Airbrushing my good stuff away...

So I went to get some passport-sized photos made the other day from the Kodak store here in Maadi.  I needed them for a couple of membership cards, so I piled my hair on top of my head, put on my favorite lipstick, and smiled big for the camera.  When he gave me the photos (and a framed 5 x 7 of the photo, just in case [I said no to that one and left it, which, in hindsight, I regret.  That could have been someone's stellar  stocking-stuffer for Christmas.]), I thought I looked, well, strange.  I couldn't quite put on my finger on it, but the girl in the photo only sort of looked like me.  Oh, well, I thought.  It's just for some membership cards.  No biggie.

The next day, I was at Becky's house, and noticed a framed photo that looked much like the one the Kodak shop had tried to give to me (except with a different face in it, of course) and I asked her if it was the same.  She said it was a joke between her friend and her and they gave them to each other whenever they got passport photos made, but that her friend was actually much cuter than the photo but they airbrushed her freckles away (holy run-on sentence, Batman!).  That's it, I realized!  They took my freckles away, too.  I pulled out the photos and upon inspection, Becky and I realized they also curved my pointy chin.  With a round chin and no freckles, no wonder the photo didn't look like me.  I looked like some other, plainer version of me.  I quite like my freckly face and pointy chin, and it was odd that someone would feel the need to airbrush those features away. Like Owen Wilson's nose, the features they airbrushed away are what make me me.  My signature features. 

Becky told me they airbrush the student photos here as well.  Got whiskers?  They make them go away.  Crooked nose?  They straighten it.  Crazy hair?  They tame it.  All of those slight imperfections that make us unique are gone in an instant.  Interesting statement on society, huh?  But here's my take: give me back my freckles, Kodak man!  I am a fan of them.  And pointy chins are sexy, so don't curve one just because you can.  I worked hard to fully embrace what I look like, so I won't quietly let someone change me.  Not even in a photo.  Next time, I say no airbrushing or no deal.  :)

Only 90 Minutes Away...

...is The Red Sea!  And it is glorious.  Clear, warm water and a spa retreat unlike anything I've ever been to.  So serene and blissful.  Soft, mellow music seemed to float everywhere.  The smell was subtle and calming with a slightly floral hint.  And then you walk outside and The Red Sea greets you.  I was lulled into calm immediately.

And I had my first massage.  That's right, the first one of my life.  I opted for the Swedish massage since I didn't know how I was going to react and wanted to play it safe.  It seemed like a good bet for satisfaction without pain.  And it was lovely.  And I was indeed satisfied.  The 50 minutes simultaneouly lasted forever and flew by.  I didn't want it to end.  I know that I will have another massgae within two-to-four weeks.  The prices are ridiculously low here, so I can see myself having bi-weekly massages and loving it.  Next time, I am going for the deep tissue or sportive massage.  My sore muscles are already looking forward to it.  :)

I went to the spa with a group from school.  My girfriend, Michelle, mentioned it and asked me to go along.  I considered saying no just because of time and money (even though the all-inclusive resort couldn't be more reasonable), but I decided to say yes to the whole weekend and enjoy myself.  I got to know several colleagues much better and met quite a few others.  I work with the nicest people.  Talking to several on Thursday night, I suddenly realized how blessed I am to be in Cairo surrounded by amazing folks.  They are adventurous spirits who travel the world and have these experiences I can't even fathom and there is no boasting or bragging about it.  It's just the way they live.  They are marvelous.  And so inspirational.

Want to know something else inspirational at the Stella di Mare?  The food.  It was buffet (hello, danger!!) and so yummy.  I ate way more than a girl my height should.  And I keep wondering why I'm gaining so much weight in Cairo.  Hmm...  :-)  Thank goodness I brought my gym clothes  with me and the gym was so peaceful and lovely that I worked out over an hour each day.  Positive that didn't even come close to burning the excess calories I consumed, but, hey, it's better than nothing.  Right?

Anyway, it was a stellar weekend at The Stella di Mare.  And when you come visit me here (that is an open invite to all my friends and family), we can book a couple nights.  :)      

Puck, my weekend buddy

       A fellow English teacher, Becky, went away for the weekend and asked me if I would watch her 7 week-old kitten, Puck (hello, last summer's Shakespeare fun!).  Um, the name alone sold me, so, of course, I said yes.  This is the fanatstic little guy that spent the weekend with me.
       I had forgotten how little one gets done when a kitten is around - the computer keyboard was covered in cat whenever I tried to use it, my Kindle view was of cat's fur, the pen I was using to grade papers became a play toy and the TV was blocked by grey and white fur.  It was lovely!  :)

      I had also fogotten how nice it was to have a warm little body curl up on you and purr softly while you fall asleep.  Works as well as one of those nature machines, and you get the added bonus of vibration.  It did wonders for me and lulled me into a deep sleep each night. 

     When I brushed my teeth, Puck was curled up on my feet.  When I went to the bathroom, he was wrapped in a little ball on the rug looking at me.  When I washed dishes or prepared food (I bought a pan, so I am cooking again - less cereal for dinner), he was woven around my ankles. 

     It was just nice to have another living creature experience my day-to-day activities with me.  And he was so easy to please.  Pet his head, and he's happy.  Give him nice food, and he meows in thanks.  Let him lay on your lap while you grade papers, and he looks at you like you're the most amazing thing he's ever seen.  I could get used to having a Puck around!
    And he visits again in two weeks for our first break.  Cannot wait!

Weekend Fabulousness

This weekend, I spent a lot of time sailing on the Nile River with friends, just eating, talking, and laughing as we passed sights I cannot fathom I'm lucky enough to get to see.  Every time I even catch a glimpse of the Nile, I have to remind myself that I am not dreaming - this is reality.  I live near the Nile River.  Still so surreal, and I hope I never forget to marvel at it.  Gratitude fills me numerous times a day.

I also saw my first movie in Cairo today, Ice Age 4.  It was an intriguing cinematic experience.  It started 25 minutes late (that's just how things are sometimes), there was an intermission, and people talked at full volume during the entire film.  So, you'd think with all that great material to choose from, I might feel compelled to write about one or all of those things.  But I want to write about the highlight of my weekend: talking to my sister on Skype.   

Here's what I have realized since I've been in away from home (and I've lived in Egypt exactly a month today): my sister is more important to me than I ever imagined.  I knew I would miss her, and I know I love her a ridiculous amount, but I underestimated how truly close and connected we are.  We spent so much time together when we lived in the same town, just hanging out and laughing.  And today when I heard her voice for the first time in three weeks, I burst into tears after the first word was uttered.  So did she.  I miss her.  So very much.  It was wonderful to talk for over 90 minutes this afternoon and get caught up with her.  I needed it. 
 
Because here are the things I think of when I think of her: the fact that our histories are shared, and I can just look at her, and she knows what I need; how our eyes, hair, and freckles match, especially in our one-handed, faces-filling-the-screen photos; giggling and belly-laughing at everything (and nothing); the ferociousness that overcomes her if someone has wronged me (and the fact that I know she'd kick anyone's ass for me if I said the word); the way she plans adventures for her grandkids and gives so much of herself to them (and how she always invited me along); sitting on her deck and watching the sunset; singing 80s songs loudly, and badly, together; movie-watching Wednesdays and pool-playing Fridays; daily text messages full of smiley faces and K's; and her hugs.  I really miss my sister's hugs.  So I am sending one to her in this blog.  I love you, Lyla, and I hope you can feel it.        

The Cairo Me...

Today after school on the bus (yep, the teachers take buses to school just like the kiddos because we live pretty far from it. Mine is about a 45 minute ride.), we pulled over on the highway to wait for two teachers who had missed it to take a cab to where we were.  When I say we pulled over on the highway, I mean we were in the middle of the highway stopped and waiting.  You see, driving here is a very different thing from driving in the states - four-lane highways become five and six lanes at high traffic times and blinkers are quite optional; if you want to change lanes (or several), you simply change lanes.  No warning needed.  So, while traffic buzzed around us on all sides, I sat on the bus surrounded by people from the US, Great Britain, Ireland, and Egypt while Michael Jackson sang "Smooth Criminal" on the radio.  I thought, "I live in Cairo, and this is my fantastic life."  It made me smile and hug myself with the wonder of it.  I actually live in Cairo.  

This is my 25th day here, and I am blown away by the changes, both big and small, that my lifestyle has undergone in that time.  I wake up at 5 AM and walk 25 minutes to my bus stop.  This former road-tripping and drive-just-to-clear-my-head queen has no desire to get a car.  Absolutely none.  I'll save that for when I visit the states.  I work until 5:20 PM when I catch the late bus home.  And I work the entire time I am at school with very little socializing or visiting.  That isn't to say my colleagues are unfriendly, they are incredibly outgoing and warm, but I am so busy working that long lunches and visiting on my planning hour are things of the past.  I eat cereal or peanut butter and jelly for dinner most nights (okay, that's not a change) on my balcony and just look at the view.  The girl who used to have so much restless energy sits for an hour or two just gazing at the lights and listening to the sounds.  It's my new meditation.  Most nights, I grade and answer emails and read.  Television is pretty rough here, so I read more than I ever have, and I go to bed by 10 PM.  Now bedtime that early is a huge change! 

On the weekends, I walk a lot and explore and people-watch.  I also hang out with friends and socialize, but I have more alone time than I've ever had.  It makes one confront oneself in some spectacular ways, and I am learning new things about myself daily (one lesson learned: any fear or trepidation I have had since I've been here is about my lack, not the external world's.  I've only been scared when I couldn't communicate effectively because I don't know the language [to catch a cab or find my way home]).  I also think about my family and friends and let myself miss the fabulousness of them.  I am blessed to have such love and support in my life.  That's another thing, I am more grateful than ever for the incredible people in my life.  I'm overwhelmed by gratitude at times.  It's a great feeling!

Other changes include being caffeine-free for over three weeks, going without texting for days at a time, walking to get everything (which makes a person really evaluate what a "need" is), having a limited number of clothes (two skirts and 6 pairs of pants - seriously!), and only having eleven pairs of shoes.

And you know what?  I just hugged myself with wonder again.        

I can't believe I live here!

Things I love about living in Cairo:

1.  Waking up to sunshine every day.
2.  Delicious food super cheap (hello, koshary and   falafel sandwiches for under a buck!).
3.  Glimpsing the pyramids at random times.
4.  Felucca rides at sunset.
5.  Walking to the Nile from my apartment.
6.  Making friends of all ages from all over the world.
7.  Realizing every day that students everywhere just want love and acceptance and to learn.
8.  Sitting on my balcony and looking       

at the city around me.
9.  Planning trips to the pyramids, desert hiking,
Nile cruises, and the Red Sea.
10.  Seeing the friendly faces of the Egyptian people daily.


Things I miss from home:

1.  My family and friends.  So much!
2.  My teddy bear, Gil.
3.  Blue Powerade Zero.
4.  Driving whenever and wherever I like.
5.  Ragtag.
6.  Hallmark cards.
7.  SoCo (I have yet to find a dance club).
8.  French wine (they only have Egyptian wine).
9.  Television (especially sports).
10. Bacon.