Lonely friendships

I never was the girl who made friends easily. I was very shy when I was younger. My shyness caused me a lot of bullying back during school. For that reason I have somewhat become an introvert. I do not mingle easily. I do not expose my true feelings because I take it as a sign of weakness. Crying is weakness, sadness is weakness, anger is weakness, hunger is weakness, even being tired or sick is weakness. I always tried to be up for anything and everything because I was used to being rejected by a lot of people for being too shy and uninvolved.

You would completely disagree with me if you knew me in person. A lot of people thing that I have no problems socializing. They think I handle people well, handle social situations even better. They think I have a fun outgoing character. A lot of people think I am one of the funniest girls they know. I always have something to talk about. I know how to do very proper small talk. I know how to carry on a conversation without getting the other person yawning. I ask a lot of questions to appear interested in the person. Exactly... yep... that's my trick. I ask them a LOT of questions. To avoid being asked any in return. To avoid talking about myself. Because I don't feel comfortable talking about myself.

What does this have to do with friends? Simple. I do not find anyone that I can truly and utterly open up to. Someone who understands me without me having to explain. Someone who makes me feel okay to cry sometimes. I do not find someone I can trust. I cannot find someone I can depend on during emergencies. I cannot imagine anyone who would be there if I suddenly needed something. I have been brought up to depend on myself.

Problem is, I feel that I am lonely all the time. Even when I am surrounded by people I feel lonely. Even when they're all laughing and making me laugh. I don't laugh because I think the situation is funny. I laugh because I make myself laugh.

I decided that a life like this will become very difficult if I cannot try and blend in with society. But I do try, but I need guidance. I need someone telling me what should be done in certain situations because I am just clueless when it comes to those.

Sigh.

Today something good happened. I was chatting with a girl about hijab. She wants to take it off. I convinced her not to and she surely was convinced... she even came to me and said thanks.. you convinced me.

I think that I have a gift of listening. I can almost always relate to what a person is going through. I can easily put myself in their shoes. Hence I am able to tell them what they want to hear. I make them feel comfortable and happy.

I wish I could find someone who can make me feel comfortable and happy.

Hijabi Party was a Blast

Everyone had so much fun. The food was great. The music was appealing to all tastes. The setting was fabulous. The cake shaped like lipstick got a bit smudged but tasted awesome.

It's amazing what a little music, good food and fun company does to the spirit. For some time your body floods with adrenaline. You dance like there is no tomorrow. You stuff your face then dance some more. Gossip, laugh, joke. Sometimes someone trips. Sometimes the helium balloons stick to the chandeliers and cause a horrible stench. Sometimes little kids start crying because they want to dress up too. Laughs, bee-lights, makeup, feathers, stilettos, frills, perfume, belly dancing, girls, girls, women, girls, girls, women, the bride. Tears of happiness and tears of sadness. But more fun and more dessert being served. Drinks run out but someone rushes out to bring some more. Everyone is sweaty. Everyone is dancing. Everyone is happy.

Little by little though. The crowd shrinks. Until its only just sisters and best friends left. Then the real fun starts.

Will miss you sis.

Hijabi Bachelorette

Bridezilla is finally getting married in a week. So tomorrow we are throwing a major bachelorette party. To make it more interesting we have decided to make it into a costume party.

Hijabis WAIT for any chance for a girls only party. Then they get to dress up like they've always wanted, dine, dance laugh and have a normal happy time.

My sister is going as Cat-woman, I'm going to be a Cancan dancer. My other sister is going to be a cow girl. Bridezilla will go as Bridezilla (I think).

So today we've been preparing all day for tomorrows party. Bridezilla chose a PINK and SILVER theme. She also picked out a giant chocolate cake shaped like lips.. to match her mini dress thats got lil lipstick marks all over it (very funky indeed). For the past few hours we've been chopping salads, marinating chicken, slow cooking roast beef, arranging party favors and blowing up bazillions of pink and silver balloons... Bridzilla also bought some awesome vintage masks with feathers and sequins to give away as party favors. I'm just crazy about those. Twenty four helium balloons suspended from our balcony, also in silver and pink. And lots and lots confetti.

The result is fabulous! Very festive indeed. I also put together a combination of groovy disco music, the latest house music and lots of local Egyptian music that will surely keep the bellies dancing :D

All good to keep me focused on not missing Bridezilla when she leaves to Dubai inshallah.

Will miss you sis.

Anti- Carina

A Carina is a kind of top. The company calls it "body wear". Hijabi girls all over Egypt cannot live without them. Carina has found its way across the globe. Reaching millions and millions of hijabis.

Let us first describe it. It comes in all shapes and sizes. In many designs. You find halters, tanks, tube tops, turtle necks, long sleeve, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, sleeveless... and on and on and on. They use a ridiculously stretchy fabric that just stretches and stretches without ever stopping. There are no visible seams. It clings to the wearer's body so tightly that you'd think the body is actually painted with whatever odd shade of color it's in. The colors are indeed odd. Pink, blue, green, yellow, brown.... The Carina can be made into all colors. Strangely, all colors look horrid when made into a Carina. Then comes the fabric. Manufacturers imitating the Carina all over the country have tried to figure out the unusual Carina recipe that allows it to stretch and stretch and stretch. The secret ingredient that gives the Carina it's rubber like feel yes still be fabric-y enough to be worn...is still undiscovered.

The Egyptian Hijabi community has expressed a very high demand for the Carina. Hijabis claim that they cannot live without them. Most of them own the Carina in all its colors. They like to layer it underneath tops that would otherwise by revealing if worn without a Carina. Some like to layer skin colored Carinas underneath evening dresses thus giving the illusion of wearing (ta da) a strapless dress (for example). The white Carina is commonly used as a bridal undergarment. If the Hijabi bride-to-be wishes to wear a halter or strapless gown, all she has to do is layer the white Carina underneath. Crystal embroidery is then added at the collar to accentuate the Carina, thus creating an "evening" effect.

Carina comes in five sizes. The XS, S, M, L and XL. The XL fits a size ten, with little room to breath, but then it doesn't really matter because we all know how stretchy a Carina can get. I will not even get started on the XS size.

The latest Carina product are the Carina leggings. Hijabis like to layer these under short skirts and dresses.. three quarter length pants and occasional minis.

I hate Carinas. Not only do they look and feel ugly. They are just not a garment that any hijabi should be wearing. Hijabi clothes are meant to be loose and flowy. Carina's are meant to be undergarments. They are not supposed to be seen. That is if you prefer wearing a Carina rather than a 100% egyptian cotton top as an undergarment. I just don't see reason.

Carinas take away from the value of your outfit. As soon as you add a Carina, your look transforms..and you start resembling the odd fashionistas that I commonly see on Egyptian streets. Carinas are synthetic. They do not allow your skin to breath. They trap heat in your body. I really cannot understand how Hijabi's manage wearing them in the blistering Cairo heat. The one thing that is worse than a Carina. Is a Carina with sweat patches.

For the Hijabis that cannot live without Carinas. Please just let me tell you this. Why don't you just use Cardigans to cover up instead? I have them in all colors and not only are they comfortable, they allow my skin to breath, they look elegant and classy. As for the infamous Carina leggings. I choose to not provide advice in that area.

So you probably hate my post. Or disagree with me. It's cool as long as I got it out of my chest.

I HATE CARINAS

(Thank you blogger)

The Swine Flu Treatment

Last week a few cases have been reported in Egypt. Last I read was that we had six cases already. Egypt is a very crowded, very polluted country. People care very little for hygiene. I believe the flu will spread like spilt milk. I also believe that it's just flu.

It's just flu.

I believe that the best way to fight a virus is by letting your own body fight it. Just make sure that your body is strong enough to fight it. I am an anti medication girl. I hate the side effects of medication and I hate the drowsiness that I feel when I'm taking meds. I decided to handle flu differently, and have been doing so for the last few years.

THE TREATMENT:

Quarter a cup of natural honey dissolved in a liter of unsweetened orange juice. Taken throughout the day.

The trick is to do that as soon as you feel any symptoms, or if you've been in contact with someone who's infected.

That's it.


يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Surat Al-Nahl

The Hijabi Jogger

I always want to try out the "Hijab does not stop me doing what I want theory" in different situations. So because we live in a nice, safe neighborhood I decided that it would be a total waste if I did not put it to good use and start jogging every once in a short while.

First off, since I'll be jogging in public. My sporty outfit has to be modest. So I usually go for one of my brother's baggy tees that I layer over a long sleeve tee. For bottoms I wear my older sister's sweats. They are nice and baggy. For the hijab, I pick a light colored cotton scarf and I secure with lots of pins. Since I'll be doing a lot of action, I need to make sure that my hijab stays in place.

After my first jogging trip as a hijabi, my scarf went all lose, my hair was sticking out around my face, most of the pins got lost and I was sweating like a pig from around my neck area. As soon as I walked through the door I took off my sweaty hijab and threw it in the wash.

The next time I tried to avoid what had happened last time. I tied a bandana around my head before I put on my hijab. Again I chose a cotton scarf and used double the amounts of pins to secure it.

Half way through the jog, my scarf was again flapping all over the place. I had to stop every few minutes to readjust it. My bandana was caked with sweat and I was feeling very uncomfortable. I started to envy the girls who got to do this in tanks and shorts.

I decided that I need those hoodie type hijabis to wear when I'm jogging. I'm still trying to find them and hopefully my problem will be solved pretty soon.

The good thing about jogging with the hijab however, is that it keeps your earphones in place:)