I did pay him... I just wanted him to leave.... tossed some coin in the front seat... I didn't feel like him chasing after me for money.

The semester isn't over until the end of January, but we are on Winter break as of the 18.... and as of 8:20 on the 18 I will be on my plane home for vacation.

You deserve a great vacation. Hoping it comes soon for you.

The big constitution vote is this weekend and next weekend...though I'll be on my plane by 8:20 am on Tuesday.

Cannot wait to go home...

Finally got some news on my mum.... she has been essentially off work and in extreme pain for the last 6-7 weeks.... she was diagnosed with osteoporosis (sp?) and arthritis and it is affecting her spine at the moment. No surgery, just physio and stuff,

She was also being over medicated and her medications were reacting negatively together....

She's been staying at my aunt's house since she got out of the hospital a few days ago, but my dad makes lunch everyday and goes to see her. I'm kind of sad because she won't be home the night I get home, we will apparently bring her home the next day (at least she won't be in hospital, I hate going to them)

Anyways, I wish you all a happy week, I will check in from home, just not immediately...

thank you so much

Really sorry about your mom. I know that back pain can be really debilitating and very difficult for people suffering from it to deal with, particularly when it is combined with osteoporosis. I'm glad you're safe, sorry you've had to deal with such... er, scary moments. I hate those. And glad you are leaving on Tuesday. Hope you have a great vacation and that your mom starts feeling better.

Thank you.

the last few weeks have been just incredibly trying.... but I broke down to one of my friends last weekend, and laid it all out for him.... he just looked at me and said "You're a survivor. You'll be okay".... and I knew he meant it... so that's kind of helping.

It's just been a bit much... but I have some great friends and support and I will survive.

Hi there, just popping in! I spent a year in Egypt in 2009 and absolutely loved it. I have a few small complaints- mainly about not being able to get ANYTHING done, Egyptians seem to run on their own time. :P

Other than that, I can't wait to go back. I went to AUC and had a blast there, it just took some getting used to. Anyways, just wanted to say hi to another fellow traveler. Hope you have a great vacation home!

*dusts off thread*

*cough cough*

So I am back.

With a vengeance....on fat.

I was gone for almost a year....(insert excuses here).... there were some major upsets, but no more excuses for me.

I have a trip to Disneyland Paris in March and a wedding in July.... I WILL NOT be this size.

I still live in Egypt.... but moved closer to my school to have more free time in the day.

I'm tired, I hate how I look, I hate my clothes and I want to change that.

well I figure I'd write a bit more in here...

I now live within walking distance of my school and I will start walking when the weather is not in the 30's (a few weeks ago it was still in the 40's- I cannot arrive at work pouring with sweat).

But in a few weeks I will attempt to walk to and from work each day which will add a total of about 30 minutes of walking to my day (hey that's 30 minutes more than before!)

I even bought the most awesome walking shoes this summer Skechers Go Walk (they are like clouds which is great because our roads are horrendous and sidewalks don't exist)

I also plan on adding in one of my workout dvds a few times a week I have dance for weight loss, yoga for weight loss, an old school sweatin to the oldies, and a turbo jam.

Today I did dinner and mall walking/shopping with a friend.... and since that was over an hour of walking I am letting that be my exercise for today... tomorrow I am going to put in one of my dvds.... even if I Can only get through 20 minutes... that's something.

I am cooking way more now that I live here... (fewer places deliver).... I enjoy making homemade beef stew the most right now (less stewy more soupy) and stir-fry.

My first goal is to control portions.... somedays I eat a horse... and now I want to separate that horse into individual portions instead...

I will be here daily (unless I have no internet or am on vacation - I don't usually bring my computer on vacation) and I look forward to sharing this journey with you....again.

It's totally time for another Egypt update....

Things have changed...

1) my location, I moved to a new city. Well the city my school is actually in. I used to commute for about 3 hours a day to get to work... so now I live a 15 minute walk away... Loving it. I have so much extra time.

2) I cook! My new apartment has a much less terrifying stove.... I often make pasta dishes, beef stew, and stir fry....

3) I am the department head for Humanities at my school.... and still teaching Drama, Grade 12 English and Grade 12 Psychology. Plus we are planning another trip to London in April for theatre, workshops and sight seeing.

I am really hoping the weight loss will come more easily than my last attempt.... I am going to stick it out this time too!

And another post...

I went shopping yesterday, we have weekly shopping trips planned with transportation provided by my school... and I finally found a scale.

Happy....

I also grabbed sushi to take home, as day old sushi is better than no sushi, so that is what I enjoyed for dinner tonight...

We have a week off starting on Friday... I have booked myself into a hotel for 3 nights to just get away for a bit and hope to stay on track while there...

I was caught in some traffic when I went to the university downtown near Tarir square this past weekend.... but we managed (spent a total of 2.5 hours stuck in traffic)

hope all is well in your world

I am teaching in Madrid, Spain and I LOVE it. You should try coming here next!

Just piping in ... if you decide to try working in NZ .. you are more than welcome to hang out at my place .. its not a palace .. and we have 4 dogs (all little ones) .. but it could give you someone to live while you try to settle .. and Im in the capital .. its possible to find some sort of work here (we dont have gas stove lol .. and are pretty laid back ... flat roads around us but a couple of gyms nearby if you need them ... public transport is great from our place - bus stop on corner )

Happy to help you out if you decided to try NZ ... we dont have poisonous critters .. and apart from the odd shake (really .. there arent that many lol) we are calm ... no snow where I am .. but its about 5-6 hours away if you want it .. my dad always told me Canada is a Mega-NZ ... and he was right (he is Canadian ) ... I felt right at home when I went over there .. so you could feel at home here too

Hugs

@Nightkatt

Wow! That is so awesome of you.

NZ is a place I NEED to go one day.... even if I don't work there, I would have to visit and when I get around there I would love to meet up with you

Not sure where my travels will take me next for work.... hoping to stay here for another year or 3. lol

No problem at all We love to have guests stay with us and show them round .... or point them in the right direction lol .. being in Wellington we are in the middle of the country .. a quick ferry ride (thats about 4 hours lol) takes you to the South Island for the less populated part of our country and some incredible scenery ... a few hours away and you are at the mountain and thermal pools ... 8 hours takes you up to Auckland (our biggest city) (or 1 hour on the plane lol) ... we dont really think anything of driving for a few hours to get somewhere .. it all seems close .. and (especially in the North Island) there are so many little towns along the way it doesnt seem an endless drive

I have had other friends stay when they have come over .. and been lucky enough to visit with a couple of friends when I went to the UK ... stayed with family when I was in Canada Hotel in LA lol .. but I do know it was so much nicer having a "home" to go to at the end of the day .. or week ... or to have as a base to come back to ... so you are more than welcome to use our home as your base if you can get here

Our winters arent as cold as Canada .. and our summers sure arent as hot as Egypt lol .. but we do take care in the summer as we are (unfortunately) under the hole in the ozone so our sun is a little harsher if you are out in it too long ... but then that is what really strong sunscreen is for lol .. we have air con/heatpump so the house is always warm in the winter and cool in the summer .. Im a bit of a hoarder tho ... so its a little cluttered lol .. but Im working on that

Hope you make it over .. Mordor huh?? We HAVE to be your destination then .. after all .. we ARE Middle Earth