The All Saudi Dream

Now we have all heard of the term or rather the expression "all American dream". This notion takes it roots from the Declaration of Independence promoting that all men are equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (one could also say property, but that is a philosophy discussion for another day). Over time this catch phrase has become a sort of ethos of the US. Of course over time it use has expanded and these days no only is it used to talk about equality amongst men but the whole great paying job, white picket fence, dream house etc .... basically a kind of lifestyle. That got me thinking of something i like to call  "the Saudi dream".

The "Me" vs "My" Conundrum

I first started teaching Saudis in 2004 while i was still at Freshman at university. I would give the entire class help sessions for both Economics and Management. Since then I have randomly taught here and there but it was just last May that I began teaching the English at Language institutes.
Now we all know the Arab nation is infamous for not being able to say the "P", replacing it with "B". They love to barty and drink bebsi. I honestly dont really blame them for that since the Arabic alphabet doesnt exactly have a letter equivalent to "p" so the next best alternative is "b". I get that i really do, it may sound funny but i still get it.
Now cant say speak for other Arab countries but I've noticed a trend among Saudis where they seem to switch around the me and my when they are reading. So basically if it says me they will read it as my and vice a versa. Initially I ignored it off as having a dyslexic student, but realized

Institutionalizing Globalization

Globalization is such a complex phenomenon and can be analyzed from different perspectives; culture being one of them. To begin with, culture can be defined as a set of norms or beliefs shared by a certain group. Further more, norms are standards of acceptable behavior, rituals and traditions. It is often argued that culture is preserved by being institutionalized, but what does it mean to institutionalize? Basically, it means to set up an institution to provide for the needs or interests of the community as a whole. By cultural institution, it is meant that culture is reflected in the state institutions.

Examples of such institutionalizations would be the preservation of culture in the governmental and educational institutions. In doing so, not only is culture being reinforced and strengthened, but the “cultural identity” is also being preserved and strengthened. So what is this so called cultural identity? Basically it is an identity one acquires by living in a certain place or interacting with certain

My Coffeehouse Theorem

So today I had some errands to run including stopping over at the bank, which I did before work. By the time I was done with everything I had about and hour and a half before work started and thought since Im half way there it makes no sense to go back home; so i decided to chill at a Starbucks which was walking distance from work. As I sat there enjoying my coffee and reading my book it got me thinking .... Now I know (and many will agree) that sitting in a coffee place going about your day especially at a Starbucks is a very Khaleeji (People from the Gulf) to do, seriously what is it that draws us to these coffeehouses?!

What is it about coffeehouses that relaxes me so much? Not only relax but brings out the creative and productive streak in me. Throughout my university years (both undergrad and post grad) I have spent many a mornings, afternoons and evenings in various coffeehouses working on

I Forbid Thee: A Tale of Two Vetos

Anyone who even remotely followed the news this whole week will know that certain members of the United Nations have been busy cooking up a little something special. Now im sure we all know that veto is latin for "I forbid", but for the UN security council it means a little more. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council (i.e. US, China, UK, Russia and France) take it one step further and like to use it as their special trump card. Interestingly enough, a veto only gives power to stop changes rather than adopt them. So basically a veto therefore conveys to its holder an ability to protect the current status-quo. Case in point? Russia and China!
So ive seen and heard many people talk about this all week now but something tells me they have no idea what is going on. Most of them are like what is wrong with China and Russia, wth!!!?? why are they so evil? Dont they care about humanity and all those human right being violated in Syria? To be honest im not surprised they used their veto power on this one. Dont get me wrong, it doesnt make it any less wrong but i see why they would do such a thing.

It's The Super Bowl 2012

Ah yes 'tis that time of the year when fans across the globe gather among friends and family, free up their schedule to kick back and fall into the age old American tradition; watching a bunch of grown men in padded uniforms charging at each other over a oval shaped ball. Yes you guessed it ....... it's Super Bowl XL VI time!!!
Now most people wait all year for the actual game, but me i look forward to the commercials more than the game itself. Yeah yeah I'm a bored soul what can i say. I just love the creativity that goes into the making of those ads. Well that and  the fact that having lived in Saudi Arabia all my life, I've been exposed to some of the world's most random and lame commercials.hahaha
I suggest that if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you should seriously go check em out. Youtube provides you with an endless selection but here is a collection of the top 10 best and worst ads according to Fox Sports ...... Enjoy :)

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Top-10-Super-Bowl-XLVI-commercials-020512

Essence of Time

As i lay in bed trying yet again to get some sleep, my brain wandered off to its usual thinking mode. I find myself contemplating about time. It's a simple four letter word and yet it has usurped all over lives whether we like to accept it or not. It's funny how time is always playing mind games with you. I mean there are moments when you think 24 hours just simply arent enough hours in a day and then there are moments where time just feels like an endless loop. Take now for example, it felt like hours had passed when in reality it was only two minutes!!
It is interesting to note how more often than not, we look at time as an element of the past rather than present or future. Think about it, you tend to focus more on the time that has passed than the time at hand. We tend to look at how much time has passed and not how much we have left. I guess in a way we are forever lost in the ashes of time. William Faulkner once said "Clocks slay time... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life."