I'm Baaaack..... in 2014, With Life-Changing Events!


After much galavanting around the globe, having adventures, and several waaaaaaaay-too-long layovers during which my sleep deprived self prayed for death, I have returned to the States and normal life.

It was an incredible Christmas break, with so many amazing events that happened!

Abu Simbel
Our sleeping area on a boat (whole boat shown below)
To begin, I got to take Jacob to Egypt for his first overseas adventure to show him a huge part of my world.  Having moved there before college, studied Arabic, and my parents still living there, East Africa has a big place in my personal growth and development as a person.  Jacob got to see the places I talk about, experience the things I refer to about Africa and the Middle East in our conversations, and get some background to me and my family.  It is one of the sweetest, most refreshing, and joyous things to have someone that I love so much get to experience a culture that I hold so dear.

Cafe in Khan al Khalili Market
The Citadel, Cairo
We got to spend time with my parents (who are, seriously, the coolest people ever.  I've never met a person that dislikes them, and that is no exaggeration), and we saw the sites in Cairo, travelled down to the city where they live and saw it, and relished the moments, conversations, and adventures we all got to have together. 

And you know what else happened while we were in Cairo?
Only one of the most life-changing, significant, and brilliant things that will happen in my life, that's all.

I GOT ENGAGED!

While looking around Cairo, Jacob and I got a chance to go to Qasr Al-Nil Bridge, which I mention in my previous post as being my favorite bridge.  It's known as a lovers' bridge, and before the revolution it was always packed with Egyptian couples whispering to each other and taking romantic strolls.  Since it's right off of Tahrir Square where all the protests have been happening, there are fewer couples, but the magic of the bridge and the city and the Nile were all still there as Jacob and I walked and talked a bit.



We paused and looked out onto the Nile, the city lights glittering on the water and the hum of the city seeming a bit further away in that moment.  Suddenly, Jacob started recounting things from our relationship and talking about our futures, and it dawned on me..... Wait a second..... Is he.....?


Then he got down on one knee and held a gorgeous ring up to me, and I knew for sure!  I said yes!  In May I will be marrying my best friend in the whole world, the Clyde to my Bonnie, my true love, the man I shall adventure through life with!


No worries, you'll all be getting the scoop on wedding projects and such, because I think you may find my wedding theme interesting..... Stay tuned!

So all in all, it was a wonderful, amazing break.  Now I'm resting up at Jacob's family's house for a few days and trying to gear up for my LAST semester of college, the new year, and just getting myself all pulled together in general!


We took a two day boat trip down the Nile on this sailboat that belongs to one of my parents' friends 

We had dinner at the Old Cataract, an EXTREMELY fancy hotel in Aswan, Egypt.  I wore my 1930s dress again.  Long sleeved, modest yet glam, and perfect for a conservative cultural context!

16 comments

  1. Congrats!!! I got married in May too so it's an excellent month to get hitched! ;)

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    1. Well good! I'm glad May gets a good review! Thank you, Stephanie!

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  2. It looks like you had a great time, what interesting photos! The cafe in particular looks fascinating.

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    1. It is one of my favorite spots, so much life in one place!

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  3. Congratulations! How exciting!! I hope you're hinting that you're going to be making your own wedding dress ;)

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    1. Thank you so much, Rachael! I'll keep you guys informed on how the wedding planning goes. :)

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  4. Congratulations! That's so exciting! And how romantic. :) Your pictures are gorgeous, and I LOVE your evening dress. I cant' wait to see wedding stuff! I can even imagine what an awesome theme you'll come up with. :)

    Happy New Year!
    ~Gillian

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    1. Aw, thank you Gillian! I'll definitely be keeping you guys posted on the wedding stuff!

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  5. Congratulations! I had thought you two already were engaged but maybe it wasn't official and maybe I was just sort of having a vibe? I'm sure this next semester will be crazy but I hope you'll be able to keep us updated occasionally. I love your pictures. The camels look so happy in the pictures but I understand they are actually kind of difficult to deal with!

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    1. Thank you Chrissy! You are so right; camels may look happy in pictures, but in reality, they all act like old curmudgeons!

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  6. Congratulations!!! Your ring is so wonderfully unique and absolutely gorgeous! The place he selected is just so perfectly you too! At least from what I get from your blog... I can't wait to read all about your wedding plans!

    Your photos of Egypt have me in a frenzy! I'm so jealous! Looks like you had an amazing time!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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    1. Thank you so much, Janey! He actually got the ring custom made; isn't that amazing?! I'm obviously quite happy with it! And you're very right, it IS perfect for me! He knows that I like estate jewelry and vintage vibe sorts of rings, and I think this ring definitely communicates that!
      I'll be keeping you guys in the loop about wedding stuff, no worries! I'm very excited to share it all with you!

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  7. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! From what I can tell this trip was a wonderful beginning to what should be an exciting year for you. :)

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    1. Thank you very much, Lisa! I think it will be quite exciting! :)

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  8. When I saw the title of this post in my feeds, that (that you got engaged) was my very first thought! I'm bursting with joy for both of you! Congratulations, honey, that is such endlessly awesome news!!!

    Hugs hugs!
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. You're a good guesser, way to go! I, obviously, am super excited, and I can't wait to share this wedding-planning journey with all of you!

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