Egyptian of the Month Club

Welcome to your November Edition of the Egyptian of the Month Club!

This months feature: Mourad (Roudy) Fahim.

Roudy arrived to a sleepy (too much turkey) midwestern town late last night. Poor unsuspecting Roudy... he had no idea what awaited him. And apparently neither did I. People always get more than they bargain for when they come to visit Holly and Kait.
Key learnings from last night:

• my life, according to Roudy, is a cross between "Pet Cemetary" and "The Grudge". This will most likely not fare well for yours truly, as I don't do very well at all with scary movies... good thing I am sleeping with Kait this weekend
• Just because something looks like an outlet, doesn't mean you should plug things into it.
• Swamp water- as we all know, is excellent. However I should never be allowed to prepare it.
• It takes a special breed to really appreciate a set of Christmas dishes
• Playing Star Wars Monopoly is fun, even though I am not good. I like to play with Roudy because he will give you "Emperial Credits" whenever you want for no reason. 'Ask and ye shall recieve'. I think I only got up to 604 free 'EC's last night, but that is something. I considered it backsheesh, and well deserved I think.

An update from Octobers feature, Mohamed El Shazly: Apparently Alex any day is rowdier than Madison at Halloween, as he lasted barely a day without getting into a major brawl upon return. Something to keep in mind next time you visit Egypt. Hot blooded mediterranean dwellers...

Look forward to the December edition featuring Shady Taha. It should be arriving on shelves around December 16th or so.

Somethings gotta give...

It is appraoching 5 a.m. I have class in a few hours. I am still trying to work on an outline- but for some reason I find myself distracting myself with weblogs. This has recently become an all too common tale. Blogs are a terrible promoter of procrastination. Granted, if they didn't exist I would most likely find some other way to procrastinate than bore people with my rantings... So I guess I can't blame the blog itself. It is better than solitaire. I think that from now on when I find myself too busy I won't try to cut out the fun stuff (e.g. margarita tuesdays) but rid myself of the things I despise (e.g. international economics). That is a great idea. However, that would probably mean that I won't ever graduate. But who really needs a degree anyway? Maybe I will go back to Alex and become the cotton-candy woman blowing my horn and making the children (and the crazy tourists) flock to me- or sell fried corn on the street corners and lure people in by fanning the aroma at them. I think I would be good at that.

2005: The year of the wedding

I talked to my mother and my step-dad today. Both informed me that my brother is now officially engaged! Crazy. Their wedding will be in October and will be the 6th that I have scheduled so far for 2005. Which lead me to wondering: am I at that age already? The age when everyone you know is getting married, engaged or reproducing? IIn any event, it should be a fun filled year. I do enjoy weddings!
But luckily I can be perfectly happy for quite some time being the bridesmaid, aunt or guest. Rest assured folks, there will be no rings on these fingers any time soon. It takes dif'rent strokes to fuel the world...

You know you are a townie when:

You go out on a Saturday night and wonder why downtown is so dead. You inquire to your friend who responds "Well, it is hunting opener in Wisconsin"...

eh da?

For the first time since I got back, I am glad I am not in Egypt right now. http://tomgara.nomadlife.org
I wonder why all the Egyptians that I have spoken with in the past few days (which is like 5 I think) have mentioned nothing of the recent situation.
UGH! I shudder just thinking about it.
It reminds me of riding my bike through the field near our house in the fall when I was little. Grasshoppers jumping up and hitting your legs. ewww. Ok, I must stop. I am seriously grossing myself out here.

things get ugly

4:14 am: Holly turns on aiesec

Its a blogging day

So, randomly, at three different moments throughout my day today I thought "man, I am going to have to blog about that". Don't get all excited now, they aren't THAT cool. But here goes:

1) When I was leaving for work today, I got in the car and the radio turned on to what is normally my favorite oldies station. However today I was met with a suprise. I heard my first Christmas carol of the year!!! I immediately thought "How can they be playing Christmas carols already, its only Nov. 16th?" Of course it is the 18th today... but still, that is early. It seems like it gets earlier every year. Or maybe the years are going by faster. Who knows? I do love a good Christmas carol more than most. But I turned the station anyway because I have come to realize that even I get sick of them after a little while, and I don't want to wear them out too soon. I think I will try to hold off until after Thanksgiving. Which is a great holiday, even though for the past couple years the only thing my family makes that I can eat is carrots usually, and I don't like carrots that much...

2) On my way home from work today, actually after I picked Kait up from school, I stopped to pick up garbage bags. The city of St. Cloud has this new thing, which is actually really smart, nevertheless a pain to its broke college students like me. You don't have to pay for garbage services, however they will not pick up your garbage unless it is in these special green bags that say City of St. Cloud on them. These bags cost $20!!! Probably very easily the worst $20 I have ever spent. UGGG!

3) Tonight Kait and I were both bored after I decided to stop working on my computer and get off the phone, so we played Friends Trivia, and Trivial Pursuit. I lost at both. Not by a lot though. I was losing by a lot at first, but then Kait hits her slump and I catch up just enough so that I don't feel like a TOTAL loser when I lose. I don't mind losing at Friends Trivia so much. But Trivial Pursuit! I was incedibly disappointed in myself with some of the questions that I failed to answer correctly. (If anyone knows that german leader who was said to be the only one who could out-eat Clinton I will give you a high-five). I try not to let it get to me... because I am making a concerted effort to tone down the competitiveness within. However I still hate to lose... especially when it is my own dumb fault and I can't pass the buck to anything else.

I hope my three blogging revelations today weren't too disappointing for everyone. Sometimes you just have to get some things off your chest... ;)

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Maybe it was you, maybe it was me, but it sure felt right

Ah, another great LTM. As always, we had great conversations and got a lot done. However the thing that made this great for me was the bonding time (I know, I'm sappy). I got to see Roudy and Izaz again, whom I have not seen in months- wahashtiny owie! But the real conversations, the ones that mean something, those are the ones I love. Got to have a few of those this weekend- Friday night was 'open and honest time' with Vanjah and Connie- and Sunday was my heart-to-heart with Roudy. Thanks guys, love ya.
As always it was great to see everyone else again too. It seems like everything is almost over... its kind of scary.

A funny thing happened on the way to class today...

On my way to class today I stopped into the records and refistration office to pick up a form that I needed to fill out. It was only supposed to take a couple seconds. However, after I got the form I turned to leave and ran into the first person I ever matched in Aiesec.
I matched him at the end of my first semester as a member, so like 2 and a half years ago, to Taiwan for the summer. I was in touch with him when he was there, and afterwards for a while, but it has been probably at least a year since I have seen him.
We started making talking and he asked me whether I had been on a traineeship yet, so I told him a little about Egypt this summer. It was so funny because I had heard some stories from him before, but now I could relate to them more, and I think it was more fun for him to share them. We just started talking about different cultural experiences (its funny how things are so similar) and ended up talking and laughing for ~40 minutes right in the office. I think we might have gotten on some people's nerves... ;)
I ended up missing my class because of it, but I have no regrets- it was a great conversation. One that I would choose over International Economics and Finance any day.
He gave me his new contact information, and we are planning on getting together to talk more- about the stories that you don't want to share in the records and registration office ;) I can't wait.

All we are saying...

Yasser Arafat died this morning. A controversial leader who will leave quite a mark on this world. The Christian Science Monitor has a good article covering some of his 36 years as leader. What does this mean for the future of the Palestinians? Apparently two people are vying for the position as his successor, it is questionable wether or not there will be elections held.
Whatever happens, I wish peace to all of those involved.

to all you twenty-somethings out there

My friend Libby sent me this message with a note above saying "this is why I deserve a new convertible, or at least a nap". Ha ha ha. I hear you babe. These are exciting times. Lets all appreciate them while we can. Until we look back in 20 years and say "those were the days, life was so simple back then". Ha ha ha. Isn't that how it always works?

"Being Twenty-Something" They call it the "Quarter-life Crisis." It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now. You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you. You look at your job... and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are. You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward. You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you. Or you lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough that you want to get to know better. Perhaps you love someone who doesn't love you back, or worse yet, loves someone else. Or maybe you love someone but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you are doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person. One night stands and random hook ups start to look cheap. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself... and while winning the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender! What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out. Send this to your twenty something friends.... maybe it will help someone feel like they aren't alone in their state of confusion..... GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US!!!!!

Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end... (a shout out to all my egypt salaamers) ;)

Ah, sweet bliss

There is not a whole lot in life that makes me feel better than productivity. There are somethings of course. Love and happiness preceeding. But productivity is a great feeling. Checking things off of a "To Do" list, no one can deny that it feels fabulous.
Productivity done well, however. Doing something sub-par usually makes me feel worse than not doing it at all...

I had a very productive day. And I even took a nap in the afternoon and went out for margaritas (and was interviewed for a friend's project at the same time).

Its all about the balance. Work hard, play hard baby.

Ah, sweet bliss.

Forever a student

I have discovered that it really is true that you learn something new everyday. At least I do. And not because I am a student. Most of it has nothing to do with school.
Yesterday I learned what the Northern Lights looked like. Don't know why I have never seen them before. Too much time being a big city slicker I'd wager.
Today I learned that just because something is fuzzy, doesn't mean it is warm. Don't be fooled!
I wonder what I will learn tomorrow.
I bet it will have something to do with margaritas.
I will try to keep you posted as my knowledge base continues to swell.

Recommended at the price, insatiable an appetite, wanna try?

She's back ladies and gentlemen, and on the prowl. The eye of the tiger has been restored within and shall henceforth nary fall assunder (no idea if that made any sense). A little drive, a little determination, and a steadfast spirt can go a long way.


"Never give up. If you want to be something, be conceited about it, give yourself a chance. Never say you are not good, that will never get you anywhere. Set goals, That's what life is made of."

Mike McLaren

The ballots are coming in...

I am sitting in front of my television... flipping through the different news channels... gritting my teeth.
Man, this is a close race...
Not as close as I had hoped however, or leaning the way that I want it to.
Bush is in the lead... but Kerry still has a chance. A good chance.
Pretty much if he wins all the midwest swing states that are left- OHIO (you're the big one don't let us down, I have already been on the phone with Marianne this evening, who is nervous too), Minnesota (who is leaning Kerry, WOOHOO! come on fellow townies!), Wisconsin (I know a lot of you are hungover still... and it is slightly, by 1%, leaning Bush right now, straighten out guys), and Michigan (another biggie- you can do it!)- if he wins all of these, we can get it!
Oregon just came out with Kerry ahead.
Obviously these are all only estimates...
I am so nervous!
If Bush wins... I am really afraid of international backlash.
Everyone is talking about the US and the elections today. All of my friends that I talked to today from around the world asked me if I voted and who for. My friend in Egypt was watching live coverage on Aljerzeera as we were speaking.
I am so nervous!!!
Back to the TV- Come on Kerry!!!

See you at the polls!

Everyone make sure you vote tomorrow. Here is a good site to check out the elections in your area. This is how YOU make a difference- the future is now- and the next 4 years of our country depends on you!!! Make sure you are well informed!



For more info on the Halloween maddness- see Marianne and Kait.

A purple hooter, 2 dirty girl scouts and a white russian. Bottoms up!

Halloween in the Maddest of towns...

Got back yesterday from my third Halloween in Madison. This one was definitely different- and definitely awesome:

• It was a quasi-egyo reunion with Me, Kait, Marianne, Eric, Shazly and Trent.

• I was smart this year and planned warm costumes, even warm enough for me to share with people who were not quite so smart.

• It actually didn't break the bank as usual (probably because I didn't go to any bars... which is also different, but we didn't have to, the Aiesec parties were bumpin)

• I had a hand in 2 first Halloweens- Shazly, a great friend from Egypt who partied hard with his favorite Americans for 4 days straight; and an awesome new member, Shiro, who couldn't travel for the festivities, but carved pumpkins with us like a pro on Thursday night.

• I was able to babysit and be babysat- ah, good friends.

• I got to see people that I didn't expect to see such as Omar, Dody and Jillybean; but was missing a few Halloween staples such as Angie and Katie... tear

• Amy got to experience Egyptian driving... : )

• I was camera-less but luckily had two very picture happy people with me!

• I had great friends with me who helped me out when necessary

• I have always wanted to pepper spray Eric, now I don't have to...

• I had a captive audience, and a resounding round of applause

• We had great costumes- dressed up as shots. Dirty girl scouts, white russian, Dr. Malibu, Captain Morgan, Concrete Mixer, Purple Hooter... yum (apparently Urmi thought so because she kept licking me all night). But since we never had it to the bars, we did not get to sample our outfits sadly...

• Great costumes the second night too (of course I would not wear the same thing 2 nights in a row!)- started out as old hags... but we didn't really get the 'old' part down so well...

This one will definitely go down in the history books. Halloween, like so many other things in life, is much better when shared with good friends.