2010

I guess it's time for the year in review. This year has flown by like no other. Maybe it's the fact that I am part of the 9-5 cycle. Or maybe that so much has happened this year..
Shokoofeh posted this beautiful, beautiful post! And this is just..perfect.
This post was inspired by Gala Darling's year in review post.

here

Family
This year two of my cousins got married. A cousin of mine became a father, and we lost a cousin's husband to cancer, leaving behind a 6 and 2 year old.
This year, my sister presented at the APA convention thing (and turned 21). My brother has evolved into this witty young, young man. This year I turned 23 among family, no party, nothing.

My father came back from Saudi Arabia to live with us after seven years of being away.As much as I had dreaded that, it turned out to be a good thing; I have bonded with my father as an adult, and that made me realize so many things.
I realized that my father is almost always right, regardless of what could sometimes be a poor way of expression. He is a very wise man, a very smart and caring man. My father, shortly after I had gotten to know my boyfriend, sat me with him on the balcony and told me not to go about recklessly handling my heart, I had no idea what he was talking about, because it was only the third time I had met my almost doctor, but my dad could feel it. And thank God, I am not being reckless about my heart.

Jen came back to visit this month!

Ends
This year- what in retrospect seemed like a mentally abusive relationship, ended. I caused a lot of pain for my ex-boyfriend. I left the relationship almost believing no one will love me the same way, that I was a wreck and no one else would bear with me- because he "fixed me"..I had to ask for permission every time I leave the house, before I hug a male friend, a male cousin even...

My iPod died, and my laptop. My relationship with facebook has ended, and my addiction to Farmville.

Beginnings
In September of this year, I found a man. Yes, it didn't take me long (only 4 months, I know) but it felt like a lifetime. You know, the where-have-you-been-all-my-life sort of thing. Because that's how it feels like, this really is how it feels like; like I have been waiting all my life. And he has that smile... one that I would like to think he uses for me and only me. No, but he really does have a very, very genuine smile. A playful smile. And big almond shaped brown eyes, ones that twinkle, and he makes me giggle.

I started working for the government this year. And my blackberry (ab)use. My obsession with maps and Twitter. I made new friends.

Highlights

• Meeting Liz
• A fourteen hour long first date which included pancakes for breakfast, a walk, a felouka ride, a performance, dinner.
• Going to the opera before going to the movies together for the first time.
• I wrote this and this.
• Seeing Emel Methlouthi perform live in Cairo.
• I started exercising again!
• I got compliments because of my smile.
• Cherished times with my best friend, who is now in Sinai, and it's raining heavily there and I am kind of worried.
• Fun times with my sister and cousin.

Goals
In 2011, I want to go back to blogging more. I want to work out everyday or at least 3-4 times a week. I want to graduate from grad school. (with honours so I could get a scholarship for my PhD)

I need to write and read more because I haven't been doing that enough, also I need to spend time with myself, because I haven't done that in a long while, that I am beginning to think I am deliberately avoiding myself. But I hope not. I am an okay person to be around!

I want to spend more time with Menna, I want to call friends and family more often, and see them more often. I want to travel. Watch more films and shows, at least the ones I should watch. (suggestions?)

Oh yes, and I want to grow my hair out!

Here's to

• Growing and never growing up.
• Ridding myself of the people who choose to dwell in negativity, instead of fighting through/ for the more pleasurable path of positivity. Some people just choose the easy way out. And it's sad. (I think I've already done that.)
• Smiles and laughs and being silly.
• New beginnings and brighter days and darker times that will pass.
• Not choosing your words wisely because if you feel it, say it.
• Trusting your instincts.
• Not pretending that I care, to not listen to things that I am not interested in out of sheer politeness. To not always saying yes. To not stressing myself out. Yet, still manage to be kind.

I hope everyone has a great new year, and please never forget who you are. Never forget that you don't need to please everyone. You just be the best version of you and the rest will be taken care of.