CURRENT MISSION

To eat that last piece of Lasagne.

ABOUT ME

Who am I? I'm a university student from Amman, Jordan, as you can tell by now. I study computer engineering at the German university here in Jordan, so I study German as well.

I grew up in Pakistan, Yemen, Indonesia, Thailand, Sudan and Jordan equally, even though I went to International Schools in most of these countries, so I'm used to a more international culture. I like to think that English is my first language, and it's certainly the one I'm most proficient in.

I'm also trying to become a poet, I love creativity and creative work.

I finished an exchange year in Germany, and now I'm back in Jordan to finish my studies.

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Warning, long rant coming up, feel free to skip if you don't have the time.
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Warning, I am NOT open-minded. English is interesting, because it's a language that's defined by the people who speak it. Words change in meaning over the ages, sometimes disappearing or appearing out of nowhere, or gain a new definition, and perhaps lose an old one.

Open-minded on CS is one of these words that has lost it's meaning. It became to become synonymous with 'I have a profile on CS'. You'll find on the profiles of everyone, from the coolest people you'll ever meet, the slightly fascistic mods, and most of the 'holier-than-thou' types.

When we are born, we are a clean slate. But we all grow up in different circumstances, and we acquire different things from each circumstance, sometimes two people living in the same exact environment grow up differently.

I'm ethnically Arab, but I grew up in various countries, in Internationa schools. I was exposed to many cultures, and each affected me in a certain way. From these things I got some inhibititions, some quirks, some misconceptions and prejudices, things other people call "close-mindedness".

But everyone has those, it's just different for each person. I don't fear those things, one of the greatest joys for me when I meet someone new is testing their limits and knowing more about them, and I feel even better when my limits are tested. Try it, it's very interesting when you're aware of it.

Only by doing that, discovering your latent inhibitions and addressing them, can you get rid of them and become 'open-minded'. I don't think I'm there yet, but I promise you tolerence, positive provokation, and very interesting conversations.

PHILOSOPHY

Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I live in a small room in a dorm, and I don't really have a mattress or anything, so I can't really host. I attend meetings and give lectures about "True CS Spirit" to everyone who is crazy enough to listen to me for more than a minute. Just kidding, obviously I force those not willing to listen. =P

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've attended a couple of meetings so far and it has been fantastic, I've met some great people. I had an AMAZING experience in Berlin when I couchsurfed there, and I'm willing and open to go for more.

Interests

I have various interests, but what interests me even more are the things I don't know about. I have an unquenchable thirst to learn about new things, and experience them. That's why I like having discussions with people over everything, but even though I like to hear myself talk, I try to shut up because I'm more interested in hearing new things.

• culture
• environment
• dining
• cooking
• clothing
• jazz
• guitar
• engineering

Music, Movies, and Books

Lately I've been watching way much more films than I used to, which sucks because before that I used to read books. In general, my favourite films are the usual suspects that you probably know, just look at the top 100 Films in IMDB. But I also like going to small film festivals and watching new Indie foriegn movies.I also enjoy watching some TV shows, like that 70s Show or House M.D. I really love old British comedies, like Monty Python or Fawlty Towers. Black Books is another must-mention.

Some of my favourite movies are:- The Godfather series, Scarface, Donnie Darko, Goodfellas, Layer Cake, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Blade Runner, Miller's Crossing, Once Upon a Time in America, On the Waterfront, The Untouchables, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Pulp Fiction, anything Robert Deniro or Al Pacino.

As to music, it's something I can't live without. I listen to mostly rock and metal music, but it's really more varied than that. I don't like most Hip-hop or techno/electric/house/dumtischdumtischdum etc.

Among my favourite artists are:- Led Zepplin, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Iron Maiden, Dio, Judas Priest, The Pogues, Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Rammstien, Die Ärzte, R.E.M., Janis Joplin, Apocalyptica, Midnatsoll, Korpiklanni, Finntroll, Bjelo Dugme, Wintersun, and the Dire Straits.

As for books, it's usually whatever I can get my hands on, but lately I haven't been finding much time or interest to do any reading. The few latest books I've read are By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, Windup Bird Chronicles, Mystic River, and Going Solo.

My favourite Author as a child was Roald Dahl. As an adult, I don't have any favourite authors but my favourite book of all time is Alice in Wonderland. I think every one should read it again as an adult, or for the first time.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've set foot on each of the seven continents. I've crossed India on a pogo stick and bathed in the Ganges. I've brokered peace between two warring clans in upper Egypt. I've climbed the active volcano of Mt. Etna. I've taught English to young children in Malawi. I've partaken in a Japanese Tea Ceremony with Murakami Haruki. I got a black eye in the stands when Boca Juniors played Riverplate. I've Visited the gravesite of Chico Marx. I've enjoyed a freshly rolled cigar with Fidel Castro. I've written and sold a New York Times best-seller.

I've slept the whole night in a snow fort I built. I've had meaningful political conversations with a beggar in Berlin. I sang in a jazz band in dark, smoky martini lounges in Philadelphia. I've started up my own successful line of clothing. I refused 10 million dollars on the basis of principles. I've piloted a space shuttle during launch and docked on the International Space Station. I took a ride on a Russian Mig-Fighter jet, and flew low over foriegn territory. I've defeated King Koopa. Twice. I've kicked Eric Clapton's ass in Guitar Hero. I also had dinner with Adam West, Burt Ward and Linda Carter.

Hmm... I think I might have exaggerated a bit. =/

I've still done some pretty cool stuff, remember to ask me about them if you meet me.

Teach, Learn, Share

Did you know that there are 18 species of penguins. The largest of these is the Emperor penguin. Male Emperor penguins grow up to 1,2m (4 ft) tall and can dive down to depths of 265m (870 ft). Their bodies are kept warm by a thick layer of fat but to increase body heat they comb their feathers to trap air in them. All species of penguins live south of the Equator, but only six live in Antarctica. There are no penguins in the North Pole.

I can also teach you how to cook some tasty food. ^_^

Countries I’ve Visited

Germany, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan, Thailand, Yemen

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