Life's Essence

The real nature of a thing is its Essence. Life moves so fast and so unpredictably, that in one instant, it's gone. The essence of life, the compatible realities of ones self, can be summed up in these - In what and who we can touch, and in what touches us.

Life - Love - Emotion. Love with every fiber of your being, with all the emotion evoked from the reality of God's creation - Life.

- Rasha

My Past and Thoughts

Who is entitled to write his reminiscences?
- Everyone
- Because no one is obligated to read them.

In order to write one's reminiscences it is not necessary to be a great man, nor a nortorious criminal, nor a celebrated artist, nor a statesman - it is quite enough to be simply a human being, to have something to tell, and not merely the desire to tell it but at least have some little ability to do so.

Every life is interesting; if not the personality, then the environment, the country are interesting, the life itself is interesting. Man likes to enter into another existence, he likes to touch the subtlest fibres of another's heart, and to listen to its beating - he compares, he checks it by his own, he seeks for himself confirmation, justification. - Alexander Herzen

An American's Story

Doing helped me with the music you are listening to. My choice of music. His assistance in placing it here.

I read a story today of an American who refuses to leave Lebanon, and his reasons for staying. Some who do not know the rich culture of Lebanon would be surprised to learn of the myths attributed to its population. For one thing, though mainly a Muslim country, the majority of civilian Muslims living there are not fanatical. They do not share the same ideolgy of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah. The relationship between Christians, Muslims and Jews are friendly and cordial. This American's story should be an awaking to those whose only source of information is through the news media, which only shows the negatives of Lebanon, assoicated with terrorists and terrorism. In many ways Lebanon, particularly Beirut, is every bit like any major city in the United States.


By Faerlie Wilson

"I'm not crazy, and I harbor no death wish. This is simply the rational decision of someone who has built a life in Lebanon, who believes in this place and its ability to bounce back. I choose to bet on Beirut."

"Lebanese hospitality makes it easy to feel at home; it's a warm society that exudes and embodies a sense of interpersonal responsibility."

"So although I'm not Lebanese by blood, I have become Beiruti. There are plenty of us who fit that description, foreigners who fell in love with the place and its people."

"Lebanon offered many of the same attractions as Europe, but in an Arab setting: temperate climate, good shopping, plenty of tourist activities, and most important, heady nightlife and a liberal social atmosphere. Tourists partied till dawn, stormed the sales at Beirut's designer boutiques, and visited sites like Lebanon's ancient cedar groves and the Roman temples at Baalbeck."

"This summer started off strong, with concerts by major Western artists that allowed the Lebanese to hope their country was returning to the prewar days when everyone who was anyone—icons like Ella Fitzgerald, Marlon Brando, and Brigitte Bardot—made regular stops in the country. Ricky Martin and 50 Cent performed in May and June, respectively, Sean Paul was on deck for July, and negotiations were under way to bring Snoop Dogg later in the summer."

"The after-party for 50 Cent was typical over-the-top Beiruti, held at city's most decadent nightclub, Crystal. Lamborghinis and Ferraris crowded the parking lot; plasticated Lebanese girls in short skirts and spike heels danced on tables as waiters navigated the dance floor balancing trays laden with sparklers and magnums of champagne for high-rolling Saudi tourists, while Fiddy free-styled and openly smoked a joint."

"There is painfully little we, the ordinary people of Lebanon, can do to help the situation. So, instead, we do what we can to help each other by donating food and supplies, opening our doors to friends and strangers, and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy. We aren't giving up."

"Lebanon has given me more than I ever could've asked: a home, a sense of belonging, an almost indecent number of happy memories. But aside from any debt to Lebanon, I won't leave because I know how miserable I would be watching the war ravage my country from the outside. As long as my feet are firmly planted on Lebanese soil, I somehow know the country will survive."

"People ask me if I'm scared, and I am—but for Lebanon more than for myself. This place and its people deserve far better than what they're getting."

- End quote

The Lebanese people are not all how they are portrayed in the media. The civilian population would like nothing better than to rid their country of religious fanatics and those who bring terror and shame to its people. We here in United States know Lebanon only from a media spectators point of view. Speak to people from Europe and Asia, and you will get a more thourough and complete picture and understanding of the local, peace-loving, Roman Catholics, Maronite Chatholics, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Protestants, Chaldean Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Nestorian Assyrians and Muslim people. The ordinary, civilian, man on the street.

With God's love
- Rasha

Girl gone wild

In a comment I made on another blog, I spoke of a certain woman who has been gathering and posting the personal information of other Americans. It is a dangerous game she plays. I see no reason for her to be conducting herself as she does.

The excuses she uses, such as, 'I only do it to those who deserve it' and 'if they would only shut up and go away, they wouldn't have this done to them', are excuses for her own lack of self-worth. Who she deems as those who are deserving of her acts, is the mindset of someone who was, in all likelyhood, set upon by abusers in her early life. Be it physical, mental or emotional abuse, she almost certainly was a victim to one or all of these. It is a condition that allows her to justify her actions for her very existence. Without it, she can easily sucumb to her own inner fears of not having been loved, in the way one should be loved as a child, growing up. As an adult, she is not receiving the love she might otherwise deserve, from adults in her life.

She has spoken of a husband who is very infrequently by her side. She is living her loveless childhood, again, as an adult. To compensate, she attempts to destroy the lives and wellbeing of those who are happy in themselves and with others. It shows the utter contempt and lack of oneness with her own family and friends, and humanity as a whole. Only by some divine miracle or intervention, will she see the error of her ways and come to the realization that the world does not revolve around her. That she is not judge and jury. That her excuses for her poor judgement, is a refection on the thoughts she carries for herself.

If it were within my power, I would wave my hand, and eliminate the pain she carries around, so that the light of the world could shine upon her.

No Chance Blondie

Patrick wants to know why anyone would go to Lebanon for vacation. Lebanon is very picturesque where the vacation and tourist spots are. And the women there are gorgeous.

Patrick once said that Blondie was a pretty woman. I don't think so Patirck. This first picture is Blondie.
All the other pictures are of Lebanese, Arabic women. Lebanese women are gorgeous. Middle Eastern women are gorgeous. Women of color, i.e. Greek, Italian, Israeli, Middle Eastern, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Persian, Asian, are gorgeous.I don't find Blondie pretty at all. She needs to have work done on that snout she calls a nose.

If memory serves me correctly, Brightstar is part Lebanese.

Not all Arab woman are ugly Patrick. 90% of all Arabic, Muslim women I see, are very pretty. Get off your high horse. You might not like Arabs and Muslims, but you can't deny beauty when it slaps you in the face.