Comparative Commentary

Text A, an article from HIGH, Mountain Sports magazine, and the poem “Breathless” by Wilfred Noyce both deal with the same experience, mountain climbing. Their themes, general statements on human nature or experience, are similar with minor differences. Although they share a common topic and their themes have a high degree of similarity, they have many differences. Since Text A was found in a sport’s magazine, its key audience was people interested in sports, specifically those interested in extreme sports. As for “Breathless”, it has no specific audience due to the poem’s metaphorical level. Long sentences and long paragraphs with a variation of short to long sentences were used in Text A. Short sentences, often composed of two words, were used in “Breathless” due to the strength and richness of the diction. Both are written in informal register in order to personalize the article or poem to the reader. They used different literary techniques for the same purpose, conveying their theme. The distinct differences in their themes was what led to the poet and journalist to turn to different techniques. The message both of them were sending to the audience was not completely the same, and thus they had to send their messages using effective techniques. Techniques such as imagery, diction, structure, register, and the creation of atmosphere were all ways in which theme was conveyed. The tones of the two writings are very different, the author of Text A wrote with a very passionate tone, while the poet wrote with a very pessimistic tone. “Breathless” was more effective than Text A in terms of conveying theme due to the empathy it created within the reader.

Both authors address the concept of determination in their themes. Text A says that in order to experience the captivating beauty of nature you must be able to endure the hardships that come along with it; thus you must have qualities that make you enduring such as determination, “Summits such as Cook have irresistible climbing appeal but are unnerving in reality.” Text B, on the other hand, talks about the importance of self motivation and determination when aiming for something. Both themes acknowledge that the goal is only part of the experience. Although the speaker in the first text is very passionate about the beauty of nature and the experience itself, he recognizes that reaching the summit was only part of the experience, “Rather than giving satisfaction, they reinforce the sense of urgency that is essential in mountaineering. There was still much to do. Celebrations would have to wait.” Acknowledging that the goal is only part of the experience is one of the enduring qualities that a mountain climber must have, thus in relation to the theme, if you want to experience the beauty of nature you must acknowledge the fact that reaching the summit is only part of the journey. The speaker in Text B also realizes that the reaching the top is only part of the journey. He is struggling throughout his climb to the top, “One step, one heart-beat, stone no nearer, dragging feet.” His emphasis on the struggle of the climb to the top makes it exceptionally clear to the reader that the experience of mountain climbing is composed of multiple journeys. In spite the struggle of the first journey, the speaker in text b managed to go on through determination and self motivation. Self motivation is associated with the interior monologue, thus the interior monologue plays a role in conveying theme; “don’t look up.” Text A includes the beauty of nature in its theme, and not everyone is familiar with the specific beauty of nature in the article, thus the theme is not as effective as it could be. Text B on the other hand, focuses on the feelings of the speaker and thus the reader is able to understand what he is going through, and come to a better understanding of the theme. Although both themes are very similar, the theme of the poem is more easily understood due to the familiarity of the reader with the situation the speaker is in.

Quite an extensive amount of imagery is used throughout both writings. The use of imagery is used to strengthen the understanding of the theme to the readers. A significant amount of visual imagery is included in Text A. The visual imagery was created through the extensive use of adjectives of positive connotation and figurative language such as metaphors and personification. By creating beautiful images in the reader’s mind, the author strengthens his theme which talks about experiencing the beauty of nature. Text A does not have a focus on the drawbacks of mountain climbing as Text B does, thus the author has a more positive outlook on the subject itself. Words of positive connotation are used to describe the view the speaker sees and thus the reader is not discouraged from mountain climbing, and is able to identify with the theme because he/she can picture the captivating beauty of nature, “The Tasman Sea was hidden by a low blanket of white cloud”. Metaphors are also used to beautify nature and it helps the reader identify objects he is familiar with and nature, “The mountains were black silhouettes against the brightening sky”. Through personification the author makes nature seem larger than life, “Once over the summit rocks, the sun climbed higher and we daubed our faces with sunscreen”. Tactile imagery is used in Text B in order to create an emphasis on the struggle of the climb towards the top. The imagery used is so effective that the reader feels that he is going through what the climber is going through, and thus empathy is created. The repetition of the struggle to breathe makes you feel like you are also struggling to breathe, “Lungs pant, dry air, sorry scant.” The reader comes to a complete understanding of the struggle of the climb, and since words of negative connotation are used, the reader is discouraged into mountain climbing. There is also a degree of visual imagery used, in the sense that you can picture the speaker, an exhausted, lonely person who finds every step forward a struggle. The tactile imagery helps to formulate the visual image of the speaker. Through familiarizing the reader with the feelings the speaker is feeling, the reader was able to picture the speaker. The tactile imagery used in the poem is the greatest factor in the creation of empathy. Through the imagery, the reader felt what the speaker felt, and mentally put himself in the speaker’s situation. By being in the speaker’s situation you are able to understand the theme to its fullest. The imagery of Text A on the other hand, focuses on the beauty of nature and the reader can not familiarize with that as much as he can with the feelings of the speaker in “Breathless”.

The purpose of both authors was to convey the theme. Text A was found in a Mountain Sports Magazine, thus it was inferred that the author wanted to directly tell people that mountain climbing is a beautiful experience, but a hard one, and the person has to be up to it. The fact that it was in a mountain sports magazine implies that the reader takes the sport seriously, thus the author wanted to say that it is a serious task that requires determination. The author successfully achieved his purpose through imagery, diction, and the end of the article (“There was still so much to do. Celebrations would have to wait”). The diction used helped add to the calm, pleasant mood which is directly related to the theme. The theme of Text B was conveyed through the tactile imagery, diction, repetition, and diction. The repetition at the end of the poem, “heart aches, lungs pant, dry air, sorry scant” was used to emphasize the fact that when you reach the top you have to repeat the journey over again; reaching the summit is only a part of the experience. Through tactile imagery, the author was able to relate to the reader more effectively, and thus the purpose of the poet was achieved much more effectively than the article.

The atmospheres in the two texts are completely different than one another. In simple terms, Text A could be describes as light, and Text B as dark. The first text seems to have a calm, peaceful atmosphere, while the other text seems to have a unnerving, depressing, and frustrating atmosphere. The visual imagery in the first text greatly helps establish the peaceful atmosphere, “The snow beneath broke and crunched like shards of glass.” Glass breaking is usually not associated with positive atmospheres, but the comparison of the glass breaking to the snow breaking creates a beautiful mental image that calms the reader. Also, the positive diction used greatly contributes to the positive atmosphere. Finally, you do not feel that the speaker himself is nervous or tired, he seems calm and is experiencing the beauty of nature to its fullest. The tactile imagery in Text B adds to the atmosphere. By feeling what the speaker is feeling, you can have a vivid sense of what the atmosphere is like, it is depressing, unnerving, and somewhat frightening, “Grind breath, once more then on.” The reader can imagine himself in the position of the author and thus can familiarize with the atmosphere. The words of negative connotation greatly contribute to the negative atmosphere, “dry air”. The atmospheres of both texts can be linked to the themes, the author of Text A created a positive atmosphere in order to emphasize on the beauty of nature, while the author of Text B created a negative atmosphere in order to emphasize on the struggle of the climb. The atmosphere of the poem is more familiar to the reader than the paradise like atmosphere of the article. The poem’s atmosphere is more real to the reader, and that is why he can relate to it better, thus creating a better understanding of the theme.

The theme of “Breathless”, although very similar to the article was conveyed more effectively due to its empathetic appeal. It’s empathetic appeal was greatly created through the tactile imagery and the atmosphere established in the poem. The poem was more real to the reader, and thus its theme was understood better than the article. The article’s use of extensive visual imagery established an atmosphere that was not very real to the reader, and thus the reader could not identify with the main point of the theme (the summit is only part of the experience), as easily as it could with the poem. The visual imagery and words of positive connotation led to a focus on the natural aspect of the theme, and not the important message in it. The author of the article included it in the end of the article possibly for effect, but due to the visual imagery the reader was distracted from the main point. But with the poem, the reader is the speaker, and the theme is a lesson the reader can identify with.
Samar Al-Ansari
Feb. 8, ‘05

It’s So Unfair

I don’t think that it’s fair
To celebrate my birthday
while you’re not there
From life
I already had my own share
I wish, my darling, that yours
I was able to spare
To fulfil your dreams
Some of which I’m aware
What cake should I have?
What dress should I wear?
They make no sense now
As sadness fills the air
How can I survive another year?
I don’t know, I swear
With a broken heart
And your empty chair
Everything around me
Is beyond repair
Sorrow and I
Are now a pair
Life truly is so unfair!

Randah R. Hamadeh, 2009, Copyright©
Summer Rays
Written in loving memory of my daughter
Samar Ahmed Al Ansari

June 2010

Samar Al Ansari Athletic Award

The criteria for winning the award:

1. To be skillful in sports,


2. To have a high sense of commitment and responsiblity,


3. To demonstrate leadership qualities,


4. To be cooperative and supportive of her team members.

Every year we present an award in the memory of Samar Al-Ansari to encourage the girls to play football just like Samar used to do. I was not one of the lucky ones who met Samar, but I feel like I have known her from what all other teachers said about her. Samar's passion was football among other sports. She is a role model to our girls because of her dedication and commitment towards her game that she loved the most. Samar believed that life, like football, is a game of inches. An inch can make the difference between victory and defeat. And if you want to succeed in football or life, you have to fight for every inch. Never take anything for granted. Always keep fighting, even when everything seems stacked against you.This year the award goes to Leen Sheriff.

Presented by:

Mario Ishaq

PE Director,IKNS

Ibn Khuldoon School Honours Top Pupils

Samar Al Ansari's Economics 2010 Award
given to Abdulla Mahmood

Samar Al Ansari's 2010 Economics Award

A Chinese proverb states, “Kindness in words creates confidence, kindness in thinking creates profoundness, kindness in feeling creates love.” Indeed, Samar Al Ansari was a kind person - a confident student who was very helpful, and friendly. Many of you here might not have known her personally; Samar was part of the IKNS community since KG1 and all the way through to her graduation in 2006. Samar is also remembered for her well-rounded personality as she excelled in her academics and managed to be a good athlete. In her memory, and in tribute to her outstanding efforts and performance in school, her parents have established annual prizes to graduating students who have excelled in the two areas which she had most passion for, Economics and Physical Education. In Economics, Samar was outstanding in her ability to view economic theories in a different perspective. She looked at everything with a critical and analytical mind and questioned everything; and that is particularly what made her a distinguished student. As a tribute to Samar, who was a member of the Honor Society, and to honor her memory, the Economics prize is awarded each year to a student who excels in the following criteria:

Criterion 1: Application and analysis of Economic concepts and theories.
Criterion 2: Evaluation; Assessment of the student’s ability to evaluate economic concepts and theories in the context of real-world examples.

In 2007, the Samar Al Ansari Economics Award was presented to Subah Bu-Ali, in 2008 to Tariq Noor, in 2009 to Nouf Mattar and this year, the Samar Al Ansari Economics award is presented to Abdulla Mahmoud‘s articulation and clear writing as well as his analytical abilities and critical thinking skills made him the most eligible candidate among 23 students taking economics in 2009-10.

I have the pleasure to invite Dr. Randah Hamadah, Samar’s mother, to present the Samar Al Ansari’s Award in Economics to Abdulla Mahmoud.

By Bedoor Mulla
II IB , Honor Society Member
IKNS

Broken Chain

We little knew that day that God

Was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

You did not go alone;

For part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,

Your love is still our guide,

And though we can not see you

You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken

And nothing seems the same:

But as God calls us one by one,

The chain will link again.

By Ron Tranmer

Men at Forby

Girls at sixteen
Learn to turn quickly
the knobs of the doors that will soon be
forgotten

At rest on their beds
they feel their world
changing like the four seasons
though the change is not as subtle

And deep in mirrors
they discover
the face of a girl
trapped in a woman’s body

And the face of that girl
who is trying to desperately emerge
they are more women than they are girls
Something is missing, something

That is like the beautiful clatter
Of their tiny teacups
Filling their hearts with hope
At their weekly tea parties as a girl

Samar Al-Ansari

Grade 11.5

Little Bo Peep

I closed my eyes
trying to get some sleep
Unsuccessful
even after I counted all the sheep
And after going over
the memories I treasure and keep
So I held my beloved's picture
and started to weep
Oh pain!
you have grown inside me so deep
The path of grief is long and steep
Where is the future
that she was supposed to reap?
Oh longing for my daughter
every moment,you creep
And keep me awake
when the world around me is asleep
Oh Lord, let me doze
and have a glimpse of her or a peep
in a dream as when
she happily drove the jeep
Or when she was running
on hearing her phone beep
Or when she was a child
and I sang for her "Little Bo Peep"
For without a glance of her
I can no longer this life upkeep

Randah Ribhi Hamadeh,Copyright
Summer Rays,2009
Written in loving memory of my daughter
Samar Ahmed Al Ansari (4/4/1988-4/9/2006)

Samar's Drawings (36),Grade 8

My Great Escape

Not long time ago there was a big, fat, and mean bully. That bully would bully me everyday. So one time I decided to stand up for myself, so I went to him and said,” I’m not going to let you bully me anymore!” He got really mad and started chasing me. He chased me into the girls’ bathroom and I locked the door but it wouldn’t open. So he left. After half an hour I tried opening the lock but it fell off! I started shouting and shouting ,”Help, Help!”
Samar Al Ansari
Grade 5D
16/1/1999

أمي أعلم أنك تذكريني

،أمي
مع كل شروق شمس
...تذكريني
،ومع كل غروب
...تناجيني
،وعندما تتلألأ النجوم في السماء
...تحصيني
،ومع كل خطوة تخطيها
...تصطحبيني
،ومن خلال كل منظر تشاهديه
...تريني
،وحين يغلبك الحنين
...تناديني
،أسمعك أمي، أسمعك
...صدقيني
من ينطق اسمي أكثر منك؟
...أخبريني
من يريد أن يشركني في كل شيء
كما تشاركيني؟
أسكن في قلبك، أفضل مكان به
...تخبئيني
حيث لا أموت بل أحيا
...يا أعز المحبين
قلبك الدافئ الذي من الموت
...يحميني
قلبك الذي بكل ضربة من ضرباته
...يحيني
،أمي
اشتقت إليك وكم أود أن
...تحضنيني
ليتني أخرج من قلبك لحظة
...أقبلك و تقبليني
أمسح دموعك التي بها
...تعذبيني
جفت دموع الجميع إلا دموعك
...لا زالت تبكيني
،أمي
،عن رحيلي المفاجئ

...سامحيني
رحل جسدي ولكن روحي تسكن
.حيث تسكنين

2010 © رنده ربحي حماده

أم سمر

جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة

The Heart Remembers

Just at sunset

Does your busy day

Suddenly fall silent

And remember?

Does the rising night

Make you ready

For seeing that face again,

Feeling that touch?

Let the sunset

Do its magic.

Invite the rising night

To cast its dream.

Have we not sead

A thousand times and more

That we are richest

When the heart remembers?

Sascha Wagner,TCF

Samar's Drawings (35),Grade 5D

Humans: Friends or Foes?

Do animals have the right to live a free and natural life or are human needs more important?
I think animals should have the right to live a free and natural life and I think animals lives are more important than our needs and I think we should learn how to share the world together.

Samar Al Ansari
Grade 5D
5 November1998

I Look for You

I look for you all around and find you
Everywhere, in every corner, in every place
We had memories to share. I look for you
Yet my heart tells me Stop searching,
You and your beloved daughter are now a pair
Your love and faith keep her alive. Close your eyes
And you will see her beautiful smile and black hair
And you will smell her special fragrant scent in the air

She is an angel needed in heaven to look after you and care

Randah R. Hamadeh©, 2009, Copyright
Summer Rays
In Loving Memory of My Daughter,Samar Al Ansari

May 2010

فقدت اثنين

بفقدانك أبي أكون فقدت اثنين
من أغلى الأعزاء المقربين
فقدت سمر الصبية حلوة الحلوين
غصن من أغصاني الثلاثة اليانعين
رحلت حبيبتي دون سن العشرين
وأنت سندي وصديقي الأمين
إرثي وأصل جذوري المتين
ولسمر جدها وأغلى الغاليين
والأول من أحبائها القادمين
لتؤنسها وترعاها حتى يوم الدين
حتى نجتمع بمشيئة رب العالمين

رحمكما ربي ورب المسلمين

2010©رنده ربحي حماده

أم سمر

جميع حقوق الطبع محفوظة

I Wish I Was a Dentist!!!

I wish I was a dentist because whenever I have a toothache I try to look at it but I can’t see and I can see the patients’ toothaches. I wish I was a dentist so I can help people everywhere who are in pain. I wish I was a dentist so I can use all the different instruments they use. I wish I was a dentist so I can wear white gloves and a white coat to make me look sophisticated and mature. Well that’s what I wish I was but probably when I grow older I will change my mind.
Samar Al Ansari
Grade 5D
15/12/1998

A Mother’s Grief

“In time, dear, your wound will heal
And you’ll observe changes in how you feel
Your suffering will lessen a great deal“
Words said to comfort but so unreal

Words that bring tears to a mother’s eyes
She is hurt but they don’t realize
What the loss of a child does even to the wise
A part of her is gone when a child dies.

Bereaved mothers are unique in their grief
Their bereavement is for life, not short and brief
Lamenting a child is endless, without any relief
Believe me, they aren’t in denial or disbelief

Accept their sorrow and endless pain
Their ultimate loss is of no return
Thank God they survived it and are still sane
Allow them to grieve without any restraint

Acknowledge that a mother’s heart will never heal
Understand what she goes through and feel
Try to be less demanding of her is my appeal
And don’t ask her to bury her sorrow and conceal

Randah R. Hamadeh, 2009, Copyright©
Written in loving memory of my daughter
Samar Ahmed Al Ansari

Samar's Drawings (34), Grade 5D

كانت شاهينة تملك نظرية خاصة عن الصور.فالصورة تموت إذا لم نسقها ماء. كانت تمسح الغبار عن زجاجة صورة أبي بخرقة مبلولة، وتضع تحتها إناء مليئا بالزهور والأعشاب الطيبة الرائحة. تقول إن الصورة تعيش بالماء والرائحة الطيبة .تقطف الحبق والورد الجوري وتضعها في المزهرية تحت الصورة،تنحني على الصورة بخرقة مبلولة ،وتحكي مع ابنها

مقتطفات من باب الشمس

الياس خوري

A Tall Tale

There was a group of friends that were going to summer camp. They reached and it was such a bad summer camp that they were the only kids there! The instructor there told them they had to share a very squishy tent together. They broke the tent because it couldn’t fit them all. After a couple of minutes a bear came and ate all their food and tore all their clothes and tents. Then it started to pour rain and they didn’t have any dry clothes! So they decided to look for civilization. They saw a cave and they stayed there for 3 days . After the 3 days policemen came to rescue them. Then the kids sued the camp.
Samar Al Ansari
Grade 5D
21/12/1998

ليلة العمر

ها هم كلهم مجتمعين
أتموا عقد القران، فرحين
بمستقبل رائع، حالمين
ليتك يا ابنتي بينهم تقفين
وأحلى ثوب زفاف تلبسين
لكنت أجملهم بشهادة الحاضرين
بدر البدور الأضواء تسرقين
.شمس بأشعة الفرح تتلألئين
ليتك يا ابنتي تمهلت حتى تزفين
كي أراك حبيبتي، عروسا تختالين
وعلى أنغام الموسيقى ترقصين
ليتك تمهلت حتى ليلة العمر تعيشين
وأجمل ليلة من لبالي عمرك تشهدين
لاحتفلنا حتى مطلع الفجر بك مسرورين
بأن مشوارك مع نصفك الآخر ستبدئين
،لماذا لم تتمهلي حبيبتي؟ ذهبت تهرولين
.تاركة أحلامنا يا أغلى الغاليين

أمي كفاك شقاء! وكفى الزمن تعاتبين"
إن شاء الله بأخوتي قريبا ستفرحين
ودموع الفرح بدلا من الحزن ستذرفين
حينها سأقف بجانبك أستقبل جميع المهنئين
"والفرحة لا تسعك ومن قلبك تبتسمين
©رنده ربحي حماده
(أم سمر)

جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة 2010

Bring My Child Back to Me

Whisper,whisper,wind in the woods,
Bring back my child,here where he stood,
Let him laugh,let him shout,let him giggle with glee,
Wind in the woods, bring my child back to me.

Silence of morning, dew on the grass,
Give me peace in my soul,let this time pass,
Let my child sit beside me,let the two of us be,
Silence of morning, bring my child back to me.

Middle of night,so dark and so still,
Let me relax and remember at will,
Let my child in my thoughts drift forever to see,
Middle of night, bring my child back to me.

Sunrise and sunset,beginning and end,
Give me a day with my child,my friend,
We'll run on the beach, we'll play in the sea,
Sunrise,sunset,bring my child back to me.

Memories,memories here in my head,
Don't ever leave me,even though my child's dead,
Keep him alive,keep him strong,keep him free,
Memories of mine,bring my child back to me.
By Barbara Petterson

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Causes:
· Leftist government set up in Afghanistan in 1979 with Mohammad Taraki as prime minister.
· His reforms and secular style of government infuriated Afghani Islamists.
· War broke out between Taraki’s government and Islamic militants.
· Taraki looked to the Soviet Union for support.
· War reached an acute stage when Taraki was assassinated in 1979.
· By the end of 1979, Islamic militants controlled most of the country side.
· Hazfullah Amin became prime minister and launched a campaign of terror on his opponents.
· Thousands of Afghanis began to join the Mujahadeen-a guerilla force on a holy mission for Allah.
· Soviet Union feared that Amin could win the war against the Mujahadeen, and because of Afghanistan’s strategic location they believed it was in their best interest to invade Afghanistan and fight the Mujahedeen.
Events:
· Soviet Union invades Afghanistan-Dec. 25, 1979.
· Amin was assassinated on Dec 27 by the Soviets.
· Soviets replaced Amin with Babrak Kamal.
· War continued to be fought between Mujahadeen and the Soviets. In spite of the Soviet’s advanced weapons, they lacked the experience the Mujahadeen forces had with the mountainous terrain.
· In 1980, the UN condemned the Soviet Invasion but a Security Council motion calling for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan was vetoed by the Soviet Union.
· U.S. President Carter blocked all exports of grains to the SU, he also ended the SALT Talks being held.
· U.S. boycotted Olympic Games in Moscow in July 1980.
· U.S. began to give aid to the Mujahadeen indirectly through Pakistan.
· Reagan increased aid to Mujahadeen in 1981 providing them with Stinger missles.
· Towards the end of the 1980s, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China began to give aid to Mujadeen forces.
· Gorbachev pulled Russians out of Afghanistand under the terms of the 1988 agreement.
· Mujahadeen at war with itself due to emergence of Taliban.

Samar Al Ansari
12 IB

In Loving Memory of Samar and Baba

My Birthday

My birthday is today
Be happy Mother, meditate and pray

Although I am in heaven above
I continue receiving your gifts of love.

Remember all the birthdays I had
And how much you made me always glad

Today you should be very proud,
For I am still around

I accomplished on earth what I had to do
All that I did well is because of you.

Though my life was short and brief
I left a lot for you to find relief.

So beloved Mother, please don’t cry
In death, we have no say and can’t ask why

You and I are now one
You are my voice since I’m gone

Today, my candles you should blow
With a smile even as your tears flow

Put flowers next to my photo frame
Hug me and whisper my name

Give my brother and sister each a kiss
Oh how much their company I miss!

And in my name, a present donate
To someone who has an empty plate

This will surely be my gift
That will also give you a lift

Written in Loving Memory of my daughter,
SAMAR Ahmed Al Ansari
on her birthday
Randah R. Hamadeh©2010, Copyright

April 2010

Samar' Art Work-15

Leadership

Does man really need a form of leadership? Of course he does. Man is generally lazy, selfish, and a follower of other men. So he needs something or someone to look up to, a guide if you will. Those are individuals that put others’ needs in front of their own make excellent leaders, but unfortunately most leaders are selfish. The world is confusing enough, and it better to face the world with the aid of the family other than completely alone with the leader as the father.

Samar Al-Ansari 11.5

Sep. 14, ‘04

Economics

Explain why, in theory, freely floating exchange rates would automatically correct a balance of payments disequilibrium.

Under a floating exchange rate system, a system in which the exchange rate is determined solely by market forces, the balance of payments will in fact always be in harmony.

For simplicity’s sake, it is assumed that there are only two countries, the US and the UK. To reiterate once again, the US demands the British £ in order to purchase British goods and services. As for the UK, it also shares a desire to trade, and thus supplies more of its currency in order to exchange it for the US $. In a free market economy, where there is no government intervention, no trade barriers, and the cost of transportation is assumed to be nonexistent, the value of imports and exports will always be equal. For example, the UK’s demand for the £ is equal to its supply of the $, and since there is no excess currency being dumped into the market, the balance of payments will be at equilibrium. The terms of trade, ration of prices of exported goods to those of imported goods, can be used to further prove this point. The terms of trade shows how much a country can import with the revenue gained from exports, thus the value of both will always be equal.

To further clarify this example, let us assume that a factor increased the US demand for the £, thus the US supplied more of the $ in order to obtain more £. By supplying more dollars, the value of the $ declines, thus the $ depreciates. Assuming that the Marshall-Lerner Condition exists, the US’s revenue gained from exports will increase. Thus the situation automatically corrects itself, and the current account is at equilibrium.
Samar Al Ansari
Grade 12 IB

Smiling

I could feel you smiling

as I opened the book today.

It felt like, "Good for you Mum.

This will help you on your way."



I love that small connection,

of knowing that you're there.

It's such a special feeling,

a rainbow I can wear.



by Genesse Gentry

Stars in the Deepest Night

p.49

-2 -رسالة إلى أمي

I wish I saw you a mother

My dearest beloved daughter,
Samar
I wanted so much to see you
a Mother
Where at our home you and your kids
would gather
Along with your sister’s
and brother’s.
You and I looked forward for such
a get-together
You even named your kids
when others didn’t bother.
What happened to our dreams?
Beloved Samar
I wish I had seen you become
a Mother.
You would have been kind yet firm
with power
And your child would have been
your perennial flower,
That would light up my dark days
hour after hour.
Alas! You left so young ─
Those dreams we couldn’t acquire.

Randah R. Hamadeh 2010, Copyright©
Written in loving memory of my daughter
Samar Ahmed Al Ansari (4/4/1988-4/9/2006)

Samar's Art Work -14 (Mirror)

A Quote

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life
are taken from you too soon.

لن أعود أمي

لن أعود أمي مهما ناديت
ومهما اشتكى قلمك ودما بكيت
وشقيت من أجلي وقلوبا مزقت
لن أعود أمي مهما تضرعت
لا اعتراض كما بالقران قرأت
اصبري فلن تعيدي يوما شئت أم أبيت
واعلمي بأنني معك حتى لو ما رأيت
لا أفارقك لحظة بل أتعذب كلما تعذبت
أمي، صدقيني لن أعود مهما رجوت
لكن سأكون باستقبالك عندما إلى عالمي أتيت
حتى ذلك الحين ذكرياتنا معك لعلك بها تصبرت
ارحمي نفسك من أجلي، كفاك ما تألمت
©رنده ربحي حماده
(أم سمر)

جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة 2010

Samar's PalmTree at IKNS on March 9th,2010

A Quote

I Believe...That you should always leave loved ones with Loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

مقتطفات من باب الشمس

ليس هذا ما كنت أريد قوله. كنت أريد أن أقول لك، إنني في لحظات الموج تلك، كنت أحلم بإنجاب طفل وأخاف،قلت لشمس إن أفظع شئ هو أن يفقد الإنسان ،ابنه أو ابنته، ورغم إنني أعيش وسط هذا الشعب الحزين والمتوحش الذي تعود فقد ابنائه، لا أستطيع تخيل نفسي في هذا

"الوضع

الياس خوري

باب الشمس

Bookmark made by SAMAR (Art work 21)

عودي

لماذا مشوار الحياة كله ما أتممت؟
ذهبت مسرعة حتى أنا، أمك، ما ودعت
حطمت قلبي يا ابنتي فقطعة منه معك أخذت
ولكن ليس قلبي وحده يا حبيبتي أحزنت
فقلوب كثيرة برحيلك المفاجئ آلمت
حتى السماء صرخت من أجلك و أبكيت
وقلمي صاح وندبك وشمعة قلبي أطفأت
أتعلمين يا روحي الفراغ الذي تركت؟
وكيف أصبحت الحياة ﹸمرة منذ أن رحلت
عودي سمر! أبحالي يا ابنتي ما رأفت؟
وارتمي بين أحضاني التي عليها تربيت
عودي إلى أم كانت تبكيك كلما تأوهت
وتفرح لكل بسمة على وجهك رسمت
واليوم تصرخ! ترى هل صرختها سمعت؟
عودي إلى البيت الذي به ترعرعت
"والدار التي تسأل "أين ابنتك التي ربيت؟

ادخلي من الباب الذي آخر مرة منه خرجت
أمن الفراق يا حبيبتي سمر ما اكتفيت؟

رنده ربحي حماده
(أم سمر)
جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة© 2009

March 2010

Lyrics and link of Days Go By (Dirty Vegas)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONCY0xnefAE&feature=related

You
You
You are still a whisper on my lips
A feeling at my fingertips
That's pulling at my skin
You leave me when I'm at my worst
Feeling as if I've been cursed
Bitter cold within
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you
You are still a whisper on my lips
A feeling at my fingertips
That's pulling at my skin
You leave me when I'm at my worst
Feeling as if I've been cursedBitter cold within
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you
Without you
Without you
Without you

Oh Days!

Oh, days, come back
when we were five!
When happiness in our home
was able to thrive
The days that we enjoyed
when SAMAR was alive
The days before my beloved
went on her last drive
And before joy became
a word in our archive
Oh, present, I wish
that you had not arrived!
I never have imagined
that I would survive
a day
where in the sea of sorrow
I would dive
Oh, days, come back
to when we were five!


Randah R. Hamadeh, 2009, Copyright©
Summer Rays

Samar's Drawings (33), Grade 8A

عزف على قبر لارا لغسان مطر

ليس من عادة لارا أن تنام
أتراها سهرت أمس لتنهي قصة الفارس
والوردة والقصر
وأقواس الغمام،
ثم نامت عند نصف الفجر
حين انتهت القصة
وانهار الكلام؟

يا ابنتي،من يفتح الباب
وقد أقفلت دون العمر "بابا"؟
قلق قلبي على رجلك
أن يجرحها الشوك
إذا دست الترابا
من سوى"بابا"يغطي الأرض
بالورد والقلب
لكي يحميك
يا دمعة" بابا"؟

أضيئوا قناديل غربتها
وأخرجوا

إنه وقت غفوتها
واتركوني وحيدا على باب غرفتها
أستعيد تفاصيل ضحكتها
رقصتها
شعرها

...صوتها
لعلي أصير مسيحا
وأصرخ :"عودي"،فتخرج من موتها

ما هي نتيجة اهمال الوالد لعائلته في كل من طرطوف و بقايا صور؟

منذ بداية الدهر الى الآن تعريفنا لواجبات الأب لم تتغير، فالأب يعرف برب الأسرة الذي يصرف على عائلته و يحميها. ربما يكون قد تغير تعريف الأب عبر السنين نتيجة التطور فى حركة المرأة، ولكن أساس تعريف الأب لا تزال تقوم على الحماية والصرف. ربما علينا تغيير تعريفنا للأب لأن هناك الكثير من الآباء اللذين لا يستطيعوا ان يتحملوا المسؤولية. المجتمع يتوقع من الوالد، أن كان مسؤولاً أو غير مسؤولاً، ان يقوم بهذا الدور المتطلب، فعندما الأب الغير المسؤول لايلبي احتياجات عائلته لأسباب شخصية، تكون النتيجة الهلاك للعائلة. فى هذا الوضع العائلة تدفع العائلة ثمنا باهظا و قاسيا نتيجة أسباب اللأب الشخصية. فى الرواتيين طرطوف لمولير و بقايا صور لحنا مينة نرى ابوين مهملين لعائلتيهما، و لكن قد تكون طريقة الاهمال. فما ماهي نتيجة اهمال الوالدين فى الرواتيين؟

طرطوف تحكي قصة عائلة ارستقراطية فرنسية يرأسها الوالد اورغون الذى خدعة رجل دين يدعي طرطوف. تبدأ القصة بحوار ساخن بين مدام برنيل، والدة اورغون، وأفراد اسرة اورغون حيث شنت هجوما عنيفا عليهم لانهم لم يروا طرطوف فى نفس الطريقة التى كانت تراه بها. فكانوا يرونه كمنافق ودجال ونذل، أما برنيل فكانت تراه فى غاية النبل والقداسة. كان اورغون خارج البيت أثناء الشجار فلما عاد الى البيت و سأل عن طرطوف قيل له ان زوجته مريضة ولكنه لم يهتم واستمر فى اسئلته عن طرطوف. دون مشاروة ابنته ماريان، قرر اورغون أن يزوج ابنته لطرطوف رغم انها كانت شبه مخطوبة لحبيبها فالير. غضب فالير كثيراً لاعتقاده ان ماريان كانت موافقة، وبعد حوار ساخن تصالح الحبيبان بمساعدة الخادمة دورين. في الحقيقة كان طرطوف يحب زوجة اورغون المير، فعندما سمع داميس، ابن اورغون، طرطوف يتغزل بزوجة والده، أخبر أبيه عما سمعه، ولكنه لم يصدقه اورغون وطرده من البيت. ليطيب خاطر طرطوف، كتب اورغون كل مايملكه باسم طرطوف. خططت المير بأن تفضح حقيقة شخصية طرطوف، ونجحت خطتها التي كانت نتائجها غضب اورغون من طرطوف وطرده من البيت. ولكن طرطوف ذكره بأن البيت أصبح ملكه. فى نهاية الأمر، قبضت الشرطة على طرطوف وعرفت حقيقة أمره

اهمال اورغون لعائلته ووضع كل اهتمامه بطرطوف كان فيه ظلم لعائلته المسكينة. أولاً، اهمال اورغون لعائلته كان له نتائج سلبية على زوجته. فعندما رجع اورغون الى منزله لم يهتم بزوجته المريضة بل شغل نفسه بطرطوف. ربما لم تكن المير مريضة جدا ولكن تجاهل الزوج لزوجته له تأثير سلبي على نفسية الزوجة، فتشعر الزوجة بالاحباط لعدم اهتمام الزوج بها وقلة قيمتها عنده. ثانياً، شدة اهمال اورغون لعائلته اتاحت لطرطوف استغلال الفرصة للتحرش بالمير! ان هذه الجرأة في التحرش بالمرأة المتزوجة تأتي عندما يشعر الرجل بأن الزوج ساذج لدرجة انه لن يكشف نواياه، فطرطوف تغزل بأمرأة اورغون و هو مرتاح البال غير قلق لعلمه أن اورغون يثق به ولن يشك فى امره لشدة اعجاب اورغون به . اورغون لم يفكر في راحة زوجته و عائلته، فأسكن غريباً فى بيته واعطاه الحرية الكاملة. المير المسكينة دفعت الثمن، فكبرياؤها انجرح و كرامتها خدشت. اورغون هو السبب الغير مباشر لتحرش طرطوف بزوجته، وهو الذى يستحق اللوم. بالضافة إلى ذلك، اورغون لم يصدق ابنه داعيس عندما اخبره عما سمعه. اورغون لك يكن قادرا بأن يرى طرطوف كخائن لكنه استطاع ان يكذب ابنه، و يقسى عليه، و يطرده من البيت، ويقلل من قيمته. ولكن اللوم لايقع بأكمله على طرطوف، بل على اورغون الذى راعى مشاعر طرطوف بدلاً من مراعاة مشاعر ابنه. لم يكن داميس وحده ضحية اهمال والده، فماريان كانت ضحيه ايضاً حيث أن والدها قرر ان يزوجها لطرطوف دون ان يسألها، فاستهان رغباتها وأراد أن يغصبها على الزواج. فاورغون ولد المشاكل بين ماريان وخطيبها، وكادت ان تنتهي علاقتهما لولا مساعدة دورين، فقد كانت ماريان ستدفع ثمن اعجاب والدها بطرطوف. و اكبر أخطاء أورغون انه كتب كل مايملكه باسم طرطوف، فكانت العائلة بأكملها ستخسر كل شيئ. أن كل أفعال اورغون لها تأثير مباشر على عائلته، فانه المسؤول الأول عليهم، و لأجل ارضاء شخصاً قريباً لقلبه، اهمل عائلته، و اخفق فى اداء دوره كأب مما كان له الأثر السلبي على الأسرة بأكملها

بقايا صور هي سيرة ذاتية لحنا مينة تحكي عن طفولته المعذبة والفقر الشديد الذى كانت تعاني منه عائلته. انتقلت اسرته من بلداً الى آخر بحثاً عن لقمة العيش. وضع الأسرة المعيشي كان سيئا للغاية اذ كانوا يقطنون بمنزل بسيط ذو غرفتين، واحدة تجمع افراد العائلة والأخرى الحيوانات. و لم يكن باستطاعتهم ان يلبوا احتياجاتهم اليومية، فقد امضوا اياماً يتضورون جوعاً لعدم ايجادهم للقمة واحدة تسد جوعهم. حالة العاثلة الرديئة دفعت اخوات حنة منية للعمل كخادمات مما ادى الى تفرق الأسرة حيث كان والده يعيش حياة عابثة ، فانه لم يشعر بالمسؤولية اتجاه عائلته فقد وظيفة تلو أخرى مما اضطر عشيقته وقريب لهم مد يد المساعدة للأسرة

ان اهمال الوالد لأسرته في بقايا صور كان له نتائج وخيمة حيث جمع الوالد في شخصيته صفات عدة تؤول دون قيامه بدور الأب حسب المتعارف عليه، فكونه سكيراً، عابثاً، وأنانياً أدى إلى تقصيره فى دورة الأبوي حيث كان غير مسؤولاً اتجاه عائلته. انتقل الوالد من وظيفة إلى أخرى هرباً من المسؤوليات التى فرضتها تلك الوظيفة عليه. مثلاً، عندما كان يعمل عند المختار، وجد العمل متعباً فتركه دون التفكير بعائلته التى كانت تتضور جوعاً، بل غلبت عليه الأنانية. و هذا التصرف نتج على دفع زوجته اعالة العائلة بدلاً منه رغم ان هذه المسؤولية هي مسؤولية الأب فى الدرجة الأولى. ان عدم التزامه بالعمل كان واضحاً حيث كان يترك وظيفة تلوى الأخرى اذا اصابه الضجر دون التفكير بالعواقب، كما انه غادر البلدة عدة مرات تاركاً وراءه اسرة محتاجة و اجبر الوالد ابنتيه الصغيرتين على العمل فى بيوت الناس كخادمتين، فتحملتا مسؤولية توفير لقمة العيش بدلاً منه حيث امضى وقته بالسكر والعربده و قد اضطرت احدى ابنتيه العمل خارج البلدة التي يقطنون بها. ان اجباره لابنتيه على العمل فى سن مبكر سلب منهما الشيئ الوحيد الذى امتلكتاه وهو الألتفاف الأسري حول الأم. ان عدم اداء الأب لدوره ادى إلى حرمان أولاده من التمتع بطفولتهم البريئة و دفعهم لتحمل المسؤولية فى عمر مبكر. ان خطورة هذا الحرمان عالية حيث ان الطفولة لاتعوض، الساعة لاتعيد الزمن، وتجاوز هذه مرحلة الطفولة دون عيشها لها عواقب مستقبلية. الوالدة دفعت ثمناً عالياً نتيجة تصوفات زوجها، فاضافه إلى قيامها بدور الأب والأم فى آنٍ واحد، عانت الوالدة نفسياً، و اجتماعياً، واقتصادياً. و كثرة معاشرة زوجها للنساء أمام عينيها و على مرآة من المجتمع زاد في معاناتها. فاضافة الى تلك المعاناة عاانت أيضا من الناحية الاقتصادية ومن وحدة الفراق. جرح كبرياءها وانهدمت حياتها الزوجية ، فكان عليها ان تتعايش مع خيانة زوجها المهينة لكبرياؤها. كتابة حنه مينة لسيرته الذاتية اثبات قاطع لمدى التأثير العميق لتصرفات والده عليه وعلى اسرته بأكملها

تصرفات اورغون ووالد حنا مينة كان لهما أثر على عائلتيهما ولكن تصرفات الوالد فى بقايا صور كان لها الأثر الأبلغ حيث ان العائلة كانت تتعذب نتيجة اهماله. لم تستطيع عائلة حنا مينة تحمل تكاليف الحياة، فدفع كل فرد بدموعه ودمه وعرقه ليحييوا نتيجة انانية والدهم. أما فى طرطوف، لم تكن النتائج كارثية لهذا الحد. أولاً، مساعدة المير ودورين والشرطة منعت تحول تهديدات اهمال الوالد الى حقائق. كادت عائلة اورغون ان تخسر كل شيئ ولكن هذا لم يحدث نتيجة مساعدة المير والشرطة. و كادت ماريان ان تخسر خطيبها، ولكن دورين منعت حصول ذلك. فى بقايا صور، نرى ايضاً ان العائلة تطلعت الى اشخاص اّخرين للمساعدة، ولكن هذا لم يوقف من عذاب العائلة بل خففه. بالرغم من اهماله الرجلان لعائلتيهما، ان اورغون والوالد شخصيتان مختلفتان كلياً. اورغون اهمل عائلته لشدة سذاجته وطيبة قلبه، فانه كان يهتم بطرطوف ويشبه كأنه ابنه. ولكن هذا ليس عذراً لاهمال العائلة. اهمال اورغون لعائلته لم يكن مقصودا، بل نتج عن استغلال طرطوف لطيبة اورغون وضعف شخصيته. أما فى بقايا صور، اهمال الوالد كان متعمداً، فأنانيته جعلته لا يفكر في مصلحة أحد سواه. أننا لانستطيع ان تلقب اورغون بأناني لأنه اهتم في مصلحة طرطوف رغم انها كانت على حساب مصلحة عائلته. في نهاية القصة، ادرك اورغون اخطاءه، ولكن لا نستطيع قول نفسي الشيء عن والد حنا مينة. رغم ان اصابع الاتهام تتجه نحو والد حنا مينة على الوضع الذى كانت الأسرة عليه الا أن الوضع الاقتصادي والسياسي فى تلك الفترة لاشك أنه لعب دوراً فى رداءة حالتهم الاجتماعية. فى المقابل، ماجرى لأورغون يؤول لسذاجته فقط دون أي تأثير خارجي

يجب أن لا نلقب كل من ينجب أطفالا نستطيع ان نلقبه بالأب، فالأب هو الذى ينجب و يربي و يحمي أولاده، ويصرف عليهم. ليس كل رجلا قادراً على تحمل هذا الدور و القيام بواجباته، فربما يجب على هؤلاء ان لا ينجبوا لكي لا يتعذب أولادهم و يدفعوا الثمن.في الروايتين، نتج اهمال الوالدين بالتفكك الأسري و بعض العواقب الاجتماعية و الاقتصادية. نرى أن اورغون كان افضل كوالد من والد حنا مينة ولكنه بنفس الوقت لم يكن والداً جيداً. أما والد حنا مينة، فانه يحوز على جائزة اسوأ أب
سمر الأنصاري

الصف 12

You Listen,Still

Tonight we cried together,
my lovely,special friend.
It's rare to share true feelings;
most try to keep them in.

When all my words are sad ones,
and all my thoughts tear-filled,
it helps to know you love me,
enough to listen, still.

Others think to cheer me
they should take my thoughts away.
But my pain remains unbroken.
My words dam up and stay.

Instead you burst me open-
out come my words of grief.
I share my darkest thoughts with you,
and then I feel relief.

By Genesse Bordeau Gentry
Stars In The Deepest Night p.43

خذوني

خذوني في أحضانكم أحبائي، خذوني
ومن حبكم لابنتي ، قليلا اسقوني
وقبلات الحبيبة على وجنتي،أهدوني
وللحديث عن ذكرياتكم معها زودوني
أعلم أن شوقكم إليها دفعكم لتزوروني
وأشعر بألمكم وحزنكم ،صدقوني
أترقب لقاءكم وأنتظر حتى تأتـوني
أنتم أصدقاء حبيبتي ، نور عيوني
أحبتكم و وهبتكم لي، لتواسوني
شاكرة لكم لأنكم دوما تفتكروني
ومقدرة مشاعركم وبأنكم تقدروني
أؤكد لكم أنها سعيدة بأنكم لم تنسوني
فأهلا وسهلا بكم عندما تأتوني
.تعالوا أيها الأحباب لأضمكم و تضموني

رنده ربحي حماده
(أم سمر)
جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة© 2010

Samar's Drawing (32),Grade 5D

Afghanistan

In April of 1978, a leftist government seized control of Afghanistan with Mohammed Nur Taraki as their prime minister. Taraki announced a revolutionary program including the emancipation of women, land reform, and a campaign against illiteracy. In addition to the fact that Taraki was running a secular government, these reforms inspired opposition from Islamic traditionalists. In response, Taraki looked to the Soviet Union for support.

In spite of both the Soviet Union’s military and economic support, the Islamic militants were gaining more and more powerful to the extent that they controlled the majority of the Afghani countryside by 1979. Civil unrest reached an acute stage when Taraki was assinated by the opposition. In response to the unrest, Taraki’s successor, Hafizullah Amin, launched a campaign of terror where he had his opponents arrested and shot. Amin became even more of a revolutionary as he swept aside Muslim tradition in an effort to make Afghanistan more Western, thus aggravating the Islamic traditionalists even more. As a result, thousands of Afghanis began to join the Mujahadeen- a guerilla force on a holy mission for Allah.

At this point, the Soviet Union faced a dilemma critical in determining its power in the region, it had to decide whether to send its troops to Afghanistan or not. Afghanistan’s strategic location made a compelling case for the Russians to send their troops. Afghanistan was a direct neighbor to the Soviet Union, and if it fell to the hands of the Mujahedeen this could lead to the invitation of a Western presence such as the US in the area. In addition, Afghanistan was neighbored by both Iran and Pakistan, countries that undermine the Soviet Union’s power in the region. Although there was a strong anti-U.S. sentiment in Iran, there was an equally strong anti-communist fervor from the Iranian Islamists. As for Pakistan, it was believed to be completely allied with American policy. On the other hand, if the S.U. sent its troops, it could face tremendous losses due to its unfamiliarity with the Afghani terrain.

Ultimately, the Soviet Union decided to send its troops to Afghanistan under the claim that they were invited and that they were supporting a legitimate government. The invasion of the Soviet troops in 1979 signified the fist invasion of the Soviets since the Warsaw Pact. The first task the Soviets wished to accomplish upon their entrance of Afghanistan was to assassinate Prime Minister Amin. Amin was believed to be conspiring with the CIA against the Soviet Union and as a result he was assassinated in December 27, 1979 and replaced with Babrak Kamal.

Civil unrest continued to increase dramatically as the Mujahadeen equipped with old rifles fought against Soviets equipped with napalm and poison gas. Even though the Soviet soldiers were much better equipped, the war was beginning to sway in the Mujahadeen’s favor due to their familiarity with the mountainous terrain.

Outside of the region, the United Nations openly condemned the Soviet invasion, but unfortunately a Security Council motion calling for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan was vetoed by the Soviet Union. The inability of the United Nations to stop this crisis from escalating further enhances the similarities between the UN and the League of Nations. They were both flawed systems that lacked real power to implement decisions. As for the US, President Carter used economics as a political tool as he blocked all grain exports to the Soviet Union. In addition, he ended the SALT talks taking place then, and displayed his outrage of Soviet behavior on a global level by boycotting the Winter Olympics held in Moscow in 1980.

The United States wanted to get involved in the Afghani Crisis in order to stop the Soviet Union from growing as a power, but seeing as how this crisis was shortly after Vietnam, the United States would be foolish to repeat the same mistake. However, this did not mean that it would not support the Mujahedeen fighters, this only meant that they could not help them directly. Thus they chose an indirect path to help the Mujahadeen militants which was by sending financial and military support through Pakistan.

In Afghanistan, the ferocity of the war was becoming more and more severe as the Soviet casualties were becoming heavier. Thus the Soviets abandoned ground action and resorted to the airfield. As Ronald Reagan becomes US president in 1981, he increased aid to Afghani rebels and provided them with Stinger Missiles, missiles capable of shooting down Soviet helicopters. The United Nations tried once again to create peace, but the U.S. and the S.U. resisted its efforts, further demonstrating the UN’s lack of real power.

In the S.U., propaganda was telling civilians that their troops were going to Afghanistan to build roads, but as more and more soldiers returned home, more people began to know the truth.

The war in Afghanistan continued well into the late 1980s as more and more foreign aid began to spill into the country. On one hand, the Russians under new leader Gorbachev, was financing the communist government, and on the other hand the US, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China were financing the Mujahadeen. Foreign aid continued despite the Geneva Accord of 1988 prohibiting such finances.

Finally, towards the end of the 1980s Gorbachev pulled Russia out of Afghanistan under the terms of the 1988 agreement knowing that it could not possibly win the war. Even after the Soviet pullout, there remained a high level of unrest in Afghanistan as the Mujahadeen was at war itself with the emergence of the Taliban.

The Afghani war resembled a fire that continued to be fueled by foreign aid. This fire not only produced Afghani death tolls in the million range, but it also led Afghanistan to be the largest refugee group in the world. More than 10 years after the end of the war, 2.6 million Afghanis live in exile. The Afghani war signifies to me the most extreme of the Cold War events as it clearly shows the ruthless extent in which both super powers will go to flaunt their power.

Sources Used:
Behnke, Alison. Afghanistan in Pictures. Minneapolis: Lerner Publication Company, 2003.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/20/
http://www.pwc.k12.nf.ca/coldwar/plain/afghanistan.html
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/afghanistan.htm
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569370_10/Afghanistan.html#p122

Primary Sources:
Cnn interview with Valentin Varennikov for COLD WAR in August of 1997
Brezenski memos to Carter on Afghanistan courtesy of http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/20/

Samar Al Ansari
12 IB

Sharing

Today,my friend,we chanced to meet

and tears in your eyes.

You'd just been to the grave side

of my daughter,who had died.



From your saddened visage,

clear,again,it was to see

you also loved my daughter,

and you cried for her,and me.



This accidental meeting

helped connect us through tears.

Lori's spirit shines within us;

in our friendship,she appears.

By Genesse Bordeau Gentry

Stars In The Deepest Night, P 42

Gatsby's Eulogy

Gatbsy’s Eulogy, delivered by Nick Carraway who was put on spot at the funeral. People present: Gatsby’s father, the minister, and Nick.


“ (Clears throat) I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jay’s house as empty as it is today. The life, fun, and excitement that have become characteristics of Gatsby’s beloved house seem to have passed with Jay. I remember the first time I came here was when I attended one of Jay’s famous parties. At that party, I could barely move because of the amount of guests. To speak to the person sitting beside me, I would have to shout, but now my words can get across to you two with a hushed whisper. Do not be fooled by the empty seats for Jay Gatsby was a name that slipped off everybody’s tongue at one point in time. (Nick looks at a wine stain on a carpet and remembers Gatsby’s parties).

Jay will always be remembered for his generosity. For he continuously opened the doors of his home to the public, providing them with entertainment, leisure, and endless nights of glamour. He was one of the wealthiest men I knew, but unlike my other wealthy acquaintances, Jay shared his wealth with everyone. Jay’s cars, servants, and other of his belongings were at the dispense of his acquaintances. I remember once Jay bought a complete stranger a brand new designer dress because she had torn hers at one of his parties. Only white hearted men are capable of such generosity. Jay always listened to his heart and not his mind; he was a slave of his own heart.

I don’t know if I am the right person to be delivering this eulogy due to the short period of time I have known Jay. His life was such a blur to me, but the mysteriousness of his identity did not blind me of his great attributes. His kindness, determination, and extraordinary achievements were evident whenever I conversed with him. (Looks outside window and sees yellow police tape around pool).

Not long ago, I remember being told that Jay was in fact Kaiser Wilhelm’s nephew. Rumors grew in number day by day, and each one was more preposterous than the other. The residents of East Egg and West Egg occupied themselves with unraveling Jay’s identity, and spread rumors in order to quench their dying thirst for entertainment. These people disappeared at the most inopportune time. How I would have loved for them to be here and discover that Jay Gatsby was not the nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm, but merely a boy with a dream. (Looks down at Gatsby’s body and puts a hand on his coffin).

I shall wipe the foul dust off your coffin dear friend (wipes coffin).Your body is no longer tainted, you can finally let it all go. Goodbye old sport.

Samar Al Ansari
12 IB

You Will Heal

Words of advice like
“You will heal”
To a grieving mother
are so unreal.
Is her heart
made of steel?
Or of layers
that she can peel?
Grief to mothers
is like a spinning wheel.
No one can appreciate the pain
she feels
Or the agony
that is felt and she conceal.
Do not advise a grieving mother
I appeal
And tell her that one day
“You will heal.”

Randah R. Hamadeh, 2009, Copyright©

Summer Rays p63

Written in loving memory of my daughter,
Samar Ahmed Al Ansari

Slipping Through My Fingers

February 2010

Gatsby-Instructions for the Gatsby Household

Kitchen Staff

Wash hands in warm soapy water before performing any task.
Wipe and polish all appliances to a shine.
Go to market five times weekly and purchase a variety of food and ingredients regardless of the price. Necessities include Beluga caviar, Alaskan smoked salmon, and prime rib.
Go to liquor store four times weekly and buy enough champagne, scotch, wine, and gin to keep the cellar full.
Carefully prepare Mr. Gatsby’s meals making sure to always add elements of color. Use a lot of colorful vegetables, and if necessary, food coloring.
Place a bouquet of flowers on Mr. Gatsby’s breakfast tray every morning.
Garnish all of Mr. Gatsby’s plates with parsley and lemon wedges.
Dispose of items after they have been used once.
Wipe all china and crystal twice daily.
Polish silverware daily.
Scrub floors and counters every two hours and a half.
NEVER present Mr. Gatsby with food from a previous meal.


Cleaning Staff

Scrub all floors, wipe all windows, and polish all furniture before Mr. Gatsby’s time of awakening.
Dust Mr. Gatsby’s master bedroom twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Dust all other rooms once daily. Important note: Use vacuum cleaner only when Mr. Gatsby is out in order to not disturb him.
Clean Mr. Gatsby’s bathroom after every time he uses it.
Clean other bathrooms daily.

Wardrobe Staff

Wash Mr. Gatsby’s dirty clothes daily. Imp note: Do not wait for more clothes to accumulate; you must wash every item of clothing as soon as it is given to you.
Add a touch of lavender to every load of wash.
Press and iron every item of clothing twice, in order to make sure that it is completely wrinkle free.
Shine Mr. Gatsby’s shoes daily.
Remove hair from Mr. Gatsby’s hair brush twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Pick out outfit for Mr. Gatsby every night in order for him to wear it the following day.
Place his pajamas on the right side of his bed everyday at promptly 9 pm.

Gardeners

Cut grass every morning.
Water plants three times daily.
Arrange bouquet of colorful flowers from the garden every morning at 6 am and present it to one of the kitchen staff members.
Tend to the hedges, bushes, and plants twice daily.
Important Note: If flowers do not seem to be blooming, purchase flowers from florists and plant them.

Chauffeurs

Wash cars twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Imp Note: Make sure that the cars shine.
ALWAYS open the door for Mr. Gatsby.
Fill the cars with petrol every night.
Pick up and drop Mr. Gatsby’s guests whenever instructed to do so.

Party Staff

NEVER leave a guest empty handed. Plates and glasses must be filled at all times.
Clean up any and all messes made.
Do not make conversation with any of the party guests; you are there to serve them.
Do not eat or drink until instructed to do so.

General Instructions

Always greet Mr. Gatsby whenever you see him.
Do not make direct eye contact with him.
Refer to him as Sir.
Wipe your feet before entering the house.
Maintain a clean and attractive appearance.
Do as instructed by Mr. Gatsby or myself without asking questions.
REMEMBER: Mr. Gatsby’s manor has to appear clean, shiny, and attractive at all times. In order to so you must follow all instructions exactly.

Samar Al Ansari

12 IB

Gatsby-Essay

What purpose was Fitzgerald trying to fulfill by using both unrealistic and disillusioned characters?

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a man who spends most of his life trying to fulfill his dreams. Gatsby spends his youth trying to fulfill his dream of belonging to the high class of society. Eventually Gatsby does become a wealthy man, but nonetheless he cannot fit into the social class he desires to be a part of, thus his dream is only partially fulfilled. In addition, Gatsby has a strong desire to gain Daisy’s love, but unfortunately his dream is not fulfilled. Numerous characters throughout the novel have certain dreams they wish to achieve, but what differs from character to character is the way in which he/she approach his/her dreams. Some characters are unrealistic and believe that their desires are within their reach, while other characters are more realistic and practical in their approach. Fitzgerald deliberately uses both unrealistic and realistic characters in order to show the reader that one can only obtain one’s heart’s desire when one is realistic. The ways in which Myrtle Wilson, Gatsby, and Daisy Buchanan approach their desires clearly show the contrast between unrealistic and realistic behavior.

Myrtle Wilson, the wife of a poor, unsuccessful blue collar worker, wants nothing more than to escape the unsatisfactory life of the working class. She meets Tom Buchanan, and shortly after, he is not a mere lover, but a means of escape. Myrtle, being naïve, actually believes she can obtain her heart’s desire. She approaches things in an unrealistic manner and convinces herself that she is getting what she always wanted. By acting the part of a wealthy woman belonging to the upper class of society, she believes she can eventually become one. During her outing with Tom and Nick, Myrtle clearly tries to act out the role of a wealthy woman by purchasing items she believes upper class women purchase. This is shown through Nick’s comment: “At the news-stand she bought a copy of ‘Town Tattle’ and a moving picture magazine and, in the station drug store, some cold cream and a small flask of perfume” (pg 31). Myrtle, the victim of illusion, cannot see things as they are. She sees Tom as her savior and truly believes that she will be able to escape her unhappiness. She fails to see the obstacles that prevent her from obtaining her heart’s desire. Tom would never leave his wife, especially for someone from Myrtle’s social class. Tom poured dust in her eyes and blinded her to the truth by telling Myrtle that he is not able to divorce Daisy, his wife, because she is of the Catholic faith. Myrtle foolishly believes him and by convincing herself of his love for her, she thinks she can obtain her heart’s desire.

Not only is Myrtle unrealistic, so is her sister Catherine as she truly believes that her sister will eventually become Tom’s wife; “When they do get married,’ continued Catherine, ‘they’re going West to live for a while until it blows over” (pg 38). Catherine’s optimistic way of thinking embodies the thoughts of many belonging to Catherine and Myrtle’s social class at the time. Everyone is under this illusion of prosperity and believes that their desires will be met. When Wilson finds out about Myrtle’s affair, Myrtle responds by running out to Gatsby’s car, believing it to be Tom’s. Myrtle approaches the situation unrealistically believing that Tom would save her, and as a result, she is killed. Myrtle’s death clarifies to the reader Fitzgerald’s view on unrealistic approaches; he believed they would ultimately lead to the downfall of the person and prevent him from obtaining what he truly wants.
Gatsby is the epitome of the unrealistic character. His ridiculously high expectations of Daisy prevent him from obtaining her love. Gatsby’s desire t o repeat the past, “Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredously. “Why of course you can!” (pg 116), clearly shows how out of reach Gatsby’s expectations are. He too, blinded by the dust of illusion, spends much of his adult life chasing after a desire that he can not obtain due to his unrealistic expectations. This is shown in Nick’s observations: “There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams-not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion” (pg 101). Nick’s statement is yet another example of Fitzgerald’s thoughts on the matter. Many agree that Nick’s narration is a reflection of Fitzgerald’s thoughts due to the similarities between Nick and Fitzgerald, thus this comment exhibits Fitzgerald’s opinion. Fitzgerald believed that Gatsby would continue to be disappointed because of his expectations, and thus could never obtain the ‘Daisy’ he idealized in his head. Gatsby idealizes his love for Daisy to the extent that he believes that their love is stronger than the forces of reality. Not only is Daisy married, but she belongs to a completely different social class. Nick’s comment, “He wanted nothing less of Daisy that that she go up to Tom and say: I never loved you” (pg 116), clearly demonstrates Gatsby’s unrealistic expectation of Daisy to disregard Tom and her marriage. Gatsby expects Daisy to confront her husband and confess the affair as well as tell him that she never loved him. That was extremely naive of Gatsby; he wants it all and is so blinded to the reality of the matter that he actually believes he can get Daisy in the end.
Daisy is quite a complex character, for she is torn between two conflicting desires. Daisy’s heart is torn between her need for security and her desire for love. Her desire to love Gatsby represents her unrealistic approach, while her desire for security represents her realistic approach. Before Daisy receipt of Gatsby’s letter on her wedding night, she was on her way to obtaining security. She was going to marry a wealthy man from a similar social level. Even though Daisy did not love Tom in the way that she loved Gatsby, Tom ultimately provided her with her needs; she was being realistic. But upon her receipt of the letter, Daisy gets drunk and goes astray of her path to achieving security. This is shown through Daisy’s order, “ ‘Take ‘em downstairs and give ‘em back to whoever they belong to. Tell ‘em all Daisy’s change’ her mine. Say ‘Daisy’s change’ her mine!’ ”(pg 81). Under the influence of alcohol, Daisy could not see things clearly and was under the illusion that her happiness could be fulfilled by Gatsby, thus she turned to the desire of love. After an extreme effort on Jordan Baker’s part, the effects of alcohol wore off, and Daisy pursued her desire for security by marrying Tom. Several years after her marriage to Tom, Daisy reignites her desire for love upon her affair with Gatsby.

In the confrontation scene between Tom and Gatsby, the transformation of Daisy is evident; she went from an unrealistic girl to a realistic woman. She is forced to make a choice between her two desires, and ultimately she chooses security. In Gatsby’s attempt to get Daisy to confess their love, “ Daisy that’s all over now-just tell the truth” (pg 139), his unrealistic approach is clearly demonstrated. Daisy at this point is still pursuing the unrealistic desire for love. This is demonstrated through her denial of her love for Tom: “She looked at him blindly. ‘Why,-how could I love him-possibly?”(pg 139). Fitzgerald’s deliberate use of ‘blindly’ clearly exhibits the absence of clarity in Daisy’s thought. Through Daisy’s reluctant statement, “I never loved him.’ She said, with perceptible reluctance” (pg 139), it is clear to the reader that Daisy is beginning to turn to the more realistic desire for security. The ‘dust in her eyes’ begins to wash away as Daisy realizes the true consequences of her actions: if Tom was lost to her, so was her security. The final comment from Daisy, “ ‘Even alone I can’t say I never loved Tom,’ she admitted in a pitiful voice. ‘It wouldn’t be true’ ”(pg 142), marks her transformation and her choice to pursue security. . At this point, Daisy realizes what she is about to do. In an instant her security could be taken away from her; thus this confrontation was Daisy’s moment of clarity. As for Gatsby, he continued to be blinded. Tom’s comment, “Go on. He won’t annoy you. I think he realizes that his presumptuous little flirtation is over” (pg 142), is highly ironic because Gatsby continued to be blinded; he does not undergo a transformation as Daisy did.
Gatsby and Myrtle, victims of the destructive force of illusion, did not obtain their hearts’ desires at the end. In fact, they both were killed. As for Daisy, she managed to cling on to her security by maintaining a realistic approach. Some might encourage Gatsby and Myrtle’s way of thinking and might label it as optimism, but their optimism only brought them death. Some might refer to Daisy as a pessimist, but as the philosopher Noir once said, “Pessimist is a word used by optimists to describe someone who sees the world for what it really is.” [1]



[1] “The Best Quote Posters, ” The Board of Wisdom, < start="11&topic=" listname="Quote%20Posters"> , October 28

Samar Al Ansari
12 IB

A Quote

To the whole world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the whole world


By Heather Cortez

انزعي القناع

أنت بكل خطوة إياي ترافقين
أنا معك أينما ذهبت،تأخذين
بكل لحظة اسمي ، تهمسين
وطوال اليوم لي تشتاقين
والعبرات التي علي تذرفين
تروي وسادتي التي إليها تلجئين
ومع صورتي يوميا تتكلمين
وبالشعر إياي دائما تخاطبين
لكن اسمي أمام الناس، بت لا ترددين
وأصبحت سرا من الأسرار تخفين
وإن تضايقت، أمامهم تصمتين
لأنك على مشاعرهم تحرصين
أمي، اخلعي القناع الذي تلبسين
لقد تعبت وأنت من أجلهم تمثلين
اذرفي الدمع علنا لكي ترتاحين
ابكي! فبكل دمعة همك تغسلين
وتخففي اللهيب الذي به تحترقين
انزعي القناع الذي وراءه تختبئين
أخشى بأنك في يوم قد تمرضين
ورغما عنك، الفراش تلازمين
حينها، إخوتي وأحبائك ستؤلمين
حتى أنا، وإن كنت عند رب العالمين
إذا انزعي القناع ، كفاك أمي تتعذبين

رنده ربحي حماده
(أم سمر)
جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة© 2010

Cats by Samar Al Ansari,Grade 1 (8/8)

Cats by Samar Al Ansari, Grade 1 (7/8)

Cats by Samar Al Ansari,Grade 1 (6/8)

Cats by Samar Al Ansari,Grade 1 (5/8)

Eighteen Years

Eighteen years went quickly by
Like the blink of an eye.
It’s only yesterday when I heard your first cry
Took you to sleep and sang you a lullaby.
Comforted you when I heard you sigh,
Wiped your tears and your eyes dry.
It’s only yesterday when we went to buy
The several dresses you picked to try
And the eye makeup I did apply.
Your life was too short to say good-bye.
How I cherish the moments we spent,
you and I,
And miss your eyes that sparkled like
stars in the sky
And your magical smile that kept my
spirits high.
With no wings, WHY? Why did you
have to fly?

Randah R. Hamadeh, 2009, Copyright©
Summer Rays

Cats by Samar Al Ansari, Grade 1 (4/8)

Cats by Samar Al Ansari, Grade 1 (3/8)

By Samar Al Ansari
Grade 1
1994

Cats by Samar Al Ansari,Grade1 (2/8)

Samar Al Ansari

Grade 1

1994

Cats by Samar Al Ansari, Grade 1, (1/8)

By Samar Al Ansari
Grade 1
1994

صديقتي الحبيبة

صديقتي الحبيبة، كفاك ذهابا إلى مثواها
فزيارة القبور غير مستحبة رغم أن الرسول لم ينهى عنها
ذهبت عند بارئها، الذي أتى بها إلى الحياة وأحياها
وشاء بذلك اليوم أن يأخذها حيث عيناك لا تراها
ولكنه تركها في قلبك لينبض بذكراها
لا داعي يا حبيبتي للذهاب! هي معك وأنت معاها
أعلم أن عينيك لا تغفلان عنها وقلبك لن ينساها
.رحمة الله عليها، حورية من الجنة شهد كل من رآها

أتعتقدين بأنها هناك في القبر عندما تذهبين
وعندما سور من القرآن و الأدعية لها تتلين؟
كفاك يا حبيبتي! أقول ذلك فأنا أكثر المحبين
لك وللحبيبة سمر وللعائلة أجمعين
كل ما هنالك، إنني يا صديقتي عليك من الخائفين
وطلب مني أن أكلمك الأصدقاء و المقربين.
صدقينا فكلنا ندرك كم بقلبك لها شوق وحنين
.ونعلم بأنك من الصابرات والصابرين

أيتها الصديقة، أريد أن أقول لك ولباقي الأحباء"
بأنني أدرك مدى حبك لي وحب جميع الأصدقاء
وأقدر خوفكم وأحي بكم كل هذه المحبة و الوفاء
فإن كنت عزيزة عليك، فأنت أعز الأعزاء
ولكن اعلمي بأنني بزيارة قبرها أجد بعض العزاء
وأؤكد لك بأن ذهابي ليس به مشقة ولا شقاء
لا تشغلوا نفسكم بي، انه إليكم رجاء
"أدعو أن لا يصب أحدكم بمثل هذا البلاء

2010©رنده ربحي حماده
(أم سمر)

جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة

JANUARY 2010

2010- SAMAR Al Ansari