Struggles of being a girl in the Egyptian streets

Hello there my lovely readers! I hope you're having a great day!
Now, being a girl in Egypt is not particularly easy to say the least.Even the smallest of activities like walking on the street can get pretty intense.

1- The adrenaline

I don't care how often you walk in the streets, whenever you are confronted by any person particularly a man you feel a little threatened and suddenly everything you do has the same purpose: getting away of this stranger.

This is not because they're bad, most of the time it's just an innocent person walking in the streets but the stories that circulate are enough to intimidate you.

2- The looks

The looks you are given by the random guys walking about the streets are painful. Regardless of what you're wearing, you cannot avoid them. You feel violated and helpless almost. " Look straight ahead" you say to yourself. "don't give them the satisfaction of acknowledgement"

3-The insecurities

While you're on your way your eyes are focused on all of your surroundings. To take everything in and make calculated moves. It's not easy.

4- The Countdown

You find yourself constantly thinking about your route and how much is left for you to arrive, whether that's a short walk to your car or a long one to your house. You're always calculating how much you have to go until you arrive.

5- The watch

You are always aware of how your clothes are moving and where you place your valuable items (e.g. Watch; phone etc.) You are aware of who is behind you at all times. 

That was it this post. And it gets kind of sad, walking in your own country surrounded by people who speak your language but you're scared. 

If you have any requests for future posts i'd love to hear them.

Other than that please like my facebook page if you haven't already:

www.facebook.com/Hanaameanshappiness

And follow my second account on Instagram : @hanaameanshappiness

And read last week's blog if you haven't already

http://hanaameanshappiness.blogspot.com.eg

All feedback is much appreciated

I hope you have a great week

Joyfully yours,
Hanaa

6 things Egyptians know too well about Eid

 It's beautiful outside, the sun is shining and the streets are empty (not only because it's a friday). Yes, it's Eid. If you're not familiar with the concept of Eid Al Adha it's a muslim feast where we slaughter sheep to give meat to the poor who can't afford it. This festival commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son to God. This festival also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca

BUT here in egypt there are usually a few 'typical egyptian' behaviours that accompany Eid.

So without further ado, here's a list of things that egyptians will know too well about Eid

 

1- Lebs El Eid

  
I don't care how old you are,  the new clothes you wear on Eid morning light your day. It's a different feeling.
And somehow you end up feeling like this

2- El 3edeya

I think this is a national favorite. No one is ever too old for a 3edeya. The second day of Eid everyone seems to avoid public hotspots like Carrefour/ San Stefano and all cinemas just because they're always crowded with kids and their freshly handed out 3edeya.



3- The Sa7el Craze
 Ever since eid has come during summer people seem to head out to sa7elor some type of beach, and honestly you can't blame anyone, our beaches are absolutely gorgeous. You wouldn't miss the opportunity to go to any one of them

4- The family gatherings

We're a warm society that gathers during times of happiness and joy. Sometime around Eid the entire family gathers for a nice meal and some catching up. This is one of the best times of eid and the one that egyptians abroad miss the most. The spirit and laughter is over the roof.
P.S. this is where most 3edeya handouts happen ;)

5-  The best smilles

Eid is literally one of the few occasions where you walk around seeing happy and satisfied faces occupying a once frowning city. People feel fulfilled and joyous and the positive vibes are radiating everywhere.

6- Eid prayer

Eid prayer is powerful. When you see this many people gathered to do the same thing, with the same goal and the same intention, it's powerful. The harmony and union of people with different social backgrounds and ideologies is beautiful. It really is. And I believe that prayer with others is one of the most beautiful things you can see because each person has a different way of thinking yet all come together on their love for God.
This leaves me speechless every time


That was it for this blog, for all those who celebrate eid, i wish you a blessed one and may it bring God's mercy into your house

That was it for this blog.

P.S. Expect a few more than usual the next while

 Tell me what Eid is for you

If you have any requests for future posts i'd love to hear them.

Other than that please like my facebook page if you haven't already:

www.facebook.com/Hanaameanshappiness

And read last week's blog if you haven't already

http://hanaameanshappiness.blogspot.com.eg/2015/09/the-end-of-summer-bucketlist.html

I hope you have a blessed week

7 things to do when you're bored

7 things to do when you're bored

We all get those moments of being so bored that you almost go out of your mind! And although Napping, watching movies are eating are a holy grail that I can't deny loving they're aren't productive.. 

So without further ado here's a list of things that would actually make use of your time

1- Search online

Online surfing as classified by our parents is very 'time consuming' and rightfully so, we usually waste our time on social media websites that don't benefit us however the internet can be quite interesting and thought provoking 

Here's a list of things you could search for when bored:

1- Why do identical twins have different fingerprints?

2- Why do I feel cold when I have fever?

3- how to use hot drinks to cool down?

4- what is a hiccup?

5- What colours our skin?

2- Paint your keys

I'm one of those people that always messes up while using keys. A quick fix is to paint your keys different colours using nail polish. That way you'll associate the place with the colour.

3- GO WORK OUT

Boredom can get you to be very down, not wanting to do anything. To easily escape this go on a quick run/jog. Whatever floats your boat. That way you'll be active and have a bit of a mood change.

4- Bake some cupcakes

I sometimes like to do this when I'm bored. I like to bake some cupcakes for my family. It's always a nice gesture and I generally enjoy myself while baking.

Here's an easy recipe:

http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/340648/Basic-cupcake-recipe

If you're not much of a baking type then:

Crush 2-3 packets of oreos in a blender and add half of a cup of pastry cream and blend.

Form your now thick oreos into small balls and freeze them for 15 minutes on a baking sheet. Then add nutella and sprikles on each for garnish.

You're welcome in advance

5- Write down your goals

Being bored means you've lost focus. Seeing your goals physically laid out on a piece of paper helps motivate you to get out there and pursue them.

6- Be thoughtful

Send some friends with whom you've been distant a nice message. It's a simple way to draw smiles on their faces and will help you reconnect.

7- watch buzzfeed videos

They are hilarious and insanely relatable. I love how short they are so you are always able to follow up on different subjects in one sitting. Definitely a favourite.

That was it for this week, I hope you found it helpful or could relate in some way.

I want to thank you all for 1500 reads in less than 24 hours as well as 18+ shares on the last blogpost. 

If you haven't read it yet:

10 struggles DSBians know too well

http://hanaameanshappiness.blogspot.com.eg/2015/09/10-struggles-dsbians-know-too-well.html?m=1

As usual, all feedback is very much appreciated (positive and negative)

If you have any requests as to what you'd like to read next, let me know. 

Like and share my Facebook page if you haven't already:

www.facebook.com/hanaameanshappiness

Other than that I hope you've had a lovely week.

Joyfully yours,

Hanaa

10 struggles DSBians know too well

 If you are a student of the DSB in Alexandria you'll typically relate to the following

1- Schwester Claudia's uniform complaints

She has a talent in catching every single mistake in your uniform regardless of how fast you run to avoid getting caught. I think we can all agree on the fact that we drive her crazy however she has one of the kindest hearts you'll come across.

2- The shift

You know you've grown up when you're in the part of the school that doesn't sing the national anthem in the morning. At some point you will hear classes one through eight singing at the top of their lungs while the rest of the school silently stares into blank space.

3- Tick Tock

While some teacher's exams are very easy others result in sleepless nights in fear of the next day. And rightly so, because they just feel like you're reading Chinese regardless of how much you studied. And honestly speaking hearing the tick-tock of the clock right next to you doesn't help the situation.

4- Feeling like Justin bieber in class

Justin Bieber's new hit 'what do you mean' literally describes everyone of us in class. Sometimes the teacher keeps talking and talking and your confusion is clearly evident when you ask: what do you mean? What are you even talking about? 

5- You're all grown up now

I got the speech in fifth seventh ninth and 10th grade teachers just seem to magically think that we will transform into adults during the two months of summer people we're only 2 months older. Get over it. However it is quite nice to be treated as an adult for once.

6- The 'rule book'

If you've been here long enough you would know that the main rule at school is that there are no rules. Each teacher makes their own and goes about their way like that.

7- The Kurzteste

They drive us crazy. It's not enough that I have so much on my plate already but out of all the weeks you pick the one week I have three exams in to place your surprise quiz. And it works because I'm surprised every time.

8- The senior train

Every year around may and June seniors  start to party during breaks and run in forms of trains and throw candy around to celebrate coming to an end of their school journey. And while we are all so happy for them we can't help but silently cry at our own misery.

9- 9th grade battle

With number nine I had to mention the ninth-grade battle .this is not to underestimate any other grades but the ninth grade is HARD. Whether you want Abitur or FOS. 

It's that age where you want to go out and have fun but you're so stressed out at school that it's nearly impossible to even breathe. your self-discipline is being put to the test every single day. 

10- The morning wishes.

Regardless of which door are you come through in the morning you are always greeted with genuine and heartfelt morning wishes. The door staff is just very nice and caring.

All jokes aside and I wouldn't trade the school for the world and I think the amount of life and curriculum related lessons that we learn is just impeccable. And regardless of how horrid, stressful and seriously unforgiving it is you come out being one of a kind. Special thanks to all of the teachers have had throughout my school journey so far they've all contributed to my growth in so many ways