Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Actress Elizabeth Taylor dies

Actress Elizabeth Taylor dies - Americas - Al Jazeera English

Updates: 25th March 2011

Liz Taylor buried in small ceremony at LA cemetery 

GLENDALE, Calif. – Elizabeth Taylor's family mourned the screen legend in a brief private funeral service Thursday at a Southern California cemetery famous for being the final resting place of Hollywood celebrities, including her good friend Michael Jackson.

Inside the sprawling Forest Lawn Cemetery, barricades blocked access to the funeral, where about four dozen family members mourned the actress during a service that lasted about an hour, said Glendale police spokesman Tom Lorenz. Five black stretch limousines transported Taylor's family to and from the funeral, but no procession was held.


The service began 15 minutes after its announced start time in observance of Taylor's parting wish that her funeral start late, her publicist Sally Morrison said.
Taylor had left instructions asking for the tardy start and had requested that someone announce, "She even wanted to be late for her own funeral," Morrison said.


Taylor died early Wednesday of congestive heart failure while surrounded by her four children at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been hospitalized for about six weeks.
Taylor, who was infamously married eight times to seven husbands, converted to Judaism before her 1959 wedding to Eddie Fisher. Jewish customs call for a burial within 48 hours of death.

The roughly one-hour service began with poetry readings by actor Colin Farrell and Taylor's family members and included a trumpet performance of Amazing Grace by her grandson, Morrison said.
The casket was draped in gardenias, violets, and lilies of the valley before its interment in the cemetery's Great Mausoleum beneath a marble sculpture of an angel inspired by the work of Italian artist Michelangelo.


In addition to Jackson, the cemetery is the final resting place for such stars as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, W.C. Fields, Red Skelton, Gracie Allen, Walt Disney and Nat King Cole.


Taylor, the star of such films as "BUtterfield 8," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and    "Cleopatra,"    won three Academy Awards, including a special one for her humanitarian work. She was an ardent and early supporter of AIDS research, when HIV was new to the industry and beyond. 


"I admired Elizabeth Taylor enormously and feel heartsick losing her, especially with all of her charitable works," said Ann Berry, a fan and character actress who lives nearby and visited the cemetery with a friend to pay their respects to the star.

Several television news crews documented the service from across the street while news helicopters swirled overhead and students got out of class at the nearby Cerritos Elementary School.


Taylor underwent at least 20 major operations during her life and nearly died from a bout with pneumonia in 1990. In 1994 and 1995, she had both hip joints replaced, and in February 1997, she underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. In 1983, she acknowledged a 35-year addiction to sleeping pills and pain killers, and was treated for alcohol and drug abuse at the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, Calif.


Survivors include Taylor's daughters Maria Burton-Carson and Liza Todd-Tivey, sons Christopher and Michael Wilding, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Taylor's publicist said any details of a memorial service would likely be announced at a later date.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

MOTHER - WOMAN OF MY LIFE


12:34   18th March 1995

MOTHER - THE WOMAN OF MY LIFE




Blessed is your face
Blessed is your name
My beloved
 
Blessed is your smile
Which makes my soul want to fly
My beloved
 
All the nights
And all the times
That you cared for me
But I never realised it
And now it’s too late
Forgive me

Now I’m alone filled with so much shame
For all the years I caused you pain
If only I could sleep in your arms again
Mother I’m lost without you

You were the sun that brightened my day
Now who’s going to wipe my tears away
If only I knew what I know today
Mother I’m lost without you

Ummahu, ummahu, ya ummi
wa shawqahu ila luqyaki ya ummi
Ummuka, ummuka, ummuka ummuka
 
Qawlu rasulika
Fi qalbi, fi hulumi
Anti ma’i ya ummi
Mother... Mother... O my mother
How I long to see O mother
 

“Your mother, Your mother, Your mother”
Is the saying of your Prophet
In my heart, in my dreams
You are always with me mother

Ruhti wa taraktini
Ya nura ‘aynayya
Ya unsa layli
Ruhti wa taraktini
 

Man siwaki yahdhununi
Man siwaki yasturuni
Man siwaki yahrusuni
‘Afwaki ummi
Samihini...
 
You went and left me
O light of my eyes
O comfort of my nights
You went and left me
 
Who, other than you, will embrace me?
Who, other than you, will cover me?
Who, other than you, will guard over me?
Your pardon mother, forgive me








Monday, March 14, 2011

A BABY IS BORN




A BABY IS BORN
THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF LIFE


Misha Zahra (beautiful flower)
Congratulations to Dina and Zainal 
& hello Zahra! with all our love..


Have you ever wondered?




The sacrifices

The pains
The love and joy
A baby is born...

Friday, March 11, 2011

JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI 11th MARCH 2011


 Women - Face to Face With Disaster





 



Friday  11th March, 2011 at 1446 local time (0546 GMT) an earthquake with the magnitude of 8.9, the biggest to hit Japan in 140 years struck 400km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo triggering a 10-metre tsunami that pounded the country’s east coast.





 



Houses being swallowed, cars and other debris were swept away by the tsunami tidal waves.    


Residents and workers in Tokyo rushed out of apartment buildings, office blocks and gathered in parks and open spaces as aftershocks continued to hit. 


Police said 200 to 300 bodies have been found in the north eastern coastal city of Sendai where hundreds of buildings have collapsed. Japan's NHK television said the victims appeared to have drowned, another 88 were confirmed killed and 349 were missing.



Natural disasters have always been a fact of life in human history. Natural disasters devastate entire communities. During and after these disasters, women and children suffer the most.  Yet time and again women have always proven themselves indispensable when it comes to responding to disasters.


We have just celebrated The International Women’s day last 8th March 2011. 


However today we witnessed a disaster beyond belief and beyond words; the loss of  many lives, properties and the destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami.  


May we extend our deepest sympathies to families and loved ones of those Japanese killed on this tragic day.    







Though we cannot possibly feel this pain as you do, we have you in our hearts and our thoughts.
(Pictures taken from National Post)







Updates: 13 March 2011


 

 Where there was once a thriving town, buildings are now covered with mud in Minamisanriku town, Miyagi after the tsunami drowned the entire town.





Amidst tsunami flood waters burning houses and ships are piled in a mass of debris in Kisenuma city, Miyagi prefecture


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

International Women's Day

This year marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day”



Happy International Women's Day!


I AM WOMAN (Helen Reddy and Ray Burton)

 




The United Nations declared 1975 ”International Year of the Women”.  They chose this as the theme song.  And it’s lived on for today’s younger generations of women too, who know you really can have everything you’ve ever wanted, because you now have the power to get it.

Imagine the ‘walls and blocks’ Helen Reddy and many other leading business women would have faced back 30+ years ago.  We are alive at an amazing time for women – it’s up to each one of us to embrace our authentic power and beauty and share our message, through the love and energy women naturally possess and make, live and leave our legacy.  And it’s equally important to support, encourage and empower one another.  Our way, I believe, really can heal the world.




I AM WOMAN (Helen Reddy and Ray Burton)

I am woman, hear me roar In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again


Oh yes, I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained
If I have to I can do anything
I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible)


I am woman


You can bend but never break me ‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer ‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul


Oh, yes, I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible)


I am woman


I am woman watch me grow See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land
But I’m still an embryo With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand


Oh, yes, I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible)


I am woman


Oh, I am woman I am invincible I am strong
I am woman I am invincible I am strong I am woman




Women Deliver 100: The Most Inspiring People Delivering for Girls and Women

wd100-banner.jpg
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, Women Deliver is announcing the “Women Deliver 100,” our list of the hundred most inspiring people who have delivered for girls and women. This list recognizes women and men, both prominent and lesser known, who have committed themselves to improving the lives of girls and women around the world. Honorees derive from the fields of health, human rights, politics, economics, education, journalism, and philanthropy, and represent a great diversity of geographic and cultural backgrounds. The 100 honorees were selected from among hundreds of potentials and feature some of the most intrepid, committed, and results-driven people in the world.

Alphabetical Order, By Last Name

Eman AbdElRahman, Egypt
Hawa Abdi, Somalia
Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, Jordan
Fazle Hasan Abed, Bangladesh
Lynsey Addario, United States
Christiane Amanpour, UK
Zainah Anwar, Malaysia
Michelle Bachelet, Chile
Marge Berer, United Kingdom
Ela Bhatt, India
Mabel Bianco, Argentina
Betty Bigombe, Uganda
Justine Masika Bihamba, Democratic
Republic of Congo
Sarah Brown, UK
Christy Turlington Burns, United
States
Laura Bush, USA
Yvonne Chaka Chaka, South Africa
Hillary Clinton, USA
Rebecca Cook, Canada
Juliette Coulibaly, Côte d’Ivoire
Marietou Diarra, Senegal
Lydia Alpízar Durán, Costa Rica
Shirin Ebadi, Iran
Nabila Espanioly, Israel
Mahmoud Fathalla, Egypt
Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Nigeria
Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen,
Denmark
Janette Loreto Garin, Philippines
Melinda Gates, United States
Bience Gawanas, Namibia
Helene Gayle, USA
Leymah Gbowee, Liberia
Adrienne Germain, USA
Rafia Ghubash, Bahrain
Rebecca Gomperts, Netherlands
Geeta Rao Gupta, USA
Catherine Hamlin, Australia
Sejal Hathi, USA
Emily Heroy, USA
Wajeha Al-Huwaider, Saudi Arabia
Edna Adan Ismail, Somalia
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria
Kasha Jacqueline, Uganda
Guo Jianmei, China
Andrea Jung, United States
Imtiaz Kamal, Pakistan
Carolyne Kemunto, Kenya
Imane Khachani, Morocco
Ban Ki-moon, South Korea
Anuradha Koirala, Nepal
Nicholas Kristof, United States
Inkosi Kwataine, Malawi
Marta Lamas, Mexico
Xie Lihua, China
Wangari Maathai, Kenya
Graça Machel, Mozambique
Marina Mahathir, Malaysia
Somaly Mam, Cambodia
Mary John Mananzan, Philippines
María Consuelo Mejía, Mexico
HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al
Missned, Qatar
Denis Mukwege, Democratic
Republic of Congo
Chouchou Namegabe, Democratic
Republic of the Congo
Shada Mohammed Nasser, Yemen
Woineshet Zebene Negash, Ethiopia
Martha Sanchez Nestor, Mexico
Dorothy Ngoma, Malawi
Sarah Nkhoma, Malawi
Kakenya Ntaiya, Kenya
Rolake Odetoyinbo, Nigeria
Olufunmilayo Olopade, Nigeria
Marina Pisklakova-Parker, Russia
Jacqueline Pitanguy, Brazil
Ai-jen Poo, USA
Zahra Rahnavard, Iran
Kavita Ramdas, India
Nadia Ribadeneira, Ecuador
Mary Robinson, Ireland
Casimira Rodríguez, Bolivia
Nawal El Saadawi, Egypt
Fred Sai, Ghana
Zainab Salbi, Iraq
Sadiqa Basiri Saleem, Afghanistan
Sima Samar, Afghanistan
Saudatu Sani, Nigeria
Amartya Sen, India
Jill W. Sheffield, USA
Mu Sochua, Cambodia
Gloria Steinem, USA
Shershah Syed, Pakistan
Tatiana Therosme, Haiti
Karma Lekshe Tsomo, USA
Cristina Villarreal, Colombia
Oprah Winfrey, USA
Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh
UNFPA’s Iconic Leaders: Nafis Sadik,
Pakistan; Thoraya Obaid, Saudi
Arabia
IPPF’s Changemakers: Gill Greer,
New Zealand; Carmen Barroso,
Brazil; Steven Sinding, USA
Scientific Visionaries: Étienne-Émile
Baulieu, France; Ian Frazer,
Australia; Pak-Chung Ho, China;
Robert G. Edwards, UK
European Champions: Tore Godal,
Norway; Bert Koenders,
Netherlands; Andrew Mitchell, UK
Heads of State: Jens Stoltenberg,
Norway; José Luis Rodríguez
Zapatero, Spain; Tarja Halonen,
Finland Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,
Liberia