Tag: wordpress

daily prompt

Have you Ever Heard of Humans?

nhpureandsimple

If aliens arrived tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d ask them?

Well… Mr. Alien, I think you’ve just landed on the wrong planet.

But… i just wonder whether you have ever heard of human beings in the first place?

This is a very critical question, and I assume you seem in the blue about what we are. I mean, we human beings.

And poor you, you’ve landed in the most crucial moment in the entire history of human civilisation.

Have you any idea what civilisation is?

Don’t look that confused. We humans are good at using big words in broad, vague ways.

Now, back to my first question, and please, you have to answer it with absolute honesty and sincerity. 

WordPress has assigned me this critical task, and they also granted me full permission to ask you any question; technically one question.

Oh, poor you, I’ve already asked more than one.

So let’s go back to the first question.

Do you remember it?

Don’t look that confused again.

I’ve warned you, you’ve landed on the wrong planet.

Have you heard of Mars or Jupiter or Neptune? 

I can guarantee you’d enjoy a wonderful vacation there.

I assume you’re planning a short break?

Is Mercury your home?

Why that confused look again?

Oh my, I’m asking too many questions again.

So here it is, my question clear and simple:

Have you ever heard of humans?

No reply, just that confused look.

Well, apparently you’ve never heard of humans.  

So… simply, humans are a unique version of aliens living on a different planet, one that has reached its full capacity for what you can call… many categories of aliens. And you know what? Our human alien categories have been multiplying like weeds all over the globe. Some of them will even try to make a human out of you.

Now, if you were, by any chance, trying to squeeze in, you would be disappointed.

And don’t worry, I will let WordPress know that you were confused, shocked, and, I will add, scared too, just for some dramatic effect.

And since it seems to me that you fathom nothing of this interview, I will respect and protect your privacy rights, and won’t take any pictures of you.

Anyway, I wish you a safe return to your home.

And now, it’s time to edit your interview for publishing.

With alien-and-human thoughts,

Nahla

P.s. As a memorable souvenir, I offered my alien interviewee a sunset photo of our beautiful Earth . 

Sorry this was a sunrise photo 🙃, but anyway Mr Alien wouldn’t mind😊

Just writing

WordPress, Are You Okay?

nhpureandsimple

Dear WordPress,

I’m writing to inform you that things have been so quiet on my blog for about two weeks or even more.

Fortunately, I haven’t given up writing or blogging.

Actually my mind and thoughts have been surprisingly active throughout this stagnant period.

But,unfortunately, I haven’t received any response.

Either way, rest assured that I won’t give up writing.

Why would I?

I really wonder whether you’re in good health?

Any bad cold?

Any family problems?

Any financial difficulties?

Or are you stuck in some technical trouble?

Any issues with hackers?

Any virus attacks?

Or maybe WiFi problems?

I did my best, first to think positively about you, 

and second, to make sure my posts received at least a little reaction.

I gave my posts a like  myself as a moral support, to help them feel better.

Again, whatever the cause, don’t worry, I will keep writing.

Get well soon,

Yours sincerely,

Pure-and-simple

With speedy-recovery  thoughts,

Nahla

holidays

Reading In July

nhpureandsimple

Well… I wish I could say I finished the book I started reading at the first of July, but I didn’t. 

People say you can read more during the summer holidays, 

but things went totally the opposite for me.

July was my least supportive month for reading.

It was a busy, buzzy month.

Still, my hopes were high, so high that I downloaded two books on Kindle.

I imagined that during the long flight to Malaysia, I would finish both books.

I even thought I would download and read more.

My plan vanished into thin air the moment I fastened my seatbelt on the plane.

Our outward and return flights were both early morning, too early to think of anything except falling asleep.

And then, we arrived full of enthusiasm, couldn’t wait to start our new adventure.

I set my book aside, promising to pick it up before going to bed.

But then, at bedtime, I felt not only tired but awfully drained.

‘Tomorrow at breakfast, I will do some reading,’ I promised my book.

The poor book trapped on Kindle app, sighed and moaned and shed a few tears.

The following day, I woke up late, missed my breakfast, and rushed to get ready to explore more of the city with my family.

‘I broke my promise,’ I remembered and vowed to grab a few moments for reading at any time during the day.

The same routine, with the same unfulfilled promises, repeated day after day. 

Then one day, I woke up with a sore throat, really sore, and blocked ears and nose. 

‘Relax today,’ I decided, and grabbed my iPad to clear the air with my poor book.

The book tittered and muttered as I ruffled through the pages, looking for the page I stopped at.

I had no energy to argue or fight or make peace.

I escaped from the kindle app to WordPress.

Sipping my lemon tea, I wrote a few posts. Two or three? I’ll check the accurate number later.

So even if my reading was poor in July, writing came to the rescue of productivity by adding a few writing pieces during the holiday month.

With July-holidays-thoughts,

Nahla 

Just writing

The Old, Famous Slogan 

nhpureandsimple

If you could change the ending of any book, which one would it be?

I’ve just come across an old slogan in my reading book.

By the way, I am reading two at the moment: one fiction and one non- fiction. 

And my reading rhythm is going at a turtle’s  pace. 

Hopefully, I’ll finish at least one by the end of this month.

Oh my… it’s already the 26th.

And it’s so hot today.

So I’ve been thinking… perhaps instead of changing the ending of a book, we can change one of its quotes, can’t we? 

Now, that famous slogan I came across was actually an advertising catchphrase for an old brand of men’s hair crème.

I’m not sure if the brand still exists.

But of course, my reading book has a totally different content, about a totally different subject.

I was really drawn to that quote because I believe such a casual, simple phrase can carry blossoms of wisdom. So, I decided to change it.

Now here’s the quote:

“A little dab’ll do ya.”

The advert was offering a piece of advice for healthy, shiny hair.

But in a flash of light, my brain saw something broader.

And then I turned the old slogan into this brief piece : 

A little of everything will be sufficient.

Don’t overthink.

Don’t overreact.

And definitely don’t overeat.

This way,

your mind,

your feelings,

and your body

will always be at peace. 

I don’t think my version suits any hair crème advert, but it certainly suits your wellbeing in general.

With a little-will-do-thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

There’s Always a Second Trial

nhpureandsimple

Why a second blog? 

I’ve already asked myself this question too many times.

One day, I decided to be more disciplined by creating a separate blog for my book reviews and quotes. 

We usually feel excited when we start something new, right?

So I was excited when the idea struck me like thunder striking a tree.

Then my reading mood changed— for a long time, and my second blog got bored.

It actually fell into a slumber, then a nap, and finally a long, sound sleep. 

Honestly, I almost forget about it, which only made things worse.

My poor blog was almost on the brink of… some deep psychological loneliness. 

And just before its final departure, I realised there was something missing. 

Aha, my second blog! I slapped my forehead, and decided to give it a second go.

It was a wonder how I regained my interest. I tried to give it a new look and some easy exercise.

And so…

even if we give up sometimes,

there’s always a second trial.

Things may need a little change,

perhaps an open window,

to breathe again and feel fresher.

With a new trial thoughts,

Nahla

nh825.wordpress.com

daily prompt

Mars, Humans, And Life

nhpureandsimple

Do you think humans will ever colonize Mars? What would life there actually look like?

Can you guess what’s the first thing that crossed my mind as I read this prompt about life on Mars?

It wasn’t the possibility of new life.

Not the chance of finding inhabitants living there.

And not even the idea of humans starting wars to invade and occupy the planet. 

But of course that would still be occupation, as if humans don’t already have enough to deal with on our dear planet Earth.

Now… what actually popped into my head was the image of one of those social media stars embarking on a new adventure to Mars. 

He or she would prattle nonstop about their nearly two way spaceship trip to Mars.

They would put on this spaceman costume.

Smile at the live camera,

maybe even record a prayer or two for safety.

Then, before disappearing into the spaceship, they would promise live vlogs from Mars.

Is there internet on Mars? The thought cut right into my imagination.

But really, if there is internet on Mars, some friends over there might have already heard of us, and they maybe… try to get in touch through WordPress.

Anyway, let’s see how this superstar vlogger’s trip ended.

After one whole month off social media, they land safely on our precious Earth.

Spaceman costume on, camera in hand, broad smile on face, and with a shaky emotional voice, they began their first live vlog.

“Can’t express my real emotions.

Such scary but marvellous trip.

Can’t believe it

Am I dreaming?”

And the tap of comments, likes, and shares explodes; wows, nos, and oh my God, racing one after another.

“Sorry guys, just landed, and I lost my phone.” The superstar seems in a rush.

“Thieves on Mars,” one follower comments.

“I’ll tell you everything. You know honesty is my motto in life.

Wait for the next vlogs.

I will share more about my adventure on the moon.”

“Wasn’t it Mars?” Another follower comments.

“Oh, my head is upside down,” the famous vlogger replies and vanishes.

“That’s all fake,” someone comments

“Yes, all fake,” a thousand comments follow.

Nowadays… fake is more popular than reality, but it’s easily spotted.

I don’t know whether there’s life on Mars, or whether life is even possible there.

What I do know is why some people set their eyes on what they don’t own.

Why some abandon what they already have for something they can barely reach.

And why people want to build a new home instead of fixing the one they have.

Apparently, if Mars ever heard of human plans, he would shake with laughter, wondering how his neighbour’s intruders from Earth expect to survive  his freezing cold deserts. 

How wise Mars is,

how disappointed Earth must be,

And how fake some humans can be.

With Mars and humans thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt, Just writing

Collections Over the Years

nhpureandsimple

Do you have any collections?

Over the years, I kept one of the most unique collection I could have imagined to have. Friends.

But… I wish I could say I still have it.

Most of this collection faded into very pale colours; you can say it’s almost colourless.

This collection is related to my friends back home.

We haven’t been in contact for years.

I was one of the last to step into the world of social media, and when I did, I began searching for my old friends.

But then… those old friends are not the same.

And I am not the same.

So it was nice to find them, and to keep them in the album, even if in faded colours. 

And there’s another collection filled with colourful pictures but no album can keep them forever.

This one belongs to the many people I came to know and befriend after I stepped onto the British land. 

I loved this collection.

It was full of different colours, tongues, and traditions from all over the world. 

Can you believe it? I treasured this collection even more than the first.

But one can’t keep this collection in a single album. 

Some go back to their countries,

some leave for different ones,

and some, just like me, keep moving around, but still in the UK.

This collection turned into some unique photos and a once upon a time album

And… there is this special collection; the one that doesn’t relate to people but to… writing.

My posts.

They discover me, and I discover them.

This collection is renewable, and its album promises to never run out of pages.

With special collections thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Simple Recipe for Driving Life

nhpureandsimple

Release.

Accept.

Live.

And—

Don’t stare long into the mirror,

into the past,

into the dark.

or …

into your fear.

What is missed is missed.

Embrace the change.

And focus on the present.

The road ahead might have more surprises,

than what’s been left behind.

Long story short;

Steer your life as safely as you steer the wheel of your car.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt, Just writing

Can a Blog Be Your Favourite Place?

nhpureandsimple

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

Why not?

All you have to do is to think about it.

Actually, I like this idea. 

I like to think about how, in my blog, I begin to practise creativity, how I find my voice, and how ideas and thoughts start to flow. 

It becomes my favourite place in my city of writing. 

By the way, I have another favourite place in my imaginative city—books. 

You can’t write without reading, can you?

Books are not only for reading with your eyes but also for imagining with your mind.

You imagine characters, and you also imagine their places, their cities, and their era.

Or you may prefer science, philosophy, or even politics, and there too, you’ll find yourself as if you were in your favourite place.

So, wherever you live, in a small or big city, if you pick up a book and really enjoy it, your reading will turn into a visit, short or long, to a special, imaginative spot in your imaginative city.

Just imagine: step out for a moment from the real world, from the actual city. 

Now step into your imaginative city,

to write

or to read.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Should I take such umbrage in this situation?

nhpureandsimple

Well… sometimes you just don’t know how or why people behave this way or that? And honestly, in this situation, it’s better not to make a big deal of it.

So, today my daughter and I took the bus home. It wasn’t busy, but it was so warm inside the bus. All the windows were locked, and most people seemed to have a bad cold.

Isn’t it normal to open the window where you sit?

I think it is, especially if you feel like sitting in a sauna.

So, I consulted my neighbour, who was my daughter, and she said, “yes please mama.”

I stood, stretched to reach it, and finally pulled it open. Sometimes you just wonder why they design the windows that high… but perhaps it’s for some safety reasons.

Anyway, how refreshing it was to feel the cool air above your head, and to smell the scent of the fresh rain instead of the thick, condensed air inside the bus.

Just a few minutes later, and as my daughter and I were talking, and out of nowhere, I heard a woman’s voice nearby, not asking or even suggesting that the window be closed but saying she was closing it. In a flash, she pushed it shut, and just like a ghost disappeared.

For a second, my daughter and I looked at each other, wondering why she closed the window. She wasn’t the one sitting next to it, and since the seats in front and behind us were empty, there was no way she would be affected by it.

As our journey wasn’t taking long, I didn’t make a fuss. I told my daughter, “Perhaps she was sensitive to the fresh, cold air.” We smiled, and continued our conversation, and soon got out into the real fresh air.

Should I have taken umbrage at such behaviour?

I think… I did better by ignoring her and her action completely.

What do you think?

With hope and peace,

Nahla