Fun times

 I recently, read a memoir, called Beirut, I love you about a woman who came here the year after the 20 year civil war and stayed through the 2006 bombings. It was a fascinating read and she talked about lots of places that I have been in our area.  She mentioned numerous times in the book about her love/hate relationship with Beirut.  She hated what the people here did to each other and how scary it can be but she could never leave it.  I am beginning to understand this relationship more and more with each month that I spend here. Although at the end of the 2 years I am sure I will be able to leave..=)

Beirut and its people have so much to be angry about, there is so much injustice and frustrations. As, Michael mentioned in his post, there is a lot of "what can you do, it's Lebanon." Yet, there is such a wonderful and expected world here. It takes a lot of effort to find it but when you do, its worth it.

A few weeks ago we went to an Arabic Rap Battle, of course, we did not understand a word, expect for the occasional CIA and white man shout out, =), I am sure it was all positive! Nevertheless, it was soo much fun. There was an awesome vibe in the room and people were loving it. They were respectful and happy. It was located in a cool theatre near our house that is designed to look like a futuristic airplane terminal, it is really hard to explain but really fun. We saw Harold and Maude there for free a few months ago, as well. This is a perfect example of the love relationship with Beirut.
We walked home from the Battle with our friends and I just felt so happy. Sometimes, you just walk around this town and you are like, for all of my complaints and annoyances there is just a charm here that can't be explained.  Even the 50 honks and taxi shout-outs on the way home, couldn't ruin the night.

If you want to imagine the hate part of the relationship, try walking down the street near your house and imagine in a 10 minute walk, that you have heard, cats screaming in terror from sex, about 50 honks, and at least 15 taxi, taxi, taxi, calls and an occasionally boob glare and a very rare, you are beautiful comment.  That is Beirut in a nutshell and the hate part!

This is a really long story but I think it is worth it.....
Back to the love part, a few weeks ago I lost the extra key to my cubby/shed office.  I didn't want to admit I had lost it.  I am kind of afraid of the secretary, she is always shouting and talking fast in Arabic and I don't know if she is mad or just intense. So, I kept telling her I forgot it at home. Anyways, it got to a point where I couldn't put her off any longer, so I decided I would have a new key made and put it back in her key box without her knowing!  Good plan...absolutely!!
So, i went to school Monday morning and confided in a teacher about what was happening and she said "oh the key place is always open early, just go real quick." So, I snuck out of school, in fear of running into the secretary again, I went out a side door and headed up to Hamra. It is about a 10 minute walk from school.  Of course, it decided to rain right then and there. Hard! and of course, I had a raincoat but no umbrella, so I am soaking wet and practically running to Hamra, which means I am also seriously overheating. Shockingly this is the only time it rained all day, I think it was karma for being a sneak. I finally find where I think the key shop should be but all is closed. Not sure what to do while standing in the rain, and having left work without telling anyone, I decide to ask the old man at the Western Union office, if he knows where the key shop is.  He says he is late because it is raining to hard, seriously, people don't open because of rain! I need to own a business here!  Then the Western Union man, invites me to sit inside his office and wait.  I am drinking tea so he offers me a candy bar to go with it and we have a conversation in broken English, about his family and life. I think he thought his room was the Western Union and so he mentioned several times he had a house and a family.  Then he gave me the Beirut, 15 minutes speech, which in American time could be hours. So, I told him I had to go, he let me leave with a few happy cheek pats. This is the love part of the relationship. this would never happen in the States! It was amazing!
I went back an hour later to try again when the rain had stopped and there was an Arabic sign on the door, I asked the lottery/magazine salesmen to read it for me and instead he called the key guy and asked when he would be there. It was amazing, how much people wanted to help me, the drowned rat American girl, who claims at times to be from Canada, I am pretty sure they see right through that..=)
This day made me really happy and finally in conclusion. I GOT THE KEY MADE and no one has figured it out yet...

Here are some pictures to make this blog post less boring

I made this in my sewing class, as you all know I am in great need of a cosmetic bag! But, I am quite proud of it. I have two more classes to go in the beginners workshop, next week I can make a skirt! Woop, Woop, who would have thought I would be in a 4 week sewing class, I am so domesticated!

 We can watch hockey!!! Mike Green I have missed your beautiful face!

 Our yummy dinner the other night. I decided to do the opposite of what most people do and take a picture after we ate! Gross!  We had a chicken plate, Fattoush (its a delicious salad), muttabal (its eggplant made up like hummus with pomegranate seeds), and a big water!!

And we're back

So, we came back to school on the 2nd of January and still have not had a full week of work.  Last week Beirut and the surrounding areas got so much snow and rain that the Minister of Education shut down all schools for 3 days!  It was really nice.  However, since we have missed so much school already, IC has cancelled our February break.  I am no stranger, to having to make up school days, so I kind of ok with it. BUT...why is the allocated number of school days the 1 rule that Lebanon follows. SERIOUSLY! People run red lights and park on sidewalks and bomb each other, without persecution but too few schools day, sends everyone into a frenzy! Oh well, its Beirut. That is the mantra every time there is something confusing or wrong here. We have probably told you this before!

Yesterday, we had parent teacher conferences, I always wondered what it would be like to be the most hated person in a room. I often wondered -What Obama would feel like at a Republican Convention or how it would feel to be Jewish in Lebanon. Thankfully, yesterday I got my wish.  It is very uncool to have a special needs child in Lebanon, more uncool than not wearing brand name tennis shoes or being a domestic helper.  So, when parents see me coming, there is an instant look for fear and disdan.  Some parents refused to even let me meet with their children. The others constantly ask "is it only my child you see," "is my child worst than the other children" (more often than not the true answer to this is YES, but we pretend not too compare.  There is also a lot "my child is nothing like that at home, I am surprised you see that at school." Interesting! Well as long as he is fine at home, I guess we don't have a problem here. Duh!  Oh well, its Beirut!  Please, do not call me when IC politely puts your child on academic probation and then even more politely asks you to find a school that is more suited for your student, in the dreaded and horrible world of public education. what would people say then!!! IC has to keep up their 98% pass rating on tests and your child will hurt the curve, so good luck!  I am a little put off today, can you tell..=)

On a happier note, my Economics class is going well so far! Yay! I can now take any money you offer and put it in the stock market and make you millions, I have after all been taking the class for a whole 2 weeks!

We also found a new bar that we can walk to that has really good happy hour, so I have been 2 times since Wednesday, nice work me! It is some of  the best quality  non-lebanese food we have found here. The lebanese make some amazing local food, but their intrepretation of American food can leave a lot to be desired. I also blame the amazing food scene in Portland, for making other food always seems a  little subpar!

Last night we tried to watch a illegally burned dvd of The Hobbit, that I bought at a local video store and it started out strong but quickly the words and the mouth no longer matched! Cutting corners doesn't always pan out but I am happy that I currently live in a place where a store can sell burned dvd's. Its no longer a taboo subject, well it's Beirut, we have bigger issues!

Here are three pictures from around town. I need to post more of these types of pictures.

 Our first hot toddys in Beirut, at our new favorite bar

 the back area of another restuarant, its beautiful back there but the food is just ok

I just like this sign and it doesn't seem to belong to a business..he just looks so happy to help

Paris and other stuff

Since, this is happening at this moment I am going to start with it. I have decided as you know, to start working towards my General Education endorsement and the only class I could sign up for (for a lot of annoying reasons) is Introduction to Economics. I was reading through the syllabus today and am already kind of regretting my decision. I have completely forgotten how to read assigned chapters and take quizzes. Then I read that the final exam is in-person.  That makes things tough, since I lied and said I still live in Portland, but yet I have to take the test or hopefully take the test in Beirut. Wow, lying never does pay off, although it saved me a ton of money...=)  We will see how this goes. Hopefully, the American University of Beirut can help me out. Oh yea, I also need a TI-83. WOW WOW WOW, did I never ever ever think I would say those words again.  Lindsay Arceo I don't know how you did this and had a baby!!!!!

Anyways,  on to Paris.

Before going to Paris, I scoffed a little at the Most Romantic City in the World talk. Mostly because lovey, dovey stuff kind freaks me out..=)  I am not great at the whole look in eyes lovingly and quietly while picnicking with fountains running and doves swimming. Thankfully, it was too cold for doves, fountains, or picnics. However, by the end of about 3 days I was a changed woman. I fell in love with Paris, just like most people, I would assume.  I could actually visualize myself sitting by a fountain with a bottle of wine and not talking, me not talking, who have I become.  A Paris convert that's who!  It is an amazing city with sooo many things to see and a little bit for everyone.  I only wish I had eaten more French Onion or just Onion soup!  I already want to go back with just Michael and be that couple from the movies! Ecspecially the ones that ride bikes and laugh hysterically with their legs sticking out and a basket on the front carrying lunch! Oh, Paris you got me! haha
Here are some pictures to encourage you to get gotten( i know thats not right) by Paris.
I was also amazing to get to spend a whole week with my family. I LOVED IT. It was hard to say good-bye but seeing them is always worth it.

 We put a lock on the bridge for continued luck in love! Its looking right at the Eiffel Tower! 7-22-11

 Hanging out in our cute neighborhood!

 There she is!

 The Top of the Eiffel Tower.  It was a long wait but worth it!

 Ashley and I doing the European picture pose in front of the Louvre...Amaazing!

Bottom line I had the best two weeks ever!

Now to start planning February and March!!!

I am glad to be back to a bit of a schedule and all the honking horns! I feel a little lost without all the noise.

This week our school is closed for two days for weather.  It has been down pouring off and on for 2 days now and there are no sewers in the street here, another great beirutian plan!! So, roads are even more dangerous than before.  Cars are actually washing away! I really like how Beirut put in white lanes for traffic which absolutely no one follows but then did not put in anywhere for the water to run. Crazytown. I am not sure why I keep getting surprised by things here!