Herbs

I thought of sharing a list of the essential herbs in almost all cuisines, with an Arabic translation (in case of you struggled, a little like me at the start, in understanding the online recipes)..

Happy cooking ;)


anise = ينسون
Basil = الريحان
bay leaves =ورق اللورة
Black pepper = فلفل إسود
Cayenne pepper = capsicum = فلفل أحمر حار
cardamon = الحبهان، الهيل
carob = خروب
celery = كرفس
Cilantro = Coriander = الكزبرة
Cinnamon = القرفة
Cloves = قرنفل
Cumin = الكمون
Dill = شبث
fennel = شمر
foenu greek = حلبة
garlic = ثوم
Ginger = زنجبيل
hibiscus = كركديه
leek = كرات
Mint = نعناع
Nutmeg = جوزة الطيب
Oregano = Origanum = marjoram = المردقوش
Parsley = بقدونس
paprika = فلفل أحمر غير حار
Rosemary = إكليل الجبل، روز مارى
ْsaffron = زعفران
Sage = مريمية
tamarind = تمر هندى
Thyme = الزعتر
White pepper = فلفل أبيض



PS: feel free to add more.. I will be trying to update the list for you and me

Babbling

Yesterday we made a surprise party for our manager because she’s leaving Egypt. That was the first surprise party I share in. and I really liked it. It like adds something to the celebrating atmosphere. May be happiness on the one the party is done on his/her honor. I don’t know exactly. I like her in a way, and even liked her more since I knew she’s leaving. It’s kind of strange, you know. If you like some person, then you should like him/her. And if you don’t like some person, then you should not like him/her. Or at least change your feelings when something dramatic happens. But just like that you have a twist of everything, is a bit strange. And its always connected to missing?

I remember the few times I think that I might lose people dear, and then few tears ran up to my eyes. I feel I miss them. I feel I wish to tell them right now that they are dear to me. Mm.. its natural feelings, I reckon. Not to get you like something until its gone. Same things we didn’t appreciate when they were previously at hand.

***

The restaurant was tres cher! But good enough. Open area is pretty amazing decision. It adds again to the atmosphere.
I took my usual order, pizza margarita! Hehe..
Yesterday’s pizza wasn’t good though. It was normal you know. I didn’t feel it deserves such money. I would have backed much better one (dreaming huh :D ? )

***

People were new to me. I didn’t know most of them. And I really didn’t care to. Lately, I don’t want to know more people in my life. I feel satisfied the way it is. But I only need to keep strong relations with my old friends.
Know what. To day I will call my friends. I will do it as the positive something of today.

***

I should be going now. Will fetch something to do now, as I feel very bored…. But let’s see, and meet you soon.

My random things...

Deeee tagged me to write 10 random things about me..
let me see what I got for “me”..

1. I hate borrowing books, though I had to for long (financial problems). For once I like a book and its not mine I fall into a dilemma of either losing it for good, I’d take it from people (bl 3’asb :D ), or I’d buy a book I’d never read again, just for the sake of having it.
2. I am fond of purple and pink lately. Blue is no longer my –only- favorite color!
3. I like Jazz!!!! But not all kinds. Just classical old jazzy songs. Nat King Cole, mm Ella Fitz Gerald. And the point is, I used to believe “Jazz Sucks”..
4. Blogging is no longer a priority in my life, which makes me think of –other- 2 things.. a) I can control my favorite things. b) I lose passion very easily.
5. I’m pretty sure I’ve answered this somewhere before.. but will keep answering before fetching the previous answers. Let me see how far I changed.
6. I am still dreaming of switching my career. Either to business or to writing. And its not long before I’ll have to pick my pick..
7. I’m not as confident as I seem sometimes, and its lack of self trust not confidence y3ni. Blaaaah.. whats the difference y3ni?!
8. I am not good in choosing my clothes. I can’t match colors, or pick the right fashion. That’s why I stick to classics.
9. I hate chatting more than any time previously. It’s the worst way of communications ever invented.
10. I have a very short term memory for facts, but emotions and events can never be forgotten.

mm.. OK, my 5 I pass to the tag:
Daisy.. Tarek.. Kareem.. Bahaa.. ADSabry

Do it guys!.. yalla ;)

إليها

"الموسيقى ذلك الفن الجميل المسموع الذى يأخذ الروح إلى آفاقٍ رحبة ويسمو بها ومعها إلى أعلى درجات المتعة الروحية. هذا الفن الراقى إستطاع البشر جميعا إستيعابه على مر العصور. وهو فنٌ قديم، قدم الزمان وقدم البشرية.
ومعجزة هذا الفن أننا نشعر به ولا نراه، ولكن معه نرى الاشياء أجمل ونتصور العالم من خلاله أروع وأرحب."

كالمعتاد، لا أعرف على وجه الدقة لما تذكرتُ هذه الكلمات والتى أحفظها عن ظهِر قلب. كنتُ أسمعها فى المرحلة الإعدادية والثانوية والجامعة على إذاعة البرنامج الموسيقى كمقدمة لأحد البرامج الموسيقية.

لم أتابع حال البرنامج الآن، وليس عندى أى معلومات عن المذيعة التى كانت تقدمه.
ورغم كل هذا وذلك، دائما أجد صوتها وطريقة إلقائها حاضرة تماما فى اذنى كلما فكرت فى وصفٍ للموسيقى.. فلم أجد أبلغ من هذه الكلمات.. بعد..

Last week's wisdom

In my short life I learned that, not all people deserve your love,
But only jewels need a little bit of light, to see their shining glamor.

So do not get fooled by any bodies’ charming looks..
The angel may be sitting back in the dark,
While the devil waiting behind a smile..

Books Vs. Movies

I am living my worst dilemma ever...
With more and more novels shot for the screen, I don't know what I should do exactly.
Should I wait till I have the time to read all these novels? Or go ahead and finish the movie?

In my heart I refuse the 2nd option, as nothing compares with a good book. And at the same time, I don't know if I'll have the chance to read the book(s). Apart from being expensive, I have a list sufficient to keep me reading for at least a year and a half back to back nonstop.

So,
Books Vs. Movies..
Tell me, what should I do?


----------------
PS: That was after I read about the release of "Love in the Time of Cholera" for screen. The Garcia Marquez' novel, that was -unluckily- on my wish list..

All happened yesterday

Question(s):
“How come people you knew long ago, pop into your present like ghosts from your past?”
“How come days pass by that fast?”
“How come few years would seem faaaar away??”
“How come you sometimes can not move on and forget?”
“How come you can forgive anybody but people dear to you?
“How come your old friends are the truest but the rarest as well? And How come their love in your heart never changed and you know it never will?”..


Feeling(s):
For a second I felt nostalgic and weak. I didn’t think I can make it and step in. But I did.
And for another second, I was walking alone under the lights in the garden, when I was taken by surprise listening to “Fly me to the moon”, and I was flying to the moon. I felt me like a princess. Strong in her present, and confident in her future.


And (a) Song:

Fly me to the moon
And let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words hold my hand
In other words darling kiss me

Fill my life with song
And let me sing forevermore
You are all I hope for
All I worship and adore
In other words please be true
In other words I love you

----------------------------
[*] For the memory, Yesterday was the opening Ceremony for ACES 2008 in my college. I’ve attended to share with my brother his future memories isA :)

Willing to write.

I went to register myself into driving lessons, but found all places booked. I will have to wait few more months, before I try again. Well, ok I can wait as long as I don’t have a car, and I do not intend to buy one in the near future. I had the idea in mind, but due many circumstances I decided not to. Will wait again for one more year or two before I’d buy one, hopefully. Mm I bought a mobile though. This thing I couldn’t wait for any more.

***

Sometimes you know, I feel lucky enough to have everything as such in my life. But other times I feel I’m living my night mare, to have life turning into similar pages of black and white. Work, eat, sleep. I would kill myself before continuing this way, and so I’m thinking of finding myself a place!

***

3 months ago I knew quite a beautiful lady, who is a writer and an announcer in one of the Egyptian radio stations. She made an interview with me regarding women in the Egyptian blog sphere in general and Laila specifically. In a way she is lighting inside me a fire to continue laila, say NO and search for myself. Probably she doesn’t know that. But I will tell her one day isA, that she is the reason behind me thinking how to be something “valuable” for the next couple of years isA. I will work.. and will be. This country is very beautiful and it needs everyone to work WELL enough to be proud of him/her self.
There isn’t anything called “mafeesh fayda”. There is always and always “fayda” unless people are dead. Which I couldn’t see now. She is alive, and brought live to my thoughts as well.

***

Work is going fine. After I transferred as a shift-less normal employee. In fact I like it more now. I like working with my partner. He is quite a decent person, and though we are different in religion but I never cared!. I enjoy discussing work problems together because I am sure he will give me an honest advise.
One day I will tell him the above.. as well..

*****

I save a "one day" to tell people many things..
And though I wish to say all that now.. I am afraid.
Afraid if I did, I’d be accused of seeking personal benefit. Afraid of being mis understood. People do not wish to hear the truth, though they won’t wait to blame you if you tried to lie or hide.
And I am afraid of waiting till either one of us would go for good. I don’t know the future. But I know, that life the more it gives, the more your chances that "life" will take revenge...

Privacy.. uncovered..

So, I did something stupid. Stupid enough to let me think why do I think its stupid, and how to adapt. I’ve already did the stupidest thing of all and uncovered my identity, then I have to arm my thoughts to stand by my opinions…
Privacy is taken away for good, because of a stupid phrase I said.. that’s good enough to teach me a lesson how to think before I talk.. and how to hate the stupid feeling of “showing off”..

Eman… you Got to learn..

Religious talk..

I invite you to read one very excellent blog post by FadFadation Called "Islam Forces People To Embrace It - Truth Or Fiction"..

Way to go FadFadation..
way to go..