Archive for
January 3rd, 2009
Stories
Egypt: How Can We Help Gaza?
Egyptian bloggers are rallying in support of Gaza, which is being pounded by the might of the Israeli forces for a week.
Yasmin asks: What can we do for Gaza?
She notes how we can really help instead of just being passive and blogs a few simple but positive actions Egyptian bloggers can start working on. They are:
* If you are a blogger, blog about it. Stay level and smart, respond to hate comments wisely and smartly.
* If you use Twitter, tweet about it.
* If you live in a country where you can change your politics rally and lobby for the cause.
* If you use Facebook, post articles and blog posts to point your non Arab friends to fairer information.
* If you are a cartoonist or an artist, express yourself and post on deviantart, facebook, blogs or wherever you can.
* If you are a teacher teach our younger generations.
* If you are part of Global Voices then translate articles and educate the rest of the world.
On a similar positive note, Appy and Mfawey have started a new initiative to support Palestine. They are asking their readers to email all international organizations to portray the reality of the appalling humanitarian conditions in Gaza due to the brutal Israeli attack and its impact on the civilian population. They are also calling for volunteer translators to translate the text into all languages.
The message posted on both blogs goes as follows:
Dear All
For the sixth day Israel continue their massacre against the people of isolated Gaza. about 440 killed and martyrs and more than 1750 injured with the support of the United states, immobility of Arab and international communities with only a mere verbal condemnations of unjustified violence against the Palestinian people. This was just a verbal accusation of unjustified violence against the Palestinian people.
Arabs, Muslims and Europeans went out into the streets to demonstrate and express their anger against the inhumane treatment suffered by the inhabitants of Gaza who are subjected to hunger, encroachment, and the violation of the all the principles of Human rights. this violence is not only against Hamas as announced by the Israeli media, but it has also affected the mosques, the Islamic University, houses and a school that depends on the United Nations relief for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and the Palestinian government buildings in Gaza; the most populated area in the world which increased the total number of civilians victims . Yesterday the Israeli army announced that Gaza has become a military area while relying on a number of additional troops and tanks to prepare for a new ground military invasion to Gaza.
In addition, Israeli armored forces attacked the boat ”Dignity” which came from Cyprus and aimed to break the siege of Gaza
We ask you to help Gaza as soon as possible and immediately stop the Israeli massacre against the unarmed Palestinian people and ending the siege on Gaza, and the opening of the Rafah crossing point. The Egyptian authorities refused to open the crossing point in the absence of the Palestinian Authority, and the presence of international observers, and for fear of Israeli air strikes on the border strip in Rafah point while ensuring the transport of wounded Palestinians to the hospital in Egypt because of the shortage of essential medical tools In Gaza.in the name of humanity And human rights, we ask you to rescue Gaza from the threat of genocide at the hands of the Israeli army.
Tahyyes writes about the medical supplies required in Gaza, in preparation for a medical relief convoy being sent to Palestine. The post includes a complete list of the medical supplies required to treat civilians maimed and injured during the previous week.
As for myself, I've asked my readers, and before anything, to learn how Israelis think by reading their blogs:
If Arabs are willing to win the case.. then KNOW YOUR ENEMY first!
Read Israeli's blogs and know their lies.. it isn't a hard equation after all..
Saudi Arabia: Who is to blame for Gaza?
As in the rest of the Arab world, Saudi Arabia's blogs have been full of commentary on the events in Gaza. However, there is no consensus as to who is politically responsible.
Saudiwoman is pleased to see what her country is doing:
It makes my heart swell with pride to know that my country is trying to do something for the Palestinians in Gaza. A friend who works in the military hospital here in Riyadh told me that for the past two days the hospital has been discharging people left and right to accommodate the wounded from Gaza and today the first airlift arrived. Everyone here in Saudi feels helpless and frustrated when we see the photos of the Israeli air raids aftermath. The photos of bleeding children and leveled buildings are driving us crazy. We need to have something to do. It’s so bad that many people went to government hospitals wanting to donate blood to the Palestinians. So many that the Health minister had to issue a statement saying that the Palestinians need supplies not blood.
But Ahmed Ba-Aboud has a different perspective:
Blogger and journalist Yaser Al-Ghaslan is also frustrated:
و آخر يتكلم عن جهوده في صياغة مشروع قرار عربي لشجب ما يجري بينما مجموعه منهم يخططون لتناول الموضوع ضمن أجندة إجتماعهم المقرر أصلا سابقا، (كلام كلام كلام كلام(.
[…] أحبتي نحن امه لم يبقى منها شئ سوى إسمها، فالشعب لا يعدو من كونه (صوت) يهلل بجميع الإتجاهات حتى اصبح نشازاً و مثيراً للأعصاب لدرجة القرف
Abdul Rahman Allahem thinks Egypt has been unfairly blamed:
Mohammed Abdullah Al-Shahri thinks there's no point blaming any Arab nation:
Writing in another post, Yaser Al-Ghaslan has a very clear idea of who is to blame:
Hala, who currently lives in the USA, asks:
Would wars and weapons be the only means – as ever – to reach resolutions and peace?
Sabria Jawhar says:
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was on an Arabic news show last week in which he basically bragged that Israel is the biggest, baddest and most powerful country in the region and it won’t hesitate to use its might to protect itself. Well, my question is if Israel is indeed the biggest and most powerful country in the Middle East, why doesn’t it take the high road and expend a lot of that negative energy into something positive, like sparing the lives of innocents and demanding the resumption of peace talks with Hamas. The sad fact is the Gaza Strip’s civilians are simply pawns in a power struggle that should have ended long ago. And the price will be more blood.
And Ahmed Al-Omran reports on some demonstrations that have taken place:
On the 19th of December, a few hundred people demonstrated in Qatif, a predominantly Shiite area east of Saudi Arabia, to protest the Israeli siege on Gaza. The protesters lifted posters of Hizbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasarallah and chanted anti-Israeli and anti-US slogans. According to the website Rasid, the demonstration ended peacefully under the eyes of security forces who watched closely. However, tens of young men who demonstrated were arrested in the following week. After Israel started their barbarian attack on Gaza last Saturday, thousands of angry demonstrators took to the streets in Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and other countries. In Saudi Arabia, where the law does not give people the right to demonstrate publicly, more than 60 political and human rights activists signed a letter to the Ministry of Interior asking for permission to hold a peaceful demonstration in Riyadh. While activists in Riyadh were waiting for a reply from MOI, protesters in Qatif demonstrated again on Monday, but this time they were faced by the security forces and riot police who fired rubber bullets to break up the protest. Mansour al-Turki, spokesman of MOI, denied that such protest took place. “Street protests are banned in the Kingdom and that the security forces will intervene to enforce the ban,” he added. His denial is not surprising, but everyone knows that people of Qatif have a long history in street protests with major demonstrations held in 1979, 2002 and 2006. […] People should be allowed to protest, but it seems that the government is afraid that people will realize the power of public demonstration and later use it not just to protest against Israel but also to demand their rights. Giving permission to these demonstrations would set a precedent that the government clearly doesn’t want to deal with its results and consequences. 2009 will be interesting.
Global Health: Hopes and Resolutions for 2009
As 2009 kicks off, many people are trying to create changes in their lives. Whether it's large or small goals, serious or humorous ones, bloggers around the world are posting lists of their New Year's resolutions — and health-related wishes often top the list.
The U.K.-based mental health organization Mind says that some of these resolutions can be bad for your health, though. For example, self-improvement goals, like the need to lose weight, can create a negative self-image and lead to feelings of inadequacy and even mild depression. Still, this hasn't stopped many people from adding “losing weight” to their resolutions for 2009. Other health-related goals, such as quitting smoking and adapting a healthier lifestyle, are also among the most common resolutions.
Lilit Reye from the Philippines, blogging on Spring Roll, captures this sentiment in his ode to post-New Years:
“Gyms will be full starting next week.
Since almost everyone's resolution is related to better health,
with better wealth, as a wish.”
This is true for Munytang from Malaysia. Although he isn't big on making resolutions, he posted five ones for 2009 on his blog MunY - TangTangTang! Here's his health goal for this year:
“Take care of my health, this means eating right and have a fair amount of exercise.”
Losing weight and being more active are yearly resolutions for Braided Diva, an Aboriginal woman living in Canada. After much pondering she also adds a much simpler goal, one that will help her body, to this year's list:
“My New Year's Resolution for 2009 is simply to……PUT LOTION ON MY BODY EVERY DAMN DAY!
Simple enough I can do that. In fact I SHOULD have been for a long time. Of course I've always got an excuse on hand as to why I do not take that little bit of time after my daily shower. It's simple, slicking up the bod doesn't take much effort at all. And my skin will love me when this year is over. Not that my skin is intensely damaged, but it is winter and I do spend many hours in the warm cozy house. Those two combined make for some dry skin. And now as I sit and proof read, spell check this blog the thought comes to me….what kind of fricking self-called diva doesn't lotion up every day?”
Fassingpancy's list of resolutions for 2009 also predicts his chance of achieving the goal. Besides losing weight, he lists nine other wishes on his blog, Fassing Pancy’s Vocal Chimneys. Here's goal #7:
“Give Up Coffee - 2008 was my year for experiencing coffees from around the world; Africa, South America, Indonesia, Australia, India, Hawaii, Jamaica… Kenya AA was the best of them, with a lovely cherry aftertaste. However, for health reasons I’ll be giving up coffee. Not that I’ve got a problem, but I want to be healthier. Fruit teas here I come. ;)
Chance of Achievement: 85%”
Rather than avoiding beverages, Mr. R actually wants to consume more of a certain beverage this year, one that can boost his health - water. Blogging on Xpress Coffee, he states:
“Water is the only drink for a wise man:
Says, Henry David Thoreau. Well if water consumption is the yardstick of being wise, Damn it! I should be a fool! I survive with less water. Something in me says I better start drinking more! Am talking about pure H2O. I would like to see myself gulping down at least 8 cups of water a day.”
Alice Vosloo, blogging on Living life breathlessly, encourages people to make such New Year's resolutions. Living in South Africa and suffering from cystic fibrosis, she was waiting for a double lung transplant at this time last year. She says:
“This time last year however, I was SO uncertain about what was going to happen in 2008 (would I get lungs? would I survive the year? would I have my transplant in Florida? etc), so I just made 4 WILD New Years Resolutions/wishes… here they are:
1. Keep myself alive.
2. Get lungs.
3. Have fun.
4. Find love.And they all came true… So the moral of the story? Go wild with New Years Resolutions, don't put a limit on your happiness or abilities and the power of prayer.”
Resolutions aren't just limited to personal goals though. Many bloggers are also advocating for health-related changes in their countries and communities. Country Doc, blogging on The Country Doc Report, lists New Year's resolutions to improve rural healthcare, while Pd, blogging on My Diary 2.0, posts 10 resolutions to change India, including this healthcare-related one:
“Let us ask the government to stop spending a fortune on defence equipments and satellites launch. We need not be the numero uno in these until and unless we ensure that the literacy rate of our country is high enough to beat other countries. Competitions can also be in this way round. People should have access to the basic amenities such as primary health care, education, food, clothing and shelters.”
Chikwe Ihekweazu, blogging on Nigeria Health Watch, says that 2008 was a tough year for Nigerian healthcare issues, but that there is hope for 2009. He asks:
“Can Professor Osotimehin [Nigeria's new minister of health] inspire Nigerians to take on their roles as leaders in primary health care centres, in our immunisation programmes, in our teaching hospitals?
Can we be inspired to believe again? To insist on quality? To do the bit we can?
Can 2009 turn out to be the year we celebrate a re-birth, a restoration of some pride and confidence in our health care system?…
…This is our prayer and hope for 2009.”
Photo of List of Resolutions by 60 in 3 on Flickr.
Egypt: Change The Channel Initiative Kicks Off
Yesterday was the first day of 2009, and it was also the kick-off day of “Change the Channel” initiative. Many bloggers responded to the initiative, even more than I expected.
Che Ahmed - One Man Show - decided to write about the Egyptian writer, Bahaa Taher.
النهاردة مش جاي اتكلم عن بهاء طاهر سيته الذاتية او تاريخ حياته ، لكن من منطلق انى قارئ بيحب كتابات الراجل العظيم دا ، اول ما نزلت واحة الغروب كنت لسه بدأت اتعرف علي بهاء طاهر ، كانت علي طول طبعاتها بتنفذ اول بأول روحت بدور عليها مرة ملقيتهاش لكن لقيت نقطة النور لسه فاكر التاريخ جبتها يوم 5 ابريل وخلصتها يوم ستة ابريل 2008 كانت اول علاقتي ببهاء طاهر وظلت العلاقة حتى الان .
نقطة النور بالنسبة ليا هي اروع ما قرأت في حياتي ، وكانت المدخل الاروع لعلاقتي ببهاء طاهر كمية الحزن والروحانية ف الرواية رائعه للغاية وتناسب شخص حالم زيي كتير ، الرواية اللى فيها الناس بتغلط وبتداوي الغلط بالحب وابو خطوة الصالح اللى علي لسانه يُجري الكاتب ينابيع الحكمة .
Today, I am not going to talk about his biography, but I am going to write about him from a reader's perspective. When his novel “Wahet El Ghoroub” (Sunset Oasis) was released, I was just getting to know Taher. Successive releases of the novel were being sold out in no time, and when I did not find it, I bought another novel by him entitled “Noktet Nour” (A Point of Light). I still remember the date. I bought it on April 5th, 2008, and I finished reading it on April 6th. This was my first time to read any of his books, and I am still attached to him since then.
“Noktet Nour” is one of the best novels I've read in my entire life, and what I really liked in it was the sorrow and spirituality in the novel, which are really attractive to a dreamer like me. It's about people who cure their sins with love. And in it, words of wisdom are presented to the readers through characters like “Abou Khatwah”.
Tarek Amr wrote in his blog - Not Green Data - about the Internet, Social Media and Web 2.0 applications and how they are improving and changing the Egyptian society to the better.
Meanwhile, Jessyz - Chocolate Mints in a Jar - on the other hand decided to write about Changing the Channel literally.
These are sad days, the situation in Gaza keeps getting worse, people are being killed, starvation and other catastrophes are hitting the world hard.
You have two options, you can either glue your pretty little eyes to the TV, drive your blood pressure up Mount Everest or you can do something about it.
And then she offered her readers a list of good stuff they can do instead of watching bad news on the TV.
Nermeen Edrees - Nerro - who is also a Global Voices Online author, wrote about a Furniture Store in Heliopolis that decided to take the responsibility of turning a common garden in front of their premises into a beautiful garden.
Fascinated at seeing this, I joyously stopped the engine, walked out of the car and started walking around the garden. At this point I came to find that the owner(s) of Decomara decided to take the responsibility of turning the common garden in front of their premises into a beautiful garden, a pleasant view for passerby’s and residents. I was really moved by the endeavor and notion.
I personally think there is a message behind this attempt, not only promoting beauty but also to direct people’s attention and let them realize that common areas are not Government’s only responsibility; it is our responsibility as well. How beautiful our streets could be if each building, store, company or organization took the responsibility of revamping their neighborhood. I know this sound ancient and kinda repetitive, but believe it or not seeing it happening would get you all up and running, excited at the thought of waking up the next morning having breakfast on your balcony. Seriously, we are in dire need for some beauty in our streets and neighborhoods.
Nermeen then targeted her Facebook contacts by publishing the following note there.
Today is the kick-off of the change the channel initiative; to cut the long story short this initiative is about focusing on the positive sides of Egypt (being an Egyptian, living in Egypt, improvement, etc). Not that we are in denial of all the negative sides, we are simply are aware of them and our shortcomings as well, and can easily pin-point the black spots, however, lets see what good stuff can we come out with together.
So my friend, can you list down only one positive thing about this country?
Marwa Rakha then commented on Nermeen's Note.
I am proud of our president for not giving in to ignorant pressure … I admire his courage in facing all the rage and blows aimed at him by emotional masses of Egyptians and Arabs … I am happy he did not open the Rafa7 crossings … I am happy he said that he would only allow the wounded … I am glad that he is not dragging us into a war that is not ours … I am glad that he could see through the hidden agendas of Hamas, Fatah, and Israel … These three parties are the ones who are using civilians as live targets in their own dirty wars .. Yes .. I am proud of Hosny Mubarak.
Eyad Harfoush also commented on the note:
Sorry ya Marwa, what I am proud of is totally different
I am proud of the massess went out to streets in my home city Tanta and other cities in Delta and Upper Egypt. Proud of the feelings of Egyptians who can still feel rage and hatred against Zionism despite of all the sedative pills! I am proud that my people understood the tricks of history more than our leaders, president included. Understanding that Charles De Gaules was called once a man who plays on the emotions of French people.. Petain called him so, now where is Petain's name? Only limited to Petainism? and where did history put De Gaules?
The native Egyptians are the best values in Egypt. Those who are neither Saudized nor Americanized.
Emans Mostafe also commented:
I feel happy when I am in the gardens/deserts of Egypt, we have wonderful places that we don't appreciate its value. Same goes for the places in old Cairo.
I feel happy that I go down to the streets after 11 pm, and I can still find everywhere is so lightful and noisy and crowded, Cairo is ALIVE till morning. In few words, I love Egypt at night.
I feel happy when my aeroplane is landing to Cairo Airport, becasue from the sky Egypt is the best.
Heba Jaouni also commented:
I feel safe in Egypt … I feel warmth in Egypt … I feel alive in Egypt … Nobody will appreciate this place (piece of heaven) unless they really try another place … I want to die in Egypt and be buried in this land.
I Love you Egypt and I do strongly agree with what Marwa said as well … I am with you Hosny Mubarak
Mohamed El Gohary wrote about his home town, El Mansoura, and added some photos of the it here.
Mansoura is one of the quietest places you can live in.
Walking by the Nile in Mansoura is one of the best experiences you can have :)
Jean Pierre, who is besides being a blogger here is a talented photographer, decided to publish an awesome photo of sunset in Maadi here.
Deee - Pressure over Cappuccino - also published a stunning photo of Cairo. And so did Lasto Adri here, and Yahia Muhammad - Hawamesh - here, featuring Alexandria.
And finally Zeinobia added a photo of the innocent smile of Egyptian children whom she meets everyday in the streets of Cairo.
Caucasus: New Year, Christmas
With Christmas and the New Year usually accompanied by lavish television spectaculars and decorations in the center of most cities worldwide, celebrations in countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are the same to some extent, but usually more low-key and family-orientated. A number of expat workers and Peace Corps Volunteers in all three countries offer an outside eye on proceedings.
Seeing in the New Year in the South Caucasus, however, is not without its risks, as Running Around Armenia explains.
My stomach and head hurt. Celebrating the New Year in this country is a little different. I haven’t done this much damage to my body in years. New Years lasts for 13 days, and I’m on day 3. I’m screwed. […]
Moore From the Source details the holiday season in Armenia.
Armenia has a different church calendar than the overwhelming majority of Christian denominations in the rest of the world. And, within this calendar, Christmas falls on January 6. And, it seems that the holiday’s celebration is masked, in a large share, by the magnitude of excitement that consumes the country in respect to New Year’s. […]
In the states we all get excited for a wild bash on New Year’s Eve. But here, the actual tick of the second hand at the stroke of midnight is not really that important. […] Certainly people stay awake for this nocturnal moment, but the party leading up to it is usually small and restricted to family. But that’s alright, because starting on January first, every home will have a massive table laid out for all of the neighbors, friends, and family to pillage. Essentially, it is a non-stop feast with traditional foods such as dolma, kyufta, pastries, cognac, vodka, dolma, and cognac. And these parties will last until January 6. It’s wild.
Yes, Santa Claus does exist here, but he goes by another alias…that crafty s.o.b. Here he is called something in Armenian that I can’t type because I have a western keyboard… and because dollars to doughnuts, you don’t speak Armenian. But, the literal translation of his name is “Winter Father”. […]
Elizabeth's Armenia Journal also notes that much of the country has shut down for an extended holiday.
I'm sure I wrote about this last year. The last weeks of December are a busy time for Armenians, especially the women, shopping, cooking, cleaning, cooking, baking, cooking for their big Nor Taree celebration on Jan 1. Each family prepares big tables full of food and the first week in January is busy w/ everyone visiting everyone else, eating the same food in different houses.
[…]
Unlike the US, New Years is not a go out to public place and eat dinner, dance and drink event. It is much more family oriented, tho w/ plenty of eating, dancing and drinking. We had a hard time finding a restaurant that was open New Year's Eve. We ended up being the only ones (6 of us) in what is normally a very popular and crowded restaurant.
[…]
The main square in Yerevan was festively decorated - bright, lots of neon. However, for a city of 1.5 million, the crowd at midnight was pretty sparse. I doubt there were more than a couple hundred people at most. Some mild fireworks preceded by pop singers and that was it for the celebration.
The Tbilisi Blues, comments on preparations for the New Year and Christmas festivities in Georgia.
While a family may spend large sums of money on a restaurant banquet or a home cooked feast, they do not go into debt to prove their love by buying junk nobody really needs. Jesus can look down from heaven and be pleased that the Georgians have not blasphemed his name by turning it into some gazillion dollar consumer phantasm where people are compelled to feel inadequate if they don't go along with the program or labeled scrooges if they dissent of such artificiality. The holiday season is the most lively time of the year and you can enjoy it fully without ever having to step into a shopping mall or sing We Three Kings.
[…]
This is not to say the symbolic act of gift giving is ignored, for on New Year's Eve (the December one), gifts are modestly exchanged and Georgian Santa Claus - Tovlis Babya - arrives that night with a present for each kiddie. December 31st is the big bash, ordinarily celebrated at home with family and close friends until midnight, when many people continue their festivities elsewhere till the morning hours. […]
The New Year's day is spent at a relative, neighbor or friend's house, working on the previous night's leftovers, inevitably washed down with more toasts. For the next two weeks, Tbilisi closes down for an extended binge.
Technically, being a good Georgian Orthodox Christian means one should fast through this period of gluttony, but Georgians for the most part make an exception for the holiday season. Nevertheless, on December 7th, Georgians will attend mass to commemorate Jesus' birthday according to the Julian (Orthodox) calendar. […]
Azerbaijan does not celebrate Christmas, but as with Armenia and Georgia, it is the New Year that is the main event. Nevertheless, many of the Christmas symbols recognized in the West are still employed, as AzerbaiJane explains.
Yolka is the Azeri word for evergreen tree. Being a muslim country, they obviously don't celebrate Christmas here, but, not wanting to be left out of all of the festive fun, they have adopted many of the Christmas traditions for their New Years celebration. Shafta Baba – also known as Santa Claus – comes to visit on New Years – and brings toys for children (according to some of my students. Others say he doesn't bring stuff.) New Year's lights and decorations go up in shops and offices. And, they have a yolka, decorated with lights and ornaments and a star on top.
27 Months in Azerbaijan was so taken with the way of life in the villages that he wanted to participate as well as reflect on life in the West.
It’s common in Ujar to see Azerbaijanis walking from the bazaar to their homes with live chickens in their hands; held by their feet. […] Though I’ve always turned my head, there have been several times that I’ve seen people carry their hens out to the street to sever the head, and prepare the carcass for dinner. If I was ever going to have a chance to purchase, kill, prepare, and eat a chicken, it was going to be here. Still, I’ve always been a big squeamish when it comes to murdering things with eyes, but I knew in the back of my head that if I think it’s alright to eat these little guys, I should be able to kill it.
Learning to Walk in Stilettos reminds its readers that New Year's Eve is also the Day of Solidarity in Azerbaijan while back in Georgia, Wu Wei wishes its readers a Happy New Year, but adds that 2008, presumably because of a short-lived war with Russia, is one that many Georgians might want to forget.
Bruneian bakers use blog as a marketing tool
Bakers and cake makers in Brunei have utilised the blog as a marketing tool to sell their wares. Many are either mothers or working professionals that do part-time baking, display their products on their respective blogs. . It has been a success for many and created a buzz for blog readers and supporters.
The following are some of the bloggers that showcases their products on their respective blogs. Too bad, many are only serving customers in Brunei due to the perishable products.
Pavlova by Bunny
Many of the bakers like Breadstop promote better healthy choices in usage of products for their cakes. Bunny's Yummies also promotes healthy cooking:
I am into healthy cooking. I do not use any kind of preservatives, artificial flavourings and colourings in my cakes. I use natural flavours and taste from fresh fruits, real vanilla bean, chocolate, coffee and varieties of nuts. I also use less eggs in my cakes, making them healthy alternatives. All products are freshly baked accordingly at times of order and picking-up.
Cupcakes made by Candy
The popular trend of cup cakes around the globe has not escaped Brunei and it has become a favourite among bloggers and their customers. The following bloggers specialise in cupcakes amongst others and provide different creations for their respective customers: Kitchen of Jasmine, Cupcake Paradise, Candy, Sinah Bakery, Sugarush, Taste on Tray, and Warisan Ummi.
Cit's Cupcakes describes her business products:
I do basic decorations on all my products, but i can do decorations according to your preference at an extra cost. I can do novelty cakes, 3-D cakes etc
Sugarush's baker, Underserenity wrote
A few nights ago, after a four hour sleep I woke up from a very vivid dream and was unable to get back to sleep. At 430am what else is there to do? BAKE! Insane, yes probably but anyway I ended up baking a batch of Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and a batch of Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Icing.
Feedback from customers like AnakBrunei wrote:
These cakes are all absolutely scrumptious.. the ones with white ‘grassy' topping are red velvets with cream cheese on the top and the choc ones are made with dark chocolate I think - not too sweet at all. Let me know if you'd like the contact details of the talented young lady who makes ‘em.
Links for Sat, 2009-01
Mali Travel Diaries writes about Mali's multilinguism, a country where French is the official language and 50 others are spoken.
Esther Garvi of Ishtar News posts some pictures of the griots, professional entertainers in the Hausa culture in Niger.
Moses Kemibaro reports that Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has signed into law the controversial Communications Amendment Bill 2008. He notes that “the Bill has been signed even as Kenyan Media, in particular, and Kenyans, in general, have expressed concerns about the Bill as there are aspects about it that will (potentially?) seriously limit media rights in Kenya and also affect Kenyans freedom of expression and privacy”. Bankelele offers a breakdown of the main issues covered by the bill.
Kachwanya has made a list of the Top 10 most influential women in Kenya, led by Minister of Justice Martha Karua who is also running for President in 2012.
Fabio Said believes that the Portuguese language spelling reform will not make the main variants of the language uniform. Commenting on a BBC news which states otherwise, he argues: “In fact, this passage is nonsense. European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese will always be two different language variants, with very strong incompatibility issues (and very strong feelings toward each other)”.
As the first post for 2009, The Eastern Middle offers its opinion on recent moves to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey. Now studying in the U.S., the blogger says that she did not realize the magnitude of problems between the two estranged neighbors until she left the country of her birth. However, she adds, it is time for the two nations to realize their similarities and to coexist.
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