The Sixth Sense

Statistics About Lebanon

2006-08-27T09:24:00.000+04:00

1. Lebanon has 18 religious communities

2. It has 40 daily newspapers

3. It has 42 universities

4. It has over 100 banks (that is banks and not branches of a bank)

5. 70% of the students are in private schools

6. 40% of the Lebanese people are Christians (this is the highest percentage in all the Arab countries)

7. There's 1 doctor per 10 people in Lebanon (In Europe & America, there's 1 doctor per 100 people)

8. The name LEBANON appears 75 times in the Old Testament

9. The name CEDAR (Lebanon's tree) appears 75 times too in the Old Testament!!

10. Beirut was destroyed and rebuilt 7 times (this is why it's compared to The Phoenix).

11. There are 3.5 Million Lebanese in Lebanon

12. There are around 10 Million Lebanese outside Lebanon!

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS

1. Byblos (city in Lebanon) is the oldest, continuously living city in theworld.

2. Lebanon's name has been around for 4,000 yrs non- stop (it's the oldest country/ nation's name in the world!)

3. Lebanon is the only Asian/African country that doesn't have a desert.

4. There are 15 rivers in Lebanon (all of them coming from its own mountains)

5. Lebanon is one of the most populated countries in its archeological sites, in the world!!!

6. The first alphabet was created in Byblos (city in Lebanon)

7. The only remaining temple of Jupiter (the main Roman god) is in Baalbeck, Lebanon (The City of the Sun)

8. The name of BYBLOS comes from the BIBLE!!!

9. Lebanon is the country that has the most books written about it.

10. The Phoenicians (Original People of Lebanon) built the 1st boat, and they were the first to sail ever!

11. Phoenicians also reached America long before Christopher Columbus did.

12. The 1st law school in the world was built in Lebanon, in Downtown Beirut.

Isn't it a real Crime Against Humanity to destroy a country with such history?

Save Lebanon!

2006-07-17T09:19:00.000+04:00

Watch this, learn a lesson, react and protest...

Thanks to Eve, Ahmad and Arch Memory.

الحلم... انتهى

2006-07-05T23:56:00.000+04:00

أمس، كانت لحظة الفراق. لم تدم الزيارة إلا أيام قليلة...

الساعة الواحدة من بعد الظهر. ندخل معاً إلى مبنى المغادرين. نجر الحقائب وراءنا وقد بدت ثقيلة للغاية، فهي الأخرى لا تريد الذهاب بعيداً. نقترب من مكان إجراء معاملات السفر، أرى يافطة كبيرة كتب عليها: "للمسافرين فقط". أحسست بدنو اللحظة الحاسمة. هي تقف إلى جانبي صامتة وتنظر إلي بعينيها البراقتين. تحاول إقناعي أن هذا البريق ليس دمعاً بل هو بريق الحياة الذي أراه فيها كل يوم. أضمها ضمة قوية ثم نتبادل التوصيات الأخيرة كعادتنا. تهم لتتقدم نحو موظف التفتيش وإذ بي ألحق بها وأمشي بجنبها وقد أوميت لها بإشارة خفية لكي تتصرف بطبيعية فلا يتنبه موظف الأمن بأنني لست مسافراً بل أنني أتسلل لأحظى ببضع دقائق إضافية معها...

نجحت الخطة وها أنا في المنطقة الخاصة بالمسافرين، لم يلاحظ حارس الأمن أننا كنا نودع بعضنا منذ دقيقتين وأن أحدنا سيبقى هنا، فكيف سمح لي بالدخول!!...

نمشي بضعة أمتار ونبدأ بالضحك عالياً. لقد حظيت يدانا بربع ساعة إضافية لتتلامس مجدداً. مضى الوقت بسرعة وها نحن نسمع صوت المذيع يرسل النداء الأخير للمسافرين للصعود إلى الطائرة. تتقدم لتعبر الحاجز الأخير الذي يفصلها عن البوابة الالكترونية. أنا واقف في مكاني وأراها تبتعد... تضيع في الزحام. أنا ما زلت أحدق في البوابة الالكترونية من بعيد. كنت أفضّل أن تبقى واقفة في الصف لختم جواز سفرها فأشاهدها لفترة أطول، لكن التقنية الجديدة حالت دون ذلك فقد ابتلعتها البوابة بسرعة ما إن وصلت إليها.

خرجت من المطار ورحت أمشي في شمس دبي الحارقة. لم آبه بالحرارة التي تعدّت 45 درجة مئوية فقد كانت النار مشتعلة في داخلي. مضت دقائق قبل أن أتذكر أنه يجب علي العودة إلى العمل وأستقل السيارة وأمضي.

لطالما اعتقدت أنني سأتغلب يوماً على هذه المشاعر وأعتاد على الفراق، ولكني تأكدت اليوم أن الأمر سيتكرر في كل مرة مهما طالت الفترة أو قصرت.

Cappuccino faces

2006-06-21T13:26:00.000+04:00

Before I start sipping a hot cappuccino, I usually contemplate the shapes caused by the creamy foam on the surface of the cup.
It's interesting how you may see the same face from different sides, smiling, frowning or crying, depending on your mood...

Can you see the face?

Football sucks

2006-06-12T16:39:00.000+04:00

I'm sick of people asking me everyday which team I like to support in the World Cup, my answer is the following:

Guys! I know this is not gonna please many of u but I have to admit: I have NO interest in football and I won't be joining the stream. I don't support Germany or Brazil, not even the Arab countries, I simply do not fancy that game. Do u mind?

I may reconsider the matter in the future if the Lebanese football team happens to become qualified some day. Until then, enjoy "La Copa de la Vida".

Mr. Zaman

2006-06-01T10:37:00.000+04:00

Mr. Zaman is a 50-year-old Indian man who works with me in the same department.
When he arrives at work every morning, he has to shake hands with all the staff (let's say about 20 persons), including managers, officers, office boys, … and of course the Boss (me).

If you think he would be satisfied by only saying Good Morning, then you are wrong, he has to ask everyone personally about his/her family and friends…

I can't usually find words to reply to all his questions when he starts: kifak, kif 7alak, shou akhbarak?.... ufff, same words everyday, (actually these are the only words he knows in Arabic, maybe he's doing some practice to improve his second language;).

Yesterday I tried to run away from him in order to escape this daily morning duty, so when I saw him coming, I managed to go to the bathroom to hide and it worked, but not for long. Half an hour later, he left his office and came to me saying: - Did we shake hands today? Ohh nooo...

The story doesn't stop here. Mr. Zaman does also the same thing when we are leaving work. To escape this, yesterday I went down on the stairs instead of waiting the lift. I thought I could succeed this time but actually Mr. Zaman and I arrived together to the ground floor and I had to spend 2 more minutes at the workplace before I go home.

Last night, I thought a lot about this man. I wondered if one day he stops "disturbing" us with his nice words, will this satisfy me and all my colleagues? Are we really annoyed because such a nice person is trying to express nothing but his love and care for us? How bad is our behavior and attitude towards this man.

This morning, I rushed to Mr. Zaman and asked him myself: kifak, kif 7alak, shou akhbarak? But this time I enjoyed it, I really wanted to know what this man feels inside, and why he tries to make everyone happy while he's most probably a man full of sadness and loneliness?

Now I believe that our society needs persons like Mr. Zaman.

I was just trying to figure out how great some people are, before it is too late.

I love Mr. Zaman… I wish we all become like him… I don't want to lose him!

Emirates Palace

2006-05-21T11:28:00.000+04:00

Visiting Emirates Palace is such a breathtaking experience. Before I move to Dubai, 3 months ago, I used to walk on Abu Dhabi Corniche and enjoy its night view. I also visited it once and would like to introduce you to this State-of-the-Art place.

When you enter the hotel (actually it's more than a hotel), you will be amazed by the magnificent atrium (be careful not to have a pain in your neck if you look at the top for a long time). Well-dressed waiters and waitresses will avail themselves to welcome you and serve as a guide.

Visitors are allowed to have a look to the rooms or suites after having the Administration approval. You will then be guided by a staff. Personally, I would be satisfied if I can only use the amazing bathroom and stay there for a while, believe me, some people would sell their houses and live in this bathroom.

Aside from the magnificence and immensity of all rooms, suites and restaurants, the luxurious furniture and finishing provide you a relaxing environment, needless mention the technology touch that has been added to most features and facilities.

If you can't afford spending a night there, you can still visit some restaurants here, here or enjoy sitting in the Blue Salon.

P.S.: To avoid confusion, I didn't say that I spent a night there, it was just a short visit, since the prices are extremely high. A cup of tea in Majlis Cafe would cost you the equivalent of 30 USD.

You can share this dream with me. To know more, visit the official website.

أيَعلم؟

2006-05-15T14:45:00.000+04:00

جلست بقربه على الأريكة الصفراء التي غالباً ما تعكس نظرته الصفراوية. أخذت تلف يدها حول كتفه تارةً وتلامس ركبتيه بيدها الشقية تارةً أخرى. هو لا يكترث لها الآن، يشرب القهوة ويمسك بالجريدة ليقرأ أسعار البورصة ويقدّر كم عدد الملايين التي ستعانق الملايين الأخرى التي يودعها في حساباته المصرفية منذ دهر. هي ما زالت تدنو منه أكثر فأكثر وتجهد نفسها لتستهل بإخباره أنها تحتاج إلى المزيد من المال اليوم أيضاً، فالشيك الذي انتزعته منه صباح أمس لم يكن كافياً، لقد أعطت نصف قيمته إلى حبيب قلبها العاطل عن العمل حالياً والذي يتردد إليها حين يكون زوجها مسافراً. يلتفت إليها وقد بدت على وجهه علامات الرفض، ثم يرتشف الجرعة الأخيرة من القهوة ويهمّ بالنهوض. تستجمع قواها وتحاول استبقاءه قليلاً ريثما تدعم المحاولة الجديدة ببعض من الكلام المعسول واللمسات الكاذبة والحنان المصطنع.

أخيراً، تنجح الزوجة في انتزاع المبلغ المرجو، وتنظر إلى يده الضخمة وهو يوقّع الشيك وتسأل نفسها: متى سيموت هذا المسخ ذو السنوات السبعين ويغرب عن وجه الدنيا؟ هي لا تزال في الخامسة والثلاثين وحبيب القلب ينتظرها منذ أربع سنوات. لقد استنفذت كل وسائل التمثيل والإغواء، وهذا المسخ لم يعد يدفع جيداً هذه الأيام، بعد أن استهلك دميته ولم يعد يستطيع ممارسة هذا النوع من اللعب.

أتُراه يعلم بأن زوجته تخرج مع عشيق؟؟ أيعلم ويسامحها على ذلك؟؟ أهي طيبة منه أم غباء؟؟

أمّا هي فلم تتعب بعد من النظر بالمرآة لترى عاهرة تتجدد فيها كل صباح؟؟

I am the Boss !

2006-05-11T11:27:00.000+04:00

I was inspired by Ahmad when i read his post "My Boss and I", i realized then that I'm so lucky in my new job since i don't report directly to a "Boss".

Actuallay, I work in an establishment where, like in any others, there are grades and every Department comprises: Head of Dept., Heads of Divisions, Managers, Assistants, etc... But in my case, and since my job does not require many persons to be involved in, I only receive tasks form various departments by email and manage everything from A to Z. The only bad thing is that I have to stick to a deadline to deliver my work, otherwise the Head of Dept. may interfere to ask why i was late (it didn't happen so far).

I didn't have the chance to have subordinates to whom i shall give instructions, but at least i don't have seniors above my head ;)

PS: I am still under the 6-month probation period, i may be kicked out at any time. Don't tell anybody about it :)

والآن أنضم إلى العائلة

2006-05-08T14:49:00.000+04:00

كيف بدي بلش!... ما بعرف.
هالمرة خلّوني بس سلّم عليكم
وخبركم إني صرت بلوغر... :) مبدئياً
على أمل إنو يخفّ ضغط الأعباء المهنية وطلّ عليكم لاحقاً...
سلام