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07:24pm 26/08/2009
 
mood: happy
Grad school is in full swing. I'm all moved to Iowa city and god do I love it here! All the fears and anxiety i had have completely drained away. Moved down here about a week ago and met my roommate for the first time, who is great. we also live in a kick ass apartment that is about $200 cheaper than the one I had in Saint paul, and yet is still a two bedroom place. Mom stayed here with me for a few days, help me get set up, and then left to head back to MN. Miss her, but it is nice to be away from the family for a while. They are great, but i never got to do the long-term away from home thing, so i'm looking forward to being on my own for awhile.

Through Mia I met Brit, another costume designer. She's from Alabama and oh dear jesus is she fun! the three of us tend to spend a lot of time together, which was nice, especially in the beginning. Our first night without our mom's (mia's and mine) was spent drinking margaritas with Brit ad watching a horrible movie on the Disney channel where Tyra Banks is a barbie-like doll that gets brought to life by Lindsey Lohan. We played a drinking game; Every time the movie creates a portrayal that makes women look bad, drink.

Went to a a bar on Tues night last week before orientation to meet some of the other grad students. Got to meet some the older kids in playwriting, stage management, dramaturgy, directing, etc. Also got to meet the other actors, which was a huge relief because they are all really great people. I've even made some friends (*gasp*) with both the actors and others. That was the night i breathed a sigh of relief and knew I would be alright.

Then came orientation, which was basically us getting taught how to teach, which was fun. Got to spend a lot of time with the actors and as a result we've gotten pretty close. Went to some bars, went dancing, stuff like that. basically, we all celebrated our coming together and the last few days of freedom before classes start.

class started monday, and everything is goin just dandy. Teaching is a blast, being a student is still fun, and all in all I can't remember how long it's been since i've felt this happy.		  
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ok, now what?   
06:47pm 28/05/2009
  so, i'm all graduated and stuff. Still is weird to think that I won't be a student at Mac anymore, but i'm learning to deal with it. I think. I mean, i don't really know how I feel about all this right now, because at this particular moment all i can think about is how happy i am to have nothing to do for a while. Of course, i need to find a job, but that hasn't been going too well. And, you know, i'm sorta okay with that. I mean, i need a job, but i am secretly happy that, despite my best efforts and applying to all these jobs, i still get to relax for a while.

Still, i've been in a really weird mood lately, and i don't entirely know why. A part of it is that there are so few people left, and i feel like my social life is crumbling in around me. I have friends that are around, sure, but i don't like how many people i know who are now gone and that I may never see again. It's weird walking across campus and not running into 8 people i know between the campus center and the theatre building. I've gotten so use to that, and now the campus is just empty and half the people i want to see are no longer here. Ugh, it's all very weird and I just don't know what to do with it all.

Apart from all those weird feelings of "well, what's next?", life is goin pretty good. still, it feels like something is missing. I know what i thin that is (and it sure as hell aint school), but i don't think that is the answer to all my problems. Alas, i think to much.

This has been a weird post. I'll write more later when i'm not in such a bizarre mood.		  
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delaying the inevitable. . . sort of   
09:46pm 14/05/2009
  Well, senior week is winding down and graduation is almost upon us. Nothing better demonstrates this better than the fact that parents are flying in from all over the world to watch their babies graduate, and they have started arriving today. Still, it's been a very fun week thus far.

Monday was our Senior Sendoff, complete with Champaign toast and "sendoff lecture". Now, i don't know about you, but as a senior who is done with his undergrad career, the last thin I wanted was a lecture. And yet, thanks to all the silly econ students who came out to vote for our speaker in full force, the person who delivered our sendoff lecture was an econ professor. Now, not only did he treat this as though it were a class and try to teach us about economics, he chose to discuss the recession. I can guarantee you that the last thing any of us wanted to hear was how crappy the economy was and how difficult it would be finding jobs. It wasn't terrible, but i kept zoning out as the man talked about how great capitalism is and blah blah blah. Later that night, I went to the Theatre Dept senior dinner, which is when they take us to Bucca and we eat and drink a lot to make up for all the emotional trauma that department has put us through. Fun, delicious, but not quite enough to make up for all the drama. Malesh. After the dinner was the senior class social at Stella's Fish Cafe in Uptown. This was a lot of fun. Lot's of socializing with everyone in the class, all in all a really fun night.

Tuesday was a bitt slower, but good overall. Spent the day relaxing, and then the afternoon we went to a picnic at a park near Lake Elmo. There were what felt like tornado-esq winds, and it rained a bit, but that was sort of what made it fun. My Friends and I spent most of the time playing on the playground, re-living our childhood and just being silly, which isn't all that different from what we do normally, but the change of scenery was nice. We then drove to a different section of the park (which is easier said then done, because the bus drivers got lost, i kid you not, like 3 times. . . and it was less than a mile away) and had a bonfire, which was fun. Some people chose to take a bus back to Mac due to the ify weather, which made the bonfire a little smaller and, in my opinion, more intimate (and it didn't rain, so the joke was on them!) Really made me and my friends want to go camping, which i am determined to do this summer!!!


Wed was a jam packed day, at east for me. At noon I had the theatre exit interview, which was basically 5 senior theatre majors (we were the only ones that showed up) telling the chair of our department how they really, REALLY need to treat their majors better and be a less fucked up department in general. We got free food (past lunch, which was delicious) and the opportunity to do some constructive bitchy, so all was well. Then I had lavender graduation, which is a ceremony to recognize all the GLBTQ students who are graduating. now this was AWESOME. we had an amazing speaker, they gave us roses and a rainbow tassel to wear at graduation, and there was DELICIOUS CAKE!! It was also a really touching, moving event for me personally. Only over the course of this past semester have i really been comfortable identifying with the gay community, and i am so glad i do now. I've grown, and i'm glad to e leaving macalester feeling like this is a community i have finally become a part of. Then was a brief rest and opportunity to digest some of the food i'd been fed, but it wasn't long enough. I was still pretty full when I made my way to the Last Supper, a final diner for the seniors at cafe mac. Still, i jammed more food down my throat, and then made my way to the booze cruise. This is the pinnacle of senior week, what everyone in future classes has told us about ad-nauseam. Boy, did it deserve the hype. It was so much fun. I don't know what it is about boats that makes them fun, because it really wasn't all that different from a regular party (at one point in time, i couldn't help thinking it was kinda like a high school dance, but on a boat. . . and without all those annoying people I went to hight school with). Still, i can not deny that boats do indeed make things better, and the evening was a huge success. After the cruise was an afterparty with free pizza and $2 beer (which wasn't good, so i had none). By this point in time, i was so incredibly tired, so i stayed for about an hour and then went home to sleep. Marathon day of socializing and eating, but boy was it fun.

Thursday (today) was the senior class photo, and then grad rehearsal, both of which were boring but necissary. Then picked up the cap and gown, and went back to the ole apartment to read for a bit, and then went over and hung out with some friends. Then me, my dad, and grammy went out to dinner with Brooke and her family. Was a nice little celebratory meal, though now i am so full i feel like ima esplode!!! not much else on the egenda for today. just going to watch a movie with some friends, then sleep.

Not thinkin about graduating yet, or that i'm almost done with mac. It'll hit eventually, just not today.		  
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and so it begins. . . or ends, depending how u look at it.   
08:08am 11/05/2009
 
mood: cheery
As of Saturday at 10 am, I am unofficially done with my Undergraduate Career. Tis very strange to think about, but I will soon be getting a degree. Tres Weird.

After I got done Saturday, I spent most of the day sitting out on the lawn reading. Of course, it was kinda cold out, so i was wearing all these layers and was the only one sitting out on the lawn, but I still did it. I wouldn't usually sit outside when it was that cold, but Damnit I wanted to so badly and I wasn't going to let the stupid weather stop me!!!! So, I sat out there and read for a few hours, even though it was about 40 degrees, and celebrate my freedom. Them, at 3:30 I went in for my last shift at the Chapel. . . I'm not really all that choked up about leaving the chapel. I'll miss a few of the people, but mostly I'm glad to be leaving that place. Just had to deal with too much crap working there, and I'm glad to close that chapter of my life. Then, Sat evening I had a Kenchreai reunion (the peeps I worked with on the archaeological dig in Greece last summer), where we watched DUNE and drank heavily. As all my parties are, it was a complete success, and a great way for me personally to celebrate finishing school.

Yesterday (Sunday) I sat around and played video games all morning, went to brunch at cafe mac with Brooke (she got me in, and I can never say no to a free meal), then played more video games (like, for a very longtime. Then went and picked Katween up from the airport, dropped her off at home, and had a little ceaser's pizza party with Kate Monster, Ben, and Charlie, which was fantstic (and cheap). From there, watched Bros and Sis with K Ho, then back for more video games and finally sleep.

Today is the first day of senior week, which i have been looking forward to for ever so long. We have the Champaign toast today, and then the theatre dinner at bucca, and then the senior social at some rooftop bar. all in all, it shall be amazingly fun.

Well, i think ima go play some video games, but i felt as though a brief update was in order.		  
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because it's been a while. . .   
06:17pm 04/05/2009
 
mood: thoughtful
music: sleep to dream
to start with, a big shout out to Tamara, Monique, and Emily, who demanded I write an update. It was great seeing you girls today, even if only briefly!!!!

So, it's been a very, VERY crazy year, but things are starting to calm down a bit. I finished two of my classes up today, as well as turned in my honors thesis. That was a weird experience, let me tell you. I don't think it's perfect writing by any stretch of the word, but I am actually really proud of the argument I developed and think it is correct. Really, that's the best i could ask for. I'm proud of it. I can always fix the writing later (thank god no one actually ever reads these) and expand on what I talk about, but in general I a really proud of what I've done. It's weird though to have completed this. . . thing that is over 70 pages and now i'm just done. I've been working on it for literally over a year (i started working on it at AUC as a 15 page paper, and just kept developing the idea), and now it's over. My dad has already told me i'm probably going to start dreaming about it and weird stuff like that, which is a little creepy, but in a sick and twisted way, i'm really going to miss it. But for now, I'm going to celebrate that it's over and that I have that much more free time!!!

Apart from the schoolwork, of which there is still a bit left to do, life is. . . life. Don't really know how to describe it all. This has been a really strange semester. A lot of really crappy stuff has happened, but there have been some amazing ups to. Like, oh my god, i got into grad school! And not just any grad school, a prestigious acting program that only accepts 14 people every three years. and i'm getting PAID to go there!!!!!! It is such a relief to have something to do for the next 3 years. It gives me time to wait out the economic crisis and hopefully find a job once all this blows over. And i get to act!!! oh, i just can't believe it sometime. Who knows, maybe I'll hate it in a year and not want to be in grad school, but that is still on year where I get paid to go to school (with healthcare!!). Overall, it's a pretty good light at the end of the tunnel.

Of course, there have been a lot of low points this semester too, a lot of shit hitting the fan and people letting me down, or things not going the way I had hoped they would. I'm trying to take a positive view of it all though, that we grow the most when we are in those impossibly hard/crappy/weird places. i know it's true, so i guess that's something. Still, i'm ready for a simpler life and hope the summer brings an end to all complications and baggage and all the crap. I think it will, and even if it doesn't i'll be running away to Iowa to start a new life in August, so that's something! Life is good, i just need to do a better job of remembering that.

well, that's all I can muster for now, but it's a good start. Hopefully i can get back into the whole live journal thing		  
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Tis my birthday   
12:55am 18/01/2009
 
mood: thoughtful
music: From Me, Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps
So, i'm. . . well, i won't say my age, in case there are creepy stalkers who read this that will use that information to their own, sick advantage. Regardless, i'm a year older now. Just as always, i don't feel any different. maybe I will tomorrow. . . or rather today, but the part of today after i go to bed and wake up again.

It's weird looking back at all those many birthdays I've had. Hell, just looking back at the Mac birthdays is enough to remember how much I've changed. Last year I was in Cairo, living my dream in so many ways. So much excitement about where I was and the adventure i was living in. Two years ago was Greece (Alexandropolis, i think). I was so carefree then. drunk, dancing with friend on what we later discovered was a really dirty beach. I became Dionysus that night. Then Freshmen year. . . Well, life was great. Just on the verge of opening up into something fantastic.

I guess I'm having a sentimental, not sad but. . . thoughtful moment. best to get it out of the way now so i can enjoy tomorrow. Looking back on the past three years, my life has had A LOT of twists and turns. things didn't always end up the way I wanted, and there are still some wounds to lick, but I've learned a few things from it all, and I guess i want to share what few pearls of wisdom I have gathered over these years.

Always seek out adventure. at the very least, it will make for a great story to tell.

hold on to what inspires you, especially the stuff that has lit a fire under your ass all these years. you can't buy that kind of passion and happiness, so don't loose it.

ignore the little things that drive you crazy. life is too short to waste it being bitter.

Have fun!!!!!

Pick your battles. I love winning more than anyone, but sometimes it's really not worth winning.

always hope. ALWAYS. When you don't have hope, yo have to fight to find something/someone/somewhere that will give that back to you. life is impossible without it. it may be the final evil released from the box, but it is all we have sometimes.

Let go of the pain. Too often we hold onto it, as though it were all we had. Letting go of pain isn't easy, and some pain is good, it teaches you. Just be sure you are learning the right lessons, and then move on. I've held onto a lot of pain over these many years, some of it I haven't let go of yet, but i know i will. it takes time, but one day you have to let it go so you can move on.

surround yourself with love. that's really all there is. And i don't just mean romantic love, but the love of those who really care about you and want the best for you. Of course, this means putting yourself out there, which means you will get hurt, but that's just a part of the game. People will betray you, hurt you, and pass out of your life. It will happen a lot. One day you'll be on top, and the next everything will be turned upside-down. As hard as that is, the alternative is far more painful. Choose to fall and close your eyes. Some days you'll hit rock bottom, but other days you'll get caught. Choosing to love will always be the right choice. You just have to believe you can bounce back. It's hard, but without it life becomes unbearable.

Well, that's all I got. Some of it is obvious, some cliche, but those things are cliche for a reason. Hope whoever you are, you are happy and surrounded by love. Goodnight.		  
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08:25pm 15/01/2009
 
mood: good
music: From Me, Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps
Wow, it's been a while since my last post. a lot has happened, so i don't really know what to say.

Christmas was fun. lot of time with the family, which was nice. My canadian grandparents came down (and r still here), so it has been good to see them. More than anything, it's been fun to spend time with my mom. She's been really great to me through a lot of the stuff that's been going on lately, very supportive and whatnot, so it's been good to be with her more.

This was easily my favorite New years of all time. Well, it certainly beats last year. that's for sure. anyway, Andy and I hung out at my place for a bit. had a few drinks, watched some Standoff (GREAT tv show!!!), then went to the townhouse where we had dollar drinks. Some of Andy's friends met us there, and then we went off to a part, had a lot more to drink, and rung in the new year right. Then we came back to my place, watched some more standoff, and had an all around great time. It was, as I said, the best new years yet.

It was also just really good to have this new year start. A new beginning. This past semester wasn't really all that great for me, a lot of shit to deal with and bad stuff to overcome, it was nice to have a moment where I could just say, "you know what, that's all done now. I'm done with dwelling in all these things. It's time to move on, move ahead and enjoy life more". And I can honestly say that life has gotten supremly better since that moment.

Soon after that, I went down to Chicago to do some research for my honors thesis. Drove down with my step brother Zvi and his wife Vicky. Zvi and I spent the whole drive down (6+ hours) talking, which was really great. It is easily the most i've spoken to him in my life, and it was really nice. I'm glad I had this chance with him. We aren't best friends or anything now, but I liked getting to know him a little better.

While in Chicago, I stayed with my friend K-Ho and her family, which was a blast. They were a lot of fun to be with, so I treasured that just as much, if not more, then my time at the library. Also, I loved navigating the L and metra trains to get down to the Oriental Institute. It reminded me of being in cairo a lot. The independence, the not knowing many people and being in a new place. Mostly, I like the alone time, just listening to my ipod and looking out the window, observing some of the oddities of the city. It was a reminder that I'm okay on my own. I know how to take care of myself, and I liked remembering that. I got a lot of great info for my honors thesis while I was there, but more than anything I appreciated the chance to have an adventure, even just a little one, to regain some of that confidence I had in Cairo that i hadn't even realized I lost.

Once I got back, I did some work on my Honors thesis, and then met with my advisor. She really loved the work I had done and the direction I was going, which was just great. It's nice to have someone tell you you're on the right path and that they are confident in your abilities. Made me even more excited to work on this. That, and I keep finding out all this own stuff that I am coming up with on my own. I'm creating thought to contribute to my field of study, and that's very satisfying.

This past week I've been doing this workshop as a part of a play I'll be in at the Walker Art Center come march. It's noon to 5 each day, which is sort of a long day, but it has been a great learning experience. I can't really think of a way to explain what we are doing, but we've been creating a lot of our own work, which is something I've never really had the opportunity to do before, and it's been a challenge, but in a really good way. I've been growing a lot, thinking about the kind of work i want to make and how to make it, and that has been great at this juncture in my life where i want to start making my own work (finally).

Apart from all this growth and learning, I've also just been having a really fun time lately. I've gone to two concerts in the past week to see my favorite band of all time; Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps. Seriously, I love their music, and they are also just an amazing band live. Anyway, I've been going to their concerts, which is not something I usually do, but has been so much fun! I even got to meet the band, and the drummer gave me a comp ticket to the second concert, which was great. And what's been really great is i went to both with Katween. We didn't get to spend huge chunks of time together last semester, so i've really cherished this time. we have had a lot of fun together, so that's been great. Beyond that, i've been hangin out with a lot of my friends lately, going out to do fun stuff, and it has just been a blast!!! Overall, I'm just really happy right now. It's weird, I've sort of forgotten what it was like to be this happy. Not to be all emo and say i haven't been happy for a while, because that's a lie. Still, the pieces of my life are getting put back together, and it's been a long process, and it's still going on, but to have things get better is a huge relief. the act of things getting better almost makes everything else get even better. I still have a little ways to go, some loose ends that need to be tied up, but it's all out of my hands. LIfe is getting good again, and that is a great thing.

The rest of the week should continue to be this good. Tomorrow (friday) i have my last day at this workshop, and then I go to my dad's for a birthday dinner. It will be good t see the kids, as i really never get enough time with them. Jack has just started to get into Ancient Egypt, and I'd like us to do stuff with that together. Maybe I could show him pictures from my trip, tell him about the things I saw and what they mean. Who knows, maybe i could start a Wheeler dynasty of Egyptologists!!!

Saturday I go back to Mom's and have my birthday dinner with her and my grandparents. I'll also be brining Andy (my Habibi), which should be a lot of fun for everyone. He'll get to meet my family and understand the craziness I have come from, and they will get to meet the guy who I spent all my time with in Cairo. The combination of the two of us should lead to some really great story time.

Sunday is my actual birthday, so I will be having a little party at the house. A symposium for my friends. Should be nice. It will be the first year I haven't been traveling on my birthday for a while, but this is the first time i will have a bunch of friends with me, which hasn't happened for years. Not to say I haven't been among friends for my past birthdays, because that is just a lie. Past two birthdays in Greece and Cairo I was with friends, including two of my best friends, Andy and Abby (in both places!!), but it should be a bigger group with friends i don't usually get to see on my birthday. I'm looking forward to it a lot, because I love being among friends.

Well, that's a pretty good update i'd say. I'll try and be better at writing here. I know no one reads it, but I like writing it, so that's enough for me.

Hope the year treats you as well as it's been treating me. Keep your chin up. If i've learned anything, it's that things never stay shitty for long.		  
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postage   
09:56am 20/09/2008
 
mood: cynical
so, a little posting or those of you who still read this.

School is going alright, though the longer I am here the stranger I feel back in the US and the more I want to be back in Cairo, or Greece, or somewhere else. Mac is great, and I'm having a lot of fun, but I miss being somewhere really amazing, but being use to it. Does that make sense.

So yeah. . . School. Classes are going well, though they will of course be more work than I really have time for. Oh well, I'll manage. I always seem to work it out somehow.

My honors thesis has been officially approved, meaning that i get to work on this really cool research topic i am DIYING to do work on. I feel like such a dork, but it's totally true. Of course, this too will take up a lot of time, but at least I'm only taking three classes next semester, so i'll have some more free time and less work. . . I hope.

Got cast in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" as Brick, which is really great because not only is it the perfect part for me to play at this phase of my education, but it wll also be my senior project (meaning i can get my senior project in theatre out of the way this semester and not do it at the same time as I am writing my honors paper). Already started doing some research and found this really great chapter in a book that basically goes on and on about issues brick is dealing with and their mythical context. Honestly, it like this person looked ahead into the future, knew i would be playing this part, and then made mythical/historical/symbolic references that she knew would make sense to me. This women speaks my language, and I love it.

Also decided that i really don't have enough on my plate right now (sarcasm), so i've decided to apply for a Watson fellowship. Have an idea in mind, just need to talk to some people and find a way to flush it all out of my mind and onto paper. Also have to figure out how it could all logistically happen, but that's just a technicality.

What this all means though is that I really need to get out of the country again. That, and i really have no idea what i want to be doing in a year. Everyone keeps asking me "where do you see yourself next september?" and i really just have no idea how to respond to that. I mean, there are lots of options, but i don't know which will end up being the one i choose to pursue. God, will u listen to me? I sound like I'm in some sort of cheesy coming of age movie. I've never like living the stereotype, but unfortunately this is one everyone has to go through and I'm just here for the ride.		  
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hello school, it's me David   
08:30pm 27/08/2008
 
mood: pensive
music: my chill mix
first day of class. . . wow

woke up way too early, but that was a result of the storm that was a brewing (of the rain variety, not somethin else). got myself all gussied up for my 8:30 class, which was astronomy. Spent the entire time feeling far to old, because the teacher kept talking about "the beginning of college" and "best years of your life" and other such phrases. Then went to arabic, which I am auditing, and it just made me miss being in Cairo. And Greek. . . Well, greek just made me happy because Nannette was there, and she is the most fun teacher in the world!

Had work as well, which was. . . boring, but workin at the chapel generally is. nothin exciting happens there at all, but at least it isn't ever busy. From there, went to a dinner thing with harry, where we caught up a bit and discussed how i should prepare for my audition, which i am getting far too nervous about. Still, it was nice to talk to Harry for awhile. After that, to German house i went to see my brooke and talk for a bit, which was nice. Haven't had any time alone yet (how scandalous), so it was great to talk with her one on one. Then went to a senior party thingy, where I saw just tuns of people I knew and tons i didn't know. I felt both extremly popular and so unaware of who goes to mac. Still, i know more people there than i thought, so i still felt special

Now I'm just sittin at home, chillaxin a bit before bed. this who apartment-thing is weird to me. I'm use to living with or near all my friends, so it's weird not to have an active social life at home. I guess I'll need to get use to it, as this is how things will be for, well, probably the rest of my life. Man, growin up is hard work :(		  
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12:01am 19/08/2008
  well, it's been a long, furniture-filled day. My mom bought some used room and board furniture cheap from this random lady she met at Ikea, so we went over there today to pick it up. Had to rent a uhaul to get it back, as there were 2 bookshelves, an amuar (can't spell, but it's a tv stand) and also a pretty big tv. i had to tag along because i was suppose to do a lot of the heavy lifting, which is always fun. sounds crazy, i know, but I've actually come to enjoy being active. There is just something fulfilling about being able to lift heavy objects well. Looking forward to doing that whole moving-thing myself in (pray to god!) a week. Might even get to take the huge tv with me, as my mom isn't sure about it yet (omfg, i love it though!)

th rest of the week will probably be me going through all my shiznat and figure out what's coming to my new apartment. don't want to take too much, but since i will be bringing furniture, there isn't a lot I can do to minimize the stuff. more than anything, I'm just looking forward to 1). having my own place 2). being back at Mac, and three 3). organizing/decorating the new place. that makes me sounds so gay, but I'm so happy to have my own place that the "designing" (and by designing, I mean putting shit in there that i don't have to buy) is more of a celebration of actually having my own place. I just need to get there and i feel like my life will get 10 times better.

s'all for now, but more later.		  
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it's been a long 6 months   
03:22am 09/07/2008
 
mood: nostalgic
I'm heading home today, which is a very strange feeling for me. It's been a while, but I'm ready. . . I think. Truth be told, haven't really thought about it. Just thinking about all the travel related crap I have to deal with before I get home. Plane changes, layovers, baggage (oh my), none of it has left me any time to think about what it will be like to be home. Looking forward to seeing people, that's for sure, and the fact that I won't be moving around any more will be a big plus. Still, I'll miss it. Even though right now all I want to do (more than anything in the world) is be home, I know that will change once I get to MN. My adventure is almost over, but more than anything I'm just glad that I had it.		  
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09:52am 10/06/2008
  SO. . . UM. . . yeah! I'm in Greece now, and loving it. A lot has happened, a lot of life changing situations and whatnot, but all and all things are going really great. Mostly though, I've been re-evaluating things a lot recently, and my views on life have changed a lot. Not to get too deep after neglecting this journal for so long, but everything that has happened to me over my time away, all the drastic changes that have occurred the past 5 months, have made me re-evaluate every aspect of my life, and I've changed the way I think about everything. I don't know how this will affect my life back home yet, but I am making some changes in my life that have probably been a long time coming.

Otherwise, Greece is Great! Excavations are so incredibly fun (I started working in a TOMB today!), and the fact that we go to the beach after every day (our site is literally right next/almost on a beach) has made my life here amazing. Plus, the people I have met here have been just so much fun, a definate upgrade from some of the AUC kids, though I miss my friends from AUC very much!

Basically, life rocks right now, and Just wanted to say that, just in case anyone still checks this, though the few who use to have probably gotten out of the habit of looking by now.

that's all for now. No internet where we are staying, so this will probably be my last post before I get home, though maybe not. I guess we'll have to wait and see!		  
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:(   
03:18pm 24/03/2008
  Again, sorry for the lack of any information resently. Last week I had 3 midterms and a presentation due, and I've been traveling around so much that i don't really spend a lot of time at a computer anymore, which has been sort of nice. Even if it wasn't nice, I don't really get much of a choice in the matter, and I am getting much busier now. I've got two 15 page papers I need to start working on, and some presentations as well. Traveling is also consuming a lot of my time. Spent this past 4 day weekend down in Luxor, which was just fantastic! I haven't seen eveything there, but I've seen most of the stuff that is open to the public, including about 11 tombs in the valley of the kings. I think I'll plan to go down there once more though, and hopefully plan a trip to Abydos around that. we'll see.

April is going to be my big travel month. I have two class fieldtrips (the first to Minia (Amarna) and the second to Aswan), and then we get about 2 weeks for our spring break, which is just going to be so great. To be fair, they don't give us exacly 2 wees, as they expect us to go in to class on tues and wed of the second week, but the vast majority of the students are planing to miss those classes, so I don't think the teachers will be suprised. It really is silly that they scheduled class those two days, but AUC doesn't always make sense. Anyway, I'm not too worried about missing those two days, as the average egyptian will miss about 8 classes and still get an A.

Life is going pretty good thus far. I've started volunteering at the Egyptian Museum, which has been fun. I'm helping them transfer their catalog to a computer database. Basiclly, I jut sit at my computer and take the information from the books (which have all been scaned, so I don't use hard copies)and enter them into the database. It sounds much more interesting than it actually is, butit gets me into the museum for free (I have a special ID badge!), so I'm really not complaining.

Went to go see an AUC Theatre department show, which was really. . . interesting. I wasn't all that impressed with the majority of the actors, though a few had some talent, but the play they did was really interesting. I think It's called "Fever Pitch". It's a Naomi Wallace play, a playwrite I am starting to really like. What made the play so interesting is that it is about the middle east, and the playwrite came to AUC as a part of the production. I didn't realize this until I saw her at the performance I went to, but I actually stood behind her in line at the bank that very morning. It was very bizarre to walk into a theatre, see her, and realize that I had just been in a bank with one of the best playwrites around today. Only in Cairo! Anyway, as I was saying, the play itself was great, the performace was. . . dediocre at best, but the audience reaction was envigorating! there was a discussion afterwards, which was begun by the actors coming out and anouncing hat they did not agree with the views presented by this play, and that they thought it was irresponsible to equate the aggressor with the victim (two of the three mini plays that make up the play deal with palestinians and Israelis interacting and being involved in very complex relationships). I think they had a right to say that, though I have to disagree with their interpritation of the piece. Of course, the audience was split as well. Some people were absolutly furious, saying it was an inappropriat play to o here, and that it was a biased interpritation (Keep in mind, Wallace is considered anti semetic in the states because of how critical her work is of the state of Isael). some people were screaming, others were crying, and others totally disagreed and said it was just the kind of play that should be put up in the middle east. they saw what Wallace was doing, and they appreciated the work she was doing. Personally, don't know if I "understand" the play, but it was so intoxicating to be a part of thisexplosion of emotion that was a result of this production. It's why I love theatre. It makes you face things you may be uncomfortable facing, and you can certainly choose to fight against it (as the actors seem to have been doing in a way), but you can't walk away withough being effected. Even though the performance itself wasn't very good, it was perhaps one of the most memorable theatre experiences I have ever had, and has given me a lot to think about on several fronts (mainly the "what the hell am I going to do with my life!" front).

I've entered a sort of calm before the storm right now. Not a lot of work that has to be done right now, but a lot of work to do very soon. Luxor was a great break, but the rest of my time at AUC will be full of work. I'll make an effor to post more though, so keep checkin in and I'll try to write more frequently.		  
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You've been so patient   
10:44am 27/02/2008
 
mood: happy
Wednesday, February 27th 2008

Okay, I know, I am horrible for keeping you all in suspense for so long! In my defense, my apartment still doesn’t have reliable internet, and life has gotten busier of late, which has made it hard to post. Anyway, here is my life since I last wrote.

Luxor was great, although too short. Still managed to see a lot of stuff, but I need to go back to see more and to re examine some of the stuff I saw last time. Some of the highlights were touring Valley of the Queens with the Getty Conservation team, which was just so eye opening I can’t even explain. Also had a great time at Deir el Medina (the village of the workers who built the tombs in the valley of the Kings and Queens). It was a really interesting site to see, but what made it great was being invited to tea with the guardian at the Ptolemaic temple. It was so fun to just sit there and chat with him (as best we could), and then he showed us around the temple. He actually new what all the wall depictions were, which is a rarity. Most of the time the guards just have no idea what they are talking about, but pretend to in the hopes that you will Bakshish (tip) them. The final highlight was taking the cliff pass from the Valley of the Kings down to Deir el Bahri (the famous temple of Hatshepsut). It was the best view of Luxor and the many monuments that dot it’s landscape that I have ever seen. It was sort of surreal to have it all laid out in front of me like that, and it is a moment that I will treasure for a very long time.

Classes have been going really great, though sometimes I find it hard to do the homework. I’ve just been so use to being laid back in Cairo. I’m starting to come around though, especially because I know I need to get stuff done early to make it so I have time to travel. This hasn’t been painful by any stretch of the word, because I’m researching Egypt and that just excites me. There is just something so fulfilling about heading over to the rare books library and reading about ancient Egypt. I feel like I’m a professional, like I am conducting my own research finally. It’s totally nerdy, but I have embraced my nerdiness and have no regrets.

Arabic is a whole other story. I really want to learn the language, but I am not a huge fan of the class. It has nothing to do with the class, I just really have a hard time with language classes. I also feel like I’m learning more outside of class. Don’t know if that is just wishful thinking on my part or what, but I like to think that’s the truth.

I was just sitting in an ahwa today and I had this moment of intense happiness. I had just gotten done with an Egyptology class, and my mind was racing with academic excitement, and I felt so content to be doing what I was doing. Nothing could bother me, I was so full of gratitude and joy. It just feels like everything in my life has been leading up to this point, and I have this feeling like it is only the beginning. A step to something else that is to come. I don’t know what that means, whether it has to do with my career or just my education as a human being, but I really feel like I am in the right place. I have this sense of fulfilment that I’ve never known before, and it is very comforting. Like waking up in the morning and just laying in bed and being warmed by the sunlight, comfortable and safe. I feel very peaceful and happy, and I am grateful for that.

That’s all from Cairo for now. Hope everyone back home is doing well. Send me emails so I know what people are up to (I miss you guys!)

Later		  
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I'm Back!   
02:51pm 17/02/2008
  Back from Luxor, which was so incredible!! I'm going to bed soon, but I'll write some stuff later. Just thought I'd let everyone know I am alive and all.  
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12:35am 13/02/2008
 
mood: excited
Okay, NOW I'm going down to Luxor for the Weekend. Actually have my tickets this time, so I know I'm going. I'll write a post about it when I get back.

Oh, btw, Alexandria was fun, but not really my scene. Don't regret going, but don't plan to go back either.		  
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12:49pm 06/02/2008
  not going to luxor, since we had trouble getting our train tickets. Goin to Alexandria friday morning instead (god I love Egypt!)  
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my first vacation   
04:22pm 05/02/2008
 
mood: tired
Going to Luxor for the weekend, so you won't hear from me for a few days. Leaving wed night on the night train, coming back on sunday morning. Meeting someone who is workin in the Valley of the Queens as a part of the Getty conservation team, so that should be pretty exciting (thanks again Sam for helping set this up!). I'll post about it when I get back, probably on Sunday night or so.

Until then!		  
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First days of class!!!   
03:12pm 04/02/2008
 
mood: excited
Monday, February 4th 2008

Wow, it’s been an intense two days! I have now had all of my classes, and it has been absolutely amazing. A little surreal, and unsettling at times, but still really great.

It’s sort of weird to actually be taking classes in Egyptology. I’m use to it being a personal thing, and now it has a schedule and there is a structure to it. I’m still having fun, so this is not a complaint, but it has been strange for me for this hobby of mine to move into the realm of “work”. These past few days we’ve been talking about tests, and I started to panic a little. I was so afraid that I wouldn’t do well. I’m just over reacting, I know that, but I also know I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself to do well. I don’t really know what that means yet, and it’s a weird mixture of exciting and scary, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, here’s the info about my classes.

Arabic 101: This class didn’t get started off on the right foot, since the first class I had the professor never showed. Apparently that happened to a lot of arabic classes though, so it was all right. The second class (today’s class), was far more productive. Started learning about the alphabet, which I am closer to memorizing each day. The teacher seems really nice, and she did a couple of things over the course of the class that seemed to indicate that she liked me, so that was a plus. I’m a little overwhelmed at the thought of starting a new language, since I have such trouble with them, but I’m looking forward to this class more than any other language classes, so that’s a plus.

Egyptian Religion and Ethics: This is going to be a really great class, but a lot of work. It’s nice though to already have a basic grasp of who all the gods are and a lot of the ideas about creation and whatnot. I’m hoping that will make things easier, but I still want to be challenged. Honesty though, the main thing I’m concerned about is finding the readings. For most of my classes, there are no books to buy, just readings you need to find and do. I haven’t been abundantly successful yet, but I’ll get there. I’m not worried about doing the readings, because once I have them I really want to read them, but I gotta find them first.

Saqqara and Amarna: this class focuses on the Amarna period, specifically at Saqqara. It’s a really great class because it is taught by a visiting professor who has excavated at saqqara for over 20 years. Only difficult thing is that he’s french, so sometimes he can be a little hard to understand, but he’s not too bad. He’s going to try and reopen the tombs he’s excavated and show us, which would be absolutely fantastic, but that’s not for sure yet. Regardless, this is a great opportunity to learn about a period of Egyptian history that I know little about

History II: This class covers the second intermediate period right on into Roman rule. I think it will be the easiest of my classes, but that depends on what the prof wants us to know. If we need to memorize a lot of dates, I’m screwed. The professor seems really nice though, and although she may be a little strict, I think it will be a good class.

Society and Culture of Ancient Nubia: This may be my favorite class. It’s taught by that professor I mentioned a few posts back who gave the lecture at our orientation. He was absolutely amazing then, and I can tell he’s going to be a great guy to have a class with. He’s just so passionate about the topic, It’s invigorating. It sounds hard, but I could care less. I am so excited to be learning about the nubians, to have him as a teacher, and to expand what I know about ancient Egypt. What’s more, there is a possible class field trip down to see Aswan, Abu Simbal, and some other places, which would be just amazing to see with him. It isn’t set in stone yet, but I hope to god it happens. It is pretty much the class I look forward to having the most, and I can’t ask for better than that.

Despite how great AUC and all my classes are, I am a little disappointed with the other Egyptology students. When I had my first Egyptology class yesterday I got sort of nervous being around the Egyptology majors. For once, I wasn’t the guy who knew the most about Egypt in the room, which was a little weird. Still, I think I would have felt a little better if the Egyptology kids were a little more friendly. They seemed a little pompous almost, and there was a definite air of superiority about them. It’s entirely possible that I am just misreading them, or that they come across that way because they are sort of socially awkward, but I was disappointed. I was expecting people who were as excited about ancient Egypt as me, and they just seemed sort of. . . Well, depressing. I hope that’s just me not knowing them yet, and I know I am only basing this off of the few of them I have met, so it could just be a couple of them. It would be nice to have some people to talk about ancient Egypt, but if they turn out to be not so great, I’ll be fine. The classes and readings will more than make up for my disappointment in the student body.

More later once stuff starts happening, but I thought I would at least tell you how my first days went (summery: AMAZING!)		  
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03:11pm 04/02/2008
  Sunday, February 3rd 2008. Early Morning

two great things about yesterday.

For our last day of survival arabic, our teacher took us to Hanna halili (spelled wrong), which is huge market in Cairo. It’s very touristy, but still a lot of fun. The great part was that after everyone left me and another girl sat and had tea with her. She is a very interesting person with a great sense of humor. Learned a little more about the structure of the language two, but mostly it was just fun to sit and talk with her.

Last night I went to an Ahwa (coffee house for arab men), which I have done almost daily since I’ve been here. What made last night so great is that me, andy, and becca had this great conversation with several Egyptian men. We talked about the upcoming election, the currency exchange, the price of houses here and back in the US, and some other stuff too. It was wonderful. What was really amazing was that the three of us communicated with him in arabic. It was very rough, often only a few words and a lot of pantomiming, but it was really fulfilling. Made me really excited to learn the language, because this is the kind of thing I want to spend my time doing. Just meeting people and learning the language and culture from them.

Today is the first day of class. Wish me luck		  
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