Category: Just writing

Just writing

Second CV

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Have you ever heard people say that your quotes is your second CV? Well, I have read about that recently. Does this make any sense? I think it does.

Our CVs are loaded with our qualifications, work experiences, hobbies could be added, and some personal details. Of course all information provided should be well crafted to support our applications either for work or studies. Besides, all information provided should be accurate and up to date. But, does that guarantee the acceptance, your being a successful applicant. Absolutely not. That could be for many reasons. The first might be because you’re unqualified. The last could be because you’re highly qualified. But then, the whole issue is mainly about qualifications – which, nowadays, are quite like a silver spoon in the mouth of the AI generation.

When you decide to include some of your favourite quotes, or even the most you like in any of your readings, do they give any idea about your personality, your life, your values, and even your sense of humour (if you have any)? I believe they do. And, that’ s how your quotes become your second CV.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Charlie and the chocolate factory

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Describe your dream chocolate bar.

Is there any flavour, any type that one can wish for a chocolate bar and can’t find these days? Things have turned out just like Charlie’s and the chocolate  factory.

Like everything, all commodities are available. All dreams are coming true these days. All the impossible is possible even in the chocolate industry.

But, isn’t that funny? We have varieties of chocolate types and flavours and still some dream of more. More to spoil children, more to show off, more to gain weight, more to lose weight, more to store, more to discard, etc. Have you ever thought that even the detained hippo in the zoo with his big full open mouth would never dream of being that spoiled, would never dream of a chocolate bar with a different flavour?

By the way, today I wished I have got a chocolate bar, a simple original one, to give to a cute school girl I’ve been seeing everyday as I walk with my daughter to her school in the morning. It was just today that she had the courage to exchange a few words with me before she hurried to go to her school. Her genuine smile and few words were enough to make my day without any fancy chocolate bar dreams.

Wishing you all the best,

Nahla

Just writing

There is a time

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There is a time to accept change, to make new beginnings. If you haven’t planned for things to change, and if the change has taken you by surprise, then I believe you have to accept it.

It’s all like being on a train journey. You have your ticket, and you know your destination, but you are also aware you might need to change trains or there might be some delays. In every circumstance, you have to cooperate, to accept things becuase it will be futile and illogical to stay stuck in the stationary or broken down train.

I have moved quite a lot since my husband and I had decided to make our big move to the UK. Honestly, in every move to a different city, I felt as though change sought me out rather than the other way round. In other words, I have never played the role of a nagging wife, either crying to make changes or fighting to resist any. I accept it. But then, with each move, I found some hidden gifts for me. I met with new people, I learn new things, and I change. 

A godsend is not always desguised as a human. Unexpected changes in our lives can also be divine blessings.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Why else?

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Imagine you have a long list of contacts, relatives, and acquaintances and you rarely hear from them either through normal calls or messages. You thank God when some have the sense and reply back to any of your messages. Then, all of a sudden and out of the blue, they call and talk nonstop.

‘Oh, did you know what happened?’ ‘God, how funny those old days were!’ ‘You haven’t heard about that, have you?’ ‘My parents always remember you in their prayers.’ Etc. That’s their common narrative introduction.

And, almost, when you think perhaps you have been unfair. Or perhaps you are the one who needs to call quite often, just then, your dear caller relieve the reason behind the memorable call. In good scenarios, they will ask for a favour or a piece of information, or to know bits and pieces about your news that had already reached their ears by others. But, in worse scenarios, they will erupt like a volcano and throw their flames of accusations and hidden grudges.

That’s when I think of ‘why else’? Why else did they call? Sometimes I switch off this nugde of ‘why else,’ and enjoy the show. But, when things become too much, I choose my peace of mind and it becomes thanks but no more.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Who would it be?

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There are many who have crossed my mind when I saw this prompt on Instagram. Family, friends, and even some acquaintances. But then, we would be sharing things we already know. Memories, everyday routines, problems, good or bad news, etc.  And in a blink of an eye, the one hour would be gone. We’d thank God if the chat was brief and we felt happy. But we’d hate every moment of the hour if things turned otherwise. That’s why I changed my mind about the list I first picked as I had a second thought.

A stranger. I finally decided it would be a stranger. But, isn’t that happening more often? You sit at one further end of a bench, and then, someone takes the other end. Perhaps they would ask if that was okay. You would nod with a smile and that’s it. But, I don’t actually talk about that stranger.

A stranger, in this context, is the person you’ve already met before- a person you know but have never talked to. Perhaps, one of the neighbours, a teacher at your college or your children’s school, or even the librarian.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a light chat, to hear a different story, learn something new, and, perhaps, make a new friend.

What about you? Try and write about yours?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Complete the sentence

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Not all women dream of  having a wardrobe full of clothes and makeup, some dream of having  ………..

Books.

Both to read and to write.

By the way, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming of a wardrobe full of clothes and makeup. But, wouldn’t a wardrobe full of different books add another type of beauty?

It has been said that knowledge is food for the soul. Books provide a good share of knowledge. And, if souls are eternal, then why not dream of a wardrobe full of different books too?

Try and fill the missing word with your own dream.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

One lost item 

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First, I imagine this box will be full of some old toys, old favourite clothes, audio tapes, photos, books, colouring books, cards, and candies and sweets. Perhaps there’ll be more items, but I won’t care as much about them, I would only and mainly have rummaged through that box to find one particular thing.

It’s my first notebook. My childhood pieces of writing. My first writings, my innocent thoughts, and my childish handwriting. I can imagine how precious memories will rush into my head. Memories of my parents’ old  house, my father’s voice, my mother’s cooking, my old siblings noseness, my schools, and my old neighbourhood.

Would any other make me feel the same? Perhaps, but not as strong as those first writings, especially after discovering that writing has always been there deep inside me.

By the way, I found this prompt on Instagram. Try to think about it and write something about yours.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Light and general

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What topics do you like to discuss?

What’s better and more peaceful than light and general topics? The weather, the shopping, some receipes, children issues, etc. And, it would be even better to avoid topics like sport, social media, and politics.

At least, one’s brain won’t hurt after talking about such things. Or, you won’t expect to start a fight or punch someone if, God forbid, a disagreement arises and fuels the anger of the opponents . At least, things will end well and we’ll still be smiling at each other.

Nowadays, everyone, with sufficient knowledge or not, believes they are right. They feel they have the full right to argue, criticise, and object. Hence, sometimes it becomes, almost impossible, to enjoy a beneficial discussion about a good topic.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

A simple exercise

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What’s the most fun way to exercise?

It’s so funny when my birds open wide their little beaks, stretch their cute necks, and close their mouths. They repeat this exercise for five or more times. I’m pretty sure that they are yawning and that’s one of their daily exercise routine.

By the way, I read that some people practise yawning as a sort of exercise that helps relieve jaw tightness and other facial tense muscles . And, some people say yawning is also good for your heart in a way that can increase your oxygen intake which helps you become more alert.

The funniest thing about yawning is that it is contagious. Once a yawner starts a round of long yawns, the others surrounding them will follow suit. They call it social mirroring, but at least that can benefit your health.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Not our pet

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What animals make the best/worst pets?

The Arabs and people in the Mideterinian region in general like cats. They are such adorable creatures that make your heart melt as they rub themselves against your leg, or give you one of their begging meows.

One day, my family and I moved to a new house. The area was so beautiful but so quiet especially at night. Then, a few days later, and just before going to bed,  I heard meowing at the doorstep. My husband and my boys, who were still young at that time, went downstairs and opened the door. There, they found our cute night visitor; a tabby taking shelter under our small shelter. When I joined them, the cat was still meowing at the door. She had a collar, but apparently all she wanted was to get inside our house. I let her in and she straightaway started rubbing her wet fur against us. Later on, I discovered that it was the pet of my next door neighbour. So, she wasn’t a lost cat. From that day on, the cat became our popular and so welcomed guest. 

We had moved again, but  I still remember that cat and its name, and still have its photos.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla