The Blag-age
This blog began (once upon a time, kind of a while ago now, but actually right nearby, globally speaking) as a chronicle of the summer after my sophomore year of college, which I spent living with my parents in Cairo, studying Arabic at the American University in town and traveling here, there, and everywhere in this crazy place called Egypt (and once, notably, to that crazy place called Israel). And then I finished the summer, but kind of kept writing, because I was mostly in the habit by then and so why not? At least I finally figured out how to change the subtitle of the blog, which originally read “surviving a summer in Cairo one repetition at a time” (or something to that effect) and stayed that way for two years ’cause I couldn’t fix it…the purpose of the blog has evolved a tad beyond that, I believe.
I may or may not have changed a bit as well. Since the end of that fabulous and legendary summer, I’ve finished school (and earned a BA in Music from Columbia, joy and bliss), spent part of a second summer in Cairo (not studying), and enjoyed a wonderful month-long conducting program in Paris. I spent the first six months after graduation living with my wonderful, wonderful aunt and cousins in New Jersey, working 2-3 jobs at any given moment, commuting in and out of the city seven days a week, and wishing desperately that I had the money for voice and/or conducting lessons. Finally I had to admit defeat, throw in the proverbial towel, and apply to AUC; I moved to Cairo in a somewhat permanent way on 1 January 2012 and am now living with my parents in Zamalek, studying as a non-degree student at the university, and taking lessons in voice, conducting, piano, and whatever else I can cram into my days. I work with a couple of choirs, I’m taking a couple of classes (that aren’t private lessons or ensembles, I mean), and I might wind up earning my BMA. Eventually (either this fall or the next) I’ll apply for grad school and then move back to the States.
Between the last Cairo trip and this one, I mostly used this as a place to rant, philosophize, unload, theorize, and basically talk about what I wanted whenever I felt like it. Some posts were clearly more personal (talking about issues I’ve had, etc.); some were just ridiculous (like the time I went on and on about how everyone has a favorite pair of underpants). I cleaned up a little recently and got rid of the truly emo stuff, but there’s still some drek in there, alas. Be kind, please? You were all overwrought college students at one point, unless you’re not there yet, in which case you’ve certainly had some overwrought K-12 moments and should be even more sympathetic…! Read on at your own risk – and feel free to comment (kindly, or at the very least constructively). I love it when people say hi.
Insh’allah, إن شاء الله, you will enjoy yourself here.
