Wednesday, June 15, 2011

I don't want what you want, I don't feel what you feel


Heart in a Cage - The Strokes

I've been completely addicted to this song lately. The Strokes are always A+.

aggregate compilation of photos from the summer so far

I've been something of a busy little bee for my first few weeks of summer break.  My grandparents came to visit as soon as the semester ended, we attended a wedding, a visit to Amish country in Pennsylvania (shown above), and then I stayed for a work-week at Katelyn's house in Virginia! Now that all the hubbub has ended, I don't have too many plans for the immediate future.  My friend Mya (who just got back from studying abroad in Venice, lucky girl!) and I created a summer bucket list since we won't be doing much hanging out in the fall (she's off to study in China for the whole semester).  And I've got to get my summer reading list together!  Suggestions are warmly accepted, :)
Yeah, my face is super derpy in this photo, but whatever.  It's the only outfit shot I've got!  Dress is from H&M's Conscious Collection, shoes are F21. 
Dancing with my Sedo (that's "grandpa" in Arabic), and little sister Christine at my cousin's wedding.
More Amish country.  The name of this restaurant, and their mascot, thoroughly amused me. 
 
 Attempting to stop being so white.
Mini high school friend reunion! It's a miracle we're all even in the same-ish area, to be honest.  The military was pretty nice to us, this time around.  
It got to be over 100 degrees most of the days I was with Katelyn.  The day of this photo was the hottest, it was about 106 with almost 50% humidity.  Kill me.
On my last night at Katelyn's, we decided to make our own Slip&Slide at 11 o'clock at night because it sounded like a great idea at the time.  Actually, it was a great idea.  Injuries galore, but so worth it.  I'm in the red!

And that's all I've been up to lately, folks.  I'm going to attempt home-made screen printing on some clothes later this week.  Updates on that will come eventually.  Adios for now!

Monday, June 13, 2011

street mime imposter

Shirt, H&M ; Shorts, J. Crew ; Sunglasses,Suspenders, F21

It's been insanely hot these past two weeks.  I mean, completely crazy.  I spent the majority of the past week with one of my best friends in Virginia, and there was a day that reached 106 degrees.  It was uncomfortable, to say the least.  But at least there's air conditioning in the houses over here, unlike Germany! In other news, I'm officially on summer break and am half-way through University!  So weird to think I've finished two years - I honestly have no idea where the time went. 

Plans for the summer include: finding a goddamn job, making a number of trips to Ocean City, hanging out, regaining skin color, watching copious amounts of television/film, reading as many books as possible (I've already finished my first summer read, but I'll have a longer post on that later), visiting family, and a bunch of other stuff that I can't be bothered to remember.  I really wanted to go home to the West Bank (that's a Palestinian territory in the Middle East for all you non-knowers) this summer but it seems that won't be happening, :(  Hopefully next summer, though!

Well, as it is nearly 1:30 in the morning, I should be getting to bed.  Too bad I don't feel tired in the least.  Looks like I'll be counting sheep tonight!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Freedom from Academia

I take my final final (hah) tomorrow morning, and THANK GOODNESS.  This semester has definitely kicked my butt, and I'm so glad to have it end.  I'll be back to my normal blogging activities within the next two weeks.  In the meantime, I'll be attending a wedding this weekend, frantically preparing/cleaning the house for my grandparents to come over, and trying to cope with the muggy Maryland heat.   I like to complain that, as a Palestinian, I'm not accustomed to dealing with humidity - only dry, desert heat.  Although I probably would do bad in that, as well, considering I've only visited the West Bank, and therefore experienced the dry desert heat, twice.  Whatever, just give me nice 60-75 degree weather - that I can deal with.  


 This actually has nothing to do with anything, but I had the most tasty sandwich at a Cuban restaurant in Towson right before finals began.  So wonderful.  I am minorly enamored with sandwiches...
 I broke in my new oxfords today, while shredding my heels.  I've still got to clean the blood off my shoes....
 
This is actually an old photo from Easter - I've been meaning to upload some of those photos! I'll get there eventually.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Horrible Blogger

I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I know I'm a terrible blogger, even with the 30 Day Challenge as an attempt to motivate/remind me to blog.  I did take my day three photos though, if I get any credit/brownie points for that... Anyways, Uni has been killer, and will continue to be so until the end (which couldn't come any sooner).  I'm so brain-dead from all this work, I really could use summer break right about now. 
Not too much has been happening on this front, although I was privileged enough to go to a lecture on nonviolence presented by Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Arun Gandhi, this evening! It was really exciting and a great lecture, to say the least.  As a student of International Studies, I hope I will be able to apply Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence into practice.  On a different note, I'll be going to see West Side Story with my little sister, Christine, and friend Mya this Friday evening at the Hippodrome in Baltimore! I'm sure it'll be exciting, :) Anyways, here's a couple pictures from the past couple weeks:


It was 80 degrees this past Monday, can you believe it?!
Trying on clothes in H&M.  I'm really into the crop top trend.  Really into it.
Have I ever mentioned my outstanding love for sandwiches? Because I do.  Love sandwiches, that is. 
My order from American Apparel came in! I got the majority of it for free, thanks to a friend who excitedly told me about the amazing April Fools' sale they were having! :D

Friday, April 1, 2011

at last

This song makes me want to pretend it's the 1950's and I've got someone to slow-dance in the living room with.




Monday, March 28, 2011

Catherine Spills All

Day Two:  What's in your bag?
The contents of my purse are typically a jumbled mess, with everything disappearing the moment I try to retrieve it.  Ah, c'est la vie.  Disclaimer: this is the nice stuff from my purse - I didn't include the cough drop wrappers, pads, half empty water bottle, DVD I borrowed from a friend, miscellaneous scraps of paper, or a bunch of other crap.  My belongings are notoriously chaotic, and it is likely they will stay that way for quite a long time.  On a different note, I absolutely love my wallet.  It was a gift from my dear, darling little sister for my 20th! I will never tire of it and plan to use it until it falls apart. 
And, I'm also making this an outfit post! I actually liked what I wore today, as it made me feel classy, :) I'm still in love with the polka dot shirt - it was a steal from H&M for 5 Euro! Also, please excuse my grumpy face - I took this just after I got home from a long day at school (and a frantic attempt to put together a scholarship application that I just barely managed to turn in on time)!
 
 

Friday, March 25, 2011

Spring Time Sun Shine

Day 1:  A photo of you, taken today and the outfit you wore today
 
 
 
Shirt: gift, Denim Leggings: Target, Purse: H&M, Ring: Forever21, Headband: Forever21

My Spring Break has completely sped by, I can't believe I'll be back in school on Monday, :(  The weather this whole week has been pretty pathetic for Spring Break, as well - storms, rain, fog, and generally cold temperatures.  But I guess that's typical March weather!  At least today we got some sun, even though it was still a bit chilly.  I felt like dressing a little more spring-like today, so florals it was (aren't I groundbreaking?).
I've been trying to keep up with my one New Year's Resolution (to get fit and healthy!) and have taken up yoga lately.  A TV channel offers an hour long yoga program that I usually am able to tune in for in the morning, and a really great channel on youtube with lots of different styles/techniques! I can tell it's working, as I'm a little sore this morning.  But I'm glad - it's the pain of progress! I'll be taking my sister with me to a hot yoga class tomorrow, and then we'll head off to watch Sucker Punch! I've been wanting to watch that movie since last summer when I first heard about it - and shitty critical reviews won't stop me!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

30 Day Blog Challenge

Thinking of doing this challenge that I found from It's Worth Reading - From Zimstern's blog.  I don't know whether I'll be particularly regular in updating it, but I'll try my hardest! It'll maybe give me something to actually write about on my blog - give me direction, you know? Anyways, here's the challenge:


1. A photo of you, taken today and the outfit you wore today:
2.What’s in your bag?

3.A photo of your cellphone.

4.A day in the life, photographs taken throughout your day.

5.A photograph of yourself two years ago.

6.A photograph of yourself without makeup.

7.A photo of yourself, not taken by you.

8.A photo of someone you fancy at the moment.

9.The contents of your fridge, MTV Cribs style.

10.Your dream wedding.

11.A photo of the item you last purchased.

12.Your favourite movie.

13.What you want more than anything right now.

14.Your current wishlist.

15.Something you regret.

16.The most beautiful picture of your best friend.

17.A TV show you’re currently addicted to.

18.A photo of your house/apartment.

19.A photo of your handwriting.

20.A band/artist not many people know of, but you think should.

21.A photograph of the part of you that you dislike the most.

22.A photograph of the part of you that you like the most.

23.The next plan you have coming up that you’re really excited for.

24.A song to match your mood.

25.A photograph of the town you live in.

26.A celebrity you don’t like, and why.

27.A photo of your faviourite item of clothing.

28.A cartoon caracter that you´d love to meet in real life.

29.What’s in your make-up bag?

30.A photograph of yourself taken today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

A Trip to the Old Part of Town

A couple weeks ago, I went to the Walter's Museum of Art in the old part of Baltimore for research in a paper I was doing for my Buddhism class.  I've always enjoyed going to museums, and since I've never been to this one, I quite enjoyed it!  Part of the museum is in a new building, while part of it is in this awesome, old mansion next door.  I wasn't able to look at everything unfortunately (it's a really big museum, lots of floors and exhibits!), but I hit up all of the Asian art and a little bit of European Renaissance, Islamic, Byzantine, Christian, and a teeny bit of medieval art.  The weather was completely horrible outdoors (it was pouring down some serious rain most of the time), which made it an even better day for a museum visit! The whole family came along, so it was quite a nice way to spend our Sunday.

Have I ever mentioned I am a dork? Because I am, here's proof of me embarrassing myself in the middle of the museum - pretending I'm one of the many Buddha statues in the room.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Spring Break

Oh, my poor little blog has been a little neglected.  I blame all my schoolwork - it's kept me from putting up a nice little update.  Well, here we are, an update!  Today, as a celebration of Spring Break/the end of midterms, I decided to do something a little bit mindless - shopping.  I bought none of the things in the picture (either because the price was too high, or I was unsure of the quality-to-price ratio), but I still think they're all adorable! I'm definitely going to be creating some crop tops this summer, I think they're great! 

the outfit is H&M, the shoes are Forever21
I'm rather exhausted from the long day I had, so this is going to be a very short post - sorry! I can be bothered to put in a good, decent effort for a post right now.  Sleepiness is very persuasive - dangerously so.   

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

pretending I'm cool or something

Old-ish photo from January that I just found on my computer, it's a lot better than my current face. which is still recovering from being sick.  As much as I love those sunglasses, they always slip down my nose when I look down.  I never thought I'd say this, but my nose is too narrow for them.   Anyways, I'm feeling a little bit better today.  For most of yesterday, I was really feeling horrible - body aches, shivering, slight fever, swollen and sore throat, dizziness, etc... But luckily, as I was writing a paper for one of my classes, my fever broke! Thankfully I'm feeling better today.  I think I got sick because every time a certain time of the month rolls around, my immune system becomes vulnerable and I usually get sick.  Anyways, TMI, I know.  Eh, deal.  

This Friday and Saturday, I'll be admin at my school Model United Nations conference we put on for high school students in the state.  Even though I know it will be extremely tiring (I'll be on my feet all day, passing notes and signing schools in and such), I'll enjoy it! I was involved in MUN in high school and absolutely loved it - I'm glad I'm still able to participate in it, :)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Feeling sick/ill/under the weather/whatever you call it

I've had a sore-throat since last Wednesday and thus, am not a happy camper.  It's been on-and-off too, so I keep thinking I'm healed until the next morning when I wake up and can't swallow without it feeling like I'm being continually stabbed in the neck.  No fun.  Well, today seems to be the worst recurrence, pain-wise.  It even woke me up more than an hour before my alarm rings (and let me tell you, I don't enjoy being woken up anytime before my alarm rings).  Unfortunately, I can't skip school either because I have a German test (which I am most definitely unprepared for) this morning.  However, I may just go to German, fail that test, and then come home - skipping my other two classes.  They're only lectures anyways, I can just get the notes from a classmate. 
Well, I suppose I should be doing some last-minute cramming, rather than blogging, at this point.  That, and consuming as much tea as I possibly can in the next half hour... Hope your March had a much more pleasant beginning than mine! 

Monday, February 28, 2011

Let the Right One In

I'm fairly certain I've talked about either the film or the book before, but I had the random urge to talk about them again.  Let the Right One In (both book and film) is among my favorites.  I'm not sure how I came across it, but I read the book last summer.  Unused to the style of translated/foreign novels, it took me a while to read.  That said, a "while" for me, book-wise, is typically a week to a week and a half - I love to read and once I get into a book, I immerse myself in it until I've finished the book (at the latest) on the second day of reading.  I've always enjoyed reading since I was a kid, and I never understood other kids' aversion to books.  I still don't.  There are books out there for everyone - all sorts of genres appealing to all sorts of tastes! It's like ice cream - there are all sorts of wonderful flavors that you get to try, but you always have a favorite.  For me, my go-to genre is fiction.  Very broad, I know, but there are all sorts of lovely fiction books!  As a fourth/fifth grader, I was enamored with the Dragonlance series (yes, one of those never-ending fantasy series - don't judge me), among others.  In middle school, it was Garth Nix (primarily his Old Kingdom/Abhorsen trilogy, but his other stories are similarly enticing).  In regards to high school, I'm ashamed to admit that the Twilight series was among my favorites.  But I also first read Harry Potter in high school which I readily admit is infinite times better than Twilight, and I hope that somehow redeems me.  Now, in University, I sadly don't have too much time for reading.  But I absolutely adore The Hunger Games trilogy, and a number of other random fiction books.  I suppose fiction appeals to the escapist in me.  I am unashamed to admit that I am an escapist and while some psychologists see it as a bad thing, I find that it's a much safer/better escape than say, smoking.  But I digress.  

The original point of this post was to talk about my never-ending love for John Avjinde Lindqvist's story about a lonely vampire-child who meets a lonely human-child and form a strange, yet powerful friendship.  Both the film and the novel are wonderful, but I haven't read the novel since last summer and my memory is very poor, so I won't talk about that as much. Although, the style was very different from the fast-paced English texts I am so used to.  Let the Right One In was written in a very slow manner, introducing characters and back-stories that seem completely irrelevant until the point that they suddenly become, well, relevant.  The book is not rushed, and I like it all the better for it.  The film holds that same quality (although a tiny bit more fast-paced considering it is condensed) - it is not rushed, and holds a subtle sort of quiet beauty about it.  There are few digitally altered scenes, no flashiness, no explosions, and no gun fights.  The little violence it has is not overly gory, and is not so stylized as to be unrealistic.  For a "horror" film, it is really beautiful.  I disagree completely with the genre it's been given, but I'll get to that later.  There are no cheap scares or typical Scary-Movie-Music.  The music is actually really nice, and there are some similarly pretty shots of frozen Sweden.  Regarding the genre, I've seen it listed as "horror" and "vampire" but I really don't agree with those.  While yes, some of the subject matter is horrifying and yes, there are vampires - they don't really sum up the movie as a whole.  I would consider it to be something of a platonic love story? Does that make sense, Let the Right One In fans? Regardless of the genre, this is such a beautiful film with a great story.  Be warned though, the novel is much more... explicit than the film, and is subsequently more disturbing.  I still suggest it, though!  Don't be turned off by that, I advise you read it for yourself and gauge what you think by your own reading experience.  Best way to do it, I find. 

I think it's hard not to like, at least by the end of the novel/film, the two main characters, Eli and Oskar.  Yes, Eli is a killer.  Yes, Oskar wishes/d he was a killer.  But they're really just two young, lonely souls who've been victims to those stronger or more powerful than they.  They find this beautiful solace and friendship in each other (I know I've been using "beautiful" way too much, but it's fitting).  They are safe in one another, moreso than they've possibly been in their entire lives.  The innocent relationship they share is so touching, and so innocent - it seems like the one pure, good thing in the story.  

Ah, this post has been all over the place, I apologize.  When I'm really passionate/excited about something, I become thoroughly unorganized and I end up with jumbled rants.  But I really hope you do watch the film/read the book and come to enjoy it, as well.  Oh, I've forgotten to mention, if you do watch it (which you should!), make sure to watch in theatrical release subtitles.  Dubs are always stupid, and the original DVD-release subtitles are similarly so.  I know Target sells the theatrical-release subtitled DVD for $10!  And I'm sure it's available on Netflix or something, though I'm not sure about the subtitles.
Also, weird and somewhat irrelevant fact: my friends seriously think I look like Eli.  It's pretty hilarious. 

Friday, February 25, 2011

Year 20 and Yoga

 
 As of yesterday, February the 24th, I am officially no longer a teenager! I am now twenty years old - totally crazy.  I still feel the same, obviously, but it's so bizarre that I'm now in my twenties.  I don't look it at all, nor do I feel it.  But you can't deny the facts! I had a small party with my family yesterday, and my mom made one of my favorite Arabic dishes for dinner.  And take a good look at that tasty cake, because she made it too! Isn't it awesome? We agreed that we'd get a really small cake this year (considering we never finish birthday cakes), and a two-tiered masterpiece was her idea of "small" apparently.  I'm not complaining, though, I absolutely loved it, :)
 
Two of my birthday gifts - a Hunger Games tee (Mockingjay on the front, "Down With the Capitol!" spray-painted on the back), and a lovely, soft IKEA pillow that I always point out when we go. 

Last Friday, I tried yoga for the first time - specifically bikram, or hot, yoga.  It was intense! I was walking around like an old woman for a few days afterwards as well (I am most definitely out of shape), but I really enjoyed it! I went again today, there was a different teacher who was a lot less intense, so I didn't end up drowning in sweat like last time.  It feels really good though, so I hope to stick with it! 
 

Monday, February 14, 2011

on this day, the fourteenth of February anno domini Two-Thousand and Eleven, I wish you a joyous holiday

Little Sister made this adorable Valentine for one of her friends at school! She also loves science, so that's why most of the words are comprised of various elements from the Periodic Table.

Happy Valentine's Day! Or, as some kids from the land of Tumblr are referring to it as, Happy Forever Alone Day for all us singles, :)

Monday, February 7, 2011

Do bats make good pets?

Because after seeing these baby ones rescued from flooding in Australia a few weeks ago, I decided that they are beyond adorable:
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, DO THEY GET ANY CUTER?! If so, I would probably die of cute overload. Now do you see why I'd want a baby bat?  You can read more about the story of these baby bats here!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

a composition of the past couple weeks in low-quality webcam photos

  I've been too lazy to take any decent photos.  Anyways, here's my outfit today.  I spent most of the day reading schoolbooks, so I decided dressing like a librarian might motivate me to concentrate (it didn't).  I've got a few photos to put up of sledding last weekend, and they'll probably be up by this week.  If you watch the Superbowl, hope your team wins and hope you have a fun Superbowl Sunday! As for me, I personally am not into American football and will probably skip out, :)
Here's a few more photos (via my crappy webcam of some outfits, etc):
Getting ready to ride the train to stay the weekend at my friend's house in Virginia! Wearing a Hunger Games tee - have you read the trilogy? I highly recommend them, they're some of my favorites! :)
Rather than arm myself, I hide under blankets and get on the internet when I'm afraid I'll be the next target of a late-night burglar.
Clean room!
New nail polish given to me by Little Sister! It's supposed to help strengthen your nails and comes in a lovely pink shade.
unsuccessful attempt at menswear (but I have to share this amazing deal with you all - I bought that sheer black blouse for only $3 from H&M during their winter sale!)
First day of the Winter/Spring Semester!
Successful attempt at menswear!
HANUTA FIX (I haven't had these tasty little bastards since I left Germany, and now I found them at the international section of the commissary - the military grocery store! Eeeeee!)
Have a good week!