October 16, 2010
Will you save Aya?
For more information: http://saveaya.org
For more information: http://saveaya.org
children
disease
help
October 15, 2010
But as I watch TV and read bloggers posts from other countries, I have become more aware of the critical water situation the world is facing. After enrolling as a blogger against hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme and engaging more into the world blogosphere, I was shocked to know that around 4.500 children die daily from water related diseases and that a almost a billion people on Earth don't have access to clean and safe drinking water!
Since then I realized that there are so many things with our water consumption in Lebanon. We take hour-long showers, flood our houses to get them cleaned, stare at the open faucet while brushing our teeth, and use excessive amounts of water to irrigate our flowers and plants. But the most unfortunate thing is that we let all that water we have go to waste, all those rivers end up in the sea. My history teacher at school told us something that I will never forget. He always used to stress that if the Lebanese government built just on dam on the dozen-plus major rivers that we have, we not only be able to satisfy the water needs of the Gulf (and perhaps the Middle East) but also generate enough water-powered electricity to light up the whole MENA region.
Too bad the only concern for Lebanese politicians is sectarianism and stupid religious rivalry. But I digress.
So here's a few creative and possibly weird ways to save water that I found online while researching for this post.
Blog Action Day 2010: Be Creative, Save Water
MIND SOUP : So today, October 15, is Blog Action Day 2010 . The theme this year is water . As I live in a country where water is theoretically abundant, I, as many other Lebanese, ma…
MIND SOUP: So today, October 15, is Blog Action Day 2010. The theme this year is water. As I live in a country where water is theoretically abundant, I, as many other Lebanese, may not feel the urge to conserve water or use it wisely.
Since then I realized that there are so many things with our water consumption in Lebanon. We take hour-long showers, flood our houses to get them cleaned, stare at the open faucet while brushing our teeth, and use excessive amounts of water to irrigate our flowers and plants. But the most unfortunate thing is that we let all that water we have go to waste, all those rivers end up in the sea. My history teacher at school told us something that I will never forget. He always used to stress that if the Lebanese government built just on dam on the dozen-plus major rivers that we have, we not only be able to satisfy the water needs of the Gulf (and perhaps the Middle East) but also generate enough water-powered electricity to light up the whole MENA region.
Too bad the only concern for Lebanese politicians is sectarianism and stupid religious rivalry. But I digress.
So here's a few creative and possibly weird ways to save water that I found online while researching for this post.
- The weirdest one I found is Brazilian in origin: peeing in the shower Brazilian way. This means that if you are in the shower and you feel like you have to pee, then just handle your business in the shower. Rather than coming out of the shower to use the toilet bowl and flushing it, it is recommending that you help yourself in the shower so that those gallons of water that would have been wasted while you flushed would be saved, 1157 gallons a year to be exact.
- Here's another weird one: Put a brick in your toilet. A brick in the toilet tank takes up space to replace water. If a brick uses half a quart of space, you save half a quart per flush. Hint: Since bricks can dissolve, paint it with basement water sealant.
- Another creative way I found, and I think my grandpa applies, is making use of rain water by collecting water in rain barrels. Rain barrels come in a variety of sizes and materials. You can build them from available kits or you can buy them at home improvement stores and some nurseries. Ideally, you would configure your rooftop gutter and downspout to empty into a large rain barrel [I saw this on a Lebanese blogger today but couldn't remember which one #help], but you can also keep a barrel open to receive rain straight from the sky. You can then use that collected rain to water house plants or gardens, fill bird baths, top off swimming pools and wash the car.
- An interesting tip also is keeping a container (such as a milk jug) under your sink and fill it with the water left from boiling pasta and eggs, then water your plants with it. (You can also add your leftover coffee to this giving your plants a great boost of nutrients which encourages blooming).
- You should also be more aware when buying your grocceries. Buy powdered laundry and dish detergents. The liquid versions simply have water added to them, making them a waste of water, money, and packaging. In addition to that, don’t buy individually-bottled water–it takes a lot of water to make those bottles and they just end up in the trash. Reusable water bottles are much more environmentally sound (not to mention much less expensive).
- One thing that college students like myself do is skipping a load of laundry. Once in a while, some clothing really doesn't need to be washed. In mild weather, outer shirts that were only worn briefly might need just a "fluff in the dryer" or another ironing to be perfectly ready to wear. Bachelors have also known this secret for years.
- Only order water in a restaurant if you are going to actually drink it. How many times have you seen full water glasses left on tables from customers who have ordered an iced tea or soda instead? Next time you sit down think twice about whether you are going to drink your glass of water or ask your server to fill you halfway. You can always get a refill. If you don't plan on drinking water at all, ask your waiter not to open the bottle of water they usually get for the table. Don't worry about being rude, think about those 4,500 daily dying children instead.
So those were just a few ideas to get you going, but you can find hundreds more.
Next time you are using water, remember that water is a resource that should benefit all humans (and other species) on Earth. Don't abuse this resource. Sharing is caring after all.
bloggers
children
comic
October 12, 2010
P.S. I'm using the same citing technique as they use in Outlook. #latche
What lurks around in the AUB Outlook Office
At the risk of looking obsessive and repetitive about Outlook, I had to post this hilarious photo that was posted by @ schazzenan . I'm just hoping that the next time I pick up …
At the risk of looking obsessive and repetitive about Outlook, I had to post this hilarious photo that was posted by @schazzenan. I'm just hoping that the next time I pick up Outlook, it wouldn't have turned to a playboy/playgirl sort of publication! (although that idea isn't really impossible, considering where the newspaper is headed). No offense to Gino! :DP.S. I'm using the same citing technique as they use in Outlook. #latche
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| Photo from Facebook |
AUB
Beirut
bloggers
October 12, 2010
Outlook Calendar Fail
Apart from the fact that they still kept much of the (pretty ugly) layout from last year, the new staff of Outlook seemed to have been asleep back in Kindergarten when they were t…
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| Who needs a Monday? © Mind Soup |
Apart from the fact that they still kept much of the (pretty ugly) layout from last year, the new staff of Outlook seemed to have been asleep back in Kindergarten when they were taught the days of the week.
calendar
failure
funny
October 06, 2010
Today has been a very long day indeed, a long fruitful day.
AUB's Online Collaborative had its debut today during Clubs day where cabinets and active members of clubs and societies gather around West Hall to recruit members.
After struggling with the board for around an hour, we were set to go. The collage of social networking logos attracted many students who came closer to ask questions or take a flyer.
Other students had surprised or even disgusted looks when they saw our stand. They don't know how important and crucial our work is. Many thought that we are a group of people addicted to facebook and trying to recruit facebook addicts into one group.
Boy, they are so wrong.
What they don't know is how the whole world has its eyes fixated now on digital media, especially social media.
News outlets are leaning more and more towards online media. Many politicians, organizations or event planners are preferring to be interviewed by bloggers and online newspapers, and breaking news is usually first published on the internet, mainly on sites such as twitter.
Universities and companies are recruiting highly-trained and educated individuals for work, masters and doctorate degrees, internships or even conferences and workshops using professional social networking services such as Linkedin.
Blogging is also a rapidly developing method for students and business people to share their opinions on crucial issues that relate to their fields of interest. Experts say that a personal blog will become a prerequisite to many job applications or getting promoted in companies.
It is surprising how quickly the Lebanese youth have been integrating themselves into the digital era. The Lebanese scene on twitter is astounding, and might I add, very refreshing. The Lebanese are also leading the Arab world in the blogging sector on so many levels, from politics and news, to photography and comic blogs.
So what does all this have to do with AUB's online collaborative?
Perhaps students don't see this very clearly right now, but many faculty and staff at AUB have expressed their great interest in an our organization. Some of the will even help promote us to their students. And here is why:
AUBOC will help student bloggers promote their blogs and attract more readers from the Lebanese and Arab scene who are interested in the topic of each individual blog.
AUBOC will help students, clubs or staff/faculty start off their own blogs while providing them the basic tools and knowledge needed to launch a professional blog and customize it according their own taste and preference.
AUBOC will introduce individuals to the Lebanese on twitter and organize tweet-ups for them to meat each
other and make new friends.
AUBOC will aid soon-to-be graduates to use professional services such as Linkedin to secure a career or a graduate program at universities around the world.
AUBOC will relaunch the Lebanese Bloggers Convention (which was cancelled last spring) with much greater support from the Lebanese bloggers community, famous sponsors and highly-valued international institutions.
AUBOC will hold workshops and conferences to enlighten students about digital photography, comic blogging, basic HTML editing for blogs, twitter, etc...
AUBOC will be screening related movies, among other events which are planned to enrich students knowledge about these topics.
To benefit from all of the above, all you have to do is to sign up to be an official member today (Wednesday) on West Hall from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Believe me, you will not regret it.
For more information:
Join our official Facebook page.
Check out our official blog.
Send us an email to: online.collaborative@gmail.com
AUB's Online Collaborative and Clubs Days
Today has been a very long day indeed, a long fruitful day. AUB's Online Collaborative had its debut today during Clubs day where cabinets and active members of clubs and soci…
 |
| View of Club's Stands next to West Hall |
AUB's Online Collaborative had its debut today during Clubs day where cabinets and active members of clubs and societies gather around West Hall to recruit members.
After struggling with the board for around an hour, we were set to go. The collage of social networking logos attracted many students who came closer to ask questions or take a flyer.
Other students had surprised or even disgusted looks when they saw our stand. They don't know how important and crucial our work is. Many thought that we are a group of people addicted to facebook and trying to recruit facebook addicts into one group.
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| Our humble board |
What they don't know is how the whole world has its eyes fixated now on digital media, especially social media.
News outlets are leaning more and more towards online media. Many politicians, organizations or event planners are preferring to be interviewed by bloggers and online newspapers, and breaking news is usually first published on the internet, mainly on sites such as twitter.
Universities and companies are recruiting highly-trained and educated individuals for work, masters and doctorate degrees, internships or even conferences and workshops using professional social networking services such as Linkedin.
 |
| AUBOC President Mohammad Hijazi and Secretary Tala Kardas |
It is surprising how quickly the Lebanese youth have been integrating themselves into the digital era. The Lebanese scene on twitter is astounding, and might I add, very refreshing. The Lebanese are also leading the Arab world in the blogging sector on so many levels, from politics and news, to photography and comic blogs.
So what does all this have to do with AUB's online collaborative?
Perhaps students don't see this very clearly right now, but many faculty and staff at AUB have expressed their great interest in an our organization. Some of the will even help promote us to their students. And here is why:
AUBOC will help student bloggers promote their blogs and attract more readers from the Lebanese and Arab scene who are interested in the topic of each individual blog.
AUBOC will help students, clubs or staff/faculty start off their own blogs while providing them the basic tools and knowledge needed to launch a professional blog and customize it according their own taste and preference.
AUBOC will introduce individuals to the Lebanese on twitter and organize tweet-ups for them to meat each
other and make new friends.
AUBOC will aid soon-to-be graduates to use professional services such as Linkedin to secure a career or a graduate program at universities around the world.
 |
| VP Joseph Saba |
AUBOC will hold workshops and conferences to enlighten students about digital photography, comic blogging, basic HTML editing for blogs, twitter, etc...
AUBOC will be screening related movies, among other events which are planned to enrich students knowledge about these topics.
To benefit from all of the above, all you have to do is to sign up to be an official member today (Wednesday) on West Hall from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Believe me, you will not regret it.
For more information:
Join our official Facebook page.
Check out our official blog.
Send us an email to: online.collaborative@gmail.com
AUB
bloggers
blogs
October 06, 2010
This actually made my day today.
I'm so glad that Outlook has been aiming up to its full potential lately.
Seen Around: AUB Outlook
This actually made my day today. I'm so glad that Outlook has been aiming up to its full potential lately.
This actually made my day today.
I'm so glad that Outlook has been aiming up to its full potential lately.
funny
irony
newspaper
October 02, 2010
Song of the Week: Majda Roumi Feat. Lara Fabian - Habibi
Arabic
english
Majida El-Roumi
September 29, 2010
If you have noticed that I haven't posted much during the past few weeks, I was taking a little break due to lots other engagements. But now I'm back and I'm hoping to post regularly again.
Yesterday (Tuesday), there was a tweet up gathering in Copper - Gemayzeh. I (@mhijazi) went with a close friend of mine @jrsaba [blog]. @loulouhilal and @sarahilal000 [blog] generously picked us up with @haythamelzein from Hamra and we headed to Gemayzeh.
It was a little weird at first, but we started mingling and meeting people we have only @-replied before.
People who I already knew personally include: @JumRamK [tumblr], @GinoRaidy [blog], @YasmineHajjar [blog] and @BMaks88.
But I got to meet really awesome people who I have been in contact with online. Below are a few examples:
I also got to meet @lnlne @Rabih @Kay_Kayyy @FunkyOzzi @ZAMGEO @Shanty2 @NEMRCOMEDY @Rawadelhoyek @DinaMyColors @krikOrianM @christinkik @bahaafe @dabukalam @abzzyy @sam_lb @ritakml ... I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. In that case let me know and I will add you to the list!
Overview of the Celebrity LebTweet Up
.. . and I am back! If you have noticed that I haven't posted much during the past few weeks, I was taking a little break due to lots other engagements. But now I'm back and…
... and I am back! |
| @jrsaba (left) and @JimRamK (right) |
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| L-R: @Loulouhilal @mhijazi @Haythamelzein @Sarahilal000 @jrsaba |
It was a little weird at first, but we started mingling and meeting people we have only @-replied before.
People who I already knew personally include: @JumRamK [tumblr], @GinoRaidy [blog], @YasmineHajjar [blog] and @BMaks88.
But I got to meet really awesome people who I have been in contact with online. Below are a few examples:
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| I was really looking forward to meeting @sareen_ak who is very talented and have been featured several times before on Mind Soup. Check out her comic blog here. |
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| It was also a great pleasure meeting the extremely talented @MayaZankoul (middle) who has an awesome comic blog that is definitely worth subscribing to. It was also great meeting @LaraZankoul (right) whose has tremendous skills in photography (I've spent hours admiring her flicker photos) |
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| @JOESBOX was also there! [blog] |
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| @Beirutiyat (middle) [blog] and @LoulouHilal (left) |
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| @aymanitani (left) is very sweet and of great help :) [site] |
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| @sdarine was there too! [blog] |
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| I also got to meet @rihamberjaoui finally! The only person who keeps me company (or stalks my tweets) when I cannot sleep at 5:00 AM in the morning. |
I also got to meet @lnlne @Rabih @Kay_Kayyy @FunkyOzzi @ZAMGEO @Shanty2 @NEMRCOMEDY @Rawadelhoyek @DinaMyColors @krikOrianM @christinkik @bahaafe @dabukalam @abzzyy @sam_lb @ritakml ... I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. In that case let me know and I will add you to the list!
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| Group photo of the tweeps. Check out the whole album on facebook here. |
Beirut
bloggers
comic
September 29, 2010
What caught my attention is that everywhere I looked, there was a guy or a stand of Hezbollah T-shirts. What's worse is the look on the seller's face when you decline to buy a shirt from him. Seriously, I don't want to buy a shirt from you! I wouldn't even take it if you offered it to me, even if it was covered with gold!
Is this how Hezbollah is now funding its illegal weapons now?
(By the way, rumors are that these shirts are Made in Iran...)
Seen Around: Hezbollah Shirts
I was in Baalback this past weekend with the AUB Ambassadors and the new students showing them around Bekaa and AUB's farm (AREC). What caught my attention is that everywhere …
I was in Baalback this past weekend with the AUB Ambassadors and the new students showing them around Bekaa and AUB's farm (AREC).What caught my attention is that everywhere I looked, there was a guy or a stand of Hezbollah T-shirts. What's worse is the look on the seller's face when you decline to buy a shirt from him. Seriously, I don't want to buy a shirt from you! I wouldn't even take it if you offered it to me, even if it was covered with gold!
Is this how Hezbollah is now funding its illegal weapons now?
(By the way, rumors are that these shirts are Made in Iran...)
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| © Mind Soup |
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| © Mind Soup |
AUB
Baalback
Hezbollah
