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!