My First Live Performance

I've always loved music and Coptic hymns. I was lucky enough to be invited to perform 2 hymns with Ava Bavly Kids Choir here in Alexandria, a great choir really! The concert - وتعود الابتسامة - was for the benefit of children with cancer.

This was my first live performance.

The first hymn is a Coptic hymn "Arihouo Chasf" that means "Praise Him and exalt Him above all forever":
Studio-recorded version:



Live version:




The second hymn was "Thank You Lord" lyrics:


I would like to thank Mr George ElKess Samuel, the leader of the choir, as well as my dear friend Haidy Mikhail, who coaches the choir, for making this possible. I enjoyed performing along with you and your great team. I loved your spirit and I wish that all your concerts would be just as successful!

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المركز الأول - ألحان الكرازة - المستوى الثاني

آخر الأخبار

فريق بنات اعدادي كنيسة الأنبا تكلا هيمانوت - الابراهيمية - الاسكندرية يحصل على المركز الأول في ألحان الكرازة - المستوى الثاني
في مهرجان اعدادي 2010 على مستوى الاسكندرية  

Here's my thoughts on this issue..

I trained and mentored this team, and I took the challenge of trying el mostawa el tani for the first time.. We started since November/December 2009.. and in the middle of the road, it was too difficult and challenging ..

I felt we might not make it but for some reason I never stopped working and encouraging.. and as the number of girls decreased, I still had hope..

It was difficult.. only 12 girls made it to the last day..

But in the end...

WE MADE IT!!

WE MADE IT so successfully and unexpectedly AND I'm so proud really!! One of the best things I feel I've ever contributed to.. It goes to all of my beautiful amazing girls, to my awesome Church.. and to myself :)

Top team in Alexandria in the hardest level..

What does this mean to me?
A lot!
Coptic hymns are my ultimate passion.. Being successful in teaching Coptic hymns is something that makes me feel so happy and accomplished.
Two years ago, we won the second place, and I've written this post about it
http://evronia.blogspot.com/2008/08/winning-in-alexandrias-churches.html
and from that post I quote:
"Success is sweet, it makes us feel paid off.. It pushes us forward to do more, and keeps us close to God, who always watches over us and gives us, not all what we want, but all what we NEED."

I hope that this will not be the last year for me to teach Coptic Hymns at my beautiful church, because I'll never forget how I feel every time I teach the girls something new.

It's not just about winning in a festival, it's not about being on top, it's about the feeling of achievement and satisfaction after doing something that means a lot, at least to young girls who are taking their first successful steps in life..

My last words:
Perseverance, patience and hard work are the key for everything in life, big or small! And in whatever you do, important or not, be honest and do everything you can do to fulfill your tasks in the best possible way, especially if it's service to the lord.. 

I first and last give deep thanks to God :)

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[Poem] Why Are You So Sure of Yourself

Why Are You So Sure of Yourself?
Poem #296
Written 3.6.10

It's like exams get the strangest ideas out of my head!!

Why are you so sure of yourself?
You want to win and use him,
To only take pride in yourself!
Coz you’re helpless and grim,
So arrogant, but feeling defeated,
Feeling everyone should fall for you…
There’re many hearts you mistreated,
With feelings insincere and untrue,
Save your time, he doesn’t love you,
Don’t push him deceitfully to care,
You can’t be a match, both of you,
I hope you’ll be doomed to despair…
Coz I’m the one he’s always had,
I’m the one he cherishes the most,
We are starting our life, feeling glad,
But you’re haunting us like a ghost,
And I can’t watch you while you,
Win his kind heart and break it,
Fooling him, breaking us in two,
But I’ll fight till death, I’ll never quit!
He’s my only hope and dream,
Of a life so magical and complete,
That is harder than it may seem,
But I will never succumb to defeat…

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© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

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[Poems] All CSED Poems!

I have written many poems for my Computer and Systems Engineering Department "CSED"; for the people, events and memories .. I just didn't realize how many they were except when I started to collect them in one post.. 

The reason that made me collect them all here is that I received a very nice email today from Eng Mohamed Amir, and he actually encouraged me to publish all the CS poems one day.. He liked the poems I've written about the department even though they mocked the subjects he taught us: Digital Design and Microprocessors :) So here're the 12 poems, I'll start with them on the blog, with the hope that one day they will be published in a book  :) 

There's always more to come!

Not a Programmer
Written 16.7.2007

I am a programmer
Though not good enough
Want to rock like a hammer
But my time is tough
I feel I'm stupid
No, I sure am!
I am not good at it
To pretend I can
Coz I won't be doing
Anything good in life
Even if the going
Turned from being stiff
The rough won't be easy
Coz I have it in me
Laziness and stupidity
And never being free
Of all the pain and bothering
Chattering and thinking
Life makes me run
But what should be done!
And I get tired fast
I don't think I will last
Not with the pain
Not always or again
But I am still an artist
Putting my feelings on papers
Casting my burden on a pen
And living life like dreamers
So even if the poem
Is too lousy to be read
Close the book and go to bed
Just don't hate me instead
But since you've come this far
You might like to confess
I am not a great programmer
Coz writing is what I do best!
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Digital Poem
Poem # 100
Written 13.3.08

Dedicated to the disaster of the digital lab
on Tuesday March 11th, 2008, 2nd year CSED

Digital Design is really cool
Coz you realize you were a fool
Using HDL like programming
And that you were misunderstanding
Not just how to do it right
But many other concepts in mind
It's time to face the cruel reality
See your own mind-made stupidity
You thought you had it all
But get ready to take the fall!
It's your chosen CSED life
That hurts more than stabs from a knife
So come on, be brave and face it
You're stupid you have to admit...
To the TA's orders you have to submit
But don't worry, eventually you'll make it!
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I Refuse to Keep my Mouth Shut
Poem #102
Written May 2008

We refuse to keep our mouths shut
We won't give up, no matter what
We’re dignified and we’ll object
And all the maltreatment we'll reject

We're humans can't you see?
Why can't we just disagree!
Can't you listen and pay attention,
To our screaming-like objection?!

We demand actions not words
Because we're tired of being nerds
Broken promises is what we have now
But now, it's time to keep your vow

Our opinion: let us write it down
And our voices: don’t let them drown
Hear us, we demand from you
It is not something very hard to do



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Microprocessors Hell
Poem #133
Written 6.12.08



It was the day before the holiday
And everyone wanted to go away
Defeated, we stayed of course
But then we were full of remorse
What on earth was happening?!
What were we attending?!
Is it microprocessors or hell,
From which all these assignments fell?!
PIC, TSR, interrupts..
A volcano that always erupts..!!
How dare we ask to enjoy days off!
Why shouldn't things be tough!
It's pathetic but it's the normal thing
That CSD will always bring
No matter how much we shout or ask
No one removes a single tiny task
"You're clever people" they say..
"You've to hate life more everyday!"
But I really don't care coz it's in vain
I'm a programmer, so I won't go insane
Coz of some chips or an ugly debugger
I won't allow this course to make me suffer!

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To Dr Moustafa Amin
Poem #159
Written 10.5.09

http://evronia.blogspot.com/2009/05/dr-moustafa-amin-ya-fandem.html
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It’s Amr Ebaid’s Class
Poem #160
Written 12.5.09

http://evronia.blogspot.com/2009/05/its-amr-ebaids-class.html
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Inside an Architecture Lecture
Poem #162
Written 14.5.09

An insight view about what happens in almost every architecture lecture…
Written in a Computer Architecture lecture.


We’re listening now to architecture,
To us, it’s the most boring lecture…
The doctor is giving a free talk;
With hands and hair full of chalk!
Haidy is chewing gum and joking,
Teasing Sammak who is talking,
Solving a compiler’s sheet coz he is
A nerd who is used to this!
Rana is sleepy and wants to go,
And everyone is hissing so low.
Habak and the doctor are in a debate,
And Michael is in a sleeping state.
Combo is drinking a Pepsi can,
And I’ve eaten everything I can…
And still, time is going slower,
When will this lecture be over!!


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My Revenge On Sammak
Poem#166
Written 15.5.09

Sammak wrote a poem about me as a revenge on me coz I wrote that he was a nerd in my architecture poem, and posted his pics as he was solving a compiler’s sheet in the lecture..
So I’m replying with my own revenge poem too :P


You can't beat me Sammak, don't even try
I can write better poetry that will make you cry
I will kill you and make your head fry
But first I will put my finger in your eye
Then I’ll make you look like an apple pie
And send you away to fly in the sky
So make sure that you say goodbye
To everyone who pass you by :P


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To Mohamad Mahmoud
Poem #207
Written 21.9.09

When Mohamad mahmoud, our colleague at university, wanted to quit being the class’ representative


To Mohamad Mahmoud:

During hard times, you’re there,
Talking to all, running everywhere,
You act up to the responsibilities,
God has given you amazing abilities,
You’re our brother, who is so kind,
We want you to make up your mind!
So please, your decision, reconsider it,
And to your orders we will submit :) (bas mesh awi :P)
Don’t be sad at madness of a few…
We’ll always do our best to help you…
We want you to be the representative,
So, please don’t be argumentative!
We know it’s a hard job to do,
But we trust one person: only you!
We are sure that you’re best for it,
We ask you please not to quit!

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If You Wonder Who Believes in Me
Poem #270
Written 12.4.10

This is to tease Mohamed ElSammak for asking me “I really wonder who believes in you”!

If you wonder who believes in me,
It’s enough if the answer is only ‘me’,
I believe in myself and what I can do,
That I can make my dreams come true,
My world is opening its arms for me,
I feel there is so much power inside me,
To carve my own path, unlock any door,
There’s a pretty life ahead to explore,
Nothing is ever going to pull me back,
I won’t surrender, I won’t fall or crack,
I won’t succumb to life, I won’t give in,
Because I’m so motivated deep within,
I have ‘me’ and that’s totally enough,
To keep going when my world is rough,
I’m too strong, I am afraid I won’t break!
I’m never defeated because of any mistake,
I try to learn, and here I am, standing up,
Never looking back and never giving up…
My life is extremely beautiful this way,
I’m always inspired, no matter what you say!


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Then You’re in CSED
Poem #293
Written 20.5.10

http://evronia.blogspot.com/2010/05/poem-then-youre-in-csed.html
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In CSED, Life Is Always Cool
Poem #294
Written 24.5.10

http://evronia.blogspot.com/2010/05/poem-in-csed-life-is-always-cool.html

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© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

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[Poem] In CSED, Life Is Always Cool

In CSED, Life Is Always Cool
Poem #294
Written 24.5.10


 I've of course written about many poeple in CSED: Eng Amr Ebeid, Eng M Amir, and of course Dr Moustafa Amin (check http://evronia.blogspot.com/2009/05/dr-moustafa-amin-ya-fandem.html )
 But this time, I tried to write about more people and more memories, sorry if I couldn't include everyone and everything :) I'll do my best next time! 

In CSED, life is always cool,
Whether you are smart or a fool,
You might experience good days,
But mostly, it’s only severe craze!

Your code is good, but it won’t run,
But there is no excuse for anyone,
It’s your fault if the server is down,
So, relax, take it easy, don’t frown!

Projects for individuals or groups,
We keep running in circles, loops,
During lectures, we are so sleepy,
Coz the syllabuses are really creepy!

The idea of bonus is really much fun!
“I have plenty of bonus for everyone”
All is fair in bonus, compete or kill!
Until you successfully fulfil your will…

In everything you are thinking of,
Do it all with tender, care and love,
A book is more delicious than a cake,
So, read for as long as you can take!

Performance chapters are endless,
We understand nothing, it’s a mess!
And we’ll open up a cyber for games,
According to Dr Sahar’s claims!

As for patterns, clusters and classes,
The running time quickly passes,
Bear only a couple of hours or days,
To run the algorithm in many ways!

But automatic control is still on top,
A continuous torture that can’t stop,
And even after we are done with it,
It still haunts us; we don’t even feel it!

Once in a while you can hear him say,
Using his usual mocking scary way:
“You’re all losers, you won’t make it,
Your TA is a loser, you all should quit”

Some TAs were different and unique,
They’d never want to hear you speak,
They write with their fingers, not chalk,
And you can’t understand their talk!

And during our last section this year,
Ahmed Essam gave us a good cheer,
He’s been a good TA with his advice,
Like many TAs who were just as nice…

Bassiouny simply explained everything,

He treated us modestly, he was smiling!

One of the really kindest people to us,

Who never used to make any fuss!

Michael Atef wants to make money,
“I want to get married”, it was funny,
Victor always standing up at the back,
While a photo is being shot by Sammak!

And when we are about to get bored,
Habak or Victor elaborate on the board,
Abdelrahman can argue for so long,
If he thinks the solution is wrong…

It’s almost over, as this year ends,
But we’re still more than good friends,
We have laughed and we have learned,
There’s so much that has been earned…

As we graduate, we can’t forget our past,
We’ve shared many memories to last,
Laughs, cries… fights, food and much fun,
A love, a life that will never be undone…


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© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

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[Poem] Then You’re in CSED

Then You’re in CSED
Poem #293
Written 20.5.10


Today we delivered our last project in CSED… Certainly not the last thing to do before graduation, but it’s something that inspired me to write a poem among the many that I have written for CSED :D


Then you’re in CSED; where CSED == Computer and Systems Engineering Department :)

If you forgot what it means to enjoy,
If your life lacks your sense of joy,
If you miss being once a young boy,
Then you’re in CSED!

If your thoughts are filled with code,
If you don’t notice cars on the road,
If you always feel like you’ll explode,
Then you’re in CSED!

If you consider your laptop your son,
Your desktop background is no fun,
And you’re always up until dawn,
Then you’re in CSED!

If you usually don’t comb your hair,
Never caring about what you wear,
Even if you’ll walk with your feet bare,
Then you’re in CSED!

If you are accustomed to headache,
If going to the bathroom is your break,
Coz the load is more than you can take,
Then you’re in CSED!

If you ask for a router for your birthday,
And 5 a.m. is when you start your day,
If you’re weird, even when you play,
Then you’re in CSED!

If your parents are the last you meet,
You’re tired of this thing called “sheet”,
If “pizza” and “croissant” are all you eat,
Then you’re in CSED!

If you wear glasses, if you’re a hunchback,
Carrying a laptop in your heavy backpack,
Arranging your tasks in a queue or a stack,
Then you’re in CSED!

If you smile when you’re called “geek”,
If you forget the days of the week,
If everyone alive thinks you’re a freak!
Then you’re in CSED!

If you dream of huge bugs chasing you,
Your dream might really come true,
But you’ll never know what to do!
Then you’re in CSED!

If you think of name as “namespace”,
If your mind thinks “debug” and “trace”,
If your life is one big challenging race,
Then you're in CSED!

If you’re always wearing your jeans,
Your life is mainly about Netbeans,
Running K-medoids and K-means,
Then you’re in CSED!

If you always think of a tree to span,
You think you’ll name your kid “Zahn”,
You hate the day your poor life began,
Then you're in CSED!

If you hear “projects” more than “hello”,
You’re almost dead from the overflow,
You beg the class to entirely say “No!”
But you’re in CSED!

Anyhow, rejoice, class of 2010!
There will be no CSED again,
You will taste your freedom soon,
Just wait, till the end of June :)


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© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

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[Poem] I Saw Benjy - Benjamin Zephaniah

I Saw Benjy - Benjamin Zephaniah
Poem #291
Written 14.5.10

I attended a performance today by the great poet Benjamin Zephaniah and I was so impressed and inspired by him! He even asked me to say one of my poems to him but I memorized none and of course my mind was BLANK while I was talking to him :( He is a role model for me really! 

I saw Benjy, his rhythm is strong and fun,
His face is dark, yet, lit like shining sun,
He spreads hope, he touches his audience,
His poetry is artistic, his feelings are intense,
He is down to earth and nice to his fans,
Who were so inspired by his performance!
He talks about his poems and enchants you,
His style is unique, amazing and very new,
I feel proud; I won’t even wash my hands,
Coz I was honoured to shake his hands :)


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© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

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