The word agoraphobia is an adaptation of the Greek words agora and phobos and it literally means a fear of the market place. Agoraphobia is a condition where the sufferer becomes anxious in environments that are unfamiliar or where he or she perceives that they have little control. Triggers for this anxiety may include crowds, wide open spaces, or travelling (even short distances). This anxiety is often compounded by a fear of social embarrassment, as the agoraphobic fears the onset of a panic attack and appearing distraught in public.
William Forrester's character in the movie Finding Forrester is an agoraphobic. He is a brilliant novelist but has written only one book in his life known as "Avalon Landing" which won him the "Pulitzer Prize" and subsequently he became a recluse. He lives alone in his apartment and spends most of his time reading and watching teenagers play basketball in the park outside his window. One of these teenagers is Jamal, who loves reading and writing. William helps Jamal improve his writing skills, not by teaching him how to write, but instead by showing him how to make his passion for writing transfer itself onto the page. In one of the scenes, William tells Jamal that, "you write your first draft with your heart and the second draft with your head." These words help Jamal in understanding the concept of writing.
The real-life American author J. D. Salinger and William Forrester have many things in common between them. Both are notoriously reclusive authors. Both also only wrote one book that is wildly popular: Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and Forrester's Avalon Landing.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Capital Punishment.
While I was searching for videos on Capital Punishment on youtube, i came across this video which i would like all of you to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUOanRJXCrM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUOanRJXCrM
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Enemy in "Shooting an Elephant."
The word ‘enemy’ refers to a hostile force or a person in opposition.
In this story, the British and the Burmese are the two obvious enemies of each other. The Burmese hate the British for trying to impose their rule on them. The elephant is also an enemy of the Burmese because it killed the coolie and destroyed their quarters.
On the other hand, the British look down on the Burmese, feeling they are inferior.
The author also secretly hates the British because he thinks that imperialism is an evil thing and he knows that they are the oppressors. He also hates the Burmese because they dislike him and try to make his job impossible.
George Orwell shows us the cultural clash between the Burmese and the British and he also shows us the prejudice and lack of tolerance that results from this clash.
In this story, the British and the Burmese are the two obvious enemies of each other. The Burmese hate the British for trying to impose their rule on them. The elephant is also an enemy of the Burmese because it killed the coolie and destroyed their quarters.
On the other hand, the British look down on the Burmese, feeling they are inferior.
The author also secretly hates the British because he thinks that imperialism is an evil thing and he knows that they are the oppressors. He also hates the Burmese because they dislike him and try to make his job impossible.
George Orwell shows us the cultural clash between the Burmese and the British and he also shows us the prejudice and lack of tolerance that results from this clash.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Mum Preparing Sehri!
“Wake up…WAKE UPP…WAKEEE UUUUPPPPPPPPP”
Oh my Godddd, this alarm...I am definitely going to smash it someday, it not only wakes me up but also scares the hell out of me! I open my eyes and check the time. Its 4:30. Time to get up and prepare for sehri. I look at my husband who is also awake because of this alarm. “Go back to sleep, I will wake u up after preparing the sehri” I tell him, rubbing my eyes and looking for my slippers in the dark. I go to the washroom and put some splashes of cold water on my face.
After offering the tahajjud prayers, I get into the kitchen and start with the daily routine. Half fry eggs and tea for my husband and Nabil, cereals and orange juice for Farah and a toast with margarine and coffee for myself. I start with the eggs on one stove and put the tea on the other stove. Ok now I have to be quick. My husband comes in the kitchen and asks, “Do you need some help Farida?” “No, thank you so much, just wake the children up. The sehri is almost ready” I say, rushing out from the kitchen to place the things on the dining table. I know Farah will get up in a minute but we all will have to shout over Nabil’s head to wake him up. Sleeps late and then doesn’t get up for sehri on time. Ahh, these boys! A smile comes on my face realizing that I have such a considerate husband and 3 wonderful children. What more could I ask from God.
Preparing for sehri and iftar is the best part of Ramadan. What could be more peaceful for a mother than to feed her children nicely. While I am lost in these thoughts, I see Farah coming from her room rubbing her eyes, she says “Mom why didn’t you wake me up before, I would have helped you”. “No dear it wasn’t that much of work, I want you to go and check if your brother is up” I say. She goes to see Nabil and I know he is still sleeping because I can hear Farah shouting over his head. I arrange the food on the table and call my husband and children. Ahmed, my 10 year old son, comes in the dining room and says he wants to fast today. I tell him that it will be a long day and he will feel hungry but he says he wants to fast because Farah says he’s a big boy now and he should fast. “Ok my big boy, you can fast but if you feel hungry than it wouldn’t be my fault” I tell him and we all have our sehri.
After having sehri my husband and Nabil go back to sleep advising me to wake them up after the Azan. Farah takes her Quran and starts reciting it whereas Ahmed puts on the t.v and starts watching cartoon network. I tell him to shut down the t.v and sleep. Shockingly, he listens to me and goes to his room at that instant. I put the dishes in the sink. The maid will wash them in the morning.
Its 6:15 already. I lie on my bed, thinking that I have to get up after an hour and go to work but I can’t sleep now. I have already started thinking of what to make for iftar today. Yes, I am a supermom and I know every mother is!
Oh my Godddd, this alarm...I am definitely going to smash it someday, it not only wakes me up but also scares the hell out of me! I open my eyes and check the time. Its 4:30. Time to get up and prepare for sehri. I look at my husband who is also awake because of this alarm. “Go back to sleep, I will wake u up after preparing the sehri” I tell him, rubbing my eyes and looking for my slippers in the dark. I go to the washroom and put some splashes of cold water on my face.
After offering the tahajjud prayers, I get into the kitchen and start with the daily routine. Half fry eggs and tea for my husband and Nabil, cereals and orange juice for Farah and a toast with margarine and coffee for myself. I start with the eggs on one stove and put the tea on the other stove. Ok now I have to be quick. My husband comes in the kitchen and asks, “Do you need some help Farida?” “No, thank you so much, just wake the children up. The sehri is almost ready” I say, rushing out from the kitchen to place the things on the dining table. I know Farah will get up in a minute but we all will have to shout over Nabil’s head to wake him up. Sleeps late and then doesn’t get up for sehri on time. Ahh, these boys! A smile comes on my face realizing that I have such a considerate husband and 3 wonderful children. What more could I ask from God.
Preparing for sehri and iftar is the best part of Ramadan. What could be more peaceful for a mother than to feed her children nicely. While I am lost in these thoughts, I see Farah coming from her room rubbing her eyes, she says “Mom why didn’t you wake me up before, I would have helped you”. “No dear it wasn’t that much of work, I want you to go and check if your brother is up” I say. She goes to see Nabil and I know he is still sleeping because I can hear Farah shouting over his head. I arrange the food on the table and call my husband and children. Ahmed, my 10 year old son, comes in the dining room and says he wants to fast today. I tell him that it will be a long day and he will feel hungry but he says he wants to fast because Farah says he’s a big boy now and he should fast. “Ok my big boy, you can fast but if you feel hungry than it wouldn’t be my fault” I tell him and we all have our sehri.
After having sehri my husband and Nabil go back to sleep advising me to wake them up after the Azan. Farah takes her Quran and starts reciting it whereas Ahmed puts on the t.v and starts watching cartoon network. I tell him to shut down the t.v and sleep. Shockingly, he listens to me and goes to his room at that instant. I put the dishes in the sink. The maid will wash them in the morning.
Its 6:15 already. I lie on my bed, thinking that I have to get up after an hour and go to work but I can’t sleep now. I have already started thinking of what to make for iftar today. Yes, I am a supermom and I know every mother is!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Self Introduction
My name is Farah Magsi. I was born in Kuwait and did my intermediate in pre- medical from the International School and College of Kuwait. I am all new to this place and am trying my best to settle down in this new environment. I know it will take time but i am sure i will manage to settle down. My father wanted me to become a doctor but i always wanted to be a part of media. I love doing creative work, be it drawing or photography or even writing. I read alot. Some of my favourite books are The God of small things by Arundhati Roy, Kite runner by Khalid hosseini and Moth smoke by Mohsin Hamid. I love reading biographies also. I have recently started reading Shobha de's Superstar India and I find it too exciting how she has described her country.
The biggest reason why i am doing Media Sciences is that i have always dreamt of making movies and as far asI know, SZABIST is one of the best schools in karachi that offers a degree in Media Sciences. Hence I chose this school to pursue my dream.
I was a very emotional and sensitve girl but time and experiences have brought a huge change in me. I have become much more confident now. I guess I have changed alot in the last few months and I like the new Farah much more than the old one! Here's another secret about me : I am a rebel but in a good way :)
Thats all about me. I hope u all know me better now.
The biggest reason why i am doing Media Sciences is that i have always dreamt of making movies and as far asI know, SZABIST is one of the best schools in karachi that offers a degree in Media Sciences. Hence I chose this school to pursue my dream.
I was a very emotional and sensitve girl but time and experiences have brought a huge change in me. I have become much more confident now. I guess I have changed alot in the last few months and I like the new Farah much more than the old one! Here's another secret about me : I am a rebel but in a good way :)
Thats all about me. I hope u all know me better now.
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