Note to self: Don’t set a high reading goal for 2016.
I’ve been trying so hard to stay on track I’m reading more than I’m writing!
(x-posted on NadiaNader.com>)
Note to self: Don’t set a high reading goal for 2016.
I’ve been trying so hard to stay on track I’m reading more than I’m writing!
(x-posted on NadiaNader.com>)
Do you remember the friend I mentioned from my Let’s Talk post?
Well, we talked…
Let me just start off with saying, I didn’t plan to talk to her. It happened organically. And in a nutshell, it was pointless. I’d go as far to say as it was a waste of time, but it wasn’t really. It helped me come to terms with the fact that this was who she was and nothing was going to change.
Maha and I were at a friend’s place (Noor). Maha came over and sat down next to me. She started asking me about how I was doing and what I had been up to. I shared some news about the latests projects I had been involved in and she gave me some backhanded compliments. I called her out on them. I wasn’t confrontational. I just asked her in a calm voice why she said her statements in that way. I don’t think saying “I didn’t know you were smart” and “I didn’t realize you had so many friends” are always meant maliciously, but Maha’s tone and when she inserts comments like these just give off a negative vibe. From her expression, it was clear that she was taken aback. She had gotten so used to making comments like that they didn’t even register as shade to her anymore. Or maybe they did but no one called her out on them and held her accountable for her words.
I explained why her comments bothered me. Maha shrugged them off. From her responses I could see why she didn’t see why I was offended by them. It didn’t register on any scale. To her, this was a normal conversation and saying those things to me was fine. I didn’t escalate the matter. I just needed confirmation that this was the type of person she was. She may not be trying to undercut me but her comments come with such negative energy that I can’t be bothered to deal with it anymore. I’d rather I have as little to do with her as possible.
If you want to be my friend, you need to be supportive. You should want me to succeed. My success doesn’t take anything away from you. Maha may think competing with a friend is normal but I value support, and she just doesn’t give it to me. This is important to me because I’m the type of person that will always cheer a friend on. I will always wish the best for them. I always want them to shine. Having them shine doesn’t dim my light. And so, I’m done with Maha and the other Mahas in my life. Moving forward, I want people who care around me and who push me to be my best instead of trying to tear me down and undercut me.
Ramadan has got me turned upside down and inside out. My routine has been shot to hell. I haven’t been sleeping enough which has translated into me being groggy/cranky most of the time. Forget about being productive. It’s impossible in these circumstances.
I’m usually on top of my game at work and know the status of every project I’m working on, but for the past three weeks I have been oblivious to what’s on my plate. I don’t know what’s coming in and what’s going out on my desk anymore. For those reasons, I’m glad Eid is coming up this Friday. I will miss five-hour work days but at least I’ll have my sanity back (who am I kidding, I lost that years ago!).
Ramadan started on a sad and tragic note the first week due to the suicide bombing. Many of my friends were scared to go out the first few days after the tragedy, but then all they wanted to do was meet up and unite. It was nice to have that sense of kinship and community during a low time. I’ve been pretty active socially this Ramadan. Many people cancelled their ghabgat (Ramadan gatherings) but closer friends decided to meet up. I think I’ve seen more friends over the past two weeks than I have during the past six months.
I’ve done a lot of introspection during this month and I came to the conclusion that I need to make changes to my life. I’m going to take the steps to live a healthier lifestyle (AKA diet&workout) and be more social and outgoing (AKA date). I’ve also decided there are certain people in my circle that I have to phase out of my life. It’s not that they’re bad people, it’s just that most of their energy is negative. And I’m done with negativity. I can’t anymore. I need positive people who are out there doing interesting things. If all you’re doing with your life is complaining, I’m sorry but I can’t be around you. GYST (Get your shit together) and then we’ll talk.
Posted in Disordered Ramblings, Kuwait, Musings
Tagged disordered ramblings, lifestyle
In an attempt to add even MORE books to my To Read shelf on Goodreads, I browsed the list of Hugo and Nebula nominated novels over the past few decades. When I saw CryoBurn on the list, I blinked. It didn’t sound like a familiar title and I was sure I had read every single book Lois McMaster Bujold has come out with. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t read this book in the Miles Vorkosigan saga!
I read the book in two sittings. It was bittersweet. I loved being immersed back into Miles’ world even though he was an adult (with four kids!). Seeing Roic again was nice. I’m glad he’s become comfortable with being Miles’ Armsman even if Roic still had a penchant for dramatics whenever he thought he failed Miles. It was interesting seeing Miles be more responsible even while he was turning an entire planet upside down. And I loved seeing Mark. Mark amuses me.
The ending took me aback. I did not expect it to end that way. The drabbles at the end of the book brought tears to my eyes. I won’t spoil it for you but it’s a must read.
I hope there are more Miles books in the future. I’m not sure how much I like this new responsible Miles but he reminds me of his father. I also would love more books with Civil. I love the whole Barrayar cast.
I love it when I get random messages from book lovers.
Tanya, a book blogger, reached out to me on Goodreads and asked if I would be interested in having her promote my book. Her blog A Book Paradise was celebrating its 3rd anniversary and she offered to do cover reveals, giveaways and excerpts. Would I be interested?
Of course!
I decided to particpate in an ebook giveaway and sent her all the relevant information for THE ENCHANTED ROSE. I’ll post the link to the blog once it goes live.
One of the best things about self-publishing is the community. Everyone is so supportive. I’m so proud to be part of it.
Happy anniversary Tanya & A Book Paradise!
Posted in Book Bloggers, Giveaway, Goodreads, Nadia Writes, The Enchanted Rose
Tagged book bloggers, giveaway, goodreads, The Enchanted Rose