Reverb 10 :: End of 2010 Video :: Lovin Life

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 25 :: December 25, 2010 :: Photo/Video

• Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where and what it best reveals about you. (Author: Tracey Clark)

I've fallen behind on my Reverb10 posts over the past few days, but the funny thing is I've been working on this video for the past few days; trying to make it just right. So I'm not going to focus on one image, but several.

Boy, did I have some fun in 2010. Had some tough times too; still working through some things. Will probably always be working on some things. But my focus here is on the good times and there were plenty of good times w/good peeps because mostly I'm lovin life and my options right now.

I put together this 35 second Animoto vid to recap some of the blessings of this past year.

Reverb10 :: Everything's OK

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 24 :: December 24, 2010 :: Everything's OK

• What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Author: Kate Inglis)

I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed in September and decided to take an unplanned trip to Dahab. Getting to Dahab at the last minute is possible, but you'll have to make some sacrifices and in my case, it was comfort. We took what turned out to be an 8 hour drive in a van on desert dark roads w/crappy rest stops sparingly along the way.

My last minute option for a place to stay was with a woman named Karen who I'd learned about on a list serve called Cairo Scholars. Me and some other folks would be staying at Karen's house for about 75 Egyptian pounds per day and that included breakfast; that's about $12 U.S. dollars.

One of our quad bikes/ATVs before things went astray. (Sept., 2010)

Karen's house is palatial by Egyptian standards: gated w/three bedrooms, a spacious porch and garden and on most days hot, running water. However, I would be sharing a room (and bed) w/another young lady and the mosquitoes would eat us up. Our other roomies, during our stay, were two other American boys. We all got along just fine, but I never felt relaxed while on my Eid vacation. I was still stressed: in an unfamiliar environment w/new people and pseudo-trouble lurking around nearly every corner.

• Our drugged-up ATV guide to the mountains lost it and threatened to kill us.
• My colleague came up missing for over 20 minutes at Ras Mohamed while snorkeling.
• I got extremely ill minutes before we were to get on the 8 hour bus ride back to Cairo.

The moral to this story ... I probably should not have taken that trip in the first place. I should have sat still and took advantage of some authentic 'me time'. But despite my rash decision to travel over the long holiday, and despite all of the mishaps, nothing bad really happened and in the end 'everything was okay'. *sighs deeply*

It should be obvious what my lesson was/is... just because the trip came together: I found transportation and a place to stay at the last minute, doesn't mean that I should have jumped at the opportunity knowing that I was already stressed out. You know, there's a saying that sometimes you just have to 'be still'. Note to self: Do Better.

Music Monday 76 :: Popular Music Monday Blog Posts

Music Monday 76 :: Popular Music Monday Blog Posts (according to Google Analytics)

Another year and another set of Music Monday blog posts. So I culled Google Analytics to see what were the most popular Music Monday blog posts.

Music Monday 27 :: Oleta Adams

Originally posted on May 11, 2009

Music Monday 51 :: Workout Mixtape

Originally posted on March 15, 2010

Music Monday 21 :: Run DMC 2009 Rock Hall Inductees

Originally posted on March 30, 2009

Music Monday 8 :: Lyle Lovett "I Will Rise Up"

Originally posted on December 29, 2008

Music Monday 9 :: Ben Lee "Catch My Disease"

Originally posted on January 5, 2009

Reverb10 :: New Name

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 23 :: December 23, 2010 :: New Name

• Let's meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)

I've already played this game. And the answer is Jada Adams. Nothing special about it, so I don't have a 'why'.

Reverb10 :: Travel

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 22 :: December 22, 2010 :: Travel

• How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)

Oh, the topic of travel again. Love this. The more I talk and write about this, the more I get to think about what's possible.

I am getting ahead of the question though, right? In 2010, I managed to tackle a few travel destinations. Most recently Italy. It was all that you think it was; still have plans to do a few blog posts on that 9 days of joy, joy, joy.

Olives from a restaurant in Cinque Terre. (Nov., 2010)

As I look ahead to 2011, here's what's on tap:

Nile Cruise: Abu Simbel, Aswan and Luxor (January)

Las Vegas (April)

Portland, Oregon (April)

Europe (June)

Istanbul, Turkey (July)

This could get interesting as I try to plot and plan this out.

Reverb10 :: Future Self

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 21 :: December 21, 2010 :: Future Self

• Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)

I think I'd tell myself:

"In order to make change to achieve some of your life goals, you need to start to make small steps in that direction. You need to chart your destination and work diligently to make those goals a reality."

That short and simple advice says it all: you can only make progress if you do something toward the progress; your dreams can only manifest so much in your mind.

Reverb10 :: Beyond Avoidance

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 20 :: December 20, 2010 :: Beyond Avoidance

• What should you have done this year, but didn't because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickel)

I should have produced at least one audio feature or one multimedia project on a professional level. I've been 'too busy' and procrastinating and I haven't made that a priority; though it's what I love to do. I could say that by teaching I'm constantly involved with various student projects and I'm definitely current on a lot of technology.

My recent procrastination: traveling. Sunrise on Mount Sinai (Aug., 2009)

For leisure, I've created several small projects from my travels. Projects using Jing, Animoto, AudioBoo, SoundCloud, Prezi and more. Those are some cool tools.

As for will I do it? You bet! Got a project where I already have the sound and just need to take the time to do the editing. And I have an idea for a project involving some of my former students (just need to see if they're interested).

My Christmas Music Playlist on MySpace

I recently noticed that an old blog post about Christmas music is not functioning properly. I used to enjoy the old music site, Imeem. But since MySpace bought it out and shut it down, my life has not been the same.

MySpace is not a substitute for Imeem. MySpace is too cumbersome; they also don't offer an embed code for your blog or website. There might be a good reason for that or it might be that they just want to trap you at their website and feed you a steady stream of crappy music and ads.

Well, before I totally get out of the Christmas spirit, I'll take a minute to stop bashing MySpace. I took some time, and I do mean some time over on their slow website and I created a Christmas mix of music.

The playlist is full of some of my favs. I was annoyed to find that Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" is not available (somebody should really do something about that). But, again, I should stop bashing.

Well, you already know that I can't embed the playlist here, so here's the link:

• Christmas Mix on MySpace

Happy Holidays.

Reverb10 :: Healing

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 19 :: December 19, 2010 :: Healing

• What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)

Laughter is always the healer for me. My girl Tonja in Cali never ceases to give me some serious laugh out loud moments.

I try to slip in some fun and funny comments on occasion. Even when I'm mad, I can usually settle myself down by trying to poke fun at the situation (though that usually comes after some profanity-laced ranting).

For 2011, finding some focus and me time would be a nice healing remedy; at least in theory it sounds good. There's also spa time, manicures and pedicures and oh, good food.

Reverb10 :: Try

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 18 :: December 18, 2010 :: Try

• What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did/didn't go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

2010 was good for me in regards to today's prompt - trying to travel more and see the world after spending the bulk of my life in the U.S.

Since moving to Cairo, I've traveled around Egypt quite a bit. That was my plan for my first year. I went to Siwa, Alexandria, the White Desert, Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Mount Sinai, St. Katherine's, Rosetta and Luxor.

Fort Qaitbey in Alexandria, Egypt (Nov, 2010)

But now, I'm trying to venture out and see more of the region. I went to Kuwait in October and had a really nice time. Then last month, I took my first European vacation and spent nine days in Italy: Rome, Sienna, Cinque Terra and Milan. So refreshing.

Someone asked me if these were places on my 'bucket list'. No, but in terms of proximity, I've got it made and I need to take advantage of that.

I'll start 2011 with a Nile Cruise in mid-January. We'll fly to Aswan, take a quick trip to Abu Simbel and then cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Other than that, I've considered a tour of Europe in June. Possibly Turkey next summer too. Oh, and I'll probably go back to Italy. I already miss that good Italian food.

Music Monday 75 : : Israel Kamakawiwo'ole "Over the Rainbow"

Music Monday 75 :: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole "Over the Rainbow" (1993)

I've heard this song many times, but I didn't know who was singing it, let alone anything about the person. Enter NPR's Culturetopia: a weekly recap of arts and entertainment stories from NPR. I download this podcast all the time. Love it.

The story about Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was on a recent edition of Culturetopia. The story is a part of NPR's 50 Great Voices. In the 7 minute feature, it was nice to hear about how the song was made and to learn a little more about Kamakawiwo'ole's life.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole :: The Voice of Hawaii

Reverb10 :: Lesson Learned

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 17 :: December 17, 2010 :: Lesson Learned

• What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

I need to stay focused and uncompromising on my happiness. For me, I'm sometimes easily derailed.

Also, I need to pay attention to the lesson in the things that happen in my life. Especially when crazy ish goes down. And that's how it's been of late. The lessons are coming in as a super duper daily dose. No complaints from me on the lesson load though. I'm just drinking it all in knowing that I need to pay attention. That's the beauty on my perspective on this now ... just be open to get a lesson out of situations, whether good or bad.

Reverb10 :: Friendship

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 16 :: December 16, 2010 :: Friendship

• How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

I'm just going to respond to this prompt in a general sense and not specifically. This is not my best post for Reverb10 AND I could not find a picture that was a good fit. Oh, well ...

I have some wonderful friends in the U.S. Love them all and appreciate their contribution to my life. I tell them this all the time. And even though I now live in Cairo, we still manage to help the friendship grow. There's nothing like getting these urgent sounding voicemails from various parts of the U.S. Or getting a series of email messages saying 'call me'. You know how it is. We live in a world now of instant access. If I call your mobile phone, which you always have with you, why aren't you taking my call? What could you possibly be doing?

Being a long distance close friend is sooo not the same as getting a call that some crackhead broke into your friend's house and you're there in at her house in about 10 minutes (true story).

I said that I would do better, but the time difference is tough to deal with. Sometimes I just can't find the energy to say up and make phone calls and get caught up w/my friends. So, I'll challenge myself to try again to do better for 2011.

Meanwhile, I'm slowly crafting this small community of friends in Cairo. It's relatively easy to meet up w/colleagues, but I'm trying to break out of that comfort zone. Time to meet some fresh faces and explore a little more.

Reverb10 :: 5 minutes

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 15 :: December 15, 2010 :: 5 minutes

• Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh).

My fondest memories of 2010 involves traveling and spending time with family and friends.

• Bringing in the new year with some friends in D.C.

• My ten hour layover in NYC before returning to Cairo = too much fun!

• Hangin out w/my girls in Vegas.

• Spending time w/the fam this summer in Akron.

• My week in Chicago w/my girl.

• Birthday celebration in the summer in D.C.

• Hosting my reading group, The Literary Sistas, at my parents house this summer.

• My trip to Kuwait.

• My first European vacation to Italy: Rome, Sienna/Tuscany, Cinque Terra and Milan.

In Montepulciano in Tuscany, Italy (Nov, 2010)

The only non-travel and non-family memory is ending this semester of teaching. It has been a ridiculously insane semester: drama, complaints, lazy students ... but today was the last day of class. I'm feeling melancholy because it seems like more of my students than usual 'got it'. There was a lot of give and take. There were times when they were mad at me and I was frustrated with them. But now, after 15 weeks, the growth is noticeable; I can tell that they feel the value of what they've learned. I know that I've left an indelible mark on their education. And whew, there's a learning component for me too: knowing when to push and how to compromise and trying not to wear my emotions on my sleeve.

In the end, it's a good thing and a good feeling. I've had this experience before. It's definitely an affirmation of why I teach.

Reverb10 :: Appreciate

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 14 :: December 14, 2010 :: Appreciate

• What's the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

I have two points to list under what I appreciate most this past year:

1. My family and friends
2. A good and steady Internet connection

I've come to appreciate my family and friends more and more. Last year, I left the U.S. for the first time in my life. I moved to Cairo, Egypt to live and work at a university. It's been a wonderful experience, but sometimes I just want to have some of my Mom's mac and cheese (even though I can do a pretty good version of it myself; see image below); I want to jump in my Jeep and visit my grandmother or other family members. And I love to hang out in Cleveland w/my reading group and just trolling around the city.

Not my Mom's Mac and Cheese, but mine! (Nov, 2009)

So the move abroad makes me miss and appreciate my fam and friends. And the time difference doesn't help. Technology gives me many ways to keep in touch w/folks. But on many days, I'm just too exhausted to make calls. Of course, I send emails and check out updates on Facebook, but sometimes I feel like I'm just out of touch and missing out ...

Speaking of technology, the Internet can be a friend or foe. I usually have a decent Internet connection, but sometimes it's not the best and that makes for frustration when trying to Skype or using other forms of voice communication. Lately, it's been mostly smooth. But I can see the value in this as well. Not only for communicating w/my fam and friends, but I depend on the Internet for work too. I teach on campus two days a week, so the other days, I need to be available via the Internet.

The Internet is also my source for connecting w/my online community which I mentioned in my Reverb 10 :: Community.

Okay, time to wrap this up and get ready to visit my peeps in the States for the holiday season. Let's hope that Santa drops me some new tech devices to help keep me connected internationally.

Reverb10 :: Action

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 13 :: December 13, 2010 :: Action

• When it comes to aspirations, it's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

Well, duh, the next step is to make it happen.

To make it happen I need a plan. To make a plan, I need to take the time to make a plan. To make the time to make the plan, I have to make a conscious decision that the plan is important enough to make the time to do it.

Once I have a plan, I think I can easily execute. I see you 20-11 ...

Reverb10 :: Body Integration

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 12 :: December 12, 2010 :: Body Integration

• This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn't mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

It's true that I really did plan to blow off this prompt for Reverb10. Just wasn't feeling it. Probably not feeling it because I have not been in tune to my body this year. So sad.

I mean, last year I got up at 5a twice a week, just so I could go rowing on the Nile. But that's quite a sacrifice with my teaching schedule and getting to work on time. And I went sandboarding last year too. What an adventure ... busted my knee up pretty good though.

Me after my sandboarding spill in Siwa, Egypt (Nov, 2009)

So that leaves me with nothing but some sedentary habits for this year: take a one hour commute each way to work and teach all day at least twice a week. My only saving grace for taking care of myself on those long and crazy days is that I make myself go to the gym on campus: it's new and it's fancy. After 30-45 minutes in the gym on the elliptical machine, I'm all good, refreshed and sane again.

But there's still hope for more body integration. I'd planned on buying a bike after I had such a good time in the "Biking Depression Away" event in Cairo. Supposed to go and buy a bike tomorrow in the hopes that I'll ride in the morning at least once a week. In the voice of a superhero, "Mind and body - UNITE!"

Reverb10 :: 11 Things

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 11 :: December 11, 2010 :: 11 Things

• What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

Reverb10 :: Wisdom

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 10 :: December 10, 2010 :: Wisdom

• What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)

This year has been full of challenges and opportunities for personal growth. I'm constantly analyzing situations and wondering how I can 'do better.'

At some point over the past year, I found myself telling myself, more often than not, to shutup. Of course, that's the internal conversation. Of late, it just seems that I can't get a word in in some conversations. I mean, recently, I've been in more countless situations where people like to hear themselves talk; people who've forgotten or don't care about the meaning of a 'conversation'.

So I've resorted to telling myself to just shutup. And it has to be shutup. I know that self-censoring is an option, but in these cases, I'm not choosing my words, I'm choosing no words. I've decided that I'm not going to battle for speaking time. I've decided that I'll just sit back and watch the show from another vantage point. Actually, it's possible that I'll tune out all together.

It used to be that I'd force myself into the conversation and get my point across ... it got to be exhausting: "what I'm trying to say is ..." or "I had a similar situation ...".

Unfortunately, the wisdom of that decision is not being a better listener. No, these people who entrap others to prop themselves up don't care if you're listening or not. So, the wisdom for me is being able to be comfortable in my quiet space and when I decide to add something to a discussion, my contribution is more thoughtful.

Reverb10 :: Party

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 9 :: December 9, 2010 :: Party

• What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

Well, it's taken me all day to think about this question and try to come up w/a response. Unfortunately, I've realized that I'm not the party girl that I used to be. I've been to a good amount of events in the past year, mostly house parties, but I can't think of one that 'rocked my socks off'.

For me 'rocked my socks off' is good people, good music and the next thing you know, the sun's coming up.

The makings of a good party. NYE '09. (Dec, 2009)

My sister hosted a New Year's Eve party that was nice. There was good food and music, but it was mild; no one danced on the tables or was embarrassed about their behavior the next day . I celebrated my birthday in D.C. this summer w/my sis and some close friends. We mostly ate a little and talked a lot; we got home at a decent hour. I even went to a Halloween Party here in Cairo. There were some scary-like snacks like cookies in the shape of fingers, but again, the craziness was tamed (I did leave at 11p though because I had to get up early the next day for a day trip).

So I've come up empty on this one. Which is more than helpful as I look toward twenty-eleven. That 'rock my socks off' party ... is in my not-so-distant future.

Reverb10 :: Beautifully Different

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 8 :: December 8, 2010 :: Beautifully Different

• Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

Wow, this is a good one. Trying to think about who I let in my inner circle and if they're a close friend, then there must be something about me that they like. I'll go with 'sense of humor' for 100 ... or maybe it's my candidness. I can do proper and professional, but when I can be myself and just down to earth, well, there I am telling all sorts of stories in a very fast and animated way. That's complete w/gestures and intonation and some crazy facial expressions too.

Me driving my Mom's car last year after the Annual Ten Friends Party. Taken by my brother. (Dec, 2009)

I have some friends who egg me on in terms of silliness and some of the outrageous things we say. We go back and forth and on and on and the next thing we know, an hour's gone by. Good times indeed.

Reverb10 :: Community

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 7 :: December 7, 2010 :: Community

• Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?.

The online community has been very nurturing for me. I like the comments and conversations via Twitter. I have both a personal account and an account that's more work related. Mostly I like the wealth of information that I'm able to sift through via the online community. I'm a huge fan of Delicious too. It's another place where I've made lots of connections and I'm able to share information and insight there too.

I like that I've identified with the online community in Cairo. And when I'm traveling or home for the summer, I've been able to connect w/my online friends offline.

A card that I made (Jun, 2009)

For 2011, I'd like to get back to my craft community especially the folks over at 2 Peas in a Bucket. I found that card making brought some solace to my life; some me time and some level of serenity. It's art therapy and I miss that. I have many of my craft supplies w/me in Cairo (and I bought stuff over the summer that I haven't touched yet) and there's not real to make some cards and what not. Here's a link to my Radiogirl Cards blog, though you already know that there's not much new there.

Reverb10 :: Make

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year.

I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

Day 6 :: December 6, 2010 :: Make

• What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

The last thing that I made was some Apple Bread on Friday. It was from a mix; a mix from Trader Joe's. But I've had it for almost a year and I decided to make it because I really had no good reason not to make it. Besides, I had some friends over the other day so I needed something for them to eat.

See the Apple Bread in the upper right corner?

It was so nice to have the smell of baked goods in the house. Everyone commented when they came it that it smelled so good. Not only did it smell good, it tastes wonderful; so moist. Can't wait to get some more.

The thing that I like to do and haven't make time for in the past year is making cards.

Music Monday 74 :: Grammy Nominations

MUSIC MONDAY 74 :: Grammy Nominations

The 2011 Grammy nominations are now available for you to check out.

On the list, a song that I've written about in two previous "Music Monday" blog posts "F**k You" by Cee-lo Green. You've gotta love that that song's been nominate for Song of the Year and Record of the Year (as well as Best Urban/Alternative Performance)! Ha ... and ha ha ha ...

My fav band "The Roots" got some love for two of their projects: "How I Got Over" and the collabo w/John Legend "Shine" and "Wake Up! Everybody", both from the "Wake Up!" project.

There are so many other interesting nominees. Looks like there are some talented folks who are getting some recognition. That doesn't mean that some folks are being left out though.

Reverb10 :: One Word

Sunset on a felucca on the Nile during Iftar. (Sept, 2010)

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year.

I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

I wasn't crazy about today's prompt: Let Go, so I'm going back to Day 1 :: December 1, 2010 :: One Word

• Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word.

The one word that will encapsulate 2010 for me is challenging.

As I look back on how mentally challenging the past year has been, I'm trying to figure out ways to make sure the upcoming year is not a duplicate (it certainly has the potential to be the same). This year has been challenging for me at work or the environment at work: my students are constant whiners, my colleagues are not always collegial. Add to that living in the Middle East city that never sleeps: Cairo. I do like living in Cairo because it's inexpensive, it has character and there is always something to do. But it's a hard city to live in. There's pollution, filth, traffic, noise and lots of people. I still haven't purchased my bike to bring some calm to my life. Soon.

The one word that I hope 2011 will be is productive. I have to get to the business of doing something for me. I do a lot for work and as a result I postpone the things the I like to do and that could further my career. Things like producing audio projects and writing. That's what 2011 will be for me and earmarking time to work on my projects.

Reverb10 :: Wonder

Lunch at an organic farm in Tuscany (Nov, 2010)

I've decided to be a part of Reverb10. It's a 31-day blogging challenge where you reply to the daily writing prompts that are designed to get you to reflect on this past year as well as provide some insight for the upcoming year. I'm going to give myself 5-7 minutes for each post.

I'm just getting started with Day 4 :: December 4, 2010 :: Wonder

• How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

It's been a bit challenging to try to break out of my usual hum drum days. I teach at a university and not a day goes by when I'm not inundated with something related to work. As a result, I typically feel like a mouse on a wheel. Creating a sense of wonder is a task. But occasionally I do get to tackle it.

My recent trip to Italy was all about a sense of wonder. There was so much to see and do, but some days me and my travel partners just took it easy and took in the environment. Driving around the hills of Tuscany was spectacular. We most sat quietly taking in the serene beauty of the November afternoons. But the food alone was wonderful. The simplicity of how the food was prepared was a wake up call: for grilled veggies, for example, some olive oil, a little lemon and salt or just some pasta w/fresh tomato sauce. Nice.

Trip to Kuwait City

I recently took a trip to Kuwait City, Kuwait to attend the Arab-U.S. Association of Communication Educators (AUSACE) conference. It was my first conference outside of the U.S. and my first AUSACE conference.

The conference was nice. The focus of much of the research presented was on Arab media. There were sessions in both English and Arabic. The conference was held on the Kuwait University campus and they accommodated us nicely. There were a few logistical issues, but the time spent w/the conference attendees was more than pleasant.

Some of the activities planned outside of the conference was a quick tour around the city and then a trip to the Marina Mall (where Kuwait's first radio station is housed; for reasons that I won't explain here, I missed the tour of the radio station. If you know me and my passion for radio, you know that I am still NOT happy that I missed the tour of the radio station). We went to see the movie "Journey to Mecca" at the Imax in The Scientific Center. We also had an incredible lunch buffet at the Kuwait Towers.

Was it hot? It was boiling. And I'm not one to complain about the heat. But shesh, was it uncomfortable and to top it off, everywhere we went it was icy cold w/the AC. In between conference sessions, we'd go outside to warm up.

Kuwait was a stark contrast to Cairo, where I live. One of my students asked me how was Kuwait in comparison to Cairo and before I could answer, she said 'civilized'. Interesting and true. I tried to make a comparison, but it's just not fair to try to compare; they are distinctly two difference places. The first thing I noticed was how the Kuwaitis obeyed traffic lights and drove in their lanes on the highway. Simple observation, but if you know Cairo, you know that its pure anarchy when it comes to traffic in the city.

The Westernization of Kuwait is a bit sickening. Almost any American restaurant chain that you can think of exists in Kuwait. It really diminishes a good amount of the ethnic identity of the city. If it weren't for the veiled women and the men in their traditional dress, you'd think you were in Cali. Seriously.

I could go on and on ... point is, I really enjoyed my five days in Kuwait. I wouldn't mind going back. Maybe the next time, I'll get to see that radio station. ;-)