Podcast Story Spotlight; Deah, Yusor and Razan

I've been struggling with what I should and shouldn't talk about on this blog, I'm usually always talking about lighter topics and I tend not to focus on anything negative as I struggle with my own internal worries and negativity... but recently I've been listening, reading and talking about topics that I just can't seem to understand or keep away from people because I need people to understand that although the world we live in is amazing, we also have our ugly side that sometimes we just want to cover up and forget exists.

I'm an avid listener of The Moth, a podcast filled with stories that fuel different types of emotions. If you see me laughing my head off while driving or crying because my tears have a mind of their own... its not because I'm crazy(I think) it's because of the stories I'm listening to..  Sometimes I force my boyfriend to listen to it with me because I LOVE stories... any kind of stories, real stories. While I was on a trip recently, I binge listened (is that even a thing?) to the moth and one of the stories I listened to was by Suzanne Barakat. She is the sister of one of the muslim students that was killed in North Carolina. If you are not familiar with the story click here. While listening to her talk, I was so sad and so shaken by the turn of events in her families life and how it shook not only the muslim community but other communities. I decided I wanted other people to listen to the story too because it is time we started being more aware of what is going on.

To listen to her story please click here

Past Ads - Amateur

While I was doing a little project, I was asked a question and I remembered all the careers/jobs that I had dreamt of doing as an adult. I remembered I had created a polyvore account where I would just create adverts because it was fun, and it was one of the jobs I was looking into while at college. I think I'll keep creating them, just for fun! If you are interested in seeing my very amateur job, see below!

Vitamin Water - Because I was obsessed!

Chloe Perfume - Because that is the only perfume I wear, with the occasional Madmoselle by Chanel

oooo look at the words.. rock out and still be a princess - very cringeworthy moment here guys! But my little sister has a collection of most of the Vera Wang Princess perfume, each year, our dad would buy her a new "type" of princess when he was traveling and I thought it was the cutest thing ever!

Well, I honestly don't remember why I chose to do Tiffany, but this is still cute!

Weekend

One needs to remember that the world is filled with different races, different colors, different lives, and different experiences.  We have to be very careful of how we portray a group, a continent, an idea, and peoples values. I've realized that as our world is becoming more globally aware of their neighbor, instead of things to get better, and instead of us to learn the good things, and laud the good things from these places, we only wish to publicize the bad. When pageant competitors are asked, what do you wish for and some say world peace, people laugh and say all kinds of stupid jokes, but I stand with them, it is going to be very hard, but I really do wish for World peace, and a world were diversity is celebrated and not condemned. 

Have a great weekend!! Christmas is coming! :) 

image via Pinterest

5 Newsletters/Websites to Subscribe to

I'm pretty sure I received more than 100 emails this week. Look at yours, and list 5 emails that you actually read. Is that another email from Zara ? or another one from Urban Outfitters or Pinterest,  Refinery ?? What's in your mailbox ?

I receive way too many emails from retailers, lifestyle websites and the occasional give me your money mongers. Recently, I started to unsubscribe to all the shopping subscriptions, home goods and a lot of other emails that would eventually end up in the trash. Through this process, I also realized I wasn't receiving anything that was helping me learn, or enriching me in any way and I started scouring the inter webs for newsletters and websites that I thought were interesting and fun to read when I wake up, when I'm bored, or when I want to be updated on whats going on in the world.

Here are 5 newsletters/websites I'm currently loving if you are interested.

1. For news and current events with a little bit of dry/sometimes funny jokes - 

 Newsletter - The Skimm - Founded by two 20 something year old women who decided to bring the news to  our mailbox every morning. I really like this because they summarize all the current  "trending" news and sometimes, they have guest writers who brings in a different voice on events that I wouldn't necessarily read about, like basketball, or whats going on with the presidential race, or when princess Charlotte releases new pictures. They also have catchy funny sentences, today I smiled for maybe 5 seconds to - "Hello, it’s me. If you’re thinking the NSA heard that, they didn’t. Over the weekend, the NSA ended its phone surveillance program". Wake up with them every morning here.

2. For politics, style, life, work and a little bit of Feminism - 
Newsletter -  Lenny - This is a very recent newsletter created by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner. What I really love in Lenny are the interviews they have with many diverse women. I especially loved the interview with Jenna Lyons and Constance Wu of Fresh Off the Boat. At first, I was worried about how the newsletter would be, but I'm loving it so far. If you'd like to hear about Jenna Lyon's watermelon skirt, or read an interview with Hilary Clinton, or learn more about women hormonal issues, I'd recommend you subscribe here.

3.For those that want to be global citizens, and those that want to hear a little bit of good news -  
Newsletter - The Daily Good - Ever browse through the news stations and all you hear is bad news ? Fear no more! There are some people on earth that still share good news!! I remember growing up with CNN on the TV 24/7 (minus when there was no electricity) and all we would hear is bad news from all over the world. It seems that good news is not worth coverage these days, which is disheartening as someone that loves hearing good news even if it doesn't have anything to do with me. Become a global citizen! 

4. For those that are interested in M&A's, CEO's being convicted, and a little bit of businesses, and maybe stocks... - Newsletter - Fortune CEO - It's not everyday that you read the news about Avon being sold to a private equity (not yet, but quite possible), Morgan Stanley planning to lay off a lot of people, or business news in general. If you are interested in something like this, I'd get to it.

5. For answers to questions you may or may not be interested in, and for all the funny questions people ask -  Subscription - Quora Digest - Quora is one of the very fun, interesting and informative sites that I sincerely like. When you sign up, you have the opportunity to sign up for different feeds that are aligned to your interests. For example, I'm interested in clothing and apparel, business, start-up companies, food, fashion and style, and cooking. Once you specify what you are interested in, and it could be ANYTHING, you get a feed that shows questions people ask that relates to your interests, and they aren't always serious questions and answers, sometimes people ask questions like what is it like to wear a skirt with no underwear (no judgement) and it is very interesting to read answers to questions like this. If you'd like to see answers to questions about dressing your 50 year old boyfriend, or if it is OK to send a hungry child to bed, Join Quora!

Do you subscribe to any fun newsletters ? Please share, I'd love to see them!

Have a great day!!  

Modern Day Mulan - Sisa Abu Daooh

Obviously, that is not what they are calling her. But when I read this story, it made me think of Mulan, not just because I'm a Disney fan, but also because they both gave up something that displayed their femininity to become men. They had to sacrifice their identity for the sake of others. In Mulan's case, to help her father, and in Sisa Abu Daooh's case, to provide for her daughter.

 

When I first read this story, I was worried for her, worried because of the country she was in, and if they would, because of her actions of pretending to be a man, think it disrespectful of her to have done. But once I finished reading the article, it was said that the men in her village respected her.

 

Respect. Respect that she couldn't get if she was a woman doing a man's job. I respect her because 40 years ago, it was dangerous, and if she was caught then, she could have lost her life. I respect her because she was strong, brave and unafraid. She did everything she could for her child, and I respect her because even after her story was published, she went back to work in a Man's world.

 

But it also makes me wonder, will there ever be a time when Women from all nooks and crannies of the world will be respected as they are ? Or are there still some Women hiding their femininity to cater for their children and family ?  Also, would you do this for your child ?

 

For more on the story click here

 

image via David Lazar