In honor of my "baby", who turns 15 years old today, I thought I'd post a link to a cute little video I found.
Video
He doesn't read here so I actually sent him a copy of that because I thought it was too cute. lol
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.
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