Ana mabsootah

Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy

2012-01-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got to (finally) see the movie Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy. I've been wanting to see this movie since last Nov; although I gather that it didn't actually get released in full (in the U.S.) until this month.

It was a very good, very British film. It's a Cold War drama, very unapologeticlly so, and was quite fun to go back to a film so into that time period. There is no hints really to our current time; it was quite refreshing to see everything in the bi-lateral power system that was present during the Cold War.

It's taken from the book by the same name, written by John le Carré, who wrote many Cold War spy books, focusing on the MI-5 and 6. His style is to take the same genre as the James Bond type stories, but bring in more complexities. As in, his dramas are more psychological than black and white spy thrillers.

I personally love this. On the downside, you can leave this movie not feeling like everything is 'right.' But, I haven't seen a movie in a while that was quite so realistic- and so 'just so.' As in- this is how it was and is and that's that. It's not perfect, but it's reality. And it's how we all live. It's taking a very complex situation and bringing in the personalities- you can see how the personal decisions, perceptions, paranoia, weaknesses and loves affect great histories. I love that complexity.

I recommend the movie highly, although you may want to know going in that it's not an action film like MI:4 and it's British and so can move at a rather timed pace. (I haven't read the book, but I'm going to guess the flashbacks may have been added to lively things up a bit... hmmm, I now need to read the book and see for myself) You may also want to refresh yourself with Cold War history a bit, although I suppose you just need to know about the Soviet bloc.

On a more superficial side, I LOOOOVE all of the actors in this film (in this film, but anyways). I also love how Benedict Cumberbatch's hair is blonde. He looks soooo different! (I personally like it more) I also love all of the film locations and the camera angles were superb. More than anything, I just love it being the cold war drama. There was such a style to this type of drama and the world was so... interesting. :P But, I think that the film reflected very well how much little things really impacted every day life in Europe during this time...

Film rating: A+

Some photos from my new camera

2012-01-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

Here are two pictures I took over the holiday! (I'll try to get more; most of my pictures are family and I don't want to post those here)

Presents and Cookie Monster!

Amazing chicken for New Years Eve!

New Year Resolution

2011-12-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

I have re-installed Blogger on my phone (HTC EVO 3D- love it!) and have a new resolution for 2012- to read and write a book review every 1-2 weeks. (we'll see how long this last; I don't have the best track record for these things)

Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch

I have TONS of books in my library and need to start finishing them! I start reading and love my books, but seem to switch before I finish! So, hopefully, this will help focus my reading. Plus, I think reading is more fun if you can then talk about what you liked or didn't like about...

I have added a book list to the side of my blog so that you can see what I am currently reading. I tend towards a lot of historical stuff, but I'll mix in some fiction in there too. I'm excited actually- I have a Nook (OMG- this has TOTALLY re-energized my reading!) and you can get ebooks for free if the copyright has expired (over 100 years old). So, I have tons of classics to read or re-read. Plus, Barnes and Noble gives you free books every week and there is a mix of good and bad in those... This will be fun!

My husband is awesome

2011-12-20T05:19:00.001-08:00

I got my Christmas present early!
Nikon D5100

Flying with baby

2011-06-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

I'm SUPER excited- we are going to Jordan THIS MONTH!!! It's been 3 years since we were there and this will be the FIRST TIME I will be there in SUMMER!!! I won't freeze- yay!

Yummy food in Madaba, Jordan

So, right now we are finishing shopping for everyone (and some stuff for us) and then packing and making a schedule. It makes SUCH a big difference to pack for summer rather than winter! I'm almost done and it's only 3 bags! Weight is still an issue- as in, my bags are not bull, but they are at 50 pounds-, but I amazed by the room. We will probably still do 4 bags though- I need the space for Baby Z's travel high chair.

We are flying Turkish Airways to Jordan this time- this is my first time with them and I have heard great stuff about them! I'm pretty excited- just look at their food choices! That's their special needs section- with baby, we will be all set; although I'm still bringing our our food- just in case. But, it's nice that it's all Halal and it's nice that they have all of the special diet stuff. Baby Z has some allergies now and we don't want to take any chances!!!

Felafel sandwiches in Amman, Jordan

Otherwise, it looks like their flight entertainment and services are pretty similar to other international airlines (non-U.S. airlines). Yes, I'm a flight snob, but I really find that non-U.S. airlines, when it comes to in flight entertainment and services and comfort are GREATLY better than the U.S. carriers. But, I know Delta just updated their fleets, so maybe it's better now. (last time I flew Delta was direct from Amman to NYC and it was an older plane with the TV screens at the front of the cabin- not cool! And last long flight (over 8 hours) I did for United was to China and my TV screen - along with some others- were broken going over there; they canceled my flight to Shanghai and didn't tell us until we got to the airport, put me automatically on a flight for the next day, and I had to work with them because I was only going to be in Shanghai for like a day before flying up to Beijing (I did a flight to Beijing --> Shanghai which got me in about 3 hours latter than my original arrival, but they also could have put me through the routes IAD--> Tokyo--> Shanghai; IAD--> SFO--> Shanghai; or IAD--> Atlanta---> Shanghai because ARE YOU REALLY NOT GOING TO WORK WITH SOMEONE DOING A 13 HOUR FLIGHT? You'd think the dates would be important!!!) Anyways, I don't think I've flown American Airways overseas- they may be a redeemer because I have liked their U.S. domestic flights.)

*end of U.S. plane rant*

So, the other interesting thing about this flight will be flying with a 15 month old baby. :) My biggest worry is that she won't sleep enough. 12 hours would be normal, but - as the flight is only 10.5 hours to Turkey- I don't think that will happen. I would be happy if she did at least 6 hours straight. We have a 3-ish hour layover in Istanbul and then go to Jordan where we get in around 9 pm. Which, will be good in that I can (hopefully) get home and get her into bed by 11 pm or so. She usually sleeps well, but only sleeps in her bed or her car seat. I'm hoping we can either lie her down on our laps or the floor to sleep or that she will fall asleep easily with the movement of the plane.


Ajlun, Jordan

I will be going to her doctor tomorrow to check that she doesn't have any ear infections and to see if they recommend anything to help her sleep (ie, Tylenol or Dimetapp) if she doesn't go down easy. I figure, worst case, she will cry for about an hour before exhausting herself to sleep. (Yay, people next to us!) I've heard of people who bring 'treats' for the people around them; what do you think? I haven't decided if I should do that or not.

Otherwise, I'm excited for this trip because 1. it's summer 2. we get to see family and everyone can meet baby Z 3. I get to go to more sites that I haven't seen in Jordan. Like ACTUALLY GOING INTO THE DEAD SEA! It's funny- I have been to Jordan 2 times now (we try to go every other year, but it's been 3 years since I was pregnant and all) and have gone TO the Dead Sea both times, but only to the hotels to eat and have coffee and hang out. I'm determined to TOUCH it this time! The other big tourist thing I haven't done yet is to the go to the Citadel in Amman. I also want to go see the old train stop; I know, odd request, but I think it's really cool. :)

Yay- Jordan!!! I'm soooooooooo excited!!

Men in literature (and how it effects women in literature)

2011-03-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

I think men are often put on a pedestal in literature. Even if they are seen as doing something wrong, they are - in the end- upheld as an example of what a good person should be. Which, by itself is not necessarily a bad thing, as stories usually go through a character's personal development through growing from mistakes. But, I see in so many places a relationship of the men with women that show the male 'superiority' that it is slightly troubling to the feminist in me. Perhaps realistic, but still troubling.

In the end of many stories, the women of the story approve and acquiesce to the man with implied superiority. I think it's very subtle, and may pull on a woman's feeling that they are never perfect. But, in looking at men of the story, it is like you can point to the man as an ideal person who can guide women. The men go through their ups and down- as do the women of the story- but, in the end, the men is still ahead of the women. The woman wants the man to say something witty about them. The women expects the man to provide for her/her kids/his family. The women accepts that her role is by said man.

I think this is true, even when the women has her own career in the story. Or even if the women makes more money than the man. I'm reading The Cookbook Collector now and so far one of the women is more successful than her boyfriend, but still 'leans' on him as the more secure, strong and -almost by default- knowledgeable person of the two. The written words say otherwise- the boyfriend in the story thinks that the girlfriend is smarter, etc- but the actions seem to lean towards this natural imbalance between men and women. Sure, they figure that the women have their own lives/careers/etc, but the men is still the leader of the relationships- good or for bad.

So, is the male/female role something that is inherently imbalanced? I just read the transcript from 28 February's "Tell Me More" show on NPR. Besides the fact that I love NPR and agree with most opinion pieces like those from Michel Martin, I think that she brings up a great point on the imbalanced worthiness of news stories based on the audience they 'apeal' to. Why can't news shows talk about fashion- particularly given the amount of time we talk about rather 'male-specific' things on the same shows? Particularly since fashion is a mult-billion dollar industry that effects millions of workers and billions of people? (I mean- everyone wears clothes, right?) But, it's not just about talking about fashion- it's about giving value to topics based on the perceived idea that they are 'girly' or 'manly.' And the idea that something 'girly' is unvaluable, but 'manly' things have value.

Even if it's 2 men beating the cr@p out of each other for sport.

New Year's Update

2011-01-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

Hello! My sporadic writing is still.... sporadic :P

I have actually started a Tumblr account that you can find here. Tumblr is great; it's kinda' like a blogger's Twitter. You re-post stuff from your followers and can post text, pictures, quotes, etc. I think I can also hook my different blogs and such together through this site, so that's nice!

I'm trying to write a bit more and have found that Tumblr's format makes it a bit easier, but perhaps I'll try to still use this blog for long posts and the Tumblr one for shorter ones...

So, how am I doing on my New Year's resolution?

House
*Paint Master bedroom - nope
*Paint Guest bedroom - nope
*Clean out closets - nope
*Organize basement - nope

(I should have put in organize main level- I did that!! And a REALLY thorough cleaning!)
Clothes
*Get rid of clothes that don't fit/don't wear/old and worn - nope
*Buy essentials - nope
I really would like to develop a 'style'- right now it's so scattered. I would like to look put together and invest in a few really nice pieces instead of a bunch of crap.

(working on the 'style' thing; Tumblr is great for collecting images and thoughts! :))
Me
*Regularly trim hair - hmmmmmm; really need to make an apt
*Style hair in morning (ha!) - actually have started doing this fairly regular!
*Treat skin right - yep; amazing, huh? Well, I'm using lotion better- I need to wash my face at night
*Cut down on sweets (1 a day?) - ehhhhhhh
*Read at least 1/2 hour a day - not every day, but working on it
*Study Arabic at least 1/2 hour a day - I swear, I'll start next week! :P

New Style

2011-01-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years!

Being the new year, I feel a bit like getting things organized. It's the start of the year; the start of the semester; the start of the decade; the start of the month- a great time!

So, here is a bit of what I'm thinking of:

House
*Paint Master bedroom
*Paint Guest bedroom
*Clean out closets
*Organize basement

Clothes
*Get rid of clothes that don't fit/don't wear/old and worn
*Buy essentials
I really would like to develop a 'style'- right now it's so scattered. I would like to look put together and invest in a few really nice pieces instead of a bunch of crap.

Me
*Regularly trim hair
*Style hair in morning (ha!)
*Treat skin right
*Cut down on sweets (1 a day?)
*Read at least 1/2 hour a day
*Study Arabic at least 1/2 hour a day

Wish me luck!

October (old post)

2010-10-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

Ok... 2 month gap... *sigh*

What's new? My mom and sister-in-law has gone back to Jordan and the house is very empty without them! :( I know that baby Z misses them a lot. It was nice having them here to be with F and Z during the day and REALLY nice to give baby Z constant Arabic exposure. Now, she must suffer with my bad pronunciations....

I think that a new 'generation' of students are coming into university. First off, with all of the fast changes in technology, one group of students is always pretty different from the previous one because of the technology they have grown up with. But, overall we can see some shared characteristics in groups. The group of students for the past 6-8 years or so has been a rather interesting group with what I have seen as being VERY driven, knowing what they want and WILL ask for what they want, but at the same time being HIGHLY dependent on support networks. With this new group of students, they have that aspect to them, but they are much more independent than the previous group on their parents. Which, from a university staff viewpoint, is a good thing. I fully expect for students to communicate with their parents and I am VERY happy to provide any information I can to parents to help them understand the university system, but when it comes down to day-to-day things... the students themselves should be able to make those decisions!! :)

Ramadan Day 9

2010-08-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

Again; not day 9, but - I think today is like 21 or something... Ah!!!!

Food has been pretty normal now; we are the 'normal' part of the month where unless we are with family and stuff, things are part of daily life. I always think it's interesting how because the fast is so long, that happens. I mean, you are still completely aware that you are fasting, but it's not as hard (of course, I say this while not fasting this year!) as when you first started. I find also that around this point I would feel pretty calm overall- something I think I get more while fasting than not! ;P

Your moment of Zen:

Ramadan Day 8

2010-08-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Soo... this was written about 2 weeks ago; I've gotten bad with the start of school and everything! :) I'll try to get better, but for now, I'll post what I had all set to go.

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Fried chicken, fries, soup, and salad! :)

Another TV show to talk about today... One full of mystery, history, big mustaches, organized resistance, politics, romance, culture and DRAMA! Bab al Hara has got to be my favorite Arabic language TV show. It has everything, PLUS is in a dialect that I can actually understand a bit better (Egyptian is still difficult for me; they seriously have 50,000 ways to say the same thing! With Levant-area Arabic, you always know they will say "Hello, How are you?" and basic conversational things).

So, this is the 5th year of the drama. They only show it during Ramadan and in addition to the apprehension of knowing where the plot will go this year, I also look forward to see what actors are replaced, lol. There has been quite a few changes and they even killed a character off after the 2nd session (reportedly) because the actor wanted more money!

Your moment of Zen:

Ramadan Day 7 & "I want to get married!" Drama

2010-08-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Didn't get the picture again- we are at that point where Iftar is right when baby Z is going to sleep... Anyways- we had lentil soup, sambosek, rice with lamb and broad beans and later on atyaif.

So, as you may have seen, Ramadan is a time where the TV and advertising industry goes nuts! As my 'moments of Zen,' I am highlighting a few of these shows and commercials; I hope you are enjoying them so far. Today, I have a clip from this drama (think telenovela, when we talk about Arabic shows) that is allll about marriage in Egypt. Right now it is very hard to get married- in large part because of the economy. People just don't have the money. When you are looking to get married, you need to show up front that you can support your wife-to-be and family-to-be! That means providing a home, furnishings, money, gifts for her during the engagement and of course the wedding- all paid by the groom. Lots of pressure on the groom and his family and certainly very hard to show when the economy is bad...

The result? Many people are getting married MUCH later. So for men, this doesn't seem to be so much of an issue- I mean, they can procreate at pretty much any age, right?- but for women, this is a HUGE issue! And just because the economy is bad, doesn't mean that they are going to lower their standards and marry just anyone! But, there is the issue of marrying before it's 'too late,' plus they are competing with younger women for the same men...

So, this series address that issue- the difficulties that women encounter in the marriage process; especially in this time period. Of course- my summary is not doing it justice- there is a large component about the process too; the idea that you meet the guy with your family in this formal setting to decide (in that time period of about an hour or so) if you want to be engaged!! Now, after the engagement, you have time to date and sometimes break up, but still... it's a big deal!

It's very funny and deals with the main actress talking directly to the audience... I wish I knew Arabic better because I think knowing what she was saying and -I'm sure- the phrases and play on words would make it more enjoyable)

Some recent articles on the blog/book/tv drama:

NPR- In Egypt, Carrie Bradshaw In A Headscarf

BBC- Spotlight on Egypt's marriage crisis

You can also find the episodes online through MBC

Your moment of Zen:

Ramadan Day 6

2010-08-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

...I forgot my iftar picture :( Sorry!

Imagine if you will, our table - all set up for iftar with the normal plates, bowls, spoons, cups of water, dates, jug of water-Vimto-Orange juice (ok, it's something else, but I can't remember what it's called)- and in the middle: soup- tomato base with some really yummy seasoning and noodles and meatballs (of sorts) and rice with roasted almonds and stewed lamb. Yum, Yum, Yum!

Ok, I'm behind on posts, so it's short and sweet today ;)

Your moment of Zen:

Ramadan- days 3-5 (weekend) & Trays

2010-08-16T11:15:00.001-07:00

It's the weekend! Yay! So, here was have Iftars from Friday and Saturday night- I forgot to take a picture on Sunday night. Friday was lentil soup, salad, sambosek, rice with chicken, pea gravy (more like a stew of just tomato sauce and peas- anything stewed like this is usually called a 'gravy'. Saturday was stuffed grape leaves, salad, lentil soup, rice, pea gravy, sambosek. Sunday was macaroni bechamel, salad with corn, sambosek.

And here is the picture of the cups we use for the Arabic coffee! They are very small cups with no handle and you will pour from the stack as you hand out the coffee (I haven't gotten the hang of this- I'm too afraid to spill on someone!). I don't know why, but I really like these cups and the whole process that goes along with it... a very small thing, but unique!

Our beautiful cups were brought in from Jordan by my mom-in-law and sister-in-law. They are white with silver on them.

On that note- you can see in the picture part of our beautiful silver tray (1 of 2). Normally, I will use wooden trays if I'm bring food upstairs or downstairs or anyplace and I don't want to make multiple trips. It's funny- and something that I had already noticed in Jordan- how much we are using the pretty silver trays now... on the main level. My mom-in-law and sister-in-law are with us through the end of Ramadan and of course they do those things like at home. (I love having them here- they are super casual and do many things like I do... and we have always stayed with them in Jordan so long periods of time together are not that unusual for us)

When I saw we are using trays on the main level, I mean we are using trays for everything. In most cases I would just bring out food or tea/coffee, but now we pretty much use the trays for these actions. So, we bring out the cute silver trays (big and small), usually put a paper towel down so the tea/coffee doesn't spill, put out the tea pot, sugar, cups, plates and perhaps a snack. And then bring them out to everyone. Which is very nice, but certainly not something I really would normally do or anyone in my family would normally do :) There is something in the way this is done that seems much more elegant than just bring out the tea in individual cups- don't you think?

Your moment of zen: (ok, not that great of a commercial, but it sure has many big-name actors! ...or at least many *I* like :P)

2nd night of Ramadan & writing scripts

2010-08-13T08:54:00.001-07:00

2nd night of Ramadan with Lentil soup, Rice and chicken, meat pies (yum, yum!), fatoosh, and atyaif. Afterwards, coffee - I need to take a picture, you can see in the far right the cups we use- and ate more pies later on.

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Does anyone write in cursive anymore? I am missing writing in cursive today. There is something very fun about looping and connecting one letter to another.

I usually don't write in cursive (of course, how much does anyone actually WRITE these days?), but when I do, it's more of a half cursive, half print writing. I'll do in cursive my 'f', 'l', 'e' and various other letters that are looping and 'fun,' but keep in print things like my 'b', 'r', capital letters, 'p' (although 'p' is pretty much the same in both prints) and others...

Do they still teach cursive in school? They must- when I took the GRE I had to write the 'I will not lie' statement in cursive, which was probably the first time in 8 years that I had to write in cursive! I don't remember it making a difference in university how I wrote- just as long as it was eligible.

What I find is that how I physically write things is very different than how I type things. I feel like when I type, it's a more direct connection between my brain the keyboard. I type faster than I write. Of course, that can contribute to the writing being more like 'talking'- flippant, casual, incorrect, etc. When I physically write (in cursive or print), it takes more time and I feel like I have to think more. I can't just go back and fix what I write down- is that why it's different for me? Is it because it takes more time and therefore I can think the sentence and each word out in more detail?

Perhaps I should start to practice writing again- in the physical sense- and see if it's true that my thoughts are better put together. Of course, that'll take time, but I miss that part of my life; seeing a topic and talking about it in good detail. I feel like through writing I can explore something a bit more than typing sometimes...

What do you think? Do you find you think differently whether you type something or physically write it out?

And now... your moment of Zen:

1st night of Ramadan

2010-08-12T11:15:00.001-07:00

First night of Ramadan and we had the always super yummy lentil soup, salad (fattoush), and rice & chicken (with almonds and

raisins). Yum, yum, yummy! Later on, we have some

family come over and had some Arabic coffee (not to

be confused with Turkish coffee) and Atayef/Qataieyf-

a yummy pancake with nuts/cinnamon inside (or

sweet cheese) with sugar water on top.

Otherwise, the day was pretty uneventful- I worked

from home and gave my baby sweet potatoes for

the first time (I don't think she's a fan of them). I always find it takes a few days to really get in the

'swing' of things- maybe by this weekend. But, I'm not doing much for Ramadan this year, so it's

different than normal for me anyways...

On a more fun note- I LOVE the TV shows during Ramadan. It's very much like all the special

shows during Christmas time in the U.S. In particular, I like Bab al Hara (the neighborhood door-

a reference to Damascus, Syria and the different neighborhoods which almost function like

separate administrative zones) and Tash Ma Tash - a Saudi satire show. Also, there seems to be

a "Tonight Show"-esqe show this year in Egypt with this women who gives a comedic monologue

and then has a guest on the show! Certainly something new for me!

August & Ramadan

2010-08-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

So....

It's mid-August. And tomorrow (inshallah) is the start of Ramadan. Yay for Ramadan; blah for mid-August.

Mid-August means that I have less than 2 weeks before students return to campus and the fall semester begins. It TOTALLY doesn't feel like school is starting again soon. 1. It's too hot! 2. We just didn't do (or I don't feel like we did) as many projects this summer like we normally do in the office. (of course, that's because we got a new webpage which has pretty much taking up all of our time and bitching... lol) 3. I'm still figuring out the mess from the spring (ok, it's not THAT bad, but not where I would like it to be)

So, that is a lot of what I'm thinking of now, but because it's mid-August (ie, vacation time for most people), I have really lagging in being productive. NOT good.

On the good side, Ramadan is starting tomorrow (inshallah) and while I'm not fasting this year on account of my breastfeeding, I am excited and will still need to adjust my schedule over the next month since my husband, sister-in-law and mother-in-law will be fasting. I certainly prefer to fast during Ramadan- it bring a level of spirituality that's hard to feel otherwise. By fasting,

you really focus on what's important in life and since you change your life around so much for the month, it bring a nice peacefulness to your life... I'm going to miss that.

But, I still need to change things a bit- mostly since my family will be fasting and I need to eat with them!! :) I think what I'm going to do is eat breakfast and drink water during the day, but not eat after - breakfast, so around 10:30/11 am. Of course, if I feel my blood sugar get so low (like this past weekend when I pretty much didn't eat until 6 pm!!!), I will eat again, but at least keep things small...

LOL! I always see people write about ill-positioned ads and thought this one was HILARIOUS!!! "How big is your weight loss goal?" ad on a page about fasting?! Ummm- FAIL! lol

Oh- so a big difference between Islamic fasting and (for example) Catholic fasting is that Catholic fasting lowers the total amount of food consumed (unlimited water and other items), while Islamic fasting is more time-based to eating/drinking/etc NOTHING during certain times of the day. I was brought up Catholic (to which I must note that I really do think Catholicism is fun) and it's kinda' funny looking at the 'official' rules for fasting because it's different from what my church taught and I remember traveling and basically having people in other countries not think I was Catholic because we didn't fast like they did. But, overall Catholic fasting is intended to make you suffer- like Jesus- and Islam fasting is more about spiritual focus (and empathy for the poor).

Of course, once nightfall hits, there is lots of eating and drinking and so I always say Ramadan is like a mix between Lent and Easter- each day! My husband thinks it's like Thanksgiving every day.

Ramadan Kareem!!! :)

Blogging

2010-08-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

Ok- I'm going to try to blog again on a regular basis... Maybe it'll help me get on track of things again!

It's funny; I like reading expat blogs, but haven't really LIVED overseas (I'll put over 1 month, although I suppose at my age it should at least be 1 year...) in, like, 9 years! My job is a daily involvement in living abroad, but I myself haven't personally dealt with it in so long! Just small trips of 1 month or less... I miss living abroad sometimes.

BUT, I should really be better about living in my area. As much as the Washington, DC is not a place I have ever really considered as 'home,' it does have A LOT to do and I need to go back to doing stuff. (ok- when it gets cooler and easier to breathe outside) I always took advantage in university, but now that I live and work outside DC proper, I don't do as much as I used to.

Which is pretty sad... ;(

On THAT note- I think I may become addicted to the news reports for "Real Housewives of D.C." Not the show itself - it was 'eh'- but I LOOOOVE the articles that have been written about this show. A few of my favorites:

NY Times: Capital Cattiness

"She boasts that she runs the top modeling agency in Washington, which is a little like claiming to be the No. 1 car manufacturer in Charleston, S.C."

Washington Post: Real Housewives Homepage

Episode #1 Fact check article

"Lynda Erkiletian runs "the top modeling agency in Washingotn, D.C."(How many others are there, Lynda? We'll never let her live that down!)We see her auditioning some models, and she explains that "we cater to the ambassadors, to the dignitaries" (Note to self: At next embassy party, ask what they're hiring models for.)" - HAHAHA!!!! Of course, it does kinda' sound like she runs an escort service...

I have that on my DVR and I hope it get's a bit better as the season goes on; I AM pleased that it's not all about the Salahi's- although I, of course, like to know the end event and to see it speeding towards that wreak... (ok, that is mean. But, SERIOUSLY? You actually crashed a White House party?)

Oh- there was also an article and I can't remember where it was, but it did mention how pretty much ALL of D.C is full of wanta-be's; something I totally agree with... It's not like there are many 'old wealth' or just plain 'old' families in the DC area! It's such a transitional area- I think you can go back maybe 3 generations in most cases...!

Ramadan & Soccer

2010-08-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

I was very pleased today to hear on the Kojo Nnamdi Show today a section on Ifars and Ramadan. I need to go back and listen to it (I AM at work...), but it was just nice to hear people talking about their traditions and food and the season. It means a lot to me to hear about this because (for the most part) you don't get ANY recognition of the holidays in the U.S. (of course, there's not a majority population in most locations of the U.S.) and since it changes your life for such a good period of time, any discussion is certainly appreciated from me.

So, it reminds me a lot of the dramatic increase in soccer highlights in the U.S.! ;) I mean- about 10 years ago, we barley got ANY soccer coverage on tv; now we have MLS games, British Premiership games and even World Cup games - not JUST on ESPN and ESPN2, but also on ABC!!!! WOW!

I know that many people may feel threatened by this increase in coverage on main stream channels- of Ramadan and Muslim holidays, that is, not soccer- but I think it's a very good thing for 2 reasons:

1. Awareness is always a good thing. You don't have to change anything about your life (thank you U.S. for our religious freedoms!), but you know that some other people are celebrating a holiday in their religion and it's ok to say "Happy Ramadan!"

2. It brings Islam more and more into a part of mainstream U.S. culture. Again- this may be something people don't want, but it's not like Muslims have NOT been in the U.S. I think the 1840s was the first Muslim I know of in the U.S., although that was a while convert and so there might (probably) have been someone before him... I mean, Morocco was the first country to recognize the U.S. so we must have had some diplomats at least here, right?

Anyways- Muslims have pretty much always been part of the U.S. and our culture, but most people just didn't know much about the religion. Which seems to more or less to have be ok (except when they didn't know why we were fasting at random months! lol), but with the added pressure on the community to have more of a unified identity since 9/11, I get worried about young Muslims feeling like an outside or not being accepted as an American, when they really are. I think this small recognitions are nice and really help Muslims proudly say, "I am American and I am Muslim and this is my holiday where we fast and celebrate with our family... And it's good and ok and not a bad thing for anyone else."

So, Ramadan Kareem and enjoy the month, starting next week! (August 11th) I will try to upload pictures from our Ifars again this year- it'll probably be more exciting than last year because my mom-in-law and sister-in-law are in town and they are GREAT cooks! :)

Blogging from HTC Evo

2010-07-27T17:19:00.001-07:00

Just a test really- I can't see me using this for big posts- I like a full keyboard for that!

Anyways- I'm flying tomorrow; just Baby Z and I! It's about 7 hours in air and an hour layover... this is Z's first flight and hopefully she does well! I'm trying to be prepared, but I figure several things will be difficult. And, no, they don't provide bassenets (see? no spell check!) on planes in the U.S.

Wish us luck!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.4.8

I'm back! (maybe)

2010-07-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

Wow- it's been since February since I last posted!!!! Obviously, I had my beautiful baby girl, who is doing quite well and with whom we are having a GREAT time with!! :)

So- I don't have much time to write, but here are some updates of what's going on:

1. Apparently my being away from my job this spring caused several things to implode... even though I set up things to make them workable while I was gone. I do NOT like having to 'fix' problems that shouldn't have happened in the first place, plus I CAN'T figure out what happened which has cause pretty ALL of my students to be confused about EVERYTHING this fall... I'm a bit flabbergasted just at the whole situation. I can't wait until everyone is abroad - because, really, they will do fine and our partners are great- and I can start 'new' with another group.

2. It's been MUCH harder to re-enter the workplace than I thought... I'm hoping due to point #1; otherwise, I can't figure it out. I mean, I miss my girl during the day, but it's not like it's killing me... I work at work and then when I'm at home, it's home stuff... I think it's more about feeling in control of things, which point #1 has COMPLETELY thrown off.

3. My sister is due to give birth in December!!! Yay!!! I'm SUPER excited!!! My girl will have a cousin!

4. We have moved from AT&T and the iPhone to Sprint and the HTC Evo. Which I LOVE!!!! It's SOOOOO user friendly and you can personalize so much, which is nice, plus the Sprint plan is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much cheaper than AT&T!!! My only complaint- they don't use sim cards, although I couldn't really do it with the iPhone either so when I go abroad, I'll just continue to use my old Ericson.

5. I have discovered WHY people breastfeed in public- there are VERY FEW places to GO to to feed babies!! I pretty much go to the car if we are out to feed (and use a cover), but it's surprising how few places- even at malls- there are to feed your baby. In one instance, I have feed my girl, standing up in the bathroom... VERY not cool :( They need to fix that. Nordstroms is AWESOME, but because they are so accommodating, their lounge is pretty full most of the time I'm there.

Side note- I don't like to bring bottles because I breast feed and pump and I kinda' need all of the pumped milk for during the work week!

6. I have discovered that the pediatric doctors in the Washington, DC area are AMAZING, as are the doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. My girl is fine- just had a rather large hemangioma on her eye. (she's on treatment- the beta blockers- and it's pretty amazing how much the growth has gone down!)

7. I got the Barnes & Noble Nook- OMG!!! This is the BEST thing I have probably every got! (ok, that may not be true, but it's in the top) I wasn't sure how I would like reading off something like this - I'm pretty traditional about books- but I really love it and I love even more how B&N keeps updating their software and bringing new stuff in!! Also- it takes multiple formats and so I mostly have on there FREE books through Google books! :) Yay!

So, that's my quick update- I hope everyone is doing well!

DC snow

2010-02-12T12:22:00.000-08:00

No, I don't know why the format is so bad... :)

For those of you who haven't heard, we have gotten a TON of snow in the Washington, DC area this past week. I know, I know- you probably think we normally get snow... but we really don't. All of those pretty pictures of the Capitol and White House in snow are taken during our 1-2 snow days a year :) (I'll bet you all the photographers had an awesome time taking new pictures this past week!)

The good thing about the snow is that it's pretty and makes everything basically stop. :) Now, the REASON we all come to a stop is that we just don't have the equipment for the most part to clear the snow... and we get a bunch of ice in addition to the snow, which is pretty bad. I mean, we didn't get a snow shovel until last week! I have been in this Townhouse for almost 3 years (and lived in the area for about 11-12 years) and I DIDN'T HAVE A SHOVEL! We just haven't needed one!

So, we had the 20-something thing of snow in December, which closed things down, but we were pretty much up and running within 2 days I think. (we borrowed a neighbor's shovel to get out of that) Then, going into last weekend, we had the big snow storm that gave up something like 26 inches of snow. ... I'm sure everyone mostly freaked out because it was Super Bowl weekend and you couldn't really get out. Thankfully, F----l was able to walk to the local Safeway and pick up some stuff for us to eat. (I got creative with potato skins, hehe)

THEN, on Tues/Wednesday, we had a blizzard. I think only 8-10 inches of snow, but the wind was CRAZY!! You really couldn't see that far at all. Very icy!

Anyways, for those actually IN D.C., they have been more able to get out and about (and have snowball fights) because they have neighborhoods and locals stuff. Since I'm in the suburbs, we have just been sitting tight indoors for the most part. Not too bad, although with this last snow burst, we didn't expect to be confined for a whole freaking' week! Thankfully, we didn't lose power, internet or TV and so we have been able to entertain ourselves. Although after about 3 days, you feel ready to get out SOMEWHERE.

One of the really fun reads throughout these snow days has been the Washington Post. In addition to being on top of the different names of the storms (Dec- Snowpocalypse, Feb 6: Snowmageddon, Feb 9: Snoverkill), they have pretty much had this random commentary throughout the week. I can't find the link (*sniff*), but they started with the normal weather stuff and then went down into random comments. Such as - a neighbor trying to get their dog to go outside; at one point they were listing ACTUAL ADDRESSES of people in DC who did NOT clear off their sidewalks (it's a law to do so in DC and MD) and quotes as to why not; stories about stupid drivers and other snow etiquette- it was REALLY funny :)

Other note- I'm 39 weeks pregnant and so we were just hoping nothing would happen during the storms. Nothing did, but poor F----l because I couldn't help with the snow at all so he had to shovel everything AND be ready if we had to go to the hospital! What a good guy :)

Anyways, enjoy our pictures of the snow!

Quick note...

2010-01-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

... because this is killing me. I haven't been watching much US coverage of Haiti and obviously this is a bad situation. BUT, there really are many bad situations in the world and I'm getting rather pissed off when I do hear the most random comments from people who are feeling all this stuff for Haiti and have ABSOLUTELY NO realization of the history of Haiti, how disasters are covered from an aid point, any comprehension of earthquakes... and stuff like that. On my other twitter account (I have one for being pregnant, which until last week really did have stuff on pregnancy) there is this women who posts every two seconds with a combination of good things - how to help in Haiti- and comments/questions that to me are common sense, although I understand that they probably aren't to most people. But, COME ON! Read a bit online at least- you are obviously there enough.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Ok, not the nicest post, but I swear she is pissing me off more and more and I can't write about it anywhere else.

Some quick articles that may be helpful:

Aid flows in Haiti- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8468484.stm

How earthquakes happen- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4126809.stm
Ok, my main thing with that is that an earthquake doesn't equal disaster and death- that should be obvious to a degree with the number of survivors (ie, not EVERYONE died) and the fact that Haiti is on an ISLAND that is shared with the Dominican Republic and we have heard really nothing about their damage with the quake. I was about 50 miles away from a 7.0 earthquake in 1989 (Loma Prieta in California) and ONLY felt it because I was at soccer/football practice and so we sat on the ground to feel it (pretty cool, I will add, to feel). So, the range is not so massive as people seem to think. Certainly not compared to things like hurricanes...

BBC country profile Haiti- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1202772.stm

Super quick note- I'll try to write more later perhaps... I follow-up on the practicalities of relief efforts and think it's good for people to know the basics.

Current Commercials in the U.S.

2009-12-18T09:14:00.001-08:00

It's kinda' interesting because, for the most part, I don't watch TV live anymore. I record what I want to watch and then - on my schedule - I sit down and watch the shows. I really enjoy my DVR, although I have read some interesting articles on the impact of people doing what I do... *Don't watch commercials *We have lost the idea of 'shared viewing' ... I think there was another one, but I don't remember now...

Anyways, for the most part I don't watch commercials, but I will sometimes catch them, particularly if they are right at the start or end of the commercial break (since I haven't started/have finished 'skipping' through). I will say, there are some good commercials out there! There was about a 2 year gap where nothing was really all that great (ugh, I'm HATING the Super Bowl stuff - they are so dull!!! And a lot of medical stuff...), but some have really come back! In particular, I have been enjoying the Playstation 3 commercials. I have below my husband's favorite and my favorite so far:

Commercials that are currently my least favorite are the Ally Bank Commercials. Ok - if your commercial is bad, AT LEAST make sure that we know what you are selling. I just had to do a search to find what company this even was... Apparently a bank, although I don't see any in this area, so perhaps its an online one? I don't even want to look it up because I don't like there commercials so much. Maybe viewing once would be ok, but they are always on!!! Blah.

Wow - that just kinda' bugs me!

2009-12-17T13:00:00.001-08:00

So, I'm a pretty boring blogger who doesn't write too much about anything controversial... I write rather on the run and so I just don't have time to do a research paper with proper editing and stuff. BUT, I will try to write about something that kinda' bugs me and hopefully I won't sound too mean or however you can sound when someone is READING what you say as opposed to hearing it (I think when you can talk things are SOOO much more different - probably why there is so much hate talk on the Internet and blogs).

So, I converted to Islam a few years ago and to start off, because I did that AFTER I got married (to a Muslim), I feel that people form an opinion of my religious beliefs due to my timing of conversion. And I don't blame them really; I mean, I probably wouldn't have really looked into Islam as much as I did if I didn't marry a Muslim (well, maybe if I got a good Muslim friend...). People usually don't just wake up and say, "hmmm, I don't like my religion anymore - what else is out there? Let me google it."

So, I think most people assume that I'm not a 'serious' Muslim. Which, I'm ok with because I understand where they come from and in the end, I don't need to justify my faith to them - just to Allah. I do encourage people to ask me about Islam and how I came to the decision to convert and have some really nice conversations with people about that. Also, I kinda' enjoy talking with Christians who are trying to convert groups of Muslims (we get this one group every once and awhile outside a local Yemeni restaurant - it's hilarious!) because I grew up Christian (well, Catholic; since I grew up Catholic I don't quiet 'get' a lot of the Christian groups, hehehe) and therefore know the ins and outs of their arguments and then on the flip side the arguments in and outs of Islam. (seriously, I need to video tape one of those times this Christian group tries to convert people; the population in the restaurant are for the most part from parts of the MidEast/Africa and therefore have a very different 'argument' style from the American Christians...)

I hold VERY strong opinions about personal faith - the main thing being that your faith is above family, community, etc and so any actions/conversions, etc regarding faith should be taking SERIOUSLY and not because someone wants/doesn't want you to do something. As in - if you are even remotely considering converting, you should not only look at the faith you are interested in, but research and talk with the religious leaders of the religion you are currently in. You should not hate the religion you are currently in. This should be something very organic and natural and if you have any doubts - don't do it! I don't think you can switch back because, why did you change in the first place? I actually converted much faster than I (or my husband) wanted, but at a certain point, I couldn't deny my beliefs any more.

Anyways - one of the other things about converting to a religion is that many people seem to feel that when they convert they need to prove how Muslim/Christian/whatever they are. (oh, let me note now that the same applies to Atheists - I swear they are more fundamental many times than people in a religion) THAT is annoying to me. It's one thing to be enthusiastic about your new faith. It's something else to tell everyone else what they are doing wrong or that they are a bad XXXXX (whatever religion), etc. There is something to be said about people who grew up within a religion and there is something to be said about people who grew up where the religion was the main one...

If you grew up in a religion, you got to have your family, societal and own personal point of view of that religion develop from when you were a kid through adulthood. You got to develop your understanding from the childhood explanations (God is good - just know that) to the more more adult reasons (yes, bad things do happen to good people). Your understanding has grown and you have probably gone through ups and downs of being rather strict to your religion to not being strict at all (although the religion was still part of your identity).

If you come into a religion at a later time in life, your entire understanding is different. You are already an adult, you already know certain things about other religions, personal faith, perceptions of other religions, the inequalities/hardships/unfairness of life, etc. Ideally, you have a long period of time to look at the new religion and question everything; somewhat go through a simulated ups and downs that the children do with the religion. But, it will be different and your personal understanding of the religion will always to some degree be influenced by your former religion because that was your/your family/your community identity for so long. And THAT'S OK! Experiences are important and make us who we are, but you CHOOSE your faith at a point and so it's expected that things are different for each of us. (hmmm - I may come back to this because I don't think I'm properly explaining my thoughts...) That doesn't make you any less or more apart of that new religion... Your faith is YOUR faith and in the end, it's between you and Allah...

The second thing I notice is a difference between people who grew up in countries where their religion was the main one vs. those who grew up as the minority religion. I feel very lucky that in the U.S., in most parts of the country, there is an acceptance of people from different religions (yes, it would be nice also if more religious holidays could be recognized, but I agree that this only works in places where there is such a large population of X religion that it would be beneficial and considerate... it wouldn't make much sense to have a day off for Eid in a place where there are only a few Muslims, would it? By the way, you can still take off using holiday time for religious purposes, due to the religious rights guaranteed in most states). I'm also glad that it doesn't affect most personal relationships within the U.S. That is not the case everywhere, most notably in parts of Europe (I honestly have done research on different immigrant groups in Europe during university and find that both sides take many actions that hurt understanding and national assimilation). But, to get back to my point - I do find a big difference in how people view their religion, if they grow up as a majority religion or minority.

Mostly, many of the people who grow up as a majority religion have a much more relaxed sense of their faith. They are often more willing to talk about it in a constructive manner and they don't judge people so harshly many times (unless there is something culturally-religious off... like wearing hijab and short sleeves in parts of the Middle East... "why where the hijab?") Religion and faith is assumed as they grew up and so there is no need to defend their actions or their religion to others so much...

Compared to people who grow up the minority religion. (by grow-up, if you came into the country of question anytime before 18, you pretty much fit that bill... there can be variations, but I have seen people both come to the U.S/Canada or parts of the Middle East around this time who fit this bill) Their understanding of their own religion is different because, as a minority religion, they will at times have to explain to others their beliefs. Sometimes, this leads them to form a good understanding of how to bridge the 'gap' between religions, sometimes it makes them become very defensive and hostile. Sometimes, it causes them to quit their religion and go for agnostic/atheism/the main religion... Also, as the minority religion, their community of people within the faith is much smaller and I find some really interesting beliefs that come out of the different communities - mostly based upon where many of the people of that religion come from originally. It is very easy to find teachings that, to the people who grew up as the majority religion in their home country, are not quite right to the teachings that where taught where the religion was the majority. (does that make sense?) For example, my husband is constantly "correcting" to our friends things that they heard about Islam from his cousins, who came to the U.S. as children and grew up within the religion here. I'm sure- I KNOW - this doesn't apply to everyone who grew up the majority religion in a place, but it seems like there is almost less of an opportunity for more people as a minority to question their faith, which leads to just interesting understandings sometimes...

So, I am coming off harsh and want to finish that point by saying that family counts for A LOT and I think no matter what category you are in - your family teachings and beliefs help people in how they view religion, the world and the people around them... I'm just gripping about those cases where people will say things that are so far out there that you wonder "how did they get this way? Why do they think in such a manner?"

Please let me know your thoughts! :) And/or if I should further explain anything here or write about anything more... I need to work on my blogging skills! I still think I communicate better in conversation... :)

Great News Story- My MacBook was Shot!!

2009-12-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

If you have not already read the stories, please take a minute to read about the American who had her MacBook shot 3 times after going through Israeli border security questioning for about 2 hours...

Border security guards kill -- literally kill -- a MacBook
I’m sorry but we blew up your laptop (welcome to Israel) (the original story)

I will say, I love the comments :)

The funny thing too is that you can see in the comments other stories for people this has happened to as well! I'm not surprised necessarily, because I always do hear about problems that people have going through the borders into Israeli, but SHOOTING a laptop?!!! Come on! That's a bit much. Particularly since they KNEW who the laptop belonged too... we only blow up luggage in the U.S. if it's unclaimed... ;)

So, I'm not writing seriously about this, but I find it hard to because it's such a big example of how messed up things are... True, many things in many countries around the world are messed up, but there is a very limited amount of places where you find people who are obviously not a 'high risk' person treated as if they are. I will try to write another article later about some of the most obvious issues to Israel's security (caused by them), or I encourage people to read Haartez as I find they have good editorials and articles, while obviously showing their interest to create and maintain a solid Israeli state.

Other (more depressing) articles about Israeli border security:

Haaretz: Shirt Detonation Procedure

Bad Day at the Israel-Jordan Border

Getting ready for baby

2009-12-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

So, I have pretty much stopped all blogging because I'M TOO BUSY!!! ;) Just kidding - I waste so much time...

Seriously though, I am trying to get my ENTIRE life in order before baby comes sometime in February (inshallah). I am due Feb 16, but we'll see how that goes. It's kinda' funny that there is not real set timeline for giving birth... It will happen when it happens and hopefully it doesn't happen BEFORE I have things set up!

Here are my lists of things to do at work before I give birth (I pretty much have to work until the end; I get 6 weeks of short term disability (8 week for c-section), after using 15 days of sick leave/vacation... so I'm pretty much working until the end so that I don't run out of sick days BEFORE the disability starts there therefore don't get paid. I get around 65% of my salary while on short-term disability. - although I heard that the President may change that to 100% which would be AWESOME!!!!)

Before December 23

· Clean office
Make list of where things are
Make list of event to-dos
~~New folders/checklists for Summer/Fall 2010~~

·L List of Spring ’10 students and notes
Copies of Emails to send out during semester for

o Currently abroad

o Going abroad

o Applicants

· Local Contact list
Spring ’10 calendar (in office)
Request meetings for Grad intern with Admissions, ISS
Get Student Worker Spring ’10 schedule
Update student records with Permission to release info, flight info

Before January 15

· Study Abroad Fair/Welcome Back

o Food for reception

o Big signs (by students) announcing fair to go in Lee Center & Cafeteria

· Sign up student workers for cafeteria info table through semester
Reserve Room for info sessions in different locations/times
Donut/Coffee Table
Residence Hall something
Big signs at deadlines?
Word of mouth campaign? (have to talk with certain people for clues…?)
Sign off SECUSS-L and DOS emails
Train Freshmen student worker in Word/Publisher
Assign Student Workers projects

o International Week

o Marketing (Banner ads, posters)

o Orientations, Students Abroad liaison, Alumni

o New boards – update with current news & Facebook, etc

o Admin follow-up, scholarship, meetings between alumni and applicants

I am lucky that we were able to get a graduate intern who can work up to 20 hours a week for the office while I am out because otherwise it's just my boss and the 5 student workers :) She also has experience abroad and in a study abroad office which will be very helpful.

So, I just need to make sure that they know everything I know... in particular Dates of things (deadlines, applications, etc), partner program requirements, orientations, handouts, visa stuff (THAT'S a fun one! hehehe)... emails/normal communications, registration notices, housing notices... It's hard to think of what I do because so many things are these small things that are important, but kinda' part of everything!

Wish me luck!!! :)

CNN and other U.S. news outlets

2009-11-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

Since around 2006, I have pretty much not watched U.S. news channels. For a bit, I would watch Good morning America on ABC or The Today Show on NBC, but there has been a significant decline in the amount of local news channels that I watch for news and almost a complete stop to the national news programs. For local news (and I pretty much only would watch in the morning anyways) - the best in the DC area is probably Fox 5 and Channel 7/8 (ABC). Both focus on local news and have lots of local news stories, events and weather/traffic. They are pretty upbeat and keep the focus on our area, which is good for me in the morning. Things seem less 'right' or 'left' when they do that sort of thing.

But, our national news has gotten ridiculous. In high school, I used to prefer CNN above other 24 hour news stations because, well - they actually would have 24 hour news going on. Early in this decade, they changed to more of a Fox News set up where they would have more 'talk shows' and opinion pieces. And then, the Israel/Hezbollah conflict started in 2006. That was the turning point for me with CNN. It was very frustrating to watch the news and see how uncomfortable the news casters and reporters were to have to ask questions in their interviews that were so obviously going for a particular point. The interviewee would be looking at the reporter like they were crazy, answer the question and then get usually frustrated or mad when the reporter would ask another question (obviously from a pre-set list) that either asked what the person just replied about or they wouldn't ask something off what the person just said to make the interview better. They were just asking these lists of questions that were almost irrelevant to the interviewee or the situation. It's one thing to show a particular viewpoint from the station heads - it's another to engage in bad journalism in accomplish that.

I really feel like we are going down the road of yellow journalism. Ratings matter and, of course, in the age of 24 hours/ 7 days a week news outlets, they must come up with shows to fill the time in between legitimate news. But, now the shows have become the focus. I liked CNN over mainstream morning shows because they would do news and only news... none of the interview fluff that the other shows do. Now, they only have the shows and try to be like the fluffy morning shows. And so we (the public) don't get hard facts... just opinions. And there often are not a good balance between opinions. I am pretty darn liberal, but I don't need to always hear a liberal point of view. If you always hear what you like, then you have a very skewed and flawed view of the world, which doesn't help you, your community or your country at all. You need to see what others say and if your argument can hold up - great! Otherwise, perhaps you need to do more research into your own options on a topic.

So, how do I get my news? First, I listen to NPR (WAMU in the DC area) every day to and from work. I love NPR. I do think they are a bit liberal, but they are careful to bring in different points of view and point out to listeners if they are, as a station, saying one point of view over another (ie, I have heard them say things like the NPR board members have said this or done this and so you may think this report is biased). I think their programming is great - not just the news in the morning and evening, but also during the day like the Diane Rehm show - great panel discussions!!

Second, I have the BBC and Washington Post webpages up during the day. I am still fine with pretty much all U.S. print media. Why? Because they take their time to research things and have to really back up their articles. There is more time put into articles and therefore the reporters are held pretty much to a higher standard. (other papers I will follow in the U.S. include SFGate (San Francisco Chronicle) and the New York Times (even though they got bought out :P)

I also get emails from Haartez, New York Times, and the Washington Post. I will occasionally check out Al Jazeera, although I honestly prefer their newscasts over their webpage. The BBC I usually prefer the online over the newscasts - I'm not sure why...

Finally - I get a bit annoyed at the difference in style between CNN in the U.S. and CNN International. CNN International is what I want CNN U.S. to be - good coverage, actual news coverage, and good reporters. I will watch CNN when I'm abroad, but just can't stand to watch it here...

So, why this post on news in the U.S. now? Well, today, CNN (ok - I heard it on NPR) announced that Lou Dobbs is leaving their network. While I never watched this guy, I heard plenty about him as he was the one who for about 6 months was arguing that Obama was not born a U.S. citizen. Even after irrefutable evidence was out there and CNN ran stories showing that, he still would insist that there was not evidence to show that Obama was born in the U.S. I am hopeful that CNN has realized that their strength was in good reporting and news stories... and that they will go back to good news and not this crappy fluff that I really don't need.

Procrastination

2009-10-30T10:01:00.001-07:00

Yep - I have tons of things to do, but I'm going to write... I have no idea about what. I just need a moment to think outside of work. ;P

I have been very distracted lately at work and feel at times like everything is going to collapse around me! While for the majority of my pregnancy I have not really had mood swings (my husband may beg to differ), I have noticed that in the last week I have been getting annoyed, antsy, anxious, etc rather quickly. I have had a stuffed nose for about 2 weeks now (I did get both the flu and H1N1 shot - yay!) which is not helping my head and probably has helped me feel so 'off' and 'blah.' I even went home on Wednesday because I wasn't feeling great and didn't want to kill my student workers who are great and lovely and can be oh so not productive like I would prefer at times... (just kidding - they are great, which is why I went home before I snapped for no reason)

I am still behind on work and I have not prepared my stuff for when I give birth as much as I'd like. I need to really get on that before our intern comes in and before the winter break since I'll only be here a month after that!!!

Personally, I'm behind on house work, the baby's room (well, I'm still undecided on much of that, but I don't think the baby will care too much anyways until they are... 1? 2?) and my language stuff. I NEED to start up my Arabic again!!!! 1. I have only really been talking in English during my pregnancy and so baby H isn't getting any of the sounds 2. I have been married over 5 years and it's just sad that I'm not more proficient than I am 3. F----l's mom is coming for about 2 months to help with baby H and I think I need to get my Arabic at least better than her English. It's just not fair to her that I'm still so bad. It's true - I'm more COMFORTABLE with my Arabic I know now, but my vocabulary is just sad. ... And I'm all talk and no action in my learning.

Any tips for learning? I get annoyed because many of the 'basic' level stuff is so basic that I would never use it in conversation with my husband, his family and our friends. I sort-of jump to higher levels, but I think that is screwing things up. And I know colloquial much more than MSA which also messes up when I look at language books. :( It's annoying. F----l thinks that if I watch more tv it will help, but I find that unless it's a Syrian or Gulf show, they don't repeat words enough for me to understand. I can't tell I understand more than years ago, but the Egyptian shows just don't repeat words enough to help with language learning!!! ;)

Ok - I was able to talk about something and so now I'll get back to work! Wish me luck!

Impressions of the U.S. I have seen from non-Americans

2009-10-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned previously, I work in International Education at a University in the Washington, DC area. This is a GREAT field to be in - it's very rewarding to work with students and there is also a great community of people within International Education who have great points of views about everything in the world. Also many different backgrounds - I consider my job to have everything in it: education, advising, legal work, marketing, logistics, and the list goes on...

While I do get to have great travels, people looking to be an international educator JUST for travel should know 2 things: 1. The DIRECTOR mostly travels (unless you are in admissions or a program rep for a region, in which case you may have travel to specific areas of the U.S. or world) 2. Site visits are usually quite work intensive and so... THEY AREN'T VACATIONS! Granted, it does depend on where you are - with my old work, I would get maybe 1/2 day of free time in a 10 day trip abroad; now, I have more free time although it is still only about a day or two...

But, I wanted to respond to the request to write a bit about how students coming into the U.S. view the culture and their experience. My responses are going to be a bit over the place as my current job deals more with students going for study abroad OUTSIDE the U.S., although I'm still in constant contact with many of our international students through the office and then other international persons in my private life. Now, for most of my comments - they are coming from students who came from Africa, Asia or the Middle East. Many of the comments is same from the Europeans, but there are some differences that I'll try to point out.

U.S. schools:

*There is a general amazement at the causal atmosphere of U.S. schools. Such as talking during class, eating/drinking during class, group discussions... This is pretty much across the board, whether the students are from Europe, Latin America, Africa, MidEast or Asia. People will focus on different things that they find more relaxed, but the general impression is that class in general is more relaxed than at their home universities/high schools.

*Often, students initially think that the classes are easier (probably because they are relaxed). That usually stops by the first quiz or paper. Many international students are not used to have to take small quizzes/papers so often, but rather used to the one big paper/exam for the entire semester grade.

* Plagiarism is a HUGE deal - many of our students don't understand what it is and/or why it's bad. This seems to go a few ways: 1. if you get the work done, what does it matter? 2. no one has original thought, so why should you have to cite everything you take from someone else? Doesn't that end up being the entire paper? A friend of mine from Switzerland had to always adjust her mindset coming in because she was used to a French system that figures you will argue a point and the reference don't matter as much because it's assumed you didn't come up with the ideas out of thin air (ie, you're not that smart).

*Professor/student interactions - many students find it hard to adapt to the causal relationship initially. (they like it, it just can be hard to get used to from certain places) Also, the idea that a good relationship does not necessarily equal a good grade.

College life:

*Social scene - unfortunately, many students will join cliques within their regional groups. It IS VERY hard for many international students to 'break into' the U.S. social groups - language ability and general social skills/laid back attitude certainly helps.

*Dating - always a tricky situation at first; we had a great discussion about this at a student meeting where they talked about 'dating' back home and 'dating' here. Many students find it fascinating how Americans don't want to commit AT ALL to a relationship or even think about marriage and kids. Many do view it as mostly disrespectful to the women in the U.S. that they don't put any standards on their relationships and future family idea.

*Clubs - most international students are either VERY involved or VERY not; there doesn't seem to be much of an in-between.

*Religion/morals/family - Europeans usually find the U.S. very pushy about religion and feel like we are very conservative with our moral views (even in 'liberal' areas like California and New York area cities). MidEast/Asians and parts of Africa find us very lose in our morals and often view the culture as not putting much respect/consideration to the family. (keep in mind, these cultures often are in the 'group think' category and have HIGH family consideration in every day life) Other parts of Africa/Caribbean/Latin America have mixed views depending on the topic.

Hmmmm - I have a head cold that is killing me and I can't think right now of any other topics. Comment if you have any categories and I can tell you what I have seen, although please keep in mind that my observations are OBSERVATIONS and can be particular to my area and the groups of international students I come across.

Your opinion?

2009-10-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

So... I have two situations that I would LOVE to hear other people's opinions about. I find it fascinating and am not sure what to think about it really...

1. Unapproved marriage

So, there is a girl who has gotten engaged to a man whom EVERYONE (I can't think of anyone actually for it outside 1-2 brothers) is pretty much against. Not because the guy is bad, but rather for the way the entire situation was brought up and the overall conditions. A bit of background:

*the girl is Muslim (and family is, although they are pretty non-practicing within the family nucleus, outside the mom- dad passed away)

*the guy is not Muslim (that we know of - I'm not sure what he is; I think Christian something)

*the girl is 29; the guy is 40 or 50-something

*the guy is divorced with 2 kids (a 17 yr boy and 13 yr girl; or something like that). The girl lives with her mom in another state; the boy is in the area, but lives with his girlfriend and her family.

*the girl is a receptionist at a pound; the guy is a truck driver (locally)

*Dated about 1-2 months before got engaged - no one met the guy before hand and there was no introductions until the engagement itself

*girl (and her mom) wants kids really bad; guy doesn't seem to want to (already has two)

Objections:

*Guy is much older (I think he is younger than her dad would be, but looks rather old)

*Guy has ok job, but nothing that is considered a great career or something to help with retirement

*Guy is divorced with two kids. (this is more an issue to if the girl will take care of them and how it will be when/if she has kids by him)

*No one was asked about the guy or got to know him before the engagement and now most are against him because of that

*Obviously not a religious marriage

*Not what deceased father would want

Side notes:

*The girl is difficult (stubborn, immature, spends a lot, thinks of self only)

*The girl tends to date people who are very bad to her (mentally, physically)

*The girl tends to reject any guys that family/friends bring forward to her because they came from family/friends

*The girl doesn't have a career that she is happy with, but won't move forward to another job

*The girl tends to take lots of vacation without seeing how that could hurt her job

*The girl only comes to family/friends if she needs something from them (money, stuff)

*Both girl and guy grew up in U.S. (girl's family is culturally Arab, but they are more American - seriously, I understand most of the Arabness culture better than they do!)

*The guy is trying to talk with family, although through his conversations he often bring up his current kids. I'm not sure about what their relationship really is; especially considering the son doesn't live with him.

What do you think? They are having a civil ceremony soon and the 'actual wedding' later...

Oh - just found out that the guy became Islamic... (I'll keep my comments on witnessing that to myself)

2. Perceptions of life in random places

Another family friend is great fun, however they will say the most odd things and are determined to think of things a certain way- no matter if you give solid proof to the contrary. The funniest thing is to hear them talk about places where they lived. Their background:

*Grew up in Syria (1950-1970s)

*Living in Saudi (7-ish years in 1970s)

*Came to Southern CA (late 1970s through mid-1980s)

*Live in DC area (mid/late 1980s to now)

MY background is California (1980s-2002) and then the DC area (with travel to other spots, although only really living in London; month here and there in Jordan, a week or so in other locals). My husband: grew up in Saudi (late 1970s- mid 1990s), lived in Jordan (mid-1990s to around 2000 or so), live and work in Saudi (2000 or so through 2003-ish), now in U.S.

So, it's funny because they will talk about each location - with conviction - like they have not changed since they left!! Plus, they gets everything backwards. The other day, they were saying it look them 5 hours to get from one place in CA to another... I live about 400 miles away from their starting point and it takes ME about 5 hours to get to the end point - it should have taken them only about an hour! hehehe

Other funny stuff - she says all sorts of things about Saudi, despite the fact that she was only there around 7 years and left in the 1970s. My husband will counter that he lived there longer AND more recently, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. Pretty much ditto for every other location in the Middle East. In particular, apparently no one in the Gulf eats out...!!!! I thought that comment was pretty darn funny!!!

Please comment - I'm curious to see what people think.

I'm back!!!!

2009-10-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

After being MIA for about a month now - I'm back!!!!! Well, sort-of. My computer was out of service for a while (it's very hard to work from an old laptop!) and this past month was busy, busy, busy! But, things are getting better... or shifting into a mid-semester phase which is a bit less hectic than early-semester, albeit with just as much work. :)

So, look for posts starting up again from me! Let me know if you also have any good hints for what to write about! :)

Weekend Iftars: Aug 28-30

2009-08-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry - I'm not around much online during the weekend.

This weekend was very nice and Saturday we went out and walked around DC to the National Gallery of Art (to see their exhibit on The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain) and then over to the Botanical Gardens, which is always a good walk through. The Art of Power was a pretty good exhibit - a bit loud and F--- and J--- didn't help with THAT at all --- there were some good tapestries and armor and a few good portraits too. I think my favorite though was a sword at the beginning that was taken during a battle with the Moors :) It had a very intricate design with Arabic in between the designs... I don't think anyone was noticing the writing so that was fun to point out :) I would recommend going to see it if you are in the Washington, DC area or if you ever go to Spain (I think you can see this stuff there too in one of the palaces). lol - on that note - see the Palace in Pamplona if you can; it's pretty amusing their take on the Moors!

So, here is our iftar from Friday:

Pretty easy - fried beefsteak and fries :)

To fry beefsteak - put beefsteak in flour, then dip in eggs, then dip in breadcrumbs (I use tempura crumbs), then put in pan with oil to fry :)

Saturday, after walking in DC, we went to a restaurant called Mama Ayesha to have breakfast. If you live in the area and have not gone - GO!!! This place is FANTASTIC!!! Mama 'Ayesha' is Palestinian from Jerusalem, who came to the US first with the Syrian Embassy I believe as their chef. She has since pasted away, but most of the staff (well, when I go most of the staff) is Palestinian and they have great food and great service. There are not so many Arabs anymore that we find there, but I still love this because they have so many dishes that are what F----'s mom does :) I particularly like their stuffed things - I had stuffed cabbage this last time and it was soooo yummy! A bit overpriced, but worth it! And for desert, the owner was making 'atyif which is seriously the best I have had. (almost like a donut with cheese inside- soooo gooood!) Sadly, I didn't take pictures :(

Sunday, we were going to cook, but I really wanted sushi. (no, I didn't eat fish - just veggie since I'm pregnant) :)

Iftar: Aug 26

2009-08-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

lol - we are still on a left over kick... we make too much food!!! And I don't want to make anything new because we won't get rid of the other food!!!

Our addition of the day was lentil soup. Yummy! And I have enough for tonight too!! I may cook fish tonight as well with a new batch of rice... that should be good.

And for desert we had 'atyif again... yummy!

Iftar: Aug 25

2009-08-26T13:00:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was pretty wiped out for staying up late the night before and only getting 5 hours of sleep. Normally 5 hours is, well, normal, but being pregnant and all - I was EXHAUSTED and felt pretty sick. :( I didn't feel like eating and tried to keep things light. (same thing today, the 26th, but I feel better with more sleep)

So, F---- was great and make our meal. F---- is a WONDERFUL cook and has a great eye for making food yummy :) He made rice (with macaroni - did you know that Rice a Ronni actually came from an Armenian recipe?) and Malukhiyah (also known as Jews Mallow) with salad and quail and left over samboosik. It was very good, but I still wasn't feeling so good so I had soup. (I should have had the Malukhiyah)

A note on Malukhiyah - it's pretty much THE comfort food of the Middle East... or at least the Levant area. I have yet to meet someone from that area who doesn't LOVE Malukhiyah and pretty much think of it as a main comfort food. I like it, but I actually pretty much only like it how F---- and his family does it. They put in the rice amount of garlic and they also BLEND the entire thing once cooked - something I think that makes it nicer to eat. I also (being American and all) prefer to eat it with khobez (Arabic bread) over rice. I like my rice alone :)

Tonight, F---- said he went out and bought me MY comfort food: Lentil soup. :) It's actually pretty easy to make the soup, but I have yet to do it and there is a Lebanese place in Vienna that makes it like I like it (ie: blend the lentils). I'm thinking that I may either just have left overs from yesterday or make fish (haddock) that we got from Whole Foods this weekend. They had free samples and it was SOOOOO good!!! :) I NEVER cook fish, but it seemed easy enough...

Iftar: Aug 24 (leftovers)

2009-08-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

lol - we still had food from Sunday, so it was mostly a left-over day:

Then, we went for a drive into DC (I love 2nd trimester - so much more energy!!) and went to Adam's Morgan for falafels at Amsterdam Falafel. It's the only place where I have seen them served with a salad bar! Yay! It was pretty good - the bread was very good, as were the salad selection and fries... the falafels itself was a bit undercooked and they put too many falafels in the sandwich, but overall, pretty good.

Trip to CA

2009-08-24T13:53:00.001-07:00

Yay!!! I finally bought my plane tickets to go home for Thanksgiving/Eid in November!!!! :) We are going home for 9 days total, but that's good because 1. I only need to take off 4 days since it's over Thanksgiving break 2. We aren't flying on 'busy' days 3. It gives us time to see my family, F---'s family and do a baby shower :)

Now, I just need to see what I'm getting as hand-me-downs and what we need to register for. I figure at the least we would register for stuff like bedding and diapers (my mom suggested that - good idea!) and people I know usually give you onesies. :) Yea!!! By then we should also know the sex of the baby... unless they keep their legs crossed ;)

Aug 23 - Iftar

2009-08-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

Ramadan Kareem!!!

I'm going to try this month to put in everything that I cook. Of course, I didn't get off to a good start, even with taking off Friday to do prep work and clean house. :) We ended up being out too late on Saturday to do a good cooking job and so got Thai ;) Yummy, Thai, but certainly not the traditional Ramadan cuisine - lol.

So, yesterday, we made sure to give enough time to making food and we got a few dishes all done. I still haven't made my big pot of lentil soup (and froze for other days), but in the end, soup doesn't take too long so I can do that one of these days before Iftar.

We are breaking fast (well, I'm not fasting because I'm pregnant... It's fine if you fast while pregnant, but I would either need to sleep a WHOLE lot more or drink/eat. I didn't even eat that much this weekend because it's so hard to eat when F--'s not, but that was not good. I can tell that my blood sugar was getting pretty low/I was cranky) around 7:55 pm in Fairfax, VA. Yes, it changes each day - so Sat: 7:58, Sun: 7:57; Mon: 7:54; Tues: 7:53, etc. You break fast when the sun sets. :) The good thing about it being later is that it gives me time to get home from work and cook. It was SOOOO bad in winter when we were breaking fast in the office - you could only have snacks basically and then you have to drive home and THEN cook...?! :( Very not cool. So, summer gives us more time. The BAD thing is that because you eat so late, you can't really go out afterwards and walk around too many places because they are already closed :( And, again because I'm pregnant, I'm tried. Although thank GOODNESS I'm in the 2nd trimester because I have more energy to cook, clean and even stay up through Bab al Hara! :) (= until 10:30 pm at least)

So, yesterday we had salad, macaroni bachemel, sambosik, figs/dates, 'Ataiyef, and mango's. Yummy! The bachemel, sambosik and 'ataiyef took the most time, but really is not that hard to do. The bachemel sauce is still tricky for me... I need to get it right - it's F---'s favorite (or, one of) food! The sambosik is pretty easy - mix ground beef with freshly chopped parsley (flat-leaf/Italian) and VERY well chopped onion; saute until brown, then put a bit in the sambosik pastry rolls (it's just long pastry sheets- rectangle, and maybe 2 inches by 5 inches?, like you would use for egg rolls or something like that). When you are ready to heat it up (we freeze a bunch), you heat up oil in a deep pan and fry them. Supper easy and very good!

For the 'ataiyef I usually just get the pancakes pre-made from the bakery, but you can make your own - it's pretty much pancake that you don't flip, but just cook through until it's done on both sides (you'll see bubbles on the top). If you make your own, try to make the pancake thin and I usually add flower water to the basic mix. The insides can have a bunch of things, we usually fill it with sweet cheese (get from the Mediterranean stores) or walnut/cinnamon/powdered sugar mix. Once the pancakes are done, you scope or place a bit of the mix inside and pinch the pancake close. Be sure that you pinch the sides VERY well. When you are ready to cook (again, you can freeze this until ready to use), just take out, grease a tray and put in the oven until brownish. Then, take out and dip in sugar water (1 cup water = 2 cups sugar, heat over oven until very sticky, add a bit of flower water) and serve with additional sugar water available on the side.

So, here was our table for Iftar (minus desert). PS- I don't know why it won't let me load the pictures length-wise, I just spend about 10 minutes on that!

Summer Heat & Start of the School Year

2009-08-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

We have hit the hot days of DC summer...

Actually, overall it has been a VERY temperate summer this year. It really didn't get that hot and humid until about 2 weeks ago. Before that, it was pretty nice and even good air quality.

Once it starts getting hot and humid, the air quality goes down. So, now I'm pregnant - hot because I'm pregnant - and can't even walk outside because it's hard to breathe... Ok, it's probably not that bad, but I have a hard time breathing in the humidity anyways. I go walk in the mall... :)

I really do wish that I lived closer to the ocean (hmmm, this is becoming a gripe posting, isn't' it). It takes about 3-4 hours to get to the ocean from here and there can be traffic because EVERYONE does that. So, we haven't gone to the beach all summer, which is actually ok. I think that we may try to go in Sept, after Ramadan, but I'm not sure. It would be easier to find hotels I bet! :) We also may go down to S. Carolina in Oct which could be nice... I think the hurricanes stop by then, right?

So, it's hot and I'm pretty much staying in doors. *sigh* Another reason why I would like to move from this area... I don't like the cold and when it's hot, you can't go outside. Take me back to CA and dry heat!!!!!! Of course, I'm complaining and I REALLY want to move to probably the Gulf or something... I figure I can deal with the summer in exchange for the nice winter ;)

The good thing about August is that we are starting with the school year again. I always like starting up and it helps with work because things get busier and I work better when busy. Of course, I'm also freaking out about what I'm now late on. :) I have a list of things I need to do NOW!!!

We got in our exchange student from the UK and my students are starting to leave for their study abroad programs outside the U.S. We will start events and marketing for spring and summer study abroad and it's GREAT to meet all the new international students. They are a great group and my university is very small for the DC area, but that just means that I really get to know the students - a good thing! I love to see how much has changed since I went to school here; there are so many changes and it looks great now!

So, it's hot and humid, but school is starting which is always exciting. I also need to get my butt on track and go shopping and cook for Ramadan. I didn't do that this weekend, but will do that today. I want to make soup and small dishes before Friday so that they are set for at least 2 weeks :) Yay!

Public Discussions

2009-08-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to WAMU/NPR right now (Tell Me More) and they are talking about the local 'outbursts' at town hall meetings regarding health care. It's a very interesting program and I'm glad to hear them talking from both sides in a pretty calm manner.

I'm quite shocked at the yelling and lies that are coming out (on both sides) regarding this issue. People are getting SOOOO mad and it's shocking mostly because - WHAT IS GOING ON? Why does it seem (particularly since 2003-04) that we can't talk to each other about issues and have a discussion about things of public concern? Instead, we see people form their opinions VERY quickly and sticking to those opinions- no matter what! That is a horrible stance to take! Especially for something like a piece of legislation that is STILL being formed and will go through several drafts before it gets CLOSE to being voted into law or anything.

I first became concerned about this with the '04 elections. Again, I live in the DC area so things are a bit different than other places, but BECAUSE I live in the DC area people are often pretty ok with other's opinions. I mean, we all need to work together, right? But, during that election people were AFRAID to bring up their opinion. There are these nuts out there (a growing group) who will yell, insult and physically threaten you if you don't share their opinion! What kind of stance is that? It certainly won't get me over to your side... and it's a dangerous slide for our society as a whole.

It seemed to be getting better for a bit after Obama was elected (to be fair, I actually think it would have felt better even with McClain - I think people were getting sick of the fighting), but now it's back. I'm amazing how MAD people are getting! I mean - disagree, put forward your points, but I'm very worried some people are PHYSICALLY making themselves sick with this anger!! Anger is not good and certainly not helpful for coming up with helpful compromises and solutions...

Please, PLEASE:

1. Calm down

2. Identify what you like and don't like about XX issue, person, etc.

3. Do some research (use multiple sources)

4. Talk with someone about the issue (ideally, someone for the other side)

5. Listen to what they say

6. Identify where you disagree and why (application, personal/moral belief, money, etc)

7. Think of possible way for compromise!!!!! (at the worst, agree to disagree but try to see where they are coming from)

Top Chef Masters

2009-07-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

I love the Top Chef series (and Project Runway, of course!!!) and Bravo TV in the US is currently running a Top Chef Master session before they start with the next regular Top Chef session.

I love this series because they consistently get GREAT contestants and GREAT judges! I almost never watch the Food Network shows because their quality is so low compared to Bravo's Top Chef series. They have Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Gael Greene, Anthony Bourdain and then great chefs - many which I never heard of, but now want to eat at their restaurants!!!

Each week so far, we have seen a group of 'masters' compete with some classic Top Chef competitions that really challenge them with time limits and other restrictions. They are now down to having the winner for each of those episodes compete against each other for the final prize of being the "Top Chef master." Plus, they get $100,000 for the charity of their choice. The winner for each episode gets $10,000 for their charity of choice. Gooo charities! :)

So far, my absolutely favorite chefs (based off their foods, of course) are Anita Lo and Hubert Keller. Both are SOOOOO talented and so confident and unassuming with their food. In the last episode they took on each other's signature dish and I agree that Anita's dish looked better, but I don't think Hubert did a bad job either. My surprise like (just cause I wasn't too sure about him in the first episode) is Rick Bayless. Also, he was studying anthropology until he took up cooking - how cool is that?!

If you can, check out Top Chef Masters or at least their restaurants. If you go- please let me know how you liked their food!

Tired, tired, tired!

2009-07-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

So, I may as well post it... I'm pregnant! yay! :) I'm only 10 weeks along (11 weeks tomorrow or Sat), but just wanted to put that out there in cyber-land.

For the most part I am pretty good, but I have been SOOO tired!!!! It's crazy how tired I am.

For example - once one of my student comes in (at least she called to say she was coming by), I am going home. I feel like I'm going to fall asleep at my desk. No, it's not always this bad - in fact this past week I was starting to feel good... or at least a pattern. (wake up blah, get going around 11 am, lots of energy between 3-6, tired by 8 pm, bed by 10 pm- lol - I usually would sleep at 12 -1 am!) But, no - today I'm tried, tired, tired and I think because I'm so tired I'm not eating. I had a bagel for breakfast, but NOTHING else. I have to remind myself to drink water! Not good.

So, that's my good news and gripe. :) My next doctor's apointment is next Wednesday and hopefully everything will still be good. It's fun to know all this stuff is going on, even if it makes me tired. :)

MTV's 16 and Pregnant

2009-07-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

I don't watch much MTV anymore. I think the last time I did was in 2002-ish, when I was still in university. At that time, they still showed music videos and the big show was TRL in the afternoon - again, which was focused around music and music videos. Ah... the good times.

Now MTV seems to only have shows. Some are probably pretty good, but others have the INTENTION to be good but don't quite make it. 16 and Pregnant is a great example.

I'm not really sure what their point was when they came up with this show. We have seen a growing realization that we have many pregnant teens (although I believe the total number of teen pregnancy has dropped, especially since the 1990s) and a growing realization that many of these teens are becoming pregnant on purpose. See "Gloucester Teens Had Pact To Get Pregnant"

In the US, for the most part we teach abstinence. That is, you shouldn't have sex. Many families don't talk about sex, most schools only barley touch upon this and there is almost no talk of contraceptives. (my public school in CA was pretty liberal and I don't remember them talking about this anyways!) At the same time, young men are seen as greater men for having sex and women are highly pressured to have sex by these boys that want to look like 'men.' Add that to the idea that women are seen as highly sexual in our media, movies and tv shows and you are setting up a generation for young sex.

There is the feeling that many of these women want to have kids because they want a cute little thing to play with and play 'mommy' with. There is the idea that they are just dumb and think it can't happen to them. It's probably a combination of both.

So, as I'm watching the finale show... it was just WEIRD. They didn't have a clear message at all. They keep saying stuff like (I'm paraphrasing because I can't remember exactly) "only you can PREVENT teen pregnancy"... it sounds like this is an illegal drug! And they say that and then switch over to talking with the teen mothers and basically being VERY sympathetic to them and lots of "congrats" for going through the pregnancy! These girls got on tv, got fame, probably some kind of compensation and therefore making the whole situation look pretty good. I think it's hard to show others how hard this can be by just saying so and showing short clips of life...

A BETTER way to go about this would be to come to the logistical points... 1. How did it effect your school year? Were you absent? Did you drop out? Did your grades drop? 2. How much did the pregnancy cost you for each doctor's visit (I don't know about them, but my co-pay is $30 a visit), pills, delivery, comfort things (pillows, food, etc)? 3. How much a month is the baby costing you now? 4. How often do you have to take the baby to the doctor? 5. Are you able to go back to school? 6. Who takes care of the baby? How much does that cost? Is that a long term solution? 7. Can you work? What happens to the baby? 8. Can you study for your HS degree/college with the baby? 9. What does labor feel like (the BBC just had an article about how little women anticipate the pain)? ... And probably some more.

PLUS - why don't they talk about STDs AT ALL?!!! I mean, you probably get more people who get STDs from sex as opposed to getting pregnant. And, again, this is something that you will live with FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!!! You can't say 'opps' in these cases and they need to bring that in!

I agree with the comment - you don't want to BE in this position to make these choices, but I think the focus and message of the entire show was muted and not clear at all. It's fine to congratulation these women for their decision to have the baby, but if they are being shown as an example of what not to do (as they say), they did a poor job.

Out of the entire group, the best couple I thought was the couple that gave up their girl for adoption. I think it will continue to be very difficult for the mother (especially if they keeping bringing the baby to her), but the way they talked throughout the ENTIRE thing - they were VERY mature and probably would be great mothers now or later. But, they knew what they wanted FOR THE BABY and didn't let their situation change that. That couple is a great example of people who will do well in life and I sincerely wish the best for them.

FINAL note: They showed a clip of one of the single moms with her mother in the car, where they are arguing and the mom (kinda') slaps her. I didn't see the whole episode, but it looks like the girl, quite frankly, deserved the slap. (and it's seriously didn't even get to her because they were in the car and that's just hard) But, Dr. Drew turns straight away to the mother and says "do you think it's ok to hit your child?" 1. she didn't hit her! 2. I think this statement over blew that entire argument and immediately gave power to teenagers that they don't deserve. If the kid knows that they could 'tell' on their parents for ANY behavior, they will do so to get what they want. (anyone see Russell Peters on this topic?

go to the 3rd minute if you want to see the best part, but the whole thing is good)

Anyways - I'm white :) and grew up in the US, but I do think there is something to be said for discipline (there are many ways to do this, you don't have to spank, but I sure was!). More than that - I do think that parents and for that part elders, deserve respect. You may not agree with them, but they are older than you and have lived a life that has given them some experience in things!!! I certainly don't agree with many things elders I know say, but I think you should at least consider what they say! And I don't think you should just push them for no reason!

But, more than anything else, I think that slap got pushed way out of proportion. If they are going to bring that up, they need to make a CLEAR distinction between a heat of the moment slap (my mom only slapped by once, but BOY was she mad! And I was a teen... I laughed because it was so weird for that to happen and I was shocked, to say the least) and CHILD ABUSE. Child abuse is horrible and should be stopped, but we can't go overboard. (my friend's kid told their teacher they were scared of her and she doesn't do anything other than spank her kid when bad! The kid is 7 and now feels scared because child services came to their house and the told the mom not to spank (the mom is going to court because she doesn't think it's unreasonable) the kid or they will take her away! My goodness!)

Anyways - that's my rant!

Summer blahs

2009-07-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

I really wish I could be more exciting in the summer... We haven't even gone to the beach yet and it's the end of July!! Of course, we don't usually go more than once, but it's really such a shame. I think that is one of things that I don't like about the East Coast - or at least where we are. The DC area is around 3-4 hours away from the beach and it always kinda' feels like a chore to get out there. There is traffic, it's best if you can spend the night somewhere, you are with tons and tons of other people... :(

This is where I gripe that I wish I was still in CA. :) I think what I miss most is the energy that people have back home. It's not such a big deal to get in the car and go have fun somewhere. People are just willing to be more active and they are gosh-darn positive about it too and any mishaps on the way! I miss the parks and little outdoor activities. They have them here, but it always seems difficult to get out to, or they cost money, or parking gets messed up (grrrrrr).... Maybe I'm just more lazy than I used to be. But, when I go back home to CA, I'm more active with doing stuff or finding stuff to do!!

The best thing about the summer in the DC area is the outdoor films. "Screen on the Green" is the best! For 4-5 Monday's in a row, they will put up a huge screen on the National Mall and show a selection of (usually) old movies for free. It's REALLY fun and while hot, there is SUCH a great feeling of the crowd and everyone out with their blankets and dinners and such. It was much easier for me to do this when I actually worked in DC (I'm in Arlington now), but I want to do that again this year. There is something I love about these types of events and the people who go to them :) More information about Screen on the Green can be found here. Many other cities in the area do the same thing - I think this is the best and more success thing they do.

I was looking for other fun stuff this summer through the different parks, but they all cost money! :( And I'm very cheep like that...

Anyways, the films this year are:

July 20: "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
July 27: "Dog Day Afternoon"
Aug. 3: "On the Waterfront"
Aug. 10: "Rebel Without a Cause"

I missed this Monday's film, but we'll see about the rest. I don't know "Dog Day Afternoon" - I think I know "On the Waterfront." I'm mad I missed "Close Encounters!!" Ah well.

Stupid arguments

2009-06-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

So, I have actually started 2 postings this month, but they both require thought and I'm just not having time for that!!!! One is on democracy and the other is on Obama's speech and what reactions I am hearing and what I have heard. Oh! - on that note, I have a great article that cracks me up: The Settlements Myth by Charles Krauthammer

Now, I like this guy and in general I like to read arguments that are well thought out or at least have a point of view that is based in something. THIS argument has got to be one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. (it's kinda' like how the Israeli government actually says on at least 3 of their gov't sites that there are not really Palestinians - that they are really Jordanians. Really? If you are going to use that argument, at least choose a group of people that they ACTUALLY are like... like the Lebanese... they live on the coast, there is a mix of people with different backgrounds and religions, they live in villages, towns and cities (ok, not that the Jordanians don't, but there really are more Bedouins and my goodness you can look at them and notice the difference!). Oh, and for those who don't know, the king of Jordan is half British/ half 'Saudi' (before it was Saudi Arabia, it was a bunch of other things, but they are from the Hejaz area on the west coast (Mecca and Medina). Just FYI. And the queen is Palestinian, who was born and grew up in Kuwait) lol

To sum up what I got from his article (and this is a quote): "No "natural growth" means strangling to death the thriving towns close to the 1949 armistice line, many of them suburbs of Jerusalem, that every negotiation over the past decade has envisioned Israel retaining. It means no increase in population. Which means no babies. Or if you have babies, no housing for them -- not even within the existing town boundaries. Which means for every child born, someone has to move out. No community can survive like that. The obvious objective is to undermine and destroy these towns -- even before negotiations."

Now, why do I think this is a stupid reply? So, he is saying that the settlements are needed because if the Israeli's want to keep having kids, they need extra space. He uses the example that xx person can't even build an extra room for their new baby if they wanted to. (granted, I've never heard that rule, if that is a rule that you can't build extra rooms, it's from their own government over zoning rules, because that wouldn't be an issue to anyone over land. UNLESS, you are taking over someone else's land, which is the whole point of those actions being found illegal under international and -in many cases - local law!) He is saying that there is apparently no room already in the cities and towns and villages and so they must keep growing physically as a country - even if they just 'take over' other people's land, because - goodness!- how else are they going to live with their families.

Now, I find this incredibly stupid on two main counts. 1. I have never heard that Israel was crowded to that degree where housing was so much an issue. I mean, they have 7.4 million people in a land area that is a bit smaller than New Jersey. New Jersey has a population of around 8.7 million people. For all purposes, they are pretty normal in size and 'limited space' is not a main issue.

2. He ACTUALLY wrote this with the Palestinian territories, 2 feet away (and technically controlled by Israel with 'limited' self-rule) who has a population of around 4 million people in a area the size of 6,020 sq. km. That is compared to the 7.4 million Israelis in 20,330 SQ KM!!!

Outside of the idea that he is claiming a land squeeze, while the people he wants to take the land away from are living in MUCH smaller areas with, foot-by-foot, more people in that area- let's look at other areas of the world:

Egypt- Cairo has around 6.8 million people (the metro area has up to 22 million)

USA - Washington, DC metro area has around 5.4 million people

China/HKAD - Hong Kong has around 7 million people

No city in Israel ever even shows up on ANY list of crowded cities of the world (or high population density, etc). Which makes this entire argument rather stupid, in my option. If you are going to defend the settlements - choose a solid argument. I would actually prefer you to say, "well, we took over that land and so should be able to build as we like!" But, they don't like to admit that they are in control over that area (it's better to say there is a current Palestinian state and gov't of sorts), but that is going into what you say and what you do.

Final note: "^{That's why Haj Amin al-Husseini chose war rather than a two-state solution in 1947. Why Yasser Arafat turned down a Palestinian state in 2000. And why Abbas rejected Olmert's even more generous December 2008 offer."}

The US will never be able to help if they really believe these statements. Often time what 'looks good' means that there is something in each of those things that was much worst than the alternative. (btw, there was a 'moderate' answer to the whole thing in 1947, but everyone ignores that and likes to say it was a universal rejecting of the proposal. But, that is a whole other issue) If you are saying, let's give you control over land that you are already supposed to have control over, but we will still control your water, import export, security and you can't immigrate to our side, even if you marry one of our citizens, because of who you are - that is still a problem and there isn't much 'good' coming from that.

The one point that he was fine with, is that the current government is pretty darn corrupt. That is pretty obvious. BUT, I find one main reason for that- anyone who could has pretty much left the territories to places where than can live without worrying about dying from starvation or Israeli fire and to places where they can actually LIVE and be content with life with those things that we take for granted that everyone should have. There are still good people there, but if you knew that there was almost certainly that 3 of your 10 kids will die before they reach 28, would you stay? If you were not allowed electricity or water because of what the controlling state said, would you stay? No- you would leave! In the end- yes, people want a better life for themselves and their kids. But, if you give up everything you have to to safe, but live in a prison, is that worth it? Is that actually better and are you actually safe?

For the record, I do approve of two states, but as both sides build up more and more paranoia and action/reaction responses, the future is not looking so great. Do I think the Arabs (outside Palestine) will one day take over Israel in a war? No. The Arabs have their populations content and to go to a war has more risk right now than benefits. They would not win (sorry, but I don't see THAT happening in conventional ways) and they would lose many allies that they really do value, both in opinion and in money :)

I think Israel has greater internal issues and their paranoia and own debates over how and who they consider their own citizens to be (religious state or not? What do you do with Orthodox Jews?) will be more detrimental to their development and success as a nation. I hope that they eventually get their act together and that BOTH sides to start to use language that is correct, understanding to both sides and sympathetic to both sides. Because, in the end, if Israel doesn't succeed as a nation, the Palestinians will come back which can be seen as a bigger 'loss' for Israelis who will then be living again in an Arab state.

"Romantic fantacy of suffering can only be dispelled by suffering in reality."

2009-06-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

"Romantic fantacy of suffering can only be dispelled by suffering in reality."

~MANIFESTO OF HUNGER STRIKE

As tomorrow is the anniversary of those significant events in China in 1989, I though I'd post this video. I don't know who did the song, but I though it was very interesting. Plus, there is some footage of things that you don't normal see in here.

The BBC has been going over the protests and have some good articles from journalists who were in China at the time and what they think when they look back: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8057762.stm

as well as comments from young persons in China (born mid-1980s and beyond) and what they know and think about the events: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8061483.stm

Body of Lies review

2009-05-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

After having this movie in my house for about a month (I am reconsidering my NetFlix subscription), I finally watched this movie last night. Or rather, I watched half of the movie and then put it in the return envelope and went to bed. Yea, it was that interesting.No, I take that back. It was interesting - I just couldn't get over 2 main things: 1. the pace was really slow (the 'romance' I think made it worst) and 2. yep - that is SOOOOOO not Jordan. I had wanted to see this movie and then put it aside until I came across a blog that talked about this movie and how it was supposed to be in Jordan, but that it was VERY obviously not in Jordan. So, I wanted to see the movie anyways and thought - maybe this person was just very sensitive and maybe it's not THAT bad. ... well - it's pretty bad.

Now, I can't say anything about the Iraqi part. I've never been to Iraq and while I think it did look more like Morocco there than Iraq... I have not been to Iraq. (or Morocco for that matter, but I'm more familiar with their landscape and geography - sad, huh? I should be more familiar with Iraq) But, Jordan? Now, that was pretty bad. I mean - it was pretty OBVIOUS that it was NOT Jordan. It was good to see some green, but just everything was wrong about the landscape.

OMG - I laughed so hard when I saw the "American Embassy!" They made the Embassy like a regular building (for the most part), but for those of you who have been to Jordan, the embassy is essentially a fort. As in... 1. I can't figure out how to get in - a problem if I'm ever in trouble. There are huge walls around the entire thing and Humvees with soldiers with AK-47s on each corner. 2. The embassy is a compound and has all of the admin buildings, plus housing for workers. 3. The

embassy in Jordan is pretty much smack in the middle of a residential area and takes up an entire block of land - so you don't just go down the street and turn into it (unless there is a side entrance

that I don't know about which is possible since, as mentioned before, I have yet to see how you get in) like they show in the movie.

They tried to insert the King Abdullah mosque into the city scape - I assume that here they used the same technique that was used in The Kingdom where they put in the Kingdom Centre

(Al Mamlaka) - see picture to the right - into their

view of what was part of Dubai, I believe... They actually wanted to film this movie in the UAE, but that was denied and so we got the filming in Morocco. But, they didn't really work to make the area look like Jordan and Amman. I mean, Amman is a rather new city. They are celebrating their 100 anniversary this year. There has been SO much development there since the Hashimates came to Jordan in the 1920s. JORDAN for the most part is pretty new - they were part of the Roman empire and then had villages as part of the Holy Land and during the crusades and then as Bedouin tribes - but I don't think people how NEW Jordan is as a nation. And how somewhere in between 60-80% of the population is not native Jordanian, but is from Palestine. ...but I digress. :) (let me know if you want me to write more about this and I'll do extra research)

So, the movie was interesting in how it had the CIA working in the Middle East and how they work with the locals and the partner government agencies (2nd complaint - the head of the Jordan police -or whatever - is VERY not Jordanian - the actor is Mark Strong - complete with a very small pointy noise and everything. I think he did ok with the accent - it would come and go, but I anyways think that to speak Arabic better you have to think in a British accent to get the vowels correct, but his body language was all off. He tried to be smooth, which was good, but he couldn't get the defensive posture that I find in every Arab male in that area. lol - it's quite funny; I can write about that at any request). They put Leo's character as willing to understand the area and work with people and learn the culture/language and Russel Crowe's character as an ignorant, cowboy jerk. To which - they both did very good jobs in there roles - I really don't like Crowe's character and I know that's the point. :) But, the pace was getting rather painful to watch. So, I stopped...

Now - this movie was taken off a book written by David Ignatius, a columnist for The Washington Post. I like reading Ignatius and so I would hope that the BOOK is better than the movie - slow paced stories usually are better to read. I understand that the romance in THAT book is even more painful, but at least I can skip over it if I need to.

So - the movie is NOT worth renting, but I would try to watch it again if it came on tv...

Some Pictures of Amman, although they don't do it justice:

Oxford visit

2009-05-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

I won't bore you with the school pictures, but here are some others from my site visit to Oxford. We have students in Christ Church College, Trinity and... one more that I'm blanking on! (sorry)

Impression of Oxford - great city; very studious and there is definitely a social 'thing' going on that

makes me prefer the anonymity of London...

Christ Church College from the Medows (left) ; Random road in Oxford (right)

Oxford market (left) Christ Church College Main Quad (right)

Christ Church Statues (left) Face in Christ Church Cathedral (right)

Alter in Chirst Church Cathedral (left) Window in Christ Church Cathedral (right)

Christ Church College Dinning Hall Oxford, Bridge of Sighs

aka. Harry Potter Dinning Hall (rip-off from Venice)

(left) (right)

Oxford buildings - by the Bodleian (left) The Camera (Library) (right)

Food from Jamie's: Polenta appetizer and a pasta and truffle dinner. Sooooo gooooood!

Inside the initiation into "No Peel" Burnt into door outside Christ

the Bodleian (left) Church College Dinning Hall, in reference to PM Peel (right)

Angel & Demons Review

2009-05-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

So... I had been looking forward to seeing Angels and Demons; in part because I love fluff like that and in part because I think that story is much better than the DaVinci code. Dan Brown may be no where near the best writter in the world (OMG - sometimes I am reading it and thinking, is he in High School? Like, any time he tries to bring in romance and sexual attraction. It's not his strong suit. Leave it alone!), but he still can carry a good book with deception (abeit a bit see-through), conspiricy and action.

So, the movie... Well- aparently, we are back to those times when the movies a loosely based of the books. I understand there are time constraints, but this movie went pretty far off some of the book's points. And not in a good way, in my opinion. First off- (I will take it that this is more realistic though) there is a whole team working on creating anti-matter. So, the idea of recreating the "big bang," for which the creation on anti-matter is a bi-product and not the main point, is not important in this story. Which devalues the role of the priest/scientist at CERN. So, we have a team working on the project (yes, more realistic, but does take away a latter plot twist - although they weakly try to bring it in) and Vittoria is a member of the team who, with the priest, she is the main people in charge. Fine. But, NOTHING about the priest being Vittoria's (adopted) father and there is NO branding of the Illuminati symbol on the priest.

Second, the Vatican contacts Robert L and not CERN. In fact, the head of CERN is not in the story at all. Vatican wants Robert to come since he is so knowledgeable about Illuminati and his previous involvment with the church. Which leds to the film trying to cover this difference by showing a relectant Swiss Guard which doesn't make sense for, as Robert says, "You invited me." So, that whole dimention of science vs the Church is pretty much thrown out the window... (not good considering that is kinda' the point behind the Illuminati vs the Church)

So, they get going along the plot with the different parts of the path with minor changes... The assassin is NOT part of Hashshashin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashshashin), something I kinda' liked due to their part during the crusades, and he is not sadistic at all (they make him seem religous for some reason)... The first part of the path was filmed mid-day which bugged me because it's supposed to be 8 at night... Vittoria's position is lowered down to kinda' a side note... The Camerlengo is made less important within the Vatican... They have the main cardnal who presides over the conclave, give up his role to be included in the vote (makes him seem very political)... They kinda' skip over everything about the Illuminati and Gallieo besides making it since so much more-- bloody?

Third, they cut out the media. This can be seen as not important to the plot, but where it WAS important was how it made the Camerlengo so important to the Church and to the public. That speach about the war between science and the Church (which is much more harsh in the movie than how I read it), is done in the book in front of the media (BBC) and the media is following the path with them as the assassin contacts them so that they are aware of what is going on. It's sad they cut that out.

They cut out the romance, but I'm not sorry for that - as I said above - Dan Brown can't write romance. Besides, I don't like sex for the point of sex when everyone is going to die.

Fouth - they let the last cardnal live. WTF?!!!!

Fifth - they don't have Robert L go up in the hellicopter. Although I did think the fabric thing was pretty unlikely anyways, but it was a good ah ha moment for Robert L in the book. Plus, it let to the Camerlego's performance on the balcony afterwards.

Sixth - they don't explain AT ALL WHY this whole situation begins. Which is a HUGE point. I don't get why they don't bring that in AT ALL considering it's importance. I guess they though the conspiracy was more important that a motive.

So, overall, I was pretty disapointed and wish I hadn't read the book yet. F---- seemed to like it although he did see the parts that didn't make sense in the movie because they didn't go over them at all like in the book.

My rating: D

Topic Winner: Long Flights

2009-05-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

So, my one vote was to write about long flights...

Well, I have certainly been on my share of long trips. Growing up, we would drive from Northern CA to Southern CA which, with 3 kids in the car, takes 9 hours. (as we got older, we got it down to 5 hours - man, we must have stopped a lot!) I have never been able to sleep in the car and that has moved over to flights as well. So, when I face the prospect of a long flight, I prepare myself for boredom. (It's really not that bad...)

My first long flight was probably to Washington, DC in 6th grade (and again in 8th grade). About 6 hours total non-stop, that was longer than any flight before hand of about 2 hours, tops. And everything was still new and exciting. But, I think that it is a good thing that I took so many long trips when I was young. I know how to amuse myself. That goes with any other boring things like dull baseball games, etc. I went with my mom and a friend to a Nationals game a few years ago and it got more and more dull throughout the game (just not a good game that day) and we are talking and blah, blah, blah. My friend was getting more and more bored (apparently he had never gone to a baseball game), but my mom and I just talked. And eventually, I noticed a spider hanging down from the stadium overhead. This spider must have been hanging down about 30-40 feet from the overhead and it was interesting to watch it swaying in the wind. My mom and I started to comment on that and eventually she said, "You know, I never had to worry about finding entertainment for you. You always found something to do." ... I hope my kids are the same! They certainly will have their share of long trips between the US and Jordan or the east coast and west coast (depending on where the future finds us).

Back to flights...

Where the long flights started to make a difference is when we fly overnight somewhere. Again, I don't sleep and we usually arrive in the morning to said country and so I have to stay awake the entire day. But, I learned how to deal with that... it helps if you have work to do. Then you HAVE to be perky...

But, you think in your mind that it is now morning and that is that. You are going through a normal day and basically ignore the fact that you didn't sleep and that it's 2 am back home. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT! And it helps that there is a time change. By the time that first day is done, it is time for bed in the host country and still afternoon back home so the overnighter you just pulled is ultimatly not that bad. Certainly, staying active helps the most- if you can be active and move around, you will stay awake. And then - you are on schedule! Now, the minute you sleep in late within the first 2 weeks in the host country you will feel the jet lag, but for short trips it is helpful to just force yourself into the new time schedule.

My most recent worry about long flights was when I flew to China from DC. It was very odd - I started obsessing over the length of the flight and what I was going to do for 13 hours. I think that began when I booked the flight on United.

Ok - I'm such an airline snob. And United is NOT my favorite airline. Their service ON the flight is great, but the customer service on the ground - SUCKS. The airplanes themselves - SUCK (for the most part).

And so, I was obsessing over what I was going to do. It got to the point that I was worried that I was not going to adjust in China because I basically wasn't thinking of my trip (culture-wise) beyond the flight. (it was fine - Shanghai is like NYC/Amman and Beijing is like... hmmm - maybe Budapest? sort-of...)

Which, my fears were acknowledged when... 1. got to the airport to find my flight to Chicago (to connect to direct to Shanghai) was canceled and they put me on the next day's flight. Which is stupid for them to do for people flying international and something I was NOT going to go along with considering I was only in Shanghai for 2 days anyways and so if I arrived a day late, I would miss ALL my meetings!! (F--- got AMEX to get me on a direct flight to Beijing and transfer to Shanghai) I NEVER got any email/phone call, etc about the cancellation... what if I DIDN'T live in the area?! 2. The plane was from the late 90s or something and going there, the cabin switched between too hot and too cold and there was just the films on a schedule to choose from. Coming back - the plane was SOOOOOOOO cold and I got sick on the flight. I don't do well with cold and I could feel myself getting more and more stuffed up as time went along...

My long flights (outside US only and over 6 hours):

Japan - 1995 - 14 hours total (2 to Vancouver, 12 to Tokyo) (I think) (Air Canada)

UK - 2001 - 7/8 hours (Virgin Atlantic)

Slovenia - 2002 - 8 to Switzerland/1 to Slovenia (Swiss)

Hungary/Poland - 2006 - 8-ish hours (+ 12 hr train ride in between) (Luftansa/LOT)

Jordan/Dubai - 2007- 13/14 hours to/from Dubai, 3 hours between Jordan and Dubai (Emirates)

UK - 2007- 7/8 hours (Vigrin Atlantic)

Spain - 2007 - 7/8 hours (Iberia)

Italy - 2007 - 8/10 hours (to Amsterdam and then Italy) (KLM & Altalia)

China - 2008 - 13/15 hours (13 direct and 2 hrs to Shanghai) (United &... Shanghai Air?)

Jordan - 2008 - 12/15 hours (going - 7 to Paris + 5 (?) to Amman; coming - 13 to NYC, 1 to DC) (Delta - not the new planes :()

Next week... 2009- UK - 7/8 hours (British Airways)

That last flight to Jordan kinda' sucked - it was Delta and they are changing out their fleet, but we got the old planes. Well - going there it was Air France so - yay! Coming back - it was Delta and there were NO individual screans!!! Seriously? For a 13 hour flight? WHYYYYYYYY?

I am looking forward to flying BA - I usually hear good stuff about them. My favorite airlines have been KLM, Emirates and Swiss. My least favorite have been United, Virgin Atlantic and Iberia.

Monday swimming

2009-05-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

So, between my arriving at 6:35, getting the monthly pass and waiting for a lane to open up- I only got about 25 minutes of swimming in:

200 warm-up

**** can't remember ******

6 x 50 (kick down, swim back) on :60

200 (IM down, free back)

50 eggbeater (side, side, front, back)

200 warm down

Anyways, not a lot, but at least something! I am still sore from last week. And I need to start with the Wii, My Fitness Training (I'll write a review later - for now... FABULOUS!).

So, the pool lanes always have 2 people in them, swimming as a split lane. I understand why they don't do circle swimming - the group is for the most part older persons and everyone seems to be on different swim work outs. But, today I waited about 10-15 minutes for a lane to open up!

It reminded me of London (but opposite)- I got a monthly pass for the neighborhood gym and pool. So, I was thinking that most people would just be working out and not swimming... I mean, I have never really heard of lots of Brits swimming before. So, I get there and 1 - there is both and indoor pool. Yay! I VERY MUCH prefer outdoor pools- better ventilation and temperature control, etc. So, I think that I may be one of the faster swimmers because I have been swimming since I was 5 and, while I hadn't swam in about 1 1/2 years, I wasn't horribly out of shape. So, I choose a lane and get in. So - the Brits are in VERY good shape! My goodness - those guys totally were fast and very serious about their swimming! They had great form and really did some good workouts, from what I could tell. I was a bit embarrassed that I was passed up by others and very impressed that they were so good! And, after that, I only went a few more times to the pool before stopping completely.

Swim Log - Thursday, April 30

2009-04-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

Swim day! I'm making a slow start to my swimming - just Monday and Thursday this week. I am working towards going every morning... I also only had about 45 minutes today.

200 warm-up freestyle

10 x 50 (1:00 min) freestlye

200 arms only freestyle (ok - I can't remember exactly what I did - it was pulling, but I can't remember the set)

6? x 50 scull down w/eggbeater and freestyle back

6 x 100 kick (10 second rest between each) (odd- backstroke; even- freestyle w/kickboard)

200 warm-down freestyle

Gosh, this seems so short! I didn't do any cardio really, but I feel like I'm missing something... I need to start writting down my workouts exactly after I do them (or before!).

A day in the life of international education

2009-04-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share with you what has been going on around on my desk.

Last week - UK visa situation broke and faxed cancellation to consulate in LA and calls between me and partner in London (poor thing - they sounded EXHAUSTED). Partner is staying open until about 11 pm GMT to take our calls and questions. They are also willing to cover some reapplication costs, although it's really not their fault. It's just a sucky situation. Very nice of them to cover costs though and we are taking them up on it...

No way to contact consulate (very usual - this is part of WHY we tell students to apply early...), so in hold to see when documents come back...

Monday, April 27

UK visa stuff (much calmer than the constant emails from last week)

Tracking down delinquent student (no luck so far, we will drop her from program Thurs if no reply and she will owe $7,200)

Copy Italian partner program acceptance forms and email students for pick up

Copy Belgium partner program acceptance forms and email student for pick up

Contact service for UK visa help (mailing that is, so visas get back by Mary 19 - students leave May 20th)

Flu info updates (most emails during weekend, nothing too new- no one canceling programs)

Tuesday, April 28th

Office email to currently abroad and summer students:

"Dear students:
As you may have heard in the local and international press, there has been an increase in the number of swine flu cases in recent weeks. Our office is continuing to monitor this carefully and in this email will provide you with some resources for your benefit.
As of this time, there are no program changes or cancellations. As with all flu strands, please be sure to take the necessary precautions of washing your hands frequently, using a tissue when you sneeze or blow your nose, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
State Department: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4488.html
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/en/
__ Health Insurance: http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/stu_conn/travel_howtouse.aspx
ISIC Health Insurance: http://www.isic.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=static&page=istc_info/isic_helpline.html
(see __________________ for additional information)
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Warm wishes,
_____________________

Students pick up acceptance forms and go over visa process (Italy)

UK visa emails (continue with updates)

Update Blackboard with Permisso info (Italy), ISIC health insurance info, __ Health Insurance info and claim info

Oxford site visit organization

Email SMUC student for meeting in London

Wednesday, April 29th

Oxford site vist organization

Email/Facebook/call delinquent student for CV and PS (and dismissal from program if don't return by noon)

Call about expressing visa applications (drop off Monday)

Emails about delinquent student...

Australia updates

Thursday, April 30th

"Serious" talk with delinquent student (so, I find I'm not so serious, but I told her to apologize to partner and called her out on lying about sending email documents)

Found new express UK visa service (drop off forms next Thursday) - thank goodness!

Missing UK items (from Consulate back to student)

Returning student emails

Student workers forms

Contact in Oxford email (hmm, I haven't heard back from them!)

Follow up with SMUC contact

UK visa update emails

And then I was out on Friday...

Swim Log - April 27

2009-04-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

So, I finally (FINALLY) got to the pool and swam this morning. I had been wanting to do this for a long time now, but... well, I'm lazy and don't wake up early. I prefer to sleep and I can't really swim in the evening (need to make dinner and other stuff at home), so it must be in the morning.

So... last night I put out my work clothes, jewlery, hair dryer, brush, make-up (this is the first day in months that I have dried my hair and wore make-up to work) as well as my swim suit, goggles, cap and towel, and shampoo/conditioner, etc. I forgot my shoes, but thankfully remembered them this morning before I left. I sent my alarm for 5:45 am and went to sleep around... well, got to sleep around 12:30 am.

But - I woke up! Yay! This is something I REALLY like about summer - it gets hot and sticky and is hard to stay asleep because it's so hot and sticky. So, it's much easier to wake up as opposed to the winter when it's dark and cold and I want to stay in bed to stay warm...

But, I got up (ok- around 6:10 I think) and brushed my teeth and put on my suit and left the house! (Big applase for my small ackomplishment)

I am going to my local community center for the pool. (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/) I don't know why people always knock their community centers. I do realize that my county is pretty freakin' rich, but I have never found community centers to be lacking (I think the poorest community center I used was in Antioch and DC and they weren't that bad at all). Anyways, this one is NICE. It's $6.90 (?) a day and something like $65 a month for in county residents. They open at 5 am - 9:30 pm for weight room, arobic classes, raket ball (or whatever that game is called that is like tennis where you hit the wall...), and the pool. The pool opens at 6:30 am, but when I got there, there were swimmers getting out and part of the pool was in use for a USS team. I think they must start at 5 am with special permission. They were a young group - I think the youngest swimmers were around 6-7 years old. It's good to see that people are into swimming, but - what time does school start for these guys? They didn't leave until after I did and I got out at 7:30 and left at 8:10 am...

Anyways - the pool is a 50 meter pool, with lanes cut across it so it's 25 yd laps. Thank goodness! I wasn't sure how the pool would be set up and I was afraid it would be set up at 50 meter lanes. I knew I was not ready for THAT. In fact, I wasn't all that ready for the 25 yds!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO out of shape. I have never felt the lack of mus

sles in me like I did this morning. It was very sad. I am glad that the more I swam, the better it got, but I am going to be feeling it and my workout was pretty sad... I just couldn't do any more!

Workout (Hmm, I'm trying to remember what I did now):

100 warm up (I want to say 200, but I can't remember if I did!)

10 x 50 freestyle on 1:00 min

200 kick (freestyle/backstroke)

6 x 100 (1,3,5 - kick, right, left, swim; 2,4,6 - under, wrist, finger drag, swim) (I wanted to do 10, but think I only did 6)

10 x 25 (easy/sprint on :30)

a few (I can't remember - 4/6/8?) laps of scull/kick and 30 seconds eggbeater at each end

200 cool down

That seems short, but is probably what I did. So sad... ;)

So, I got out of the pool and went to the locker room. Where I discovered that my face was VERY red. After shower - still red. After dressed - still red. Went down a bit by the end of blow drying my hair. Used lots of powder to try to get that down.

I think that shows HOW out of shape I am!!! :)

But, I feel good and will try to get to the pool every day this week (minus Friday, of course). Yay!!!

Are you an expat bore?

2009-04-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

From Time Out Dubai...

We've found the top 25 things that mean you've been Dubai-ed. Fact. There's no escaping it

1... you can make your way around five different malls without a map. (well, I don't think that is too hard, but maybe I'm used to large malls)

2...you have friends from 10 different countries. (I've got 6 - do American living abroad count - that should get me up to 10)

3... you can tell as soon as there’s a sand storm a’comin’. (F--- can, I'll have to wait for that)

4... the taxi driver knows where you’re going.

5... letters in local newspapers no longer seem like the rantings of the insane. (tehehehe)

6... you’ve stopped complaining about people tailgating you in the fast lane, and started complaining about people driving too slowly in the fast lane. (yep)

7... it’s not a belly, it’s the Dubai stone.

8... you can recite the recorded Arabic welcome message from the RTA taxi number, word for word, and with a flawless accent. (lol)

9... you say the summer ‘isn’t that hot.’

10... you look round the lobby of a five-star hotel and yawn. (totally!)

11... you get excited and dance around whenever it rains.

12... you don’t know how to clean your own apartment. (lol!)

13... you feel ‘the fear’ when someone suggests the all-day brunch at Waxy O’Conner’s.

14... you know that ladies’ nights are actually all full of blokes. (isn't that everywhere?)

15... you need both hands to count the number of international music acts you’ve seen this year.

16... you find it a real challenge to paint your own nails. (lol)

17... you can’t stop checking the exchange rates between the dirham and your home country’s currency – and you’ve actually managed to send some money home.

18... you’ve forgotten how to fill up your car with petrol.

19... you don’t know when you last walked more than 100 metres in one go. (see?! No walking - crazy (and walking the malls don't count... but, that helps)

20... you’ll only attempt a drive across town on a Friday morning (when there’s no traffic).

21... Al Mallah/Al Hallab/another Lebanese eatery is on your mobile’s speed dial.

22 ... you consider anything below 30° to be ‘cardigan weather’.

23... you think Ski Dubai is a perfectly normal concept.

24... you consider your doorman as one of your mates.

25... you’ve heard the same Dubai urban myths from 10 different people.

And you know someone’s definitely not a Dubai resident when…

1... they’re petrified of Sheikh Zayed Road. (it's not THAT bad)

2... they don’t know what baba ganoush/tabouleh/fatoush is. (who doesn't now a days - I think the receipies were in Marta Stewart this year!)

3... they’re shocked at the idea of getting a cab from one side of the road over to the other. (lol)

4... they get their Burj’s confused (Al Arab and Dubai, that is). (I just think of the ice cream - is that still around? It was some place near the Persian court I think in Ibn Battuta mall)

5... they’ve been on the Big Bus Tour – and know more about Dubai than actual expats. (I should do that sometime...)

Time Out Dubai 21 April 2009

(F----l says this is a good list for all of the Middle East -well, the Gulf)

Becoming Jane

2009-04-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

So, I FINALLY saw "Becoming Jane" last night...

I think I have had this for about a month now - my Netflix is NOT paying off. I think I need to just get committed to it. We aren't seeing any other movies, although I'm sure that will change as we go into summer. (Wolverine, Star Trek... (yea, I'm a geek))

Overall, I enjoyed the film and I'm glad I saw it. I think I would have seen it in the theatre as well, but it's not a movie that I am dying to rewatch (I put it in the mail this morning without even going through the extra features - well, I went through one, got bored and turned it off).

I think I most enjoyed how they portrayed the time period. That seems to be a trend in the most recent Regency films - to have this kind of roughish nature to it, but I admit I do like that bit of perceived realism (does any one know if this is any more real than the other interpretations?). It just is darker than earlier Regency films, but it's hard to tell how real it is. I'm sure if Austen were to come back and see that, she would immediatly see things that

stand out as too old or too new in the sences. Also - EXACTLY how much propriety is used in that time?

So, the story is to be that of Jane Austen when she mets the (presumaly) love of her life while she is starting as a writer. The man in questions is (presumaly) the model for Mr. Darcy (apparently Darcy was an Irish name and this man is of an Irish father). Man is somewhat of a scoundrel and, while studying law, also fights and sleeps around (I assume so anyways although we don't see it...) and whatnot. Man is at the whim of his rich uncle and is sent to countryside to... learn patience and manners?...

Man meets Jane and is arrogant, but they argue and he 'challenges' her. She reads Tom Jones and further 'explores' real life.... Sub plot, rich neighboorhood lady (cue Lady Catherine) has nephew (Mr. Collins- in part, it kinda' switches later on to other guy) who wants to marry Jane, but she doesn't love him. Mom says that love can't always servive poverty... Jane set to marry, then goes to London to try to get rich uncle to approve of the marriage (ie, so Man can still get money). Letter comes (guess from Lady, later find other guy who wants Jane) (note: did Jane REALLY have that many suitors?), uncle mad (what DID that letter say?), no marriage. Break up (slap of reality to Jane), and go back home. Sister's fiance dead and so she won't marry either. Man is back in town, Jane and Man decide to elope. All good until Jane realizes how much Man's family depends on him for money through uncle. Jane breaks up and everyone lives their lives.

Years down the road, Jane is published author that people love (Ok - I know THAT isn't true; she published annoynmously). At concert, Jane sees Man (who runs away, but brother brings him back). Man and daughter (named Jane - significant looks abound) meet Jane again and lots of angst, but happy looks. The end.

So - it was very good, but I can't get over - how acurate is this? I probably would have enjoyed it better if it wasn't Jane Austen or it may have been the flow of characters and plot... Something just seemed off.

I do recomend to see it - I love how they show the society and the countryside and houses. It's like in the 2006 (?) P&P where they add that part where Charlotte tells Elizabeth not to judge her because she is older and doesn't have many prospects. I think we need those types of interpretations today, which of course, makes movies and such less authentic, but it makes it mroe authentic to us because our understanding is so much more improved....

Move: A-

Dollar Rate

2009-04-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

So, I'm very glad that the dollar rate has been so good! Of course, I don't think it's very good for other countries - in particular the UK, but right now (1:57 pm EST; April 20th), the rates are:

$1.29= EUR 1

$1.45 = GBP 1

That is Fantastic! A year ago, it was around $1.60 to the Euro and $2 to the Pound.

Now, my students still think that is crazy. We keep telling them it's so good, but it still is an extra cost for them. I just tell them to be VERY glad they weren't going abroad a year ago.

Now, the change against the Euro has been fine. In the winter of 2007-08, there was a HUGE change in the exchange rate and it was pretty ridiculous. I see the current drop back down to around $1.30 to the EUR as a natural correction.

The drop on the pound however is much more shocking and surprising. It had been around $2 for probably the past 3-4 years and before that, the lowest I had seen it was 2001 where it was around $1.58 to the pound or so. When it went from $2 to the pound down to $1.50 in about 2 weeks - I was shocked! I have NEVER seen currency drop like that unless there was a coup going on or something!

So, while that is good for us going abroad, I am worried about their economies. But, that just means that we can buy more things from the UK - not a bad trade off...

(about midway through this posting I got sidetracked and went away... not good for making this sound right... ah well - rainy day)

Writting

2009-04-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

So, I read everyone's blog and they all sound so much better than mine... :( *sniff*
I obviously need practice in writing. So, let's have some practice...

(um, please send me writing suggestions or questions)

Liking History

So... I like history. My major in college was history, I would like to continue to study history, I like the history channel and everything along those lines.
This does NOT mean that I am interested in EVERY history. For example - I'm just not that into Roman history. I can appreciate that they gave us a bunch of stuff and the coolness of the empire (in fact, that aspect is probably the most interesting to me as I like the idea of the functionality of empires), but I have pretty much found that Roman ruins look the same. Whether in Rome, Asia or Africa - they all pretty much look the same. I mean - the ruins that are ruins. The ruins that are usable buildings - those are still pretty cool :)
Now - what I DO like about the thousands of Roman ruins out there are that it is very easy to go run around them. How cool is that to run around thousand of old stuff?!
...Anyways - 2nd thing - I like history which is better defined as the writing of past events. I like the primary documents of what people have written about past events. I like historiography (yes, very boring history where I am basically studying how people have written about histories at different points in history). My point is that I like the reading first and the visiting is a secondary aspect where I better understand the written. I would like to think that I would be into archeology, but I'm really not that much.
So - topics of history that I like: Assyrian, Middle Eastern (specially the Golden Age/Middle Ages as well as late 19-20th century), empires, historiography, immigration, WWII (mostly Holocaust and other 'home front' issues), diplomatic... and then I get into smatterings of histories here and there (I find colonial history of Spanish occupation in the Americas interesting - and 20th century Mexican history interesting).
I'm NOT so into American colonial history (from the US side, I do find it interesting from the UK side - empire thing...), I'm eh on Egyptian, eh on Roman (there are parts that are super interesting and then those I just don't care about), ... I'm sure there is more.
I'm sure everyone is the same, but it's the whole thing how just because I'm into history does not equal a love for all history...

Living in the DC metro area

2009-04-17T07:04:00.001-07:00

So, I have been living in the Washington, DC metro area for about 10 years now... Here are a few notes about the area:

1. DC METRO AREA
It is a metro area because most people are influenced and/or work in Washington, DC and with the federal government. Case: the Pentagon is in Arlington, VA but is one of the largest office buildings in the world and the center of the US military. Case: CIA is in VA.
"formally known as the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV MSA, is a U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as of November 2004. It is also part of the larger Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2007 Census Bureau estimate, the population of the Washington Metropolitan Area was estimated to be 5,306,565." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Metropolitan_Area)

2. Northern VA
Considered part of the DC metro area, but it's in a separate state and very different from the rest of Virginia. Outside of Fairfax County, we usually vote liberal and has been seen as changing a lot of the VA politics in the past 5-8 years.
"It is the most populous region of both Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area... Northern Virginia is the most diverse (in terms of both the number of ethnic groups and nationalities represented) and highest-income region of Virginia, having six of the twenty highest-income counties in the nation, including the two highest as of 2007." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Virginia)

3. Notable counties and cities in DC Metro Area
Washington, DC (US capital, lobbyists, NGOs, UN, World Bank, IMF, universities, White House, Supreme Court, Train Station, Food, Theatre, Mall & Museaums, residential (all sorts), DC gov't)
VA - Arlington (Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, gov't buildings, university), Alexandria (Old Town, Nat'l Airport, Mt Vernon?, gov't buildings), Falls Church (residential), McLean (Tysons) (rich residential, consulting companies, shoping), Great Falls (super rich residential), Fairfax (residential, shoping, county center), Herndon (residential, IT), Manassas (army residential), Prince William County (army/gov't worker residential), Reston (residential, IT)
MD - Montgomery County (nice residential, good food/shoping, Discovery Channel); Prince George's Country (residential - good and very bad with gangs)

4. Highways
I-95: goes along whole East Coast to connect all states. Metro wise, communter route from Prince William County Beltway and Beltway to Baltimore
I-495: "The Beltway" Highway that goes in circle (not begining or end). Everything in the DC area is either 'inside' or 'outside' the beltway. About 10-15 years ago, 'outside' the beltway had the impression it was super far away (it's around 14 miles or so in radius from the center or DC). The Beltway connects together I-66, I-95, 395, 270 and probably some others to each other.
395: If you are on I-95 from VA going north and stay in the left lane, once you past under The Beltway, you are on 395. 395 continues into DC (bridge) and ends up in NE DC
I-66: VA highway that ends in DC (bridge). Goes through Manasas, Fairfax County and Arlington County. From 6-9 am in the morning, I-66 INSIDE the Beltway going in the direction of DC is HOV-2 ONLY. From 3:30/4 (I can't remember) to 6:30 pm, I-66 INSIDE the Beltway going in the direction of Fairfax/Manasas is HOV-2 ONLY. Alternative routes for inside the beltway are Rt 50 and Lee Hwy (Rt 29)
270: MD highway coming from east of Montgomery County... (obviously I don't live in MD and don't take this route very often - only if I'm going to Bob's Noddle House)

5. Traffic
Pretty bad. I live in Fairfax (Fair Oaks) and it's about 14 miles to work in Arlington. Takes about an hour to get into work each day. My routes, I-66 (if I time it right, I get to the Beltway at 9 am and can continue on it to my exit); I-66 to Rt 29 to various other roads to work; Rt 29 + various roads; Rt 50 to Glebe. Pretty much same time any way unless major accident on I-66.
" No. 7: Washington, D.C.
Because most of the workers in Washington D.C. are commuting from the Virginia or Maryland suburbs, it can take an exceedingly long time to make it downtown. Here, 15% of commuters take over an hour to get to work, the second highest rate in the country. Drivers spend 60 hours a year stuck in traffic, and only 26% of commuters get to work in under 20 minutes-- the worst rate in the country. The only thing saving D.C. from a worse ranking is its efficiency ranking for carpooling, public transportation and walking, the country's second best" (http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/24/cities-commute-fuel-forbeslife-cx_mw_0424realestate3_slide_5.html?thisSpeed=15000)

Additionally, I can't understand it, but we have the WORST drivers here! They don't look at what is going on around them and REFUSE to let people merge on the freeway! I don't get that as it just causes more jams... Seriously, I take driving in China, Jordan and Italy TOTALLY above driving around here. At least in those places, the people are (for the most part) paying attention and anticipating moves on the road which makes me feel safer than the DC area.

6. Empathy
The longer you live here, the more empathy you have for politics. I always found it amazing that the people who grew up here NEVER went into DC and the historical sites and were so empathetic, but now I understand. Even on the weekend, the traffic is bad and it takes so much effort to get into DC for fun unless it's in the evening! I feel so ashamed that I haven't been to the Cherry Blossom Festive since 2004 and I haven't even been to a museum for probably over a year! Shameful! When I was working in DC, I did go to a lot more stuff at lunch or after work, but now that I'm living and working in VA, I almost never get up to DC (unless there is a meeting). This is really too bad...

7. Internationalism
Obviously the area is very international and the use of this is done in several ways. Different groups have cultural events, like the EU Open House (http://www.eurunion.org/EUinUS/eu-open-house) coming up in May, Embassy displays (check any embassy webpage for info), and concerts, social events, renting halls for clubs, etc.
There are many restaurants of different cuisines (it's actually hard to find "American" food outside of chains like dinners, Dennys, etc) inclduing El Salvadorian (if it says Mexican, you can figure it's El Salvadorian for the most part), Peru, Chinese (there is "American Chinese" that is nasty!- for a CA girl and there is Chinese food - the Dim Sum I like is a China Garden in Rosslyn; Bob's Noodle House in MD also has great Tawainese food), Italian (like Sesto Seso, or spelled something like that), French (La Chamiere (spelled something like that), Ethiopian (Adams Morgan or there is a place in Crystal City that's good), Vietnamese (there are a bunch I like, ask me for a list), Thai, Yemen (Al Jazeera), Lebanese (there are a few - Mediterranian Gourmet is great for casual stuff, the Lebanese Butcher also has some good stuff), Steak Houses, Seafood (ok, they aren't nessesarily a culture, but they can range a bit - I guess American...) and that's what I am thinking for now...
And there are great international markets (and organic food places). I use mostly (organic) Whole Foods, the Lebanese Butcher (halal), and H-Mart (Asian chain). The only thing I can't find around here (granted I like to buy groceries abroad because they can be cheeper abroad) are the overly processed pate (I think Nestle makes it) and some energy drink from the ME. And, of course, stuff like gummy durian and the like...

8. Temperature Control
Summer - blast a/c to 60 degrees (always wear pants because it's cold inside everywhere)
Winter - (not my office) dry heat to 70s. Dries out everyone's skin and eyes
So, everyone gets sick from the dramatic changes in outside to inside temperature...

Please let me know if you have any questions about our area.

Book list

2009-04-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

I saw this list on Brenda's blog so I thought I'd see how many I've read.

"The National Endowment for the Arts posted this list that's making the rounds. According to The Big Read, the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books on their list."

I will bold the one's I've read ( total).

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6. The Bible (I've read parts of but never the whole thing)
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte (this should be above Jane Eyre)
8. 1984 - George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare (read some of the works, but not all)
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19. The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34. Emma - Jane Austen
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (Brenda, I think you read this because we read it in school)
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (ok, I liked it and all, but #42?!)
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Marte
l52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (I think I did...)
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (THIS IS 58?! IT'S SOOOO GOOD!)
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding
69. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens (maybe)
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson (started to...)
75. Ulysses - James Joyce (parts)
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte's Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92.The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Love Story

2009-04-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

So....

Love Story
Swift, Taylor

We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony in summer air

(ok, so far that's fine)

See the lights
See the party, the ball gowns
I see you make your way through the crowd
And say hello, little did I know

(awwwwwwwwwwww)

That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you please don't go, and I said

(awwwww, teenage love)

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

(fine, cute - a bit too sugary, but fun - great melody btw)

So I sneak out to the garden to see you
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew (???? dead ????)
So close your eyes
Escape this town for a little while

'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter (WHAT?????? A SCARLET LETTER? AS IN ADULTRY? AS IN "THE SCARLET LETTER?" HOW ON EARTH IS THAT ROMANTIC? YOU THINK THAT BEING AN ADULTERESS (CHEATING ON HUSBAND- I'LL IGNORE THE MINISTER THING) AND THEN BEING OUTCASTED AND NOT ACKNOWLEDGED BY SOCIETY OR THE FATHER IS ROMANTIC? I'M FAILING TO SEE HOW THAT IS EVEN REMOTLY A GOOD REFERENCE IN THIS CASE. DID SWIFT JUST SEE SOME MOVIE WHERE THIS CAME OUT AS GOOD? Didn't they make a movie for this that was like a love story? That is so annoying!)

And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
But you were everything to me
I was begging you please don't go and I said

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

(I'm still annoyed at the Scarlet Letter)

Romeo save me, they try to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess (the mess being that you are in HS and your parents don't like you having sex? Ok, I'm sure that 'real' life will be much better..)
It's a love story baby just say yes
Oh oh

I got tired of waiting (after, like 10 min?)
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you is fading (nice....)
When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said

Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone (apparently the faith is back)
I keep waiting for you but you never come (but, not enough to leave)
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring

And said, marry me Juliet
You'll never have to be alone
I love you and that's all I really know
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress
It's a love story baby just say yes

Oh, oh, oh, oh
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you

Living in the Washington, DC area

2009-04-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

I have been living here for about 10 years now...
One of the major complaints that I had with the people from the area is that they do not get involved with the community. Or, the majority of people I meet who are from the area don't. There are the groups that are in the 'in crowd' who do, but the average person just doesn't get into DC for anything. It's very depressing.
Part is because if you live in the burbs and commute each day to DC, you don't want to go for fun because the traffic is almost as bad (going out to clubs of course is the exception). There is not a lot of parking in DC, there can be consistent traffic and when you get there you are either there during the winter (when it's cold to walk around), or in the summer with lots of tourists. Of course, I'm used to crowds so that doesn't bother me, although I do avoid the high tourist areas because I don't need to wait in lines for 1/2 hour to enter the building...
So, we just had the Cherry Blossom Festival. And I didn't go. It's just pretty sad.

Body of Lies

2009-04-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen this movie yet (will on NetFlixs soon), but I'm sure that the same things will bother me. Too bad, I though it looked good. Maybe the plot will save itself. I will admit that I had NO idea it was supposed to take place in Jordan...

http://www.mentalmayhem.net/mental_mayhem/2008/10/body-of-lies-is.html

Maps

2009-04-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Can I ever express HOW much I LOVE maps! I think they are the coolest thing ever. They tell you where to go, what you/others call locations, boundaries, political climate, geography, discovery, population...
I changed my office so that I now have the Nat'l Geo maps hanging up. I currently have up "The Two Koreas," "Africa," "Mexico & Central America," and "The Eastern Mediterranean." I love it and it really helps to give the students something to look at and comment on.
Like the student the other day who didn't realize that so many countries in Africa had such LARGE quantities of land (like Algeria). Understandable - many have land that is not used much and you can say it is similar to Canada and Russia in that case.

Into

2009-04-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

Obviously, you can see my profile, but I wanted to get this started.
So, to start...
I think it's very cool at the House actor is working for Obama!!! :)

Ana mabsootah

Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy

Some photos from my new camera

New Year Resolution

My husband is awesome

Flying with baby

Men in literature (and how it effects women in literature)

New Year's Update

New Style

October (old post)

Ramadan Day 9

Ramadan Day 8

Ramadan Day 7 & "I want to get married!" Drama

NPR- In Egypt, Carrie Bradshaw In A Headscarf

BBC- Spotlight on Egypt's marriage crisis

Ramadan Day 6

Ramadan- days 3-5 (weekend) & Trays

2nd night of Ramadan & writing scripts

1st night of Ramadan

August & Ramadan

Blogging

Ramadan & Soccer

Blogging from HTC Evo

I'm back! (maybe)

DC snow

Quick note...

Current Commercials in the U.S.

Wow - that just kinda' bugs me!

Great News Story- My MacBook was Shot!!

Border security guards kill -- literally kill -- a MacBookI’m sorry but we blew up your laptop (welcome to Israel) (the original story)

I will say, I love the comments :)

Getting ready for baby

CNN and other U.S. news outlets

Procrastination

Impressions of the U.S. I have seen from non-Americans

Your opinion?

I'm back!!!!

Weekend Iftars: Aug 28-30

Iftar: Aug 26

Iftar: Aug 25

Iftar: Aug 24 (leftovers)

Trip to CA

Aug 23 - Iftar

Summer Heat & Start of the School Year

Public Discussions

Top Chef Masters

Tired, tired, tired!

MTV's 16 and Pregnant

Summer blahs

Stupid arguments

"Romantic fantacy of suffering can only be dispelled by suffering in reality."

Body of Lies review

Oxford visit

Angel & Demons Review

Topic Winner: Long Flights

Monday swimming

Swim Log - Thursday, April 30

A day in the life of international education

Swim Log - April 27

Are you an expat bore?

And you know someone’s definitely not a Dubai resident when…

Becoming Jane

Dollar Rate

Writting

Living in the DC metro area

Book list

Love Story

Living in the Washington, DC area

Body of Lies

Maps

Into

Border security guards kill -- literally kill -- a MacBook
I’m sorry but we blew up your laptop (welcome to Israel) (the original story)