The Caller: Egyptowacko

Egypt…Poor for the poor and rich for only the rich!

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:03:00 GMT

It is sad to see such a resourceful country like ours lack social justice to this severe extent.

It is sad to see that the treasures of this country flow and flood to everyone except for the people who need it the most…the poor.

It is sad to see that the treasures of this country multiplies and drowns everyone in it's luxury…everyone who's rich.

A while ago I was having a conversation with a well off friend of mine who urged me to help him find a suitable bride as he has turned 38 and thought it was time for him to get married. As comic as the thought of asking help to get married is as a concept to me…I simultaneously knew a girl with similar circumstances and mindset so I offered introducing them…I told him about her and he replied the following:

OK I could see her but first you got to get me some basic info about her.
OK, what do you want to know??? Noting that I don't see a point as you're going to meet her in person.
I'd rather get my Info first, I wanna know where she lives, what school did she go to and what does her daddy do.
Hmm…how come you didn't wanna know about her education or job??
Oh, how come you're such a baby although you’re an old woman?? And laughed.
Tayeb mat2olsh old tayeb…I'm serious, answer me and stop being silly and rude. ( he tends to be madab)
My questions imply financial status…If she's bent nas or not.
I was struck by such hypocrisy, stupidity and shallowness, I said: I can't believe YOU are seeing people this way…What has financial status got to do with being a bent nas….that of course if we're talking about the same scale…I mean, If bent nas means she was well bread, had decent parents, well educated and from a respectful family.
Yes sure, that's what I mean, but ya kofta (his way of referring to me as a naïve woman) She wouldn't be bent nas unless she was well off.
I almost lost it and well, anyway I said: what, are you serious??? Based on what have you had that Astonishing discovery a rule??
Eh ya benty, welad elnas must be well off to have the spirit to raise their sons and daughters well and have a decent life…oh, and don't forget to find out which club is she a member in.

The following was made so clear to him as I am the type of person that can't but set things straight when I'm intrigued and nothing intrigues me as el fashkhara elkadaba.

So, In an unfair world like ours where resources are segmented and forced to reach certain channels in our society while depriving others of their basic needs… when the rich find their treasures double with time, their luxury extends, their capabilities to take the best education, means of living and means of fun for granted…Other sections of the same society in the same country struggle everyday to provide the minimum decent education and basic means of life.

And so, If we took a sample of each type…it is most likely to find that the struggling family have more ethics, values, human kindness and a knowledge worth sharing with society than the well off family.

I'm not generalizing+ I realize the lack of substance, levels of crime and ignorance in very poor random groups of people + I realize some well off families maintain a great sense of value and the most decent nature.

Yet, middle class families beat well off ones any time anyway!

And that's because, Power, success, knowledge, kindness and generosity that were seeded and grown out of struggle is so much more profound than those which were grown out of convenience!

Always was and will always be.

Now, what can we do to set the treasures of this company straight into flooding to reach all channels equally?

And by equally I mean to those who deserve it and those who work fair and square for it.

I know of an initiative: set your mind sets straight next time you appraise a person…Disregard how much money did he spend on a watch and which language school did he attend and search for quality, authenticity and skill.

If we could choose friends on that base, lovers, mates, colleagues and partners we will then allow them to have a taste of the resources we enjoy…the wellness will spread to reach unconventional channels…after a long time, maybe, less people will envy the untalented rich for what they easily indulge.

That being said: I will never forget Ahmed, a class mate from KGs till high school, his dad was an average factory worker who saved all year to get his son into a language school so he could have a better life than the life he had…Ahmed, couldn't afford new uniforms, bags and stationary every year…I saw him writing In used copybooks as he would tare off the used last year's papers and recycle it again…His pants on the third year appeared to be shorter than usual…I found ahmed astonishing, he was the most polite, clever, straight A student and the most grateful for what he had and what his dad did for him than all the brats in my school including me…Ahmed, back in 1990/1991 had 98% graduating from high school ( a rare thing at the time ) and fulfilled his and his dad's dream and became a Doctor…He now has a clinic to serve the people of Dar Elsalam where he grew up.

How many ebn nas according to my silly friend accomplished that while maintaining one of the most beautiful human spirits I've ever encountered??

Could, but rare…

How many well off guy serves in the community?? How many would choose to volunteer in a summer job instead of chick hunting in Marina??

If life is unfair, the country is unfair and people are unfair….we can start by being fair towards someone…and the richness will fill our hearts before approaching anyone else.

To help others is to do the only thing that would really help us become meaningful persons living a meaningful life.

I know this sounds overheard...I know all political parties view that problem and promise a thousand VALID solution to it ONLY on election times.

I know statistics show an incline in god knows what, I know NGOs play a role, I know individuals feed a hungry here, clothe a poor family there or look after an orphan or two...and although that ain't enough because we are growing rapidly towards more than 80 million people squeezed around the delta mostly...this is not the main problem here.

The main problem is the huge wide opened doors waiting for the son of SOMEONE to collect more from the fountain of ready made fortunes...while it is slammed repeatitively on daily bases in the faces of skilled talented average medium to low class people according to the corrupted scale of airheads around the country.

We deserve a piece of the cake...hell, OUR cake!

Now, I want a financial statement from this country...Has anyone ever demanded that??!!

Not a pro this or an anti that...I want to know my resources and my income and how much do i spend as a citizen of this country...I want to know where does the 2.5k they take as taxes from my pay cheque go??

I want to know why do they spend millions of dollars on a pharaonic statue while having to accept donations from the USA to Aid us (certain types of people)do whatever??!!

No one will answer me and If they would 7aeyzello ahaleena and they would make us in debt for the smart country's ass after all...I know.

So, Only final resort...Only convenient resort...Only human approach is to talk the talk AND walk the walk...It's just a mind set...and the privileged won't even have to feel intimidated at all...they won't admit to being as normal as anyone else...they would still feel superior but out of giving instead of out of taking.

Ramadan Live from Cairo - Smokes

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:22:00 GMT

I've always said that I was no addicted smoker but no one believed me as I used to say that while puffing a full pack of Davidoff Classic!

Well, I am not and my proof is: Last time I smoked a cigarette was last Saturday...five full days smoke free zone ya basha...ain't that cool :)

And who said cutting the smokes make you eat more?! I didn't...in fact I eat less in Ramadan and by night time I become so beat from work that I sleep before midnight and skip so7oor...except for some water before Dawn...

Al7amdlelah :)

One of the nicest scenes of down town Cairo is the kanafany standing by his special round table swirling those konafa threads...there are machines nowadays that do that automatically but our friend the kanafany won't loose his heritage and authenticity or it could be that my taste will always like humble things around Egypt...Bee2a 7ata alnokha3 :P

Yestrday and right before alIftar my mom had made the yummiest konafa ever...with cream pudding as filling...my son monsieur Hassan demanded no nuts in the konafa...and his wish is our command of course while ms. Jeeko (aka Jomana) is like a love bird...she keeps humming around and kissing us being the ultimate sweet doll that she is...she wouldn't eat konafa aslan!

I've seen a show Last night on the Egyptian T.V where the Host is a lady Journalist called Lamees Alhadedi is bashing a sha3by singer called saad elsoghayar...

It was interesting to know how him and his alike feel about the cultured society think of their degrading so called singing...he said: we are the local...you people don't know us and you won't feel us therefore you won't like my local singing and I'm OK with that.

Well, that is true...Egypt had always contained three classes...now two have emerged delusionally to become one...and that is the upper and middle class...and the lower class feel apart and different...feel segmented and drafted...and they have every right to feel so.

Now, back to Ramadan...Upper and middle classes feed the poor...there are no Hunger in Egypt during Ramadan...we all want the good deeds and most Importantly we all want to feel good about ourselves and what we have.

I just wish that would last all year long...I wish billionaires would help the needy with Jobs and projects just as much as they give the rich.

Now, a review about Iftar down Khan Elkhaleely will be done as soon as I get eno to go with me...

Blessed Ramadan :)

Ramadan Live from Cairo - Bomb!

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:25:00 GMT

First day of Ramadan was...well...nice!

Waking up at 7:30 to go to work isn't the coolest thing especially if you wake at dawn to pray and have your so7oor...but the short working hours made the balance.

Have I mentioned that our super nice government decided to change the timing to one hour earlier ...ain't they considerate?!

I had the no caffeine/ no smoking headache and i was sleepy most of the day...at about 5 pm hunger struck...i mean my tummy made that squeeeeekin' sound from hunger.

We had Iftar at about 6:17 pm and my mom...oh bless my mom made us the first Ramadan day meal that we had for the last...well...as long as i remember.

Moloukhia, Rice with she3reya, Roasted Chicken, Soup and keshk with fried onions...oh and salad...not to mention amareldeen Juice mixed with orange Juice...yes, that's her way of doing it.

I fed the kids, ate and got ready to experience Ramadan like most Egyptians...and by that I mean stare at the T.V for the new stuff...I just wanted to be in the ordinary atmosphere of Ramadan and not let myself repeat the madness of last year...but, as crowded the channels were with all those series and sitcoms...I don't think there's anything that attractive so i kept switching channels till i found two shows I know I'm gonna stick to:

Moez Masoud' show on almehwar : zaman when i was pregnant with Hassan I saw him on Eqra2 talking about Allah in English and I really wished i could live and see Hassan Just like him...and last night he proved that after all theses years he's only more profound and deep yet in a very calm and soothing way.

Other show I'm gonna watch is any hilarious comedy show...yes, I want some cheering up...not in a mood to watch yosra crying or noor elsherif's weired hair cut...

I just wanna enjoy the walnut atayef mama makes as i get spiritual or funny :)

One thing was strange about my first day in Ramadan...I didn't hear a bomb!!

There was no madfa3 Ramadan :(

Ramadan Live from Cairo - Chinese!!

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:18:00 GMT

I won't bother my blog with news about my where abouts for the past few days as i don't see any significance in mentioning my final tahyees trip before Ramadan...It was the craziest and there's no bragging about it...a total mess!

Yesterday I returned back to Maadi - my home territory - So excited about Ramadan and all the promises I made myself to Enjoy the Breezes of faith it brings and to practice more from everything possible that could make me feel closer to Allah, especially that this year

I can actually feel Ramadan...last year it didn't happen for me.

I was driving by when I saw this:

Chinese lanterns with Arabic Ramadan greetings hanging and decorating two long streets!

I thought: where's fanoos Ramadan?!

besara7a et2amast!

I thought WT...anything is that...I mean Chinese Ramadan Lanterns...Those Chinese people didn't leave anything for us...and I thought they were smart to knock every door around the globe to make an extra buck!

Well, good for them, I guess...but it really looked weired!!

What's wrong with the brass good old Ramadan Egyptian Lantern...it has been IT for ages now.

Today I bought those Ramadan stuff...you know the Nuts, Amareldeen and dates and all those yummy stuff.

I also had the Ramadan talk with my kids...

Received very nice text messages...sent to everyone on my list

Well, My feelings of Ramadan are overwhelming this year...

I could use the boost of faith...I could use the changed daily routine...I could definitely use the scheduled life around fotour and So7our times.

I wish you a blessed Holy month filled with faith, insight and forgiveness.

Kol Ramadan wento taybeen awi awi awi :)

Taking a stand and arguing

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:54:00 GMT

I'm sealing June with a conscious realization.

I am always taking a stand...always sharp in delivering a clear opinion about Issues especially basic ones.

But, I am done arguing!

I mean really putting my heart and nerves into an argument and a3aly daghty oo at7eme2!

No more of those...I've quit this month and I'm treating this as important as quiting smoking.

Reason:

No one gives your words a second of thought...people treat an opinion as if their lives depend on it and the whole thing turn into a mud fight!
Either ways...I benchmark if i have a point...they don't have to admit it but i do.
I can give my blood pressure the simplest treatment ever!

Now a good post needs a good example and I'm not gonna give you one...no, i feel extra generous today...I'm gonna give TWO live recent excerpts of two illogical cut in half arguments:

One

a long time ex tried to hit on me...i declined nicely as i care for him...he insists...i have to shut all channels...weeks later i discover that he's engaged to be married while he tried to hit on me...i get mad at him for being such a jerk...he argues my logic...i quit!

Two

a friend of mine whom i confide in - and that's soooooooooo rare- goes on and blabbers a private conversation to a third party...i get mad at the friend but his argument was: i didn't say ....... that would've been so much serious than what i said....i argue the principle itself and he keeps repeating that it wasn't the more serious topic...i quit!

When people can't get simple basic rules like those two points...how can i keep arguing and get mad till i get a stroke from such stupidity...I have kids you know i gotta take care of myself.

Khalas...7aramt...no more arguing...I'll take the stand and shut the freakin' door.

and with that realization...i seal June with a kiss :)