I just got a video from Coach...
Good thing I already voted! Either way, I think it's hilarious. And scary.
Weekend's already near, extra hour of sleep tonight. I'll be updating later to talk about some exciting stuff like the USA vs Palestine intramural soccer game yesterday!! Woot!!!!
--Ibrahim
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
gotta meet this guy
This version of the news item is probably the best I've seen yet. It's so sad, desperate, and beautiful. This part of the world feels hot, but I don't see that reflected in Jordanians. I want to talk to them about it. I mean, come on. I'm walking into Israel in January, a month before new elections and right after Abbas's term is supposed to end. On top of that, the Annapolis Summit "runs out" about that same time. I don't know, but I think this is a very interesting time to be in the Middle East.
Another news item, this one from jpost, pisses me off. What does this mean for me? What's going to happen from this? Why did the US attack Syria; do they really expect it to be okay? Al Hamid Lalllah (yeah I'm a bedouin, what?) the talks between Syria and Israel are not US sponsored or else I'd think they might get cut. But still, keeping a close eye on that for the next two months because if I can't get a visa to Syria I'll be one unhappy Jew.
--Ibrahim
Another news item, this one from jpost, pisses me off. What does this mean for me? What's going to happen from this? Why did the US attack Syria; do they really expect it to be okay? Al Hamid Lalllah (yeah I'm a bedouin, what?) the talks between Syria and Israel are not US sponsored or else I'd think they might get cut. But still, keeping a close eye on that for the next two months because if I can't get a visa to Syria I'll be one unhappy Jew.
--Ibrahim
Monday, October 27, 2008
marshmallow mateys
Delicious.
Things are smooth here. Last week was a bit slow what with exams and everyone's stress levels going up. Mine only went up because of everybody else. It's funny that I didn't dodge the stress because although my exams and schoolwork were not the source of my stress, other people's stress made me on edge. I missed some workouts, which will make this week hurt a bit more. Don't worry, though, things are still a-okay.
I've been more engaged in interfaith/intercultural dialogue recently. For example, I had a fascinating conversation with my friend about Israel/Palestine last week. You know those things that some of us have been taught that Arabs learn in school about Israelis? Well, some of them have been taught similar things that Jews learn in school. I'm convinced now that they don't really learn the radical things we're told they learn (such as violence against Israelis is okay or that one day they can run all Israelis into the sea). And guess what, the things that they hear Israelis learn (like every day in school they repeat something to do with Israel growing to be from Iraq to Egypt) aren't true either. You know, there's a lot of assumption going on on both sides to the point that people actually believe this stuff goes on. Maybe it does in the tiniest of circles among the most radical of people, but guess what... those are the tiniest of circles and neither society is proud of them.
I also learned some interesting things about Islam and Arab culture that help me to better understand the mentality. I don't know if I will convey these connections as well as I want to, but I'll try for your benefit--don't misunderstand or I could be committing a terrible sin on mankind. So, first of all, the hijab. It's pretty common here. Women wear it for a number of reasons, the main one being that they are observant Muslims. Now, wearing a hijab can be for other reasons, such as tradition in the family or a desire for respect or even because they're more comfortable wearing it because a lot of girls are. However, it does say that a woman is a Muslim. Not all Muslim women wear hijabs, of course, but it is not seen as something that is inhibiting or forced. If you are an observant Muslim woman, wearing a hijab is almost always something that you simply accept. What does it do? It displays that you are religious--although in some cases it might not be the case. it also displays that you are a Muslim. Parallel-------the kippah. Men in Judaism wear a kippah for similar reasons. You are a believer in the Jewish faith, and people know that because of your kippah. It's a very similar concept, and when I tied them together, I was like =-O
This brings me to my next point. All my life, I have been conditioned to challenge authority and rules because I was taught that in our American society, injustice does not stand. I wasn't taught to challenge just to challenge, but to stand up to something I found to be wrong or unfair. And diversity. We are all so different, different religions, races, sexes, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexualities, heights, weights, and so on... But we all can find things in common with one another. Therefore, understanding, or accepting, the larger concepts of religion unites most of us. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and all of the other Abrahammically influenced religions have much in common. However, the little things. The laws of kashrut, wearing the kippah, observing shabbat, and going to synagogue regularly. These are the things I was conditioned to challenge and question. Why should I do them? They're so tedious, and I think that I'm a good person even without doing them. Why do I need to be an observant Jew if I already feel like a good Jew?
Here, there is generally a different outlook. If you understand or believe in the big concepts--God, the prophets, the Quran--it should be easy to accept the small things, like the hijab. A small practice such as that is such a tiny thing compared with the belief in God, and if you can handle the large concept, the small one is simply an expression, a method of expressing that belief. I feel that I am not using the right words because this is such a different vantage point than what I am used to.
Every day, I am getting more and more insight about this part of the world. I am also feeling more and more engaged in it, and I am going to have trouble leaving it.
--Ibrahim
Things are smooth here. Last week was a bit slow what with exams and everyone's stress levels going up. Mine only went up because of everybody else. It's funny that I didn't dodge the stress because although my exams and schoolwork were not the source of my stress, other people's stress made me on edge. I missed some workouts, which will make this week hurt a bit more. Don't worry, though, things are still a-okay.
I've been more engaged in interfaith/intercultural dialogue recently. For example, I had a fascinating conversation with my friend about Israel/Palestine last week. You know those things that some of us have been taught that Arabs learn in school about Israelis? Well, some of them have been taught similar things that Jews learn in school. I'm convinced now that they don't really learn the radical things we're told they learn (such as violence against Israelis is okay or that one day they can run all Israelis into the sea). And guess what, the things that they hear Israelis learn (like every day in school they repeat something to do with Israel growing to be from Iraq to Egypt) aren't true either. You know, there's a lot of assumption going on on both sides to the point that people actually believe this stuff goes on. Maybe it does in the tiniest of circles among the most radical of people, but guess what... those are the tiniest of circles and neither society is proud of them.
I also learned some interesting things about Islam and Arab culture that help me to better understand the mentality. I don't know if I will convey these connections as well as I want to, but I'll try for your benefit--don't misunderstand or I could be committing a terrible sin on mankind. So, first of all, the hijab. It's pretty common here. Women wear it for a number of reasons, the main one being that they are observant Muslims. Now, wearing a hijab can be for other reasons, such as tradition in the family or a desire for respect or even because they're more comfortable wearing it because a lot of girls are. However, it does say that a woman is a Muslim. Not all Muslim women wear hijabs, of course, but it is not seen as something that is inhibiting or forced. If you are an observant Muslim woman, wearing a hijab is almost always something that you simply accept. What does it do? It displays that you are religious--although in some cases it might not be the case. it also displays that you are a Muslim. Parallel-------the kippah. Men in Judaism wear a kippah for similar reasons. You are a believer in the Jewish faith, and people know that because of your kippah. It's a very similar concept, and when I tied them together, I was like =-O
This brings me to my next point. All my life, I have been conditioned to challenge authority and rules because I was taught that in our American society, injustice does not stand. I wasn't taught to challenge just to challenge, but to stand up to something I found to be wrong or unfair. And diversity. We are all so different, different religions, races, sexes, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexualities, heights, weights, and so on... But we all can find things in common with one another. Therefore, understanding, or accepting, the larger concepts of religion unites most of us. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and all of the other Abrahammically influenced religions have much in common. However, the little things. The laws of kashrut, wearing the kippah, observing shabbat, and going to synagogue regularly. These are the things I was conditioned to challenge and question. Why should I do them? They're so tedious, and I think that I'm a good person even without doing them. Why do I need to be an observant Jew if I already feel like a good Jew?
Here, there is generally a different outlook. If you understand or believe in the big concepts--God, the prophets, the Quran--it should be easy to accept the small things, like the hijab. A small practice such as that is such a tiny thing compared with the belief in God, and if you can handle the large concept, the small one is simply an expression, a method of expressing that belief. I feel that I am not using the right words because this is such a different vantage point than what I am used to.
Every day, I am getting more and more insight about this part of the world. I am also feeling more and more engaged in it, and I am going to have trouble leaving it.
--Ibrahim
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
imti7anat
Hey everyone, I'm back. This week, I had an exam and was a bit busy reading articles and notes in order to prepare. Therefore, my blog was pushed to the side while I unnecessarily prepared myself for an exam.
This past weekend I went to Wadi Hassa. Yeahhhh!! Starting by sliding down the side of a small waterfall, we hiked through the river, often climbing onto rocks and plunging down below into the murky depths that led us to a delicious hot spring. Most of the trail required walking through reeds, hugging rocks, and guessing the shape and depth of the rock on which you were about to step. It was a great time, and the several hours never got boring!
We returned, and I was starving--not dangerously, but I was very hungry. I asked my friend A7med where the best shawerma in the city was. Where is it?! Chicken or lamb? Both! Best lamb is in the second circle, and best chicken is in Swefieh. I don't live far from Swefieh, where is it biz-zabt?! So I went. I got 4 sandwiches and they were deeeeeeeelicious. I'm talking melting chicken bathing in the most delicious sauce, all cuddled by the softest bread. And four of them! Mmmmm...
This week has gone pretty quickly. It makes me wonder why it's so fast here. In fact, I've been here for nearly two months. My program is over in exactly 57 days. That's the number of Heinz varieties. That's not very long at all. I'm sad about it, even. I've made close friends, some of whom are going to Amrika right after the program, some of whom are staying for the year in il-Urdun. Yes, I'll be traveling back and forth between Israel and Jordan when I get the chance, but it will be a different life.
I love my apartment, my friends' close proximity, our dinners and naps and adventures and conversations. Some of the friends I've made here are now people I consider extremely important to my life. I didn't anticipate such emotion going into this experience, but at the same time of course it happened. I've never dropped myself in the middle of a challenge like this and taken it on so aggressively. It amazes me how infrequently I feel unsafe or uncomfortable about living here. Yes, I get uncomfortable about concealing my identity--which is necessary. However, I look around me and I feel lucky to be living in this beautiful city. I feel lucky to be surrounded by the people that surround me, both Americans and Arabs.
Going to Haifa next semester, I wonder if it will work out so well for me. I shouldn't, but I do wonder. I'm going to miss Jordan, I really fell in love with it. And yes, I love Israel, and I need to be there and bring all of my new experiences with me. I think that what I am observing in myself is a small glimpse of what the Palestinians here feel. They are Palestinians, and they are that before anything else. Of course they dream of returning to Palestine, but Jordan is still so nice. It's not easy, nowhere is, when is life ever easy? But it is nice. It is safe, beautiful, and growing. I don't want to say much more.
--Ibrahim
This past weekend I went to Wadi Hassa. Yeahhhh!! Starting by sliding down the side of a small waterfall, we hiked through the river, often climbing onto rocks and plunging down below into the murky depths that led us to a delicious hot spring. Most of the trail required walking through reeds, hugging rocks, and guessing the shape and depth of the rock on which you were about to step. It was a great time, and the several hours never got boring!
We returned, and I was starving--not dangerously, but I was very hungry. I asked my friend A7med where the best shawerma in the city was. Where is it?! Chicken or lamb? Both! Best lamb is in the second circle, and best chicken is in Swefieh. I don't live far from Swefieh, where is it biz-zabt?! So I went. I got 4 sandwiches and they were deeeeeeeelicious. I'm talking melting chicken bathing in the most delicious sauce, all cuddled by the softest bread. And four of them! Mmmmm...
This week has gone pretty quickly. It makes me wonder why it's so fast here. In fact, I've been here for nearly two months. My program is over in exactly 57 days. That's the number of Heinz varieties. That's not very long at all. I'm sad about it, even. I've made close friends, some of whom are going to Amrika right after the program, some of whom are staying for the year in il-Urdun. Yes, I'll be traveling back and forth between Israel and Jordan when I get the chance, but it will be a different life.
I love my apartment, my friends' close proximity, our dinners and naps and adventures and conversations. Some of the friends I've made here are now people I consider extremely important to my life. I didn't anticipate such emotion going into this experience, but at the same time of course it happened. I've never dropped myself in the middle of a challenge like this and taken it on so aggressively. It amazes me how infrequently I feel unsafe or uncomfortable about living here. Yes, I get uncomfortable about concealing my identity--which is necessary. However, I look around me and I feel lucky to be living in this beautiful city. I feel lucky to be surrounded by the people that surround me, both Americans and Arabs.
Going to Haifa next semester, I wonder if it will work out so well for me. I shouldn't, but I do wonder. I'm going to miss Jordan, I really fell in love with it. And yes, I love Israel, and I need to be there and bring all of my new experiences with me. I think that what I am observing in myself is a small glimpse of what the Palestinians here feel. They are Palestinians, and they are that before anything else. Of course they dream of returning to Palestine, but Jordan is still so nice. It's not easy, nowhere is, when is life ever easy? But it is nice. It is safe, beautiful, and growing. I don't want to say much more.
--Ibrahim
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
al jazira
It means "the island"
I live on an island. The island is at my apartment, in my head, and in a few other locations where horticultural life of the island buds instantly and withers just as quickly.
I am not alone on the island, and we frequently invite guests to observe our society. Nearly every minute, I transport to and from the island instantaneously. I will get a flash of moist ocean breeze as a thought crosses my mind. Sometimes, I return to the island to discuss my findings on the environment in Amman. Sometimes, the island is very far away. Most people cannot know what is on the island: who lives there, what happens, what is said.
Without the island, I have no home. I am not welcome.
Because I have the island, everything is possible in Amman.
--Ibrahim
I live on an island. The island is at my apartment, in my head, and in a few other locations where horticultural life of the island buds instantly and withers just as quickly.
I am not alone on the island, and we frequently invite guests to observe our society. Nearly every minute, I transport to and from the island instantaneously. I will get a flash of moist ocean breeze as a thought crosses my mind. Sometimes, I return to the island to discuss my findings on the environment in Amman. Sometimes, the island is very far away. Most people cannot know what is on the island: who lives there, what happens, what is said.
Without the island, I have no home. I am not welcome.
Because I have the island, everything is possible in Amman.
--Ibrahim
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
bob roggio for congress
Hello all, how goes it? Shu akhbarkom?
I have just made one of the most important phone calls of the year, and that was to Bob Roggio, Democratic candidate for Representative to the US Congress for the 6th District of Pennsylvania. I saw a link on his name on the sample ballot, so I clicked it. All of the information listed was his phone number and address. So... That's right, I simply called his house and asked him why I should vote for him, right now, as I fill out my absentee ballot this second. It's literally sitting inches from my hand as I type. It's nearly complete, I just want to research some other people who are running, to be a responsible voter. Bob was a very polite man who happened to be running out the door to an event with Howard Dean, a name he dropped three times. Anyway, he insisted that I call him back later and gave me his website, but I told him that I would probably be asleep due to the time difference here in Amman. He thanked me for my interest and I thanked him for his time and wished him luck. Very sweet man, and his website got at least one vote from yours truly! ;-D
I feel the election here. It's getting so close. I'm nervous, and I'm excited. Jordan feels it coming, and everyone's asking about it, talking about it. When they hear I'm from America, they all want to know who I'm voting for. Surprisingly the Jordanian public is undecided on who their choice would be. Many are more accepting of McCain than I would imagine, considering his affiliation to the same party as You-Know-Who--they've made their minds up about him, at least. And a lot of Jordanians think that Sarah Palin is cute... Cute, maybe, but presidential? I'm sure Obama would win Jordan, but either way, they don't vote!
חג שמח to all, have a wonderful Sukkot.
--Ibrahim
I have just made one of the most important phone calls of the year, and that was to Bob Roggio, Democratic candidate for Representative to the US Congress for the 6th District of Pennsylvania. I saw a link on his name on the sample ballot, so I clicked it. All of the information listed was his phone number and address. So... That's right, I simply called his house and asked him why I should vote for him, right now, as I fill out my absentee ballot this second. It's literally sitting inches from my hand as I type. It's nearly complete, I just want to research some other people who are running, to be a responsible voter. Bob was a very polite man who happened to be running out the door to an event with Howard Dean, a name he dropped three times. Anyway, he insisted that I call him back later and gave me his website, but I told him that I would probably be asleep due to the time difference here in Amman. He thanked me for my interest and I thanked him for his time and wished him luck. Very sweet man, and his website got at least one vote from yours truly! ;-D
I feel the election here. It's getting so close. I'm nervous, and I'm excited. Jordan feels it coming, and everyone's asking about it, talking about it. When they hear I'm from America, they all want to know who I'm voting for. Surprisingly the Jordanian public is undecided on who their choice would be. Many are more accepting of McCain than I would imagine, considering his affiliation to the same party as You-Know-Who--they've made their minds up about him, at least. And a lot of Jordanians think that Sarah Palin is cute... Cute, maybe, but presidential? I'm sure Obama would win Jordan, but either way, they don't vote!
חג שמח to all, have a wonderful Sukkot.
--Ibrahim
Monday, October 13, 2008
leisa munasib
Hello, ya shebab! I have returned with another video. Sarah Silverman, as inappropriate as ever, reaches out to the great US of A and its Jewish voters in what hits close to home for most grandchildren of Jews. Enjoy:
On another note, this weekend was exciting and beautiful! After our Yom Kippur extravaganza, the following evening was a very serious game of Risk. But not too serious for Abe and Jackie--just a hint, this weekend is the weekend of Abe and Jackie owning. We conquered the world despite laughing the entire game while others took it very seriously. So this weekend begins a brand new world of empires: Risko Disco. Changes to the rules? You lose men from your highest country if you are not expressing joy through dance while the Arabic music plays. Got it?
Saturday. We went to Ma8tas! That is like Maghtas, but in English it is usually called Bethany-by-the-Jordan! At this site, Jesus was baptized by John...the Baptist. That's the story I got, at least. So we saw the Jordan river and got really close to Israel.
That close.
Let me describe dinner, now. We walked along the road. This one:
(Although this photo was taken on the way to the site, you get the idea.)
My camera died, so please forgive me that the following contains no photographs. I will do my best to paint a picture for you. I need no photos, as the memory is so rich that I will never forget it.
We followed a sign to a restaurant that took us quite near the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge--yup, to the Palestinian city of Jericho. Decided not to cross a border when a nice farmer informed us that the restaurant was back on the main road and that the one we had heard about was closed. Indefinitely. Oh well. So we had a beautiful spread of fish, hummus, and khobiz while watching the sun set over the hills of Jerusalem. We sipped our local wine and saw as the sun glared off of the Dome of the Rock, watched it sink behind the hills and saw the holy city light up as the amber sky turned to black behind it. It was beautiful and unreal.
A very interesting thing happened in my mind as I watched this magnificent munzar (view). I am okay with Jerusalem being there. I feel fine being in Jordan, with Israel over there, and me here. In fact, I feel wonderful. I know that every moment that I spend here, I am content and learning. My Arabic is improving daily, I am learning about the Palestinian and Jordanian narratives from nearly every person I see, and I am falling deeper and deeper in love with this country. Two things separate me from wishing to spend a great part of my life here and those are a) being openly Jewish is not safe or acceptable, and b) physical contact with women in public is extremely inappropriate. As well as the whole specific gender roles thing. I could not live like that forever. But Jordan is rapidly changing. All I hear is how quickly it has become such a modern place, and what does that mean when the next generation raises their children, and they theirs? What a great place to watch, and I am so glad I have a relationship with Jordan so that I will always get to watch it change for the rest of my life.
I want visitors so that I can share my life with them. Got a potential bite, any other takers? I got wastah, connections. Hit me up.
--Ibrahim
On another note, this weekend was exciting and beautiful! After our Yom Kippur extravaganza, the following evening was a very serious game of Risk. But not too serious for Abe and Jackie--just a hint, this weekend is the weekend of Abe and Jackie owning. We conquered the world despite laughing the entire game while others took it very seriously. So this weekend begins a brand new world of empires: Risko Disco. Changes to the rules? You lose men from your highest country if you are not expressing joy through dance while the Arabic music plays. Got it?
Saturday. We went to Ma8tas! That is like Maghtas, but in English it is usually called Bethany-by-the-Jordan! At this site, Jesus was baptized by John...the Baptist. That's the story I got, at least. So we saw the Jordan river and got really close to Israel.
 |
| From Bethany-by-the-Jordan |
That close.
Let me describe dinner, now. We walked along the road. This one:
 |
| From Bethany-by-the-Jordan |
(Although this photo was taken on the way to the site, you get the idea.)
My camera died, so please forgive me that the following contains no photographs. I will do my best to paint a picture for you. I need no photos, as the memory is so rich that I will never forget it.
We followed a sign to a restaurant that took us quite near the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge--yup, to the Palestinian city of Jericho. Decided not to cross a border when a nice farmer informed us that the restaurant was back on the main road and that the one we had heard about was closed. Indefinitely. Oh well. So we had a beautiful spread of fish, hummus, and khobiz while watching the sun set over the hills of Jerusalem. We sipped our local wine and saw as the sun glared off of the Dome of the Rock, watched it sink behind the hills and saw the holy city light up as the amber sky turned to black behind it. It was beautiful and unreal.
A very interesting thing happened in my mind as I watched this magnificent munzar (view). I am okay with Jerusalem being there. I feel fine being in Jordan, with Israel over there, and me here. In fact, I feel wonderful. I know that every moment that I spend here, I am content and learning. My Arabic is improving daily, I am learning about the Palestinian and Jordanian narratives from nearly every person I see, and I am falling deeper and deeper in love with this country. Two things separate me from wishing to spend a great part of my life here and those are a) being openly Jewish is not safe or acceptable, and b) physical contact with women in public is extremely inappropriate. As well as the whole specific gender roles thing. I could not live like that forever. But Jordan is rapidly changing. All I hear is how quickly it has become such a modern place, and what does that mean when the next generation raises their children, and they theirs? What a great place to watch, and I am so glad I have a relationship with Jordan so that I will always get to watch it change for the rest of my life.
I want visitors so that I can share my life with them. Got a potential bite, any other takers? I got wastah, connections. Hit me up.
--Ibrahim
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