Take it easy

My goal for the year: to go on the Business School study abroad program in Hong Kong this coming spring semester. In order to apply, you need 9 business/economics credits completed by the time the program starts. There is currently one opening for this program, and I'm doing everything I possibly can to get it...this means taking two econ classes, and an international business class all in one semester...Now on top of that, I signed up for a modern spanish lit course as well as a writing intensive comparitive politics course. That is a total of 17 credits. Today, I applied for a job as a messenger with the Sergeant at Arms for the State Senate...which is a 15 hour a week commitment. I just got an email saying I have the job. This is all aside from all the AIESEC that consumes my life (which is not a negative statement, but is an essential part of my life that I have to make sure to make time for)...Now, I am an overachiever, yes. I don't mind working my ass off, this is true...but Today, I simply realized there just aren't enough hours in the week to do everything I want, and to do it well. I mean, I debated...I kept thinking just suck it up for a semester...but, I think back to people telling me I'm going to burn out if I keep pushing myself this hard, and I'm not ready to burn out quite this early...So, I dropped a class, am down to 13 credits, and I'm giving myself permission to take things easy...It's tough, let me tell you...I don't like feeling like I can't accomplish everything I want, but I've just had to face that it's the right thing to do...right?

Lunch at Lulu's

So yesterday, my mom and brother and I headed to lunch at one of our fav mideast restaurant...Lulu's. On the way in, we ran into my friend Abbie...now Abbie is an awesome girl (who I am recruiting for @ hopefully)...she took off a year and lived in Israel after high school, volunteers a ton, does all these crazy camp counceling shindigs, and is majoring in Jewish studies and philosophy...Now, we bump into her with her family...and we all ended up having lunch together. Ok seriously this was great...a Jewish family and a muslim family that don't know each other having lunch together at a middle eastern restaurant because their daughters are good friends...and it was awesome, because even though our parents might have never gotten to know each other or had the conversations we had during that hour, they kind of stumbled into it because of us...and ok so yeah I have lots of Jewish friends big deal, but seriously, this is a bigger deal for the rents. I mean, yes my parents have a few friends that are Jewish, but they probably tiptoe around very real conversations...Yesterday, they not only had lunch together, but actually TALKED about her trip to Israel and my trip to Egypt,They were actually interested in our personal experiences of the two places...They were put in situation that they probably found slightly uncomfortable, actually learned from it, and maybe even enjoyed it?... I think that's just fabulous.

Keeping Busy

All summer I felt like I had something to do, and usually, it felt somewhat purposeful or significant. I am now moved into my apartment, have purchased all my textbooks, finished Harry Potter (which was intense), bustled around campus "exploring" my new surroundings I am running out of errands!...This is the first time this whole summer where I have cable tv to watch, and the time to do it, but that feels like a waste! I may be crazy, but I hate not feeling like I have something to do or work towards...AIESEC feels like it is paused for the next two weeks, and I guess I have time to be lazy?? Which is lameeeee...

But no worries, I am already making a new list of things to get done before summer is over...and damn it, this list is going to be both purposeful AND significant!

ok my rant is over.

ALI GILMAN COME HOME

CAFTA

Ok, so in my super liberal, hippy, intellectual West High School, I took a Latin American History class...In that class, I learned that NAFTA was a cruel horrible trade agreement that solely benefited the States, and exploited Mexican workers...I learned of the Maquiladoras, of the poor working conditions, of workers that felt there only way to survive was to illegally cross the border into the states. I know that I learned a completely one-sided view on the issue, and am putting together bits and pieces of a much more complex issue, but now that CAFTA has passed, I have this sinking feeling...I don't know if I have enough information to base it on, and I could just be relying on the very emotionally-based curriculum of my high school course, but I just feel uneasy... I guess more information would be greatly appreciated, and from all sides of the story.

Apartamento

I am officially starting the new semester today by moving into my apartment! I have been counting down until this day for a greater chunk of the summer, and it is finally at my fingertips, muahahahaha. After coming back from SSC, I really can't wait to get started on next semester. SSC, like everyone said, completely refueled my passion and energy...It has officially remedied any pessimism and jaded sentiments that had built up in the streets of Cairo, and has replaced those feelings with a conquer the world sort of attitude...which is fabulous. This next semester going to be a lot of hard work, both with classes and with aiesec, but, it should also bring along a lot of fun times, and I am ready for both. I have had the greatest summer, and I honestly don't feel like I wasted a single day of it, but now I am ready for something new and nearly impossible to get thrown my way...I'm ready to work my ass off, ready to multitask, to pull all nighters, to be in two places at once, to SYNERGIZE, to learn how to cook anything other than premade mac and cheese (which, for anyone who knows me, knows this may be a bit of a challenge)...Today, I'll be sleeping in my apartment for the first time, and will officially set off this crazy semester, here I go!

Favorite Things

A Favorite Things List was started
under the Siwa midnight sky
It goes something like this

*Shooting Stars

*Tidal Waves

*Going Commando

That's as far as we got
The list is open to suggestions.

I'm back!

I am back in Madison...It feels good to see GREEN...I think I have decided that is my favorite color (not shit brown)...does that mean that my identity crisis is over? You may think I am joking, but in a way it's true...This past year has been such a phenomenal experience for me; If you were to ask me last summer who I would be in a year, I would have drawn a blank and answered offhandedly that I would most likely be the same person, just one year older... I have spent a great part of this past year breaking down my values bit by bit, and seperating my family's from my own. I have struggled with huge concepts; religion, relationships, independence. I was a mess first semester, and was lucky to have a huge support system and an amazing friend to walk me through it. But, not until I joined AIESEC and met the incredible people within it did I finally feel like I had successfully begun sorting out my priorities, my goals, my passions.

I went back to Egypt for the first time in two years, and for the first time, I didn't mold into the person they wanted me to be. I held my own, I argued, I debated, I gave my family a glimpse of the person I am and the things I stand for, and it felt GREAT! I had my fair share of frustrating conversations, days when my sarcasm took over, and days when I felt completely jaded. At times it just feels easier to slip into their world and be the person they want you to be just to make everyone feel comfortable, but...to hell with comfortable! That's what we're here to do right? Raise some questions, think about the world in a new way, and make others do the same...stir it up, little darling stir it up...(sorry marley took over) I have had the most eventful three and a half weeks in Egypt, and for the first time, I have finally gotten to SEE Egypt; I experienced the world of Siwa, camping under the stars in a desert oasis, completely different than the hectic lifestyle in Cairo that had come to define this country for me for the past decade and a half...Thanks to everyone that made this trip what it was...To the AIESEC crew in the homeland, especially the inspirational KAITLIN, who is about to begin a new chapter, BEST OF LUCK! To my Madison LC, I am so excited for this next semester! And to the person who keeps me motivated, you're the John Galt in this story.

So, yes, my favorite color is green

And I am back.

Friday, SSC In Denver...and the journey continues...

I'm a smoker, sweetheart

Good times with Michael Bolton, and the guy who wears his shirt...

Una semana mas...

I was rescued by kaitlin Mike and Ryan. The rest of my stay in 3ageeba was as it should be, pleasant and relaxing.

Kaitlin and I were asked if we were engaged or married by two ten year old strangers, and when we answered that we were single, they softly shook their heads and said, "haram, rabenah yesahel" loosly translated to I'm sorry, may God make it easier for you.

My tolerance for crazies is just about at its peak...pictured above is a prime example

Feeling a little too cynical lately

A few restless nights, disturbing dreams, pesky flies

A bit of mental exhaustion

I miss State Street

Is it bad that I'm ready to go back?