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!

Winter Vacation 1

I don't even know where to begin with this blog, we have done so much in 2 weeks.

We got out of school on Dec. 17th and that night had a wine tasting party.  It was really fun and a nice way to unwind from everyone elses busy schedule..=) Michael made me a Christmas Clumsy and I wrote him a short story about how Clumsy ended up on our way. I am quite proud of it..=) So, overall we had quite the Clumsy celebration!

Then on Monday bright and early we headed off to Barcelona.  Our flight was fine and we had a lay over in Paris, which is the most insane aiport of all time.  Thankfully our building friends had warned us that the lines and security at Charles DeGull were long and ridiculous so we booked a flight we a 4 hour layover.  This was a huge blessing.  They had one person checking passports for everyone going through the one terminal.  The line was soo long.  Everyone around us was already late for their flights. People were cutting line and some people got in an argument about who should go first. One lady just kept walking past people as if they weren't there.  We were happy we listened to our friends. With the line and transfering terminals our 4 hour layover quickly became 2 hours.

Finally we got to Shelby and had the time of our lives in Barcelona. I felt like I was 21 again for a day or two. Then my body quickly let me know that I am about to be 30..=)

Pictures are in the next post. I don't know what happened.

Winter Vacation

 Cool Art work in Barcelona

 Las Ramblas- a popular street in Barcelona

 A Gaudi building. His architecture is all over Barcelona and its all amazing.

 The Cathedral.

Barcelona's Arc de Triomf!

 The Sagrada de Familia Church ---as by Gaudi. It is still not finished they have been working on it for almost 150 years.

 The Sagrada is based on nature, even I could tell that and I know nothing about architecture.

 This was one of my favorite things in Barcelona. Some people don't have a Santa Claus. So they have Caga Tio, it is a log you beat with a stick until it poops out presents! AMAZING!

 At an awesome wine bar. Super Happy!  We waited 3 hours for this place to open..=)

 Parc de Guell...this is an entire park with sculptures by Gaudi, right next to his old house. It is also a lesson in not sitting like a trucker!

 Sitges. A cool coastal town outside of Barcelona. It was 65 and sunny. People were sunbathing. The perfect day!

 Christmas ball light dancing!

I will post pictures from Paris later. It seems I have done quite a bit today.  I have so many more pictures I could post. It was really hard to limit myself. Barcelona was an amazing city and we had the best tour guides in town. I loved every minute of it. 

I don't usually make New Years resolutions, but this year after looking back on the last two weeks. I am going to work on being more appreciative. I have such amazing things going on in my life now and down the road. I want to make sure to take the time to stop and enjoy them. I think Michael will be a valuable part in this because he seems to be really good at enjoying the small things and the big things. I am so lucky to have such a great travel partner through life.

I thought I would dread coming back to Beirut because of the mixed emotions the last 4 months have brought and although I was horribly sad to leave my friends and family again ( I am not sure how many more times I can do that). I am happy and content to be back in Beirut. Which is a huge relief. This is my home for now and I am going to do what I can to make it a success.  I know I will still have some ups and downs but each day I get a little more comfortable and find more of a routine. I am not intimidated by the strange differences between here and the States anymore. Although I will not be riding in any open door white vans anytime soon. (this is beirut's answer to public transportation) They are just a part of this world.  We will see if I am still singing this happy tune in two weeks when I have to work on a Saturday!

Istanbul

On Wednesday, Michael and I decided last minute to meet our friend Molly in Istanbul, this decision quickly determined that we would also be meeting Shelby there as well.  The girls and I had started a countdown til we saw each other in Barcelona and it went from 12 days to 1 day very quickly.

Since, it was so last minute we left for Istanbul not knowing much of anything about it. I think I figured it would look like a twin of Beirut.  Wow, could I have been more wrong. Which is not something I like to say often!

We got off the plane, it was a quick 1 and a half hour flight for us and boarded a bus for downtown.  The bus ride took us through a part of Turkey, that could have been Centreville or Sterling set on the water.  I was shocked. There were apartments and chain stores everywhere. I had no idea that it would feel so suburban in Turkey.

The bus ride took us only twenty minutes which was great because I was jumping out of my seat to see Shelby and Molly and we had just limited time.  When we got off the bus in Takism square which is a huge location in Istanbul, everyone knows it. There are buses and cabs and the metro all right there.

So, then we spent the next two days doing as much as possible.  And I fell in love with Istanbul. It was super cold but it was so beautiful.  There were rows and rows of townhouses and apartments where we stayed and they each had such beautiful character and personality.  The city felt welcoming and open at the same time.  However, I have never seen so many people in my life, except for people in Times Square, but this is a much smaller space.  Shelby actually got stuck on a small man-made bridge that went over construction because there were so many people trying to cross the bridge no one moved.  I couldn't believe it!

The mosques were amazing, the views were amazing. I truly loved it. I was also surprised, although I am not sure why by the number of people that did not speak but a few words on English. I have gotten so spoiled that most people in Beirut speak English that I take it for granted. There was a lot of hand gesturing and motioning.  It was actually nice to see that as Americans we have not taken over all languages and cities of the world...=)

The Turkish Evil Eye Pendant or the Nazar Boncugu, which literally means the "evil eye bead", is actually a stone bead, which is worn to protect oneself from evil looks. The stone is an amalgamation of molten glass, iron, copper, water and salt. This particular combination of minerals and metals is believed to provide a shield from the forces of evil.

The Evil Eye pendant has the symbol of an eye worked upon it. The symbol of the eye is regarded as a potent amulet for protection against evil forces in almost every culture of the world like Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian. Thus, in Turkey, you have an eye for an eye.

It is believed that the Nazar Boncugu deflects the negative energy that is being directed towards a person onto itself, thus dispersing its powers.

The Nazar Boncugu is blue in color and the age-old Anatolian belief is that it is actually the blue color of the stone, which holds the real shielding power and absorbs the negative energy.

Quick One!

I got my first Lebanese haircut this week. I was nervous to go on my own, some people's hair here leaves something to be desired.  A lot of Platinum blondes and big waves. So, I had my friend Carla from school who is Lebanese call ahead and tell them in Arabic what I wanted.
So, I went to her hair place and first I got taken downstairs and then Carla told me that a Lebanese lady with the platinum blond was not happy that I was taken down first and Carla got an arguement for me, about how I made a reservation. So, she is a good friend to have..=)

Then who I thought was the hairstylist came and we again went over what I wanted. He putted to a blonde streak in my hair and said you want it this color? Yes! Perfect.

Then the real hairstylist came down and got to work.  Everything seemed to be what I was used to from the States so I was feeling at ease.  Then the Platinum blonde lady from before came down to get her hair done. She needed her roots to not be pitch black..=).. She was obviously curious about what I was having done because I kept hearing her and the hairstylist say highlights/lowlights. However, that is all I could understand and it was unsettling when they all laughed together. So, I decided I should call Michael and speak in Spanish, even if I am not using the right words because it is unfair that they can understand me in English and I can't understand anything.  Pretty mature, I think!

So, long story short. As the hairstylist was cutting my hair, he said I am going to cut away the blonde, its too much and it doesn't look good with your face.  First of all, excuse me! Second of all, weren't you supposed to be making my hair blonde, and if you are cutting it away, then I am either going to be bald or we failed to communicate appropriately.

I said "if not blonde what color did you make my hair, his response was the lightest shade of honey." What?? No one knows what shade that is.  So, I gritted my teeth and got very lucky. It does look great. I just think that this is really funny story. I might be the only one though, I also wanted it in my blog because this is also like a memory log for me.

IF you made this far, here are some pictures of our night out on Saturday

 Arabic Karaoke in case you were curious and one day thought to yourself..hmm I wonder what Karaoke sounds like in Arabic

 The sexy video pictures that go with French Karaoke songs!