the way things are.

STUPID

2011-04-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

So, now that I am neck deep in thesis, I find my creative juices depleted and this has motivated me to move towards using the simplest language possible in all other areas of life. Today's word is STUPID.

There are many things that are stupid, including but not limited to disproportionate budget cuts to ethnic, area, and women's and gender studies centers at UT Austin. Additionally, not sleeping as much as I want, not being able to enjoy the beautiful weather, and having no time to bake cakes is STUPID. So is money, trying to find employment, the Republican Congress, concealed weapons on campus, Rick Perry, Hummers and expensive plane tickets. There is so much more, but procrastinating my thesis is also stupid...and I digress. Someone give me a shoulder/head rub. Bah-Humbug.

-cait

oh, hay! where have you been?

2011-03-21T23:10:00.001-07:00

It has been a long time since my last post, but things have been moving right along here in the beautiful, fabulous, Austin, Texas. I've been keeping busy, primarily with school and organizing, but I've also gotten better at having fun too. Like anything else, you have to make time for it! So, my thesis, exploring the building and performing of queer Muslim American identity is occupying the majority of my time, and will probably force me to not see or speak to most of you the entire month of April unless you want to sit in silence with me at a coffee house, I could always use more study pals. Also, Tati, Carina and I are prepping for two upcoming conferences, The Feminist Action Project's annual conference (April 1st-2nd) and CWGS Emerging Scholarship Conference (April 8th). Blurb below! (thanks to Tati)

Through creative performance and critical self-reflection, this panel explores recent organizing efforts on behalf of three feminist organizers from the Students Speak (TSS), a student and community-centered organization at UT-Austin. Currently slated for disproportionate budget reductions, ethnic, gender and identity centers at UT-Austin brace for unprecedented financial attacks. This panel gives commentary on these attacks, providing critical perspective to administrative mandates, including details on the Academic Planning and Advisory Committee’s (APAC) proposal to reduce funding for ethnic, gender and identity centers at the university, and student and community responses against these actions. Using sweet potato curry as a metaphor, panelists describe the ongoing process of feminist organizing and the difficult work of tethering seemingly disjointed perspectives, experiences and ideologies to common points of unity against proposed budget cuts and the infrastructural power paradigms that sustain them.

Beyond this, we've been working hard against budget cuts at UT, and fighting for equal access and the right to quality education for all through The Students Speak (the studentsspeak.com).

Also, Sheeva and I have been kicking some ass on behalf of women's health and Planned Parenthood by organizing Austin's Walk for Choice 2011!

Plus, I am graduating in May! HAAAYYYY!!!! Beyond all of this academic/organizing business I have really been enjoying the queer community in Austin the last few months. With the revival of Camp Camp (queer performance night/variety show), GayBiGayGay 2011, and upcoming QueerBomb! this summer I will definitely be enjoying myself. (and this is the beautiful Rebecca Havemeyer!!)

I've also made a habit out of Austin Poetry Slam the past year now, and try to never miss a Tuesday night slam at Spider House. It is really the one thing that I do every single week, and I hope some of you will run into us regulars in the coming months and enjoy some of the most talented wordsmiths you'll ever have the pleasure of experiencing.

Also, here is this to enjoy! Workout! with Erica Nix! God, I love her!!

So, that's what I'm up to! How about you folks? I would love some updates! Emails and snail-mails about your lives would be fantastic! SO so so so much love!!! Muah!

ATTN:

2010-12-07T12:05:00.000-08:00

To my women,

You lovey strong women (of color, or not, queer, or not, and of fluid gender, or not) who have inspired, loved, and comforted me this past year...thank you. I give back to you all as often as I can, and being as diverse as our needs are this sometimes means tearful hugs in bed, cooking delicious meals, dancing, bike rides, writing papers all night coffees houses, or distracting each other from our "real" work by discussing Gloria Anzaldua's "Borderlands". In honor of the diversity of ways in which we support one another I wanted to share an excerpt from "We Don't Need Another Wave," entitled "A Time to Hole Up and a Time to Kick Ass: Reimagining Activism as a Million Different Ways to Fight."

Here, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha describes how she struggled to remain active (in a large-scale organizational way) in her causes, but never ceased to struggle towards justice in everyday life. This is one of the few places were I found what I felt was an accurate representation of how we all struggle together. She describes how disheartened she was when it came to dealing with the post-9-11 harassment of people of color and the violent images broadcast of the casualties from the places they were fighting to save. Being afraid to leave the house or be present at large-scale actions and feelings of hopelessness with regards to our causes seem to be issues that echo in our family.

She describes how isolated and despair-ridden she felt after attempting to get involved with the local movement against the wars, and how she chose to stay at home and avoid organizing all together becasue of the way organizing was approached. "This is what it felt like to try and do traditional activism when you're so physically and emotionally attached to the subject matter...[we were] stuck in the kind of old-school activism that Aya de Leon describes as 'an endless series of meetings where people sit on their butt, get stiff backs, feel hungry, have to go to the bathroom, get dehydrated, and stay up in their heads'" (170-180). As we move forward in organizing for these causes that we are so intimately involved, it will be important for us to remember all of the things that count as activism. Realize that everything we do is activism. Piepzna-Samarasinha says it best here: "I decided that my kind of activism was the kind of activism women of color do on a daily basis. Everything I did to keep myself alive--from holding down my job to painting my toenails to building and using my altar to cooking up big pots of sweet potato curry with my girlfriends..." (172).

It itsn't the whole way in which we struggle (we need large-scale organization as well), but it is a significant hunk. For this reason we must seek to get creative/validate creative approaches to fighting on behalf of the emotions that brought us to the table to begin with.

As we continue to support one another and organize towards a greater realization of human rights for all, I want to commend you for being the most amazing people I have ever met and most of all congratulate you on kicking so much ass.

I look forward to many many amazing years with you all.

All my love,

C

Jinssiya

2010-10-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting at the Bennu coffee house, next to the biggest window I can find, soaking up some sun and casual tunes. The reason I am really here is because I absolutely must write today. I need to write my statement of purpose, or at least a skeleton version, by the end of the day. I am perplexed as to how this is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. How can that be?

To begin, I needed to pinpoint exactly what it was that led me to this moment. Why study religion? Why have I become concerned with multi-layered identities, particularly regarding overlaps of religiosity, sexuality, and nationality? It took a few cups of coffee and paced journey around the building to realize exactly when that switch had flipped.

The moment I set foot on Yemeni soil I grabbed my bags from the ground in the shadow of the plane and dragged them into the airport. I was greeted by a representative from the college I was to attend and he handed me a pen and a single sheet of paper, “Inti laazam tuqa’ kida, lo samaat.” (you have to sign this, please). So, I gripped the pen and began the first letter of my signature, I was in a travel-induced daze, that is until my eyes glimpsed the word “jinssiya.” Sexuality. For the first time in my life that word actually had meaning, it was real. I was signing a gag order on my sexuality. I was signing a document that stated if I discussed my sexuality while in the country, the college would no longer be responsible for my safety. As the death penalty is still a viable punishment for homosexuality in Yemen; this meant if I disclosed my queerness while in the country, they would not be on my side of the aisle in the courtroom.

For the time being, I was no longer a queer American feminist and activist, I was just an American girl. Being of a national, religious, and sexual minority complicated my already delicate and muddled identity while in the country. I believe it was this period of my life that helped me understand what was so unique about minority identity development. Upon returning to the States, this experience helped me reorient my ideas in thinking about diaspora and minority communities and the difficulties of cultural assimilation.

So, maybe none of you reading care, even the slightest bit, about my grad. applications, but at the very least, send good vibes my way. I have my work cut out for me.

Love you all,

C

"We had been everywhere. We had really seen nothing."

2010-09-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

Today, deep breath out, was eclectic and full. The day started out a bit reflective and somber, a bit of writing, reading, and napping, only to look up from a half-written paper to realize I had just completely missed math class. Although, missing math class was not all that big of a deal. So, the somberness moved in a crescendo that peaked with great sadness and settled in gratitude. As many of you may know, I lost a great love to a horrible bike accident in the last year, and some days my thoughts are just full of him. Anyhow, by the end of the day, I was just so happy to have ever been afforded the opportunity to experience that kind of ocean of feeling, I could do nothing more than smile.

Also, today was a day that ended in reward. My new bike finally came into the Peddler bike shop, and wow, she is fantastic. Steel, great geometry for a person with a longer upper body, sturdy, smooth, fantastic. There she is pictured below, although, I also have a steel frame on the back of her to carry my roll-tops.
So, this evening I went to meet Ashley at Bennu, and got a bit carried away with my new ride and passed one of my turns by nearly 10 blocks. By the time I had gotten home, I had ridden her nearly 20 miles, it was so nice to have a bike whose pieces all actually fit together and work properly together. There is nothing wrong with a skillfully assembled piece meal street bike, but a brand new one...damn. Anyhow, so my goal in taking her out tonight was to find her a name. Usually my bikes are named after male literary characters: Roark, José Arcadio Buendía, Darcy, Yossarian. But, this bike had some cute pink stripes on her and I had this urge for her to be a "her" this time. So, drum roll....she shall be called Lolita.So, the rest of the week looks like: Exam tomorrow, PSC tabling, and plenty of errands, as well as Thesis meetings all Friday, Tubing, potluck, and harvest moon ride Saturday, and garage sale/homework Sunday. Have a good one people.

Love,
C

Sexual Harassment for Breakfast

2010-09-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

"Hey gorgeous," called the forty-something year-old man from his silver Honda as he slowed down to talk to me, "where are you headed? You need a ride?"
Embarrassed to be called to (especially wearing the ankle-length grandma skirt and frumpy sweater I was sporting), I replied, "No, thank you, I am just headed right up the street to the bus stop."
"Oh, I mean after that, you pretty thing; I can drop you wherever," he assured me.
"Well, thanks for the offer, but I rather like riding the bus, thanks."
"Ahh, come on gorgeous," he moaned as he pulled his car closer to me, "I can be your boyfriend for the day. I can take you to school, pick you up, take you to dinner, and afterward..."
"No thanks," I interrupted, as I was pretty sure I did not care to hear the rest of that.
His temper rose, "Oh, what...you some kind of lesbian or somethin'? Cause I would pay a whole lot of money to watch that. Come on gorgeous, get your pretty ass in the car and let me take you home with me."
At this point my hands were shaking, if he grabbed me and pulled me into his car on this street...no one would see, no one would hear. Two more blocks until there would be people, maybe not even people that would help me, but at least people. He was becoming angry, as I just kept repeating, "No thank you, no thank you, no thank you."
"Don't fuck with me honey, just get in the car."
"No."
We rounded the corner to see there had been a car accident, which meant loads of firemen were gathered just across the street from my bus stop. What to do, what do I do...run. So, I did just that. I ran. I ran and my eyes filled with tears and one of the firemen turned around just as I was a few yards away. I grasped both of his hands with mine and gasped, "This man has been following me for four blocks, please help." Just in time for Mr. silver honda to peel out, run the red light, and be too far away for anyone to figure out who he was.

After taking a moment to calm down, I became angry at myself for feeling so helpless. But, honestly, what could have been done differently, nothing. I suppose I assumed that dressing and acting rather conservatively would protect you from this kind of harassment. The difficult truth is, nothing can protect you from this kind of harassment. Maybe getting some pepper spray, or a tazer or something would be of some use, but at the end of the day, that would not have kept this man from calling out to me, or propositioning me, or cursing at me from his car. Nor would it keep my hands from sweating and my heart from pounding, because sexual harassment and rape are scary things, and everyone's hearts should pound when the subject comes up. And it comes up often: approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men are sexually assaulted in their lifetimes.

Anyhow, this morning was eventful, to say the least, and I felt that I could not go on with the rest of my day until I told someone about it. So, I'm telling all of you. Keep a lookout for a middle-aged man in a silver honda in the Muller area (East 51st Street).

Love,
C

business hours.

2010-09-16T00:10:00.000-07:00

Why does the world seem so much bigger at night. Is it becasue it is emptier? People are sleeping and not filling the air with words and car exhaust, not filling the streets. Everything feels bigger, even my courage is greater. I have so many things I will say to so many people when it is night. When the sun comes up it all disappears-my big grand ideas and all of my courage. Daylight means get back to school, commuting, managing life; get back to work, it is business hours.

On Coming Out.

2010-09-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

On Coming Out. I never really did it. I just evolved into this person that I am, and I felt like "coming out" was this whole additional burden placed on us "queers" to make it harder to be the people that we are. To make it harder to be honest with ourselves becasue there was this threshold that had to be broken. To make it harder to love the people that we want to love. Plus, it was hard in general, right? I guess it also made it more difficult becasue I wasn't going to "come out" as a lesbian. I refuse to remove myself from one rigid category only to place myself in another. I've dated/fallen in love with/had lovers who identified as male, female, trans...who gives a shit. Whatever happened to the magic of falling in love? I guess I felt I was being the bigger person by not being official about my sexuality (that whole, if I reject the categories then they don't apply to me/exist and/or have power over me). Today, I have found that this is not true for me. All of you who love me need to know that when you go to that stupid poll booth to vote on other peoples rights, which of course you will probably be asked to do sometime in your life, that I am one of those OTHER people. Think of me.
But not only of me, but of all of the others who feel as though they can't speak. This PostSecret postcard just did it for me today. I became angry and cried all over my toast this morning. So, if you didn't know, now you know. I suppose this was more of a service announcement...because I've been me for so long this doesn't really feel like that big of a deal. I suppose if you have questions, feel free to inquire. But, mostly, just remember when you have a say in who gets married and who doesn't and who gets to adopt children and who doesn't... that you now know "one of us."

I feel like Lacey Roop gets it right when she says (plus the Epoch bathroom wall), "Gender is a Universe." Listen to her piece entitled "Gender is a Universe" here: http://www.myspace.com/laceyroop

Love,
C

Revival of the Dinner Party

2010-09-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of the lovely Amelia (http://vintagevivant.com/2010/06/01/nyc-pt-1/)
Amelia is one of my many friends who shares my love of food, enough so that we organized our entire May NYC trip around finding the best grubbin' the city had to offer.

Okay, so I know this is departing from what this blog is usually about (what is it usually about?), but if you know me at all, you know that I love food and drink. It is the one thing I refuse to skimp on money-wise and time-wise. I mean sometimes you do what you have to do, but I avoid cutting corners in this department as much as humanly possible. There is absolutely nothing that beats a well cooked meal, a nice glass of wine, and a book or some good company. Better yet, if it were raining or cold outdoors. SO, here we are, it is a Wednesday night and even though I worked all day in the library and completely exhausted myself, all I want to do is cook something delicious. I've realized, when it comes to my free time, all I ever want to do is create edible art projects.

Therefore, I have decided, that once a month (hopefully, from now until forever) I will be hosting fancy-ass dinner gatherings or brunches. I will be keeping them rather small and sending out personal invites, and all that I ask in return for the free food is that you bring your warm bodies and smiles and come ready to eat well, eat slowly, and talk a lot (a bottle of wine or a bag of coffee beans wouldn't hurt either, but is definitely not a requirement). There is something to be said about taking your time to eat and enjoy the company of other fine people...deep breath out...and not many people do it any more. IT IS REVIVAL TIME.

The first of these events is in the making. Also, I love you all, and eventually I will invite ALL OF YOU, but I am going to keep them tiny because: a) I can't afford to cook (well) for more than 10 people anymore, b) my home can only fit a small number of people comfortably seated around a table, c) I would like for there to be a type of atmosphere where everyone may be engaged in a singular conversation.

Beyond my deciding that there is not enough good food happening, I have been deciding on other things as well. I have bought a plane ticket to New Orleans for September 30th - October 3rd to visit my good friends John H. and Lauren B., both of whom are among the most wholesome and pleasant people to be around. Additionally, I finally have officially begun my honors thesis research under the lovely Professor Martha G. Newman. I will be exploring the lives of queer people within Islam; if you have friends, relatives, or acquaintances you would like to recommend I speak to, I would love this.

Writing this has thankfully caused me to decide against staying up for three more hours to make homemade cinnamon roll dough, but not to worry, I have plenty of other things I must finish. READINGS! BOOKS! ARTICLES! oh my!

tisbah ala khair ya habaabi,

C

when it gets rough, you just gotta get tough and/or have amazing friends

2010-09-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

So, the week was "rough" to say the least. On top of having someone I admire, tell me I was a "disgrace to [my] discipline" and getting a stomach virus, while I was throwing up Tuesday afternoon I was the lucky recipient of an 'I just want to be friends...' text message. On top of feeling completely insulted, the following day I went to HEB where my car was vandalized. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that my car has been the victim of angry Zionist acting-out. The air was let out of my front two tires and my "Free Palestine, End the Occupation" sticker was mostly ripped off. By the time I got home, I was in desperate need of comfort and/or tequila. I cooked a decent dinner and then my beautiful wonderful friends and housemates came to the rescue. I was gifted many large cupcakes from Karl, hugged and loved by everyone, and then Ashley, Taylor, Jake, Dan and I went dancing! Barbarella 90s-ish music and crazy dancing sweating bike riding followed by a slumber party in Ashley's really warm yellow room and then morning smoothies. More biking. Hang-outs with Emma and Katie. And then good foods, home improvement, and Freaks and Geeks. CURED! by the wonderfulness of good company and biking/dancing. It really does work every time.

So, the lessons of this week are: bad things happen in 4's, not 3's, dancing is kind of a drug, and building things with your own two hands is the new best idea ever.

Big.

2010-08-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

Sitting cross-legged on my big red couch, in my new home, at the beginning of this new year. Big breath in, big breath out. Big glass of wine, big full heart, big baggy pants and t-shirt, smile. If home is where the heart is, the biggest hunk of mine is here, and so here would be home. Besides endlessly studying for the GRE, I have been living well ever since work was over. I was working for the Arabic Flagship Program all summer. I love the women I worked with, the students (most, my friends), the faculty, etc. It made for a busy, but pleasant summer. But, now I can do fun summer things for a couple of days, which for me includes building some things, drinking wine, bike rides, sitting in book stores reading entire books, dancing until I look like I just went swimming, and enjoying some alone time. You can use alone time for all kinds of things, but usually I spend it compartmentalizing my other experiences, singing aloud to Paul Baribeau songs, or writing things down, or letters. If you ever want a letter, you should send me your address; I write often.
I will leave you with a bit of wisdom from P. Baribeau. His song, "Ten Things," is always a good tool for curing many of the more unlikable circumstances in life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1W81WkpUnY&feature=related

four wheels + feet = supaaaa speed!

2010-08-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

I want nothing more than to roller skate today! So, roller skate I will. Pace and I began my cedar porch table project yesterday...it took a while to understand my new saw, but we figured it out. I want to work on it all the time, but it is hard to hold and cut wood alone, not to mention it is a trillion degrees outside and there is something about being covered in saw dust that doesn't make the heat more fun.

Pace and I also made delicious buckwheat pecan banana pancakes this morning and I drank a HUGE class of iced coffee that has my body tweaking out. Now, I am waiting for Karl to come over! KARL!!!!! I missed him. He has been traveling all summer, and I am so happy to have him home. More bike riding and gourmet meal cooking! AH HA!

Additionally, work for the Arabic Flagship Program is basically finished for the summer. My boss, and favorite person I work with, Chelsea, is moving on to a job at Maryland U. and I am pretty sad about it. I know that her new job will better complement her skills, as she is one of the most capable women I have ever met, but we will miss her greatly.

Also, I am getting antsy to dance! I think TuesGAYS and Barbarella has my name all over it this week. You can bet your bottom dollar I will be cutting a rug and sweating copious amounts, but I think this is the only way to do it right. But, Ashley A. will be out of town...I hope I can still have fun without her :(

Alright time to lean forward into the day.

"Leaning out as far as she can, hoping she'll fall soon, so she can stop worrying about whether it will happen or not." -Brian Andreas

dirty hands.

2010-08-10T19:37:00.002-07:00

My hands are dirty from the last few days. Pumpkin spice cupcake making, basil planting, bike ride sweat and grease from a popped tire and a failed attempt to put on my new rack. Last night I had a glass of wine and listened to some mood tunes to slow my pulse and calm my nerves. The reason I have been keeping so busy is to put off unpacking anymore. Not that I do not really have an infinite amount of things to do, but last night, I uncovered notes from a deceased lover as I was trying to find new places for everything to go. It is like I am scared of my own stuff. Maybe that means I should get rid of a good amount of my "stuff," again.

Purging things is a relatively easy process for me when it comes to clothes, shoes, paints, food, tools, bags, trinkets, but when it comes to sentimental items like notes, gifts, books...I can't let go of them. If you have given me a book, a note, a painting or even a string in the last few years... I have it. The little "i love yous," come most honestly and simply in the form of hand painted and glittered pine cones, notes left in bike spokes, and hand-knitted leg warmers. Not that words are not beautiful magical things as well, but as cruel as memory is... small physical bits of lovely memories are a vice of mine. Sometimes years later, it is difficult to remember how an "i love you" from a particular person felt/smelled/tasted, and even if you never forget, you can rest assured that if you do, you can pick up that bit of tile and remember what an "i love you" on a rooftop in Yemen feels like. Or finger a little pressed bluebonnet that she placed in your hair the day she told you she loved you on the side of a highway (right after you made her stop becasue you had to go soooooo baaaaaddd you couldn't wait for the next town) so you never have to forget.

I keep things, becasue when I am old and I open that box of things I've moved around with forever, I can examine them with my wrinkled fingers and feel the rush of love, disappointment, lust, pain, friendship, loneliness, humility, humanity or humiliation that made up my life..just in case the memories of my life really don't flash before my eyes the moment right before I die. Just in case.

moving.

2010-08-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

Very few of the many fond memories I will have of HoC:

I much prefer the word "moving" to "leaving," because they have significantly different meanings. Leaving implies that there is a negative reason you are moving from your current location, while moving seems to mean that either you are moving for the sake of change or for the sake of something exciting in the distance. Because, there is really hardly anything I dislike about the House of Commons, or any of the beautiful people I met while I lived there, it is time to move forwards. Honestly, I am always moving. When I think about it, the last 4 years I have lived many places: Jester Dorm, Salado House, Duval House, Eden House, Yemen, House of Commons, and now East 51st (i.e. "the love shack"). I hate staying still, and I am excited to experience a new living situation (with four of my favorite people). It will also be a nice environment in which to write my thesis, build/plant a new garden, dance, and cook (for less than 30 people at a time). I must admit, I am excited to have dairy and egg products back in the house. Cheese please.

Now, all I have to do is kick a whole bunch of ass on the GRE in 3 weeks, and all will be well. Not to mention, my last year of school begins on the 25th. Who am I kidding, if I get into grad. school, I'll be in school forever.

Also, I'm missing the Middle East a lot today. Especially, Yemen and Syria. I miss being constantly surprised and amazed, and also never wanting to sleep, but not because there was too much work, but because there was too much living to do, too much to see.

Ahhh, the suq.

Qat trees.

From Maxime's window in Damascus.

Evening coffee, nuts, sweets, and smokes at the garden cafe.

Ya salaam, kan gameel...

the last year. pictoral catch-up.

2010-08-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

So, I have been keeping track of life in print lately (pencil and paper style). But, I will attempt to catch you up a tiny bit before I just move forward. I have been busy. And, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...so here we go.

I visited Syria, Jordan, and the West Bank/ Jerusalem. Here I am at the Dome of the Rock.

"One day I will put a piece of this wall on the shelf in my living room" at the Separation Wall, Bethlehem.

I played poker, and won all da (fake) moneyzz.

Cuddled in the sunshine with Sheevs.

Rode bikes around town in costumes.

Chilled with Ali Abunimah...err, organized a lecture (or 5)?

Went on field trips to visit mega churches and shrines with the RS Club.

Cooked a dinner for more than 30 people that was: vegan, tasty, and ball-shaped (yes, the whole meal, so, suck it)

Went to NY to visit Columbia, but mostly to get lost and have fun with Amelia. Oh, and to EAT.

Lived with, and fell in love with, all of these people at HoC.

Shaked the booty.

Got sunburned at some protests.

Built a wall in the middle of campus. <3 PSC

Got rowdy. <3 HoC

Was a nanny for some adorable children.

These aren't all of the things I did, or even all of the important things I did. But, for now, we only move forwards.

Highlights and Favorites

2009-09-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

There are three "American" businesses in Yemen: KFC, Pizza Hut, and Baskin Robins. Hilariously they are hardly similar to the equivalent restaurant found here. For instance, when you go to KFC the only choices are fried chicken, fries, and a biscuit, which of course isn't out of the norm, but the fact that that is basically the only choice on the entire menu cracked me up--almost as much of this photo which includes the KFC with the President's Mosque in the distance.
I love Henna, all day every day. It strangely reminds me of my obsession with doodling on my hands and arms in sharpie markers in middle school, except better--OBVIOUSLY!

You get really creative when attempting to entertain yourselves in Yemen. So, there was a "Deadwood Saloon" Murder Mystery dinner party, which rocked. We took it very seriously if you couldn't tell by our sweet costumes. What you cannot tell by these photos is who awesomely in character we remained the entire evening. Such great fun and soon to come to Austin!

Hanging out in the guard shack speaking Arabic with the guards, specifically Hesham and Marzuq, until the wee hours of the morning is something that I miss the most. When you make friends in another language there is just something extra-special about it.
The highway that is also used for irrigation and drainage during the rainy season is sometimes both at once when unsuspecting drivers find themselves trapped in a flash-flood type situation!

Qat in Yemen

2009-09-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

Chewing Qat in Yemen is a national past time, but one that has become severely detrimental to the already fragile Yemeni economy. For those of you who are not familiar, Qat is a plant whose leaves are chewed and stored in a large mass in the cheek for hours on end (the Arabic verb used to describe the chewing of Qat is تخزن which literally means 'to store') . This stimulant's side-effects are comparable to those of most Amphetamines (like Adderall). The chewer experiences excitement and a medically recognized "euphoric state" as well as lack of appetite. Many first time users report that they can remain awake for days, but sometime experience headaches when the effects of the Qat are wearing off. As you can see in this graph that charts the physical harm and dependence level of Qat (Khat), it remains far less "dangerous" than alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis (The Lancet, January 2008, British medical journal). That is one reason why it is puzzling that it is an illegal/prohibited substance in most developed counties, excluding the UK and Israel.

Why is Qat so popular in Yemen? First of all, the trees are evergreen and can be harvested 3-5 times per year which means that the farmer has a year-round source of income (the trees need to be heavily watered, but other than that the trees require little attention), and a reliable one at that. Reliable income? Yes, because an extremely large percentage of the population chews, according to the Encyclopedia of Yemen, 2003, 70-80% of people in Yemen between the ages of 18-50 chew Qat. I can confirm this with my own experience there--I literally met 5 people who did not chew Qat the entire time I was there.

So, what is the point here? The point is, that Yemen is predicted to be one of the first countries to ever "run out of water," and their main cash crop is sucking up all of the water. And not far behind water, is running out of oil. And thus, any exportable good. Which equals money, which equals more poverty...in the most impoverished nation in the Middle East. So, the US government decides to send Israel billions of dollars, so that we can simultaneously refuse to help the Yemenis and make them poorer. All the while keep in mind, that poverty breeds desperation and frustration, and we want to call Yemen the new "Al-Qaeda breeding ground," so that we can drop bombs and refuse to take partial responsibility for making them this way.

Lesson: dropping bombs is what you do when you screw up and you just want the proof of your transgressions to disappear.

The President's Mosque

2009-08-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

One of the last things I did in Yemen was visit the President's Mosque which President Ali Abdullah Saleh spent $60 million dollars erecting. Unfortunately, Yemen is the poorest country in the Arab world and lacks even the most basic inner-city infrastructure (let alone anything outside ofSana'a ). So, while the Mosque is undeniably awe inspiring, there is something disgusting about exploring such extravagance in a place such as Yemen. I suppose I will let the photos speak for themselves.Don't forget to remove your shoes .

Taiz and Aden Trip: Part 2

2009-08-05T00:59:00.000-07:00

We finally made it to Aden, and man was it worth it. We immediately dropped our belongings at the hotel, changed into our "swimming clothes" and left for the ocean. By swimming clothes, I literally mean clothes. Bathing suits are pretty much prohibited and I swam in pants and a long shirt--honestly, it makes it kind of difficult to enjoy the ocean when in so many clothes because the tide would catch your clothes and drag you or you would catch a small jellyfish in your pocket (yes, that happened to me). But, we took a little speedboat over to a small island right off the coast where we waded into the ocean with the rocky bottom and small, kind of cute, jellyfish. I really just enjoyed laying in the sand where the tide would come up just every now and again to wash over you and cover you with a new layer of sand and at the same time push you deeper into the coast until you couldn't see your body anymore-- and then climbing out! As you can see in the picture taken by someone on the boat, I really enjoyed the ride, as did Maxim! It was also nice to feel that hijab was not necessary when at the beach!

Then we went back to the hotel, washed up, grabbed some lunch and headed back out to see the city. We stopped at the cisterns, described in the picture below. They were awesomely large, but depressingly empty. It was also a bit touristy, but even lots of families from Aden were there walking around. A couple of women told me that came very often because, "why not?"
After this we commuted to the coast, near the fish market where half of us sat on this wall near the ocean and the other half walked to the top to see the view. Very unlike myself, I decided to stay at the bottom to watch the sunset. I was honestly just too exhausted to convince myself the view from above would be any better than the one sitting on the wall being sprayed by the ocean.

If I would not have stayed I would not have had the pleasure of meeting Rahmeh Abdul-Saleh, the adorably frail man pictured below who kindly answered some of my questions about the city and told me a very exciting story about once almost being washed into the ocean sitting on that very wall.

That evening we had dinner at a restaurant by the ocean and Asil and I had tea on the wall overlooking the sea with our feet dangling. I though, "what an absolutely perfect moment," but little did I know it would only get better. That evening we went down to the beach to have sheesha by the ocean. The tide was out and the beach was so wide and dark and we all sat crowded around a table and I dug my feet into the sand as I tried to teach myself to blow smoke-rings (failed). BUT, then we payed these Yemeni boys to let us ride their four-wheelers up and down the beach for a while; I felt fifteen again and it was fantastic! The wether was perfectly mild with a salty ocean wind and even though I was tired and ready to sleep, I really did not want to leave the beach, or Aden. But, alas, we left the next morning and spent ten hours in the "bus" getting back to Sana'a. Can you say stir-crazy?

Taiz and Aden Trip: Part 1

2009-08-02T04:23:00.000-07:00

This past Wednesday I finished class and had delicious Indian food with JB,N,I, and M ...Oh, delicious (because unfortunately the traditional food here isn't all that great), and bough a very nice waist coat for 300 riyal, about $1.50USD, for the Western theme murder mystery dinner we are having in a few days. We left very early the next morning a group of about 11 of us for Aden, or so we though. Well, we eventually made it to Aden, but a couple of hours into our drive in the "bus" (i.e. a 15 passenger van) we stopped at probably the 3rd checkpoint in 2 hours and our driver and Abdul Kafi handed the solider our permission to pass, but something was wrong. Usually, we hand them our permission and they chat for a second, peer into the vehicle, and we pass-- but I always get just a little nervous driving up to the smaller check points in the middle of nowhere to be greeted by a bunch of (usually very kind) soldiers who have machine guns carelessly hanging over their shoulders. So we had to wait, and after waiting for some time we got out of the van and had tea at a nearby restaurant and a little bit of breakfast. We thought things were nearly resolved so we returned to the van after buying some water and other necessities. Unfortunately, we ended up getting back out of the van for more tea as Sabri Saleem, the President of our college, arrived to speak with the guards. We were soon told that it was fine for us to drive south to Taiz, but from Taiz to Aden on the south coast would not be safe to drive because of the recent clashes in the South (although, Aden itself was safe). We were all very disappointed, but we continued on to Taiz and stayed at a hotel there.
The city had a very different feel, the streets and pedestrian spaces were not at all similar to those in Sana'a. The streets were not full of cars, but instead full of people. Once we were there and settled in our rooms, we walked through the old Suq, which was simply incredible. The shops all overflowed into the streets and pails and burlap sacks of vibrant spices crowded the footpath. We even witnessed men making the beautiful scarves we've seen being sold all over Yemen, and I have a fantastic video of it to be posted at some point.

After walking throughout the market we visited Al-Ashrafiah Madrasa and Mosque that was under construction, but absolutely amazing.

The cisterns, used for washing before prayer were sadly dry because of construction.
The ceiling inside, being repainted and tiled, by hand. I wish this picture did it justice.

A wonderfully kind Yemeni man who greeted me on our way through the streets. I could not help myself, I just wanted to remember that smile!

Afterward, we made our way to the Kahira Fortress on a mountain overlooking the town, what a view.

The group (minus me, because of course I was taking the picture), which is seriously from all over the place. C (US), M (US), A (UK), Abdul Kafi (Yemen), S (Belgium), C (Mexico), C (Italy), M (Spain), M (France)

That evening while we were up late playing cards in the Mafraj of the hotel, we found out that we would be able to continue on to Aden after all. Alhumdulilah!! We left at 6 or so the next morning.

Unfortunately, because I am insanely exhausted and have homework to finish and class early tomorrow morning. I will continue on about Aden tomorrow, but it was fantastic!

This Week: Missing Tacos, Manakha, Hajjarah, and Hoteib

2009-07-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was my first rough day in Yemen. I woke up craving a breakfast taco and it just went downhill from there. Other favorite things currently missing are avocados, queso (esp. with guac and pico in it...), veggie burgers, tofu, bicycles, my garden, ecstatic dance nights, PSC, and my favorite people. Also, I have a class to myself (just my Professor Nabil and I), which is great because I get to speak a lot and also get to focus on things I am particularly having a hard time with while moving quickly through things that are easy for me. Very efficient. But, I also feel as though I am obligated to keep things from him because that is the "culturally appropriate" thing to do. I mean I have to wear "appropriate clothes" to class because he is a Yemeni and that is respectful (and I am totally cool with that), but I feel like we have kind of developed a friendship now, and I am limited in what I can tell him about myself. Slightly frustrating, but class is fantastic besides that.

Anyhow, so after my pity-fest and reading comics in my bed for a couple of hours, I went up to the roof and ate a bowl of Cheerios, drank some apple juice and looked out at the view. The view completely mended my bad mood, seriously. Looking out at the city and the mountains in the distance was just perfect enough to motivate me to get my 5 hours of homework done before class.

Friday, five of us: Stijn, Kamal, Maxim, Alyse, and I went with Aiman and Professor Fadl to Manakha, Hajjarah, and Hoteib. All of these places are perfect examples of how Yemenis have attempted, yet again, to build beautiful structures in impossible places. We left Sana'a at about 8am and headed southeast into the Harraz Mountains, where we saw (drove and climbed) some of the largest mountains on the Arabian Peninsula. We arrived in Hajjarah where a young man named Mohammed immediately grabbed my hand and declared himself my tour guide.

Hajjarah was important for two main reasons, it was a major suq on the road between Hodeidah and Sana'a and also a place where Jews and Muslims lived peacefully together in the past. "before all of the Jews left for Israel," my tour guide explained. There were even stars of David still carved into doors of some of the oldest houses in the village, and the people there would not remove them because "it is a part of the city." Here is the oldest house in the village, over 200 years old.
Simply lovely.

Alyse and I bought some scarves and other hand embroidered crafts from the locals.
We then went into the city of Manakha were we arrived at a hotel to eat lunch, chew qat, and watch some traditional Yemeni dancing/ were forced to dance.

Now, on to my favorite part of the trip, the small village of Hoteib. This is an Ismaili Pilgrimage site on the eastern side of Jebal Messar. Ismaili pilgrims come to Al Hoteib to visit the tomb of the 6th century (H) Ismaili scholar Hattem bin Ibrahim bin al Hussein al Hamadi. Thousands of pilgrims visit every year from Pakistan, India, America, and other places. The Bukhara Ismailis of Bombay financed the paved road to the village because of their yearly pilgrimage there ( and thank goodness for that road!!).

The tomb at the bottom of Jebal Messar.

The small masjid at the top of the mountain, and yes, we climbed up there.
Stijn and I, climbing the eroded stairs to the top as the huge cloud moved in on us.
That cloud rolling over the mountain (and onto us) adjacent from the masjid was perhaps the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life.
Alyse and I at the masjid atop of Jebal Messar!!Professor Fadl
Aiman
Kamal
Maxim and I
The ride home jamming to a sweet variety of Arabic music!! What an amazing trip.

Al-Mahweet trip

2009-07-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Friday, about ten other students and I went with one of the Professors here, Abdul Kafi, to Al-Mahweet. The bus drove us two hours northwest of Sana'a through some of the most beautiful villages, mountains, and farmlands I have ever seen. We stopped a couple of times and got there about 2 hours later. We had packed food, so when the bus (van?) dropped us off we hiked for about twenty minutes before we stopped and had lunch on the edge of a mountain. SERIOUSLY?!?!?! It was so absolutely breathtaking, as was the rest of the hike.
This was our first view, and Matt enjoying it.
Here are Styn, Asil, and Abdul Kafi on the edge of the mountain, some qat chewing happening.

The entire area is extremely mountainous, and as you can see the crops (mostly qat, corn and coffee) are grown in terraces built into the side of the mountains. They are all cascading with life, and although the weather was cloudy and cool the majority of the day, it was still unbelievable. And many of the houses are in little communities on the tops of mountains, but the only water is at the bottom of the mountain. So, most of the families trek up and down the mountain together daily for water. (and I'm telling you you wouldn't want to do that 4 hour journey everyday)

These are some kids from one of the little villages we walked through whom we played soccer with for about 20 minutes.This is Maxim and I, one of my favorite Frenchmen here, taking a little istaraha.

Maxim again, but what is best about this picture is in the background where you can see "prince" Kamal looking over his "dynasty."
Tobias, also checking out the amazing view. By the end of the hike, we were all very tired and slept the majority of the ride home, although it is very tricky so sleep in one of those tiny bus/vans, (fifteen passenger vans=buses or Debabs in Yemen) especially when the landscape is something you could never get sick of looking at.

Also, we had to go through about 3 checkpoints on the way there and another 3 on the way back, which was a very strange thing for me. Ahh, back to studying. Ma' Alsalama!

مستشفى يمني (Yemeni Hospital)

2009-07-14T03:01:00.000-07:00

If some of you had not already heard, I had the pleasure of getting a nasty little bacterial infection I could not shake this week. After a few days of throwing up etc. the stomach cramps and dehydration was becoming a bit too much for me to handle, so I visited the Science and Technology University Hospital ER. Much to my surprise, the hospital was pretty amazing-- everything seemed very up-to-date and the staff was very professional. But, I was very happy to have known Arabic as the majority of the staff only knew medical related English. And the whole trip, iv, meds, dr.'s visit and all--$30!

I was given an IV for fluid and nausea medication, given about 3 prescriptions (antibiotics, and meds for before and after meals) and assured by all of the doctors, nurses and fellow students that pretty much everyone gets sick sometime while they are in Yemen and that it was 'just my time.' Alhumdulilah that's over.

But in all reality, the sanitation and water situation here is dire. As the poorest country in the Middle East (BBC), it has become almost impossible for them to deal with the water shortage and quality (even the Yemenis drink only bottled water!). Infrastruture is lacking big time, water is usually delivered by a large tanker truck to each facility individually. It is also estimated that "Total water demand of 3,400 Million cubic meters (MCM)/year exceeds renewable resources of 2,500 MCM/year, thus leading to a steady decline in groundwater levels, varying between 1 m per year in the Tuban-Abyan area and 6-8 m per year in the Sana’a basin," as reported by the World Bank. This means that literally running out of water is in the foreseeable future. The lack of infrastructure and inability to provide for the rapidly growing population can also be seen in the widespread power-outages that usually happen multiple times a day for up to two hours at a time. Also important to note, The World Bank predicts that Yemen's oil and gas revenues will plummet and fall to zero by 2017 as supplies are depleted.

Enough on that for today! Moving on! I began classes this week, I am sitting in on a class on the politics and future of Yemen with Professor Robert D. Burrowes (University of Washington) that seems promising and a private Arabic class with a Yemini Professor named Nabil who is absolutely amazing! I have also received a language partner named Karima (a native Yemini girl about my age) who I will chat with once a week. Besides all of this 'formal' education I have become pretty good friends with the guards (as have most of the students) and they love chatting with us and also I have made friends with one of the local scarf shop owners and I go and sit and have tea with him in his shop and chat. I'm learning so much more than I ever could have imagined and FINALLY got over being too nervous to talk, now it just comes out whether or not I really know what I am talking about. The light bulb has arrived!

This weekend we are taking a trip!! I will tell you about it soon/take lots of pictures!! Don't worry.
Myself, Franny, Aliya, Jessica, Hesham (Guard), Amer (Friend who works for the College).
Again, Aliya, Jessica, Franny
One of the campus buildings, the Guest House, where some students live and we have all of our meals.
Franny and I at the Qat Chew (I'll have a whole blog up about qat soon).
Doing what we do best, relaxing in the Mafraj after Arabic class and homework.
A view of one of the the suqs (markets) from above.

July 7th, a busy day in Yemen/Womens Wedding in Sana'a

2009-07-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

Well, to begin, this is a photo of my bathroom I forgot to include in the last post. The best thing about Yemini bathrooms is the shower, that really just consists of the whole bathroom. And when you are done showering you just squeegee the water into the drain. Amazing! Efficient! I dig it!
This is a photo from the roof of my place. The dust was heavy today and it was around dusk, so there will most definitely be better pictures, but for now this will give you an idea of how amazing it is to wake up in the morning, make yourself a cup a shai (tea) and sit on the roof to watch the sun rise over the mountains right after the pre-dawn call to prayer.

This kind of gives you an idea of how most Yemini men dress, thobe (long white robe), kufi (hat), and scarf. Often they are also wearing a beautifully embroidered belt with a curved dagger and case tucked in the front called a jambiya and maybe a coat of some sort.
This is a funny truck parked outside of an electronics store I went to buy an alarm clock at, but what I would really like to draw your attention to is the man standing on the round covered platform in the distance on the right side of the photo. This is the traffic cop who controls the intersection. There is one of these guards at each major intersection to direct all of the cars/cabs/bicycles/motorcycles/scooters on the street. Other than this (what seems like a feeble attempt to organize traffic) the roads are absolutely nuts. No stripes, no speed limits posted, and drivers use their horns a couple of times a block instead of blinkers and also to warn pedestrians (who are somehow not terrified to walk in the road as well).
Anyhow, on to the good stuff! The day these photos were taken was July 7th, 2009. Which happens to be Unity Factory Day which is a national holiday here where traditionally workers celebrate by turning their factories into places of rest and recreation instead of work for a day. This day also brought many people out to Tahrir square in protest. While all around Yemen people were doing the same (representing multiple causes--including issues of workers rights, problems with water shortages, oil depletion, education, general dislike of government policy and handling, but mostly north versus south politics--as Yemen existed as North and South Yemen before 1990). To put it into perspective read the below clip from a blog on Yemen news I read often, it was pretty peaceful in Sana'a, but elsewhere in Yemen it was a different story: http://islamandinsurgencyinyemen.blogspot.com/2009/07/al-sahwa-has-piece-from-al-mukalla.html

"I don't think it is as simple as saying the people in the North support the government and the people in the south support the southern movement, which is essentially what this paragraph says. I think there is a danger in seeing this as essentially a two-sided conflict, which is convenient and neat but bears little resemblance to reality. There are many sides and the motivations of the people in the street and the groups ostensibly leading them are incredibly diverse, which is why the Southern Movement can include people like YSP leaders and Tariq al-Fadhli.

The civil war in 1994 is often described as north versus south, but like so much else in Yemen this confuses geography with analysis. There were a number of southerners that didn't support the secession, even though they were in the YSP - and numerous others that weren't in the party. And now, 15 years later, there are numerous northerners that are just as frustrated with the government as are people in the south. The difference is that their frustrations and grievances can't be directed into historically valid channels. "

But, here is what I personally witnessed--on accident.

It was heartening to see the people of Yemen participating in peaceful protest, to see that they are active and paying attention.

Also on this day a public execution was held--I know is sounds intense, but please do not worry. I stayed far away from that end of town at that time. You can read more on the trial and sentencing here and elsewhere on the web: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090706/API/907061086

On a much lighter note, we had a "womens party" this day also, where all of us ladies drank tea and juice, and had henna done. No boys allowed! Sometimes I wish every day was a Womens Party.
And finally, this is Shumaila Hari, the craziest grocery store on the planet if you couldn't tell by the trillion miniature Yemeni flags and banners! They have everything here, everything except tofu (which apparently you can find at the Russian Grocery store!).
And, now, about the wedding. One of the female professors at the university here was married tonight and a few of us girls went dress shopping (oh, the dresses!!) and then threw our baltus and hijabs on and had Aiman and Reem bring us over to the party. The wedding parties here are held separately, men and women, and when you walk in they hand you a bag with a water bottle and soda and tissues. Then you go and sit among the women after changing into your "party clothes." So, essentially, I spent my evening in a room full of nearly 100 beautiful Yemeni women in the most outrageous dresses (from lacy, beaded, long prom-like gowns to short dresses with sections removed from the belly area and sequined!), makeup, and dance-moves grooving to Tamer Hosni. It was a blast!

Random fact: people in Yemen love Akon.

It is now 3:00 am and the street wedding that is taking place in the alley right outside of my bedroom window just won't end, I may never get to sleep because the Yemenis know how to party...

End of time in NJ and first bit of Yemen

2009-07-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

Okay you guys, I'm really tired, so this will be short, but I'm saving all of the really good stuff to finish posting tomorrow when I have time to write on it. So, here below is where I was staying in NJ, adorable, right?
And this is their high school a couple blocks away. Its amazing and behind it is the water and its like a Gothic castle or something.

This is my room in Yemen. The amazing windows at the top of the room are carved and painted wood layered over stained class. Much more impressive in real life.

And, Finally, this is the view from my window. Also more impressive in real life. BUT there is also a really thick screen on the window that kind of muffles the wonderfulness of it all.
I will post much more tomorrow about interesting things I have done and such, but for now I would just like to express how much I like it here. Before I arrived, I was seriously terrified. Unfortunately everything you read in the news/ on the U.S. gov travel website isn't necessarily true. They forget to include how wonderfully kind and hospitable the people are and how especially full of life and friendly the women are here. YES, almost everyone here wears niqab (even most of the girls at the college including myself wear the wear balto--the black floor length robe that zips or buttons up the front) and head scarves, but honestly its nice. I really feel comfortable dressing this way. I was surprised at how independent rather than restrained I felt after the first day wearing it. It is also interesting how differently I know/meet women here. When clothes, hair, breasts, butts, and makeup are no longer a factor you get to know someone so much more fully so quickly. You notice how they speak, what they say, inflection in voice, and many other things with more of an acute attention to detail. There is no immediate distraction from the things (personality, ect) that end up making or breaking a friendship. It is very interesting, and nice.

More tomorrow.

Transit Troubles: Finally in London

2009-07-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

"Today" has been exhausting so far, physically and emotionally. I woke up this morning (or yesterday?) about 9am in Bayonne, NJ to go for a walk. I walked up an down the peninsula , through some parks, by the water and the many quaint homes and people. Then, Mickey's mother took me to see the Tear of Grief Memorial, which was pretty neat in and of itself, but the most interesting part was when she looked out over the water (towards ny) and pointed and said something along the lines of , 'the towers used to be somewhere over there, but I can't remember exactly where anymore. how sad.'
I am sad to say that it was the first time since September 11, 2001, that the tragedy actually moved me. I actually began to hold my breath a little as she later pointed to this man walking down the street in their neighborhood with his two children and told me that he had worked in one of the towers and had escaped in time. I suppose that because I was so young and I had not known anyone who had died that day that the whole thing just went over my head. The only thing I had ever felt about that day was anger. Anger because I felt that my government had used it as an excuse to begin an unnecessary war--It only makes me more upset now to understand at whose expense.
We then had lunch at a really adorable cafe where I had an avocado wrap and then we returned to their house for me to re-pack and get on the Light Rail. So, I expected the transit to the airport from Jersey to be long, but damn... I got on the light rail but accidentally got on an express version that didn't stop at the stop I needed, so I had to hop onto another. When I got to my destination at Hoboken I got on the PATH train, which was packed so I had to wait for the 2nd one. I took that to 33rd in Manhattan, hauled my thousand pounds of luggage up the 3 flights of stairs to the street, walked a couple of blocks to Penn Station and hopped onto a train that should have taken me to JFK, except it stopped underground, in between stops, for some kind of emergency track repair that took 45 minutes!! So, needless to say, I was running hella late at this point. So at the next stop I just got off and hailed a cab to the airport only to find out that my flight had been delayed 2 hours and I had just spent nearly $50 on a taxi ride.
While I was waiting to board I ended up chatting with this nice Iranian/Iraqi/American man about his experiences all over the Middle East while working for the government. It was exactly at this moment that I finally felt scared (I mean, I had been worried and nervous for a while, but this was different). So, I took my terror to the ladies' room and cried it out and ate my feelings in the form of a huge slice of NY style pizza. All better. Finally, I boarded my flight to London and got here just fine, no puking or anything, but unfortunately I could not sleep (but I did play sweet Japanese video games!). So, at this point I have no idea how long I have been awake because of all of the time changes, but I am sitting in the London airport (7 hour layover) awaiting my flight to Sanaa, dreadfully tired. Hopefully I can sleep for 24 hours when I get there.
I miss you all!
Almost to Sana'a!
(I'll post pictures from my walk and the Memorial when I get to Yemen)

Jersey City Day 2 (NYC exploration)

2009-07-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

OKAY, let me preface this by saying Texas weather can suck it! It was in the 80s and low 90s all of today in Jersey and NYC and people were complaining that they might 'die of heatstroke,' HA!! So, reason number one I'm happy as a clam is the weather--even though it rained on and off all day. Reason number two for my extreme happiness is that my friend Mickey and his family are unimaginably nice! His mom even dropped us off at the Lite rail station this morning so that he and I could go into NYC about 9am. Then, Mickey went to work and I wandered around the city! Here are some photos!
This (below) is Mickey, my couchsurfing pal whom I absolutely adore!
Below is the adorable kitchen of their home.
And here are Mickey's rabbits!!
And their garden! (view from my attic room window)
And my wonderful room! Ahhh, I cannot get over how lucky I am to have found such a wonderful place to stay and with such spectacular folks as well!

So, onward to discuss my day. I got off the PATH train at Christopher Street in Manhattan and wandered in circles for a bit before deciding to walk down to Battery Park to gaze out at the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately, at this point it totally slipped my mind to take pictures, but I remembered about the time I settled into a lovely bakery (Dragon Land Bakery) in Chinatown for breakfast. I had an apple bun and mango juice with pearls for breakfast...mmmmmmm!From there I wandered Chinatown for a couple of hours. You guys, I'm seriously in love. Chinatown rocks for innumerable reasons. After breakfast I walked East and found a practically deserted park on the water between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges where I sat and wrote a little before wandering through some of the neighborhoods on the lower east side. Below is a fenced-in wall-ball area outside of one of the public schools there. You can't really tell, but there are great murals painted on both sides of the wall.
Then, I went back to Chinatown for these delicious cherries--and I mean DELICIOUS! (and only $3 for nearly 3 lbs. of them) I shoved them in my bag and walked all the way from Canal Street area to Central Park where I snacked on them until they made my stomach hurt. And what a walk it was--nearly 70 blocks!
After my snack I continued on through Central Park until I got to W100th Street, and by that time I had probably walked a total of 200 blocks that day, so I took a subway back down south and found a cute coffee place at the corner of Murray and Greenwich called Kaffe, where I sat and had two cups of coffee and a chocolate chip cookie and read nearly half of the book Emma sent with me (Written on the Body, Jeanette Winterson) from about 4-7pm. While I was there I met this neat chick named Beatrice who was in NYC for work and may come stay with me for SXSW this coming year. After this Oren, from the train yesterday, called and I met him and his roommate for dinner at this great little place up near his apartment that I sadly cannot remember the name of. I had a good chat with the both of them (it was really nice to have someone to interact with after being alone all day) about various things including, but not limited to, untimely deaths of lab rats, collegehumor.com, and suicide by train in Japan. Great guys. Then I hopped the PATH back to NJ and the Lite rail to Mickey's, where I was greeted warmly, of course! Also, while on the Lite rail, I sat next to this neat older-ish Coptic Egyptian woman who I chatted with in Arabic the majority of the ride back, about her childhood in Alexandria. Below is the view from the waterside Lite rail station at Hoboken.

Whew, so that was my day today (I'm sure I left plenty out). Tomorrow, while Mickey is at work his mother and I will go to the Tear of Grief Memorial (Russia's 9/11 Memorial Gift to the USA) by the water and have lunch before I head to JFK for my evening flight to London.

I miss all of you so much already, and please realize that you are going to be completely spoiled with really detailed wonderful posts for the next week or so before I have homework!! After that, I cannot promise anything, but I will do my best to update weekly!
تصبح على خير

PS!!! you can click the photos for larger versions, although the quality isn't the best because I had to re-size them for this website. Full quality photos when I return!

Jersey City

2009-07-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of my journey, from Austin to Jersey City. Well, I woke up, ate a delicious taco breakfast with Emma, and then had Michael and Sheeva drive me to the airport. They helped me shake off my nerves with some sweet reggaeton beats on the way there. I flew through baggage and security check and boarded my flight. I remained on my flight for a really long time before we actually took off--a semi-ridiculous 1.5 hours or so. But, SOMEHOW, we only got to Newark about 45 minutes late.
From the airport I hopped the air rail to the train and then the train to Penn Station NJ, and from there I took the PATH train to Journal Square where I finally surfaced to be pleasantly surprised that it was in the low 80s!! Hell yes!! It has been over 100 the last few days in Austin, so this was wonderful. But, I would not have even been able to find my way off the first train if it hadn't been for this really nice guy named Oren who I met on the train. He was on his way home from Tokyo, Japan if I remember correctly. Anyhow, he was a lifesaver.

Because they did not serve any vegetarian food on the plane (cheeseburgers?) and I threw up a little during the decent (eww, I know, but the flight was kind of rough and nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the cabin!) I was starving when I finally reached Journal Square. Right outside of the station there was a farmers market where I bought and ravenously scarfed a really delicious tomato!
This is where I met up with Mickey, my couchsurfing pal, who brought me to grab some take-out Indian food on the way home. We arrived at his beautiful house (with a huge garden and bunnies in the back!!) where we ate, and I met his absolutely wonderful parents, and was shown to my room. And let me tell you, my room is fantastic! It is a converted attic, but absolutely way more than I deserve! I am going to get wonderful sleep tonight in preparation for tomorrow, which will certainly be exciting as I am going into NYC to explore all day while Mickey is at work! Oren offered to show me around a bit, so hopefully I will run into him as well.

Cheers!

mistakes aren't always regrets.

2009-06-17T21:46:00.001-07:00

recently, i've been very apathetic about my personal life. not so much about politics or work, but about my room (i still have not unpacked completely from my mexico trip i returned from nearly a week ago) which is an absolute mess from packing/selling off my belongings before my move. and about getting back to/keeping up with friends.

mostly i've been sitting in my bed or on the front porch or riding my bike aroud aimlessly (and crashing) trying to dream up what Sanaa and Yemen will be like. i'm honestly close to terrified--and as all my friends remind me...i know i'm supposedly adequately prepared for this, but i'm frankly not worried about my classes or my saftey; i am worried about being lonely. i'm worried about my interviews going badly. i'm worried that i will be unable to relate to the other people, especially girls in the program. i'm worried i will get sick. i'm worried about the long flights. i'm just kind of generally worried.

i'll get over it.

i leave july 1st. come visit beforehand.

Puerto Vallarta, MEX-EE-KOOO

2009-06-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

A week in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico for my cousin Jordan's wedding. The entire family is staying in this unbelievably beautiful villa on the side of a fucking breathtaking mountain overlooking the entire city and the ocean. Sitting around in a swimsuit loving the sunshine so much (because I have been living in computer labs and libraries the last couple of months). Sipping cervezas and margaritas, eating piles of fresh fruit and guacamole. Catching up on National Geographic and reading to prepare myself for Yemen. What the hell.

in the beginning.

2009-05-23T02:01:00.000-07:00

I will be departing Austin, TX for New York on July 1st and then late the evening of the 2nd I will be making my way to Sana'a, Yemen by way of a 14 hour lay-over in London. After a couple days of sleeping off my jet-lag and the change in altitude, I will begin a course in colloquial Arabic and a little bit of research--taking oral histories of women.

I shall return around August 20th. I will be in Austin until that time and around campus helping with the UT Arabic Summer Institute! So much to do, so much to look forward to, SO EXCITED!!

sentimental.

2009-05-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

**********************************************************************
^this is where i'm going this summer^

i'm feeling really sentimental like i sometimes do at the end of things. end of the semester, classes i like are over, friends i like are graduating or traveling, books i enjoyed, i'm finished with them. its simply sad to say goodbye to some things and some people. other things, i will hesitantly put behind me becasue i know it is best for me, not beause i want them gone. and still even other things i am ready to throw into the wind and hope that they have to at least make their way all of the way around the world before i ever run into them again. right now i cannot say which is which, but shit is good. shit is really really good.

how was your day?

the best fucking day of my life!

really?

yeah, really.

why?

i don't know.

is every day the best fucking day of your life?

yeah, maybe.

HALAS!

2009-05-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

Or almost halas that is...

I'm living in the PCL and Epoch again, as is usual at this time of the year. Writing papers on theories of virtual pilgrimage and Hamas, preparing for arabic exams and presentations... I've become a lot more active in PSC (www.utpalestine.org) recently, and I hope it stays that way. I should be deleriously tired but I think my body magically adapts to this kind of sleep schedule when things need to be done.

Not only do I want to make it through this week, but I want to kick so much ass this week that I will be able to easily justify the 24 nap I'm going to take when it is over.

Why are my footnote numbers in arabic? cut that out!

My most recent frustration: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/world/middleeast/10jerusalem.html

20.

2009-04-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

This coming Friday is my 20th birthday. I'm not sure I have any particular feelings on this occasion, but whether or not I do, the birthday will still happen. There will be a Big Lebowski themed party at my home (Eden @21 and Rio, ATX) Friday night, wear your bath robe, come drink white russians.

My friend Peter fractured his spine in a few places Sunday evening, which led to an interesting string of events. Including meeting an unimaginably stoic man in the ER parking garage named Herb Washington. He zip-tied my under-car bumper back to my car after a huge speed-bump dismembered my vehicle approximately 50 ft. from the garage's exit. You should just take my word for it, Mr. Herb Washington is a character, and I hope you are equally as lucky and may meet him someday when you least expect it.

Must finish essay on Ruzbihan Baqli before classssssss.

the box.

2009-04-12T00:15:00.000-07:00

even after this series of repeated assaults, my morale will someday recover enough to actually appeal to someone again.

Eden house + garden

2009-04-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

EDEN HOUSE:tv/video game room.

living room.
one corner of my room.
my bed.
desk, strange elevated closet, and bag of trash?

=my room!

As some of you may know, it is the beginning of planting season and here are some adorable baby vegetable plants.
in this garden there is currently roma tomato, cucumber, okra, red bell pepper, and yellow squash, not to mention every herb you can think of. Oh and lettuces!!
baby yellow squash plant.
row of baby yellow squashes.
BASIL!! oh man, pesto all summer long.
baby baby roma tomato plants.

love.

recently.

2009-03-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

I really need to decide a few things in the next few weeks. I need to decide whether or not I'm dropping my Islamic Studies major, what to do about my incomplete from last semester, if Yemen will be too dangerous to travel to this summer, and if I don't go to Yemen, what will I do?

Also, I need to sell or give away or throw away a bunch of my shit. I have too many clothes, too much furniture for my small ass room, high heels??, tons of film and random other things like inkjet photopaper (like 300 sheets!!!!) when I don't even have a photo printer! Also, a plethera of photo chemicals, some of which I plan to keep, but everyone in my family had the same idea as far as christmas presents went, and now they're going to go bad far before I can get to using them.

I'm hopeful that everything will work out for the best, but I need to take some initiative on these things. Also, I did some good at our house meeting tonight (hopefully) and now it is mandatory that there be a veggie present at every dinner. This seems like not a big deal to most, but we've seriously been eating only starch for the last month. Also, the house is now giving me $50 a month for the garden!! That means more vegetablesssss and herbssss and fruiitttssss!!! YAY!!! AND reimbursement for obtaining vegetables for free by volunteering at Johnson's Backyard. Woo! I love home improvement! I'll try and get some pictures up over the next weekend of the garden and my new home and my bike and all of the lovely new people in my life.

SO, in conclusion, this month has been particularly heavy emotionally, but there are so many other wonderful things to keep me busy and distracted and if I can only hold out long enough those shitty things will pass and I will be left with wonderful new friendships, a garden full of delicious things, and a tidier simpler life.

sharp and tart and red and deep.

2009-03-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

i hate sleeping alone again all of the time. but i'll be just fine. amelia and i are putting on pretty dresses and biking around this afternoon.

other news. the garden is coming along. squash and okra and cucumber and tomato sprouting. and basil and cilantro and sunflowers and alamo vine and lavender and mint and so much more. I'll take photos soon.

2009-03-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just have to be okay with the fact that things are not always going to go as you expect or hope. All you can do is just continue on as if you had planned it this way all along and not forget to remain kind.

kindnessissity.

did you know if you google that (not)word that 3 out of the 4 websites are mine...

right now all you have is time time time time time.

2009-02-22T23:17:00.000-08:00

"and right now all you have is time time time yeah,
but someday that time will run out.
that's the only thing you can be absolutely certain about.

name ten thousand reasons why you never wanna die, go and tell someone who might've forgotten
try to list the endless reasons why it's good to be alive, and then just smile for awhile about them"
-p. baribeau

-gardens and soil and vegetables are good.
-bike rides are good.
-building things is good.
-books are good.
-heavy blankets are good.
-stuffed soft guinea pigs names Dijon are good.
-reading chairs are good.
-smells are good.
-chemical changes are good.
-tea is good.
-feeling at home is good.
-feeling comfortable is good.
-feeling uncomfortable is good.
-feeling is good.
-accomplishing things you hope to accomplish is good.
-eating and drinking delicious things is good.
-challenges are good.
-sex is good.
-house shoes are good.
-photos are good.
-love is good.
-compassion, empathy, and honesty are good.
-cereal is good.
-warm showers and baths are good.
-pressed coffee is good.
-sunshine is good.
-expression and release are good.
-back-of-the-neck-under-the-hair-when-you-least-expect-it-kisses are good.
-paper mache and paint is good.
-firm hugs are good.
-hats are good.
-being able to trust someone is good.
-eden house is good.
-the beach is good.
-sailing is good.
-wind in your face because of speed is good.
-waterballoon and pinecone battles are good.
-shaking your ass is good.
-yelling out at the dam is good.
-long and double exposures are good.
-trampolines are good.
-overcoming is good.

messy mess.

2009-02-18T21:21:00.000-08:00

i'm feeling pretty melancholy. things are kind of a mess. i've been getting sick again. getting behind in school. loosing touch with friends. being exhausted. suppressing desire for the sake of getting things done. all of these frustrating habbits i thoguht i had put to rest have resurfaced and i've suddenly become bad at taking care of myself again, but increasingly good at taking care of other people.

besides that.

my new home, eden house, it lovely. the people are great, my room is cute and has huge windows, and i will soon have my very own garden. i never thought i'd get to have my own garden. there's just something about growing things...

together.

2008-11-05T22:46:00.000-08:00

I have realized lately, as my good friend Maggie and I discussed, that I have never been in a situation, in my entire life, where I was excited about government or a time where I found myself within the majority opinion. Since I was old enough to understand, all I have ever known is the Bush Administration and it is such an incredible feeling to feel a part of a larger group that feels the same. We will fight poverty, together; we will fight against those destroying the environment together; we will finish these wars and take care of the brave now fighting when they return home, together; we will make sure that all citizens have health care available to them, together; we will fight for civil rights and equality, together; we will better our education system and take better care of our educators, together; we will use diplomacy to communicate with the rest of the world and restore our global legitimacy, together. And this includes those who did not vote for our now president-elect as well, any Christian, Muslim, Jew, Atheist, Gay, Straight, Black, White, Hispanic, Poor, Rich, Republican, Democrat, Male, Female, Old, Young person, because I feel most of these issues are concerns for every single person on the face of this planet.

I know that this may seem cheesy to some, but now I am willing to work and fight and try because I feel that I can. It will not be easy and I know that all I am hoping to accomplish will not happen immediately, but eventually. I will leave you with this:

“We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will
only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been
asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against
offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been
anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible
odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't
try, or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a
simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people, Yes we can.

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the
destiny of a nation, Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail
toward freedom through the darkest of nights, Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and
pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness, Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the
ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and
prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this
world. Yes we can.

And we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we
are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people;
we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter
in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to
coast; from sea to shining sea - Yes. We. Can.”

freeeeeeeeee.

2008-09-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

i just went for a ride around my neighborhood in my underwear.

thank you mr. 'second wind' for finally showing up. i've been waiting on you all year.

a bag of hammers

2008-09-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

"shake shake shake shake the frame of this house, distress the wood make it shout."

My home is in and out and full of refugees and school is school and work is enjoyable and my bike is making a funny noise and my computer still doesnt have a battery and my room is finished and i have to wake up early everyday now and i'm tired and i want to sleep all day and not feel guilty about it and i want to dance and read and lay in my hammock forever.

4604 duval

2008-08-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

jordan allison and i have moved into our new home at 4604 duval street and hyde park is so perfect. we had a huge party last night and went through many gallons of punch and an entire keg of lonestar. jesus!

besides that, i barely made it through the summer semesters of arabic and now i am up to my neck in school work again. i am taking lots of arabic, islamic theology, and weather and climate. they all seem as though they will be tough but worth my time.

i am also feeling a bit asexual lately, i can't remember that last time i lusted after someone without alcohol in me--bummer.

i'm tired, g'night.

worn.

2008-07-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

i am completely and undeniably exhausted. i wish that i could say it was because i was up late every night riding bikes around the city or maybe even because i had a little too much to drink and was out dancing until people were leaving for work and school.

while i love studying arabic and i reap the rewards of that work everyday, i am simply exhausted. this entire summer has been like one continuous finals' week and i can't bare to think that i have four more weeks of grinding this out before i have to move and get right back to all of it. on top of this particular stress, a few other things have been plaguing me, like that i miss my family and that i am extremely lonely. you can only spend so much time by yourself, doing homework and eating and sleeping alone in a house that is almost always empty before it gets to you. and it is not like i don't go out and do things, i totally went and saw the dark knight this afternoon, but i didn't really get to talk to anyone and even if i did i feel as if i'd have nothing to talk about... unless you want to talk about arabic homework, which of course is the reason i couldn't hang out after the movie.

woo hoo. al-wajib al-arabiyya, here i come.

crash.

2008-06-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

i crashed on my bike today, my whole body hurts. i didn't cry, but i wanted to.

Al-arabii.

2008-06-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

Ahlan wa sahalan.

It has been a long time since my last post and there probably will not be any more all summer. I have started my intensive summer arabic program and it is taking over my life. Class Monday-Friday 9-noon and Monday & Wednesday 4-5pm, and I also have at least five hours of waajid (homework) every night (if not more!). Therefore, the posts are on hold until the end of the summer.

Maasalama,

bed ridden.

2008-06-03T01:19:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Scott the day he taught me to play DDR at the arcade a little ways up north. I remember we took the bus and goodness did I have the hugest crush on him. We went to the wok'n'roll for lunch and then it was DDR time. Scott is really really really good at DDR. I miss him a lot even though he only lives up the street and technically I could see him whenever I want.

He is also currently sick. I have been so too since Saturday. Strep/"possibly mono" says the doctor at the clinic after 2 hours of waiting and an hour and a half of throat swabbing and blood tests. I've been in bed and waddling around the house in my sleeping clothes for the past few days, taking my anti-biotic but not really feeling better. I have another appointment Wednesday morning with my real doctor and I hopefully will feel well enough to start summer school on Thursday. If I could get over the general bad mood I'm in from being sick I would be really excited about finally starting Arabic. I need something to do before I go fucking crazy.

Also, not being able to do things for yourself really sucks. I miss my mom.

Welcome Summer.

2008-05-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

Andrea and I, when I had pink-ish hair.

I have just moved into my summer place. Austin is sunny, hot, and beautiful. My room will soon have an Andrea living in it as well. Matresses and palettes on the floor, a ceiling fan, and a single chair. $275 a month, all bills paid, not bad at all. I am exhausted from all of this moving, but at ease. WOOHOO!!!

Did I mention that I saw Radiohead play in Houston this past Saturday. It was wonderful!

weary.

2008-05-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

Allison, readying herself.

Again, I did not rest last night, and I am now a bit weary. Also, I am a bit contemplative. Oh, you know, pondering the ambiguity of language and time and the existence of God and the origin of the universe and shit. And shit.

reward.

2008-05-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

Dustin, happy to be at the beach.

Today I was notified that I would be the recipient of a $1,000 Religious Studies scholarship. Horaaaayy. Also, I currently have an "A" in Government, which means I do not have to take the final! Horaaaaaay. Plus, I will soon no longer reside in Jester. Horaaaaaay.

I have lots of research paper things to do, eeek, and a BIO exam to study for (and no matter what I do I will have a "C" in that class... not much motivation there). But, I will be done with this semester by Monday at 9am.

water droplets.

2008-05-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

Belinda.

Luis.

Yesterday evening we rode our bikes home from Kirby Lane in the rain. When you wear glasses the little droplets build up on the lens and it makes it hard to see. I have so much research/ studying to do. It is unreal. I also have to move soon. I don't like the act of moving.

courtesy.

2008-05-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

This is the beautiful Hallie; she works at CVS.

Well, unfortunately, tonight went as expected. Well, mostly.

I'm nearly positive I knew before hand what he would say, but I had to hear it from him-- I hate it when other people speak for me so I had to give him the same courtesy. I told him very simply that I fancied him and had no idea why or to what extent, but just that I did. That was probably one of the harder things I've ever done, even though it was so simple. I am really very proud of myself.

So, to put it plainly, he did not feel similarly. But, he was very kind to me, as he usually is. Le sigh. I am just really disappointed, but I will live and he will live and we will be good friends and this, whatever it is/was, will fade into the history of Me

and that will be that.

While I do love all of this excitement, I think I may lay low for a bit. Move back into the realm of auto-piloting. It will not be so bad. I could use the rest.

exhale.

2008-04-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

Brandon and Erin a few years back. My first roll of 35mm

that wasn't a disposable camera.

So, today is a bit difficult. The fear of regret is motivating me to do some things I would not usually do. I hope that the rejection I perceive to be in my near future will not suck too bad. Who knows, maybe this will be a liberating experience. And if not, at least it will be over before the weekend.

Roark.

2008-04-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

Dustin took this!! Me and my chariot! (I'm hilarious, admit it. or sleep deprived?)

Today I took a bike ride at sunrise after staying up all night working on things. Things being a SOC paper, BIO homework and a bazillion pages of reading.

OH MY GAH. my route: up 21st to guad. then down to 40th and then right there to hit speedway and somehow make it to the east mall at 7am to see the huge fountain explode into action!! SHITTT!! then to MLK and over to the DF field to explore parking lots and then down my FAVORITE hill on campus. WHEW! staying up all night has never been so stellar!

i know i may regret this at 5pm when my last class ends and i can't even make it all the way back to my room to crash, but right now I am in love with being awake all of the time, and also my bike (his name is Roark!).

release.

2008-04-28T02:04:00.000-07:00

Danny and Maya, lovers and comic strip drawers.

Today was one of those uneasy days. I do not get overwhelmed very often, but today was right for it.

I am calm now, but unable to sleep.

ninny muffin.

2008-04-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

This is Maya, the most resilient human on the planet.

My 4th grade mentee.

The drunken couple. They were very worried about the well-being of their diet soda child.

Things are well. A few notes:

-I got to spend an evening with my sister and nieces; it was wonderful. My sister is the best mother ever. -I miss my mom/dad/bro. Taylor is having a big surgery soon. I am worried about him. -I miss Jared terribly, and write him (annoyingly) often.

-After these next two weeks are over, I promise I will come home for a week to visit. -I am a ninny muffin. Really.

tough shit.

2008-04-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just have to be tough.

I have been up for 33 hours and have at least 5 more to go.

I am actually having a really good day, though. And by day I mean the past 33 hours. I went to two days worth of classes, and have been hella productive (written a SOC paper, read 7 SOC articles, read 3 ROME CIV articles, completed a scholarship app., studied for my government test tomorrow and completed BIO homework). Micah and I went to Epoch for nearly 12 hours... man. I also have picked out new wheels for my bike; they are going to be mustard yellow. They will look so "fly" with my burgundy frame! SHIT!!

simple things.

2008-04-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

This is my beautiful friend Angela.

I want to be just like her, basically.

So, things are kind of goofy nuts right now.

By goofy nuts I mean: I am making decisions!! WHAAA!!!

1) i will learn Arabic and understand Islam because I care about

the injustices the Islamic people have suffered.

I will help to make it right.

2) i will bike forever.

3) 35mm film sucks & 120mm (and 220) film kicks.

4) group projects, that require papers, i will avoid forever.

5) i will always wear sandals, even if they do tend to smell.

6) kindnessessity. 7) i fucking love hiking.

8) if i want to, i should still love people,

even if they are incapable of loving me in return.

9) i will give her space if she needs it because i love her.

10) i will tell the truth.

These are all pretty simple things,

but I thought them through very carefully.

we're writing our past right now.

2008-04-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, sigh... I wonder how the hell I lived this long without a day like that. It was my 19th birthday yesterday, but that was the least significant part about the day. I decided to sleep through my one class yesterday to catch up on sleep. Upon waking up I'm sure I ate, but can't remember where, and then Dustin and I went to Precision Camera to get a lens cap and a UV filter for my newest camera (and to pick up prints and to drop off a million rolls of film). Then a little studying happened and an RSSC meeting ( I adore Angela and Chris because they understand the things I like because they like them also), where I discovered Orangina-- the best beverage EVER. Then many friends accompanied me to dinner at Clay Pit, and there is mango cheesecake awaiting me in the refrigerator. Pre-dinner I had a conversation, via cellular phone, with my parents (whom I love and miss greatly). I told them about the letter I received from the Arabic Flagship Program, which invited me to study Arabic this summer at the University with the possibility of a Fellowship beginning the second summer semester (if I performed well). Being offered a Fellowship would mean that the University (or rather, the federal government) would pay for all of my Arabic coursework and study abroad time in Egypt (I would do a summer in between Junior and Senior year and a full year post-senior year coursework but pre-graduation). This would mean SO MUCH MONEY and the opportunity to study with the best Arabic professors in the country! SHIT!!

Anyhow, so my parents agreed that I should remain in Austin this summer to take a shot at this, so as of yesterday I am living in Austin this summer. Whew. I need to find a place to live, and I've never been more excited.

Later in the evening I had the privilege of seeing Scout Niblett play at Emo's. This woman is amazing and just solidified the greatness of my day. I can, without hesitation, say this was the best concert experience of my life. If you have not heard of her you should begin by listening to "Do you want to be buried with my people?" After the show it was pouring outside and Andrea, Dustin, Steven, and I barreled down an abnormally barren 6th street to try and find the e-bus (which we found). It was one of those moments where you are so happy to just be running down the street with people you love that you forget that it's freezing and wet or that maybe you should not run with your mouth open. Upon returning to campus we had a puddle fight. Gosh, I wish I was better at description.

As Scout says, "It's so fun to see me being me alongside you."

bike brigade.

2008-04-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I received my new camera in the mail, hooray e-bay! It is a Kowa Six, nothing too fancy, but I'm in love with it/ still figuring it out. Also yesterday, I rode my bike, A LOT. I was gone with Besty for nearly 2 hours and then took a small bike brigade journey to I <3 Video to return a late movie with Fang, Dustin, and Danny. The weather has been amazing lately, and I plan to spend the majority of the weekend on my bike-- and doing research projects...

bug kingdom.

2008-04-14T23:50:00.001-07:00

This is Rachael, she was reading to Micah and I about REM cycles as we built the bug kingdom-- the best bug kingdom ever.

This is Micah and his chill ass mutha-fuckin bike. He was the co-builder of the bug kingdom, if I remember correctly. (and this photo looks like shit compared to its near state of awesomeness pre-scan)

I am currently working on a research project that will explore the inherent conflicts between Jehovah's Witnesses' religious practices and a democratic/pluralistic society. I previously lacked knowledge on the subject, now I know more than I ever believed to even exist about the Witnesses. Yay knowledge.

over lunch.

2008-04-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Over lunch today the three persons sitting behind us were having a conversation regarding their futures. One of the males was describing to his peers how the acquiring of a wife would lead to children and that those subsequent children would "become anchors that would anchor [him] away from happiness."

woah.

blue-ness.

2008-04-12T18:24:00.000-07:00

These for my two favorites, Andrea and Dustin.

This is my roomie, Allison. We have gotten pretty good at living together. This is my favorite bra that she wears.

I am not a "photographer," but I like photographing. It helps the memories remain vivid, and it's good exercise for your pointer finger. This is here to tell the story of my life, and how things are.