A Decade Already?

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I wrote a review of 2009 but then I thought I shouldn't post it. I think I should leave the year behind. I overall don't like 2009 but I have to give it some credit! I reunited with family, I am a graduate student. Ups and downs with boyfriend.

Mohammed, Menna, Sondos and Wessam started their own blogs.
I met GREAT bloggers!

I got paid for the first time in my life. I embraced my red heels. My cousin got engaged and the other one is almost married. I cut all my hair off. And I stopped dying it so you can see all the greyness. I acquired some really bad habits (especially being the health freak I am) I stopped working out.

Resolutions? I want to spend more time around older people, and younger people. I want to try new things, and stumble and fall and learn (inspired by the younger) and I want to learn from what other people have gone through (older people)

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I want to travel. And I want to explore my beautiful country.

I still catch myself saying "when I grow up" I just did that now..I was telling my brother "when I grow up, I'll take you to Switzerland" he said "when's that going to be?" In a witty, sarcastic tone.

I am not sure when it is that I want to get married, I know this is a matter of fate and all that.

I still cry when I think of my grandfather. I rarely ever watch television anymore and I am not as addicted to the internet..but I am addicted to farmville! I have attended great concerts in 2009 and I am intending on attending more.

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I will explore the world more now. And I will remember that you are only blind to things if you chose not to see them with your heart. I will write more. And I will believe in myself more. I will leave my cloud and come back to earth every now and then. I will take better photos! Thank you camera for being a good one!

You know what? My dad GROUNDED me yesterday and took my sim card away. Now seriously...I'll just let him exercise some power on me. I know it will pay off later on...Even though I wanted to shout "I am twenty-freaking-two, I shouldn't be even living with you!!" I just looked at him, calm and composed "okay...yes...ok, here's my phone." I know, I know..I am looking at the bright side of things..

I hope you all have a great new year, and if you are intending on drinking, don't drive PLEASE! And don't text or call any exes. Drink enough water when you go back home. Or on the 1st. If you are staying in (like yours truly!) suggest some movies?

On Brilliance

On the fourth of March would be my bloggiversary! I am kind of excited. I have made a lot of friends during the past 9 months. I have received a lot of gifts and cards and love, and I have sent love but not enough gifts and cards. Shame on me!

Is it resolution time yet? I think it is. But then as Randi said, I am in a rut- and everything I think or do or say is influenced by that...so it scares me.  am too scared to make resolutions. And I can't even write in my journal! But since I didn't have a Christmas wishlist... I have one wish that I would have realized very soon!

I have always wanted to own one of these gorgeous pieces!
Aya El Rakhawy, is a lovely designer!

wearing her own design (earrings)

In our culture, the Kaf, is very significant...and I think it makes a beautiful addition to "oriental" jewelery!

A few examples of her brilliant pieces:

That little hand is the kaf! The Kaf and the blue eye and blue in general is believed to keep away the evil eye. I don't know if such beliefs are essentially Bedouin, or routed to the fellahin, or overall Egyptian. But you just find them all over traditional Egyptian jewelery.

Don't you just love this ring?

The one in the middle is my initial! I love these!

So I am going to spoil myself for new years and buy me some of her designs! There's no point of saving up, really...If any of you want to join me please do!! Here's a link to the event.

Maybe I just need to spoil myself. I have a very strong desire to be alone, but then I know that's never good...GAH!

What are your new year's resolutions?

What do you think of her designs?

A First at Twenty-Two

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I am doing my commenting as I write this!
I've had a very...weird weekend. And none of it was planned.

Thursday morning I wake up at 10, and my father was getting ready to go get some paper work done (we got a new car) so I join him in hopes of renewing my passport..which I ended up not doing but oh well.

We head towards the citadel then my dad suddenly decides he wants me to drop him off and go meet his cousin, her fiance and a couple of their friends alone. So I do it, willingly...

I take them to Ibn Tulun, and they are very nice people!! The last time I'd seen my dad's cousin was about 10 years ago- if not more! After that we head to Khan Khalili, my dad joins us...then leaves me, again, behind. But I enjoyed it a lot!!

After they finish their shopping I offer to drop them off in Maadi and I was invited to join then for Christmas dinner. I spend the evening with my dad's cousins, their sons and friends..I loved it!! This means I have 4 cousins added to my extended family!

As I was getting ready to leave, my cousin asks if I can drop him off at another cousin's place, and I do, he gives me his number and leaves...3 minutes later I call him "please come to the side street...now" and I am shaking! I am shaking so hard...I didn't know what to think or how to react...I crashed into a guy on a scooter- head on...

It was ugly. My first accident...

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And people were gathering...all against me. I was wrong, but so was he- the guy on the scooter. He's fine. It was a long, long night. But I made friends with my cousins.  The next day they call me up to check up on me...and my head is all confused. I still am confused. And I am begging for my clarity. (boyfriend was there for me...)

Thank you all for your comments...I really, really, really appreciate them! I promise. I know you care. I want you to know that I care too!

Dot Dot Dot

I don't know if I am depressed.
Or if it is a lack of productivity..
Maybe it's the fact that nothing lasts...because honestly...nothing lasts.

Forever is a lie.

I am anxiously waiting for my grades and my pessimism is not helping...I need to talk to someone I don't know. Maybe they won't judge...they won't have a bias...or a pre-analytical view of whatever it is I am saying.

I am sorry to be writing such negative thoughts on Christmas eve...but hey! Merry Christmas everyone!!
It was my cousin's engagement party last night and the photos are on my sister's camera
(my sister always misplaces her things)

My semester officially ended as of Monday, you'd think I should be happy..I don't seem to figure out why I am not. But oh well...

I'm back.
Not "me" but back

Kolena Laila كلنا ليلي

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(We are all Layla..or Laila. If I had to choose a name, I would choose Baheyya. The name that represents Egypt.)

You see, there's this girl in my head that I envy. I envy her for her parents allowing her to travel with her friends, and her boyfriend.

A girl I envy for going to do her masters abroad.

A girl I envy for going on an AIESEC internship.

A I envy for her comfort she finds in her own skin.

A girl I envy for so many things.

For her slim figure maybe, or her ability to not conform to the pressure. I envy so many girls for so many things really.

All the girls are not me.

I don't know what I am envied for, really. But I have one thing to complain about- my lack of freedom. My lack of freedom to choose, or to go away, the lack of freedom to travel. And the reason? Over protective parents maybe? Or ones that are tied by societal shackles, no matter how outdated they are.

I can also complain about the eyes I find following me as I walk down the streets.

I don't know if, in that, I am taking part in the way to a better society...but complaining about things is a start right?

I asked Dr. Ali Hadi and Dr. Abdel Aziz Ezz El Arab yesterday whether they see potential in our generation, they both said yes. Coming from two great men that's something huge!! They said we have the practical means that no one had before.

I said but we lack the dream.

Please dream. Please!