Almost two years have passed since I last blogged. I can’t believe how fast time passes. I have missed blogging pretty much, and while being excited – for sometime now – about the day to write my first blog announcing my coming back, I have also been wondering how would it be like getting back to blogging. I have many questions in my mind: would I still have the same audience I had before? would I be able to maintain a healthy blogging schedule? would I be able to make my blogging better than before? have I lost my writing skills? shall I move to wordpress now since my blog has been down for two years and it is a good chance to start over? and many many others…

This is a declaration post for my come back. There are many issues and ideas that I want to talk about in the coming days. One thing in particular that I am pretty excited about is my upcoming novel. Yes, for those who have been following me here on this blog and reading this post, in the past two years I managed to finished writing my first novel “3aroos Amman” (Amman’s bride) and recently was able to secure a publisher in Jordan. I am currently reviewing the publisher’s edits and layout in order to proceed with it. It should be out pretty soon. I will talk specifically about it in the coming few posts.

I really missed this space… and happy to be back.

3.5 years passed since I started blogging. The Arab Observer has been the name I chose to transfer what I have in mind; “Arab” represented my identity as an Arab who has very little to do with the stereotypes and perceptions that defines Arabs as a race, culture and history, while “Observer” came from my own belief in the destined nature of our lives where things happen because they suppose to happen, and we, as identities, are merely observing the course of events.

“From the first moment a woman dared to speak that hope — dared to believe that the American Dream was meant for her too — ordinary women have taken on extraordinary odds to give their daughters the chance for something else; for a life more equal, more free, and filled with more opportunity than they ever had. In so many ways we have succeeded, but in so many areas we have much work left to do.”
— Barack Obama, Speech in Washington, DC -November 10, 2005

Sometimes people who are very skeptical and refuse to give any hope or show little optimism annoy me. Many people said their opinion about Obama and his so called promised change that he will be bringing to the people of America and as a result to the people of the world. While as most say, it is quiet too early to judge, one can’t help but to point out the different decisions Obama has made in only few days.

He revoked a band on federal funding for international groups that provide or promote abortions. He ordered the Guantanamo detention center to be shut within a year. He ordered his staff to come up with whatever planning necessary to execute a responsible drawdown from Iraq. And he reversed Bush’s order of applying restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.

If that is not CHANGE, then what is it?! He seems a very liberal progressive leader to me. He is tackling issues in terms of a human perspective rather than a narrow ideological one.

And if you still not sure of the amount of change Obama hides under his sleeves, check out the official white house website for his complete agenda www.whitehouse.gov

Check out Women and Civil rights pages. Women and homosexuals should rejoice with his action plan!

We are heading towards a better world.

Ahmed Humaid wrote an excellent article about re-branding Gaza. A new image for the Palestinian cause that would give it a human edge. Hope this image fit with those lines he talked about.

Zain group, the largest telecommunication provider in Jordan, has issued a press release in their annual strategic business meeting that was held in Amman this year. We all know how good these telecommunication companies make, and thus this post is not meant to focus on the company’s achievements and its prospects and plans for the coming few years. This may also sound like a free advertisement for the company, but it is a thing that I believe such companies deserve for the fulfillment of its social duties. It is worth highlighting the appreciation of people of such work in order for other companies to follow up.

Let’s look at what they have been doing socially:

1. Zain has renewed its partnership with the Ministry of social development for the 4th consecutive year in order to be able to provide their social support and donation under one channel. Since 2005, they have been able to help 1120 families in Jordan.

2. They have a Knowledge Competition with a prize of 10,000 JD to the winner which was the Jordan University team this year.

3. Zain is a major partner of Queen’s Rania education initiative ‘Madrasati’ (My school). They are committed to provide around 500,000 JD to the program in 5 years. The program is meant to maintain public school and support educational programs along with providing essential tools for education.
In addition to that, Zain has provided 57 college scholarships last year.

4. 100, 000 JD is Zain’s donations for Gaza, along with opening their centers for accepting people’s donations and providing a channel of donating money through sms.

These are what most caught my attention of their social work. It might be the least one would expect from a company of the size of Zain, but it is also good to appreciate whatever is done in this area.

I am really impressed.
Three days ago, I headed with my business partner to the Jordan Chamber of Commerce to register our Licky-Licious business there because we wanted to add selling sweets to our menu and the municipality needed this permission in order to give us the license.

Of course, going to deal with a governmental entity kept me wary of the potential problems that may arise, especially with our past experience with the GAM and their bad services at Zahran’s offices.

It was Saturday, and we went so early as of 8 AM. The minute we entered the building, a man at the reception called us in a very respectful manner and asked us how he can help us. He then pointed us to another guy that would help us in our application. We moved to the other guy’s desk, which cheered us with a smile and offered us some candies! He then asked for our papers which we didn’t have yet because we were waiting for the guy which we appointed to handle our governmental procedures. The guy of the Chamber asked us to sit down a bit till he comes and few seconds later; he came to us and offered us some coffee!

Our guy arrived few minutes later, we proceeded with the application but it turned out that we missed our rent form which was necessary for the application at the Chamber. Our guy suggested that they proceed with the application in the meantime and we fax them the rent form afterward. Surprisingly, they agreed, and few minutes later we were done!

I am telling you guys, this is a 5 stars service! To sum it up:

1.People were all energetic and awake starting their work at 8 am.
2.They were very respectful and hospital
3.They wear badges with their names on their chests
4.There was NO smoking whatsoever in the Chamber
5.The procedures were simple and clear.

I have dealt with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce and the GAM. It seems that doing business in Jordan is not as bad as we think it is. The GAM’s Zahran’s office is still a disaster, but I hope they come around and meet up the expectations of services other governmental entities in this country provide so far.

A couple of gay penguins are attempting to steal eggs from straight birds in an effort to become “fathers”, it has been reported.

How often does this happen? Why didn’t they seek adoption?

But the deception has been noticed by other penguins at the zoo, who have ostracised the gay couple from their group.

That is a good reason for homophobia, no?

A keeper at Polar Land in Harbin, north east China explained that the gay couple had the natural urge to become fathers, despite their sexuality.

If there is not many orphan penguins then artificial insamination would help. Or maybe some electric shock therapy for those gay penguins would for them to change their immoral behaviour.

“One of the responsibilities of being a male adult is looking after the eggs. Despite this being a biological impossibility for this couple, the natural desire is still there,” a keeper told the Austrian Times newspaper

Nature is realy fucked up! It wires in them the need of looking after eggs, then strip them of the ability of making some! They have the capability, but their campus is set towards a wrong direction! How would they possibly know how to conceive a child?! They are smart enough to rob but not to figure out that they need to have sex with a female penguin in order to get some eggs?! Maybe then the other penguins wouldnt have ostarized them from the group.

Read the full story here