A word to the seniors!

Congratulations! you are done with the first two months of school in your last year!!!!

Right now things look hectic, you may feel overwhelmed, you might feel like you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, you might start getting tired, or perhaps your finally feel the pressure...People around you are expecting a lot from you, everyone is asking you about your studies and your plans for the future while your biggest concern right now is tomorrow's test!

Trust me when I say we've all been there, it wasn't easy but it was all worth it in the end, many times I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, I even couldn't see the next step in that tunnel, but you've got to keep walking, sometimes you'll walk slowly, other times you will run, many times you will need someone to walk by you and it's normal, luckily the tunnel is not narrow, you can take as much people as you want with you just choose carefully.

Organize your time, look forward, and cheer up, this will be the best memories you remember for many years from now, study hard and be determined and I guarantee you that no effort will be lost.

Remember: In this world, some people will throw stones in your path, it is up to you what you make from them, would it be a wall, or would it be a bridge?

Prophet Muhammad film

I don't want to see the movie about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but I'm really upset about what's going on because of it, I blame both parties for what's happening.

Bacile the film maker is an extremely stupid man for producing such a film, can't he see that the world already got many problems we don't need more, and surely we do not need more fraudulent movies that has nothing to do with the truth about any subject in this world!

Muslims responding to this in a violent way was not smart either, yes he was wrong but did you have to prove him right to the people who know nothing about you? it would've been much better to talk to people about it and advertising Islam in the right way! a group of people are doing it already in London, don't let them work alone, one hand never claps!

let's face it the filmmaker is American!! which means people will listen to him more than you and you just gave them a stronger reason to go see this stupid movie and talk about it!!! you advertised something that you don't want anyone to know about! how smart was that?!

I quote "The film was being promoted by an extreme anti-Muslim Egyptian Christian campaigner in the United States, and was financed with the help of more than 100 Jewish donors according to Sam Bacile, who wrote and directed it" don't you think the better way was to get 2 rich Muslims to produce a good movie about Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to show the truth? we have rich people in Islam and they never move! are we too busy to defend ourselves against those who are harming us?

I am against any violence act towards any group of people in the world, and I'm definitely against any offense towards any religion!  

The day that music died in Jordan - the video

This is the video that was in last night's concert while the Amman Symphony Orchestra played the piece it's Adagio for Strings.


We didn't fail, we gave a 110% yesterday and it was the best performance ever...one day Jordan will realize the huge mistake that was done last night. 


Enjoy the video everyone...show it to your kids, let them know what it means to belong somewhere and how a person can have a second family.

Disbanding Amman Symphony Orchestra

Today is the last concert for the Amman Symphony Orchestra, a beautiful amazing journey has come to an end...it is with mixed feelings that I write this post it's different than any post I've ever written, I'm not here to blame anyone, and I'm tired of trying to explain the importance of the orchestra so I'm not going to do that either.


I'm writing this to say that I will miss each and every aspect of Amman Symphony orchestra, music will never be the same for me ever again. I remember the day we first auditioned to start the ASO I remember the tension I had, and I remember the dreams we all had that finally music will be the thing we do for life...just like any normal country I thought!! and I will never forget the times I spent with the musicians in the orchestra, or the Sunday Tuesday rehearsals which were sometimes a burden but now I hope to get them back just for one week!


Our journey started in 2006 and despite all what's been said I witnessed the hard work the staff did to make this work, they did all what can be done, knocked all the doors they could knock and now it's time accept the tough reality...each and everyone of them deserves a thank you; the director of the National Music Conservatory Mr. Kifah Fakoury, our great conductor Mr. Mohammad Othman, our dear manager Mr. Hisham Sharaf, and a very special thank for our American percussionist Megan who worked very hard on the petition and successfully gathered 5000 signatures to keep the ASO going...Megan you are an amazing person you didn't give up although you are leaving next year either way, your dedication is indescribable thank you so much for everything you did it was a pleasure for me to work with you.


It's hard to see that non-Jordanians believed in this orchestra and in the Jordanian musicians more than Jordan itself, hopefully Jordan will realize what they've lost and try to compensate it in the future, I would hate for current children to be raised in a country with no music.


I hope that for just one night, tonight, that Jordanians would come to the Hussein Cultural Center at 7:30 and attend our concert, this is the last concert for the only national orchestra we've ever had...

لماذا لن أنتخب نائباً عني في مجلس النواب

حرص أبي منذ أن صار لي حق في الانتخاب على تشجيعي على ممارسة هذا الحق، لم يؤثر بقراري أبداً ولم يوجهني لمن علي أن أعطي صوتي، بل كان فقط يحرص على أخذي معه لمكان الادلاء بالأصوات لا أكثر...وقد مارست هذا الحق في السنوات السابقة أولها بفخر ثم بتردد ثم قمت به في الجولة الماضية (واجب مش أكتر)

أنا مصرّة على عدم الانتخاب في الدورة القادمة، ولن أدلي بصوتي حتى أجد الشخص المناسب وأكون على معرفة شخصية به لأتأكد أن هذا الصوت لم يذهب سدى، لن أنتخب من ينوب عني باتخاذ كل القرارات التي تؤذيني، ولن أنتخب من يدعوني بممعوطة الذنب، أو يضرب زميله بالحذاء، أو يبرر أفعاله بأن "ابن المفرق ما راح يشتري مايسترو يعزف عليه" 

لن أنتخب من يلعب بهاتفه الجوال في الجلسة، أو ينام، أو يرسم على الأوراق أمامه...علماً أنهم يعرفون أن الجلسة مصورة وتبث على التلفاز فدعوني أضيف...لن أنتخب من "يستوطي" حيط الشعب!!!

خيّب هذا المجلس أملنا جميعاً ولا أستطيع تذكر عمل إيجابي واحد له وقد ندمت على إدلائي بصوتي في الجولة الماضية وتمنيت لو بقيت نائمة في ذلك اليوم...وهو ما سأفعله في الدورة القادمة فإن كان شعار المجلس "اللهم نحن" فشعاري سيكون "اللهم نفسي"

You Had Me From Hello

One word, that's all you said,
Something in your voice caused me to turned my head.
Your smile just captured me, you were in my future,far as I could see.
And I dont know how it happened, but it happens still.
You ask me if I love you, if I always will.........


Well, you had me from "Hello"
I felt love start to grow the moment that I looked into your eyes,
You won me, it was over from the start.
You completely stole my heart, and now you won't let go.
I never even had a chance you know?
You had me from "Hello"


Inside I built a wall so high around my heart, I thought I'd never fall.
One touch, you brought it down
Bricks of my defenses scattered on the ground
And I swore to me that I wasn't going to love again
The last time was the last time I'd let someone in


But, you had me from "Hello"
I felt love start to grow the moment I looked into your eyes,
You won me, it was over from the start.
You completely stole my heart, and now you wont let go.
I never even had a chance you know?
You had me from "Hello"


Thats all you said
Something in your voice calls me, turn my head
You had me from "Hello"
You had me from "Hello"
Girl, I've loved you from "Hello"

our government and the new tax on musical instruments

Two weeks ago our government decided to impose a new tax on musical instruments along with many other products, and to raise the tax on some other products too, the annoying thing is that they decided that music is a luxurious thing, and that it's not for everyone.

several days ago a member of the parliament decided to comment on the subject, and I was a bit mad about the tax until I heard him, then I was angry and disappointed, the genius man said "is a guy from Mafraq going to buy a maestro to play on?" , well, where should I start?? should i start with that a guy from Mafraq is not any different from a guy from Amman? or should I start from explaining that a maestro is not an instrument??, perhaps I should start by thanking every person that elected this man to speak in our names!!!


As a musician and a music teacher I would like to tell this parliament that music is something every child should have in their life, Jordan has developed a rate in crimes that we've never seen before and I think it's time we take arts seriously in this country! it's not a free class, it's not Haram, and it's not Aib...it's essential if we want a healthy society in this country.


Shakespeare once said The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils. الشخص الذي لا تملأ الموسيقى وجدانه لهو شخص غير جدير بالثقة well I guess we will have a whole generation that's not trustworthy if we keep on doing what we're doing now.

Taxes on instruments, cutting funds for art centers and orchestras will surely drive us into a dark hopeless future, and I pray that when this happens I'll be long gone! I hate to see the little progress we've made going to waste! I hate waste!

Save the Amman Symphony Orchestra

I will not copy and paste what's written in the program of the last concert for the Amman Symphony orchestra, nor will I copy the words in the video about the ASO or the petition, although I will post the links for both at the end, I will talk as a Jordanian musician who's been a member in the orchestra for 5 or 6 years now.


I started playing in this orchestra after I graduated from school in 2006, it was the National Music Conservatory orchestra, we used to rehears in the "main hall/ only hall" in the old NMC I am sure if you know it you know what I mean.


One day the NMC moved to downtown Ras Al-Ain in the long term plan of the Amman great municipality of developing the heart of Amman and merging arts with daily life, in this development the ASO was born, musicians were chosen based on an audition we all did, then there were musicians coming from all over the world to help developing the orchestra and raising more wind players for it in the NMC.

Musicians started dreaming of having a job that they can actually live on from music, just like any other country in the world!

All of a sudden the Municipality decided to cut the funding of the orchestra, after signing the contracts between the Amman Symphony Orchestra and the musicians the funding was cut and the Orchestra was left hanging in the air, the orchestra cannot keep on going without funding as salaries are not getting paid, and cannot stop as they can't pay the penalty of canceling the contracts.


As a musician I have no idea what will happen in the future, I know that the people who started this orchestra have worked very hard for 25 years to build it and if we lose it now I don't know if we'll ever be able to build it again! 


I do believe that together we can save the Amman Symphony Orchestra, because in spite of who is the manager or who built it or who's playing in it, it is still the AMMAN Symphony Orchestra, it belongs to this country not to a certain person and no one should have the right to stop music development in Jordan.


Please sign this petition and spread the word around, tell your friends and the people you know about our orchestra, encourage them to attend our concerts which we work really hard to carry out, we promise you that you will not regret attending our concerts, try it once and you will like it.

Save the Amman Symphony Orchestra

young students and time!

When I was a student our band teacher gave us copybooks she called them "practice logs" we were asked to do 6 hours a week, surely I didn't like the idea at the beginning, I didn't like to be monitored, yes I enjoy goofing around with my instrument but no I don't like someone telling me what to do with it.

Last week we distributed these copy books to our students, asking for 6 to 8 hours every two weeks and they just flipped, there was no way to get them to be quiet or just to simply listen to us.

I was annoyed and angry that these students were saying they have no time, they have 24 hours but have no idea how to use them.

When I was their age I was in 3 bands playing two instruments, I was a computer addict, and a hungry reader, yet I don't remember using the term "I don't have time"

Please parents help us teach your kids how to manage their time to get successful men and women in the future, Jordan needs ambitious active citizens not lazy dependable ones.

Let's remember how we were raised and raise our kids that way, don't use the term "no time" in front of them, there is always time there are 24 hours a day!!!

Bahjat Abu Gharbieh

yesterday I was introduced to a great man, only it was too late as it was after his memorial service.


Bahjat Abu Gharbieh, a man who spent most of his life fighting for his land, a man that lived through wars and battles in Palestine since 1933 and until 1949 , he even was there when the great leader Abd Al-Qader Al-Husseini was killed in the Kastal battle.


Mr. Bahjat died on the 26th of February this year and still some how we did not study about him, and no one ever mentioned him in front of me until two days ago, I even was not curious to know about him until yesterday night, and I consider my self a girl that reads and know Palestine's history very well.


I wish that one day my kids will study about people like Mr. Bahjat, miss Jameela Bu Heidar, and others, ones that are still alive today and ones that died defending our land.


I urge everyone to google بهجت أبو غربية and just be surprised by how much this man accomplished and yet never asked for anything in return.

A letter to the "new" parents

I am a 23 years old girl, I was raised in a traditional Jordanian family, we had rules, boundaries, and we didn't get whatever we wanted easily, this helped all 3 of us; me, my brother, and my sister become well raised men and women independent and responsible


9 was bed time till I finished high school, 2 hours a day maximum for computer and tv, and playing outside or visiting friends was for the weekend...I didn't have an Xbox, I didn't have a PlayStation, and I didn't have a mobile till I was in the 12th grade.


I have no idea why a 6th grade student would be up using Facebook at 12 am, and I have no idea why the sentence "I don't have time" is on their tongue all the time...since I am a teacher I know the curriculum didn't change much since I was in school, it didn't get much harder although I admit these boys and girls are smarter now...so where did I go wrong with the math?? 


let's go back to the way our parents raised us...let's make sure our kids don't start drinking coffee at the age of 12...stick to milk I still have it almost everyday!!!


give them the right to be kids, don't take that away from them they have plenty of time to stay up late and get irresponsible about their health...

مماعيط الذنب...

درسنا في المدرسة أن المجتمع الأردني هو مجتمع فتي، وقال لنا الملك الحسين رحمه الله "الإنسان أغلى ما نملك" وعززها ملكنا أدامه الله الملك عبد الله الثاني بقوله "على قدر أهل العزم" ودعّمتها ملكتنا بالتوجه نحو المدارس ورعاية أبنائنا بمبادرة "مدرستي"...

كل هذه الشعارات، وكل هذه الجهود الحثيثة لنصطدم بواقع مؤلم واستخفاف واقعي من مجلس نواب نجح ووصل لمقاعده بفضلنا نحن الشباب...

مماعيط الذنب...مماعيط الذنب يا سيد خلايلة هم من أوصلوك إلى هذا المقعد...هم من يدفعون الضرائب ويرفعون اسم الوطن عالياً...هم من يسعون لتغيير هذا البلد نحو الأفضل لا الركود والجلوس على مقاعدهم بانتظار سن التقاعد...

كل الإحترام لكل محترم لحقوقنا نحن ممعوطي الذنب...كل الإحترام للنائب أحمد الشقران وغيره من النواب الذين يؤمنون بجهود ملكنا الحثيثة لإعلاء شأن الشباب واستثمارهم لرفع مكانة بلدنا...ويثق بأن جيلنا هو جيل التغيير وجيل العمل الحقيقي والفعلي لا جيل القول والشكر والحمد والجلوس وراء المكاتب...

Banks in Jordan

I'm 23 years old, I work in a descent school and I play in Amman Symphony Orchestra, I considered myself in a very good financial situation in relevance to my age, until the day came and I decided I really need a car.

I chose the car I want, not a fancy one but one that would last with all the driving I have to do and would fit my instrument (the Tuba). The hard part came next, paying for the car.

I started doing the papers the bank asked for, the dealer was helping me, but I discovered later that I really need to prove that I don’t need the loan so I can get it!!!!

My salary was not enough (although I have two salaries) my bank statement was not convincing, and my sponsors were not reliable.

Seriously Jordanian banks, look beyond your nose…you technically can take the car back anytime I don’t pay, you have my bank accounts in your mercy…and I have 2 jobs…what more do you want? Believe me if I had the cash I wouldn’t even bother with you…

المعهد الوطني الأردني وأوركسترا عمان السيمفوني

آلمني ما قرأت في جريدة الرأي اليوم وقبل يومين من هجوم سخيف على مؤسسة أردنية قامت بتأسيسها الملكة نور وتنتمي الآن إلى مؤسسة الملك الحسين.

لقد درست في المعهد الوطني للموسيقى حتى حصلت على درجة البكالوريوس في الموسيقى، وأفتخر بأنها كانت بمنحة من شركة أمنية قدمت للمعهد الوطني، والذي قدمها إلي بصفتي أول عازفة توبا في الأردن. خلال فترة الدراسة تدربت في أوركسترا المعهد الوطني، والتي أصبحت فيما بعد أوركسترا عمان السيمفوني، وأعمل بها عازفة توبا حتى اليوم وأفتخر بذلك.

دراسة الموسيقى كانت حركة اعتبرت في وقتها تهوراً وتعتبر الآن جرئة حيث أن مستقبلها لم يكن معروفاً وكان والدي متردداً ومتخوفاً من مستقبل مجهول، إلا أن الدكتور كفاح والأستاذ محمد عثمان صديق ساعدوني مشكورين لإقناعه، حتى اقتنع بعد سنتين من بدء دراستي أنني لم أرم مستقبلي في الهواء، بل على العكس تماماً أقدمت على مهنة ستساعد في تنمية الوطن ورفع ذوقه العام.

نحن لا نقول ان المؤسسة كاملة ولا أخطاء بها، ونؤمن بأن الإصلاح ممكن، ولكن الهدم خطر، فالمعهد الوطني وأوركسترا عمان السيمفوني في مرحلة نمو وبناء، تحتاج أن نقف جميعاً معها وفي صفها حتى تكبر وتتقدم.

أتمنى فعلاً أن أرى عازفين أردنيين في أوركسترا عمان فهي أردنية ولكن الحلم يحتاج إلى عمل، ويحتاج للوقت كذلك، فبدلاً من العمل على مهاجمة المؤسسة لنصرف هذا الوقت على تشجيع أبنائنا لدراسة الموسيقى، كفانا أطباء ومهندسين ولنهتم بإخراج أيدي عاملة موسيقية لهذه الأوركسترا بما أن وجود الأجانب يثير حميتنا.

19 عاماً قضاها الأستاذ محمد عثمان في محاولة بناء المعهد وبناء الأوركسترا، فقد قام بتشجيعي وتشجيع زملائي للدراسة والتقدم موسيقياً ولم يقصر معنا يوماً واحداً في تدريبنا بقوة وحزم حتى ننجح ونتقدم، وهو ما زال يشجع الطلاب الصغار والكبار لدراسة الموسيقى ولم يحاول صد أي قائد أردني موسيقي، بل على العكس ساعدهم ونحن نعرف ذلك.

لكل من يحاول مهاجمة الأوركسترا والمعهد، ليكن هجومنا بناءً ولنحاول دعم المؤسسة للتقدم بدل التكسر، فهي تحتاجكم جميعاً.

القيادة تحت تأثير الصيام

اليوم ولأول مرة خلال الشهر الفضيل أضطر للقيادة خلال النهار في شوارع عمّان...وما أدراك ما شوارع عمّان!!!

امتدت المغامرة لمدة ساعة، شملت مناطق الرابية والبيادر، وراس العين...يا لها من مغامرة.

بدأت المغامرة بمحاولة العبور على تقاطع أم أذينة، والتي باءت بالفشل مرتين ونجحت على "آخر شعرة" في الثالثة، مع زامور مسبة وآخر تحية...ثم كانت مغامرة المرور من الدوار السادس مع سيارة أجرة "تكسي" يحاول التجاوز عن يميني ليسبقني، وسيارة عن يساري تريد الوصول إلى الدوار قبل الأذان مع أن الساعة كانت مازالت الرابعة مساءً.

وصلت بسلام إلى الدوار الثامن، والذي يعتبر مغامرة في الأيام العادية فكيف في رمضان؟؟ بمجرد أن دخلت الدوار "بالمباطحة" حتى سدت الطريق بسيارتين تسبان بعضهما عن طريق الزمور، والذي لم يكفي لفشة الغل فنزل أحد الرجلين من سيارته ليسب الآخر "على الدوار" مهملين زاموري أنا والبقية في دعوة لتحريك السير، ليأتي شرطي ظن أن هناك حادثاً، ويالصدمته عندما اكتشف أن لا حادث ولا شي بل فقط سائقين تحت تأثير الصيام، وكونه هو أيضاً تحت تأثير الصيام فقد أمرهما بالانصراف.

وصلنا إلى راس العين بأمان "نسبياً" وانطلقنا من هناك بسهولة "نسبية" حتى وصلنا إشارات راس العين...وهناك ترى العجب العجاب...فمن سائق باص يقرر قطع الطريق من الشمال إلى اليمين ليقف في موقف الباصات، متناسياً السيارات الصغيرة "نسبياً" على يمينه، إلى سائق سيارة أجرة يبطئ من سيره فجأة داعياً الله تحت تأثير الصيام أن يغير الماشي رأيه ويركب سيارة أجرة.

نصل إلى الدوار السابع بعد عناء لنكمل طريق الرجوع إلى الوطن "الرابية" فيقابلنا سائق سيارة أجرة محاولاً التجاوز عن اليمين، لنظن أنه يريد الوصول إلى الدوار السادس، ونتفاجئ بنزوله من النفق المؤدي إلى شارع المدينة المنورة...من أقصى اليمين إلى أقصى الشمال فنصرخ معاً "مبروك الشارع"...

هذه لمحة عن القيادة تحت تأثير الصيام والتي واجهتها اليوم، وأظن أن على دائرة السير اعتبار القيادة تحت تأثير الصيام مثلها تحت تأثير الكحول...ضارة وغير قانونية

LeBAM camp in Lebanon

Today was the second day of a music camp in Lebanon, this year it is in Baskinta, a town in the mountain, it is a very beautiful town surrounded by trees and hills.

The camp it self is a success...130 students all Lebanese but two; an Iraqi-an guy and me, all the others are Lebanese students, their experience varies between 5 months and 5 years with age differences from 9 years old to 40 something...all in different group taught by professional teachers from Lebanon and other countries.

I wish more camps will be held in the rest of the Arab world, this camp is a great start supported by families, people from the representative council and other people from around Lebanon.

It is great to see such thing in Lebanon, and great to see the youth of Lebanon investing their time in such a great way.

The camp will finish next Sunday 7/8 there will be two concerts one on Saturday and the other on Sunday...

All the best wishes to the faculty who are giving their time to the students with enthusiasm while a smile is always on their faces.

I am thankful for...

I read this post online, I liked it and I hope we can all go by it.

I am thankful for...

by Nancie J. Carmody


...the mess to clean up after a party
because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
...the taxes I pay
because it means that I'm employed.
...the clothes that fit a little too snug
because it means I have enough to eat.
...my shadow who watches me work
because it means I am out in the sunshine.
...the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot
because it means I am capable of walking.
...all the complaining I hear about our government
because it means we have freedom of speech.
...that lady behind me in church who sings off key
because it means that I can hear.
...lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing
because it means I have a home.
...my huge heating bill
because it means that I am warm.
...weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day
because it means that I have been productive.
...the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours
because it means that I am alive.

Till the day we meet again

Well here we are, just time for one more song,
Before another show is thru’
It's too bad the curtain has to fall, It's been a perfect night with you

So dance and let the music play, until we meet another day.

Chorus:
So don't say goodbye, there is no need to cry
The love we share will never end
Because you and me, we'll have this memory
One we can turn to now and then
Till the day we meet again

So raise your hands and sing along with me
I dedicate these words to you
It feels as though I've known you all my life, yet this magic is so new

So please remember when I say, good friends are never far away

Chorus.

No looking back with regret, cos tonight, I've found here with you something I'll never forget, won't forget

Chorus.
Sha-la-la-la, Sha-la-la-la, Sha-la-la-la........Till the day we meet again

a teacher from the past

The other day I was at a wedding with my mother, I was bored out of my mind, and I just wanted out but I gave up as it was a close relative and we had to stay till the end, so I was sitting at the table wondering how long will it take for us to take off...

Then suddenly I saw my mother standing up, walking to a very old lady, kissing her and saying hi to her, and I couldn't remember the lady, I was sure it's my first time to ever see her, but my mother seemed close to her, so when she came back I asked her, and she said "she was my teacher in elementary school" and I asked "she still remembers you?" and she said sure she does...

I wanted to go to that lady and thank her for educating my mother, for helping her to become the wonderful person she is today, and I hoped my students would one day be proud of being taught by me.

24th March people

I love Jordan, and I love our king Abdullah the second and I truly respect all the effort he is doing to prove that Jordan deserves the best.


I think both sides love Jordan, 24th March and the people who attacked them, but the other part loves Jordan blindly (blind love), 24th March people love Jordan so much more than us that they saw the faults and problems that need fixing.


We should all be 24th March, it is not necessary that we walk with them and be bios to them, but let's all work for the best of this country, let's help the government to walk forward with this country.

We love Jordan but let's love it the right way :)