My Team Didn’t Need Fixing. My Management Style Did 2
What community theatre taught me about trust, play, and leading software teams.
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Twenty Years as the Only Woman in the Room 2
The companies changed. The titles changed. The rooms changed. Yet one detail remained remarkably constant: more often than not, I was the only woman there. This is the story of what that taught me about leadership, confidence, and the quiet power of claiming your place.
Unreasonable Hope When the World Burns 1
My hope isn’t a naive belief that some benevolent force will magically intervene to save the day. My hope is a fire lit by the undeniable, fierce, and growing resistance to this evil.
20 Years of Blogging: How Writing Consistently Transformed My Life in Unexpected ways
Twenty years ago, I called my life “a joke in search of a punchline.” Today, it’s a mosaic of wonder, stories etched not on clay tablets, but in pixels and hearts. To the readers who turned my soliloquy into a chorus: the punchline was never the end. It was the only the start.
How I am Decolonizing my Mind 1
Decolonizing my mind began with confronting internalized beliefs shaped by colonial history in Iraq, and in Canada, Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s reflections, I examine how suffering is normalized differently.
Advice from an Iraqi to a Canadian on How to Survive the U.S. Invasion
Are you Canadian? Polite? Here is an extremely relevant guide, an Iraqi shares survival tips for your future after US invasion.
Making Peace with Shopping: A Guide to Mindful Spending
For years, shopping felt like a cycle of guilt and deprivation. I swung between impulse buying and strict frugality. Here’s how I made peace with shopping.
Returning to Tech After a 12-Year Break
After a 12-year career break, I went back to work as a software developer. Here is a summary of how I went about it.
Orientalism in Movie Casablanca
Exploring the hidden dimension in the the movie Casablanca with some suggestions on how to address it.
Things I No Longer Believe In
Shedding outdated notions can open doors to more authentic and fulfilling life.
Reviewing Oud Fool Roses from Montale + The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera 2
Oud Fool Roses from Montale led me to reflect on The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera and I end up creating heaven on earth.
Searching For The Cemetery of Forgotten Books In Barcelona
As I stepped off the plane and into the vibrant city of Barcelona, I felt a thrill of excitement. This wasn’t just any vacation; it was a literary pilgrimage inspired by Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s enchanting novel, The Shadow of the Wind. My mission? To find the elusive Cemetery of Forgotten Books, […]
Books About Palestine – From Somebody Who Has Actually Lived There
Novels, history book, cook book, YA, graphic novel and more. A list of favorite reads about Palestine collected from a life time of reading.
Love letter to 2023 3
My dearest 2023, It has been a little over a week now since we first laid eyes on each other, and already you have set my heart aflutter with the gossamer wings of your captivating promise. As we enter this new partnership, my shiny new 2023, I am filled […]
Frame Stories: The Art of Stories Within Stories Explained
What draws us to stories within stories? From ancient epics to modern tales, frame stories create layers of meaning that captivate and surprise. In my latest post, I explore how this timeless device reflects our quest to find order in life’s chaos.
Explore Canada in 10 (+1) novels
Canadian literature is rich with gems worth exploring. Here is a collection of novels from Canada that will delight the most picky of readers. So what are the best of the best of Canadian novels? I don’t know. However, here are some contenders for that list. What is the criteria […]
30th Wedding Anniversary
Today we celebrate our 30th anniversary. Raised 3 children. Lived across 3 continents. We share 3 languages. 2 war zones plus 1 pandemic. And the adventure is only beginning. Check out the before and after picture we took on our 29th anniversary.
Top 10 books with a strong female lead
To all the strong women out there in the world. Boss ladies. Women who know what they want and go after it with passion. To all you amazing, awe-inspiring ladies, here is a list of books to boost your confidence and lift your spirit. Books that feature strong women that […]
Around the world in 10 (+1) books
Most of us have not been able to travel in recent months. But we can still travel through books. Join me on a dazzling adventure around the world in 10 (+1) books as we explore the most fun and daring nooks and crannies on this beautiful planet.
Top 10 plus one books to read to explore Islamic culture
On the hunt for Islamic books? Perhaps you are looking to expand your horizons. Or you want to deepen your knowledge. Here are my recommendations.
What is the best farewell gift for a colleague?
I have worked in offices in three continents. Upon leaving a work place I have received many thoughtful farewell gifts from colleagues which I have loved and appreciated. I have received: pen mug baked goods t-shirt candle exercise equipment art supplies plant flowers All of it is dearly loved and […]
How to regain faith after losing it? 1
Faith is the act of believing in the illogical. Although logic is a highly valuable, it does come across certain limits. Once you lost faith and reached the limits of your logical abilities, what are you supposed to do?
Post Covid Life Fantasy
As news of a vaccine trickle in, I find myself having a fantasy about life post Covid. In that place, I hold a dinner party for 50 everyday. I am constantly going out for a fun event. Theater. Cinema. Art Gala. Doesn’t matter, as long as there are lots of […]
How to wear hijab for the first time? 4
I decide to wear the hijab for one day. Here is the story of some of my encounters.
Famous Quotes about Shoes
On a quest to find the most griping quotes about shoes, here are a list of the favorites that I have been able to accumulate so far.