Flightless Bird, American Mouth.

Hey guys,
I'm really trying to be consistent with my posts and I hope this pleases you all. :)
So this past week I've been going out a lot, all thanks to my Media Studies project. I've had to film in in a really beautiful location and although I can't disclose it's exact location I just wanted to share the pictures with you because it's truly one of the few places that I've felt tranquil in.

Speaking of the Media, this past week or so has been quite the controversy, what with the release and ban of BBC's documentary, India's Daughter and heaps of other things. It's really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of that life. And while I am strongly for standing up for your rights and bringing justice to those who deserve it(before you go and call me a feminist-let me just say I believe in equality and there is nothing wrong with that.) I am also for what is known as 'Escapism' if you learn Media Studies and Consumerism you'll come across this term quite a bit. As if it wasn't obvious enough, people, us, you, them, whoever, we watch TV/Media to escape from the everyday worries and responsibilities of the world, to relax, if you would like to put it that way. However, as we've seen, Media is also a powerful tool used for Freedom of Speech.

As someone whose primary interests lie within the Media/Journalism I can understand what it's like to be overwhelmed or even shut down in response to disturbing articles and news. My life is constantly surrounded by news, news and more news and I'm sure yours is too. It might seem absurd or even impossible to switch off your phone for a few hours, let alone an entire day, and I get that, I really do. You switch off your phone, you miss 10 phone calls, 50 Facebook updates, 120 WhatsApp messages and the thing is, that's just not ideal, is it?

Did you guys know that 'epiphany' is one of the most beautiful words in the English language? I had an epiphany last week in this very location. It dawned upon me that I am an outdoor person, a nature soul if you'd like to call it that. And being in this place reminded me of just how much there is to see. Admittedly, I have been so busy and being within the very depth of life made me appreciate the beauty I was surrounded by. I haven't been able to 'shut off' the way I suggested earlier therefore this opportunity to just lay in the middle of bursting colours was really refreshing. 

If you guys can't switch off though I would suggest this site, it's called 'The Quiet Place Project' 

It's pretty peaceful and I highly recommend you watch the 90 second video- in complete silence though. 

Well that's it for now guys.

Just remember to try and find your Quiet Place, we all need it sometimes. :)

Until next time,

XXO,

Sara Malik. 

P.S- Here are some more pictures! Enjoy x

Winds of Change.

Hey everyone! 

So basically, I'm back from the dead. (If that's what you want to call it.) 

I'm officially switching up my blog. :)

It will now completely be travel oriented but of course, I'll throw in some 'life' posts here and there. To start off I'll be posting pictures in this post of my wonderful and much needed weekend with my friends. 

Although Bahrain is small, it DOES have a lot to offer. It saddens me that most people are unaware that it even exists. Therefore I am going to start appreciating and publicizing it's beauty in hopes that you, my dear readers will do the same and share it with your friends and them with theirs...

I've always had a thing for beaches. The wind in my face, sound of the waves colliding, digging my feet into the sand and watching the sunset kind of thing. Go ahead and call it romanticism- because that's exactly what is is. Not the whole 'marry me and be the father of my kids' kind of romance but rather the, 'damn, I didn't even know that shade of blue existed' kind of romance. So you can imagine my absolute delight when the plans I'd made took a slight detour and I ended up on the beach. 

I can see how the title of this post might have been misleading because where does the change part of it come into all of this? It does though. Beaches are symbolic for being the barrier for two states of the mind. Or anything for that matter. In this case, I would like to assume that the water represents the countless directions and paths one can/may take. The opportunities are endless because just like the water...because obviously...there doesn't seem to be an end to it haha. As for the sand, it represents stability or the act of being stationary. And no, I don't mean standing in one place in the literal sense but rather never moving forward in life. Sinking your feet in the sand, curling your toes, gluing yourself to the ground kind of stationary. But when I do that I'm washed with the thought of "What if I just...let the ocean take me?" And I mean this in the most non-suicidal way. What if I just allow the waves to wash over me? To take me where they want, as and when they please. Although there's a lot of uncertainty in allowing 'the waves' to take you where they go, such is life. Or so I am told. And as cheesy as it sounds, life IS a rollercoaster but the view is great!

I spent the weekend in what is known as Old Bahrain, basically the Marina area and Funland( an ice skating/bowling centre) and for those of you who live here, the first thing you notice when you drive into the city is the transition from old to new. It's almost as though you're being taken on a tour through the heritage and then slowly being made to see all the progression that has taken place over time. Either ways, you can see it in the picture above. (There are still some buildings being constructed- but you can see the transition from sea to buildings) Although I've been to this place heaps of times yesterday's view caught me by surprise. It was amazing to see all the shades of blue in variation( Blue is my favourite colour) and along with a good view, good company does wonders! 

If you're in the area, hit this spot up! It's just at the back of Dolphin Park. Peaceful, just begins to describe it and there's a great view, not only of the sea but of the sheesha cafe just across which is wonderfully lit at night by the way. (Didn't manage to get a picture.) 

Until next time guys!

XXO,

Sara Malik.

(P.S- All picture credits are mine.)

Elastic Heart

Hey guys,

Far out, I can't believe I haven't written for such a long time. I honestly was SO busy and I'm really sorry. :(

But I'm here now and with the school halls empty at this hour and L.O.V.E courtesy of Michael Buble playing on my phone, I can relax and write. (OK, not completely but I will get this done.)

There's been a lot of speculation around Sia's wonderful, wonderful and might I add WONDERFUL song, Elastic Heart. Now normally, I never listen to any songs past the 90's but this had to be the exception. Sia managed to combine sick beats and emotional conveyance into one song and boy has it received a lot of critical reception, especially the video featuring Shia Labeouf and Dance Moms', Maddie Ziegler. Some criticisms include the nudity and sexuality suggested between the two dancers in the video and the interpretation it holds in its representation. So I've decided to write about how I see the video.



In the opening scene itself the two are shown on opposite sides of the "cage" as though they are animals preparing to fight with one another followed by the two charging at each other. I have deciphered this as a father figure and his young one at war with each other because of their different ideas of the world and how they should live their life.

The girl represents innocence and a desire for wanderlust. She wants to leave the "cage" which represents captivity and his hold on her but he doesn't realize he's suffocating her. The guy represents fixation. He's so set in his ways and is determined to keep the girl in the "cage" so he can control her but she's at her breaking point and that's why she acts out in the video but him being the adult, he fights back to exercise the control he has and when she slams him against the "cage" she is taking charge of her freedom. He hangs onto the railing and jumps on top of her to show his dominance in the situation and at this point she lies there almost admitting defeat. He can be a means of love and support for the girl which is shown when he carries her around and makes funny faces, proving that he can be the father figure he needs to be. When she finally breaks free from the "cage" that is his mind she can see he's struggling himself because of the way he's been all this time and she tries to coax him out of it but he is just shown banging against the cage showing just how stuck he is because he can't change who he is.



Sia beautifully incorporates what being trapped in someone else's mind distinctly feels like. My personal favourite line is

"I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard."

There are very few people who can deal with or bear being pulled hard from every angle. That being said there comes a point when those people who CAN deal with it snap. Being human means feeling pain, feeling pressured and that is exactly what it is shown in this video. It is in no way explicit or sexual or even remotely controversial. All over the world people are fighting for freedom of speech and the right to say exactly what they feel without being shot, condemned or judged for it. And this is exactly what Elastic Heart is. Freedom of speech in the form of artistic expression. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I've got thick skin and an elastic heart.

What about you?

Until next time,
XXO,
Sara Malik.

The Decline of Our Society.

Hello my lovely readers, 

I'm going to get straight to the point and rant. 

A few nights ago I was with my family and we'd come to a halt at the signal however something was wrong because I could see the light was green and people were honking continuously. Out of curiosity I leaned out of the window to see what was going on and immediately 3 young local boys were standing and one of them was leaning into the car at the beginning of the traffic line. At first it looked appeared as though they were stopping cars and making inquiries but it soon turned ugly as they physically ATTACKED the elder expatriate man who was in his late 50's as his family was forced to evacuate the car and watch helplessly but not before they slammed the car door on him THRICE and no one getting down to help him.

As we drove away my first inclination was to call the local authorities and report them however with the lack of proof prevented me. Seeing this incident bothered me the entire night and still continues to bother me. Being a youngster it completely baffles me when I wonder what has become of the humanity in the younger generation? These people are distinctly aware that being locals they have the power to do as they like and it is just disgusting as a local myself to see them ABUSE that power so undeservingly bestowed upon them. That expatriate man and many more like him come to our country and labour hard in the worst conditions in order to contribute to our economy and yet that are treated as nothing less than dirt. If only I could apologize for the inhumanity shown towards that man I would in a heartbeat. 





This place used to be recognized for its hospitality but it 
continues to lost it's touch of humanity and not to mention humility each day and this is truly upsetting to see how far a nation can progress and yet regress due to the ignorance and inhumanity of a few especially considering with everything we've seen over the last couple of days with the Sydney siege and Peshawar Massacre.




Secondly, social media in its true form is made to be used to connect with your friends and loved ones and NOT to harass people of your disliking therefore one can understand someone's annoyance when you receive questions such as "u smell like a prostitute at school" and "non-muslim bahraini? u look Indian tbh" 

Not only do these kind of comments make me question what parents are teaching their children but it make me laugh as I am made to see how little people are learning at school- specifically in terms of grammatical skills anyways.


1) However flattering(NOT) it is that you have taken the time out to analyze people's scent, the fact that you have compared it to a prostitute suggests that you have former experience of one which calls into question who the less moral person is here. :)

2) A prostitute is someone, specifically a woman, who engages in sexual activity for payment. Just putting that out there seeing as how little you are benefiting from your education. 

3) Their nationality/religious beliefs have nothing to do with anyone or how they should be perceiving them.

People are NOT and I repeat NOT defined or identified by their religious beliefs and since they are THEIR BELIEFS I don't see how that in anyway involves YOU. 

It is really sad to see that despite living in a multicultural society we are faced with such disgusting and judgemental comments and it sickens me to the core. 

Coming into a New Year however there is always time for reformity and as long as people are willing to change that should be what matters.

Until next time,
XXO,
Sara Malik.