Queenrissa

My journal is called The Best Queen because I am the best queen (read below).
My subtitle is "...so bye bye ladies, may the best queen hold the crown" because it is from a Scissor Sisters song, "She's My Man".
My friends page is called The Queen's Subjects because it fits with the whole "Queen" thing.
My username is Queenrissa because I have a high opinion of myself.
My default userpic is "Slytherin: Evil in a really cool way. Jealous? because I'm not just a queen, I'm Slytherin too.

My journal is called The Best Queen because I am the best queen (read below).
My subtitle is "...so bye bye ladies, may the best queen hold the crown" because it is from a Scissor Sisters song, "She's My Man".
My friends page is called The Queen's Subjects because it fits with the whole "Queen" thing.
My username is Queenrissa because I have a high opinion of myself.
My default userpic is "Slytherin: Evil in a really cool way. Jealous? because I'm not just a queen, I'm Slytherin too.

A meme while I have a moment. I talk about Egypt...
( Clicky, you know you want to )

A meme while I have a moment. I talk about Egypt...
( Clicky, you know you want to )

I'm so excited, I just did the latest Zune update and now I have games on it. This may be old news, but I'm in Egypt so I don't get the latest Zune news.

I just wanted to share my happiness.

*Goes back to playing Texas Hold'em

I'm so excited, I just did the latest Zune update and now I have games on it. This may be old news, but I'm in Egypt so I don't get the latest Zune news.

I just wanted to share my happiness.

*Goes back to playing Texas Hold'em

Today is Thanksgiving, a holiday obviously not celebrated here in Egypt. This does not mean that we had school today, it's the American University in Cairo, celebrating Egyptian and American major holidays. Because we didn't have classes today, my Arabic class had decided that we would go on our field trip today, and we went to Al Azhar Park in Cairo. ( Click for a few big pictures. )

Today is Thanksgiving, a holiday obviously not celebrated here in Egypt. This does not mean that we had school today, it's the American University in Cairo, celebrating Egyptian and American major holidays. Because we didn't have classes today, my Arabic class had decided that we would go on our field trip today, and we went to Al Azhar Park in Cairo. ( Click for a few big pictures. )

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/index.html

"I like this ship. It's exciting!"

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/index.html

"I like this ship. It's exciting!"

Here, as promised, the pictures from the trip today. We got to go into the Pyramid of Khafre, see Khufu's boat, stand between the paws of the Sphinx (closed to the public), and visit the Step Pyramid (and other tombs) at Saqqara. I'm tired, sandy, and loved every moment!

The links are to my Facebook photo albums. Please enjoy and comment!


Giza Pyramids

Giza Part 2

Khufu's Boat Museum

Saqqara

The Great Sphinx

Streets of Cairo

Here, as promised, the pictures from the trip today. We got to go into the Pyramid of Khafre, see Khufu's boat, stand between the paws of the Sphinx (closed to the public), and visit the Step Pyramid (and other tombs) at Saqqara. I'm tired, sandy, and loved every moment!

The links are to my Facebook photo albums. Please enjoy and comment!


Giza Pyramids

Giza Part 2

Khufu's Boat Museum

Saqqara

The Great Sphinx

Streets of Cairo

I can't wait to see this in the theater!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Trailer 3

I can't wait to see this in the theater!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Trailer 3

A week ago (wow, I’m really bad about keeping up with this thing… sorry), Sophia, Elyse, and I (see current profile picture), as well as Jack, went to karaoke at the Mariott Hotel in Zamalek. The drinks were expensive and not strong, there was a 100LE minimum per person, and it was crowded. No problem, we got a booth and settled in to look at the music.

I put in Me & Bobby McGee to warm up my voice as I haven’t sung full voice since I got here. There isn’t anywhere for me to go to just let loose, my voice is so strong/powerful/loud, that I would bother my neighbors in the dorm were I to sing in my room. So, I sang Me & Bobby McGee.... and lost my voice afterwards… sort of. I finished the song and got a lot of applause. I know, that’s usual, however I’m in a different country and my voice isn’t the type heard on the radio here.

So, I put up Nowhere To Go as my next song. When I went to hit the high notes I can usually do without batting an eyelash, my voice cracked!!! Now, while I’m singing, the bar manager is there, talking to someone, and pointing at me. Right under the TV screen, so it’s not being hidden. I was horrified to hear my voice crack, so I told him (when he finished talking to the guy and started staring at me) that I was losing my voice. I finished the song, lots of applause, and I sat down to finish my drink. Meanwhile, Elyse put us up to sing C’est La Vie. We’re waiting for our song to come up, and the manager comes over with a hot cup of tea and said that, since I was losing my voice, I should drink some tea to help, his compliments. It was very good tea, it helped, and we were able to sing C’est La Vie without a problem.

Then we went to Nathanial’s birthday party. He shares a birthday with Andrew, but it was too early in the night to call home (I’m 7 hours ahead). Lots of people were drinking/drunk, including Nathanial. He told us were to find the vodka and said we needed to get drunk. Not really something the three of us are interested in. Sophia and I lost Elyse to a conversation, so we went into the hall where Sophia suggested that we just pretend to be drunk. Well, the actress in me said, “I can do that, no problem.” “Let’s see it then” was Sophia’s reply. Never one to back down from a challenge, I proceeded to pretend I was drunk, for our own amusement more than anything.

We went into the kitchen and found the aforementioned vodka. Then all it took was some laughing, slight swaying, my refusal to release the bottle (never mind I didn’t open it once) and the next thing we know, we’re surrounded by 5-6 Egyptian young men. One tried to convince me that he was a “famous Egyptian actor”. I said I was a famous American singer, and that I could prove it. I then started singing “Helwa Ya Balady”, an Egyptian Arabic song I’m learning, and they were all amazed. Around this time, we found Elyse again, and she was just as convinced as everyone else that I was drunk. Sophia and I, meanwhile, kept exchanging looks and whispers about how easy everyone was to fool (except Elyse, we eventually let her in on it). One of the Egyptians said that the worst insult in Arabic is to “zzz” - here he pretended to snore. I quickly responded that I knew the best form of birth control… and I pointed at his crotch and laughed. That brought a huge round of laughter from everyone.

I saw people I go to school with, one said that he, “had no idea” I “had such an angelic voice.” Nathanial came in, we all ending up drinking a bit of voka (about 1/3 of a shot), and he shooed the Egyptians away and we moved into the living room. I talked to Jan who expressed disappointment that I went to karaoke without telling him, then I spoke to Jack who asked what I had been drinking. I just shrugged my shoulders and he said that I should know what I’m drinking before I drink it. It really amazes me how much these people believe. There is no part of me that is interested in getting drunk at some party, just as there is no part of me stupid enough to drink something (regardless as to whether I have been drinking or not) without knowing exactly what is in it… to the point I will insist that I make the drink myself. I’ve been slipped something in a drink before when I was 17, I’ve gone the next 15 years smart enough to prevent that from happening again. We got bored, all of this took about 45 minutes, and we were hungry, so we left the party and went to Hardees for dinner. That was my big night out last Thursday.

Now, onto the rest of my life updates. I had to give a presentation (with powerpoint and everything) based on research that I’ve done. It went really well. The topic was, “Foreigners in Ancient Egyptian Texts from the Old Kingdom to the Late Period.” I used 8 different books with Ancient Egyptian translations, as well as a lot of other sources. Because I have no qualms about bribery with chocolate, I brought in chocolate for everyone. Everyone afterwards said that the presentation was really good.... I think it was the chocolate. This was my first presentation where I had to research a subject and present it, so I was fairly nervous. One thing happened… about 10:30am that day, the campus lost power, so I was unable to a) print my revised outline & bibliography and b) show my powerpoint. I gave it the following class in about 3 minutes. Ok, here’s a picture of a map, see it didn’t change much here, but in the New Kingdom it expanded. It was kinda of funny.

Other classes, they are going very well. I’ve decided on my classes for next semester, and I’m really excited about them. I haven’t signed up for them yet, so I’ll put off telling you about them now. Once my schedule is confirmed, I’ll write about them then.

I’m still loving Egypt. It sounds strange, but I feel like I’m home already, I don’t feel like I’m visiting another country. Even though my grasp on the language is conversationally minimal, at best, and some of the food scares me, I’m comfortable. I can’t wait to share this with Andrew, I think he’s going to really like it here.

Andrew, my sweet baby. I miss him more than anything, so I try to call twice during the weekends (it’s hard during the week due to the time difference). Monday, he didn’t have school and was at my mom’s house. I got home from my classes and tried to call her house. The phone was busy, so I figured I’d call back later. A few minutes later I received an email from her entitled “Letter from Andrew.” I read it immediately and then called her house. I think they had just logged off the internet when my call went through. Andrew had said that they made waffles and there were 2 secret ingredients, but I had to guess, so when mom picked up the phone, I said, “Are they chocolate chips and love?” She started laughing and said to Andrew, “It’s your mom!” They were both amused at how quickly I received the email and was able to call. I love technology.

I shall try to update again soon. Sophia and I (and probably Elyse, we haven’t asked her yet) are going to go for a walk through Cairo to take lots of pictures. This Saturday I’m going to Giza and Saqqara.... including the Great Pyramid and between the Sphinx’s paws (currently blocked for tourists). Yes, I’ll take pictures. Yes, I’ll post them so you can see them. No, they cannot be published by anyone.

Until next time.... Mas Salema.

A week ago (wow, I’m really bad about keeping up with this thing… sorry), Sophia, Elyse, and I (see current profile picture), as well as Jack, went to karaoke at the Mariott Hotel in Zamalek. The drinks were expensive and not strong, there was a 100LE minimum per person, and it was crowded. No problem, we got a booth and settled in to look at the music.

I put in Me & Bobby McGee to warm up my voice as I haven’t sung full voice since I got here. There isn’t anywhere for me to go to just let loose, my voice is so strong/powerful/loud, that I would bother my neighbors in the dorm were I to sing in my room. So, I sang Me & Bobby McGee.... and lost my voice afterwards… sort of. I finished the song and got a lot of applause. I know, that’s usual, however I’m in a different country and my voice isn’t the type heard on the radio here.

So, I put up Nowhere To Go as my next song. When I went to hit the high notes I can usually do without batting an eyelash, my voice cracked!!! Now, while I’m singing, the bar manager is there, talking to someone, and pointing at me. Right under the TV screen, so it’s not being hidden. I was horrified to hear my voice crack, so I told him (when he finished talking to the guy and started staring at me) that I was losing my voice. I finished the song, lots of applause, and I sat down to finish my drink. Meanwhile, Elyse put us up to sing C’est La Vie. We’re waiting for our song to come up, and the manager comes over with a hot cup of tea and said that, since I was losing my voice, I should drink some tea to help, his compliments. It was very good tea, it helped, and we were able to sing C’est La Vie without a problem.

Then we went to Nathanial’s birthday party. He shares a birthday with Andrew, but it was too early in the night to call home (I’m 7 hours ahead). Lots of people were drinking/drunk, including Nathanial. He told us were to find the vodka and said we needed to get drunk. Not really something the three of us are interested in. Sophia and I lost Elyse to a conversation, so we went into the hall where Sophia suggested that we just pretend to be drunk. Well, the actress in me said, “I can do that, no problem.” “Let’s see it then” was Sophia’s reply. Never one to back down from a challenge, I proceeded to pretend I was drunk, for our own amusement more than anything.

We went into the kitchen and found the aforementioned vodka. Then all it took was some laughing, slight swaying, my refusal to release the bottle (never mind I didn’t open it once) and the next thing we know, we’re surrounded by 5-6 Egyptian young men. One tried to convince me that he was a “famous Egyptian actor”. I said I was a famous American singer, and that I could prove it. I then started singing “Helwa Ya Balady”, an Egyptian Arabic song I’m learning, and they were all amazed. Around this time, we found Elyse again, and she was just as convinced as everyone else that I was drunk. Sophia and I, meanwhile, kept exchanging looks and whispers about how easy everyone was to fool (except Elyse, we eventually let her in on it). One of the Egyptians said that the worst insult in Arabic is to “zzz” - here he pretended to snore. I quickly responded that I knew the best form of birth control… and I pointed at his crotch and laughed. That brought a huge round of laughter from everyone.

I saw people I go to school with, one said that he, “had no idea” I “had such an angelic voice.” Nathanial came in, we all ending up drinking a bit of voka (about 1/3 of a shot), and he shooed the Egyptians away and we moved into the living room. I talked to Jan who expressed disappointment that I went to karaoke without telling him, then I spoke to Jack who asked what I had been drinking. I just shrugged my shoulders and he said that I should know what I’m drinking before I drink it. It really amazes me how much these people believe. There is no part of me that is interested in getting drunk at some party, just as there is no part of me stupid enough to drink something (regardless as to whether I have been drinking or not) without knowing exactly what is in it… to the point I will insist that I make the drink myself. I’ve been slipped something in a drink before when I was 17, I’ve gone the next 15 years smart enough to prevent that from happening again. We got bored, all of this took about 45 minutes, and we were hungry, so we left the party and went to Hardees for dinner. That was my big night out last Thursday.

Now, onto the rest of my life updates. I had to give a presentation (with powerpoint and everything) based on research that I’ve done. It went really well. The topic was, “Foreigners in Ancient Egyptian Texts from the Old Kingdom to the Late Period.” I used 8 different books with Ancient Egyptian translations, as well as a lot of other sources. Because I have no qualms about bribery with chocolate, I brought in chocolate for everyone. Everyone afterwards said that the presentation was really good.... I think it was the chocolate. This was my first presentation where I had to research a subject and present it, so I was fairly nervous. One thing happened… about 10:30am that day, the campus lost power, so I was unable to a) print my revised outline & bibliography and b) show my powerpoint. I gave it the following class in about 3 minutes. Ok, here’s a picture of a map, see it didn’t change much here, but in the New Kingdom it expanded. It was kinda of funny.

Other classes, they are going very well. I’ve decided on my classes for next semester, and I’m really excited about them. I haven’t signed up for them yet, so I’ll put off telling you about them now. Once my schedule is confirmed, I’ll write about them then.

I’m still loving Egypt. It sounds strange, but I feel like I’m home already, I don’t feel like I’m visiting another country. Even though my grasp on the language is conversationally minimal, at best, and some of the food scares me, I’m comfortable. I can’t wait to share this with Andrew, I think he’s going to really like it here.

Andrew, my sweet baby. I miss him more than anything, so I try to call twice during the weekends (it’s hard during the week due to the time difference). Monday, he didn’t have school and was at my mom’s house. I got home from my classes and tried to call her house. The phone was busy, so I figured I’d call back later. A few minutes later I received an email from her entitled “Letter from Andrew.” I read it immediately and then called her house. I think they had just logged off the internet when my call went through. Andrew had said that they made waffles and there were 2 secret ingredients, but I had to guess, so when mom picked up the phone, I said, “Are they chocolate chips and love?” She started laughing and said to Andrew, “It’s your mom!” They were both amused at how quickly I received the email and was able to call. I love technology.

I shall try to update again soon. Sophia and I (and probably Elyse, we haven’t asked her yet) are going to go for a walk through Cairo to take lots of pictures. This Saturday I’m going to Giza and Saqqara.... including the Great Pyramid and between the Sphinx’s paws (currently blocked for tourists). Yes, I’ll take pictures. Yes, I’ll post them so you can see them. No, they cannot be published by anyone.

Until next time.... Mas Salema.

I really miss my silent friend.

And if the stocks don't improve very soon, I won't be home in December, I'll be in Egypt, alone for Christmas and New Years, not returning to those I love until June.

I really miss my silent friend.

And if the stocks don't improve very soon, I won't be home in December, I'll be in Egypt, alone for Christmas and New Years, not returning to those I love until June.

Sorry to disappoint, but this isn't really about what Halloween is like in Egypt, it's more an account of what I did and heard went on here.

I guess I'm a bit of a loser, I didn't dress up for Halloween. I spent Friday reading for a class, catching up on sleep and online TV, and just hanging by myself. The night before was a party at the embassy, but from what I heard, only people (mostly Egyptians) who gave the doorman 300LE (Egyptian Pounds, about $1 per 5LE) to party with drunk American girls. Either that, or you had to know a US Marine. Needless to say, no one I know got in. That was Thursday night.

Friday, during the day, I did what I mentioned above. That evening though, was a lot of fun. Sophia invited me to join her, Elyse, and Jack for a quick trip to buy some ful for dinner. Fuul is about 1-3LE per serving, a fairly inexpensive dinner. I arrived downstairs to see them waiting for me, and the discussion for dinner commenced. Ful was set aside when the magic word "Chili's" was spoken. We are very lucky here in Zamalek as there is a plethora of American restaurants within walking distance, plus EVERYONE delivers (even McDonalds!). We have within a 5 minute walk: Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Cinabun, Dido's (Italian food), a place to get 8LE shawarma sandwiches (very yummy!), 2 markets (one with 3 floors and escalators!), Cilantro (sandwiches and coffee), Costa (sandwiches and coffee), and a bunch of small hole-in-the-wall (quite literally) shops. 15 minutes away is a road filled with butchers (where the animals are skinned, gutted, then hung up in the window - smiling at you), fruit stands, veggie stands, and a bunch of other non-food shops. Anyway, I'm getting off subject. I guess I just want to indicate that my home in Cairo is in a fairly rich neighborhood/island (embassies all over the place), and a 30 minute walk will get you to Chili's.

Now, I've been to the Chili's at City Stars (6-7 story mall, HUGE!!!) in Heliopolis with Sophia and Elyse, so this was my first walk to the one in Zamalek. When we found it, that is. See, we didn't know where it was, so we just started walking. I think it took an hour to get there. The walk was great though. It was dark out, we were walking by the Nile with lights reflecting off its surface, or crossing the island on a series of really dark streets where you had to keep your eye on the ground so you didn't a) trip (which I did) or b) step in dog crap (not this time!). Elyse and Jack walked ahead of Sophia and I, we were keeping score of their antics. We both think that Jack and Elyse like each other, but haven't gotten around to admitting it. I made a joke about how I always see couples walking at night by the Nile, so Elyse turned around and asked if this meant that Sophia and I were a couple. Sophia grabbed my arm, said you bet, and started to sing "Filthy/Gorgeous", which I promptly began to sing too, laughing the whole time. Then I said I was surprised she didn't start singing "She's My Man", and she said it would have worked too. So we started to sing that one too. Jack, who unlike Sophia and Elyse doesn't know Scissor Sisters, gave us a strange look. Then we crossed the island, with Elyse and Jack ahead, while Sophia and I talked about this guy she likes. We then sang a bit of "Better Luck", also by Scissor Sisters. Throughout the walk, we'd all talk with different people, I with Jack about hieroglyphics class and Jerry Orbach from Law & Order, amongst other things.

Then we saw it... Chili's! It's on a boat in the Nile, and we got window seats. Then we shared a couple of appetizers, had our entrees, then shared a couple of deserts (that they forgot to charge us for). We spent about 100LE each. It was a lot of fun, we chatted about movies mostly, made a couple "That's what she said" (Arabic translation... Da eh Kaulette!) jokes, discussed which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars (I voted Star Trek).... it was a good time.

Then we walked back, only taking about 30 minutes now that we knew where we were going, moving between people for different conversations. Once we reached the dorms, we went our separate ways for showers and relaxation before Sophia & Elyse dyed Jack's hair and we watched Doomsday. Jack had not yet heard, what Sophia, Elyse and I affectionately call, my Moustaffa voice, so I gave him a demo. In other words, I closed my eyes (so I'd stop laughing), opened them up, looked Jack right in the eyes and said in a very booming and commanding voice, "NO". Poor Elyse was sitting next to me, I hope her ears are better today. Sophia went to bed, Jack, Elyse and I stayed in the courtyard, and watched Doomsday. It finished about 2 am, so I said goodnight, went upstairs to my room, and called Andrew.

I miss Andrew. It's kinda frustrating though because when I call him on the phone, he doesn't seem to have anything to say. I ask about classes, how he's doing, but he's not very responsive. He turns 9 on Nov 6, I've sent him a postcard with "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!! I LOVE YOU" in big colorful print. I then wrote "I love you Andrew" in Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics. I hope he likes it.

So, that was how I spent my Halloween in Egypt. No big parties, no bars getting drunk (unlike some around here), just dinner and a movie with some friends. Speaking of those friends, Sophia lives in Maine, and I've gotten both her and Elyse hooked on Scissor Sisters. With their new CD coming out (maybe) next year, I see some road trips to concerts in our future. Of course, there is still room in the car for one more...... you know who you are if you want to join in the fun.

Until next time...
Mas Salama!

Sorry to disappoint, but this isn't really about what Halloween is like in Egypt, it's more an account of what I did and heard went on here.

I guess I'm a bit of a loser, I didn't dress up for Halloween. I spent Friday reading for a class, catching up on sleep and online TV, and just hanging by myself. The night before was a party at the embassy, but from what I heard, only people (mostly Egyptians) who gave the doorman 300LE (Egyptian Pounds, about $1 per 5LE) to party with drunk American girls. Either that, or you had to know a US Marine. Needless to say, no one I know got in. That was Thursday night.

Friday, during the day, I did what I mentioned above. That evening though, was a lot of fun. Sophia invited me to join her, Elyse, and Jack for a quick trip to buy some ful for dinner. Fuul is about 1-3LE per serving, a fairly inexpensive dinner. I arrived downstairs to see them waiting for me, and the discussion for dinner commenced. Ful was set aside when the magic word "Chili's" was spoken. We are very lucky here in Zamalek as there is a plethora of American restaurants within walking distance, plus EVERYONE delivers (even McDonalds!). We have within a 5 minute walk: Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Cinabun, Dido's (Italian food), a place to get 8LE shawarma sandwiches (very yummy!), 2 markets (one with 3 floors and escalators!), Cilantro (sandwiches and coffee), Costa (sandwiches and coffee), and a bunch of small hole-in-the-wall (quite literally) shops. 15 minutes away is a road filled with butchers (where the animals are skinned, gutted, then hung up in the window - smiling at you), fruit stands, veggie stands, and a bunch of other non-food shops. Anyway, I'm getting off subject. I guess I just want to indicate that my home in Cairo is in a fairly rich neighborhood/island (embassies all over the place), and a 30 minute walk will get you to Chili's.

Now, I've been to the Chili's at City Stars (6-7 story mall, HUGE!!!) in Heliopolis with Sophia and Elyse, so this was my first walk to the one in Zamalek. When we found it, that is. See, we didn't know where it was, so we just started walking. I think it took an hour to get there. The walk was great though. It was dark out, we were walking by the Nile with lights reflecting off its surface, or crossing the island on a series of really dark streets where you had to keep your eye on the ground so you didn't a) trip (which I did) or b) step in dog crap (not this time!). Elyse and Jack walked ahead of Sophia and I, we were keeping score of their antics. We both think that Jack and Elyse like each other, but haven't gotten around to admitting it. I made a joke about how I always see couples walking at night by the Nile, so Elyse turned around and asked if this meant that Sophia and I were a couple. Sophia grabbed my arm, said you bet, and started to sing "Filthy/Gorgeous", which I promptly began to sing too, laughing the whole time. Then I said I was surprised she didn't start singing "She's My Man", and she said it would have worked too. So we started to sing that one too. Jack, who unlike Sophia and Elyse doesn't know Scissor Sisters, gave us a strange look. Then we crossed the island, with Elyse and Jack ahead, while Sophia and I talked about this guy she likes. We then sang a bit of "Better Luck", also by Scissor Sisters. Throughout the walk, we'd all talk with different people, I with Jack about hieroglyphics class and Jerry Orbach from Law & Order, amongst other things.

Then we saw it... Chili's! It's on a boat in the Nile, and we got window seats. Then we shared a couple of appetizers, had our entrees, then shared a couple of deserts (that they forgot to charge us for). We spent about 100LE each. It was a lot of fun, we chatted about movies mostly, made a couple "That's what she said" (Arabic translation... Da eh Kaulette!) jokes, discussed which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars (I voted Star Trek).... it was a good time.

Then we walked back, only taking about 30 minutes now that we knew where we were going, moving between people for different conversations. Once we reached the dorms, we went our separate ways for showers and relaxation before Sophia & Elyse dyed Jack's hair and we watched Doomsday. Jack had not yet heard, what Sophia, Elyse and I affectionately call, my Moustaffa voice, so I gave him a demo. In other words, I closed my eyes (so I'd stop laughing), opened them up, looked Jack right in the eyes and said in a very booming and commanding voice, "NO". Poor Elyse was sitting next to me, I hope her ears are better today. Sophia went to bed, Jack, Elyse and I stayed in the courtyard, and watched Doomsday. It finished about 2 am, so I said goodnight, went upstairs to my room, and called Andrew.

I miss Andrew. It's kinda frustrating though because when I call him on the phone, he doesn't seem to have anything to say. I ask about classes, how he's doing, but he's not very responsive. He turns 9 on Nov 6, I've sent him a postcard with "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!! I LOVE YOU" in big colorful print. I then wrote "I love you Andrew" in Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics. I hope he likes it.

So, that was how I spent my Halloween in Egypt. No big parties, no bars getting drunk (unlike some around here), just dinner and a movie with some friends. Speaking of those friends, Sophia lives in Maine, and I've gotten both her and Elyse hooked on Scissor Sisters. With their new CD coming out (maybe) next year, I see some road trips to concerts in our future. Of course, there is still room in the car for one more...... you know who you are if you want to join in the fun.

Until next time...
Mas Salama!