Oh, internet gluttony...

My internet is fixed! Which means my productivity level has plummeted over the past 24 hours. I'm also sick with a pretty bad cold, which doesn't help my motivation. Going to the health clinic was an interesting experience. I was told to drink warm water with salt, and they gave me lozenges for my neck. I was like, I'm pretty sure you mean gargle the salt water, not drink it, and I think you mean my throat, not my neck. I was reminded of an email Kace sent me a couple years ago about her first experience in a pharmacy in China. She told them something like her hair was on fire when she meant to say she had a fever. At least I didn't have to rely on my Arabic for treatment. Who knows what I would have told them.

Last Thursday was a pretty busy day. I had my media midterm, which went really well. It was difficult, and I definitely needed to study as hard as I did, but my efforts really paid off. My room is still covered in notecards with words like "eminent delegation," "his royal highness," and "deputy" in Arabic. Thursday night there was a Halloween party across the street from campus (I didn't think anyone actually lived out here yet), and I got to forget about studying for a few hours. I went dressed as a bro-dude, where I generally made everyone uncomfortable with my androgyny. I had drawn on some facial hair, and one guy said, pointing to my shoulder and then my face, "so, the tattoo is real, and the soul patch is fake, right?" Correct. The soul patch drawn on in glittery brown eyeliner is fake, and a sunflower would be a pretty lame tattoo to just draw on if I was going as a bro-dude. Good job. Overall, the party was pretty weird. There were drinks available, and I realized just how low my alcohol tolerance has gotten since I've been here. It was mostly international students from all over the place: America, France, Lebanon, Bahrain, Norway, etc. I met some cool new people, but there was something still weird about it. I didn't get that feeling of bonding with people that I did from Hampshire parties. I had a great time, but I still felt somewhat disconnected, like something was missing. I guess I'm still adjusting to the AUC social scene and to Egypt in general.

(me with two of my suitemates, Anne the grad student and Dana the hipster. Shukran to Dana for the picture)

Actual Halloween was fairly uneventful. Danielle's mom sent her candy and clove cigarettes (which are now illegal in the states), which she was nice enough to share. I used to smoke cloves on occasion at Simon's Rock, and seeing as they're no longer available in the states, I thought I'd let myself enjoy just one. I think the clove, plus the weather change (it's unusually cold in Egypt right now), plus not enough sleep is what made me sick. Speaking of sleep, I still haven't slept through the night, but at least the nightmares have stopped.

Now I am getting psyched about November. Lots of birthdays this month (mine and Dana's are two days apart = party time!), new apartment (inshallah), more midterms, and Thanksgiving! I feel most like myself when I'm busy and stressed, so this should be a great month. Anyone who wants to send me a card (not necessary, but would be greatly appreciated) should probably do so now, cos it takes about three weeks for things to get here from the states. Here's a repost of my address:

Carol Campbell (*has to be my legal name because I have to present my ID in order to get my mail)
American University in Cairo
New Cairo Campus
AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74
New Cairo 11835, Egypt.

Sending lots of November love!