Saturday, September 25, 2010
Growing Old
What a difference 30 years makes:
1972: Long hair
2002: Longing for hair
1972: The perfect high
2002: The perfect high yield mutual fund
1972: Acid rock
2002: Acid reflux
1972: Moving to California because it's cool
2002: Moving to California because it's warm
1972: Growing pot
2002: Growing pot belly
1972: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2002: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
1972: Seeds and stems
2002: Roughage
1972: Popping pills, smoking joints
2002: Popping joints
1972: Killer weed
2002: Weed killer
1972: The Grateful Dead
2002: Dr. Kevorkian
1972: Going to a new, hip joint
2002: Receiving a new hip joint
1972: Rolling Stones
2002: Kidney Stones
1972: Being called into the principal's office
2002: Calling the principal's office
1972: Screw the system
2002: Upgrade the system
1972: Disco
2002: Costco
1972: Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2002: Children begging you to get their heads shaved
1972: Taking acid
2002: Taking antacid
1972: Passing the drivers' test
2002: Passing the vision test
Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things.
Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of this year's incoming first years.
Here's this year's list:
The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1983.
They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.
The CD was introduced the year they were born.
They have always had an answering machine.
They have always had cable.
They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.
They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. even is.
Michael Jackson has always been white.
McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.
Do you feel old yet? Pass this on to the other old fogies in your life.
1972: Long hair
2002: Longing for hair
1972: The perfect high
2002: The perfect high yield mutual fund
1972: Acid rock
2002: Acid reflux
1972: Moving to California because it's cool
2002: Moving to California because it's warm
1972: Growing pot
2002: Growing pot belly
1972: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2002: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
1972: Seeds and stems
2002: Roughage
1972: Popping pills, smoking joints
2002: Popping joints
1972: Killer weed
2002: Weed killer
1972: The Grateful Dead
2002: Dr. Kevorkian
1972: Going to a new, hip joint
2002: Receiving a new hip joint
1972: Rolling Stones
2002: Kidney Stones
1972: Being called into the principal's office
2002: Calling the principal's office
1972: Screw the system
2002: Upgrade the system
1972: Disco
2002: Costco
1972: Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2002: Children begging you to get their heads shaved
1972: Taking acid
2002: Taking antacid
1972: Passing the drivers' test
2002: Passing the vision test
Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things.
Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of this year's incoming first years.
Here's this year's list:
The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1983.
They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.
The CD was introduced the year they were born.
They have always had an answering machine.
They have always had cable.
They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.
They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. even is.
Michael Jackson has always been white.
McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.
Do you feel old yet? Pass this on to the other old fogies in your life.
Real Product Labels
On a Sears hairdryer: Do not use while sleeping.
On a blanket from Taiwan: Not to be used as protection from a tornado.
On a steering wheel lock: Warning--remove lock before driving.
On a flower pot: Houseplants are for ornamental use and should not be consumed.
On a bottle of milk: After opening, keep upright.
In instructions for assembling an Ikea desk: It is advisory to be two people during assembly.
On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
On a bar of Dial soap: Directions. Use like regular soap.
On a pair of lambskin gloves: No lambs were killed in the making of these gloves.
On a New Zealand insect spray: This product not tested on animals.
On some Swann frozen dinners: Serving suggestion--defrost.
On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of the box): Do not turn upside down.
On Marks and Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating.
On packaging for a Rowenta iron: Do not iron clothes on body.
On a box of toothpicks: Hand-polished, by machine.
On Boot's Children's cough medicine: Do not drive car or operate machinery.
On Nytol sleep aid: Warning--may cause drowsiness.
On a child's Superman costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.
On a Korean kitchen knife: Warning--keep out of children.
On a food processor: Not to be used for the other use.
On Sainsbury's peanuts: Warning--contains nuts.
On an American Airlines packet of nuts: Instructions--open packet, eat nuts.
On a Swedish chainsaw: Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands.
On a hair coloring kit: Do not use as an ice cream topping.
On a hotel-provided shower cap box: Fits one head.
On a string of Christmas lights: For indoor or outdoor use only.
On a bottle of Chinese medicine: Expiration date, two years.
On a rearview mirror: Remember, objects in the mirror are actually behind you.
On a Chinese packet of peanuts: Open packet and eat contents.
On a blanket from Taiwan: Not to be used as protection from a tornado.
On a steering wheel lock: Warning--remove lock before driving.
On a flower pot: Houseplants are for ornamental use and should not be consumed.
On a bottle of milk: After opening, keep upright.
In instructions for assembling an Ikea desk: It is advisory to be two people during assembly.
On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
On a bar of Dial soap: Directions. Use like regular soap.
On a pair of lambskin gloves: No lambs were killed in the making of these gloves.
On a New Zealand insect spray: This product not tested on animals.
On some Swann frozen dinners: Serving suggestion--defrost.
On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of the box): Do not turn upside down.
On Marks and Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating.
On packaging for a Rowenta iron: Do not iron clothes on body.
On a box of toothpicks: Hand-polished, by machine.
On Boot's Children's cough medicine: Do not drive car or operate machinery.
On Nytol sleep aid: Warning--may cause drowsiness.
On a child's Superman costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.
On a Korean kitchen knife: Warning--keep out of children.
On a food processor: Not to be used for the other use.
On Sainsbury's peanuts: Warning--contains nuts.
On an American Airlines packet of nuts: Instructions--open packet, eat nuts.
On a Swedish chainsaw: Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands.
On a hair coloring kit: Do not use as an ice cream topping.
On a hotel-provided shower cap box: Fits one head.
On a string of Christmas lights: For indoor or outdoor use only.
On a bottle of Chinese medicine: Expiration date, two years.
On a rearview mirror: Remember, objects in the mirror are actually behind you.
On a Chinese packet of peanuts: Open packet and eat contents.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
T H E A N T
One morning Ahmed spent an hour watching a tiny ant carry a huge feather cross my back terrace. Several times it was confronted by obstacles in its path and after a momentary pause it would make the necessary detour.
At one point the ant had to negotiate a crack in the concrete about 1 cm wide. After brief contemplation it laid the feather over the crack, walked across it and picked up the feather on the other side then continued on its way.
Indeed Ahmed was fascinated by the ingenuity of this ant, one of Allah's (SWT) smallest creatures. It served to reinforce the miracle of creation. Here was a minute insect, lacking in size, yet equipped with a brain to reason, explore, discover and overcome. But this ant, like the two-legged co-residents of this planet, also shares human weaknesses.
After some time the ant finally reached its destination - a flower bed at the end of the terrace and a small hole that was the entrance to its underground home. And it was here that the ant finally met its match. How could that large feather possibly fit down small hole?
Of course it couldn't. So the ant, after all this trouble and exercising great ingenuity, overcoming problems all along the way, just abandoned the feather and went home.
The ant had not thought the problem through before it began its epic journey and in the end the feather was nothing more than a burden.
Isn't OUR LIFE like that?
We worry about our family, about money or the lack of it; we worry about work, our homes, about all sorts of things. These are all burdens - the things we pick up along life's path and maneuver them around the obstacles that life will bring, only to find that at the final destination they are useless and we can't take them along with us ...
At one point the ant had to negotiate a crack in the concrete about 1 cm wide. After brief contemplation it laid the feather over the crack, walked across it and picked up the feather on the other side then continued on its way.
Indeed Ahmed was fascinated by the ingenuity of this ant, one of Allah's (SWT) smallest creatures. It served to reinforce the miracle of creation. Here was a minute insect, lacking in size, yet equipped with a brain to reason, explore, discover and overcome. But this ant, like the two-legged co-residents of this planet, also shares human weaknesses.
After some time the ant finally reached its destination - a flower bed at the end of the terrace and a small hole that was the entrance to its underground home. And it was here that the ant finally met its match. How could that large feather possibly fit down small hole?
Of course it couldn't. So the ant, after all this trouble and exercising great ingenuity, overcoming problems all along the way, just abandoned the feather and went home.
The ant had not thought the problem through before it began its epic journey and in the end the feather was nothing more than a burden.
Isn't OUR LIFE like that?
We worry about our family, about money or the lack of it; we worry about work, our homes, about all sorts of things. These are all burdens - the things we pick up along life's path and maneuver them around the obstacles that life will bring, only to find that at the final destination they are useless and we can't take them along with us ...
Secret of Success
A young man asked Socrates the secret of Success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met.
Socrates asked the young man to walk with him towards the river.
When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the water. The man struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until he started turning blue.
The young man struggled hard and finally managed to get out and the first thing he did was to gasp and take deep breath. Socrates asked 'What you wanted the most when you were there?' The man replied 'Air'.
Socrates said 'that's the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted air, you will get it. There is no other secret'
Socrates asked the young man to walk with him towards the river.
When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the water. The man struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until he started turning blue.
The young man struggled hard and finally managed to get out and the first thing he did was to gasp and take deep breath. Socrates asked 'What you wanted the most when you were there?' The man replied 'Air'.
Socrates said 'that's the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted air, you will get it. There is no other secret'
Secret of Success: Be committed, keep trying and maintain your calm till the end.
Letter to the Headmaster!
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Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) who was the 16th President of the United States of America and successfully led the country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery, once wrote letter to his son’s headmaster, in which he said:
"… He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just and are not true. But teach him if you can, the wonder of books...
"… He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just and are not true. But teach him if you can, the wonder of books...
But also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and
flowers on a green hillside.
In school, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him he is wrong.
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone getting on the bandwagon..
Teach him to listen to all men; but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth, and take only the good that comes through.
Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad. Teach him there is no shame in tears.
Teach him to scoff at cynics and to be beware of too much sweetness.
flowers on a green hillside.
In school, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him he is wrong.
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone getting on the bandwagon..
Teach him to listen to all men; but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth, and take only the good that comes through.
Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad. Teach him there is no shame in tears.
Teach him to scoff at cynics and to be beware of too much sweetness.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to highest bidders, but never to put a price on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob... and stand and fight if thinks he is right.
Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage to be impatient. Let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will have faith in humankind.
This is a big order, but see what you can do... He is such a fine little fellow my son!”
This is a big order, but see what you can do... He is such a fine little fellow my son!”
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The week that was... [30 August - 5 September 2010]
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| Working on a new Project |
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| Found my sister's stamp collection... look at all that... wow! |
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| Random sights from my window that made me stop and look. |
Pls take care, if the given article is based on true facts!
Please do not turn on A/C immediately as soon as you enter the car.
Open the windows after you enter your car and do not turn ON the
air-conditioning immediately.
According to a research done, the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emits Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take note of the heated plastic Smell in your car).
Open the windows after you enter your car and do not turn ON the
air-conditioning immediately.
According to a research done, the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emits Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take note of the heated plastic Smell in your car).
In addition to causing cancer, it poisons your bones, causes anemia, and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. May also cause miscarriage. Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft.. A car parked indoors with the windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level... & the people inside the car will inevitably inhale an excess amount of the toxins.
It is recommended that you open the windows and door to give time for the interior to air out before you enter. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver, and is very difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.
Al Nisa Magazine
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| Found this hard copy of magazine I was working on years back. Its a great feeling to hold it and go through it. Maybe someday I will get to publish it, Inshallah! |
Let the Sunshine in!
Open the door; Lose the attitude; Let the sunshine in.
There are two types of people in this world - those who think of all the great ways to get from where they are to where they want to be; and those who do something about getting from where they are to that ideal place.
All too often we sit and simply complain about the state of our affairs in our lives:
'Nothing is going my way'.
'The boss doesn't like me'.
'My job stinks'.
'I work too hard and no-one notices'.
'I wish my work was appreciated' .
'No-one loves me'.
'If I only had the money'.
‘I wish I had the chance to do something like that'.
'It's alright for you’.
‘You had a good upbringing'.
The complaints and excuses seem to come faster than the self pity.
Believe it or not, the solution is a simple one. Turn the tables and instead of constantly complaining about what you think is not going well - and many things might not be as you wish them at the moment - think about what IS going well in your life and begin to overshadow the negative energy with lots of positive vibes.
That could be something as small as a green traffic light; a parking space; a seat on the bus or smile from a stranger. If you stop and think for just a moment, the list is endless.
Once you begin to focus on the positives, the negatives start to literally disappear. When you open the door and allow the sunshine into your life, the darkness will begin to fade. I've been there and I can tell you from personal experience, there is nothing more positive than optimistic energy.
Get out of bed with a spring and smile. Know deep inside you'll enjoy the day, in spite of what you may confront. Everything might not go well. There could be challenges and obstacles, but if you take the view that life is fantastic and a real blessing in spite of what negative forces you may confront, you are beginning the process of inviting love, light, energy, gratitude, joy and happiness into your existence.
When you understand the power of positive energy, you will begin to harness the force within and grasp opportunities. They are all around you every day but because of the negative energy which we harvest, we cannot see the wood (goodness) for the trees (obstacles).
Begin today to fill your life with wonderful thoughts, feelings and emotions and start to harvest the incredible benefits derived from an upbeat attitude.
The three rules of success and abundance: Believe: Believe: Believe. Once you do that, then you act. The results will truly amaze you.
Here's a positive affirmation you can write down and repeat to yourself when you need a quick burst of inspiration. ..
"The way I choose to start my day sets its tone. When I make the decision to begin it by giving thanks for the positive things in my life, (no matter how seemingly few or bountiful they might be) I am setting the flow for new opportunities to come my way.
Each and every day I will remind myself that I can steer my outcome in any direction I wish by the actions I take. The steps I take day in and day out are the determining factors as to whether or not I achieve the success I desire. I take comfort in knowing that I have control over the actions I choose to do or not do."
By Kieran Revell
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