Monday, January 23, 2012

New Beginnings

Hello from Cairo! The title for this post seems very apt, since not only is today publication day for Rebecca Emin's New Beginnings (more on that below), but it's also the opening of Egypt's first elected parliament since the 1950s.

What a change there's been in Egypt since my last visit here in December 2011. In just one year, people who were depressed and pessimistic about the future of the country have transformed into upbeat and optimistic. Gathering around the television this morning over a takeaway breakfast of tamaya (falafel) and fool (er... not sure any description can do this dish justice), there was palpable sense of pride as we watched the first session open.

From chats last night with a man in his sixties who led a group in Tahrir Square -- and was so close to the police he even grabbed a tear-gas canister after it was lobbed his way -- to mannequins in shop windows holding up revolutionary signs, the city has come alive again. The revolution has brought with it a whole host of problems and challenges, but as the one-year anniversary approaches, Egypt's citizens are finally looking forward to their future.

Now all they need is wine. Ha!

Now on to another New Beginning! Today is publication day for Rebecca Emin's wonderful YA novel.  Hop over to Rebecca’s blog Ramblings of a Rusty Writer to find all of the details of how she is planning to celebrate today, or you can read some reviews of the book itself on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com. You may like to visit some of the other blogs helping Rebecca to celebrate today too.

About New Beginnings
Sam Hendry is not looking forward to starting at her new school. Things go from bad to worse as the day of truth arrives and all of her fears come true... and then some.

When Sam meets a different group of people who immediately accept her as a friend, she begins to feel more positive.

With her new friends and interests, will Sam finally feel able to face the bully who taunts her, and to summon up the courage to perform on stage?


Here's to new beginnings of all sorts!
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58 comments:

  1. Myne23 January 2012 at 10:05

    Congrats to Egypt, and I hope the parliament serves the people well. The Arab Spring has been an inspiration to youths in Nigeria in the quest for justice.

    And all the best to Rebecca Emin on New Beginnings too.

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  2. Sarah Tokeley23 January 2012 at 10:08

    Congratulations to Rebecca, she thoroughly deserves it.

    I love to hear about 'what happens next' in countries like Egypt.

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  3. Christa Desir23 January 2012 at 10:15

    Ooh...you are in Cairo??? i love your glamorous lifestyle. I would like to be smuggled in your suitcase on these journeys but I imagine you only have space for shoes:)

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  4. Gina Dickerson23 January 2012 at 10:27

    A very interesting post. Hope you enjoy your time in Cairo!

    Big congratulations to Rebecca too, I'm looking forward to reading her novel.

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  5. Glynis Peters 23 January 2012 at 10:37

    How wonderful you are part of their history today!

    Good luck to Rebecca.

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  6. Talei23 January 2012 at 10:47

    Wow. Exciting times for Egypt and Cairo sounds amazing right now! So happy for them!

    And also, congrats to Rebecca on her pub day! ;-)

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  7. Rebecca Emin23 January 2012 at 10:51

    A very exciting time for Egypt, indeed.

    Thank you so much for also mentioning my book, I really appreciate it.

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  8. Leigh Caron23 January 2012 at 11:03

    Rebecca's story is one many children will relate to...and wow...what an historical time to be in Egypt. I raise my glass of wine to you and Egypt's future.

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  9. RHYTHM AND RHYME23 January 2012 at 11:16

    Yes it's great to have new beginnings, Pleased you are enjoying life in Egypt. All the best to Rebecca on New Beginnings.

    Yvonne.

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  10. Old Kitty23 January 2012 at 11:19

    Talli!!! Hello back from London!!! Look at you in Cairo!! How wonderful and exciting!! Thanks for the updates on what's going on in Egypt in this most amazing time for them!! Glad there is a real sense of change and new found pride in the air! Of course it's not gonna be easy nor simple - but a new beginning is a new beginning! Yay!

    Hoooorah for Rebecca and her fab book!!! Take care
    x

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  11. Anonymous23 January 2012 at 11:26

    Wouldn't it be amazing if we could all live in peace and harmony?

    I love Rebecca's work - wishing her a successful heap of sales!

    CJ x

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  12. jabblog23 January 2012 at 11:28

    It's good to see such positivity in Egypt. It brings hope to beleaguered nations.

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  13. Tonya Kappes23 January 2012 at 11:44

    Wonderful! I hope the parliament really does help Egypt's citizens!

    Congrats to Rebecca too!

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  14. Will23 January 2012 at 12:29

    I am just tickled-pink at what's been happening in the Middle East! So much work to be done, but they've come leaps and bounds in such a short time!

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  15. Lindsay N. Currie23 January 2012 at 12:34

    This was an inspirational post Talli:) Have a fantastic Monday and congrats to Rebecca!

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  16. Matthew MacNish23 January 2012 at 13:09

    Hooray for democracy, but do be careful, Talli.

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  17. Joanne23 January 2012 at 13:21

    Exciting times in Egypt, it's wonderful that you have a chance to be a part of the experience. Enjoy!

    I'm headed over to Rebecca's for a visit now ...

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  18. L. Diane Wolfe23 January 2012 at 13:46

    And you are there to see the changes!

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  19. Anonymous23 January 2012 at 14:16

    Here's to big things for Rebecca and her book. And have a great time in Egypt. Look out for that mummy!!!

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  20. Joyce23 January 2012 at 14:22

    Lucky you! My daughter and hubs have both been but I never made it to Egypt. Enjoy your visit!

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  21. Anonymous23 January 2012 at 14:29

    Its okay. Upon further inspection the mummy is bringing wine.

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  22. Angelina Rain23 January 2012 at 14:34

    Congrats to Egypt. That's great!

    Also, congrats to Rebecca on the book. Wishing lots of sales!

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  23. Alex J. Cavanaugh23 January 2012 at 14:44

    So very different from your last trip!

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  24. The Divorced Lady's Companion to Living in Italy23 January 2012 at 14:45

    Fantastic to read about Cairo in the streets!
    And good work Rebecca, have a great launch day!

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  25. Slamdunk23 January 2012 at 14:49

    Yes, congrats to Egypt and I hope you your time there Talli.

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  26. LTM23 January 2012 at 14:52

    supercool, Talli! What a great post about the current state of Egypt. I bet there is a feeling of excitement there. Neat that you get to experience it. :o)

    Also, Rebecca's book sounds delightful--best to her with it~ <3

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  27. JE23 January 2012 at 15:30

    Cairo! Fascinating! Hope you have a wonderful trip.

    I'll go check out Rebecca's book!

    ~JD

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  28. Bossy Betty23 January 2012 at 15:39

    Thanks for that update, you roving reporter! What an exciting time!

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  29. Yvonne Osborne23 January 2012 at 15:52

    I'll second that.

    Glad all is going in a positive direction for Egypt. This is good to hear because sometimes one hears otherwise.

    Congratulations to Rebecca.

    I like your stars.

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  30. Meredith23 January 2012 at 16:10

    How fascinating--so glad to hear the country's upbeat and excited! And I hope you're having an amazing time!

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  31. Nicole Zoltack23 January 2012 at 16:22

    I'm so glad to hear about how things have changed!

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  32. Unknown23 January 2012 at 16:40

    I hope you enjoy Egypt. My sister went last year and she loved it.

    I'll check out the YA book now.

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  33. Michael Di Gesu23 January 2012 at 17:12

    You do get about don't you?

    SO glad to hear about the optimism in Egypt. How exciting to be apart of nation picking itself back up after years of tyranny.

    Enjoy yourself!

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  34. Jenny Woolf23 January 2012 at 19:22

    Good to hear this, hope you can update us. As for the wine....you are so right! :)

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  35. Colene Murphy23 January 2012 at 19:50

    Wow, that's fascinating. Have a safe fun trip!

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  36. Carol Kilgore23 January 2012 at 21:03

    Congrats to Rebecca!
    And a toast to new beginnings :)

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  37. G Blechman23 January 2012 at 21:58

    With all the riots and things going on now-a-days, it's nice to see that SOMEWHERE is starting to get it's stuff together. Double woot for Egypt. Hope you're having a lovely time.

    <3 Gina Blechman

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  38. Carrie Butler23 January 2012 at 22:02

    Sounds exciting! Have a great time, Talli! :)

    P.S. Congratulations, Rebecca!

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  39. Pat Tillett23 January 2012 at 23:24

    You seen a lot of the "new" Egypt in your last two visits. I really hope it all works out to their satisfaction and they actually get what they wanted. Enjoy your trip!

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  40. Golden Eagle24 January 2012 at 00:04

    It sounds like a landmark time for Egypt!

    Congratulations to Rebecca. :)

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  41. Abby Minard24 January 2012 at 00:10

    Wow, that is so cool you are able to be in Egypt during this time. I would be too scared I think- but it looks like you are used to it since you were there last year! Glad you are having a nice time!

    Congrats to Rebecca as well!

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  42. Angie Paxton24 January 2012 at 02:33

    What an amazing thing to be a part of, Talli. To see history being made right in front of you.

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  43. Susan Oloier24 January 2012 at 02:38

    Cairo? Wow, Talli. You are quite the world traveler. And what a momentous occasion to be present for.

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  44. alexia24 January 2012 at 03:26

    Yay for Cairo! Wine indeed :)

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  45. Empty Nest Insider24 January 2012 at 09:57

    Great news for Egypt! I can't wait to hear about your adventure! Hope you're having a wonderful time!

    Congrats to Rebecca on New Beginnings! Julie

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  46. Flowerpot24 January 2012 at 10:19

    V interesting post Talli - look forward to more reports from Egypt! And well done Rebecca....

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  47. Susan Fields24 January 2012 at 13:09

    How exciting that you're in Egypt during such a momentous time! And congrats to Rebecca!

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  48. A24 January 2012 at 14:33

    Exciting times for Egypt. And for you, I hope.
    Congrats to Rebecca.

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  49. Hilary Melton-Butcher24 January 2012 at 14:57

    Hi Talli .. such an interesting place to be right now - and having Mr TR's family there to hear the news from with all the changes that will be coming. Must be fascinating .. enjoy the rest of the break - cheers Hilary

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  50. AMOffenwanger24 January 2012 at 17:44

    That's gotta be so exciting, to watch history happen right before your eyes.

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  51. Anonymous24 January 2012 at 21:45

    Thanks for the Cairo update.
    That book looks great. My get me a copy.xx

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  52. Rhonda @Laugh Quotes25 January 2012 at 04:18

    Congratulations Egypt. I hope you're on the mend.

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  53. J.C. Martin25 January 2012 at 10:33

    Very, VERY apt title! All the best to Egypt, and all the best to Rebecca with her book release!

    Not sure if you accept blog awards, but just thought you'd like to know I've nominated you for one:

    http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/2012/01/writer-wednesday-with-a-difference-blog-award/

    Have a lovely time in Cairo!

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  54. Romance Book Haven25 January 2012 at 10:47

    Wow! Egypt has moved forward in such a short time! Al the best to Egypt!

    Happy Release Day to Rebecca!

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  55. Saucy Siciliana25 January 2012 at 12:57

    I hope everything will turn out fine in Egypt. Thank you for the information. I am following you from Rome, Italy.

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  56. Sangu Mandanna25 January 2012 at 17:40

    "Now all they need is wine." HAHAHA I love that that is your make-things-perfect solution for everything! Hope you're having a lovely trip, Talli x

    Congratulations to Rebecca!

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  57. Leigh Covington25 January 2012 at 18:43

    Talli, you get to do the most amazing things. What a wonderful opportunity and experience, to be there in Egypt at his time!

    Also, very excited for Rebecca! I'm hoping over to check out her blog now! :)

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  58. Rebecca Emin25 January 2012 at 21:07

    I just wanted to pop back and say thanks again to everyone who has posted good wishes about my debut novel. I am really grateful and I have been visiting your blogs too.

    Best wishes to everyone, and thanks again to Talli for mentioning my book xx

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Coffee and wine for all!

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