Hello. Can you hear me?
Well, I got inspired by Beq's Bits to try this out, and my writing with Barclay Press this past September. It's kind of like journaling. I think. Which I haven't done since 7th grade. Shahaaaal hadi. (Long ago.) I'm not sure though- this whole blog thing started up after I left the states- and now everywhere I look, they're talking about blogs- even having some time on CNN to look at the latest blogs! I had to ask when I was there this summer what a blog was. And now I'm joining the Body Snatchers. Better than the cellphone thing- it took me until 4 years ago to finally agree that those weren't just for drug dealers...
So, I'll try to feel out what kin things to post here. I did have a great dinner tonight- invited a few guys over for dinner, that the maid cooked, of course- a sweet tajine (Moroccan solid soup), my favorite kind, with chicken, fries, olives, and bezzef (lots and lots) of lemon. Only guys- not appropriate here to have women over without married couples present- not in the more conservative area we're living in, with lots of Ikhwani- those who really follow Islam- living nearby, and a very conservative neighborhood. People would get the wrong impression- and they already think that all Americans are Babe Watch. And that all Americans are Christians. Therefore...
It was fun having the guys over. Had some great conversations, and good tajine. I love that we have so many fewer rules here. Elbows on the table, burping, eating with your hands- no problem! Just have to make sure to eat with your right hand, and stay in your lane in the dish. Oh- that's the best part- you get to eat out of one dish with all the other guys. Which totally builds community. I mean, really- there's a certain oneness that's achieved when I'm sitting cheek by jowl with the other guys, and we're truly sharing the food together. And the whole Arab thing of trusting the person you eat with, and not trusting those you don't eat with- I totally identify with. There's something special about breaking bread- or any kind of food- with another; saying that I trust you not to poison me, and I'm trusting you with this that provides life, and sharing this important moment with you- I value you that much.
Much like the Jesus experience at that last dinner he had. Makes more sense too of the phrase, "The one dipping his bread in the dish with me..." Never could understand it- how the disciples couldn't figure that out. Wasn't it obvious who was dipping his bread? Not so much if they were all doing it the whole evening.
Okay. It appears like my blogging will be a bit Woolfian stream of consciousness. I better go write my finals for tonight, as it's getting late.
So, I'll try to feel out what kin things to post here. I did have a great dinner tonight- invited a few guys over for dinner, that the maid cooked, of course- a sweet tajine (Moroccan solid soup), my favorite kind, with chicken, fries, olives, and bezzef (lots and lots) of lemon. Only guys- not appropriate here to have women over without married couples present- not in the more conservative area we're living in, with lots of Ikhwani- those who really follow Islam- living nearby, and a very conservative neighborhood. People would get the wrong impression- and they already think that all Americans are Babe Watch. And that all Americans are Christians. Therefore...
It was fun having the guys over. Had some great conversations, and good tajine. I love that we have so many fewer rules here. Elbows on the table, burping, eating with your hands- no problem! Just have to make sure to eat with your right hand, and stay in your lane in the dish. Oh- that's the best part- you get to eat out of one dish with all the other guys. Which totally builds community. I mean, really- there's a certain oneness that's achieved when I'm sitting cheek by jowl with the other guys, and we're truly sharing the food together. And the whole Arab thing of trusting the person you eat with, and not trusting those you don't eat with- I totally identify with. There's something special about breaking bread- or any kind of food- with another; saying that I trust you not to poison me, and I'm trusting you with this that provides life, and sharing this important moment with you- I value you that much.
Much like the Jesus experience at that last dinner he had. Makes more sense too of the phrase, "The one dipping his bread in the dish with me..." Never could understand it- how the disciples couldn't figure that out. Wasn't it obvious who was dipping his bread? Not so much if they were all doing it the whole evening.
Okay. It appears like my blogging will be a bit Woolfian stream of consciousness. I better go write my finals for tonight, as it's getting late.
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With love!