What I've Been Feeling Lately

I hate this. Ever since Eid I haven't counted a point or watched what I eat nearly as well as I was. I was doing so good and I was so excited about it all and now I'm feeling so unmotivated. I don't like feeling this way or the fact that I feel this way.

I keep reading old posts trying to get that intangible something that I had. The thing that made me want to make healthy foods and keep track of my eating. I'm still walking in the mornings, I haven't put any weight back on but I'm at a stand still for the past couple of weeks.

I didn't want to post this to get a bunch of "You can do it" and "don't give up" comments because I know you guys support me, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I just needed to get it out.

I  think about the big picture and I think, my life is good alhamdulillah, and I'm happy and I'm lucky to have a great family and good friends, this is one thing that I really struggle with. I don't want to go backwards but I need to just jump into it and get back in the groove.

I know I have to do this. I just have to man up, or woman up, really.  InshaAllah, maybe I don't have to keep blogging about it every week but I hope that I will want to. If I'm successful I'm sure I'll want to share.

I'm definitely not where I used to be though. I used to eat everything I wanted in any quantity I wanted at any time and didn't feel a tinge of guilt. These past couple of weeks I'm eating but not bingeing or anything. Just eating enough of whatever to satisfy my craving.

I have a huge craving for turkey and mashed potatoes this week, you can guess why and I'll probably make some soon. I made this yesterday and it was really good. Pasta salad with 'crab' and veggies. I did't use too much mayo. I tried the light kind and it was gross.

I just wanted to get that out and let you guys know where I'm at. I think after "confessing" I'll be more motivated to get back on track. Thanks for listening!

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Ode To A Flip Flop

Flip Flops, Oh Flip Flops
How I love you so.

You've been so comfy without fail,
I want the world to know.

I've worn you months on end, most of my waking hours,
Still you've yet to wear out at all, you must have super powers.

Just as sparkley as the day we met,
not a crack, rip or tear.
So absolutely soft and light, you're like walking on air.

You've been my shoe of choice, all I ever want to wear,
I love you so much, in fact, I bought another pair!

I made the poem up while cooking dinner, thought it was funny.
If these are available where you live, I urge, nay, implore you to buy a pair. I think I've said enough but they are the most comfortable thing I've ever put on my feet, and so durable. Everything gets so worn out so easily here. I'm not crazy about the smileys on the silver pair but they wont show when I'm wearing them anyway.

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Luxor Part II

The hot air balloon ride was an unexpected treat. We hadn't planned on going and although I've always wanted to fly in a balloon, I never really thought it would actually happen. It's actually not scary at at all. It was bigger than I expected. This balloon held about 18 people including kids and the operator/pilot. It's divided into 5 sections. One in the middle for the pilot, and four other sections. There were elderly people so you know it was fine. I noticed there were a lot of retired couples on vacation in Luxor, it made me smile.

Anyhow the  take off was really smooth and the landing was just a tiny bump, not bad at all. All in all it was surreal and very exciting.


The anticipation!

Our balloon...

Other balloons getting ready.

We're in!

The inside of the balloon from the basket.

And we're off the ground.

Up, up and away!

Getting higher.

Pay no attention to the man picking his nose behind me.

Salwa

I love how the crops look so neat from above.

Our shadow on the mountains.

Getting really high up now.

The song "From A Distance" comes to mind.

Zayneb, checkout the operators tie.

Back on solid ground.

The "official" certificate, oops, didn't fill in my name yet.

Dawood, proud, he wore the t-shirt on the same day.

Some fun at the pool

The next day, we took a faluka  boat ride on the Nile, to a little banana farm. It was cute, the breeze was great and we got to look at all the cruise boats and some farm animals.

Dawood and Essam

Zooba

I didn't get a good picture but there were lots of water buffaloes.

Down a little trail to banana island.

Banana trees everywhere you look.

Nice.

It was a great trip and if you're into the historical aspects, even better.  I love going away for a bit, it recharges you and makes you miss your regular life a little bit.  It's a great break from the monotony, housework, school and a chance to be lazy without guilt. I'm already looking forward to hopefully going somewhere for the mid year break! Gotta have those things to look forward to, but at the same time, I'm trying to enjoy the now, inshaAllah.

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Luxor Part I

Our Eid trip to Luxor was very relaxing and fun. Luxor is so green and lush compared to Hurghada so it was a nice change of scenery and of course the Nile is always a great view.  I have so many pictures, I'm going to make this a 2 part post.  I'll let the pictures and captions do the rest.

Almost there...

Luxor is famous for the horse drawn carriages.

The view from our hotel room balcony.

Another angle.

The kids can't wait to go to the pool.

This reminded me of that Tom Petty/Alice In Wonderland video

The pool is floating in the Nile.

View from the pool side.

From the hotel room you can see hot air balloons, (we go the next day!!)

This was Eid day we went to see some Temples on the West Bank, so over the bridge we went.

From the bridge.

Colossi of Memnon

It's a long walk to the Temple of Hatshepsut. It was pretty hot, I can't believe people come in July.

The Temple of Hatshepsut.

Habo

Finding some shade.

My Eid outfit.

The columns had carvings of names and dates from the 1800's and more.

The pigeons have made a home up there.

The colors here are amazing.

Temple of the Nobles, I think....I'm not huge on this stuff, yea it's something to do and interesting to see but you see one temple, you've seen them all, I say.

This fallen statue reminded me of Lost. That shows you how much I know about pharohs and all that.

The girls

Climbing is fun.

Salwa near some tomb type deals.

I'll post pictures from our hot air balloon ride and more tonight or tomorrow. Blogger takes forever to upload pics.

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