I come from a country which by now I'm sure is known to the whole world, but living in Iraq is beyond anyone's wildest imagination!!

Leaving politics, wars and all that is related to them aside let me tell you how life in Iraq has affected me or the part of me that is the translator not (the person, the woman, the mother or simply the human being!)

You all must have had computers and access to the internet for years. As for us we've only had this privilege for 3 years.

So here I am proud of my pc and happy to have the whole world in my living room. I start navigating the internet, looking of course for anything related to my profession (translation).

Very glad I was when I found sites for translators and all I had to do was register and be a member!

So off I go proud of myself registering. But I'm faced with the first problem: list your software and hardware!! WHAT???

I'm just getting to know my desktop, my ups and my widows. How do I know what soft or hard wear I use!

Next I have to list my (tools)!!!

TOOLS!! What am I a mechanic or water works guy??

I'm a translator for God's sake. And since when do translators need tools? In my times all you needed was your education, knowledge and good command of your language pairs plus of course a couple of dictionaries   and you're well armed and ready to face the challenges!

Now TRADOS ,some say is a must!! or DEJAVU ,CAT & the list goes on & on.

My God! What is all that and where did I emerge from?? THE DARK AGES??

I most certainly must have.

Now after long hours of hard work (when I have electricity) and relaying heavily on my dear friend (the generator) .I have searched and researched and am beginning to understand and to solve some of the mysteries in the modern world of translators.

But to tell you the truth  I still don't know for sure how things work like how to bid or quote and how to attract clients and jobs ! or how exactly am I supposed to use my (tool kit) and how big an influence it would have on my work.

But despite all that I'm happy!

The world might have changed a lot in the past decade ,but I still have a chance to join & make a difference.

PS: open to colleagues' comments & advice.