When I'm Feeeelin' Sad

I was feeling blue as I was returning home today, and as I was reaching for my happy chocolates....

a light turned on in my head:



What if I had a dose of color me therapy instead? Colors to soothe and make me happy again, and what better colors to do this but finding a "few of my favorite things" in Turquoise and Chocolate! So indulge me as I attempt to lift my spirits again, and if anything else... do so in a less fattening way. ;)

[To the tune of "My Favorite Things"]

kewl window distresses,

and outfits to shop,

krAZeE kaleidoscope views, and....

warm woolly wraps,

chunky eclectic bling,

that pops with a zing,

These are a few of my favorite things.

blue paper packages,

tied up with strings,

These are a few of my favorite things.

So when the trip ends...

and the burn stings...

when I'm feeeeeelin' sad...

I simply remember my favorite things,

and then I don't feel soooooooooooo bad.

Bikini vs. Burkini

While I was sunbathing today, beach goers in bikinis and banana hammocks walked around in mixed company and were completely at ease with what they were wearing. I doubt many of them were even aware that bikinis weren't the norm in the Middle East, where Muslim women prescribe to a strict code of modesty which only allows them to show face, hands, and feet. In fact there are segregated beaches, where "women's beaches" are the preference not the exception. At integrated beaches, Muslim women will sit fully clothed on the beach while the men cavort in the water. Thank goodness Sharm doesn't follow these practices!

I came across some interesting photos below. Although they're nearly a century apart, Muslim women in the 21st century ironically show less skin than their American vintage counterparts.

1920: American bathing suits exposed women's arms and lowered necklines, but shoes and stockings remained a requirement of respectability. The above pic shows vintage beauties sporting "tank suits".

2009: Muslim women still practice strict observances of modesty. The above photo is a Muslim woman sporting a "burkini". Egads. Can you imagine her tan lines?

Sharm Has Charm

Got up at o'dark thirty this morning so I could be on the road by 6 am for what was supposed to be a five hour road trip that turned into a six and a half hour "day"mare. Ugh! Traffic was congested due to the holiday weekend, and the umpteenth number of security checkpoints along the way delayed the beach trip even further. And did I mention that the 5 vehicle convoy I was in led to continual stressors along the way? Regardless, all the problems of my journey were worth it, because Sharm eased all my stressors upon arriving.

We drove through our final checkpoint with such relief and elation!

At the resort, we meandered to our bungalows following tiled pathways, breezy gazebos, and colorful blooms awaiting every turn.

Mine was a Spanish Moor design with sliding glass patio doors from my living room and bedroom that opened to ....

a fabulous view of the Red Sea, and a private path

leading to straw covered umbrellas and lounge chairs with attentive waiters serving frothy drinks in white cottoned uniforms ....

and if the beach wasn't enough, a hard right from my patio doors led me to one of five pools that the resort offered.

And now here I am typing this blog, as I await my first of several massage appointments scheduled on my li'l staycation. Tomorrow's agenda? Who cares? Stressors are gone!

Gotta Pack My Wheels B'Cuz....

I'm heading out for the beach tomorrow!

....but NOT in this car. LoL. It's holy week in Egypt as Coptic Christians (or Orthodox Christians) celebrate Easter this Sunday. Yep, we're a week behind Stateside observances. Heck, we haven't even gone to daylight savings time yet, which makes for even greater confusion.

So with a 4-day weekend in tow, I'm off to Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort city on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Known as the "City of Peace" because of international peace summits held there, it's also a favored holiday spot for Euro travelers, which means the dress code will be more "Westernized". Yaaay! I will be able to expose arms and legs again without getting stoned to death. Bonus!

So, tomorrow you'll find me multi-tasking beach resort style: lounging under one of these straw umbrellas, frolicking in the Red Sea, and seeking inner peace in the "City of Peace". Life is good in the Middle East. Peace Out.

Best Headlining Feet

Which Headliner Best Fits this kRAZeE Pic?

• I've fallen and I can't get up!
• Fashion Police: Save me I'm drowning!
• Rainbow Brite.... maniacally all grown up.
• Aaack! My feet are HUGE!

Created on Apr 19, 2009

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