Egyptian lifestyle

Egyptian lifestyle… kind of "too modern" expression for a subject about Egypt from behind tourism commercials. In fact, I will speak about Egyptian life from a so "selfish" point of view… I say "selfish" because to speak about this subject I suppose to interview about 90 million Egyptians plus a few million foreigners living here because of work, marriage, adventure or just simply because they want so (from a reason or another).

From the beginning, I will point that each country of this world you can describe it easily using three words: people, places, facts. I learned this from a so simple old country man whom I don't think he had more than elementary school, but he was so wise and so equilibrating than any of us could be (I say "he was" because I don't know if him or his wife are still alive, but sure I felt so honored and so happy to know them).

People, places and facts… but if we look inside each country we clearly see that every home with its habits and what seems to be general it is not applicable to all! 

Egypt…well I have seen many women young and old jumping into Fontana d'Amore (The Fountain of Love) just to feel the magic of Egypt…but GIRLS (whatever your age is)! The magic of Egypt don't hide between the arms of a young restless Egyptian guy… and for sure not love either! The truth is that the magic of Egypt you can't feel it, discover it, see it or even smell it from the window or the pool of a fancy resort or from a visit to the Pyramids or a "stolen" kiss from the Sphinx! If you think that being a "faithful" tourist of Egypt brings you on the wings of Isis, you have to know that there is a long road until Osiris's palace and not every guy is a real pharaoh (being a pharaoh of our days has nothing to do with richness or "sculptured" body and "long teeth smiling"! But with being a true Lion of the Desert: honesty and dignity; character strength and self-confidence; born to be a leader and powerful enough by the power of word used as a sword, not just the strengthens of the body! Girls!!! Search for your Lion of the Desert from whatever country he could be, important is that "your guy" be the one which makes you the Queen of his kingdom and treat you as well too!!! ;) 

And what about you, the tourist guy which comes from Europe or from America with his group of friends to enjoy "the goodies" of Egypt? Just because you smoke nargeela and you wear kaftan (in your way back home to show your country fellows how "cool you are, dude"), just because you bought a t-shirt with "I love Egypt" or some "pharaoh stuffs" (souvenirs) this doesn't make you more than an ordinary "tourist dude guy" like any one else from your group or other groups!

So ALL OF YOU! Step aside and take a deep breath because we are going to explore a little bit the areas underneath the "clothes" of glamorous touristic Egypt: neighborhoods, markets, tram & micro bus stations, restaurants, cinemas, malls, library, museums, schools & education, street life, daily life and night life, work places, shops & shopping, hospitals and health care, religious life, family life, teenagers vs. adults, youth generation vs. aged generation, men & women and a lot more!   

A different year

          Bismillahi Al Rahmanu Al Rahim

…Well, I'm back… I mean I really back just like 1 year and half ago…not exactly the same, but with new experiences, new steps, new air, new almost everything, if not all.

I'm back and I must say I never felt better! Alhamdulillah! I'm back and I brought with me gifts for all my blog's readers: hope, faith, joy, happiness, dreams, love. These are the things I wish for all of you and I'm telling you: no matter how rich you are, all the fortune you have will never be enough to buy all those gifts and for sure not enough to "buy" the person with who to share them!

So, where was I all this time? Some of my friends already know… For those which don't, still in my beautiful Egypt, inside the Pearl of Mediterranean Sea – Alexandria, together with my beloved family, which since 7 months ago has a new member: gift from Allah, our happiness, our "Shams". 

We are grateful to Allah for His grace on us, for His patience and mercy, for His help and support with every step we took since 4 years ago, from the moment we knew each other, when we engaged, when we married and when we had our baby and for everything will come and In sha Allah, we will pass everything together, as we did until now. With every step we took, Allah showed us both sides: how hard it can be and how He can make it easy for us and stand beside us, guide us on the right path so that our dreams come true! And indeed, with Allah's support, everything can be or everything can't be!

Those which know us, know our love story and how our family born, as also those which read here all the stories about the marriage steps, engagement time, knowing Egypt step by step – have a good idea about what I will say now: " Do your part in the best way! And the rest let it to Allah! He will never disappoint you and He will always choose the best for you!"

Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah!

For sure, Insha Allah, I will speak about our lovely "super naughty product", our "arnub", but in another subject because I want to share with all of you what means for us to be parents, to be Mama, to be Baba… I'm waiting from your part too your opinions about being parents or if you are still not parents yet… comment about the idea of being parents, how you imagine this and how you see yourself in the "coat" of a parent.

So what else could be new? Well, it is not just about my beloved baby, it is also about other surprises I prepared and I will launch them soon (Insha Allah): new subjects, new look for the blog, new actions on the page and the group from Facebook and… and… and… and… (I'm waiting for the drums to beat :D ) NEW SITE AND NEW FORUM! Oh yes! But these new projects are made for you… this is why I will launch a vote poll here on the blog and on Facebook too – to listen to Your opinions, Your ideas, Your wishes, Your point of view! Because all these new projects, updates will stay under the stamp: Kadreyah & Friends!

Everything will be revealed step by step… until then, my mouth is sealed! :P

Insha Allah, see you soon!

Welcome, my precious angel!

Poetry about babies are some of the most popular poems that are written. There is something about interacting with a baby that ignites something magical in all of us. They stare at us with inquisitive eyes curious about everything that is happening in their world. We look into their eyes and we remember a time before we were sure we had seen everything meaningful in life. They are us in miniature. We look at their tiny features and their chubby little bodies and we can't help but smile. Interacting with a baby can be truly miraculous.

Miracle is what Allah send to us... to me and to my husband and made our family a perfect sacred temple! For our precious angel - a beautiful poem which express how much we are happy with your coming! Allah bless you and keep you safe for us and keep your father - my beloved husband - safe for our family!

Sent straight from heaven up above
Came an angel for me to love
To hold and rock and kiss good night
To wrap my arms around real tight

To cuddle & nurture and watch him play
To kiss his boo-boo's all away
To keep him safe and warm & count all his toes
To hold the tissue for him when he blows his little nose

To laugh at his jokes, to clap as he sings
To tell him all the joy in my life that he brings
To clean up his play dough, to pull his legos apart
To pin up his drawings and tell him it's art

To watch his first day of school on the bus all alone
To fight back the tears as I make my way back home
To applaud real loud when he's in his first play
To help him with his homework at the end of his day

To adore & cherish and watch him grow
To guide and teach him all that I know
To see him through good times & help him through bad
To share in his happiness and cry when he's sad

To hold him close and be by his side
To watch him through life as my heart fills with pride
To help him with decisions, the best that I can
To know that someday he'll be a fine young man.

Study abroad

You're interested in studying abroad, but don't know exactly what's involved? This enriching, life-changing experience allows you to complete an educational program in another country of your choice. By spending time elsewhere, you open a window to a world of new experiences. You'll learn more about other cultures, languages and people while experiencing life in another country.

Many students are willing to study abroad and they chose to go to Western European nations. However, increasing numbers of students are choosing to study in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. With over 80 percent of the world's population living in these areas, a better understanding of these nations is valuable preparation for life in a global economy.

Numerous employers are looking for graduates who have studied abroad due to the valuable workplace skills they develop. International knowledge, second language skills and the ability to adapt to new circumstances and deal with cultural differences are among those desired attributes.

Students who incorporate overseas study into their academic programs deepen their knowledge and understanding of international, political and economic issues as well. Many students return from their time abroad with a better perspective on world affairs and a broader understanding of their own country and its way of life.

Before you go, you should ask yourself:

Do you want to study in your field, or take language or cultural studies?

Will the courses you take fulfill major degree requirements or count as electives?

Do you want to live with a family, with students, with other visitors or with fellow students from your country?

Do you want to spend most of your time in one location or travel around?

How much time do you want to spend abroad?

How much money can you afford to spend?

Students going abroad today have a wider choice of programs than ever before. Students of business, engineering, health and other disciplines can now find academic programs overseas. Students in all fields can choose programs ranging from a semester, to part of a summer or even a four-week session offered between semesters.

Many factors may influence your choice of program: course content, location, language proficiency, your financial situation, your degree requirements, and the amount of time you have available.

The majority of undergraduates participate in study abroad programs organized by their own institutions, or by other colleges or groups of higher educational institutions. Academic credit is most easily arranged in this way, and most forms of financial aid can generally be applied to program costs.

If you're a graduate student, you may be able to enroll independently at foreign universities, generally for short-term study or research. In addition, some colleges and universities sponsor graduate programs abroad or admit graduate students to their undergraduate programs overseas.

When you are considering a study abroad experience, you should do some research on the countries you are interested in first. You should understand the country's language, history, culture, social and political conditions through books, plays, films and exhibitions. Reference materials can be found at your public library and from the appropriate embassy, consulate or tourist office.

Planning is the key to a successful time studying in another country. How well you achieve your personal and academic objectives, and long-range career goals depend on your choice of the right country, institution and program. As an international student, you'll be able to learn a lot about different and unique subjects, and challenge yourself in new ways. In a different country you'll soon find that even ordinary, everyday living experiences become an adventure!

New Year, New Thoughts, New You

Welcome to 2012 and to your new beginning! We may not have had a great beginning, but the good news is that we can begin again. A new year is the perfect time to begin again.

Remember as a child there were do-overs? Well, you can do over what you want. Leave those things that no longer serve you, or those people and things that are toxic to your spirit. Take whatever lessons and blessings they were put into your life to teach, then let them go. Easier said than done? Of course, everything is. But remember, this is your “one wild and precious life,” as the poet Mary Oliver wrote, and if you work it right, one life is all you need. You don’t get a do-over in this arena. So create the life you want now.

One of the things that many struggle with every new year are those resolutions. New Year’s resolutions. Who thought that up, anyway? It might not be such a terrible idea, if they worked properly, or, were taught properly. First of all, I am one who redefines things that just don’t work for me. So, I do not make New Year’s resolutions, I create new intentions for the year. I also make it fun, not as if it were a chore or drudgery. This is not conducive to the manifestation of those intentions. I choose the feeling I want to feel for this year. Mine is peaceful. How and why a feeling?

“Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for truth.”—Benjamin Disreali

What are your intentions? What would be your resolutions, if you will? Okay, got it? Now, how would you feel if you accomplished those intentions? Elated? Joyous? Proud? Loved? Exhilarated? Play out that feeling. Feel it in all its passion and intensity. This is the feeling you want to stay with this year. When you begin from that feeling, your actions will follow.

Do whatever you need to do to get and keep that feeling. You also want this feeling in all areas of your life, not merely your business, or just your finances, or just your spiritual life. You are one integrated being. You are not split into many different parts that will feel elated in your business, but miserable in your relationships. Bring that feeling into your whole life.

Set your intention around that feeling. In order to maintain your chosen feeling, you must think the thoughts that are in alignment with the feeling. Remember, happy thoughts bring happy feelings, peaceful thoughts bring peaceful feelings, and in turn happy and peaceful results in your life. This is where you must exercise your most powerful tool—your power to choose. You do not have to think every thought that pops into your head. Yes, you cannot help the thoughts that come in, but you can control the ones that stay and set up house. Which thoughts are you entertaining on a regular basis? Your mind is your most valuable piece of real estate; what are you allowing to take up residence there?

I am a self-professed “re” person. I redefine my terms, I refresh my soul, I renew my mind, I recharge my body, I reignite my passion. It is my version of the “do-over.” I dare say that most of us are “re” people. I find that I cannot settle for less than I deserve. Yes, there will be times when I have to be in the wilderness to recharge and relearn some things. But I don’t make it my permanent home. I take the lessons and the blessings, pick up my makeshift bed and move on. This has been one of the most difficult, yet most valuable lessons I have had to learn. When it is time to let things and people go, we must let them go. They only came to teach or be taught something of value. We don’t really lose people or things; we receive the blessing from them, then they must go. But we have gained.

“The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them.”—Antoine de Saint-Exupery

“You want to control your life? Control the only thing you can control: the meaning you give something.”—Anthony Robbins

One of the things to redo in our lives is the way we make meaning of things. We are meaning-making machines to be sure, but how do we assign meaning? Remember the meaning you assign a situation is what will give it life. Yes, read that line again. The meaning you assign a situation is what will give it life, thus showing up as the results in your life. If I assign a certain meaning to money, for instance; my personal favorite is money and spirituality cannot mix or co-exist.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard this one. So, of course, ministers, preachers and other spiritual-preneurs are supposed to be dirt poor. I grew up on this one, and although I didn’t originally assign the meaning to this one, I adopted it and made it my own. This was one I chose to keep and continue to assign the same unserving meaning to it.
This year, I have reassigned the meaning of money and spirituality: money is energy to use in the service of spiritual-preneurs to accomplish their divine purpose. Money is not this precious green stuff to be admired and hoarded only by the chosen few. I love the line from Hello, Dolly! where Dolly quotes her late husband Ephraim: “Money is like manure; it is to be spread around and used to make things grow!” This is one of the redefinitions I am adopting this new year.

So, for this new year, renew your mind, redefine your terms, and reinvent your assigned meanings, especially the ones that just aren’t working anymore. Reexamine what isn’t working for you and reset your scales. You will find that it does bring new life into those damp and dark crevices without completely having to spend a fortune on an entire body overhaul. Feel your chosen feeling, make new meanings, reignite your passion, and create your best life. A blessed and purposeful New Year to you!

“Your life becomes the thing you have decided it shall be.”—Raymond Charles Barber