Category Archives: Morocco

Chilly chillin’

Fun, Life, Morocco

I don’t care what anyone says, Fes is still cold. Ok, it might not have rained in a few days, but I am still feeling that breeze.

Of course, a good way to counter that might be to not sit outside for my lunch-break, but fresh air does a body good. So I am sitting outside the institute just chilling out, listening to a bit of good music (from here as it happens) and chatting a bit with my friend. Here she is.

Yes, I know that it looks like a tropical paradise, but don’t be fooled. It’s positively nippy. I’m supposed to be working, but as per the usual I am procrastinating. Which reminds me.

Do you need distracting?!
 
Well, you’re in the right place! Or, you soon will be. Just follow this link, and prepare to be 
less bored than you were before (probably).
 
I’m sure plenty of you have played a bit of Sporcle of an evening already, but my challenge is, sign up, and search up user hippocarMGE. And then the games will be on. Come on, distract me with your superior quizzing. I dare you.

Riots

Life, Morocco

Hi guys,

In case you’re all in the dark about this, (and may I say, if you are then you live under a rock or in the bottom of a bottle) there is presently a lot of political unrest across north Africa and the Middle East. I want to draw your attention to it, because even though it began with just Tunisia and Egypt, the unrest has spread right across the region, and is seriously affecting most countries in the Arab world.

I’d like to know that everyone reading this blog has realised by now that political and social upheaval of this kind affects everyone, and not just the inhabitants of the countries involved. I have a lot of friends living right across the region, and in particular some class-mates who’ve been moved out of Alexandria in Egypt. There have been issues here in Morocco as well, with 5 people reportedly killed yesterday in a northern town, and protests across all the major cities, including Fes.

As this progresses I’m hoping that at the very least you can keep up, and have an opinion. But think as well about any aid efforts being brought about by the UK, USA and any other countries, and any action which your leaders are taking. This is an opportunity for our leaders to show their cards, and to anyone who has a care about politics, I urge you to listen.

For those who don’t care about politics, why not?

Sally out.

Roger that, over and out

Life, Morocco

The troops have arrived. Otherwise known as my parents. They are here for a week. Expect late-night posts about exploits and fun things. Do not expect many posts.

Today I cooked and cleaned.

I want to say more, because this is a cop-out, but I have a quiz tomorrow morning and I really am incredibly tired.

Night.

This little piggie went ‘wee wee wee wee’ all the way home

Morocco, Music

Everyone seems to have gone home over the course of this week. And by everyone, I mean 3 people, but it still feels like our class is empty. I almost want to hop on a plane myself.

In other news, I am procrastinating. My motivation has gone down the drain this week for some reason, and the idea of doing homework just doesn’t appeal, much less the idea of revising for the 4 quizzes I have next week. It all seems a little pointless considering the grades I had last term.

You see, I did well. Very well in fact. But, I couldn’t see where I was being given a higher grade than other members of the class for my participation, attendance, and quizzes. Otherwise known as coursework. Considering it counts for more than 50% of the grades, I was disappointed that I might as well have just turned up for the exams. I am a big fan of the carrot method, which is to say, you reward people who do well. I feel lacking of reward just now.

Here is some music you should listen to. (following on from here)
Breakeven – The Script
99 Problems – JayZ
Better – Regina Spektor
Now You’re Gone – Basshunter
Sympathy – Goo Goo Dolls
The Professor and La Fille Danse – Damien Rice
Back It Up – Caro Emerald
There She Goes – Sixpence None The Richer
Rain Down – Delerious?
Til I Collapse – Eminem
Starlight – Muse
Life in Letters – Lucy Schwartz
Fireflies – Owl City
Price Tag – Jessie J

Enjoy.

Change is good

Life, Morocco

Today I changed the shape of my nails from rounded to squared. Like this:

It’s the first time I’ve ever had square cut nails, I normally much prefer to have them rounded. But a friend suggested it, and as usual, I brushed it away. Then I stopped, and got to thinking.

For me, this year is about changing myself. I’m learning a lot, and I’m forcing myself to try new things, be open to new culture and experiences, and to force myself into new situations. And it’s not all mental. I’m growing my hair for the first time in 5 years, I’m working out to change my body shape.

It seems like a small thing to change, the shape of your nails. But it’s about leaving behind old habits and diving into something new. It might not be right, and I might change them back in a few days, but the point is, I tried it out, and now I know. It’s nice sometimes to get a new perspective on yourself. Try it out, and let me know what you change.

525600 Minutes

Life, Morocco

If you are a musicals geek, you’ll know that 525600 minutes are the number of minutes in a year, according to ‘Rent’. Google disputes this claim.

1 year = 525 948.766 minutes

But regardless of how many minutes there are in a year, I feel like I’ve lived a year here in Morocco already. Today is not only Eid al-Mawlid, which is the festival to celebrate the birth of the Prophet, but it’s also a day after the unfortunate death of an uncle of Madame Halima, God keep his soul.
It’s important for me, because even though it’s of course very sad, it means I’ve witnessed more than a lot of students would manage in 10 years here. I’ve been present at the celebrations of birth, of baby Lina. I’ve been to two weddings, and have a third coming up in March, and now I’ve been part of a family mourning a death. Of course I am not attending the funeral, because I don’t feel like it’s my right to intrude, but I do feel like I’ve really experienced something different today.
Even though it’s a sad occasion, it’s made me feel even luckier to get this opportunity, living with my lovely family. These 525600 minutes will probably be some of the best and most formative of my life.

Day 30

Life, Morocco

Are you keeping up? Today was day 30 of Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, as demonstrated by Sally.

Except of course that I am refusing to do it right, and therefore have modified it into a 45 day shred. I have done 15 days of level 1 rather than 10, and so on to level 3. So today, despite it being day 30, today I have just finished my stint of level 2.

I can highly recommend it. I feel fitter, and having had the verdict of a certain Boy, I can also say that I look fitter. I have more of a waist now, and a flatter belly. Which is all to the good, of course.

Aside from this, today it rained, as we have concluded it does often here in Fes. I had classes until late, and then I got a taxi with a door which wouldn’t close. Yes, I held my own door closed. The speed of the taxi did not help. I felt like any second I could go rolling out the door and onto the pavement, like in a film. Except I’m not a hero, and I’d have been seriously injured.

Not to mention wet.

Be Mine

Life, Morocco, Rant

90% of the people I know are Valentines haters. I think it’s so sad, because for all the reasons they come up with, they could still enjoy Valentines Day, but choose not to. Some of the top reasons why people hate Valentines Day are:

They are single
They are in a relationship, but cheap
They are in a relationship with a person who’s cheap
They are eternally in love with the sparkly vampire from ‘Twilight’ and he doesn’t love them

The reason they all CLAIM they dislike this celebration is

“It’s a consumerist and tacky way to take people’s money”


Which, it has to be said, is true. But it’s not why you actually hate Valentines day, so don’t say it. You are ruining other people’s happiness. And aside from that, there is no need to be a hater. Just adjust the holiday to suit you. Regardless of what anyone says, even the Scroogiest of us secretly likes these silly holidays, so just find a way to enjoy it.

Use it as an excuse to show the people who you love that you love them. Send a card to your Mum, or give some chocolate to a friend (that’s what I did this year). Valentines might technically be the ‘Couple’s holiday’ but there is no reason not to change it to the day where you really appreciate the relationships you have with the people in your life, and show them how much you care.

Haters, don’t be hatin.

Esio Trot

Fun, Morocco

Today I ate a lovely lunch, while sitting in the sun in the garden, while some tortoises mated on the grass. They may have been turtles, but I don’t know the difference so I can’t tell you.

It reminded me of the book ‘Esio Trot’ which my Mum read to me once when I was little. It’s by Roald Dahl, that king of childrens authors, and it is a truly lovely and hilarious read.

Ah, I hear some of you giggling. You didn’t realise I was a book nerd, did you.

Well I am. My Mum is a kid’s librarian, and a damn good one too. She introduced me to reading when I was young, and I can’t imagine a life without books. However, I don’t know if it’s my own childishness, or my Mum’s influence, but I am obsessed with kid’s stories (or things masquerading as such). I always thought I would graduate on to adult books, but it never really happened for me. With the odd exception, I only really read children’s/young adult fiction, and I am proud to say I enjoy every second. Here, for your reading pleasure (and you clearly like reading, if you keep up with me) are my top 10 books of ALL TIME. May I add, these are not in any order. I might do another top 10 sometime soon.

1. The Horse and his Boy. This is a book from the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, which starts with ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’. It is fantastic as a story, and deals with a completely different set of main characters, which I find quite pleasing. I have always loved it.
2. As You Like It. What, not a Shakespeare fan? Then I’m not sure I can continue to associate with you. I consider Shakespeare to be one of the best comedy writers of all time, and nothing shows that off better than As You Like It. It’s a little dense, but a lot of fun.
3. Sophie’s World. Again, not entirely sticking to children’s fiction, this amazing book by Jostein Gaarder is not only a nice story, but contains the entire simplified history of philosophy. With examples. And someone from Uni has my copy, and I’d like it back please.
4. Mort. Never has the character of ‘Death’ been so masterfully written as by Terry Pratchett in the Discworld novels. Here is a series I could talk about all day, but what would be better would be for you to go away and pick this one up. It’s fantastic.
5. The Hobbit. In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit. This fantastic prequel to the Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien is a book that every kid should read. It is fantasy at it’s best, and I disagree with anyone who pretends that the films are better than the books in this case.
6. Across the Nightingale Floor. I’m a hopeless historical romantic (provided it’s interesting and not mushy) and this book by Lian Hearn definitely provides. It’s sweet and lovely, but also a really nice look at another ancient culture. The characters are well written as well.
7. Artemis Fowl. If you are about my age and you haven’t read Artemis Fowl, where have you been? This series by Eoin Colfer are not only funny, but give an entirely new twist to that fantasy world that every pre-teen lives in. And Artemis makes one of the best heroes I have ever read.
8. Lirael. The ‘Abhorsen’ series by Garth Nix are my favourite three books of all time. I have never been so entranced by a storyline in my life. For me, the best is actually the second book of the series, Lirael, which is unusual since the second book is often the weakest. Maybe it’s the library setting that does it.
9. Troy. I have always loved stories of the Greeks and the Romans, and there is nothing more epic than the tale of Troy. This take on it, by Adele Geras, looks at the whole story from a new angle, without missing any of the great details out.
10. The Red Tent. This again isn’t a kid’s book, but I first read it when I was very young, only about 10. I was probably a bit immature for it, but my Mum let me read it anyway, and it fascinated me. Anita Diamant takes you through the story of Dinah, a very minor biblical character, and it can only be described as amazing.

Wow. That was epic. Enjoy.