"In order to acquire anything in the physical universe, you have to relinquish your attachment to it"
~ Deepak Chopra
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thought Of The Day
"I have failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."
~ Michael Jordan
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Abraham Lincoln Was A Vampire Hunter?
What a book! I must say, when I first read the book at Borders, it was more out of curiosity rather than for literature. But I must admit, it was a great read, especially on the American Civil War. Well, it's not everyday that you read that vampires were helping the South to win the war so that they could enslave America as the first pure vampire nation.
However, despite the fact that most of the photos in the book were altered (acknowledgment was given to Stephanie Isaacson for her Photoshop skills for the book!), the book presented new facts that are completely new to me about vampires.
Let's just say the way the vampires kills in the book was savage, brutal and totally devoid of human emotions. They treated humans no better than the way we treat livestock like chicken or cows - to be slaughtered for food. There were even vampires who preferred babies and children. Definitely not for the faint hearted or those who have romanticized feelings about vampires due to Twilight.
There is a picture in the book that I want to highlight in this blog. In the book, on page 301, is a picture of a group of freed slaves who were collecting the bones of confederate bodies in Cold Harbor, Virginia after the war in 1865. Alright, here is the same picture that I googled, not from the book but from a website.
Noticed the skull on the man's left? Look closely and you will see what appears to be fangs in the teeth. If you have the book, they have a close up of the skull where the fangs are more clear and visible.
Have a read. The book will blow your mind.
UFO
I have always been fascinated by UFOs due to personal reasons. Be it UFO sightings or close encounters of the third kind. You can search through YouTube and you will find all sort of videos. Most of them are fake but a few stands out by looking genuine and authentic.
2010 was a very active year for UFO sightings. There was a period of time between June and July last year that UFO sightings were very active globally. There was even one UFO sighting at Tuaran, Sabah although no video was recorded. Check out the video of one such sighting at China.
Then CNN reported birds were falling from sky dead in Arkansas and Louisiana with no apparent reason. No poison was detected. In Arkansas, fishes were washed ashore dead.
It was then concluded that these deaths were caused by "blunt force trauma". In the end, science couldn't explain what happened to those birds and fishes.
Last year, Stephen Hawking published his theories about aliens. He claimed that aliens are real but instead of seeking them out, humanity should be doing all it can to avoid any contact. Hawking’s logic on aliens is, for him, unusually simple. The universe, he points out, has 100 billion galaxies, each containing hundreds of millions of stars. In such a big place, Earth is unlikely to be the only planet where life has evolved.
He suggests that aliens might simply raid Earth for its resources and then move on: “We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet. Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach.”
He concludes that trying to make contact with alien races is “a little too risky”. He said: “If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the Native Americans."
What do you think?
2010 was a very active year for UFO sightings. There was a period of time between June and July last year that UFO sightings were very active globally. There was even one UFO sighting at Tuaran, Sabah although no video was recorded. Check out the video of one such sighting at China.
Then CNN reported birds were falling from sky dead in Arkansas and Louisiana with no apparent reason. No poison was detected. In Arkansas, fishes were washed ashore dead.
It was then concluded that these deaths were caused by "blunt force trauma". In the end, science couldn't explain what happened to those birds and fishes.
Last year, Stephen Hawking published his theories about aliens. He claimed that aliens are real but instead of seeking them out, humanity should be doing all it can to avoid any contact. Hawking’s logic on aliens is, for him, unusually simple. The universe, he points out, has 100 billion galaxies, each containing hundreds of millions of stars. In such a big place, Earth is unlikely to be the only planet where life has evolved.
He suggests that aliens might simply raid Earth for its resources and then move on: “We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet. Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach.”
He concludes that trying to make contact with alien races is “a little too risky”. He said: “If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the Native Americans."
What do you think?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Collide
A wise person once said that regrets makes us old and bitterness poison's the people around us. Time can't be stopped and age does not define wisdom. Hate is only an essence to pride.
The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you
Yeah
I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find
You and I collide
I'm quiet you know
You make a first impression
I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
I somehow find
You and I collide
Don't stop here
I lost my place
I'm close behind
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I collide
Howie Day - Collide lyrics
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you
Yeah
I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find
You and I collide
I'm quiet you know
You make a first impression
I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
I somehow find
You and I collide
Don't stop here
I lost my place
I'm close behind
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I collide
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Journey We Called Life
Fear. Denial. Anger. Bitterness. Loneliness. Guilt. Depression. These emotions, for better or worse, will always be there haunting us as we go through this journey called Life. As a kid, my only worries were getting good grades and finishing my homework in time. As I am going to turn 33 years old this year, I must say that we face a tougher road ahead and it doesn't get any easier.
And I'm sure that I'm not the only one facing these emotions, sometimes on a daily basis. Just flip through the newspapers or browse through internet news and you will read and watch horrible news. Kids killing kids. Adults killing kids. A single bomb goes out killing innocents and the murderers claiming it is an act in the name of God. A father rapes his own daughter in front of his wife and she said nothing, keeping silent out of fear.
I am a great believer that we are capable of great things. That we can be the most compassionate beings that God has ever created in this universe but we are also capable of the most evil acts imaginable. The regime of Hitler is a grimly reminder on how cruel one can be. How one man can instill so much hate in thousands and millions of people and committed genocide in the name of hate.
Fear. Denial. Anger. Bitterness. Loneliness. Guilt. Depression.
But 3 years ago, I made a decision. I decided that I'm not going to let these emotions control my life. Instead, I'm going to control the journey of my life and make things better for myself, the love of my life and my family. I read the Quran everyday, let His words inspire me as I face my daily challenges. I started to work out 4 times weekly as I believe a healthy body will make the mind stronger. And I purge out all these emotions out of my system.
And it worked. It is not an immediate thing but it definitely worked. I found peace within and this peace surrounds everything I do now. And now that I have started meditating after dawn prayers, I am filled with a sense of hope for myself and mankind.
But what about making mistakes? I know I still make mistakes and I'm far from perfect. Read the words here for I believe in these words of wisdom :
"Looking back on what I've said all those years ago, all the hopes and dreams I had. I've come to the conclusion that if having things turn out the way you wanted them to is a measure of a successful life, then some would say that I'm a failure. The important thing is not to be bitter over life's disappointments.
Learn to let go of the past and recognize everyday won't be sunny. And when you find yourself lost in the darkness of despair, remember that it's only in the black of the night that you can see the stars. And those stars will lead you back home. So don't be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble and fall, because most of the time, the greatest rewards come from doing the things that scare you the most.
Maybe you'll get everything you wish for. Maybe you'll get more than you ever could have imagined. Who knows where life will take you? The road is long, and in the end, the journey is the destination"
- Coach Whitey Durham, One Tree Hill, Season 3 Episode 15
So, don't be afraid to let go and live your life to the fullest. Make mistakes but do learn from them.
"Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact."
- Henry James
And I'm sure that I'm not the only one facing these emotions, sometimes on a daily basis. Just flip through the newspapers or browse through internet news and you will read and watch horrible news. Kids killing kids. Adults killing kids. A single bomb goes out killing innocents and the murderers claiming it is an act in the name of God. A father rapes his own daughter in front of his wife and she said nothing, keeping silent out of fear.
I am a great believer that we are capable of great things. That we can be the most compassionate beings that God has ever created in this universe but we are also capable of the most evil acts imaginable. The regime of Hitler is a grimly reminder on how cruel one can be. How one man can instill so much hate in thousands and millions of people and committed genocide in the name of hate.
Fear. Denial. Anger. Bitterness. Loneliness. Guilt. Depression.
But 3 years ago, I made a decision. I decided that I'm not going to let these emotions control my life. Instead, I'm going to control the journey of my life and make things better for myself, the love of my life and my family. I read the Quran everyday, let His words inspire me as I face my daily challenges. I started to work out 4 times weekly as I believe a healthy body will make the mind stronger. And I purge out all these emotions out of my system.
And it worked. It is not an immediate thing but it definitely worked. I found peace within and this peace surrounds everything I do now. And now that I have started meditating after dawn prayers, I am filled with a sense of hope for myself and mankind.
But what about making mistakes? I know I still make mistakes and I'm far from perfect. Read the words here for I believe in these words of wisdom :
"Looking back on what I've said all those years ago, all the hopes and dreams I had. I've come to the conclusion that if having things turn out the way you wanted them to is a measure of a successful life, then some would say that I'm a failure. The important thing is not to be bitter over life's disappointments.
Learn to let go of the past and recognize everyday won't be sunny. And when you find yourself lost in the darkness of despair, remember that it's only in the black of the night that you can see the stars. And those stars will lead you back home. So don't be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble and fall, because most of the time, the greatest rewards come from doing the things that scare you the most.
Maybe you'll get everything you wish for. Maybe you'll get more than you ever could have imagined. Who knows where life will take you? The road is long, and in the end, the journey is the destination"
- Coach Whitey Durham, One Tree Hill, Season 3 Episode 15
So, don't be afraid to let go and live your life to the fullest. Make mistakes but do learn from them.
"Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact."
- Henry James
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Egypt Needs Our HELP
Dear friends,
Mubarak is out -- but he may take unimaginable wealth out with him. Estimates of his stolen fortune range as high as $70 billion, more than a third of the entire Egyptian economy.
Time is running out for world governments to freeze Mubarak’s assets before they disappear into a maze of obscure bank accounts -- like so many other dictators' stolen fortunes. Switzerland has already frozen his finances, and some EU ministers have offered help -- but without an immediate global outcry, action may come too slowly to stop the Mubarak billions from vanishing.
Let's call on leaders of all nations to ensure that Egypt's money is returned to the people. Our petition will be delivered, if we reach 500,000 signatures, to G20 finance ministers when they meet this Friday in Paris. Let's add our names now and spread the word!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/
Millions of Egyptians live on less than $2 per day -- yet experts say that corruption costs Egypt more than $6 billion in public money per year. The Mubaraks themselves have benefited massively from a web of business deals, crony-capitalist privatization schemes, and state-guaranteed investments throughout Mubarak's 30 years as president. Estimates of their wealth run from a "mere" $2-3 billion to the staggering $70 billion figure, which would make Hosni Mubarak the world's richest man. And 25 senior government officials are already under investigation for amassing fortunes while serving under him.
But the days may finally be over when corrupt rulers can escape with their fortunes intact. The new United Nations Convention Against Corruption explicitly calls for the return of corruptly-gained assets to the countries of origin, and Egypt's military government has already asked European Union governments to freeze Mubarak's fortune. The key question now is whether action will come fast enough: all the laws in the world won't help if the Mubarak billions are shuffled out of sight before authorities can seize them.
Our voices as citizens can help the people of Egypt make good on the promise of their revolution. Join the call for Egyptian wealth to go back to the people of Egypt:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/
As millions of Egyptians risked -- and even gave -- their lives for democracy, there was little that we around the world could do beyond send our hopes and solidarity. But now we have a special responsibility: to do our utmost to restore the national property stolen by a dictatorship that our own governments tolerated for far too long.
The people of Egypt are ready now to build a new nation. Let's ensure that they regain the resources that were taken from them, as they create the future that few dared to dream possible.
With hope,
Ben, Alex, Ricken, Mia, Rewan, David, and the whole Avaaz team
SOURCES
Washington Post: "Egyptians focus their attention on recovering the nation's money"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Egypt's Mubarak Likely to Retain Vast Wealth; Mubarak Family May Have as Much as $70 Billion Stashed Away, Experts Estimate
http://abcnews.go.com/
Seize Money Stolen by Mubarak and Return it to Egypt
http://www.aljazeerah.info/
EU Yet To Agree Action On Egypt Asset Requests
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/
The United Nations Convention Against Corruption
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/
Mubarak may have stolen $70 billion from Egyptians -- one third of their national income! Getting it back will require immediate action from governments around the world.Sign the emergency petition to freeze Mubarak's assets now, and then forward this message! |
Time is running out for world governments to freeze Mubarak’s assets before they disappear into a maze of obscure bank accounts -- like so many other dictators' stolen fortunes. Switzerland has already frozen his finances, and some EU ministers have offered help -- but without an immediate global outcry, action may come too slowly to stop the Mubarak billions from vanishing.
Let's call on leaders of all nations to ensure that Egypt's money is returned to the people. Our petition will be delivered, if we reach 500,000 signatures, to G20 finance ministers when they meet this Friday in Paris. Let's add our names now and spread the word!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/
Millions of Egyptians live on less than $2 per day -- yet experts say that corruption costs Egypt more than $6 billion in public money per year. The Mubaraks themselves have benefited massively from a web of business deals, crony-capitalist privatization schemes, and state-guaranteed investments throughout Mubarak's 30 years as president. Estimates of their wealth run from a "mere" $2-3 billion to the staggering $70 billion figure, which would make Hosni Mubarak the world's richest man. And 25 senior government officials are already under investigation for amassing fortunes while serving under him.
But the days may finally be over when corrupt rulers can escape with their fortunes intact. The new United Nations Convention Against Corruption explicitly calls for the return of corruptly-gained assets to the countries of origin, and Egypt's military government has already asked European Union governments to freeze Mubarak's fortune. The key question now is whether action will come fast enough: all the laws in the world won't help if the Mubarak billions are shuffled out of sight before authorities can seize them.
Our voices as citizens can help the people of Egypt make good on the promise of their revolution. Join the call for Egyptian wealth to go back to the people of Egypt:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/
As millions of Egyptians risked -- and even gave -- their lives for democracy, there was little that we around the world could do beyond send our hopes and solidarity. But now we have a special responsibility: to do our utmost to restore the national property stolen by a dictatorship that our own governments tolerated for far too long.
The people of Egypt are ready now to build a new nation. Let's ensure that they regain the resources that were taken from them, as they create the future that few dared to dream possible.
With hope,
Ben, Alex, Ricken, Mia, Rewan, David, and the whole Avaaz team
SOURCES
Washington Post: "Egyptians focus their attention on recovering the nation's money"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Egypt's Mubarak Likely to Retain Vast Wealth; Mubarak Family May Have as Much as $70 Billion Stashed Away, Experts Estimate
http://abcnews.go.com/
Seize Money Stolen by Mubarak and Return it to Egypt
http://www.aljazeerah.info/
EU Yet To Agree Action On Egypt Asset Requests
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/
The United Nations Convention Against Corruption
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
It's Time for a Change
" It is the eternal struggle between these two principle - right and wrong - throughout the world. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time; and will ever continue to struggle...."
- Abraham Lincoln, debating Stephen A. Douglas (October 15th, 1858)
- Abraham Lincoln, debating Stephen A. Douglas (October 15th, 1858)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Chosen One
I am happy that our Holy Prophet pbuh was an Arab who saw no color, race and religion to spread the truth to mankind. And I'm grateful that he spoke not more than what was revealed to him.
A Dedication to Maher Zain
I wrote this poem in dedication to Maher Zain. His music helped me when I was in a very dark place. You helped me understand a few things. For that Thank you.
Peaceful a Melody
Flight of sparrows sings in many melodies
Through rain, hail and storm
Morning and night a flight worth taking
Singing melodies unknown to some
Song of happiness and sadness
Through stories told by wings of eyes that see many
Sparrow’s speech goes on and on
Hoping many people listen
But busy lives moves with heartless thoughts unannounced
Unmoved, unnoticed, unwilling to stop
But feelings change unknown by its cause
Annoyed by feelings felt in an unmoved heart
Cause anger directed at things unknown
How is it that a sparrow sings the very things that is obvious
Know we since we are made wiser
But are we wiser than a sparrow
Considered by many a beast not wise
Unperturbed by unkind comments made by many
A sparrow sings foretelling truth for hope to come
Many a flight a sparrow takes day by day
Singing its stories to many
Fly, fly my sweet sparrow
May your voice be heard where your wings fly every day.
By Adlin Sarim
8.2.11 (Copyrighted 2011)
Friday, February 11, 2011
Worst Movie in 2010
This is the worst movie ever in 2010. Period. May Avatar the Last Airbender be at peace and not bother us again in 2011.
Thank you TEACHER !!!
A wise friend once said that LAUGHTER is the soul's medicine.
It makes you appreciate your teachers more than ever and make you wonder were you ever like this back in the day?
Day1
TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America .
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.
Day 2
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
Day 3
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'.
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
Day 4
TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
Day 5
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
Day 6
TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
Day 7
TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with ' I. '
MILLIE: I is...
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'
Day 8
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand...
Day 9
TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
Day 10
TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.
Day 11
TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
Day 7
TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with ' I. '
MILLIE: I is...
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'
Day 8
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand...
Day 9
TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
Day 10
TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.
Day 11
TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Does our feet stink!
Got this from a friend and I think everyone needs a test check once in awhile ... Phew!!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What Does Zimabu Eter Means?
Have you seen the movie, The Fourth Kind? If you have not, please check the movie out. Here is the official movie trailer :
There are a lot of discussions about the movie, especially on the meaning of the words "Zimabu Eter". These words are Sumerian, so it can be a bit mind boggling trying to figure out what it means. For a direct translation of the words from Sumerian to English, here is the link.
Check the movie out and do share your thoughts with me.
Peace be upon us all!
There are a lot of discussions about the movie, especially on the meaning of the words "Zimabu Eter". These words are Sumerian, so it can be a bit mind boggling trying to figure out what it means. For a direct translation of the words from Sumerian to English, here is the link.
Check the movie out and do share your thoughts with me.
Peace be upon us all!
New and more coming !
Its funny how a simple thought can bring so much change to oneself and a simple kind action can change many.
I'm not one to ponder much on heavy thoughts but to give credit where its due a simple song can change lives.
Many, many Thanks to Maher Zain for making a difference.
One step to a better future, let's all of us hope :-)
I'm not one to ponder much on heavy thoughts but to give credit where its due a simple song can change lives.
Many, many Thanks to Maher Zain for making a difference.
One step to a better future, let's all of us hope :-)
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