And a Shout Out!

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This post is so pretty...

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To all those of us who need good luck. Or positive energy and encouraging thoughts. To all those of us who need the reassurance that tomorrow will be better (to be able to get through today, if it's not a good day)

And to all those of us who just need to know that other people are going through something similar.

Tomorrow will be a better day! (actually, it's a beautiful day today, you only need to notice it)

Maria-Thérèse, with all my heart, I wish you good luck!!

Athena, I am glad you are feeling better. 

Belle, I wonder how you are doing!

Mae and Aya, let's meet up!

Sara...I miss you and I hope Austria is not too cold.

Sondos! I LOVE YOU!

Anna, I miss you.

Shokoofeh, please feel better.

My only blogger boys,hey!

Liz, Iva, Kristin: thank you :)

Nicole, I have hazel eyes, too!

Miss B, you are loved- I hope it reaches you, it's a long way from Africa, you know!

Chels, you make me smile!

The shout out to continue! This feels great!!oh and I am thinking, Mohammed and I, we are thinking about starting this little project, this is as fresh as a piece of news could ever be!

PS Thank you

A Thought

I am sitting here at work:

1. my neck hurts
2. I am tired from yesterday (we lost..during the extra time..is there a  "professional" term for that?)
3. Listening to the strokes (Thank you!)

And then the thought hit me...

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If rain and clouds and grey skies are depressing, does that make you hate the rainbow?
The answer would be: NO!
If the path to something beautiful is bumpy and scary and just twisted, don't let it get to you!
Roses have thorns remember?
And every cloud sure does have it's silver lining! And better yet, a golden lining during sunset!

I hope everyone has an inspiring day,one filled with positive "profound thoughts"  (extra love to you if you know which book that is from!)

PS Beth Rowely is so cute! Thank you :)
PPS Check out this give-away but please don't win, because I want to!

oh I almost forgot!!
I bring to you: the nose ring!

photo taken and edited by a friend.

Can you see it? and see the double chin? I will start going to the gym again, I promise!

Football (and Tea)

He was supposed to give me my football education, but never did! Today will be the first time for me to ever go to a stadium! I am going with him(boy) and friends to watch an U20 world cup match Egypt  (this links to an introductory article- about the team) vs. Paraguay today!
Another link.

So yeah! I'm excited, even with my very bad neck! (notice all the exclamation marks used)

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My grey hair has grown in and I don't know if I like it, I have tons of grey hairs on my head...which is ironic really, because I think of myself as a baby...a child. A caged free spirit. I always want to go, but I can't. I am tiny.

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Right now I want to be sat in a beautiful room, with a beautiful tea set and a brilliant cup of tea(milk added) and warm scones. Or a lovely pancake from here (article and website) with maple syrup. Oh and I while doing that, please play some Edith Piaf?

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I like this playlist! Any playlist suggestions? Preferably quirky!

265 months

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I turned 265 months yesterday. And I went to Sequoia to celebrate a friend's birthday.

I can very much say that yesterday was the highlight of my weekend. Accomplishment with boyfriend as well! Otherwise my weekend was...bad.

Coming sound: photo with nosering! I thought I'd be able to post it now, but I realized I don't have my camera cable with me at work.

A photo of Alexandria, instead! I took this, is it any good?

I haven't been feeling very inspired lately...I need to write not just write, you know? I don't know if I've mentioned it, but classes at the AUC have stopped until the 3rd of October for swine flu concerns. I think it's stupid. Actually the whole education system in Egypt is on pause until the 3rd! Really stupid! I've attended 2 classes before they decided to suspend classes...and they inspired me, I don't know how- or why- but they did.

Check this post. And a beautiful wedding.

Please GAP, send me one of these!

Oh, and I love you. Not only for telling me that I don't need to lose weight, but I love you. I really do! For something simply as great as being the person you are.

Yes, I am talking to you.

And you.

And you.

Back!!

I have been crazy about everything Jade/mint coloured lately...and I found this in my email!

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I know this is a depressing thought, but can this be true?

Also, my nose piercing has a darker circle around it...is it the ring? I don't know but it still hurts a bit- it's been a week.

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I enjoyed my break.. I really did. I went with my family to Alexandria and the North Coast. BEAUTIFUL weather! Alexandria is, unlike Cairo, susceptible to autumn and weather change, it rained there yesterday morning and I was more than happy to witness the first rain of the season! I walked in the rain :)

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I am at a crossroads right now, and I am scared. I am more scared than I have ever been in my life. Because it's sort of a no-going-back decision that I need to make and it is definitely a life changing one. It could make me forever happy or leave me forever in regret.

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There are a million things on my mind and I am trying to enjoy it. I sip my coffee and enjoy it. I write in my Moleskine to not forget- regardless of how much I want this phase to end, I would still want to remember what I have gone through... Years from now, I would want to remember what got me there.

Having mentioned my Moleskine, I can't wait for the new year! Which reminds me I need to start losing weight...gah! Frustration!

BRB!

Currently in Alexandria, Egypt. Taking loads of photos and laughing too loud, and not getting enough sleep!
Spending too much time in the car. And not having enough coffee.

Will be back tomorrow and read all comments and catch up on my reader!
xx

A Fragmented Post (a bit of)

I got my nose pierced today! (my mum hates it)

Tomorrow is Eid!

Oh and check this out:

I know it doesn't show properly but, I am on Gala Darling's LINK PAGE!!! WOW? I mean, seriously, it surprises me-- every time I see myself linked on ANY blog, I just feel...special. I know, I am silly.

Oh I have to mention one very important thing! You know "Operation Beautiful"? Well, the other day, I found a post-it at City Stars, on the bathroom door, and the lady who tends to the bathroom told me take it...because I am beautiful. That's what she said. I hugged her.

Can you see it properly? "Smile because you ARE beautiful"

That incident had made my day.

Last week was also fun times on my best friend's roof:

That's her in the dress. And I am in the pale yellow thingy :)

I am so excited about tomorrow! I can't sleep (it's 4:30 am)! What we do is: A WHOLE LOT OF US (family, friends, friends of friends...etc) meet up at 6 am (after having taken nice, long warm showers) and go to pray "Salat el Eid" then we head to Korba for breakfast! AHH!

One magical thing from today:

An onion ring at Burger King :)

Eid!

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Today is the 27th day of Ramadan, a month that is a true blessing, at least that's how I feel about it.
Ramadan comes to an end either on Saturday or Sunday and then it's Eid!!

I love Eid!

Not because of the festivities, and the shopping and the gatherings. Not because of the lovely food and tons of cookies (kahk)..I just love eid..

It brings back so many memories of my childhood, and I just love waking up early in the morning to go pray with my cousins, and meet all the random people- it just puts me in a cheerful mood.

It's a long weekend! Friday, Saturday,Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off, heaven much?

 

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Did you see this? Thank you Aya, for sharing! I think you've already read that on Diamond in the Rough but I should link!

Cait has brought to my attention that I have forgotten to mention in my last post that we are blessed. For we are. We are blessed with our souls. A soul that connects on so many different levels. Like a ray of light-that which forms the rainbow. A soul that can feel, even that who is not present. A soul that believes in beauty.
Thank you for reminding me, beautiful :)

Horrifically Ill-equipped!

My "Economic Setting for Development" doctor said that:

Man is horrifically ill-equipped. 

We have been ill treated by nature. The only living creature that has been treated this bad.
Other animals have fur to keep them warm, are either vegetarian or would eat their meat raw, other animals cooperate- they don't compete.

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It is in our human nature to compete. But we tend to forget- we tend to forget the reason why we have evolved into societies; why we live in groups. We tend to forget the importance of a family; the building block of a society. Humans wouldn't have survived hadn't they cooperated in the first place: "You build the shelter, while I tend to the crops"

Capitalism and the corporate life have lead us to forget the essence of our humanity; the reason we originally made it through all those centuries: our togetherness; we were created to reinforce one another's existence.

We are our quintessence. THIS is a reminder: our brains are the only weapons we were given, and they work perfectly fine! They just need the guidance of our hearts, because that's what makes us human. A heart tells you when to stop, when you compete too much when, in fact, you should be cooperating! See! Even a heart and a mind cooperate. And that is how we survive.

Survival is not of the fittest, nor is it of the socially smart, it is of those who are in touch with their humanity.

Grand Award/Tag Post!

Isn't he sweet?

 

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 Since everyone has been so sweet and generous to me with awards and tags.. I will tag people to do this WHOLE POST!!(except the one you've given me/tagged...does that make sense?)

I tag: Anna, Belle, Shokoofeh, Sara, Aya, Maie, Missy, Lizzy,Nicole, Maria-Therese, Farah, Bambola...why can't I just tag everyone? Feel free to award/tag yourself xx

Nicole gave me this:

love it! I pass it on to:  

And this:

Here’s how this one works: USE ONLY ONE WORD! It’s not as easy as you might think. Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers. Then pass out the award to whoever you would like!

1. Where is your cell phone? in my bag
2. Your hair? messy

3. Your mother? young.
4. Your father? Anesthesiologist .
5. Your favorite food? sushi
6. Your dream last night? none
7. Your favorite drink? coffee
8. Your dream/goal? peace
9. What room are you in? office
10. Your hobby?writing

11. Your fear? loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? everywhere!
13. Where were you last night? Alexandria

14. Something that you aren’t? tall.
15. Muffins? vanilla
16. Wish list item? Paris
17. Where did you grow up? Cairo.
18. Last thing you did? work.
19. What are you wearing? outfit

20. Your TV? absent.
21. Your pets? None.
22. Friends? missed.
23. Your life? random.
24. Your mood? hungry.
25. Missing someone?yes
26. Vehicle? baby!
27. Something you’re not wearing? bracelet
28. Your favorite store? Zara.
29. Your favorite color? blue.
30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday.
31. Last time you cried? bed.
32. Your best friend? two.
33. One place that I go to over and over? Harris!
34. One person who emails me regularly? Galida (and Miss B)
35. Favorite place to eat? Makani.

Anna had given me this award earlier and I think it's gorgeous. Just like you Anna!

The Premium Meme Award

{For this, I have to list seven traits about myself and then pass the award onto seven other bloggers who deserve recognition for the personality they share through their blog.}

1. The most fulfilling job I have ever had was: co-teaching
   
2. I miss my grand father everyday.
3. I hate my curves.
4. I don't miss my hair :)
5. I am addicted to blogging.
6. I LOVE my family!
7. I rarely ever watch TV!

Stacey and Missy gave me the Kreativ Award!

here are the rules:

one. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

two. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

three. Link the person who nominated you for this award.

four. Name seven things about yourself that people might not know.

five. Nominate seven Kreativ Bloggers.

six. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.

seven. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

So the seven things that you might not know about me are:

• I talk to myself and sometimes, I catch people stare.
• I wish I had a twin
• I love cooking!
• When it comes to feelings, and emotions, illusions and delusions, I seriously cannot stop myself. There is no limit to how far my feelings grow, or how far my mind goes for that matter.
• The best phone I have ever owned is the Sony Ericsson K800i
• I love Staedler triplus fineliners and all the rainbow colours! 
• I get asked if I am over 21 when going to places, while my 20 year old sister and cousin go in- all so naturally!
  

Don't Forget to BREATHE!

It's been such a hectic week/weekend for me. I started classes on Thursday! I am taking a seminar political science class: Political Economy in Nasser's Era and an economics class: The Economic Setting for Development.

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• Thursday: Finished work, went home, napped, then iftar at 6:15. Left home at 7 to make it on time for my 8 pm class [ it's Ramadan and everything has funny hours- that class is usually at 5] then we went to pray tahajod (my sister, my cousin and I) and that was over at 3 am.
• Friday: I woke up at 4 pm!! then I went and had iftar at my best friend's ...there were a lot of people and it was fun! Then tahajod again until 3:30 this time.
• Today I went to Alexandria with my sister, got there just on time for iftar with my grandma and her best friend and came back home afterwards (mind you, the train to Alex. is a two hour train!) I am yet to pray :)

What has everyone been up to? I miss you. I miss my blog. I still have to check my reader. That was just me reminding myself (and everyone) to breathe. Please don't forget to breathe.

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Good News!

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The AUC Graduate Admissions Office called me a while ago. I passed my test.
I will go tomorrow for advising and registration, and will pay the fees on Thursday (which is the last LATE REGISTRATION date)

I hope I am lucky enough to make it!

This is my program.

Words can't describe how happy I am. And how thankful I am. Everyone who has wished me good luck is part of this. And everyone is also an inspiration to me. Thank you.

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I am so overwhelmed right now. And filled with love. I am actually overflowing with love!

This is the very first step of my metamorphosis!! My life is getting better. And I know, right now, I know that being the optimist pays off!

Thank you, God, for answering my prayers.

Hungry...

Love
Guest post!
Love
And Love!

 

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Yesterday was the English proficiency test (finally) for my masters degree. It went great! And then, my cousins, my sister, Mohammed and I went to Sequoia ,one of my favorite places in Cairo!

Yesterday, overall, was fun! The getting dressed (my sister, cousin and I) and driving to the place with loud music coming out of my tiny car. The fact that the electricity got cut off and we lit candles all over the house, and were even considering getting dressed in the candle light. It was so funny!

I went home to find my brother had spilled water on my laptop, which is now not working... so no pictures of yesterday for now.

I don't feel like I belong in this office. I know I don't.

Mohammed came back from Istanbul on Saturday, and got my baklava and a Turkish teacup set of 2! And earrings, and a t-shirt! Why is baklava so deliciously yummy?

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I found a recipe!

 

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I am so inspired by Nick Hornby's "High Fidelity" and how there are lists all over the book. The top five...anything, everything.

And I am thinking of a little something!

The Power of Blogging

I was thinking today after iftar, about a dear blogger-friend and how much I love her. And it took my thoughts to another direction. A direction with no borders.

Now, as you all may know, Iran and Egypt are not friendly on the political level. Egypt is the only Arab country with no embassy in Iran and that is all because of the Islamic Revolution when Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was welcomed to Egypt.

The Shah's first wife was the very beautiful Egyptian princess Fawzia!

King Farouk, Princess Fawzia, and the Shah

 

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I got carried away, but I have to mention that Princess Fawzia still is very beautiful...!

The point is, I dedicate this to Shokoofeh, because I think we are proof of how people are independent of political systems and regimes! I believe that blogs have so much potential and power. That blogging is very underestimated! 

I love you, blog! I love you friends I made through my blog. I really do. All of you.

Have tons of fun this weekend! And don't forget this! (FIVE days to go!)

September Second

 

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Dear Summer, 

You will be missed, yes, that is a sure thing. But please, stop being so hot when I am fasting? The traffic is ugly and I don't need anything to make my day any worse.

Thank you,

Sara

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Anna shared this link, and I love it! I especially love this one. Because, if an entire language has no word for yesterday, why do we pay that much attention to it? Why do we worry about yesterday when there are people who have no yesterday in the language they speak?

I was the first Egyptian to take this pledge, at 2:09 AM Cairo local time, on the 9th of September, worldwide moment will take place. Take the pledge, and share your pictures. I think this will be such a great act of unity! If we do this we can do anything, really. Or it might be me, exaggerating as usual-- but I hate to think so!

Follow WWM on twitter!

  

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I have a nagging need, a unanimous urge to travel. And it won't let go! Instead, it's growing, expanding to other places! First it was Paris, now I want to go to England, I want to go to Montreal! And Finland and Sweden and Slovenia...I could go on and on and on. France and England are where I want to go the most. I've been there before, as a child, but that doesn't count.

The Necklace

Penelope said...
Hello Sara! Glad it arrived safely in gorgeous Egypt!
The necklace was actually ordered for you from a friend who expressly told me not to mention it was from her (what a lovely friend you have). ^__^

Was it you?

( I am very curious!)

Happy September

Remember this? The pretty necklace on my birthday wishlist...well guess what? I GOT IT IN THE POST!!

Penelope of  Hey Lovely and Our Tea Party was kind enough to send it to me. Do you realize how happy I am?
VERY VERY HAPPY!

 

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Now, two very enchanting giveaways: Lizzie's and Nikki's! Lovely names, ladies! Oh and your wishcake! Lots and lots of lovely giveaways x

Postsecret.

This is one of my favorite poems of all time :) Are you strong enough? 
Do you know why the willow weeps?

 

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I know the images have nothing to do with my post, but the photos are just too pretty!!

Yesterday, Sarah from Yes and Yes, posted this very thought-provoking post, well at least to me it was. But it is true, there must be this one person that has changed your life forever. Or a few. A person who has, be it intentionally or unintentionally, made you change your path. Take a turn you never thought you would, and your life changed. Just like that. I tried to think who that person is/was...but I think it will take me more than just one night of thinking. Who changed your life? and how? comment or even blog about it please!

 

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Is it REALLY September already? Autumn? WOW! We don't really get autumns in Cairo, it's usually warm and then suddenly it's winter...yes, we don't have defined seasons, if that makes sense!

Yesterday was my S babe's surprise birthday party! We had iftar on a yacht, cruising the Nile. And it was beautiful! Because she is a great person and deserves all the best! Sara and I have known each other for..*counts on fingers* eight years now! She is a very talented person as well! Happy birthday, S! August babies are the best! x

I hope you are all having a lovely Tuesday x