In Memory of Francois El Hajj, One year ago...

Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.

My Birthday Party. There is an invitation for you.

As you well know we are getting closer to my birthday.
Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know that at least once a year some people think of me. As you know the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.
At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor! At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and ... do you know ... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party. See you soon . I Love You Always !JESUS(P.S: Please share this message with your loved ones, before Christmas)

Ya Rayeh 3a Dai3etna, Birjou3ak saoubi haouel. Talet 3anha ghaibetna, wehyat e3younak lat taouel.

Ya Rayeh 3a Dai3etna Birjou3ak saoubi haouel. Talet 3anha ghaibetna wehyat e3younak lat taouel.

Snow melting slowly in street of village.

Pics from Beirut Marathon. Today we ran for Child Cancer

Today afternoon (Sunday, Nov_30) and soon after the Beirut Marathon 2008 was wrapped up I drove down to La Marina at Dabyeh (Suburb of Beirut 10 KM to the north) and took these photos. This year's annual event came under the "Run for Child Cancer" theme and for supporting Child Cancer patients in Lebanon. The Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), established in Beirut, Lebanon, is a unique regional center for the comprehensive treatment of pediatric cancer. An affiliate of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee (St. Jude), the center works in close association with The American University of Beirut, Medical Center (AUBMC).The CCCL covers all costs of care beyond those reimbursable by third party payments and total costs when the latter are not available. The CCCL depends on donations, and its ability to fulfill its mission is constrained by the availability of funds at its disposal. For more information about how you can help save a child call 00961-1351515 or 00961-3485300

Two photos above taken by Beirut Marathon photographer.

This Ford Mustang classic model just caught my eyes at the Zalka highway infront of Mike Sport shop.

X-Mass Sentiment Starting to prevail here in Lebanon, thanks to eager shop owners and the Media

Hello again, on Saturday Nov_29 at 4:30pm I took off from home at Rabweh heading towards Souk Arax at Borj Hammoud but the traffic was so bad it took me one hour to get there knowing that the distance is no more than 14 Kilo Meters (around 8.5 miles). I took these pictures while stuck in the traffic jam over the Antelias Square bridge. While sitting in car waiting for traffic to move forward I thought about what I could have accomplished in this wasted time. I looked at the vehicles around me and noticed that at least 90% of cars on the road had only the driver on board and no passengers. Accompanying me on this trip to souk were five passengers. Every day as I get stuck in traffic jams on our roads I look around me and it is the same, only one person in each car in at least 90% of all vehicles. What a smart way to create traffic jams on our roads. Lebanon is in dire need for a mass transit system.

Baddi Koun Mas�oul, Lebanese Civic Actions

About Na-am:

Na-am is involved in different civic actions with many NGOs in Lebanon, and working for different causes aiming for the betterment of our country.

*Khallas:
It is an independent initiative led by the Lebanese civil society in all its components: syndicates, associations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. It emphasizes on the gravity of the current political crisis in Lebanon and to exert pressure on the leaders of political ends in order to overcome today’s deadlock. Getting through this vital period is crucial to ascertain our will to live together.

*Civil Campaign for Electoral Reform (CCER):
This campaign is lobbying for the electoral reforms suggested and included in the Boutros draft electoral law. Na-am is one of the partners in this campaign. Members, staff, and board members have participated in trainings on different issues and regarding the electoral reform and the lobbying and advocacy process.

* Alliance for access to information and whistleblower protection:
This campaign was founded by “Adel”, “Lebanese Parliamentarians against Corruption”, “LTA”, and “ABA” (American Bar Association).The aim of this campaign is to start developing new laws dealing with anti-corruption and protection of whistleblowers.

*End Impunity Now:
This campaign was first initiated by “Justice Without Frontiers” and many NGOs including Nahwa al- Muwatiniya. Its aim is to put pressure on the government to join the “International Criminal Court”.

*The Lebanese Alternative Budget project:
The Lebanon Alternative Budget Project (LABP) aims to create a dynamic dialogue between Lebanese civil society and the Lebanese government about issues related to the development of the national budget.

*Non-violence Network in Arab Countries(NNAC):
NNAC is a made up of 70 organizations from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria. Member organizations work on diverse issues such as Human Rights, Refugees, Peace building, Gender, Citizenship and Democracy, Education and more.

See it all at http://www.na-am.org/index.html

Nahr El Mot Bridge. Practice what you preach. Love thy nature.

Because I practice the Art of Awareness and because I claim to photograph and write for a cause; Libnan, it is my obligation and duty to show the ugly face of Lebanon as much as I brag about its beauty here at Sama Libnan. We were told to be proud of our country Lebnan. "Lebanon Manaret Al-Shark" they say. Today it is said Lebanon needs an overall cleanup job. It starts in our mind and soul. We the Lebanese are all spiritual beings, each in his own way according to his sect or belief. What does it take to move each one of us, to comprehend that environmental hygiene stems from spirituality. What does it take to motivate us into loving our nature, our rivers and green valleys as much as we love our religious idols and places of worship. Why can't we be dedicated fans of our God given nature as much as we are loyal followers of the Zou3ama. It is my obligation and duty to show the ugly face of Lebanon as much as I brag about its beauty here at Sama Libnan. How can I be proud of my country?

It is

Libnan El Akhdar. Helyani El Dinye Helyani Be Libnan El Akhdar

Biblical Mount Lebanon has become mountains of garbage in Lebanon of today. Thanks to diminishing public awareness. Not too far from the site where these pictures were taken normal Lebanese individuals, GOD loving people went to Sunday mass to fulfill there quest for religious duty. Forgetting a more basic duty to keep their environment clean. Jesus has risen from the dead alright but were he to return to Lebanon Jesus would not have liked what the Lebanese are doing to the holly land of Mount Lebanon.

Falafel, TaraTor, Lifett, Banadoura, Kabees. Good Stuff

Lebanese style driving is my nightmare & most exercised fear

Lebanese style driving is my nightmare & most exercised fear. At times I find myself in an uncomfortable situation having to drive loved ones to destinations while my nervous system is driven to the brink & near devastation trying to find my way in the JUNGLE.

"I work to make wonderful things happen"

Zeenat Al-Hayat

Lebanesely Yours,
Sama libnan

The Antelias "River", or Faouar Antelias, Cold spring water that comes out from underneath gushing thru lime bed rock.

Lebanesely Yours,

Sama libnan

The Antelias "River", or Faouar Antelias, Cold spring water that comes out from underneath gushing thru lime bed rock.

Smell the fragrance of beauty in my flowers.

Lebanesely Yours,
Sama Libnan.

Look back some days in time when one stray message ended up unknowingly in your lap and up you heart. Is that none but destiny or is it just the start?

"Lebanesely Yours"

From Sama Libnan,
Love so pure.