Living Out Loud

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Happy Labor Day Week-End!

LoL. I have so much to do today before company arrives, but as you can see I'm blogging. I'm such an addict. [Hello, my name is Gina, and I'm a blogging addict. (Chorus: HELLLLOOO GINA!!!) ]Annnyhoo, be sure to catch the madcap adventures that Debbie and I will be sure to get into this week. So, what're YOU doing Labor Day wk-end? BBQ? Beach? Catching the sales? Oh, do tell!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Laverne and Shirley Together Again!

So, two years ago my dearest BFF Debbie visited me when I was living in SoCal. I took her all over the place... Joshua Tree (because we SOOO loved Bono and the boyz back then).... Palm Springs.... San Diego.... Coronado.... just about all my favorite stomping grounds that we had time to visit in 4 fun-packed days.

I love this photo I took of Deb.

She will arrive over the Labor Day weekend, and spend an entire week with me in Cairo!! I'm SOOOO excited! My first stateside visitor!! I have so much planned for her visit. Debbie and I go waaaay back. We've been BFFs since I was a senior in high school if that tells you anything. LoL. After the Eric episode (that's Eric with a "C", bc Erik with a "K" came later), she moved to Wilmington while I was attending UNCW.... and the hilarious misadventures that followed as roomies had us pegged as the Laverne and Shirley of the 80's. LoL. Oh! The stories we could tell! So many laughable "Laverne and Shirley-esque" moments that still have us chuckling whenever we recall them during a "remember when?" marathon. In honor of Debbie's visit, here's a li'l vintage (Ugh! Has it come to that?!?) Laverne & Shirley flashback.... Enjoy!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

My First Iftar

This evening the Heritage Committee organized an Iftar at work. It was a great turnout! Nearly 300 staff and family members attended. It truly was a wonderful event! At sunset el-madfa’, the cannon blast that signals the end of the day's fasting during Ramadan, fired off loudly at the Citadel and commenced Iftar.

I was so proud of our Iftar event! I LOVE EVENT PLANNING!

We set up tables around the water fountain, and the evening's summer breezes and the twinkling lights of the fawanees hanging in the trees on the property made for a beautiful event.

Unfortunately, I was so busy mingling that I didn't take too many pictures. After dinner, there were games set aside for the kiddies. The men smoked their shishas, and we had talented individuals at work put on a live performance of traditional Egyptian music.

This was the "Tamarin Man". LoL. I can't remember the Egyptian Arabic word for him, but he was a neat little fellow. He carried around this drink contraption as he poured us tamarin juice (traditionally served at Iftar), while he announced his advancement with his little gawharet el fans or finger cymbals.

The Heritage Committee pulled off another successful event! Through the efforts of a handful of motivated individuals, we have been able to put together culturally enriching programs starting with the MLK Remembrance in January, African American History in February, Women's History in March, Asian Pacific Islander in May, Egyptian Cultural Awareness in July, and Iftar in September. We've been a busy committee and have grown in leaps and bounds with each program. It's been wonderful to have Egyptians learn as much from our culture, as we have learned from theirs! I am grateful that we have made a difference.