Festivity in Erbil

Loyal Blog Readers- here, there, everywhere!

Merry Christmas to those who celebrated (as usual I am lagging behind, four days this time. Sorry) I wish you all never ending peace and happiness - though I know in today's world that is almost always unlikely to happen, but it's a wish.

What's happening in my part of the world? I went silent and wiped myself off the face of the earth for almost a week as my one and only sibling got married. A dream day, I must say; Feet and shoulders are still in pain, not that I danced or anything (wink. wink.). The Christmas spirit here year by year becomes more and more colourful. The malls are beautifully decorated and so are some homes. Many of my Muslim friends have put Christmas trees inside their homes to get into the festive mood.


It's all lights outside Family Mall in Erbil
Photo: twitter - @Kurdistan_612

I love driving the streets at night and seeing beautiful lights around Family Mall, Majidi Mall and even few of the smaller malls. Most of them have a decorated section inside to reflect the Christmas spirit. I am proud to still live in a city where we can celebrate side by side with our Christian brothers and sisters.

However, my beautiful city Erbil is a little wounded this year and most likely won't blow our minds with the colourful fireworks that rock the night sky on New Year's Eve. It was a tough second-half to 2014, many of our boys lost their lives fighting terrorists/ beasts/ monsters (ISIS) on frontlines. Hence, while we always cling onto life and live every moment despite all the tough circumstances our nation encounters-- in memory of those who lost their life this year, those who had to flee their homes and in respect to all the families who are still mourning the loss of their fathers, sons, brothers and husbands (even daughters) we shall keep our celebrations inside the walls of our homes.

I am thinking of doing something special for every person that has come into my life in 2014, including the girls at the refugee camp. I will keep you posted on that.

For now, just making the most of the last few days of 2014, finalizing little bits and pieces and waiting for a turn in the page. New year plans if you live in this part of the world is sometimes limited but I have always loved a night in with my dearest ones!

Love from
My Nest in Kurdistan

Sazan,

tags: New Year Erbil, New Year Kurdistan, Holidays, Christmas Erbil/ Arbil/ Hawler/ Kurdistan

November book club

Dearest Loyal Blog Readers,

This post comes a good week late. Sorry. But hey, we had our first Poppy Loves Book Club meeting in Kurdistan - Erbil, The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman was the title and what a discussion we had! We laughed. A. Lot. but some of the comments and thoughts brought out from the book were deep and raised many questions and discussions amongst us. and you know, Saza loves discussions. 

First Poppy Loves book club meeting Moka and More-  Erbil, Kurdistan Region. Iraq

Have I mentioned the cupcakes yet? Farah and Frishta had made themed cupcakes for all of us! How amazing is that? Got us all in the spirit of the book. So much fun. I just wanted to stare at it, didn't want to ruin any by eating them. I know. Crazy.

 

 To be completely honest I never thought or even imagined the turnout will be this big, nor did I have in mind how deep the discussions will be. Most of these girls hadn't met one another before, they are different in backgrounds and probably have different beliefs and values as well. But here, in Erbil we got together, made friends, enjoyed our evening and spoke on something we had all read. I realized as different as we were, there were also different thoughts made about the book, to the extent that I wanted to re-read it. I found it amazing how a single book, same words, same everything, generated so much different interpretations. I was also reminded how great and opinionated our girls are over here.




How I love these girls

The fact that so many girls around the world, including Kurdistan, can read the same book at the same time then discuss it and answer questions related to it in their own way is healthy, enjoyable and yup! Gives us something to look forward to at the end of the month. I secretly looked at the girls and saw how well they got along, and enjoyed eachother's company. No one was judged, hurt or felt left out. Some ate their way through the meeting (no names there. You know who you are.) and others spoke their way through.  Having the Brimo sisters there meant guaranteed laughter.

I hope one day we can read local books and get authors based in Kurdistan to come and join us for tea/ coffee as we discuss his or her book.




Author Denis Thériault in Nottinghill and with us online

Later in the evening most of us (those who were not already snuggled up in bed) were online past midnight with the girls in Notting Hill and the author himself.




We took the opportunity to say Happy Birthday to Ashna and Juwan who celebrated their birthdays that day! As usual the talented girls at Sekercake made a wonderful cake for the occasion- istikan of chai (tea), a book and a pen, it resembled both Ashna and Juwan perfectly. They both know how inspiring and special they are to me us all.




Poppy on her toes and fingers answering all of us

As you can see above, poor Poppy must have had sore fingers filming little bits for us and responding to our questions and answers directed to Denis.. all live!

 

The next book club meeting will be on January 28th, 2015- 5 pm. The title  is 'Dodger' by James Benmore, the author will be joining the Poppy loves Book Club in Notting Hill and with us online! How exciting? The cover doesn't appeal to me too much. You know, not my type. But I am going to get into it as from tonight.

 

If you're based in Erbil we have five copies kindly sent to us by Poppy, which we share amongst ourselves. Email me and I will put you into the list, although if you have access to online purchases you can buy it, read it, then drop by at our meeting. You can also enter Poppy's competition to win a copy in her Facebook Group she has seven copies to give away!

 

Don't forget to join the Poppy Loves Book Club Facebook page and the monthly newsletter.

Until next time

lots of love from

My Nest in Kurdistan

Sazan,

 

It's Jezhn!!

Helloooo Loyal Blog Readers,
Tomorrow is the first day of Jezhn (Eid), I decided for a guest blogger to tell you how the prepraration is done in my part of the world. One hint, if you're in Erbil for Jezhn (or Eid) then get ready to gain a few kilogramssss.

Guest Blogger: Huda Sarhang

Kulicha in the making in the Sarhang household in Erbil

In my house jazhn is no different to other houses in Kurdistan. My beloved mother loves to keep the tradition of making sweets and pastries that we call kulicha. Some might say why putting all this effort and wasting time with making them while you can get it all ready from bazar? The answer is perfectly simple, making kulicha brings the real spirit of Jazhn to our house. Mom loves to prepare everything for Jazhn with her own hands, what makes it special is that we (the kids) all gather to help. My younger sister and brother join us as well. We all have different tasks. I am usually responsible to sit close to the oven and watch the kulicha till it's cooked.

Pari wishes you all a happy eid, as she helps her mother make sweets (Kulicha)

Small confession, yesterday I burned some of the kulicha because I was checking my Facebook and I got punished by making another type of sweet since I wasted a lot. Anyway... eh, going back to the task list. My two little siblings are responsible for helping mom with small things she asks them to bring, sometime they prepare the nuts for making kulicha. While my other sister is responsible for putting the kulicha in two big trays. We usually make big amounts of kulicha. I still don't know why!! But we keep doing that. Every. Single. Year. Over and over again.

Kulicha in Kurdistan is a family fun activity before Jezhn (Eid) festivities 

For us, Jazhn can not pass without making kulicha and sweets,because it brings the amazing, cozy spirit of old Jazhn days we had when I was much younger. Since we have two little Angels (you know, the brother and sister) in my family,Jazhn spirit is still safe, we still get our jazhnana (money from the older to the kids in the fmaily) and we take my sister and brother to have some fun out with new clothes. Even me, I still get my jazhnana (errmmm, yeah, I am 22) It's one of my legal rights and I am not intending to give up on my jazhnana at all. Uncles and other family members each give us with the amount they desire. It has become a habit and a childhood favorite memory that our family hasn't let go of

Kulicha ready to be put into the oven

New clothes, kulicha and jazhnana are the most important three things that makes Jazhn a real Jazhn.

Happy Jazhn beautiful people

Thank you Huda for taking us into your home this Jezhn. Reading this made me smell the Kulicha and sweets at your house. Sadly, the spirit of Jezhn is not as it was before. But it was nice walking through the heart of Erbil yesterday, around the Qaysari bazaar, and sense a Jezhn atmosphere. I hope these traditions never fade.

Tomorrow morning, the house of Kurdish grandparents will be filled with children and grandchildren and little kids in their new clothes. Families then visit one another, try some of the sweets and if there are any problems among people it's an opportunity to ask for forgiveness.

I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Jezhn. I pray that Kurdistan can celebrate in a much better way next year. It's hard to celebrate considering so many of our greater families are in refugee camps, fleeing their homes or fighting against a brutal enemy. Meanwhile, I wait for Huda to visit me (fingers crossed she brings me some of these sweets she's been busy making for the past two days).


Lots of love from our
Nest in Kurdistan

Huda & Sazan


All photos by Huda Sarhang 

5 'Business' Ideas for Kurdistan, Erbil

Dear Loyal Reader,

You know those times where you feel you have some amazing ideas, based on your own experiences, then you talk about them to family and friends only to persuade you that your idea has no place in this society. But I swear it does. If you have a heavy pocket and willing to do something in this society without expecting billions in return the first year then please consider these five ideas. And if I can help, then I am just a tweet and an email away.

1. The books café
Nothing fancy. Just warm and cosy. The Cultural Capital, Sulaimaniya, has plenty of these in every little street corner. Come to the business capital and there is nothing. Not a single place where you can go and read a book or write a few words without choking on the smell of Hookah (alternative names argeela, nargeela). There is no warm and cozy here. I know there is Pages Café in Ankawa but here is what I am thinking of...

 

 

  

2. Handmade Souvenirs/ gift House
This idea is inspired by when I was visiting the prison in Erbil for my research. The women there were making handmade jewellery, very pretty ones too. We have women in shelters, at home, girls in orphanages or those in villages who make beautiful things. Why don't we have a souvenirs/ gift shop with everything Made in Kurdistan, let it be Kurdish souvenirs. Everything you buy has a tag on it. The little tag includes information when it was made, by who and how long it took. In the end half of the money of every product sold goes back to the person who made it.

You can also purchase a wrapping paper and a little card as well to wrap your gift with - all a Kurdistan theme.

In the main shop you can also have a woman making Jli Kurdi (traditional clothes), making Kulicha, nani tiri etc. then you can have stands in the airport, malls, hotels too.

I no longer will have to take Kurdish souvenirs to my friends abroad with 'made in china' written at the bottom.

3. Mother & child edutainment
This idea is inspired by my neighbour's kids and their stay-at-home mother. She doesn't have a schedule for them, and their enjoyment is watching TV or they fight over their mum's iPhone for games. Why don't we have activities for the kids in malls where mother and child can go together.  Story telling, puppet shows, drawing or even a mini farm for mummy and her little child to see/ feed little animals? Something for average mums, not the wealthy who can afford prestigious day cares. This will be like a shop located in the middle of a mall, but let's say free of charge? The core of this idea is edutainment - education and entertainment.

 

 

4. Book shop
Can you believe the capital of Kurdistan doesn't have a decent public library with new books, nor does it have a proper book shop? You know, the Waterstones type. Yup. I am mad.  As a matter of fact it's shameful that we have a good dozen malls and not a single book shop like this in any of them.

  

5. Recreational Kurdish Gallery
what about a café with a Kurdish theme? Something like the teahouses in the bazar but somewhere more appropriate for girls to visit (and smoke free). Somewhere to take your laptop and finish off work while you are served with chai in an Istikan. Or even better, you can sit on the floor in a kurdawari décor with a samawar in the corner? This, my friend, is the dream café my three friends and I are dreaming to open -- but if you have the money to do so now, then please go ahead and we will be your best customers. This place will also have space for artists, poets and song writers to go and spend time in while practicing their hobbies. The focus, don't forget, is a Kurdish culture theme.
Jamal Penjweny has created something similar to this idea in Sulaimaniya's Café 11.

 

I couldn't find exactly what we have in mind no matter how much I asked Mr. Google, but similar to these pictures except add the Kurdish theme.

6- Boutique and courses
I promised five, but there are a trillion other ideas including a bridal boutique (not a single nice bridal dress in all of Kurdistan. Unless you search till your back, eyes, and legs hurt so much that you're no longer fit to be a bride. Even if you find something you kind-of like it will need a million alterations). And finally my favourite idea: A training courses company that provides training for cheap prices in little simple things like photography, cooking, makeup, personal styling, dieting, healthy lifestyles, confidence building, public speaking etc. Something like The Agenda Beirut, but in Erbil.

Let me know what other ideas you have in the comments below.

Lots of love from
My Nest in Kurdistan,

Sazan,

 

Book Club opening

Helloooooo Loyal Readers

I am so excited to finally announce.... are you ready??? Da-Da-Dada

Poppy Loves book club in Kurdistan - Erbil

... a book club in Kurdistan. Sadly we are the last ones to have a brand new book in our book shops (there are only a few anyway with one billion year old dusty books) and there is never a reading group. I got in touch with Poppy Loves, a lifestyle blogger based in London, who also runs the Poppy Loves Book Club. In November the first book club meeting will take place in Erbil (Hawler). What's even more exctiiiiitttingggggg than this is that we are getting the books from the publisher. If you are a book lover in Erbil you would know this is a HUGE deal.

So, without further adoooooo as I am waiting for the arrival of the books we are forming the members of the book club, if you are interested email or tweet me. Will let you know the title of our first book soon.

I will keep all you lovely Loyal Blog Readers updated! For Kurds based in London, I know the lovely  Ruwayda Mustafa is running a book club there, don't hesitate to contact her for more information.

For now
Lots of love from
My Nest in Kurdistan

Sazan,

 

Unwind in Erbil

Dearest Loyal Blog Reader,
Wherever you are in the world here is a hello as warm and sweet as this pyala of chai..

If you have been a Loyal Reader you would know by now my favourite place to unwind during those times when I am mentally worn out.

Mam Khalil's teahouse in Erbil's qaysari bazaar

A walk on the beach while my feet sink in warm sand between my toes? Watching the sunset from the shores? Going for a walk in a forest? Doing Yoga in the outdoors? Having a coffee while listening to the sound of rain pitter-patter on the window? hmmm, yes, yes, yes, but let's be realistic it's 50 degrees outside and I am in Erbil where there is no sea, or a beach in sight (but I can keep dreaming).

Mam Khalil

But. Yes, there is always that lovely 'but' word. I find my visits to Mam (uncle) Khalil's teahouse  are very refreshing, relaxing and perfect for unwinding. It is located in Erbil's qaysari bazaar (click on the link. pweeeeez!!!) The atmosphere there -- the times when I'm lucky enough to go when it is not over crowded and no one is smoking -- makes me reflect on the simple life, the life that is often more painful but less stressful, not sure if that makes any sense to you.

There, I get to meet my friend Mam Khalil, who probably till now still doesn't remember my name. But that's okay because when he sees me he feels as though he has just been reunited with his daughter who lives oversees. I know for a fact he likes my visits, sometimes when less people are there we have a chitchat, other times it's a hello, a photo, and how is your family. He tells me about his children, grandchildren, his health and of course his wife. I feel like a grand daughter visiting her grandfather, a feeling that I have never had a chance to experience in my lifetime.

The best Kurdish chai

I admire this 76 year-old who wakes up 3 am everyday, goes to the mosque, then buys local yoghurt, tea and bread to serve in his little teahouse, chai-khana, until 8 pm he works. His rests are only during prayer times in the mosque close by.

Over the years I have come to see Mam Khalil grow old. My last visit, mid-day Friday, upset me as I saw him feeling unwell. His health seemed deteriorating, his eyes a little swollen, if it was anyone else they had to spend a few days in bed to recover, but this man doesn't know rest. Seven days a week, 17 hours a day. Although I know very well for him this is not just a job, not just a living, but an enjoyment.

Signs of aging and tiredness in on his shaky hands...

When I was first introduced to Mam Khalil by my friend N. Q., he used to serve tea for us, years later, and he comes sit by my side giving instructions to someone he has hired to bring the tea. For a second I imagine a day of me coming here, what would I do if I don't find him? No. No. I don't even want to think of that.

Let's socialize with some peeeerfectttt tea in a perrrrfect place! 

The atmosphere in this teahouse is probably not the most comfortable when it is filled with men. But when a little quieter, I enjoy the company. I forget all my pains. I look at photographs, listen to classical Kurdish music, have tea, and have a brief, simple conversation. Sometimes I take my notepad and there I get the crazies and best ideas or writing pieces. Life doesn't need to be this complicated? In this teahouse life can be simple. Life is simple. I am glad somewhere in this city I can go back to that simplicity every now and then.

Until next time
Love from My Nest in..
Kurdistan

Saza

Help! I want a job in Kurdistan!!

Hello Loyal Blog Reader,

A few of you have asked me about where to start looking for jobs in Kurdistan. Some of you are abroad and want to come back here, but you do not know enough people or places to start a job, and therefore a life. So, I have come to the rescue (love me? Right?!)

Before I give you links of different places you can pass by (I mean click to) for some job vacancies in the Region you will probably ask this: What gets paid most?

First, something that I was very excited about mid last year (I almost mid 'earlier this year') was the Kurdistan Works initiative of the KRG's Prime Minister, I must admit we do have an awesome PM.
Right now, the Kurdistan Works website - you can access it by clicking HERE has over 1000 job vacancies in the region. So, yes, I would give that a try!

Kurdistan Works website

If I remember correctly, a young man runs Kodo Jobs all voluntarily,  you can visit the website HERE and the twitter account HERE (I might be completely wrong about the first bit of this, but I do know for sure that their are vacancies there that you can checkout).

The next stop would most likely be MSelect, they are a very popular recruitment company in Kurdistan, very friendly staff and a good go to station for sure. In case you can't read the details below, their website is www.mselect.iq

MSelect information for jobs in Kurdistan

You must also try Erbil ManPower (www.erbilmanpower.com) their info is below, you can also visit their Facebook page here. I also know they have a job fair every now and then, which is a great link between companies and job seekers.

Erbil Manpower - seeking jobs in Erbil?

Jobs in Kurdistan should also be a place to visit. Here is their Facebook page here

Drop by to the Jobs in Kurdistan website for options for jobs

Hope this helps, drop me an email if you have further questions,
for now good luck with your visit to Kurdistan,
you might find that you will change a few jobs until you settle at something you LOVE!

Why Kurdistan?

Dearest Loyal Blog Reader,

Erbil, Hawler at night. (Pic. from Caitlin In Kurdistan)

So many years have passed since I first landed in the Erbil International Airport, at that time, it wasn't even a proper airport. So many years have gone pass since my first tears of the big return 'home' and so many years have passed about me learning about this place which I now call My Nest.

The memories I had of Kurdistan in my childhood years were not great ones, but I am glad my later teenage and early adulthood years memories of Kurdistan are pleasant ones. I will have a lot of stories to tell once I grow old. Once I have wrinkles and grey hairs, once I have grandchildren sitting on my lap (not sure if by then grandchildren will even have time to sit on an old granny's lap, but anyhow, you get my point).

I am not originally from Erbil, or Hawler. But for some reason I feel it is my own city, I share a beautiful bond of love and appreciation with Hawler and it's people as well. They're warm hearted, loyal, friendly and every time I meet someone for the first time, they make me feel like I have known them all of my life, that's one of the beautifies of this city.

I share a bond with the people here, because I have come to understand where they were and where they are. They are people who appreciate things they have (most of them) and they appreciate the fact they live in a safe place that is a result of years of sacrifice. They're just lovely people who are going through an intense transition phase.

So many years have passed, yet it has been too fast. Too fast to to even sit back and compare where we were and where we are. Too fast to sit back and comprehend. But I have come to love it here. I love the summer picnics, the winter seatings with family around a heater. I have come to love the little bits and pieces that we so often complain about (but I know it will get better); I love how the youth love their nation, they want progress and development and they want it fast. I love every inch and every bit of this city.

So many years later, they still manage to ask me, "so, why Kurdistan?" and all I can reply is "why not?!"

Maybe this is why I want so many people to come back. I want them to feel the tough pains but also the fruits of success and accomplishment; I want people to know here, they are not working in a system, but they are helping to create and build a system so that many future generations can work within and improve.

It is definitely not an easy journey, it is definitely not all smiles and laughter. No, by far not. But it is a journey of self realization, a journey that will let you grow as a person, a journey of finding out more about yourself as you attempt to find who you are.

My dearest reader, if you're thinking of a return, don't have second thoughts. Come back! Give it ago!

For the ladies!

Dear Loyal Blog Reader,

So often women ask about life in Kurdistan as a female: What to do? Where to go? Can I walk alone? Can I go for a run? Can I go to the gym? Can I take a taxi?

The answer is always yes, but there is always a big fat BUT. You can, but if you want to be comfortable dress modestly; You can, but you need to know where to go and when to go; You can, but you need to be aware of the right places!

For example, you certainly won't be comfortable in your running shoes going for a job in any random neighborhood you choose to. Having said this, there are certain places where you can do this and it would not be a problem at all (I have seen many woman go for a job alone in Naz City for instances).

On one of the previous entries I posted a link of the Women's International Nework Erbil group, not too long ago one of the ladies asked a question, the expats here gave her various replies. I thought I would share this with you, to give you more of an insight! Names and DPs are all deleted.

Hello Ladies, what are the general difficulties you face here? Do you all lead a pretty normal life or is it full of restrictions? Are you always careful and alerted or just normal like you would be in any country? Thank you

• 
  

  
  

  Well, this is a tough one, and maybe I am not answering to the point your looking at. I have lived in a few Western countries plus recently Kazakhstan, but this area is a first for me. I do not feel threatened here - but it still annoys me being stared at. I also miss the fact that there aren't more women around when you go somewhere. And being truly German, I miss my sidewalks and the possibility to walk to places which are within a 30 min walking radius.

  
  
• 
  

   I'm very relaxed here even more so than I was in the uk. I have never felt in any danger. Yes I get stared at but not to the point some women report- then again I do not frequent night clubs or anywhere like that.
• 
  

  
  

   Well if you have peroxide blonde hair like me ofcourse I will be stared at but I don't notice it as much now I just play ignorant to it. It's no big deal.
• 
  

  Well at that point i love it here minus missing the cultural life. Anything else is ok for me. I feel safer then in Russia , that for sure))
• 
  

  
  
• 
  

   I feel safe here. Used to stares. They stares as much at us as we do at them.
• 
  
• 
  

  
  

   I work full time and will take taxis alone. Never had a problem I speak very basic Kurdish.
• 
  

  
  

  We came to live in erbil since 2011 used to live in london , i work in XX university comparing life here to london is a big difference but what i like here life is more relaxed my kids are happy here we meet friends every weekend i am iraqi from baghdad i take taxi every day back from work its a matter of luck some are chatty and want to know ur life here and some keep silent but for the long run i dont want my kids to grow here maybe until they are 10 , 11 years old

  
  

Moving to Kurdistan!

Dearest most Loyal Blog Reader (s), no matter in which freezing cold, or melting hot corner of the world you maybe in right now!!!

I admit I am not the best blogger. A huge apology for all the inboxes which I have not replied to, but here I am with a post that will probably answer all your questions, and more. Truuuuuuust me!!!

By the way, read till the end of this post and you will see a surprise. Consider it a New Year present from me to you.

So, sit back, no, actually go get yourself a pyala of chai (or coffee), then sit back, relax and read away as you will have all the information on living in this part of the world only clicks away. You've gotta love me for this!

This is what a pyala of chai looks like. (Tea  in a special glass, referred to as Istikan in Arabic)

So, let's get started! Shall we?!

Ladies first. As always! 

Men seem to dive in to any new place they live in, whether for a holiday or work related stay. However, us women, well... let's just saw we like to know where we are going and a little planning and thinking doesn't hurt!

Your first stop should be the Women's International Network Erbil (W.I.N.E) page, feel free to click here  if you're a woman in Erbil. I advice you to join the large family of women from all corners of the world who share the nice pizza they had at certain restaurant, their search for a particular cupcake mixture at the supermarkets or it can be a place to share your complaints and difficulties while living in the ever growing city in it's transition phase. Believe me, with over 600 members in the group there is always almost someone who replies with an answer to your question or gives support, advice and kind words to your complaint.

Women's International Network Erbil 

This group is so good to the extent that you can ask the number of a restaurant that delivers the best burgers and you will have a reply with in two minutes! I must mention once more it is a WOMEN'S ONLY group.

Let's Volunteer in Kurdistan, Erbil

There are various ways you can do this, but it is often best to volunteer with an NGO because in many places here you can't just walk and say: "Hey! I want to volunteer with you." The sad reality is you will get people raising their eye brows. Hence, you can start in one of these places.

Volunteers in Erbil  is a page on Facebook where you can get to know other people who are interested in volunteering. From there you can share your ideas and involve others who have same interests and want to help out.

Volunteers in Erbil - page

You can contact the RISE Foundation, click here they're a great group who do great work. I have seen them in action and I must say very easy going. Someone by the name of Tom was a great help at a point where a friend collected a lot of donations, they helped in entering the refugee camp and distributing a lot of the goods (note there are two Toms in RISE!). Contact them! Some wonderful people there! However, I think their work is limited to only refugees in the Region.

RISE Foundation

My first start in volunteering was with START NGO, their door is always open, feel free to click here and learn more about what they do.

START NGO

* Sorry if there are any typos, it is hard to focus on what to write when you're eating some amazing kulicha with tea! Also, a BIG HUGE SORRY, the display pictures of the PrintScreens are not appearing on the computer. I blame the slow internet connection. I am apparently very behind for not upgrading to FastLink which apparently is the fastest internet at the moment.

Anyhowwwww back to what we were saying. Ways to volunteer in Erbil.

IFMSA International Federation of Medical Students Association- Kurdistan was initiated by my amazing friend Dr. Leila Amin. I remember I attended one of their events this year, many of the volunteers who are medical students referred to Leila as the God Mother of IFMSA-Kurdistan. She initiated it, and now it is run by some  SUPER AMAZING young Kurds! If you are a nurse, doctor or anything in that field GET IN TOUCH with Leila and her superb team!

IFMSA Kurdistan - Facebook post

And finally a wonderful group of young people run the Dilvia Charity organization, which according to my knowledge are all volunteers. I had a few friends there when Dilvia was just starting.

Dilvia Charity Organization

Fun, leisure and yeah.. more fun in Erbil

For those who like to have some fun, here are some places for you to start.  The only (I think) English radio station in Erbil is called Babylon, it is streamed on 99.3 FM, there is an amazing morning show which will make you laugh all the way to work. I think you can listen to it online no matter where you are, click here to find out more about them. The three hosts will be your best friends in your lonely Erbil mornings. So do tune in.

99.3 Babylon FM, English Radion Station in Kurdistan

This is the iErbil page. Browse around, basically little bits and pieces about Erbil, insights, advertisements, and you can read what many individuals write who are already living here. 

iErbil

The Erbil Lifestyle page is all about where to go and what to do in Erbil. Everything from events, parties to people and places. For example did you know the Lebanese (I think she's lebanese) artist Nawal el Zoughbi will be hosting a party on New Year's Eve in Erbil. Nop. I bet you didn't. (You probably don't even know who she is, but you get my point) So give  the page a like and browse around.

Events in Erbil for New Year #Hawlerakam #Hawler

Ummm.. for the ones who like to have a night life (to be honest other than Iskan street and the malls I am the wrong person to give advice on a night life in this city) but there is a closed group which I am not a member of. Some of you might want to have a look, it is the Erbil Night Life page. My nightlife consists of family gatherings or the most is a burger in one of the infinite cafes/ restaurants. (I have a few posts on mandalawi.blogspot.com on various cafes. Check them out!)

Finally, Spotted Erbil  is a fun leisure page which you might like to have a look at. 

Spotted Erbil Facebook page

Oooooops! Almost forgot, for The Nerdy type - we do have the Erbil Book Club group as well, not many people seem interested, there are about seven of us (girls) now. It's kind of fun, because we end up reading a book and never meeting up.  If the situation improves I will make sure to blog about that too.

The University of Kurdistan Hewler offers Music Lessons once a week. If you are interested. There is however a fee.

Also, there are Yoga and Zumba classes running in Erbil as well. If you are interested to join. The Yoga classes runs four days a week. (Click on the Yoga and Zumba button, it will take you directly to the pages, do send them an inbox with your questions.)

That's it for now! Dearest Loyal Blog Reader, click away to the many pages and sites, write emails, comments and find your home away from home in Erbil, or as I like to call it, Hawlerakam (My Hawler).


For those who did scroll down and want to know the surprise. Ummm I honestly don't know what you were expecting as a surprise, but I will be blogging for seven consecutive days, as from today (please say this was a good surprise. Yes? No? Ok. that's a no!) Also, as a 2014 gift I will be posting my Memoirs column back in the Kurdish Globe days. Every Wednesday night on Mandalawi.blogspot

SURPRISE!!! Read above. Hehe

Okay, okay, I get it. Can you at least act like you are surprised and excited?!

:)

For now xwa hafiz!