Well, I thought it'd be hard to top the day I mentioned in my last post.
But the next day did!
I started the day with a visit to the BMW dealership, they'd fueled up the z4 and it was ready to go for a spin. I went with my sales consultant, I drove it with both top open and closed. It was a certified pre-owned 3.0 manual with sports and premium packages (including those gorgeous sports package 17" alloys!). And it was in my favorite color too! The Sapphire Black. The car was an '05 with only 4K miles on it, so it was just as good as new, you'd be very hard pressed to even tell it's used.
The car was just amazing to drive. That was my first experience with BMW's award winning 3.0 inline six engine. The engine is a real treat. It's creamy smooth all the way to its redline close to 7000rpm, never felt strained. The acceleration was neck breaking (specially to someone like me coming from a car that did 0-60mph in 12 seconds)
The engine also had a lot more torque than the TT's, it could pull in any rpm, unlike the 1.8T that I had to rev a bit to get the goods.
On the minus side the gear shift was not as good as the Audi's. The TT's gear shifting is just an experience in itself.
All in all the experience was wonderful, and I loved the car. It was also my first time driving a roadster, I used to like coupes but now I think I like roadsters just as much, driving with the open roof is definitely a delightful experience.
So we got the numbers on that car and headed on to the infiniti dealership. Those were the nicest people, the guy just took a copy of my international driving license and then let my friend and I go for a spin alone, he didn't even come with us. He asked us to be back in 30 minutes and provided a car with an identical setup to the one I wanted. A 6-speed manual with sports and premium packages. Part of the sports package is the huuuuuge 19" alloys and the premium packages includes bose audio system and a very impressive GPS with a screen that folds out of the way when not in use.
First of all, the car's interior is amazing, it has everything you can think of, and then some more. Don't believe me? Try this:
Dual zone climate control, leather seats and steering wheel (stitched too!), bose audio with 6 cd in dash changer and mp3 playback capabilities, GPS, digital compass, on board computer with tire pressure monitor and oil monitor, 8 way powered seats, auto-dimming rear and side view mirrors, powered sunroof, VDS (infiniti's electronic ESP program), ABS, brake assist, ventilated disc brakes all round (the z4 had discs all round but not ventilated), universal garage opener, and many more that I must have forgot. Simply stunning.
The car drove very well, gear shift nowhere near the TT's but very much like the Z4's, handling was very very good, engine noise just amazing inside as it is outside. The engine probably needed to loosen up a bit because it was brand new (unlike the z4 that had 4K miles on it) but still, it was very very fast, very composed with a better ride than the stiff sport suspension equipped z4. And I didn't feel that the handling suffered because of the smoother ride.
And when we were back the dealer told us that because I'm a Microsoft employee I get infiniti employee pricing on the car because of some agreement infiniti has with MS. That meant around $3K discount on that specific car I was testing.
I headed back home with my mind set on the new G35 as the car to get....
When I got home I called the bank to ask about my auto loan requirements and limits, and I was in for a surprise.
But I'll save that for a later post ;)
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
Best day in my automotive history (so far)
Well I don't really know how excited you'd be reading about this, but I am very excited that I have to write about it.
Helal and I went today to shop for cars, we wanna pamper ourselves a bit but we're not yet entirely sure about our budget. So our plan was to sort the cars in descending order of "desireness" and test them one by one. This was we'd be testing the best cars first and then see how far down the ladder we can go without feeling too bad :)
Well so today we started executing the plan. And what a day it was!
In a few words, I drove a 2006 C230 Kompressor Sport sedan, and a 2005 Audi TT 1.8T (manual ;)
Both cars were new.
Read on for the full reviews :)
The mercedes was very nice, the 2006 model has a very nice interior specially that the one we tested had my favorite trim choice, the aluminum trim.
It has a very smooth ride and was fast enough. The brakes were the star of the show though, the salesman going with us on the test drive asked us to accelerate in a parking lot and then jump on the brakes before we hit the wall. It was just phenomenal. The very tight turning circle was also very impressive, this car can do a U-turn in any 2-lane street.
And then was the star of the show today, the TT.
I wasn't actually planning to test drive a TT today, but when we told the people at the Mercedes dealership that we're working for Microsoft, the sales manager came over for a personal greeting, and they gave us a reference for the Audi dealership sales manager, and they even called them and told them we're coming. More about MS power later in the post :)
So we went to the Audi dealership, we met with a very very nice sales person. I told him I was interested in a manual 1.8T coupe. He was able to find the last one they have over there. We checked it out and he told us he'd let us (Helal and I) go for a test drive alone since the back of the TT can't hold anything bigger than a baby. He then came back apologizing saying his manager told him neither of us can drive it because we don't have insurance. So we managed to stuff Helal into the back so-called seats and the sales person took us for a spin. I sat as a passenger and then he told he could let me drive it provided that I don't tell his boss. I was more than happy to comply (I hope his boss is not reading my blog)
And oh boy! The car was just amazing. The gear change is very slick, it slots into place with a very nice re-assuring mechanical click. The throttle response is very good, and the car just rockets away on anything higher than 3000rpm. The interior is amazing too with all the aluminum touches. I was just blown away given that I have never before driven anything remotely similar. And the guy was more than happy to let me rev it hard up to 6000 rpm. The car goes up to 40mph (60Kmh) in absolutely no time, I didn't even have time to change gears up to second in the time it took to reach 40mph in first. Pretty amazing stuff.
We then headed for the BMW dealership. That was quite an experience too. Not only because of the car, but for the live demonstration of the MS power in action.
We went to the salesman, we told him we were interested in a 2006 325i for Helal, and maybe a z4 for myself. He was very helpful, gave us the brochures, and provided a car with the options Helal wanted for us to check out. Then it was time for a test drive, and the guy went for a few minutes and then came back to tell us the same thing as the Audi dealership. We can't drive it because we have no insurance in the US. So I ask him if there is anyway around it because we can't get insurance till we get a car and we won't get a car till we test drive it and we can't drive it till we have insurance. So it's basically an infinite loop. He apologized politely saying that it's dealership rules. I try to entice him once again saying that the Mercedes dealership let us drive the C-class, again to no avail.
So he took us for a test drive as passengers, he demonstrated the car's capabilities with himself driving and took us back apologizing once again that we can't drive it.
When we were back in the dealership I told Helal that we now have no other option than to wave the Microsoft card.
I then told the sales person that we're gonna be working for Microsoft. And I couldn't possibly imagine it was gonna work this time. But I was wrong.
In a few seconds the sales manager came to greet us, he talked to us about our financing options, offered us drinks. (to be frank the sales person asked us if we wanted anything to drink previously, but not his manager:P)
I then took the chance and told the manager it's too bad we didn't get to drive the car because a BMW is all about the dynamics. He then said that we can take it for a spin ourselves.
So with Helal in the driver's seat we went off. He tried the sports mode in the autobox and he took 90 degree turns at 40mph. I didn't drive it myself as I'm not interested in a sedan right now but as a passenger I noticed the car was pretty amazing. It revved harder than the merc, pulled harder, and cornered absolutely flat.
When we went back they asked me what kinda car I'm interested in, I told them it's the z4, and they happened to have a 3.0i z4 with premium and sports package, and even a manual box! just how I like it!
It was already past the dealership opening hours, so he showed us the car quickly and asked us to tell him when we can pass by tomorrow for me to drive it myself :) This time I didn't even have to ask for a test drive! All by just mentioning we're working for Microsoft. Now that's a perk you don't get in a lot of places. It's just amazing how much influence the name has around here :)
So, tomorrow at 10am I'm gonna be test driving a 3.0 z4, I'm gonna make sure I give it some stick and report back the results :) I already like it and it's even in my favorite color (black) and it's the last one they have so I'm really considering it. We'll see if it tops the TT :)
Helal and I went today to shop for cars, we wanna pamper ourselves a bit but we're not yet entirely sure about our budget. So our plan was to sort the cars in descending order of "desireness" and test them one by one. This was we'd be testing the best cars first and then see how far down the ladder we can go without feeling too bad :)
Well so today we started executing the plan. And what a day it was!
In a few words, I drove a 2006 C230 Kompressor Sport sedan, and a 2005 Audi TT 1.8T (manual ;)
Both cars were new.
Read on for the full reviews :)
The mercedes was very nice, the 2006 model has a very nice interior specially that the one we tested had my favorite trim choice, the aluminum trim.
It has a very smooth ride and was fast enough. The brakes were the star of the show though, the salesman going with us on the test drive asked us to accelerate in a parking lot and then jump on the brakes before we hit the wall. It was just phenomenal. The very tight turning circle was also very impressive, this car can do a U-turn in any 2-lane street.
And then was the star of the show today, the TT.
I wasn't actually planning to test drive a TT today, but when we told the people at the Mercedes dealership that we're working for Microsoft, the sales manager came over for a personal greeting, and they gave us a reference for the Audi dealership sales manager, and they even called them and told them we're coming. More about MS power later in the post :)
So we went to the Audi dealership, we met with a very very nice sales person. I told him I was interested in a manual 1.8T coupe. He was able to find the last one they have over there. We checked it out and he told us he'd let us (Helal and I) go for a test drive alone since the back of the TT can't hold anything bigger than a baby. He then came back apologizing saying his manager told him neither of us can drive it because we don't have insurance. So we managed to stuff Helal into the back so-called seats and the sales person took us for a spin. I sat as a passenger and then he told he could let me drive it provided that I don't tell his boss. I was more than happy to comply (I hope his boss is not reading my blog)
And oh boy! The car was just amazing. The gear change is very slick, it slots into place with a very nice re-assuring mechanical click. The throttle response is very good, and the car just rockets away on anything higher than 3000rpm. The interior is amazing too with all the aluminum touches. I was just blown away given that I have never before driven anything remotely similar. And the guy was more than happy to let me rev it hard up to 6000 rpm. The car goes up to 40mph (60Kmh) in absolutely no time, I didn't even have time to change gears up to second in the time it took to reach 40mph in first. Pretty amazing stuff.
We then headed for the BMW dealership. That was quite an experience too. Not only because of the car, but for the live demonstration of the MS power in action.
We went to the salesman, we told him we were interested in a 2006 325i for Helal, and maybe a z4 for myself. He was very helpful, gave us the brochures, and provided a car with the options Helal wanted for us to check out. Then it was time for a test drive, and the guy went for a few minutes and then came back to tell us the same thing as the Audi dealership. We can't drive it because we have no insurance in the US. So I ask him if there is anyway around it because we can't get insurance till we get a car and we won't get a car till we test drive it and we can't drive it till we have insurance. So it's basically an infinite loop. He apologized politely saying that it's dealership rules. I try to entice him once again saying that the Mercedes dealership let us drive the C-class, again to no avail.
So he took us for a test drive as passengers, he demonstrated the car's capabilities with himself driving and took us back apologizing once again that we can't drive it.
When we were back in the dealership I told Helal that we now have no other option than to wave the Microsoft card.
I then told the sales person that we're gonna be working for Microsoft. And I couldn't possibly imagine it was gonna work this time. But I was wrong.
In a few seconds the sales manager came to greet us, he talked to us about our financing options, offered us drinks. (to be frank the sales person asked us if we wanted anything to drink previously, but not his manager:P)
I then took the chance and told the manager it's too bad we didn't get to drive the car because a BMW is all about the dynamics. He then said that we can take it for a spin ourselves.
So with Helal in the driver's seat we went off. He tried the sports mode in the autobox and he took 90 degree turns at 40mph. I didn't drive it myself as I'm not interested in a sedan right now but as a passenger I noticed the car was pretty amazing. It revved harder than the merc, pulled harder, and cornered absolutely flat.
When we went back they asked me what kinda car I'm interested in, I told them it's the z4, and they happened to have a 3.0i z4 with premium and sports package, and even a manual box! just how I like it!
It was already past the dealership opening hours, so he showed us the car quickly and asked us to tell him when we can pass by tomorrow for me to drive it myself :) This time I didn't even have to ask for a test drive! All by just mentioning we're working for Microsoft. Now that's a perk you don't get in a lot of places. It's just amazing how much influence the name has around here :)
So, tomorrow at 10am I'm gonna be test driving a 3.0 z4, I'm gonna make sure I give it some stick and report back the results :) I already like it and it's even in my favorite color (black) and it's the last one they have so I'm really considering it. We'll see if it tops the TT :)
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Live From Redmond
Hello guys!
I am finally able to access the internet from where I am in Redmond right now, the last few days have been a bit tiring, all new, but lots of fun (el 7amd lelah)
We passed by Amsterdam airport on our way, and the strangest thing happened while we were boarding our plane to Seattle, the airport officials seem to have been very worried about security, Me and Helal were sort of interrogated separately, the guy who asked me the questions was kinda weird. He asked me about my job, MS, my previous employer, what my job entails, why clients have I worked for previously, and lots of other questions. He asked for my MS offer letter, and contacts. But anyway, he let us in in the end :)
Having experienced that we were expecting more of the same in Sea-Tac Int'l airport, but the officials over there were far more relaxed. They just asked a few questions and let us in immediately. My friend Helal had a sort of a special case because he failed to de-register on departing from the US in an earlier visit so he was escorted to special registration where he was asked a few more questions but also let in with the official's affirmation that she'll try to erase that incident from his record. So Nice people overall :)
We then took our avis rental car, and went to our key pick-up location. The key pick-up location is where we get the keys, driving directions and map to our rental apartment provided by Microsoft for the first month.
We then headed to my apartment (Helal's was not ready yet), it was very nice and ready, all furnished and equipped with everything we might (and might not) need.
We stayed for an hour or so and then went back to get Helal's keys, it turns out (although he seemed very unlucky so far) that Helal's apartment is a 2 bedroom
, we called my relocation specialist and asked her to cancel my apartment and instead extend Helal's so that we stay together (and save a month on rental, $1000 ;) ) She said it was no problem.
We then met Khalid Aggag (not the singer, a friend who also went to MS a few months ago, and the founder of this blog's hate-club) and he took us shopping at Fred Meyers, we got some food and essentials and headed to Helal's (now our) apartment. We finally unpacked and then went down on a tour with our guide Khalid. He took us to Redmond town center, we had a meal at a nice Thai restaurant called Thai Ginger. Both the chicken curry and steak were very tasty, we then had some ice cream and went back to the apartment, had a shower at last and went to sleep dead tired at 9pm.
I will soon post about the next days. For now I'll let you enjoy some of the photos I took so far. Click on any pic for a larger version.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a very nice and huuuuuge airport, we spent just 3 hours there
Our rental Chevrolet Classic the moment we found it :)
The key pick-up location described in our maps, we entered our security code provided earlier via e-mail on this numpad and the door automatically opened exposing our envelopes (among lots others), each envelope had 2 key copies, garage entrance pass and a map the apartment location. No human beings involved and very game like :)
Khalid Aggag coming to our rescue
Bigger is better has never been more obvious than in the shot from Fred Meyers parking lot
Our apartment's living room
Our humble dining room
The welcome package we found as soon as we entered the apartment, very neat
Our living room couch and where I am sitting right now at the moment of writing :)
The view from our balcony and bedroom windows
P.S.
I will upload more pics soon hopefully, I have more but blogger is giving me a very hard time uploading them, fails a lot, it took me around an hour to post these few.
I am finally able to access the internet from where I am in Redmond right now, the last few days have been a bit tiring, all new, but lots of fun (el 7amd lelah)
We passed by Amsterdam airport on our way, and the strangest thing happened while we were boarding our plane to Seattle, the airport officials seem to have been very worried about security, Me and Helal were sort of interrogated separately, the guy who asked me the questions was kinda weird. He asked me about my job, MS, my previous employer, what my job entails, why clients have I worked for previously, and lots of other questions. He asked for my MS offer letter, and contacts. But anyway, he let us in in the end :)
Having experienced that we were expecting more of the same in Sea-Tac Int'l airport, but the officials over there were far more relaxed. They just asked a few questions and let us in immediately. My friend Helal had a sort of a special case because he failed to de-register on departing from the US in an earlier visit so he was escorted to special registration where he was asked a few more questions but also let in with the official's affirmation that she'll try to erase that incident from his record. So Nice people overall :)
We then took our avis rental car, and went to our key pick-up location. The key pick-up location is where we get the keys, driving directions and map to our rental apartment provided by Microsoft for the first month.
We then headed to my apartment (Helal's was not ready yet), it was very nice and ready, all furnished and equipped with everything we might (and might not) need.
We stayed for an hour or so and then went back to get Helal's keys, it turns out (although he seemed very unlucky so far) that Helal's apartment is a 2 bedroom
, we called my relocation specialist and asked her to cancel my apartment and instead extend Helal's so that we stay together (and save a month on rental, $1000 ;) ) She said it was no problem.
We then met Khalid Aggag (not the singer, a friend who also went to MS a few months ago, and the founder of this blog's hate-club) and he took us shopping at Fred Meyers, we got some food and essentials and headed to Helal's (now our) apartment. We finally unpacked and then went down on a tour with our guide Khalid. He took us to Redmond town center, we had a meal at a nice Thai restaurant called Thai Ginger. Both the chicken curry and steak were very tasty, we then had some ice cream and went back to the apartment, had a shower at last and went to sleep dead tired at 9pm.
I will soon post about the next days. For now I'll let you enjoy some of the photos I took so far. Click on any pic for a larger version.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a very nice and huuuuuge airport, we spent just 3 hours there
Our rental Chevrolet Classic the moment we found it :)
The key pick-up location described in our maps, we entered our security code provided earlier via e-mail on this numpad and the door automatically opened exposing our envelopes (among lots others), each envelope had 2 key copies, garage entrance pass and a map the apartment location. No human beings involved and very game like :)
Khalid Aggag coming to our rescue
Bigger is better has never been more obvious than in the shot from Fred Meyers parking lot
Our apartment's living room
Our humble dining room
The welcome package we found as soon as we entered the apartment, very neat
Our living room couch and where I am sitting right now at the moment of writing :)
The view from our balcony and bedroom windows
P.S.
I will upload more pics soon hopefully, I have more but blogger is giving me a very hard time uploading them, fails a lot, it took me around an hour to post these few.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Zero Hour
Heading to the airport in a matter of minutes, all packed and loaded.
The day was pretty packed too, I met so many people, and it was pretty amazing, I thought nothing would top yesterday but today did.
I saw Nagia, Duke, her highness (meyo), Nevine, Rania, Bassem, my aunt and her family, my best friends Amgad and Michael, Dina, my cousin, and even my dentist (for a report to take with me:))
Duke was so incredible he got me another model of another magnificent car, a Mercedes McLaren SLR in 1:18 scale, I was again speechless. Sherif and Meyo thank you so so so much.
Dina got me a book from Diwan, and one that I wanted to read too. Dina you're amazing.
Bassem gave me the sweetest souvenir for me to remember our Lithuania trip, it's very thoughtful of you ya Bassem, and I would never need a reminder for me to remember you and the days we spent together.
I will now have the toughest hour of my life saying goodbye to my family in the airport. And then out to discover a whole new world. I do need your prayers please.
I know I suck at goodbyes, so if anyone thought this maybe easy for me, it really is not. My eyes are almost dry although I try not to show the tears. I will miss each and every one of you and live with the hope that I will meet everyone again anywhere in the world. I will try my best not to lose touch with a single person, even if at times I seem too busy or too occupied (and I know it must sure happen), but it would be out of my hands and believe me, I will always come back.
Will write as soon as I can from either Amsterdam or Seattle and will post pics of everything I can see.
To everyone I know, I love you. I really really do.
God Bless.
The day was pretty packed too, I met so many people, and it was pretty amazing, I thought nothing would top yesterday but today did.
I saw Nagia, Duke, her highness (meyo), Nevine, Rania, Bassem, my aunt and her family, my best friends Amgad and Michael, Dina, my cousin, and even my dentist (for a report to take with me:))
Duke was so incredible he got me another model of another magnificent car, a Mercedes McLaren SLR in 1:18 scale, I was again speechless. Sherif and Meyo thank you so so so much.
Dina got me a book from Diwan, and one that I wanted to read too. Dina you're amazing.
Bassem gave me the sweetest souvenir for me to remember our Lithuania trip, it's very thoughtful of you ya Bassem, and I would never need a reminder for me to remember you and the days we spent together.
I will now have the toughest hour of my life saying goodbye to my family in the airport. And then out to discover a whole new world. I do need your prayers please.
I know I suck at goodbyes, so if anyone thought this maybe easy for me, it really is not. My eyes are almost dry although I try not to show the tears. I will miss each and every one of you and live with the hope that I will meet everyone again anywhere in the world. I will try my best not to lose touch with a single person, even if at times I seem too busy or too occupied (and I know it must sure happen), but it would be out of my hands and believe me, I will always come back.
Will write as soon as I can from either Amsterdam or Seattle and will post pics of everything I can see.
To everyone I know, I love you. I really really do.
God Bless.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
The Final Countdown - 1
Ok, now the next number in the title will be the absolute lack of quantity, this must mean that the number is getting real small.
Was quite a hectic day today, started with a visit to the bank, and then another one to the barber's, went back home for a quick shower and then out again to see some of friends for the what maybe the last time for a long time to come. Came back home and took family for a visit to my aunt, left them to see my friends from work in an outing, and then drove like crazy to catch my dentist at a time very close to midnight. Finished the dentist to go see friends from college and then finally back home.
The feeling is indescribable, the outing with the work people was very very special. I expected to see 8 or 10 people, I was amazed to find that close to 20 people came. Maybe even more. I was blown away by everyone's kindness and care to schedule some time in their very busy schedules just to come and say goodbye. They made me feel soooo precious. I was torn between the happiness and the love I feel for and from everyone around and the bitterness of the goodbyes. It was all so very overwhelming, never before have I experienced so many emotions simultaneously. *sigh*. I really don't know what to say.
And then the college friends I went out with starting 1 am. They all have jobs and busy schedules but they still set aside some time to see me at that very late hour just to say goodbye.
As if I needed any reminder, this is it. To remind me that I know some of the best human beings there ever were. The support, the care, and the love I felt from everyone around me is what keeps me composed and will probably keep me warm for so many nights to come when I just think about it.
To everyone I saw today, and even those who couldn't make it. I love you guys and gals. I can never ever forget about any one of you, and I will do my best to keep in touch with you. The relocation may change anything and everything about me. But it can never change the love and the place that you guys have earned in my heart.
I am forever indebted.
Was quite a hectic day today, started with a visit to the bank, and then another one to the barber's, went back home for a quick shower and then out again to see some of friends for the what maybe the last time for a long time to come. Came back home and took family for a visit to my aunt, left them to see my friends from work in an outing, and then drove like crazy to catch my dentist at a time very close to midnight. Finished the dentist to go see friends from college and then finally back home.
The feeling is indescribable, the outing with the work people was very very special. I expected to see 8 or 10 people, I was amazed to find that close to 20 people came. Maybe even more. I was blown away by everyone's kindness and care to schedule some time in their very busy schedules just to come and say goodbye. They made me feel soooo precious. I was torn between the happiness and the love I feel for and from everyone around and the bitterness of the goodbyes. It was all so very overwhelming, never before have I experienced so many emotions simultaneously. *sigh*. I really don't know what to say.
And then the college friends I went out with starting 1 am. They all have jobs and busy schedules but they still set aside some time to see me at that very late hour just to say goodbye.
As if I needed any reminder, this is it. To remind me that I know some of the best human beings there ever were. The support, the care, and the love I felt from everyone around me is what keeps me composed and will probably keep me warm for so many nights to come when I just think about it.
To everyone I saw today, and even those who couldn't make it. I love you guys and gals. I can never ever forget about any one of you, and I will do my best to keep in touch with you. The relocation may change anything and everything about me. But it can never change the love and the place that you guys have earned in my heart.
I am forever indebted.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The Final Countdown - 2
Now the number is getting real small and scary.
Had quite a full day today, Went to worx to say goodbye to all the people. I'd originally thought I'll be there for a couple of hours, but instead I stayed there from 2 to 8:30pm. There were so many people I'd missed and will miss even more when I relocate.
Everyone was just so nice, they were even amazing enough to throw not only 1 but 2 farewell parties in a day. One in each building.
It was very very dramatic, even I had no idea it'd shake me like that to say goodbye to all those people. But at the same time it felt amazing to see people around you show so much love and affection. It was just surreal.
If any of you guys are reading, I can never ever thank you enough. Specially Nevine (I know you sent out the email a month ago), and Nagia (Nagaiaia! I can't even begin to think of how much I'll miss you).
Nagia even consulted a car specialist (Thanks duke, you're amazing) to help her choose the proper die-cast car model for me. And boy did he choose the best! A 1992 Jaguar XJ220 in british racing green. Simply awesome.
And everyone else who participated in making this day what it was for me, no words in the whole world could describe my feelings when I'd found that many names signed on the card.
You guys didn't just make my day. You made many more days to come for me. I will forever have a smile on my face whenever I open that card, see your names, and remember our memories together.
To everyone at worx, thank you for making the past 3 years that experience that it was. Beginning with the very day I joined this family and ending with today.
I then managed to go see both my cousins for a quick farewell, and even some good college friends of mine.
It was all overwhelming and I had to work really hard to ket the tears from flowing many times through the day.
But it was also a day full of excellent memories.
I don't think I'll ever be able to explain, so I'll just end it here.
Had quite a full day today, Went to worx to say goodbye to all the people. I'd originally thought I'll be there for a couple of hours, but instead I stayed there from 2 to 8:30pm. There were so many people I'd missed and will miss even more when I relocate.
Everyone was just so nice, they were even amazing enough to throw not only 1 but 2 farewell parties in a day. One in each building.
It was very very dramatic, even I had no idea it'd shake me like that to say goodbye to all those people. But at the same time it felt amazing to see people around you show so much love and affection. It was just surreal.
If any of you guys are reading, I can never ever thank you enough. Specially Nevine (I know you sent out the email a month ago), and Nagia (Nagaiaia! I can't even begin to think of how much I'll miss you).
Nagia even consulted a car specialist (Thanks duke, you're amazing) to help her choose the proper die-cast car model for me. And boy did he choose the best! A 1992 Jaguar XJ220 in british racing green. Simply awesome.
And everyone else who participated in making this day what it was for me, no words in the whole world could describe my feelings when I'd found that many names signed on the card.
You guys didn't just make my day. You made many more days to come for me. I will forever have a smile on my face whenever I open that card, see your names, and remember our memories together.
To everyone at worx, thank you for making the past 3 years that experience that it was. Beginning with the very day I joined this family and ending with today.
I then managed to go see both my cousins for a quick farewell, and even some good college friends of mine.
It was all overwhelming and I had to work really hard to ket the tears from flowing many times through the day.
But it was also a day full of excellent memories.
I don't think I'll ever be able to explain, so I'll just end it here.
Monday, September 19, 2005
The Final Countdown - 3
Only a little less than 72 hours remaining.
Was a relatively quiet day today (practically yesterday now that it's 3 am), a visit to the dentist, a quick drive to get my passport from the shipping company, and a night with friends.
I left my friends at 1 am but didn't feel like going home, instead I went for a cruise around Cairo and some time by the Nile in my favorite spot in Zamalek (yes, alone). Was quite pleasant albeit tinted with I'm-sure-gonna-miss-this feeling.
I feel weird, it's one thing to feel nostalgic or homesick and another thing to just sit and wait for it to happen. Sometimes the wait is even harder.
Beginning to get nervous about the few coming days, so many last-times and so many first-times to expect. It's very perplexing....
Was a relatively quiet day today (practically yesterday now that it's 3 am), a visit to the dentist, a quick drive to get my passport from the shipping company, and a night with friends.
I left my friends at 1 am but didn't feel like going home, instead I went for a cruise around Cairo and some time by the Nile in my favorite spot in Zamalek (yes, alone). Was quite pleasant albeit tinted with I'm-sure-gonna-miss-this feeling.
I feel weird, it's one thing to feel nostalgic or homesick and another thing to just sit and wait for it to happen. Sometimes the wait is even harder.
Beginning to get nervous about the few coming days, so many last-times and so many first-times to expect. It's very perplexing....
Sunday, September 18, 2005
The Final Countdown - 4
And the drama begins.
Had to say the first few goodbyes today, my friend Kadrianoz is going to Lebanon for a week so I'll be gone when he's back. Spent the morning with him and then dropped him off at the airport with Helal (a common friend who is also going to MS with me). It was fairly dramatic and as is becoming a habit these days, I don't want to talk about it.
And then spent the evening at my uncle's, hadn't seen him in quite a while.
I have actually enjoyed it, till the part where we had to go and I had to say goodbye, for the second time in one day there were tears involved and things were getting very emotional.
Nothing in life comes for free.
I'm now trying hard to keep the (at least superficially) good mood. It's getting harder to play a fool and I'm wondering for how long will I be able to pull it off...
Had to say the first few goodbyes today, my friend Kadrianoz is going to Lebanon for a week so I'll be gone when he's back. Spent the morning with him and then dropped him off at the airport with Helal (a common friend who is also going to MS with me). It was fairly dramatic and as is becoming a habit these days, I don't want to talk about it.
And then spent the evening at my uncle's, hadn't seen him in quite a while.
I have actually enjoyed it, till the part where we had to go and I had to say goodbye, for the second time in one day there were tears involved and things were getting very emotional.
Nothing in life comes for free.
I'm now trying hard to keep the (at least superficially) good mood. It's getting harder to play a fool and I'm wondering for how long will I be able to pull it off...
Saturday, September 17, 2005
The Final Countdown - 5
Ignorance is bliss.
I believe the statement is true in most cases. Look at our fears for example. You wouldn't fear anything that you don't _know_ is dangerous. Your knowledge of what consitutes a danger is what causes you to get scared. Granted, in some cases your reaction of fear to some danger may help you evade it. Adrenaline and stuff. But in others you have nothing to do. And you just spend precious moments of your life in fear.
You need another example? Another very well known statement, You don't miss what you don't know exists. I don't think we need to prove this one. And again knowledge is crucial. When you know and experience something, and when this experience results in positive feelings, you are bound to miss that something later on. So again, ignorance of that something will have spared you the missing-the-something part.
It seems to me as if feelings come in signed quantities, positive and negative. And on average our sum will hover around the zero. The more "positive" feelings you experience, the more "negative" feelings you can expect to experience later on, or maybe in cases you'd get the negative part earlier on. Still, the (in maths talk) limit of the sum will be equal to zero, as human beings approach death.
I won't elaborate on how all this relates to my current state of affairs (relocation and stuff), I will though pose this question:
If ignorace is bliss (No I won't say then why aren't more people happy)
If ignorance is bliss, then why do we naturally seek knowledge? Is the natural human curiosity just a fancy name for looking for trouble?
I believe the statement is true in most cases. Look at our fears for example. You wouldn't fear anything that you don't _know_ is dangerous. Your knowledge of what consitutes a danger is what causes you to get scared. Granted, in some cases your reaction of fear to some danger may help you evade it. Adrenaline and stuff. But in others you have nothing to do. And you just spend precious moments of your life in fear.
You need another example? Another very well known statement, You don't miss what you don't know exists. I don't think we need to prove this one. And again knowledge is crucial. When you know and experience something, and when this experience results in positive feelings, you are bound to miss that something later on. So again, ignorance of that something will have spared you the missing-the-something part.
It seems to me as if feelings come in signed quantities, positive and negative. And on average our sum will hover around the zero. The more "positive" feelings you experience, the more "negative" feelings you can expect to experience later on, or maybe in cases you'd get the negative part earlier on. Still, the (in maths talk) limit of the sum will be equal to zero, as human beings approach death.
I won't elaborate on how all this relates to my current state of affairs (relocation and stuff), I will though pose this question:
If ignorace is bliss (No I won't say then why aren't more people happy)
If ignorance is bliss, then why do we naturally seek knowledge? Is the natural human curiosity just a fancy name for looking for trouble?
The Final Countdown - 6
One more day consumed.
Spent it in El Ain El Sokhna with friends, it was a very nice as well as exhausting day. We took off at around 8:30 am, went there, swam in the sea, played some beach volley, and then had some fun in the pool.
Was back in Cairo by 7pm so we spent the evening in Grand cafe till midnight, and then it was off to my bed.
Of course as all days now do, the whole day seems now like it was just a couple of hours. Time flies and it seems to be getting better at it every day.
Today I have to go shopping for an HDD (to take with me), and then I have a dentist appointment in the evening. Will try to finish that early enough so that I can still see some people I hadn't seen in a long while.
I'm trying to keep myself busy, keeps me from thinking and reflecting upon everything. I guess I'll have so much time on my hands later for meditation and reflection, but now is not the time.
Spent it in El Ain El Sokhna with friends, it was a very nice as well as exhausting day. We took off at around 8:30 am, went there, swam in the sea, played some beach volley, and then had some fun in the pool.
Was back in Cairo by 7pm so we spent the evening in Grand cafe till midnight, and then it was off to my bed.
Of course as all days now do, the whole day seems now like it was just a couple of hours. Time flies and it seems to be getting better at it every day.
Today I have to go shopping for an HDD (to take with me), and then I have a dentist appointment in the evening. Will try to finish that early enough so that I can still see some people I hadn't seen in a long while.
I'm trying to keep myself busy, keeps me from thinking and reflecting upon everything. I guess I'll have so much time on my hands later for meditation and reflection, but now is not the time.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Final Countdown - 7
Well I've actually been trying to restrain myself from writing for so long now. Because if I do it'd be about my impending relocation, it's getting very close. 7 days from now to be exact, on the 23rd of September at 3 am I should be on a plane heading to Amsterdam, and then ultimately another one going to Seattle Tacoma international airport.
And I don't wanna write about it, because writing makes me think (it's why I started writing in my blog actually, it gives me chance to reflect upon my every day occurences), thinking would most probably upset me. Because I'd be more aware of all the "sad" aspects of relocating. Leaving family, friends, everything one knows is not easy at all.
I always knew I wanted to relocate to a developed country (rather than the "developing one" I was born in), I've always seeked it. But it's one thing to have a dream, and a whole other thing when you're that close to realizing it. It just keeps getting scarier, and sadder, the more it's getting real.
I now have 7 days left, and God knows when my next time with my friends and family will be. I don't have plans for coming back (except for vacations of course), I don't really have plans for staying over there either, but it's just that I'm gonna go and see how things are and decide. Rationally though, I don't think there is something to get me back here (except family which I could later bring in to the US).
It's all very confusing, and I really don't wanna think about it too much so I'll just stop here.
And I don't wanna write about it, because writing makes me think (it's why I started writing in my blog actually, it gives me chance to reflect upon my every day occurences), thinking would most probably upset me. Because I'd be more aware of all the "sad" aspects of relocating. Leaving family, friends, everything one knows is not easy at all.
I always knew I wanted to relocate to a developed country (rather than the "developing one" I was born in), I've always seeked it. But it's one thing to have a dream, and a whole other thing when you're that close to realizing it. It just keeps getting scarier, and sadder, the more it's getting real.
I now have 7 days left, and God knows when my next time with my friends and family will be. I don't have plans for coming back (except for vacations of course), I don't really have plans for staying over there either, but it's just that I'm gonna go and see how things are and decide. Rationally though, I don't think there is something to get me back here (except family which I could later bring in to the US).
It's all very confusing, and I really don't wanna think about it too much so I'll just stop here.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
The trip to paradise - Part VI (Inter-Cultural Nights and Conclusion)
Well first of all I have to apologize for the long absence. I quit my old job since the first of September and it has been a very busy week since then with all my relocation preparations and a 4 day family trip to the beach.
So I promised to talk about inter-cultural nights, standard issue on all EuroMed youth exchange projects.
The idea is that as a participant in a group representing your country, you get one day allocated for you to try and make all participants "visit" your country. The aim is to provide a glimpse of your culture, including everything you can think of, uniforms, songs, a national dance, national food or drinks, basically anything you think represents part of your national culture.
So on each project, each participant group gets one day to hold the cultural night representing their country for the other groups. On the particular project I was in, local visitors were also allowed (and rather encouraged) to attend the nights, to learn a thing or two about the country.
And it's such an experience, both as an organizer and as an attendant. You have no idea how creative the groups make it. No one night is similar to the other, and each group creatively works on ensuring that their night is as much fun as it's educative.
The options are endless, we had games being played trying to identify popular national personalities/events, we had a typical Italian dinner on the Italian night (magnifico!), we had a candle-lit maltese night in the open air park complete with bonfire and an amazing video clip being played on a projector. It's amazing how much you learn effortlessly when it's so much fun. And after each night, I really did feel that I have visited, even if for a very short while, a part of that country.
All in all, the whole experience was just amazing. So much fun, so many lessons learnt, so much experience gained, so many friends made from all around the globe, and so so many good memories to cherish.
During the exchange, I've had my closest encounter with real diversity. I have always believed that diversity is beauty, that one should respect diversity. But let me tell you, it's one thing to "believe" rather theoretically, and a whole other thing to experience practically. I've learned I should have no prejudices about people whatsoever by seeing how wrong they could be. Never judge a book by its cover as they say.
I have learnt that human beings are incredibly creative. How I've come to that conclusion maybe rather funny. I just thought about the vast differences between what I'm used to eating at home and the different things we ate during the exchange. We'd sampled food from each of the 6 participating countries and you can hardly tell that it's all made with the same basic ingredients, just vegetables, rice, meat, etc.
I have also learnt through all the conversations and activities we'd had that even though people could live thousands of miles away, have vastly different cultures, seem to have almost nothing in common superficially. Human beings do indeed share the same "core". I've been in more than one (informal) conversations where the topic being discussed or the questions being asked have been previously thought of before by me and many other participants. It is amazing how an Italian, a Polish, an Egyptian, a Maltese, a Lithuanian, and a Jordanian can maintain a conversations discussing issues that are relevant to everyone.
Now when I go to bed at night and begin thinking about a topic or searching for answers to questions in my mind. I know that I am not alone, and that a thousand miles away there could be someone else, in a different time zone, wearing different clothes, leading a very different lifestyle, but still thinking about the very same topic, and looking for the very same answers.
And it makes me feel better, I guess.....
So I promised to talk about inter-cultural nights, standard issue on all EuroMed youth exchange projects.
The idea is that as a participant in a group representing your country, you get one day allocated for you to try and make all participants "visit" your country. The aim is to provide a glimpse of your culture, including everything you can think of, uniforms, songs, a national dance, national food or drinks, basically anything you think represents part of your national culture.
So on each project, each participant group gets one day to hold the cultural night representing their country for the other groups. On the particular project I was in, local visitors were also allowed (and rather encouraged) to attend the nights, to learn a thing or two about the country.
And it's such an experience, both as an organizer and as an attendant. You have no idea how creative the groups make it. No one night is similar to the other, and each group creatively works on ensuring that their night is as much fun as it's educative.
The options are endless, we had games being played trying to identify popular national personalities/events, we had a typical Italian dinner on the Italian night (magnifico!), we had a candle-lit maltese night in the open air park complete with bonfire and an amazing video clip being played on a projector. It's amazing how much you learn effortlessly when it's so much fun. And after each night, I really did feel that I have visited, even if for a very short while, a part of that country.
All in all, the whole experience was just amazing. So much fun, so many lessons learnt, so much experience gained, so many friends made from all around the globe, and so so many good memories to cherish.
During the exchange, I've had my closest encounter with real diversity. I have always believed that diversity is beauty, that one should respect diversity. But let me tell you, it's one thing to "believe" rather theoretically, and a whole other thing to experience practically. I've learned I should have no prejudices about people whatsoever by seeing how wrong they could be. Never judge a book by its cover as they say.
I have learnt that human beings are incredibly creative. How I've come to that conclusion maybe rather funny. I just thought about the vast differences between what I'm used to eating at home and the different things we ate during the exchange. We'd sampled food from each of the 6 participating countries and you can hardly tell that it's all made with the same basic ingredients, just vegetables, rice, meat, etc.
I have also learnt through all the conversations and activities we'd had that even though people could live thousands of miles away, have vastly different cultures, seem to have almost nothing in common superficially. Human beings do indeed share the same "core". I've been in more than one (informal) conversations where the topic being discussed or the questions being asked have been previously thought of before by me and many other participants. It is amazing how an Italian, a Polish, an Egyptian, a Maltese, a Lithuanian, and a Jordanian can maintain a conversations discussing issues that are relevant to everyone.
Now when I go to bed at night and begin thinking about a topic or searching for answers to questions in my mind. I know that I am not alone, and that a thousand miles away there could be someone else, in a different time zone, wearing different clothes, leading a very different lifestyle, but still thinking about the very same topic, and looking for the very same answers.
And it makes me feel better, I guess.....
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