friends – Zakiya N. Jamal

The Great Facebook Cleanse of 2014

Posted on December 31, 2014June 12, 2018 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Out with the old and in with the new. With a new year comes new challenges, new adventures, and probably new friends. Now I know Drake said, “No new friends,” but I believe there’s always room to meet new people. There’s also room to let go of some of those old friends. In this case I mean Facebook friends.

I remember a time when I used to want 1,000 Facebook friends. I thought that would be cool, to say I knew all these people. The thing is you might know 1,000 people but you don’t actually know them. Either you met them that one time at a party or you were once friends but you’re not anymore, or you don’t even remember how you became friends with this person. Either way, there’s a bunch of people that you probably don’t actually need to be friends with on Facebook and although it might be hard to let go it may be for the best. Here’s a list of some of the people you may want to delete before the New Year:

Your ex – Yes, Facebook stalking might be fun and vindicating but it’s probably not healthy
Ex-friends – see previous
Someone you haven’t spoken to in the last six months
Someone who’s name you can’t immediately recognize
Any organizations that you felt obligated to be friends with at some point but now realize you don’t actually have to be friends with someone that’s not even a real person (unless you’re in that organization, in which case you might want to leave it alone for now)
Anyone you’ve only remained friends with to stalk them (#StopFacebookStalking2015)
That one person that you added because they looked cute but then never actually spoke to (or you did and it didn’t work out, see #1)
Anyone that’s still poking you, sending you invites to games (Candy Crush especially), or is just generally annoying you on Facebook

Of course, there are exceptions to the rules. Family members are off limits (even if they’re your third cousin twice removed). Childhood friends that you haven’t seen in a while but you still have fond memories of are totally allowed to stay. And really anyone you just feel wrong parting with, don’t. Obviously these exceptions could make all these rules invalid and that’s fine. Maybe you don’t want to get rid of any of your Facebook friends. No judgment.

Just remember all those people that you’re friends with can also back stalk you. Just a thought. Happy cleansing!

Book Review: Love, Rosie

Posted on September 25, 2014May 21, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

Synopsis from Amazon:

What happens when two people who are meant to be together just can’t seem to get it right.

Rosie and Alex are destined for each other, and everyone seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, the are separated as teenagers when Alex and his family relocate from Dublin to Boston. Like two ships always passing in the night, Rosie and Alex stay friends, and though years pass, the two remain firmly attached via emails and letters. Heartbroken, they learn to live without each other. But destiny is a funny thing, and in this novel o f several missed opportunities, Rosie and Alex learn that fate isn’t quite done with them yet.

I’ll admit I’m a hopeless romantic so I’m a sucker for a good love story and this one is great. I first heard about this book because it’s now a movie and of course I had to read the book before I saw the film (although of course the movie will disappoint me now).

The story follows Rosie and Alex, best friends since the age of seven, who go through multiple up and downs but always find there way back to each other. As friends of course. It was like watching a dance reading this book. They would come together and I would think finally they’re going to be together but then something/someone always got in the way.

The book is written entirely written in emails, letter, and instant messages sent not only between Alex and Rosie but also between their siblings, parents, other friends, and significant others. It expands over 40 years of time and it’s great watching Alex and Rosie grow up and grow together but also apart.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was really frustrating sometimes because I just wanted Alex and Rosie to be honest about feelings for each other but they act so stupid sometimes that I was annoyed. However it was also so funny to read all the things they would say to each other and all the things they wouldn’t.

Definitely a book to check out before you see the movie. Which stars Lily Collins so it’ll definitely be pretty good at least.

Favorite Line:

Then the laughing stopped and there was this silence. What the hell was it? It was like the world stopped turning in that instant. Like everyone around us had disappeared. Like everything at home was forgotten about. It was as if those few minutes on this world were created just for us and all we could do was look at each other. It was like he was seeing my face for the first time.

Stars: 4 out of 5. I loved this book a lot but I wanted more from the ending. I was satisfied with it but after everything that happened in the novel I expected something bigger than what I got.

Borrow or Buy: Buy!!! I loved this book. Definitely one you’ll want to read. And so many good quotes. It was hard to pick just one.

Other Reviews

Finding Bliss in Books

Oh, The Book Feels

Diary of a Book Girl

Also if you’re not afraid of spoilers check out the trailer for the movie below.

My Favorite TV Couples of All Time

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Zakiya N. Jamal in TV

In honor of Valentine’s Day tomorrow I would like to take a look back at all my favorite TV couples. From the Huxtables to the Beasleys, here’s my top 10.

1. The Huxtables (The Cosby Show)

When I think about a couple that got the married with kids thing down I automatically think of the Huxtables. Cliff and Claire were partners and friends, loving and supporting each other in everything they did. I still love watching them parent together on The Cosby Show and can rewatch episodes ’til the end of time.

2. The Scotts (One Tree Hill)

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I have always loved Nathan and Haley’s relationship. Yes, I do believe it is crazy to marry someone in high school but the idea that you could find your soul mate at this age is just awesome and made for a great love story. We got to watch this couple grow together as they both tried and did reach their dreams. We also saw them become great parents to two great kids and watched their love for each other grow and change into something deeper over time. The best.

3. The (Other) Scotts (One Tree Hill)

These two drove me crazy over the years because everyone knew they belonged together except them. It was so frustrating! I loved them together from the first day Lucas helped Peyton when her car broke down. My favorite moment was at their wedding when Haley was the minister and she told the story of how when they were all younger, before Lucas even really knew Peyton, Lucas said he was going to marry “that girl”. And then he did. Yeah, it might not be realistic but it’s still cool to think about. I love it.

4. The Kyles (My Wife and Kids)

I always viewed this family as a modern version of the Huxtables. I loved Jay and Michael’s relationship because as much as Michael was a clown and did stupid stuff he was a great husband and father and she was a great wife and mom, acting just as crazy as him sometimes. I thought their dynamic was hilarious and they handled serious topics (like when Junior got his girlfriend pregnant) very well. I miss them!

5. The Matthews (Boy Meets World)

Who didn’t love Cory and Topanga’s love story? From their middle school days everyone knew they were meant for each other, especially Shawn and Mr. Feeny. I loved watching them grow up together and fall in love. It was classic girl likes boy but boy doesn’t know he likes girl but then he figures it out and . . . sigh. It was amazing! I can’t wait to see them as a married couple with kids on Girl Meets World.

6. The Eriksens (How I Met Your Mother)

Besides wanting to know who the mother was, these two were the main reason why I got into this show. I absolutely love them together. Meeting in college they’ve been through one or two hiccups along the road (the biggest being when Lily left for San Fran) but they’ve made it, working out their problems as a team. As the only married couple in their group it’s always great to see them act as a unit among their friends and being proud of their marriage. Plus, they made a very cute baby. They’re the best.

7. The Bings (Friends)

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People always say you should fall in love with your best friend and these two make it seem like a solid idea. I didn’t get to watch the show and see how this friendship truly developed into a relationship when the show was on air so I knew what was going to happen when I finally did sit down to watch the whole series and even though it’s subtle they always made hints about a relationship between them. For example they both agreed that if they were both single when they were 30 they would get married. What I really love about Monica and Chandler is that neither of them truly expected that their best friend was “the one”. What started as a friends with benefits situation evolved into such much more, that surprised them both.

8. The Shepherds (Grey’s Anatomy)

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These too have a had a hard go of it. First, there’s the fact that Derek was still technically married when he started hooking up with Meredith. Then there was the whole “Choose me, love me” thing. Then the Meredith’s drowning, the bomb, the shooting, and Meredith messed up the Alzheimer’s experiment. Yeah, it’s been a bumpy ride. However, these two have survived it all becoming a strong couple with two kids who love each other despite all the crazy. Definitely one of my faves.

9. The Bishops (Nikita)

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Speaking of having a rough go of things these two have definitely had it rough, but trying to take down an assassin organization can do that to a couple. These two have both faced down death multiple times giving each other heart attacks. Thankfully, they both survived all the way to the end of the series where they finally got married. What I love about these two is that they’re both strong and stubborn individuals who sometimes have very different views on things. However, rather than let these things tear them apart they work together as partners.

10. The Beasleys (The Office)

Ugh, these two. I can’t even. Just thinking about the finale makes me tear up. First, the fact that Jim waited so long for Pam is amazing. That’s just pure dedication and when he talked about that in his wedding vows? Amazing. Then they had two kids and had their house and then we got scared it was all going to end in the last season but of course they worked it all out. I just love these two so much. Adorable!

If I missed any of your favorite TV couples, feel free to comment them below!

Out With the Old, In With the New

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

In 2013 a lot of my friendships were tested. Whether it was because I hurt them, they hurt me, we just grew apart, or one of us just stopped talking to the other, my friendships were strained.
Though I lost some friends last year the ones that I kept, the ones I made an effort to keep, those or the ones that I think will be around forever. They’re my ride or dies.
I definitely made mistakes this past year and said things I didn’t mean but my real friends forgave me just as I forgave them in the same way.
As for everyone else that couldn’t move past the foolishness I say, “¡Adios!” And I suggest y’all do the same.
Life’s too short to be stressing about people who can’t let go. You can never make people like you and sometimes people are going to walk out your life no matter how hard you try to make them stay.
The point is don’t stress about what you may have lost in 2013. Instead focus on what you gained and look forward to the new friendships and relationships you’ll form in 2014.
Don’t live in the past; start living for the future.