Interviewed for 30Masjids!

Hey everyone!

Guess what?!?

I was honoured to be interviewed by Himy Syed (@HiMYSYeD) for his blog, 30Masjids (@30masjids) Check out the full story about me and making the "Muslims of Windsor" documentary!!
http://30masjids.ca/day-14-meet-asil-moussa-filmmaker-storyteller-windsor/

Enjoy!!

-Asil

Our "Muslims of Windsor" Documentary

Here it is!!! Our documentary about Windsor's Muslim Community! I had so much fun making this with Nuha Elalem. We were so inspired by what we learned and we hope you'll be, too!

Don't forget to share and comment! :) I'd love to know what you think!

NOTE: This documentary is free for viewing on YouTube for the entire month of Ramadan. If you would like to purchase it on DVD, please contact me at asilmoussa17@gmail.com. Your support means everything, thank you!

Much Love,
Asil

"Strings" Poetry Video!!

Hello Everyone!

My new poetry video, called "Strings" is finally here!! The poem is about each and every one of us. It's about all those crazy thoughts inside our heads that can tie us down and stop us from living the life we deserve. It's about how we all have the power within us to drown out those words, rise, and most importantly, live freely. 

Be confident and be yourself because you have the power to change the world.

-- If you have any questions, put them in the comments below (or tweet me)!! I'm planning to make a video to answer all your questions! :) 

Don't forget to subscribe to my channel!! :)

Fun Fact: I was in the sitting in the same uncomfortable position on a hard wooden floor for about 5 hours while filming this video. So for most of that time, my legs were numb and the rest of my body was in severe pain. This definitely made it the hardest video to act out just because I was hurting so much. Somehow, maybe metaphorically, I think that made me connect to the character more though. :)

Thank you so much Nuha Elalem for editing and filming this video!

"The Choice" Poetry Video!!

Hey guys!

My new poetry video is for my poem called "The Choice." It was first written when I was in grade 12 about how I felt picking my programs in university, and essentially choosing my career path. It wasn't easy, but I ended up making the right choice (Alhamdulilah) after my first year of university when I switched my program from studying Biology and English to studying Dear Journalism, English, and Creative Writing. After I made that choice and realized it was the right one, I went back and edited this poem to reflect a bit of my decision-making experience during those 2 years. I hope many people facing a life-impacting choice can relate to the feelings described in this poem. 

Fun Fact: It was SO cold while filming this that a few of my fingers were still numb for 2 days afterward. And I was wearing leather gloves!

Thank you so much Nuha Elalem, for editing and filming this video in the freezing cold with me!

Don't forget to subscribe to my channel! :)

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AsilMoussa

Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theasilmoussa

"Masterpiece" Poetry Video!!

Hey guys!

So this poem, called "Masterpiece," is the part 2 of my two part series of poems about writing. "Masterpiece" is about how I feel when I get an idea and write an entire story all at once. Many people can relate to this: maybe you've finished an entire assignment or difficult job in one night. That's what this poem is about. 

Fun fact: All the pages used in this video are actually part of a story I wrote six years ago.

Thank you so much, Nuha, for filming and editing this video and letting me use your room for the setting. Again. :)

P. S. Don't forget to subscribe on YouTube! :)

My First Poetry Video!!!

Hey guys!

So I officially posted my first ever poetry video on YouTube. It's a poem called "Writer's Block." I had so much fun filming it with the lovely Nuha Elalem. Thank you so much, Nuha, for filming and editing this video and letting me use your room for the setting.

I hope you like it!! So without further adieu, here it is:

P. S. Don't forget to subscribe! :)

5 Awesome Things To Do in Boston

I absolutely adore Boston. Having lived there as a child, and considering myself a Bostonian, my love for this city is incomparable. 

In attempt to explain what I love so much about this city,  I'll give you a journal entry description of it:
"As I roamed the oldest streets in America, my mind fluttered to a time in the past. J. F. Kennedy lived right here and Mother Goose walked there, Ben Franklin stood on this very corner and Paul Revere rode his horse down that same street every night. I can feel the movement of history all around me, the culture that's so heartwarming and welcomingly patriotic. To my right stood the first baseball stadium, to my left was the first city park in America, under me was the first American subway, before me stood the first university in America, and behind me was the first American fire station. Alas, this was the city of firsts. Tall new buildings and the ancient looking structures of the past stood as one beside each other. And as I walked the busy streets with their new couture shops and old libraries, people moved by me talking in accents that reflected their native suburb. As night came, the old gas street lights guided my way though the city, just as they did for others a few hundred years ago."

So now that you get the feel of Boston, here are the top five things I recommend you do on your visit there:

1.  Take the Boston Duck Tour! The tour guides are HILARIOUS and as you quack your way around Boston, you will see and learn about the city's incredible history and all of its cool quirks and facts. The Duck will also turn into a boat and you'll take a ride on the Charles River and enjoy Boston's spectacular city view.

2. Take a walk down Newbury Street. With its fancy restaurants, old bookshops, and brand-name shopping, Newbury Street is Boston's most captivating street. And if you get a little hungry while you're there, you can stop by Ben & Jerry's for a cone of delicious ice cream!

3.  Visit Boston's Children's Museum. This family-orientated museum is a great place to go if you're visiting with your kids. They'll have a blast playing and learning in a fun and colourful environment that was made for youngsters like themselves. And you won't be able to resist smiling at their happy faces.

4. Visit Revere Beach. This is America's first public beach and it's a wonderful place to spend a hot summer day. You can take a swim, ride a boat, go fishing, and even go kayaking. There are always lots of fun events happening at the beach, and with great restaurants and accommodations, this is a fantastic place stay in Boston.

5. Go to a Boston flea market. Nothing feels better than a great flea market buy and Boston is home to some of the most fantastic flea markets. You can find anything from fresh produce, cool jewelry, and electronics to antique furniture, clothing, and designer perfume. Whichever flea market you choose, it's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Here are a few photos I took on my August 2010 visit there. All photos were taken on a Nikon Coolpix.

Victorian houses in Back Bay, Boston

Gas street lamps light up Boston.