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Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Remembrance
Today I want to remember that time where I was sitting outside the front of Jamaa Badr, the large mosque in my new neighborhood of Agdal here in Rabat.
It was a pleasantly chilly evening and I was worn out after quite a long day of medina wandering and the long walk to school. I found myself a good location to have a seat outside the mosque while waiting for a friend I was to have dinner with. As I sat there, head between my shoulders, elbows resting on my knees, enjoying the November breeze, a passing woman did a double take and took a few steps back to me with her pocketbook in hand. The next thing I knew she was trying to push her zakat into my hand! I wish I had been prepared with the proper Arabic phrase which would graciously repel her humble attempt at alms. The best I could do was to pull my hands to my chest and tell her "Ah non, merci". Then I felt sufficiently pathetic enough to stand up and get over the aches in my legs before heading off to tell this story one time only.
Oh the small moments in life!
Oh the small moments in life!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Motivational Speaker
Having heard my fair share of success stories, motivational speeches, and "take a look at yourself" talks through my time, I didn't think the pairing of a few together could be such a ground-shaking experience. A "coaching" session with a professor, a slightly inebriated "discussion" with a friend, and reading an article by a favorite musician/writer/producer of mine all about plans and paths to success and becoming one's self carried me to an internal precipice upon which I found myself saying these words to myself: "It's clear that I'm going somewhere, but how I'll get there and just where isn't so important right now" I've come across the cherished motivation that had, until recently, been missing in an otherwise enviable life-situation.
Each and every one of my interests surely has roots in a basic need that I have. I'll examine them here with the purpose of categorizing a daily agenda of sorts.
Get lost once each day: My affection for foreign-ness, whether in the form of a language or the physical terrain I inhabit, designates for me a willingness to go outside of my comfort zone. This becomes the foremost task of every day. Take a walk or have a talk in unfamiliar territory.
Learn something new each day: Reading and writing are the oldest of academic interests. These have always been included in my facebook and myspace "Interests" sections so it's safe to say I enjoy expanding my cognitive capacity so often as possible.
Get found once each day: The undying, yet intriguingly sharp, curiosity I hold for maps and geography in the more general sense has outlasted the test of time. It signifies a longing for belonging somewhere. May be accomplished by yoga, meditation, or exercise.
Make a statement: Love for music, art, cinema, and poetry wakens my sense of self-expression and opinions ought to be stated, not withheld. Whether through creation of something that wasn't previously in existence or modifying something that does certainly exist, I'll make a statement wherever I can.
Be selfish: It's true, I'm human. Never before having had to take care of my actual basic needs before, living here in Morocco on my own has taught me how doing so can be fun. Under that constant state of care, it is easy to put others' moral opinion first and then to mold your own standing. But I'm learning that I can continue to have fun and be respectful of others while searching for an option in my daily choices that suits my needs rather than compromises my welfare.
It is to be noted that I definitely had motivation during my first five months in Morocco, but the motivation was moving me to be more and more dislocated and floated in a solution of uncertain circumstances. My internship in Turkey is to be credited with sparking me to take myself more seriously. Again, thank you for reading and stop by again.
Each and every one of my interests surely has roots in a basic need that I have. I'll examine them here with the purpose of categorizing a daily agenda of sorts.
Get lost once each day: My affection for foreign-ness, whether in the form of a language or the physical terrain I inhabit, designates for me a willingness to go outside of my comfort zone. This becomes the foremost task of every day. Take a walk or have a talk in unfamiliar territory.
Learn something new each day: Reading and writing are the oldest of academic interests. These have always been included in my facebook and myspace "Interests" sections so it's safe to say I enjoy expanding my cognitive capacity so often as possible.
Get found once each day: The undying, yet intriguingly sharp, curiosity I hold for maps and geography in the more general sense has outlasted the test of time. It signifies a longing for belonging somewhere. May be accomplished by yoga, meditation, or exercise.
Make a statement: Love for music, art, cinema, and poetry wakens my sense of self-expression and opinions ought to be stated, not withheld. Whether through creation of something that wasn't previously in existence or modifying something that does certainly exist, I'll make a statement wherever I can.
Be selfish: It's true, I'm human. Never before having had to take care of my actual basic needs before, living here in Morocco on my own has taught me how doing so can be fun. Under that constant state of care, it is easy to put others' moral opinion first and then to mold your own standing. But I'm learning that I can continue to have fun and be respectful of others while searching for an option in my daily choices that suits my needs rather than compromises my welfare.
It is to be noted that I definitely had motivation during my first five months in Morocco, but the motivation was moving me to be more and more dislocated and floated in a solution of uncertain circumstances. My internship in Turkey is to be credited with sparking me to take myself more seriously. Again, thank you for reading and stop by again.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tatlı rüyalar
In other words: sweet dreams. Six weeks later and I'm back in Istanbul. It feels like so much longer, in truth. Istiklal Caddesi is one of the livliest places you can visit on a Saturday night and finding yourself alone there is alright, just as long as you really know how to people watch. Musicians will play, and wanderers will gather to listen! Dogs will be walked and couples will stroll as late an hour as 2 o'clock in the morning! Party-goers will shout and fashionistas will strut!
I won't say goodbye, because I don't feel like I'm leaving this place. In fact, it has instilled itself in me. Unfortunately, these feelings don't ward off the pit that opens in my stomach when I think on those I've met and that which I've seen here. There seems to me to be no shortage of good times to be had. Shutting off my mind is the problem and I can't be sure how well I'll sleep tonight seeing as my two roommates have managed to occupy all four beds.
Come back again and read my thoughts in a few weeks
I won't say goodbye, because I don't feel like I'm leaving this place. In fact, it has instilled itself in me. Unfortunately, these feelings don't ward off the pit that opens in my stomach when I think on those I've met and that which I've seen here. There seems to me to be no shortage of good times to be had. Shutting off my mind is the problem and I can't be sure how well I'll sleep tonight seeing as my two roommates have managed to occupy all four beds.
Come back again and read my thoughts in a few weeks
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Feeling Alive
Seeing your breath for the first time will make you feel alive. Last night in Istanbul, we ran through a rain storm to drink Efes and mojitos and returned in worse rain to go back to the hostel, that's where I first saw my breath in the air for the first time since last winter. World House has cool staff and nice clients, but apparently girls might flip over the cleanliness of the bathrooms or the smell of the beds. I recommend it for its location and price(near the Galata Tower for just $18) When we make our way back to Istanbul next time, we'll see the monuments like Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque and such.
The ferry ride to Bursa passed without event, except that Dounia is deathly afraid of water, or at least moving on it! The cold in Bursa was a different kind. One dry kind that slowly slips into your bones and then takes a good hour to shake off. We waited here in that cold for about an hour enduring the animalistic stares of a gaggle of Turkish boys at the bus station. I'm writing you now from my room in Ersin's house, my host who picked us up. He's an ex-AIESECer who now works for Bosch. A fluent German and Italian speaker, we get along just fine the two of us! He's also a great host and contact to have. He'll loan me his cell to use while I'm here in Turkey! This is gonna be one of the most useful tools here since even on this very first night, I've met close to thirty people at a goodbye party for another intern!
If you wanna play a fun little game, try to name all the empires that started or made their way through Turkey...(hint: the Ottoman capital was BURSA!)
The ferry ride to Bursa passed without event, except that Dounia is deathly afraid of water, or at least moving on it! The cold in Bursa was a different kind. One dry kind that slowly slips into your bones and then takes a good hour to shake off. We waited here in that cold for about an hour enduring the animalistic stares of a gaggle of Turkish boys at the bus station. I'm writing you now from my room in Ersin's house, my host who picked us up. He's an ex-AIESECer who now works for Bosch. A fluent German and Italian speaker, we get along just fine the two of us! He's also a great host and contact to have. He'll loan me his cell to use while I'm here in Turkey! This is gonna be one of the most useful tools here since even on this very first night, I've met close to thirty people at a goodbye party for another intern!
If you wanna play a fun little game, try to name all the empires that started or made their way through Turkey...(hint: the Ottoman capital was BURSA!)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Komsomida Qimchi Brothers
I wanna share a story with you that I found pretty cool.
I'm here in Morocco, studying abroad and what not, and living in this big house the floor below me are two young Korean men, Andy and Jake for comfort's sake. We were in the process of throwing one of them a birthday party, when suddenly I was feeling very thankful. Thanksgiving was indeed approaching and it dawned on me that I could share some tremendous music with these fellows while thanking them simultaneously.
So I jetted upstairs to grab my laptop and jetted back downstairs to play your song Komsomida from The Bruce Lee Band S/T album. They were so inspired by the tune, they actually let their emotions show and burst into laughter and smiles. We then spoke some broken French and English to get the point across that there was more to share!
Andy and Jake have been good brothers to me during my time here. They've let me in on their movie-downloading ring and I've enjoyed several as-yet unrealeased motion pictures. I've even tasted the spicy Kimchi dish! Simply delicious!
Anywho, I hope you won't be working terribly hard through the holiday season and that the time is filled with joy for you and your family. I'm off!
I'm here in Morocco, studying abroad and what not, and living in this big house the floor below me are two young Korean men, Andy and Jake for comfort's sake. We were in the process of throwing one of them a birthday party, when suddenly I was feeling very thankful. Thanksgiving was indeed approaching and it dawned on me that I could share some tremendous music with these fellows while thanking them simultaneously.
Andy and Jake have been good brothers to me during my time here. They've let me in on their movie-downloading ring and I've enjoyed several as-yet unrealeased motion pictures. I've even tasted the spicy Kimchi dish! Simply delicious!
Anywho, I hope you won't be working terribly hard through the holiday season and that the time is filled with joy for you and your family. I'm off!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Kabiiiir
Given the long history between me and my stomach, I'm not surprised that I made it through this day. The holiday called Aid al Adha, where the entire Muslim Nation slaughters sheep in sacrifice to God, was certainly a shock to my system.
I thought I had become accustomed to most things around here, but waking up this morning to the two sheep on my roof being prepared was eerie. There was a feeling in all the house of tense excitement. Visiting neighbors and good friends would remark on how it sort of felt like Christmas.
I found myself culturally interested in watching the King of Morocco cut the sheep and also the gutting of the sheep on our terrace. I did help in the clean-up process, sweeping and rinsing off the rooftop.
The iron taste in the meats was still there. We had the lungs, heart, liver, and stomach today. Fat was used to flavor everything but the stomach, which stood well enough on its own merit and texture! Right now, my eyes feel like they are drying and falling out of my head and my stomach is just turning over and over in efforts to pass the tough organs.
Mutton comes tomorrow after cous cous for lunch. I may try to be out for a large portion of the day! ;) It's a fantastic tradition, but all the same, I'm simply not accustomed to so much meat.
My good friend and neighbor Kaamilah was facing honest fear when we began eating the stomach. She had just come from a decent nap on the couch dreaming about her previous 19 years or so of virtual vegetarianism!
I leave you knowing that everything's gonna be alright. Mostapha, formerly Sam or Edna, the fish needs a change of water, but he's going strong too. Til next time.
I thought I had become accustomed to most things around here, but waking up this morning to the two sheep on my roof being prepared was eerie. There was a feeling in all the house of tense excitement. Visiting neighbors and good friends would remark on how it sort of felt like Christmas.
I found myself culturally interested in watching the King of Morocco cut the sheep and also the gutting of the sheep on our terrace. I did help in the clean-up process, sweeping and rinsing off the rooftop.
The iron taste in the meats was still there. We had the lungs, heart, liver, and stomach today. Fat was used to flavor everything but the stomach, which stood well enough on its own merit and texture! Right now, my eyes feel like they are drying and falling out of my head and my stomach is just turning over and over in efforts to pass the tough organs.
Mutton comes tomorrow after cous cous for lunch. I may try to be out for a large portion of the day! ;) It's a fantastic tradition, but all the same, I'm simply not accustomed to so much meat.
My good friend and neighbor Kaamilah was facing honest fear when we began eating the stomach. She had just come from a decent nap on the couch dreaming about her previous 19 years or so of virtual vegetarianism!
I leave you knowing that everything's gonna be alright. Mostapha, formerly Sam or Edna, the fish needs a change of water, but he's going strong too. Til next time.
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