My battle ..
One of the things that makes me really proud is my blog , you know that..
When I started 3 years ago I had no idea what’s going to happen, I remember the pleasure of receiving the first encouraging comment, and in the next day I got 9 E-mails I started to jump in the middle of the living room shouting “ I GOT 9 COMMENT OH I AM FAMOUS “ and now I have more than 121,000 readers !! and made so many interviews, with BBC, NKH, and other famous media ..
I was able to find time for studying , and time for my other hobbies beside writing, however the majority of the time I spent in the first few months was on the computer learning English, I didn’t succeeded because of my determination only, nor my family support’s also , but also because I am very honest with telling the story .. and that’s what people want “Honesty”
Previously in my blog, I wrote a post thanking my readers, they were fewer in number so I could mention most of them, but now I can’t mention them all, I can’t mention 121,000 name !!! but I want you to know that I read all of your comments, even when you leave comments for posts published 2 years ago ! I am blessed to have such wonderful readers and supporters..
I got through a lot of bad circumstances but reading your encouragements made me happy and full of optimism, my readers are my second family, and without you guys I wouldn’t make it .. you lived 3 years with me, you laughed in some posts, and you cried in other posts, my life was uncovered to the world, and that’s because I wanted to show the real life in Iraq, and I promise you I will never stop writing ..
Through those years of success and hard work, a blogger tried to steal my posts, but she failed and after my faithful readers visited her blog and told her to stop “copying sunshine’s blog” she finally gave up and deleted her blog, that was one year ago, well it seems that the history repeats it self!!
You remember the girl I talked about in my post “she faced charity with harm” , she was my friend and then it appears she wasn’t the kind of girl I thought she was, she started to talk badly about me and hurt my feelings, she even talked badly about me in the blog I CREATED FOR HER, I spent long time encouraging her to start her own, and promised to help her with grammar and help her to be famous, but she started to use the sentences I wrote myself (that’s against the writer’s ethics), and she signed in some posts as “Sunny” .
however Sunny & sunshine are my nicknames, she even used the same background.
I got an E-mail from a friend of mine saying “ I noticed a similarity between your blog and hers” ..
her manner, the way she writes are the same as mine, she is stealing my style.
I don’t think I write like any blogger, you see each one of the Iraqi bloggers write in his/her style, and they are all great , Marshmellow impress me with her expressions , Baghdad treasure makes me feel there are a lot of good Iraqi guys, Iraq the model is different and that’s what attract me, Najma is my teacher she taught me how to blogg, but I didn’t become a copy of her. There’s a sense of sadness and anxiety in Mama’s blog, and there is a sense of optimism in my blog ..
There are a lot of examples about what “FAKE sunny “ mentioned in her blog and belong to mine , like “God bless our national guards, our policemen, all Iraqis and You. Shining day will come someday" , and "In fact, I don't want the strong wind to blow out my candle's light for ever, and I'll never give up.....
always,sunny"
And my sentence “''Darkness of the world can't blow my candle''
“Keep your candle lighting “
You can see that in my post “The world's darkness can't blow my candle...”which was written in Thursday, April 05, 2007 .. while she wrote that in Thursday, November 29, 2007 !!! ..
And she wrote “But we decided to never give up never never forever.” While everyone knows this is My favorite sentence that I’ve been saying for THREE YEARS, when grandpa sent me a pic with the sentence “Never ever give up”
I use words related to light, sun, and sunshine BECAUSE they are related to my nickname .
she is using almost the same titles like “Spirit of Eid“ , "Unbearable “, “The Days Ago “, “Smiling instead of Crying “
while I wrote “Eid's spirit” & , “Crying instead of shining” ..
she’s using the same pics I published in my posts like the one in my post “Happy birthday madcanuck” which was written in 2006 before she creates her “blog”
oh god , your help !.
on Thursday, December 13, 2007 she published the same post I did in Thursday, August 04, 2005, and she used the same title “Never ever give up” , but she used a different pic..
as my English Is good for someone in my age , the teacher asked me to write an aphorism in English on the blackboard each day , well she is using them too, she look at the aphorisms I write with a sight of gibe then she mention them in her writings.
She used the aphorism as her post’s title “Let by Gone, Be by Gones..”
& “Everybody see how you seem, however some know who you really are “ , or " god help those who help themselves " etc ...
*********************************************
I was taking a rest from studying about 2 or 3 weeks ago and I saw a movie , so I wrote something based on what I saw “You can help at least three people in your life to make them happy, and without asking them for something in return, but ask them to do the same with other three people. can imagine how many people will be happy?"
those are my words, she doesn't have the right to mention them as hers..
oh. there are many examples..
***************
Dear, you don’t have to use someone’s efforts to be famous, you should work hard on yourself to reach the level I did, So I am asking you to stop this behavior , if you want to be a decent writer, Be honest, don’t cheat nor steal other people’s words .. because I didn’t do that, I depended on myself and asked god to help me , and look at me now, I have a lot of friends, and people support me, respect me ,believe me , and believe in me..
It is never too late, and as I say who makes no mistakes makes nothing ..
So change your behavior , if you want to succeed in your life as a person, doctor, and as a writer.
I am writing this post, wishing from my heart that you’ll learn something important that may change your life, what based on cheat and dishonesty don’t last .. I wanted to help you in the begging but you refused, and faced charity with harm, but no matter what you say or do, I’ll be like a palm, whenever someone throw a stone at it, it gives dates. ..
Sunshine
63 Comments:
Sunshine,
You shouldn't fret over what she writes in her blog. Even if she copies every word you write she can't take anything from you. By writing this post about her, and linking to her blog, you are giving her readers. Just ignore her and don't read her blog if you don't like what you see. It's not really worth it to have ill feelings towards her when she isn't really harming you. You can pity her for not having original thoughts and taking someone else's as her own but don't give her more of yourself by spending your time writing about her.
Take care and keep shining!
You are one of a kind, Sunshine... No one can steal your uniqueness.
Don't give it much thought, people will always recognize your style and your honesty. You just keep being yourself, and keep spreading your light all around...
I'm always with you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
B.
Don't worry about someone else stealing your words- no one really cares. Let others do what they will- we all know the REAL Sunshine's Rays from Mosul. Some day you will be able to post your pictures and then we will know you even better. I know that we are working hard to destroy Al Qaeda in Mosul now, hopefully in the next few weeks you will see more improvements and you can report on that as well!
It happens a lot in the bloggin world. Even it may seem to be very difficult to detect, the truth is that it is so easy.
You´re the only one and the best.
Cheers! Hugs from Mexico!
just read on the news there was a massive explosion in mosul. hope you are okay! may God keep you safe...
Hello!
You know, I live with 7 siblings, and trust me, every time I decide to do something the younger siblings will copy me, and then say something like "Oh but see here! This piece is a darker blue!" Then at dinner, if my older brother does something, EVERYBODY will copy, and start chain reactions. I don't think it's so much of a spiteful thing when people do that, I think they look up so much to that other person that they want to be just like them. I quote my friend's older brother: "Imitation is the best form of flattery."
Don't let this problem of yours bother you too much,
luv,
Cat
Hi Sunshine,
Please check your email. I have just sent you a private message.
With friendship and love,
Kathleen
Sunshine, the real has the true shine. Never fear. Be well. Sending best wishes to you and your family and, especially on this sad day in Mosul, to all its citizens. Peace.
Don't worry, Sunshine. She's never going to be like you, nobody will be. Try not to let what other people do bother you so much. I had a falling out with two people I met on blogs about a year ago, and it got pretty ugly. I'd gotten to be pretty good friends with them, but when we started feuding it became obvious I had told them way too much about myself (and about other people on the blogs) and it was horrible to realize they could reveal things about me (and other friends of mine) that were never intended to be made public. I could have done the same to them, of course, but I'm not the kind of person to give away somebody's secrets just for revenge. Don't make the mistake I did. Just let it go, if you can. That's my advice :)
Hi Sunshine!
Thanks again for your blog, I'm your regular reader and I think that your blog is very importanat for everyone who wants know the true about situation in Iraq. So please keep bloging and don't worry about that girl. Unfotunatelly not everyone is like we wish to be, you cann't save all the world so don't worry ;)
I don't think that giving direct links to her blog is good idea. You make her a litlle famus, you give her readers so it's ironic situation. Maybe you did what she wanted, on your place I would deleted links to her blog.
Warmest regards
Sunshine, I wouldn't worry about it. People who read your blog know who the real "Sunny" is. I'm just sorry it was someone you knew who did this to you.
I know Mosul is a dangerous place right now, I hope you and your family are all OK.
I too came because I read of the news of the big explosion in Mosul. I hope Lieutenant Fischman can help with this soon.
As far as this problem with your friend using some of your words and phrases, Sunshine, may I suggest a possible motive(1) for her to do that? Her command of English is not equal to yours. If I were learning, say, Arabic and I knew that a friend of mine was more proficient(2) in Arabic than I, then it is very likely that I would use Arabic words and phrases that he (or she) used successfully. It's a way of learning from those who know better than you, isn't it?
So, while your friend may have an evil motive, I don't think that we can say this yet for certain. Thus, to add to your repertoire(3) of English phrases, I will add the one that means "Always leave yourself an avenue of retreat, in case your actions are mistaken.": "Don't burn the bridges behind you."
William's Uncle
(1) "motive" means "the reason someone does something"
(2) "proficient" means "having ability to do something"
(3) "repertoire" means "a list or catalog"
Sunny! The reason you have so many readers is because of "YOU". There is nobody else like "YOU". Don't let what this girl has done change "YOU". I would never have known about her blog if you didn't mention it. This girl must envy you because she is using your words to make herself look better. Don't let it bother you because everybody who reads your blog will continue to read it. I also heard on the news about the hugh explosion and hope you and your family are safe. Keep blogging in your own special way.
Sunshine,
If it's true that a palm, whenever someone throw a stone at it, it gives dates. Then you have nothing to fear from "stone throwers". With 121,000 readers you not only want more stones, you want bigger stones.
Don't worry Sunshine --- you'll always be an original! Your fans love you and are praying for you and your mom and family.
A disappointing post. It is just a long, boring rant. Do you need to use your blog to complain about another blogger? If so, at least complain concisely. Readers who find her blog will soon find yours. I'm sure you need not be concerned, but I do understand your anger.
I just read on CNN news that Iraqi govt is sending more troops into Mosul to fight al Qaeda. Maybe this will help in the long run to rid your city of the violence it has so reciently had. Please try to stay safe.
Hello!
I just got a blog. It's empty right now, except for one post. I'll keep working on it later. I've been praying for the situation in Mosul to improve.
Luv,
Cat
We all know who the real Sunshine is! Keep that positive attitude. I look forward to reading more of your stories and experiences. Thank you for sharing them with us!
There's an old saying Sunny. "Imitation is the highest form of flattery." What some of the others said is true, you're an original and nothing can change that. And hey, I'm reely glad if in sum small way I may have helped yu be as gud at english as i am ; D (hehehehe) Keep yer Sun shining, Solo
You are unique. That shows in your writing. One can steal the words. One cannot steal the soul within them. Keep going and ignore the unkindness done to you. When in the company of pure gold, Fools Gold appears aptly named.
Sunshine! Your English is so good that like this video you are the only person I know who can bring Iraq to the world using words as beautiful as a song.
Keep up the wonderfull work!
Hello!
I just heard about a new defensive against AQI to begin by the Iraqi forces in Mosul in the next few days. I pray that you will be safe, and that AQI will be flushed out with little trouble. In Christ,
Cat
Sunshine,
I have been reading your blog posts since Aunt Rose introduced us in May, 2005. Your English has improved to perfection.
I and many people completely around the world admire you greatly. We trust your posts for being honest and for keeping us up to date on the living condition in Mosul.
Thank you ever so much.
Please do not worry about the other girl copying sentences from your post. We read yours not hers. We depend on you to keep us up to date on your family's activities.
alif shukur
ma'a al salama
Sunshine, a very famous quote in the Englsh language goes "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" and it is true. I know it is hard not to feel robbed but understand that Sandy is trying to be like you in this regard because she is impressed by what you have done.
She will either gradually find her own voice or quit all together as she tires of not being her self. If you know of something in her life that is interesting, gently suggest she write of it. Don't angerly try and talk her out of writing about the same things you do, that will only hurt her spirit or make her angry. Iraq and the whole world has enough anger and crushed spirits. Heck, she may truely feel these things too.
Hello Dear Sunny, Sunshine, Sunsun, and every thing that regards shinning:
How are you? And how is the situation up in Mosul? I am so worried about you and all innocent people whom are living under sunch bad situations over there??
I was at Church yesterday and asked God to save you guys and strengthen you...you are in my thougts ALWAYS.
Who the hell that plagiarizer thinks she is??? Who gave her the right to steal??? Is there any way to write to blogger.com and report about this case, they might delete her ultimately!! Hmmm lets think about it...
Don't worry Sunny, you are a true planet shines continueosly and attract more and more to your warmth, so warm the blogsphere up with your words :)
P.S: Keep shinning as always you do ;)
Marshmallow
Want me to go pay this other girl a visit? We'll smash her computer! :) Just kidding!
Please lay low for a couple of weeks. it looks like things are really heating up in your city. Be safe Sunshine. I'll pray for your safety as always.
Hi Sunshine,
Philip in Canada sent me over to you. I'm a writer and have had an ongoing plagiarism and copyright infringement issue with my blog. I know how upsetting it can be.
There are some things you can do.
First, never, ever, ever link to the plagiarist. That drives up their page rank and technorati authority up.
Second, let people know that your content is protected. This post has some badges that you can put on your blog to inform people that your content is yours.
Third, if a particular individual is causing you grief, you can block their IP address from your site. You will first need to find their IP address by using sitemeter. It is easier if they comment on your blog.
Check your technorati authority daily--you are most likely having content theft from sploggers as well.
I hope this was helpful to you. Your Eid meal looked delicious! I'd love a recipe if you have a favorite.
Rosie in Appalachia
Happy birthday dear Sunshine.
16 years ago mama gave birth to a lovely baby girl. That baby girl has grown into a fantastic lovely young lady who has friends wo admire her all around this world.
We all hold you in the greatest regard. If you were my daughter I would be extremely proud of you.
Please keep up the wonderful work you are doing. Do not forget that your education is of extreme importance.
We wish you many more years in this life. Stay safe and keep shining.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNNY!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Sunshine! I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful new year for you. May it be filled with joy, good health and
PEACE!
Sunshine,
You have over one hundred thousand readers. It would create jealousy in many people. On my blog (new), I MAY have 6. What I am trying to say is, stop worrying.
There is a saying: " imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". I know you don't feel flattered, but this is what it is.
In your life you will encounter many people who will try to steal your ideas and words, and attempt to make them their own. That never works, they always get caught and are faced with such scorn from the readers that it makes them feel horrible inside. Your "friend" is trying just that. She is trying to validate herself, bu using your words to make herself look important.
I have this discussion with Ashley sometimes. BE YOURSELF first. The "drama" (for this is what this is) will fall by the wayside. When it comes time for the proof..........you will go to college, maybe graduate school in the US, and then you will write a book. You will have proved who you are. She cannot do that without your words, so she has nothing. No substance behind the words.
Do not worry my child. Do not let it make you angry. There is no point. She will not care about your anger, since your friendship didn't mean anything to her. She cares only about the "fame". Fame is fleeting. Talent is enduring. You have it, she doesn't.
You cannot court fame, it comes to you because of talent.
I recently sent a comment to a friend of mine, it says: "It matters not what the outside shows, but only what the true heart holds".
Believe THAT.
Let her play at doing something you do so well. You will go far, without substance, she is merely a young girl who has learned how to copy, paste and paraphrase.
I hope you are well Sunny. I think of you every day. We all do.
Much Love,
Michelle, Ashley and Taylor.
Sweet 16
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNSHINE
Tom in Texas
Happy Birthday Dear One!
Your heart, thoughts and unwavering compassion is a gift unto you and only you. The reasons for your blogging are true and honest; you wanted to share your expereinces as a young woman growning up in a country fraught with war. You wanted to show the world that your country is full of gracious loving citizens and not terrorists. You wanted to share your love of learning and your love of life and hope for a better world for all of us. There is no one, Dear One, no one who can ever take that away from you.
I am so very proud of you Dear One. You are truly a "sunny" example of what we should all aspire to be. No one but you could have, or will do as much for enlightening the world to your life.
Truth in your heart is enough for all of us who read your words.
God Bless! Happy Birthday Dear One. May joy and peace and continued hope find your heart today and every day.
4
I hope you are having a wonderful birthday Sunshine!! I also hope that you and your family are still safe. Hopefully Mosul is on it's way to being cleared of Al Qaeda and then people can start living a more normal life.
Wishing you peace and God's blessings
hi at first happy birthday, dont worry, we have one sunshine, and i think that no one will reach the level u r in even in copying, so just leave it away.and keep shining.
baghdadentist
Happy Sweet 16 Birthday Sunshine!!
As you grow and see the truth in all that is, may your light shine even brighter than the years before.
I pray for you and your family that you will be free of the terror and will dance and sing into your future.
With love and friendship,
Kathleen
Happy Birthday Sunshine!
I hope you have a wonderful day and I wish you all the best for the 17th year of your life. May you and all your beloved ones be well, and may your life turn out to be fascinating and beautiful in this year.
Greetings from Germany,
Simon
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNSHINE!!! I'm really so sorry you can't celebrate your birthday in a better situation. But all of your fans are so proud of you for what you have done, and much more importantly, what you will do in the future when things are better.
Haaapy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear sunshine.... haaaapy birthday to you!
A little song we sing here in the States on somebody's birthday. I hope this year's the greatest, and that this offensive against AQI will prove successful. Mosul is the last large stronghold, you know. Guess what!? We have snow! we got to play in it this morning. went to a nearby neighborhood and went sledding in the drainage field. fun! Later,
Cat
Happy Birthday my Sunshine!!! I am just getting caught up on reading blogs today and behold, it's your birthday! We are all so proud of you all around the world.
Greetings from Canada!
Stay Safe
Kim
Michael Yon Email: “Major offensive has begun in Mosul. This is likely Al Qaeda’s last real stand in Iraq. Surely they will continue to murder people for a long time, but they are running out of places to hide. Just arrived Kuwait. Should be in Iraq tomorrow and will be in the middle of it.”
Sunshine: Keep your head down, as you are in the middle of it too.
Tom in Texas
Happy birthday, Sunshine!
I've been following your blog for some time now, and would be far less informed about world events had I not discovered the blogs you and your fellow bloggers write.
I do hope the situation will be improving soon, and please stay safe!
Benny (in Australia)
Hi Sunshine: You've got mail.
Dear Sunny,
This is my first time on your blog and i think its amazing that a girl your age would hold up a blog for so long, I salute you! i know that i am yet to meet a girl in Saudi Arabia that can do that!
And about that girl you spoke of, people like her thrive on our attention, so pay her none. What she's doing is beyond irritating, i understand that, but you're the better person. My artwork was stolen once by this guy who claimed it was his. He was so smart he forgot to take my signature off the artwork. They may be irritating, but they're not so bright!
Happy birthday! wishing u all the best!
Give Sunshine a swell birthday present. Vote For Sunshine As Iraqi Prime Minister
Sunshine, Iraqi Prime Minister
Happy birthday (a bit late, but we say "better late than never" in my region) dear Sunshine. When I was a child, younger than the young woman you are, around 10 or 11, I liked to draw. And I had special ways of drawing things--or at least ways I thought were special at the time. And my best friend at the time started copying my techniques. I was so angry. I ran home one afternoon sobbing.
I understand your distress with your copycat friend. But as many have said, we know you and how special you are.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Well, as others have mentioned, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so just tell her that she, too, has a personality, and she doesn't need to borrow yours!
The Bloggers Central poll to elect an English-language blogger as PM has you running second to Omar&Mohammed of ITM .
Where are you, Sunshine? Are you and your family OK?
We are concerned for all of you.
oscar in NC
Belated Happy Birthday wishes for you, Sunshine, and I hope peace returns soon to Mosul.
William's Uncle
I was going to suggest that Sunshine's friend may have been reading Sunshine's blog and learning English from it, and read this comment, which I think is worth repeating:
"As far as this problem with your friend using some of your words and phrases, Sunshine, may I suggest a possible motive(1) for her to do that? Her command of English is not equal to yours. If I were learning, say, Arabic and I knew that a friend of mine was more proficient(2) in Arabic than I, then it is very likely that I would use Arabic words and phrases that he (or she) used successfully. It's a way of learning from those who know better than you, isn't it?
So, while your friend may have an evil motive, I don't think that we can say this yet for certain. Thus, to add to your repertoire(3) of English phrases, I will add the one that means "Always leave yourself an avenue of retreat, in case your actions are mistaken.": "Don't burn the bridges behind you."
--William's Uncle
Sunshine, I hope you had a good birthday. 3eed meelad sa3eed inshalla:) My brother's b-day is also on Jan 29.
Take care and stay safe.
I was waiting for your new entry. Is everything ok in there, Sunshine? I hope you and your family are fine.
btw, happy belated birthday~
may all the smiles will always be by your side..
Sunshine, I have been thinking about you lately since hearing about the decline in security in Mosul. I pray you well be safe or go where you can be safe. I loved hearing about your Eid celebrations. It sounded like such a nice time for your family and more peaceful than it has been. I'm so sorry about the lack of electricity and the cold. I wish I could reassure you that things will be better soon, but we just don't know. We always hope things will improve after an election here. I'm glad that you have your blog and school and family to keep you going. Your voice is like a beacon of hope to many and a reminder of what you are going through.
Sunshine,
I just voted to elect you Prime Minister. It is a heavy burden, especially since it might interfere with your school work.
Look at the bright side. If you become prime minister you can fire the teachers you don't like. :lol:
120,000 readers and all you can muster is 17 votes for Sunshine as Prime Minister. For shame, for shame.
Let's rock the vote out for Sunshine, Prime Minister.
Make Iraq A Sunny Nation...
Not to rain on your parade, but that was 120,000 total hits over 3 years, not 120,000 readers.
lol !!! my dear 16-yr old friend..... dont worry about fame..... your readers read your blog because they want to know the current situation from a person who has no ulterior motives, no political compulsions....
get on with your blog and tell the truth, dont be afraid that your no:of readers will diminish, let it be....as long as your motive is to tell the truth every else should not matter....
Tonight on NBC news they showed a part about Mosul.It was about heavy fighting and lots of distruction. Stay safe Sunny.
Hi Sunshine!
I just got to your blog and it will take a while to read from day 1.
Greetings from Monterrey! (a city in Mexico)
Armando
Sunshine's line is off.
I don't understand it.
Because she wrote it in "Arabian".
Like this...
قل للاحبة في الاعماق ذكراكم .يمضي
AO
Hello all .
thanks a lot for your encouragement, and kind words, i appreciate that a lot ..
Sunshine
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