Well, I've been back in Iowa for roughly two days now. I went to Iowa City for Saturday and part of today before returning to DM to hang out with my Mom and Dad for a little Christmas Eve dinner.
To be honest, I had high hopes of returning to Iowa City. I was really excited and I think I built it up so high in my mind that it was truly a little disappointing. I don't want to offend anyone that I visited, because I did have a great time talking with my friends, it's just that I've been thinking about how fantastic Iowa City is for a few months now and then....well....it didn't live up to the hype.
It's kind of like when people keep telling you how great a movie is...and they keep hyping it and hyping it and hyping it. Finally you decide to see it and then, while you think it's good, you didn't think it was awesome. Does this make sense?
To be honest, this has put a question mark in my future plans. Again, I don't want to offend anyone, but now I question whether or not I should return. I mean, I do know people there and it is fun, but it would also seem to be a step back in time and not a step forward toward moving on with my life. While it is a comfortable place for me, I remember often being bored and looking for something to do....and my friends were usually busy and then I would rent movies and watch them by myself. Stimulating.
So now I look toward the rest of my break. I have a wedding coming up on Saturday and I'm meeting up with friends throughout the week, while spending time with my buddies. Good times are in store!
Monday, December 25, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
My bags are packed....
In less than 31 hours I'll be sitting at the airport here in Cairo, waiting to board a plane that will take me to Amsterdam, Minneapolis and ultimately Des Moines. While I'm very excited to be heading home (even though it's only for a couple of days), I thought that this would be a great time for a reflection.
Over the past 4 months, I've been threatened with a lightbulb (also one of the funniest things to happen), nearly hit by many, many cars, yelled at by parents, laughed at by parents, told that I'm no fun and told that I'm a fun teacher. While this range of emotions have fallen upon me, I can't help but still wonder...Why am I here?
I'm one of those people that believe that everything happens for a reason, so as I sit in front of my laptop, I can't help but ponder this question. It has truly been on my mind a lot over the last couple of days, weeks and months.
Is there a lesson that I'm supposed to learn?
Is there someone that I'm suppose to help?
Is someone supposed to push me?
To be totally honest, I'm not sure. I know that this experience has taught me a lot already....
...for starters, I miss Iowa. Only a year ago, I would have refused to believe that this statement would come out of my mouth, it's true. I miss hanging out with my friends, my family and my munchkins at BASP. I miss being able to go out into the woods and take a walk around. I miss being able to call one of my friends at anytime (even though they may ignore it and call me a few days later).
This experience has also taken me completely out of my comfort zone. Never before have I been stared at so much. It's hilarious to step onto the Metro (Subway) and to have everyone turn and look at you....and keep looking at you!
I remember when I went to the zoo and everyone stared. It was awesome. I even had kids yelling out..."Hello! Hello!" It was great. Just imagine seeing a Hispanic person in Iowa City and all of a sudden all the kids yell out, "Hola! Hola!" I've never seen anything like it.
The saddest part of this reflection is that as soon as I get used to being home again, I'll have to come back. I think this is going to be the hardest part of all.
Over the past 4 months, I've been threatened with a lightbulb (also one of the funniest things to happen), nearly hit by many, many cars, yelled at by parents, laughed at by parents, told that I'm no fun and told that I'm a fun teacher. While this range of emotions have fallen upon me, I can't help but still wonder...Why am I here?
I'm one of those people that believe that everything happens for a reason, so as I sit in front of my laptop, I can't help but ponder this question. It has truly been on my mind a lot over the last couple of days, weeks and months.
Is there a lesson that I'm supposed to learn?
Is there someone that I'm suppose to help?
Is someone supposed to push me?
To be totally honest, I'm not sure. I know that this experience has taught me a lot already....
...for starters, I miss Iowa. Only a year ago, I would have refused to believe that this statement would come out of my mouth, it's true. I miss hanging out with my friends, my family and my munchkins at BASP. I miss being able to go out into the woods and take a walk around. I miss being able to call one of my friends at anytime (even though they may ignore it and call me a few days later).
This experience has also taken me completely out of my comfort zone. Never before have I been stared at so much. It's hilarious to step onto the Metro (Subway) and to have everyone turn and look at you....and keep looking at you!
I remember when I went to the zoo and everyone stared. It was awesome. I even had kids yelling out..."Hello! Hello!" It was great. Just imagine seeing a Hispanic person in Iowa City and all of a sudden all the kids yell out, "Hola! Hola!" I've never seen anything like it.
The saddest part of this reflection is that as soon as I get used to being home again, I'll have to come back. I think this is going to be the hardest part of all.
My trip to the museum.....
Lately I've tried to do a lot of tourist type things before I head back to the States for a few days. While no, I still haven't touched the Pyramids, I did take a visit to the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, aka The Egyptian Museum.
To be honest, the museum is pretty big and filled with a ton of stuff, so much that it's overwhelming. There isn't any real description of the items or any info about the item. For example, we saw a fan and the little card next to it said, "This is a Palm Fan".
Really?
Other than helping out the visitor by describing most of the artifacts, the museum also doesn't allow cameras inside, something about the flash harming the artifacts. So I don't have any pictures for you from inside. Sorry.
There is also a Mummy Room that you can go into, but it costs extra and with the Christmas shopping I'm trying to fit in, I didn't have enough Pounds to pull it off. No worries, maybe next time.
To be honest, the museum is pretty big and filled with a ton of stuff, so much that it's overwhelming. There isn't any real description of the items or any info about the item. For example, we saw a fan and the little card next to it said, "This is a Palm Fan".
Really?
Other than helping out the visitor by describing most of the artifacts, the museum also doesn't allow cameras inside, something about the flash harming the artifacts. So I don't have any pictures for you from inside. Sorry.
There is also a Mummy Room that you can go into, but it costs extra and with the Christmas shopping I'm trying to fit in, I didn't have enough Pounds to pull it off. No worries, maybe next time.
Monday, December 18, 2006
My Hitch Theory....
Seeing as how I have a lot of time on my hands, I've started to really put some thought into a few of the many theories that I have come up with over the years. For example, one of the latest (discussed while watching a commercial for a Dubai hospital) was whether or not the Arabic world has the same stereotype for nurses that Americans do (in TV ads they have to be attractive, always).
Then after seeing a young man in a wheel chair, we wondered....do they trash talk in wheel chair basketball leagues? And if they do, is it offensive to tell someone that they have no j? (as in no jump shot--I mean, this is a logical question since it is trash talk but the opponent can't physically jump...do they do this??)
Well, during an email with my friend Jennifer (who occasionally leaves a comment) I was explaining my Hitch Theory. Now for those of you that aren't familiar with Hitch, it is a movie from 2005 staring Will Smith in which he helps guys date the women that they have always wanted to. He assists them in taking that first step and helping the women see that even though this dude isn't the most attractive guy, he still has a ton to offer and is perfect for her. Enter, the Hitch Theory.
The Hitch Theory says that if you get two people in the same room that are even remotely interested in each other (in a dating way), they will at least kiss by the end of the movie. It's a guarantee. I honestly don't think that God created anyone on the planet that can withstand sitting in a room with someone they find attractive and not do this. It's impossible. The charm of Will Smith and the message of the movie are just too much of a combination for anyone to say no to.
So the next time you want to go out with someone that you're interested in, but you just don't quite know how to break the ice...just invite them over, put Hitch in the DVD player, and the rest will all fall into place.
Then after seeing a young man in a wheel chair, we wondered....do they trash talk in wheel chair basketball leagues? And if they do, is it offensive to tell someone that they have no j? (as in no jump shot--I mean, this is a logical question since it is trash talk but the opponent can't physically jump...do they do this??)
Well, during an email with my friend Jennifer (who occasionally leaves a comment) I was explaining my Hitch Theory. Now for those of you that aren't familiar with Hitch, it is a movie from 2005 staring Will Smith in which he helps guys date the women that they have always wanted to. He assists them in taking that first step and helping the women see that even though this dude isn't the most attractive guy, he still has a ton to offer and is perfect for her. Enter, the Hitch Theory.
The Hitch Theory says that if you get two people in the same room that are even remotely interested in each other (in a dating way), they will at least kiss by the end of the movie. It's a guarantee. I honestly don't think that God created anyone on the planet that can withstand sitting in a room with someone they find attractive and not do this. It's impossible. The charm of Will Smith and the message of the movie are just too much of a combination for anyone to say no to.
So the next time you want to go out with someone that you're interested in, but you just don't quite know how to break the ice...just invite them over, put Hitch in the DVD player, and the rest will all fall into place.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
My Christmas Shopping....
We all know that Christmas shopping is difficult. Battling lines, trying to find everything on your list, attempting to find a parking spot within the same time zone as the mall, etc....
Now while I don't have the problems of finding a parking place, I have a few added problems that I get to throw onto this list: Attempting to break the language barrier, attempting to not get cheated on the price (if you remember, the fact that I'm not from here automatically adds to my price) and attempting to find something my friends and family will actually like. I know, piece of cake right?
Well, I have almost succeeded in finishing my list, with a little help of course. I have a friend that is helping me out by picking up some things at the Khan for me and I managed to get a few items at the mall yesterday. Now all I really have left is a trip to the AUC bookstore, a stop at Diwan and possibly one more trip to the mall, and all is finished.
Oh, and I have one week to finish. Good times.
Now while I don't have the problems of finding a parking place, I have a few added problems that I get to throw onto this list: Attempting to break the language barrier, attempting to not get cheated on the price (if you remember, the fact that I'm not from here automatically adds to my price) and attempting to find something my friends and family will actually like. I know, piece of cake right?
Well, I have almost succeeded in finishing my list, with a little help of course. I have a friend that is helping me out by picking up some things at the Khan for me and I managed to get a few items at the mall yesterday. Now all I really have left is a trip to the AUC bookstore, a stop at Diwan and possibly one more trip to the mall, and all is finished.
Oh, and I have one week to finish. Good times.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
My ballerina movements......
As many of you have heard or read from me, I miss rain. Precipitation of any kind is generally a rarity here in Egypt. That said, we have been blessed the past two nights with what can only be described as actual rain. Not sprinkles. Not mist. RAIN. The real deal.
Now oddly enough, this presents a HUGE problem. Here in Egypt, we don't have a drainage system like in the States, so where does all that rain go? Exactly right where it fell, or it drains down to the nearest low-lying place, where it just congregates, until it becomes the size of a mini-pond. It was in this terrain that I walked from the metro stop in Dokki, to meet my cell group last night. It was only a 20 minute walk, but it was insane.
Imagine if you will, myself, walking along in a grey sweater, being dripped on from every possible direction. Water falling from my bald head, flowing down the front of my face. I'm hopping around like a ballerina, going from one foot to the other on these long leaps, attempting to avoid most of the water and then balance myself on the curb that is a few feet away. Add to this, dodging cars, buses, motorcycles and scooters and you have an interesting little scene.
It's kind of funny to watch people drive in the rain. We don't get it that often, so it literally stops traffic. Any vehicle slows down to a turtle pace to cross the puddles, mostly because all of our tires are bald and we don't drive on rain that much. It's kind of like when there is an ice storm that one time every year in the South and everyone gets in an accident because they never deal with it. Awesome.
Now oddly enough, this presents a HUGE problem. Here in Egypt, we don't have a drainage system like in the States, so where does all that rain go? Exactly right where it fell, or it drains down to the nearest low-lying place, where it just congregates, until it becomes the size of a mini-pond. It was in this terrain that I walked from the metro stop in Dokki, to meet my cell group last night. It was only a 20 minute walk, but it was insane.
Imagine if you will, myself, walking along in a grey sweater, being dripped on from every possible direction. Water falling from my bald head, flowing down the front of my face. I'm hopping around like a ballerina, going from one foot to the other on these long leaps, attempting to avoid most of the water and then balance myself on the curb that is a few feet away. Add to this, dodging cars, buses, motorcycles and scooters and you have an interesting little scene.
It's kind of funny to watch people drive in the rain. We don't get it that often, so it literally stops traffic. Any vehicle slows down to a turtle pace to cross the puddles, mostly because all of our tires are bald and we don't drive on rain that much. It's kind of like when there is an ice storm that one time every year in the South and everyone gets in an accident because they never deal with it. Awesome.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
My Baklava.....
Greetings to all the wonderful readers out there, where ever you may be. As December has come upon us, I decided to try my hand at a little cooking. I've been trying to cook a little more since I've been over here and the good news is that I'm not starving to death (Pizza Hut is only a phone call away). I've been able to make quesadillas (with tortillas from scratch), cavatelli (aka baked pasta), biscuits from scratch, chips, and the occasional fried potatoes.
Well this week I tried to make baklava, a wonderful little dessert. All it takes is a lot of butter, 14 sheets of fillo (a paper thin pastry), some walnuts, sugar and cinnamon and a little bit of syrup. After almost burning the walnuts in the oven and nearly screwing up the first layers of fillo, I filled the center with a walnut, sugar & cinnamon mix. Then added the next layers of fillo. At this point, everything wasn't looking too bad.
Sadly then came the syrup, which I had made from scratch as well (sugar, water and some lemon juice-fresh of course). However, I let the syrup sit too long and it solidified. Then I re-heated it too much and it was a little burnt, but we continued to roll with the punches.
When the baklava came out of the oven, I'll admit, I thought I was a hero. It looked awesome. Then I poured the partially burnt syrup on it and took a bite. It wasn't as good as it looked. While it was still edible, the burnt walnut mixed with a burnt syrup taste, isn't exactly what my tastebuds were looking for. However, after putting the leftovers in the fridge for a night, I found it tasted better!!
Hopefully soon, I'll try it again.
Well this week I tried to make baklava, a wonderful little dessert. All it takes is a lot of butter, 14 sheets of fillo (a paper thin pastry), some walnuts, sugar and cinnamon and a little bit of syrup. After almost burning the walnuts in the oven and nearly screwing up the first layers of fillo, I filled the center with a walnut, sugar & cinnamon mix. Then added the next layers of fillo. At this point, everything wasn't looking too bad.
Sadly then came the syrup, which I had made from scratch as well (sugar, water and some lemon juice-fresh of course). However, I let the syrup sit too long and it solidified. Then I re-heated it too much and it was a little burnt, but we continued to roll with the punches.
When the baklava came out of the oven, I'll admit, I thought I was a hero. It looked awesome. Then I poured the partially burnt syrup on it and took a bite. It wasn't as good as it looked. While it was still edible, the burnt walnut mixed with a burnt syrup taste, isn't exactly what my tastebuds were looking for. However, after putting the leftovers in the fridge for a night, I found it tasted better!!
Hopefully soon, I'll try it again.
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