Gibran Khalil Gibran

Just been listening to Fairouz's song: "Al-Mahabba" by Gibran Khalil Gibran. This song includes parts of one of his greatest writing "The Prophet". And it lead me to read the whole thing!!! He had writings about:

Marriage*     Children *     Giving*     Eating and Drinking*     Work*     Joy and Sorrow *     Houses*     Clothes*     Buying and Selling *     Crime and Punishment *     Laws *     Freedom*     Reason and Passion *     Pain*     Self-Knowledge*     Teaching*     Friendship*     Talking*     Time*     Good and Evil*     Prayer*     Pleasure*     Beauty*     Religion*     Death*   

Very interesting thoughts about every aspect of life. I especially like the one about children, marriage, and giving. Actually they are all interesting. If anyone has time to check them out and ready them(the above links), they are very interesting and inspiring.

Complete Unit on Pollution

In the last century, due to the technological improvements the world has seen, there are a lot of changes that has happened to our lives. In many aspects technology has improved the quality of our life, making thing easier, whether it was entertainment or health wise. But in other ways it has affected humans negatively, causing different kinds of pollution that has harmed both the environment and human beings, due to new technologies, the world has changed in many ways.

 

Water, air, and soil are of a great concern for most of the people, as we consume them, or from them daily. And because we are teaching the new generation, we should make them aware of pollution. As it has increases a lot in the past 2 decades, we should make them aware of the many reasons and causes of pollution. Also a new pollution, which is noise pollution, is added to the list. We should make them realize how such pollutions could harm the human life. Also, how they could harm nature and the environment that we are living in. These reasons are the origin and importance of why we think pollution is an important subject to be taught at schools, and why this project is going to be implemented on a big and wide scale.

As almost anything in life, what you give is what you get in return. That is why it is important to teach students what pollution is, what its causes and effects are on us, as well as the harms. Thus, they should think about solutions of reducing pollution starting from home. In addition, making them aware of the ways of which they can protect the environment and themselves from future pollutants.

In addition, there are background goals. For example, to work in groups as efficient as working alone. In addition, to being able to communicate with others, and being able to organize their time. Also to let them gain skills in creating videos, brochures, and posters…

The following is the link get a hold of the complete unit activities:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4dFLf-uFYJSZFQ2NU43ZlNJVjg

From across the Atlantic!

For each country, its people are characterized by certain traits/characteristics. This applies to Canadians as well. As any person who has known a Canadian, they can tell that there are mainly two characteristics that characterizes them, and especially Americans know these traits...

The first is that they use the word "eh" a lot, especially at the end of a question. It comes as a meaning of: isn't that true/correct? For example: we had a great time, eh?

The other one is Politeness. Canadians world wide are known for their kindness, politeness, and being well-mannered. They use a lot the following words: Excuse me, Please, Thank You, Sorry, and Pardon Me...

At anytime, you go to a counter to pay, they would say hi, how are you? And was your day?

Actually a funny incident once happened to me while my family and I were on a visit to Canada. While we were shopping, I was pushing the cart and I accidentally bumped into a women, she started apologizing to me, as if she was the one who had bumped into me in the first place. I looked at her and I smiled, and I said, No Pardon me, I was the one who bumped into you. When we got home, we started talking about it, and laughed about it a little bit, because if that had happened here in Lebanon, we would get a stare or even get elbowed, if not something worse...

Why I think Facebook is good!

Almost everyone I know has a Facebook account. And the one's who don't are probably to be thought of as out-dated. Everybody would say, why don't you have one? Are you serious?

Although Facebook has a lot of disadvantages, and I think I don't have to mention them, there are many advantages, in mu opinion. Facebook was first created to connect friends and people you know, and to in touch we them. And this is one of the advantages of Facebook. As we live hectic lives nowadays, we can't keep up with our friends on a daily basis. But with the help of Facebook, we are able to see their daily activities, through photos, status updates, and check ins... In addition, it is a new tool to spread awareness. Media has always been considered to be a powerful tool for spreading awareness. And nowadays Facebook is one of the most powerful medias over the internet. You can raise awareness about anything you want. You can see the updates about what is going around in your country, especially if you are someone like me who does not watch the 8 o'clock news, or any kind of news as a matter of fact. I know about the Article 522(post posted previously here), through Facebook, and not the news. In short, Article 522 exonerates the rapist of his crime if he marries the victim. And this has caught my eyes, and I am one of the people who want to become active in spreading such type of awareness. It is also a way of advertising. You can create a page and advertise your business, store, organization, brand, band, almost anything...

Facebook is a good way to keep up to date with the society, but people have to use it in moderation. Let extremes meet. Don't over use Facebook so that you make a priority, and don't be anti-Facebook because it might cause a distraction from your priorities. Do everything in moderation!

Why I think it is important for women to get an education?

Many people and especially in our society don't think that it is important for women to get educated. They think that it is a right for men only. They might think so that because a woman will have a better education she will have a better upgraded status and thus will have more power. And this power might interfere with men's power and authority. And this point really irritates me, and get me mad! I get furious when people(especially men) disapprove of a women getting a good education, for reason that are purely shallow. I see that there is a major and great value when a women is educated.

 
Personally, I think that an educated woman is a woman that has more knowledge, and skills. She is able to think better and think more efficiently. This will make her have a better understanding of what is right and what is wrong because they will have mingled and socialized with others. An educated woman provides better support for her kids. She is able to help them more mentally and emotionally. In addition, to protect and aware them more about the dangers of the outer world. Because she has seen them, and might have lived them, and can teach them what she has learned from them, so that they don't have to fall in the same mistakes.

Look at this in this way. When a woman is more educated, she will know how to protect and defend herself in a better way. She will be able to stand on her own feet without relying on anyone. She will be able to support and provide things that she needs for herself by herself. She will have control over herself. And this is what is frightening for some men: that their wife won't rely on them to live, and thus they feel threatened.

As the famous arabic proverb:" The mother is a school, preparing her well is like preparing a good nation. An educated woman will make a better society. It is a key for a brighter future. She will produce a better educated society. As the woman will have a great effect on her children , who will have a better education. And these children in return will affect their children's education as well. As any knowledgeable person can see that an educated women has less children than a non-educated woman, which leads to poverty. Because there are more mouths to feed, and same income (and if not less). Educated women will even have better health and hygiene awareness!

An educated woman can and will be able to participate in the different jobs and careers just like any other man, going into politics, business, and engineering... This will lead to an increased income. Then she, and her husband will be able to provide a better environment for their children to grow up, providing the best qualities to ensure their best up bringing.

Therefore, we can see how an educated women can help in everything, her own self, family and even society. Therefore, it is really important to encourage young girls and enlighten them about the importance of having a good education, because it will help them in many different ways in their life, and their future children's life! I say yes to educating women, and I say yes to spreading knowledge and education across all people, no matter of gender, race, or religion!

Be Happy, Be YOU

Aren't we all trying to make ourselves happy in this lifetime?

What I think in order to be happy is that we should be ourselves. Being our-self is the only way we will enjoy life, in its ups and downs. Being yourself is not only in terms of dressing the way you want, or doing your hair or makeup the way you want. It is also in speaking you mind. Having thoughts of your own, and being able to express these thoughts into words...

Another thing is trying. What I think is that in 10 years from now, we will not regret the failure from trying something new. But we will regret not trying to do something new. What I mean is that we should not be scared to try new things. Routine, and familiar things are the safe way to go. But they are not the best, nor the happiest solution for us. We should do things that will make us happier, even if it means that we should try new things.

I think you should always speak your mind. One of the things that makes people happy is speaking their mind. If you oppose to something, don't accept it because the majority of the people accept it. Say what you think is right. And be able to defend your opinion.

Have fun! This is the best way to be happy. Enjoy time out of the house, with friends, family, and pets. Include yourself in activities that you desire. Take a painting class, for example. For me, spending time with friends and family has a great effect on way in keeping me happy, and lightening my mood when I need it.

Another thing that I really believe makes people happy, and this is especially true for me, is getting a good education. Because when you get an education, you feel that you have achieved something that is meaningful in your life! Achieving meaningful things makes you the happiest you have ever been! Who wasn't happy when they got an A on any exam? Who wasn't happy when they graduated high school or university?

Do things that please you and not others. Personally, I think i you work on pleasing others and not you, you will face a difficult time. You are living your life for you and not others. So don't do things that you don't want to do, or don't believe in just because someone wants you to do. Always engage yourself in things that will make you happy, and will make you enjoy your time and have fun. Try to aim for the highest you can, and achieve the most you can. When you are happy and satisfied with what you are, and with what you have achieved you will live a happy life.

P.S. Always surround yourself with people you like and enjoy spending time with :) That is what I enjoy doing the most; when I don't have studying :)

Article 522, in the Lebanese Law

Translation: He rapped you, then marry him!

The above picture ironically presents what has been implied in Article# 522 in the Lebanese law!  Article 522 in regarding the marrying of women who have been raped, abused, abducted, or seduced, states: “If a legitimate marriage contract is established between the perpetrator of one of the crimes mentioned above and the victim, the pursuit of the perpetrator is halted, and if a sentence has already been issued, its execution is halted.” In short, Article 522 exonerates the rapist of his crime if he marries the victim.

This has gotten a lot of commotion recently. I think it is wrong on so many levels. And is probably one of the stupidest articles ever in the Lebanese law! If a girl was raped, and this man was to marry her, the case would be dropped and he would not face a lawsuit! Think about it, isn't it outrageous that if a girl was raped, her rapist would get away with it if he would marry her?

In my opinion, this is like justifying for men to rap girls. It is legitimizing sexual violence and rap. It gives them an easy escape from their crime. Many families would want the raped girl to be wedded to her raper, because they see it as the honorable thing to do, i.e. protecting the honors of the family. Because she is not married and is no longer a "girl", meaning a virgin. She would be a disgrace to the family and to the society. She would be a shame, not being a virgin and not have been married. But what girl who has been raped would want to marry her rapist, let alone, see him day in, day out, or even alive?!

Personally, why I think this is s shameful article is that it violates every human beings' right to live in a safe environment where s/he is protected from any harm and violation. Shouldn't we all have the physical and emotional safety and well-being? Aren't we all allowed to live in a safe environment where if someone does a crime against us, that we be protected from them and they will have to pay the price for what they did to us? How would marrying the girl to her raper exonerate the rapist from his crime? Would it be solved just by having a marriage?

Time Management

Some people wish that there were more hours in a day. To some people it is true. But to many, although they seem not to have enough time,end up spending it unwisely. Before you say you are too busy, determine and evaluate what is keeping you busy.

I think nowadays, many people complain that they have so much things to do, and that there is not enough time to finish everything they have or want to do. But if we take a closer look into what they do, it seems that they waste a lot of time here and there on stuff that is not that important. For example, they watch TV, go on Facebook, have long showers, chat with friends, and make long phone calls.

Time management is one of the things that people lack skills in to manage, organize, and order our time in an effective and an efficient way. Although there are many things that have made people's lives easier, however, they did contribute to the lack of managing our time. And that is actually something that I see day in and day out, especially in our classroom!

People have to assess what is important in their life, and have to assess what is a priority and necessities and what is of insignificance, in order to have a good management of their time. And leave those that are of insignificance till the end, until they make sure that their priorities have been met to make make time for the rest. I mean, you can't complain that you don't have enough time to do the important things, while you spend 2 hours on Facebook. You can't say that you can't do your assignments when you watch 2-3 shows on TV.

In my opinion, we should have some kids of balance in our life. If we can balance doing our work, and still enjoying things we like it would be great. Humans in nature, are multitaskers. So if you find that you don't have enough time to do so many things, try combining few. For example, if you are the type of people that says there is no time to exercise, how about while watching your favorite show doing half an hour of bike, or on the treadmill. This way you would have watched your show, and you would have done your exercise. This is what I have been doing recently. Trying to manage the several things that is required from me for school, and doing the things that I enjoy, I found that this is the best way to get in shape. Plus, a bonus, while watching your favourite show, you will not feel the time and will not be bored. Time will fly! Try doing a few things at the same time, and use your time wisely so you can take the most out of it. Manage your time wisely to manage your life!!!!!

Marriage: for Love or Money

The traditional belief and the religious belief is marriage is a bond of two people who love each other. Although, recently this is not what is happening. Marriage has shifted from is sacred value, to give it a shallow meaning.

People who marry for money, do that for many reasons. They want to live a life that is worry free from and financial problems, and can live a free and relaxed life, and are able to get whatever they want, whenever they want.

But on the other hand, life might seem to be unbearable with someone you do not like. Love is the source of respect, caring, giving, happiness, strength, and forgiveness...

But one might say, that in a marriage for love, not having enough financial support does have its strain on the marriage. While others say in a marriage for money, not having love, respect, and caring,,, would make it hard to live with that person forever.

I always say this to myself: Money factor is not stable. There are a lot of people who have turned their life upside down, worked hard and were able to go from poor to rich. And a lot more people have also turned their life "downside up", from being rich to being poor, due to lack of thinking and controlling their spending.

Therefore, in my opinion, marriage should be as the traditional and religious beliefs that one should marry for love, because money is not stable. Imagine, your marriage for money, and all the wealth has been lost, what would you do then? Money can be earned or lost. And that depends on how smart and efficient you are with your "money habits". Go with your heart, and soul, and choose to spend your life with someone you love, care, respect and will be happy with, whether they had money or they lacked it!

Best Way to Discipline Kids

What is the best way to discipline your kids?

Everyone has their own opinion what is the most beneficial way to discipline kids. In my personal opinion, as once been a kid(obviously), I think the most effective way to discipline kids is not physical punishment and hitting. I think when kids become a certain age they won't care that much for being hit by their parents to stop a certain act. When we were kids, my mom threatened me and my sister(who is 1 year and 3 months younger than me) that if we did not stop fighting she would hit us with a wooden spoon(like any other Arab family I guess, lol). But we did not stop. She repeated, asserting what she had said. Then we were like hit us, and lets be over with it, so we can continue our fight!

And when we became teenagers, my mom had a different strategy. The wooden spoon was no longer useful. She turned to deprive us from things we liked and enjoyed that were luxury. For example, if we fought, she would deprive us from watching TV, visiting a friend, or using the computer... As kids this seemed to be more hurtful than a simple hit by the spoon. As research has found, physical punishment has severe affects on children. They become more aggressive, depressed, and anti-social...

In my opinion, I think that depriving kids from something they like and enjoy, is a very good way to discipline kids for bad behavior. Kids can handle a hit. But they find it harder to handle a whole month, or even a whole week without computer or internet. So for example, if kids talk back to their parents, the next time before they do it, they will think twice of what they will loose and then evaluate if it is worth it or not (to loose a whole week of being able to contact their friends on the internet, for talking back to their parents)... But whatever way one chooses to discipline their kids, it is critical that they do not choose to discipline by physical punishment.

Women and Driving

People wonder why women in general don't drive as good as men. As a women, I do not really like to admit that this fact is in general correct, but it is. However, there are some cases, where there are some female drivers that are as good as male drivers. Knowing that there are some women who are as good as men, this means that it is not something that women can't handle, or aren't good at( meaning not in genes). Here are some of my reasons why I think that women aren't as good in driving as men are.

First, I think that the parents, and in general the father, does not give the daughters enough time for them to learn and practice, as much as they would give their sons. That is if they allow them to drive in the first place. And these girls, are probably not going to know how to drive, unless they get behind the wheel and explore for themselves when they are much older. And as you get older, the capacity to learn a new skill decreases, and would take more time to master it.

The parents, again father in general, would allow the son to drive, and to start practicing more. For example, when they are on long drives. This seldomly happens with girls, where the father asks her to drive and not the son.

Another reason is that the father, who is supposedly to be a better driver than the mother, does not have enough time to teach the girls, and thus keeps it up to the mother to teacher her daughter. And because the mother is not the "best" driver, she is not able to teacher her daughter the best skills of driving.

Another reason is that the parents allow the son to take the car alone and go around for a ride. And they definitely don't allow their daughter do so on their own. And for them to be able to start to take the car on their own, they have to be driving for a long long time, and in the neighborhood before they are able to go to the stores and get things needed.

Some of these reasons I have experienced them first hand, and I do think they are truly responsible for why me and many other girls are not as expert as men are in driving; because in the end it is experience that teaches you how to drive.

Educated Mothers, and the Affect on their Children

Does the mother being highly educated, affect the education of her children?

There are some researches that have found that the mother has more influence on the children than the father has. Why is that you ask?

The mother, due to the nature that she raises the kids, spends more time with the children. This more spent time will affect the beliefs and the thoughts of her children. There are some indirect messages-although not spoken-can be reached to the children about the importance, or non-importance of education. For example, even though a mother would be telling her kids to go and strive to achieve their highest education, but she indirectly implies to her kids that even though girls get an education, they would stay at home and not work. So her kids, and daughter especially would get that even if they would get a good education, they are going to end up staying at home. Therefor, they won't care to get a good education, because they will not work, and will stay at home. While a well educated mother, would give messages that it is important to have an education. And especially to girls, that even though they might be stay at home mothers and wives, but education is not only for working. It is also for the soul, and personal and spiritual growth. She would also tell them, that this is a way to be able to depend on them-self, and not wait for some one to take care of them.

She is there when the kids need help in their schooling- homework, projects... The more the mother is educated, the more she is able to help them through out their school years. She can find different ways to help them, and to make it easier on them, and help them enjoy school, and to become more interested in having a good education.

The mother is a role model to her kids. She can encourage them to continue or discourage them. So in general, when the mother is more educated, the kids turn out to be more educated. And when the mother does not have a good education, it is more likely that they will not have the best education possible!

So in short, as the mother becomes more educated, the children have a better education themselves.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

These people, although I have known them for a short time, however, they are the best people that I have met and known! They are truly called friends :)

Friends! We mainly think of them when we are having fun time, and enjoying ourselves. But we seem to forget that friends are also there for us and have our backs when we are feeling down. A friend is not only to be found in happy times, but also in the sad and not so good times.

Also, we should not forget that we should always be there for our friends, not only when they are happy, but also when they need a shoulder to cry on. For these situations when you are there for each other is what tightens the bonds between two people. Because "a friend in need, is a friend indeed".

Friends are like our second family. Some people have friends that are closer to them than their own family members. It is easier to share painful circumstances that we are living with a friend that is of our age, than to share it with a sister, or a parent. Sometime it is because these friends, are with us more than our family, and they would get what we are going through. And in addition, sometimes parents give advice that has emotions and protection in them, while friends don't tend to have that protecting nature as parents do, and would give you advice and ideas that your family can't give you.

Ka-ching!

This song, by Shania Twain, hits a soft nerve. It is a song that talks about how people have become with money...

~~~~~

We live in a greedy little world--

that teaches every little boy and girl

To earn as much as they can possibly--

then turn around and

Spend it foolishly

We've created us a credit card mess

We spend the money that we don't possess

Our religion is to go and blow it all

So it's shoppin' every Sunday at the mall

~

All we ever want is more

A lot more than we had before

So take me to the nearest store...

~~~~~

Every time I hear this song I start to think how people nowadays have become. Some people think that money is everything. They give money more importancy then it deserves. You can notice that some people want to earn money just so that they can spend it and buy themselves things that are unnecessary. Some people barely have money to buy food, and yet some people are nagging to have the latest technology. Of course when you have money, you would want to buy more things. Some things will become necessities in your life, but remain a luxury to others.

That is why we work. People work to earn money, because money enables you to buy food, clothes, heat, protection, and other things that you need... But some go to the extreme. Some work all day and night to earn more and more money... They think that when they earn more money, they will have the money to buy whatever they want. However, money doesn't last forever. Soon, it will finish. And they'll have less money, and then they'll want to earn more money to afford their lifestyle. And the cycle goes on!

We think that money buys happiness, because you are more able to buy more stuff that you want and that you desire. With more money, you don't have to tell yourself, well, I can live without it for now, I'll keep my money just in case I need it some day.

The human nature is greedy and selfish. We are never satisfied with what we have. We also think that the grass is always greener on the other side. But why? Does money buy happiness? Think about it. Think about the meaning of this song. Think about this, if you have more money, would it make you happier?

Have you ever thought about these question?

There are many questions that cannot be answered simply, however, it does not stop me from thinking about them. Especially when I can't fall asleep.

The following questions were provoked  by real life incidences that has effect me, and my life in a tremendous way that cannot be explained. And made me the person I am today, with all the emotions, feeling, and thoughts I have in me.

Why is there good and evil?

Who says what is good and what is bad?

What is my purpose in this life?

Why am I the way I am?

Am I good, or bad?

Why are people cruel to each other?

Is any kind of love pure?

What determines fate?

Are people of free will, or some other force drives them?

Why are things the way they are?

Why is life not fair?

Why do we grow up?

Why do we die?

And the most important question, that is frequently on my mind:

Why do the people who deserve to die, live; and the people who deserve to live, die?

Another question that is always on my mind:

Why is it that some people have an easier life, while others not? Why are some people happier?

Why getting a teaching diploma is important!

I have to admit, when I first registered for the teaching diploma(TD), I only did it because it was a requisite to be able to teach in public high schools. Instead of doing enrolling in M1, I choose to do the TD, as because they are both equivalent.

This was a new field to me. We were taking about sociology of education, and philosophy of education. Terms I have never thought that would be involved in education. But to my shock, they were related to education, and they were what we were living in our schools and in our society. We were taking courses that we not related to biology and chemistry, subjects I have spent 3 years in university studying them. So it was a complete new field.

This teaching diploma, has taught me things, that I might have not learned, even with 20 years of experience. I have learned, that one of the most important things in managing a class, is having routines and being tenacious in applying them. Because I have never taught before, I was scared of what it would be like on the other side of the classroom. I learned ways to over come the fear of not being able to manage the students. In addition, I learned that no matter how efficient the teacher is, it is better if they change their teaching styles. So I have learned the different styles and techniques to use during instruction. In addition, I have learned the importancy of integrating technology in our instruction. Technology, whether we like it or not, is part of our life. It is everywhere, cars, electricity, phone, etc... So it should be used in our classes, to help the students get a feeling and a sense that education is not something abstract that they will not need when they leave the school, rather it is something that is related to their daily life.

To keep this short, I would really advise anyone who is planning on becoming a teacher to undergo this diploma, because it really aids you in understanding students and understanding the whole process of teaching!

Women and children: the double dividend of gender equality

The above title comes from UNICEF’s 2007 report on state of the world’s children where they focus on the discrimination and disempowerment women face throughout their lives and how that impacts children’s lives.

The key messages that came out from the report were as follows:

*Gender equality and the well-being of children go hand in hand

Gender equality furthers the cause of child survival and development.

*Gender equality produces a double dividend: It benefits both women and children

Healthy, educated and empowered women have healthy, educated and confident daughters and sons. Gender equality will not only empower women to overcome poverty and live full and productive lives, but will better the lives of children, families and countries as well.

*Women’s equal rights and influence in the key decisions that shape their lives and those of children must be enhanced in three distinct arenas: the household, the workplace and the political sphere

A change for the better in any one of these realms influences women’s equality in the others, and has a profound and positive impact on child’s well-being and development.

*Gender equality is not only morally right, it is pivotal to human progress and sustainable development

Achieving Millennium Development Goal Number 3—promoting gender equality and empowering women—will also contribute to achieving all the other goals, from reducing poverty and hunger to saving children’s lives, improving maternal health, ensuring universal education, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and ensuring environmental sustainability.  

Soure