Today was an amazing day. We found this really nice place to hike in Lebanon, Aley , "Aley Park".
 The views were really beautiful, pine trees and wild plants were everywhere. This place symbolizes the Lebanese nature.
 Climbing up the mountain was not only a chance to exercise and be active, but also a chance to relax, take in fresh air and enjoy the beautiful  piece of art called nature. Plus a chance to spend time with my amazing friends who always manage to make every moment memorable.

I Came across this beautiful thorn-like wild plant.

 Our final destination was this cute little house.

When we finished we passed by a villa with an amazing garden.

(Ghinwa Jb)

I'm excited to be reading another book by John Green. I hadn't read that much to make a decision whether to like it or not (though I always end up liking his books). But so far I have a feeling that it is similar to Paper Towns book.

Looking for Alaska

By John Green

"Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words–and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the “Great Perhaps.” Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps."

How nice is this wooden swing?

Btw: This is not real henna, I actually drew this myself using a sharpie.


(Ghinwa)

How can the same thing looks more beautiful the more you look at it?

 This view is one of the inspiration to my photography. Whenever I look from my house at sunset, the sky surprises me with a beautiful masterpiece, an art that will grab your attention whatever you are doing. Tomorrow and after it, I'm sure that this view will continue being beautiful, even much more.

(All photos taken by me)
(By Ghinwa Jaber)

Why does everyone tells us to read more books? What is wrong with people and why are they so obsessed? 
 Well the answer is simple! Those people want the best for us! And yes reading can and will be very good for everyone. Whether you are a reader or not, it's good to know some scientifically proven benefits of reading a real book.
 So in order to show you why, I've collected some facts from here and there through the Internet.

✶Health and Mental Benefits:
1. Mental Stimulation: Studies have shown that staying mentally stimulated can slow the progress of (or possibly even prevent) Alzheimer’s and Dementia.Just like any other muscle in the body, the brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy, either you use it or lose it.
2.Stronger Analytical Thinking Skills: The ability to put critical and analytical thinking to work by taking note of all the details provided and sorting them out will make your analytical thinking skills better!
3.Improved Focuss and Concentration: In our Internet-crazed world, attention is drawn in a million different directions at once as we multi-task through every day.However,when you read a book, all of your attention is focused on the story—the rest of the world just falls away, and you can immerse yourself in every fine detail you’re absorbing. Reading for 15-20 minutes will help you stay much more focused during work or study.
4.Memory Improvement: When you read a book, you have to remember many details, every new memory you create forges new synapses (brain pathways)and strengthens existing ones, which assists in short-term memory recall as well as stabilizing moods.

✶Psychological Benefits:
1.Stress Reduction:A well-written novel can distract you , keep you less stressed and relaxed by being a distraction .
2. Tranquility and Peace:In addition to the relaxation that accompanies reading a good book, it’s possible that the subject you read about can bring about immense inner peace and tranquility.
3. Good mood: Reading a good book will manage to make you feel better. It can fill free time and entertain as well.  If you are a reader you will know what it is like to buy new books you've been wanting to read. Books and reading can be something you will look forward to do.

4.Reading can encourage life goals: Reading about someone who overcame obstacles may motivate you to meet your own goals. It can teaches us life lesson by showing us what happens to the characters in the story.

✶Academical Benefits:

1.Knowledge: When you read, you acquire new information with or without noticing. This shall come in handy someday. Moreover you expand your views and perspectives by taking in new facts and information.

2.Vocabulary Expansion: In addition to knowing new things, reading will introduce you to many new words that will be added to your brain.

3.Better Writing Skills: This goes hand-in-hand with the expansion of your vocabulary: exposure to published, well-written work has a noted effect on one’s own writing and this leaves you with better writing skills.

credits: lifehack.org /rd.com (edited)

"Fangirl by Rainbow  Rowell"


Blurb:
"Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?"

Kindle Edition, 445 pages

Published September 10th 2013 by St. Martin's Press

We all experience those days when we are feeling down and dull. And all we want to do is be happy again. Well that is very simple in a matter of fact , because it is scientifically possible, easy and fast. We just need to know what to do and how to think.


1.Do any kind of sport you like. When you are active, your body secretes hormones like serotonin and dopamine.. that can make you feel better, so you will be less stressed .


2.Write down 3 things you appreciate or feeling happy about (you can do it mentally as well).As you see digging through your life to find what you love and appreciate can also let you remember all the happy moments you've had. And that shall set you in the right mood.


3.Think and plan something you like to do in the future, like for example arrange a trip with your friends, or plan on doing something new and adventures, something you've never done before. This will get you excited about the future.


4.Look back at old photos of you, your family, your grandparents, take a pic of them and send them to your relatives. People are usually happy to look back at old photographs and realize how mush they changed and developed. So above being happy, you are making others happy too.


5.Watch comedy shows (ex: Mr. Bean, Friends...) OK so this will take more than a few minutes, but definitely worth the time. Because ,I don't know about you but this definitely makes me better. Though I wouldn't recommend drama or sad movies, as that's not what we're going for.


6.Listen to music, sing along, dance. If you prefer privacy, do it in your room, close the door and be free.

7.Take a nap. I think that this is a "Refresh" button. Some even refer to it as a mini-vacation. Taking naps can help boost your energy. And when you wake you feel fresh and ready to do things. But some says that it will make you fell worse. Well that depends on you.

8.Play a game. Not video games, just traditional games with people or you can even arrange a football or any match with your neighbors or friends.

9.Buy something you've been wanting to buy. You don't have to spend a ton of money. This may brighten you up a little.

10. Do something for someone special, you can DIY, buy or just simply do something for them. As this simple nice act will bounce back at you. You will be surprised how you'll feel when you make someone smile.










(By Ghinwa Jaber)