.

It is such a weird day so far. I woke up to news that a beautiful person I went to school with passed away. And now news of Alaa's release. (wiki)

I'll make this short since I don't really know how I feel.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

New Look!

I don't know how I feel about my new layout. But, I think it was time for a new one. So there!
I think I miss the green though.
I don't know how I feel about the blue. What do you guys think?

I am getting rid of my blackberry soon, it was fun while it lasted, but I think I have had it with dealing with not so good hardware. So I am going for the Samsung Galaxy Note.

Anyway, Rhianne has a beautiful freebie for all of us. And I think everyone should have the beautiful calendar.

Speaking of freebies, I have been downloading tons of freebies from Pugly Pixel and Mellowmint lately and I have no idea what I am going to do with them. But since I am currently unemployed, I will definitely find something to do with them, yeah? Suggestions?

I hope everyone is having a great break. And those who are not on break are having a great weekend. I have been obsessing about my grades, and I keep checking every ten minutes. And no grades are out yet, and it's all so unfair.

I leave you with this:

here

Gratitude 2011: January 2011

I missed the 400th post celebration. And this here, is my 403rd post.

So..

YAY

Anyway, I have been meaning to start on my lists of gratitude (since I have nothing better to do, really) And because I think I need the positivity in my life, it's been a tough year, and things don't seem to get any better...

here

(I obviously like this picture of myself :D I made this just in case any of you guys wanted to do lists!)


January 2011

(this is also when I start regretting not writing in my journal as often as I should)

• The euphoric feeling of being one with the crowd of thousands of people chanting together on the 25th of January
• Spending the night at my boyfriend's because of curfew.
• Safety
• My car, and chai lattes.
• My family, for being interesting enough and fun enough for us to endure a 3pm curfew
• the vigilante who kept us safe.
• Meeting my boyfriend's grandparents.
• Rain
• Can you tell I don't remember anything that's happened before the 25th of January? Stupid me.

And with that, I have realized my number one resolution: Write in my Moleskine more often. (Everyday) 

Also, here's a link to graffiti spotted around Cairo. 

Waste of Space

You know when you read something and it makes you realise, in retrospect, how things you have done that didn't make sense might make sense after all?

Am I making sense?

I read this, and well, I know Mercury was in retrograde, and it was a journey, sort of, but it's okay. I am happy I am starting the new year with a clear canvas, and I am free to color it whichever way I want to.

I also love Thought Catalog for so many things, among which is this article here! I don't know if you know, but I was the one who said it first, I tried to find my way around it, and I tried to find an alternative, for maybe 10 minutes and I just couldn't make myself not say it, it was such a strong feeling, so I said it; I told him I loved him maybe less than a week into the relationship. And I AM SO LUCKY HE'S STILL HERE.

(and then came this article)

It's the weekend and I am sitting at home with my ten year old brother, and 15 year old sister, and my grandmother and my mum's aunt. Fun times, I tell you.

I am so bored I could die.

I have been playing entanglement for the past hour maybe. And I am reading "God Bless You Mr. Rosewater"

And to end the most useless post, I leave you with this:

December

I quit my job. After a tormenting year and ten months, I quit my job! I finally quit my job.
And now, I am unemployed.
I am not really happy about it, the lack of income is freaking me out to be honest. And there's not much to do other than study since it's end of semester and I am to graduate this semester.

In February, I shall have it on my wall, MA in Economics in International Development.

I have no idea what is next, but I am glad that this year is ending so many things with it. It has been a tough year, so stressful! So very stressful and there is no room for switching off really, or breaking away, because it's not just the news, it's around me, it is everywhere.

What do you think I should ask for for graduation? I am thinking a Galaxy Note I didn't really get anything for my birthday back in August.

I think I should catch up on reading, I have nine new books, other than those left unread on the bookshelf.

here

Anyway, I am planning to compile a list of gratitude for this year, anyone want to do this with me? I am planning to going about it by listing at least three things I was grateful for each month.

Then come the resolutions, I want to do that in a non-cliched way though and I don't know if that is even possible.

The History Books Forgot About Us...NOT!

I sit in bed and I am so tired...all I could think of is the future of my country. We are living through times that will be recorded in history books, I belong to a generation that made history. I made history.

62% voter turn out is something that has never happened before...I am not really happy with results so far, but elections are elections, and if this is the fruit of fair elections then...then I will campaign more and more for the liberal left. And hope for the best.

I was talking to the boyfriend/fiance the other day, and asked him if we are going to be all bored and depressed when this is over..I, for one, will sure be depressed and I will call it the post revolution depression. Just like MUN's post conference depression syndrome.

I was looking through pictures I have on the computer and thought maybe I should share some of the phone pictures I have of the protests and stuff

Qasr el Nil Bridge on out way to Tahrir Square on January 25th, 2011, CSF let us pass through.

Part of the crowd on January 25th

Bad picture but this is from January 29th, 8am, going back home after not being able to go back due to curfew, army tanks were everywhere

January 29th, NDP headquarters burning

February 11th, people on the street after Mubarak stepped down, this is when people still liked the army

same day.

The next day, people went to clean Tahrir up, NDP HQ in the background

That's pretty much it, I know they're nothing artistic, they're just phone pictures. I have some from the elections but they're mostly of violations. 

I hope everyone has a great, great weekend!