Let me entertain you

To Nairobi, Kenya

I am in the First class lounge waiting for my trip to Dubai, from which I will connect to Nairobi. So far, there have been enough "negative" cosmic signs to this trip. Two major ones were my incorrect hotel/ airport pick-up reservation and the other was the delay in my JED-DXB flight. Well, as long as my luggage doesn't get lost, I won't complain. I packed a big bag this time because I am carrying a couple boxes which I will give to people there. hehe, that didn't sound too good :P I am usually a little bit apprehensive whenever I am flying somewhere new, which I have never been to before. This time my level of nervousness is even higher because I am equally worried about real wild animals as much as human wild animals. I don't think being eaten by a lion in an elegant way to die. Too messy.

I always exercise responsible travel behavior. One important thing to remember by a woman travelling along, is to project quiet inner strength rather than look like a victim or look like someone looking for a challenge. Unfortunately, I seem like I simply just cannot get my mojo. I am feeling like a sitting duck. Images of violence and crime keep flashing through my head, thanks to Hollywood. Specifically, I am thinking about the movie "The Last King of Scotland". I know, that movie took place in Uganda. I plan to distract myself from the reality of being Africa alone by finally trying to learn Africa's geography by heart.

Maybe I can't relax because of all the issue pre-occupying my mind. Yes, you are right, I haven't been blogging much, so how the hell would you know what I am talking about!

Ok, that's my flight annoucement. I should give you a quick overview of how my first year at Cisco has been. Next time! :))

posted by SunShine @ 12:00 a.m. 5 comments

Don't ask me why I was researching Ibn Khaldun

And found this:

On the culture of Bedouin nomads, which Ibn Khaldun uses the term Arabs to refer to, Ibn Khaldūn writes:

Arabs dominate only of the plains, because they are, by their savage nature, people of pillage and corruption. They pillage everything that they can take without fighting or taking risks, then flee to their refuge in the wilderness, and do not stand and do battle unless in self-defense. So when they encounter any difficulty or obstacle, they leave it alone and look for easier prey. And tribes well-fortified against them on the slopes of the hills escape their corruption and destruction, because they prefer not to climb hills, nor expend effort, nor take risks.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Khaldun

Hehe, interesting...

posted by SunShine @ 6:28 a.m. 2 comments

I'm on no sleep

I haven't slept for a couple of days. Eid holidays are the kind of vacation you need vacation after. Plunged back into work and still working through a huge backlog. It doesn't help to throw in some training, office politics and personal life pressure. Oh and above all, I decided to blog!

I arrived early at the training center where I decided to complete a CCNA course (an hour before the training should start) I just woke up at 6 AM and couldn't go back to sleep. I thought I might as well go early and go through the material. Maybe socialize on facebook a little bit and write a post too! What a productive morning.

I went to sleep at 8.45 PM yesterday because I haven't slept the night before. I woke up at 10.40 PM by an SMS from the MD. That got my adrenanline up, so I loggged in and got some work done. By 3 AM, I was halfway sleepy again. Was hungry too but decided to skip on midnight snack. I wish I got Gilad's CD with me so I can work out in the hotel, instead of begging friends to play tennis with me.

The only way I can go to sleep is to have SOME sort of exercise or activity. I don't know where I get all thise energy that keeps me up all night. Usually, I avoid caffeine as much as possible to increase possibilities of sleep. However, the training center has that lovely Nescafe machine that has the "Shai Adani" option. Just like like the machine in the Cisco Dubai office...mmm... :))

Class is starting now (20 minutes late)

posted by SunShine @ 1:37 a.m. 2 comments

PART I

There was once a little owl. This little light brown owl had big dreams. Dreams so big, that they crowded her life. But she didn’t care, she was not about to give up.

After that little owl grew up a little into medium owl. Her friends and family rarely forced that she conforms anymore. They accepted this owl. They loved this owl.

Nevertheless, when she became strong enough, she decided to seek her dreams at the magical forest; even though the story is a myth and the risk is immense.

Myth: Ye who yearn for power wizardry and riches beyond belief; the magic forest is where you should seek. The higher the price you pay, the greater the reward you receive.

But be warned, no armors of steel or swords of light can protect thy life from the biggest sacrifice of them all. The sacrifice of which all must pay to exit the forest,

Naive nor foolish was our medium owl, but rather quite well-equipped with very useful tools and weapons; her wings, her determination and her tongue.

In one quiet night, she waved good bye and set a flight. Away and away she flew, away from the woods of her childhood. How pretty did the little trees look from so far.

From above, she looked around, where might that forest be? For days and days, steadily she fluttered to the lush web of green. The closer she got, the more confident she felt.

Close to the rim, she met a little sparrow. Despite his size, this sparrow had a huge heart. A heart like she’s never seen before. A heart so big, that it pained his frail body

This little sparrow was also seeking the magical forest. However, he was not willing to pay the price. He covered himself with layers and layers of protection.

Leaves, twigs and copper coins, anything that his body can handle and everything that he believed would protect him. That would protect him from the ugly sacrifice.

But our owl didn’t worry, she had he wings that will fly her, her determination that will brace her and her tongue of which she can talk her self away from any danger.

Together they flew, beginning to discover the forest. They each ran in the direction he saw his goal. But they each returned to camp out together and get through the scary night.

Days passed by and owl is still searching. It would help if she knew exactly what she was looking for. In spite of initial failure, she did not lose ground.

The sparrow and the owl lived wonderful days together. But with the light of every passing day, it has become clearer and clearer how different they are

He was heading one way and she was heading another. Even if they wished their days together can last, they parted ways with the best of wishes.

The forest, even if desperately lacking in magic so far, it was quite rich with life. It was only time until she met her next companion, who was also on a journey

posted by SunShine @ 11:00 p.m. 6 comments

Shocking.

"[Fortune] was after all a woman. Accordingly, she favors those bold enough to treat her roughly"

- The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli

Labels: Books

posted by SunShine @ 11:00 p.m. 1 comments

BAK

Back at Keyboard.
Funny how much you dont realize that you deserve time off until your body literally cries out for it. So, yesterday and today i tried to avoid work as much as I can, whether for Cisco or else. Except, of course, for the occasional mail-checking on my treo. hehehe...

What is funnier that i realized just how much i am emotionally connected to my laptop. As a result, here I am with an open laptop even though I've vowed not to do any serious work until tomorrow at least. After checking my personal email and letting people know that yes, I AM alive, i remembered my long-lost blog.

At first, I checked all my friends' blogs. I was SO happy to find out that they havent stopped blogging! I am definitely now more motivated to blog again.



So much has happned people over the last while. I don't know where to start. I met so many new people, travelled to many new places and experienced just enough to make me realize I still have a long way to go...

Therefore, I am just going to SKIP that part and start fresh =)

posted by SunShine @ 2:31 p.m. 12 comments

Mucho Gracias

I was not talking about work. I did not quit Cisco. On the contrary, my job is my sanctuary. But thanks for all the thoughtful and concerned emails, text messages, calls and pings. lol

I was talking about a learning experience that I went through. I learned that you can hide your feelings only to a certain extent, especially negative things such as being taken advantage of. But a decision has been made. No more.

The sad thing is that I realized is that the more emotionally intelligent people around picked it up. When I treat myself like a machine, I start treating others like robots as well! Not cool.

Thanks for the words of support =)

posted by SunShine @ 10:12 a.m. 6 comments

Yesterday I quit. I couldn’t do it. Strange. I’m not me anymore. I think I know why. Actually, I do know why. Sigh. What is happening? Where am I heading? Is this right? I don’t know what is right anymore. I used to know so well. I used to tell people. How sweet is the feeling of losing myself in work. Just drowning. Blocking out life. Ignoring facts. Living a dream. Or is this reality? Walla I don’t know anymore. I am lost. My shield is weakening. Curse you. Life couldn’t be about work all the time. How easy it is to lie. Which me am I now? How hard it is to lie. How easy it is to steal. I don’t lie.

I drink the color from the sky and turn blue.

posted by SunShine @ 7:30 a.m. 7 comments