A few observations...

Education in the Arab world is not only appalling, but is extremely funny as well!! Working in an arab university has really helped me appreciate the education system in my home country, simply due to the proven fact of the quality of students that graduate.

The education system here has its own sense of humour, and trust me, it can leaving you wondering, "is it worth it?". I'm not generalising because there are a quite few commendable students whom I personally know of and I feel they are worth their degree certificate, but the rest....Big Sigh!!

First of, its funny when a prospective student calls up for admission and says, "I wanth arabeek, you no have arabeek??...walla hadim", when its clearly obvious to any literate person, that the university is English medium.

Then, they insist on doing their Bachelors/Masters even when their command of English is deplorable.

Next is when they actually get accepted into the university (!!). They demand for teachers of their own choice. If not, they submit in their complaints. They demand for easy exams and better marks. If not, they ask for that particular teacher to be removed. I have seen their exam papers.3 words: "oh my goodness".

What really boggles is my mind is that there are students who are so very talented, yet I feel that either they do not know how to use their talents constructively or that they feel they should exhibit their talents only if there is an incentive involved. I still remember my college days when we'd just wait for our college to host inter-collegiate culturals or for another rival college to hold theirs just to go over and prove our worth. Not only did it involve a hell lot of fun, but it also helped most of us get rid of our stage fears and realise our hidden talents. Moreover, wouldn't a CV look good when it shows that you are also involved in extra-curricular activites??!!!

well, anyways...it's kinda cool to see now that, there are some students who are ready and really want to make a change in this otherwise close-minded culture. These students want to make a difference, make other kids realise that college life is more than just the latest nail enamel color or fastest car!! College life is more than 'only' books and lectures. College life is, in my personal opinion, the golden years of one's life. If a kid wisely chooses the right friends' circle and knows how to juggle between books and fun, college life is awesome!!!! (i take a break here as I reminisce my college days-- wish i could turn back time!!! *sigh* )

hmmm..I really hope to see some changes in the uni I work...but most of all, I hope that the kids who want to make difference won't lose hope and see that in the long run, .....it's all worth it!! My best wishes to them...!

Mid 2009

After my last blog, I can still testify that God's amazingly sovereign and He simply knows how to control my life.

I signed off from my last blog with a blurry picture of the road ahead me. But Jesus was, is and always merciful. Why? well, exactly a week after I blogged, I was blessed with a job in a private university in Bahrain. And, beat this, the job description is pretty much what I always- Event Management & Marketing. Yes, I did go through the hassles of getting my visa- but heck, I knew that if God brought me to this job,then He will sort out all the nitty-gritties.

Work, well, is much more laid back when compared to the previous one where I had run around the country to get 'business'. I get more time to utilise my talents for His glory. But I'm always open to something that can challenge my senses and learn more.

Along the lines of getting closer to Him, He also showed me another person, another confidante- a person with whom I can be completely myself. Well, that's gonna be another blog altogether! But yes, my Jesus rocks!! WOOT!!

Hmmm…..Its been some time since I have sat down and written something. More than a year perhaps. 2008 has been quite a rollercoaster ride for me. I went through the highs and the lows with equal intensity and speed. But as I look back, I realize that I was never alone. He was always there to guide me, teach me, discipline me and most importantly, love me.

When I look back at 2008, there were instances about which I could have regularly blogged about, but I never did simply because I never felt like it. I can trace back to January 2008 where I pretty much went off track from Him.
But He still stayed and watched me as I went through the thorny roads.

I hurt and bruised myself especially when I clearly knew that I was traversing down the wrong path. I knew the tears were streaming down His cheeks, but I turned a blind eye to it. I could not bear to see Him like that, but I just wanted to ‘live for the moment’.

Had I continued down that the lane, I would have headed straight for danger. If it weren’t for Him to give me a conscience that was siren-clear, I would have kept on walking blindly. It was then that He intervened simply because I was out of His radar and it was His time to move in. By March, things took a drastic turn and within minutes, I was on my knees begging for forgiveness. And He did…He forgave me and loved me like always. I restrained from any wrong desire that came my way and He honored it, manifold times. I was blessed to do some stuff that I had always desired to do.

Soon it was mid-year. He still never left me. Even when I was all alone, literally (my folks went on vacation), He was with me. I was always scared of the dark. His presence helped me get over this childhood fear. He was not only with me, but He was also with my family. On their return, their stories were not all rosy. Some were bleak and scary. Yet in that darkness, He was there with them. He never left them even when they felt they were all alone. He was with us, always.

October-November-December…these months had their own surprises in store for me. But I never realized how 2009 would open up for me till I reached December 18th when I was asked to leave Bahrain. I knew it was time for something to happen. I entered 2009 hopeful yet uncertain as the ensuing days were going to be a test of my faith and personal strength. I took one of my first riskiest decisions in my life on 8th January 2009. As I pen this down, I have nothing as my back up. The road up ahead is blurry and uncertain. At times, I’m hopeful. At times, I’m hopeless.



I try to keep the lyrics in my mind- “ I have found myself a hiding place, I have found myself a secret space, In the presence of Almighty’s love, In the safety of the savior’s arms”. But then I again lose my footing and slip. The only shred of hope, a sliver so to speak, is just the true fact that He is there and He is carrying me through…

So 2009 here I come…