As I have stated on my previous post, I have been taking a Shakespeares class this summer to fulfill my Core Curriculum. With one week short for the finals, I decided to share with you the Shakespeare's Plays that I have studied on the past four weeks. Also, I have rated them for you; although you might disagree with my ratings.
The Sonnets (Poet) ****
Although I got bored easily yet the amount of paradox and personification that were present in the sonnets mesmerized me. The "Dark Lady" was my favorite part.
Titus Andronicus (Tragedy) ****
This play is certainly Shakespeare's bloodiest tragedy; some measure of its matter can be gleaned from a single stage-direction: "Enter the empress' sons with Lavinia, her hands cut off, and her tongue cut out, and ravished." Some Critics acclaimed that since it was Shakespeare's first tragedy, it has less value and he has written it just to get some attention and income. Personally, I loved it. Make sure to watch the Film version starring Anthony Hopkins.
Much Ado About Nothing (Comedy) ****1/2
A classic Shakespearean comedy. I loved every single of it especially the love-hate relationship between Benedick and Beatrice, whose develops over the course of the play. The Film version was good too!!
The Merchant of Venice (Comedy) *****
One of the best Shakespeare's play ever created. I really loved the depth of characters that were presented in the play especially between Antonio and Bassanio and the portrayal of the Jewish merchant: Shylock, who some critics questioned that Shakespeare might be anti-semantic. The Film version was one of the best adaptation ever.
PS: Remember comedy had a very different meaning at that time. Click HERE to acquire more information about Shakespearean comedy.
Henry V (History) ***1/2
Not the best tetralogy around but it was good. It gained its reputation because of the famous "Band of Brothers" speech that Henry said it before the battle begins with the French.
Macbeth (Tragedy) ****1/2
It's Macbeth. Do I need to say more?
Othello (Tragedy) ****
The most significant aspect of the play is that the protagonist is a black Moor, in which was highly unlikely at the Elizabethan era. I enjoyed the concept and the different layers of Iago's character.
Shakespeare's Dramatic Art
My Top 10 Arabic Songs (June)
I have decided to post my “Top Ten” list of Arabic songs that I have been listening on my ipod lately. Remember this is MY LIST so I can post either new or old songs (I'm not living in Kuwait right now so I think that's a good excuse). I will post these songs by using the "Arabic IRC" format that I'm sure most of you understand it.
There is strong feminine present storming my chart for this month and few from the Gulf region. Simply click on the song to listen to it via Real One/Quick Time media players.
Enjoy ^_^
[10] Iwan - Wala Fe Ela7lam
[9] Omro Diab - Wa7 Kaytak Eh (MP3)
[8] Abdul8ader Hadhoud - Te'3eeb w Tet'3alaa
[7] 3adel Ma7mood - Al '3alee ye3ood
[6] Fadel Shaker - Maaser Fiya (MP3)
[5] Darine Hadchiti - 3am Tet7alla (MP3)
[4] Elissa - Kermalek (MP3)
[3] Nancy Ajram - Ehsas Jeded (MP3)
[2] Hussain El Jasmy - 9aber
[1] Nawal - 6ammen 8alby
Battle Of The Roses
Since I'm not sexsist, I have observed men and women's general problems toward each other and their constant complains about one another. Here is my list as I see it:
Women's Complaints about Men
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1. They are not understanding enough.
2. They are not sensitive to feelings and needs.
3. They are not affectionate enough.
4. They tend to bypass sexual foreplay, and are quick to ejaculate thus losing their sexual interest, before the woman is satisfied.
5. They do not communicate enough. They do not express their feelings and thoughts.
6. They do not pay enough attention to their partners.
7. They do not spend enough time at home with their children.
8. They do not help with order and cleanliness of the home.
9. They do not appreciate the work involved in keeping up the home or in bearing and bringing up children and do not compensate this contribution to family life.
10. They make decisions about work and life without regarding the woman's or the family's needs.
Men's Complaints about Women
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1. Women complain, criticize and nag too much.
2. They try to control and suppress men.
3. They are seldom happy.
4. They tend to withhold sex as a punishment or blackmail.
5. They do not think logically, but emotionally.
6. Their emotions are not predictable but change quickly especially due to hormones, during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
7. They tend to gossip.
8. They, too, create extramarital relationships.
9. They are not home enough (which for some men means - continuously)
10. They are not taking enough care of the home.
So boys and girls, it is up to you to put an end to these complains. Try to understand and listen what your partner is telling you. Also, try to deliver your thoughts and feelings as much as possible but without showing any negative emotions. Communication people...that's all it takes.
No Evil?
I'm starting a new trend in my school and between my friends by wearing an ALDO YouthAIDS tag (I'm wearing the "See No Evil" tag). By paying $5, you will get yourself a tag and a chance to find a cure for AIDS. There are at least 11 ways to wear those tags in a fashionable style (check their website to learn how). You can either buy the tag online or at ALDO stores Worldwide. So what are you waiting for, go out there and fight AIDS.
PS: You can make some noise by posting the banner on your blog.
Deja Vu
Deja Vu is a French term and means, literally, "already seen." Those who have experienced the feeling describe it as an overwhelming sense of familiarity with something that shouldn't be familiar at all. Say, for example, you are having dinner with a group of friends, discussing some current political topic, and you have the feeling that you've already experienced this very thing-same friends, same dinner, same topic.
I usually experience Deja Vu at least twice a month and sometimes more. I actually had one today and that is why I wrote this post. So when was the last time have you experienced Deja Vu?
Healthy News
Harvard researchers found that people who eat the most potatoes-one serving 3 or 4 days a week-have a 14% greater risk of diabetes than those who eat the fewest. The solution? Try the twice-baked version: topping potatoes with cheddar cheese slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.
Green tea protects your memory, according to new Japanese study. Scientists found that people who drank 1 cup of green tea daily were up to 37% less likely to suffer age-related cognitive decline than those who consumed less.
Chocolate may be even more powerful than previously thought, a new study reports. Scientists followed nearly 500 men for 15 years; they found that those who ate the most cocoa daily had a 50% lower risk of dying of a heart disease than those who ate the least.
The Top 10 "Most Healthy" Fruits:
1- Blueberries
2- Cranberries
3- Blackberries
4- Raspberries
5- Strawberries
6- Apples
7- Cherries
8- Black Plums
9- Avocados
10- Pears
According to Swedish researches found that men who ate fish for lunch consumed 11% fewer calories at dinner than those who ate beef for lunch. "So eating fish may help you feel longer and may reduce appetite at your next meal", says Stephan Rossner Ph.D.
The punishment of eating McDonald's Deluxe Breakfast (1220 calories) is 47 laps in a high-school football field to burn those calories.
Chick Flicks
I'm probably one of the few straight guys in the blogsphere who admit his admiration to the wondrous world of "Chick Flicks".
I remember the time when my friends decided to go and watch Fahrenheit 9/11, but I ditched them and went to watch the Notebook instead. You might think that's strange coming from me, but I'm secure of my masculinity that won't mind to admit my passion for romantic and romantic comedies.
I have no idea why these movies attract me (I do love other genre as well) but if you asked me, I prefer a solid romantic or romantic/comedy movie to an action movie anytime. Let's be honest, those-so-called "Chick Flicks" are mostly blockbuster hits; not because they are great for dates, but also to kill some times or to watch something that you don't wrap your head around.
To keep you updated, an upcoming (and probably powerful) romantic movie that will release this month is The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Make sure to keep an eye for this one.
PS: Make sure to watch Shakespeare In Love if you haven't already; it is a terrific movie.
Rania in Oprah
It just got my attention that Queen Rania of Jordan was a guest in the Oprah Winfrey Show. She brought many good points and corrected the stereotype image of the women in Middle East. One of the most memorable (and personal favorite) quote of Queen Rania is:
"If you educate a woman you educate a family. If you educate a girl you educate the future."
Click HERE to watch the FULL 19 minutes interview from the Oprah show. Aside from her strong political views and femininity she is quite gorgeous.
Also, I would like to invite you to visit this blog and explore it a bit and its blogroll. You will find a numerous topics and blogs that call for peace on the Israeli / Palestinian conflict. You will be surprise to know that most of the bloggers are Israelis (along with Lebanese and Palestinians).
Did You know?
Did you know?...It is impossible to lick your elbow.
Did you know?...Coca-Cola was originally contain cocaine.
Did you know?...In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.
Did you know?...Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times.
Did you know?...More than 50% of the people in the world have never made or received a telephone call.
Did you know?...Males, on average, think about sex every 7 seconds.
Did you know?... Every 5 seconds a computer gets infected with a virus.
Did you know?...13% of Americans actually believe that some parts of the moon are made of cheese.
Did you know?...101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan are the only two Disney cartoon features with both parents that are present and don't die during the movie.
Did you know?... The average human eats 8 spiders in their lifetime at night.
Did you know?...Mexico City sinks about 10 inches a year.
Did you know?...It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
Did you know?...The world's youngest parents were 8 and 9 and lived in China in 1910.
Did you know?...Grapes explode when you put them in the microwave.
Did you know?...The average chocolate bar has 8 insects' legs in it.
PS: What do you think of the new template?
Hot Summer Courses
Tomorrow, the summer session starts from June 5th to July 7th. Here is a rundown of what I will be taking this summer:
Shakespeare Nonmajor Course
Description: Introduces students to Shakespeare's major works: the histories, comedies, and tragedies. May include the nondramatic poetry as well.
I hope this course is interesting as it sounds. I love Shakespeare's works, but I'm kinda intimidated of the "nondramatic poetry" thing.
*History of US since 1865*
Description: Surveys American history from first settlement until end of the Civil War.
You can tell the course is boring as hell but it satisfied the US context core curriculum, so I have to take it sooner or later. The FCQs of this course is pretty good, so hopefully I can pull an A at this one.
That's pretty much it...not too shabby huh?
