheduled for 1 P.M. but the meeting’s participants not show up until fifteen to twenty minutes later than the scheduled time. In America, if a meeting is scheduled for 1 P.M. it is customary for the participants to show up five minutes early or exactly on time. Another cultural difference is that it is rude to show the soles of your feet or shoes to someone. In America, people may not particularly care for it but they also may not deem it as rude or inappropriate. Body language is something Saudis take somewhat seriously. It is not appropriate for a woman to look a man directly in the eye especially if she does not know him. In America, eye contact is encouraged among men and women especially in a business setting because it seen as strong and confident. It is also a sign of trust. Saudi Arabians tend to stand closer to each other when speaking because they feel it makes the conversation more personal. Americans tend to value their personal space and will have a considerable distance between themselves and the other person. Saudi Arabians also do everything based upon the belief that everything should be done by their right hand, everything from eating to writing to passing something to a person. In Saudi Arabia, if you do not turn your coffee cup upside down when you no longer desire any more coffee then the host/hostess will see it as a desire for more and they will keep filling your cup without asking you if you want more. It is just assumed. In America, we tend to ask if a person wants a refill first. Another factor I have seen that seems to be strikingly different is the great emphasis that is placed on family and home life as well as religion. I feel as though In America, people have begun to lose this sense of family. A lot of my friends do not spend a considerable amount of time with their families nor do they spend a lot of time in a Church or Mosque or Synagogue. I feel like most, not all, Americans have lost a sense of religion and family values because we are so wrapped up in school and work. Americans have devalued the meaning of family and a social life. America is a much more fast paced environment that that of Saudi Arabia. Yet people criticize Saudi Arabians for their great sense of family life. I think Saudi Arabian culture is beautiful. THey have a great sense of relaxation and an idea of taking things slow. They place great emphasis on religion.

Well at any rate both cultures are very unique and very fascinating.

stereotypes

Stereotypes
America is the land of diversity. Every nationality, race, religion, creed, culture etc exists in this country. We are such a unique country as a whole. However, even with this great diversity comes stereotypes. The word stereotype comes from the greek words stereo + typos which means a “solid impression. There is a stereotype for every ethnic group, social class, race, religion and nationality. As a product of such diverse parents, I have been stereotyped against. Stereotypes are common misperceptions of an ethnic group or nationality. It is a wrong assumption or a prejuidice. Stereotypes can arise from a movie, a book , a t.v. show, a video game or a bad experience with just one person from that particular group. Below I have come up with a list of some of the most common stereotypes that I have heard.

*****Please note that I did not come up with these stereotypes nor do I agree with them.**************

these are stereotypes that need to be eradicated and shut down. They are hurtful and untrue.

1. All Irish people are alcoholics.
2. All Italians are guidos.
3. Christians are homophobes.
4. Asians are nerds.
5. All black people are on welfare.
6. All Arabs are terrorists.
5. Jocks are stupid.
6. Blonde haired people are dumb and ditzy.
7. French people are snooty and stuck-up.
8. Indians work at gas stations or 7-eleven.
9. Southerners are hicks and racist.
10. Middle Easterners hate Americans.
11. Russians are violent drunks.
12. Immigrants do not speak English well.
13. Jewish people are cheap.
14. Middle Eastern women are oppressed.
15. Germans are Nazis.
16. Irish men are wife beaters.
17. All Italians are in the mob.
18. All whites are racist.
19. All Chinese people can not drive.
20. Jewish people control the world.
21. All Indians smell bad.
22. fat people have no self-control.
23. all gay people have std's.
24. All Arabs hate Jews.
25. All gingers are irish.

america's role in the world, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel. etc

America’s role in the world, The Iraqi War, The War on Terror and The Israel -Palestine Conflict and the role of the United Nations
America is one of the youngest countries in the world yet it is the most powerful and strongest. We are (were) the number one super-power in the world. However, America up until World War I and World War II held an isolationist policy. We maintained a certain level of self-sufficiency and pretty much kept to ourselves. However, after World War II, America suddenly became the world’s police. (This is not to say that America did not get involved in foreign affairs before that time period.) Ever since World War II, America has felt the need to step in on the affairs of numerous countries around the world. However, they seem to pick and choose their batles. Why was it ok for America to get involved with the Genocide that occurred during World War II to the Jewish people, the gypsies, the disabled and any known supporters of Jewish people? Why did they feel it was in their best interest to get involved in that? However, there is currently a genocide occurring in Darfur and America has yet to take any real action in stopping it? This is only one example of America picking and choosing its battles. What about Rwanda? The current Russia-Georgia conflict? Is it America’s place to get involved in these global issues?
Whether you agree with the Iraqi War or The War on Terror, what is your opinion about it? Americans were told shortly after September 11, 2001 that we would be going to war with Afghanistan because that is were Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the attacks, was hiding. Just a few months ago was the seventh anniversary of that tragic day and we are still in Afghanistan looking for a man who seems to be like a ghost. We took down a ruthless regime, the Taliban, in the mean time.
In the midst of that we entered Iraq because of supposed Weapons of Mass Destruction and to take down another ruthless dictator. It has been five years that we have been in Iraq now and although Saddam Hussein has been removed from power not much else has changed. Soldiers and innocent Iraqis are dying daily yet no WMD’s have been found. So
when does America say enough is enough?
While that is all occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan, America is contuning its support for Israel as the Israel-Palestine conflict wages on. Many view the Palestine-Israel conflict as hopeless case. They say nothing can be done. That region has always been in turmoil and according to those nay-sayers, it will always be in turmoil so just let them be. Should America be taking a more active stance in finding a solution to this conflict or is this were America picks and chooses? Yes, America has always supported Israel morally, economically and militarily. However, is it their job to try to find a solution to this conflict?
What do all these things have to do with each other? What is happening in Rwanda, Darfur, Georgia and Israel/Palestine should fall under the United Nations control. However, there is one slight problem with that. The U.N. is a peace-keeping force. They are not allowed to shoot unless they are shot at. They are not allowed to intervene unless the situation becomes hostile towards the U.N. peacekeeping troops. The U.N. essentially has no power. Especially when the Rwandan genocide occurred, this was a clear example of the U.N.’s amount of power.
So should America act as the U.N.’s puppets and be the ones to take control of global crisis’s? America has acted as mediators to numerous crisis’s around the world. However, America is a damned if you do and damned if you don’t type of situation. If America does not get involved they risk their position as a super-power. But if they do get involved they get labeled as imperialistic and nosy.

The U.S. is the number one oil consumer and Saudi Arabia is the number one oil producer. I found this article in the Washington Post and I found it to be very interesting. The United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have a very unique yet misunderstood relationship. U.S.- Saudi ties started around the time of the cold war as both countries joined forces in trying to fight off communism. Since then the relationship has grown. The Washington Post article talked about five common misperceptions of U.S.-Saudi relations:

1. The relationship between Saudi Arabia and America is a bargain for oil.
ok yes, america is the number one consumer and KSA is the number one producer of oil but its not just about the oil.
2. Fifteen of the ninteen 9/11 hijackers undermined an otherwise strong tie between the U.S. and KSA.
ok yes 15 of 19 of the 9/11 hijackers were from KSA but this should not and in my opinion, will not effect the KSA/USA relationship mostly because Saudi Arabia denounces terrorism and anyone who has dealing with it. For example, Osama Bin Laden, creator of Al-Qaeda terrorist group is Saudi but he was stripped of his citizenship in the 90's for his terrorist activities. It was Osama's attempt to destroy the relations between the two countries but it was an attempt that did not work because the relationship remained in tact even if was strained for a while.
3. The Bush family and the House of Saud are too friendly with each other for comfort.
hahahahah this is a funny one. they are very friendly but thats what good allies do. does anyone say anything for the USA being friendly with Britain? (well yes but still)
4. Washington calls the shots with Saudi Arabia because the U.S. is import to them.
5. The House of Saud is about to collapse.
Ok, yes even though the U.S. IS the number one oil consumer and KSA IS the number one producer, this does not mean that this is the basis and only reason for their relationship. Fifteen of the hijackers were of Saudi Arabian descent. However, things were never really that great between KSA and the U.S. that September 11th ruined the relationship. Yes, they are an ally of the U.S. but clearly that did not ruin the relationship. The Bush family has close ties with the Saudi royal family because they helped father Bush during Desert Storm in the early 90’s when Iraq invaded Kuwait. However, their personal relationship does not have anything to do with the U.S. policy. In my opinion, I highly doubt Washington calls the shots with one of the most powerful royal families in the world. Yes, there is the Houston-Jeddah Connection. yada yada yada. But Saudi Arabia at times has even questioned America’s actual importance to them. They need us because a major part of their economy relies on U.S. money for the oil. The House of Saud is a very resilient family. They are not about to collapse. I do not really see how that last point has much to do with the U.S. relationship with them but they are not about to collapse. There are many princes in line waiting for their chance to rule of the most powerful dynasties in the world. In my opinion, America’s relationship with Saudi Arabia is based on so much more than oil. Other oil needy countries such as China have tried to acquire close relations with the Saudis as well. It is not just about the oil. It is a strategic alliance based on wealth, power, social status, politics and much more than just oil.

election 2008

As everyone knows Barack Obama won the United States Presidential Election. He defeated his opponent, Republican nominee John McCain in a landslide victory. However, many are already questioning his ability to run this country. Barack Obama has very little experience behind him and it is probably why he made the choice of Joe Biden for his vice president. Biden has a great deal of experience especially in foreign affairs. It feels to me though that Barack Obama’s win was more of a movement than an election. His words have inspired millions already and he has not even been inaugurated yet. Obama has already held numerous press conferences on the economy and the state of the country. Many already view him as a president that will be written in history books as one of the greatest presidents to ever live. Not because he did the unimaginable by winning against a white man with more political experience as a black man with less political experience but because they truly believe he will be a great president.
The New York Times recently reported that not only is he inspiring people in America but he is inspiring people abroad as well. However, its inspiration for baby names. The times said just hours after the election ten baby boys were born down south and they were named after our President-elect Barack Obama himself. His little girls are inspiring mothers to name their children Malia and Sasha as well. This is why I say its more of a movement than a presidential election that he has created.
“ I am asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change Washington…I am asking you to believe in yours.” this quote came directly off of barackobama.com. His words are inspiring old, young, black, white. I think everyone is ready for this “change” he keeps discussing. Everyone is waiting to see how he is going to change what has been for the last eight years under the Bush administration. We have been in Iraq for five of the eight years that Bush has been in office. So, I am interested to see how he plans to withdraw the troops from Iraq within sixteen months. The Iraqi Prime Minister is in favor of this plan and he supports it.
What I am most curious to see is how he plans to have talks with Iran through direct diplomacy and without preconditions. In my opinion, you can not have talks without preconditions. He believes that political isolationism from Iran will help solve the problem with the Iranian regime. If Iran abandons its nuclear programs they will be offered membership into the WTO. This is going to be interesting.
Next, is Israel. Obama said “Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on the front lines. And I will bring to the White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security…I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat - from Gaza to Tehran.… Across the political spectrum, Israelis understand that real security can only come through lasting peace. And that is why we - as friends of Israel - must resolve to do all we can to help Israel and its neighbors to achieve it.” this is a direct quote from Obama himself at a 2008 AIPAC policy conference. As a Middle Easterner who supports the Palestinians’ right to a homeland, this worries me a little that he has such a solid stance in supporting Israel rather than supporting a solution to the conflict.

10 most irritating phrases in the english language

Oxford University recently released a list of the ten most irritating phrases in the English language. According to them, number 3 is used atleast one a day.

which one do you say the most? which one irritates you?


1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science

about virgo

I was born in september so that makes me a virgo.

Here are some interesting things to know about the virgo:

Scorpios and aquarius do not get along with virgos. Geminis should stay far away from virgos. Aries appreciate virgos for their perserverance.

- Virgos have a tendency to have a mean temper. - this me to a tee. i am soooooo mean at times but for the most part we are just misunderstood.
- Cancerians and capricorns share perfectionism with virgos. - I tend to be a perfectionist at times.
- They love to experiment with food. - this is where this might not describe me too much. I am very simple when it comes to food. I do not like variety...not really anyway. I like to pair weird things so if you consider this experimenting then ok.
- love to hear that we are right. however, we can easily accept we are wrong. - I loveeeeeeeeeeee love love being right. however, if i am wrong, like my sign says, i can accept it. but just be honest about it and tell me up front i am wrong.
- they generally have stomach problems and high cholesterol mostly due to how much they worry.
-We are not as physically destructive as Taurus but we can do damage with words. - oh my gosh. this is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo me. my words are harsh but i speak the truth. i have been know to say it like it is.
- We like to organize things just so they look good.
- making money is our passion and we find ways to lead a lavish lifestyle. - i love a lavish lifestyle and hopefully i can afford it when i am out of college.
- we get deep into conversations so we can be center of attention. - hahahaahah my friend Eric always tells me i get deep into convos. i guess its true.
- we tend to guard our reputations like gold. - I defend my rep til deaths end. its sooo true.
- we are usually irritable. - this characteristic could not describe me better. I am always sooooooo irritable. like all the time. i have violent mood swings.
- we believe we can get away with almost anything.
- our greatest strength is our ability to focus attention.



Some celebrities who share my sign include: Nicole Richie, Leann Rimes, Jimmy Falon, Stephen King, Ryan Phillippe, Cameron Diaz and Adam Sandler.

favorite quotes

there are a ton of quotes that i live by, laugh by, love by and just thoroughly enjoy. here are some of them. FULL CREDIT IS GIVEN TO WHOEVER MADE THESE QUOTES. For some of these quotes I know who said them so i have listed the author but for others I do not know. I am in no way saying that these quotes are mine. they are just words of wisdom that I find to be true to my life...enjoy.

- yesterday is history, tommorow is a mystery, and today is a gift...that is why it is called the present.
- find out who you are and do it on purpose- Dolly Parton
- challenges are what make life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. - Joshua J. Marine
- do you hit people with italian bread in the park? - me
- citius, altius, fortius (faster, higher, stronger)- Henri Martin Didon
- a true friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
- don't walk in front of me for i may not follow, dont walk behind me for i may not lead but walk beside me as my friend.
- a wise girl listens but doesn't believe, kisses but doesn't love and leaves before she is left.- Marily Monroe
- go to the mattresses- the Godfather
- I think therefore I am - Descartes
- this is to the men who date us, the assholes who lost us and the lucky bastards who will meet us.
- the ends justify the means- Machiavelli
-the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams- Eleanor roosevelt
- no one can make you feel inferior without your permission- Eleanor Roosevelt
- knowledge is power
- time is money.
- life is tough, shit happens
- ignorance is the root of all evil
- live, laugh, love
- a dream becomes a goal when action is taken towards its achievement- bo bennett
- life is not about the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.
- beauty is in the eye of the beholder
- winners never quit and quitters never win.
- everything happens for a reason.
- luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
- be a first- judy garland
- the only thing you have to fear is fear itself- former president of the united states.
- carpe diem (seize the day)
- jealousy is a weak and wasted emotion you gotta overcome that- jay-z
- all great achievements take time- david j. schwartz
- there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
- don't get mad, get everything. - Ivana Trump
- no acts of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.
- shhhhhhhhh go sit in a corner- as said by me
- what knocks you down but does not kill you only makes you stronger
- every woman should have 4 pets in her life...a mink in her closet, a tiger in her bed, a jaguar in her garage and a jackass to pay for everything. - Paris Hilton
- you must be the change you wish to see in the world- Gandhi
- In three words I can sum up everthing I've learned about life: It goes on- Robert Frost
- The difference between style and fashion is quality- Giorgio Armani
- go get a dictionary/ read a newspaper- as said by me to my sis.
- the only way to get smarter is by playing a smarter opponent.
- first rule of business: protect your investment.
- there is no avoiding war only postponing it to the advantage of your opponent- niccolo machiavelli
- dont cry when something good is over smile because it even happened.
- Only God can judge me- Tupac shukar
- vengeance is a lazy form of mourning- the interpreter(movie)
- skadoohsh - kung fu panda
- i curse the day you were born.- Sex and the City the Movie
- time heals all wounds.
- What nourishes me also destroys me.
- me. eye. ouch. - gabriel
- "shklo wahesh".... "khalas" - my dad in convo with a waiter in Marina, egypt.
- "momken to close the azaz" - suszana in the room asking to shut hte door.
- hi harry- my sister to my dad.
- Bright light.
- ashan howwa kelb.
- you should google that....it does not sound safe. -anna l.
- the greatest thing you can ask of someone is for them to think logical. - Sonny N.
- You are not a nickel in this dime. - Amari P.
- Its corporate american bullshit. - Matt C.
- life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans.- John Lennon
- the difference between style and fashion is quality.
- life is not about the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.
- live as if you were to die tomorrow but dream as if you were to live forever.
- live laugh love.
- hayatti ana
- ana bahmoot feeki ya gamar.
- ya princessa ya princessa.
- Oh my God danny devito i love your work.
- never lie cheat or steal. if you must lie lay in the arms of the one you love. if you must cheat cheat death. if you must steal steal away from bad company.
- what is a friend? a single soul dwelling in two beings.- Aristotle
- I am free of all prejuidices...i hate everyone equally.
- this is some corporate american bullshit - matt collura
- the ones who drive you crazy are the ones who make life worth living- Sonny Nakrani
- first rule of business: protect your investment
- if its good, its wonderful; if its bad its experience - Victoria Holt.
- Some people are meant to come into your life for a lifetime, some for only a season and you got to know which is which. And you're always messing up when you mix those seasonal people up with lifetime expectations.- MADEA
- If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are eternal.- John Lennon

favorite restaurants

- Fish Market (beautiful city of Marina, Egypt)
- Sabry's (Astoria, NY)
- Rainforest Cafe (Long Island, NY)
- Macaroni Grill (Princeton, NJ)
- CTC (Cairo, Egypt)
- Syria (Alexandria, Egypt)
- Sofitel (Cairo, Egypt)
- Il Porto ( Southstreet seaport, NY)
- this adorable place on ann st. cant remember the name though.
- Al Diwan (NY)
- Max Brenner's (Union Square, NY)
- Mastori's Restaurant (bordentown, NJ)
- Sushi Samba (NY)
- Turkish Kitchen (NY)
- this Afghan place on 9th ave in NY
- Felix (in Soho, NY...Prince St. i think)
- Colbeh (Long Island, NY)
- Mae's Place (2nd Ave in NY)
- 16 Handles (2nd Ave. &10th St. in NY)
- Rice to Riches (soho in NY)
- Fabio's (E. 44st & 2nd Ave)
- Klong's Thai Food (st.marks place in NY)
- Tj's Bar (financial district in NY..this is just because of good memories)
- Alice's Tea (64th and Lex, NY)
- Popbar (w.4th, NY)
- Horus (Ave, A and 13th)
- John's (times square)
- Carmines (times square)
- Financier (cedar st. financial district)
- Gaslight (14th st and 9th ave, NY)


soooo many places. I will add to this list as I remember the places or find new ones.

about me

My name is Yasmien but as you can tell I prefer Mia. I am nineteen years old (when I wrote this). I grew up in a very diverse family. I have an american-born mom of European descent (irish, scotish and english) and a father of Middle Eastern descent (saudi arabian and egyptian). Life as their child has not always been easy when it comes to decisions because well my mom is Christian and my dad is Muslim. However, I have the best of both worlds. I am a vegetarian by choice. That started at the age of eleven. I went vegan for several months but realized i loved cheese far too much...the real cheese not that soy stuff (although I do enjoy some soy). I am an easy-going, down to earth girl who just loves to try everything once. I speak three languages and I am currently working on my fourth and fifth. I enjoy jetskiing, baking, tanning, travelling and being me.

I created this blog so I can just post my thoughts, opinions, ideas and view points! I welcome any feedback, criticism, encouragement, responses, debates etc to my blogs. I am just doing this for fun and my blog will include everything from food, fashion, culture, and life as I view it from my eyes. I hope everyone enjoys reading it!!!!!

Have a great day!!!

Live laugh and love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mia