New Year 2007

Hey friends,

So we have entered a brand new year: 2007. What can I say except that I feel like it's still 2006. However, there had been a flurry of excitement as within a span of a week, we had Christmas, Eid, New Years and the execution of a dictator on a festive day for Muslims.

The night before the Eid, I was glue to my television following the news that Saddam Hussein could be hanged any time now. The sentenced was given five days ago, which said that he should be executed within 30 days. The sudden announcement that he would be hanged just before 6am on the day of Eid for Muslims upset and angered me. From all the days of the 30 days, they had to do it on the day of Eid. Why not after? It seemed like a deliberate calculated step on the part of the so called new Iraqi government, who we all know is controlled by outside influence,to hang Saddam on Eid day to upset all Muslims, regardless if they were supporters or anti-Saddam. I didn't support him. I thought he was a mad man. But to hurt the sensibilities of Muslims on their most joyous occasions is asking for too much. It would be akin to hanging President Bush (who should be tried for crimes for humanity as well) on Christmas day.

All that didn't deter myself or my friends from making our plans to celebrate New Years. Dubai was in full swing, with every single night club packed to the max, charging exhorbitant prices, with all resturants heavily booked with overpriced package deals. We decided to go out in the desert and build our own bonfire and share stories. That didn't work out. We decided to go watch the fireworks at the Burj Al Arab hotel, but that plan was flushed away too. So we went to the mall, where we browsed around and ended up at the perfume shop, where my friend and I bought our favorite colognes, and got those in the gift box set, and had it wrapped. Of course, I got my favorite one: Burberry for men!

My other friend started feeling sick at the mall, with all the over-crowding, smoke and poor ventilation, that it started provoking his stomach to expel the burger he had from Fuddruckers. On our way home, he threw up lots and lots of food, and we ended stuck at home, as it was too late to go back out on the roads and be stuck in the traffic. So, our New Years was spent at home, where at the stroke of midnight, my friend and I opened up our gifts which we had purchased for ourselves, while my other friend was lying down on the sofa sick. I saw the fireworks at the creek from the kitchen balcony, which were pretty amazing.

My sick friend went to sleep, while my friend and I went over what our tasks and committments are for the year 2007. We kind of laid out our plans for our future, what we would be doing and what we should be doing.

All I can say is that the year 2007 could possibly be the one for my getting engaged (at least), job change and a possible re-location to another country. I have already given my end of contract notice to my landlord and moving out on the 15th of Januray to Dubai. Sometimes mid-March, I may leave the country and work elsewhere. So exciting things are coming up.

In the meantime, you all have an awesome New Year and a great 2007.

Mansur