Yeah it is snowing, amazing, except it just feels like sticky rain. I like snow, but I don't like it when it's snowing. And if it has to snow, I rather it snowed properly, like I'm talking 3 feet at least here. And there's not yet enough of it around to make snowballs, so you can hurl it semi-playfully at people you hate.

Although there are generally quite a few Somalis at my uni, there are almost none (except me) at my campus. Which is not that strange considering my campus specializes in arts, fashion and cultural studies. But this year I'm surprised to note that there are at least two confirmed Somali students, one male and one female. I think one of the girls is studying journalism, don't know, she wasn't very keen on talking to me, considering how happy I was to meet a fellow 'mali. So as far as I know, the gender ratio on my campus is 2:1. Originally posted by Velvet Revolution: I dont know about the ratio's but it seems like there's more (Somali) girls in uni than guys in London... Or maybe I have just come across more females than males. Yeah, I always hear from friends at other universities that there are more Somali girls and than guys. Maybe girls are just more academic. the last educational institution i went to was full of Soomaali, which is something i never wanna experience again. talk about distraction, the girls showed up looking like they were going to some next Joe concert and the guys like they were going to the local merfish....sayings like "shawty", "let me pop that booty" [Confused] and "go daddy" were flying left and right a scene straight from a fifty cents song...and the gossips...stories were conjured up from thin air... on the whole it was quite an experience but one i could've done without, so to the rest; you might want to think twice what you wish for...then again that was MY experience, who says it will be yours? Peace I had very similar experiences. All the Somali guys think they're the next Jay-Z or 50 cents, and they've forgotten how to speak without rhyming. And nobody uses their real name, instead they have really puzzling nicknames like Brick-Z and Downboy. Sometimes a Somali guy would get mad at me for calling him Muhammed instead of Dog. Or the Somali girls (but to be fair, most other black/black wannabes girls were doing this too) would openly write text messages in the middle of class. And they would start singing whenever the teacher walked out of the room. God, I hate the singing. Oh, I guess that's a whole other topic in itself.

Thanks for telling us, to my ignorance, I didn't even know the day's significance.

The 13th factor is the Morning and afternoon Dhiker. These are prescribed sayings that our Prophet SAWS had taught us to say at dawn and sunset. Saying these adhkaar can put a lot of ease and happiness into your life. It can reduce your sins, increase your hasanaat and protect you from Sheitaan. I am sorry if this sounds really dumb, but what do you exactly say when you do the Dhiker?

That sounds really interesting. I'll come if I can find anyone who'll come with me. Do you reckon it'll busy, I'm asking so I'll know how early to get there for the tickets? I don't know much about Malcolm X, beyond the hollywood film about his life, and I really ought to find out more.

^^ you are absolutely right, it really is the best exfoliator out there. However it doesn't do much more than that. Face masks are good for nourishment of the skin.

Originally posted by Action Jackson: ..... or any other shitty majors that can be self taught with minimal effort.. Oh gosh, here I thought being a director required endless dedication and commitment, and the willingness to study and learn the grammar of film, and the kind of ceaseless motivation that would invoke the saintly patience needed to work on the tiny details before ever getting the chance to receive the satisfaction of seeing a finished product. You see, you can't take out a loan and expect to get a job after doing something like Film Studies. It doesn't work like that, and the people who think otherwise will invariably end up in GAP folding clothes However, if you have a healthy sense of realism and dedication and pure unadulterated passion, I don't see why anyone couldn't make a degree like this work. I respect your dedication to your family though, and I hope your choice of career not only brings lots of money but lots of happiness and job satisfaction. loans are the devil....and so unnecessary... there r so many scholarships and finicial aid out there..and XU...girl....u should do what u love and enjoy....and insha'allah u'll be Immensely successfull and more importanly happy and content... Thank you You're right, loans are evil. But it's better than those high-interest loans you get from banks and for someone people it's necessary. I prefer to work long hours, than to worry myself senseless at night over spending money I don't have. I'm just not good with debts, that's why I refuse to get a credit card

Originally posted by Action Jackson: I understand you want to study something you enjoy doing, but you have to consider the fact that one day you will have a family and will need to earn enough money to put your kids through college and secure their future which doesn't seem to be possible with a $5/h job. Now having said that you could still nurture your passion for Films Studies by taking it as a minor for some "in demand" major. in that way you wont waste your money and time and more importantly you wont regret not studying what you like. They had a special report on "60 minutes" tv show 2 weeks ago about some Arts and Fashion graduates who ended up folding cloths at Gap while struggling to pay off their 40K student loans..!!! You see, I don't just want to study film, but I also want to practice it. Otherwise I would have done what you've suggested. Also I don't just enjoy it, I love, what I do makes me happy. I'm just not made for the 9-5 world. I agree a course like mine is not for everyone, but I have a good career plan and a back-up plan and Allah has given me enough intelligence and confidence, so at the moment I'm not too worried of ever finding a decent job should an emergency require it. It is all in His hands and I can only pray it turns out the way I want it. But imagine if every film director/artist thought like you, we wouldn't be able to enjoy any of the arts, nobody would bother making films/songs/documentaries, instead we'd all be sitting in an office making money. Insha-allah when the time comes for me to settle down and have kids, I will have either a (fairly) stable career or I would have abandoned my attempts to make films a while ago and still leave myself enough time to re-train, though I'd still want to work in the film industry in some technical capacity. Luckily I didn't take out any loans (I don't really believe in borrowing) and I'm paying my own way through uni. Al-hamdulilah, at least I don't have to worry about that after I graduate.

DinkiWinki, Allah(SWT) tell us many times in the Holy Quran that those who truly repent will be forgiven. Allah Almighty says: He is the One that accepts repentance from His Servants and forgives sins: and He knows all that ye do. Surah 42 Verse 25 Know they not that God doth accept repentance from His votaries … Surah 9 Verse 104 "But, without doubt, I am (also) He that forgives again and again, to those who repent, believe, and do right, who,- in fine, are ready to receive true guidance." Surah 20 Verse 82 In this, there is no difference between sins, whether a few or many, for Allah Almighty says: Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of God: for God forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Surah 39 Verse 53 God accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards; to them will God turn in mercy: For God is full of knowledge and wisdom. Surah 4 Verse 17 When those come to thee who believe in Our signs, Say: "Peace be on you: Your Lord hath inscribed for Himself (the rule of) mercy: verily, if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented, and amend (his conduct), lo! He is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. Surah 6 Verse 54 Source: Islamonline Also you might want to read Punishment for wrongdoers... why? Hope that's helpful

Originally posted by Brown-Brotha: ^when you are finished with your waxing, can i use the left overs? I look like a caveman and i could use some waxing on my back. You could also give me a hand.(I have a funny feeling you could enjoy torturing a man.) NO? am pusshing it? Oh, start with shaving first, you wouldn't want to rush into waxing, trust me. My older female relatives are always telling me to put yoghurt on my face, but it never does anything for me. In fact, it tends to leave dry patches on my skin when I wash it off. How about mud masks? Anybody ever tried them? Do they really work?

LOL, that's awesome. It is a bit strange when people show off their underwear. More and more Somali guys are doing it now, I always feel compelled to ask them if they want to borrow my belt.

^^ I'm pretty sure we wish peace upon the Prophet (saw), not just out of respect (though that's an important part), but because we it is recommended that we do so. I wasn't sure about the wording of the hadith, so I had to do a little research for that: Ubayy ibn Ka`b relates: I said, "O Messenger of Allah, I send much blessings on you. What proportion of my prayer should I devote to you?" He said, "As much as you like." I said, "A quarter?" He said, "As much as you like, and if you increased it would only be better for you." I said, "Then a half?" He said, "As much as you like and if you increased then it would only be better for you." I said, "Then two thirds?" He said, "As much as you like and if you increased it would only be better for you." I said, "I'll devote all of my prayers to sending blessings on you." The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, "In that case it will suffice you from your worries and your sins will be forgiven. " [Reported by Tirmidhi who declared it well authenticated] 4. Attaining intercession of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) Abu al-Darda' relates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, "Whoever sends blessings on me ten times in the morning and ten in the evening will have my intercession on judgement day." [Tabarani] Sourc: Sunnah.org: Fikh of Salawat Read the rest of the article, it goes into more depth. Anybody correct me if I'm wrong.

Originally posted by DinkiWinki: The point i was trying to make is don't just hate them because they want to talk to you. They are old and you should automatically give them more respect just for that. Who cares what they say?? People, they are generally away from their immediate family and they find it more difficult to intergrate into society. It is not Somali culture that compels most of them to talk to you, it is Islam. They believe they can tell your piety from your appearance, because thats the way they were raised, (ofcourse you can tell a little...compare a half-naked woman to a modestly dressed one). The question is what gives them the right to lecture you? Now thats where the culture comes into play. If it annoys you so much, the next time they come up to you just say your an Oromo, or better still an Indian...that will teach them :cool: The thing is, I don't mind if they try to give me advice. In fact, this is one of the qualities I truly like about the Somali society, how people are willing to take the time to help you improve in some way. It is when they get nasty and personal that I get irritated and offended. Especially when they comment on my looks, and especially when they are men I'm not related to. I think it's just indecent. And generally, it's also not much to do with parental advice, but just plain nastiness. I hate it when people try to "improve" me when their own kids are running amok all over the place.

I believe (and its my personal opinion) that majors like film studies, social studies, philosophy, history, International Relations, Women Studies, Music, Arts and Information Systems are wothless majors... and yeah.. u read that right, Information Systems is as useless of a major as the those i mentioned.. I just dont understand why some ppl wake up to go to school for 4 years to study something they know they wont get a decent job with!!! most of my friends who majored in Information Systems are actually jobless or working on some $13/hour jobs!!! some even went back for a second major... You are absolutely right. Most of these majors lead to a very insecure career. And especially with Film Studies, chances are you won't get a job. But you know why? Because most people just don't have the strenght to thrive in such a competetive job market. But seriously, I don't even want a decent job, if by that you mean a well paying 9 to 5 job. I did a year of International Business at uni, and I quickly realised I didn't care about profits and making money. I realised that I didn't want to be one of those people with money, who when they reach middle-age are suddenly overwhelmed by all those missed opportunities and dreams. Besides, you'd be surprised how many things you can do with a film degree. Sometimes AJ, people study things because they simply and passionately love the subject. I love the art of film, I consider myself to be an artist. I'm not interested in jobs per se, I'm interested in the things I create. So yeah I'm taking a risk, and if it doesn't work out and if it turns out everybody hates my films, I'll do something else, but when I'm 50, I won't go through a mid-life crisis and I won't regret for a second having tried to realise my dreams. Besides, I rather work as a lowly errand girl at £5/ph on a low-budget film, than as an executive of a bank on £500,000 a year. Seriously. film studies is indeed useless. Useless for getting a 9 to 5 job, not useless for learning about the art of film, which is what I and anybody who does this course, wants.

^^ Is it that hard to pay your respects to our Prophet? If God in His mercy didn't send His last Prophet (peace be upon him), we'd still be following the altered version of Jesus'religion (peace be upon him). Also one of the reasons no true Muslim (including the Prophet) makes any claims of who goes to hell and who doesn't, is because to do so would be to persume that we have the same knowledge Allah (SWT) has, and because we don't, no one can make any pronouncements over the fate of others, for Allah knows each of us better than we do ourselves and only He knows who is deserving of reward or punishment. As for the Hell issue, I understand to a small extent where you're coming from. It is a terrible fate to wish upon anyone. However, Allah made it clear which sins would be deserving of hellfire and then did everything possible to facilitate other things which would keep us away from hell and included the promise that those who seek true forgiveness will be forgiven. You can't have the promise of paradise as a reward and not have anything as punishment. Luckily it's that punishment which is keeping a lot of people from doing bad things to themselves and each other. Back to the topic. It is really sad actually to hear of her death. It would have been nice to see someone try to put the focus back on Somalia and its problems. Now the focus is back on us in a way that's not helpful at all. I hope they catch the guy who did it.

Yes

Alleh Ubahnne..did u say you were the One I don't think he was serious about that. At least I hope not. Hate to think I know him in real life.

Originally posted by Brown-Brotha: Just curious, what parts of your body are the metal chains on?. ?? It's just those heavy metal keychains that dangle on the side of my trousers, and spiky metal armbands and suchlike. I don't wear them all the time, only when I feel a bit rebellious But you are right, older Somali people tend to feel that they have a stake in your life. They believe the future of our country depends on us, which of course is right. In a way it's understandable, but seriously, if someone thinks I could use their advice, before bothering to find out what kind of person I am or even what my name is, how am I to take anything they say seriously?

Originally posted by Alle-ubaahne: Ms. Xu, Are you serious? Then you must be so xuuuuuuuux, i guess. why are you not generous to providing your fellow sister out of kindness, just to display a sense of sisterhood? T Woooooosh <-------- that's the sound of my sarcasm going over your head. :rolleyes:

^^ what are you talking about? Oh my Allah, look at her, Xu! That was me, nooh, and you are trying here to gossip me. Oh, I didn't know you would narrate the story this way. By the way, why do you have to distance my kinship to you and make me of a total stranger? quote: Does having the same nationality automatically make you family? ehehe, let me tell you abaayo, if we are somalians, we all relate to each other since the begining of Somalia. We don't want to change that culture, but am sorry to hear that from you, I wonder if you are one of the people who eat alone while your starving somali sister is sitting next to you? Xitaa majirto Soo dhawoow haye! Ar dhuunisanidaa adiga, abaayo! [big Grin] Yes of course, if a starving person was sitting next to me, I'd make sure to let them know how much I enjoy my food, I'd rub it in my face in case they didn't get the point. :rolleyes: Again you don't make any sense. I don't really object when people offer me general advice, it's just when they make personal remarks and make assumptions about me and my faith that really bothers me. You don't understand, there are simply too many Somali people for every single one of them to be family. I feel you can't make personal remarks without knowing somebody.

What is it about Somali people, when they assume parental responsibility over you, when they don't even know you. In a sense it is endearing that Somali people feel such kinship towards each other. But seriously, is it really that unusual to take offence when a complete stranger makes really personal remarks about my appearance. I know, if you're wearing as many metal chains as I am, you're bound to get weird looks and comments. But it's only Somali people who attack me with such fervour and sometimes go as far as accusing me of worshipping Satan. :eek: :eek: :eek: Sometimes an older Somali "uncle" comments openly on my looks, telling me I should watch my hips or whatever, or even if they compliment me on any part of my body. I find that disgusting, and if it weren't for my ingrained (and often misplaced) sense of respect for my elders, I would have told them that unless they're my mother or my husband, they should keep such personal comments to themselves and their wives. But these comments are nothing compared to the angry lectures I get about my career choice. Today a Somali man came in the shop I work in and asked me what I was studying. I'm doing Film Studies, but for some reason I didn't have the heart to tell him that, so I kept it vague and said Media Studies (it's not really a lie, is it? :rolleyes: ). You should have seen the look on his face. He went on about the gaalo trying to steal away all Muslim children and that more and more muslim kids are giving in to their godless ways (i.e me). They always tell me it was better to study medicine or sociology or something. I have no idea who this man is, and here he is telling me what I should do with my future and making rash and inaccurate assumptions about my faith. Maybe it's the way I was raised, but I object to strangers telling me what I should and shouldn't do with my life. What do you guys think? Would you or do you take offence when a Somali person you don't know very well, makes really personal remarks? Does having the same nationality automatically make you family??

I'm crazy about anime. A friend got me into it, and now all I ever is watch cartoons. I personally prefer the newer animes. I find that because of the old-fashioned elaborate puffy animation style, I sometimes find it hard to take the characters seriously. The animation is absolutely breathtaking in some instances, like Ghost in the Shell. I swear, as a film student, I sometimes learn much more from Japanese manga than any Hollywood film. Honestly, the stories that these manga cartoons have are often more mature than anything Hollywood could ever produce. But most people still seem to be under the impression that it's just for kids. Honestly, a lot of the best manga out there is not really suitable for kids anyway. The stories are often philosophical in nature, and mostly are very well-animated meditations on life, soul, death and reality. Leave it to the Japanese to figure out that animation is a serious film art. I don't watch as many films as TV series. There are some that I like, stuff by Miyazaki like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke for example. As for TV series, I really recommend you watch the Cowboy Bebop series, Rurouni Kenshin series and Full Metal Alchemist. Now, excuse me as I return to watching Naruto.

Amiin. Happy New Year everybody.

I was very young and I had already been in Europe for a couple of years. I was sitting in a living room in a small town in The Netherlands, wondering why my mummy wouldn't let me watch Scooby-Doo instead of CNN.

Stalkers everywhere..............rejoice!! :rolleyes: