Being a Veg-head abroad

A phrase that I committed to memory day one is....Ana nabateyeh or أنا نباتي (I am a vegetarian).

Vegetarianism is not completely a foreign concept here, most people have at least heard of it. Although no one really comprehends why one would not want to sink their teeth into a juicy slice of meat -- well as long as it's not pork, ha!

Here meat is both part of the culture and part of the religion. It is sacred and often used for religious purposes as well. For example during Eid Al-Adha (عيد الأضحى‎), the "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid," families traditionally sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep or goat. The meat is then divided into three parts; one portion for the family, on for neighbors or relatives, and the last is given to the poor.

As my friend Naoufel Testaouni said it's "the biggest animal slaughter of the year."
Most local people I speak to are like:

"Oh your a vegetarian....but you still eat chicken, right?"

"Nope no chicken," I say.

"WALLAH!?!?!"

"Yeah, really. And no fish either."

I guess it's pretty similar to the reaction compared to the majority of people back home. Just in Western culture vegetarianism and other dietetic lifestyles (raw food diet, vegan, gluten-free/intolerant, lactose intolerant, and so on) are more common and mainstream.

It's ok though because I understand why I am a vegetarian. And although a lot of those reason do not necessarily exist here in Jordan, I feel that it's wrong for me to change something that is a crucial part of who I am, simply because I am living in another country. Especially when I know I will be returning to the USA in less than a year.

In tone with the welcoming culture of Jordanians', people have been very accommodating to my dietary choices, or lack-there-of. Like when I went to my student Fadi's home for some traditional cuisine, his mother was kind enough to prepare a plethora of salads for me. And she made the stuffed grape leaves without the typical ingredient of lamb.

Same when I eat lunch with my students, no one orders meat cause "Miss" is with us.


I'm doing pretty good being a vegetarian here, although I desperately miss my boca products, tofu, and Trader Joes. I have mostly been eating veggies; cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, pickles, eggplant, peppers, an the like. Fruit; oranges, clementines, and apples (note to self - eat more bananas!!) And then of course hummus, masab'baha, falafal, eggs, and bread. Oh and soup, soup, and more soup.

The moral of the story: It's been almost four years and I am still committed to the cause. 5 year plan...turn vegan, insha'allah.

Arabeeze; the language of the youth.

Arabeeze is a new and popular language in Jordan, mainly among the collegiate youth. In Arabeeze you mix English and Arabic by writing words using Roman letters and numbers. It is purely a written language.

I think Arabeeze is mostly used among the youth because of the popularity of networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. These sights have allowed people to connect in ways never thought possible. Using Arabeeze allows users to type in a more universal font, since Arabic script is not always included on a standard keyboard.

Arabeeze is treated as a "slang" language and thus not appropiate to use in a more professional setting. But, it's used often to communicate between friends and family members via Facebook, emails and texts messages.

With help from my friend Rouchen I have constructed a key below:

2 - أ (a)
3 - ع (ayn)
5 - ﺥ‎ (kh)
6 - ﻁ‎ (ta)
7 - ﺡ‎ (ha)
8 - ﻕ‎ (q)
9 - ﺹ‎ (sa)
9' - ﺽ‎ (da)

AIESEC Madison Banquet Video

Made this video for my LC back home!

Sorry it was kinda boring, hahah. I was trying to be professional, blah.

Get it girl, get it, get it gurrlllll!

دبكة!!!

Dancing some Dabkeh (دبكة) with my students.

Dabkeh is a traditional folk dance of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.

Hahahaha I need A LOT of practice!!!

Messitna habibitna.

Reduce.Reuse.Recycle.

This post is a long time coming....but after the 350 event it's about time I punch it out.

About 2 months ago I attended an AIESEC event called "iGreen." This was a sweet event hosted by AIESEC Amman. At the event I had an opportunity to learn about environmental realities here in Jordan and share my passions in living sustainably. We also did a bit of 'action steps' brainstorming on how to make Jordan and Jordanians more green, although I wish there was a more concrete and measurable outcome from this event.

It was so interesting to be in a room with people from all over the globe and hear their accounts of environmental practices in their country; Canada, China, Hungary, and Portugal. There was a nice mix of of people attending the event. Many "lettuce heads" (a.k.a. people who know a lot about being 'green') and "potatoes" (a.k.a. people less informed about the 'green' movement, but eager to learn). Haha I just came up with those analogies hope they work!

Anyways, I repped the U.S.A. with a fellow member of @US, Sophie. As I have an upbringing/lifestyle choice in the areas of organics, local food, and vegetarianism - partially thanks to my father....this is the route or presentation went.

AIESEC Jordan is doing a lot here to bring environmentalism to the forefront. Mainly, by bringing in international talent (interns) to work for multiple corporate sustainability companies, whose impacts reach far across the Arab World.

It's been really hard for me to ignore my innate habits of recycling. But here it just isn't an option for most of us. The only way (that I know of) in which one can recycle is through a 'green' company that recycles. A luxury I, and 99.9% of the people in this country don't have.

Also, living in Irbid, I don't have access to Carrefour and an organics isle. But I do have the opportunity to to shop locally. I can buy fruits and veggies from a stands on the side of the road next to the farm they were grown in. I use local olive oil (the olives were picked by my student from the olive trees on his property and then pressed by him into olive oil). I can buy eggs at the suk that are still reminiscent of dirt and the occasional feather.

Another plus about living in a small country, is that when I read on a label "Made in Jordan" I can be confident that this product only traveled TOPS 300 miles from farm to table.

Although it has been challenging to keep the shop-a-holic at bay, I have become more minimalistic. More out of necessity rather than personal preference, but for the better.

And I always try to reuse all I can.
1. Water bottles. Which sadly litter every street corner and beautiful landscape here. A result of living in a country that lacks natural aquifers and fresh rivers and lakes, forcing it to dependent on foreign H20 and thus millions of plastic water bottles to transport that water here.

2. Tea bags. Duh, you can use them more than once people! And one bag is good for a whole pot of tea, not one 4 oz. glass.

3. Egg cartons. When I first got to Jordan I was struggling to figure out how to store and organize all my jewelery without the GIANT jewelry box I have at home. Well wallah!




First step - convince all my students to use a trash can instead of the street. Today Fadi asked me "Miss should I throw this out the window or in the garbage?" "The trash can!" I replied with a duh look on my face.

At least they know trash receptacles exist now.

“The true servants of the most gracious are those who tread gently on the earth.” The Qu’ran. Sura 25, verse 63. Well even the Qu'ran is saying it, so yellah let's listen up!

350 Event

This weekend I went to a candlelight vigil at the Roman Amphitheater in downtown Amman for a 350 event.

"350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis--the solutions that science and justice demand. The number 350--as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. But 350 is more than a number--it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet." (350.org)

I had not yet been inside the Amphitheater and boy was it beautiful at night, esp with the candles and the giant portrait of King Hussein shining down on us.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the event and the chance to think and talk about 'green issues' here in Jordan, I gotta say that for a 'green' event....it was pretty black.

The whole point was to spread the word about climate change and ways we as individuals can make positive change in our communities and insha'allah in the world. So why then did we use an estimated 3,000 and 3,000 tea lights (both one-time-use products) to illuminate the amphitheater? Why were there we have 25 2x2 posters, half in color none-the-less? Why were there a bunch of handout materials (again printed in color) and not even double-sided!

All we did was create a larger footprint on this planet. The "green wave" recently hit Jordan, so I am pleased to see events of this nature taking place in this country, but in order to make a measurable impact we really need to practice what we preach.

On a lovely side note, some amazing pictures resulted and fun was had.

Interns Christmas!

Last night we gathered at the usual hangout location "JJ's house" for a Christmas party. It was so nice to spend some time with all of the interns here in Jordan. The night was full of jolly Christmas tunes, holiday sweets, a trimmed tree, and charades. Oh and don't forget the booze and dirty Santa jokes! Good ol' times.

Of course the holidays make the home sickness set in a bit, but it's a nice pick me up to celebrate and gather with friends.

Reason why I love and hate the word "مرحبا"

Jordan is such a welcoming country. It's just part of the culture. When people discover that you are not from here they immediately want to make you feel welcomed and at home. I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit many of my students homes and gather with them and their families. They truly are very inviting. Always offering everything they have to their guests; coffee and tea, food, sweets, whatever. Even gifts. These acts of kindness and acceptance have really made my experience here in Jordan.

Jordanian homes are even build for entertaining. A traditional home will have a 'sitting room.' A lavishly decorated room, used ONLY when visiting with guests.

Although I appreciate the welcoming nature of the people here and I definitely don't want it to stop....I have been here for almost 3 months now and people are still saying "marhaba" to me wherever I go. The suk, in a taxi, on the street, everywhere. It makes me feel like I will never be truly integrated with the local population. Like I will always be viewed as an outsider. I'm not a tourist here in Jordan, I am a resident. But, I doubt I will ever fully blend in.

The USD

Last week over عيد الأضحى (Eid Al-Adha) holiday I traveled to Syria and Lebanon. One thing that I found very interesting was the popularity of the USD. My currency was everywhere! Seriously. At the Syrian border they only accepted USD or Lira (the Syrian Pound). And in Beirut USD and Liban (the Lebanese currency) are both widely accepted. You can even pay for the same items using both currencies. Wallah!

It's the strangest thing to go to an ATM on the other side of the world and have the option to extract your currency. I even smelled my dollars to check their authenticity, ha.

Generally I have noticed that people in the Middle East are complete loyalists and nationalist. Everyone has so much pride for their nation. Which is wonderful to see, but for the same reason I was surprised that the USD is so commonly used. Wouldn't you want to use the currency of your own nation.

For some reason it just doesn't feel right....it feels illegal.

Holidays abroad

So it's been 2 months now that I have been in Jordan and that's 2 major holidays I have not celebrated.

1. Halloween.
Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday, especially when in Madison. To dress up and be someone else for a day (or 3 days -- Halloween is an entire weekend on my campus!) is so much fun. Since I was little I always loved to play dress-up, still a favorite pass-time of mine. I even have a dress-up chest in my room, wallah! Ready to go the second anyone says "themed party" or whenever there is an AIESEC conference.

So it was strange not participating in the traditional festivities this year. But praise Allah for Meena Zia! She kept the Trisha King persona alive by being ME for Halloween! HAHAHA. Amazing. Shocking to see the resemblance, utterly jaw dropping, ha.


Meena I <3 you! You've definitely got my attitude down to a T!

2. Thanksgiving.
Probably 2nd favorite holiday. Usually a time to spend with family and friends, cook lots and lots of delicious food; mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, string beans, apple and pumpkin pie....ugh not to mention the gravy! Boy am I making myself hungry. And play charades and cards -- a somewhat tradition in our family. As this was my 1st Thanksgiving away from home, it was a little weird. It was more like the holiday came and went and somehow skipped right past me.

No Tofurkey for this veg-head, just traditional Lebanese cuisine. On a good note, it was oh so delicious and I was in Beirut, Lebanon....so I think I've got a lot to be thankful for.

Christmas is coming up....a.k.a. favorite holiday #3. Expecting a merry time with friends, possibly in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, confirmation coming soon.

New Moon

Ahh saw New Moon last night! Soooo good. Had to like bribe people to go with me lol, but not ashamed of my tween love for the series. Would have been nice to see it with H.K. but could not wait another 8 months to see the film, hahaha.

New Moon was the first movie I saw in the cinema here and boy was it an experience. These Jordanian girls went buck wild EVERY SINGLE time there was even a glimpse of skin or a فاضح scene. It was ridiculous. They were clapping, cheering, "ohh-ing" and "ahhhh-ing" at every hug, kiss, or girl power moment! Half way through the film, me and the other foreigners I went with started joining in. If you can't bet em' join em, right?

Oh and they chatted throughout the entire movie, not cool.All in all New Moon was ممتاز!!! Eagerly awaiting Eclipse, set to be released June 30, 2010!

If age is nothing but a number...

Ok the secret is out! Womp womp. I am only 21. For the last few years of my life (pre-21) I was acting and had basically convinced myself that I was 25. I even had a semi-legit Illinois ID to prove it ha!

But, here in Jordan the majority of my close friends and even my students are older than me. Some almost a whole decade. They are all graduated from college, here in Jordan starting off their professional careers. It has sunk in that I am 21. I am young. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm really proud of myself for being here in Jordan having this experience at my age. I feel mature and I like it.

For the past 3 years I have been working multiple jobs, doing AIESEC, and going to school . I really enjoyed those experiences, but I was always sooooo busy and stretched thin. It's nice to fully devote my time and energy to my work and have free time to explore, develop, and build relationships with people here. It does kinda suck though when I think about having to return to college and put the full-time work lifestyle on hold.

Deep breath. I've got some time before 'real life' starts...and I'm going to make the most of it.

This is a man's world.

One thing that has really been ticking me off lately are the double standards in Jordan for men and women.

For example, around 9 o'clock all the women file into their homes and men litter the streets in packs. I live in an all female 'dorm' with a 10:00pm curfew. To be fair I knew that prior to moving in, but I didn't realize that it would bother me so much. The male students living in 'dorms' don't have a curfew....they can stay out all night if they wanted. Even my male students who are living at home with their parents and families don't have a curfew. Ugh, it's not like I even have anywhere to go in Irbid after 10:00pm anyways....it's more the fact that it's forbidden.

I would guess for the women it's an issue of safety. Go home to your father, brother, or your all female dorm where it is safe. Personally, I have never felt in danger here, insha'allah it will remain that way.

I think I said this before but I am truly happy that I have the opportunity to rep it for all the ladies at my work place. Being the only woman feels awkward sometimes, but my colleagues and students have had very little professional experience with women. It's about time they got a dose and I'm glad I'm the one to administer it!