@ MD Anderson - Part 4 (Volunteers & a BIG supportive family)

Being a patient at MD Anderson turns you & your caregiver into a big family with other patients & their caregivers, doctors, nurses, workers, security, volunteers and more.

This blog is dedicated to every one of them. Thank You for making our journey as delightful as possible despite the pain, homesick, worries of cancer & the rest of the cancer worry list.

 Imagine walking one day into your hospital and seeing it filled with jade green & purple balloons all over! Wouldn't that put a surprise-smile on your tired face? It sure did. We were very happy to see that the whole hospital is celebrating patients & CAREGIVERS! How cool is that? 

Below is a picture for two sweet volunteers that roamed around the hospital with big smile on their faces, giving free turbans and head covers to patients whilst taking their chemo session.

Here are some pictures from the different activities.

Scattered tables with free gifts & cards for survivors and caregivers

 The card baskets for everyone to pick a free card that has been designed by kids and volunteers.

 Free biscuits ( All year round, and not just during the celebration week)

The store selling MD Anderson related merchandise from Tshirts, magnets, notebooks, mugs, and much more

How cool are these volunteers? I wish our youth generation take an hour or more from their busy time to spread a smile to those in need in their own capacity.
Let us put hands together to share the similar experience at different hospitals in our areas. You can make a difference in their tough journey, start now!
Share the link with others

Quick & Healthy meals

Bonjour,
I woke up this morning with the determination to have a healthy day. Not wanting to have my usual toasted cheese sandwich, I looked around for healthier options. And just like every other thing I cook, it usually takes me a minute to pick the ingredients & 2 more to cook them together.

I made a healthy oatmeal porridge-like mix that was based on low fat milk, a spoon of honey, a spoonful of chopped almonds & pistachios , and a sprinkle of cinnamon & cardimom - all mixed together on light fire.

Well, it feels good to finally have a (tasty) healthy meal afterall!

Amwaj Farah - Part Two

The team of Ahlia University recieved their briefing by Injaz on Thursday, and came today to class to kick- off the first session of (Ripples of Happiness) regional competiton.

I still cannot get over the awkward feeling from walking into what once used to be the coolest hangout and the spot where I saw most of the movies. It's amazing how the place turned into a UNIVERSITY all of a sudden. Funny

Anyhow, the team arrived late and this is not a good start. Time is money and it needs to be respected by the future generation of Bahrain.
Oh well, we move to another shocking incident with what was supposed to be a very high tech classroom. Smart board aparently turned out to be not so smart :-) No internet, No laptop, No Projector, No white board pens.... I think to myself (Now What? How on earth will I present what I prepared?)
Being an ex-girl scout, we live by the foundation rule of (Be prepared) & Make do with what you got 'cause the show must go on  - so, I start getting to know the team and try to break-the-ice.

At first, I spoke about InJaz & Coca Cola. Then we discussed the importance of CSR and the vital role it plays in the business-life nowadays. How companies like TOMS relied on CSR to market their brand globally.
At Ripples of Happiness, each team member is supposed to talk about his/her life map. A one minute about their name, age, current studies and future aspirations.

Mine was a bit dramatic to them (I guess) - Here is  summary:
A Science Secondary graduate, who then studied at UOB, Accounting for it was the most challenging, then decided to work at MTC-Vodafone at any available job just to be in Marketing someday. Born in Lebanon, Lived in Bahrain, Turkish Grandmother & Name, represented Bahrain in the National Team for Table Tennis in 1996, School Champion in Table Tennis for 5 years in a row since 1994, lived in Sudan for 100 days, got my Executive MBA from Duke University in the States then worked for Motorola for 4 months - to say the least

I am so excited to be with them, and to volunteer to support such an energetic program.
Let us hope they come up with innovative CSR project ideas next week

Amwaj Fara7 - Part 1

Ripples of Happiness, A term I am trying to learn about as it will be my upcoming volunteer project.
I have been nominated by InJaz Bahrain to volunteer at a Bahraini University to deliver this exciting Social Development program called (Ripples of Happiness) or as translated to (Amwaj Farah).

My role will be to run a class once a week for a period of 6 consecutive weeks at a university for around 25 students that have been pre-selected to participate in this fun program that is funded by Coca - Cola as part of their CSR initiative around the Arab Wolrd.

The program aims to develop students' Social Consciousness and help them improve their community in a fun and innovative way.
The students will get together to represent their university in the nation-wide competition and then be judged and voted for winning at the regional competition in terms of creativity, scalability and usefulness of their idea
All of that will be achieved in a very fun atmosphere and with great emphasis on the role of Social Media  - as described ( they will become socially active towards the community, creating happiness for themselves and for the lives they touch.)

Oh well, I must look for exciting ice-breaking activities and some mind-blowing initiatives that my team can benefit from & hopefully win the local and international competition.

Here is a link for the website. http://www.ripplesofhappiness.com/microsite/en/university.php?id=4

Feel Free to post some ideas & do share any social/community project you may feel is worth exploring. The more relevant we are the more chances we get for winning.

I am inspired today!

We Love Chemo

There was a time when I feared the word (Cancer). I tried as much as possible not read about it,  not to say it, not to even ask my closest friends or family members about it.
Recklessly thinking that doing so will keep it away from me & all the ones I love & care about.

I was wrong.

The first victim of (Cancer)  has been sweet little (Nadine). My cousin's 14 year old daughter who's pure soul & face never left my father's wallet for as long as I remembered. I grew up hearing her story and loving her so much even though I never saw her as she passed away a few years before I was born.
Her struggle introduced me to this awful disease and ever since, the word (cancer) is linked to the darkest memories.

Life moved on, and so did we. Though, the love we had to those we lost never left our heart. It grew bigger day by day. May god rest their souls in peace.

30 years later, life challenged my family with another (Cancer) story. This time affecting a 19 year old angel that is so dear to my heart.












I have been struggling for 2 weeks to find the right words that can express what I felt , but I found none. So I will keep the blog blank for now and move on to the part where I urge each one of you not be like me!
Read more about Cancer. Ask. Be comfortable about it. Know deep in your heart that everything happens for a reason, no matter how sad or angry you may feel about it, there is always a (hikma) behind it. We may never realize it at the time, but we will eventually.

Chemo sounds like the end of the world for us; It supresses the immune system, kills active cells in our bodies and destroys the hair & nails. However the reality is, it supresses the growth of Cancer & therefore, we should be thankful for chemo & for the brains behind finding the best combinations of it.

Cancer has 4 main stages. Each stage requires a different set of meds. Some Cancers require a set of Radio therapy to shrink the tumors in the early stages. Other Cancers require a combination, while the higher stages cuts it directly to Chemo.
MD Anderson introduces Proton Therapy too. Something I personally never heard about until I saw it Houston. It's the friendlier version of Radio Therapy as they explained. Here is a link about it incase you want to read more about it. http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/proton-therapy-center/index.html

Be safe. Be strong. Be thankful

Inspired by the Office Boy

Studied Accounting in a reputable university for 4 years, graduated with honor & top of class - life gets cruel and makes him leave home & family to come work in Bahrain as an Office Boy. This is the story of Anil who will always be remembered. Especially that he was my inspiration to persue an MBA degree.

One hot summer morning, I decided to walk into our small kitchen at work to make my own coffee. Anil steps up to make it. I ask him not to bother as I'm already on it. Instead I asked if he was alright as he seemed worried. He told me that we were very similar as we both earned a bachelors degree in Accounting but my luck got me into Marketing with a good pay and his luck got him this simple job away from his family.

Count your blessings everyone & be thankful for living between your family. Look around you for inspirations to progress as you move on.

2Mins Recipe - Cinnamon & Cardamom Paratha

Whether you're having a few friends over for dinner or a need to satisfy a sweet - tooth craving... Here is a quick recipe for a delicious quick n crispy dessert

I invented it in 2 minutes. I Really recommend it for your ghabga's in Ramadhan.
All you need is a bag of frozen (paratha's), sugar, cinnamon & cardamom. Whipped cream to garnish.
In a small pan, heat a partha and keep flipping it on low fire. Once it turns pink, sprinkle sugar to each side. Stay flipping them till both sides get crispy. Apply a hint of Cardamom & Cinnamon before serving.

I highly recommend serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Bon Appetit