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 :)
Sunday, December 17, 2006
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?
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