Hmmmm this is pretty bad, I have not posted here for months - many times I wanted to write but for some reason or another I was not able to. But the writing bug is back in my system and I will try and keep up better with the new year coming. I have hopes for the year 2013 - maybe for some reason I've always preferred single digits to double, my own superstitions also like and believe that the number 13 is a luck number for me. The small things that we humans look for to give us encouragement! The below message I wrote for the New Year will probably be my last posting for the year but maybe not. Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues, So the 12 months of the year 2012 are almost at an end, in fact the year which the Mayan calendar said was the end of the world as we know it......or at least the end of their calendar! I have my own theories on this as everyone else; one is that the person who was making the calendar quit as the talks between the union and the workers went bust; or maybe that is the date that the Mayans come back to reclaim their rightful place (are they now walking among us)? Anyhow those are the two that come to mind immediately. And what a year it was. Personally life was fine as I got a chance to see most of my family and friends, albeit at different times but still good to be with them. The two oldest members of the Sumer and Dogrusoz clans have both turned 91, Nezahat Hala and Halim Dayi, and we look forward to more years with them. Everyone is healthy and pursuing their activities and hobbies. The younger ones have now a life of their own, and the toddlers are growing up and bringing great joy to their families near and far. Plans are already being made for the new year, trying to fit in opportune times to see loved ones. I cannot but stop a minute to look at the year in the context of the history of the world. We have seen and are continuing to see the aftermath of the Arab Spring, none of those countries have settled their issues, and in some cases the struggles are still active and unfortunately just as bloody as it was when it sparked. In Syria the human situation has become even more devastating with bloodshed continuing - not discriminating the children, women and elderly. It is not Arab Spring but a very bloody war, with sectarian strife that is impacting its neighbors including Turkey. Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan have seen and are incessantly exposed to extreme radical violence. That is the ME and Near East. The civilized world as we know has had its share of horror stories, including natural disasters such as the devastation of Hurricane Sandy but none of those shocked us all from our core than that of the shooting at Sandyhook Elementary School in Connecticut. The United States and many in the world are still talking about and reeling in the vertigo of that pain - the deaths of 20 children and six adults. Sadly extreme radical religious fundamentalism; killing in the name of God; guns and bullets; sectarian divisions; racism; intolerance and bigotry continued to dominate the global agenda. We need positive, and good deeds to make us look forward, and for me John Lennon has said that in the lyrics of his beautiful song 'Imagine.' I still am a dreamer and want to believe in human strength for doing and being good. With that I wish you all the best for the holiday season and a year of beautiful dreams, filled with love, health and goodwill. As always - Ayse Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people living for today Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people living life in peace You, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one I hope some day you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people sharing all the world You, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one I hope some day you'll join us And the world will live as one

Russia and Libya

I went to the speech of the Libyan PM El Keib during which time a Russian businessman I believe said that Russia was interested in going back to Libya and not only picking up on the projects halted from the time of Khaddafi but also interested in the future projects. He also asked if the Interim Government of Libya was in communication with the Russian Government. The response was amazing.......PM El Keib said that they were less than pleased and very puzzled with the attitude and stance that Russia had taken during the period of the Libyan freedom fighters and their struggles. He continued to note that whether it was part of their political agenda, their handling of the crises, they were disappointed and finished the sentence with "we, respectfully, say no to their handling." He then noted that they will have to review all the cases, and although in principle they will honor the projects, they will only do so as long as they are not involved or are part of the corrupt past relations.

This to me is a great indication that people are waking up and they do not forget who did what? Friends and Foes and their colors become very clear. In the very near future, when Al-Asad and his cronies, murderers find their end, the Russians and most probably the Chinese among others will face a similar lash back. Deservedly and rightly so!

Kisilik testimin sonucu

Enerji kaynağınızı iç dünyanızdan alıyorsunuz. Olaylar hakkında konuşmaktan çok düşünmeyi yeğliyorsunuz. Diğer insanların davranışlarını ve nedenlerini anlamakta başarılısınız.
Hayatınızın düzen ve nizam içinde olmasını istiyorsunuz. Muhtemelen yapacaklarınızı hatırlamak için ajandanızı kullanıyorsunuz. Kararlarınızı çabuk veriyorsunuz. Diğer insanlarla ilgili de çabuk karar veriyorsunuz. Çevrenizdekiler tarafından kimi zaman dominant olarak nitelendiriliyorsunuz.

Detay odaklı bir kişisiniz. Fakat işlerin NASIL yürüdüğünü merak ediyorsunuz. Aynı zamanda pratiksiniz. Şartların gerektirdiği şekilde davranıyorsunuz ve işleri alıştığınız şekilde yapmayı seviyorsunuz.

Mantıklı düşünen ve problemleri çözmeyi seven birisiniz. Çevrenizdekileri ve olayları objektif kriterlere göre değerlendiren adil bir kişisiniz.

As we celebrate "Woman's Day" We need to do more.....

As I celebrate "Woman's" Day and as a proud member of this club I wonder....Like all other "special days" such as "Mother's Day", it seems that we are putting the importance of our role on this earth and as the core member of humanity restrictions by only celebrating and bringing attention to us and our causes once a year.  A couple of nice words, pats on our backs, memories, and poof at the end of the day back to the struggle and non-nonchalant ignorance and moving on with life.  It's a catch 22 situation.  In fact it was just yesterday that I wanted to scream and write on the fact in the year 2012 the human condition of the women around the world is not any better than 1975 (the year UN declared March 8 to be the day of the women).  What with Karzai taking back further the rights of the forever struggling women of Afghanistan; the continuing dire situation in Sudan; the struggles and violence the women of the Bosnia and Kosova endure and are still struggling with the psychological impacts of the terror perpetuated on them; the present Turkish Government's aspirations to want to control and degrade the rights and privileges of the women in the country; the women in Syria, Egypt, Bahrain, and all the other autocratic Arab States struggling for their rights, for the rights of their children and for their lives.  Again and again we are reminded of the fact that men around the world do or at least try to dominate, and dictate to us their laws and tell us what is right or wrong for us.  I am mad - are you not?  I am mad that we, the largest and strongest of human species are not voicing our own rights and allowing others to be our voice.  How pathetic is that?  We have seen the impact and strength of the social media in the world over with the Arab Spring.  We should not let politics, bullying, wars and male dominance be the determinant of our lives, we must take back our life and take responsibility and educate and unite all women around the world to fight against the injustices and despotism that is directed to our fellow women.

Here and now I call on all the women around the world in peace and solidarity to walk to the Parliament of their respective country, showing the world that we do not want wars, we want our rightful place as equal partners, governing our lives together and not under the submission of men.  Let us call out "stop the violence", the oppression, the human trafficking of all, and on that one day around the world let all women hold hands in strength and pride in peace and seek the justice that all human beings who are equal have the right to ask ......All of this in silence, peace and forming a chain by holding hands........ Lets.....

As History is made I walk down the path of my past

The past couple of weeks I lived in my mind, emotions and being the revolution in Egypt.  After all I had lived in Cairo for over 3 years and studied at AUC.  Those were the great days - a young woman's awakening socially, politically and personally.  So it's hard to forgot the people, places and events that have impacted your life, especially at different stages of your development.  And Egypt was during one of those periods.  I discovered my love of theater, my artistic and creative side, my love of adventure, and most importantly I discovered the many facets of me, and that search to discover me still continues to this day.

I was there in the AUC Campus with my friends, during the riots of 1977.  It was there at Tahrir Square - AUC's original Campus.  We were attacked with molotof cocktails, stones, fire by the people on the streets. After all we, those who attended or had anything to do with the University, were "gavur" and the enemy.   It was in the afternoon, I remember doing the guerrilla crossing across the yard on our bellies between the trees and walls to get to safety.  There was no cell phones than, hell there was not even proper working telephone lines.  I had the car that day - parked outside and was hoping that it would not be damaged.  A small group of us managed to get out the back door on to the side street and escape the madness.   We lived nearby at Manial so our small group walked to our houses and safety.  That stress went on for a week. So my dear Egyptian friends, Malaks, Sherifs, Mahmoods, Maryams, I was with you everyday you were out in the streets of Cairo, in Meydan i Tahrir, shouting Etfah Mubarek!  I rejoice with you at your belief, perseverance and freedom.  I hope you will not give up this precious freedom this struggle to win back your lives and make your country, your life and your future your own and no interest groups.  

I just read that Libyan officials have shot a 7 year old.  Here is another struggle, callous dictator who is going to fight to the end not to give up his kingdom, after all he's been sitting on that throne since September 1, 1969.  I remember it like it was yesterday that day in Benghazi, Libya.  A child remembers trauma and that memory never fades.  it was the first day of school, my Dad was taking us down the main road to the American Community School, which was outside the city in the suburb where all the foreigners and oil company families lived.  Dad had preferred to rent an apartment in the city, which was fine with us. There were military jeeps tearing down the road driving like lunatics and shooting with their machine guns in the air, I could see Dad's face and his expression was of worry.  This was not normal.  We got to the school a bit harried for sure, and a group of students and parents were standing around at the doorstep and the school Principle was talking to them in an agitated manner.  We went up to the group, and that is when I saw his face, I will not forget it to this day - fear had engulfed him, so much so that his eyes had bulged, and his thinning reddish hair and his face were the same color.  A rather strange and unattractive face indeed!  He kept on saying go home, go home.  There is a curfew, a coup has taken place, the military has overthrown the King (King Idris for you youngsters out there).   At that time I was not sure what a coup was but I thought of the King whom I had met with his younger elegant wife a while ago.  He seemed so old and frail to my child's eye.  When we got back in the car my first question was "Daddy where did they throw the King and the Queen?  Are they hurt?  What is a coup?"  We learn quickly the meaning of things when faced with extraordinary situations especially those we are not prepared for.  

So for us kids it was a bit of an excitement, but for the adults it was a worrisome not to mention disruptive situation.  Keeping two young kids in an apartment for a week without going out is definitely a challenge, and so was the case for my brother and I.  The balcony became our Tower of Benghazi and we began to shout and tease the soldiers who were positioned at each building.  We quickly found that to be a dangerous activity when one of the soldiers' got mad and began shooting at us with his machine gun.  He probably thought of scaring us to stop-it did but we also almost got killed - the sound of those bullets passing by my brother's head and my nose will always be in my mind.  I was a pretty fearless child until then, that is when I really felt true fear, I was scared, very very scared.  We were 9 and 11, not much older than that 7 year old killed by the soldier today in Libya.  I mourn for her and all those who were killed by the despot and his thugs.  Kaddifi isn't it time to let go, you've been there for 42 years..a decade more than Mubarak..its a life time and some....May your struggle be swifter....
.

Nanjing Zoo by Timur Sumer

Timucin Sumer


10/12/2010

A Day at the Zoo

It only takes five stops by metro to get to the Nanjing Park Zoo. Trips to the zoo are fond childhood memories for many people. The chaotic zoo that is China causes concern at the zoo where animals are displayed for entertainment. Western concepts and notions are shattered even before the zoo entrance. The seven-minute walk from the metro station to the zoo entrance, results in the jumble of street vendors and hurrying crowds negotiating the conflict of western and eastern personal space rules. The smell of boiled sausage, deep fried bread, chopped up mystery meats, roasted chestnuts, and trash fill the sunny yet gloomy air. Vendors sell live miniature turtles and small goldfish in tiny plastic spheres. A young girl bumps into one of the vendor tables sending a small turtle flying down the street twisting and tumbling in its little plastic home. Images of what is to come bring a sense of uneasiness.

The Nanjing Park Zoo is cut into a side of a giant hill full of trees, grassy fields and a small man made lake. Fisherman of all ages, shapes, and sizes surround the lake hoping to catch tiny goldfish to sell. A group of flamingoes displayed on an island, balance on one leg hoping not to be mistaken for a gold fish.

Beyond the lake, stairs lead to the tiger enclosure. Nine tigers fill the six concrete floored 20 x 30 ft. cages. A massive white Siberian tiger paces along the rusted, crisscrossed bars. A sign that reads “Please do not throw objects at the animals” hangs side ways from the corner of one of the cages. The Chinese visitors throw rocks, sticks, and leaves at the tigers to get their attention for the perfect cell phone photo. How might they react if a zookeeper or child fell into the cage? Would they continue to snap pictures or run to get help?

Near the tigers sit the Asian black bear and sun bear exhibits. In two open enclosures, side-by-side, the bears rummage through piles of trash and food thrown into their cages. A young child tosses his half empty water bottle at a sun bear who picks it up, tips it to his mouth, drinking as if this was not the first bottle thrown at him.

In addition to the unique interactions between the Chinese visitors and the animals, there is a mini circus at the Nanjing zoo. In a covered outdoor theatre, a water filled moat surrounds a fenced in stage. Men dressed in tiger and bear pajamas stroll around the stage cracking make shift rope whips. A dozen bored tigers saunter on stage, climb onto stools pitifully raising their paws to the audience. A few minutes later monkeys and bears riding bicycles join the men in pajamas. Who is the fence around the stage protecting?

Visitors to China experience a combination of exotic culture clashes, unique sights and sounds, tastes and smells that can be both exciting and exhausting. But most expect a visit to the zoo to seem familiar.

Listen to the Dust of Istanbul

http://www.swans.com/library/art16/fabiop05.html