The Middle East loves packaging.
Like when you go to the grocery store in America, the goal is to get as many goods into one bag as possible without ripping the bag or crushing the bread. Here, the philosophy is to use as many bags as possible so the items never come in contact with one another.
Today I bought two bottles of water, a little juice container, a can of soda, and a bag of jellybeans (it's been a stressful week). He pulled out a bag and started putting the water in, first one bottle as then the other, and I said, Oh, you can put everything in the same bag.
Meaning of course for him to put everything in the same bag.
He smiled at me and said, I know. Then pulled out a smaller bag, which he then filled with my junk food. When he was done, he handed me only one bag.
See? His smile said. Everything in the same bag.
Right. I said, and smiled. Everything in the same bag, and we used two.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
I'm ba-ack.
I kind of hate to make this announcement. It's presumptuous on at least 10 levels and I'm uncomfortable with presumption on at least 20. Yet, here I am. But not because I presume anyone is reading this, or that anyone who is cares (although if there are, they probably do. And, hi! Thanks for sticking around.). Rather because, you know, this blog is for me. It was conceived as a way to keep people in touch with the awesome months of travel I planned (er, "vaguely notioned")) after graduating from college years ago. But always always it's been for me. It's been fun for me. It's been contemplative and reflective. It's been an outlet. It's been my journey.
And on that journey, I wandered into a new place, an unexpected kind of scary place, and stopped writing. It wasn't a conscious decision. I kind of put everything on pause while I figured myself out again.
Which I haven't finished, of course, but I made it out of that scary, bewildering place. What a difference two years makes.
------
Last I wrote, I was headed to New York for my birthday (24 woooo). And then I never wrote again. (You were all like, did she make it? Was BoM as awesome as everyone said it was? Did she at least get some cake?? Yes. Yes. No :( ) I don't really know what to say except that it changed me. I came back completely rejuvenated (probably from meeting all the BoM cast members. Boo ya!). The stress I had been carrying over the last two years , that has been weighing me down and filling me with anxiety--I figured out how to deal with, how to overcome it. I realized that the life I had been living was not (at all!) the life I wanted to be living. I headed in a new direction.
And it was kind of tough, as new trails tend to be, and so my thoughts were deeply contemplative and introspective--far too weighty for this 'blog fodder'. Sure filled up some journals though.
At the end of that year, I moved into a new apartment. I worked less. I traveled a whole lot more (in retrospect, far too much. I am so tired of traveling.), and llved , to the best of my ability, the life I wanted to live. I took more, greater chances. I made my best efforts to give back ( and forward) the love that my friends had shown me. I, finally finally, made plans to leave.
And at the end of it, I left. Me and my several suitcases (talk about bag fees hot damn!) moved to Cairo. For four months I studied Arabic. Finally! And on the side I started writing articles for gooverseas. I met awesome awesome people. I worked to keep up valued relationships across the distance and the despite the crappy Internet connection. I got a new job, this two-month summer gig I am doing this very moment. I moved to Oman. And in just four weeks--four little weeks!--I'll land in Houston and my 9 years in the Middle East will be done. I'll start all over again, this time with more vague notions but a much better sense of direction. And, significantly, a partner. A man. I'll tell you about him sometime. Probably :)
I really have no idea what's in store. I'm just excited to be here writing again. It feels like home.
-----
The other reason I hate announcing I'm back is that it implies I am back, a consistent blogger (um which I never have been), writing here. Truth is, I don't know if I am. I want to. I intend to. But I have learned that I make a much better blogger when my expectations are low. So, maybe I'll see you around.
And maybe I won't.
(But I really hope I do.)
* *i just realized it's been exactly two years since I stopped blogging. What does that mean? Oh, mysteries of the universe. I do love you.
And on that journey, I wandered into a new place, an unexpected kind of scary place, and stopped writing. It wasn't a conscious decision. I kind of put everything on pause while I figured myself out again.
Which I haven't finished, of course, but I made it out of that scary, bewildering place. What a difference two years makes.
------
Last I wrote, I was headed to New York for my birthday (24 woooo). And then I never wrote again. (You were all like, did she make it? Was BoM as awesome as everyone said it was? Did she at least get some cake?? Yes. Yes. No :( ) I don't really know what to say except that it changed me. I came back completely rejuvenated (probably from meeting all the BoM cast members. Boo ya!). The stress I had been carrying over the last two years , that has been weighing me down and filling me with anxiety--I figured out how to deal with, how to overcome it. I realized that the life I had been living was not (at all!) the life I wanted to be living. I headed in a new direction.
And it was kind of tough, as new trails tend to be, and so my thoughts were deeply contemplative and introspective--far too weighty for this 'blog fodder'. Sure filled up some journals though.
At the end of that year, I moved into a new apartment. I worked less. I traveled a whole lot more (in retrospect, far too much. I am so tired of traveling.), and llved , to the best of my ability, the life I wanted to live. I took more, greater chances. I made my best efforts to give back ( and forward) the love that my friends had shown me. I, finally finally, made plans to leave.
And at the end of it, I left. Me and my several suitcases (talk about bag fees hot damn!) moved to Cairo. For four months I studied Arabic. Finally! And on the side I started writing articles for gooverseas. I met awesome awesome people. I worked to keep up valued relationships across the distance and the despite the crappy Internet connection. I got a new job, this two-month summer gig I am doing this very moment. I moved to Oman. And in just four weeks--four little weeks!--I'll land in Houston and my 9 years in the Middle East will be done. I'll start all over again, this time with more vague notions but a much better sense of direction. And, significantly, a partner. A man. I'll tell you about him sometime. Probably :)
I really have no idea what's in store. I'm just excited to be here writing again. It feels like home.
-----
The other reason I hate announcing I'm back is that it implies I am back, a consistent blogger (um which I never have been), writing here. Truth is, I don't know if I am. I want to. I intend to. But I have learned that I make a much better blogger when my expectations are low. So, maybe I'll see you around.
And maybe I won't.
(But I really hope I do.)
* *i just realized it's been exactly two years since I stopped blogging. What does that mean? Oh, mysteries of the universe. I do love you.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
24 hours....
You'll never guess where I'm writing this.
Delta Flight 68 to JFK. Wi-fi on board. Seat 6A.
A window seat in first class. To New York--the greatest city in the world!
I just got served cranberry juice in a glass. (A glass!)
In my headphones is this song:
(well, the whole soundtrack, but this song happens to be playing).
In 24 hours, I will be on Broadway, hopefully seeing the fine Andrew Rannells himself belting it out. (Oh my, I love him.) And if not him, he'd better have on hell of an understudy.
I know that the tone of this post is not successfully conveying the sheer excitement that is freaking boiling in my stomach, so let me just say it straight out: I'm so excited.
I am so. excited.
I'm flying to New York! First class! For my birthday! I'm going to see a broadway show--and not just any show, but the freaking sold out show of the century!
*eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Saddest Little Birthday Girl
I've been working a lot of overtime again, so my life is back to the computer. I'm feeling the need to update, though, so here's a little gem I uncovered a few days ago. I wrote it last year in response to an email from a friend who invited me (and others) over for some chocolate cake. But, not just any chocolate cake. She is *famous* for this chocolate cake. And because I was going to Kansas City for a conference, I couldn't go and partake of her famous deliciousness.
****************************************************************************************
Dearest [friend],
This was a truly sad email to read for I am a long-time lover of Chocolate Cake. On my 5th birthday, I ate my cake straight out the oven--no frosting, not even any sprinkles. Just pure, delicious chocolate cake.
I didn't get half-way through before my mother, who had so lovingly baked this cake and left it on the counter to cool, so sharply scolded me for doing so and promptly booted me out the door. I found this to be most offensive as I had admitted No Such Thing. She knew, though. "A mother always knows," were, I believe, her exact words before locking the door behind me. And so, there I was, newly 5 and left--forced out!--to fend for myself on a New Jersey cul-de-sac. What was I to do but wander to the neighbors' homes soliciting for more of that warm, savory deliciousness that had been so unkindly taken from me? And, as Halina and Jen well know, I've been doing it ever since.
I am deeply saddened that I won't be partaking of your famous chocolate deliciousness. I rather enjoy chocolate cakes--at least, I think I do.
Actually I haven't had one since that fateful birthday. (It was my punishment, you see. It would have been cruel, but shortly thereafter I discovered Baskin Robbins' Peanut Butter 'n' Chocolate Ice Cream cakes. Last year was the first birthday in AGES that I didn't get one of them on my birthday.). To actually be *invited* to eat one? Wow. 5 year old Anna is speechless with delight. So is nearly-23 year old Anna (almost).
You may remind my mother of this incident should you feel so inclined. I think the bitterness of it will complement nicely the divine sweetness of your chocolate cake. And, since I can't be there in person, I would very much like for my sneaky five year old self to enjoy it for me. (Please, be sure to put extra frosting on her slice.)
I'm leaving Friday night. I hope to throw myself a birthday bash while I'm in Utah. (Utah is my native land, you know.) Perhaps someone there will offer to honour my 23 years with a decadent chocolate cake of their own? I can only hope (before begging, pleading and otherwise manipulating it out of someone).
Happy caking,
Rayzzle
***********************************************************************************************
This year, I will once again forgo a cake (I never did succeed in persuading one of my beloved Utahns to feed me cake) because I'll be in NEW YORK CITYYYYYYY.
I'm leaving for Canada Thursday. I haven't traveled since January.
I'm so excited.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Things I've Accomplished...
...And Many More I Haven't (yet)
My last year of college, I lived with two (super awesome) girls. We had a blog. Naturally, it was super awesome, too.
One day, October 21, 2008 to be exact, I wrote a post titled: 30 Before 30
I intended to make a list of 30 things I wanted to accomplish before turning 30, but I only made it to 25 (you'll see why).
I was thinking about this list the other day and decided to dig it up and see what kind of progress I was making.
Let's have a look, shall we?
1. Graduate May 2009. Check!
2. Anna, don't fail math. B+. boo YAW.
3. Make it back to Yemen. dangit!
4. Master Arabic. Not yet, but have an action plan in motion and a goal to be proficient by the end of 2011.
5. Read all the books on mah list (which has grown to include Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls and Wicked. Thanks, Megan! :) Will address this in another post.
6. Go to Grad School, ya bum! Got accepted! Will go in another year or two, I'm thinkin.
7. Go Skydiving. Did iFly this summer! Now for the real thing...
8. Get SCUBA certified Wanted to do it this year. Spent all my money in Egypt instead. But I still got time!
9. Then dive in the Red Sea and Australia. See above.
10. Make it back to Guatemala,Egypt twice!, Italy, Jordan , Lebanon, Oman (Salalah) August?, Turkey November? and Mexico July?.
11. And while I'm at it, see North Africa (Morocco, mostly), Russia, Hungary, Switzerland, Spain--aw heck! All of Europe, Kenya, Australia, Brazil, Honduras, Beliz, CUBA so that I can be just like Matt. Whoa. I'm way behind on this. But! Did add Germany and France to my list of European countries :) (new total: 17!)
12. Live in New York. 2012 goal!
13. Spend some time as a professional writer of some sort. Or have writing be part of my job. OR! Just make some sweet moolah for blogging. Really, any combination of money and writing would be *great*. Done quite a bit of writing for my current job. Not exactly what I had in mind when I wrote this, so I'm not crossing it off, but it's been accomplished.
14.Spend an extended period of time (read: more than two weeks)traveling abroad solo. See: Summer 2009
15.Maybe stop talking so much about travel. Yeesh. So for #15: develop new interests! like Quilting!
16. Work in DC. For a human rights organization. Hm...
17.Live outside the country! For a few years. Bada. BING.
18. Hike all around Southern Utah (Canyonlands, ZION, Bryce, Arches) Only did Arches. And it was before this post was written. Doesn't count :(
19. Take up surfing. Even for a day. Oo fun!
20. Oh yeah, um, get married. TDH, that's all I ask. Okay, and smart and funny and interesting and adventurous, too. But that's a topic for a different post :) haha. going to get this as close to 30 as I can...
21. Eat lunch at the top of Half Dome. Oh California. I have big plans for our reunion.
22. Watch the sunrise over the Empty Quarter. Totally must do this year!!
23. Eat Nutella on French Bread while looking up at Mt. Rushmore. This will be fun, but before I'm 30? Not so sure.
24. Road Trip the entire length of Highway 1--So Cal to Canada. Woot! (hey...sounds like a good post-grad vay-cay! Huh huh?) Okay, maybe not to Canada. But all the way up the California coast, then Oregon and Washington and ultimately wind up in BC. Heading up to Vancouver in May, but not by way of Highway 1. Boo.
25. There I go with the traveling again. Um, maybe I should take a break and think things over when I'm not ITCHING TO GET OUT of this great little city I call "home". Hokay, see ya next time!
3. Make it back to Yemen. dangit!
4. Master Arabic. Not yet, but have an action plan in motion and a goal to be proficient by the end of 2011.
5. Read all the books on mah list (which has grown to include Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls and Wicked. Thanks, Megan! :) Will address this in another post.
6. Go to Grad School, ya bum! Got accepted! Will go in another year or two, I'm thinkin.
7. Go Skydiving. Did iFly this summer! Now for the real thing...
8. Get SCUBA certified Wanted to do it this year. Spent all my money in Egypt instead. But I still got time!
9. Then dive in the Red Sea and Australia. See above.
10. Make it back to Guatemala,
11. And while I'm at it, see North Africa (Morocco, mostly), Russia, Hungary, Switzerland, Spain--aw heck! All of Europe, Kenya, Australia, Brazil, Honduras, Beliz, CUBA so that I can be just like Matt. Whoa. I'm way behind on this. But! Did add Germany and France to my list of European countries :) (new total: 17!)
12. Live in New York. 2012 goal!
13. Spend some time as a professional writer of some sort. Or have writing be part of my job. OR! Just make some sweet moolah for blogging. Really, any combination of money and writing would be *great*. Done quite a bit of writing for my current job. Not exactly what I had in mind when I wrote this, so I'm not crossing it off, but it's been accomplished.
14.
15.
16. Work in DC. For a human rights organization. Hm...
17.
18. Hike all around Southern Utah (Canyonlands, ZION, Bryce, Arches) Only did Arches. And it was before this post was written. Doesn't count :(
19. Take up surfing. Even for a day. Oo fun!
20. Oh yeah, um, get married. TDH, that's all I ask. Okay, and smart and funny and interesting and adventurous, too. But that's a topic for a different post :) haha. going to get this as close to 30 as I can...
21. Eat lunch at the top of Half Dome. Oh California. I have big plans for our reunion.
22. Watch the sunrise over the Empty Quarter. Totally must do this year!!
23. Eat Nutella on French Bread while looking up at Mt. Rushmore. This will be fun, but before I'm 30? Not so sure.
24. Road Trip the entire length of Highway 1--So Cal to Canada. Woot! (hey...sounds like a good post-grad vay-cay! Huh huh?) Okay, maybe not to Canada. But all the way up the California coast, then Oregon and Washington and ultimately wind up in BC. Heading up to Vancouver in May, but not by way of Highway 1. Boo.
25. There I go with the traveling again. Um, maybe I should take a break and think things over when I'm not ITCHING TO GET OUT of this great little city I call "home". Hokay, see ya next time!
Completed: 4 of 25
Progress: I have a long way to go.
Analysis: I am totally getting there, though. I really wanted to travel, and look at me! Living in Dubai, spending my leave galavanting across Egypt, heading to Canada (country #18! woohoo!) this summer, GETTING PAID TO TRAVEL. I've done so many cool things since writing this list, and still have plenty of time to finish it off. If I weren't so strict, I could have crossed off a few more things even.
All in all, I'm pretty darn proud of my accomplishments and look forward to the rest!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A Quick Brag (or: I'm Kind of a Big Deal) (Again.)
Encounters with Sheikh Mo and Barack Freaking Obama.
I spent the weekend visiting long lost friends in Abu Dhabi. Tonight, one of these friends and I drove out to a sports bar on a Yas Island to watch the Chelsea-Stoke match (draw!) (also cricket was on. Does anyone even understand that sport? I mean, besides the UK, Australia, and the billion+ inhabitants of the subcontinent?), and afterwards we sat along the harbor talking. In fact, see this purple structure center-right? We were sitting (bottom left corner) looking across the water at it when a man stopped a few meters away and interrupted our conversation.
Excuse me, he said.
I looked up and saw a stylishly-bald fellow in a pink dress shirt who looked kind of like...
My friend* was immediately on his feet. Mr Zane! Wow! How are you? And shook his hand. I was just thinking maybe he didn't look familiar after all when my friend turned to me and said, Rayzzle! This is the guy from Titanic!
And I was like, What?
And then I said, WHAT?
And do you know what? HE TOTALLY WAS! And there was my friend, standing with him like he was some old friend and pointing him in the direction of whatever hoity-toity place he was looking for.
Only then did I get on my feet--he was gone by now--and my friend was like, Can you believe that was Billy Zane?
I was like, I can't believe you even know who that is.
We were both like, That's the closest I've ever been to Leonardo DiCaprio.
We were both like, That's the closest I've ever been to Leonardo DiCaprio.
Isn't that crazy? Such is the glam life I live over here in the UAE. My weekdays are spent handling paperwork for royalty (<--yes, that is an allusion to a story I will not be publishing here EDIT: two stories) and my weekends are spent running into celebrities I can't recognize.
Life is good.
Brag brag brag.
*I'm not being intentionally cryptic here. No wait, yes I am! But only because I've recently decided not to use real names here and it being the wee hours of the morning, I'm not witty enough to come up with a good alias.
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