Kalimat: Magazine Feature.

I'm ecstatic about Kalimat magazine's fall issue, where my thesis project is featured. 

"Kalimat Magazine is committed to rejuvenating Arabic culture by providing an outlet for political, cultural and social expression within the Arab region and its Diaspora. At the same time, it is a visual communication tool that serves to change Western perception of Arabs. The purpose is to be an open outlet for expression and to increase participation within the cultural/creative scene, therefore, the content is created by Arab people, the writers are Arab, the editor is Arab, the people featured are Arab."

Flip to page 109 to read my article.

Open publication - Free publishing - More arab

*** Thank you so much Danah Abdulah ***

Muslima: Parent's guide book on Islam.

Part of my thesis project was a parent guidebook on Islam. Since parents are an integral part in a child's life, I felt intrigued to write this book; dispelling common misconceptions and misunderstandings on Islam.

(Click to enlarge)

Muslima website.

My Thesis project website is up, click here to go there, or just type in: www.MuslimTale.com

*** p.s. this is more of a summary that explains my thesis project ***

Religious Stereotypes.

This book was the reason I chose to delve deeper into the issue of negative religious stereotypes and ways to solve them. It actually is my one of my favorite books I wrote so far. The book is one hundred and fifteen pages.

(To read just click on the image and flip through)

***Umbrella people illustrations by Jon Turner***

Hey guess what?

You see that BIG smile on my face. yep yep ...I MADE ITTTTTTT..... I'm sooo happy to have gotten that far and through! I've dreamed of this day for so long it feels so surreal right now. Alhamdella :)

My friends were there to cheer me on and give me a moral push. thanks guys!

Booklets.

I just finished printing / binding / trimming six presentation booklets. Ah it feels so good. Can't wait to kick butt tomorrow. I finally feel ready (mentally / emotionally / practically).

Now I need to cook myself a good meal. I'm thinking Kabob. YUM.

p.s. I will soon be posting my very own seafood soup recipe. I need to come up with a proper name for it though...

Tease you.

I will be posting my thesis project soon, meanwhile here are my teaser ads...

Almost there.

Really excited (and nervous) about this. My thesis project is *almost* done. 

Dazed and confused.

That's exactly how I've been feeling on the inside lately. I'm anxious about my thesis final review, concentration levels have reached below minus, emotions kicking-in on high levels and I forget a lot {which is creeping me out, simply because I'm supposedly at an age where that should not be happening}. 




Wish me luck.

New thesis.

I have had a big thesis rejection from our graphic design Executive Director. The new look is still work in progress. I will be posting a link to the new blog for my thesis soon. Meanwhile, all I can say is:

Sigh.

N.E.R.D.

New years resolution found:

 Turn into a nerd. Seriously.

Back for a tiny moment.

Those past couple of weeks have been insane. I've had a thesis hiccup but am back on my feet (after a week of sleeplessness and nightmares).

Meanwhile, here's one Dave Matthews song I love (try to listen closely to the lyrics). And the coexist logo (which I wish more people would tolerate and go by).

Thesis project.

For all my dear readers and followers, I'm excited to announce that my thesis blog is now up.

Read about the project intent, and see the process here.

Comments and suggestions are highly appreciated, 

as well as nice words of encouragement ;)

Muslim.

For those of you aren't familiar with who I am. 

Here's a brief intro to who Lama, aka Lema is.

Place of Birth: United Arab Emirates

Raised in: Jordan

Country of Origin: Palestine 

Current City of Residence: San Francisco

Favorite Season: Winter

Loves: Paper 

Hates: Liars

Religion: Islam

So here's why I'm telling you all this...

Since moving to the U.S. I have felt a lot of questioning, 

confusion and misunderstanding from some people, first 

was because I was raised in the Middle East, and second 

was because, to some, I belonged to a so-called terrorist 

religion, aka Islam.

This made me feel uncomfortable and at unease. 

So, instead of smiling and nodding, I'm doing something about it...

I'm currently working on my MFA thesis project, and it's 

an educational program, targeting the younger generation.

I'm working with a beautiful team of artists I hand-picked myself.

They, and the final project will be revealed later in May, 2011.

The title of my project is: 

Amal, A Muslim Tale of Hope.

(Amal is translation for Hope, and it's also my name, 
Lama, written backwards)

***Calligraphy done by my friend Wael Omari***