My weekend between studying and eating

My weekend was divided between studying math, doing GMAT's assignment and of course having FUN! There was nothing special about Thursday and Friday I was studying all the time. However, I gave myself a big treat on Saturday, it is my rest and fun day. In the morning I had my big delicious breakfast at  De Dutch Pancake with my Canadian family friends. After that good time, I went out with another friend for shopping, she wanted to shop for summer. So I spent most of the afternoon and evening shopping at Pacific Centre, Robson and Oakridge Centre. It was great pleasure for me, I don't get board or tired of shopping it is my meditation. Still that wasn't my shopping day; I was only assisting my friend, and I am so glad that I didn't buy anything-- which is, by the way, a big accomplishment. Continuing with my weekend I had a great meal at Simba's grill the one allocated in Denman. This restaurant claims serving East African food; however, I deeply believe it serves my country food. I highly recommend this restaurant it is a business family and food there taste as home made.

Moving out to UBC campus

This time I can say I had good weekend. On Thursday evening I had a farewell dinner with my Landlord and his family. This farewell was for me, It was my last day at my old accommodation. I was very happy and honored; for the last 10 months, I'v lived with a great Canadian family who were very kind and just like a second family.  The pleasant surprise that, the dinner was "Moroccan" famous dishes "Tajin" and "Kuskos". On the following day, Friday, my ex-landlord and his wife insisted to drive me to my new accommodation which is in the UBC campus. Well, there is no words to explain how I felt they came in, carried my bags with their daughter and drove me to the new accommodation. In the new accommodation, both ex-landlord and his wife have checked every single thing to make sure that everything is going to work fine for me and I will be comfortable in the new place. And most importantly when they found out that in the new accommodation there is no appliances, they offered that I borrow the old ones I used to have.  They just drove back to their residence and collected all sort of things, towels, toilette roles, dishes, lamp, soap etc and came back to me.  I really don't have the right words to explain what that have meant to me.  I am very pleased and I am sure whatever I would do will not repay their kindness to me. 

Creation of universe according to Quran

I was very fascinated when I learned about universe creation according to the Bible. It is very similar to muslims' Holly Book "Quraan".  Of course there were many interpretations to explain Quran's context. Still there are many similrites but the order in creation is different plus there are more details.  According to interpretations, God has created the earth and the heavens in six days which I will explain later. But God has first created the "Pen" and after that the "Book"! Well, I think the "Book" here has the same reference to  the  Bible, "Tree of Knowledge".  So back to the interpretations it says God has created the Pen and the book and ordered the pen to write in great detail everything about the creation of the universe. This book is allocated in heavens it is storing universe knowledge.

Second creation was the sky and the earth. On Saturday God has created the soil, on Sunday mountains, trees on Monday, Germs on Tuesday, light on Wendsday, land and sea cratures on Thursday and on Friday the last day of cration he has created Adam. He created him from earth's mud and clay. This mud and clay was collected from different parts of earth and that is why human kind has different races and colors. Then God shaped Adam into human form, breathed into him to give him soul/life.

In Bible it says that God wanted to create a helper for Adam to help him to till the garden. While in Quran it says that God wanted Adam to be superior over the Angels and Jinn therefore, God has taught Adam all the names of his creations and asked him to name them which successfully he did. So right after this incident God ordered Angles and Jinn to bow down to Adam, Angles did but Satan who is one of the Jinn refused. He said, he is created from fire and Adam was created from clay, so he can't be superior to him. This made God angry and he cursed Satan and threatened him of Hell. Satan plead to God to keep him till the day of judgment. Satan told God that he will devote himself to mislead human kind to disobey God to join him in  Hell.

As for Eve's creation, it is the same story. God has created Eve from Adam's left rib while he was asleep. The name of Eve in Quran is "Hawwa" which comes from the root word "hay" meaning living. She was named like this because she was created from a living thing "Adam".  The interesting thing here that Hawwa is the same as "Eve" which came from old Hebrew word Havva, which also means "living".

Quran also has mentioned the first sin but it is different from the one in Bible. According to the interpretations of Quran context, Satan wanted to deceive Adam and Eve so he changed his form into snake and creep to the garden.  He whispered into their hearts that if they eat from the forbidden tree they will live forever. He was after them till they disobeyed God and ate from the tree. They became naked and tried to cover their bodies with the tree leaves. God knew about this he was very angry because Adam and Eve disobeyed him. So to punish them, God sent both of them along with Satan to earth. In earth human should keep their fight with Satan and try not to disobey God. This fight will last till the day of judgment.

My Weekend

Unlike this past weekend, I usually have good weekends where I have plenty of activities to do.  I would like to give you an idea about what I usually do in my weekends.  Other than cleaning, cooking and doing my laundry, I go to Gym, and hang out with my friend. However this weekend was all around studying math and doing GMAT's homework.  I have good deal with my friend who is also preparing for GMAT test; the deal is to meet every day in "Blenz" coffee at Broadway to study together. So far this arrangement is working well for both of us. We have selected "Blenz" at Broadway for many reasons. One reason is because it is just walking distance from the Gym, so we can study either before or after our daily routine. Second reason is that we have noticed that it is popular among students to study in coffee-shops so we thought we will give it a try. In fact, we accomplish more studying there. 

ME & the GMAT

Some challenges if not treated well can turn to major blocks for fulfilling one’s dreams.  Valid examples of such challenges might be getting over a fear of public speech, learn new language, get rid of bad habit, or pass a test. Of course, people are different; consequently, their challenges vary as well. However, for some people like myself entering new territory is a terrifying experience.  This realization just occurred to me.  It was provoked by my GMAT test preparation course, which I was putting off for so long.  Last Thursday it was my first GMAT preparation class and I was nervous beyond imagination could get!! It was difficult for me to concentrate on the class. Actually, The base of my fright is the fact that I have long bad history with math. And GMAT is mostly about high school to university math. Add to this it is an essential requirement for any business school's admission.  So there is no way for me to get around it.  While I was in the class trying hard to keep up with the instructor, I had this question in my mind: is this amount of fear is totally new for you? or is it your primary lifetime's challenge? And all of sudden effortlessly the answer was there, well no, it is not! This fear feels so familiar I went through the same frightening and disturbing feeling when I first decided to learn swimming and later on driving.  Both experiences were the most exhausting and unforgettable ones that filled my mind with doubts and discouragement. Yet, with patience, devotion, and determination I conquer them. I can’t deny this realization has given me some peace of mind and somehow boosted my spirit up.  It gives me the hope that with trying my best I would have the same happy ending. I really do not know right now I feel very much like someone who is pushed in the corner or like the old saying the sea is behind you, and the enemy in front of you.

Wish me good luck

The Clod & The Pebble Vs. Hills Like White Elephants

Ernest Hemingway in his story “ Hills Like White Elephants” describes love between the American man and Jig. Love in the story was expressed differently between the couple.  The American man loved Jig in an obsessive way, which was expressed in various parts of the narrative.  He was self-centered and did not show any consideration to her desire when he made his mind about the abortion. He wanted their relationship to go on without any commitment, while Jig dreamed of long lasting relationship and hoped that having a baby would work as an insurance and fulfill her wishes for a happy and a complete relationship.

So if we reflect on Wiliam Blake views of love in his poem “The Clod and the PEBBLE” we can see some similarity expressed by Pebble.  According to the Pebble, people fall in love just to please themselves rather than pleasing their partners. That would be accurate if we say that the American man in his love to Jig didn't really care for her feelings; not only concerning her feelings about the abortion, but as well about his way of treating her. For example, when they were outside the bar drinking beer, Jig was trying to have a conversation with him, and he was cutting her off all the time. This type of treatment shows the type of relationship they have and cast light on the American man personality.  I think he is not a pleasant person to be with; he was neither affectionate nor considerate. The girl was about going to have an operation, which she knows nothing about. She has been worried about her health, her baby and in top of that she was insecure about the future of their relationship.  Hence, Pebble’s description of love was expressed by the American man’s actions. He tried to please himself and bend his lover for his own delight.  On the other hand, I do not know if it is accurate to describe Jig’s love as the Clod’s description of love.  She was lean at the beginning and she wanted to please the American man but her attitude changed at the end of the story when she realized that he doesn’t love her the way she wanted him to.  I think I can say she was in despair and wanted him to provide her with a heaven. 

Response to "Hills Like White Elephants"

I like Ernest Hemingway's style of writing.  I think his style is beautiful because he is willing to turn normal stories to interesting experience.  He is a thought provoking writer; he gives his readers the chance to rethink and question their perspectives about those usual repetitive relationships. It is easy for us to think what if I was in this situation and how I am going to react.