a dream come true...

Ahhh...procrastination. At least it’s a hell of a lot more fun when accompanied by the sweet smell of rose smoke wafting through the air. Today, a dream has come true for me...I have my very own shisha!!! Gave it the test run with my flatmates who have never smoked a shisha before. Accompanied by some Amr and Nancy, the amazing views of Cairo I’ve captured on film, a couple of stories and I think it was a nice lesson in Egypt 101. Naturally, I have an exam tomorrow, but I’ll use the excuse of needing to relax to justify my procrastinating tendencies, and what better way than reliving some of the best times of my life. Life is good...hopefully I’ll maintain that state of mind after the exam, but I’m not worried. How hard can Human Resources in an International Context really be?? I guess I’ll be able to answer that at this time tomorrow...until then, I’m enjoying the good times…again. ;)

planning the future...

One down, many more to go. I've registered for classes...a necessary evil that was successfully dealt with last week. Now I'm looking for internship opportunities this summer, and as much as I love the process of looking, picking, contemplating and then looking some more, with my indecisive nature sometimes I just wish someone would make the decision for me. I was just reading my friend Anna's blog. She's taken a semester off from Uni and decided to do a round the world trip of sorts. She's now in Cambodia, a place that I would absolutely love to go, and her stories remind me of why I wanted to go to South East Asia in the first place. Then there's the Genesis project Trent recently brought up, and I realize how much I want to help with AIDS work in Africa. Add to this about 20 more options, in various countries and fields, and you see the predicament I'm in. I'm always thinking if I will actually have a long enough lifetime to accomplish all the goals I set for myself. Granted they change from year to year, sometimes month to month even, but there are those fundamental goals that I've wanted to accomplish since as long as I can remember, except that my wide range of interests, again, makes this quite difficult. But looking at the bright side of things, if these are the only problems that I have to face for the rest of my life, then I shouldn't be complaining. People too often forget that their insignificant little disputes are really nothing compared to what people have to face in their daily struggles, and yet it's so easy to lose yourself in your own bubble, forgetting that there's so much else out there. Let's hope more people realize this sooner rather than later...

what is happening to the world?!?!?

Just as I got back from a memorial mass for JP II in the Polish church in Vienna, I turned on my TV to see what's going on in Rome when instead I saw this!!! Once again, prayers for those affected by yet another tragedy in the world. As it stands, I don't know more than what's in this article, so anyone in Egypt, please comment or write something on your blog. I'm really anxious to know that everyone is safe!!

Pope John Paul II 1920-2005

Last Glimpse
Originally uploaded by KasiaS.

Tears....

Just as I was telling my Mom of plans to go to Rome on Monday, I found out that one of today's greatest leaders has died. May Pope John Paul II Karol Wojtyla, rest in peace and may all those grieving find solace. Holy Father, you have meant so much to those whose lives you have touched. You will be greatly missed!!

Viva Papa!!

Pope John Paul II
Originally uploaded by KasiaS.

"I have looked for you. Now you have come to me. And I thank you."
"Szukałem was, teraz przyszliście do mnie i za to wam dziękuję".

So difficult to imagine a world where John Paul II is no longer the Holy Father. Offering my prayers for a man who has changed the lives of so many, and inspired even more. Viva Papa!! Abba Ojcze!!

Planning an impromptu trip to Rome if I can actually find tickets.

Jaworzno - Centrum

Jaworzno - Centrum
Originally uploaded by KasiaS.

Home sweet home!! This is the center of Jaworzno, the city where I was born. Small compared to what I'm used to, but part of me will always love it. Click the link below to access the camera from the city and see more of the place I call home...

http://www.jaworzno.pl/kamera/dokument.php

Krakow - Ulica Grodzka

Krakow - Ulica Grodzka
Originally uploaded by KasiaS.

Grodzka - one of the streets leading out of the main square.

Krakow - Kosciol Mariacki

Krakow - Kosciol Mariacki
Originally uploaded by KasiaS.

St. Mary's Basilica is a Gothic church built in the 14th century adjacent to the main market square of Kraków, Poland. It is particularly famous for its wooden altar carved by Veit Stoss. On every hour, a trumpet signal called the hejnał is played from the top of the taller of St. Mary's two towers. The plaintive tune breaks off mid-bar, to commemorate a famous 13th century trumpeter, who was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm before a Mongol invasion. The noon hejnał is heard across Poland and abroad, broadcast live over the Polish Radio 1 national radio broadcaster.

Krakow - Rynek Glowny

Krakow - Rynek
Originally uploaded by KasiaS.

One of my favorite cities in the world...Krakow! Here is the main square of the old town, where I usually sit at a cafe sipping coffee watching the people and the day go by.