Returning!

So I have decided to return to writing my blog. So I thought I would start off with a little rant about how dumb the bus lady who rides on my bus with us loser highschoolers each day is. Today when I got on the bus I sat in my seat and opened the curtain (I happen to enjoy the warm sun you know). The bus lady turns to me and asks me to close the curtain. I'm baffled and like huh? So mind you I have long since decided that I don't like this woman so I asked her why and she replied " I don't have a good reason. Just close it." So I told her no, and when the other boy got on the bus she asked him to tell me in english (the convo had been in arabic, but im just a dumb american so what do i know right?) and he and I just exchanged looks that said shes psycho.

So we are halfway down the street when the bus lady turns around again and demands that we close the blinds because she doesn't want men to see her. (now I am really accepting and understanding of religious women who feel the need to cover themselves given that they are Muslim, but this woman, while she is veiled is a hypocrite who wears clothes so tight there is no room for imagination). So the other boy says to her no that she has her curtain open so men can see her from that window, and so she says no its from that side I don't want them to see me. Whatever.

Ok honestly. Women out there who choose to be (or are raised etc etc) Muslim, I fully understand and support you, but when you choose to put on the veil it is to be "modest". Whatever "modest" is supposed to mean, I can assure you that when you wear clothing that is so tight fitting that it leaves no room for any man to want to imagine you and also it gives you a camel toe, I have to say, you aren't modest.

Plus its just damned ugly and not something I want to see.

So once again I am returning to my blog about a week after my last post. Things here in Egypt have been a little hectic with Ramadan coming to a close, and the Eid holiday approaching. Of course everyone here goes away for the Eid holiday, but, am I? No. My father gets to go to the States today until the end of the week >.< but he will really be on planes more than he will be in the country haha.
So last Thursday was very interesting for me. I went home with my friend Bray again and things were a tad bit awkward at first because her new boyfriend came over, and he didnt talk much, and it was kind of like she was talking to me more than she was to him, but at the same time I appreciated the fact that she didn't just like completely ignore me for him. Then a couple of her other friends (whom I quickly became friends with) came over and later we all went to this cute restaurant called Ethos in Maadi. While we were there a bunch of other random people whom I had never met showed up, but they were all super cool, and later we went to Bandar for some sheesha and to hang out.
After Iftar, Bray and Chris (the bf) stayed at Ethos and we ( me and the random new people I met haha) meandered our way over to Bandar. On the way though our numbers which started at like 15 slowly dwindled and by the time we actually got to the place we were down to about six of us including me haha. We were at Bandar for quite awhile, and somewhere in that time our group changed again, and a bunch of kids from one of the other schools (American International School) showed up, and then we all went to a bar called Dragon House. This bar was kind of weird. Like they actually served alcohol and everything and everyone was like Tequila! and im like ew tequilas nasty shit. haha. so instead a had a Tia Maria which is like way sweetend scotch. tres good. after that though I went home for eleven thirty cuz a. that was my curfew and b. I was really tired.
So like its been almost a week, and while I exchanged numbers with all the new people I met on Thursday night, I highly doubted that we would ever actually like get together again, but last night while I was out at the pool with Erika and Eli, a bunch of them texted my phone and were like, "We are at Bandar come now!" haha. All because its Eid holiday here now.
It is so nice being able to sleep in and not having to worry about having to have all my homework done for todays classes. Though I seriously slept till about 9 am today, but when I woke up I thought it was after noon, and I was all mad at myself for sleeping so long until I looked at my clock and I was like oh.... haha.
Oh so I am pretty sure that everyone at school knows my sexuality now. I mean word travels really fast at my school, but like I tried to keep this on the low so to speak because of a. where I am in the world, and b. because I wanted them to get to know for who I am not for who I like to have sex with you know? But overall things have gone well on that front, and all of my friends remain my friends at this point haha, and the cute boys who I really like still talk to me, and seem to not have changed how they feel around me. I mean one I know is completely straight, but the other one? who knows. He is such a rebel though, and it is such a turn on haha. And he doesn't shave everyday (not that I do but we are supposed to) and he looks so sexy with some stubble hahaha.

Here are some pictures from my school's Senior Iftar:

school and surprises

Sorry I havent posted in a while, but things here have been pretty busy for me. I am having a great time at school. I had set up a get together with a bunch of people from school for Iftar on friday, but it unfortunately was a bust. However my dad made it up to me by taking me out for some sheesha and some coffee at the Katameya clubhouse. It was fun.
The People at the club always gives us a hard time during Ramadan whenever we go for either dinner or sheesha saying that everything is reserved, but the place is always absolutely dead. although it being a friday there were quite a few people there, but we usually go during the week and NO ONE is there haha. So we are always like when you need our table we will leave, but the never need our table lol.
So today I had somewhat of a shock during study hall. I was working on an essay that I have due tomorrow when one of the guys, Kareem, the joker, said to me, "So I have a question for you, and it isnt to be mean or anything I am just curious. I saw something on your facebook this weekend, and, well, are you really gay?" at first I was a little scared of what the reaction I would get when answering him, but I decided it was best to just be honest with him, so I said yes. "wow!" he said "Do your parents know?" of course they do. granted sometimes I think that erika has a hard time accepting me for who I am, but I will get to that a little later. So things with Kareem went well, and the feeling as though I had been shoved back into the closet have lessened. I am glad that someone knows.
So this weekend, before putting Eli to bed, Erika, Eli and I were watching SNL and AFI came on for a performance and when my brother saw the lead singer he was like, " Mom is that a boy or girl?" Now I dont know if you have seen him, but he is very effeminate, he has long hair (like I had up until very recently) a lip piercing, and is wearing tight clothes and make up. So for a nine year old I can understand him asking this question as he doesnt see that kind of thing very often, so naturally I would have expected Erika to use the opportunity to teach him something new.
Instead to my absolute horror she said, "I dont have a clue!" with a look of disgust on her face. I was like what the hell is that supposed to mean? She told me that it was a legitimate question, and that this is reality Im living in. and I felt as though I had been smacked.
I was really upset about it for a while, but I am over it now. So that is all for now as I am at school now so I will add more laters!

School days

So school here has officially started, and it is great! Granted it is really different from school in the states because people here at this school are alot more serious than seniors that I knew in the states, and well I am taking a rather difficult course load, but I think I can handle it so far haha.

Everyone here is also really really nice! They all immediately tried to involve me in their group of friends which was great because I was the only new senior, whereas everyone here know each other for at least two or three years. Today I was even invited out to Maadi with some kids from school this thursday night after school. I am excited, and I really think that this year is going to go really well.

Love and civil rights

You know, I have to say that I have never been one of the typical teenagers who is obsessed with dating someone. All of my friends back in the states have always had their hearts (and sometimes beds haha) occupied with love for and from another kid from school. But lately (especially far from the possibility) I have come to realize how lonely I am. I mean I am so lucky to be living the life I do. I have many friends who care about me, I have a family who loves me, I am living in Egypt (how many kids can say that?), and I am going to one of the best schools in the world! But. Something is missing. I long that feeling that comes with romance and intimacy with that special person. And now that I am living in a country where up until recently it was illegal for two men to be together, I feel the longing even more. I hope it will happen someday...... I dream....

I came across an article that explains the events of the 2001 arrests made on the Queen Boat here in Egypt. They raided the boat and arrested 55 men accused of breaking obscenity and morality laws due to their sexual orientation.



The original author of this article, Hossam Bahgat, a freelance journalist, was international relations coordinator for the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR), referred to in the section, "Going with the Flow." Bahgat was fired from the EOHR one day after this piece appeared on the grounds that he should not criticize his organization in public, and that the piece's byline identifying his place of employment implied that EOHR endorsed the piece's content.

This was very sad to read: "many human rights activists volunteered to express homophobic views to the press, and attacked the international organizations who took more positive positions (one has even decided to write a book about how gay rights are not really human rights)"

Take a look at the article.

Coming out and gay tv kisses

So today I thought that I would bring you all a blog that I came across last night. The author shares her point of view on how gay kisses between characters on national television effect America. I am not entirely sure I agree with her when she says that kissing between two men doesn't even bat eyelashes anymore. I don't know how everyone else feels about this, but when I see two men kissing on prime time television I jump for joy and giggle like a little school girl haha. Here is the link to the blog itself:

Blog

And here are some video clips from the Dawson's Creek finale where you see Jack kissing his lover. They did such a great job I think showing all the emotion that is behind these kisses and such.







Here is the video when Jack comes out to everyone including his father who has a hard time accepting him for who he is. I can relate to how Jack came out at school because I did the same thing through an essay that I wrote my freshman year. It was the scariest thing that I have ever done, but it was the best thing that I ever did during my entire highschool career.



Mind you my English teacher was an amazing and supportive woman unlike this teacher you see above

Uniforms and Zucchini Bread

So we just got back from the school and today was a good day for us! They had every piece of my uniform except my senior polo that I am supposed to wear, but they said that they would get it in by sunday. The pants are icky and too wide in the legs and make my butt look weird though. I am thinking of taking in the legs a little bit though so shhhh.... lol.
I thought that I would also share with you guys one of my other more recent baking adventures.

Heidi's Special Zucchini Bread

• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts, plus a few to sprinkle on top
• 1/3 cup poppy seeds (optional)
• zest of two lemons (optional)
• 1/2 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped (optional) (you can also use fresh ginger)
  

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 3 cups grated zucchini (about 3 medium), skins on (squeeze some of the moisture out and then fluff it up again before using)

• 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon curry powder (optional)

Note: Heidi calls for you to use two 5x9 inch loaf pans, but i used a bigger pan and made a single loaf

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter the two loaf pans, dust them with a bit of flour and set aside. Alternately, you can line the pans with a sheet of parchment. If you leave a couple inches hanging over the pan, it makes for easy removal after baking. Just grab the parchment "handles" and lift the zucchini bread right out.

In a small bowl combine the walnuts, poppy seeds (the only thing that Heidi recommended that I didn't have in my kitchen so it was the one thing that didn't make it in), lemon zest, and ginger. Set aside.

In a mixer, beat the butter until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat again until mixture comes together and is no longer crumbly. Add the eggs one at a time mixing well and scraping down the sides of the bowl between each addition. Stir in the vanilla and then the zucchini (low speed if you are using a mixer).

Note: Make sure you squeeze the moisture out of the zucchini first!

In a separate bowl, combine the whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and curry powder. Add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches, stirring between each addition.

By hand, fold in the walnut, poppy seed, lemon zest, and crystalized ginger mixture. Save a bit of this to sprinkle on the tops of the zucchini loaves before baking for a bit of texture. Avoid over mixing the batter, it should be thick and moist, not unlike a butter cream frosting.

Divide the batter equally between the two loaf pans. Make sure it is level in the pans, by running a spatula over the top of each loaf. Bake for about 40-45 minutes on a middle oven rack. I like to under bake my zucchini bread ever so slightly to ensure it stays moist. Keep in mind it will continue to cook even after it is removed from the oven as it is cooling. Remove from the oven and cool the zucchini bread in pan for about ten minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to finish cooling - if you leave them in their pans, they will get sweaty and moist (not in a good way) as they cool.

Makes 2 loaves.

Recipe courtesy of Heidi Swanson at 101CookBooks.

I have made several of Heidi's recipes now including her Baked Polenta Fries, Grilled Pizza, Peanut Butter Cookies, Baked Doughnuts, and I have to say that I have loved every one of her recipes that she has shard with her many fans on her website! She takes a very interesting approach to some very classic recipes to make them more healthy and balanced, and yet she always manages to retain an amazing flavor with every creation. She is one amazing chef, and it is because of her that I have decided to start this blog where I will share the many recipes that I will be making.
I give Heidi Swanson a two thumbs up, and I hope that you all check her out!