A Must Read: The Poison Tree by Marwa Rakha

This is a book I really appreciate and enjoyed reading. If you're expecting a lot of useless rhetoric, or preaching, then move along. It's just a matter-of-fact day-to-day style book, that exposes some thought that you may not have come accross, and if you did it still may shed some light on the Egyptian society. If you're an egyptian man, it may help you see the world through the eyes of an egyptian woman, striving for equality and succumbing to ridiculous patriarchal rules that make no sense whatsoever. If you're an egyptian woman struggling with some of the society's ideals, this book will be that sweet release of "I'M NOT ALONE!!". Yes, you are not alone. Please take a look, it's FREE to download and read, and spread the word if you like it:

THE POISON TREE - PLANTED & GROWN IN EGYPT (ENGLISH EDITION)
http://www.marwarakha.com/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=702

The Jesus Wave

Yesterday, I got on the I-5 from Seattle to Portland, to visit my sister. Somewhere around exit 152, there was this person standing on the bridge right above the I-5 holding a big "JESUS" sign and waving at the traffic. It made me laugh, because i realized that one month ago when i went to visit my sister, that person was also standing there on both my way to her and the way back! Which must mean they either changed sides, or there are two people on the same bridge on opposite sides. I also started wondering whether they do that ALL the time, or it's just something special about Friday nights... and Sunday evenings too I guess!

I'm not exactly sure what the purpose of that was, and honestly I hardly think it achieved anything at all, and is a waste of valuable time, but I guess if it makes them feel better about themselves then good for them! But hey, that's just my opinion and might be because I'm not a Christian and reminding me of "JESUS" doesn't actually make me suddenly want to go to confession or visit a church!

Anyway... my point was, it reminded me of Egypt. If you've ever travelled in Egypt by car, you know that there are these signs everywhere along desert roads with such religious references. Usually it's something like 'mention God', or a series of signs with God's 99 names (one on each sign, and usually not the entire 99 make it to the road)! Honestly, regardless of how religious or not I am, I find those signs very amusing. They make for an awesome guessing game! Test your memory... can you guess what the next name is? :) But I find that the signs give you at least a little entertainment or some thoughts while you drive along enjoying (NOT) the horridly monotonous view of "absolutely nothing" - our beloved desert.

If someone was standing there holding the signs though, I'd think it were at best inhumane :) But our weather isn't exactly "stand outside all day" friendly. So I hope nobody catches the "JESUS wave" on elsa7raawy (the desert road)!

What do you think? Do those signs on "eltaree2 elsa7raawy" mean anything to you?

EDIT: By the way, On my way home yesterday night it was around 9:30 pm and the person holding the sign was no longer there. Yay! At least they are not entirely insane :-)

Roll down your windows

The weather in Seattle has been beautiful for a few days now. Sunny but with a cool breeze, and not the type of sunny that makes your skin feel like it's about to fall off. When I was in Egypt a month ago, the weather there was similar (at least at moon beach). Just awesome.

So on my way to work, I rolled down my windows, and let my hair loose. It was an extraordinary feeling for me. Driving in the beautiful weather, enjoying the beauty of nature around me, feeling safe because i know that nobody is going to intentionally cut me off, scare me with insane driving or make me angry while I drive to work. No dirt in my eyes, no car horns all around me. No garbage on the sidewalk or pedestrians jaywalking on the highway. Knowing that nobody is going to harass me because my hair is loose, or drive up too close and give me a few sly remarks. Not dreading a stop at a red light for fear of theft, beggars or sexual harassment. Nobody is staring me down from the car next to me, and just.. nobody cares really. Just everybody minding their own business leaving me free to enjoy mine. I felt so peaceful, liberated,... and so grateful.

Try it sometime, if you can. Take a chance to appreciate what's around you, and know that not everybody has that privilege.