Carrie Bradshaw Meets Australian Politics

My friends, I have something to confess. In fact when I started Wogarella I contemplated calling it "Confessions of a Wogarella" however I feel that it could get whiny and repetitive so I opted to take you along as I experienced new adventures, whether it physically or emotionally. Usually it's the latter one.

BTW that wasn't my confession. You see I am a SWINGER. Always have been. Now before all the sexual innuendos arise (mind the pun), I genuinely mean I'm a Political Swinger.

I've grown up in a household that supports Labor as strongly as they support the Canterbury Bulldogs. They kind of go hand-in-hand. But as I've grown up, sadly I've had to witness the consistent downfalls this party has to offer.

So naturally, one would think I should be opting to vote for the Libs. And whilst I agree with some of their policies and shouldn't judge a book by its cover, in this case Tony Abbot being the cover, I just don't know if it's enough for me to put my vote in a party that will be lead by someone I'm just not a huge fan of. I mean he is trustworthy in the sense that he has stuck to his ideas and hasn't back-stabbed his own team members (not cool K-Rudd, not cool.) Yet, as vain as it sounds, there's something about him that just isn't very likable.

I could put my vote towards the Christian Democratic Party because, well most of their policies ring true to my personal values. However, they claim that "Some elements of Islam, both internationally and domestically, support the use of terror and violence to impose Islam and sharia law on non-Islamic societies like Australia." This rubs me up the wrong way because even as a practicing Muslim, I don't want Sharia law enforced in my country. Furthermore, these people who suppose such notions are extremists.

The Christian Democratic Party plans on putting a freeze on the immigration of people who practice the Islamic faith. Whilst I agree certain cult-groups claiming to hide behind a religion should be stopped, there's no reason to stop a person from experiencing the beautiful living experience this country has to offer simply because of their choice of faith. Plus, as someone who comes from an Islamic background, it's clear to admit that sometimes, mixing religion and politics just isn't a good idea. It's certainly no organic peanut butter and jam.

Jesus, no pun intended there, as you can see I am a confused kid. So, I've taken it upon my swinging self to put my opinion where my mouse is and try out the poll that has conveniently been featured on the ABC website here.

If you're a fellow swinger or just have nothing better to do with your time, do check it out- it's very interesting indeed.

As expected I narrowly sit between the Greens and Labor Parties. However, it's notable to mention that but the Libs are only a small 3% behind the Greens according to my answers. I firmly believe in Wikileaks though, because at least Assange admits to being shonky, which is pretty Fair Dinkum if you ask me.
 
Internal politics aside, as an Australian I am aware that I am so blessed to live in this amazing country am given the opportunity to vote, but my indecisiveness may very well kill me by the end of this campaign period. I might not be blonde, ridiculously fashionable and rock a massive man-jaw, but I'm feeling so Carrie Bradshaw right now.

Who gets your vote?


Wogarella,

X


Image sourced from somewhereinmiddleamerica.com

An Honest Depiction of What Ramadan and Eid El Fitr Mean to Me

As Ramadan almost wraps up, millions of Muslim’s around the world will be preparing sweets in anticipation of Eid Al Fitr. As a child some of my fondest memories include sitting beside my mum on the dining table watching her form perfectly baked Maamoul and Seewa biscuits in celebration of the holiday to mark the end of Ramadan. For those who didn’t grow up in my Wogarella household during that last week of Ramadan, it means I got to witness my mother and older sisters take spring-cleaning to a whole new level. Every curtain was to be washed, every window seal wiped and every glass window shining bright, well you guessed it- like a diamond. It has been a long-standing tradition that as we break our fast each night and purify our body, we must do the same for our surroundings and ensure a clean and pure environment. Let’s just say that if you live in an area that’s highly populated with Muslim’s then you’re lucky to find a bottle of Windex left in the cleaning isle at Woolies.



Cleaning aside, the week before Eid meant and still does mean, I, along with my whole family get to taste the aforementioned scrumptious biscuits. To be quite honest, we usually double-check and taste test again purely because my mum’s handmade variety of semolina based biscuits stuffed with either dates, pistachios, and walnuts always have our mouths watering. Now, let me tell you, these high in butter, sugar, and everything that’s bad-for-you-but-tastes-amazing-nonetheless treats, filled the whole house with a warm aroma of rose water and lemon scented sugar syrup that will always remind me of this time of year.

Traditional Maamoul Bsicuits

I’ve always enjoyed fasting, from sunrise to sunset. I’ve never been much of a fan of the 4am wakeup call for breakfast before the sun goes up, so I usually skipped it and rode it out like a tough cookie and stuffed my face once the sun had come down. This year though, it was a little different, this year I was cursed with a horrid virus, followed by an injury which meant I would have to break my fast for the rest of Ramadan as my doctor has ordered me to consume a cocktail of pills/Syrups during the last two weeks of the Holy Month.


As many of you already know, anyone who falls ill or carries a pensioner’s card is excused from fasting and encouraged to instead donate a desired amount of money (for each day missed throughout the holy month) to a chosen charity or those whom are less fortunate.


This month I hope to send off my hard earned cash to people who can probably count the amount of times they have eaten pistachios or walnuts on one hand.



Now before I conclude this piece, I would like to share this video with you. Whilst it doesn’t have anything to do with my mother’s cholesterol infested biscuits, it showcases the true struggle of an innocent human being. I am by no means a Muslim spokesperson, simply a moderate Muslim girl growing up in Sydney who loves Miley Cyrus’ new song as much as the next person. However, as a girl with Muslim parents who have instilled strong values in me which are constantly being challenged and exercised, it pains me to see a girl only a few years older than my niece suffering so much due to the own fault of her parents who claim to be “Muslims”.


The video, for those who are wondering showcases a brave speech by 11-year-old Nada Al-Ahdal from Yemen, who ran away from home due to being forced into marriage by her parents.

It’s confronting isn’t it? I write this to you, because I know Muslims are often viewed in a negative light, some of which I admittedly believe deserve it because they’re extremists who prefer to hide behind one verse in a holy book, murder innocent civilians and claim they’re faithful. But this one is for all of the Muslim’s out there who don’t have a bad bone in their body. I wish you and your families “Eid Mubarak,” or “Happy Eid” for our more westernised Muslims.







Wogarella,



Xx


*Photo Sourced from my Auntie's iPhone as my mother is yet to send me a pic!

Weddings. What’s all the fuss about?

Weddings. There’s so much planning that is involved in executing that one special day that should commemorate the love you and your partner share.

Whether you plan an extravagant wedding in an Italian Vinyard, come from a Hindu background where the wedding is a full-on 3-day party event, or opt to have an intimate ceremony by the beach, it’s one of the most important days of your life.

I've always been a fan of the Backless Dress. Now I understand why all of these brides consume nothing but chia seeds and Spirulina for up to 6 months before the big event. 

Blame It on The Culture

As someone with a Lebanese mother and Syrian father, I think I’ve probably been to more weddings than I can remember. In fact, I am usually strapped for cash, and rushing around frantically trying to find last minute outfits for sometimes up to 3 weddings in the one-month. Cray Cray, I know! My sisters and I have a code word for the month of September, better known as “Wedding Season.” I’ll let you guys in on our personal joke; it’s the season when all of the Mohammad’s /Ali’s we’ve grown up with eventually marry a Fatima’s or a Zeineb. Gotta love a good stereotype. 

But despite the huge weddings, with the traditional drums, delicious mezze’s and crazy dancing, I have never been one to plan even one aspect of my future wedding. This may or may not be because I’m still single.  Or so my mum says. I think I missed that important conversation in time when all of the girls relished at the thought of a tulle dress, the perfect up-do and posies in hand. Maybe it happened when most girls were combing their Barbie’s hair (don’t understand how, I swear I always managed to ruin mine), meanwhile I would’ve been out in the backyard catching lizards with my brother or riding my bike.

When It Just Hits You 

You see, up until about 3 months ago, I was actually impressed with my lack of enthusiasm in that department. That’s not to say I don’t jump for joy when one of my girlfriends announce an engagement or am not the first to get involved in Hen’s Parties. Actually I kind of have a long-standing tradition which always involves me lining up to tackle the bitch that tries to catch that cheap bouquet of flowers the bride throws in attempt to get that fat cherub, better known as cupid to get his ass moving along. I know, how very immature, and superstitious. The reality is I don’t expect my prince charming to astonishingly show up to that same wedding, or even bump into me in the fruit and veg isle at woolies a week later. Maybe I watch too many romantic comedies, but I’m just competitive, so winning that bouquet is just icing on top of that cake. Which, I of course, usually end up avoiding, unless I’m wearing my trusty spanx.

6 months ago I viewed this as a bunch of pretty flowers. Nowadays it's better known as a "Pastel Floral Arrangement"

Social MediaWins the Wedding-Mania Enabler Award

But more to the point, over the past few months, I’ve had suggested wedding related pages popping up all over my Facebook. Initially that’s how it started. I’d like a wedding dress here, a pair of ridiculously simple, yet gorgeous heels there. Until, all of a sudden, I’ve become a wedding enthusiast. My Instagram newsfeed is full of wedding inspired pictures. I thought that was what Pinterest was all about. Hence why I used and abused it for about a week.  My iPhone conveniently alerts me to the exceeded storage limit it currently holds on the daily as well. It wasn’t until I went through my whole camera roll that I had realised how deep I was in. I had saved hundreds of images, as well and screen shots depicting everything from unique floral arrangements, bridesmaid’s dresses to hairspiration pics. I was confused, embarrassed which lead me to even contemplating the thought of making a separate album to file said images. And that’s when it hit me; I’ve been sucked in like the rest. No, it has nothing to do with hormones, or my passion for beauty, but I am addicted to collecting wedding-related images. It’s almost a modern day type of scrapbooking activity towards an event that can’t even take place because I haven’t met the man yet!

Exhibit A: Favourite Insta Page

Wedding Obsession Detox 101 

  

Whilst I’m no longer catching lizards, I’ve managed to delete any screenshots I probably won’t need in the distant future. My phone has finally stopped pestering me about the lack of storage it can hold, and I’ve even limited myself to only liking one Bridal Magazine page, a Wedding Blog and Steven Khalil’s official Facebook page.

Have I completely lost the plot? Has anyone else experienced the sudden need to search for #wedding hashtags at least once a week?

Wogarella,

Xx

*Images unashamedly sourced from the author's phone. 

Open Letter to Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift: Marry DateEd Sheeran, why don’t you!

It’s nosecret that I have a BIG LESBIAN CRUSH* on Taylor Swift. I have always admiredher gorgeous looks and witty little remarks. Her YouTube videos are quite thecack! Often people ask me why, I as a Wogarella, who is usually such a homie,and counts Boys To Men and Mariah Carey as music’s finest artists happen to bedrawn to Taylor’s music.

There are a number of contributingfactors. But the most essential one is her ability to write honest, songs. I’mnot talking about “Love Story” or “Never Ever Getting Back Together” here. Thegirl has the ability to tell a story, she captures my emotions with thesincere, sometimes harsh words, which in conjunction with a delightful melody,takes me to another place.

And for a while I’ve beencopping it as a self confessed Swiftie, I don’t care. Maybe Taylor enjoysdating man after man. It’s her choice. I’m not here to stick up for her andsadly her moments of despair and sadness only bring her fans more incrediblesongs. It’s pretty selfless if you ask me!

Anyway, I got to thinking… Is there amale equivalent of T-swizzle? I’m not sure; would you judge these male artistson the quality of their voice? Their live performances, perhaps? Or maybe theircute film clips? I know, I can’t rank them based on their looks. But after muchdeliberation, I believe that Mr Ed Sheeren is the boy version of Taylor.

Funnily enough, they are incrediblytalented, hard working and just downright lovable! They've writtenand released a song together; I've posted it for those of you who havebeen living under a rock.

What did you think? Lovely isn’t it?Easy listening.

If I could write Taylor anopen letter I would say his:

Yo Tswizzle,

Love your guts. I saw youlive in Sydney April 2012. You made my year :)

Just a quick note, quitdating these pretty boy twelvie-type boys. Man up and hook in with the world’smost lovable Ranga! Ed Sheeren.

Oh and P.S. Thanks forinspiring my non-existent love life!

Much love,

Wogarella xx

Could you imagine if Miss.Tay-Tay andEd Sheeren were a couple? I can see them now, living happily ever after withthree lanky, ranga kids roaming the streets of Nashville in summer, andavoiding a bashing in wintery Manchester. All I know is the music would befabulous. Whether they went out for a year, or had an eternal romance.

What do you think? Am I a little tooobsessed? Have I listened to too many Taylor/Ed Sheeran songs back to back?

*That was a Mean Girls quote. Not sofunny when you have to explain it, dummy!

 Wogarella,

Xx