Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Baa baa black sheep
The last few hours of morning here, before waking, were quite strange.
Because of Eid and the animal slaughtering, some people bring animals to their apartments and tie them up outside, and then have a butcher come to them instead of just buying an animal from the butcher. I don't know how common that is, but the last couple of days, we've been listening to a cow (or steer/buffalo/something!) across the street, and also a sheep or goat somewhere nearby.
Hearing this animal make noises on occasion (probably from some kid irritating it) was slightly disconcerting. Not a noise you expect to hear on your residential street. Out in the country, sure, but in the city??
In any case....as I was saying, the last few hours here have been strange.
I turned the light off at the somewhat decent hour of about 3:50 a.m. It wasn't long before I slept, maybe 10 or 15 minutes.
The morning call to prayer would have happened sometime around 4:50 or so, though I don't recall hearing it.
What I do recall hearing was rain. Lots and lots of rain. Heavy rain. The thing that made it so entirely loud, aside from being able to hear it on the tree leaves outside the window, was the rain coming down hard on the outside portion of the window a/c's that everyone has. Not quite like hearing rain on a tin roof I imagine, but maybe something similar.
I remember thanking God for so much rain, because I sat and listened to it come down for some minutes, but I also remember asking God to make it last so that when I got up in the morning I could see it. lol
I had wanted to know what time it was when the rain was coming, but I was also very tired and didn't want to open my eyes and focus enough to check the time and risk not being able to get back to sleep.
Sleep won me back shortly though it was broken intermittently by the cries of both of the animals that were down on the street.
At some point after that I was awoken by the sound of people going to the morning prayer for Eid, during which people speak (not exactly like chanting, but something like that) a particular phrase on their way to the mosque (only during Eid, not for regular prayers). I remember wondering if it was still wet out and if they were going to get rained on, and if so, what would happen. I don't think too many Egyptians have umbrellas. No idea what time it was when I heard them. I asked hubby later and he said around 6:30.
And then next thing I know hubby is out of bed and through my bleary eyes I can see that he's getting dressed to go out. I ask him where he's going and he says that he and his brother are going out to the butcher to get the sheep that the family has purchased.
I look at the clock. It's 7:39 a.m.
I wonder to myself why it can't be later and am resigned to the fact that I'm going to be up for a while now, and hopefully I'll be able to sleep later.
I ask if he heard the rain in the night and he said yes he had heard it. I hadn't wanted to ask him while it was raining, as he had gone to bed with a toothache and if he was sleeping, I didn't want to wake him.
I told him it lasted for some time, but that I wasn't sure what time it was when it rained. He said it was around the time of the morning prayer, as his brother had mentioned it to him.
Well, it was a strange night/morning. A little less than four hours of sleep, which was broken up by rain and prayers and bleating animals.
Hubby and his brother will take some time at the butcher, depending on how many other people are there. The butcher doesn't actually kill the animal til they are there, and they actually WATCH!!!!
Gross yeah?
I guess it should take about an hour or so for the whole process, but if they have to wait for anyone before them it could take longer.
They will come home after that, with the WHOLE sheep, and stick most of it in the freezer for the time being to store it. But, they will give a lot of it away as you are supposed to. Some to the poor, some to friends and family and some to keep as well.
After getting up I opened up the balcony door to see what it looked like outside and if I could see any traces of the rain from the night. The air was unexpectedly thick with ... mist? I don't know what it was, but it was thick and the skies were gray. I didn't go all the way out as I was still in jammies, so I couldn't see if the ground was wet, but I'm assuming it is still damp.
Not sure what the rest of the day will bring. I hope sleep is included somewhere.
Eid mubarak!
Because of Eid and the animal slaughtering, some people bring animals to their apartments and tie them up outside, and then have a butcher come to them instead of just buying an animal from the butcher. I don't know how common that is, but the last couple of days, we've been listening to a cow (or steer/buffalo/something!) across the street, and also a sheep or goat somewhere nearby.
Hearing this animal make noises on occasion (probably from some kid irritating it) was slightly disconcerting. Not a noise you expect to hear on your residential street. Out in the country, sure, but in the city??
In any case....as I was saying, the last few hours here have been strange.
I turned the light off at the somewhat decent hour of about 3:50 a.m. It wasn't long before I slept, maybe 10 or 15 minutes.
The morning call to prayer would have happened sometime around 4:50 or so, though I don't recall hearing it.
What I do recall hearing was rain. Lots and lots of rain. Heavy rain. The thing that made it so entirely loud, aside from being able to hear it on the tree leaves outside the window, was the rain coming down hard on the outside portion of the window a/c's that everyone has. Not quite like hearing rain on a tin roof I imagine, but maybe something similar.
I remember thanking God for so much rain, because I sat and listened to it come down for some minutes, but I also remember asking God to make it last so that when I got up in the morning I could see it. lol
I had wanted to know what time it was when the rain was coming, but I was also very tired and didn't want to open my eyes and focus enough to check the time and risk not being able to get back to sleep.
Sleep won me back shortly though it was broken intermittently by the cries of both of the animals that were down on the street.
At some point after that I was awoken by the sound of people going to the morning prayer for Eid, during which people speak (not exactly like chanting, but something like that) a particular phrase on their way to the mosque (only during Eid, not for regular prayers). I remember wondering if it was still wet out and if they were going to get rained on, and if so, what would happen. I don't think too many Egyptians have umbrellas. No idea what time it was when I heard them. I asked hubby later and he said around 6:30.
And then next thing I know hubby is out of bed and through my bleary eyes I can see that he's getting dressed to go out. I ask him where he's going and he says that he and his brother are going out to the butcher to get the sheep that the family has purchased.
I look at the clock. It's 7:39 a.m.
I wonder to myself why it can't be later and am resigned to the fact that I'm going to be up for a while now, and hopefully I'll be able to sleep later.
I ask if he heard the rain in the night and he said yes he had heard it. I hadn't wanted to ask him while it was raining, as he had gone to bed with a toothache and if he was sleeping, I didn't want to wake him.
I told him it lasted for some time, but that I wasn't sure what time it was when it rained. He said it was around the time of the morning prayer, as his brother had mentioned it to him.
Well, it was a strange night/morning. A little less than four hours of sleep, which was broken up by rain and prayers and bleating animals.
Hubby and his brother will take some time at the butcher, depending on how many other people are there. The butcher doesn't actually kill the animal til they are there, and they actually WATCH!!!!
Gross yeah?
I guess it should take about an hour or so for the whole process, but if they have to wait for anyone before them it could take longer.
They will come home after that, with the WHOLE sheep, and stick most of it in the freezer for the time being to store it. But, they will give a lot of it away as you are supposed to. Some to the poor, some to friends and family and some to keep as well.
After getting up I opened up the balcony door to see what it looked like outside and if I could see any traces of the rain from the night. The air was unexpectedly thick with ... mist? I don't know what it was, but it was thick and the skies were gray. I didn't go all the way out as I was still in jammies, so I couldn't see if the ground was wet, but I'm assuming it is still damp.
Not sure what the rest of the day will bring. I hope sleep is included somewhere.
Eid mubarak!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Coming up!
Well, there are two celebrations during the year for us Muslims, and the second one is coming up in just a couple of days.
In Egypt, this Eid celebration (called Eid al Adha) lasts for 4 days. During those days, many people are off work as businesses close to observe the celebration. That includes basically all government services.
According to wikipedia, which is better at summing it up than I am:
"Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open area or mosque. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals (usually sheep, but also camels, cows and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid al-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days.
Distributing meat among people is considered an essential part of the festival during this period, as well as chanting Takbir out loud before the Eid prayer on the first day and after prayers throughout the four days of Eid. In some countries families that do not own livestock can make a contribution to a charity that will provide meat to those who are in need."
Don't know that we are doing anything special during those 4 days. Hubby will be off work but so will the rest of Cairo, so trying to go do things becomes a little more of a pain since it will be so crowded everywhere.
Maybe we can do some cleanup in our apartment or just take some nice walks in the area where we will be moving to so that I can get more familiar with it.
:::
Sometimes I have wondered, if I was given the chance to do things over, to erase something from my past or change things or just have another chance, would I take it?
There's definitely one thing that I wish I could change, however if I changed that, I don't know what effect it would have had on everything else.
I can say that I wouldn't be where I am right now if I changed something, but honestly, I fully believe (sorry to get all God on ya!) that God puts us where we are for a reason, and if we avoid path A and take path B, I believe that if God really wants to, he can make both paths end in the same place.
Does that make sense?
I think we're all where we're supposed to be, no matter what road we took to get to where we are.
There's a certain amount of satisfaction in that. In being okay with where you are and accepting it, instead of fighting it or being disappointed at times.
:::
I almost forgot, it's Thanksgiving tomorrow for those of you in the States. I hope you all enjoy it and find plenty of things to be thankful for, the least of which is having life!
I had wanted to try to do a Thanksgiving meal for my in-laws, but I was thinking about that when I thought we would be in our own apartment. I don't think I could ever manage it here at the in-laws place, not with the kitchen/stove here. So, insha'Allah next year I can show them what an American Thanksgiving is like.
And if you get a chance, watch the Thanksgiving day parade for me will ya?
In Egypt, this Eid celebration (called Eid al Adha) lasts for 4 days. During those days, many people are off work as businesses close to observe the celebration. That includes basically all government services.
According to wikipedia, which is better at summing it up than I am:
"Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open area or mosque. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals (usually sheep, but also camels, cows and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid al-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days.
Distributing meat among people is considered an essential part of the festival during this period, as well as chanting Takbir out loud before the Eid prayer on the first day and after prayers throughout the four days of Eid. In some countries families that do not own livestock can make a contribution to a charity that will provide meat to those who are in need."
Don't know that we are doing anything special during those 4 days. Hubby will be off work but so will the rest of Cairo, so trying to go do things becomes a little more of a pain since it will be so crowded everywhere.
Maybe we can do some cleanup in our apartment or just take some nice walks in the area where we will be moving to so that I can get more familiar with it.
:::
Sometimes I have wondered, if I was given the chance to do things over, to erase something from my past or change things or just have another chance, would I take it?
There's definitely one thing that I wish I could change, however if I changed that, I don't know what effect it would have had on everything else.
I can say that I wouldn't be where I am right now if I changed something, but honestly, I fully believe (sorry to get all God on ya!) that God puts us where we are for a reason, and if we avoid path A and take path B, I believe that if God really wants to, he can make both paths end in the same place.
Does that make sense?
I think we're all where we're supposed to be, no matter what road we took to get to where we are.
There's a certain amount of satisfaction in that. In being okay with where you are and accepting it, instead of fighting it or being disappointed at times.
:::
I almost forgot, it's Thanksgiving tomorrow for those of you in the States. I hope you all enjoy it and find plenty of things to be thankful for, the least of which is having life!
I had wanted to try to do a Thanksgiving meal for my in-laws, but I was thinking about that when I thought we would be in our own apartment. I don't think I could ever manage it here at the in-laws place, not with the kitchen/stove here. So, insha'Allah next year I can show them what an American Thanksgiving is like.
And if you get a chance, watch the Thanksgiving day parade for me will ya?
Monday, November 23, 2009
The unsaid
The fact of the matter is, there are many things that I don't talk about here.
The reason I don't talk about those things is out of respect for other people. Whether I feel they are respectful of and to me or not.
No, I'm not happy living with my in-laws. We've been here 6 months now and I lost my patience 5 months ago.
It's not easy. I don't like it. Every day, every single day, there is a struggle inside of me.
There are sometimes days when I'm not down and I'm not upset and the sun is shining and I can feel happy.
But more and more, those days get farther and farther apart.
I am only human. I am just a girl.
I wish I could say all the things I want to. I wish I could be unkind and hurtful and speak about all of the things that make me angry and drive me crazy. I wish I could.
I love my husband and I am not sorry I moved here. Life is there for us to live it. And I am living.
The reason I don't talk about those things is out of respect for other people. Whether I feel they are respectful of and to me or not.
No, I'm not happy living with my in-laws. We've been here 6 months now and I lost my patience 5 months ago.
It's not easy. I don't like it. Every day, every single day, there is a struggle inside of me.
There are sometimes days when I'm not down and I'm not upset and the sun is shining and I can feel happy.
But more and more, those days get farther and farther apart.
I am only human. I am just a girl.
I wish I could say all the things I want to. I wish I could be unkind and hurtful and speak about all of the things that make me angry and drive me crazy. I wish I could.
I love my husband and I am not sorry I moved here. Life is there for us to live it. And I am living.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Another trip
I always feel bad when I don't post for a few days, but most of the time there just isn't much going on. Or nothing exciting anyways. lol
:::
The brouhaha with Algeria over the whole football (soccer) thing has escalated beyond belief. Hubby has been following it very closely on the news the last few days.
After the last match which was held on Wednesday night in Sudan, there were quite a few happenings endangering the lives of Egyptians in both Sudan and Algeria. And it seems even in some other countries, Egyptian citizens are being harassed. I really don't get this whole thing.
Here's a couple links if anyone is interested in reading further, though the links aren't telling everything there is to tell.
link 1
link 2
:::
It appears that hubby will be making another trip to Kuwait sometime soon.
We've known about the trip for some time, just weren't sure when it was going to be. It was originally going to be in October I think, but now perhaps it will be sometime early in December.
And once again, I'm very unhappy about hubby going away and leaving me alone with his family for a week or however long he ends up staying. The trip length keeps increasing.
At first it was maybe 3 days. Then 4 or maybe 5. Now it's a week. Who knows how long it will actually take. Hubby seems to be an optimist when it comes to how long something will take, and while I appreciate his optimism, what I would prefer is some realism. Optimism isn't comforting when he's in another country and I'm alone.
I don't think we'll be moving at least until he is back from the trip. I'm guessing at least another month, though of course it's hard to say.
On top of that, he has brought back up the possibility again of moving to Kuwait if things go well when he's there.
I didn't understand how he could even bring it up when we are still in the process of trying to furnish and move into our apartment here!
It seems things remain uncertain in the housing area, at least in terms of living anywhere other than the in-laws.
:::
Hubby and I have many little discussions about words, usually English words and their meanings.
The other day I was mentioning to hubby something about a series Michael Palin had done called Sahara. It was about his travels through the Sahara desert. Hubby asked, which desert, and I said the Sahara. And he said, yes, but which one?
We were a bit confused with each other, but it seems that sahara is actually the Arabic word for desert, so he thought I was just saying the word desert, not the particular desert in Africa.
Never a dull moment in the language department at least!
:::
The brouhaha with Algeria over the whole football (soccer) thing has escalated beyond belief. Hubby has been following it very closely on the news the last few days.
After the last match which was held on Wednesday night in Sudan, there were quite a few happenings endangering the lives of Egyptians in both Sudan and Algeria. And it seems even in some other countries, Egyptian citizens are being harassed. I really don't get this whole thing.
Here's a couple links if anyone is interested in reading further, though the links aren't telling everything there is to tell.
link 1
link 2
:::
It appears that hubby will be making another trip to Kuwait sometime soon.
We've known about the trip for some time, just weren't sure when it was going to be. It was originally going to be in October I think, but now perhaps it will be sometime early in December.
And once again, I'm very unhappy about hubby going away and leaving me alone with his family for a week or however long he ends up staying. The trip length keeps increasing.
At first it was maybe 3 days. Then 4 or maybe 5. Now it's a week. Who knows how long it will actually take. Hubby seems to be an optimist when it comes to how long something will take, and while I appreciate his optimism, what I would prefer is some realism. Optimism isn't comforting when he's in another country and I'm alone.
I don't think we'll be moving at least until he is back from the trip. I'm guessing at least another month, though of course it's hard to say.
On top of that, he has brought back up the possibility again of moving to Kuwait if things go well when he's there.
I didn't understand how he could even bring it up when we are still in the process of trying to furnish and move into our apartment here!
It seems things remain uncertain in the housing area, at least in terms of living anywhere other than the in-laws.
:::
Hubby and I have many little discussions about words, usually English words and their meanings.
The other day I was mentioning to hubby something about a series Michael Palin had done called Sahara. It was about his travels through the Sahara desert. Hubby asked, which desert, and I said the Sahara. And he said, yes, but which one?
We were a bit confused with each other, but it seems that sahara is actually the Arabic word for desert, so he thought I was just saying the word desert, not the particular desert in Africa.
Never a dull moment in the language department at least!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sweater weather
Well we are definitely in the days where I need to wear long sleeves or a light sweater, because in short sleeves I am feeling a bit chilled all the time. Though even with a sweater, because all the windows and balcony doors stay open, my nose will probably always be cold to the touch and slightly runny.
:::
Well, interesting result for the soccer match last night. Technically Egypt won, however because the results are based on goals and some other kind of point system, it seems that Egypt is now evenly tied with Algeria, so they will have a final playoff game in Sudan.
After the game ended last night, it was as I expected with the celebrating. Think of a mixture of New Years Eve, Mardi Gras and Carnival all rolled into one. Quite crazy. The game ended a bit before 10 p.m. I believe, and while most of the loudest noisemaking was going on for the first 3 hours after the game finished, I could still hear them honking and shouting at 2 and 3 a.m. a few blocks away on the main street here. Crazy!!
I have a link to a short video of people after the game. They are on a street and all the cars are honking, there are people waving flags everywhere and it's just insane. lol
I wish the link was on youtube but it seems someone uploaded it directly onto facebook. I'm not sure if you'll be able to watch it if you don't have a facebook account, so sorry for that.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=337196655202&ref=nf
I can't imagine being out in that crowd. Although it seems like everyone is in good spirits, crowds have a way of turning ugly very fast, and there have been some very bad things that have happened to women here in large crowds, so I will stay away from that sort of thing.
Hubby made the comment that if only the country could get this excited and get behind things that were really important, maybe this country could make some positive change and move forward. I agree, but I also know that it isn't likely to happen. Why it won't happen, I don't understand.
One of the things I'm most upset about in this country is the air quality. Not just for myself and what it is doing to me, but for all the kids born who will grow up with asthma and other breathing problems, and for everyone else who suffers as well. This country really needs to step up its efforts at clean air.
It would also be great if they could up the efforts at educating people on the risks of smoking. It seems that people either don't understand, or... well, what other reason could there be not to quit? Once you really see and really understand that you are killing yourself and all those around you, how can you keep smoking?
I know that they lace cigarettes with all sorts of chemicals and I know that the nicotine is addictive, but it doesn't mean people can't quit. People quit all the time.
Honestly, so many people smoke in this country that if they all quit, I'm sure it would help make an improvement in the overall air quality.
Oh well. Little steps I guess.
:::
Well, interesting result for the soccer match last night. Technically Egypt won, however because the results are based on goals and some other kind of point system, it seems that Egypt is now evenly tied with Algeria, so they will have a final playoff game in Sudan.
After the game ended last night, it was as I expected with the celebrating. Think of a mixture of New Years Eve, Mardi Gras and Carnival all rolled into one. Quite crazy. The game ended a bit before 10 p.m. I believe, and while most of the loudest noisemaking was going on for the first 3 hours after the game finished, I could still hear them honking and shouting at 2 and 3 a.m. a few blocks away on the main street here. Crazy!!
I have a link to a short video of people after the game. They are on a street and all the cars are honking, there are people waving flags everywhere and it's just insane. lol
I wish the link was on youtube but it seems someone uploaded it directly onto facebook. I'm not sure if you'll be able to watch it if you don't have a facebook account, so sorry for that.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=337196655202&ref=nf
I can't imagine being out in that crowd. Although it seems like everyone is in good spirits, crowds have a way of turning ugly very fast, and there have been some very bad things that have happened to women here in large crowds, so I will stay away from that sort of thing.
Hubby made the comment that if only the country could get this excited and get behind things that were really important, maybe this country could make some positive change and move forward. I agree, but I also know that it isn't likely to happen. Why it won't happen, I don't understand.
One of the things I'm most upset about in this country is the air quality. Not just for myself and what it is doing to me, but for all the kids born who will grow up with asthma and other breathing problems, and for everyone else who suffers as well. This country really needs to step up its efforts at clean air.
It would also be great if they could up the efforts at educating people on the risks of smoking. It seems that people either don't understand, or... well, what other reason could there be not to quit? Once you really see and really understand that you are killing yourself and all those around you, how can you keep smoking?
I know that they lace cigarettes with all sorts of chemicals and I know that the nicotine is addictive, but it doesn't mean people can't quit. People quit all the time.
Honestly, so many people smoke in this country that if they all quit, I'm sure it would help make an improvement in the overall air quality.
Oh well. Little steps I guess.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Scoooooooore!
Well, tonight is the night! The night that decides it.
Whether Egypt will go to the world cup for soccer (football as it's called here).
The game only started 5 minutes ago but there has been excitement going on all day in this country. People driving around honking their horns in a particular pattern, guys walking down the streets banging on drums, and people getting together in the streets to talk and shout with much animation. Even fireworks going off.
Just now, Egypt made the first goal of the game and the WHOLE neighborhood erupted in cheers.
I expect the next few hours will be similar, with cheers happening every time we are even close to making a goal.
It's somehow exciting, even if I'm not watching the game. I guess there is a feeling in the air.
They are playing against Algeria. Which wouldn't seem like a big deal except I guess the Algerian players are shall we say, slightly um, crazy.
There is a building in Algeria where some Egyptians live and they are being held hostage there. No kidding. And this is because of soccer. I don't know the whole story but it's quite insane.
The Algerians demanded some kind of special protection on the bus here in Egypt because they said they were afraid of what they Egyptian team might do to them (???) but last time Algeria was here, they were the ones who started all sorts of trouble, throwing things at reporters from the bus and what not.
If you ask me, all this craziness over soccer is... well, I don't know what it is. I do know that I don't understand it.
I'd like to say it's like this only in countries that aren't first world countries, but I know the UK and some other places go crazy for soccer as well.
Maybe because they don't have as many sports as the US does? I mean... soccer is the major sport in many countries, while in the US I would consider baseball and football the major sports. Along with basketball I suppose, though I'm not certain about that.
Also, that's not to say that people in the US don't ever get crazy about their sports games. We've all seen the pictures of the fans who paint themselves up in team colors and put their teams flags all over their cars, etc.
It just doesn't seem to reach the fevered pitch that it does for many countries when it comes to soccer.
For all it's worth, I hope Egypt wins tonight.
Whether Egypt will go to the world cup for soccer (football as it's called here).
The game only started 5 minutes ago but there has been excitement going on all day in this country. People driving around honking their horns in a particular pattern, guys walking down the streets banging on drums, and people getting together in the streets to talk and shout with much animation. Even fireworks going off.
Just now, Egypt made the first goal of the game and the WHOLE neighborhood erupted in cheers.
I expect the next few hours will be similar, with cheers happening every time we are even close to making a goal.
It's somehow exciting, even if I'm not watching the game. I guess there is a feeling in the air.
They are playing against Algeria. Which wouldn't seem like a big deal except I guess the Algerian players are shall we say, slightly um, crazy.
There is a building in Algeria where some Egyptians live and they are being held hostage there. No kidding. And this is because of soccer. I don't know the whole story but it's quite insane.
The Algerians demanded some kind of special protection on the bus here in Egypt because they said they were afraid of what they Egyptian team might do to them (???) but last time Algeria was here, they were the ones who started all sorts of trouble, throwing things at reporters from the bus and what not.
If you ask me, all this craziness over soccer is... well, I don't know what it is. I do know that I don't understand it.
I'd like to say it's like this only in countries that aren't first world countries, but I know the UK and some other places go crazy for soccer as well.
Maybe because they don't have as many sports as the US does? I mean... soccer is the major sport in many countries, while in the US I would consider baseball and football the major sports. Along with basketball I suppose, though I'm not certain about that.
Also, that's not to say that people in the US don't ever get crazy about their sports games. We've all seen the pictures of the fans who paint themselves up in team colors and put their teams flags all over their cars, etc.
It just doesn't seem to reach the fevered pitch that it does for many countries when it comes to soccer.
For all it's worth, I hope Egypt wins tonight.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tentativity
Well, I'm not sure that's a word but it sounds good to me. lol
We have tentative plans to get up early (early for us that is) and go downtown and walk around.
Hubby is printing out some maps at the office so that I can get my bearings and note things down. Like if there's a restaurant we see that we want to try later or a store I want to come back to.
I'm excited and it should be fun.
It should also be less noisy and crowded if we truly get there before 10 a.m.
:::
Turns out that my sister in law has bronchitis. She's basically been in her room for the last couple (2 or 3?) days and while I do hear coughing on occasion it doesn't sound too bad. I guess she got some antibiotic in shot form. Which sounds much better to me than shoving pills down throats.
Insha'Allah she'll be well soon.
:::
My mother in law really cracks me up. When I first came, she really only knew a couple of words of English, but it seems she practices with a cousin on the phone or something. But sometimes she pops out with something that just totally makes me laugh.
Her English has advanced much more than my Arabic, though she did know English before. She just didn't have much reason to use it in the last years I guess. Not sure how long actually.
We both know a little bit of French, so that gets used at times. Though I think she knows more French than I do.
And from what I am told, I think she knows Nubian and possibly Ethiopian??? I don't think she knows either one well enough to speak it fluently but.. neat.
:::
The weather has continued to be mostly cooler with just a few days of higher temps. It's nice to be able to use covers while sleeping. And feel that little nip in the air.
:::
I stayed up til 6 a.m. reading this morning. I haven't done that in longer than I can remember. As a teenager I know I used to stay up all hours reading Stephen King books and scaring myself silly and then having to sleep with the light on. lol
Well, after turning the light off this morning and laying in bed, I was listening to the birds outside. It is one of the things I like best about being awake when dawn comes. I counted at least 4 different bird calls, possibly 5.
There's just something so wonderful about being up to see the new day come. It's so fresh, so tender, and so full of potential. It is not sullied yet by the sounds of traffic and a big city and it doesn't have the hurried pace of people running off to work or other commitments. It's peaceful. It's hopeful. It's full of life.
We have tentative plans to get up early (early for us that is) and go downtown and walk around.
Hubby is printing out some maps at the office so that I can get my bearings and note things down. Like if there's a restaurant we see that we want to try later or a store I want to come back to.
I'm excited and it should be fun.
It should also be less noisy and crowded if we truly get there before 10 a.m.
:::
Turns out that my sister in law has bronchitis. She's basically been in her room for the last couple (2 or 3?) days and while I do hear coughing on occasion it doesn't sound too bad. I guess she got some antibiotic in shot form. Which sounds much better to me than shoving pills down throats.
Insha'Allah she'll be well soon.
:::
My mother in law really cracks me up. When I first came, she really only knew a couple of words of English, but it seems she practices with a cousin on the phone or something. But sometimes she pops out with something that just totally makes me laugh.
Her English has advanced much more than my Arabic, though she did know English before. She just didn't have much reason to use it in the last years I guess. Not sure how long actually.
We both know a little bit of French, so that gets used at times. Though I think she knows more French than I do.
And from what I am told, I think she knows Nubian and possibly Ethiopian??? I don't think she knows either one well enough to speak it fluently but.. neat.
:::
The weather has continued to be mostly cooler with just a few days of higher temps. It's nice to be able to use covers while sleeping. And feel that little nip in the air.
:::
I stayed up til 6 a.m. reading this morning. I haven't done that in longer than I can remember. As a teenager I know I used to stay up all hours reading Stephen King books and scaring myself silly and then having to sleep with the light on. lol
Well, after turning the light off this morning and laying in bed, I was listening to the birds outside. It is one of the things I like best about being awake when dawn comes. I counted at least 4 different bird calls, possibly 5.
There's just something so wonderful about being up to see the new day come. It's so fresh, so tender, and so full of potential. It is not sullied yet by the sounds of traffic and a big city and it doesn't have the hurried pace of people running off to work or other commitments. It's peaceful. It's hopeful. It's full of life.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hungry hungry hippo
Well, it seems as though my sister in law may have got swine flu. I'm not sure as I've been kind of behind doors all day, trying to avoid getting sick myself. But I can hear her coughing occasionally through the wall.
I went out of the room at 8 tonight to try to see about something to eat, as I had lunch at 3:30 and I was feeling a bit hungry.
I got to the dining room where I saw my sister in law, my brother in law and my mother in law, all sitting at the dining room table.
It turns out that her doctor appointment which was supposed to be at that time has been put off a bit as the doctor is not yet at the clinic.
And since I didn't want to sit at the table with someone who has contracted unknown medical condition, I head back to the bedroom.
Forty five minutes later, I decide to open the door to see if I can hear anyone about.
But what happens when I open the door, is that I am hit by the overpowering stench of what seems like about 1,524,865 roses.
My grandmother in law has a perfume that is made from rose oil or something and although it smells nice for about 2 seconds, I can't tolerate it for longer than that.
Now, grandma's room is at the other end of the house. And yet when I opened the door, honestly it smelled like someone dumped the whole bottle of perfume out.
So, I did not venture out into stink land, as the dining room is also adjoined to grandma's room (hence foiled again in my mission of stuffing mouth and belly).
Therefore, with door closed right back up, I am waiting (at 11 p.m.) for hubby to get home from a work meeting and find some way to rescue me from this situation.
I know this all sounds kind of whiny but you know what? I've been living with my in laws since the middle of May and I'm just tired of being patient about it. Really.
I went out of the room at 8 tonight to try to see about something to eat, as I had lunch at 3:30 and I was feeling a bit hungry.
I got to the dining room where I saw my sister in law, my brother in law and my mother in law, all sitting at the dining room table.
It turns out that her doctor appointment which was supposed to be at that time has been put off a bit as the doctor is not yet at the clinic.
And since I didn't want to sit at the table with someone who has contracted unknown medical condition, I head back to the bedroom.
Forty five minutes later, I decide to open the door to see if I can hear anyone about.
But what happens when I open the door, is that I am hit by the overpowering stench of what seems like about 1,524,865 roses.
My grandmother in law has a perfume that is made from rose oil or something and although it smells nice for about 2 seconds, I can't tolerate it for longer than that.
Now, grandma's room is at the other end of the house. And yet when I opened the door, honestly it smelled like someone dumped the whole bottle of perfume out.
So, I did not venture out into stink land, as the dining room is also adjoined to grandma's room (hence foiled again in my mission of stuffing mouth and belly).
Therefore, with door closed right back up, I am waiting (at 11 p.m.) for hubby to get home from a work meeting and find some way to rescue me from this situation.
I know this all sounds kind of whiny but you know what? I've been living with my in laws since the middle of May and I'm just tired of being patient about it. Really.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
I miss
driving down to the post office to put a piece of mail in the bin
listening to the leaves blow on a windy autumn day
the plants which lived on the patio
a fridge with food that i like eating
the feeling of coming home every day after being out
a shower with decent and steady water pressure
wandering down shopping isles full of familiar and enjoyed products
my car and driving
the sounds of squirrels playing in the tree out front
mail delivery
doing my own laundry in a machine that doesn't eat my clothes
whole foods grocery store
the feeling that the holidays are coming
central a/c - heat
my sewing machine
tv in general (with English speaking shows) - TBS and the Food Network specifically
my allergy doctor
having my own bathroom that i don't have to share with 4 - 5 other people
stoplights
thanksgiving day parade
my almost new cell phone (which doesn't work here)
emtpy streets at night
even, clean and paved sidewalks for walking on
seeing houses lit up with Christmas lights
so much rain you think it will never stop
corn tortilla chips
wall to wall carpet
blue skies
a heaven full of stars at night
steamy windows
the library
(this list is not all inclusive, and family and friends are of course a given)
listening to the leaves blow on a windy autumn day
the plants which lived on the patio
a fridge with food that i like eating
the feeling of coming home every day after being out
a shower with decent and steady water pressure
wandering down shopping isles full of familiar and enjoyed products
my car and driving
the sounds of squirrels playing in the tree out front
mail delivery
doing my own laundry in a machine that doesn't eat my clothes
whole foods grocery store
the feeling that the holidays are coming
central a/c - heat
my sewing machine
tv in general (with English speaking shows) - TBS and the Food Network specifically
my allergy doctor
having my own bathroom that i don't have to share with 4 - 5 other people
stoplights
thanksgiving day parade
my almost new cell phone (which doesn't work here)
emtpy streets at night
even, clean and paved sidewalks for walking on
seeing houses lit up with Christmas lights
so much rain you think it will never stop
corn tortilla chips
wall to wall carpet
blue skies
a heaven full of stars at night
steamy windows
the library
(this list is not all inclusive, and family and friends are of course a given)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Who knew?!
I frequently learn words while sitting around the dining room table, either during or after lunch.
Usually what happens is that I'll hear a word and ask what it means.
Sometimes though, someone will ask me what a particular word is in English.
Today, my sister in law was talking about amber, and how women here like to wear it in jewelry. But she was calling it by its Arabic name, which escapes me at the moment. When she asked me what it was called in English and I told her it was called amber, she laughed.
Amber, in Arabic, means big butt. lol
Not just kinda big but I guess REALLY big. :D
So, that's the exciting new word for the day!
:::
The noise level outside seems to have risen quite a bit in the last week or two and we figured out that it wasn't actually the noise level that has risen, it is the fact that the fans aren't on 24/7 anymore, so we can just hear everything better.
As annoying as the fans are to listen to day after day, I think I prefer it as a noise muffler for all of the outside noise. The fan is kind of like white noise, but it does get irritating when it's on ALL the time.
So now instead of slight noise and fan, we hear lots of noise. All the talking, shouting, traffic, horns, dogs barking, vendors walking down the street shouting out the name of what they're selling, kids scampering, etc., it all seems so amplified. And particularly at 3 or 4 a.m., when the rest of the city is quiet and sleeping.
Our neighbors have been quite loud lately as well. Our upstairs neighbors. They fight quite frequently, and I mean knock down drag out fights. Very loud yelling and pounding on furniture and I'm sure there is hitting going on as well. Even when they aren't obviously fighting, they are VERY loud upstairs. They seem to always be banging furniture around. It's quite a mystery as to what actually goes on upstairs, but it goes on at ALL hours and it's really irritating. And not just to me, to hubby as well. The whole family can hear it I suppose, though it seems to be centered above our bedroom. Lucky us.
:::
Couple of pictures.
This first one is hmmm... can't remember where I took it at. Near downtown I think. But what I like about it is the no honking sign. Because really... just... LOL. I've never heard so much honking in all my life as I've heard here. The sign is clearly someones idea of a joke.
And this picture shows the street below us. They were doing a whole bunch of work on the street a couple of months back. At this point, they were doing something with the manhole covers. I think they were making new ones or something, who knows. In any case, what you can see here is the total lack of any protective equipment. No gloves, no safety glasses, no hard hats. And also, no blocking the street off in any way. People and cars went right on by like they weren't even there! Crazy!
Hoping to update soon with apartment news. Nothing for now.
Usually what happens is that I'll hear a word and ask what it means.
Sometimes though, someone will ask me what a particular word is in English.
Today, my sister in law was talking about amber, and how women here like to wear it in jewelry. But she was calling it by its Arabic name, which escapes me at the moment. When she asked me what it was called in English and I told her it was called amber, she laughed.
Amber, in Arabic, means big butt. lol
Not just kinda big but I guess REALLY big. :D
So, that's the exciting new word for the day!
:::
The noise level outside seems to have risen quite a bit in the last week or two and we figured out that it wasn't actually the noise level that has risen, it is the fact that the fans aren't on 24/7 anymore, so we can just hear everything better.
As annoying as the fans are to listen to day after day, I think I prefer it as a noise muffler for all of the outside noise. The fan is kind of like white noise, but it does get irritating when it's on ALL the time.
So now instead of slight noise and fan, we hear lots of noise. All the talking, shouting, traffic, horns, dogs barking, vendors walking down the street shouting out the name of what they're selling, kids scampering, etc., it all seems so amplified. And particularly at 3 or 4 a.m., when the rest of the city is quiet and sleeping.
Our neighbors have been quite loud lately as well. Our upstairs neighbors. They fight quite frequently, and I mean knock down drag out fights. Very loud yelling and pounding on furniture and I'm sure there is hitting going on as well. Even when they aren't obviously fighting, they are VERY loud upstairs. They seem to always be banging furniture around. It's quite a mystery as to what actually goes on upstairs, but it goes on at ALL hours and it's really irritating. And not just to me, to hubby as well. The whole family can hear it I suppose, though it seems to be centered above our bedroom. Lucky us.
:::
Couple of pictures.
This first one is hmmm... can't remember where I took it at. Near downtown I think. But what I like about it is the no honking sign. Because really... just... LOL. I've never heard so much honking in all my life as I've heard here. The sign is clearly someones idea of a joke.
And this picture shows the street below us. They were doing a whole bunch of work on the street a couple of months back. At this point, they were doing something with the manhole covers. I think they were making new ones or something, who knows. In any case, what you can see here is the total lack of any protective equipment. No gloves, no safety glasses, no hard hats. And also, no blocking the street off in any way. People and cars went right on by like they weren't even there! Crazy!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
In with a gust
It seems Fall is here at last, though I see a temp of 89 forecast for later in the week.
It's been down into the 50's at night, which is pretty chilly and requires the use of a cover while sleeping.
And after a very long summer of 100+ degrees or so every day, let me tell you, anything in the 50's feels VERY cold. lol
It's also strange to feel the onset of Fall but without the usual visual cues.
There are no shopping ads or displays, no Christmas music playing, no one talking about Thanksgiving or other holiday plans.
I think the thing I will miss the most is the lights that people put up on their houses. Even though Muslims don't celebrate Christmas, that doesn't mean we can't appreciate the beauty in something, and many people create quite a beautiful display of lights during the holidays.
In Islam we have the two Eid celebrations, which happen a couple of months apart from each other, but they are not always celebrated on the same date, since the calendar we use is based on moon sighting. So, the holidays move forwards by about two weeks every year. Right now the second Eid is around the holidays in the States, but in a number of years they will be closer to summer. Which makes Winter seem long with nothing to break up the dark dreary days.
However, I will say, I've never seen so much sunshine in my life as I have since I moved here, and while I've enjoyed the recent few days of partly cloudy skies here, that's really enough for me. I always got so blue in the winter and spring in the States, because even though it wasn't always raining, we had gray skies for sometimes weeks at a time.
So... maybe it won't feel so much like the Winter needs breaking up if it isn't so gray and dreary all the time?
We will see.
:::
Nothing to report on the apartment.
:::
We've been watching some older movies lately. The original King Kong (which we then followed by the newer version), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, South Pacific (which we're in the middle of) and I think I mentioned we had recently watched African Queen.
It's nice seeing the older films. The acting was different, the clothing styles quite different, and the feel overall is just very different than the films of today.
We still have some oldies to watch, not sure what's next.
It's been down into the 50's at night, which is pretty chilly and requires the use of a cover while sleeping.
And after a very long summer of 100+ degrees or so every day, let me tell you, anything in the 50's feels VERY cold. lol
It's also strange to feel the onset of Fall but without the usual visual cues.
There are no shopping ads or displays, no Christmas music playing, no one talking about Thanksgiving or other holiday plans.
I think the thing I will miss the most is the lights that people put up on their houses. Even though Muslims don't celebrate Christmas, that doesn't mean we can't appreciate the beauty in something, and many people create quite a beautiful display of lights during the holidays.
In Islam we have the two Eid celebrations, which happen a couple of months apart from each other, but they are not always celebrated on the same date, since the calendar we use is based on moon sighting. So, the holidays move forwards by about two weeks every year. Right now the second Eid is around the holidays in the States, but in a number of years they will be closer to summer. Which makes Winter seem long with nothing to break up the dark dreary days.
However, I will say, I've never seen so much sunshine in my life as I have since I moved here, and while I've enjoyed the recent few days of partly cloudy skies here, that's really enough for me. I always got so blue in the winter and spring in the States, because even though it wasn't always raining, we had gray skies for sometimes weeks at a time.
So... maybe it won't feel so much like the Winter needs breaking up if it isn't so gray and dreary all the time?
We will see.
:::
Nothing to report on the apartment.
:::
We've been watching some older movies lately. The original King Kong (which we then followed by the newer version), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, South Pacific (which we're in the middle of) and I think I mentioned we had recently watched African Queen.
It's nice seeing the older films. The acting was different, the clothing styles quite different, and the feel overall is just very different than the films of today.
We still have some oldies to watch, not sure what's next.
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