Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday tooo meeee, Happy Birthday to ME!

Happy 25 Birthday Lilly

Buon compleanno a me! :p

Back!

Hi all I'm BACK, give me couple a days so u all see the photos i took!

My Eid!

I wont be able to blog for a week , I'm going to spend Eid with my family in Aqaba :) we will stay in MOVENPICK, i can't wait to go, so see ya all guys soon.

Here is a photo of the hotel.

Happy Eid

Wish you all a Happy Eid!

Baby Photo Tagged!!

Dar! here is my Pic when i was a kid :) Qui è le foto di me quando ero una bambina






















Now I'm tagging, shy, Andrew, Crossoverboy,Abed. Hamdan, omar, and Chris in MB

Sport

While I was cleaning my drawers and throwing out old stuff I found these 3 medals :) it got me back to high school days were we used to have basketball championship 4 years before I graduate between all classes. And my class won 3 times it was so easy for me to get in the game I love and good at since I was the tallest girl in class hehehe.

In my last year my class obsession turned to soccer! I think P.E was the most class we all waited for and loved that year, I still remember when we split into 2 teams and I was chosen to be the goal keeper! Why! Ok I will tell you the reason the net was small so with my height I can cover it with my body and arms! Hehehe well my team always won and was happy to make me the goal keeper while I was suffering of bruises all over my body!!

Playing basketball in uni was cool and I entered the girls' team but unfortunately there was no game the team was really bad! I used to play with my uni friends in breaks, I really miss it it's been like 2 years since I played, all my friends and I are so busy working!!

Here is a photo of my medals :D

Tagged!

Thank you Yaser, here are my fifteen favorite things (they aint in order):

1- Books ( Design, Sci-Fi and Romance.)
2- My laptop.
3- My herbal drinks (tea, chamomile, green tea, etc...)
4- My car
5- My friends (which I can see once or twice a month.)
6- My blog.
7- Music (new obsession is Italian music.)
8- My job (only when is there no stress and that rarely.)
9- Meeting new people (mostly at work.)
10- Drawing and painting.
11- Watching TV (Sci-Fi, horror, comedy and action.)
12- FOOD (I would try everything new.)
13- Cooking Italian and Chinese food.
14- Going out with family and friends.
15- Going to gym.

ok now i will tag shy, Andrew, Dar, Crossoverboy,Abed. Hamdan, omar, Chris in MB and Lemna.

Taraweeh

Definition: Special evening prayers performed during Ramadan. During each night's prayer, one juz’ (1/30) of the Qur'an will be recited, so that by the end of the month the entire Qur'an will have been read. The word Taraweeh comes from Arabic word which means to rest and relax. The prayer can be very long (well over an hour), during which one stands upright to read from the Qur'an and performs many cycles of movement (standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting). After each four cycles, one sits for a brief period of rest before continuing -- this is where the name Taraweeh ("rest prayer") comes from.

I love Taraweeh it stronger my Eman (believe) and charge me with power so I can continue the year peacefully worshipping Allah. I usually attend it in the mosque near my house, For a change I went to Saeda Ayesha mosque located in Abdoon were I heard that Yahya Hawwa is the Imam (prayer leader) I love his voice so much.

The result my friends is my legs hurts so bad since he read 1 page every rukaa and I’m staying home so I can get better :( and I cant wait till I go there again !!!! :p

My Bag Possessions

After being tagged by Andrew I finally found the time and took a pic of what was in my Bag.

1- My Chanel sun glasses.

2- Max Factor lip gloss.

3- My Guess wallet.

4- My Keys; Car, Office, Lockers.

5- My Sony Ericsson K 750I Mobile.

6- My cheque book.

Now hmmmm I'm going to tag shy and Dar

Happy Ramadan

I know I'm late to post it but still Ramadan Kareem.

To Mam

Today is her funeral ahh i cant belive it ! ;(( Mam this song for you its time to say goodbye but you will never ever be forgotten R.I.P

Mam "Kitty"
13th August 1953 - Saturday 23rd September 2006.

Last night I lost the sweetest person I ever knew in these past 4 years, for her sons she was a legend that stands up against all kind of troubles, miseries that would definitely breaks any human being, for me she was more that a friend she was like a mother that any girl would wish she can have, I loved her a lot, I shared my secrets with her and now she's gone! And I will never get the chance to meet her in person, and that hurts me so deep, I'm so mad and hurt that I can't help her family in this hard time.

To Martin, Stephen, Kristal, Peter, Paul, Jonathan, and Danny, I'm so sorry for your lost I wish I can help and be there for you all. Just know that my prayers are with all of you.

New obsession

New release by Tiziano Ferro - Nessuno E Solo

Track Listings :

1. Tarantola d'Africa
2. Ti Scatterò una Foto
3. Ed Ero Contentissimo
4. Stop! Dimentica
5. E Fuori È Buio
6. Salutandotiaffogo
7. E Raffaella È Mia
8. Paura Che...
9. Baciano le Donne - Biagio Antonacci, Tiziano Ferro
10. Già Ti Guarda Alice
11. Mio Fratello



My favorite tracks are the one in orange.

An embarrassment, Un Imbarazzo

What an embarrassment it is when your credit card is rejected in a store or restaurant, well that what happened with me last night :/ I went out with my sister for a nice dinner at Maccarones since they opened a new branch in Abdoon :D I love that restaurant it remind me of Milan since risotto is one of the dishes they serve, back to that embarrassment I had my card didn’t work and I had no cash the workers there were really nice they said I can pay later, so what I did was is drive to abdoon mall get money from the ATM and pay them. The good thing in that place is that the dessert we had was for free :p even after what happen there I cant wait to go back there!!


Che un imbarazzo è quando la sua carta di credito è rigettata in un negozio o in ristorante, che ciò che è successo con me ieri sera :/ Sono uscita con mia sorella per la cena a Maccarones poiché hanno aperto un nuovo ramo in Abdoon : D io amo quel ristorante, lo ricorda di Milano poiché il risotto è uno dei piatti che servono, sostenere a quell'imbarazzo ho avuto, la mia carta non ha lavorato e non ho avuto denaro. I lavoratori c'erano realmente piacevole hanno detto che posso pagare dopo, dunque che ho fatto era è la spinta all'abdoon mall prendere il denaro dal ATM e ho pagati. La cosa buona in quel luogo è che il dessert che ero stato per libero : p Anche dopo che ciò che è successo io non può attendere di ritornare lí!!

Per favore,correggere i miei errori se ho c'è ne

Working out!

Since I'm working on losing weight I joined the gym, its boring to use the machines so this time I'm trying new kind of exercises, here is a photo of the gym.

Breakfast, La colazione

Yesterday we went out for breakfast as a goodbye to our teacher Anna, she's the nicest teacher we ever had, we went to a resturant called Canvas, I love that place the food was so good here is photos of the place.

Ieri siamo usciti per la colazione come un arrivederci al nostro insegnante, Anna è l'insegnante che più piacevole abbiamo avuti mai, Siamo andati a un ristorante chiamato Canvas, Amo che il posto il cibo era così buono qui è le foto del posto.

Finisco il classe

ultimo giovedì era il nostro exam, finalmente sono fatto con il quarto livello, avrò una rottura per un mese o due poi ritornerò studiare! spera che ho multato nell'esame.

Misunderstanding

It do hurt when a colleague at work accuse you or calls you a teller! That what happen with me today with one of my colleague who is a woman, it do hurt me a lot I'm not that kind of person who would do such a thing, my story is more complicated since am not like the other employees here, you can see am more like the daughter of the boss (the future manager) it's cool but also difficult; I have to tell my dad about what is going on when he's not there still not everything small details that’s not important .

So now she's not talking to me; thinking I'm the one who said something about her which isn't true, it do irritate me that she didn't check who said it before she point the finger on me, the only thing I can do and am doing is leaving her alone so she can think more and discover that she was wrong.

Shopping

I went yesterday shopping with my mom, I hate shopping maybe that’s weird for a woman to say "I HATE SHOPPING" hehe, we went to cosmos' clothes section were they have 70% sale off all clothes, aint that cool or what? I do have problems when I go shopping maybe that why I hate it, can't find the right size I rarely buy clothes here.
Hay don’t you ever think of "hay she must be fat or sth" I'm not! You can say I'm not a standard size to women in here being tall aint my fault! I tried more than 30 pairs of pants and the result was 6! 10 shirts and the result were 2! So I don’t think anyone can blame me for hating shopping.

Lyrics

Quello Che Non Ti Ho Detto - Modà

"Scusami... se quella sera sono stato troppo fragile... E non ho avuto proprio forza per resistere... per fregarmene...

Scusami... ma la voglia di sentirti era incontrollabile... Dirti tutto in quel momento era impossibile... era inutile

Scusami, se ho preferito scriverlo, che dirtelo, ma non è facile... dirti che... Sei diventata il senso di ogni mio giorno...momento...perché...

...perché sei fragile...

Scusami...se io non sto facendo altro che confonderti... Ma vorrei far di tutto per non perderti... e per viverti...

Parlami...ma ti prego di qualcosa oppure stringimi... Ho paura del silenzio e dei tuoi brividi...dei miei limiti...

Scusami, se ho preferito scriverlo, che dirtelo, ma non è facile...dirti che... Sei diventata il senso di ogni mio giorno...momento...perché...

...perché sei fragile...e come me sai piangere...

Scusami, se ho preferito scriverlo, che dirtelo, ma non è facile...dirti che... Sei diventata il senso di ogni mio giorno...momento...perché...

...perché sei fragile...e come me sai piangere..."

A song,Una canzone

Questa canzone è la prima canzone che mi sono sentito e realmente ho capito, io la amo mólto. Qui è il relativo video

This song is the first song I heard and I really understood, I love it a lot. Here is its' video

Quello che non ti ho detto - Moda'

A complement

I had an appointment at my nutrition; I sat beside this old woman I think she was in her 70s and she started to chat with me asking me questions I knew she was bored.

Her: How are you dear?
Me: Fine thanks, and you?
Her: Fine, where you from?
Me: Syrian.
Her: I knew from the beauty of your face and accent.
Me blushing: Thanks, am born here though.
Her: why you here? You not fat!.
Me with a smile: I have to lose some kilograms.
Her: did you lose any?
Me: yeah, but sometimes I don't.
Her with sad face: me too.
Me: losing some is better than losing nothing.
Her: oh yeah for sure.

Then her name was called, and she went in, when she was out after she smiled at me and said "good Luck", I said "you too".

Italian Music

Since am learning Italian, I start listening to music to help my language this is some of the song that I like:

Click on them to listen

Fabri Fibra - Applausi Per Fibra
Zero Assoluto - Sei Parte Di Me
Tiziano Ferro - Stop! Dimentica

Fabri Fibra

My Car!

Here is a photo of my car its taken before the mirror was stolen :p

My 2004 Chrysler Red Neon.

press on it to Enlarge

Stolen Mirror!

Leaving home to go to work i found something missing in my car! the right side mirror is missing!! someone stole it in the night. i cant belive it, how come people can do that.

Thank God my insurance paid for a new one! :D

Addicted!

Since I heard Massari - Real Love song, I can't get it out of my head and I have to move my body with the song, I really love that song! I downloaded it so I can listen to it in my car and that didn't
Stop me from dancing in there :p people would think am crazy or there is a bee in my car it's just me having some FUN!

To know more about Massari Click Here

To download the song Click Here

Finally!

Finally, I can't believe that the government did something about these fireworks! They scare me a lot!! They not allowed after 10 PM that God! I jumped out of bed more than once cause of them!!

I know people want to celebrate whatever occasion they have, but can't you think of what's the hell going on in Lebanon now? People are dieing and you start FIREWORKS!! That is really SICK!

The CNN survey

This is the result of the survey till today on CNN i knew about it from Heroine .

Created: Thursday, July 13, 2006, at 03:55:19 EDT

Do you think the Israeli military response inside Lebanon is justified?

Yes

37%
1033391 votes

No

63%
1742607 votes

Total: 2775998 votes

To vote click here

Syria
part 2

We went downtown in the next day, here is a brief about the area.

Damascus is quite famous for its popular old markets, (souqs),specialized ones such as al Al-Hamidieh, Madhat Basha, Al-Buzurieh, the Handicradts markets in addition to and Khan As'ad Basha which was built in the mid-19th century . These markets have been working since hundreds of years till nowadays.

The khan provides an place for the exchange of good, storage of merchandise and temporary residential units.

Each khan was specialized both in terms of the commodity traded and the nature of the visitor, whether foreign merchants or a traveling caravan.

The most famous market in Damascus is Al-Hamidieh market (souq). It is one of the most famous and attractive souqs in the world with its constant show of traditional arts.

while you walking down till the end of the market you will see the Umiada mosque ,but before it you will see these wooden tabels with umbrellas when i saw them it made me feel like we are still in Roman age.

Umiada mosque

Lebanon Crisis

What You Can Do

1-Please pray for a peaceful resolution to this crisis; pray especially for the safety of children, their families and local World Vision staff.

2-Make a donation to Lebanon to help children and families affected by the fighting.

3-Sponsor a child in Lebanon. World Vision sponsorship helps provide additional assistance to children when disasters strike.

Tagged !

I have been tagged twice by shy; well here I am doing it.

Here is little stuff about me :)

1- I'm an interior designer, working with dad in the business (I like it most of the time where is no STRESS).

2- I'm the eldest, have 2 sisters and 1 brother.

3- I LOVE Chinese and Italian food .

4- I'm an artist I draw and paint since I was a kid .

5- My favorite colours are blue and yellow.

6- I'm learning Italian (pretty hard when it's about grammar).

7- I don't see myself like the other girl around me, am more open to western culture; I don't belive that women are born to serve the men.

8- I love to travel .

9- I'm a caring person, loving, honest and sensitive.

10- I can be easy mad if people don't understand me from the first time. :")

11- I love herbal tea with all its kind.

12- I'm trying to lose weight but it's not happing(Why is it that all stores sell shrink clothes?).

13- I love hanging out with my friends (that would be 1-2 a MONTH) work gets most of my time.

14- I love kittens.

15- When I was a kid I used to imagine myself as a ballerina.

16- I love chocolates, more addicted to them in winter.

17- HATE Summer (hate to be warm and sweaty) and spring (allergic pills).

18- I can call myself a Committed Muslim.

19- I'm a Scorpion, born on the 6th of November.

20- It IRRITATES me when people are Racist (it does annoy me even when it's a joke).

I think that's enough I talked allot! : P don't know anyone who I can tag (I think they all been tagged before) so I think it will stop here.

Countries I've visited

Sorry Shy, i stole your idea :p, its cool you can see red marks of where you been in this big wide world, Inshalla (in Gods will) my map will be full covered in RED:D

Syria
Part1(The hotel)

We Arrived to the hotel at 4 pm, it took us time to reach our rooms since the hotel was fully booked

Heres some pics of the room and views:







This is the view from my sister and her husband room







My room shared with my sister











Cool TV with DVD player












The bathroom was so cool , i like the design

Buit- in cupboards, there were so big i wished i brought more clothes with me :p














The view from my room

Appendix Horror

I know I told ya all guys that I will post soon, but I couldn't this is my first day free after am back, had BUNCH of work to do and my dad had to take his appendix off, he came back from work with a pain his belly he thought that its cause of his being stressed all day, he BARED it till the next morning when his Dr checked on him and said "Dress up, you going to the hospital now, am suspicious about your appendix". Around 7 PM after the tests and the X-Rays the Dr recommended a surgeon for the operation, and said he have to do it now! (Even though they weren't sure it's his appendix). my dad was so funny when he said " its late now we can do it TOMORROW" the Dr said if so its on your responsibility and here is the 3 option that maybe the reason of your fever and pain, 1- appendix (that will be removed) 2-Colon (that would be cut and a hole will be made on the side of the body working instead of the Rectum) 3- Tumor.

If you wana know where I was when all that happen I will say WORK, I called mom after work that 8:15 PM asking her how dad is doing my sis answered saying your dad just got into surgery WHAT!!!!!!!!!! Driving so crazy to reach the hospital where I found mom, brother and 2 sisters waiting in the room "WHAT HAPPEN! WILL HE BE OK?", after telling me what happen and so and waiting for the operation to be don my sister mother in law came , that was so nice of her I have been told that she didn't allow mom to be alone :) and she was there before me .

After 1 hour we went down to check and see if they are done a nurse said they need more 1 hour that made us terrified. We went upstairs praying that it won't be his Colon. 3 min later my sister husband went upstairs to the room "it's the Appendix, it's the Appendix". After 15 min we went to see his :)

The Dr. told us that he never saw such a huge Appendix before his hip was full of infections and pus he had to wash it away with 4 liter of water.

Thank God this is over what a nightmare, he will be out tomorrow :) and the funny thing that you guess will be laughing for is what he asked me the 1 time he saw me in the ICU "what happen with work? Did you guys sell anything"?!!!!!!!!

Am Back

Hi all, hope you all well, i had fun in Syria and i will post what i did soon

Zidane gets kicked out of the World Cup

You all saw the HEADBUTT Zidane gave Materazzi, watch the VIDEO if you didnt see it.

I think what Zidane did was stupid , crazy and unprofessional,but I also believe that everyone has their limits. Apparently, Materazzi called him a "dirty terrorist".

Watching this VIDEO of how dirty Materazzi is , geez sorry babe you deserve it !

ITALY 1-1 FRANCE a.e.t 5-3 PSO
9 July 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com

Italy are world champions for the fourth time after beating ten-man France 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday, 9 July 2006.

Twelve years after losing to Brazil in the first shoot-out in a FIFA World Cup™ Final, Italy made up for that heartbreak as all five men in blue converted their kicks to claim world football's greatest prize for the first time since 1982. For France the pain of defeat was compounded by the sight of Zinedine Zidane, on his last appearance as a professional, leaving the field having been sent off in extra time for butting Marco Materazzi off the ball.

It was Italy's first successful shoot-out in a FIFA World Cup after previous failures in 1990, 1994 and 1998 and ironically it was a miss from France’s David Trezeguet – whose golden goal had defeated the Azzurri in the final of UEFA EURO 2000 – that opened the door for Fabio Grosso to fire the winning spot-kick past Fabien Barthez and spark celebrations all the way from Bergamo to Bari.

If penalties can resemble a lottery, there could have been no more deserving matchwinner than Grosso, such a positive influence for Italy throughout this tournament. He was one of several Italians prominent in a first period where the Italians played the more fluent football, although it was France who took an early lead.

Eight years after scoring twice in the FIFA World Cup Final in Paris, Zidane opened the scoring with a seventh-minute penalty after Materazzi’s trip on Florent Malouda. By the 19th minute, however, Materazzi had made amends, the big defender heading the equaliser from Andrea Pirlo’s corner.

Although both sides threatened to score a second – notably Italy’s Luca Toni, who headed against Fabien Barthez’s crossbar before the break - neither managed to add a second. Extra time brought a scare for Italy when Buffon had to tip over Zidane's header but soon afterwards the France captain was making the sad walk to the dressing rooms.

A BREAK!

Finally am getting a break from work, am going to Syria tomorrow i cant wait! Being working so hard since i got back from Italy, if you said IF THE DAY IS 48 HOURS WOULD YOU FINISH YOUR WORK? My answer will be NO! These past 3 months were so tiring and stressful.

For the 1 time ever we gona stay in FOUR SEASON hotel and for 4 days i cant wait to see it , since lots i know said its fabulous. So my friends i promise i will take pics and post them and tell you everything i did there.

So c ya all later

From My Home

I watched the game at home , what the use of going out if you have a big TV at home hehehehe :p well here is some of special coverage of the match! ENJOY

Aint my top COOL or what! i wore it in the game and teased everyone when they SCORED!!! :D

I CAMPIONI

GERMANY 0-2 a.e.t. ITALY
4 July 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com

German dreams of reaching the FIFA World Cup™ Final on home soil died in Dortmund as two goals in the final moments of extra time carried Italy into the Final as 2-0 semi-final winners on Tuesday, 4 July 2006.

With a penalty shoot-out looming, Fabio Grosso broke the deadlock in the 119th minute as he curled a left-footed shot past the despairing dive of Jens Lehmann from the right side of the penalty box. Substitute Alessandro Del Piero made sure of Italy's place in the Final when he beat Lehmann from close range in added time at the end of the extra period.

Italy now advance to their first FIFA World Cup Final since 1994 and their sixth overall. They will face the winners of Wednesday's Portugal-France semi-final in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday, 24 hours after Germany have contested third place with the losers of that match in Stuttgart.

King Abdullah on Star Trek

Aint that cool!

check the link to see the video

ITALY 3-0 UKRAINE
30 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com

Italy cruised into the semi-finals of Germany 2006 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ukraine in Dortmund on Friday, 30 June 2006.

A sixth-minute strike from Gianluca Zambrotta set the tone for the evening and a second-half brace from Luca Toni merely compounded the misery for Oleg Blokhin’s side. Oleg Gusev, Andriy Gusin and Maksym Kalinichenko all went close for Ukraine, but were denied by a combination of the woodwork and some excellent goalkeeping by Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy now turn their attentions to a semi-final tie with the hosts in Dortmund on Tuesday, 4 July, while FIFA World Cup™ debutants Ukraine will return home justifiably proud of their efforts.

The game was cool, i really enjoyed it at home, i wished they scored more though :p

ITALY 1-0 AUSTRALIA
26 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com

An injury-time penalty from substitute Francesco Totti took ten-man Italy past Australia and into the last eight of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Kaiserslautern on Monday, 26 June 2006.

Totti, a 75th-minute replacement for Alessandro Del Piero, drove the spot-kick high into the net after Fabio Grosso had gone down under a Lucas Neill challenge just seconds before the final whistle.

Italy had been reduced to ten men following Marco Materazzi's red card five minutes into the second half and at that stage their followers might have feared a repeat of their loss to Guus Hiddink's Korea Republic at this stage four years ago. Instead, Totti's strike leaves the Azzurri looking forward to a quarter-final tie against either Switzerland or Ukraine in Hamburg on Friday.
As for Hiddink's Australia team, they can head for home proud of their performance in Germany, having reached the Round of 16 on their first outing on the world stage in 32 years.

Coaches' quotes:

Marcello LIPPI (ITA)

We were concerned about their high-tempo game and their tireless running, and because of that, we treated them with a lot of respect. We contained them very well in the first half and carved out three clear chances for ourselves. They had no chances to speak of. After the break, I brought on (Vincenzo) Iaquinta to speed things up a bit, but then we went down to ten men.
After that, the quality of our organisation and our spirit saw us through. We passed the ball well out of defence. Then at the end (Fabio) Grosso was superb and (Francesco) Totti perfect in tucking away the penalty. Let's hope that gives him a lift. He had trouble lasting the distance against the Czechs, and that's why I gave him a breather today. I intended bringing him on when the match had settled down and that's what I did.

Guus HIDDINK (AUS)

I’m very disappointed with the loss, coming as it did as a result of a last-gasp goal, but I'm very proud of the way my players performed throughout the tournament and particularly against Italy. We started off saying to ourselves that we wanted to avoid penalty-kicks, but as things unfolded we would have taken them.
We wanted to play attractive, spectacular football, and we did. But in contrast to the Italians, we weren’t lethal enough in front of goal. The team tried their hardest and we can have no regrets.

ITALY 1-1 USA
17 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com

Italy moved a point clear at the top of Group E after drawing 1-1 with the USA in an incident-filled match in Kaiserslautern on Saturday, 17 June 2006.

Alberto Gilardino headed Italy into a 22nd-minute lead but their lead last only five minutes until Christian Zaccardo turned the ball into his own net.

That was the end of the scoring but a minute later the Azzurri lost Daniele De Rossi to the first of three red cards.

The USA's Pablo Mastroeni then saw red in the 45th minute and Eddie Pope followed suit two minutes into the second half. The result left both sides in contention before their final games, with Italy top on four points and the USA bottom with one.

Here is some of the Players' quotes:

Simone PERROTTA (ITA)

I’m disappointed because we didn’t play as well as we did against Ghana. On a personal level the last thing I needed was an injury because my form has been good. I have my club Roma to thank for that. I took a knock on the backside and had to grit my teeth just to stay on the pitch. We’ll see what the situation is tomorrow.

Gianluigi BUFFON (ITA)

For us, the knockout stages of the tournament start with the next game against the Czech Republic. You can blame my old friend Pavel Nedved and the rest of his team for losing to Ghana.

Angelo PERUZZI (ITA)

It was a very strange match. It’s obviously disappointing to only draw when you have ten men against nine for the whole of the second half. I don’t know if it was down to tiredness as Marcello Lippi suggested. What I do know is that when you set out to do something and you don’t achieve it you are always looking for reasons why and fatigue may be one of them. The feeling in the camp is good and regardless of the final outcome it has been a positive experience.

Alessandro NESTA (ITA)

I was urging my team-mates on in the fist period because the USA were on top. I remember one incident when we couldn’t clear the ball and I fouled one of their players on the edge of the penalty area. We didn’t play as well as we can, indeed we played badly. We haven’t talked about it with the manager yet.

Andrea PIRLO (ITA)

It was a hard game tonight; we ran our socks off. I’m not interested in the results of other teams, we play to win. Landon Donovan was everywhere for the Americans tonight. De Rossi says he caught the player accidentally. They were very aggressive and the two red cards confirm that. We created a few chances but we didn’t manage to score.

Fabio GROSSO (ITA)

I was all set to come on at the end of the first half. The game then changed suddenly with the USA’s first sending off and the manager decided to do something else.

Eddie POPE (USA)

I didn’t agree with the dismissal of my team-mate Pablo Mastroeni, but I’m happy with the result. We can now approach the last match against Ghana knowing we have a chance to qualify, which seemed like a distant hope before tonight.

Free Time Work (when u bored)


Aint they yummy?

Why Do Priests & Preachers Enter ISLAM?
By Yusuf Estes

Many people ask me how a preacher or priest in Christianity can ever go to Islam, especially considering all the negative things that we hear about Islam and Muslims everyday. Some people are simply curious, while others take a profound exception to my "conversion" to Islam. Some have asked how I could have turned my back on Jesus, or if I truly understood the Holy Ghost and some even questioned whether or not I considered myself as "born again" or had ever really been saved at all. These are good questions to which I will offer answers to at the end of this writing. I would like to thank everyone for their interest and offer my humble story, God Willing.
One very nice Christian gentleman asked me in email why and how I left Christianity for Islam. This is more or less a copy of the letter I sent to him.

Introduction

My name is Yusuf Estes now, but in years past my friends used to call me Skip. I have preached Christianity and worked in the entertainment and music industry since I was a boy in the 1950's. My father and I have established music stores, TV and radio programs and outdoor entertainment for fun (and profit). I was a music minister and even used a pony ride and entertained the children as "Skippy the Clown."

Once, I have served as Delegate to the United Nations Peace Conference for Religious Leaders. Now I am a retired former Muslim Chaplain for United States Bureau of Prisons, Washington, DC. and I join alongside many American Muslims, working with Muslim student and youth organizations as well as schools for Muslim children. As such, I travel around the entire world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam. We hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the opportunity to work alongside rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests everywhere. Some of our work is in the institutional area, military, universities and prisons. Primarily our goal is to educate and communicate the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are. Although Islam has grown now to nearly tie Christianity as the largest of religions on earth, we see many of those who claim Islam as Muslims, that do not correctly understand nor properly represent the message of "Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God" [Arabic = 'Islam']

Dear me, I am afraid that I got a bit ahead of myself. I was trying to give a bit of background of our work perhaps to see if it would in anyway benefit those who may being going through what I experienced while trying to resolve some of the issues of Christianity.

How It Happened

This may seem quite strange, while we perhaps may share a few different perspectives and concepts of God, Jesus, prophethood, sin and salvation. But you see, at one time I was in the same boat as many folks are today. Really, I was. Let me explain.

Born A Strong Christian

I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest. Our family and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place. While I was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 (I'm old). We attended church regularly and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena, Texas. As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their teachings and beliefs. The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more. I developed quite a thirst for the "Gospel" or as we say; "Good News." My research into religion did not stop with Christianity. Not at all. Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of my studies. Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was "Islam". Why? Good question.

Music Minister

Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music, especially Gospel and Classical. Because my whole family was religious and musical it followed that I too would begin my studies in both areas. All this set me for the logical position of Music Minister in many of the churches that I became affiliated with over the years. I started teaching keyboard instruments in 1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland, called "Estes Music Studios."

Business Projects In Texas, Oklahoma and Florida

Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in many business projects. We had entertainment programs, shows and attractions. We opened piano and organ stores all the way from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida. We had earned millions of dollars during those years, but could not find the peace of mind that can only come through knowing the truth and finding the real plan of salvation. I'm sure you have asked yourself the question; "Why did God create me?" or "What is it that God wants me to do?" or "Exactly who is God, anyway?" "Why do we believe in 'original sin?" and "Why would the sons of Adam be forced to accept his 'sins' and then as a result be punished forever." But if you asked anyone these questions, they would probably tell you that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a 'mystery' and you shouldn't ask - "Just have faith, brother."

Trinity Concept

Strangely enough, the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible. And it has been a concern for religious scholars as early as 200 years after Jesus was raised up by Almighty God. I would ask preachers or ministers to give me some sort of an idea how 'one' could figure out to become 'three' or how God Himself, Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive people's sins, but rather and had to become a man, come down on earth, be a human, and then take on the sins of all people; keeping in mind that all along He is still God of the whole universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the universe as we know it. They never seemed to be able to come up with anything other than opinions or strange analogies.

Father - Ordained Non-Denominational Minister

My father was very active in supporting church work, especially church school programs. He became and ordained minister in the 1970s. He and his wife (my stepmother) knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and even visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the "Prayer Tower" in Tulsa, OK. They also were strong supporters of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Bakker, Jerry Fallwell, John Haggi and the biggest enemy to Islam in America, Pat Robertson.

Distributing "Praise" Tapes for Jesus

During the early 1980's my Dad and his wife worked together and were most active in recording "Praise" tapes and distributing them for free to people in retirement homes, hospitals and homes for the elderly. We were really "winning souls to the Lord - for Jesus" day after day.

Met A Man From Egypt

It was early in 1991 when my father began doing business with a man from Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet him. This idea appealed to me when I thought about the idea of having an international flavor. You know, the pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that.

He Was A "Moslem"

Hijackers; Kidnappers; Bombers, Terrorists - and who knows what else?Then my father mentioned that this man was a 'Moslem.' First, I hated the idea of meeting an "infidel, hijacker, kidnapper, bomber, terrorist, non-believer." Any normal person would be repulsed at the idea. I couldn't believe my ears. A 'Moslem?' No way! I reminded my dad of the various different things that we had heard about these people.

Lies Against Muslims & Islam - They Told Us, Muslims:

• They don't even believe in God
• They worship a black box in the desert.
• And They kiss the ground five times a day.
  

No Way! I Did Not Want to Meet Him!

I did not want to meet this 'Moslem' man. No way! My father insisted that I meet him and reassured me that he was a very nice person. This was too much for me. Especially since the evangelists that we used to travel around with all hated Muslims and Islam very much. They even said things that were not true to make people afraid of Islam. So, why would I want anything to do with these people?

Idea - "Change Him To Christian"

Then an idea came to me, "We can change this man to Christian." So, I gave in and agreed to the meeting. But on my terms.

Met Him With A Bible, Cross and Cap with "Jesus Is Lord!" on it.

I agreed to meet him on a Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up and in good standing with the Lord. I would be carrying my Bible under my arm as usual. I would have my big shiny cross dangling and I would have on my cap which says: "Jesus is Lord" right across the front. My wife and two young daughters came along and we were ready for our first encounter with the 'Moslems.'

Where Is He?

When I came into the shop and asked my father where the 'Moslem' was, he pointed and said: "He's right over there." I was confused. That couldn't be the Moslem. No way.

Turban & Beard?

I'm looking for a huge man with flowing robes, a big turban on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows that go all the way across his forehead with a sword or a bomb under his coat.

No Turban - No Beard - [No Hair at All!]

This man had no beard. In fact, he didn't even have any hair on his head at all. He was nearly bald. Best of all, he was very pleasant with a warm welcome and handshake. This didn't make sense. I thought they are terrorists and bombers. What is this all about?

He Needs Jesus

Never mind. I'll get right to work on this guy. He needs to be 'saved' in the 'Name of Jesus' and me and the Lord are going to do it.

Introduction & Interrogation

After a quick introduction, I asked him: "Do you believe in God?"
He said: "Yes." - (Good!)

Then I said: "Do you believe in Adam and Eve?" He said: "Yes." - (Very Good!)

I said: "What about Abraham? You believe in him and how he tried to sacrifice his son for God?" He said: "Yes." - (Even better!)

Then I asked: "What about Moses?" "Ten Commandments?" "Parting the Red Sea?"Again he said: "Yes." - (Better still!)

Then: "What about the other prophets, David, Solomon and John the Baptist?"He said: "Yes." - (Great!)

I asked: "Do you believe in the Bible?" Again, he said: "Yes." - (OK!)

So, now it was time for the big question: "Do you believe in Jesus? That he was the Messiah (Christ) of God?" Again the said: "Yes." - (Fantastic!)

Well now - "This was going to be easier than I had thought."He was just about ready to be baptized only he didn't know it. And I was just the one to do it, too.

Shocking Knowledge - Muslims Believe in the Bible?

One day in the Spring of 1991, I came to know that the Muslims believed in the Bible. I was shocked. How could this be? But that's not all, they believe in Jesus as:

* A true messenger of God;* Prophet of God;* Miracle birth without human intervention;* He was the 'Christ' or Messiah as predicted in the Bible;* He is with God now and most important;* He will be coming back in the Last Days to lead the believers against the 'Antichrist.'

After "winning souls to the Lord for Jesus" day after day, this would be a big achievement for me, to catch one of these 'Moslems' and 'convert' him to Christianity.

Cup of Tea - Discuss Beliefs

I asked him if he liked tea and he said he did. So off we went to a little shop in the mall to sit and talk about my favorite subject: Beliefs. While we sat in that little coffee shop for hours talking (I did most of the talking) I came to know that he was very nice, quiet and even a bit shy. He listened attentively to every word that I had to say and did not interrupt even one time. I liked this man's way and thought that he had definite potential to become a good Christian. - Little did I know the course of events about to unravel in front of my eyes.

Agreed to Do Business

First of all, I agreed with my father that we should do business with this man and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my business trips across the northern part of Texas. Day after day we would ride together and discuss various issues pertaining to different beliefs that people have. And along the way, I could of course interject some of my favorite radio programs of worship and praise to help bring the message to this poor individual. We talked about the concept of God; the meaning of life; the purpose of creation; the prophets and their mission and how God reveals His Will to mankind. We also shared a lot of personal experiences and ideas as well.

Moved to Our Home

One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of the home he have been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be living in the mosque for a time. I went to my dad and asked him if we could invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there with us. After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses and he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around. My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.

Continued Ministry & Preaching

Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists around the state of Texas. One of them lived on the Texas -- Mexico border and another lived near lived Oklahoma border. One preacher liked to a huge wooden cross that was bigger than a car. He would carry it over his shoulder and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling these two beams formed in the shape of a cross. People would stop their cars and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give them pamphlets and booklets on Christianity.

Preacher Has Heart Attack

One day my friend with the cross had a heart attack and had to go to the Veterans Hospital where he stayed for quite a long while. I used to visit him in the hospital several times a week and I would take Mohamed with me with the hopes that we could all share together in the subject of beliefs and religions. My friend was not very impressed and it was obvious that he did not want to know anything about Islam. Then one day a man who was sharing the room with my friend came rolling into the room in his wheelchair. I went to him and asked him his name and he said that it didn't matter and when I asked him where he was from he said he was from the planet Jupiter. I thought about what he said and then began to wonder if I was in the cardiac ward or the mental ward.

Man in Wheelchair - Needed the Lord

I knew the man was lonely and depressed and needed someone in his life. So, I began to 'witness' to him about the Lord. I read to him out of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament. I shared the story of the prophet Jonah who had been sent by the Lord to call his people to the correct way. Jonah had left his people and escaped by boat to leave his city and head out to sea. A storm came up and the ship almost capsized and the people on board threw Jonah over the side of the ship. A whale came up to the surface and grabbed Jonah, swallowed him and then went down to the bottom of the sea, where he stayed for 3 days and 3 nights. Yet because of God's Mercy, He caused the whale to rise to the surface and then spit Jonah out to return back home safely to his city of Nineveh. And the idea was that we can't really run away from our problems because we always know what we have done. And what is more, God also always knows what we have done.

Catholic Priest

After sharing this story with the man in the wheel chair, he looked up and me and apologized. He told me he was sorry for his rude behavior and that he had experienced some real serious problems recently. Then he said that he wanted to confess something to me. And I said that I was not a Catholic priest and I don't handle confessions. He replied back to me that he knew that. In fact, he said: "I am a Catholic priest." I was shocked. Here I had been trying to preach Christianity to a priest. What in the world was happening here?

Priest in Latin America

The priest began to share his story of being a missionary for the church for over 12 years to south and Central America and Mexico and even in New York's 'Hell's Kitchen.' When he was released from the hospital he needed a place to go to recover and rather than let him go to stay with a Catholic family, I told my dad that we should invite him to come out and live with us in the country along with our families and Mohamed. It was agreed by all that he would so, he moved out right away.

Priests Must Study ISLAM? - YES!

During the trip out to our home, I talked with the priest about some of the concepts of beliefs in Islam and to my surprise he agreed and then shared even more about this with me. I was shocked when he told me that Catholic priests actually study Islam and some even carry doctors degrees in this subject. This was all very enlightening to me. But there was still a lot more to come.

Different Versions of the Bible

After settling in, we all began to gather around the kitchen table after dinner every night to discuss religion. My father would bring his King James Version of the Bible, I would bring out my Revised Standard Version of the Bible, my wife had another version of the Bible (maybe something like Jimmy Swaggart's 'Good News For Modern Man." The priest of course, had the Catholic Bible which has 7 more books in it that the Protestant Bible. So we spent more time talking about which Bible was the right one or the most correct one, than we did trying to convince Mohamed about becoming a Christian.

Quran Has Only ONE Version - In Arabic - And Still Exists

At one point I recall asking him about the Quran and how many versions of it there were in the last 1,400 years. He told me that there was only ONE QURAN. And that it had never been changed. Yet he let me know that the Quran had been memorized by hundreds of thousands of people, in it's entirety and were scattered about the earth in many different countries. Over the centuries since the Quran was revealed millions have memorized it completely and have taught it to others who have memorized it completely, from cover to cover, letter perfect without mistakes. Today, over 9 million Muslims have memorized the entire Quran from cover to cover.

How Could This Be?

This did not seem possible to me. After all, the original languages of the Bible have all been dead languages for centuries and the documents themselves have been lost in their originals for hundreds and thousands of years. So, how could it be that something like this could be so easy to preserve and to recite from cover to cover.

Priest Goes to the Mosque

Anyway, one day the priest asked Mohamed if he might accompany him to the mosque to see what it was like there. They came back talking about their experience there and we could not wait to ask the priest what it was like and what all types of ceremonies they performed. He said they didn't really 'do' anything. They just came and prayed and left. I said: "They left? Without any speeches or singing?" He said that was right.

Priest Enters Islam!

A few more days went by and the Catholic priest asked Mohamed if he might join him again for a trip to the mosque which they did. But this time it was different. They did not come back for a very long time. It became dark and we worried that something might have happened to them. Finally they arrived and when they came in the door I immediately recognized Mohamed, but who was this alongside of him? Someone wearing a white robe and a white cap. Hold on a minute! It was the priest. I said to him: "Pete? -- Did you become a 'Moslem?' He said that he had entered into Islam that very day. THE PRIEST BECAME A MUSLIM!! What next? (You'll see).

My Wife Announces Her Islam!

So, I went upstairs to think things over a bit and began to talk to my wife about the whole subject. She then told me that she too was going to enter into Islam, because she knew it was the truth.

Shocked!

I was really shocked now. I went downstairs and woke up Mohamed and asked him to come outside with me for a discussion. We walked and talked that whole night through.

Truth Had Come!

By the time he was ready to pray Fajr (the morning prayer of the Muslims) I knew that the truth had come at last and now it was up to me to do my part. I went out back behind my father's house and found an old piece of plywood lying under an overhang and right there I put my head down on the ground facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a day.

Guide Me! O God! Guide Me!

Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the plywood and my head on the ground, I asked: "O God. If you are there, guide me, guide me."

Sign Inside of Me

And then after a while I raised up my head and I noticed something. No, I didn't see birds or angels coming out of the sky nor did I hear voices or music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes. What I did notice was a change inside of me. I was aware now more than ever before that it was time for me to stop any lying and doing anything sneaky. It was time that I really work at being an honest and upright man. I knew now what I had to do.

Wash Away the "OLD"

So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea that I was 'washing' away the sinful old person that I had become over the years. And I was now coming into a new, fresh life. A life based on truth and proof.

- And Become New!

Around 11:00 A.M. that morning, I stood before two witnesses, one the ex-priest, formerly known as Father Peter Jacob's, and the other Mohamed Abel Rehman and announced my 'shahadah' (open testimony to the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him).

"I bear witness, there is no deity to worship, except Almighty Allah, alone and He has no partners and I bear witness that Mohammad is His messenger and servant."

My Wife Was Next

A few minutes later, my wife follow along and gave the same testimony. But hers was in front of 3 witnesses (me being the third).

Then My Father

My father was a bit more reserved on the subject and waited a few more months before he made his shahadah (public testimony). But he did finally commit to Islam and began offering prayers right along with me and the other Muslims in the local masjid (mosque).

Children Too!

The children were taken out of the Christian school and placed in Muslim schools. And now ten years later, they are memorizing much of the Quran and the teachings of Islam.

Father's Wife (Stepmother) Next

My father's wife finally acknowledged, before she died, that Jesus could not be a son of God and that he must have been a mighty prophet of God, but not God. She passed away within a few months of this statement at age 86. May Allah accept her statement of faith, ameen.

Houseful of New Muslims - What's Next?

Now stop and think. A whole entire household of people from varying backgrounds and ethnic groups coming together in truth to learn how to know and worship the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Think. A Catholic priest; a minister of music and preacher of the Gospel; an ordained minister and builder of Christian schools; and the children, even a great-grandmother - they all come into Islam!

His Mercy and Guidance

Only by His Mercy were we all guided to see the real truth of Islam, by removing the coverings over our ears and the blinders on our eyes, no longer having seals over our hearts - He was Guiding us now.

Amazing Story - Family and Friends Entering Islam - From One Man

If I were to stop right here, I'm sure that you would have to admit that at least, this is an amazing story, right? After all, three religious leaders of three separate denominations all going into one very opposite belief at the same time and then soon after the rest of the household.

More? - Yes! Baptist Seminary Student Reads Quran - Accepts Islam

But that is not all. There is more! The same year, while I was in Grand Prairie, Texas (near Dallas) I met a Baptist seminary student from Tennessee named Joe, who also came to Islam after reading the Holy Quran while in BAPTIST SEMINARY COLLEGE!

More? Yes. Catholic Priest Loves Islam - But Needs His Job!

There are others as well. I recall the case of the Catholic priest in a college town who talked about the good things in Islam so much that I was forced to ask him why he didn't enter Islam. He replied: "What? And loose my job?" - His name is Father John and we still pray for Allah to Guide Him.

Another Catholic Priest Makes Shahadah

The very next year I met a former Catholic priest who had been a missionary for 8 years in Africa. He learned about Islam while he was there and entered into Islam. He then changed his name to Omar and moved to Dallas Texas.

Any more? Again - Yes! Orthodox Arch Bishop leaves church for Islam

Two years later, while in San Antonio, Texas I was introduced to a former Arch Bishop of the Orthodox Church of Russia who learned about Islam and gave up his position to enter Islam.

Daughter of Hindu Pundit (Religious Leader) - Accepts Islam - Helping thousands to Islam

I met a woman in New York who wanted to make our CDs about "What Is Islam?" After giving her permission several years ago, I have learned she has produced and distributed over 600 thousand of these to the non-Muslims in America. May Allah reward her and keep her strong in her efforts, ameen.

Hundreds - Thousands - Still Coming

And since my own entrance into Islam and becoming a chaplain to the Muslims throughout the country and around the world, I have encountered many more individuals who were leaders, teachers and scholars in other religions who learned about Islam and entered into it. They came from Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Greek and Russian Orthodox, Coptic Christians from Egypt, non-denominational churches and even scientists who had been atheists.

Why? Good question.

The combination always seems to be the same; people are sincerely seeking the truth and are willing to put their different prejudices and biases out of their minds and begin to ask God for His Guidance in their lives.

So, now you have the introduction to the story of my coming into Islam and becoming Muslim. There is more on the Internet about this story and there are more pictures there as well. Please take the time to visit it and then please take the time to email me and let us come together to share in all truths based on proofs for understanding our origins and our purpose and goals in this life and the Next Life.

9 Steps to Purify the Heart

May I suggest to the seeker of truth do the following NINE STEPS to purification of the heart?

Clean - your mind, your heart & soul - remove all prejudices & biases.
Thank God - for what you have - every moment of every day.

Read - a good translation of the meaning of the Holy Quran in a language that they can understand best. (http://islamtomorrow.com/downloads/noblequran.exe)

Reflect on the meanings & consider the bounties of your Lord.

Seek - Forgiveness From God & Learn to Forgive others.

Ask - in your heart for Guidance from Above.

Open - your heart and mind.

Continue - to do this up for a few months. And be regular in it.

Avoid - the poison of evil while your heart is opening for the "rebirth of your soul."

Remember: Clean; Thank; Read; Reflect - then: "Seek, and ye shall find. Ask, and it shall be given thee. Knock, and it shall be opened." Then: Continue & Avoid

The rest is between you and the Almighty Lord of the Universe. If you truly love Him, then He already Knows it and He will deal with each of us according to our hearts.

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From: http://www.55a.net/firas/english/index.php?page=show_det&id=99