UNHCR study suggests that Islamic law has influenced international refugee law

Good Grades, Good Grub, and Mosquitocide

I am relaxing in the living room after an epic battle with two mosquitoes. They have returned to haunt my room, the evidence being several welts on my arms and a couple on my neck from last night. In a gentlemanly gesture, they avoided my face. Just as they did me, I found victory in a sneak attack. Upon returning home from a delicious Indian dinner with my Egyptian-Canadian-American friend Marise, Phil, and another of our classmates, Mike, I went to my room to toss my sweater on my bed. Near the lightswitch, the biggest mosquito I've seen so far in Egypt (I think it was a migrant from Minnesota, perhaps) was digesting my (no-doubt delicious) type O blood. Disgusted and resolute, I tiptoed to the nearest solid object (a folder) and dispatched the vicious fiend in one fell swoop. I grabbed my can of Off and eyed my window suspiciously, spraying the opening in it for good measure as I'm always a little uncertain of how effective the screen behind it is. Just as this is happening, I see one of the deceased's nefarious co-conspirators. Not wanting it to get away, I raced toward it, not having anything but the can of Off. Naturally, I uncapped the stuff and sprayed the beast which then hobbled somewhere, hopefully to its doom.
Phwew. Lest you think that was the only uphill battle of the day, I also met with the professor of my intro class who told me that I didn't have enough of the right sources for my topic. This wasn't a battle between us, but has become one to find either more sources or a more viable topic, and time is ticking. Yikes! In better news, I got my mid-term exam back in law class with a 103% on it. (We had 5 extra points thrown in for good measure.) This was a huge relief and cause for celebration with Indian food. Ok, so I'd already planned Indian with Marise previously. Rather than cab it over to Mohandaseen, Marise graciously conveyed us to what was a delicious and relaxing meal.
Paper writing and research will be on the upswing over this brief break from school (I don't have classes until next Sunday again) as well as a couple of interesting events--like a film tomorrow night about Palestine and Thanksgiving. In two weeks, a college friend who's studying in the UK will be on his way and I'm planning on dragging him to the pyramids, the desert, and maybe an oasis with Marise's help as she's also got a friend coming in.

News:
Egyptian police accidentally kill man after entering wrong apartment in pursuit of drug dealer; spark riots
Mubarak hopes to increase number of women in Egyptian parliament
Bedouin in the Sinai call for blood of television presenter over remarks

Sunday: Voting and Loving Law Class

On my way to International Refugee Law today, I stopped by the Center for Migration and Refugee Studies office and collected my absentee ballot. I gleefully tore into the envelope to see what candidates are running for which offices, though, being a well-informed voter, I recognized the majority. Apart from the presidential race, I haven't quite decided who my candidates are. I'll do a bit of research before sending the ballot back to the States. I do wish Aaron Schock and Colleen Callahan had a bit more about their views online. I also think Aaron Schock should appoint me his foreign policy adviser. Aaron?
Class today was really interesting and I feel like it's all clicking. I really like the case studies and articles we read and, crise cardiaque, the following thought actually crossed my mind today, "Why are we stuck having measly two-hour classes during Ramadan, aren't they supposed to be two and a half?" Yes, folks, he who was all too often guilty of Facebooking in class during his undergraduate studies is craving longer class periods. Well, in this class alone; the other two, so far, I could take or leave. This leaves me wondering about my future plans. Thoughts about whether or not to expand my post-graduate diploma into a Master's here in Egypt, check into attending law school in the States, or looking for some work experience in Europe or a large American city joined in with the infamous rooster in keeping me awake.
Well, I better get to writing a reflection paper for my Migration in the Middle East and North Africa class!

News of Egypt and beyond:
Egyptian government condemns terrorist attack in Islamabad, Pakistan
A boat headed for Greece with 83 would-be illegal immigrants on board has disappeared
The film I commented on in an earlier entry is causing controversy in the States and abroad
Would-be Israeli terrorist at center of 1950s bomb plots against Western interests in Egypt dead at 89