Start reading at: “Episode 1, Joyride To Egypt: My First Cup of Tea In The Oasis.”
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Appended May 21, 2014 to include my PERSONAL RESUME::
AISHA ABDELHAMID
BIOGRAPHY:
Aisha Abdelhamid is a native of Long Beach, California, USA and a recently naturalized citizen of Egypt, following her marriage to an Egyptian man she met online. Born into a devout Irish Catholic family as Kathleen Vail, she adopted the name Aisha upon conversion to Islam at 40, and assumed her husband’s family name Abdelhamid upon marriage. She has two children from a previous marriage, and she is presently residing in Aga, Dakahlia, Egypt, in the center of Egypt’s rural Nile Delta Region. Aisha and her husband, Mohamed, enjoy a devout Islamic lifestyle rooted in the practical aspects of conservation and sustainability. They are building their home and animal barns with green features, sustainable and recycled materials, and enjoy organic rooftop gardening. Aisha is an avid writer and photographer, actively sharing her fascinating lifestyle on multiple online platforms, participating in WordPress Blogging Events, and using Social Media to increase her online presence.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
Aisha Abdelhamid is a retired Computer Engineer with the U.S. Dept. of Defense, where she worked for 18 years under the name of Kathleen Vail / Carter as a Computer Programmer, Interactive Multimedia Training Author and Graphic Artist. Her latest works published in this field include:
Personal Financial Management
Authorized by Congress, and commissioned by the Department of Defense, this award winning 10 course training set is hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, and is mandatory training for all newly enlisted personnel of every branch of the military.
Naval Doctrine – The Capstone Publications
An interactive New Media 6 title set of the Navy’s capstone Doctrine Publications. Hosted by Hollywood movie and TV star, William Devane, these documentary style titles contain a treasury of archival war footage and are now under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Naval War College.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
Syndicated Writer, Important Media Network’s EdenKeeper.org and InspiredEconomist.com
EdenKeeper.org is a website on spirituality-based sustainability. Aisha’s articles focus on the deep relationship between Islam and the environment, with an emphasis on green living and eco-friendly developments in the Muslim world. (http://edenkeeper.org/author/aishaabdelhamid/)
InspiredEconomist.com is a progressive economics platform with an emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmentalism. Aisha’s weekly articles focus on enviromental and ecosystem economics, emerging green markets, etc. (http://inspiredeconomist.com/author/aishaabdelhamid/)
Find an archive of all of Aisha’s articles at http://blog.importantmedia.org/author/aisha-abdelhamid/
FeaturedWriter, Kiss From The World Travel & People Magazine
Aisha’s articles on KFTW (http://kissfromtheworld.com) focus on expat life in Egypt, living as a native, understanding the culture, and sharing the fascinating lives of the people and animals around her. Her contributions reflect a love for her environment and a desire to share the down to earth knowledge and practices of the Egyptian people with her readers.
Personal WordPress Blog: Aisha’s Oasis
In her personal life, Aisha is an American woman who flushed twenty years of unhappy marriage to a mean, drunk, White Anglosaxon Protestant in favor of an incredibly loving Egyptian Muslim man she met online. She married him in Egypt after only 50 days of correspondence, within 24 hours of their first meeting outside of cyberspace. She is using her binders of printed emails as “Joyride To Egypt” blog posts on her WordPress Blog, “Aisha’s Oasis.” ( https://aishasoasis.wordpress.com ) Aisha’s personal style of writing is open and engaging, with many photographs adding visual spice, and her readers are lively commenters, adding a growing sense of community to her unique blog. Currently, more than 1,000 readers are signed up for email notification of her new blog posts. They are sharing in Aisha’s transformation to Islam, her new life with emphasis on sustainability in rural Egypt, and reliving the whirlwind excitement of an internet romance that went right. Very right!
INTERVIEWS, GUEST POSTS, ADDITIONAL WEBSITES, ETC:
Interview, Expat-Blog.com
Aisha’s Interview with Expat-Blog.Com was published on Feb. 06, 2014 on their website ( http://www.expat-blog.com/en/interview/147_aisha-in-aga.html ). Because it was edited somewhat, the full-length interview with photos is posted on her blog, at: https://aishasoasis.wordpress.com/2014/02/07/my-expat-blog-com-interview/
Guest Posts, Reblogs & Posts Featured Elsewhere:
Let Me Reach with Kim Saeed: http://letmereach.com/2014/03/10/a-light-entered-my-cocoon/
Dancing With Fireflies: http://fireflydance.net/2014/04/08/poem-speak-to-me-in-kisses/
Bastet’s Pixelventures: http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/03/25/bastets-pixelventures-march-25-2014/
Muslima’s Oasis: http://www.muslimasoasis.com/2011/10/oh-cairo/
Muslima’s Oasis: http://www.muslimasoasis.com/2011/09/poem-breaking-fast-after-6-days-of-shawwal/
Additional Website, “Peaceful Villa”
Aisha and her husband, Mohamed, built a new life, a home, a farm and a farmer market career in South Carolina, USA, prior to moving to Egypt. Her website, “Peaceful Villa” (http://meieus.com/peacefulvilla/pvhome1.html ), is a great overview of the couple’s efforts to build a life based on green principles, living off the abundance of their two acre family farm for over 10 years
Additional Website, “In Search Of Achilles’ Shield”
An additional sample of Aisha’s work can be explored at her website, “In Search of Achilles’ Shield”
( http://meieus.com/achillesshield/ ). This is a website incorporating her love of Ancient Greek History, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, art, craft, writing, and html website programming. Under the name of Kathleen Vail / Carter, she created a life size artistic reconstruction of Achilles’ shield, as described in Homer’s Iliad, and a website devoted to sharing the significance of this extraordinary shield. Following her reconstruction, Kathleen addressed the Classical Association of Virginia, and the Richmond, VA chapter of the Mediterranean Society, as well as various other organizations, giving slide presentations of her shield and discussing her reconstruction. Several newspapers and specialized journals have also featured her work in their publications.
ONLINE PLATFORMS & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
EdenKeeper.org: http://edenkeeper.org/author/aishaabdelhamid/
Expat-Blog.com: http://www.expat-blog.com/en/interview/147_aisha-in-aga.html
ExpatsBlog.com: http://www.expatsblog.com/blogs/6321/aishas-oasis
Facebook, Personal: https://facebook.com/aisha.abdel.9
Facebook, Page: https://facebook.com/aishasoasis
Freelance.com: https://www.freelancer.com/u/AishaAbdel.html
GMAIL: kathleenabdel@gmail.com
GooglePlus:http://google.com/+kathleenabdel
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/app/basic/104205085256906393999/posts?cbp=8sgs6ldin1a&sview=34&cid=5&soc-app=115&soc-platform=1
Important Media Network:http://blog.importantmedia.org/author/aisha-abdelhamid/
InspiredEconomist.com:http://inspiredeconomist.com/author/aishaabdelhamid/
InterNations.Org: http://www.internations.org/users/profile_general/1859411
Kiss From The World Travel & People Magazine: https://www.kissfromtheworld.com/en/blogposts.php?id=3241
LinkedIn:https://touch.www.linkedin.com/?sessionid=6334438510166016
Travelogx: http://www.travelogx.com/t/AishasOasis
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AishasOasis @aishasoasis
WordPress: https://aishasoasis.wordpress.com
Yahoo: kathleenabdel@yahoo.com
Congratulations on finding new love! I look forward to exploring your blog and learning about the transitions in culture.
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Thanks very much for your support and encouragement! ;^)
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Thanks very much for reading, I love to share and I appreciate your support and encouragement! ;^)
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Wow! What an incredible second chance at love. My husband found me after a previous 13 yr marriage and swore he would never do that again…lucky me and 14 years later 😉 I love hearing whirlwind romances that pan out!
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Thanks, it’s true, dreams still come true, don’t they?! I’m so glad you were lucky like this too! ;^)
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What an awesome story! Maybe there is hope for me yet. I have done a little of the on-line dating thing with no success so far. My friends are really negative about it. They are always saying only the losers are on-line. Hearing your story makes me want to try again …I had given up and decided that I was not meant to be with anyone. Thanks for sharing your bio. 🙂 I look forward to reading more of your blog.
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Of course, there’s always hope! Keep hunting! You just never know when the time will be right, but corresponding with someone before actually meeting them gives you so many opportunities to get to know them better… plus you can always just hit delete if it doesn’t work out! Best wishes to you on this – if nothing else, you can sure have fun blogging about it! ♥♥♥ ;^)
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Congratulations on your happy marriage! 😀 You have had an interesting career as well. Looking forward to reading your posts.
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So nice to meet you, Maria! Thanks very much! ;^)
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Isn’t it surprising we find love in the most unexpected places. You’re a beautiful bride. I’m happy for you.
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*blushing with a happy grin* lol, thanks very much, and you are sure right about that! Nice to meet you! ;^)
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I wish you good luck with the challenge of your life, have fun. Nice bio Aisha!
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Thank you very much, Della, lol it really is a challenge! xoxoxo ;^)
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Nice write-up! Best wishes for your new life!
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Thanks so much for your beautiful words! ;^)
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Wait, this is real life?! I kept expecting you to say you were kidding. I am so intrigued it pains me to go to work all day instead of sitting here and reading your entire blog! :O!
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LOL thanks very much, I’m really happy to have you along for the ride! ;^)))
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My goodness! You have a very unique and intriguing story. Awesome introduction! I can’t wait to read more about your adventures!
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Thanks very much Adelie, it’s really great to meet you! ;^)
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Thanks for stopping by my blog! I look forward to following along as we do the Zero to Hero challenge together 🙂
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You’re very welcome, I enjoy your blog, too! ;^)
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Your introduction is great. It’s interesting and makes me want to follow along to hear about the newest journey in your life.
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Thanks very much Suzanne, I’m very happy to share and it’s really great to meet you!
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Nice… I like good love stories…
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Lol, me too, thanks for visiting me here dearheart! ♥♥♥ ;^)
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I look forward to following your journey!
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Thanks! Nice to meet you, Trisha!
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I am still reading your wonderful posts chapter by chapter. I hope you write a book!!!
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Oh, that’s a huge dream of mine! I don’t really know how to go about doing that, so I’m just slowly putting together one episode at a time. I’m really happy that you’re enjoying it! ♥♥♥ ;^)
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I enjoyed your post. I’m glad you got rid of the wasp! I read the part when you met your dream man twice, I thought I had misread it lol.Good on you! LIfe is about taking risks after all!
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Lol we kinda did meet twice, once online, and it was a very real meeting if you know what I mean, and then in the reality, which was a whole new kind of meeting! It’s been an incredible journey – thanks so much for visiting me here and reading!
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As a romantic at heart Aisha.. I so love Happy Endings. . And its so so good to see you so so HAPPY xoxox
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Thank you soo much, Sue, you are so sweet, I know you are a romantic at heart too, just like me! ♥♥♥♥♥ ; ^)
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MashaAllah you have such an amazing blog! Its so inspiring to read your journey 🙂 May Allah SWT keep shining His light on you! Ameen
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Ya Rabb, and Allah bless you, too, my sister! Thanks for visiting me here! ;^)
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Thank you for visiting and following my blog. My goodness but your blog looks interesting! I can’t imagine that kind of change! Wishing you the best. I’ll be reading more of your stories! 🙂
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Lol, yes, it was a really big change! Thanks so much for your nice visit, I’m so happy you enjoy it here, you are definitely always welcome! I like your interesting blog very much too! ♥♥♥ ;^)
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I have missed your posts (though I’ve had an incredibly busy semester) and believed I was following you. I wondered “Where is she?” but then was consumed with life and trying to keep up with 7 classes and on and on and on — today I realized that I was NOT following you. Perplexing because I never “un”followed (your story is too interesting to abandon…) so maybe WP purged my list or something. Anyway, I published my book and I wanted you to know because of our mutual fascination with the Crusades. http://rudolfofappletreevillage.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/rudolf-of-apple-tree-village-published/
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I’ve had this same trouble at at times too, Martha, no worries! I’m very happy to hear from you, and this is very exciting news, congratulations!!!
I can’t wait to visit you and check this out! ♥ ;^)
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” Sometimes reality is better than any dream ” ; I so much liked the caption under your charming image,dear Aisha !!! It so nicely epitomises the story of your life …
Doda 🙂 xxx
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Thanks so much, Doda, I am so happy to meet you and looking forward to visiting your blog! ♥♥♥ ;^)
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I look forward to following you now that I have found you. I will be moving to Cairo from Canada with my teen daughter this summer to teach for two years. I can’t wait to begin reading your blog and learning more. Happy blogging and travels, Cheryl
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Thanks very much, Cheryl, it’s very nice to meet you too! Best wishes on your move to Cairo! If you need anything feel free to ask. Another good blogger to follow is Londoneya – she’s in Cairo and I love her posts too. I’ll try to find her blog url and send you another note. The countryside is very different from the life in Cairo or Alex, be warned, lol! ❤❤❤;^)
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I found her, it’s londoneya.com – she’s great and I’m sure she’ll welcome you to cairo too! Ahlan wa sahlan! ❤❤❤;^)
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Thank you so much. I will begin to follow her as well. I admire your adventurous spirit and openness. It was a real delight to read how you moved both emotionally and physically from one spot to another. I wish you well.
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Becoming Muslim was the better blessing of my life – made everything easier and more fun! Thanks so much! ❤❤❤
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Hello Aisha,
wow your love story is like a fairytale which is a rarity nowadays. I can’t wait to go through “Aisha’s Oasis.” now, will be back for more. warm regards.
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Thanks Arohii, that’s so sweet of you to say! I’m really happy to meet you and enjoy your blog very much too – welcome back anytime, I’d love tosee you! ;^) ❤ ❤ ❤
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Glad to meet you too Aisha and to know your story, it is an inspiration to so many women out there and people who think love is hard to find online. 🙂 you will see me often, your blog is lovely, thank you so much for warm welcome, ❤ 🙂
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;^) xoxoxo ❤ ❤ ❤
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Dear Aisha,
What a unique blog you have set up! So inspiring to meet such a beautiful, strong, well-educated and deep soul! I am excited to share on each others adventures, sending you warm wishes from the States 🙂
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Thanks so much, Sweet Sis, yes, I’m looking forward to following you, too -I love your blog very much, you are a very inspiring cook, thinker, and writer! ;^) ❤ ❤ ❤
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salam aleikum dear sister, great blog and fantastic love story mashallah! I also live in the middle of the Delta, I’ve been here for almost 10 years, also married to an egyptian. greetings from Qotour!
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Wa alaikum assalam, ya Nour! Masha’Allah it’s very nice to meet you!
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very nice to meet you too ya Aisha! my daugter is also called Aisha
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