My name is Mariyah, I am 40, and I am from Damascus.
I spent the first 19 years of my life growing up in this wonderful city as part of a large family. I have four older brothers, my eldest being 10 years my senior. At the age of 19 my father decided I should go elsewhere to further my education and I ended up in Canada. There, I spent another 20 years, first earning my degrees at a university and then continuing to work at the university as an Anthropological researcher.
A year ago, I returned to Damascus after some upheaval in my life and I began writing my blog. I started by journaling about my journey back. In that journey, I looked at who and what surrounded me as they were familiar but differed from what they were 20 years ago. Memories of a place do not change with the times, and I had to adapt to many unexpected changes. I also looked at the history of my family and my home as a way to redevelope my sense of identity which seemed to have been lost or somewhat misplaced abroad. It was a great adjustment, much larger than I had first supposed it might be.
Then, as I began writing the story of my parents – Ghassan and Alexandra – the focus of my blog changed. It developed into something I had never dreamed of when I first began it. It has became a place of extraordinary enjoyment for me. A place of creativity and fantasy. Happily, it also continued to be a place to feel connected with many wonderful members of the blogging community and readers from all corners of the globe. That would include you, dear reader – those of you who read what I have to say and some of you who comment. Thank you for being here always with me on this wonderful journey.
Mariyah
mariyahsblog at gmail dot com
Mariyah
abufares
sahir said,
December 13, 2008 at 3:13 am
ill start by saying that im allready addicted to your blog (: it joins my other addictions such as cigarettes and draft beer.i admire the way you describe things and events as you really have lived it or experienced it..seems as graet talent u have so just keep on doing the good thing.still searching for the reason for that..is it the lost innocence? nostalgy?hope that we experience those feelings again? i dont know!!!!but i love your writing
sahir-palestine
Mariyah said,
December 13, 2008 at 4:01 am
Thank you, Sahir. The reasons for writing is a combination of many factors. Certainly the things you listed are part of it. What really keeps me going, however, is readers like you. Your comments are much appreciated.
sahir said,
December 14, 2008 at 2:18 am
i guess u r awake at the moment !!!! do you think alexandra will choose to loose control? ( im thinking loudly) ,i hope she does.
Mariyah said,
December 14, 2008 at 3:11 am
Sahir, I’m often awake during the deepest, darkest hours of the night!
By loose control, do you mean to rebel against her father? Well, you shall find out soon enough. Of course, I can’t tell you now!!
sahir said,
December 16, 2008 at 4:00 am
keefik mariyah??? its like a private smile from god hiself..walking over the clouds…meeting of the lovers…
beautifull
Mariyah said,
December 16, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Sahir, how very poetic!