my quest to organize 2010!

I am the first to admit that I am completely dependent on my day planner. Yes, I'm even one of those people who when I'm sitting on public transportation and have nothing to do will "read" my day planner. I like organizing. I like planning. Little did I know, however, how particular I am about the format of my daily planner/agenda until I tried to find one in Cairo.

I like a portable planner, preferably one that can fit in different size purses, including the small ones. Of course, I need lots of room to write, including weekends... I ask my friend with a car to help me find one.#

Store #1: All planners are "Arabic" style. I can get used to opening it "backwards" (Arabic: write right to left, open books from the "back" cover). The week starts on Sunday because weekends here are Friday and Saturday. All days, months etc are in Arabic which would be good daily practice. However, one page per day is not an efficient use of space nor is it conducive to visualizing long term planning...sorry, try again.

Store #2: only wall calendars based on the Muslim calendar. They reminded me of Grandpa's Farm Bureau calendar...something to hang on the wall, tear off the page each day and it generally ends up a couple of weeks behind. Nope, try again.

Store #3: exactly what I was looking for but only 2009. That won't work.

Between store three and four, I start to feel a bit desperate. In exasperation, I tell my friend that I now understand why Egyptians are always late and don't ever plan anything! There are no planners! I start to ask my stereotypical culturally philosophical questions: "how would Egypt be different if Egyptians had planners? and were taught to use them? how do professionals keep track of appointments? etc..." My friend asks me why so many different types of planners exist and exclaims that all Americans are really OCD about time organization ("time is money!")

FINALLY, store #4-- I find a small, well organized-- tho I must compromise because it doesn't have a separate page for each month-- planner. I'll take it!

While I normally do not advocate for big box stores, this is one instance where I wish I had an Office Depot! I guess another cultural adjustment--- or something to be sure to add to my Christmas list from the States next year!