Well it's only just over 2 weeks before spring break!....
and I CAN'T wait!!!
had a lot going on the last month...some good and some not so good - but I'll try to keep this up-beat! :)
I was assigned to the University committee to re-design the University's Freedom of Expression Policy. That has been a great task - to help re-design and protect the freedoms of speech, expression and association for future generations of AUCians. It's great also to be involved in such a great undertaking with other students, faculty and staff and really see the process come together and see a future being built! Gone are the days of the Egyptian culture that was reflected in the old University policy filled with draconian rules and gray areas used to deny students those rights which we take for granted elsewhere.
No more censorship!
No more rules about groups and association!
No more breaking up of protests and demonstrations!
Freedom of speech is here to stay y'all!
I also just started learning Egyptian local dialect too. The revolution kind of foiled my plans to start that 2 months ago - so I just hired a tutor and have had a couple lessons so i can learn the local language and not just MSA which doesn't get me around much in the city honestly.
Also - my trip is all booked and planned for Spring break as well!
It's a 12 day spring break too! that is exciting!
Hostels booked! Plane tickets booked! Train tickets booked! Itinerary set!
I'm starting off with some friends going to Athens, Greece.
Then off to Warsaw and Krakow Poland by myself.
Then finishing off by visiting some friends in London, UK again (an annual tradition for me now).
I can't wait - I need to get out!
I'm gonna see parts of Europe I've never seen before and some parts that I love to see every year!
April 15th! Tax day for most of you - freedom and travel day for me!
(to spend my tax refund! lol)!
Later
y'all!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
more wtf moments
So classes are back on for me. But i'm so confused. Today I was told that tomorrow my class that is supposed to be at New Campus for security reasons because of the danger of commuting in Cairo has been changed to the Tahrir campus.
This is the same campus that was put on lock-down less than a week ago - and yet somehow that is safer than a commute? Really?
Then I'm not commuting to class tomorrow. My professor knows and understands that I will be skipping class tomorrow because of it. She even recommended it for me. So I'm going the extra mile and I'm doing a reaction paper on our readings so that she will have some evidence that I did my work in lieu of class participation. No - she didn't ask for this. But this is why professors like me - I'm volunteering it.
The University's response to all this HAS been less than adequate to put it nicely. Even one of my professors was apparently attacked in her car and even that has put hushed up. They are really proving to be money-hungry idiots. Demanding to have a semester we must pay for than doing the right thing by the student's and our safety.
It's really frustrating me right now. Because the problem is each professor is left to make their own assessments and recommendations which are totally conflicting with one another and are not balanced and not in sync. It's not surprising. Each one is human and not only reacts to things differently, but they have had various experiences and have access to varying information. That is why on something like safety and security it is paramount that the University take a stand. And no- I don't consider "everything's fine - don't worry" taking a stand when obvious factual evidence contradicts them at every turn....
Frustrated in Cairo.....
Randy
This is the same campus that was put on lock-down less than a week ago - and yet somehow that is safer than a commute? Really?
Then I'm not commuting to class tomorrow. My professor knows and understands that I will be skipping class tomorrow because of it. She even recommended it for me. So I'm going the extra mile and I'm doing a reaction paper on our readings so that she will have some evidence that I did my work in lieu of class participation. No - she didn't ask for this. But this is why professors like me - I'm volunteering it.
The University's response to all this HAS been less than adequate to put it nicely. Even one of my professors was apparently attacked in her car and even that has put hushed up. They are really proving to be money-hungry idiots. Demanding to have a semester we must pay for than doing the right thing by the student's and our safety.
It's really frustrating me right now. Because the problem is each professor is left to make their own assessments and recommendations which are totally conflicting with one another and are not balanced and not in sync. It's not surprising. Each one is human and not only reacts to things differently, but they have had various experiences and have access to varying information. That is why on something like safety and security it is paramount that the University take a stand. And no- I don't consider "everything's fine - don't worry" taking a stand when obvious factual evidence contradicts them at every turn....
Frustrated in Cairo.....
Randy
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
sadness and fright
Well,
For the first time since the Revolution started i officially don't know if i feel safe anymore....
The main reason? My University's overly-strong commitment to having an academic semester do-or-die. Well I don't want to die to have a semester. Their communications about safety issues in Cairo lately are completely incoherent. One department tells us that "there is some elevated risk, please remain vigilent."
The actual administration is telling us that all the rumors and fears are completely unsubstantiated and that no one has anything to fear.
Another department (one of mine) has suspended classes until further notice because "the security response of the University is not adequate to protect us."
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON!
Someone died today in the continuing protests in Tahrir and my classmates who had classes there tonight were LOCKED IN and were not allowed to leave for their own safety!
Messages are flying around about more students being kidnapped at bus stops and messages saying this stuff is not true. Petitions to suspend classes until the situation improves and petitions to not do anything because its all not true.
No one knows how to respond anymore because none of us are getting a full picture of information. I think the University, which happens to be in debt past its eyeballs because of the staggering costs of the new campus and maintaining the old one simultaneously, is looking out for its own financial interests in ensuring that we all pay for this semester at ANY cost.
This proposition (though hopefully untrue) enrages me if I find that it is true.
I don't know what's true - but i do know that even state schools are suspending classes because of the increased violence and uneasy security situations....
PRAY FOR EGYPT. THIS TRANSITION WILL NOT BE EASY.
For the first time since the Revolution started i officially don't know if i feel safe anymore....
The main reason? My University's overly-strong commitment to having an academic semester do-or-die. Well I don't want to die to have a semester. Their communications about safety issues in Cairo lately are completely incoherent. One department tells us that "there is some elevated risk, please remain vigilent."
The actual administration is telling us that all the rumors and fears are completely unsubstantiated and that no one has anything to fear.
Another department (one of mine) has suspended classes until further notice because "the security response of the University is not adequate to protect us."
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON!
Someone died today in the continuing protests in Tahrir and my classmates who had classes there tonight were LOCKED IN and were not allowed to leave for their own safety!
Messages are flying around about more students being kidnapped at bus stops and messages saying this stuff is not true. Petitions to suspend classes until the situation improves and petitions to not do anything because its all not true.
No one knows how to respond anymore because none of us are getting a full picture of information. I think the University, which happens to be in debt past its eyeballs because of the staggering costs of the new campus and maintaining the old one simultaneously, is looking out for its own financial interests in ensuring that we all pay for this semester at ANY cost.
This proposition (though hopefully untrue) enrages me if I find that it is true.
I don't know what's true - but i do know that even state schools are suspending classes because of the increased violence and uneasy security situations....
PRAY FOR EGYPT. THIS TRANSITION WILL NOT BE EASY.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
So proud...
So proud of the Egyptian people once again!
Their continued protests have succeeded in the resignation of the puppet Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik. But....
My pride does not end there.
After he resigned, the Interior Minister and all the thugs and criminals working there were scared because the new Prime Minister was chosen by the military at the behest of the protesters - he's clean and he's not associated with the regime. He its a college professor. He was once a cabinet member for a couple of years, but resigned a few years ago and publicly decried the administration for having no momentum and political will for reform or change.
Once the Interior Minister saw this new hire, they got scared for their own behinds and all over Egypt began their cover-up operations. The people noticed first apparently in Alexandria when they saw men carrying tens of trash bags out of the office when they protesters self-cordoned the area and forcibly took the bags and found that they were shredded documents. They rushed the building and found people shredding documents, people tearing hard drives out of computers, even document burning was going on. In basements they found political prisoners...and they immediately sent the call out to all Egyptians to do the same.
In every governate of Egypt, the people, to whom Egypt now belongs, entered buildings and stopped similar operations. The pictures are flooding facebook and twitter still as I type. They found weapons of untold amounts. Every desk and corner seemed to have weapons and many were torturous looking medieval weapons.
They found documents that linked the government to many heinous acts including that the New Year's church bombing in Alexandria (that was touted by the regime as being carried out by Iraqi terrorists) was actually planned and carried out BY THE INTERIOR MINISTRY OF EGYPT!!!!
They found detailed plans of the horses and camel running (that they carried out in seemingly desperate measure in Tahrir) was actually planned for when Gamal Mubarak would take over the Presidency to try and show that the "local people" were in support of him - apparently they already knew they may be protests on that day and that was the plan! What a joke!
They found information about the US and Egypt extraordinary rendition torture programs - which immediately prompted US officials to fly to Egypt - Ha! The US will NOT come out of the Egyptian Revolution clean-handed either. No wonder there was such an early interest in "maintaining the stable regime". I am more proud of the Egyptian people and less proud of my own government every day that the events in Egypt continue to unfold.
Now the Interior Minister is on trial already! The prosecutor has placed a travel ban on Mubarak while they investigate his enormous and untold wealth - all stolen from the Egyptian people. The Egyptian people will have their say and the men who have kept them under their boot heels for so many years will have their day or reckoning as well!
Yalla Masr!
Mabrook Masryun!
You make me more proud every day. They have adapted to taking personal responsibility for their government and their country in amazing and astounding speed. They already seem to intimately understand the concept that if the government will change, and the future will be something to look forward to - that will require their active engagement and they are prepared and ready to give it at EVERY turn!
Long Live the mother of all nations.
Welcome to the family of democratic nations.....
and take some advice from an American....
Don't let us tell you how to democratic - the only part of democracy the US has managed to be flawless at is screwing it up every chance we get!
Their continued protests have succeeded in the resignation of the puppet Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik. But....
My pride does not end there.
After he resigned, the Interior Minister and all the thugs and criminals working there were scared because the new Prime Minister was chosen by the military at the behest of the protesters - he's clean and he's not associated with the regime. He its a college professor. He was once a cabinet member for a couple of years, but resigned a few years ago and publicly decried the administration for having no momentum and political will for reform or change.
Once the Interior Minister saw this new hire, they got scared for their own behinds and all over Egypt began their cover-up operations. The people noticed first apparently in Alexandria when they saw men carrying tens of trash bags out of the office when they protesters self-cordoned the area and forcibly took the bags and found that they were shredded documents. They rushed the building and found people shredding documents, people tearing hard drives out of computers, even document burning was going on. In basements they found political prisoners...and they immediately sent the call out to all Egyptians to do the same.
In every governate of Egypt, the people, to whom Egypt now belongs, entered buildings and stopped similar operations. The pictures are flooding facebook and twitter still as I type. They found weapons of untold amounts. Every desk and corner seemed to have weapons and many were torturous looking medieval weapons.
They found documents that linked the government to many heinous acts including that the New Year's church bombing in Alexandria (that was touted by the regime as being carried out by Iraqi terrorists) was actually planned and carried out BY THE INTERIOR MINISTRY OF EGYPT!!!!
They found detailed plans of the horses and camel running (that they carried out in seemingly desperate measure in Tahrir) was actually planned for when Gamal Mubarak would take over the Presidency to try and show that the "local people" were in support of him - apparently they already knew they may be protests on that day and that was the plan! What a joke!
They found information about the US and Egypt extraordinary rendition torture programs - which immediately prompted US officials to fly to Egypt - Ha! The US will NOT come out of the Egyptian Revolution clean-handed either. No wonder there was such an early interest in "maintaining the stable regime". I am more proud of the Egyptian people and less proud of my own government every day that the events in Egypt continue to unfold.
Now the Interior Minister is on trial already! The prosecutor has placed a travel ban on Mubarak while they investigate his enormous and untold wealth - all stolen from the Egyptian people. The Egyptian people will have their say and the men who have kept them under their boot heels for so many years will have their day or reckoning as well!
Yalla Masr!
Mabrook Masryun!
You make me more proud every day. They have adapted to taking personal responsibility for their government and their country in amazing and astounding speed. They already seem to intimately understand the concept that if the government will change, and the future will be something to look forward to - that will require their active engagement and they are prepared and ready to give it at EVERY turn!
Long Live the mother of all nations.
Welcome to the family of democratic nations.....
and take some advice from an American....
Don't let us tell you how to democratic - the only part of democracy the US has managed to be flawless at is screwing it up every chance we get!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Blah....
So yes I'm still following the events in Libya and the surrounding areas closely and intently. Yes I'm glad the Sec Council is finally at least tacitly acting in response to the events. We will see if their decisions have any real weight on the ground and how the situation progresses.
I was interviewed this week by the school newspaper. The link is below. The article is about 50% accurate...but hey, that's the odds you take i guess when you leave your story to be written in the hands of another!
http://www1.aucegypt.edu/road90/InsideStories/Spring2011/weeklypalmarianS11-3.html
But this week I got a new Blackberry, new 1TB external hard drive and a new laptop. Personalizing my laptop has been taking a lot of time and i think it's finally almost there. Re-installing programs, setting up my internet bookmarks, re-saving all my vairous website passwords in the sites so i don't have to remember them all...that's been the hardest part. It's amazing how many passwords we as technologically connected humans are supposed to remember!
And it's been a tough couple of weeks personally for me. It probably won't getter better for a couple more weeks. I'm not sure how much I'll be blogging, but if I'm not online much, don't worry - just dealing with some stuff. I'll be fine, I just have some big stuff that I need to figure out. The worst part is that i'm not really sure where I sit exactly.
I either have NO idea what to do to fix it....or I've already figured it out and don't want to face the solution I've come up with. It's hard for me to even tell which camp I sit it now.... Time will tell me. Time is a trusted and valued confidant. Ahhh...time.
I was interviewed this week by the school newspaper. The link is below. The article is about 50% accurate...but hey, that's the odds you take i guess when you leave your story to be written in the hands of another!
http://www1.aucegypt.edu/road90/InsideStories/Spring2011/weeklypalmarianS11-3.html
But this week I got a new Blackberry, new 1TB external hard drive and a new laptop. Personalizing my laptop has been taking a lot of time and i think it's finally almost there. Re-installing programs, setting up my internet bookmarks, re-saving all my vairous website passwords in the sites so i don't have to remember them all...that's been the hardest part. It's amazing how many passwords we as technologically connected humans are supposed to remember!
And it's been a tough couple of weeks personally for me. It probably won't getter better for a couple more weeks. I'm not sure how much I'll be blogging, but if I'm not online much, don't worry - just dealing with some stuff. I'll be fine, I just have some big stuff that I need to figure out. The worst part is that i'm not really sure where I sit exactly.
I either have NO idea what to do to fix it....or I've already figured it out and don't want to face the solution I've come up with. It's hard for me to even tell which camp I sit it now.... Time will tell me. Time is a trusted and valued confidant. Ahhh...time.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March
Well it's hard to believe that February is gone! I can't believe it. I've started classes and they're going good. They all have a slight Egypt twist to them this semester. They are "Human Rights in the Middle East" "Human Rights and Identity Groups" and "International Humanitarian Law". This should be a really interesting semester.
Libya is breaking my heart. I can't believe what I'm reading and seeing and I have two good friends here at AUC that are Libyan. So listening and talking to them is hard because they are so distraught over what is happening. I can't imagine watching this happen to your country while you are in a different one. Especially since they both have family still there. It must be hard and I can't imagine.
Yesterday I received an email from a journalist I know that there are some Palestinian refugee families that are trying to flee Libya through the Egyptian border and are being held up and detained because of their ID and status cards. She wanted to know if I knew any lawyers who work on refugee or Palestinian issues because they are greatly needed at the border. I thought and I do - so I sent the information on because there is a group of lawyers I know that are traveling to the border this week for just those kinds of issues. WOW... I've only been here for 7 months and I already know people who know people and I know people who can help with stuff like this... I am so glad I chose my major and I chose the location I did to study it.
I think my English teaching classes will start again next week. I just sent another email to confirm. I am coordinating teachers for the center now, so the unrest has really disrupted what is possible for that program.
The biggest part of the unrest is behind us - but not completely.
People are still in clashes occasionally.
Someone was shot recently on the Alexandria Desert Road.
This weekend a police officer shot a cab driver in the foreigner-filled suburb of Maadi and the newly-emboldened public responded by killing the cop and setting his car on fire. So we are not out of the woods yet...but we are getting there.
The Constitutional Committee has revised the 6 amendments they were supposed to look at to allow smooth and fair elections to take place and so there is some political reform happening and things should change even more drastically soon. Time will tell how the situation will progress. Here's hoping it happens fast!
I will be interviewed tomorrow by Road 90 (one of the Student newspapers on campus).
I was interviewed and appeared last week in Masry Yom (Egypt Today) one of the biggest independent newspapers in Egypt and I will appear shortly in the IU Alumni newsletter as well. Stay tuned.....
Libya is breaking my heart. I can't believe what I'm reading and seeing and I have two good friends here at AUC that are Libyan. So listening and talking to them is hard because they are so distraught over what is happening. I can't imagine watching this happen to your country while you are in a different one. Especially since they both have family still there. It must be hard and I can't imagine.
Yesterday I received an email from a journalist I know that there are some Palestinian refugee families that are trying to flee Libya through the Egyptian border and are being held up and detained because of their ID and status cards. She wanted to know if I knew any lawyers who work on refugee or Palestinian issues because they are greatly needed at the border. I thought and I do - so I sent the information on because there is a group of lawyers I know that are traveling to the border this week for just those kinds of issues. WOW... I've only been here for 7 months and I already know people who know people and I know people who can help with stuff like this... I am so glad I chose my major and I chose the location I did to study it.
I think my English teaching classes will start again next week. I just sent another email to confirm. I am coordinating teachers for the center now, so the unrest has really disrupted what is possible for that program.
The biggest part of the unrest is behind us - but not completely.
People are still in clashes occasionally.
Someone was shot recently on the Alexandria Desert Road.
This weekend a police officer shot a cab driver in the foreigner-filled suburb of Maadi and the newly-emboldened public responded by killing the cop and setting his car on fire. So we are not out of the woods yet...but we are getting there.
The Constitutional Committee has revised the 6 amendments they were supposed to look at to allow smooth and fair elections to take place and so there is some political reform happening and things should change even more drastically soon. Time will tell how the situation will progress. Here's hoping it happens fast!
I will be interviewed tomorrow by Road 90 (one of the Student newspapers on campus).
I was interviewed and appeared last week in Masry Yom (Egypt Today) one of the biggest independent newspapers in Egypt and I will appear shortly in the IU Alumni newsletter as well. Stay tuned.....
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