FIFTY SHADES ROOMMATE-R

Hi, remember us, Samaa and Noura, the roommates? Well, we've got some new craziness to share with you. So buckle your seatbelt and come on board! If you haven't read the first part, click here.

Eating Nutella, banana and almonds crêpe.

1. Telepathy

We reached an advanced point in communication. I told her "Let's get dressed and go! I will bring the thingy to buy the thingy" She replied with a simple okay. I asked if she even got what I was saying, because she was texting and not 100% focused for sure, she actually translated what I said. I was really proud. "Next, telepathy, then!"

2. Sharing has NO END

During the Amy crisis, I shared with her almost the full story. I needed someone to talk to without judging or arguing. But there are also the trivial stories, information and anecdotes that are shared all the time, it's a whole package.

3. Shame on You!

How often do you get an email offering a JOB anyway? It's really rare. I find it impossible. But yet, it happened to Noura.

She got an email offering her a really great job in the UK! After the cheers and screams and high-fives, Noura got serious and "I'm afraid it's a scam!" she muttered.

"What?!"

And then an FBI-like investigation took place. LinkedIn, email adresses, Facebook, the company's website, we missed Twitter though. But we came to a conclusion! It wasn't a scam. Then it was. Then after ten more times, we were sure, it was a scam! If an FBI officer is reading this, we could use some jobs over here, thanks!

Noura is no regular young woman, she didn't just ignore the email. She replied and here's the email to get the image. You go Noura!!

4. Cease the Chance

Every single thing that faces you, is an "unceased" opportunity. That's sort of our motto. The scam incident was a great excuse to contact the company for instance. Asking even friends for some extra help and job/internship hunting. 

5. DJ Sky

Living with someone with the exact opposite taste in music is a true struggle! I adore music, not all the types though. Listening to music most of the time is a part of my soul. But when I'm forced to listen to creepy lame Egyptian songs, I just can't! Humans invented headphones and earphones for a reason, Noura! 
"Give me the DJ task" say I frequently.

"No, not you!"

"Oh really"

Then an emotional wedding song is played. God, help me!

I'm glad that she, at last, listened to me and bought headphones. 

6. Wrong Name

It's a universally-known fact that a girl gets angry when you get her name wrong. I used to call Noura by Salma at first, the name of my ex-roommate. And then I got confused between Nour (a friend, Nour means light in Arabic) and Noura, like ALL THE TIME. Especially when I have one of them on the phone and the other in front of me. "Nour, no, Noura, ugh, Nour!! What do you think about...??"

Adding to the mix, I have a close friend and a cousin both called Nouran. So that's too much light for me, honestly.

7. Nicknames

Now that's a different topic. Noura invented a nickname for me. I didn't like it all and asked to change it. "No I like it!"

"Then I'll invent a disgusting nickname for you and keep calling you by!"

"Fine!"

After two minutes of throwing nicknames at her and getting an approval, "What about Nounou?"

"I like it!"

God, am I the only picky one here, or what?!
Two weeks later, and I still call her Noura.

8. No Getting Over... the Dishes

There are always dishes that need to be done. Either in the sink, on the desk or on the "kitchen" table. Sometimes, someone goes full Katniss Everdeen and volunteers, but sometimes "You will do the dishes today! I did them for us many times!". So I have to zip it and put my gloves on. Yes, I put gloves while doing the dishes, because I have sensitive hands, even though I'm not sensitive myself.

Other cleaning tasks don't seem to bother us much, each does them when she feels like it. No rush, either because they're not as frequently needed as the dishes or because we're racist towards the dishes. Still not sure.

9.  "I'm great"

In an attempt to raise my self-esteem and general mood, I encourage myself after every task with "I'm great". Sounds a bit narcissist, I know, but I'm just too much. And according to the yelling roommate, it's also annoying. Sometimes I'm sweet, I promise, and I tell her and other people that they're great! Especially when she tries something new or just randomly. If I tell you that you're great, it means I love you. 

10. The Help

I must admit Noura pushed me to do many things. Like yelling at the kids who speak out loud during the lectures, I have no idea why are they attending if they don't want to listen. That's another story though. It felt great to shut them up, politely. Praying with a partner was also something really amazing and encouraging.

BONUS Anecdote

One weekend, we were preparing lunch. And since we both wanted pasta along with other foods, we decided to cook it together, normal. My spaghetti was fine, and for some reason Noura's turned out too thick and watery. Maybe it was because of the sauce, still a mystery to this day! She ate some then "No, I just can't, it's too terrible."

"Let me taste it, it can't be this bad." I took a forkful, and then spit it. "But you have to eat this, we can't throw it away. Haram!"

I came with the idea of offering it to a homeless person near our apartment. After adding some spices and heating it in the microwave many times in hope the water lessens a bit, I did. I gave it to a woman, then almost ran. I was afraid she tastes it and insults me or even spit on me! It felt good to help.

But, I've never seen this woman again...Which is scary because I used to see her everyday. "Your spaghetti killed her!! I'm actually worried..."

When we were watching Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs 2, Noura pointed at this and yelled "My spaghetti" !

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Friendship

To Kotions,

Warning: relatively long article.

I was told when I was in middle school that it's impolite to take food from a friend if they offered me. I was prohibited to discuss religion, social status or private family issues with friends. My mom taught me to be friends with anyone as long as they're good people, with morals. I was taught to initiate the conversations and friendships, that "Don't wait for people to come and talk to you" and "You should be brave!".

I have had a close friend for years. We were so close I decided to call her "sister" instead of "friend". I was mean to her many times. I won't justify myself. We had some huge fights too. Our friendship ended. I regretted how I treated her and apologised, but it was too late, she already made new friends.

Later, I have had another close friend for (like) four years, I'm not sure, I can't remember. We spent the days listening to the same teachers and walking together during break. Chatting and laughing. We spent the afternoon getting ready for swimming practice and eating lunch. The nights were for our "adventures". Then each went home to do her homework then sleep. And repeat. Some days we even spent the nights talking on the phone about, what was supposed to be, secrets. That was my first long friendship. But it ended, and honestly, it ended because of me. I was the bad guy.

Later, and after a lonely period of time, I made two/three new friends. The reason behind the hesitation in their number, is that one of them wasn't completely in the gang. She was the kind of amie de tous person. Plus, she talked behind our back saying she got bored of us.

Moving on, the other two, let's call them Mary and Mona, and I spent the break time together everyday. Mary was even sitting next to me in class two years in a row. She was one the funniest girl I've ever met, back then. Her comments made me laugh during the lessons, while she was acting quiet in class. She was amazing. But unfortunately, when I left school, we lost contact. Mary was too studious to hang out with me or even contact me via phone or Facebook. I understood this quickly and stepped out of her life.

As for Mona, let's just say she wasn't her best version back then. She flaked most of the time. Each time I defended her in front of my mother, hoping she wouldn't cancel just before the meeting time. We argued a lot, accusing each other of being jealous of each other, for instance. On top of that, she betrayed me in a horrible way. I'm sure her side of the story is interesting, but she wouldn't even be able to justify her betrayal.

The summer of 2011, I made a new friend, in an English course. We had a "project" together and that was how we got to know each other. There was a kind of instant connection. Few months later, we had a fight and friendship-broke-up. For a  stupid reason, and I guess that was why we became friends again. We still are. No words could describe our friendship. Most of it, we were in two different continents! Being busy ladies meant rarely video-calling and since she's terrible at texting, video-calls were the only options

The next chapter in my life was a double opportunity: I met new people during summer and then I changed my school. The kids at my new school were unbearable. I tried, I really did, but I just couldn't befriend them. Mean, arrogant bullies. (Except for few ones whom I still talk to, hey Mai and Yara! [insert multiple pink hearts] ). 

The "summer people" turned out to be good people. I was a better Samaa myself. They gradually became a sort of a family to me over the years. Taking care of each other, helping, giving some advice, going out, sharing food,  travelling, deep talks, working, pulling all nighters... We had it all. Those are the people I wished to keep in touch with till the end. Endless laughs and memories. Infinite inside jokes which no-one could get unless a member of Kotions family. Pranks. Photos. Videos. Songs. Comics. Movies. A long thread of common interests and memories. [insert pink hearts and smiley faces]

Will our friendship survive distance?

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My Relationship with Reading

I love reading but I'm not a "bookworm". I read mostly novels. All the scientific content I read is online, just few articles, and I fail to finish them. All the time. I have my own bookcase but it's not filled with books the way ideal bookcases look. I haven't even read every single book I own. I'm a terrible reader. Also, due to this occasional awful habit of mine. The habit of starting a book A, disliking it, leaving it, beginning A again, disliking, quitting for months, starting a new book, another and then finally reading A. And what's really mysterious is how do I finally get to finish the whole thing WHILE enjoying it? Some of these books end up ranking on top of my favourites. Magic!

I take novels too seriously. My mood changes with the actions, even my facial expressions do: surprised, sad or disgusted. It's fine, unless I'm reading in public in front of nosy strangers! The characters' tension becomes mine, their struggle, their experience... I relate to their pain even if I haven't lived such situation, yet. I take novels too seriously, I spend time thinking about the characters and daydreaming. I learn from them more than I should, since the events are unrealistic: too perfect or too depressing. Always the extremes. Murders. Eternal love. Adventures. Betrayal. All of these have nothing to do with my life, but I still learn from the characters and invent my own lessons. I bet the authors would be really astonished if they read my review on their books, like "But I didn't intend this!" and "Where the hell did she get this from?". Imagination!

It's a universal fact that books are better than movies. Deeper, filled with emotions and more fun. This is due to the time limit in the movies and changing the character's appearance, settings and dialogue. My reaction to the movies based on books is always extreme. It's like I was the author and the recreation offended me!

On the bright side, I do read now. When I was younger, I had a phase where I hated reading. I don't remember the details, but reading was torture to me. I'm not sure if a good book changed my view on reading or just growing up did it, but I'm slightly proud that I read. Currently, I read while I'm in the métro only, although I wasn't feeling it, and most importantly feared I'd get too engaged I'd miss my stop. It worked well and I've finished a novel faster than expected with zero missed stops!

What's even better than being too engaged and influenced by a novel, is discussing it. Or debating. I don't often find friends who have read the same books as me and when I do it's not easy to start such a conversation some times. It gets awkward, if you know what I mean. And not everyone is excited about it too, unfortunately. I had the idea of starting a book club but got busy and forgot all about it. Online book clubs didn't appeal to me.