*This post was written the day after Thanksgiving 2013* I have had the most thanks-giving transition. Day 1 The day after I flew back to the states, it was the first night of Channukah. The next night, it was the rare unicorn-of-a-holiday, THANKSGIVUKKAH. Channukah, which follows the Jewish calendar, fell on Thanksgiving, which follows the … Continue reading Welcome Back – TO THANKSGIVUKKAH
Category: History
A scorpion wants to cross a river, and sees a turtle nearby. The scorpion crawls over, and asks the turtle to ferry him across the river on his back. The turtle asks the scorpion, "How will I know that you won't sting me once I've taken you across the river?" The scorpion says, "If you … Continue reading A Story From My Palestinian Friend…
...from EVERYWHERE. Here is what the itinerary turned out to be: Day 1 (Friday): Suli, Chamchamal, Kirkuk, Arbil Day 2 (Saturday): Arbil, almost Mosul, Dar Mar Matta (St. Matthew's Monastery) Day 3 (Sunday): Mar Matta Day 4 (Monday): Mar Matta, Shekhan, Lalish, Al Qosh Day 5 (Tuesday): Al Qosh, Dohok Day 6 (Wednesday): Dohok, Amediya … Continue reading I’m BACK…
On Saturday I went back to Amna Suraka, along with my friend Jin, to see the actual Amna Suraka museum. It was worth it. The Red Security buildings are in a compound, an ex-Baath government compound. Many buildings are hollowed out and pockmarked, but a few have been converted into museum rooms. The tour took … Continue reading Amna Suraka, Pt 2
My travels this weekend began to let me start over. I've been clinging to certain travel expectations, which do not serve me well in this culture. I'm starting to erase those expectations from my brain, instead adopting a new way to travel. Expectation: to travel with other English-speakers at the school. Reality: I have to travel … Continue reading Halabja
I love to celebrate. I'm mad for birthdays, holidays, the ends and beginnings of things. But it doesn't have to be a big occasion. I love celebrating the little things, like the end of the work week. Which here is on THURSDAY. All the staff at the school have been frustrated and put through the … Continue reading Little Celebrations
If you've been following the international news recently, you know that there have been widespread protests against U.S. institutions in Muslim nations. These protests, often violent, are allegedly in response to an anti-Islam video posted on the internet by some idiot who seems to be the very embodiment of sketchiness. Although there have been protests … Continue reading Anti-Islam Video
I got my immigration card today - finally! It's only valid for 2 months, though - the next time I'll have to give blood, and they'll hopefully issue me a year-long visa. The asaish, the "secret police" which are akin to the FBI, have children at our school and so the school director hopes they … Continue reading A dash of history, culture, language
In Mutual Weirdness 