spring semester, so far...
Well, things have been going really well over here in Cairo. I'm actually glad that I'm here for the whole year--I definitely wouldn't want to go home right now! I love my apartment--it's much more of a real-life experience than the dorms were. When I need groceries, I can't just go to Alfa Market--I have to buy things from the little shops on the streets, which is good practice for my Arabic. I can also walk to campus instead of taking cabs everywhere. And my roommates and I are getting along so well! Catherine goes to NYU, but she's not pretentious or anything. I like her. Isaac (that's a girl, by the way) goes to North Texas, and she's friendly and bubbly with a touch of a southern accent. They're both awesome. Homa, the girl I was sharing a room with, was evidently supposed to be in another apartment down the hall, so they made her move. Her replacement hasn't gotten here yet. I hope she's nice!
Yesterday I went shopping for some stylish jackets (because it gets down to the high 40's at night--eek!), and I failed miserably at my attempt to blend in with the other shoppers. I was followed around and pestered by shopkeepers and made to feel incredibly uncomfortable. Just leave me alone and let me pick out the damn jacket that I want! Oh well, at least it was a success. I got a cute denim one and also a brown one to wear with jeans. The day before yesterday, a group of us went to the Hard Rock Cafe--it was pretty fun, and the first time I'd ever been to one of those. I had a Long Island Iced Tea, and it was tasty. We also went to a really swanky restaurant called Sequoia--I spent a whole bunch of money, but it was soooo worth it. The Om Ali (a typical Egyptian dessert) was amazing! As was the strawberry shisha (I know, I know, I shouldn't...but everyone else was doing it!)
In other news, I have recently discovered the soundtrack to the musical RENT! At first I downloaded 2 songs, but then I caved and just bought the whole thing. Well, the "Best of" album at least. I've also been reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and it's quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read. The characters are so interesting--I never thought reading a classic could be so much fun. I just hope I can finish it before classes start--it's 730 pages long and I won't have any time to read at the AIESEC conference.
Speaking of...NatCo (National Conference) is coming up in Alexandria! It's Feb. 1-3, and I'm really excited! I missed all my AIESECers. Not looking forward to the complete and utter lack of sleep, though...oh well. It's not like I'll have to get up early once classes begin, seeing as I don't have anything before noon. Sweeeet. Today are national AIESEC elections, which means I have to go across town to AAST Cairo (another university in the city) and sit around for 8 hours listening to speeches and discussions and arguments and whatnot. Hooray.
But yeah...I have to meet Aliaa in a few minutes, because she's giving me a ride, so necesito get ready. Ma'a salaama!
Yesterday I went shopping for some stylish jackets (because it gets down to the high 40's at night--eek!), and I failed miserably at my attempt to blend in with the other shoppers. I was followed around and pestered by shopkeepers and made to feel incredibly uncomfortable. Just leave me alone and let me pick out the damn jacket that I want! Oh well, at least it was a success. I got a cute denim one and also a brown one to wear with jeans. The day before yesterday, a group of us went to the Hard Rock Cafe--it was pretty fun, and the first time I'd ever been to one of those. I had a Long Island Iced Tea, and it was tasty. We also went to a really swanky restaurant called Sequoia--I spent a whole bunch of money, but it was soooo worth it. The Om Ali (a typical Egyptian dessert) was amazing! As was the strawberry shisha (I know, I know, I shouldn't...but everyone else was doing it!)
In other news, I have recently discovered the soundtrack to the musical RENT! At first I downloaded 2 songs, but then I caved and just bought the whole thing. Well, the "Best of" album at least. I've also been reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and it's quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read. The characters are so interesting--I never thought reading a classic could be so much fun. I just hope I can finish it before classes start--it's 730 pages long and I won't have any time to read at the AIESEC conference.
Speaking of...NatCo (National Conference) is coming up in Alexandria! It's Feb. 1-3, and I'm really excited! I missed all my AIESECers. Not looking forward to the complete and utter lack of sleep, though...oh well. It's not like I'll have to get up early once classes begin, seeing as I don't have anything before noon. Sweeeet. Today are national AIESEC elections, which means I have to go across town to AAST Cairo (another university in the city) and sit around for 8 hours listening to speeches and discussions and arguments and whatnot. Hooray.
But yeah...I have to meet Aliaa in a few minutes, because she's giving me a ride, so necesito get ready. Ma'a salaama!