http://nusrah.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/21435 Thu, 30 Dec 2004 23:12:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/21435 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/21014 Mon, 06 Dec 2004 20:12:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/21014 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/20797
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1358173,00.html]]> Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:36:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/20797 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/20575 Fri, 12 Nov 2004 21:55:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/20575 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/20574 May the peace and blessings of Allah be with you today, and always!!]]> Fri, 12 Nov 2004 21:53:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/20574 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/17878 Mon, 05 Jul 2004 22:35:00 EDT http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/17878 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/13797
Check out: http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_register.php]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2004 09:28:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/13797 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/13529 Thu, 15 Jan 2004 16:25:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/13529 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/13375
This is the year I graduate college, so there's a lot of excitement and fear about the unknown, and about the next stage of my life! Viva 04!]]> Wed, 07 Jan 2004 21:06:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/13375 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/13011
I admit when I saw the very first teasers for the Last Samurai I snorted and turned my back on it. Lets just say I'm not the biggest Tom Cruise fan, but, after the trailers, and seeing the movie, I'm certainly a fan of The Last Samurai. It was an epic adventure, about a man's journey. It's about learning of another way of life, and growing to respect and love the unknown. The music, the scenery, the characters, everything seemed flawlessly depicted (barring the first scene by the ocean - it looked too CG for me, and the bay looked like a gigantic set - and one slightly over dramatized fight scene - does anyone get that? After he'd killed them all, he started fighting them again??? What was that about?)

I must say as a sceptic and a harsh critic, I have nothing to complain about. This movie made me FEEL everything, and it totally ensared me, infact it has me at a loss for words. I'm trying to think of something else to complain about but I can't. Perhaps the only thing I wish is that I hadn't seen it b4 ROTK because I couldn't help but compare the two.


ROTK. Perhaps the most awaited movie this year, everywhere you go people are talking about it, either counting down the days or discussing the first two. Finally its out, and for one reason or another you're the only person who hasn't seen it yet, and everyone is talking about how great it is, except for that long winding ending. So you finally go see it, ... well I did anyway, perhaps my expectations were toooooooooo high? Perhaps The Last Samurai was still in my mind? Although I didn't want the movie to end, and I enjoyed some scenes tremendously, it didn't leave me feeling as joyous and empowered as the FOTR, nor did it leave me giddy and excited like TTT. I expected to cry, but barely got teary eyed, I expected to jump, or cring - but perhaps the fact that I'd read the books already, had something to do with it.

Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed ROTK I'll never forget pig face, or Legolas killing the Oliphant, or Aragorn becoming the king and loosing all traces of strider. But I did wish there was more of Arwen with Aragorn, and that Eowyn and Faramir's love was shown more clearly. I wish that we saw what becomes of Gimli and Legolas, and that the ending was more powerful. I wanted it to be hard to let go or LOTR but it isn't. I wanted to bawl my eyes out but I didn't.

So perhaps my tragedy is that I expected and expected with ROTK whereas I expected nothing if anything from the Last Samurai.

Someone in the bathroom afterwards said "Peter Jackson, thank you for the best christmas present ever!" I believe that is the best summation ever. And if the Oscars don't recognize him and the most amazing cast ever assembled, then the oscars should be disbanded, and destroyed.

Last samurai : 9.5 stars
ROTK: 9 stars

What're your favorite scenes from ROTK? Mine is when Aragorn says "You my friends will bow down to no one" and everyone kneels b4 them.
]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2003 00:44:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/13011 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12877 Mon, 15 Dec 2003 01:16:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12877 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12663
1) The Color Purple - Alice Walker:

I really enjoyed this, the voice was fresh, and the voice of the character was very powerful, and it felt personal, as if Nettie was talking for herself. It's a good read if you're interested in finding out about American History during and post slavery and how the changes affected the country.


2) Stupid White Men - Michael Moore

I would have read this book just for the title :D It was quite an eye opener about the things going on in America. I remember being quite puzzled like most people just after the elections, trying to understand what the electoral college was there for, and why people bothered to vote if the electoral college's votes decided the outcome... The book clarified a lot of questions, and also informed me about a lot of things. Its told in a very honest straightforward and non-preaching manner. Michael Moore RULES!! Thanks Mike for writing that!!

3) 1st To Die - James Patterson

Your typical murder mystery. I picked it up, cos I'd read the Beach House by Patterson and enjoyed it. This book has its highlights, but there are parts that just drag along. There're just enough possible killers to leave you guessing back and forth as to who the real culprit is.

4) Ward Six - Anton Chekhov

I like books like these, because the topics are different from what you'd read in popular culture. You get sucked into the world, and the time period, and even though its not at all positive, or a heroic tale, I didn't feel very depressed after reading it - I expected to be... hmm... oh well

5) Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand

Okay this book will have me ranting and raving about its merits about why I love it, about why its already become my favorite book of all time!! Its about our problems today, about our inability or unwilligness to think about things, to try to understand why things go wrong. Its because of our mentality or culture of blaming someone else - anyone else for our problems. Its always easier to look for an enemy, because of their color, religion, attitude, because they're different from you so offcourse everything wrong in your life is their fault. WAKE UP people!! Stop looking for answers outside, look inside yourselves first then earn the right to point fingers.

6) Straight Talking

A British novel I picked up over thanksgiving. I enjoy british authors cos they have a different style of writing. The authors I've read tend to be more flippant. The moods are lighter, and the stories end up being more fun. Its more of a chick book though:)

7) Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less - Jeffrey Archer

8) The Prodigal Daughter

This book is the second part to Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. I recently found out there's a third book, I think its called Son's of Fortune, I'll probably get it along with Enders game this Christmas.

This book was loads of fun!! when I was in England I watched the miniseries with my dad, but that was years ago, and I could barely recall the title, so when I saw the book I couldn't resist buying it. It's a rather small book, very quick read and lots of fun. I found myself laughing out loud, and whenever I put it down, I'd be wondering in my head what they'd come up with next. It's about victims of 419 getting together to avenge themselves over the perpetrator. REALLY COOL!!!

I am currently reading:
Princess Sultana's Daughters - Jean Sasson
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Steven Covey
The Boomerang Clue - Agatha Christy

Any recommendations? Comments?]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2003 14:45:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12663 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12423
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it!]]> Fri, 28 Nov 2003 12:40:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12423 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12125 And my back is killing me and to boot I know if I close my eyes I'll think of nothing but the script and I'll have nightmares of having slept through the deadline!

So looking forward to tomorrow when it'll all be over!!
if anyone wants to read it : www.nusrahwali.com/sv/enigma2.pdf

What's really bursting my bubble is that before I sat down on the computer today, I had 53 pages, now I have barely 40, and I have 38 scenes! What a nightmare! ]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2003 03:49:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12125 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12120
Downloading is free and installation is a breeze!

This was created by the creaters of Kazaa so presumably it'll stay free... (we can hope!) The quality is excellent, and all you need is a mic and your friends id - check it out if you haven't already:) ]]> Sun, 16 Nov 2003 22:34:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12120 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12104
before I went to see it I read all the terrible reviews and I was a little crest-fallen, but off course with all critiques you gotta see for yourself and make up your own mind. I'm glad to say I was thrilled, I had a fabulous time, I was holding my breath through most of it and was really tensed up! It was so exciting! I felt it was a satisfactory conclusion. And thankfully Morpheus didn't go on like a psychotic fanatic idiot this time! Phew!

The pitfalls? Off course there were pitfalls, most notable for me being Trinity and Neo - basically they had no Chemistry! even in reloaded it was a stretch, but by revolutions it was just, give me a break, just because you tell us you're a couple doesn't mean we have to buy it - Link and his wife had much more chemistry and definitely stole their scenes!

Also when Trinity dies were we actually supposed to care? I mean seriously! Oh I died before, you saved me, don't bother doing it again otherwise the audience will hate me - or smg - And although I've been poked in three different places and my lungs are probably bleeding I'll still get to waste my last minutes on earth talking mumbo jumbo, --- oh I'm still alive? Also a little disappointed with Agent Smith - just a little - I was wondering how he'd be destroyed, but that was very creative and very plausible how they got rid of him.

Glad I got that off my chest - did you like it? Hate it? So-
So?

I give it 8 stars :) ]]> Sun, 16 Nov 2003 01:50:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12104 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12103 Anyone have a favorite car song?
]]> Sun, 16 Nov 2003 01:39:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/12103 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11836
Incase you are one of the many people who wonder what Ramadan is let me explain ... Its a Muslim Holy month where in we fast for the whole month each day from sunrise to sunset we do not eat or drink at all. If your next question is why, then the answer to that is we identify with the poor and needy, who are hungry but are unable to feed themselves. At the end of the month we are required to give back about 1% of our wealth earned that year to the poor as a sort of cleansing, and also to invest in God, and people and trust that we'll be repaid many times over.

Trust me while you're starving or extremely thirsty and your friends are eating in front of you, you appreciate that you can afford to eat when you are hungry and that when the sun sets, you get to eat. Remember the next time you're incredibly hungry and you get to eat, that there's someone out there in the world who is hungrier than you are and still won't get to eat. Talk about food for thought huh...


................
Can hardly believe there's only five weeks of school left!!Where has all the time gone? It seems in every class we're working on the final projects.

currently reading " not a penny more, not a penny less" by Jeffrey Archer, I remember when I was younger there was a tv series by the same name I used to watch with my dad, although the only thing I remember is that it was british, but I'm enjoying the book so much I can hardly put it down - in fact now I'm using it as a motivator to hurry up and finish my homework so I can sit back and enjoy it.

And if you haven't heard "Una Noche" by The Corrs and Alejandro Sanz then what are you waiting for? Go get it :) Sweet Dreams!! ]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2003 00:29:00 EST http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11836 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11526
This is my last homecoming at school but I haven' t participated at all, i figure every year is the same, and really with the state of the world who cares!

Tonight is the school premiere of "Where you going Red Ryder" all my friends are acting in it, and I helped build the stage so I'm going to go check it out. toodles!]]> Thu, 16 Oct 2003 13:28:00 EDT http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11526 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11400
Book lover signing out!]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2003 18:05:00 EDT http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11400 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11361
Its unbelievably scary almost like 1984 for today's world. Whats going on!! Are we letting the media brainwash us, or is apathy killing us?

I'll write more as soon as I finish the book, but if you've read it already I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! If you haven't, you should!]]> Mon, 06 Oct 2003 22:27:00 EDT http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11361 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11262 Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:04:00 EDT http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11262 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11206 And tired.
sometimes I feel as if I'm loosing my humanity.
loosing my essence, what makes me who I am.
sometimes I feel as if I'm surrounded by hopelessness with occasional bursts of light.

I wish... but then I don't know what I wish.
I feel as if my life has somehow been stolen from me, or I've just given it away, but I'm not sure who I've given it to.

I feel myself being pulled in so many directions, I try to let go but my environment sometimes won't let me. And sometimes I don't want to let go.

I'm falling into a pit, a void. I'm tired.]]> Sat, 27 Sep 2003 22:10:00 EDT http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/11206 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/10878
I'm sick and tired of seeing girls take no pride in their accomplishments. I see talented girls who just wow me with their musical talents, intellect, or just plain personality, and yet they have no sense of self or worth and let people trample their thoughts and feelings, and don't defend themselves. Why don't they shout out to the world that they are talented, that they are interesting individuals, with passions and hobbies that are their own?!!

I was talking to a six year old and she told me that she wants to look like the models on magazine covers, but when I asked her why she said she didn't know. So even at age six she's already been brainwashed! No wonder girls loose confidence by the time they're teenagers - they've been told since they were old enough to know what a magazine is that this is the ideal of beauty and if they don't look like that they're obviously not lovable, or normal.

Be it single mothers raising children, college graduates or elementary school kids, I am getting really frustrated by the lack of self esteem in a lot of girls/ women. And banging my head trying to figure out what to do about it!

My advice to you if you're having self-esteem issues, don't listen to everyone's opinion, pick and choose wisely who you listen to and who you don't.

Also learn who you are before you try to follow someone or join a group, because you don't want to join a group just to belong, you need to belong to yourself before you can share yourself with anyone else.

And learn love of self, and knowledge of self. Don't believe everything you hear. And remember most things are just in your head, and sometimes all you need is an attittude adjustment. just because someone didn't say hi to you doesn't mean they don't like you, maybe they're just having a bad day, were day dreaming, or don't think you like them... So go ahead say hello first and you'll be surprised. ..

Love yourself!! Celebrate yourself!
]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2003 16:09:00 EDT http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/10878 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889 http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/10760
Of late I've been having recurring dreams of being assassinated - why do I use assassination as a word well because its a lot of people who've been paid to kill me and they're very well armed and I have to escape them - I can't figure out why this is a recurring dream - before you say I've seen too many action movies - I haven't seen one like that in some time -- I don't know its just very strange - if it wasn't recurring i would have thought nothing of it, but it is...]]> Sun, 31 Aug 2003 18:26:00 EDT http://nusrah.tigblog.org/post/10760 37.4222222 -81.016388937.4222222-81.0163889