Brief detail of my story

Recently went on the land convoy for Gaza from London last mid-April. Thank you to all that helped me to go on this dream of mine, whether it was financial support or emotional support. And a huge thank you to one of my best friends who agreed to come on this trip with me & I couldn't have done it without him. Even though we sadly were not able to enter Gaza due to Egypt stopping us and wanting us to hand our aid and vehicles to Israel, all the wonderful people I met on the convoy will never stop until the Palestinians are free. We will never forget them. Thesis is in process right now :)

Monday, April 30, 2012

Sorry for the lack of updates

It's a pretty long story and just too knackered to explain at the moment but all is well and we are on our way to Turkey. Will update soon!! :)

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sometimes it can take just one person to build the momentum

After a slight delay leaving Austria yesterday as sometimes things go missing on the convoy (nothing and no one is perfect hey) we had a passenger in our vehicle who needed a lift to our next destination, Budapest. Her name was Sophie and she was from Germany. I wasn't feeling too well yesterday (if the instructions on a meds box says to have with a meal, follow them) so my stomach was just in agony as think it kicked in my gastric but I tried to be a good host as much as I could and wanted to promote the convoy and tell her more about Gaza etc. Very sweet girl and I'm glad she was asking so many questions as you rarely find the youth interested in this (I would know after facing ignorant ex-classmates just last week) and I'm glad we were able to get her safely to Budapest. Sophie if you are reading this, it was a real pleasure meeting you!!

Like I said in my title, sometimes it can take just one person to start the awareness campaign to take off and more people knowing about the Palestinian cause. You never know :)

We were able to drive through Budapest last night and we all did very well as no one got lost yey!! But wow, the city was breath-taking and I had one hand trying to video tape the drive plus keep an eye on the traffic so we wouldn't get lost. Was so beautiful!

Arrived at our usual base point, a petrol station but this one has free wifi AND you don't have to pay to go to the toilet wahey!! One setback is there are no showers but oh well, jasmine scented wet wipes it is.

Since it was still early, some of us popped out to the city again just so we could take nicer pics. Beautiful really. Then found a nice place to have dinner which is run by a guy from Egypt so I told him bout the convoy and he clapped his hands saying good and we got free tea :D food was fab too! I realised I hadn't had rice for ages. Aahh good ol rice.

So after a very nice night, went back to base to have a good rest although last night was the 1st night I didn't sleep too well and woke up so hot and claustrophobic so tried to open the door and leave it open so I wudnt wake Faisal then tried to sleep with my legs out of the van sitting up. Didn't really work.

Finally gave up and by that time Faisal was awake so just did the usual morning ritual, freshen up, breakfast and been trying to take it easy today as the road ahead is gonna get tough. We did try to fix the aircon but couldn't get it to work so we will try get it fixed in Turkey.

Its been getting rather hot and even tho I live in KL, I feel like I'm getting heat stroke. Such a weakling :p

Btw Tina if you're reading this, we made use of your cooker twice today :D thanks again!!

Wokays gotta go as we will be off to our next destination soon so will try rest before we head off.

7 countries in 7 days. Can you imagine.
Jem

Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Sound of Music stuck in my head :)

We arrived in Austria yesterday and it was the longest drive we've had thus far with a few ppl getting lost (not us) at the very end but all was good and we found everyone. The view was just amazing and I've being singing "the hills are alive" in my head since I saw the snow covered mountains. Love that movie!

We did a couple of stops along the way. At one stop one of the guys wanted to wash his feet in the sink in order to do his prayers and they told him off. Was not good.

Had a couple of crazy truckers on the road too yesterday. At one point when it was dark we had to go to the left lane last min so I stuck my head out to make sure it was safe but 5 trucks passed by and were going so fast then I stuck my hand out to try and get the last truck to slow down but nope he didn't so we lost sight of the convoy ppl ahead but Faisal was excellent in catching up and finding the rest of the convoy...in the dark wohoo. Crazy truckers.

Our final destination for the day was another petrol station but there was a hotel there but we decided to stick with the van due to the stuff inside plus its gotten comfortable in the van and less hassle bringing our stuff back and forth. Working system from turning the van into a comfy vehicle to be driving in with all the snacks and drinks nearby then at night re-arranging it into 2 "beds". The van is starting to feel a lil like home now actually.

Since we got to the pit stop quite late, we cooked noodles and soup using the gas cooker lent by Tina (thanks Tina!) Which worked beautifully and then slept like a log again. Was a hot morning actually.

Another early morning. Think I was awake by 6. Finally got up around 8 cause decided to wash all the pots etc plus some socks of mine and have a wonderful shower. We then hopped into Fra's van with Waheed and the 4 of us took a drive into Wein itself to see the sights. Even though I've been here before I went to an area I hadn't seen so it was gorgeous.

So we have come back to base and now waiting for our flag off to our next destination :D wow day 7 already and been in 6 countries :D

Ooo and the Bradford team finally caught up with us yey!! So that's an extra 4 vehicles driving with us. Sweet.

Oo quick meeting.
Ttyl!
Jem

Friday, April 27, 2012

What a sight!

Jem

Short stop

We were lucky enough to stop and take pictures of the breath-taking view!

Jem

Snow on the mountain tops...

...Yet my geography has failed me and I don't know what mountains they are. If anyone can tell me please do :) we have now left Munchen as they say and driving through Germany still.

Its been lovely so far. Like last night we went into Munich itself with Fra and just walked around the town. We found this old gothic looking building. Beautiful! It was nice to actually really see a city we had stopped nearby instead off just driving through. So we walked until we found a nice cafe and had a huge slice of pizza that was enough for the 2 people for only €3 and chilled hearing about Fra's amazing journey in Egypt. Just the experiences one can go through is just amazing.

Then we had to rush back to the van as the parking was gonna finish. Can you believe they charge you parking all the way to 11pm! The gov in KL would make so much $ if that was done in KL. Street parking I'm talking about!

We then strolled down the street to find a cafe with internet. Was so nice as the street was filled with performers outside the closed shops. There was even professional orchestra performers playing traditional classic music and a couple dancing together too the music. It felt like such a romantic city actually. Very friendly ppl too with me popping in and out of shops asking if they have wifi then they would tell me where to go. The only placed opened with wifi ended up to be Burger King, which was fine as I got my pictures uploaded onto FB and we all did our bits and bobs. Was all good. So after having accomplished everything we set out to do, we headed back to camp using wonderful GPS technology but the battery was down to 10% but we made it yey!!

Got ready for another night in the van and slept like a log. I knew it was gonna end up being a cold night even though it was a very hot day but some, including my bright co-driver woke up shivering due to not preparing themselves for a cold dip in temperature.

So woke up at 7am (yes my timing has changed to sleeping b4 1am and waking up at 7am), couldn't shower as there was only cold water (no thank you) and the kind lady behind the coffee counter allowed me to charge our handphones behind the counter. So I sat at the end on a bar stool and just waited till all was charged with my cappuccino (I had to get something cause she was so sweet) but then her boss came in and had a lil fit and told us we cannot do this. Nevermind, was 70% charged. Mean man.

After a quick meeting with everyone we have set off again. The weather is piping hot but the scenery is beautiful.

oh dear traffic jam.

Ttyl!

Jem

PS. I forgot the most important info!! As the convoy was going through one of the towns, no one got lost wohoo!!! :D

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

In and out of Luxembourg...with a lil hiccup

Today was a long yet interesting day. I don't think I've spent a short amount of time in one country before, and it would have been shorter if it wasn't for a lil hiccup that happened.

Keeping to the tradition of the convoy, the van from Malaysia lost sight of the truck in front and got lost in the middle of Luxembourg. And it turns out we are now the only van without a CB radio. Luckily the van behind us followed us and led us to a petrol station where the others could find it. Bad thing tho is cause we got lost, the rest of the team behind got lost. In the end all went well as we all got to fill up our vehicles with the cheapest fuel price thus far plus a clean bathroom break and set off again and before we knew it we were out of Luxembourg and in Germany. What I did see of Luxembourg tho was beautiful. Must come back one day.

We then travelled through Germany. What a landscape it was. I felt like I was in Lord of the Rings (yes James I know). Long drive tho. To entertain ourselves (well mostly my co-driver) I was trying to pronounce the street names as we passed by. Man am I bad at languages. Gave up when the names were just too long. We have also agreed to try listen to local radio. So we'd have either French or German speaking radio presenters then English songs hehe. One or two locals here and there but entertaining. Its so sad tho cause I really can't understand French at all. Such a pity! But I must say the truckers here are crazy at driving! Zooming in and out in between the convoy members at such speed. Crazy!

So after a semi-long drive with me serving coffee, lemonade, naan and jaffa cakes, we are now safe at a service station somewhere in Germany. Had a bite to eat and more bonding going on with lots of laughing (my cheeks started to hurt at one point) and now We've made a nice lil sleeping area in the vehicle so all is well. It actually feels a lil warmer here then it did in France.

So off to bed. Nightz all! :)
Jem

Goodbye Belgium!

We booked ourselves into the F1 hotel (as you can see below). Came to roughly €15 which is not bad but boy was it comfy. The room really is like a box for 3 people but it did the trick.

So after having a wonderful shower (aahh warm water) that literally fired out water (guess the F1 concept) and only allowed you like 5 seconds of water each time before u had to press the button again. Such a funny shower but loved it! Then finally changed out of the same clothes I had been wearing since Sunday (yesterday was Tuesday. Good thing it actually is cold cause then you don't have to worry about sweat) we went to the nearest town to have a look for le supermarche and le cafe. My great co-driver with his nippy phone found a Carrefour then nearby we found a place called The Tuna Shack. Yes I went to Belgium and ate at the Tuna Shack but there wasn't any other place open. But anyway this place was fab! A whole meal for €4-€5 euros and it was 2 much that I couldn't even finish my huge plate of chips. And as an added bonus for the Muslim ppl on the convoy, it was a Halal restaurant. Ahhh just thinking about that chicken wrap.

So after we went back to the F1 & sat in this tiny cafeteria area that seemed to be the only wifi-spot in the whole place and did out bits and bobs. I was gonna head off to bed early but then the Chelsea vs Barcelona game came on so I had to watch it and yey!! Well done Chelsea!!! (Didi will be so happy). So finally off to bed and went out like a light!

Had a normal morning start, lil brief meeting and now we are on the road again with microwaved naan and coffee at our side.

Stay tuned! :)

Jem

PS. The sun just came out :D

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Driving through Belgium

Finally sunshine in France!

3 countries in 2 days

Well, it would have been in just 1 day but it took us so long to finally be cleared by the English and French authorities that instead of driving straight in to Belgium we stopped at a BP station in France and stayed in our vans. Now that was an experience. We had 3 of us in our bus and we all just fit as it as way too cold and damp too sleep outside in the tents. Even waking up under a duvet wasnt enough and now I wish I had bought 2 but nvm, its all good.

So we have now arrived in Belgium and just trying to find a place to stay for the night. Been very exciting and as calm as I guess a convoy can be :) plus my co-driver has gotten a hang of the gear so yey!!

TTYL :)

Monday, April 23, 2012

A4 on the way!!

Right now we are coming up to Dover. Will be leaving London soon. The convoy is really great! We weren't in sequence at first but once we got to a clear highway we could get into sequence. There are so many vehicles that I can't even count as we had more people join us today and 4 others catching up tomorrow. I must mention the variety of vehicles we have right now. Its so cool! Besides our minibus there's an even bigger minibus present plus a HUGE truck that's already filled with aid. Actually most of the vehicles already have donated items due to the support the convoy has had. Just look at our minibus (which I will put pics up soon I promise).

We are now arriving at Dover yey! We have had a slight glitch in our vehicle tho. As soon as my poor co-driver paid the toll, the window wouldn't wind up again. So for the past hour we've been driving with the window down and its not only cold but raining too. I'm not too bad but poor him. Damn I didn't take a picture!! Nevermind.

Whoops gotta run. Going onto the freight deck.

sometimes you gotta wait and be patient

So we are still at Luton due to some things having to be sorted out before we go. So we slept at this community centee who have been lovely to us. Had a hearty breakfast done by Carole, who always takes care of us. So even though we have been awake for ages now we are still waiting to head off to dover. Ths exciting thing is its a completely different route from last time so we are going through more countries then we thought off.

So fyi Dom if ur reading this sorry i wont be able to see you in France but Marianne, we are going to Germany so hope i get to finally see you there!!

Cant wait to get on the road! Picking up aid and ive heard more ppl from Belgium to Bombay. Sounds fun! Ooo think we are leaving soon yey!!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

1st pics of the minibus


Nothing is impossible

I guess when you really want something to happen, life tests you to see just how much you do want it and really tests your patience and faith. Yesterday was a real test. We had trouble with the van whereby we were told that it might not be ready till poss Monday. Ill be honest with you, i was in tears. Then to get insurance has been a complete nightmare and after being rejected by so many, you just want to throw in the towel. But we kept our plans that we will still leave for the convoy today. In the end, in the middle of our car parts shopping, ourwonderful mechanic Jose calls to say the van is ready!! I swear if he was infront of me i would have given him the biggest hug ever and we were just jumping around the shop with joy. Jose came through!!

There were a number of challenges i was still facing, such as ignorant ppl who in the end you just have to ignore and not bother by their ignorance. Then my poor aunt fell down the stairs and broke her ankle and feel so bad that i wasnt able to visit her before we left. May God watch over her and may her operation be successful so that shes good as new :) Aunty Jane if you`re reading this dont worry okay!

So we got all we needed, food for travels, stacked up the wonderfully large amount of donated items from ppl we know, especially to Cleo! Big thanks to my uncle Vince for driving us around London in order for us to get all the spare parts etc. Thanks to grandma for packing us a load of food so we will be good for the rest of the day. And thanks to James for doing research on back up plans and everything else. So right now here ws are, waiting at Luton for the rest of the convoy who left Bradford. Cant wait!!

Oo they are arriving. Gotta go. Wish us luck!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Hello London!!

For a starter, I have no idea why I have been so tired from the moment I stepped onto the airplane coming here. I technically slept so much with my poor friend getting bored as hell but still tired today. I guess a lot only mind then.

Secondly, it is sooo cold! Maybe that's why I feel tired cause all I want to do is just stay under my duvet and sleep hehe. Guess relax when you can.

So thus far the trip has gone fab and I think when something is meant to be it goes about very smoothly. We went to check out a specific vehicle thative been told will be great for CFTA. A short train ride, hop, skip and a bus away we met with a lovely man named Ed who straight away told us the problems with the minibus and henceforth the price would be lowered...yey! S we went for a drive to. Have a feel of the minibus, checked what was working, my co-driver had a go at it and then once we got back to Ed's house he says due to the fact that this has been a fundraising for the children, he knocked the price even further! Truly wonderful and this is why if things are meant to be, God makes it all easy for you. There's still a lot to be done but, again, if it's meant to be it's meant to be :)

Plus I learnt something wonderful from Ed yesterday. He said that he always does things that make him happy and he never chases the money. Yes money is. Important but he doesn't chase it. It made me think that it must be true. As long as you do what you love and you're a good person, the money will take care of itself. Look at my journey, the support you have all given me. Who would have thought I would have gotten so close to my goal?

So again, thank you for allowing me to do something I love to do plus to help people who need our help :)

I was going to mention a bit of hoo-haa that has been going on regarding the convoy but I do have to dash off. If I can I will later but I will say this. From day one there has always been talk about the route and where we could be going. From day one you know that the journey itself has risks. So if you sign up from day one knowing all this don't you have the obligation to all those people you have made promises too? I do. I have a vehicle I have promised to donate to CFTA plus toys, books and a lil few gifts from MSRI to give them. I also trust the organizers as I'm sure they know what they are doing considering they have done this 5 times and with known people involved of course they wouldn't do anything that would deliberately put us in harms way. I know what I signed up for and due to the fact that things are going so well, whatever happens happens and its meant to be.

So actually I'll end there and gotta get the rest of my checklist sorted :)

If anyone wants to know more about the organization the vehicle and donated items are going to, the info is here
Culture and Free Thought Association
P.O.Box 76, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
Tel/+972(0) 8 2051299
Fax/+972 (0) 8 2067299
E-mail: cfta@palnet.com

TTYL :)

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Going, going.....gone :)

I'm so sorry I've been awful and haven't updated in awhile but its amazing how a week can go by and there's still so much I should have done.

First off all, I want to say thank you to all who have been SO supportive off me. Without you all I wouldn't have just finished packing and setting off to London in a couple of hours to join the convoy to Gaza :) we are still under our estimated needed amount but we will get by as much as we can :)

Second of all, I'm sorry to all those I wasn't able to say bye too at all. I wish I could have seen all of you but you are all in my thoughts and there's just not enough time when you do things last min ehehehe.

This week has been a real up and down one but I have my rocks to keep me pushing and keep going. My last therapy session for awhile was so good & it was a way for me to say goodbye to my wonderful mum and tell her I will not give up. As Dory says, "just keep swimming".

So I'm off. My next update will be in London Baby!! Please send your prayers and thoughts during this journey and to my dear friends who are like family, please keep an eye out for my dad and sister. I will be forever grateful!!

So I will say "so long, farewell" and wish me luck!! Next step, picking an awesome minibus for the Culture and Free Thinking Association (CFTA) in Gaza :)

London, be ready for me :)

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Appropriate to my last post

Let there be rain!

Since I am stuck at a cafe due to the very heavy storm i thought why not use this time to post something. See, rain can't bring one down :)

I just want to thank everyone right now. Those that have donated, those that have given me words of encouragement, those that have kept me in their prayers, and most importantly these close people in my life who keep helping me up I'm down. It's like I'm running in a race and I'm almost at the end of the line but the end of the line still looks far and I keep tripping up. This handful of people keep lifting me up to keep on running and I really don't know how to say thank you enough. Just their belief in me and reminding me that whatever happens at least I tried and that effort is more important.

I have had my doubts, especially if I should be going on this journey. Whether it is the right thing for me to do. Of course I feel it is the right thing to be doing but ever since mum it's been hard for me to find validation from anyone else. I believe what they say but it's not coming from her. So it's hard when I get a message saying it's the wrong thing to do and that mum wouldn't approve. I know what I'm doing has risks and i know those that say this only mean well but it gets into my head and fills it with doubt that maybe it's true.

It was funny though because when I had this negative message, an hour later I had a positive one from a family friend who had given a generous contribution and just said how proud she is and how proud mum would be. My best mate says it's like it was a message from mum herself saying to keep at it. Don't give up. Do everything you can do just to see how far you get. I sometimes wish I had her strength because she kept pushing to see how far she could go, even when she was told she couldn't.

Perhaps for those who don't know me I'll tell you a little about my wonderful mum with incredible strength. Just after I was born, she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Her doctors said she had 6 months to live as it was spread everywhere that there was nothing left to do. They told her she needed to think who to leave me too because at that time my father had left us. She told me that when she went through the list of people, the only person she could really leave me to was herself. So she decided she wasn't just going to sit back and listen to the doctors, she was going to fight for as long as she can. After marrying a wonderful man who really is my true dad, having my fab younger sister, started 2 companies, she lived for an extra 21 years since that first diagnosis. Whatever she wanted to do, she tried her utmost best to do it. Even during the last year of her incredible life, she visited majority of the places she wanted to do and she saw the milestones she had set herself to see, such as my dads 40th birthday, my sisters 13th birthday, and my 21st birthday. Birthday were so important for her because she felt it was a milestone that she had gotten too. She passed away the month of my dads 41st birthday.

See how incredible she was! With me I need people around me to remind me to keep going. For her, she just fought. I wish I had that. I hope I can be like that one day.

So after the past few ups and downs of the last few days, I decided to keep going and not give up. So the registration and payment is done, my doctor has given me extra encouragement I need, the flights are bought. Now it's getting the vehicle and extra cash for along the way.

So please if you can, help me try and reach my target. and I promise I won't give up.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Friday 6th April 2012 news

Before I begin I just want to wish all those that are celebrating a very Happy Good Friday and may you have a fab Easter :)

I've got to put some news up as it's taking up all my tabs on my iPad hehe. Will blog about today's events a lil later as rain is coming!

1. Cash shortage stops Gaza kids' summer camps I must add with this news that there is an organization in London that is bringing the games to Gaza. Please visit their website http://www.gamestogaza.co.uk/ where you can sponsor a child to participate in the summer games.
2. Palestinians mark the start of Easter week
3. Netanyahu to ask Abbas to return to negotiations without preconditions
4. Flytilla 2012
5. Israel causes $66 million worth of damage to EU-funded aid projects
6. Jewish Artist’s CD Review Pulled From The Web For Being “Pro Palestinian”

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Wed. 4th April 2012 News

Some news I found yesterday but only just got to my computer :)

1. Israeli forces attempt to arrest 2-year-old Palestinian child
2. Hunger-Striking Detainee Moved To Hospital
3. Fuel tankers arrive in Gaza
4. Galway Palestine Children Appeal distribute aid in Gaza
5. ICC rejects Palestinian bid to investigate Israeli war crimes during 'Cast Lead' Gaza operation
6. Swedish activists plan another Gaza aid flotilla this year


On a more personal note, i realised something today. I was told recently that I need to prove myself to people as people's perceptions have changed. I decided today that I don't need to do that. I know I work hard and I know I have tried my up-most best to face all my difficulties I have faced with these past few months and just because some people who don't know what has been going on have a perception on me now, I don't need to prove or say anything. Just move on and let it be. People are entitled and have a right to their opinion so I also have my right to do what is best for me. So I help those in need as much as I can and tonight was such a fab night with fab friends and at the same time welcomed a person in need to Malaysia. To me, that's time well spent.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Monday 2nd April 2012 news

It's been a long day so I'm just gonna put up some links of blogs I've found today and will blog tomorrow.

But before I begin, I just want to say a massive thank you to Brunei Government Senior Officers Wives Welfare Association (BISTARI) for their generous donation towards my cause. I will blog more tomorrow about it but I couldn't write anything until a say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who have been supporting me, financially or just by being here for me, thank you!!!

So, today's news.
1. Hana Shalabi’s Hunger Strike Has Ended, But Not Her Punishment
2. On top of banishment to Gaza, Israel uses Twitter to further violate Hana al-Shalabi’s rights
3. Tough road to Jerusalem for Palestinian Christians
4. Red Cross delivers fuel to Gaza hospitals
5. Does the Global March to Jerusalem delegitimize Israel? Not at all.