The first day of my Gap year....

While I have a love-hate relationship with most of them, she’s always been my go-to love...and three years haven’t changed that. No, I’m not into chicks. Yes, I am talking about Ethpaña. First off I will be woman enough to say I broke like a punk before I left.

Yes, I cried! All over my siblings, my sweat shirt and possibly the couple beside me on the plane...jk, they were very busy making out --newlyweds probably-- so I didn’t even get to pretend to be friends with them :) Don’t judge...I hadnt slept in 2 days, okay!

No worries, you say. You can sleep on the flight...right? WRONG!

The giggling trollops in front of my, the sick man behind me and the gassy newlywed beside me made SURE I didn’t. Okay, like an hour and a half but that was it.

The last time I visited ethpaña the cabs were metered and I had to negotiate (on one year of college spanish) with a taxi driver …it was ugly. Today, I’m in a much better position. I wrangled my huge bags through the terminal and out front ready to go head to head with some elderly spanish man looking to get in my pockets. Instead I find TRA LA LA….METERED CABS!

All official, no possibility of manipulation by a greedy cab driver, air conditioning, leather seats, spacious interior. ZERO stress.

Did you catch that? 0 STRESS! I’ve honest to goodness had a harder time flying from RDU to Atlanta and getting back to Emory. He pulls straight up to my hostel, unloads my bags, gives me change and wishes me luck. That’s what I’m talking about.

I’m at my hostel. It’s 8:30 (2:30 EST) a.m. I can quickly skype my mom and get in a hot shower...except not! Despite the fact that reception is 24 H beds are only available after 3:30. But they WILL let me store my luggage. Fabulous! I still have two massive purses I refuse to leave in storage because people are something else so I cant really GO anywhere...except the kitchen...and the living room.

I am dirty, I haven’t slept and (according to my mother, shared via skype) I look like a sleep deprived homeless woman. Thanks ma! That’s EXACTLY what I wanted to hear. So what do I do...I fall asleep in the living room waking up when some idiot spanish boys run past giggling at me --I’m not a patient sleep-deprived woman-- then again at 10:00...10:45...11:55...12:15...1:25. At this point my body hates me. My legs hurt, my jaw hurts, my eyes hurt...I can’t take anymore.

At 3:15 I go upstairs to the desk were spanish McStupid proceeds to tell me I’ll have to wait...so I wait….3:40 rolls around and I am TOO though.

‘How much longer?’, I hissed in non too polite spanish. He makes a little ‘o’ with his mouth and says “oh, you can go to your room.”

“I don’t have a KEYCARD?”

“Oh, I didn’t know thats what you were waiting for...”

-_-;

I guess he thought I was standing there to admire his McDreamy hair...which I honestly only ogled for like 5 seconds. He gives me my card; I find my room; I think about sleeping but WAIT, I cant sleep...I have a mission AND its going on 4 p.m. Sleeping at 4 p.m. Is just gross.

I comb my hair (a little) and nix the hoodie in an effort to blend in more --yes, I forgot I was black-- and google the nearest vodafone location. Directions in hand I set out, recognizing street names, navigating twisting cobble-stone streets and feeling like an older (blacker) Dora the explorer. I get to vodafone and pause….why is there a silver gate pulled over the store...is this a mistake? Am I being punked?

No.

Vodafone is closed. Is there a sign saying when they will reopen...of course not, this is siesta, there is not posted time for anything.

So I figure, might as well make the best of it. I put my map away and proceed to get lost in La Latina...one of spains more rundown neighborhoods. Never fear, they were treasures.

Like...whatever this is...

and  Viva la Vida...

gracias a dios por el espanol, porque ellos no hablan ni una palabra de ingles. The drinks were passable...not worth the money I’d say. It is probably the ambiance that keeps people coming back. It was quite comfortable, like being at home.

Sidenote: I got lost (after having a lovely drink and skype chat w/ mom and bestie whilst in this cafe) for about an hour I was within five minutes of my place and didn’t even know it.

Gracias al hombre in the little mini mart I went to...he went out of his way to help me.

sidenote: only in ethpaña is it appropriate to use mannequins as decoration...on your balconey...for real.

That's right...look above the stranger trying to holla w his eyes...yessir, two mannequins.  Hood rat stuff.

Hasta luego, queridos.

Gap Years and such...

First off, if you're taking a gap year before grad school know that you WILL be explaining yourself to MANY people who think you are being a lazy bum --which, in my case, was true.

My grandmother, mother, aunts, grandaunts and church aunts (jk) have all tried to talk me out of a gap year.  Apparently taking a gap year is the equivalent of getting knocked up, addicted to drugs and throwing away my future... -_-;

If you are brave enough to see it though (or lazy enough) there are a TON of programs out there for you. PAID programs...not that 'pay to volunteer' bull that people still manage to go for.  Got an undergrad degree? Working toward an undergrad degree?  OKAY! Stop working for free!

Someone is willing to pay your (barely) educated behind.

Case in point...
Austrian Ministry of Education

Spanish Ministry of Education

French Ministry of Education 

Korean Ministry of Education**

Korean Ministry of Education***


(UK/France/Spain) PGL

all (except the last) are through the gov and therefore doubly legit.
**requires 2 yrs undergrad, teaching primarily after school see more program differences
*** requires at least a bachelors, teaching during reg. school hours

So I recognize that theres a big difference between a ton of programs and the five that I've posted here.  I'll keep updating this as I find them.

In the mean time, have some ear candy.

Preludio

11 days

266 hours

15999 minutes

till Alex hops on that plane and makes the trip home to Espana. About this time --before any of my adventures-- the gravity of what exactly I've done begins to sink in. Maybe I've done it too much to get nervous...maybe it'll hit when I get that window seat next to some awkward stranger for 12 hours.

I'm going to try and squeeze in a last minute trip to see guy, hereafter  referred to as A, despite the fact that he thinks it wont work because it happens to be the day before I leave. Alex says...I'm sleeping on the flight anyway.

Anyway A and Alex had fun this weekend. We now have a 'spot' and many established firsts. Him playing on a street corner/for a girl...a first.  Enjoying the trumpet...(for me) a first.  Sushi/Unagi...(for him) a first.  Walking out on a movie...a first; dude, flicks aren't cheap.  Chinese...(for me) a first, though I maintain that Arabic is superior.  Just doing....(for me) a first.  Having a plan...(for him) a first.  I do believe we are on the same page now ;) or at least I hope so because I totally put myself out there.

Anyway in the span of one weekend all the stuff I didn't want to say (but needed to) came out.  I think he did the same.  Relationships (that includes friendships yall, pfft) are about trust, free falling and all that crap.

I just really don't want to hit the ground because for a minute there I was channeling Meredith Grey in an...'I like you in a way that makes me hate you...pick me, choose me' way. *rolls eyes* Yeah.

I have a lesson to plan.

My baby (passport) came in the mail!!!

AND! I'm back on track.  Yay for not being illegally in spain!

I finally got around to proposing the idea of a crash spanish course to the church and it was approved so no turning back.  I am now translating prayers and writing quizzes.  Wish me luck!  I've never taught a class on my own before.

Sidenote...I miss Tangerine Schweppes like a fother mucker but APPARENTLY the only place you can get it in the states is some funky hookah bar in baltimore --they (of course) import it from Egypt.  BOOOOOOO!

But now its time to work out with Lupe.  Besos Queridos!

O down 18 LPs to go

Mhmm, I'm supposed to be presenting my lesson plans tomorrow and how many have I written? lol....guess.





How I stay alive?

I need to sleep...

Currently on an LSAT/ARABIC/SPANISH binge. In the hopes of making the world a better place, you ask? No, sir. In the hope of obtaining...






Alas, I'll be settling for Chocolatinis.  I'll let you know how the recipe works out. JK. I'm truly not the shallow, but I really would not complain if a significant portion of my life involved champagne and hot chocolate men.

Exito, que olor tan dulce y Palabras para sobrevivir

Back from D.C.  after a lovely day in the capital, a trip made unavoidable by the Spanish government's decision that student visas must be applied for in person.  We left NC around five and four hours (in a car, a half pound of candy and a series of heinous radio stations) later caught a glimpse and whiff of the capital city.  I've often referred to D.C. as 'one of the cesspools' of america (right behind NJ) but after being there for a bit I have to admit its nowhere near as bad as Jersey ;).  I might even have to take it completely off the list.

It was definitely an adventure.  I applied for the visa (the administrators/officers at the consulate were way sweet), traipsed the streets, caught lunch at some hole in the wall and did some shopping.  My baby sister even almost got hit by a car.  I realized I still had a little egypt in me--and scared the crap at my mom-- when I started to run after the car and curse out said driver.  YA MASR!

The wait for my visa is supposed to be a month.  I'm really hoping so.

___________

I might not be the most beautiful or sexiest, nor do I have the perfect body. I might not be your first choice, but I am a GREAT choice. I don't pretend to be someone else, cause I am too GOOD at being me. I might not be proud of some of the things I've done, but I am well pleased with who I AM. Take me as I AM, or watch me as I go!

--- Tasha Tavaras

هو ده!!

I jumped OFF Usher years ago

 but this...

is kinda my ish.  At the same time I have serious problems with this song...mostly the same problem I have with standard relationship ish nowadays.  People dont get married...they settle for 'wifey' and (worse) 'baby momma' status.  Initially listening to the song it's a cool bob n weave --hell I was singing along-- then I really heard  what the dude was saying.

baby loving you feels better than
everything, anything
put on my heart you don't need a ring
and I promise our time away won't change my love


ER?  You love me so much but I dont get a ring? You dont have the decency to give your girl your name?  Methinksnot!  Vows are the best promise a woman will ever get from a man and that's not even permanent.  These dudes can keep that kind of love; I'd rather sleep with my pillow, thanks.

I dig the Noisettes

They have made the search for an apartment infinitely more enjoyable.

Words to Live by and J's visit...

What other people say about you is none of your business
                                                          --- Anon
...because having haters probably means you're a baller and didn't know it.

---

In other news, J drove 6.5 hours from Atlanta to hang out with yours truly --I still gots it ;).   Last time we had serious hang time, we went hiking in N. Georgia so I figured another hike would be a good way to start our first day.  We rode out to Lake Wheeler, Warsteiners and chicken wings --yes, chicken wings-- in tow.   As soon as we got out of the car I realized the hike wasnt gonna happen.  NC summer = hot + humid.  We walked for five, plopped down beside the lake and destroyed lunch instead.

We hung out for a bit, come back, cleaned up and left for fayetteville street --the only part of NC that meets J's seal of approval.  As J and I are both sushi freaks, I chose Sono.  There was a lot of this ...

and a bit of this

Now that I think about it, it wouldve been perfect had the waiter not spent the night trying to pick up my dinner companion.  He kept insisting J let him know if he could 'be of service', made zero eye-contact with me and offered J a free drink, despite the fact that J was the DD.  Take note, I'd ordered a $10 cocktail.  Did the waiter offer to comp it?  No, Sir! Then he had the gall to look disappointed when J left the table and reluctantly took the dessert order from me.

How did this dude know I wasnt his girlfriend? 

THE GALL!!!

It did comfort me to know ol dude was totally barking up the wrong tree.  He deserve to get worked, acting funny.  

Day 2 was the Museum of Art --a surprisingly nice museum-- and general chill time.  The museum was better than I expected, architecturally breathtaking, relaxing and a welcome reprieve.  We even pulled out our screwdriver Doctor Who style and examined the collection...the nerdom never stops.    

There was also a good deal of ....

and the requisite amount of shouting, jumping up and down and trash-talking that inevitably comes with it.  Oh, oh, yes, yes and J was also introduced to the bounty and wonder of Bojangles.  All-in-all the last two days were a serious win.  Same time next month?

Having no job post-graduation kinda feels like...

Dear Sinatra,
Why are we so in sync?

I'm going to have to cosign on all those sentiments. I have scattered my good name all over town in the hopes of a callback...okay, I've been kinda selective about it but still.

Okay, fine, I dont really want a 'job'; I just want to network and I want it to mean something. The things I want are exclusively for first year law students.... :(

The good news is I have (LSAT/arabic/spanish) study time and I think I'm going to start teaching spanish classes on Saturdays at the church/mentoring young girls. Yes, someone thought it was a good idea for me to warp their little kids! MUAHAHAHA!!

I remember something quite similar, ;)

Black Hiker with Blair Underwood from Blair Underwood

Will keep this short and sweet....

Graduation. done.

Governor Schwarzenegger was entertaining --definitely more than a little in love with himself-- and inspiring.  He even cracked an Arizona joke which I'm sure many people laughed at out of a sense of obligation and NOT because they actually have any idea what is going on down there--shocker.

Emory. done...for now.

Besos queridos!  thanks for the spiritual cleansing.

Summer.  Middlebury?Work?Independent study?

....this program is so friggin expensive....and still, Arabic is my BABY--my one true love.  

Next fall. MADRID!! 

I guess I'll jump back on the blogging wagon for more overseas adventures. Rebecca, Christina and Jason have promised to visit...and I will break them if they renege.  So stoked about getting the job guys! btw, spanish yellow pages (http://www.paginasamarillas.es/) = the greatest thing ever!  I found 3 hair salons!  Don't get it twisted, I am not obsessed but I am not a sloppy sis.

Kudos to grandma (my norwegian) for landing the job in Abu Dhabi!  Crossing my fingers for the rest of you guys.

Good people deserve good ish but that does not mean it will come easy or free. 

هو ده!!!ا

Please date that Indian girl/expat itch/Emory Love!!!

I have had so many conversations over the past couple of weeks with many different people (white/black girls/guys) on the issue of race and dating...enough to make me want to spill it out here...cause this is my journal and you dont have to read it :P

I understand that people operate within a comfort zone but it bothers me to NO END when they refuse to step outside of it.  Guys, there are beautiful, intelligent and ambitious people out there and they may not necessarily look like you.  It doesnt mean you sacrifice who you are culturally; it doesnt mean you are a sellout; it doesnt mean you need to make excuses.

I dont get it...I have met so many highly intelligent people who would NEVER consider dating the rainbow...welcome to judgement lane.  Aren't we past this?

I'm not pretending to be colorblind or that racism doesnt exist.  Hell, sometime I say racist stuff; however, there is a process of self-correction.  As an aside-- people who pretend to be colorblind are full of it.  We are not all the same.  No, I can't use white girl's hair products unless I want to go bald.  It's basic...we're different.  Learn differences and move on...

P.S. objectification is NEVER cool.  I would not... (repeat) NOT date an brown/white dude that only dated black chicks...or a black dude that only dated black chicks for that matter.  Because we have to be honest...even if your black you are objectifying me.  You are dating what I am instead of who I am.

Okay, I did it.

No more asking if I will date a ___ guy...

I'll just send you the link for this post

DONE.

----

Oh God... I must get out of this country.  I have been stateside for over a month and if I dont leave--say in the next six months or so--I may have to stab someone...in the eye, the left one.  

I'm making a list for my gap-year...of things/places to do/see.   Along the way I have found a few resources that have caught my  eye.

http://www.educacion.es/exterior/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml

¿Hablas el español y quieres mejorarlo?  Si hablas un poquito del espanol puede suplicar este programa.  El ministerio de educacion esta buscando norteamericanos con experiencia (un titulo de la universidad es suficiente) para ensenar el inglés sobre espana. He entregado mi suplicacion y ahora estoy esperando una respuesta.

http://www.clscholarship.org/

If you're interested in languages in general this program seems pretty awesome.  Yes, I applied.  No,  I dont know if I will be going yet.  So there it is.

http://www.mesas.emory.edu/academic/arabic.studyabroad.htm

There are also intensive programs in Morocco (Al Akhwayn U) and CASA...which anyone with three years of arabic experience should look in to.   There is a long list here...emory does a much better job that I do.  

Speaking of Emory, I love my school--soon to be alma  mater--but I refuse to spend $400 on a class ring that I will probably stop wearing as soon as I go to grad school.  Can anyone explain the logic to me?  Do you know what you can DO with $400 or 2,187.05 LE?   Thats some ish.  

هو ده

huwa sahee

In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: The stupid and the envious. The stupid will like you in five years time. The envious, never.

¡Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all! 


As soon as I got off the plane I wanted to die.  It was cold, people, very cold.  Like virtually every other person who had the misfortune of leaving sunny Cairo for JFK I promptly got a cold.  I'm not sure if it happened during the 12 hour flight or during the 12 hour layover in JFK...not fun.


Anyway, the fam totally made it worth it.  They enjoyed their gift and whatnot...my mother even stole my red, black and white (yalla masr) gallibaya but I wont choke her or anything.  She's lucky I plan to go back otherwise there would be some definite choking going on...plus she was really passive-aggressive about getting it from me in a way that can only be compared to the stereotypical guilting that is the favored past time of stereotypical jewish moms.  


If she reads this I am screwed but she has managed to avoid this place like the plague during my time abroad...so I doubt I'm in any real danger.


:P


Anyway, this is post-Egypt Alex. I'll write again when I'm feeling more inspired.  Live long and prosper! yes, I totally went there--star wars is still better.  

Right now...en este momento, dilwatee

Damien Rice
9 crimes

12 days, 5 finals, 1 big problem.

that is all.

Yay stalkers...really, rah freaking rah

I have gotten 25 calls from a man (I believe) I have never met.  I answered the phone the 19th (or so) time, thinking it could possibly be a random egyptian buddy.  I do pass my number out like candy...but only to truly awesome people.  Anyway the conversation went like this.

guy: hello

       -- an aside: I hate this, when you call you give your name and ask for the person you want if you are not sure they are there.

me: hello?
       -- maybe you wont screw up again.

guy: hello?
       ---WRONG!

me: yes, what do you want?

guy: what is your name?

me: what do you mean 'whats my name'? you called me; you should be telling me your name!

guy: I am mohammed

me: do I know you mohammed?

guy: do you speak arabic?

me: dont call me anymore.


10 calls later I receive a text...and I quote:
if i could give you one thing in life, i would give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes to let you know how special you are to me.

......... have we met?

So, I saved this number as NO in my phone so I dont assume he's a friend (I forgot to save) and answer the phone.

The last 3 days

I have seen the pyramids, mohandissen, a jazz club and a fabulous lebanese hair dresser.... that is all. :D

Thanksgiving in the black and white desert!

Yes, this non-outdoorsy girl camped out in the desert, after traveling about 5 hours west of Cairo to the middle of no-freaking where, where a prematurely aged hotel owner insisted we lie about our nationality in order to avoid having to take police guards--they do indeed put a damper on things.

We visited the black desert, some crystal mountain thing (the above picture[we were told it was at this point that our driver started toking up...im really not surprised]) and then spent the night in the white desert.  Pardon the bad pic, it was hard to take a decent one with such limited light. 

with three Bedouins who prepared a bomb meal out of nothing. It was FREEZING!! I played footsy with multiple people to keep warm.  As an aside, anyone who knows me knows I dont do feet.

Sunrise... yes, that is sheesha. There was lots of sheesha involved.  Oh yes, and lots of tea and fuul...

and beautiful Bedouins who speak italian....

yup.  It was awesome!