The last post & The Goodbye

I started this blog years ago, when my heart was pure and my pain was little. The blog was supposed to be the true voice of Iraqis to the outside world, it was supposed to tell the truth that was never revealed by the media, and I hope the blog has done all that, I hope you all understand now that the war was unfair and its consequences were inhuman.

Too much has happened over the years and I saw too many people get hurt, we now live in a world where a widow with children is forced to leave her home with nothing but some clothes and suffer and fight so that her children can continue their education. A world where terrorist kidnap a father and a son, get money from their family and give them false hope that the hostages will be coming back in an hour, only to find later that the son is dead and the father has been shot 4 times and is currently in a coma. A world where people are competing whose pain is greater. My feelings are no longer important compared to those who suffer more than I do, my writings don't give them justice and don't give me satisfaction no more.

ISIS is the latest and cruelest war on Iraq, they misuse the name of Islam and they will never understand Islam. They murder Muslims and Christians all the same, this is not politics anymore but it is the beginning of the end of humanity, whoever is responsible for it is definitely not human. This will be the last post I write to you, my friends. I give up, I can not make the difference that I wished to make and I only hope that my silence will do better than my words.

Remember me with love, I love you all.

Civilians in Iraq are in possible danger

My head is spinning from reading CNN reports, they are saying that the US is thinking of giving air-force assistant to the Iraqi government but the decision will take time because they don't have a target to hit and they don't want to harm civilians, and Iran will interfere if the holy cities in Iraq were attacked. CNN also says Iran denied having forces in Iraq but people are saying it already has troops there.

No one knows if this is true or not but for sure things aren't looking good, I hope and pray to God that people will be protected from yet another war.

Mosul is falling down

Once upon a time, the Iraqi bloggers used to bring out the hidden truth that is ignored by the media, but we cant "blog" from outside Iraq! its just not fair. Mosul is falling under the hands of the wrong people and the local occupants are being forced to flee their homes and belongings, escaping on foot, towards a safer area that might protect them and their families. Heart breaking videos and pictures of families going homeless, tears and hunger in the middle of a fallen civilization.

Home is all about being the same

  I often wonder why I keep referring back to the war, I wonder because I know I am a very optimistic person and I don't dwell on the past, I don't believe in thinking negative but my past in Baghdad is something I cant let go of, even though it hurts me to remember. We as humans, always want what we don't have, what we miss in our lives. I keep going back to the war days because it was the end of my life in Baghdad, everything I had back then, is very much missed in my current life. I miss having a house with a garden and a swing. I miss having family meetings, it kills me that our family, as strong as it was, is now separated.

 There were great people in the family, ones who cherished education and knowledge, ones who knew so much about life as the number of years they had lived, such as my grandfather Dr.Najeeb (May his soul rest in peace) I was too young at that time to understand the value of those people, we all need teachers in our lives and it saddens me that I lost the chance to spend time with those precious people. The value of homeland is much more than having a residence paper and a permanent place to stay, home is about being raised on certain values and having the chance to grow up while experiencing them and then have another chance to make them better. Home is about being the same, celebrating on the same day, having a holiday on the same day, meeting in the same places. There is nothing that can offer you peace in all its kinds, as home can do. And if my writings can not bring back my own home, then I hope that at least, it can  make you see the value of yours.

Life, as we share it

Away from politics, wars and international problems, we still have a life to face. I have been struggling to decide what shall I do for my future after graduation (since its happening in August) and I am still confused on whether I should finish master's degree or get a job for like two years and then go do master's. My profession as an architect is very critical when it comes to  experience because it is preferred over master's and PhD's but  yet again, I am also thinking of pursuing another profession which I deeply love, that is writing and journalism, I even thought I would combine the two professions and maybe something nice would come out but the thing is, I am really not sure if it will be successful money wise because I still need to make a living and I like being independent. So what do you guys think, should I pursue a career that can provide money or one that I deeply love??

Whats left to bomb?

 

Every time things go awfully bad in Iraq, I say "its the end, cant get any worse" but it does.  We have been receiving news of extreme Baghdad bombing for the past two days. I read my friends' (who still live in Baghdad) comments on Facebook and I just cant believe what is happening.  Some monsters keep exploding coffee shops full of young Iraqi guys, Iraqi youth!

If only we could bring a huge plane and get all the innocent people left in Iraq on board and take them to safety, and let the monsters, whoever they are, destroy what's left of Iraq. If the monsters are gone, we can build Iraq somewhere else. If we cant save the land then lets at least save the people!

Iraqi land is precious ok! but the lives of the innocents are just priceless...

Liars

Its so sad what the world has came to be! Almost all kinds of media are twisting things, hiding the truth or revealing only "what suits them" parts. Media is supposed to be an HONEST mean of delivering news to the people, right or wrong, good or bad, it should be delivered as it is.  Everyone got so used to linking the word Muslim with the word Terrorist, seriously! this is not fair nor it is true. Islam is a way of life that some people choose to live by and I swear Islam is all about peace, never have I came across a rule in Islam that ended with hurting someone. Even when Islam demands war, it is never allowed to take place unless the enemy has started it first, and even if it did take place, Islam demands that all enemies treated with mercy and no harm should ever come to a woman, child or an unarmed man.
I never understood war, I hate it so much, I guess its good that I am a girl and I never have to hurt a person. I don't support any kind of violent and that's why I believe that any person who claims to be a Muslim but do violent acts or war or any other horrible action, is no Muslim at all!
So please take a minute and think about it, you will see that religions don't really differ, as humans, we are all the same. No matter whats your religion or even if you don't have one, the same principle applies! we are still all the same.

Tears In My Eyes As I Grieve...

Its there again..

Tears ... burning my eyes... the love and kindness in my heart mixing with hatred...

Iraq is dying and there is no hope...

The Iraqi blood was once pricless, now its just a color that paints the streets of my belvoed country...

I grieve for you iraq

One is finished, Four to go ....

Hey people,

I have missed you :D but I never forgot you, I hope I am not forgotten as well. I finished my first year of studying Architecture, the results aren't out yet but I am hoping that they will be very good. My life is still pretty much the same, I am still living in The UAE, still a stranger to the rest of the world.. but I am as said before, moving on. I am going to get my driving license soon and that will make another dream of mine come true. I think I have achieved all my childhood dreams, now I am going to put new ones, maybe a little more distant.

I went to visit Iraq a couple of months ago, I was shocked to see what my country has turned into, I didn't go to Baghdad cuz it was more difficult to reach but I visited Mosul and was so sad to see it like that. I even went to a place that was my favourite back then when I was a child, it is called The Oprawe Hotel and I almost cried, the memory of it is forever destroyed, it was such a beautiful place, green gardens, people going in and out.. while now it is just another big building with no life.

What can I do??

Yours,
Raghda

A promise

Hello friends,

I once told you that I would never stop blogging, I didn't keep that promise and I am really sorry for that but I'll try to make it up to you and start blogging again. Let's turn that page and start another, a better one. This blog means a lot to me and you all mean a lot to me, I can't tell you how much, so I'll simply say '' Thank you''.

I'll tell you how I am living my life and how it is different for me that I am an Iraqi girl. I have been through horrible days but I got through it and I am going to look forward to a better future. These last three years changed me forever and I am grateful for that. I feel educated, my English is so much better and believe it or not, I read books!! I used to hate them and never saw myself reading one for fun but then I read a book and found out that books are magical things, I love them.
My first day at the university will be on 23-8-2009, I am afraid because its a new experience for me and I have no idea how it is going to be, please pray for me. I feel this post was a mess but its a start.

P.S. Please correct any mistake (spelling or grammar) you find and I'll be really grateful for that. I want to keep improving my English language and there is no better way than to learn from my mistakes :D



Raghda

Looking forward to the future

Hey people,

I am so sorry for the absence but I have been trying to rebuild my life. I am doing OK and I have news for you. Firstly, I am not going back to Iraq this year, maybe the next, however, I am not sure.
Secondly, I got accepted in The Department of Architectural Engineering, thanks to the 95% I got in my final year at school.
My picture was published in the newspaper for being one of the top students in my school AND My graduating party was amazing, I don't think I have ever felt that proud.

Finally, I am going to Jordan on 9/7/2009 for two weeks to spend part of the summer there.

I love you all and THANKS for supporting me.

Yours,
Raghda

Roses for you

Hello my dear friends,

I am happy to read your comments and even happier that you still check my blog even though I stopped blogging a long time ago.
I wanted to tell you that I have achieved many goals during these last three years and I shall keep doing that in sha allah. I wrote a small article in a book called '' Iraq Then & Now '' by karen Dabrowska & Geoff Hann. I read a lot of books that helped me to improve my English language, one of those books was ''The Secret'' which I liked a lot.
I have another important thing to say, I might go back to Iraq soon. I don't know if it will be safe and happy but I do know that I'll go back a different person and I will hold on to my hope and pray for the safety of my family. You probably want to know why we decided to go back to Iraq again, well to say the truth, things aren't working well here with my dad's job and with this late economic depression we decided that its time to go back. I know it is selfish of me to say that I liked living in the UAE but can you blame someone to feel happy of living in peace like a normal person?? anyway I just wanted to say hi and sorry for not letting you know how i was doing.

My wishes to you all.

Raghda

Words From Raghda

Hello dear friends,

I am OK and still reading this blog. I am going to the university next year :) I just got my IELTS score yesterday and it was very good, I am so happy. And I am so sorry for stop blogging, maybe one day I'll be back again. This blog was and still the best thing I have ever done in my life. Don't forget me. I love you all.


Raghda

My memories are fading away...

"I wish there is some thing I can do". This sentence I have been repeating a lot these days. Every time I ask about the situation in Iraq I become angry and sad because there is nothing I can do. I wish some one can tell me what can I do to save what is left in Iraq.

I have left my house, my room and my cats that I know nothing about any more. When we left we didn't take every thing in the house with us because it is impossible, that house and every thing in it is a treasure, It was built 35 years ago, and now It is going to be looted just because it is empty and there is no one to protect it.

Some members the guards are checking every house in Hay Al-Jamia, where my house is, these days. Do you know what will they do if they find an empty one?? They close the roads leading to it, bring a lorry and loot every thing in that house. That is what about to happen to my house and it's 35 years of memories.

If the people who suppose to protect the country, are the ones who are destroying it. What future does Iraq still have???

Raghda

Cute Kittens

Hey,

I got this picture from this site, there are many nice pictures in there, I'll try to put the best cats here.

School is on the way, I can't believe I am saying this but I actually missed it.I still have two years before collage so wish me luck.

Raghda

Happy Birthday To Me

I am proud

Hey,

I just got back from Syria three days ago.I spent the most wonderful week among my relatives and family, I felt that I am in Iraq.I saw many nice places and had so much fun with Najma and HNK.I cried a little when I said good bye but I am fine now, at least I had the chance to see them.

I watched all the Iraqi football games and felt so proud when we won Asia Cup.I saw the Iraqis celebrate in Syria and Dubai, I never thought that I'll see them happy again.The Iraqi football brought us back to life.I want to say congratulations to our champions, and I wish you, our brave Iraqi football team, the best luck.

Raghda Zaid

Happy and sad

Hey,

I am going to Syria the day after tomorrow to see my family, I might stay there for a week or two. I am happy and sad, happy because I am going to see people that I haven't seen for a year, and sad because I feel like I don't have a home any more.Iraqis can't go any where, it is like they don't want us in this world any more...

Raghda

I just want to carry them...

Hi

I am Back

Hi my dear friends,

It has been along time since I wrote any thing in this blog, I apologize for that, these last few months were too hard for me.My grandfather's death, (may his soul rest in peace), school and final exams.I thought many times in saying good bye and close this blog but I couldn't, I love this blog and I love u.
I did great in my exams by the way, I got 98,3%.It was hard to study in these circumstances but thank God I was able to do it.
What else can I say, hmmm, Iraq...
There is no Iraq any more, it is gone just like my life there is gone, but who knows may be it will back again one day, I look forward to that.

I am tired of getting sad, so let us stop here.

New cats coming on the way. See you then my friends.

Prayers for my dear grandpa. I hope he’ll be ok wherever he is.

Raghda.

School...

Hey,

I apologize for not posting anything, I had many exams these last few weeks and I still have more, I wanted to post many times but I didn't have the time.

Regards

Raghda

Cat of the week

Hey I got this picture from Cat World.com it seems that it was cat of the week...

I am doing great at school, thank you all for your nice commets that made me really happy.

Raghda

What do you think they are doing??

Happy Kittens

I am back to school

Hey,
I went to school today, after a two weeks holiday, I hate school because I have to wake up early at 6:00 am, how sad...

No comment

Friendship

I think they are going to jump at some thing, I wonder what it is??

I love those cute white kittens

What an Eid!!

Today is the first day of Eid, the day which used to be the happiest to me for years till the war started and there were almost no Eids any more, but this Eid was the saddest, I waked up at 9 am and was shocked when I knew that Saddam Hussein has been executed at 6 am on the first day of Eid, what is this? Couldn’t they wait for a few days till the Eid ends, I know that Saddam has done some questionable things but he was the president of Iraq for 35 years, the man who could make life in Iraq possible and he shouldn't be treated like this.

I left Iraq to keep my self form getting hurt but it seems that it is not working because I am still hurting deep in side...

Sorry for the sad post but I had to say some thing about Saddam's execution, but even so I wont forget to say HAPPY EID.


Yours,
Raghda

Happy Eid

Merry Christmas

Seven Angles

Good night dear kittens

The colored picture

A friend has sent this picture to me and I liked it very much, I hope you do too.

PS: There is rain today in the UAE, I am happy because it reminds me of Baghdad.

Best wishes

Raghda

Mew

Aren't they cute, or what??

Eid Mubarak

Kittens having fun

Growing up in war

Living in war is the hardest thing in the world because you'll see the place you have lived in for your whole life is being destroyed completely and all the people you love are getting hurt, growing up in war is very hard, all the things you used to do is impossible to do now including going out that's because it is very dangerous to go any where so you have to stay home all the time and even home isn't safe, for me the most thing I missed was going out and visit my relatives and friends, when school starts my life become like this: Waking up at 6:30 am and get ready to go to school and then I leave the house at 7:45 am and back to it at 2:00 pm, I have lunch and start studying till I finish the piles of homework and then watch TV till 10:00 pm when I go to sleep and wake up at 6:30 am to relive the same events every day, and when the situation become really bad like it it is now in Iraq, you do the only thing you can do to get your life back which is leaving the country, and that's what I done, I still and will all ways feel like there is some thing missing in me, and that’s my friends is growing up in war.

Raghda