funfon.blogspot.com: 12/2004

So this is the approaching new year...

120,000 and still rising now... a report is now saying that the absolute maximum is 200,000. But that's just of those who are directly be killed by the Tsunamis and earthquake. How do you calculate all this? More people will die of disease and starvation probably than the tsunamis themselves.

Last time I checked the news, the count was as 77,000.

Praying doesn't help... I'm not sure what it is I'd be praying for at this point.

And I can't help but feel guilty that I am here on this side of the world, unable to do anything to help. By the time I get back to Thailand on the 22nd, there won't be much more I can do.

Feeling somewhat useless. Somewhat depressed. Not just somewhat. Very.

It doesn't seem like the economic impact will be that heavy, though, according to the BBC. We're looking at 2 - 4%... I'm not sure what that means, exactly, but it doesn't sound too bad. Hopefully, I won't be seeing any international students having to go home next year.

Mother nature has been impartial... Perhaps there is something people can learn from this, too. I'm not going to say that what I'm saying here is positive, but I'm hoping that perhaps people will see the extent of their pettiness when compared to the magnitute of nature...

... but I don't think people will learn... people are united and dedicated to helping each other at this time of crisis - against the only force that is an enemy to all human beings equally...

if only this level of caring were exercised through all times.

I just read the thoughts of one person who was involved in the 2001 earthquake in latin america. He said that suddenly supplies to last a month were coming into areas where finding food was a daily struggle, and in the end, people were killing each other over sticks of chewing gum.

I'm glad that governments are throwing in money and resources... but somehow it seems like a political statement more than anything.... when the news dies down, how willing are the world community going to be to help sort out damage that will take decades to rebuild?

Well... that said... never look a gift horse in the mouth, as the saying goes.

*sigh* I need to stop watching the news. This is getting too depressing.

Eeeew!!

I woke up this morning feeling a little bit hungry - my dinner last night was a whisky soda because I was too lazy to cook anything for myself and my mom made salad and pork for dinner (I didn't feel like any salad, either)...plus, I wasn't feeling too hungry because the news was making me feel a bit queasy. Anyhow, the moment I stepped out of my room, I was assaulted by the smell of lamb meat, which is my absolute worst enemy in the world of smells. Can't stand it. So now I'm holed up in my room, knowing that I may be hungry now, but all I have to do is step out of my room and I will once more lose my apetite.

What to do, what to do?

I suppose I could just check and see if my mother is done with her carnage in the kitchen.

*sigh* My mother is having a lunch party today, for my dad's office, and she wants me to make something with veggies as well... so I guess that means that I'm pretty much screwed.... will have to try not to vomit as I am cooking.

70,000 and counting

I'm so worried about the international students next year.

Many won't be returning to Australia.

Many will have to return.

Over the year, the economic impact of the Tsunamis will force many more to return to their countries with either half-completed or nearly finished degrees.

And I still haven't heard anything from Sarinda. That's really beginning to worry me.

*sigh*

We're in for a tough year next year... as individuals and as NLC.

Anyhow... on a lighter note...

I finally got my long awaited phonecall... very happy about that :)

I'm buying an apartment in the city centre when I get back to Melbourne... trying to convince my brother to come do his masters in animation in Melbourne as well, and stay with me.

I know he wants to keep studying... but would prefer to go back to the US.

oh.... well... we'll see

dusk

lonely...

Had lunch and a cherry, then apple shisha with Hesham at three... had a drink with Erno (some Finnish dude my dad wanted me to meet)at six, then we were joined by Roger (his Norwegian friend) for dinner at ten.... and came home at twelve. Perfect timimg. My mother started calling me just when I was downstairs...

I didn't hear from my dearest today...

But I know he tried. I do have a home number: +2027358647

Why do things have to be so difficult?

Anyhow... I managed to get some shots of beautiful Cairo again... at least the day was good in that respect... and my mom is getting dates from Dubai. She's happy. And now she's inviting all these people over for dinner :)

Next year, she won't need to invite anyone... I'll be here with an extra special *someone*... won't I?

... where is the love?... where is the love....?

Pictures from 28-12-04

erno

roger

hesham

smoky effect

view from grand hyatt

stolen hat ;)

me and shisha

sun behind boat

Maadee sunset

Explanations...

So how do I have photographs from inside the Cairo museum? Yes, indeed, I did need to leave my camera in the cloakroom... but ha ha ha... I had my phone on me! It made an otherwise mediocre trip to the museum so much more exciting... A bit like mission impossible or something. I only took pictures where there weren't any guards and quickly put away my device if people came... which was pretty tricky, since the Cairo museum is CROWDED!! I didn't manage to get any pictures of the more famous stuff, though, because there are constant crowds around that stuff, and guards as well! So the pictures are nothing special... but they are there!

I had my first Arabic lesson today, too... I like the teacher... she seemed pretty impresed with my learning speed... just wait until she becomes familiar with how quickly I forget things, too!

I'm still waiting for news from some people who may or may not have been affected by the earthquake... I wish they'd contact me soon.

Pictures from 27-12-04

hidden rainbows

three elements...

little mosque

a stroll in the park

beautiful day

outside the cairo museum

stolen shots 1

stolen shots 2

stolen shots 3

lilypads in front of the cairo museum

Another day in Cairo

This day... hmm.

The son of Princess Ubomrat, Khun Phum, was killed in the Earthquake.

I'm worried about a few people.

How is Tedy feeling? Are his parents and aunt still in Melbourne with him? Or did they go back to Indonesia already?

How is PK feeling with Southern India flooded? Reports were made about Madras, and even though I know PK is *not* Madrasi, I suppose his home and relatives are not far from there?

And Sarinda... most worried about Sarinda, because he is in Sri Lanka right now, and that's the area that was the most hard-hit.

I hope I didn't miss anyone...

Well, it was a beautiful day today, until the news hit me... and now I'm worried... so if ANYONE at all wants to call and tell me that they are ok, then feel free to at +20121870099.

Or just write me an e-mail. Unless you happen to be a certain someone who I'm waiting for a call from (you know who you are ;). Then don't e-mail me, call.

Pictures 25-12-04

convenient feeding method

cairo city view

straight from the erm.. camel's... ass

feelin' regal

lazy bastard... eating and sleeping at the same time

my ma doesn't like camels...

so happy...

ma and isa

me and ma

three pyramids (and me)

Hmm... I look like a cape crusader!

me, ma, and the original catwoman

explaining something wholeheartedly at the marriot hotel

city through the palms

three boats

river restaurant

pink city at sunset

sunset on the nile

row of boats on nile

boat on river

evening row

The pyramids

Wow... today has been full of sights... mostly tourists and people trying to sell things to tourists...

but I guess between all of that, the amazing sight of the pyramids and the Sphinx... if only it weren't interrupted every other minute with shouts of "Hey! Take picture with camel!" or "Hey, buy pyramids!!" (little replicas, ofcourse) or "Come here, special price!"

Sphinx

After that trip, though, a nice lebanese meal at the intercontinental hotel and a twenty minute stroll home along the banks of the nile, watching couples gaze at each other and boatmen taking people out on the great river put me back in a better mood.