writer, podcaster, artist, child of God
I’m a cinephile. Sometimes, I think to myself, “if I can go back in time and change my university program, I would choose cinema.” I did think of doing my masters in film studies and I even dreamt of studying at the UCLA, but life never goes as planned… We never know, right? However, that doesn’t mean I never studied film. As a matter of fact, when I was in CEGEP, I was in the Arts and Letters program and attended various courses on film. Then, in university, I chose World Cinemas as my minor.
(more…)This year is quite a strange one for everyone across the globe. Our worlds are changing drastically on so many levels: culturally, socially, politically, financially, and most importantly, healthily.
One of the traditions I’ve kept over the years is to travel to a particular place every year. My plans this year have been cancelled, but I decided to be creative: I don’t need to travel physically, but I can travel back in time. As a matter of fact, I thought, why not write about some past trips and take my readers with me?
Last week, I went to the States with my lovely parents. I’ll share all the things we did and where we stayed without writing a novel. Let’s start!
To the ones that made me feel like home for five days straight, that made me promise to never change who I am, that loved my sense of humour, that have golden and open hearts, that warmly welcomed us, that cook super well, that encouraged me to serve, that are bold in their faith, that were our second or third mothers to us, that have a height I look up to, that can sing, draw, and be talented like no one else, that are soft in their manners like doves, that are funnier than America’s best comedians, that share a passion for books, that are little innocent geniuses, that have the best semi-broken Arabic, that know how to read Arabic and Coptic (props to youuuuu), that are wannabe Montrealers, and that are amazing travelling companions… this article is for you.
Last week, I embarked on a short spiritual trip. I had no idea, not even the slightest clue on what to expect. No one told me what we were going to do, nor what to expect from a week at a monastery. I didn’t even know who from church was going to the trip. And you know what? Not knowing anything led to the best surprise ever.
I had planned this trip with my friend Jasmine a while ago. We knew by the end of the summer that we would go to New York and meet incredible and inspiring women. However, it only hit us probably a week before our departure date from Montreal. We were freaking out and asking each other what are the things we wanted to do, to see, to eat, to try, to whatever New Yorkers do. Was this trip worth it in coldish November. YES. Was the Girlboss Rally worth it? YES. I therefore decided to write a blog post that would give an idea of what I did, who I met and share my opinions on this one-of-a-kind event.
*Note that there will be more pictures on Instagram and my photography portfolio soon.*
In September 2017, I had a chance to meet Dr. Hazem Saleh, former Consul and Director of the Egyptian Bureau for Cultural and Educational Affairs in Canada. What I thought would be a short and sweet interview was actually a three-hour meeting, like old friends catching up. In fact, Dr. Saleh is one of the friendliest, most optimistic and knowledgeable consuls I’ve met. I am honoured to have seen him and witness his contagious positive energy. (more…)
MARIA MAGDELEINA 