Thoughts of the Day

 It feels like I don't have much to talk about on here much anymore. I had a few complaints that kind of put me off, but today I had the urge to write, so there may be a lot to talk about!

Also if you have anything to say, leave a comment on here or click on the Contact Me page at the top.

Anyway, getting that out of the way, anyone seen Pan Am? It's not the most excellent TV show, but I just love what they wear. It's set in the 1960's, the heyday of Pan American Airlines. They ceased operations in 1991. Most people will probably associate them with the Lockerbie crash, in which one of their planes was hijacked and crashed in Lockerbie, Scotland.

I've also been watching season 6 of Dexter. After a mediocre season 5, Dexter is really picking up again. I still think my favorite season was season 4, with the Trinity killer. This season it's the Doomsday Killers, two Christians, Travis and Professor Gellar, working together to make the Doomsday prophecy come true. I am up to episode 9 so I won't spoil it for those who haven't watched yet.

 An image of Dexter and his son, Harrison, from Season 6

I have been getting into watching the Twilight saga. I saw the first one on TV in the summer, then last week I decided to rent New Moon from the library. All I can say is, Bella Swan is one idiotic person. She's also a user. She likes Edward and when he leaves town in New Moon, she has these nightmares where she screams the house down. Then she starts hanging out with Jacob, a Native American werewolf because she has nothing better to do since her beloved bloodsucker left town. I hate how she uses him just because Edward has gone, she even makes him fix two motorbikes she found in a scrapheap. After he finishes the job, she then proceeds to get on one of them and crashes. Such an idiot! Also Jacob is kind of stupid for just doing everything she says, if Bella was real she would be an emo and nobody would even care, especially with a selfish personality like that. I don't think I have hated the main character in anything until I saw Twilight. This girl has gotta stop hanging around with supernatural creatures! She has human friends, but only hangs with them if no freaks are available. I cannot even believe they accept her when she ignores them for weeks on end. She's no friend!

Me and my family are thinking of going to Libya sometime. I won't say when though, as nothing is official. I have not visited since 2005/06, when I vowed I would not return with a Libyan passport, as Gaddafi's authorities made things so difficult for me. I think now I am confident to go on my Libyan passport, so better get renewing! I may get a digital camera, might be a good idea to take plenty of pics. Post-Gaddafi era will be a good one inshallah!

I am going to a recommendation, which I don't normally, but I have been enjoying all these things recently!

The first is a Cartoon Network cartoon called 'Regular Show'. It's about two slacker friends, a blue jay named Mordecai and a raccoon named Rigby who work as groundskeepers in a park. Their boss is a gumball machine called Benson, and their friends include a green man called Muscle Man, a ghost called High-Five Ghost (he has his hand permanently in a high five position above his head), a strange man with a big head called Pops and a yeti called Skips (he always skips, never walks!) Here is a clip!

I also recommend downloading two pretty funny podcasts from Radio 1. The first is the Scott Mills Daily. It's available to download every weekday from the BBC podcasts website. Scott Mills Daily podcast

There is also the best bits of the Chris Moyles show. It's available to download every Friday, and contains all the funniest bits and interviews from the weekday morning shows. Chris Moyles show podcast 

I always put them onto my phone and use them to help me fall asleep, as well as have a laugh! I have many saved on my phone simply because I like to listen back to the funny bits now and again!

Gaddafi is dead! It's official! (Warning! Death photos).

 Yes, the NTC have announced Gaddafi the rat is now dead. They found him in a hole in Sirte, and they transported him to Misrata. Many celebrations going on. I hear Egdware Road in London is going to have celebrations at approximately 6pm today. I'm sure other cities will do their own celebrations too, and it's already started in Libya!

He doesn't look so powerful now, does he? He can longer spout rubbish from that disgusting mouth of his anymore. He was a blot in Libya, he ruined it. It's going to take time to change and become something different. Inshallah one day Gaddafi will be a distant memory.

Libyan freedom fighters in my hometown!

 It's been almost two weeks since three (now four) Libyan freedom fighters were admitted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough to treat their injuries. They were sent here by the new Libyan government, all expenses paid so as not to disadvantage patients in the hospital (our healthcare is free, but only if you are British or in the EU, as far as I know). My dad has visited them a few times, helping with translation as none of them speak English. You can see photos of them on this: Facebook page for freedom fighters in Middlesbrough hospital. It's in Arabic, but pretty easy to see the pictures.

 One man was telling my dad how he got his injuries. He was hit by a car, then it went over his body, breaking his pelvis. He had to get metal rods put in, which was done in Tunisia, but unfortunately it was a rather botched job and it had to be redone once he got to the hospital here. The freedom fighters will be here a few weeks as they get operations and begin to recover. What they have suffered may be horrific, but I am just glad they are alive, as so many did not survive.

Last week I also did a card for them, a suggestion from someone on Facebook. I gave my thanks to them, for their part in helping make Libya a free country. My dad is going to write in Arabic on it too, so they can read what I wrote. It feels like a privilege to have them here and I hope they all recover well, and are able to go back and see a free Libya inshallah.

Must add a little note, I've started reading Khadija Teri's blog again, it's fantastic having updates from someone right there in Libya! Keep safe inshallah.

Join Unite Against Fascism in the EDL 'protest' in Middlesbrough

I would advise anyone who wants to oppose the EDL protest tomorrow (9th July) to join Unite Against Fascism in their counter-protest. They will be meeting up at 11am at the cenotaph near the entrance of Albert Park. They will then walk to Centre Square, where I believe the actual protest is taking place. Police are containing all protestors.

Basically EDL are protesting against the proposed expansion of Abu Bakr mosque on Park Road North. The expansion plans are actually still in the very early stages, and we still don't have enough money to get the project going. I don't actually understand why the EDL are even bothering with a protest. My guess is they have probably wanted to cause a race riot in Middlesbrough for some time, and this is their excuse to finally do it. Police will be posted in front of all mosques in Middlesbrough, so even if some of the neanderthals decide to break away, they will encounter resistance.

Go Unite Against Fascism!

Wimbledon 2011 Winners!

 First it's the ladies winner, Petra Kvitova, who beat Maria Sharapova in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.

 And then there was the men's final, where Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal three sets to one 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.

 Goodbye Wimbledon for this year, and next year awaits!

Wimbledon 2011-finals are almost here!

So it's been a fast two weeks for those engrossed in Wimbledon, well for me anyway! I feel it has has passed so quickly, and here we are, down to the last two women, and the last two men.

The women's final will be held on Saturday July 2nd and the match will be Maria Sharapova v Petra Kvitova. I am rooting for Kvitova, but I think Sharapova could win her second Wimbledon, it's been way too long for her. Good luck to both ladies!

Petra Kvitova

 

 Maria Sharapova

 And then on Sunday 3rd July, we have the men's final, which will be Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic. I think I would like Djokovic to win, but they're both amazing players, so it won't matter too much who wins!

Rafael Nadal, 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon champ

 

 Novak Djokovic

 

 Whatever happens, I will post the results up here. Good luck everyone!

Retro Style

 I just love retro style! Here are some examples of my favourites.

First of all, Mad Men. A TV drama set in the 1960's in the advertising industry. The men wear sharp suits and slick, smart hairstyles. The ladies wear fitted dresses and their hair could be out and curled, or perhaps in an up-do.

This is the type of a suit a man should wear, never mind those awful skinny suits many of them insist on wearing nowadays! Retro is definately the way to go here.

 

 Ok, so these are the more glamorous dresses, more suited to the evening, but it really highlights the style of the time. I especially like Betty Draper's (played by January Jones) poofy 50's style dress, she's the one on the far left.

Ok, so this is a more casual style. Not as keen on these dresses, as I think it takes a certain figure to pull it off, so not every woman can wear this kind of dress with confidence. But regardless, they are pretty to look at!

 

L.A. Noire

 L.A. Noire was just released a couple of weeks ago, and it's a game set in the 1940's. Again the men wear sharp suits.

 

 Cole Phelps and Stefan Bokowsky. It's interesting to see the suits are not just one colour or material, and teamed with that kind of hat, it looks great but these days it might look like one is trying to wear a costume?

 

Dresses from the 50's 

50's dresses can look great on many figures. When I was 14, I used to have a poofy 50's style skirt, I lost it, but it was gorgeous. Black with little pictures of handbags.

This such a classic look of the time. I love how it goes all poofy past the waist!

I can't end this without mentioning Marilyn Monroe. Many images I found of the 50's mainly feature women with curly styled hair, probably done with rollers or rags, and always the trademark red lipstick. It's gorgeous, but would it suit me?

I probably have a lot more I could add to this, but it could take a while!

Meeting my grandfather

 Well, it's been almost two weeks since I met my real grandfather. We arranged to meet in a Tesco cafe, as that was the nearest place to him, and we discovered he doesn't have a car. It was almost two weeks ago now, on the 2nd of April that me, my mum and dad went to meet him. He also brought his sister with him, who is my great auntie. She said to my mum that she could tell my grandfather was her dad, she said she saw the similarity instantly! It's been something I haven't noticed myself, but when I have showed other people his photo on my mobile, they do see a resemblance between them!

A few days before meeting up, I actually called him, to introduce myself, and tell him how I found him, which started with purchasing his birth certificate last summer, and eventually ended with putting an advert on the Missing You. Several people on that website contacted me with information, and pretty much all of them proved right. Two of them sent me his address, which turned out to be the correct address in Stockton, only a few miles from Middlesbrough.

I didn't know what to expect from the meeting itself, I remember we were walking towards the cafe, and a man with grey hair and glasses stood up, with him a woman with short brown hair (his sister), he recognised us instantly because my mum told him she was a Muslim, and would be covered up. We all had a nice long chat, for over an hour, and a cup of tea. Next we are hoping to set something up so he can meet the rest of his grandchildren. I wonder if he will be surprised to hear that one of them is married already? Probably a good thing my brother hasn't had his wedding party yet, that will be a good occasion for my grandfather to attend!

Unbearable pain!

 I currently have an ear infection, for about a week now. Well it started in my right ear, but over the weekend it spread to my left ear. I have antibiotics to take orally, antibiotic drops that go right into my ears, paracetamol and codeine. I am always in pain though, once the painkillers wear off, but I'm only allowed four doses every 24 hours, so sometimes I have to sit and suffer, since night-time is worse so I always keep my last dose for then. Codeine has been really good though, it works pretty fast, I take one codeine with two paracetamol. Plus now both my ears are swollen, so I can't really hear very well. I won't be able to do my volunteer work this week, which is annoying. I was driving over the weekend, but I couldn't do it today. Even then I couldn't hear the engine properly and had to change gears by looking at the speedometer. Well at least I got out for a little bit!

I must also say about my weirdly vivid dreams during this time. One of the side-effects you can get from codeine is hallucinations. Only mine haven't happened during the day when I take them, it's only at night! So I'll wake up crying out in pain, but there's something weird too. Last night there seemed to be loads of plastic around me, and I remember waving my arms around, trying to push it away, and crying at the same time because of the pain of my ear. It was very strange indeed! The other day was bits of fabric or something, and I didn't want them near me, I can barely remember that one though. Luckily I never woke anyone up in our house, despite the fact that I felt like I was being really loud!

Oh, and I met my grandfather for the first time the other day. Maybe I'll do a full post about it once I feel better. I'm just really sleepy at the moment, as my ear pain doesn't let me sleep for long, so I'm always tired!

Do not trust Musa Kusa!

 How convenient that he defects after supporting Gaddafi for all those years? I didn't see him complaining about innocent Libyans being tortured for no good reason, or the people who mysteriously disappeared. Why the heck didn't he speak up then? Easy, he's still in with them, in some way. He is said to be the mastermind of the Lockerbie attack, which I previously didn't believe Libya had anything to do with, but it turns out Gaddafi did in fact order that attack.

 I'm currently listening to the live press conference in Tripoli. That idiot spokesman, Musa Ibrahim, says that Musa Kusa is experiencing sickness, so is officially on sick leave. Apparently it's normal in Libya to go to Tunisia when you are feeling this way. Either that or he's had a mental breakdown, which is a favorite excuse of the Libyan government.

  Musa Ibrahim has now said two female journalists will get to meet Iman Al-Obeidi on Saturday (2nd April), the woman who was gang-raped and tried to tell her story to journalists in a Tripoli hotel. Instead she was silenced by Gaddafi's cronies and driven away to have God knows what happen to her. She's either dead or going to be sedated in this interview, I can see it happening!! They accused her of being drunk and a prostitute, but later took back their comments. Really? Iman did not look drunk to me, nor did she look like a prostitute! How disgusting that they slander her name like that, yet she tries to tell that she was raped, and is accused of slandering 'important' people? Absolutely vile behaviour.

 Look at this picture of Iman al-Obeidi, this is what happens if you try to tell the truth. No wonder so many Libyans just suffered in silence for years, now they are fed up of it, and are speaking up, only this time the whole world is looking in. Your lies won't work here Gaddafi.

I found my grandfather!

 Success at last! I used the website Missing You to find my grandfather, within hours of posting about him, I got several responses from people who searched the electoral roll on 192.com and it turned out to be really my grandfather, and his real address. We posted a note through his letterbox, but heard nothing back. Then on Thursday I posted him a letter through the post, and today (Sunday 27th March 2011) he called on my mum's mobile. My mum asked him some questions to make sure he was the real deal, and he was, so they got onto talking about things.


He confirmed that he was married to my grandmother, and that they had a daughter together, but he could not remember when my mum was born. My mum told him she is his daughter, and he said something along the lines of, "well, you could knock me down with a feather!". They are going to plan to meet in a neutral location, perhaps a cafe in town. I for one cannot wait to meet him, and I can't believe my grandfather was living only a few miles away all this time! I shall update in due course.


 I am now going to make a donation to Missing You, half goes to them, and half goes to Shelter, the homeless charity. They more than deserve it for all the wonderful people on there who helped me so much.

Dumb EDL 'Protestor'

 I was laughing for ages when I saw this one! Press TV spoke to a 'protestor' aka chav, on an EDL march, and basically he just said the dumbest things ever spoken by a human! Is he even human? Who knows? (lol!) Anyway, enjoy!!

 Funny EDL Interview - Incoherent Anger, Muslamic Infidels

  Yes, he actually says 'Muslamic', and talks about something called interracial law, and apparently Iraqi law is coming to London! I can't even be offended by this, it's so incredibly stupid that it's hilarious.

Now check out the remix! Somebody put some music and auto-tuned this guy, it's even more funny if that's possible!

 Muslamic Ray Guns - The EDL Anthem

  I can't get it out of my head now! Better to laugh at these people than be angry, which is what they want. You will find a lot of racist people are racist because of their stupidity, they don't understand other cultures or anything.

 By the way, anyone who reads this blog, I see I get some visitors on my stats, why not leave some comments? Make it look as if people actually come here, instead of tumbleweed! As a writer I need to know which posts are popular. Come on, be brave if you dare. You can even be anonymous and leave a comment. If I get more people coming, I might get an Ugg boot competition put up.

Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands (BBC3)

 BBC Three are currently showing this great programme every Tuesday at 9pm, about junior doctors in their first and second year of practising medicine. I don't know why, but I just really like it! The best doctors on there are Dr Suzi Batchelor and Dr Adam Beaini. Suzi is really nice, smiley and friendly, and Adam has a great sense of humour (plus I actually found out he is Lebanese, and not mixed-race as I originally thought haha! big up fellow Arab!)

 Check it out here: BBC3 Junior Doctors, you can see all the profiles for the junior doctors, and watch previous episodes you might have missed.

Libya No-Fly zone is a good thing

 I am getting a bit fed up of hearing some people saying they don't think the no-fly zone is a good idea, but not offering up any alternatives! The thing is, this is reality, the no-fly zone had to happen because of what Gaddafi is doing to his people. People can go on TV and say all kinds of things, but it doesn't mean the UN is going to listen to that. Another reason they had to take such drastic action was because of the amount of time they waited before doing anything. But I still reckon the no-fly zone was always going to be the best option.

The Arab League said what is happening in Libya is not a no-fly zone, but my understanding was that a no-fly zone involves taking out Libyan military targets, military that is loyal to Gaddafi. So in order to do that, you have to bomb certain targets. I think that because the Arab League is made up of a lot of countries with dictators, they perhaps don't want to now be seen giving the thumbs-up to the jets and the bombing. As I remember it though, the Arab League actually asked the UN to implement a no-fly zone, so why are they now backing off?

I think what has happened in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya has scared many Arab countries and their leaders. They don't want their people rebelling, but the truth is they have every right to do so, as most, if not all, Arab leaders, are dictators. They like telling their people exactly what to do and what to think, and to add insult to injury, they just stay in power until they die, and then probably one of their sons will take over. Gaddafi has been a lot more stubborn than Mubarak and Ben-Ali, he didn't even leave Libya, which I hope will mean that he does die there, just like he wanted!

My dad spoke to one of my uncles in Tripoli today, he just said he wished it didn't end up this way, meaning the bombing. He can't say too much, as phone lines could possibly be bugged (which has always been a fear of many Libyan people, which is why they never badmouth Gaddafi over the phone). I agree with my uncle, but in the end, it had to be done. My only hope is that my family keep themselves safe until all this is over. Then inshallah Libya can start again, without Gaddafi and his cronies. Then I would like to visit Libya again, it's been five years since I went, it's about time I went again inshallah.

Feeling profound

 When things don't go your way in life, just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep trying.

I'm usually a pessimist haha! But this is good, I'm sure I've heard it somewhere before.

No-Fly Zone in Libya is official!

 The UN have finally voted in favour of a no-fly zone. Some countries refused to vote, although I'm not sure why. China, Russia and Germany were amongst those who abstained. I can only think they are protecting whatever relationship they have with Gaddafi.

 Gaddafi has still been threatening Libyans, but hopefully this will scare him, instead of the other way round. For too long he's been able to sit there and just say whatever he wants. My hope is that it will all be used as evidence of war crimes against Gaddafi. Either that or maybe he will die during the no-fly zone bombing, now that would be amazing!

Half-Libyan, Half-English lad goes to Ras Lanuf to fight

 I was very impressed to read that a fellow halfie had gone to Libya to fight on the front-line in Ras Lanuf. I don't really like how The Sun have written this article (it's just so simple and unintelligent!) but at least the story is out there.

Half-Libyan man goes to fight in Ras Lanuf

Some of the comments are totally misguided though. Yet more people who do not understand what it means to be mixed-race and carry two passports. Like the bright spark who asked what the government would class Adam Fadhil as in case anything happened. Uhh, he's both? You don't get that? We can actually carry two passports and get the protection from either or both of them. For example, if I got stuck in Libya I could ask the British Embassy for help. As a British citizen, I am well within my rights to do that. I was born in the UK and have an English mother, just like Adam. If you don't like that, well then you are racist.

Then someone else was asking if we want Adam back after the fighting is over, as he will now have experience with guns. Do you think he's going to go around shooting everyone? His gun skills are for helping the rebels in Libya! Would anyone say that about a 'hero' British soldier? Look how many of them are walking around, experience with guns, bombs, you name it, yet they are not mentioned as potential murderers once they get back here? Exactly, because it's unfair to assume they will come back and shoot everyone they see...... So the same goes for Adam. He is a freedom fighter, not some wannabe murderer.

One thing that does make me happy is, at least Adam has gone to fight, unlike those who come and shout in the streets here and burn poppies, but they don't actually go and help their Muslim brothers and sisters to fight. Good on you Adam, and inshallah you will come back with victory.

Squatters take over Saif's home in London

 This has to be one of the best pieces of news this week! A group of squatters, calling themselves 'Topple the Tyrants' broke into Saif al-Islam's house in London, and basically they are now living there. The Daily Mail website published photos of them watching TV with old (new?) Libyan flags everywhere.

Squatters take over Saif's home

 Meanwhile Saif has been on the news again, making yet more threats. He says it's time for full-scale military action against the rebels. Isn't that already happening anyway? Then there's still the talk about doing a no-fly zone, which people seem to be divided about. I hear in Libya some rebels want it, but people I have spoke to in the UK say it doesn't seem like a good thing to do, as it could kill a lot of innocent people. This is true, but I wonder what else can the world do then? I think if you are going to oppose something, you should at least have another suggestion, instead of, "well I don't know..."
 I'm not in Libya, so I'm not sure what is best for them, but if the rebels say they want a no-fly zone, then it should be done. I'm guessing a lot of them are feeling pretty desperate by this point, so are ready for anything really.

 I heard on the news that some BBC Arabic journalists in Libya were kidnapped, beaten and subjected to a mock execution by Gaddafi's forces. They were trying to get to Zawiyah when they were taken. They were released, but they thought they were going to die. It's just awful to hear that, and I do feel a kind of solidarity with journalists, it's a job I really admire.

 There is also the Guardian journalist, Foreign Correspondent Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, who has gone missing in Libya. A Brazilian newspaper journalist Andrei Netto, who was travelling with Ghaith, is also missing. I hope they are both OK inshallah, and that they have come to no harm.

Driving Rocks!

 So from today, I have my older brother's car (blue Nissan Almera) until he comes back from Down South. (don't worry I'm insured!) I always get a bit nervous, mainly because I am not driving regularly, I can't even parallel park, which is annoying. All I need is practice, and I can't do that without regular access to a car. Well, I can keep dreaming, the reality is, I am going to end up sharing my dad's Zafira, a people carrier! I'll never be able to park that, but driving it is ok, nothing special!

What I really want is a bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Even if I have to start off in a massive van (aka the family car) I will realise that dream someday, that yellow beauty will be mine! (inshallah!)

 I think it needs a few stickers (or decals?). I want some hippy flowers on there, or butterflies or something. Customising is good, your car will stand out because it's yours and it's different. Someone once said to me people who decorate their cars look silly, but I love it! I'll even have pink car mats, I have this whole thing planned lol!

 Very pretty.

Some Good Times, Some Bad

Well today was pretty much uneventful, apart from my little sister finding out what secondary school she is going to. It's going to be the same school as one of my little brothers, so she'll be in good company, for a year at least, since my brother will be going into Year 11 when my sister starts Year 7. Good luck to her, and I hope she makes many friends, since it seems none of her primary school friends will be going to the same school as her.

 There's still a lot of crap on the news about Gaddafi. He spoke to several news channels on Monday, and just came off sounding like a mad old coot. Seriously, he just keeps contradicting himself, which may actually be part of his condition,  which is known as being a total psychopath! Saif said on the weekend that he has Plan A, B and C, all of which consist of him and his father living and dying in Libya. Well, that can be arranged! I think for a long time Saif kept his real personality hidden, in order to be well-liked by the people. In fact he's just as crazy as his father, and everyone has seen his ugly interior now.

My dad really likes this YouTube Gaddafi Zenga Zenga video , he keeps watching it! There is also this: What I understood from Gaddafi's Speech , good for a laugh, we need some light moments now and again. Also if you didn't laugh at Gaddafi, you would end up really mad all the time, and that's frustrating!

 I must mention what I heard on TalkSport last Thursday evening (24/02/2011), and no I don't normally listen to this tripe station, it was on in my brother's car! Anyhow, they were having a phone-in, trying to be all political (when really their heads are just filled with football crap) and they got on to talking about the UK government rescuing their people stuck in Libya. The guy presenting the show said something like those people working on the oil fields shouldn't have gone, as they should have expected trouble in a place like that. Excuse me, a place like that? Like what exactly? Libya is not always in the news with 'trouble', as he put it! In fact Libya has never been in the news so much as in these past two weeks. You know why, 'intelligent' disc jockey? Because the people just suffered for years and years in silence, they dare not speak up, and now that they do, you dismiss it as 'trouble'? You have no idea how much the Libyan people have been through, it was disgusting to hear such a stupid opinion!

In fact, that's really just been the attitude of most people regarding Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Some got mad because their holidays were cancelled, others didn't understand so gave ignorant opinions. At least do some research before you open your mouth, please! The people who lost their holidays, well sorry to hear that, but the people of these countries had to make a stand, it was going to happen at some point, so why not now? Imagine if we had a dictator, we'd want to do the same thing. Please think of the people in those countries who always live there, at least you can leave after your holiday and never experience what they have been through for so long. Just think yourselves lucky.

I really fear for the people in Tripoli, especially my family, I hope they are keeping safe, and I just feel totally helpless because all we can do is watch and wait. Inshallah it will be over soon.

My Favorite Beauty Products

 I don't use many (in my opinion!) but here are my favorite beauty products!

 ST. IVE'S APRICOT SCRUB: This is the best facial scrub out there, nothing else compares to it. I use it a few times a week, it helps with dry skin patches and it's also good for just giving your skin a good scrub and getting rid of any dirt deep down. I use the Blemish Fighting variety, but there are other types including Sensitive and All Skin Types. A bottle can last you ages, I got a BOGOF offer last summer at Sainsbury's, and I'm still using the first bottle! 10/10

 JERGENS NATURALS: I only buy this if it's on special offer. I got the Extra Softening Shea Butter variety. I use it on the heels of my feet everyday, but it's important to exfoliate your feet too. Moisturising alone isn't enough to keep them soft. I use a Foot Smoother from the Body Shop whilst in the shower to keep my feet perfectly exfoliated. You can also get something that looks like a grater, it doesn't hurt though. It's for use after you have showered, and you can use them as part of a pedicure. 8/10

 SOAP AND GLORY: I just love so many of Soap and Glory's products, I can't pick just one! The above moisturising shower gel, Clean on Me, is what I have right now. I just love the scent, and the retro packaging really stands out. I've also used Clean Girls, which has the scent of Mist You Madly, of which I also own the body spray. The shampoo is not bad either, it's called Glad Hair Day, another product with a gorgeous scent! I have the shampoo for all hair types. There are so many products in this range, I even have the facial moisturiser, which I got in the ASOS sale. They also do amazing gift sets in Boots and ASOS at Christmas time. Once you try this, you will love it! They even have a small men's range. 10/10

 LAURA GELLER MATTE MAKER FACE POWDER: This is not actually make-up, but an oil blotter for your face. Only QVC sells it. It's quite pricey, but it's a great product for those of us with oily skin. It's translucent, so your face won't look all white after application, it will just look matte. Comes with a fan brush. 8/10

 A Word on Libya: Another light post regarding what is happening in Libya. My family is safe alhamdulilah and I just hope Tripoli is able to fight off Gaddafi's grip. Zawiyah is now controlled by anti-Gaddafi people, let's hope Tripoli goes the same way.

I have been reading KhadijaTeri's blog during this difficult time, I hope it gets better for everyone in Libya, and hang in there. KhadijaTeri's blog

Protests for Libya and a Bomb Scare

 So yesterday there a bit of drama in Middlesbrough. A protest planned by students for Libya went ahead in Centre Square, but at the same time a 'suspicious bag' was found outside the town hall. Police shut off the area and evacuated the Civic Centre. It was quite weird, we were all stood outside MIMA doing our chants, and right across from us was a bunch of council staff. Anyway it turned out the bag was just a bag, probably someone put it down and forgot to pick it up, but these days everything is treated as suspicious. You could argue that a bag left before 9/11 could be just as suspicious!

Bomb Scare in Middlesbrough

 I hated the fact that a guy on there called smoggy64 decided to bring Muslims into it with his misguided comment, even though the article made it clear that it wasn't even a bomb, let alone left there by Muslims! Yes we were having our protest, but it was nothing to do with bombs, it was about getting rid of a dictator. I wouldn't want to bomb Middlesbrough, no matter how awful it is, I live here too remember! As I recall, they didn't say any arrests were made, plus the police let us continue with our demonstration, so they knew it wasn't left by any protestors. Some people are just idiotic.......

Tracing Family *updated*

 I just got some amazing news during my search for my maternal grandfather. I put an ad up on Missing You and immediately the next day got a few replies from people who searched archives for me. One guy even searched 192.com and got me my grandfather's possible address, if it turns out to be right, it will mean he actually only lives a few miles away from us, which is where he was born anyway. It's kind of strange my mum ended up living here, as she lived all over the place, but Scotland was where she lived the longest. Then when she married my dad, they came here so he could study, and stayed ever since. Turns out we do have some roots here though! Today I got info on my grandfather's brothers and sister. They got married and had kids, apart from two brothers, from which no information could be found. Our next step is to write to my grandfather, I wouldn't go knocking at his door and shock him! But yesterday we did actually go and drive past where he might be living, I just felt really excited. I did kind of have a grandfather, my mum's step-dad, but he died when I was 15. I think after that it got me thinking about where my real grandfather could be. I know he ran away essentially, he left my mum and grandmother when my mum was only a baby. She never knew her dad at all. We have not even seen photographs. The curiosity is killing me!

  One thing I do know is that my grandfather served under the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. My great-grandfather was a navigator in the Royal Air Force. So there's a bit of military history there. The photo I put up is the sign outside the RNF museum in Alnwick Castle, Northumberland. I wanted to visit it, but it's a little too far away. I think if I found my grandfather though, I'd want to see the museum, it would be pretty cool. Museums are amazing! I shall keep updating as soon as I know more. Inshallah I hope this is my grandfather, I don't know what to expect, but I'm feeling excited and hopeful. I have one interesting tidbit about him, apparently he really loved Raspberry Ruffles, and I do too! At least I know what to get for him if we meet inshallah!
*UPDATE* We dropped a note through the letterbox of the house we believe to be my grandfather's. We left a number for him to call. All my mum wrote was that she may have information on a long-lost relative. Time will tell whether he wants to speak to us or not. My mum didn't even leave her name, in case it scared him off, she just did her initial and my dad's surname, which she doesn't use. Using her real surname would arouse too much suspicion I feel.

Oh, and I just wanted to add a little advertisement for my current favorite tea, Lancashire Tea. It's a really nice flavour-full tea! I like to let it brew for about five minutes, to get the fullest flavour. Tea is bland if you don't allow it to brew! Lancashire Tea is owned by an independant company, and they need all the advertising they can get. Where I live, you can buy it in Heron or Home Bargains. It doesn't cost too much, and you get 80 teabags! Plus you can collect the tokens for an old-fashioned map of Lancashire. I like it best with Scottish shortbread.

 A big thank you must go out to all the people who looked through archives for info on my grandfather. Thank you very much!

And no, I haven't forgotten about the situation in Libya, I just think I needed to do something a little different today. It's still bad over there, inshallah the people will overcome this.

Chaos in Libya

 So it's heating up in Libya. CNN managed to get a reporter in, but he only calls in, no footage from him yet. But at least they got someone in! Gaddafi says people from the outside are stirring things up in Libya, but the people in Libya know better than anyone what a tyrant he is, and they don't need other people to tell them that. I think it was definately a domino effect starting from Tunisia, it gave Libya the courage to start protesting. Only it's a lot worse in Libya. The military are bombing their own people, on orders from the 'leader'. I am currently listening to Gaddafi waffling on, he's saying things like he'll die as a martyr, and even having the nerve to mention Omar Al-Mukhtar! If he was alive today, he would be very upset at the state of Libya, and all these years that the people have suffered. He also keeps mentioning his grandfather, whatever!

 Omar Al-Mukhtar was a true hero of Libya, he died for Libya. Gaddafi will only die because of himself, because he is evil.

We actually had a protest in my town yesterday!! It was outside the university, my uncle is a student there so he joined the protestors. I say they should have told more people though, there wasn't a lot of people present! Perhaps if they had gotten women to join in? That's kind of annoying, because I know the men wouldn't want us there, but we want to show our support for Libya.

 One good thing that seems to have come from this, is the media is finally reporting on what really happens in Libya. People taken in as political prisoners and murdered, or relatives mysteriously disappearing. Also I notice more people around me taking an interest in politics and news for once!! People should always keep an eye out on the news, I'm not saying trust it 100%, but you shouldn't live under a rock either. I was always interested in politics, even from being a young teenager. I don't know why, but I reckon it's served me well, and helps me understand what is going on with our government, and also other governments around the world. But you should at least know what goes on in your own country from day to day.

Long live Libya! Please pray for our brothers and sisters.

Libya 'Day of Rage' *updated*

 Not a lot of information out there about the protests in Libya. Apparently the government is only releasing images of Gaddafi supporters protesting, although I don't see what they need to protest about, he's been around long enough! Some Libyan people are going down to London, to the Libyan Embassy, as apparently the government has promised to pay off their student debts. Worth it I guess, but don't be tricked into supporting him just because he's giving you some money!

 

I will update once I hear more, there's a real media block going on right now!

UPDATE: My dad called my uncle in Libya, he said he was still going to work as normal, but he saw many protestors on the way there. News channels say Green Square has a mixture of pro and anti government protestors. Lets hope the anti-government protestors flush them out! My dad also tried to call a friend in Benghazi, phone line was completely dead. Doesn't mean bad news though, they have shut down phone lines, might not be much more than that, so hopefully that means the guy is alright. I also heard they were evacuating British nationals, or maybe they have a safe place to go to, I'm not sure. Saif al-Islam also appeared on TV tonight spouting nonsense about how Libyans are just copying off Tunisia and Egypt (like the Libyans don't have a legit reason for protesting?? Seriously!!) He also blamed it on Libyans living abroad, calling news channels and pretending they are in Libya, giving false numbers of dead people. I don't doubt for one second that many people died, and Saif seems to be getting pretty mental! I urge the Libyan people to keep on going, inshallah we can make Libya a better place.

There was also apparently a protest outside the Libyan Embassy in London, and also outside the White House in Washington (USA of course, although there is a Washington not far from me!) If I didn't live so far from London, I would have joined in the protests myself! I told my mum that perhaps we need to get some proper Libyan flags and go to Centre Square here, we'd have to get out all the Libyans out though. I bet there's more here in this little town than I ever knew!

Attacked in Public

 Yesterday I was walking to the post office with my mum and sister, when we passed a chavvy couple pushing a pram. The man then remarked that my mother was white, yet wearing a scarf on her head. He looked like a totally clueless idiot. He was like "she's white and wearing THAT, huuuuuuuuuuuh?"
 What a twit! So my mum hit back at him with some comments, and I actually stuck my middle finger up at him! I just thought, what kind of example would I be setting if I just meekly walked past and accepted this stranger saying things about my mum? I had to show that I wasn't going to take it, otherwise this kind of behaviour just repeats itself wherever you go. I did think later on that perhaps I should have called the police. It was really a racist and anti-religion attack, but the police probably would have a took a year to get there, then probably it would end without a conviction! I have been attacked in public before, I reported the incident, and it ended with the two perpatrators just getting fined £50, none of which I received. I wonder what the police does with money they get stemming from an assault? It seems wrong to keep that money, when it could be given to the victim as a small gift of compensation. I would have been happy to get that, it was better than the nothing I actually got.

  ALWAYS report a crime, no matter how insignificant it seems. We need to get the police working for us, that is their job after all, protecting the public? Even if it's just a racist comment on the street, let it become part of the statistics,  even just so people can see how racist a particular area is. I can't wait until I get out of this disgusting town, it's my aim to leave this place someday inshallah. Failing that, I at least want a car so I don't have to walk the unsafe streets!Take a look at this article, it shows just how frightened some people are when it comes to reporting crime: Muslim Women Avoid Reporting Hate Crime

Giving Blood

 I was not originally going to write about giving blood today, as usually the same old stuff happens. Donate and leave basically! But today, the little pouch of blood used for samples got all blocked up and they had to stop my donation. You can't donate without this, as they fill up test tubes directly from the pouch, and later test your blood for diseases (so people don't get diseased blood transfusions). It's a pretty rare thing to happen, and knowing my luck, no wonder!

 I pretty much gave almost a whole donation too (one donation is almost a pint, your body quickly makes up for this). I just hope I don't get a big bruise on the donation site, like last time! It was huge and purple. That's what I get for having invisible veins, lol! But one good thing about giving is that I have a rare blood type. I am AB+, which only two in every hundred people have. I was told at today's session that this is a good insurance policy for me, if I am regularly giving blood, then I know there will be some of my blood type for if I ever needed it. Inshallah I don't, and who else would want a blood transfusion? But it's there to save lives when needed.

If you are interested in giving blood (it's always needed and appreciated!) then visit the NHS website at National Blood Service

Pass Plus

 Yesterday evening I did my third Pass Plus module, it was Night Driving. I have already done Town Driving and Dual Carriageways, although yesterday's session contained many dual carriageways, some with the national speed limit! I haven't gone that fast in a while, but it felt good! You have to get used to speeding up, otherwise you become a total wimp on the roads. I've seen it happen to people. Even my mum won't learn to drive now because she is afraid of driving on the road with other cars, which incidentally is pretty much what driving is all about, lol!

 I was lucky to be able to just go back to my instructor who I passed my test with. I say that because I have had many instructors. My first one, Elaine from AMC, was amazing. She hadn't yet passed her instructor test, but in my opinion is better than some qualified instructors! It's also really hard to find a good instructor when you only want a female, it really makes your search even harder. After a few more instructors I finally found Naz, of Ladies Driving School. She is so friendly, I feel like I'm with a friend in the car, best atmosphere to have really. I passed my test with her, eventually (it took me four attempts!) but she was always very supportive. Never stay with an instructor if you feel uncomfortable, it will become unbearable pretty quickly! One of my instructors, who shall remain nameless, actually shouted at me. I was quite new back then, and I feel she should have had been more patient. You are really in the wrong job if you can't stand a learner driver making mistakes!

Internet Safety

 I know not many people read my blog, but I had my brother's wedding photos up, with half the faces blanked out. Some people were not happy about this and I can only apologise. I thought it would be ok if I tried to hide faces. Also I figured my blog was safer than something like facebook, which is pretty much public. I understand you can hide certain things on there, but I notice you can still see people's profile pictures. Not as safe as they claim! One big reason that I don't use facebook. I think it's unsafe. A girl in my area was killed after meeting someone on there. You may think it won't happen to you, but you never know how carried away you could get if someone flattered you with a nice comment about your picture or something. Be vigilant!


I guess I was also embarrassed by the attention my blog was getting. I know I should get used to it if I want to be a journalist! When I first started writing this, I knew for a fact nobody was reading it. Even now I know hardly anyone comes on here.

 Yeh, you can tell I really hate facebook right? Lol! If I have real friends, I can call them or text them, I actually have their number, not their facebook page! End of my anti-social networking rant.....

Libya's Stolen Children

 A couple of months ago, Sky News were showing a documentary called 'Libya's Stolen Children', about mixed-race children kidnapped by their Libyan fathers to Libya. It just made me think a little about inter-racial marriage, it doesn't always work. I think these Libyan men come here, meet white women and they are swept away. Similarly, the white women like the exotic-ness (is that a word?) of these men. A lot of Libyan men have it in their mind that they will return home someday, even my dad is the same. It's not a good idea to marry someone like that if you don't want to leave the UK. Same with the Libyan men, don't marry a white woman if you plan on going back to Libya someday. Both parties have something to answer for, but of course kidnapping your own children is not the answer. It's also so easy to get away with it in Libya, no extradition, they can pretty much take the kids forever, because once they are there long enough, they are married off. No hope of going back to the UK after that. I do think these men should realise the importance of their childrens' mothers in their lives, they should be able to go to Libya at least twice a year to see their children. It's only fair after all the trauma they have gone through.

One mother greets her children and little grandchild in Libya

 

  It just makes me glad that my dad was not of those people who ran away with me and my siblings. I am glad we have been able to grow up in the UK, but don't get me wrong, I still love Libya, but for me it's strictly holidays only! I feel as a mixed-race person I have the option of choosing where I want to live, and the UK is most definately my home. I once had a marriage proposal from someone half English, half Libyan who had been taken to Libya by his father when he was five years old. Nothing came of the proposal, but I remember he told my dad that his mother wasn't too bothered about him and his sister being taken. Somehow I doubt this, she may have felt helpless, so didn't really do anything about the situation, but I bet you anything she missed her kids like crazy. What mother wouldn't? I am aware some mothers have done the same thing, and taken their kids, but this post is not going to cover all that.

Scottish mum Lisa Osman's son is upset after leaving his mum

 

 One particular story that touched me in the documentary was that of Lisa Osman. She was married to a half Scottish, half Libyan man. They had two children and went to live in Libya. Lisa was promised they would be able to return to Scotland if she did not like life in Libya. This turned out not to be true, and she ended up leaving Libya herself, with her two sons left behind. Some may say she shouldn't have left Libya alone, and part of me thinks that too, but we don't know what her life was like. I remember reading a comment Lisa's mum left on the Sky News site, she said she was against the relationship and thought it wouldn't be good for Lisa. Still, who thinks their children are going to be kidnapped by their own father? 

Death Row Dating and a Long Christmas

 I have recently got addicted to the Crime and Investigation channel on cable TV. So many gripping programmes about murders, murderers, missing people, details of crimes etc. I have recently gotten very into true crime, and I especially like to know details, like what motivates someone to kill, and the impact on victims families. May sound quite grisly, and I do not sympathise with criminals, but I just find these programmes really very interesting!

 Recently the Crime and Investigation channel was showing a programme called 'Death Row Dates', about British women engaged or married to men on Death Row in America. I have heard such stories before, and I really think some women just have something inside them where it thrills them to be in a relationship with a criminal, maybe even a murderer. I don't understand why though. Especially the woman who was divorced with three kids. What the hell was she thinking, getting engaged to a killer?! She might just be crazy! I was surprised to discover she allows her young daughter to speak to a convicted murderer on the phone when he calls, she can't be a very good mum if she is going to expose her kids to stuff like that. Her older daughter initially wasn't keen, but later softened when she saw her mum was serious about it. Serious or not, these women are seriously deluded. Although they sit and cry because they can't often see their incarcerated fiances for real, I actually think they enjoy the drama involved with it. I think they like sitting down and thinking, "wow! Look who I'm getting married to!"

 One of the women engaged to a killer

And of course they MUST know they will never be able to even touch the guy, nor have him present at his own wedding! It's just all kinds of ridiculous, and they honestly deserve any negative comments that come their way for being so irresponsible. What even drives someone to get a pen pal on death row? These guys are killers, they threw away their right to have friends and a life the moment they killed another person. The best thing was seeing one of the women at the end, kissing and touching her criminal husband, as he lay dead after a lethal injection. She can't say she didn't see that one coming.....

 Long Christmas Holidays! aka fed up...

 I feel like this year the mick has truly been taken out of the Christmas holidays. Not only was there an Xmas and boxing day, but because they fell on a weekend, we had TWO bank holidays, ONE AFTER THE OTHER! All I can say is, I'm glad the shops were open at least. But I do think this country generally takes the mick with Christmas holidays. Do kids really need two weeks off school? For Eid the kids have pretty much one day off and don't complain. I wouldn't stretch Eid into a long holiday either, I know I would get sick of it, a few days is enough really. Also New Years' Day should NOT be a public holiday, it's only the first day of the new year, is it really that important? Since we will be getting William and Kate's wedding day as an official public holiday, we don't really need to add even more days off to the year. I remember having a driving lesson on New Years' Day last year, because my instructor didn't see the point in celebrating it. It was fantastic, I had lovely very quiet drive through some neighbouring towns. Thank you for staying inside people, especially the chavs, last thing I ever want to see whilst having a leisurely drive is one of their neanderthal faces, lol! But regardless.....