Breeze

Simple math

2008-06-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Here, in Spain, they pay you 2500Euros for each baby.
There, somewhere, they pay 15 million to Angelina Julie for a picture of her twins.

Conclusion: 2x2500 = 15000000

Eurovision 2008

2008-05-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

Well, Eurovision 2008 is finished with some strange results. Russia is now the winner and perhaps will stay there forever. Why, you just need to take a look at the results. All ex-russian countries vote for it!!!

This is somehow stupid. Russians for Russia, Scandinavians for Scandinavia, Spain for ...
During the contest, the Spanish presentator could predict more than 90% of the votes saying this one is going to vote for these, ...

And the contestants, a majority of them, were singing in English. Why?

Not sure if people vote for meaning, seems that things are changing...

It's all over. Lets wait for the next year and comming songs...

Lento

2008-04-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

In Spain, nothing goes fast, even at a rather acceptable speed.
You know, after two years of being here, they attached our names to the office entrance. However, seems that they forgot to update the data bank, you know. The names belong to the people who left here more than a year ago. Then perhaps our names will be added next year. Exactly when we are leaving.

Las cosas van lento aqui en españa. Tranquilo...

Arrival

2008-04-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

I came to Barcelona two years ago. I had a connection in Paris but missed the flight due to the tight schedule. After arriving in BCN, I started to look and search for my name to see if someone is there to pick me up (In fact, they told me so). Nobody was waiting...

- "Thanks God, my iranian mobile works here. Lets call my colleague", I told myself, and called him.

- I was there waiting for you. But as you missed the flight, could not wait anymore. Now you can take a taxi to this address: ....

....

....

....

After reaching the destination:

- The taxi driver told me that he does not know the address. So he was moving along the street, turning...

- He fooled you. I'm sure he knew. He has been moving just to charge you more...

Semana Santa

2008-03-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

Spain is a religious country. Here, you can find a lot of holidays with religious reasons, you know. It may look hilarious but last year we received a calendar with a lot of holidays. A monk gave it to us while he was collecting money for his church. Every single day was full of occasions and it was confusing you know.

Going to the main topic, I wanted to say that the ceremonies of semana santa (Easter, saint's week) are almost the same as what we have in Ashura. All those shows of the people in especial wearings are the same as Ashura ceremony in Iran. You know, they are of the same root.

There is, however, one big difference...

Happy NOWROUZ (Finglish)

2008-03-18T02:46:00.000-07:00

Ye saal e dige gozasht. Saali ke mogheye oomadanesh, khosh haal boodim o kolli aarezoo dar sar daashtim. Migoftim ke khodaayaa, too saale jadid, be man ino bede va ino; inaa (?) ro ham doost daaram daashte baasham, komakam kon ke in kaar ro shoroo konam yaa oon kaari ro ke shoroo kardam tamoom konam.

Va kholaase kolli harfaa ke mogheye tahvile saal mizanim yaa hadde aghal too delemoon hast.

Kheiliaa tooye in ye saal, be kheili az chizaaee ke mikhaastan residan. Khodaa ro shokr.
Kheiliaa ham be ba'ziaash residan o az inke natoonestan be ba'zi az ahdaafeshun beresan gele mikonan.

Khob ye saale dige oomade o ye forsate dige. Na!!! Ye saale dige oomade o ye omre dige. Pas hich jaaye negaraani nist.
Yaademoon baashe, too in saale jadid, mesle hameye saalaaye ghabl, khodaa hameye oon chiz haaee ro ke mikhaaim behemoon mide. Faghat baayad ye kam havaasemoon ro bishtar jam' konim. Va yaademoon nare ke age baraaye chizi talaash kardim vali giremoon nayoomad, khob shaayad talaashemoon be andaazeye kaafi naboode. Shaayad ham be dardemoon nemikhorde va hamoon behtar ke giremoon nayoomade vagar na ye dardesare dige be hameye dardesaraamoon ezaafe mishod.

Bahaar daare miaad, va kheili chizaa ro baa khodesh miaare: Salaamati, sarsabzi,... va az hame mohemtar, khaateraatemoon ro: Eidi , Barnaameye koodak, maahie ghermez, shirini o aajil, mashghe eid , hamkelaasi haaee ke chand roozi nemididimeshun va delemoon baraashun tang mishod (raasti kojaan?), va faamil ke dige haalaa saali ye baar ham be zoor mibinimeshun...

SAAL E NO MOBAARAK

Re-start

2008-03-18T02:38:00.000-07:00

I'm back to you, after a long time. There is no excuse. It was just something like no mood for blogging or no time to think.

The other reason is that I was so busy. In fact, I had to push my projects ahead. It was my first priority. Now, it seems to be another chance to re-start.

I was told that the new posts are not as good as before. Then I needed some time to think more. Now, I have decided to move it ahead with new posts on my experiences in Spain. Perhaps the motivation is that I'm not sure if I'll stay here for a long time. Then, it is better to write it as you feel, you know.

Happiness (worldwide!)

2008-01-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

Ruut Veenhoven, known as professor of happiness, has spent more than 30 years on happiness. He has categorized all those happy and unhappy countries. Happiest ones are Denmark, Switzerland, Austria,... while unhappiest people are listed to be Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Moldavia, Ukrane, Armenia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Russia (Ref. Metro daily, Spain, 18 Jan 2008).

He introduces three factors which are deterministic in making a nation happier than others: Democracy, Living status (health,...), and creating a climate of tolerance in the whole nation.

But do you believe that such kind of formulation is the right one?
I doubt it because for example Spain is ranked as number 26 in this listing.

What factors determine the state (or level) of happiness?

New year

2007-12-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

New year, to us, may mean a lot of things; new life, new chances, new friends,...
And perhaps that's why we celebrate it happily.

To us, Iranians, new year starts when the spring starts, when the nature wakes up after those cold days of winter. And it brings hope, freshness, happiness,...

To Christians, the new year comes with cold winter. And perhaps the most beautiful thing is the snowfall which brings freezing days with, making it memorizing especially for the kids who receive great gifts from their parents.

Feliz navidad...

BURGERKING

2007-12-14T04:31:00.000-08:00

32 years ago, when the first BURGER KING of Spain opened in 1972, there were interesting reactions (Ref: QUE!, Dec 13, 2007). Some people didn't know why they had to pay in advance, and some people where looking for spoon and forks for the sandwich!

By the way, did you know that in Spain, still fork works best and in many restaurants, you can not find spoons and forks put together? In the restaurant of our university, you can always find stainless forks and small plastic spoons.

Good luck

2007-11-29T09:56:00.000-08:00

In the News, there was something about an unlucky winner. This, in fact could be a paradox and seems stupid to call a winner unlucky. But, sometimes, inevitable.

You can read the whole story here. Just in brief, it is about someone who wins a lottery when he is not allowed to.

You know, sometimes things come but not in a right time, or at least, when you are not ready for it. Then it hurts more!

Or maybe it is just because you do not deserve it? Or...

But what if it could change your life?

Time

2007-11-19T07:25:00.000-08:00

Time will solve everything but itself...

Civilization

2007-11-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a colombian guy asked an Hindu friend:
- Do you have TV in your country?

And this was a click to start a long discussion as he was trying to prove that his opinion about india is wrong.

You know, we live in a world of media. Who runs better, can affect more. This Colombian guy has all his mind full of things coming out of TV News. He believes that India is a country of millions of people who do not have anything, no civilization.

To him, civilization, perhaps has another meaning: Music, sex,...

Then, what are we supposed to tell him?

Where is our destination?

2007-10-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

- Do you have ...?
> Yes, we do. But where are you from?

- Iran.
> Great, I have been there. I have seen Chabahar, Bandarabbas, Kerman, Shiraz, Salmas,...

Above, is a typical communication we have here in Pakistani shops. They always look happy to see us. Seems that we have been great hosts for them.

They are telling the truth, about their long journey. And it is all about their path to west. You know, almost all of them have the same experience. Pakistan-Iran-Turkey...

Where do we go?

Copy forbidden!

2007-10-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Many people just copy the other people's life. They follow what their friends do, and try to be at the same level without considering many parameters; mainly, differences.

This, surely, is not a perfect way of living, you know.
Last week, when I opened the player of the blogger, I found an endless collection of pictures which were uploaded by bloggers to be viewed by public. These pictures, apparently, are endless; you know, there are lots of photos uploaded every second worldwide.

To me, this has another meening: If you want to find out what the rest of the world see (or think, or have seen before), you need an eternal life. Then, how is it possible to make copies of their life? And why?

The art of criticism

2007-10-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

It is sometimes dissapointing when you read the reviews of the readers about books, articles, albums, etc.
This happens especially when when reviewer does not have enough technical information on the subject and just wants to say something.
Today, before listening to the new album of Caty named "atr-e nur", I noticed that many reviewers had said things like: nonsense, bad voice, black&white era,...
This made me listen to the full album; and I found it great from some aspects.
Any how, what I would like to say is that, if something (an art, essay,...) does not attract my fancy, it doesn't mean anything more than that. It is just something that I don't like but others may do.
Also, for writing a review, you should have enough knowledge in that field. Or, if you can not find what you are looking for, then leave it to the others.

A simple goodbye

2007-09-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

The day I met him, I did n't know that he is going to be one of my best friends.

Feras, in fact, came to form a chapter of my life. A chapter in which I learned a lot.

Last friday, when we met for the last time, I felt quite sad though it was my birthday; coz I was almost sure that this is the end, he is packed up heading his country.

And he left, in the simplest way: goodbye...

To be

2007-09-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

It all began with a pain...
Do not remember when it was; and nobody knows.
But I believe that it is not so important. The important thing, however, is "to be" which is defenitively better than "not to be".

And I'm happy...

Tall

2007-09-14T06:08:00.000-07:00

They announced that the world's tallest building is under construction in Dubai exceeding 555 meters for which, the final height and number of stories are kept secret.

Maybe they have lost something there, in the sky; Or...
But is it tall enough?

Here again

2007-09-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back to the virtual world and will upload as of tomorrow!

Copyright

2007-07-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

It is something which we should care about, you know. The nightmare I mean. millions of babies which all look the same and ruin everything. Shrek perhaps could feel it.

OK. Let's put it this way: Chinese are simply copying everything. A few days ago, I read in the media that Chinese have established a city (!) Named Kashan and started to copy Persian carpets. You see, they can copy almost everything.

Imagine, if one day, they copy:

You: You meet yourself in the street !!!
Polititians: More and more wars !!!
People: are they the original ones?
....

I think people need to have a copyright or something...

The end of the world

2007-06-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

A friend said: You are really lucky to be here, coz the life standard and style is very similar to Iran; you can communicate with the society without any problem. The culture is not very different and...

He also said: A majority of those who left Iran to Canada and US just to have a better life, ...

The end of the world? Then where to?

Saint Juan

2007-06-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

Last year, when I wrote about Saint Juan, I had no idea what it is about.

Actually, I knew that they celebrate it through making fires and jumping over them. Making fireworks,...

The occasion, according to our teacher, is somehow nice: 24th of June (Saint Juan day) comes with the shortest night of the year. That's why they celebrate it here in Catalunya.

We, in fact, have the same thing in Persian culture: "Yalda" which is the longest night of the year. We celebrate it because it gives us a feeling of hope, tomorrow is on the way; brightness.
And the darkness has to go; no way...

The other point is the celebration style which resembles our "charshanbe souri": Jumping over fires.
Here, they put all their old burnable things in a public place, burn them, sing and dance. In Persian culture we make fire, sing and jump wishing a safe and healthy year for ourselves, our family, ...

My name is myself

2007-06-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

How do you feel when they pronounce your name in an incorrect way?
You know, there are some limitations in languages; for example, Japanese can not say "Cyrus" and change it to "Shirusu".

When you know that this is just a matter of language and is due to the character limitations in a language, then it is fine. This post, however, is about those who change their names themselves just because of some (stupid?) reasons.

Look:
Javan turns to Johan
Davod turns to David
Ramin turns to Robin
Pahlevan turns to Paulo
...

And here is the question: Why do we need to change our names? Just because we want to be accepted by the societies? Or we want to erase our nationality or...

Books in Fire

2007-05-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

In the News:

"Tom Wayne has amassed thousands of books in a warehouse during the 10 years he has run his used book store, Prospero's Books."

"Wayne began burning his books in protest of what he sees as society's diminishing support for the printed word."

Serious questions:
How much do you spend on your TV(s)? How many TVs do you have? How about game consules?

Which one makes you go mad: When you can not find your TV's remote or when you loose your book?

What do they dream to invent

2007-05-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

American: Man (like superman, spiderman,...) distributor...

To save the world.

Spaniard: A calendar with 365 days off. Including the map of all beaches worldwide...

To enjoy.

Japanese: A new timing system with 48 hrs a day...

To work harder.

Chinese: A windows-based character maker...
To make new chinese characters.

French: An English-remover perfume...
To extend French (language) worldwide.

Latin American: A global disco-finder equipped with gutiar sensors...
To sing and dance more

Iranian: ...

A professor

2007-05-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

There is always a solution. You just need to find the proper one.

This post is a translation of an ad I found in a newspaper here in Barcelona of which, I forgot the name. The same ad was sent to our post box a few days ago and...

##########
PROFESSOR ...
GREAT SEER
AFRICAN PROFESSOR WITH GREAT QUALIFICATIONS
SOLVES ALL PROBLEMS WITHIN 72 HOURS
----------
Spacialist in immediate returning of your loved ones. Protection against devil eye. All types of the problems of couples. Also, resolves any problem made by other people. Can help imvrove your health through competetions and make you better at sports. Any kind of bussiness, sexual inabilities, family and job problems.
----------
FAST AND GUARANTEED RESULTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL ME AT...
EVERYDAY FROM 8 TO 22
##########

La ciudad de vacaciones

2007-05-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

"La ciudad de vacaciones" meaning "the city of vacations", is a turistic area they have designed and planned to construct here. Designed for vacations with all types of attractions you may need, covering a whole-world life-style from west to east.

A perfect place for pinocchio...

Screen Saver

2007-04-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

I was thinking to my dreams. Each one is a puzzle of duality. Each piece looks true in the sense that we seem to know it; it is not strange when you see it, at all. These pieces look to match each other correctly. Nothing is irrelevant so that you follow the story even if it is virtual.

After waking up, however, it is difficult to correlate the scences; somehow funny or ...

I think the brain is busy when we are sleeping, making some screen savers just to keep us alive. Otherwise, we'll enter a shotdown process, forever...

Books 'n' Roses

2007-04-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Catalunya celebrated the day of Sant Jordi yesterday, 23rd of April. The streets were full of people and you could find roses everywhere.

Sant Jordi is the day of books and roses when the whole catalunya is decorated with beautiful roses. On this day, men give roses (wrapped in a small flag of catalunya) to their wife and women give books as gifts.

Nice, isn't it?

Nowruz

2007-03-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

It is like a battle. The old year wants to stay a little bit longer but the new one is already there. And it is always the same: the old one never wins coz nobody wants her to stay. And in fact, the new year comes with all you need: blank pages for your new moments; No matter what you have done before, draw it now!

Hope the new year breezes your life with:

Prosperity: To enjoy the coming years, years and years.
Peace: Within your heart.
Love: To share; to be loved by your family and good friends.
Happiness: To form the good memories for future.
Success: In every aspect of your life; to move forward.
Flowers: To feel it. To make it colorful.
Sunshine: To make them bright; all your days.
Family: Beside you.
Friends: To care about you.
Faith: To keep you moving ahead as a guide.

Happy Nowruz

A repeated scene

2007-03-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

To all of us, it may happen from time to time that, we see some scenes which we believe that we have seen them already. Some moments of life which look repeated. And you would like to say, I've seen this before! I'm sure that I've seen this, I remember it!

It means that you have already experienced this moment.
This, perhaps, has an explanation from a physician point of view.

But just a serious question: Isn't it a part of our soul and spirit, from another life, which is kept by brain? Are we experiencing a second life here? And these moments are like pieces of our life puzzle?

Or is it like that we are just one soul shared between human kind? Then we may experience such moments just because we have seen it somewhere else?

Or maybe it is all about our dreams?

Back again

2007-03-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back to the world of bloggers.

There is no excuse for the long delay but this one: I was thinking to change the blog environment(I mean type of posts) especially through putting pics.

No...
I better back to my own style. This gives me a better feeling.

So, I'll start today...

Now

2007-02-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

When I was a little kid, I loved to get to know the people, and still I do.

I wished to meet and greet them all, the world citizens.

To sing every song, to speak in every language.

To care, to share,...

Now, ...

Things they do

2007-01-30T07:43:00.000-08:00

They jump over the gate and get into the station, perhaps to save something about 0.5 Euro.

This is a normal scene here. Weekends, midnights, or better to say, whenever the station office is closed.

Really disgusting, you know. This is the way they try to show their talent and abilities.

They also are known for their misbehavior in crowded areas; robbing has, perhaps, no meaning here without them.

And if you want to find them, just go to those real dirty areas where they live.

Sometimes, I feel like ashamed of all these things they do. I wish they were dressed in another style or...

But no way; they, themselves, believe that they are muslims...

Yahoo

2007-01-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Well, this is not supposed to be post for my blog, but kind of request.
Actually, my account on yahoo is deactivated for an unknown reason and I'm in contact with yahoo to solve the problem. Those who are willing to send me email(s) can stay in touch through: black_shinkansen {at} yahoo[dot]com. Please send me your email address in order to be contacted.

Far beyond

2007-01-23T07:48:00.000-08:00

Thinking to my new status, I reallized that it has been a big step forward, I mean my marriage. Can't say that it is totally new but, in fact, it is a progress; moving ahead with my partner, towards all I have been dreaming for whole life.

She, no doubt, is the most impotrant parameter in my equation of life (thanks God). But not like those found in a mathematical world where a term may weaken other terms due to its power. No!!! She has colored my moments with her existence. And I feel like moving to a more balanced life.

It is more than a birth, more than a new life; It is beyond; far beyond...

New life, no time, no...

2007-01-16T08:46:00.000-08:00

Well, we are back to Barcelona.
And I'll try to keep the blog updated. There is, however, a small problem: My wife is here! She, wants me update the blog but does not leave me alone to think!!!

Stay tuned for next post which may come in a few days...

So cheap

2006-12-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

How you ever thought about yourself and how worthy you are? How about your parents? Brothers and sisters? Your friends?

And if you don't mind, how worthy is your friend or even an stranger?

Perhaps it is difficult for you to put a price. But be sure that this is not the way they think. You know, there are several institutions who are trading people worldwide. Did you know that you can have a Chinese baby for less than 18000 euros? I should also mention that they just sell the girls to the rest of the world and not the boys (you may guss the reason).
The same applies to the African kids and russians with one exception: here you may have boys also!!!

Back to my question, if you pay less money for the strangers (compared to your family), you are one of them, no doubt.

And then, you'll reallize why more than 50000 people are dying every day from extreme poverty and nobody cares...

Sudoku

2006-11-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

Those who are fond of puzzles, know Sudoku, a logic-based placement 9x9 puzzle which is to be filled so that every column, every row, and every 3x3 box contains 1-9 digits (without repetition of digits).

To me, Sudoku, has another meaning. The digits, 1-9, are different in values in the world of mathematics, but when they come to form a Sudoku, they make things in a balancing way. There, a 9 is valued the same as a 1. No difference. And the result, is a 9x9 box, full of equalities.

Now, I'm thinking to the fact that, our life is a Sudoku, and we just need to put the things together so that we can live in a balanced way in every aspect.

And, I'm always thinking to those 9 elements...

Don't go away...

2006-11-23T05:11:00.000-08:00

One of the differences between here and Japan is that, obviously, there is no strict timetable for the public transportation here. While in Japan there were annual timetables for trains, buses and other means of transport, here you just know the working hours. And in the case of tramvia network (for which you have a timetable in every station), the cars are not on-schedule being sometimes out of service or delayed due to a reason.

Then, the waiting time could be prolonged and boring, you know. Here, nothing can help except the digital world. The digital boards which are supposed to indicate the arrival time of next train, know how to do it: They just countdown in a non-stop way. I mean, while counting-down for the next train, and in the case of delay, they never reach zero. And before reaching zero, they change to a higher value and continue countdown.

So, you never know when the next train is here. But, at least, you don't loose your hope. The board says: Don't go away, it will come!

Tom and Katie

2006-11-22T02:19:00.000-08:00

Yes. They got married on Saturday, 18th of November; with a clipped 7-month kid showing that it was a must: a wedding ceremony. Congrats to the couple and to all their supporters.

Bracciano, a small city in Italy, and a crowd of celebrities who got there to participate or just to expose themselves to media (did you see victoria Beckham by the way? She was like going to a funeral in that black dressing).

6000 white and red roses were used for decoration and they spent something about 2.5 million Euros according to a TV report.

And, the same day, another report: 11 million children (under 5) die every year worldwide. 100 million kids live in the streets (according to UNICEF).

Black or...

2006-11-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

I was told that according to the docs, Romanian people have got the first place in ranking of immigrants to Spain, reaching to a record of 450,000 in recent years.

And last week, the media announced that in a one-day mission in a centric street of Barcelona (Raval), 110 people were arrested as they have been involed in prostitution. They also said that most of these people are coming from Romania and disturb the society with such activities making the city unsafe especially for those who live/work nearby.

I'm not sure if prostitution is banned here coz they held an international festival here in Barcelona (2 months ago). Also, they are freely moving in other areas of Barcelona publicizing their black-job.

Good or bad, banned or permitted, the point is that they get here easily perhaps without any problem. But if you are, for example, a well-educated one and want to do some scientific work here, then you have to follow a long procedure to get the work permit which is sometimes impossible.

Blonde hair

2006-11-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

"Blonde hair, Blue Jeans, Best things I've ever seen"
Do you remember this? Yes, the song by Chris de Burgh in "This way up".

Actually, I'm not sure if these are the best things he has ever seen. But, the motivation for this post comes from the fact that here in Spain, people colorize their hair to look like those blondes. And back to those years of my life in Japan, Japanese and Koreans were also coloring their hair into a blonde or (sometimes) strange colors.

Now, the question is: Who said that the blonde is the best?

Don't tell me this is just kind of fashion or something. The fact is that people think this way. They make themselves blonde coz they want to be. You know, spanish people are european, so why do they need to prove it this way? Or is it exactly what they want to say? What about those east-asians?

I believe that the problem is somewhere else. But where?

Saint Albert

2006-11-16T06:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, November 15, was the day of Saint Albert. They told me that he (Albert the Great) has been a patron, a pioneer in science (the biography is here).

And they celebrated the day. There was no course in some faculties including faculty of physics, to which I belong. Instead, the university was hosting the students with a big party providing foods and drinks.

Having a talk with the director of our department, Albert Cornet, he seemed really happy. You know, it was his day though he was complaining as he has to work even on his day.

Then, what is the meaning of your name, he asked.
And I said, I've got it from the Cyrus the Great, king of Persia.

Yes, that's great, we call him "Ciru" he said. And continued: But your king is old, mine is not that old, you know.

Right, but kings are kings, and Cyrus the Great has been a really great person, in many aspects.

You are definitely right, he said happily and left.

Congratulations to all Alberts worldwide!!!

Feel the time

2006-11-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if you are among those people who prefer normal (mechanical) watches to digital ones.

I, actually, like mechanical ones even though old or not so precise. But how come?

Trying to find an answer which can express my feelings about both systems, I reallized that those mechanical systems give a better sense of time perhaps because of their movement. I mean, when you see movements of the hands, or when you hear those tic-tacs, then then you undrestand it: The time goes by...

Immigrants

2006-11-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

According to a survey, Spain needs about 4 millions of foreigners in order to keep all the projects running (1 million for catalunya, 3 millions for the rest of the country).

They also say that thousands of people try to get here illegaly, most of them from african teritories. A lot of latinos, chinese, Arabs are also coming...

And, if you would like to know why, just take a look at all those low-level jobs...

FFP

2006-10-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

These days I'm busy with my FFP, that's why I couldn't upload new posts within last ten days. Hope you know what an FFP is, at least as a foreigner.

Kind of CSI?
No, let me explain. FFP is Flat Finding Project. You know, I'm changing my flat to a bigger one and here in Barcelona, it is extremely difficult to find accommodation in a reasonable price. 800 Euro/month for a single-room flat looks to be the norm here.

I almost gave up. I mean, my colleagues say that they all live outside Barcelona coz the prices are high here. Between 5-50km away.

This is Barcelona. A city for tourists, not residents...

A professor

2006-10-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

- Did you hear that Dr. *** became a full professor?
- Yes.

- You know, it changed my opinion about professors.
- Why?

-Coz I know him, he does not deserve this title at all.
- You mean that he is not good in manner, character, experiences,...?

- Yes, exactly. A professor should ...

Well, this is a part of a short talk between me and a friend of mine. She seemed totally disappointed hearing the news. She said that a professor should be qualified not only on a scientific basis, but also some more important factors should be taken into account.

Then it made me think about my childhood; In my mind, a "Professor" was someone really beyond. High in science, morals, experiences,...

And I had a feeling like : It's hard to be a professor. To be someone who really makes a contribution. A person who is different, perhaps old, a little bit tired, but always on top.

Now, they are telling me that I'm kind of professor here at University of Barcelona. And for sure I'm far from all those qualifications I had in mind during childhood. Don't understand...

A backward movement

2006-10-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

Imagine that you are given a chance to go back; to years and years ago. And you can meet just one person there. Who can this person be?

Chinese way of education

2006-10-04T02:25:00.000-07:00

The class is full of Chinese; I mean the Spanish course. Me, Morteza, and a philipino are the only foreigners (non-Chinese I mean!) and the teacher asked us to change. She believes that we may not learn here that much since these Chinese are not good at learning languages and she has to move ahead quite slowly. This is her experience anyway.

She is defenitely right. You know, one of them even can't write his name in English. Many of them have similar problems as they can not pronounce their names in an understandable way.

There are some reasons for this, some excuses. Firstly, their mother language is like the most difficult one from pronounciation point of view. They have problems with "R"s and some other characters. I think there is no English equivalent for some of their characters, on the other hand.

Secondly, they work overnight, all of them; in chinese restaurants mainly. So they can not concentrate, many of them sleeping during the course.

The teacher has a difficult task on the other hand. To tell the truth, I've never followed "Mission Impossible" but I suppose that the movie is about teaching a second language to people like us. You know, we are like kids here with a lot of problems in understanding the meanings, pronounciation, and making sentences.

And interestingly, in the first session of the course, I saw them all, knowing the numbers; from zero to millions. The only reason behind this, is that they need numbers to get the money from the customers. Otherwise...

Two Scenes

2006-09-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

A friend said that he has a kid; an adopted boy from Ethiopia. Here is what he told me about his kid:

"We went to Ethiopia to find a boy. There were a lot of problems as we had to be in contact with certain agencies which are active in this field. Anyways, it is a really nice feeling. There is a big contrast as he is totally black and we are white. Now he is 3 years old and speaks Spanish and Catalan. It was a little bit difficult for him at the begining coz he had to get our culture. Now, after three years, everything is fine and we feel quite good about it. You know, it is a quite different feeling when you have a kid. I mean everything is directed to him; the whole life. For entertainment, we go to parks, shows,... together. We really enjoy our life.
And we are planing to adopt another kid. We'll get there again within one month and ..."

Well, here is another scene:
According to The Japan Journal (based on a report from National Women's Education Center of Japan), Japanese fathers spend an average of 3.1 hours per weekday with their children (Korean's got the worst place with 2.8 hours).

So, ...

The lady of my dreams

2006-09-21T02:34:00.000-07:00

This is to the one who I really adore. The one who came to my life to make my days bright and to fill my moments with the joys I´ve been looking for during my whole life. Words can't express my feelings but my heart knows how to praise.

Now I'm waiting for her to come, counting every single second; praying for her to come ontime.

"Missing you" by Chris de burgh is perhaps the best tribute:

##########
I've been missing you...

I've got the roses, I've got the wine,
With a little luck she will be here on time,
This is the place we used to go,
With romantic music and the lights down low,
And as you stand there amazed at the door,
And you're wondering what all this is for,
It's just a simple thing from me to you,
The lady that I adore, 'cos there's something,
That you should know, it's that

I've been missing you, more than words can say,
And that I've been thinking about it every day,
And the time we had just dancing nice and slow,
And I said now I've found you,
I'm never letting go;

There is no reason to the things that we do,
You can break a heart with just a word or two,
And take a lifetime to apologise,
When the one you love's in front of your eyes,
And I will fall to my knees like a fool,
If it's the only way of getting through,
You see if I think you are beautiful,
Someone else is going to feel it too,
So there's only one thing to do, tell you that

I've been missing you, more than words can say,
And that I've been thinking about it every day,
Well tonight's our night for dancing nice and slow,
Because now I've found you, I'm never letting go,
No, now I've found you, I'm never letting go;

I've been missing you... I've been missing you...
I've been missing you... I've been missing you, darling...
##########

The parrot

2006-09-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

Today, I saw a parrot escaping from its cage.
The parrot landed on the street and started walking in a very crowded place. We tried to save it from the dangers on the way but it escaped and continued to walk. Then after some movements between those tires, all we saw was a little blood and a picture of a parrot on asphalts.

You know, it all happened in a few seconds and made me think for a while. Sometimes, we are unaware of those dangers waiting for us. Accidents are waiting to happen. The parrot was walking proudly, no care. It even didn't care when we wanted to help...

Hello again

2006-09-18T07:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back to Barcelona, back to you...

Yes, I'm back with a lot of things to say. To tell the truth, I didn't know if I can continue blogging while packing my stuff to Iran. There were a lot of problems on the way which I had to solve there and some plans to make some changes in my life. So it seemed to be a one-way trip...

Anyways, I'm here again to do my career, and to tell you what I've been doing during last two months. Please don't go away coz the new posts are on the way...

Adios!

2006-07-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

Well, the first part of my life in Barcelona is over and I´m heading Iran. I enjoyed my life here and I hope that it will be more fruitful after summer holidays.

Here in spain, things do not go as fast as I expected so I didn´t reach my goals in this part.
Anyhow, we started the job and we expect a progress as we go through it deeply. The new lab is not ready yet but they promised us to finalize the installations within two weeks. Great!

Will be busy after comming back: the projects which I´m responsible for, meetings, a course (probably), learning language, ...

Well, It´s time for another trip to Iran and I´m ready for it...

Barcelona

2006-07-12T04:11:00.000-07:00

Barcelona is a city to get to know in all its facets:
To discover and to let it discover you.
To enjoy in every way.
To see, smell, taste, touch, and listen to.
To make yourself a citizen of for some hours or a day. Or forever.
To live just the way you want.
To feel its energy.
To walk from top to bottom.
To forget whatever it is you want to forget and remember whatever you need to.
Barcelona is a city to love and let yourself love.

(source: Turisme de Barcelona)

An American

2006-07-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

An engineer is here to install a new CVD machine for our research. The day I met him, I noticed that his face resembles east asians but he said that he is American anyway.
He, not a sureprise, is good at English and uses a lot of American slangs while talking. The east asian accent, however, makes it difficult to understand him sometimes.

Yesterday, my colleague asked about his nationality and got this answer: American. I´m an American.

- "But you seem to be from an eastern country", my friend asked.
- "Yes. I was born in Vietnam", he answered.

- "Have you ever been to Vietnam?", my friend asked again.
- "No. I was born there but lived in the U.S.", answered the engineer.

- "Do you use special characters like Chinese?"
-"No. I think they use English characters."

- " So, you don´t know the language?"
-"No. My house is in California and I´m American. I know nothing about the language and culture. That´s why I´m not going there."

The roots...

A simple question

2006-07-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

What is the most difficult question you have been asked so far?

Happy birthday

2006-07-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, 3rd of July, is the birthday of one of my best friends, Seyed.

Tavallodet mobaarak...
Tanjobi Omedeto...
Happy Birthday...

Office

2006-06-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Here in our department, there is an office which is different from all those offices I´ve seen so far.

A big tag ("Office") is attached to the door so that nobody will get lost. And it is a 24/7 ready to help you.

Here is what we have in our office:
- A round table with 4 chairs.
- 3 vending machines for different types of drinks.
- A fridge.
- A microvave oven.
- Dishes, detergents,...

I´m not sure if you need anything else in your office but these seem to be quite helpful (seriously).

Moreover, it could be definitely refreshing when you are looking for a help and enter this office; coz generally, offices are not so helpful in finding a solution to your problem. Here, at least, you may take a rest, think for a while, and find it by yourself.

And it seems that someone has been trying to destroy the face of our office through writing these words on the tag: Word, Excel, Power Point.
( I still insist that our office is much better than the one of Microsoft as we have it 24/7 but Microsoft office is hanging quite often when you need it)

To be or not to be?

2006-06-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I ask myself about the most dificult moments of mylife; Their cause and the way I managed to leave them behind.
A closer look at our life, all those years which are gone now, gives us a wavy graph with many peaks corresponding to the ups and downs of our life; moments of success and happiness, and points of failare and sorrow. And if we have had learned enough (especially from our failures),then we have been more careful in next steps resulting in a better life delighted with more joyful moments and less failure meaning that the curve of life goes upward in positive direction.
Peaks of life (whether positive or negative), are the direct result of the decisions we have made at those points where we had to choose. Life, in fact, is full of points of selection and decision making. However, more than 99% of these moments are (perhaps) not that effective since they do not change the way of our life. In fact, in most cases the available options are not that different and any selection among them does not lead to a big success or a disaster. The remaining moments (which I belive that they form less than 1% of our life) are, on the other hand, controlling points of the rest of the life where we have to choose:no way.

And if we make the right decision or choose the best option available, then we achieve a milestone in reaching our goals. A wrong decision, needless to say, results in a backslide.At the point of selection, if there is a lack of information and if there is no way left to return, then a false selection may send us to the hell (just remember U-turn by Oliver Stoneor So far So close by Reza Mirkarimi), to a point where we really can not find a way out, the end of the world. Yes we reach the end of the line (and of course a sad point) with just a wrong selection. If, however, we take the right way, we may continue our way up though there is no guarantee if the rest of the way is a problem-free one.

I have passed several points of decision-making so far. And I had to choose the best among those options I had at the time of collision. They could brake me down or could help me up.Wrong decisions have affected my life to a large extent and it took me a long time and lots of efforts to recover. Thanks god, there has been always a way to find a solution. But what if we are in a situation like "to be or not to be?". How can I manage it when it comes to such hard times?
Now I have learned that in the points of selection, where a decision may ruin my life or help me approach my destination, to trust in god first of all. And secondly, choose the point according the experiences I have.

And if the mind does not help enough, then I will trust my heart. Even when the question is "to be or not to be?" there is a philosophy which may help: Never hurt people.

But is there any other selection on the way?

A breeze of Barcelona

2006-06-12T04:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, on my way to the university, and just before the match between Iran & Meczico, I was passing by the Barca stadium.

Rushing to my office, I was stopped by a known voice and couldn´t continue my way for a while. Yes, "The final coundown" was on air from the stadium.

To tell the truth, among those songs performed for the wordcup, this one is my favorite because of both rythm and lyrics. So I stopped and enjoyed the time, revitilizing some memories in Barcelona breeze; years and years ago.

Once I heared that it was dedicated to the victims of Challenger (the space shuttle, crashed in 1986) but later I found the music among those prepared for the worldcup. Still doubt about the occasion, but the song (performed by Europe in 1986) itself, is something you never forget.

##########
We're leaving together
But still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back
To earth, who can tell
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground (leaving ground)
Will things ever be the same again
It's the final countdown...
The final countdown
Ooh oh

We're heading for Venus (Venus)
And still we stand tall
Cause maybe they've seen us
And welcome us all (yeah)
With so many light years to go
And things to be found (to be found)
I'm sure that we'll all miss her so
It's the final countdown...
The final countdown
The final countdown (the final countdown)
Ooh ooh oh

The final countdown
Ooh oh
I'ts the final countdown
The final countdown
The final countdown (the final countdown)
Ooh
It's the final countdown
We are leaving together
The final countdown
##########

La Rambla

2006-06-06T01:11:00.000-07:00

There is a street named "La Rambla" located in the downtown of Barcelona. The venue is known for its touristic attractions. And in fact, it is.

A perfect place hosting millions of tourists every year. Here you can find everything from handicrafts to domesticated animals, from foods to toys...

La Rambla goes directly to the port where Cristoph Coulomb is standing. Seems that he is ordering his seamen to start a new journey. Another America? Perhaps...

And the main role is played by real artists here in La Rambla. There are a large number of guys and girls doing their best to entertain people. They, in fact, benefit their talent and trade it with just a few cents. Actors and actresses playing the role of famous characters, painters who provide you with your portrait in just about five minutes, dancers who simulate one of those Mickel Jackson´s concerts,...

There is also an old poet, sitting there in silence, selling his books; All he has done during his life. I wished that I could buy some books but they are all in Spanish...

All in all, it is about art. I believe that they are good artists selling their creativity-driven art to earn some money for an ordinary life with no way up. They, no doubt, know an art perfectly but do they know the art of living?

Information

2006-05-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

In Japan, everything comes with information and catalogues either in Japanese or any other language depending on the importance of the case.
Safety notes are provided in many languages even if the number of natives/speakers of the language is few.
I was surprised when I received safety instructions in my residency there in persian coz I was the only newcomer from Iran. The exam for menkio shomeisho (drivers´ licence) was also in persian.

Any kind of information about the things you deal with, brings you the basic knowledge so that you are not unfamiliar with the case. And on the other hand, you may help the other people if you are asked for the same info. I mean, you´ll have some experience to transfer.

The difference is obvious even here in Spain. And you feel it when you got something to do in any office here. Even the authorities sometimes do not have enough information about the case, which docs are needed, where to go, what to do,...

And in Iran, the system is getting better thanks to the computers and electronic devices. The bureaucratic works are reduced and works are done in a shorter time (compared to say, 5 years ago). However, people are still in need of information or better to say literature of the things they encounter during their daily life. Here is a scene in a taxi where the passenger asks about the fuel system of the car:

- Does it use gasoline or natural gas?
- Both
- Ok. How can I do that for my own car?
- You just go to ... and ask for the system. There are two systems one is based on meter (as consumption unit!) and the other one is based on cubic kilometer!!!

Happiness

2006-05-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

Juan Julio Ortega, and they shouted...
Juilan Jesus Ochoa, and they laughed...

I was curious to see what´s going on in the kitchen. They were talking, shouting, laughing continuously.

"What´s happening here", I asked.
And they were just pointing at the guy from Chili (Simon) laughing and laughing again.
"No. It can be Jorje Jemines Oliviera", Simon said.
"Or June July October", replied Marion, the french lady.
...

Then I understood what it was all about. Yes. "J.J.O", the tag on Simon´s shirt.

And I was thinking to the fact that sometimes a simple idea can bring happiness. Even a single tag...

The taste of freedom

2006-05-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Humankind is really weird.

Today, walking to the tram station, I saw an old man with his dog in a field. He,interestingly, had five cages with himself with poor birds stuck inside. And he was just airing them; trying to introduce something called air to the birds through moving the cages in the fresh atmosphere...

Or maybe he wanted to teach them what does freedom mean? The taste of freedom at least...

Monsters

2006-05-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

I could never imagine that some day monsters could be the best, especially when there are big rivals who (may) look like angels, you know.

Watching EuroVision last week, I was kind of dissapointed. The songs where mostly empty; lacking the meaning (lyrics), the rythm, the culture,...

It was almost like a disco with a group of singers and dancers and a huge crowd of people gathered to watch the show. And if you compare it to those of last year ( and the years before ), then you may join me on this. Going down and down. A friend was saying that is getting worse every year.

The lyrics were (more or less) the same as those you find everyday in any CD-shop. And there were a few countries which had their reperesentatives in their own language and dresses. Most of them, unfortunately, are trying to sing in English perhaps to find an international position.

And, perhaps that´s why a hard rock band (lets say monsters) of Finland wins the competition. At least they had something to say...

Thanks to all of you

2006-05-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

This post is a tribute to all of you my friends around the globe.

As a matter of fact and due to the problems I had during my transitional state (last six months), the blog was almost dead and number of posts decreased to about one post/month.

But thanks to all of you, my friends, the blogger could come back again. Many thanks to you for all your patience and support.

I´ll try to write more and more here again. To share my experiences and feelings. And most of all, thanks to Derakula, my dear friend, who was (and is) a good supporter. A friend of all times...

Friends like no others

2006-05-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

Morteza is one of those friends who really deserves to be called a good friend. Our friendship about a month ago, when I was looking for someone who can help me to organize my affairs for the new life in Barcelona. I just sent an email and he poped up with a click. Now, he is a good friend of mine helping me in many aspects. Thanks Morteza!!!

And there is another friend from Jordan named Feras; a doctor who has been living in Spain for about 7 years or so. He is always coming to see how the things are going and asks if everything is OK. Invites me to coffee and tries to share his experiences of life in Spain.

And there is a friend who is supporting me all the time(?). Many thanks.

And a God, above us...

Tres vivas por Barca

2006-05-17T14:03:00.001-07:00

Barca won the game: 2-1.

This is perhaps the best news for the people of Barcelona who love their city and culture.
Here, in fact, people of Catalunya are different. Diferent in language, culture, wealth, and ...
The language is Catalan, something different from Spanish though they believe that there are lots of similarities because of the commont root. Talking to my professor, he said that they insist on their language coz they want it alive. That´s why Spanish and Catalan are both accepted as official language here.

I, for sure, need lots of time to get familiar with this culture.Therefore, it is not the time to write much about it. The thing, I´m going to point out, is the language itself which brings many nations together. While watching the match, just a few moments ago, those latin americans who were among the spectators, were shouting for Barca all the time.

Just imagine, a common language joins many people around the globe. It reminds me the song "Imagine" by "John Lennon".

And I wish that there were no borders...

Wish me luck please...

2006-05-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

When I was heading Barcelona, I didn´t know that there is a place in the world where the bureaucratic works are much heavier than Iran. Here in Spain, they say that lots of documents should be prepared and so many things are to be done in order to finalize a job. Compared to Japan, it seems that there is no system through which you can trace your documents and you have to wait and wait. This is what I´m doing at the moment.

The good point, on the other hand, is that the people are relaxed; not stressed like Japanese who were always saying that they are busy with their jobs. Here, in fact, people say: OK. Lets wait and cross our fingers to see what happens. Hope the things work.

And to me, although I hate waiting for the things to happen, the Spanish way of life is better coz here, you work for a better life but there in Japan, we had to live(?) for a better work.

OK. me? Well, after a year of communication with the authorities, there are still some docs to be signed. So, Wish me luck please...

A new experience

2006-05-13T06:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I´m in Barcelona now.

It took almost a year to get here coz there were lots of things to do; from preparation of documents to convincing myself that the new situation will be better than staying in Iran (from a scientific point of view).

Arrived 2days ago, I still doubt if this is the thing I´m looking for. However, there are some positive points which bring hopes. Firstly, the department is quite nice with lots of facilities. The professor and his working group (to which I belong now) are real nice guys. Secondly, the people of Barcelona look very kind and helpful. And the third point is the culture, with many respectful features...

My trip

2006-05-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

I was working on my plans during last few days. The most important one was to pack the belongings to leave here for a short(?) period of time. Things went well and I could manage the entire process to get out.

Where to? Europe...

Yesterday, however, I decided to stop for a while. You know, things happen; and I got to think more to avoid some problems.

And, of course, I can not take everything. Perhaps I need to leave the best of mine here, at least for a month or two.

Mails come and go...

But still the question remains: What if ...

To Deracula...

2006-04-27T00:10:00.000-07:00

I met Deracula last night; It could be the end of the story or just a start. Who knows?

The poem was really nice. But I'm not sure if I'm the one; I do not deserve all those words.
And for the weekend, and to show my gratitude, I'd like to say (taken from: Heart & Shoulder, Siren):

##########
Wanna cry for you
Would it do any good?
If I rained for you
It would just be water

And the night's with you
And the storm's in your hand
And you're down, and you're down
And I can't lift you

I'm powerless to change your world
I'm powerless to stop the hurt

But I'll give you my heart
Give you my shoulder
I give you my heart
Give you my shoulder
Over and over

Wanna run for you
Would it do any good?
If I flew for you
You would still be standing

And it's hard watching
'cause I'm part of you
And it's hard not to
Not to know what I can do

I'm powerless to change your world
I'm powerless to stop the hurt

I'm trying hard to be your tower of strength
I'm trying hard to bring you back to joy

I'll give you my heart
Give you my shoulder
I give you my heart
Give you my shoulder

When the night just cuts you through
And the dream is lost to you
When you're worried and confused

I will give you my heart give you my shoulder
I give you my heart
Give you my shoulder
Over and over

Time and again
Give you my shoulder
I will
I give you my heart
Give you my shoulder
I will
Time and again
Over and over
I give you my heart
Give you my shoulder
##########

Names

2006-04-26T07:51:00.000-07:00

Surfing the net, I found this poem from Kenn Nesbitt:

##########
My sister's name is "Seven"
and my brother's name is "Eight."
My parents gave them freaky names
I'm sure they thought were great.

They could have named him "Michael"
and they could have named her "Sue."
Instead they both decided that
no normal names would do.

My brother could be "Brandon."
Maybe "Benjamin" or "Bill."
They could have named him "William"
and then simply called him "Will."

My sister could be "Sarah."
Maybe "Kimberly" or "Kelsey."
They could have named her "Caroline"
or "Katherine" or "Chelsea."

My brother could be "Steven"
or they could have named him "Todd."
But instead, his name is even
and my sister's name is odd.
##########

I've seen many people proud of their names. There are, however, some people who hate their names.
What about you? Do you have any problem with your name? How do you like it?

It is all about love

2006-04-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

It was a fantastic trip to my beautiful hometown, Shiraz. Family and friends, it is always good to see them. Those who are a part of your soul; your moments and memories. Fantastic…

Hafezieh (the tomb of Hafez) was hosting a lot of people from around the world on Thursday night. You know, it is a glory to be there in such moments. I wish you were there to see the whole scene.

Some guests were walking in the dark enjoying the relaxing environment with the Persian traditional song and the smell of blossoms in the dark; perfect for the lovers…

The tomb was surrounded by a crowd with their Divans (poems of Hafez) whispering the poems, looking for their fortune and destiny there in the book. You know, it is all about love…

And there were a third group, clinging to the tomb, lying down, no words, but a stream of tears on their face…

Leave yourself

2006-04-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

To begin the new chapter of my blog, I'm going to publish a nice poem from Aziz Nesin here (translated from persian texts but originally in Turkish I guess):

##########
I guess,
That you'll escape;
I do not solicit;
Won't run;
But please leave your voice in me!

I know,
That you'll leave;
Won't stay in your way;
But please leave the good smell of your hair in me!

I know,
That we'll separate;
Won't desolate;
Won't peter;
But please leave your color in me!

I feel,
That you'll desolate;
Will be upset;
But please leave your ardor in me!

Now,
I know the difference;
That you'll forget;
And I,
Will turn to a dark sad ocean;
But please leave the taste of yourself in me!

You'll leave;
And can't stop you;
But please leave yourself in me!
##########

Please stay with me and find the new posts...

Something for you, Something for myself...

2006-03-26T05:56:00.000-08:00

Well, The new year arrived. The same as all those years I have left behind.
Last year was full of ups and downs but it all began as of my return. I was back to my country where I thought that I belong to. But, to be honest, it was the begining of a big change. I was like a fish stuck in a small tank with water getting dark and dark day by day.
First days were really shocking. Is this my land? Why nobody understands me? Maybe I'm the big problem? I mean myself.
Then I started to revitallize; to save myself. To get the best of the society. To see the positive points. And to adjust myself.

Yes. It was difficult. It left no time for thinking. I had to put all my efforts on better understanding of the society where I belong to. I'm saying difficult and I really mean it. Sometimes on the earth, sometimes in the sky. Sometimes satisfied and sometimes mad.

Now, all I see is not more than what I believed in earlier. It is all about people and their culture. They are really strange; and they treat you as a stranger.

And for the new year, I'm planning to leave them their belongings. But I can not leave them unaware and illiterate. So maybe the best way is to help this destroyed culture from outside. To charge them with all those things they have lost, and to save them from the world they are lost in.

And just to congratulate you on the occasion of the new year, I brought this (unknown source):

##########
May peace fill all the empty spaces around you
And in you, may contentment answer all your wishes.

May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.
And may the coming yearshow you that every day is really a first day,a new year.

Let abundance be your constant companion,
so that you have much to share.

May mirth be near you always,
like a lamp shining brightly
on the many paths you travel.

May you be true love.
##########

A request

2006-02-02T03:13:00.000-08:00

By the way, I do not have the links in my weblog here in Iran. So, may I ask my visitors to put their blog address in comments?

An advice

2006-02-02T02:52:00.000-08:00

I was adviced by a good friend of mine, Arash, not to write about Iran negatively.

First of all, I've to say thanks to Arash, a friend of all times.

Secondly, what I should emphasis on, is that I'm not among those people who just see the negative points. However, going back to Iran was something close to death for a period of time. I was shocked by the things I was away from for the previous 4 years (when I used to live in Japan).

The fact is that the society, in it's whole form, is going down. Young generation is lost. Lost in a crazy world. And the old ones? We can not expect so much, you know.

The other side of the coin is that you can not find a perfect society. There are some advantages for each society but lots of problems as well. All you have to do is to find the best choice. You may have a peaceful life in a low level country but enjoy your happy life. This, however, needs to close the eyes which is sometimes painful, you know.

And my advice: As an Iranian, be helpful to your nation, wherever you are.

Ordinary pencil

2006-01-26T03:08:00.000-08:00

Here in Iran, people trade their lives with nothing. Everybody is running from early morning till late in the night. And at the end of a day, you've done nothing important for your life. You have just spent your time, no satisfaction.

And, of course, there are some people who do believe in their job here. They work and fight for the things they believe.

Remember the "ordinary pencil" by "Klyuev"? Yes. It reminds me the story of the pencil who was writing all his life. He spent the whole life on writing stories about a princess but nobody was willing to read them. He wrote willingly and traded his body with some heartful words. You know, he wrote the first story when he was big.
Shorter and shorter night by night, it was the time to write the last story. Then he died...

And a few seconds later, all the papers flew. To the sky. To his best friend, the moon...

Children's letter to God

2006-01-24T06:19:00.000-08:00

I got enough time to read "Children's letter to God" by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall once again.

The book, as the title shows, is a collection of the letters of children to God. Letters are simple but worthy to read. To remind your childhood. To breeze your mind with some simple but very true writings:

"Dear God,
I went to this wedding
And they kissed right in church. Is that OK?"
Neil

And it is true. You know, things do not change but our view point changes as we grow up. I, sometimes, wish to have a simple but true look as I saw the things in those years. Remember, the world is the one we used to live in our childhood. It is all about us...

No excuse...

2006-01-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

Well. I've no excuse for being late.

The thing is that I was sick for a month or so and am recovering from the damn disease now.
So, I'll start writing as of tomorrow.

BTW, thanks to all of you for your kind support. I promise to write regularly as of tomorrow morning...

Happy new year

2005-12-28T05:16:00.000-08:00

I believe that bringing messages of happiness does not have anything to do with religions, teritories, nationalities...

Love and friendship is what the world is made based on. And whoever we are, whatever we do and wherever we live, when the new year comes, we get the chance to show our love and friendship eachother.

Breeze your minds in the coming new year and gear up for the new projects of your life. Stay faithful and improve your productivity.

And do not forget: Smile, Smile, and Smile...

A very very happy new year to all of you. Hope the new year is the begining of beautiful moments of your life.

A part of the society

2005-12-27T04:54:00.000-08:00

Seems that I have to resist this situation.
After about two months of fighting myself, I'm trying to accept the new life-style and adopt myself.
Yes, a new life-style. Don't remind me that I was born and bred here. I know this for sure. The fact, however, is that when you get the opportunity of living in another culture, you'll get used to it; especially when there are lots of positive points in there.
And it is all about culture. Everything seems strange here. Once you enter this land, you are confused; you are lost. The very first question you ask yourself is "How did I live here for so many years?" And the second one is "How I'm going to stay alive?"

No way, I'm now a part of the society and should stay alive. But I wonder how I can stay away from all of the abnormalities? Or I have to be one of them? Telling lies everyday, fighting the other people for nothing, leaving books in their selves alone,...

It is all about...

2005-12-12T06:09:00.000-08:00

Promised to write regularly. But I can't.
I have an excuse; Just try to understand how I feel here.
To give you an example of a daily life, I've selected a normal day:

It was last week, Wednesday morning and I was going from my work-place to Tehran;
First scene: A minbus has almost pressed a DAEWOO. A Pride is also damaged to a large extent. The minibus, itself, is upside-down. A heavy traffic jam; A police car tries to get close to the scene, no help...
Second scene, the same road: Another car is bumped a column. The driver is fighting the death. He is almost gone. No help...
Third scene, the same road: A Samand has bumped a Pride. Pride is damaged largely...

Remember, a day earlier (Tuesday), a C-130 crashed,...

Now, what do you expect?

A small problem

2005-11-28T19:28:00.000-08:00

After years of hard study and passing lots of training courses, students participate in an examination -called konkoor- to enter universities. Those who pass the test successfully, are experts in multiple-choice tests and have learned how to choose. In fact a few of them know how to think and what a "University" or "School" means and what is the importance of education in their life.
To most of them, higher education is a way to earn money or something to show off or a way to get out of the country. They just come and go and only a few people are interested in education itself.

Professors and staff members, on the other hand, seem to be bored of lack of facilities and means of education. Their articles are rejected just because they are Iranian; Many scientific webpages refuse to respond those requests from Iran,...

And results are known:
1- We have the record in brain-drain: about 300,000 educated people in 2004 according to UN.
2- Among those who earn their degree outside Ian, only 2 (out of 96) are getting back to the country according to authorities (published in Hamshahri daily).

Only in ...

2005-11-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

There are many things to write about. But I can't; Can't coz I do not know how to describe this nation. Anything you see here, is dissapointing. I'll try to convince myself to write.

For this post, and for the sake of writing, I read this two weeks ago: Saudi Arabia has announced that cinemas can start operating after more than 20 years. However, they are not allowed to show anytype of movies and only cartoons can be screened...

My daily life

2005-11-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

I’m still in a comma. A month of stress is passed and it is difficult to adopt with the new conditions. My daily life can be expressed in three words: Waste of time.

People do nothing. They rush and run the whole day but nothing is obtained. Almost nobody thinks about his/her life. To them, turning days to nights is the best thing they can do. Studying is not a part of life here, even at the universities. Morals are giving their place to crimes…
Today, I heard about a circular from the president to all of the universities in which The president asks the universities to stop organizing conferences of any type (in order to prevent prodigality).

Just think about it. Universities can not hold conferences even scientific ones…

Back to you

2005-11-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it's time to say hello again. To all of you my dear friends.
The breeze has decided to come back. This time, from Iran.
And of course, it will bring you feelings of a real life.

Please stay in touch for the first post.

Hard to say, but...

2005-09-30T02:17:00.000-07:00

Yes. It is. Indeed it is hard to say goodbye. Even for a short time.
Here, everything is the same. The same as the night I arrived. It was three years ago and I had no idea about the new life. I mean the life here, in Japan. It was a strange feeling. Where am I going and for how long?

And now, I've to confess that it went fast. Faster than what I expected. In a blink...

I will take my stuff back. Back to Iran for another experience; this time, with another point of view. Among the things I got to carry, the lightest is my degree. The doctoral certificate. And the heaviest, is my memories. Memories of joyful times with my new friends. Wait! I said nothing is changed. But I think I was wrong. Everything is changed as I could make new friends here. Both Itanians and Japanese. Iranians, to tell the truth, brought me the best moments of my life here. Yes. the precious friends are here. And I've to leave them soon. This is not fair but no way...

This breeze comes with drops of my tears. Do not know why but it is just the feeling. Cooling the face and firing the heart...

And I happened to start my blog here in Japan. Like breeze in this stormy island. Tried to be myself. Tried to flow regardless of borders. You know, flowers are flowers, everywhere. And the sea; And the sky.

Now, I've you. As my dear friends; being with breeze every single day. The breeze will not stop and I'll give you my deepest regards through it. So every morning, open the windows and take a deep look at the leaves dancing with the breeze...
The BREEZE will start to flow but needs to take a rest at home...

And to close this post, just read story of the giving tree by Shel Silverstein:

##########
Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come to play
Swinging from the branches, sleeping in the shade
Laughing all the summer’s hours away.
And so they love,
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon the boy grew older and one day he came and said,
"Can you give me some money, tree, to buy something I’ve found?"
"I have no money," said the tree, "Just apples, twigs and leaves."
"But you can take my apples, boy, and sell them in the town."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon again the boy came back and he said to the tree,"
I’m now a man and I must have a house that’s all my home."
"I can’t give you a house" he said, "The forest is my house."
"But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home"
And so he did.
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And time went by and the boy came back with sadness in his eyes.
"My life has turned so cold," he says, "and I need sunny days."
"I’ve nothing but my trunk," he says, "But you can cut it down
And build yourself a boat and sail away."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And after years the boy came back, both of them were old.
"I really cannot help you if you ask for another gift."
"I’m nothing but an old stump now. I’m sorry but I’ve nothing more to give"
"I do not need very much now, just a quiet place to rest,"
The boy, he whispered, with a weary smile.
"Well", said the tree, "An old stump is still good for that."
"Come, boy", he said, "Sit down, sit down and rest a while."
And so he did and
Oh, the trees was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.
##########

So long my friends...
But I promise to come back again...

Art of teaching

2005-09-26T02:57:00.000-07:00

"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater."

- Gail Godwin

Que Sera Sera

2005-09-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

Everybody is worried about his/her future for sure.
As a kid, there is a strange feeling with us. What will I be? What I want to be? How the world will treat me?
Yes. There are lots of questions to ask and many of us do not feel ourselves strong enough even to ask our parents about it. And if you ask them, all you get is a not-understandable reply. But it gives the sense. A sense of happiness with an un-known background. Perhaps they mean: Just wait, you'll see by yourself. You'll get it one day. And they are right, we got to wait, to face everything which comes.

But, alas, we cant't have everything. I mean all joys are not coming to you at the same time. You feel it when you look at your parents getting older and older which fades their smiles day by day. Now you understand. You get what they wanted to tell you...

"Que Sera Sera" was written for Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 re-make Of his 1934 film "The Man Who Knew Too Much" Starring Doris Day & Jimmy Stewart. Lyrics tell everything itself...

##########
When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother
What will I be
Will I be pretty
Will I be rich
Here's what she said to me

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be

When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart
What lies ahead
Will we have rainbows
Day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be

Now I have Children of my own
They ask their mother
What will I be
Will I be handsome
Will I be rich
I tell them tenderly

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be
Que Sera, Sera
##########

A short week

2005-09-22T22:59:00.000-07:00

Monday and Friday were holidays this week. So I had 3 working days and lots of things to do. Therefore, I decided to come to the lab the whole week.

I started with some new experiments which finally led us to the conclusion that the device with its current configuration does not work well because of conflicts between physics and chemistry.

So today -Friday- I'm working on another sample and hope that this one works for the sake of god.

I also spent some time with our Iranian Friends in Fukuoka Film Festival screening four Iranian movies this time. And I had a great time with Mr. M. Majidi, Mr. P. Parastui, Mr. R. Mirkarimi, Mr. M. Raigan, Ms. F. Motamed Arya,... through discussions here in our small group.

Finally, I got to postpone my trip to Iran because of some problems. So I may stay for 3 more weeks or so...

The Willow Tree

2005-09-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

I spent yesterday afternoon with Majid Majidi, Parviz Parastouei, ... in Fukuoka film festival. Majidi's "The Willow Tree" was great. A story based on a true story where a blind professor gets his sight back after having an operation. This, though seems to be a great point in professor's life, turns to be the begining of a big challenge. After 38 years of blindness, he finds himself in a mirror, a real stranger...

And the new status brings all difficulties. He gets lost in himself; confused with the environment. He is simply seduced by the colorful life; by the things he gets with his eyes; unaware of the games. You know he gets into a dangerous trade, forgetting those beauties he got by the heart for 38 years for the sake of some fascinating scenes captured in blinks.

Then, the man used to love his wife and kid, falls in love with his student who looks quite pretty (and younger than his wife). No way, the life is ruined. Everything is gone, family, love,...

This, could be the story of all of us as we loose the heartful things in our complex daily life. Real joys are not those you see with your eyes. You just got to close your eyes and listen to your heart. Then, you'll see that there are lots of things to feel and enjoy while your eyes do not have the chance to get them all and ignore them all...

Yes. It happened!

2005-09-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

You know, I wanted to stay away of my blog yesterday. So I put those numbers there in order to get your response though seems that my dear friend, Saeid, came and ...

First of all, thanks to all of you my blog readers for your nice greetings and birthday messages. Saeid, me, Farzad, Sakura, Maryam,... Many thanks to all of you. You made my day a bright and happy one. Thanks and thanks...

And why did I wrote those digits? Well, I wanted to remind myself to write a post about Japan to those who are not familiar with Japanese calendar.

Actually, Japanese calendar is based on the year each emperor starts his work. For instance, we are in HEISEI 17 now. It means that current emperor has started 17 years ago. And I was born when previous emperor- named SHOWA- was on the job.

You know, it looked a little bit funny when I saw my birthday on my ID-card here. It was SHOWA 48. Then I laughed and said: Well, seems that I'm older than what I believed so far, 4 years if you take it as an Iranian year and 25 years for gregorian calendar...

73

2005-09-21T01:03:00.000-07:00

To Farzad

2005-09-19T22:07:00.000-07:00

Got freezed after reading Farzad's story. It has occupied my mind and I've lost my concentration since yesterday.

Written with my tears,
Sent via the breeze,
Letter of my heart,
To dear Farzad.

No joy today,
No word to say,
No light to see,
No help to be.

I feel the pain,
Where is the rain?
To wash the tears,
To fade the sears.

The sky is gray,
How can I just pray?
But the god is above,
And the soul is alive...

Yes. Friends are around,
Let the heart get the sound,
And Ali will remain,
On the mind of the sane...

So far, So close

2005-09-18T23:21:00.000-07:00

I watched "So far, So close" last night. The story was about a doctor lost in a world. A world of himself with all its complexities which push him away from his own family and society around him.

"Your doughter is like someone stuck in a well in a desert. No way. How can I help her for a few more days? She will die. Everybody dies." says the doctor (carelessly) to the mother of a patient in an early scene of the movie.

And the ending scene of the movie: The doctor is stock in his car covered by a pile of sand-due to the storm- in the middle of a desert...