Things are getting finalized. The check for the deposit will be mailed on Friday. *smile* I can't believe I'm doing this from Egypt (with assistance from my wonderful mother in Michigan, of course!)
See below for the contest that I started to see if you can guess what kind of car it is. David put in an incorrect guess by saying that it's a Saab, but "He's warm."
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Big news -- I'm buying a car!
That's my exciting news for the day! And no, it's _not_ in Egypt! That would go against "the rules" and would also be completely unnecessary!
Nope...this car is in Michigan. Currently, it's somewhere in "northern Michigan" but I'm not sure exactly where. It doesn't matter really, b/c it'll be making its way south in a couple of weeks and shortly thereafter, my mom will do some paperwork to make it "mine".
I guess I shouldn't "count my chickens before they're hatched", but it's pretty well a done deal. The current owner and I seem to have come to an agreement and once he sends his address, then I'll be able to get him a deposit.
What kind of car is it? Well...I think I'll keep that a secret right now and be a bit playful. Maybe you'll just have to see me in person once I'm back in the US to find out!
Actually, let's try another little game to see if people will write comments!
What kinds of cars can you picture me driving? What kinds of cars would _not_ be right for me? To help you, my 2 previous vehicles were:
1993 Chevy Lumina, Electric Blue (former Albion Admissions car) that I owned from 1997-2002
1987 Chrysler LeBaron, Tan that I drove in high school, while at Albion, and until it blew up in the fast lane of I-94 on the way to a job interview in Kalamazoo
Nope...this car is in Michigan. Currently, it's somewhere in "northern Michigan" but I'm not sure exactly where. It doesn't matter really, b/c it'll be making its way south in a couple of weeks and shortly thereafter, my mom will do some paperwork to make it "mine".
I guess I shouldn't "count my chickens before they're hatched", but it's pretty well a done deal. The current owner and I seem to have come to an agreement and once he sends his address, then I'll be able to get him a deposit.
What kind of car is it? Well...I think I'll keep that a secret right now and be a bit playful. Maybe you'll just have to see me in person once I'm back in the US to find out!
Actually, let's try another little game to see if people will write comments!
What kinds of cars can you picture me driving? What kinds of cars would _not_ be right for me? To help you, my 2 previous vehicles were:
1993 Chevy Lumina, Electric Blue (former Albion Admissions car) that I owned from 1997-2002
1987 Chrysler LeBaron, Tan that I drove in high school, while at Albion, and until it blew up in the fast lane of I-94 on the way to a job interview in Kalamazoo
The question was too difficult?
Well, I received a grand total of 1 guess for my question about "Egyptian names" that I posted 2 days ago. Thanks to Mara for making an attempt! Her guess was wrong, but she'll get a little something just for being the only person to try!
And the answer is:
These 2 are brother and sister (despite the different spelling of their second name). You see, in Egypt (and many Arab countries), your second name is your father's first name and your third name is your grandfather's name. In my experience, people don't go beyond that.
In Arabic, the name would be spelled the same for my 2 students, but at some point in the past they chose how to write it in English and did it differently!
So, there you have it!
And the answer is:
These 2 are brother and sister (despite the different spelling of their second name). You see, in Egypt (and many Arab countries), your second name is your father's first name and your third name is your grandfather's name. In my experience, people don't go beyond that.
In Arabic, the name would be spelled the same for my 2 students, but at some point in the past they chose how to write it in English and did it differently!
So, there you have it!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Movie I didn't watch (thankfully)
The Pearl by John Steinbeck is one of the few stories I remember reading in High School.
Apparently, they made a movie version in 2001. *sigh* It came on TV as I was getting ready to write something in my Blog. Check out the review. *laugh* I'm not wasting my time on this movie -- it's time for bed!
Apparently, they made a movie version in 2001. *sigh* It came on TV as I was getting ready to write something in my Blog. Check out the review. *laugh* I'm not wasting my time on this movie -- it's time for bed!
Monday, October 09, 2006
A normal day?
My mother (Hi, mom!) recently commented that I don't write enough about what I do in Egypt. So, here's my attempt to fill you in on that.
Here's what my day looked like today:
My quite morning started with breakfast (4 scrambled eggs) and after that, I spent time reading, preparing for classes, and going over homework. After that, I went to my classroom around 4pm to make copies, then taught from 5-9pm
After class, I came back home for a few minutes before going out in search of dinner. I say "search" b/c it feels like that sometimes. My nearest restaurant for cheap sandwiches is apparently closed for remodeling, so I had to pick up some groceries and eat at home.
Dinner consisted of a piece of flatbread with peanut butter and grape jam, plus a small bag of popcorn that I had gotten from a guy selling it on the street.
After dinner, I emailed/chatted a bit, then went out to my favorite local cafe' at about 1am. I chatted with the guys there and relaxed until 2am. I ordered a drink called Sobeya, which is essentially cold milk with shaved bits of coconut and chunks of peanuts in it. Oh and sugar -- lots and lots of sugar. *laugh* I also had a Strawberry sheesha...my first time to try that flavor.
Now, time for bed!
Here's what my day looked like today:
My quite morning started with breakfast (4 scrambled eggs) and after that, I spent time reading, preparing for classes, and going over homework. After that, I went to my classroom around 4pm to make copies, then taught from 5-9pm
After class, I came back home for a few minutes before going out in search of dinner. I say "search" b/c it feels like that sometimes. My nearest restaurant for cheap sandwiches is apparently closed for remodeling, so I had to pick up some groceries and eat at home.
Dinner consisted of a piece of flatbread with peanut butter and grape jam, plus a small bag of popcorn that I had gotten from a guy selling it on the street.
After dinner, I emailed/chatted a bit, then went out to my favorite local cafe' at about 1am. I chatted with the guys there and relaxed until 2am. I ordered a drink called Sobeya, which is essentially cold milk with shaved bits of coconut and chunks of peanuts in it. Oh and sugar -- lots and lots of sugar. *laugh* I also had a Strawberry sheesha...my first time to try that flavor.
Now, time for bed!
YouTube + Google = ????
Funny!
This past week, I started posting videos (the ones here in the Blog) on YouTube.
David recently posted his wedding video on Google Video.
Now they're one and the same, since today Google paid $1.65B for YouTube!
This past week, I started posting videos (the ones here in the Blog) on YouTube.
David recently posted his wedding video on Google Video.
Now they're one and the same, since today Google paid $1.65B for YouTube!
Egyptian names
In my new Level 5 class, I have a group of 9 students. Here are the names of 2 of the students:
Micheal Monir
Azza Mounir
Pop quiz: Are they related? If so, how? Please post answers in the comments. I'll wait 2 days and then give the answer in a different entry.
A small prize will be given for the correct answer, provided I see you in person sometime in the next 6 months and you remind me to give it to you! *laugh*
Micheal Monir
Azza Mounir
Pop quiz: Are they related? If so, how? Please post answers in the comments. I'll wait 2 days and then give the answer in a different entry.
A small prize will be given for the correct answer, provided I see you in person sometime in the next 6 months and you remind me to give it to you! *laugh*
Shocking! It worked!
My landlord in my new apartment asked me awhile back if I would help him find where his son lives in America. *laugh*
The story confuses me, but basically he knew that he was in New Jersey but only had his phone number. "Why didn't he just call to ask?", you inquire? I'm not sure. It's expensive to call, but also my landlord is a bit odd.
So, he asked me if I could search on the Internet and find the city. I told him I'd try, but I was doubtful that I'd find anything.
Much to my surprise, White Pages served up the information I wanted in seconds. (Answer: Spotswood, NJ) I don't have many home phone numbers memorized to check, but I also plugged in 3 others and it brought up the correct names. One address was old, but that's still pretty good.
I am a little disturbed, however, by the "find neighbors" button on the site. For my childhood home at the lake, clicking this brought up 3 pages with a total of 23 people. That's 23 people, with their name, phone, and address.
The site seems to be trying to prevent misuse by requring a last name in the initial search, but it would be so easy to get around that. I'm no stalker, but all you'd need to do is find one mailbox in a neighborhood with the name on it...and then you can get everything about everyone!
Does this bother anyone else?
Of course, you can always make your number unlisted, but I wonder how long it would take for that change to make it through all the databases around.
The story confuses me, but basically he knew that he was in New Jersey but only had his phone number. "Why didn't he just call to ask?", you inquire? I'm not sure. It's expensive to call, but also my landlord is a bit odd.
So, he asked me if I could search on the Internet and find the city. I told him I'd try, but I was doubtful that I'd find anything.
Much to my surprise, White Pages served up the information I wanted in seconds. (Answer: Spotswood, NJ) I don't have many home phone numbers memorized to check, but I also plugged in 3 others and it brought up the correct names. One address was old, but that's still pretty good.
I am a little disturbed, however, by the "find neighbors" button on the site. For my childhood home at the lake, clicking this brought up 3 pages with a total of 23 people. That's 23 people, with their name, phone, and address.
The site seems to be trying to prevent misuse by requring a last name in the initial search, but it would be so easy to get around that. I'm no stalker, but all you'd need to do is find one mailbox in a neighborhood with the name on it...and then you can get everything about everyone!
Does this bother anyone else?
Of course, you can always make your number unlisted, but I wonder how long it would take for that change to make it through all the databases around.
Tastes like Cola?
Last night after class, I went off in search of dinner. Fortunately, I discovered last week that one of my local places is still offering sandwiches with meat during Ramadan. B/c of the huge amount of people eat at home in Ramadan, most places drop those items from their menu for the month, or close completely.
But this place still had them and they also had good rice pudding for dessert. *yum* While waiting for my meal, I ordered something to drink. I've taken to asking what flavors they have b/c in Egypt it's fairly common for items to change from one day/week to the next.
I said "drink" but it's actually "smoke" to explain it properly. In Arabic, you "drink" sheesha (also know as Hubbly-Bubbly or Nargeela elsewhere)!
Anyway, the typical flavors are:
Apple
Cherry
Orange
and sometimes this place offers:
Banana
Mint
Peach
But they added "cola" to the list, so I had to try it! The flavor was fairly subtle and it was mild. Some of the others can be harsh, so this was OK. It's probably not a choice I'll make again, but it was alright.
But this place still had them and they also had good rice pudding for dessert. *yum* While waiting for my meal, I ordered something to drink. I've taken to asking what flavors they have b/c in Egypt it's fairly common for items to change from one day/week to the next.
I said "drink" but it's actually "smoke" to explain it properly. In Arabic, you "drink" sheesha (also know as Hubbly-Bubbly or Nargeela elsewhere)!
Anyway, the typical flavors are:
Apple
Cherry
Orange
and sometimes this place offers:
Banana
Mint
Peach
But they added "cola" to the list, so I had to try it! The flavor was fairly subtle and it was mild. Some of the others can be harsh, so this was OK. It's probably not a choice I'll make again, but it was alright.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Waste Vegetable Oil information and video clip
For anyone who wants to know more about my current fascination/obsession with getting a car with a diesel engine to run on WVO, check out this video clip. It's an environmentalist in the UK talking about his vehicles and showing them, too.
Currently, I'm hoping to get a 1980-ish Mercedes 200/300 series to convert. Anybody know where I can get a good one for a cheap price?
Currently, I'm hoping to get a 1980-ish Mercedes 200/300 series to convert. Anybody know where I can get a good one for a cheap price?
One bag of stuff
A week or so ago, my boss James came to Tanta. He drove, so I took the opportunity to send some things back to Cairo with him. I had him take back my big suitcase, half-filled with things I won't need for the next few months, souvenirs, etc.
I'm hoping that with this already in Cairo and with me making a few weekend trips to Cairo in November, I'll be able to get everything there without needing to have a car load driven in from Tanta. I think I'll be able to do it!
So, on Friday when I was in Cairo, I added more things to the bag that I've been storing at the apartment I stay in. The bag is full! *laugh* No surprise there! Now the next time I'm in Cairo, I need to weigh the bag to see how much it weighs. I'm a little worried about that, but I should be able to shift some books to my big backpack to balance things out if necessary. I just want to get a general idea of where I'm at with weight. Currently, 23kg (about 50 pounds) is the max allowed per bag.
Hopefully, next weekend I'll hear more about my flight reservation.
I'm hoping that with this already in Cairo and with me making a few weekend trips to Cairo in November, I'll be able to get everything there without needing to have a car load driven in from Tanta. I think I'll be able to do it!
So, on Friday when I was in Cairo, I added more things to the bag that I've been storing at the apartment I stay in. The bag is full! *laugh* No surprise there! Now the next time I'm in Cairo, I need to weigh the bag to see how much it weighs. I'm a little worried about that, but I should be able to shift some books to my big backpack to balance things out if necessary. I just want to get a general idea of where I'm at with weight. Currently, 23kg (about 50 pounds) is the max allowed per bag.
Hopefully, next weekend I'll hear more about my flight reservation.
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