If you have been hanging out with me lately, you might have noticed how i am getting all psycho about turning 24 in a couple of weeks.
I hate my birthday, it's always a crappy day and i have the worst memories on it! and when i rule the world i will remove the date 29/4 from the calendar.. that's how much i dislike it!
As if i didn't need any more reason to hate my birthday this year i turn 24, TWENTY-FUCKING-FOUR! which makes me old! yes old! no one says a 24 year old kid, or 24 year old girl, it's 24 year old woman! WOMAN!
I remember in a wedding like 10 years ago they asked all the young people to go get their pictures taken. I saw my second cousin and her husband joining us, she must have been 24 or 25 at the time. I looked at her with surprise and told her very innocently "Sherine, they said young people - why are you here?" - i swear i was dead serious, not trying to be a bitch or anything, i like this cousin.
I also remember looking at the mid-twenties crowd and thinking "man their life must be so boring, they are old - they have no fun"
And now nature has taken its course - and i am part of the friggin crowd!!
I still need more FUN! and damn it i don't feel old! i might look old, but i am not! College was a blast, but the fun can't end
..and it won't!
SO! for my birthday i will do something different! I will live a lie, and pretend it's my sweet sixteen that i wasted smoking shisha in a dodgy café being third wheel to my friend and her boy.
So the plan? DREAMPARK! a day at the amusement park where we will laugh and giggle like teenagers, and scream and get wet like kids and hang out and have a good time.It is the year where i will finally get on that Top Spin and enjoy it and maybe i might even try the Rocket... maybe!
Bring on the roller coasters, car races the angry rivers and all that JAZZ!
28th of April 10 am meeting point at Tahrir Square!
BE THERE or BE SQUARE
Monday, April 16, 2007
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Two Months
This is how long it's been since i have been to Alex. It's the longest time i have ever stayed away. My busy travel schedule followed by the move has made it impossible for me to go.
And the thing is, i am not going to be able to gofor another 2-3 weeks.
That's kinda crap coz i am missing out on so much......
:(
And the thing is, i am not going to be able to gofor another 2-3 weeks.
That's kinda crap coz i am missing out on so much......
:(
Thursday, March 29, 2007
BBC's have your say
For a few days BBC had a "have your say" about the consitutional changes here in Egypt
It's a really interesting read http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5913&&edition=2&ttl=20070329134053
The formation of political parties with religious agenda has always been banned, it was inserted here as camouflage, a cover-up for the 2 most threatening ammendments: the first being the so called "anti-terrorism law" which says that if you are a suspect of terrorism then the gov can pretty much do anything to you - this has the exact same functionality of the emergency law - except the emergency law was a temporary thing (even if it lasts a very long time) but an act in the consituion is no longer temporary, it's a fact - and needs another consitutional ammendment to undo.
The second thing that people are not talking about is how the prime minister has been given a lot of importance. We now have two acts in the consitution which state who takes charge if something happens to the president. The old act says it's the head of the parliament or the head of the supreme court, and none of them have a right to run for an election. This act is still there, and there's another act that says that if the perisdent is unable to perform his duties then his VP or the prime minister take his place. And nothing is said about their right to run for presidency. This is a little confusing,,,, and since when can the prime minister fill in for the president?
The BBC thing is interesting because it shows how successfull the government was in covering up the real changes - so many people are focusing on the no religious parties thing, and don't focus or notice the other changes.
I would also like to point out this following comment which deserves an applause:
Till the US and the West keep their eyes closed on the so called democratic set-up in Egypt it will have no impact whatso ever whether rules are amended or not. Hosni Mubarak is going to place his son as his successor and it is all being planned for it. So much for democracy in the ME.
Siraj Ahsan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
And when was the last time you got to vote for your favorite Emir? BTW its not the USA job to provide Democracy to you or anyone else. Blame game gets real old.
[cynic555], United States
Seriously, Gulfies need to learn to put a sock in it sometimes. Just coz their gov buys off their silence doesn't make them any better.
And i agree with cynic555 - the blame game, enough already....
It's a really interesting read http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5913&&edition=2&ttl=20070329134053
The formation of political parties with religious agenda has always been banned, it was inserted here as camouflage, a cover-up for the 2 most threatening ammendments: the first being the so called "anti-terrorism law" which says that if you are a suspect of terrorism then the gov can pretty much do anything to you - this has the exact same functionality of the emergency law - except the emergency law was a temporary thing (even if it lasts a very long time) but an act in the consituion is no longer temporary, it's a fact - and needs another consitutional ammendment to undo.
The second thing that people are not talking about is how the prime minister has been given a lot of importance. We now have two acts in the consitution which state who takes charge if something happens to the president. The old act says it's the head of the parliament or the head of the supreme court, and none of them have a right to run for an election. This act is still there, and there's another act that says that if the perisdent is unable to perform his duties then his VP or the prime minister take his place. And nothing is said about their right to run for presidency. This is a little confusing,,,, and since when can the prime minister fill in for the president?
The BBC thing is interesting because it shows how successfull the government was in covering up the real changes - so many people are focusing on the no religious parties thing, and don't focus or notice the other changes.
I would also like to point out this following comment which deserves an applause:
Till the US and the West keep their eyes closed on the so called democratic set-up in Egypt it will have no impact whatso ever whether rules are amended or not. Hosni Mubarak is going to place his son as his successor and it is all being planned for it. So much for democracy in the ME.
Siraj Ahsan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
And when was the last time you got to vote for your favorite Emir? BTW its not the USA job to provide Democracy to you or anyone else. Blame game gets real old.
[cynic555], United States
Seriously, Gulfies need to learn to put a sock in it sometimes. Just coz their gov buys off their silence doesn't make them any better.
And i agree with cynic555 - the blame game, enough already....
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Moving...
Ok you must have heard, i am finally moving to a new place! The last few days have been super productive, getting all the furniture, the appliances doing all the cleaning and moving stuff from house to house.
And the result? I feel like a truck ran over me, repeatedly - and i am still not done...
I am being a good sport and looking forward to having an elevator, a fully functioning washing machine, a fridge that doesn't need constant defrosting, a tub, and a comfortable couch..finally...
It will be some time till casa de luli is fully functioning, but the essentials are there:
E! Entertainment and Internet (well..almost)
I have also managed to postpone my travels for a couple of weeks so i am actually in the country for two weeks in a row! YAY :)
It's been a good week ... i got to fly business class for the first time (Alitalia business class does not count) and i think i will start buying lottery tickets from now on so i can do this more often
Now all i need to do is get rid of the pink finger i got while voting in the referrendum.
It is a sophisticated system where the government makes sure you don't vote twice by having you dip your finger in some ink after you cast your ballot.... yes very sophisiticated....
And the result? I feel like a truck ran over me, repeatedly - and i am still not done...
I am being a good sport and looking forward to having an elevator, a fully functioning washing machine, a fridge that doesn't need constant defrosting, a tub, and a comfortable couch..finally...
It will be some time till casa de luli is fully functioning, but the essentials are there:
E! Entertainment and Internet (well..almost)
I have also managed to postpone my travels for a couple of weeks so i am actually in the country for two weeks in a row! YAY :)
It's been a good week ... i got to fly business class for the first time (Alitalia business class does not count) and i think i will start buying lottery tickets from now on so i can do this more often
Now all i need to do is get rid of the pink finger i got while voting in the referrendum.
It is a sophisticated system where the government makes sure you don't vote twice by having you dip your finger in some ink after you cast your ballot.... yes very sophisiticated....
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Some thoughts
inspired by recent news about terrorism
The human body is a magnificent organism, it takes in its energy from the surroundings, uses it and throws away all the harmful things - by, for the lack of more eloquent wording, shitting for example. The shit is a necessary evil, but it is controlled, cleaned and managed effectively.
When the organism faces some challenges with fullfilling its regular processes and systems, the result is excessive discharge. The human-being cleans it, and tried to fix it using a number of preventative and theraputic measures.
If we think of the Muslim population as an organism similar to the human body - it too has its discharges. One of which being terrorism and violence. Both of which are natural and found all the time, but the organisim deals with them and cleans them out. They are after all a necessary evil. The organism itsself is not evil.
And now this organism is failing to fullfill its regular processes and work effectively and has been having exessive discharge for a while now.
The organism has failed to show any capacity of cleaning its own shit, and therefore others start intervening to clean it, since its starting to make their world stink too.
On top of that the organism is neither capable of taking the necessary actions to fix its processes and systems to stop this excessive discharge nor does it seem to take any preventative measures to stop this from happening in the future.
So like a child the organism has to rely on others to do these things until it can stand on its own two feet. Others will only provide the temporary solution - they will only clean out the excess, but its the organism itsself that will rise to the challenge and end the problem once and for all.
So what i am trying to say is - we created them, they are our product so it's our job to annihilate them once and for all. All efforts by others are just drops of water on thick bricks of stone.
The human body is a magnificent organism, it takes in its energy from the surroundings, uses it and throws away all the harmful things - by, for the lack of more eloquent wording, shitting for example. The shit is a necessary evil, but it is controlled, cleaned and managed effectively.
When the organism faces some challenges with fullfilling its regular processes and systems, the result is excessive discharge. The human-being cleans it, and tried to fix it using a number of preventative and theraputic measures.
If we think of the Muslim population as an organism similar to the human body - it too has its discharges. One of which being terrorism and violence. Both of which are natural and found all the time, but the organisim deals with them and cleans them out. They are after all a necessary evil. The organism itsself is not evil.
And now this organism is failing to fullfill its regular processes and work effectively and has been having exessive discharge for a while now.
The organism has failed to show any capacity of cleaning its own shit, and therefore others start intervening to clean it, since its starting to make their world stink too.
On top of that the organism is neither capable of taking the necessary actions to fix its processes and systems to stop this excessive discharge nor does it seem to take any preventative measures to stop this from happening in the future.
So like a child the organism has to rely on others to do these things until it can stand on its own two feet. Others will only provide the temporary solution - they will only clean out the excess, but its the organism itsself that will rise to the challenge and end the problem once and for all.
So what i am trying to say is - we created them, they are our product so it's our job to annihilate them once and for all. All efforts by others are just drops of water on thick bricks of stone.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Is this true you guys?! LOL
| Your Personality Is Like Marijuana |
 You're laid back and easy going, so much so that taking a shower is often too much trouble for you! Nevertheless, you're quite popular, and many people enjoy your company. You're rarely turned down. You're prone to giggle fits, paranoia, and forgetting where you are exactly. |
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Dream, Dream,,, Dreamy!
On my way back to my hotel from a night out in stockholm, i was on the underground when i turned to see something that put a big dreamy smile on my face..
Yes, it's a live size poster of Dr. McDreamy! And it's ALL over the Stockholm subway...
Sweden has one of the highest female representation in parliament and cabinets in the EU (according to BBC) - which sure helps making this country very very female friendly.
And what better way to please the masses of women than a poster of Derek McDreamy smiling at you as if you were the center of his world.
Now if the Cairo Subway had the same thing i will oh-so-happily squash myself in that sinky sardine tube :)
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Bye-Bye for now!
Niso is travelling to the US for 2 months and leaving me with an empty empty house. She will also not be here to help me through the tough time ahead,,, my 24th birthday (old old old)
She has almost left so many times but i feel this time it's for real!
We will meet again...
15th of May Nisrin! 15th of May
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Blogging live from East Africa!
It is a beautiful morning here in Addis and the weather is fantastic!
Ethiopia from what i have seen is B E A U T I F U L!
Though i am having quite a pampered and breif experience here i can still sense the cool vibe from the city! Ethiopians are nice, friendly and the women all look very very good!
Business travel sucks in a way that you do not get to experience the country or life - you are busy and in a hurry. But it's a good way to test a place. And this is one place i am returning to.
I will definetly plan a holiday here once and explore this inriguing country.
This is my first non-arab african country - so it's purely african, and i am liking it. Addis bears a small respeblence to cairo - much quieter, smaller and less urbanised of course. But strangely enough Cairo resembles Addis more than it does to Tripoli, Algiers, Tunis or Khartoum! Cairo and Algiers, tunisia and tripoli are nothing similar to cairo - they look different, feel different and sound completely different.
Maybe we are more african than we think...
Anywayz - this trip has renewed my interest in this continent and i think after my next planned trips to Turkey 07, New York 08 and our one and only neighbouring non-arab country 09 i will definetly have my REAL East African experience.
Ethiopia from what i have seen is B E A U T I F U L!
Though i am having quite a pampered and breif experience here i can still sense the cool vibe from the city! Ethiopians are nice, friendly and the women all look very very good!
Business travel sucks in a way that you do not get to experience the country or life - you are busy and in a hurry. But it's a good way to test a place. And this is one place i am returning to.
I will definetly plan a holiday here once and explore this inriguing country.
This is my first non-arab african country - so it's purely african, and i am liking it. Addis bears a small respeblence to cairo - much quieter, smaller and less urbanised of course. But strangely enough Cairo resembles Addis more than it does to Tripoli, Algiers, Tunis or Khartoum! Cairo and Algiers, tunisia and tripoli are nothing similar to cairo - they look different, feel different and sound completely different.
Maybe we are more african than we think...
Anywayz - this trip has renewed my interest in this continent and i think after my next planned trips to Turkey 07, New York 08 and our one and only neighbouring non-arab country 09 i will definetly have my REAL East African experience.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
an interesting flight
So on my flight back from Algeria to Egypt i found some sports team on my flight who looked like they just came out of an addidas ad.
So i asked one of them:
me: so what team are you?
him:zamalek
me: so you play football
him:yes
me: really? which team?
him: we are the main team
me: you mean the one we see on TV
him: yes
me: oh - so did you win?
him: yes
me: good for you
I am sure the guy thought i was from mars since i didn't recognize any of them.
The pilot decided to start take off a little earlier than he should have and had to stop in the middle and the plane swirled from side to side giving us all a scare - thankfully everything went ok after that.. it's good Egypt Air didn't crash the plane with the whole zamalek team on them - otherwise they would have been in quite a pickle!
So i asked one of them:
me: so what team are you?
him:zamalek
me: so you play football
him:yes
me: really? which team?
him: we are the main team
me: you mean the one we see on TV
him: yes
me: oh - so did you win?
him: yes
me: good for you
I am sure the guy thought i was from mars since i didn't recognize any of them.
The pilot decided to start take off a little earlier than he should have and had to stop in the middle and the plane swirled from side to side giving us all a scare - thankfully everything went ok after that.. it's good Egypt Air didn't crash the plane with the whole zamalek team on them - otherwise they would have been in quite a pickle!
Monday, February 26, 2007
How Haraam is the Pig?
So i was reading this blog post - and it reminded me of a curious question i had.
In my ever growing addicion of Gray's Anatomy i came across an episode where an orthodox jewish girl was supposed to have heart surgery and replace something called a valve. The spare part would come from a pig.
Now the girl - being quite religious - rejected to put a non-kosher thing in her body.
So i am curious - does that mean that here in egypt and in the muslim countries they do not perform this operation?
Any doctor out there?
In my ever growing addicion of Gray's Anatomy i came across an episode where an orthodox jewish girl was supposed to have heart surgery and replace something called a valve. The spare part would come from a pig.
Now the girl - being quite religious - rejected to put a non-kosher thing in her body.
So i am curious - does that mean that here in egypt and in the muslim countries they do not perform this operation?
Any doctor out there?
Sunday, February 25, 2007
a much needed reality check
So my boss gave me this book called "Taxi" by Ahmed Al-Khamisi, which is an arabic book about the experiences that the author had with Taxi dirvers in Cairo.
We all share a common dislike for Cairo Taxi drivers since they a) ask for a lot of money b) never stop for you c) feel free to pleasure themselves while looking at you in the mirror d) do i really need a d?!
This book shows a side of the poverty stricken population of Egypt that it leaves you confused.
You cannot excuse their bad behaviours (nothing is an excuse for sexual harrassment) but you get to see the other side of the coin.
I think the book is a marvelous read - good realitiy check, good time to think about how lucky you are and what you want your role in society to be; it's also funny and interesting, gives you a great insight on the egyptian citizen and what goes through his/her mind.
I wish there was a translated version for all international readers, i would translate it myself if it weren't illegal.
If you can read arabic, i advise you to check it out...
We all share a common dislike for Cairo Taxi drivers since they a) ask for a lot of money b) never stop for you c) feel free to pleasure themselves while looking at you in the mirror d) do i really need a d?!
This book shows a side of the poverty stricken population of Egypt that it leaves you confused.
You cannot excuse their bad behaviours (nothing is an excuse for sexual harrassment) but you get to see the other side of the coin.
I think the book is a marvelous read - good realitiy check, good time to think about how lucky you are and what you want your role in society to be; it's also funny and interesting, gives you a great insight on the egyptian citizen and what goes through his/her mind.
I wish there was a translated version for all international readers, i would translate it myself if it weren't illegal.
If you can read arabic, i advise you to check it out...
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Cairo-Algiers-Addis Ababa-Cairo-Rabat-Casablanca-Stockholm-Gothenburg-Frankfurt-Cairo
This is my life for the next 3 weeks
I am all packed up and ready to go - i miss Egypt already and i haven't even left.
Exciting thing?! Meeting some nomads, thea the malteser in Algeria, Suzanne and reda in Morocco, and maybe jingwei in Stockholm (if she replies to my comment on her blog)
From chokingly hot, to beautiful and breezy, to down-right-ass freezing here i go
I am all packed up and ready to go - i miss Egypt already and i haven't even left.
Exciting thing?! Meeting some nomads, thea the malteser in Algeria, Suzanne and reda in Morocco, and maybe jingwei in Stockholm (if she replies to my comment on her blog)
From chokingly hot, to beautiful and breezy, to down-right-ass freezing here i go
Sunday, February 18, 2007
what a week
What a fabulous week!
Jen was here since tuesday and since then it has been non-stop fun. From khan-el-khalili, to Odeon, to Horreya, to Maadi, to Carrefour of death, to chillin at tom's and andrew's to my very apparent road rage it was a hell of a week!
It was great catchin up with Jencp - she's one hell of a girl! next time - New York New York!
Jen was here since tuesday and since then it has been non-stop fun. From khan-el-khalili, to Odeon, to Horreya, to Maadi, to Carrefour of death, to chillin at tom's and andrew's to my very apparent road rage it was a hell of a week!
It was great catchin up with Jencp - she's one hell of a girl! next time - New York New York!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
V for Vendetta?
oh no, it's valentine's day! Hooray! (insert sarcasm here)
I will spare everyone the typical rant about the commercialism of this day and what it stands for since it will only highlight my growing frustration from being single for the last 24th years!
I started my day by my newly acquired bed-mate's alarm and doing breathing exercises to hold it in till the bathroom's empty!
Then i hovered around the house and inspected how badly my cleaning lady cleans, joined Facebook - and got my new water heater installed.
Sadly the new one is not bigger than the old one, so our hopes of showering straight after each other has been desroyed.
I guess we could keep showering together then... haha
Kait's here
I will spare everyone the typical rant about the commercialism of this day and what it stands for since it will only highlight my growing frustration from being single for the last 24th years!
I started my day by my newly acquired bed-mate's alarm and doing breathing exercises to hold it in till the bathroom's empty!
Then i hovered around the house and inspected how badly my cleaning lady cleans, joined Facebook - and got my new water heater installed.
Sadly the new one is not bigger than the old one, so our hopes of showering straight after each other has been desroyed.
I guess we could keep showering together then... haha
Kait's here
Sunday, February 11, 2007
The weather is great!
The weather in Cairo was G R E A T today - it was so good it had a positive effect on my mood.
I escaped the office for a long lunch/trip to the bank and got a chance to enjoy the sun for a good 30 minutes!
If this weather stays the same, then Wedensday i will spend my day on the balcony with some lemonade...............and of course my laptop :)
I escaped the office for a long lunch/trip to the bank and got a chance to enjoy the sun for a good 30 minutes!
If this weather stays the same, then Wedensday i will spend my day on the balcony with some lemonade...............and of course my laptop :)
Sunday, February 04, 2007
I can Skate!!!!!
After much hesitation I decided to bring it on and try skating for the first time ever!
I was a little worried since I am a little too old and too unfit (now that’s a euphemism) to be doing that, but being kick-ass in rollerblades encouraged me to try!
It was A W E S O M E! Unlike all those little kids around me I did not fall once – mind you I was a tad less adventurous than they were.
I picked up fast and within 20 minutes I was skating around the ring with little problems. It’s exactly like rollerblading except a whole lot more slippery. It was not hard at all, which was a surprise. I thought I would make a complete fool of myself, but I recon in one week I could be pretty sleek and smooth.
If it weren’t for every single muscle in my leg and foot cramping I would have had a much more difficult time letting them go. Maybe the size was too small?!
It was a true Borås, Sweden experience! Except for the skating shoes which were made in china – haha.
I was a little worried since I am a little too old and too unfit (now that’s a euphemism) to be doing that, but being kick-ass in rollerblades encouraged me to try!
It was A W E S O M E! Unlike all those little kids around me I did not fall once – mind you I was a tad less adventurous than they were.
I picked up fast and within 20 minutes I was skating around the ring with little problems. It’s exactly like rollerblading except a whole lot more slippery. It was not hard at all, which was a surprise. I thought I would make a complete fool of myself, but I recon in one week I could be pretty sleek and smooth.
If it weren’t for every single muscle in my leg and foot cramping I would have had a much more difficult time letting them go. Maybe the size was too small?!
It was a true Borås, Sweden experience! Except for the skating shoes which were made in china – haha.Wednesday, January 31, 2007
there's a whole lot of grey in the world...
.. so why does it bother people so much to be in the grey..
Some kick-ass girl is apparently involved with a non-Muslim guy and wants to marry him, but is afraid to tell her parents.
Typical story,,,happens a lot here.
Now marrying a non-Muslim to me doesn't seem like a bad idea, the less Muslim you are the less prone you are to growing a beard and wearing galabeya trois quarts. No matter what kind of Muslim you are, someone can come in and meddle in your brain and convince you that this superficial expression of personal beliefs is actually what Islam is all about. Now if you are not a Muslim then you have natural anti-bodies towards that disease-ridden way of thinking.
So YAY!
Marrying a non-Muslim guarantees also that your kids will accept and embrace both religions since they belong to both, this makes them less appealing to the ever growing anti-non-Muslims predators. So you might actually have a pretty decent kid!
Marrying a non-Muslim double's your feasts and presents! Which means on top of the Muslim eids (2), new year, prophet birthday you get Christmas, Easter, and new year or you get Hanukah (which apparently is only big on TV and not in real life) rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, etc.
Now say you are involved with a non-Egyptian or Arab then his family probably doesn’t give a rats ass what his ID says – hell his ID probably doesn’t say his religious affiliation. And even if they do care, they would be disappointed but won’t disown him (only our Egyptian parents think disowning is a logical course of action, bless their pretty little brains)
Now said individual can just convert on paper and you can avoid all the social scrutiny. And come judgment day you can make your case to god and see what happens.
If said individual is in fact Egyptian, then you move aboard – tell his parents that the girl has converted, tell her parents that the boy converted – and avoid putting both parents in the same room discussing this. Or you can just wait till you’re forty by then your parents will be happy you not marrying an ape – anyone would do!
But to be honest in that case – you are basically screwed – you gotta make a choice or move on.
The solution is all grey! Nothing is black and nothing is white – just a whole lotta grey, and it’s ok – grey’s in fashion this year – check Instyle magazine (it's in my bathroom library)
Some kick-ass girl is apparently involved with a non-Muslim guy and wants to marry him, but is afraid to tell her parents.
Typical story,,,happens a lot here.
Now marrying a non-Muslim to me doesn't seem like a bad idea, the less Muslim you are the less prone you are to growing a beard and wearing galabeya trois quarts. No matter what kind of Muslim you are, someone can come in and meddle in your brain and convince you that this superficial expression of personal beliefs is actually what Islam is all about. Now if you are not a Muslim then you have natural anti-bodies towards that disease-ridden way of thinking.
So YAY!
Marrying a non-Muslim guarantees also that your kids will accept and embrace both religions since they belong to both, this makes them less appealing to the ever growing anti-non-Muslims predators. So you might actually have a pretty decent kid!
Marrying a non-Muslim double's your feasts and presents! Which means on top of the Muslim eids (2), new year, prophet birthday you get Christmas, Easter, and new year or you get Hanukah (which apparently is only big on TV and not in real life) rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, etc.
Now say you are involved with a non-Egyptian or Arab then his family probably doesn’t give a rats ass what his ID says – hell his ID probably doesn’t say his religious affiliation. And even if they do care, they would be disappointed but won’t disown him (only our Egyptian parents think disowning is a logical course of action, bless their pretty little brains)
Now said individual can just convert on paper and you can avoid all the social scrutiny. And come judgment day you can make your case to god and see what happens.
If said individual is in fact Egyptian, then you move aboard – tell his parents that the girl has converted, tell her parents that the boy converted – and avoid putting both parents in the same room discussing this. Or you can just wait till you’re forty by then your parents will be happy you not marrying an ape – anyone would do!
But to be honest in that case – you are basically screwed – you gotta make a choice or move on.
The solution is all grey! Nothing is black and nothing is white – just a whole lotta grey, and it’s ok – grey’s in fashion this year – check Instyle magazine (it's in my bathroom library)
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The ultimate Scrabble challenge
Since Cluedo (Clue) is no longer a challenge - i always win no matter what - i have embraced playing scrabble!
While kait and nora didn't prove to be much of a challenge, roomie nisrin was a little harder to beat.
So that's 3 native speakers down!
My next challenger is Mr. Kent Babbin - fellow blogger and AIESEC Alum - who for some reason i think will be very good at scrabble.
In a couple of weeks - once i am done with this months round of globe trotting - Kent and his dictionary are invited over to my place where i will try to kick his ass and the gloat about it for the rest of his life...and mine :)
Kent, I am officially chanllenging you to a game of scrabble
P.S. spectators are allowed at a minimal fee - haha
While kait and nora didn't prove to be much of a challenge, roomie nisrin was a little harder to beat.
So that's 3 native speakers down!
My next challenger is Mr. Kent Babbin - fellow blogger and AIESEC Alum - who for some reason i think will be very good at scrabble.
In a couple of weeks - once i am done with this months round of globe trotting - Kent and his dictionary are invited over to my place where i will try to kick his ass and the gloat about it for the rest of his life...and mine :)
Kent, I am officially chanllenging you to a game of scrabble
P.S. spectators are allowed at a minimal fee - haha
Monday, January 22, 2007
My Cairo Champion
Following on Kent's cairo champions i chose my Cairo champion for the month.
Purveya el Hindeya has managed to beat kenny (el masri) at autobees comblee (scategories) in BOTH english AND Arabic..
This is why she's my cairo champion this week - you go girl!
Purveya el Hindeya has managed to beat kenny (el masri) at autobees comblee (scategories) in BOTH english AND Arabic..
This is why she's my cairo champion this week - you go girl!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
sooo creepy
parents somehow think that their kids listen when they start a sentence with "when i die you should.....". Usually this is my queue to tell them to shut up.
Except yesterday when my dad started his sentence he made me listen - and then he went off to tell a really creepy story..
Apparently some actor a while ago died and 6 months after they buried him they opened the room where he was put to bury another relative and found him dead on the strairs leading to the door. Apparently he got up, realized what had happened to him and either starved to death, or died for some medical reason.
He told me another story about a woman also buried but still alive, and someone heard her screams from nearby and got her out.
Even more troubling is the fact that that actor probably had the best doctors in egypt, but apparently even the best doctors in egypt cannot tell whether somone is alive or dead!
I am trying to investigate and see if that's just an urban legend - but if it isn't, it's really creepy! Imagine waking up in your tomb. it sucks - non-muslims would wake up in a coffin, and muslims will wake up to a small room full of rottening dead relatives!
i wonder which is worse..
Except yesterday when my dad started his sentence he made me listen - and then he went off to tell a really creepy story..
Apparently some actor a while ago died and 6 months after they buried him they opened the room where he was put to bury another relative and found him dead on the strairs leading to the door. Apparently he got up, realized what had happened to him and either starved to death, or died for some medical reason.
He told me another story about a woman also buried but still alive, and someone heard her screams from nearby and got her out.
Even more troubling is the fact that that actor probably had the best doctors in egypt, but apparently even the best doctors in egypt cannot tell whether somone is alive or dead!
I am trying to investigate and see if that's just an urban legend - but if it isn't, it's really creepy! Imagine waking up in your tomb. it sucks - non-muslims would wake up in a coffin, and muslims will wake up to a small room full of rottening dead relatives!
i wonder which is worse..
Friday, January 12, 2007
SNOW!
So sweden decided to give me another good reason to love it - SNOW...
Yes i have whitnessed snow for the first time,,, and it was totally worth the delay in my flight! totally, i mean comon, when am i ever in a hurry to go to germany... (sorry i like to bitch about it)
Now since i was with work, all the people were old and boring (as usual) so i couldn't really have a good time..but still.. S N O W!!
I hope i never get old and boring....
Thursday, January 11, 2007
winter sportin'
Well i finally know what i will do, if i end up spending a winter in Sweden (or marrying that swedish prince)
SKATING!!
Ok so this is my first glimpse of R E A L ice! It wasn't snowing (damn you global warming) but they had an ice ring - not wax like we got back home.
SKATING!!
Ok so this is my first glimpse of R E A L ice! It wasn't snowing (damn you global warming) but they had an ice ring - not wax like we got back home.
Then i played this game on ice - cold cold room!
needless to say i sucked, but i had fun
And this is me acting really cool about falling, ass on ice!
I also got a chance to see all the pretty girls dance on an ice ring, and damn they were good! it was only some girls having a good time, and they were sooooo good.
Then when they were done, the boys started playing ice hockey in full gear..
Tomorrow i should be spending my night in Germany - i hope i can survive this large concentration of ..well.. germans...
my corner
you know staying in a hotel for a week,, you gotta give it a touch of you...
That's my corner in the comfort jazz hotel!
That's my corner in the comfort jazz hotel!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
I am walking on air...
yup that's what it feels like waering this
It's pink , it's glittery and it's mine!
In your face cold cairo winter!
Saturday, January 06, 2007
what's up with the villages?!
I am in the airport looking for somewhere to have breakfast (at 1 pm haha) and i find out that the round food court in the airport is called "Food Village"
I happen to work in a place called "Smart Village"
and to see lions here you have to go to a park called "Lion Village"
what's up with egypt's fascination with villages!
i recon there are more villages out there that i do not know about...
I happen to work in a place called "Smart Village"
and to see lions here you have to go to a park called "Lion Village"
what's up with egypt's fascination with villages!
i recon there are more villages out there that i do not know about...
Friday, January 05, 2007
contrary to common belief
i HATE studying!
Being a nerd doesn't mean you like it, it means you just do it......
:(
Being a nerd doesn't mean you like it, it means you just do it......
:(
Monday, January 01, 2007
2007 - the year of Luli
It's is 2.5 hours past new years - it's officially 2007!
2007 will be the year i turn 24. As a wise man once said (Dody): 25 is when it all starts to go downhill, this means that 2007 will be my last year going uphill!
So i'd better make my new year's resolutions good ones, so here goes
1) During 2007 i want to have my last coke/pepsi drink. Just drink a can and then say it's the last coke/pepsi can i will ever drink.
I should also start the soda-pop anonymous (my name is luli and i am a sodapopoholic) and then later on write my book " a million little fizzy soda bubbles" (sorry james frey)
2) 2007 will be the year of low carbs! Right now i am pretty sure i will eat myself to death by the age of 30 - so i got 7 years (almost 6 now) to make sure that doesn't happen, coz well you can't rule the world when you're like......dead
3) Go visit America!!! Yes, the MET, Elis Island, the Sex and the City tour, national archives, the white house and a game (baseball or football or basketball,, still don't know)
Good things come in threes :)
2007 will be the year i turn 24. As a wise man once said (Dody): 25 is when it all starts to go downhill, this means that 2007 will be my last year going uphill!
So i'd better make my new year's resolutions good ones, so here goes
1) During 2007 i want to have my last coke/pepsi drink. Just drink a can and then say it's the last coke/pepsi can i will ever drink.
I should also start the soda-pop anonymous (my name is luli and i am a sodapopoholic) and then later on write my book " a million little fizzy soda bubbles" (sorry james frey)
2) 2007 will be the year of low carbs! Right now i am pretty sure i will eat myself to death by the age of 30 - so i got 7 years (almost 6 now) to make sure that doesn't happen, coz well you can't rule the world when you're like......dead
3) Go visit America!!! Yes, the MET, Elis Island, the Sex and the City tour, national archives, the white house and a game (baseball or football or basketball,, still don't know)
Good things come in threes :)
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Citystars vs Airport
The Cairo International Airport does not have dogs sniffing your bags - no dogs for security - none i have seen anyway.
Citystars - a large shopping mall - and nile city - a cinema theatre and office building - and the Semiramis Intercontinental have dogs searching you when you get it.
Citystars - a large shopping mall - and nile city - a cinema theatre and office building - and the Semiramis Intercontinental have dogs searching you when you get it.
I hate going home!
I officially hate it. I go home every time and it all fits in prefectly!
My dad nagging me to come see him all the time, my mom being very affectionate and sweet as always, my grandma bitter as ever and still smoking like a chimney, my sister bitching and bossing all the time, and my bro who is so chilled and spaced out in his own little world of computer downloads and playstation 2 and my other brother with his 5 lunches, 4 dinners and 3 showers per day as an attempt to evade studying.
I normally like cairo, like my house, don't mind the 6 flights of stairs (lately), have fun here.
I stay in cairo for a while and then i don't want to go to Alex, the minute i go to alex i end up not wanting to leave.
So now i am back in Cairo and all i wana do is go back to Alex,,talk about withdrawal syndrome
My dad nagging me to come see him all the time, my mom being very affectionate and sweet as always, my grandma bitter as ever and still smoking like a chimney, my sister bitching and bossing all the time, and my bro who is so chilled and spaced out in his own little world of computer downloads and playstation 2 and my other brother with his 5 lunches, 4 dinners and 3 showers per day as an attempt to evade studying.
I normally like cairo, like my house, don't mind the 6 flights of stairs (lately), have fun here.
I stay in cairo for a while and then i don't want to go to Alex, the minute i go to alex i end up not wanting to leave.
So now i am back in Cairo and all i wana do is go back to Alex,,talk about withdrawal syndrome
Monday, December 25, 2006
My Bowling break through!
2 nights ago i rellied up the troops and ventured out on a night of bowling.
My first game i got a lame 55 - ranking last - nothing out of the ordinary!
So my second game i paired out with small-town-american Nirsin who is known to be good at bowling.
And while Nisrin brought out the best in me - 3 strikes and a spare - i brought out the worst in her - the only game with not even one spare!
This is why the Khattab house - May and her american cousin - beat us by a 9 point difference.
That does not by any chance undermine my achievement.
For the FIRST time ever i do not rank last, and i get a score of 107!! Wohoow! an 8 point difference from the top score of the game!
My first game i got a lame 55 - ranking last - nothing out of the ordinary!
So my second game i paired out with small-town-american Nirsin who is known to be good at bowling.
And while Nisrin brought out the best in me - 3 strikes and a spare - i brought out the worst in her - the only game with not even one spare!
This is why the Khattab house - May and her american cousin - beat us by a 9 point difference.
That does not by any chance undermine my achievement.
For the FIRST time ever i do not rank last, and i get a score of 107!! Wohoow! an 8 point difference from the top score of the game!
Friday, December 22, 2006
O plumber, where art thou!
3 days, 10 calls and 5 different appointments and still no plumber... and the situation is getting worse by each minute,, well by each "usage" is more accurate.
While in the civilized places the phrase goes "the customer is always right" in Egypt we have the not-so-equivalent " the customer is wrong,,fucking wrong".
You call Mr Plumber and be abso-friggin-lutly friendly and ask him to go through the immense trouble of visiting you in your house to do his job and get paid for it. ahh and what a thing to ask, it's like asking him to donate his kidney without any anesthesia.
So he gives you the proverbial, i will pass by when i finish my work,,,uhm isn't going to people's houses and fixing their plumbing your job aslan?!! so why is it that my request for his plumbing services not considered as "work"?!
Result - Day number 3: toilet is leaking all sorts of things and Mr. plumber still has work!
3 days of no plans, no gym, no going out, of staying home, baking a pie and making the most delicious pasta sauce ever (which sounds so insultingly housewifie) and watching "married with children" "The nanny" and "Paris and Nikky's E! true Hollywood story" (2 hours of the Hiltons is just too much!) and still NO FRIGGIN PLUMBER!
While i am hopeful that day 3 will be the promised day - i am also thankful for limewire and grey's anatomy which should be entertaining my day 4 god forbid
While in the civilized places the phrase goes "the customer is always right" in Egypt we have the not-so-equivalent " the customer is wrong,,fucking wrong".
You call Mr Plumber and be abso-friggin-lutly friendly and ask him to go through the immense trouble of visiting you in your house to do his job and get paid for it. ahh and what a thing to ask, it's like asking him to donate his kidney without any anesthesia.
So he gives you the proverbial, i will pass by when i finish my work,,,uhm isn't going to people's houses and fixing their plumbing your job aslan?!! so why is it that my request for his plumbing services not considered as "work"?!
Result - Day number 3: toilet is leaking all sorts of things and Mr. plumber still has work!
3 days of no plans, no gym, no going out, of staying home, baking a pie and making the most delicious pasta sauce ever (which sounds so insultingly housewifie) and watching "married with children" "The nanny" and "Paris and Nikky's E! true Hollywood story" (2 hours of the Hiltons is just too much!) and still NO FRIGGIN PLUMBER!
While i am hopeful that day 3 will be the promised day - i am also thankful for limewire and grey's anatomy which should be entertaining my day 4 god forbid
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Jackie?!
On thursday i went to the National Bank of Egypt to get my credit card (they don't send it for you) - i picked up the envelope, and forgot to get the PIN number (apparently they don't send that one either)
The envelope was addressed to Jacklin Abd El Salaam Mohamed.
Needless to say, that's not exactly my name :)
The envelope was addressed to Jacklin Abd El Salaam Mohamed.
Needless to say, that's not exactly my name :)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
exhausted!
I haven't had a day off in ages, and it's finally catching up to me...last weekend i spent my only day off - friday - sick of "Chili's of Death" and cleaning my own puke. I guess i really need to give a big shout out to thank nisrin for the hand in that cleaning - I hope i never have to do it for you (for your sake, and mine), but i will do it anywayz!
My new year's plans are crap! I am honestly too scared to go to dahab - so i think i will not go....and bayfest is fucking expensive. Maybe I should opt for a quiet new year's?
I am making my new years resolutions and i have a brand new entry:
Go to America!
Yes i want to go on holiday for 10 days to New York - that's it! I am doing it! So i am saving up - and i will stop my mad shopping spree that's been going on for 3 months! (damn you sweden for your good shopping)
One day left for my long weekend.........yawn
My new year's plans are crap! I am honestly too scared to go to dahab - so i think i will not go....and bayfest is fucking expensive. Maybe I should opt for a quiet new year's?
I am making my new years resolutions and i have a brand new entry:
Go to America!
Yes i want to go on holiday for 10 days to New York - that's it! I am doing it! So i am saving up - and i will stop my mad shopping spree that's been going on for 3 months! (damn you sweden for your good shopping)
One day left for my long weekend.........yawn
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
LinkdotNet is the worst internet service provider (ISP) in Egypt
Yes! it's official, Not only is their internet really slow, their fees too overpriced for the shit they provide, they also have the worst cusotmer service in the world!
If i ever see the general manager of Linkdotnet i will spit on his face for doing such a lame-ass job!
Die Mother-F***er Die!!
Any idea how i can make this post be the first search item found on google?!
I really want to screw their asses right now!
If i ever see the general manager of Linkdotnet i will spit on his face for doing such a lame-ass job!
Die Mother-F***er Die!!
Any idea how i can make this post be the first search item found on google?!
I really want to screw their asses right now!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
you live you learn
my work colleague with me in sweden keeps going on about how much he misses his 4-month old daughter, and how it's the first time he's been away from her and how he really wants to go back to see her and how he dreamed of her last night and how he's waited so long to have a daughter and he doesn't want to leave her.
It's really cute...
It's funny, i never really thought fathers miss their kids. I mean sure it's nice to have 'em around, when they're being nice and cute and not annoying, but to go as far as miss them?
It's really cute...
It's funny, i never really thought fathers miss their kids. I mean sure it's nice to have 'em around, when they're being nice and cute and not annoying, but to go as far as miss them?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
He's no Roger Moore
but the new james bond sure is good.
and in light of that i am planning a poker night......
and in light of that i am planning a poker night......
Monday, November 27, 2006
A very late thanksgiving
Living with an american has finally paid off. This year Nisrin, motivated by nora and naynay, decided to cook a turkey for thanksgiving. We made it 2 days late, and due to some cooking drama had it 6 hours late, at 11:30 pm to be specific.
Our little "family" gathered up to eat, Me, nora, naynay, sarah (nisrin's friend), Purvi, Shahira (nora's friend). Mai was also part of the gang, but couldn't stay out that long - we saved her a share.
Nisrin cooked the Turkey
Sahira and I carved
Our little "family" gathered up to eat, Me, nora, naynay, sarah (nisrin's friend), Purvi, Shahira (nora's friend). Mai was also part of the gang, but couldn't stay out that long - we saved her a share.
Nisrin cooked the Turkey
Sahira and I carved Sarah made the gravy
Naynay made the sweet potatoes
And at the end of this fabulous group effort we got around nora's dining table and had a mouth watering meal
followed by a nice cuppa tea and star shaped chocolate cake
How we made it up my six flights of stairs after this big meal is a wonder!
It was a lovely day of cooking, playing sharades, chatting, gossiping and of course eating.
At the end of it i gave thanks for having such wonderful friends, I know i do not say it enough, but it's true.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
it had to happen i guess
I am stuck in vienna, missed my connection flight - for more than one reason all of which are my fault.
I hope one day i can laugh about this, right now i couldn't be further from laughter.
I have a date with a giant toblerone
I hope one day i can laugh about this, right now i couldn't be further from laughter.
I have a date with a giant toblerone
Monday, November 20, 2006
Weekend in Amsterdam!
So THAT's what they mean by autumn!
Yup i finally got to see that season for real - the yellow, brown and red leaves - and of course the cold!
I had me some fun Amsterdam time with the help of the greatest hosts ever! arthur, Aly and Lieke (who despite not having a blog, is still cool!) were awesome! It was great catching up.
Spend some good reflection time at the Anne Frank's House, and some not-so-fun time at the Hash Museum (it sucked ass)
What struck me most in the Netherlands was their railways - i had to travel a bit for work - and it's friggin' awesome! So reliable, well developed, and connects every town! WOW!
KLM was also a pleasent surpirse - nice food, and awesome entertainment!
Enywayz - next step Boras, Sweden - get ready for some serious ass freezing next week!
Stay tuned for my next post about my tantrum with the egyptian airport authority - i think we should give se3idi's a break and use them for all our jokes!
Yup i finally got to see that season for real - the yellow, brown and red leaves - and of course the cold!
I had me some fun Amsterdam time with the help of the greatest hosts ever! arthur, Aly and Lieke (who despite not having a blog, is still cool!) were awesome! It was great catching up.
Spend some good reflection time at the Anne Frank's House, and some not-so-fun time at the Hash Museum (it sucked ass)
What struck me most in the Netherlands was their railways - i had to travel a bit for work - and it's friggin' awesome! So reliable, well developed, and connects every town! WOW!
KLM was also a pleasent surpirse - nice food, and awesome entertainment!
Enywayz - next step Boras, Sweden - get ready for some serious ass freezing next week!
Stay tuned for my next post about my tantrum with the egyptian airport authority - i think we should give se3idi's a break and use them for all our jokes!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
A hollywood movie about Egyptian Police brutality!
Well we had to see it coming people!
Rendition
Looks like it's gona be big - Reese Witherspoon - an Oscar Winner and Jake Gyllenhaal - an Oscar nominee!
Plot goes as follows:
"Witherspoon will star with Jake Gyllenhaal in Hood’s next film, Rendition, written by Kelly Sane. The plot finds a CIA analyst (Gyllenhaal) whose world starts spinning out of control when he witnesses the brutal interrogation of an Egyptian-American by the Egyptian secret police. Soon, he’s on the run for his life, and must in turn help the tortured man’s pregnant American wife Isabella El-Ibrahim (Witherspoon)."
Funny thing - the movie, which takes place in Egypt is shot in Morocco and South Africa.
It's quite a trend to have movies whose plots take place in Egypt being shot in Morocco. (English Patient, Mummy Returns)
Rendition
Looks like it's gona be big - Reese Witherspoon - an Oscar Winner and Jake Gyllenhaal - an Oscar nominee!
Plot goes as follows:
"Witherspoon will star with Jake Gyllenhaal in Hood’s next film, Rendition, written by Kelly Sane. The plot finds a CIA analyst (Gyllenhaal) whose world starts spinning out of control when he witnesses the brutal interrogation of an Egyptian-American by the Egyptian secret police. Soon, he’s on the run for his life, and must in turn help the tortured man’s pregnant American wife Isabella El-Ibrahim (Witherspoon)."
Funny thing - the movie, which takes place in Egypt is shot in Morocco and South Africa.
It's quite a trend to have movies whose plots take place in Egypt being shot in Morocco. (English Patient, Mummy Returns)
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
little victories!
So i went to the gym - a salsa-style work out.
1) i found 40 pounds in my gym pants pockets! YAY!
2) I had my first gay-salsa-instructor experience - it was hillarous, i do not think i will miss this class, like ever!! I had to stop myself from giggling at every one of his moves and words.
I now understand why my guy-friends never wanted to learn latin dance :P
3) Sex and the City re-runs are BACK!! The early pre-plastic-surgery episodes when they were all still relatively ugly.
..okay my last point was not related..but it's still a victory
1) i found 40 pounds in my gym pants pockets! YAY!
2) I had my first gay-salsa-instructor experience - it was hillarous, i do not think i will miss this class, like ever!! I had to stop myself from giggling at every one of his moves and words.
I now understand why my guy-friends never wanted to learn latin dance :P
3) Sex and the City re-runs are BACK!! The early pre-plastic-surgery episodes when they were all still relatively ugly.
..okay my last point was not related..but it's still a victory
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Next Stop: Amsterdam
Just when i thought November will be spent purely Egyo-style, my inbox thinks differently.
Next stop: Amsterdam! It's exciting,,, everyone i have met who has been there, loves it.
So i am getting ready to party-- Netherlands style!! only 10 days to go!
Next stop: Amsterdam! It's exciting,,, everyone i have met who has been there, loves it.
So i am getting ready to party-- Netherlands style!! only 10 days to go!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Dismissive attitude
Though my dismissive attitude has gotten me into many arguments and discussions and attacks from bloggers, friends and family - it is my security mechanism for living in Egypt.
You generalize and dismiss - very simple
1) Government and politicians: thieves with no integrity
2) Egyptian lower class men: sexually frustrated pigs
3) Egyptian upper class men: sexually frustrated schovenists
4) Egyptian lower class girls/women: mean bitches who think that all upper class girls/women are promiscuous
5) Egyptian lower class veiled girls/women: veiled bitches who think they are so righteous and uncovered girls are the sinners of death and are inferior to them
6) Egyptian upper class girls/women: stuck up and arrogant and fake
7) Egyptian upper class veiled girls: brain-washed and trying to brain-wash you!
8) Forgeiners living in Egypt: the typical expat attitude - this place is a shit hole, and i am so much better than you
9) Egyptian bloggers: poor them! an ant that is trying to single-handedly kill an elephant
10) Police: un-educated stupid useless suckers , i will take the law into my own hands, thank you very much! (bring on the pepperspray)
11) Religious People: People who over-advertedly advertise their religion - therefore are fake and all about appearances
12) Religious figures: they are politicians
The list is endless.
While this maybe heartless, cruel and politically incorrect, it's the only way i have remained sane over the past few years. And i think most of the people i know are like that - just a little less vocal about it.
Putting all those people at a level below you makes their acts excusable - if you think we are all the same you will constantly be disappointed because people do not have similar values and the society is almost lawless, i.e. there's no agreed upon code of conduct in the country. What is acceptable? What isn't? different answer in every class and every gender.
But truth be told - one gets surprised in many instances. I always remember to give some people a small chance, they sometimes surprise you.
One thing you probably didn't know about me - i used to be quite socialist, part of me still is - but being elitist reduces much of your frustrations when living in Egypt.
This post is inspired by the latest events in Cairo - thus the anger and bitterness level are higher than normal.
You generalize and dismiss - very simple
1) Government and politicians: thieves with no integrity
2) Egyptian lower class men: sexually frustrated pigs
3) Egyptian upper class men: sexually frustrated schovenists
4) Egyptian lower class girls/women: mean bitches who think that all upper class girls/women are promiscuous
5) Egyptian lower class veiled girls/women: veiled bitches who think they are so righteous and uncovered girls are the sinners of death and are inferior to them
6) Egyptian upper class girls/women: stuck up and arrogant and fake
7) Egyptian upper class veiled girls: brain-washed and trying to brain-wash you!
8) Forgeiners living in Egypt: the typical expat attitude - this place is a shit hole, and i am so much better than you
9) Egyptian bloggers: poor them! an ant that is trying to single-handedly kill an elephant
10) Police: un-educated stupid useless suckers , i will take the law into my own hands, thank you very much! (bring on the pepperspray)
11) Religious People: People who over-advertedly advertise their religion - therefore are fake and all about appearances
12) Religious figures: they are politicians
The list is endless.
While this maybe heartless, cruel and politically incorrect, it's the only way i have remained sane over the past few years. And i think most of the people i know are like that - just a little less vocal about it.
Putting all those people at a level below you makes their acts excusable - if you think we are all the same you will constantly be disappointed because people do not have similar values and the society is almost lawless, i.e. there's no agreed upon code of conduct in the country. What is acceptable? What isn't? different answer in every class and every gender.
But truth be told - one gets surprised in many instances. I always remember to give some people a small chance, they sometimes surprise you.
One thing you probably didn't know about me - i used to be quite socialist, part of me still is - but being elitist reduces much of your frustrations when living in Egypt.
This post is inspired by the latest events in Cairo - thus the anger and bitterness level are higher than normal.
Monday, October 30, 2006
The place of all envy and evil!
The gym!!
If God wants hell to be horrible - he should make it a Gym!
It's where all the skinny girls parade their hot bodies yet complain in front of fat people about how much weight they've gained. It's a place where your old high-school clique comes back to life, with the athletic ones doing their work in the front and kiss the trainer's ass making all the loosers jealous, and the loosers are in the back struggling with those damn push ups loathing the fact that they have bad genes.
.....and as of next saturday i will be the proud owner of a one month gym membership.
If God wants hell to be horrible - he should make it a Gym!
It's where all the skinny girls parade their hot bodies yet complain in front of fat people about how much weight they've gained. It's a place where your old high-school clique comes back to life, with the athletic ones doing their work in the front and kiss the trainer's ass making all the loosers jealous, and the loosers are in the back struggling with those damn push ups loathing the fact that they have bad genes.
.....and as of next saturday i will be the proud owner of a one month gym membership.
Monday, October 23, 2006
blast from the past
Last night i went out with a few people from the LC in Alex, it was nice to remember the good old times. I am really proud of them this year, they are doing well - best LC in NLDS an all ;)
It reminded me of the days when we were all having the time of our lives, the time when AIESEC was so much fun and friends and hard work. The great times we often forget.
We are all going out again tonight which i am looking forward to.
So here's to my gang, my peeps and most of all my friends!
It reminded me of the days when we were all having the time of our lives, the time when AIESEC was so much fun and friends and hard work. The great times we often forget.
We are all going out again tonight which i am looking forward to.
So here's to my gang, my peeps and most of all my friends!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The Menu
Sweet corn Salad
Molokheya
Tomato Sauce
Rice
Chicken with Soy Sauce
Minty Feta Cheese Pie (yum!)
Molokheya
Tomato Sauce
Rice
Chicken with Soy Sauce
Minty Feta Cheese Pie (yum!)
Saturday, October 14, 2006
housewives aren't that free
I have always wondered what housewives do all day at home - don't they get bored?!
But i have recently discovered that over the course of the last year of living on my own i never have a boring minute at home. There's always something to do, enough things to fill my free time outside work. There's always something to clean, something to re-arrange, something to re-do. Now add a husband and a coupla kids - and i don't know how they manage!
It's good to be home back in good ol' Cairo for some time now - no travel plans - just home sweet home. This week is my fall cleaning week - i am trying to figure out what i have not thought about cleaning before and am doing it.
I am also brainstorming menu items for Thursday - i am planning to have some people over for fetar - but i still have to invite them :P
Am thinking, stuffed vine leaves and lasagna. But i have no clue how to make lasagna!
But i have recently discovered that over the course of the last year of living on my own i never have a boring minute at home. There's always something to do, enough things to fill my free time outside work. There's always something to clean, something to re-arrange, something to re-do. Now add a husband and a coupla kids - and i don't know how they manage!
It's good to be home back in good ol' Cairo for some time now - no travel plans - just home sweet home. This week is my fall cleaning week - i am trying to figure out what i have not thought about cleaning before and am doing it.
I am also brainstorming menu items for Thursday - i am planning to have some people over for fetar - but i still have to invite them :P
Am thinking, stuffed vine leaves and lasagna. But i have no clue how to make lasagna!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Live from Sudan
I am in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. It's really interesting and more african than i imagined - should go out and explore with Thea tonight.
But here's why i wana go home so bad:
1) I am a stupid-ass who did not take her vaccinations - so i am scared shitless now
2) I want to drive my new car
3) Being back home means that ramadan will be over sooner
4) I can be as lazy as i want at home and not move from the couch
5) Airline food sucks ass
6) I have only a few weeks to say farewell to all the good fatty food - so i would rather be spending them in a place with good fatty food like Egypt.
But here's why i wana go home so bad:
1) I am a stupid-ass who did not take her vaccinations - so i am scared shitless now
2) I want to drive my new car
3) Being back home means that ramadan will be over sooner
4) I can be as lazy as i want at home and not move from the couch
5) Airline food sucks ass
6) I have only a few weeks to say farewell to all the good fatty food - so i would rather be spending them in a place with good fatty food like Egypt.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Today i rejoice!
After reading megan's post about sexual harrassment, i was really frustrated. I do not get harrassed a lot lately - probably because i avoid the streets as much as possible and because i try to cover-up as much as possible, and basically i just ain't that hot.
Not get harassed a lot means it's down to twice a day - mind you
Megan is absolutely right - men in this country are more pigs that anywhere else. But it happens to ALL girls, not just foreign girls.
So Megan if it were up to me i would make the punishment for sexual harassment chopping off something that men hold very dearly.
However, i think my days of sexual harrassment are over! Which is why i rejoice!
As of yesterday i am the proud owner of a brand new minty green Fiat!
I hope my new best friend will help me limit those horrible harassments down to 2/week!!
Am i beeing too optimistic?
Not get harassed a lot means it's down to twice a day - mind you
Megan is absolutely right - men in this country are more pigs that anywhere else. But it happens to ALL girls, not just foreign girls.
So Megan if it were up to me i would make the punishment for sexual harassment chopping off something that men hold very dearly.
However, i think my days of sexual harrassment are over! Which is why i rejoice!
As of yesterday i am the proud owner of a brand new minty green Fiat!I hope my new best friend will help me limit those horrible harassments down to 2/week!!
Am i beeing too optimistic?
Monday, September 25, 2006
Roman Ramadan
I am spending the first 4 days of Ramadan in the beautiful city of rome.
Coming back to rome was geat - i knew what to expect and i do not have to rush to see everything so i am enjoyng it much more. And work is fun, catching up with really cool and interesting people and having great conversations over delicious dinners!
Today it's raining, and it's kinda cool i finally can use my raincoat and umbrella for the first time since i bought them last summer.
Btw i think foreigners are making too big a fuss about fasting - it ain't that hard, and you can have a nice and productive day without food and water.
My hotel room is microscopically small, i laughed once i stepped in, but it sure beats the yuckie youth hostel they have here in rome.
And EgyptAir kicks Alitalia's ass big time! except for the looks factor :P
Coming back to rome was geat - i knew what to expect and i do not have to rush to see everything so i am enjoyng it much more. And work is fun, catching up with really cool and interesting people and having great conversations over delicious dinners!
Today it's raining, and it's kinda cool i finally can use my raincoat and umbrella for the first time since i bought them last summer.
Btw i think foreigners are making too big a fuss about fasting - it ain't that hard, and you can have a nice and productive day without food and water.
My hotel room is microscopically small, i laughed once i stepped in, but it sure beats the yuckie youth hostel they have here in rome.
And EgyptAir kicks Alitalia's ass big time! except for the looks factor :P
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Today is the worst day of the year!
Yes,,, it is the day when winter time begins!
We do get an extra hour of sleep - which is so stupid, coz tomorrow is weekend anyway so you could sleep as much as you like. It would be a plus if it was an extra hour of sleep on a working day!
It gets dark early, cold early, they streets are lonlier at night (which is kinda of a plus in a city like cairo).
From now and until the 26th of April i will walk out of my office into increasing darkness day after day after a whole day under artificial lights.
I remember how i felt last April when the day was longer - it was nature's gift to me on my birthday.
Winter has begun.... and it's depressing :(
217 days left
We do get an extra hour of sleep - which is so stupid, coz tomorrow is weekend anyway so you could sleep as much as you like. It would be a plus if it was an extra hour of sleep on a working day!
It gets dark early, cold early, they streets are lonlier at night (which is kinda of a plus in a city like cairo).
From now and until the 26th of April i will walk out of my office into increasing darkness day after day after a whole day under artificial lights.
I remember how i felt last April when the day was longer - it was nature's gift to me on my birthday.
Winter has begun.... and it's depressing :(
217 days left
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
Beautiful Stockholm
For a very long time Sweden for me was just plain geography - i know the capital and where it is, just in case i enter "Who wants to be a Millionaire"
This visit to stockholm i decided to spend my friday in Stockholm instead of Cairo - and it was a great call.
The sun was shining so the weather was "beautiful" by Scandinavian standrads (which means a frozen nose, fingers, toes and ass by my sub-tropical standards)
I went on a boat tour to do some sightseeing, and the view was breathtaking - first of all the buildings are all old and massive and look so charming and it's soooooooooo green like nothing i have ever seen before. I also saw the house of one of the ABBA group members =)
Then i went to the Royal Palace to check out the crown jewels of course - it was really nice, but i have to say that the crown jewels of England are way better!
But i find it even more fascinating that in Sweden even though the King has a son, he will pass down the throne to his eldest who happens to be a girl!
And then i went on a mad shopping spree and i FINALLY saw the da vinci code movie. I can't remember the book that much, but i think it's a little different than the movie.
The book was good - not awesome, just good - but the movie was quite average.
After seeing the film i think i support the Egyptian government to sensor the movie. It's not for the christians - i know that most of them will dismiss the film as just a story and as BS coz they have faith. The thing is that some of the extreme muslims will just use it as proof for their theory that the chirsitanity that exists this day is not the right christianity and will thus be more encouraged to think of and possibly even treat christians as non-believers.
And that will add to tensions especially when you have such great egyptian youth whose balls are bigger than their brains
So i think this is one of the few times where i will agree with cencorship and with the Egyptian government - Saggel ya tareekh!
This visit to stockholm i decided to spend my friday in Stockholm instead of Cairo - and it was a great call.
The sun was shining so the weather was "beautiful" by Scandinavian standrads (which means a frozen nose, fingers, toes and ass by my sub-tropical standards)
I went on a boat tour to do some sightseeing, and the view was breathtaking - first of all the buildings are all old and massive and look so charming and it's soooooooooo green like nothing i have ever seen before. I also saw the house of one of the ABBA group members =)
Then i went to the Royal Palace to check out the crown jewels of course - it was really nice, but i have to say that the crown jewels of England are way better!
But i find it even more fascinating that in Sweden even though the King has a son, he will pass down the throne to his eldest who happens to be a girl!
And then i went on a mad shopping spree and i FINALLY saw the da vinci code movie. I can't remember the book that much, but i think it's a little different than the movie.
The book was good - not awesome, just good - but the movie was quite average.
After seeing the film i think i support the Egyptian government to sensor the movie. It's not for the christians - i know that most of them will dismiss the film as just a story and as BS coz they have faith. The thing is that some of the extreme muslims will just use it as proof for their theory that the chirsitanity that exists this day is not the right christianity and will thus be more encouraged to think of and possibly even treat christians as non-believers.
And that will add to tensions especially when you have such great egyptian youth whose balls are bigger than their brains
So i think this is one of the few times where i will agree with cencorship and with the Egyptian government - Saggel ya tareekh!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
the hunt is over
i give up.... i am staying where i am but i will reserve the right to complain as much as i want
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Bye-bye Cocco
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Appartment Hunting
The one thing worse than appartment hunting is appartment hunting while pmsing, it makes finding a house emotional rather than basic finances.
So when the broker tells you he's shown the place to someone else, you are hurt. And when that other person takes it - it's like he's cheating on you!
Now you can't dump the broker - well you need him so you continue to play the role of the loyal customer while secretly calling any other broker you can get your hand on to start developing a back-up.
But you have to keep that relationship a secret - coz if one the brokers find out that you are cheating on him, he'll dump your ass.
And then your ass will have no bed to rest on at night.
Drama,Drama,Drama
So when the broker tells you he's shown the place to someone else, you are hurt. And when that other person takes it - it's like he's cheating on you!
Now you can't dump the broker - well you need him so you continue to play the role of the loyal customer while secretly calling any other broker you can get your hand on to start developing a back-up.
But you have to keep that relationship a secret - coz if one the brokers find out that you are cheating on him, he'll dump your ass.
And then your ass will have no bed to rest on at night.
Drama,Drama,Drama
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Grrr.........
Right now i am at my desk and my blood is boiling.
Two weeks ago Nisrin couldn't get into our house because the key wasn't working. I was on vacation. So we got the locks changed.
Today as i am leaving the house i shut the door after me and i have this weird feeling that it didn't shut properly. I push the door - it goes wide open. I try shutting it harder - and i can still push it open.
So i look at the lock and the mother-fucking-bastard key guy put in the lock in a way that it doesn't close properly. You would think it's shut - but it really isn't! Anyone can push it open.
Which means either he did a shit job - or he's planning on robbing us!
I am MEGA pissed - and i will go and show that man who his daddy is!
I hate the fact that because you are a girl - it's okay to rip you off! It's happened too many times - and I am drawing the line.
Maybe i should go to the police station and report him.
I will go take my anger out on a nice big burger!
Two weeks ago Nisrin couldn't get into our house because the key wasn't working. I was on vacation. So we got the locks changed.
Today as i am leaving the house i shut the door after me and i have this weird feeling that it didn't shut properly. I push the door - it goes wide open. I try shutting it harder - and i can still push it open.
So i look at the lock and the mother-fucking-bastard key guy put in the lock in a way that it doesn't close properly. You would think it's shut - but it really isn't! Anyone can push it open.
Which means either he did a shit job - or he's planning on robbing us!
I am MEGA pissed - and i will go and show that man who his daddy is!
I hate the fact that because you are a girl - it's okay to rip you off! It's happened too many times - and I am drawing the line.
Maybe i should go to the police station and report him.
I will go take my anger out on a nice big burger!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Who's that girl?!
I also got to catch up with Nora - it feels like she's never left !
One of the best ways to tell who's a true friend is when you pick up just where you left off no matter how long it's been
Therefore i have put this picture especially, since we both look great in it!
One of the best ways to tell who's a true friend is when you pick up just where you left off no matter how long it's been
Therefore i have put this picture especially, since we both look great in it!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Chillin' in Alex for two weeks!
While chillin in Alex being an absolute bum i got the chance to see my newest visitors to Egypt.
Two of my favorite people on earth.
Kait, it's awesome having you here, and i cannot wait till you move here so we can have a BLAST
Two of my favorite people on earth.
Kait, it's awesome having you here, and i cannot wait till you move here so we can have a BLAST
and Amy, the coolest girl in both Egypt and Q8, and the best firend anyone could hope for!
I love you girls!
Sunday, August 13, 2006
it finally makes sense!
I cannot upload any pics on this blog - annoying!
So another topic for now.
I read dody's blog enty about a ruling in Malasia about the Muslim who wanted to convert.
A government's job is to guarantee the well-being of its citizens on earth, not in heaven. They should work on making people live well, not ensure they go to heaven!
So maybe the problem is that in countries that are predominantly Muslim the government just has a different Job Description!
That explains a lot of actions that governments take.
So another topic for now.
I read dody's blog enty about a ruling in Malasia about the Muslim who wanted to convert.
A government's job is to guarantee the well-being of its citizens on earth, not in heaven. They should work on making people live well, not ensure they go to heaven!
So maybe the problem is that in countries that are predominantly Muslim the government just has a different Job Description!
That explains a lot of actions that governments take.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Madonna takes it a step too far
This is a step too far!
feels like a deperate cry for more attention and controversy - have people lost respect to all what is sacred?!
Whatever kaballah she believes in shouldn't allow her to do this, and if it does - then it ain't such a good thing!
I hate how it's become cool to disrespect religions and take believers lightly - and all those new hip "religions"?!
I sometimes feel that the world has lost sight of what really matters and why we are here on earth!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
On Vacation!
The longest vacation i have taken for a while; 16 days!
I am in a place with AirCon, better weather, good home-cooked food, my own car, someone that does my laundry, someone that cleans my dishes, and someone that makes sure the house is clean.
It's home :)
Wana visit?
Note to self: keep resiting checking work mail!
I am in a place with AirCon, better weather, good home-cooked food, my own car, someone that does my laundry, someone that cleans my dishes, and someone that makes sure the house is clean.
It's home :)
Wana visit?
Note to self: keep resiting checking work mail!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
competition?
"who can diss egypt more"
Apparently there's a competition between nevernever and etravels on nomadlife
you ask me why i hate trainees?
Apparently there's a competition between nevernever and etravels on nomadlife
you ask me why i hate trainees?
Aiden proposed to Carrie yesterday!
She said yes - after he got the right ring.
Since i am such a wuss when it comes to making life changing decisions i have to work on my
"uhm, yes! No, maybe,,i dunno - you think?" reply. luckily i do not have to worry about that any time soon!
For now, i will enjoy the double-bill of Sex and the City re-runs at 1 am!
It is so worth sleep-deprivation
She said yes - after he got the right ring.
Since i am such a wuss when it comes to making life changing decisions i have to work on my
"uhm, yes! No, maybe,,i dunno - you think?" reply. luckily i do not have to worry about that any time soon!
For now, i will enjoy the double-bill of Sex and the City re-runs at 1 am!
It is so worth sleep-deprivation
Monday, July 31, 2006
my favorite drug
Once a month i am reminded how much i love ketofan!
It's a known fact that any girl will have ketofan in her bag along with the essential 3 (keys,wallet and mobile)
It's a known fact that any girl will have ketofan in her bag along with the essential 3 (keys,wallet and mobile)
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Isn't this hillarious!
"Bush: What about Kofi Annan? I don't like the sequence of it. His attitude is basically cease-fire and everything else happens.
Blair: I think the thing that is really difficult is you can't stop this unless you get this international presence agreed.
Bush: She's going. I think Condi's (U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice) going to go pretty soon.
Blair: Well that's all that matters. If you see, it will take some time to get out of there. But at least it gives people....
Bush: It's a process I agree. I told her your offer too.
Blair: Well it's only or if she's gonna or if she needs the ground prepared as it were. See, if she goes out she's got to succeed as it were, where as I can just go out and talk.
Bush: See the irony is what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over.
Blair: Cause I think this is all part of the same thing. What does he think? He thinks if Lebanon turns out fine, if he gets a solution in Israel and Palestine, Iraq goes in the right way, he's done it. That's what this whole things about. It's the same with Iran.
Bush: I feel like telling Kofi to get on the phone with Assad and make something happen. We're not blaming Israel and we're not blaming the Lebanese government"
"I think Condi's going to go" - (insert sarcasm here) Nice to know Mr President is aware of what Condi's up to!
Blair: I think the thing that is really difficult is you can't stop this unless you get this international presence agreed.
Bush: She's going. I think Condi's (U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice) going to go pretty soon.
Blair: Well that's all that matters. If you see, it will take some time to get out of there. But at least it gives people....
Bush: It's a process I agree. I told her your offer too.
Blair: Well it's only or if she's gonna or if she needs the ground prepared as it were. See, if she goes out she's got to succeed as it were, where as I can just go out and talk.
Bush: See the irony is what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over.
Blair: Cause I think this is all part of the same thing. What does he think? He thinks if Lebanon turns out fine, if he gets a solution in Israel and Palestine, Iraq goes in the right way, he's done it. That's what this whole things about. It's the same with Iran.
Bush: I feel like telling Kofi to get on the phone with Assad and make something happen. We're not blaming Israel and we're not blaming the Lebanese government"
"I think Condi's going to go" - (insert sarcasm here) Nice to know Mr President is aware of what Condi's up to!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Signs doesn't come bigger than this
Well i got my sign - as much as it hurt my pride - i am happy i got it. It's a little late, but not too late.
I find it incomprehendable that my proactivity and willingness to learn is held against me! I guess i am in the wrong place.
With a very hurt ego, and a kick in my butt for not listening to my instincts i resort to my everything-is-gona-be-alright combo of "friends" and "my big fat greek wedding" and i will try to call it a night early.
Tomorrow things won't look any better but it's one step closer to whatever it is out there.
I can't believe in only 9.....
I find it incomprehendable that my proactivity and willingness to learn is held against me! I guess i am in the wrong place.
With a very hurt ego, and a kick in my butt for not listening to my instincts i resort to my everything-is-gona-be-alright combo of "friends" and "my big fat greek wedding" and i will try to call it a night early.
Tomorrow things won't look any better but it's one step closer to whatever it is out there.
I can't believe in only 9.....
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Egyptians are cheap
What's happening between Hizbullah and Israel is shameful and wrong! Innocent people die and suffer is never right.
But i must say, i find it impressive the lengths that Israel goes to to protect and defend its citizens. To go as far as wage a war over two soldiers - though really out of proportions - shows a county that really values its citizens.
It makes me understand why so many stan firm behind their country.
A while back 2 Egyptian soldiers were killed by Palestinians trying to sneek into our country. The next day Mubarak was expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
Don't get me wrong i am not advocating going to war or bombing anyone, it just makes the Egyptian people feel so cheap compared to the Israeli ones
But i must say, i find it impressive the lengths that Israel goes to to protect and defend its citizens. To go as far as wage a war over two soldiers - though really out of proportions - shows a county that really values its citizens.
It makes me understand why so many stan firm behind their country.
A while back 2 Egyptian soldiers were killed by Palestinians trying to sneek into our country. The next day Mubarak was expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
Don't get me wrong i am not advocating going to war or bombing anyone, it just makes the Egyptian people feel so cheap compared to the Israeli ones
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
WTF !?!?!
Zidane Head-butt
THIS is the best player of the world cup?!
Some role model huh
FIFA has gone MAD!
THIS is the best player of the world cup?!
Some role model huh
FIFA has gone MAD!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Heart-broken!
Yesterday Germany played its last game in the world cup and this picture describes how i felt (minus the cute guy hugging me - goddamnit)
Though i have been to germany and spent the worst time of my life there and though i suck at german in an embarrasing way and though germans are not exactly my cuppa tea, my 14 years of German education did teach me one thing: Egypt's number One, Germany is number Two, everyone else is number 3!
I find that extremely strange since i spent my school years hating everything about the German School, but 6 years from my graduation i can't help but be heart broken that Germany lost, and proud of them for hosting such an amazing world cup!
The thing is, it's not just about football!
I did some investigation and i found out that the Alumni of the German School go in two ways:
- They want nothing to do with Germany
- They feel some tiny loyalty towards it
There is no relation to their attitude or grades during school times.
There is also no clear relation to the number of times they have visited Germany
I am going to get to the bottom of this!
P.S. i removed this last sentence coz i realized i really don't give a damn :)
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Funny!
Your results:
You are Supergirl
Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...
You are Supergirl
| Lean, muscular and feminine. Honest and a defender of the innocent.  |
Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Cairo-Rome-Milan-Stockholm-Milan-Cairo
This is my itinerary for the past week.
I am now in Milan (second time)
Loadz of flying huh?
Stories to come later!
Note to self: never NEVER fly Alitalia again!
I am now in Milan (second time)
Loadz of flying huh?
Stories to come later!
Note to self: never NEVER fly Alitalia again!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Simple guide for learning Italian
Step 1: Learn French
Step 2: Identify french word you want to say
Step 3: give word some italian feel in pronunciation
Step 4: say word
Step 5: accept some minor pronunciation modification from people
Or you can go for the easier option which is sticking a post-it on your forehead saying
"STUPID TOURIST"
Step 2: Identify french word you want to say
Step 3: give word some italian feel in pronunciation
Step 4: say word
Step 5: accept some minor pronunciation modification from people
Or you can go for the easier option which is sticking a post-it on your forehead saying
"STUPID TOURIST"
Saturday, June 10, 2006
I've been dissed, and dismissed!
I received a call yesterday from a friend who was browsing the web, and found this blog which has devoted an entire blog entry and some comments to diss me.
What's sad is that they did not just diss my views, they took it a little personal.
What's even sadder is the inappropriate use of the arabic language to describe me and my views.
Though i expect people not to agree with me - and it doesn't bother me - it was a different thing being dissed and dismissed by a group of my peers!
So i have decided to write an email to the bloggers, even though they are quite busy since one of them is being jailed for expressing his views ( aren't we proud of our dear egyptian governtment!)
And here goes:
"Dear Manal and Alaa,
A friend of mine was browsing the web and saw this post - where you have commented on a blog entry of mine.
I have checked your blog sometimes, and i recognized you as passionate egyptians who want to be agents of change to bring our egyptian community forward. Though i may not always agree with your views, that doesn't undermine you or your views whatsoever. You, however, did not give me that same right that i gave you.
I was deeply offended by your blog entry - not by your opinions in what i say, which are completely valid and i would gladly discuss in an organized civilized discussion.I realize that what i believe in is sometimes outside of the ordinary, and sometimes elitist due to my upbringing - however i am willing to discuss things and to be convinced with otherwise.
I was deeply offended by:
1) The way you manifested your objection to what i have said especially by your use of swear words. Throughout your lives as political activist you will face many people who you will disagree with, and swearing at them does not make you look good. It is not the way forward, it's the way backward. In the future, if you disagree with me please refrain from swearing at me and let's discuss it like civilized adults
2) You linked my views to the organization i work for. I am not who i work for - i am an individual person working for an organization i am passionate about. My views do not reflect AIESEC's views what-so-ever. AIESEC is a great organization that does not discriminate against race, religion ethnicity or social class. It develops leaders who are global citizens and who support cultural dialogue and live and interact with diverse people.If i work for Coka-Cola, would you say that my views represent what coka-cola believes in? I think not. The same should go for AIESEC or any other organization i am or will working for.
3) You made false assumptions. FYI i am not an AUCian and i am not some rich spoiled girl. I studied at the University of Alexandria in the Faculty of arts, and at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology. And i was in this private university on Scholarship. If you had bothered to talk to me about my views you would have found out that i have had nothing handed to me on a silver plate, and i worked really hard for everything i wanted, and i do not usually get what i want.
And at 23, i am completely independent from my family and anyone else and making it through life alone with no financial help from anyone whatsoever, which i am positive not many people - including yourselves - could say.And i know many AUCians - and the stereotype you have of them, and that i once had, is completely untrue.
I would love to discuss my views with you and have an open conversation about this that would leave us both enlightened and with more knowledge.
However your improper use of language leaves me worried since i cannot compete. My values and principles would prohibit me from matching up to that language
Good Luck with your current challenges.
This email will be published on my blog superluli.nomadlife.org "
What's sad is that they did not just diss my views, they took it a little personal.
What's even sadder is the inappropriate use of the arabic language to describe me and my views.
Though i expect people not to agree with me - and it doesn't bother me - it was a different thing being dissed and dismissed by a group of my peers!
So i have decided to write an email to the bloggers, even though they are quite busy since one of them is being jailed for expressing his views ( aren't we proud of our dear egyptian governtment!)
And here goes:
"Dear Manal and Alaa,
A friend of mine was browsing the web and saw this post - where you have commented on a blog entry of mine.
I have checked your blog sometimes, and i recognized you as passionate egyptians who want to be agents of change to bring our egyptian community forward. Though i may not always agree with your views, that doesn't undermine you or your views whatsoever. You, however, did not give me that same right that i gave you.
I was deeply offended by your blog entry - not by your opinions in what i say, which are completely valid and i would gladly discuss in an organized civilized discussion.I realize that what i believe in is sometimes outside of the ordinary, and sometimes elitist due to my upbringing - however i am willing to discuss things and to be convinced with otherwise.
I was deeply offended by:
1) The way you manifested your objection to what i have said especially by your use of swear words. Throughout your lives as political activist you will face many people who you will disagree with, and swearing at them does not make you look good. It is not the way forward, it's the way backward. In the future, if you disagree with me please refrain from swearing at me and let's discuss it like civilized adults
2) You linked my views to the organization i work for. I am not who i work for - i am an individual person working for an organization i am passionate about. My views do not reflect AIESEC's views what-so-ever. AIESEC is a great organization that does not discriminate against race, religion ethnicity or social class. It develops leaders who are global citizens and who support cultural dialogue and live and interact with diverse people.If i work for Coka-Cola, would you say that my views represent what coka-cola believes in? I think not. The same should go for AIESEC or any other organization i am or will working for.
3) You made false assumptions. FYI i am not an AUCian and i am not some rich spoiled girl. I studied at the University of Alexandria in the Faculty of arts, and at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology. And i was in this private university on Scholarship. If you had bothered to talk to me about my views you would have found out that i have had nothing handed to me on a silver plate, and i worked really hard for everything i wanted, and i do not usually get what i want.
And at 23, i am completely independent from my family and anyone else and making it through life alone with no financial help from anyone whatsoever, which i am positive not many people - including yourselves - could say.And i know many AUCians - and the stereotype you have of them, and that i once had, is completely untrue.
I would love to discuss my views with you and have an open conversation about this that would leave us both enlightened and with more knowledge.
However your improper use of language leaves me worried since i cannot compete. My values and principles would prohibit me from matching up to that language
Good Luck with your current challenges.
This email will be published on my blog superluli.nomadlife.org "
Friday, June 02, 2006
Blocked
I haven't been blogging for over a week.
I am out of things to say.
Made some life decision, and i am learning to come to terms with them
Till something interesting happens - looks like this blog's gona get even more boring than it already is!
I am out of things to say.
Made some life decision, and i am learning to come to terms with them
Till something interesting happens - looks like this blog's gona get even more boring than it already is!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
A productive and creative day for luli!
Yesterday was a great day for productivity and creativity.
I started my day at work - and i spent it adding some art and new ideas to the boring thing i do!
I also got a new RAM, which was a motivating factor.
Around noon i started thinking what i would do tonight - and all i wanted to do was cuddle up on the couch and watch a good show. I remembered my TV sucks, and my computer is super slow so i cannot watch anything on either of them.
So i got Showtime! I made the quickest purchase ever called the agent asked for info, then called 3 minutes after saying "come install today" - Fast Forward 10 pm, i am watching Desperate Housewives!
And while some roommates like to grow plants, others grow weed - my roommate has a new found interest in growing fungus on our plates and attracting ants to our sink.
So my clean-freak genes kicked in - and now our kitchen is fungus free (well almost - i still gotta inspect the fridge) and it smells like dettol - my favorite perfume!
Our house this past week has had a few frequent visitors - Geckos - which i gladly blamed my roommate’s smoking habits for. But apparently i was wrong (yes! let this be carved in the books of history that I was wrong- it only happens a few times) . Our frequent visitors come from the AirCon hole we have in the living room, not from the window left open while Nisrin develops lung cancer on the balcony!
So after 30 minutes of chasing the gecko out of the house and taping 6 A4 papers together - the hole in the wall is now sealed with paper and scotch tape! I hope our visitors get the message!
With good ol' Domino's and a can of pepsi - i put an end to that productive day, where for once i only got one nasty comment about my weight! ONLY one!! Hurraaay! oh wait, they were two!
.....crap
I started my day at work - and i spent it adding some art and new ideas to the boring thing i do!
I also got a new RAM, which was a motivating factor.
Around noon i started thinking what i would do tonight - and all i wanted to do was cuddle up on the couch and watch a good show. I remembered my TV sucks, and my computer is super slow so i cannot watch anything on either of them.
So i got Showtime! I made the quickest purchase ever called the agent asked for info, then called 3 minutes after saying "come install today" - Fast Forward 10 pm, i am watching Desperate Housewives!
And while some roommates like to grow plants, others grow weed - my roommate has a new found interest in growing fungus on our plates and attracting ants to our sink.
So my clean-freak genes kicked in - and now our kitchen is fungus free (well almost - i still gotta inspect the fridge) and it smells like dettol - my favorite perfume!
Our house this past week has had a few frequent visitors - Geckos - which i gladly blamed my roommate’s smoking habits for. But apparently i was wrong (yes! let this be carved in the books of history that I was wrong- it only happens a few times) . Our frequent visitors come from the AirCon hole we have in the living room, not from the window left open while Nisrin develops lung cancer on the balcony!
So after 30 minutes of chasing the gecko out of the house and taping 6 A4 papers together - the hole in the wall is now sealed with paper and scotch tape! I hope our visitors get the message!
With good ol' Domino's and a can of pepsi - i put an end to that productive day, where for once i only got one nasty comment about my weight! ONLY one!! Hurraaay! oh wait, they were two!
.....crap
Sunday, May 14, 2006
I do, I do, I really do
After having left London 2 days ago, this is what i come to find!
| You Belong in London |
 |
What City Do You Belong In?
Sunday, April 30, 2006
It's not going downhill yet
Yesterday i turned 23! I am gettin' old, but am not 30 yet!
I spent the last weekend at my Last AIESEC conference. Turning 23 marked the last day of my last conference - says something huh?
Well i cannot remember the last time i had such a great time at a National Conference since this one.
It was awesome - i was not busy running the conference or making sure my VPs were awake and attending and keeping an eye on my newies misbehaving.
I slept till late - swam in the pool, stayed up all night lighting papers who were jammed in people's toes - it's called rocketing someone - sang at the top of my voice, and sat on the swings.
I had time to chat with some of the members, and i finally know most of their names.
and on midnight on Friday everyone sang happy birthday to me and to 2 other dudes whose birthday it was on a nice cake - and martha made me give a speech. I am yet to master those impromptu speeches.
Then we spent the next couple of hours singing every song we could remember and eating big bags of chips.
The hour after that, we started pushing everyone in the dirty pool! the pool was jammed with 200 people the day before, so it was filthy - everyone was thrown in the pool, except for me and tamer of course, members were too scared of us :)
I would have jumped myself if it wasn't for the water.
Then i stayed up all night with May, an LCP Elect, who rocks - and will be MCP one day. We watched the sun set and talked all night.
At 8:30 i had breakfast, then spoke at the Prep Seminar, slept for a little then wrote some sugar cubes and headed home.
After 3 hours of playing charades with the members of AIESEC Alex, who kick ass by the way, i arrived home at mid-night, to put an end to my 23rd year of existence and to metaphorically turn the page of my AIESEC career.
Still got two months - and i am gonna make ‘em great ones!
As for turning 23, well, i still got a few years before i absolutely need to grow up.
I spent the last weekend at my Last AIESEC conference. Turning 23 marked the last day of my last conference - says something huh?
Well i cannot remember the last time i had such a great time at a National Conference since this one.
It was awesome - i was not busy running the conference or making sure my VPs were awake and attending and keeping an eye on my newies misbehaving.
I slept till late - swam in the pool, stayed up all night lighting papers who were jammed in people's toes - it's called rocketing someone - sang at the top of my voice, and sat on the swings.
I had time to chat with some of the members, and i finally know most of their names.
and on midnight on Friday everyone sang happy birthday to me and to 2 other dudes whose birthday it was on a nice cake - and martha made me give a speech. I am yet to master those impromptu speeches.
Then we spent the next couple of hours singing every song we could remember and eating big bags of chips.
The hour after that, we started pushing everyone in the dirty pool! the pool was jammed with 200 people the day before, so it was filthy - everyone was thrown in the pool, except for me and tamer of course, members were too scared of us :)
I would have jumped myself if it wasn't for the water.
Then i stayed up all night with May, an LCP Elect, who rocks - and will be MCP one day. We watched the sun set and talked all night.
At 8:30 i had breakfast, then spoke at the Prep Seminar, slept for a little then wrote some sugar cubes and headed home.
After 3 hours of playing charades with the members of AIESEC Alex, who kick ass by the way, i arrived home at mid-night, to put an end to my 23rd year of existence and to metaphorically turn the page of my AIESEC career.
Still got two months - and i am gonna make ‘em great ones!
As for turning 23, well, i still got a few years before i absolutely need to grow up.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
I joined the club!
If you can beat em, join em
My newest gadget
Yes it's fuschia - matches my house and my wardrobe!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Moving On
So i guess it's time for me to move on to the next stage of my AIESEC Experience.
Over 6 months ago i was wondering how people deal with the fact that they are not part of AIESEC anymore.
To be honest, it seems easier that it sounds.
So now i guess i really need to fix my plumbing!
Over 6 months ago i was wondering how people deal with the fact that they are not part of AIESEC anymore.
To be honest, it seems easier that it sounds.
So now i guess i really need to fix my plumbing!
Monday, April 17, 2006
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Enough is Enough!
I am sick and tired of defending my faith!
It shouldn't be that hard!
It should make my life easier, not turn my brain into an automatic defense program.
It should make people better, not turn them against each other.
I am calling it quits! I am detaching myself of the masses who currently follow this faith.
Now i just need to develop a name for the faith i DO believe in, since the original one is already taken, creates negative associations and is somewhat misleading now.
It shouldn't be that hard!
It should make my life easier, not turn my brain into an automatic defense program.
It should make people better, not turn them against each other.
I am calling it quits! I am detaching myself of the masses who currently follow this faith.
Now i just need to develop a name for the faith i DO believe in, since the original one is already taken, creates negative associations and is somewhat misleading now.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
So close!
So on my way from Purvi's house in North London to Heathrow Airport, i had a bigass feeling that i would miss the plane.
Arriving to the airport 1 hour and 15 mins before my flight i was breathless.
I arrived at the check-in desk and i was not too late - thank god.
The plane seemed to have been overbooked - so they were looking for volunteers to take the next flight, same time next day, and those would get accomodation and food plus either a voucher for 575 Sterling pounds or receive 420 Sterling pounds cash ( that is 4200 Egyptian Pounds). So i was more than willing to volunteer!
While waiting to see what happens for 35 long minutes i kept thinking what i would buy with that amount of money.
After those lovely 35 minutes they did manage to find a place for me on the plane.
It was such a bummer!!
At least it was business class :S
Arriving to the airport 1 hour and 15 mins before my flight i was breathless.
I arrived at the check-in desk and i was not too late - thank god.
The plane seemed to have been overbooked - so they were looking for volunteers to take the next flight, same time next day, and those would get accomodation and food plus either a voucher for 575 Sterling pounds or receive 420 Sterling pounds cash ( that is 4200 Egyptian Pounds). So i was more than willing to volunteer!
While waiting to see what happens for 35 long minutes i kept thinking what i would buy with that amount of money.
After those lovely 35 minutes they did manage to find a place for me on the plane.
It was such a bummer!!
At least it was business class :S
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
London - bay-bee
I am HERE!!
I am busy at work, attending meetings with all the BIG HR dudes of Ericsson - very informative.
It's interesting how AIESEC prepares you for that stuff!
I am here till monday - which is awesome.
Work finishes tomorrow at 4 then it's non stop FUN !
Friday, March 31, 2006
ahh Egyptian Traffic!
The beauty of Egyptian Traffic is that you can easily say
"Today i got hit by a car"
Well that's my story. Hailing a cab and ther goes this perfect gentleman (note the sarcasm) and hits me in the side. It was some feeling having his mirror dive into my ribs.
So far i am fine - we'll see in the morning how bad the damage is - but no broken parts - this ship is still sailing!
The funny thing is that he wanted me to fix his car
I am contemplating faking a disability in my right arm and suing!
"Today i got hit by a car"
Well that's my story. Hailing a cab and ther goes this perfect gentleman (note the sarcasm) and hits me in the side. It was some feeling having his mirror dive into my ribs.
So far i am fine - we'll see in the morning how bad the damage is - but no broken parts - this ship is still sailing!
The funny thing is that he wanted me to fix his car
I am contemplating faking a disability in my right arm and suing!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Woha! slow down
After a few slow relaxing couple of weeks where the highlight of my day is the dinner with Dody and Ziad and Carlos the gear shifts fast.
Next week, Tom arrives, Jen arrives, I go to visit this howebagger in london, attend my UK Ceeder/roomie/good friend's wedding (no, not her, the other one) and i have a big deadline.
It's 12:56 and i have finished my work for the day.
Time for shower?
Next week, Tom arrives, Jen arrives, I go to visit this howebagger in london, attend my UK Ceeder/roomie/good friend's wedding (no, not her, the other one) and i have a big deadline.
It's 12:56 and i have finished my work for the day.
Time for shower?
Monday, March 27, 2006
the monthly "statement"
After 4 years of studying business, you'd think i would understand a bank statement!
Well i don't! every time i open the HSBC envelope - i am reminded about how it feels to read a chinese newspaper!
Well i don't! every time i open the HSBC envelope - i am reminded about how it feels to read a chinese newspaper!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
The best thing after a stressful day of partnership negotiations, and funny rumors all the way from the AI office, is a night at the opera listening to some good looking austrian men, with really shiny shoes playing symphonies and arias by W. A. Mozart.
The added bonus of teasing the only american in the opera house about what W. A. stands for, was also nice!
The added bonus of teasing the only american in the opera house about what W. A. stands for, was also nice!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
JINXED!
Okay i finallyhave to admit that i am jinxed when it comes to computers.
When my first laptop got smashed in a car accident and left without a screen, i thought it was bad luck - it turned out to be a series of endless incidents!
So i worked with an external monitor, untill one day i found a screen i could afford.
Then the computer started to get busted, it wouldn't open, and after too many attempts i couldnt fix it.
So i took the hard drive out, and gave up.
Then i got my sister's old laptop, and she bought a new one, less than a month since i have had it and the windows crash! so i go to have it formatted, and the hard drive is busted, and needs replacement. So i give the guy my hard drive from the old computer, and that doesn't work coz one of those tiny metal pointy thingies is broken, and apparently that's important.
So i gotta buy a new harddrive! Of course my financial status does not allow that.
Then nisrin, FINALLY , decides to pick up her AIESEC US laptop from Toshiba, and gives me AIESEC Egypt's laptop. And as soon as she gives it to me the screen starts going banana and disconnects every 5 minutes.
Is it me?! or do computers not like me?!
When my first laptop got smashed in a car accident and left without a screen, i thought it was bad luck - it turned out to be a series of endless incidents!
So i worked with an external monitor, untill one day i found a screen i could afford.
Then the computer started to get busted, it wouldn't open, and after too many attempts i couldnt fix it.
So i took the hard drive out, and gave up.
Then i got my sister's old laptop, and she bought a new one, less than a month since i have had it and the windows crash! so i go to have it formatted, and the hard drive is busted, and needs replacement. So i give the guy my hard drive from the old computer, and that doesn't work coz one of those tiny metal pointy thingies is broken, and apparently that's important.
So i gotta buy a new harddrive! Of course my financial status does not allow that.
Then nisrin, FINALLY , decides to pick up her AIESEC US laptop from Toshiba, and gives me AIESEC Egypt's laptop. And as soon as she gives it to me the screen starts going banana and disconnects every 5 minutes.
Is it me?! or do computers not like me?!
I know purvi, you will hate me for this, but I thought Mr. and Mrs. Smith was cute!
How at the end they stayed together, and started sharing everything - it was kinda endearing!
I am reading the book now - giving it a second chance.
Been busy - too many funerals man!And funerals mean seeing that side of the family that enjoys pestering one another, it's funny until they turn against you!
How at the end they stayed together, and started sharing everything - it was kinda endearing!
I am reading the book now - giving it a second chance.
Been busy - too many funerals man!And funerals mean seeing that side of the family that enjoys pestering one another, it's funny until they turn against you!
Monday, March 06, 2006
And that's when i decided to stop reading
So the book i got seemed good, pulizer prize winner, not so expensive and had an intriguing opening line.
When the grandmother of the heroine/hero (it could be either, she/he/it is confused) marries her brother, that's when i decided to stop reading.
Now homosexuality and other gender issues, i have learned to tolerate - but i draw the line at incest!!
So now i am shopping for a new book! A book that doesn't challenge my worldview THAT much!
When the grandmother of the heroine/hero (it could be either, she/he/it is confused) marries her brother, that's when i decided to stop reading.
Now homosexuality and other gender issues, i have learned to tolerate - but i draw the line at incest!!
So now i am shopping for a new book! A book that doesn't challenge my worldview THAT much!
I am having the worst day!
So far i have had my finger on one hand jammed between two doors, I have had my other finger stung by boiling water, i have been told that my Laptop's hard drive will not work again.
And it is only 10:22
I guess my resolution to be positive every day is failing miserably.
Can't wait for this day to end
And it is only 10:22
I guess my resolution to be positive every day is failing miserably.
Can't wait for this day to end
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
AIESEC Egypt - in Al Ahram!
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