Merlin Mann: Five reasons the terrorists hate us (apart from “our freedom”). Funny.

Yesterday’s post has brought me a major series of flashbacks. Like yesterday three years ago, when there was no Saudi Jeans, and during a lecture of the infamous 101 SLM course, I received a short message from my cousin Tahani, saying, “What do I get if I told you I got some great news for you?” I replied: “You deserve all good things in life, but what are you talking about?” (تستاهلين كل خير، بس شالسالفة؟). “Surprise! You have a new baby brother!”

It was a surprise because my mom was at the beginning of the eighth month. I remember sending a message to everyone like this: “Hey, my name is Mohammed Al-Omran. I was born today, 17 Rabie’ Al Awal 1424, and my mom and I are healthy and feeling very well. My brother Ahmed is happy to announce this. Bye.” I feel connected to this little guy in a way I never experienced with any of my brothers before. Probably it has something to do with the big age difference (about 20 years), but I really like it.

I remember how when my father (may his soul rest in peace) passed away about 20 months ago, I thought he won’t be affected because he was too little. I was wrong; because of the atmosphere of sadness and mourning around him, he got really ill, and we got confused because he was physically ok. Thank God we all have passed through these tough times.

Feeling this connected to this boy isn’t all good, because I live in Riyadh now, and not seeing him grow up is plainly painful to me. Every time I go home after spending a month or two in Riyadh, I found that many things had changed about him, and I always wish that I could be there with him. I’m glad I will be visiting my family this weekend, and I’m gonna hold him in my hands, hug him, and kiss him on his soft cheeks. Probably this is the most emotional post that I have ever written on SJ. I have a pharmaceutical chemistry midterm in less than two hours, so I have to go now. See you later.

Today is 17 Rabie’ Al Awal, which is the day when Shiites celebrate the birthday of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Today also happens to be the third birthday of my youngest brother whose name is also Mohammed. Happy birthday!

Ahmad Humeid wrote about coffee wars in Amman. Now coming to Riyadh, I think the war is mainly between Starbucks and the local Dr. Cafe. The city is filled with coffee houses, international and local, and most of them are doing fine and still in the business basically because young men do not really have much places to go. However, I think the war is only between the previously mentioned two, as they have the strongest brands in the market, and branches spread all over Riyadh. My favorites: strawberry cocktail from Dr. Cafe, and the raspberry frappuccino from Starbucks. (P.S. I don’t drink coffee.)

I found this on some wall opposite to a highly guarded residential compound in northern Riyadh:

King Faisal Foundation is going to launch a private university next year, “to cause a change in Saudi Arabia,” said Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid, deputy managing director of the foundation. According to the him, the new university should be like MIT or the Cambridge of the Middle East. They will teach engineering, medicine, science and business technology, and will not offer any courses in Islamic or social studies. The interesting part of this news story is: Male and female medical students are going to study together. Now this is going to make some people lose their minds, isn’t it? It is weird how the Sahat guys did open their fires on this story, yet.

Last Sunday, on my way back from campus, I stopped at the red light on Al Oruba’s intersection with Al Takhasosi. On my left, there was a Kia Optima where a young woman wearing Litham and sunglasses was sitting in the backseat. I glanced a quick look her (about 2 seconds), then turned my face to the front waiting for the traffic light to turn green. I wasn’t in a really good mood. I just wanted to pick up some lunch, and get back home to relax after a long day at college.

I turned left on Al Takhasosi, leaving that car behind me and forgot all about it. I stopped at Kudu to get my lunch (Kudu salad, if you were curious). The distance between Kudu and the building where I live is less than 500 meters, so I drove it carelessly until I got there. When I got off my car after parking it in front of the building, I noticed that the same car, the Kia Optima, was following me. The driver was slowing down as they passed by me so the woman could look at me carefully. Another quick eye contact, and the woman ushered to the driver to speed up. I don’t know why I got this weird feeling that she had recognized me, and wanted take another confirmatory* look.

* Blame subjects like pathophysiology and pharmacognosy for words like this!