Archive for December, 2009
Connect the Dots
I have been noticing lately that in Lebanon it’s relatively easier than other places to make a name for yourself and get your work out there. Not only is Lebanon tiny geographically, but even if you’re in Timbuktu and you run into a Lebanese person, chances are you know them somehow. And then they’ll know all the other Lebanese in Timbuktu and the dots are connected. If the Lebanese can do one thing really really well, it’s talk. Word-of-mouth and a Facebook fan page is sometimes all you even need!
No doubt the competition is fierce. Working as a graphic designer, I meet countless others here just as talented and just as hungry to succeed. Creativity and artistic talents run in our veins. If you’ve ever been to a Saifi village art fair, you’ll know what I mean. Each season, countless designers compete to sell their intricate handicrafts. Some are pure garbage, others over-priced garbage, but in general, very creative works.
Of course, we can’t forget the famous wasta phenomenon (which isn’t always fair but can help direct you to the right people). Combined with hard work and genuine talent, wasta is merely the epitome of networking and who can’t use more of that?
And sometimes it all just boils down to luck and who you meet at the right time, wasta or not.
Leaving the Dream
A question that people always ask when they find out I moved back to Lebanon is: why? They like to sit me down, look me straight in the face, and do the “she-must-be-out-of-her-mind” side tilt. And every once in a while, I’ll get a “ah, we know why!” with a point to the ring finger. (that’s not it)
There’s a guy who sells sandwiches around a corner in Downtown and I’ve passed by a few times after class to get the basics (water, gum, Mars bar). He’s nicknamed me the American one and each time, he asks why I moved back. Somehow expecting a different response. And he still doesn’t accept the excuse I give him.
If the war in 2006 taught me anything, it’s how many people are willing to propose to someone carrying a navy booklet with “Passport” written on its cover. And no, I declined. I would like to elaborate more on Arab’s perception that living in the States is the dream, because honestly, it’s not all its hyped up to be. Any place will have its pros and cons, but what it boils down to is how much you are willing to put up with.
So it’s been six months since the big move back and I’m still adjusting. Some things I may never fully adjust to (traffic, pollution, snobs) but I’m trying to make the most of it. Plus, my novel isn’t going to write itself and where better to finish it than at the source of its inspiration?
Year in Review
It feels like just a few months ago that we were out drunk celebrating the arrival of 2009. After reading Time’s Year in Review, I got to time traveling to the highlights of this year for me.
If I could sum up 2009 into one word, it would be: travel. And not travel where I sit poolside, basking in the sun while some handsome waiter serves me Pina Coladas. In fact, the most memorable of these experiences was hardly planned and consisted of making the most of a small budget.
2008-me wouldn’t have ever imagined that she’d be volunteering in Honduras, witnessing Obama’s inauguration in DC, driving along the California coast in a rented convertible, flying in a small plane across Maine, and traveling all on her own to Spain for a week (and loving it). Ok, it feels a bit weird speaking about myself in third-person.
Like any year, 2009 had its downs. One of my close friends passed away and I am still haunted by how quickly we lost him. Sometimes it doesn’t feel real.
What I choose to carry on onto next year is the memories. Cherishing what experience has taught me (and continues to teach me), reliving the happiness I felt, the risks I took, the changes I accepted and the friendships I built.
Bring it on 2010 and here’s to another exciting, adventure-filled year! Happy (early) new year blog-readers 
Numeralisms
I find comfort in odd numbers. Maybe its because I was born on one, or maybe the rebel in me enjoys challenging society’s ingrained notions. And by that I mean the underlying belief we are raised with that supports even numbers over odd. The words in and of themselves speak mountains. Even has a positive connotation, denoting equality and inclusion. Whereas odd means something weird or out-of-place.
From a social point of view, there’s also a comfort in evens. Noah’s arc had two of each animal. Imagine if it had been three, or five, or seven. I hardly think the animals would have contested more mating options, but pairs was the simpler way to go. No menage-a-trois. No cheating.
Even, for some strange reason, brings to mind an obsessive-compulsive housewife with the appearance of perfection but in reality, is losing her mind. Even is an exterior. It’s pretentious and kind of boring.
Consider switching to odds if you’ve been evens all along. Odds forces you to challenge your preconceived notions and might make you uncomfortable. Maybe we’re all a bit obsessive-compulsive. Or not.
With Wings You Can!
Mobility is rending me immobile. I dread leaving the office unless absolutely necessary because of all the traffic around Beirut. It took me almost two hours to get to my office today! It wasn’t even during rush hour!
I feel very trapped.
And to top it off, I get these cops trying to be cute. For example, today’s hill-billy cop at Mathaf in undersized pants:
Cop: “La wein rayha habibte?” (Where do you think you’re going dear?)
I point in a direction that’s heavily congested.
Cop: “Eh tub shu ray’yik trakbeh jwenih ou teereh fouwkoun?” (How about you attach some wings and fly over them) Snort.
Jerk.
