061

Back in the pharmacy after a much needed and well-deserved break. To my surprise, I had a very good day because Gregg wasn’t there to ridicule and squash my self-esteem. In fact, it was very much the opposite today. Since Gregg is on vacation, a floater RPh came in to cover. He introduced himself as Gamal and instinctively I asked if he was Arabic and sure enough he is AND he added that he’s Egyptian! I think my eyes lighted up right there and then. Of course I shared with him how I went to Egypt the summer before and what I did there. Any free moment I had, I would drop as much Arabic I could member and Gamal would just laugh, I am pretty sure he was thinking, “who does this Asian girl think she is speaking my language?” I would like to think his incredulousness quickly turned into admiration because he even commented how good my accent was. Aaaw yeeyeaaah.

My ego inflated even more as the day progressed especially after this conversation.

RPh: On the phone talking to someone, “Yes, thank you Gameel” Hangs up the phone and turns to me, “Do you know what that means?”

Me: Gameel? Yah, it means beautiful.

RPh: I bet you got called that a lot while you were in Egypt.

I just laughed and this picture ran through my mind.

With my confidence reaching o infinity and beyond, I decided to be more assertive today. Whenever the tech would call for a consultation, I would just walk on over to the consultation window and do my intern thang. I was making calls like crazy while printing and filling. I was a multi-tasking machine. I had a new experience today too! AN ANGRY CUSTOMER! A customer called in today to see if we had an item in in stock. Unfortunately, I could not find his full list of prescription under the name he was providing me. I told him I would call him back because I was taking awhile (CVS computers are very slow). Even after searching and asking for help, I couldn’t find his prescription in the system. I called him back asking if he had called at a different pharmacy. With a huge exasperated sigh, he said “I’LL BE OVER IN TWO MINUTES”. At first I felt like an ant embracing its untimely demise under a large shoe but then I told myself, “NO, ANTOINETTE. YOU ARE DA BOMB TODAY!” Sure enough, in about 10 minutes, the customer came into the store and the tech calls my name, “Antoinette, you are being requested” I strut over (more like politely shuffle to the register) and offer my assistance to the customer. To make a long story short, he went by a different name in the system, the misunderstanding was resolved and we became best friends forever. He got his meds that he needed and he did not yell at me at all! The power of effective communication!

055 egypt

Photograph from the article "Mubarak Toppled" on The Economist

It is a significant day in history for the country of Egypt. Today marks the end of a thirty year reign of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Who knew that a group of passionate youths yearning for change and the power of the internet would ignite such political unrest. I feel that this revolution is a great testament for those who underestimate those who seek great change. I feel that as people, we always strive to come back to harmony. Just like when we hunger, we yearn to be full because we knew that we once were satisfied. Hunger points to the fact that food exists. Likewise, Egypt's political revolution is an indication of a time that once was good and all was right. I can only pray and hope that this change will lead to radical new leadership that will lead the nation to greater heights, especially for the Copts. Rabena maak.

017

One of my favorite greetings I learned in Egypt is cheek kissing where two individuals kiss each others cheeks alternately. It's normally done between same genders. At first, I was very surprised when an older Egyptian woman would lean her face toward my face, all the while I was thinking, "WOAH, TOO CLOSE TOO CLOSE!" and she would lovingly kiss my cheeks about 2-4 times. I got the hang of it where I was greeting all my good female Egyptian friends that way. It was a wonderful way to show someone that I was genuinely happy to see them. I wish people would convey that more, in any form, whether it be a hug, a simple question inquiring about their day, or a smile. We're just too busy, it seems, to even do that.

016

My Epic Egypt Adventure

The above text is a link to a newsletter I made in Microsoft Word detailing my experiences and the lessons learned on my mission's trip to Egypt this summer. Yalla beena!

Also, some things I did not include in my newsletter:
+ Jumped in the Red Sea
+ Only got sick ONCE, and it was on the last day (thanks for all your prayers!)
+ Jumped on a donkey cart and garbage truck
+ Sailed on the Nile River
+ No one could really pronounce my name haha so I gained 7 new nicknames: Magnoona, Nerfertiti, Armoot, Georgette, Nighty, Foofy, & Netty

015

"Then we can land in the motherland,
Camelback across the desert sand".
Lupe Fiasco's "Paris, Tokyo"

Riding a camel across the Giza Desert with the Pyramids as our backdrop was definitely not an expectation on my trip, but was surely fulfilled. More adventures to come.

014

In less than 24 hours I will be boarding an airplane for a 6 week summer adventure across the globe serving the people of Cairo with only 3 shirts, 3 pants, 5 pairs of panties and socks, my Bible, and toiletries. This is going to be intense. If God can feed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, I'm pretty sure I can get by with a limited wardrobe and comforts.

It hasn't really hit me yet but I'm sure it will once I am completely by myself. Dude! @_@
Rabena maak.