101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived... sad discovery!

Who was the non-living person who influenced you the most?
It would be hard to decide for me... because I grew up in a world of fairy tales. There was always some new story about princes, princesses, good, evil, love, and believing in oneself...
These were the stories that influenced me the most.
But I guess.. things are different now!
It is a sad world when kids grow up knowing The Marlboro Man better than they know Santa Clause...
I wonder if kids will grow up to believe in that perfect and ever lasting love considering that Romeo and Juliet ranked 9 on the list of 101 Most Influential people who never lived!
What will it be like to grow up in a world where Hamlet and the Marlboro Man have more power to influence than Prince charming, Cinderella, Santa Clause, Mickey Mouse, or the Little Engine that Could!
Will children still grow up with the belief that they can do anything and that the world is a good place?
I consider myself lucky to have been brought up in a world where the most influential people who did not live were in fairy tales. It makes me still believe that the world is a good place and that good will always conquer evil!

My letter to my blog!

Dear Blog,
I know you can feel it. Things are different. I do not know why you let me do it.. might have been one of the stupidest mistakes of my life! You should have told me not to switch to blogger in beta... You must have known it sucked!!
Well.. I switched and I cannot switch back.. and because of the switch I could not use you for Nomadlife... I had to find a different blog!
What ?!?!? You are hurt.... ?? I am the one who is hurt!! You should have warned me!
Well.. it is not worth it now! It is over and done with...
Things, like the switch to beta blogger cannot be undone! You just have to live with it and move on...
Well.. I do get attached to things... and the fact I needed a different blog upset me.. Maybe in a year or so I will have forgotten all about you! But not today... Today I am sad!!

So.. for now I will probably be posting on both blogs...
Or maybe I will just copy all the old posts from you to my new one...
Or maybe I will just move on....

I am not sure.....

Goodbye old blog... and hello Nomadlife and new blog!!

Starbucks to open in my living room...

Have you ever heard of any American telling you that their day has been ruined because they could not get their Starbucks... or that they do not know where the nearest Starbucks is? Probably not.. why? Because Starbucks is EVERYWHERE... A few years ago I read about their expansion plans and thought to myself that the only place left to open is inside the existing Starbucks stores across the country...
Where I live in California (very small suburban town.. we have 4 Starbucks... we probably have the same number of grocery stores.. but you know Starbucks are groceries are of the same importance..)
So.. now I read this article. Even more plans to add stores... So.. I will invite you all to the newest Starbucks.. opening soon in my livingroom, and bedroom, and kitchen...
Enjoy!

Embarrassing pictures...

Anyone who would like to see one of the most embarrassing pictures I have taken.... You can now!! Luli has posted the picture !!
You can see it on her blog... here !

The picture was taken at our EB team building. It was such a fun day! This exercise was supposed to teach us to trust each other.... but I think she just wanted an embarrassing picture to blackmail us with!

Seeing the picture reminded me of all the great times, friends, and stupid things we enjoyed so much in AIESEC.... It was so much fun!!

Thanks Luli!!

My ex-fiance read my blog.... ;o)

My ex-fiance read my blog today. His comment was that he never knew I was that social or that I had so many friends. As pathetic as that makes me sound I hope it helped him understand why I was so unhappy when I was not in Egypt with my friends and I hope he understood how much I was willing to sacrific to be with him.
Friends and Egypt do mean a lot to me... and I was going to leave it all to be with him in the states. I really did want to make it work....
But it didn't work... and I am happy here in Egypt with my friends....
I am seriously having the time of my life now.
I hope that everyone finds a place where they are happy... I also hope that everyone finds someone or something so important to them that they would be willing to give it up....
These are 2 experiences that I am grateful to have experienced...
Thank you everyone.....

I am a dork!!

Anyone who knows me knows I watch too many movies... and this really impacted the way I think....
and here is the proof...

Well... I was looking out my window. All is normal. I quiet night in Cairo. Suddenly I see a bright light flying towards me.... I freak out. I have never seen a UFO before and I am intrigued.. it kept getting closer and closer...
With every second the fear rises inside me. I want to alert someone. Cairo is being invaded by aliens... I wish I knew Hosny Mubarek's number! He needs to know.. he needs to figure out how to save the city from the aliens !!
I try to remember the number for the police.. will 911 work here? How do you say alien in Arabic?!?!?!? I feel powerless and scared!!
The light keeps coming closer...
I need a plan! I need to save us and especially me from this thing!!!!!!!!!!
I want to cry.. where is my mom.. she always knew how to get rid of the aliens and monsters!!! She could not be here on time.... I have to do it on my own this time!!
What do you use against aliens anyway??? Garlic, a cross, holy water... no!!!! Why couldn't we just be attacked by vampires?? I can deal with vampires....!!!
It is coming closer....
Then ... the unthinkable happens!!!
I realize it is not a UFO.....
but what is it???
Its a bird, its a plane... its ......
It actually was a plane!!!!
I never knew planes had headlights!!!! After I realized that.... I thought I really am a dork! Of course planes have headlights.. how else do the pilots see... (see what, I dunno.. but they need to see it)..
Now, I can sleep easily knowing that Cairo is safe from the aliens and that pilots can see ;o))

Why I love Egypt!

Today I was asking for directions in Heliopolis. I asked a guy in a car next to me... He gave me the directions but I did not really understand them. He noticed this and told me to follow him. He drove to the street where I needed to be.. and it was out of his way.
It is the small things like this that make me love Egypt. There are many things in this country that suck... but small things like completely make up for it. I have never seen people so nice in any country anywhere. Rarely will someone go out of their way for someone they do not know and will benefit nothing from. I wish I could tell this guy how much of a difference he made to me or how I appreciate what he did so much more than he will ever know. Maybe that is the great thing about it... that he does not know how much it would matter to me... that he was doing it because that is how he is. Because that is how Egyptians are.
Small things like this let me know I am right where I should be...
I am happy here!

The beginning, middle, and end of Eid and the empty spaces...

Well...
Just spent 2 very cool days with Nay-Nay. She is really cool and fun to hang out with. We did not really do anything ... but it was relaxing. We went to Khan el Khalili and I got some great scarves... I am very happy about that. We ate at Sbarro ;o) I am very very happy about that! We baked a Devils Food cake :o).. It was like being back in America...

I went to Alex for the last day of Ramadan and the first day of the Eid. It was cool to see my family again. It felt different being there this time. I felt a lot more independent than I ever have. It is really the best feeling I have ever felt....
I like doing it my way! (That really reminded me of Abaza and karoke in Roastery on Wednesdays.. "I did it my way! ").. ok.. random memories....

Back to my random post....

I think I will go to my uncle's place tomorrow...

Everybody is not in Cairo so I am hoping that I can use this time to finish the shit load of work I have to do. I am planning on going out tomorrow morning and sitting in some cafe and just get all my work done. I realized that I cannot do anything productive at home.. I just really I hope I can do something productive somewhere else or else I have a really bleak vision of the future !!

I was chatting with Kait earlier.. and she was telling me about how she cannot live without me. I do not know what to do about her anymore.. she is just getting way to clingy and stuff... you would think she has a husband now.. she would leave me alone.. but no! She was telling me she cannot live without and stuff... I want to let her down easy! I am really scared of hurting her feelings.. (ok ok.. that did not really happen, well actually it did.. but I was more like forcing these words out of her mouth. I doubt she meant it.. but she did say it! )

Oh yeah.. total weight loss since coming to Egypt is.....
Drumroll please.....
32 pounds!!!
Yaaaaaaaaay!!!!

I do not know how many kilos that is... but is sounds like so much more in pounds.. so I really do not care about kilos...

Luli and I are going to start going to the gym and stuff. I am really excited! We will take the fun classes like dance aerobics and stuff. I will try to convince her to take salsa dancing and maybe belly dancing. I think I am one of the few, the rare, the girls in Egypt who cannot belly dance. One day I was practicing in my room (yeah kinda embarrassing.. but who cares.. I dance in my room.. and I sing in the shower.. I am just one cheerful and happy person!!) anyway.. I was practicing, and I realized my problem is that I actually cannot shake my hips... I will never be the next Shakira! And with that realization many dreams died... It was a sad day ;o( so.. maybe I can take some classes and sprinkle some fairy dust and I will shake my hips... maybe there is hope for me to be the next Shakira.. but prettier and everything ;oD

Well.. this is what I have been doing and will be doing.... and some random bullshit to fill the empty spaces....

Eid is almost here....

One more day of fasting left. there is one more day of sohour left, there is one more family gathering for iftar left...
Ramadan is almost over. the 30 days have come and gone so quickly. If you are like me you have many goals and resolutions that were not attained... but it does not matter.. all that matters is that you made the best of Ramadan..
I hope you had a month full of family you love, friends you cherish, good deeds you were happy to do, needy people you were able to help, self control you mastered, a god that you got closer to and anything else that you wanted.
I hope that you made the most of Ramadan this year for yourself. You have one day left... lets all make the most of it together....
As you break your fast tomorrow just remember that I am wishing for you the best the world has to offer. I hope you have a great Eid!
Eid Saeed for us all.....

My car and the evil eye.....

I finally learned the secret to the car trouble I was having. Anyone who knows me knows how much grief my car has been causing me lately.
I got really tired of being stranded in the street because my car will not start.. I took it today to the mechanic to have him change the battery... he checked the car out and then informed me that my battery is perfect! there are no problems with the battery and it does not need to be changed...
When I tell him that there have been so many times where my car would not start unless I got a jump start he looks confused.. ponders a minute.. then answers ... he reveals the secret to my car trouble.......
He says it must be the evil eye! yes, that is right the EVIL EYE!!!
Well, since I will not change the battery I just decided to go buy a shit load of incense and smoke the hell out of my car.. to rid it of any evil eye spirits!!!
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH
I know my sister will freak out when she reads this, because she too fears the evil eye! And she has seen the horrors of the eye many times before!
So.. Tina.. we are in this evil eye thing together! I will send you some torquoise hands, torquoise eyes, and incense.. and we will battle this bitch!
So, everybody.. don't worry! I am ok now... Next time I get stranded somewhere I will just fire up the incense and I know my car will start!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

Does anybody know a REAL mechanic ???

Old friends and nice cars!

Yesterday I met a good friend of mine. It was pretty cool to hang out and everything... We have known eachother for years but recently have not been able to see each other and barely see each other online because life can be crazy like that sometimes. I love catching up with old friends. I always go home in a great mood....
Yesterday I also got to drive the most amazing car I have seen in Egypt. This kick ass Dodge Ram 4x4 pickup truck! It is like a luxury pickup truck. It looks amazing... I think I have athing for guys in pickup trucks (especially expensive ones ;o)) Well.. i have no idea how.. but I manage to convince my friend to let me drive it!! hahahahahahahahahahha Musta been crazy to agree..
So, i drove it! Me behind the wheel of a half a million LE car! (Ironically it costs more than our 7th series... taxes and customs are a bitch!) Ahhh, it was amazing! I am still happy about it!! Ok.. I have no life and will most likely be telling this story for a couple years to come...
Well, I am seriously craving amar el din (the one you eat.. not drink). I am starting to worry that I will not get it because Ramadan is almost over!!! Tomorrow might be Eid! Well.. happy Eid to you all... and pray that God will guide me on my amar el din expedition!!

Feel Good Friends...

Today i had a great day. It started it out really bad.. 40 minutes stranded in the street because the battery of my car died, and there is noone in the street at 6:30 am in Egypt. But I got it started.. got to work on time..
My class had a play today. They did horribly.. but I think it was great. I realized my class has stage fright. It reminded me how young and vulnerable they are. They are no longer at that age where they are very sure of themselves and not self conscious. They are adorable kids...
Today they were "energetic". That is what I say when they are load, unruly, not listening, not paying attention, and just hard to manage. I hate saying negative about them. So when I want to complain.. I just say they were energetic. It keeps us all positive. After that I was helping one of my students in Science. He is so cute. He was so happy when he started to understand and knew the answers. I love that feeling.. whenI kid is happy because he can answer a question.
Well, back to my day.... after that I went to Luli's for iftar... thanks to Cairo traffic I got there an hour late... It was a very mellow and relaxing evening of hanging out, discussions, gossip, and just letting it all out. A great way to end a hectic week and a hectic day. I sat with Luli in a cafe and just hung out. She is amazing.... and has a way of making me feel really good about myself. She is kinda down these days and I hope I can help get her in a good mood too....
Well.. I now have 10 days off.. and just loving it. I am having so much deciding how I will spend this vacation relaxing and sleeping...
Ahh... it is all good!

I got into an accident :o(

On Tuesday I had an accident. I am ok...
I was driving home from work just like I do everyday... and suddenly there is this cement thing in the middle of the street... I have no clue what it is for.. or why it is in the middle of the street. But this is Egypt and most of the time you cannot answer questions like this. Since I am going quite fast (120 km) and there are cars on my right and left.. I had to either hit one of those cars to swerve to get away from this cement thign.... or I drive right into it. I chose to not hit any cars... and I tried to stop. But I ended up hitting this cement thing. It fucked the bottom of my car up. So.. with the help of the nosy Egyptian people who gathered around I got my car away from the cement thing. I drive home.. the car feels kinda funny, but I think that it is okk because the car is running. Maybe the car is still shaken up from the accident... I know I was. Then, I get to the beginning of my street and I notice my gas light is on. When I left the school the tank was full... now it is empty. That can't be good!!
I go to the gas station to see what is wrong because I don't know any mechanics where I live. The guy at the station gets under the car and checks it out... gets in the car and checks it out. then he tells me I have a gas leak. When I hit that thing it fucked up the gas tank. He also tells me that the gas is leaking out of the tank into the street.. but also into the car! I have no clue why.. but under the back seat of my car is an opening to the tank. I broke what I think is called a gasket and the gas is leaking into the car.
Holy Shit is the only thing that came to mind....
So, being broke and alone I do the only thing a girl in this situation can do.. I cry!
I drive home and continue crying...
I start calling my friends to see if anyone can get me a mechanic now!!
It is 4 pm.. and during Ramadan that means nobody is working! So.. most guys tell me they can do it tomorrow.. Friday. I cannot wait that long. My work is far away and I need a car.
So, I call my computer repair guy. I have no clue why I did that.. but it was a good thing to do. he tells me he will get a mechanic today. At 7pm the mechanic and the computer guy come and get my car.... (When in doubt. call the computer guy)
So.. now he tells me it could be major or minor damage.. meaning.. This could cost you everything you own or nothing at all. I pray like I have never prayed before. I call Purvi and warn her that very soon she will either be crying with me or enjoying the celebratory sheesha!
Well.. The mechanic feels bad for me (I am guessing because I was crying.. still). He promises me that no matter what it is I will have my car before work tomorrow! I start to get a little happy. He also tells me not to worry about the money now.. because I can pay him after I get paid on Sunday. So, I start to relax.
Then he drives away with my car.. (In hindsight that was no too good.. I gave my car to a guy I do not know and I do not even know the computer guy that well either).
He checks out the car.. buys the parts.. and I get my car at 3 am! 4 hours before work!!
I was lucky.. I broke pretty much every minor thing related to the gas tank.. but the actual tank was only dented and stuff. I did not crack it or rupture it. He replaced all the broken tubes, gaskets, and God knows what else. I got the money and paid him on time too!!
My car is working now.. I am not sure if it is perfect or what.. but I know that the gas stays in the tank. And that in itself is a victory!!

A lesson I have learned...

I love my job. I have gotten to know all my students and they have gotten to know me. Their parents trust and respect me. And my bosses are cool.. and really nice. At this school the teachers are in charge of the classroom and the material we teach. I can decide to not teach anything the administration has asked of me. I can cancel a whole day of class to have a party for the kids. It is great to do things your way. At the same time, I have supervisers that will prepare my lesson plans if I feel I am too busy or just not wanting to do it.
The school is really there for the benefit of the students. They are really willing to go out of their way to provide an excellent service for the kids. I love that so much!!

I have this student that was a real trouble maker. He was very defiant and he would not listen to me ever. I started to not like having him in class. I guess I started to try to control him and force him to do what Iwant... It just made things worse. Then his birthday came along, and I had the class sing Happy Birthday to him 2 times that day. He was in charge of everything, he led the lines, he erased the white board. He decided if I would keep kids for detention. He was the star of the class. He felt special.... and since then he has been an excellent student. He is the first one to help get all the desks straight, to get all the papers of the floor, to be quiet when I need to talk. He now listens to what I tell him to do... even if he does not agree or understand! He is a perfect student... and joy to have in class. So, with this I learned... when you are dealing with someone difficult make that person feel special. Maybe they just need their time to shine. You will not lose anything.. and I know I have gained this great felling of making a kid really happy!! :o)
Try it and tell me how it goes.

Only in Cairo....

Today I had a great time at iftar. I met up with Luli, Tom, Purvi, Kenny, and Nisrin. After we ate we went to Misr El Kadima (Old Cairo). It is the Islamic Cairo. Ironically, Tom (a.k.a The Australian) had to show me and Luli how to get there....
The place is just amazing. It is very close to Khan el Khalili. The building are amazing...
We went and sat in this building that is as old as America!
This building used to be used as a kind of hotel for the traveling merchants. It is the most beautiful building I have ever seen! The symmetry of the architecture was breathtaking. The mashrabaya windows I think are beautiful.
I felt this very historical feeling. I wonder what it would be like to stay there, I wonder how many people have passed through this building. I wonder what life was like back then. I wonder the stories that this building has seen.
I am in awe of how beautiful Cairo is.
There is so much of it that I have not seen or experienced.. I really want to see more of it.
I think I will recruit my Australian tour guide and see what Cairo is really like.
See why this country brings so many tourists and historians.
I love Egypt more than I can explain.. and today I fell so much more in love with it!