Civil War Reenactment, MI

civil war reenactment
Originally uploaded by UAE_Spirit.

The American Civil war was fought between United States of America and Union states, also known as the South, from the years 1861 - 1865. The war took place btw the Southners and Northners due to conflicts arisin between the two parties. Contraversary existed long before the civil war involving issues such as states rights, tarriffs and the most notable - slavery. When Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860, several States left the Union, primarily agricultural states where slavery was legal and dependant upon. Jefferson Davis was then chosen as their president.

The Civil War Reenactment takes place every year to honor those who fought in the battle which was mainly based on whether slavery should be permitted or discontinued. The reenactment took place on Friday 28th of August 2005 which played a vital role in the American History. It also provided me with an understanding to the American background and culture and how indifferent they are to other countries in the world.

We think that War only is taking place in countries but not the United States, but sometimes War is what builds a country and brings people together.

Settlin DOWN!!

So...

I've been here for about two weeks now and everyone of you would have settled down by that time RIGHT?

Well not for me...

Let's go over what I have been through... alot? maybe not for you, but for me, DEFINITLY yesssssssssssss....

First I had to find an apartment and surely a roommate, which I with the help of Stacey put Ads for roommate and checkin available apartments. I found a muslim Girl after alot searching and calling others. The girl is very very outgoing and spontaneous unlike me. I had few problems with her signin the lease ASAP esp since I needed to figure out a place to stay. It took about 4 days for her to finally sign the lease, but am still a bit not sure if things would be cool btw us esp with my instincts telling me that there is a possibility that the girl end the contract even before moving. Will see how things go, esp with us being different in personalities but I can definitly manage and hopefully we will be good roommate.

Second is tryin to buy a used car in 10 days within arriving to MI!! This was the worst case esp with Stace and me not expert with cars n knowin what is best. We've been doing ALOT of search on the net, on dealer's sites and been at least to 6 places and checked cars. One problem we faced was the price with it being more than $3000 for most of the cars are quiet expensive. Second was the mileage being so high and the car being so old. Third was how reliable the car is and how to check for reliability thru some testing. Uffff it just had my mind so puzzled n when I at last found a car that was a 94 camry that had about 142K miles on. The car was in a good condition but needed to have tire replaced in 3 months and maybe some mechanical problems of oil leakage. But otherwise it was smooth.
Yesterday I deposited money and was waitin for my international license to arrive. N when the day came, Stace told me that I can't get insured with an international license and thus have to get a MI license:( I simply couldn't take it anymore with all those problems... I held maself well and just sat silently to know that other insurance companies do take intern license. Then comes the car problem. My cousin mona has few friends here one of which would give me a car lease to use and pay $230 every month which includes insurance and its brand new car. The problem is that I didn't know if I was able to get my deposit of $1000 back!! So already me being half dead, we went to the guy n told him about my salary confusion and thus me not being able to pay for the car and insurance, and he accepted to refund back in a week.

But before the car problem also came the phone problem. Fadi was 100% correct. With all due respect but things are so damn complicated here. You have to pay for incoming calls and messages!! WHAT THE HELL... plus since I don't have a social security number yet, I have to deposit $500 which is an amount that can help me live for atleast 2 months. At that moment I simply teared out with alot of pressure accumulated since my arrival here. It's not a money issue but rather a personal one having gone through so much in only 10days.

Well now i'm here alone and Stacey has gone home and I feel so sad knowing that i'm missin her so much since she was my mother here. And with no father too, i'm lost. Well not technically, but it just feels that way. I know that now I have to be very independant and do my best to work things out and I shall do that and face challenges.

Please.. Pray for me for I need and always be there to support me... I love you all.. and miss you all...

Arbor, MI

Arbor, MI
Originally uploaded by UAE_Spirit.

Since my arrival to Michigan (MI) and i've been busy with trying to settle down. But at the same time alot has been happening in my life that has made it so joyful, that I haven't had the time to write it down.

The most important place I have visited is the Arbor, shown in the picture. It is da place I seek when I feel sadness or missing back home. The place is so quiet that you enjoy sittin infront of Lake Huron and just dream... of anything... I went there with Stacey and we sat for about 30 minute. Well we did a lot of walkin since it's like a big forest endin up on this beautiful lake. The silence that surrounds you with no sound but that of Mother Nature is simply MAGIC.

In addition to visitin the Arbor, I was invited to a German girl farewell where about 3-4 of the guests where @ers. We had Thai food for dinner and it was yummy:P It was a nice gatherin with me meeting everyone out there.

Yesterday we had a barbeque at Mike's place (an @er) and AT LAST I had HALAL MEAT to be part of the BBQ:) Mike was the one who bought it for me (Thanksss). Then we went out with the others includin @ers I met at the German gathering bowling. It was sooooooo much fun.

I know that all what i've been talking about are mostly fun things i've been doing. But bear in mind that we always have alot of discussion about cultures, religions and ppl's way of thinking. This I will leave it for some other day esp with me having to check my food on the oven;)

PS I hope I settle soon coz i promised the gang I will cook for them Arabic food hehehhe.. love you all