Very very long time I didn't write here for a long time. I will tell you a quick summary about what I did during my absence. Firstly, I graduated my fourth year in college in 2013 with overall grade: good (congratulations to me) Secondly, I applied for a premaster's. I wanted to specialize in Literature, so I studied: Poetry; Criticism; Fiction; Drama; Arabic; and General Linguistics. I passed the exam and got a first place by default (I was the only person who attended all the exams). Now, I should choose a topic to write about and to choose either to specialize in Fiction or in Drama (I still didn't make a final decision about my major). Thirdly, I tried to get a job. I wasn't successful for a couple of times, currently I work as a freelancer translator. Last thing, the last book which I finished reading was: 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'

Does anyone of you use marginalia while reading books? I read an article called "What I Really Want Is Someone Rolling Around in the Text" by Sam Anderson. When Anderson was in college, he read a book called "How to Read a Book". There was a line in that book which changed Anderson's way of reading; which is this: "The author argued that you didn't truly own a book (spiritually, intellectually) until you had marked it up." After that Anderson "adopted the habit of marginalia". So I was wondering if anyone is using marginalia. I didn't use it before. As a matter of fact, the first time I knew the word and it's meaning was from the article. I am the kind of person who likes to keep their books clean. Later I found that I don't remember the things I read. So, I totally agree with the author. One must mark the book up, to own the book (spiritually and intellectually).

MA Preliminary isn't a piece of cake. MA Preliminary is neither a piece of cake nor a walk in the park. I, first, took it for fun. But when the final exams are coming near, I find pressure and stress on me. I am studying 6 subjects, they are: Arabic, Linguistics, Poetry, Criticism, Drama, and Novel. I am studying 13 plays in Drama, 3 in Novel, 5 or more critical theories, more than 7 poems. Do I have to talk about Linguistics? well, I am studying general Linguistics and most of the lessons, I already studied it before (when I was undergraduate). But, I am struggling with chapter 1 right now. My major is studying Literature, however, general linguistics is an extra obligatory subject. The final exams will be in September, which means less time left to study all of this. I know what's on your mind, why didn't you study before instead of cramming it now? well, I totally agree with you, seriously. As I said before I took it for fun. The good thing is: I have always prepared the lessons before attending the lectures and I also did the assignments. Nevertheless, I spent most of the time goofing around.

Books are my best friends I totally agree with the people who say your books are your best friends. When you hold the book with care, the book gives you a lot of advises to help you. The book can help you change your sadness into happiness, can help you when you have a problem. The book is always waiting patiently for you to open it; so why don't you make the book happy by reading it. :D

White Day Today is White Day. This day is popular in Japan, according to the Japanese manga and anime. What I know is that girls give home-made chocolate to the boy she likes to express her feelings on Valentine's day and after a month on 14 March (White Day) the boy gives a return gift to the girl, he likes. Which is kind of amazing, it makes the couples relationship based on give and take. I am watching Detective Conan "White Day of Betrayal" part one and two now.

The reason why I am not following anyone back. Hello everyone (^_^). I hope that all of you are doing fine :). I am sorry for not following anyone back; actually I have two major reasons for doing so. The first one; The people who are from the same country as me and they speak my native language and want to learn English (the same language that I am learning). I won’t follow them back, because I can’t teach you English. The whole purpose of Italki is to learn the language from a native speaker; so I am not useful to you. It will be better if you follow a native speaker. After all I won’t be good as a native. The second one; for the people who are English native speakers and want to learn my native language (Arabic). I am sorry, I won’t follow you back. The reason is that I came across two discussion forums in Italki discussing what to expect or the qualities of a language partner. Sadly, I don’t have the qualities to be a good teacher. That’s why; I said that I shouldn't follow anyone back and give them the chance to find someone who is better than me. After all I want all of you to be fluent in the language you are learning; I also don’t want to waste your precious time with me. These are the reasons why I am not following anyone but if you still want to follow me; it’s okay. You are free to follow the person you prefer. The last reason is: Sometimes I am not free because I am still studying and after finishing this year (I hope so), I will be looking for a job. Anyway it’s a minor reason. Thank you so much for reading my notebook entry (^_^). Have a good day.

Long time no see Hi everyone! I missed you all. How's everything with you? I hope that you are all doing fine ;). I know, I didn't write anything here for a long time. I am so sorry (T.T). well, a lot of things happened during my summer vacation, I sometimes felt happy, nervous, confused, excited, and worried. To tell you the truth, I had a lot of things to say; but I guess I was too lazy to write/ share it here. Anyway, today is my last day in the summer vacation; starting tomorrow I have to go to college. I know, what are you thinking? I kept saying a lot of times before that this year is my fourth (last) year in college, so how come I will go to college tomorrow. I really did finish my fourth year in college with overall grade: Good; you are probably wondering why do I have to go to college then, simply because I am planning to continue my studying and have a Master Degree in Literature. I decided that because I want to improve my brain and my English. You might think I can do that on my own by reading; but I want to discuss what I am studying with the professors and take exams ( I hate exams, still they can tell you how much you understood of what you studied). See you soon!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Today, I finished reading “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens (AWESOME BOOK). I wrote that I started reading “A Christmas Carol” in a previous notebook entry titled by “A lot of things happened to me” on Wednesday (19-6-2013). Actually I read it twice; the first time I was reading it while listening to its audio, so I can improve my pronunciation and the second time I read it on my own without an audio. After that I watched the movie “A Christmas Carol” (2009), and it is an AWESOME movie. Jim Carry did a brilliant acting in it and so did all actors (well, I should say the whole film making team). I really enjoyed reading/watching it so much (^_^).