Nevine Mattar

Do you think this situation will lead to a change? And if so, how?

I believe that the situation has already led to many changes. For one mankind has become more conscious of his vulnerability and the sacredness of life. The Corona virus is also a great equalizer just as the plague was in the Middle Ages and the Spanish Flu in 1918. No one is spared regardless of how much wealth or power one has. I also believe in the cosmic law of karma and how actions of man against the environment, mother nature, society and the poor, disabled and vulnerable has led to the present day cataclysms. Just like all the myths of the flood in all civilizations the major lesson is that man will have to pay what he sows and therefore floods are in his own making. What we should learn from this is that we have to rebuild proper foundations based on universal values, justice, responsibility, respect and above all agape-the universal call of all religions. 

This is a wakeup call for each and everyone of us. This is a time of reflection. A time when nature may help us find another serendipity.

What is your daily routine in confinement?   

First it certainly is not easy to be confined. Luckily, I am a person with many hobbies such as creating, reading, listening to music, and watching films. I have realized that these hobbies have given me the inner strength needed to confront days such as these. Another strength prayer and meditation has given me the ability to connect with my spiritual self. This has been my greatest gift. A great awakening of sorts. 

From the simple pleasures of an active life, what do you miss the most?

What I do miss the most is to be able to see my friends. Say hello hug them and kiss them without feeling stressed.

I guess what I miss the most is to live a normal life. 

What don't you miss?  

To be honest I can't answer the question as I do miss everything the world was like in terms of life before this event. 

To avoid boredom, what do you suggest to our readers:

       1- A book like The Forty Rules of Love by Erif Shalak

       2-A  netflix series Kurt seyit and Sura (based on a true story)

       3-Virtual visits of Museums  the Met, Prada , Louvre (they have become all virtual )

       4- Recipe :The Moistest Chocolate Mug Cake

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoon granulated sugar (you can add 1 tbsp. more if you like it a bit sweeter)

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup + 1 tbsp. milk

2 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 tablespoon hazelnut chocolate spread or mini chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.

Whisk in the milk and vegetable oil until all ingredients are combined and batter has no clumps.

Pour batter into a microwave-safe mug. Mine was a 14-ounce mug. You want enough head space for the cake to rise without pouring over.

Add hazelnut chocolate spread in the middle of the batter or mini chocolate chips. Just drop it in the middle, no need to push it down and sink it in the batter. It does that on its own when it cooks! :)

Place a paper towel into the microwave and set the mug on top (this is to catch any batter if your mug cake overflows).

Microwave mug cake for 70 seconds on high

Note of encouragement 

There will always be sunny days that follow rainy days. Every cloud has a silver lining and every night is followed by a day. Hardest times may often lead to the greatest moments of life. 

We are all on this journey together and if we keep our faith we may realize that lessons learnt today were well worth the while.