Day 66: October 29

Today was a busy day in school. Only have three classes, but two tests.

The first test was a reading test in media class. We read articles and answered pertinent questions on the article. It went pretty well, and I understood most of the content. There was one article that was significantly harder than the others… I guess we’ll see how it goes.

The other test was in Formal vocab. Felt good going into it and after it. Then we corrected it in class. I made a few stupid mistakes that brought my grade down. A bit disappointing, but I know my mistakes and can learn from them.

The rest of the day everyone was buzzing about tonight’s parties and Halloween festivities. Some of us had decided to wear our costumes around school today. I had my mullet, trash stash, tank top and tight jeans… as dirty euro as I could pull off in short notice. Most other people had chickened out and didn’t wear their costumes to school. I was however excited to see Ben, Mike, Ruben, and Wills run around the school and terrorize students in their cavemen costumes. Absolutely hilarious to watch them run through ‘Gucci Corner’.

The unfortunate thing about my costume is that it is weird enough to look strange but not ridiculous enough for people to automatically discredit as a costume. Some people definitely thought I was just trying out a new haircut. I also got allot of Egyptian stares of disbelief.

Anyways colloquial went by without any excitement. We spent most of the class talking about plans for the weekend.

Took the bus home and relaxed for awhile. Did some homework to get ahead of the weekends workload.

Max and I had agreed to meet up later so he could grab some last minute accessories for his costume and then go to the parties together tonight. We met downtown at around six and grabbed him some stripped shirts and pants. He was going as a picnic table.

We headed back to Max’s place and changed into our costumes. Upon his suggestion I dropped Gunther and embraced the redneck. Pretty much the same costume with a huge belt buckle and a plaid shirt (compliments of Max).

From there we headed over to Jasmine and Corley’s to join a big group and head to the party. Stopped by there for an hour and waited for the girls to get all changed and take their pictures… usual girl stuff. Eventually we got going and were on our way to the West Point apartment.

The guys from West Point have a really nice apartment on the top of a building in Zamalek. It is practically a penthouse with its own private roof. There were nearly 200 people at their apartment. I stayed for a few hours. Had a few beers and socialized with friends.

Decided to leave shortly after midnight. I don’t spend allot of time in Zamalek, but I thought I had a good handle on where we were. I decided to walk to Tahriir and catch a cab from there. However, fifteen minutes later I realize that I was lost. I hailed a cab a took it home. I was nowhere near where I thought I was. It looked familiar, but apparently was in a different area of Zamalek.

Got home and called Sara and the family. Went to bed late.

Day 65: October 28

Woke up at the normal time and made my way to school. Got off the bus and went on into class.

Today was a pretty normal day. Had a vocab quiz in media class, but I feel pretty good about it (for a first time). MSA and writing were pretty standard. Mostly review of vocab connectors. Conversation class was good. We took turns telling a story prepared using vocab from the most recent chapters.

After class I met up with Henry and grabbed a late lunch. At four we met with JJ and held another Bible study. We talked about life and our devotionals from the previous week. Ended a little after five and I caught the buss home.

Got home and started preparing my costume for Halloween. I had decided I want to be Gunther, the really dirty looking Euro Singer. The first step is getting the super trashy mullet and mustache. I did this by cutting the sides of my head to get a pseudo-mullet and getting rid of the beard. It looks super gross, but I pull it off well(ish).

Evan and I had gone downtown a few weeks back and looked at some guitars, but due to money we didn’t purchase one. He came home today and decided that tonight was the night. We walked to the metro and took it downtown to an area known for selling musical instruments.

Evan and I found it hilarious that we were stopped three times by people wanting directions. They asked us in Arabic, Maybe the mullet makes us look like we fit in more… We barely knew where we were and were a bit perplexed why everyone was asking us.

We found a small shop and went in. After a half hour of pleasantries and haggling we (by that I mean Evan) had acquired a new acoustic guitar. We stopped nearby and grabbed some dinner and then caught the metro home.

Did homework and some studying for the next day. Called Sara before going to be. She loves (hates) the mullet.

Went to bed shortly after midnight.

Day 64: October 27

Like the last few entries this is being done a month later while cruising down the Nile…. Due to this I am writing the highlights and not every detail. Oh well…

The two big things that went on today were the spoken colloquial quiz and getting letters from home.

I had gotten an email notification earlier informing me that I had mail at the on campus distribution center. I went after lunch today and found a letter from my parents and a package from Sara. I greedily opened the card from my parents. It was a Halloween card. A little taste of home. Thanks so much guys!

From there I went to my spoken quiz. I walked in with a large box under one arm. Of course my teacher asked about it and I told her it was from home, but that I wasn’t going to open it until after the quiz. She was quite impressed… I knocked that quiz out of the park (on a side note). It was on pharmacy and illnesses.

Afterwards I ducked out and opened the package from Sara. Inside was a new headset for skype (my other one was falling apart), a picture of us from our anniversary, a book from my reading list (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), and a hand written note. Thanks Honey.

It made my day to get a letter from the family and from Sara in the same day. I love Egypt, but it reminds me of the things I miss most.

Day 63: October 26

Nothing much to report from today… all I have written in my quick notes is ‘Allot of homework… up till 2:30 AM…. So tired’

Sorry I guess that’s why I try to write them day off as opposed to a month later.

Day 62: October 25

Woke up and rolled out of bed. Made my way to school in the usual fashion.

Arrived and went over the newest chapter and the associated story. Couldn’t really concentrate due to the retake I was taking afterwards. After class our professor handed Max, Raffi, and myself our retakes. She told us to turn it into her by the end of the day and left. I was shocked at how trusting she is. I had no plans of cheating, but Max definitely took advantage of her kindness. He is a nice guy, but not always the most morally upstanding.

I felt really confident by the time I finished. The extra studying had paid off and I did much better this time around.

Spent the remainder of my break grabbing food and studying for colloquial. Colloquial came and went with little to report. Mostly just vocab exercises… practicing the words in situations etc.

After class I went out to the track and did an air alert workout. Afterwards I left for the library. I have to wait on campus until seven to catch the bus into Al-Rehab. Last week the on campus clubs and local businesses tabled in the quad. One of the businesses was a paintball place just opening up. I stopped and talked to them for awhile. When they heard I had played in the states they immediately invited me to come out and play with a team they were setting up.

I decided to go out and check out the field. At Seven I caught the bus to Rehab and made my way to the field. They have two small fields, one air ball, and the other speedball. It’s decent, but not amazing. I ended up staying for four hours. I talked with the refs, field manager, and owner.

They really wanted me to work for them and play on the side. However, the hours would be every day from eight until twelve… that just wouldn’t work with school. In addition to this they didn’t pay well. As for the team… ya they wanted me to found it and find players for a tournament in March. That’s not happening.

It’s cool the sport is coming to Egypt, but it is a long way from being like America. The fields charge for paint by the hundred, and the markers are super old.

The field manager, Mohammed, gave me a lift back to AUC and I caught the last bus home. I did homework until 1AM and went to bed.

Day 61: October 24

Allowed myself a day to sleep in. Woke up around noon with little to do other than go to campus and play ultimate.

Walked with Evan down the main street and found a little shop selling falafel. We grabbed some sandwiches and ate them at a café. Walked back to the apartment and got changed for ultimate.

Went to the metro and made my way downtown. From downtown I got on one of three busses going to campus (not many run on the weekend). We are supposed to start at 2pm and I arrived shortly before. I made my way to the fields and found myself to be the only one there.

I spent the next hour studying on the fields. Finally, an hour late, people start showing up. By three we had 14 people to play. Joey was there, but him and I just ignored each other. It was a pretty lousy day. The wind was screwing with the inexperience throwers, and nobody was playing seriously. Very disappointing considering the commute.

After ultimate I spent the next three hours sitting on campus doing homework. The next bus doesn’t come until eight. Lame.

Finally, the bus came and I was on my way home. Once I got home I spent the rest of the night doing homework for the next day.

Day 60: October 23

Spend my day off doing homework and relaxing. Nothing too exciting.