Stories from Jordan

I MOVED....CHECK OUT MY NEW BLOG....

2011-09-05T23:37:00.000+03:00

Check me out at my new blog site:

http://ourjordanianexperience.wordpress.com/

Remembering Home

2011-08-06T07:39:00.003+03:00

We had a wonderful trip home and have now been back 'home' for 1 week. Before we left, we collected all pictures to make one comprehensive memory of our trip. Each family member took time to write their favorite memories on card stock and placed them thoughout the photo album. It's a great memory of our trip. Here are the memories of our famil to share with my family back home...

Omar says "Momma, remember when..."

"Mr. Puffer Bill goes to Pumkin Ridge and then back again. His ears get so cold." (a bedtime story Grandma read to him every night about trains).

"The BIG MAN! He's HUGE!!" (Paul Bunyan Land)

"Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Laura, Auntie Sarah, Uncle Jason, Baby Grace. I love them all!"

"Fireworks! Fireworks! Fireworks! They same BOOOOM, BOOOOM!"

"My green truck. I go so fast...hahaha!"

"Yeah, Sadie is with Grandma, Maggie is with Laura, Riley is with Sarah and Shiloh is with Jason" (the family dogs).

"Swimming, swimming, swimming. I go swimming again?!"

"Baby Grace, she is soooooo liiiiiitttttle! You have to be gentle."

"Grandpa's boat, Jason's red boat, and the green boat!"

Aisha says her favorties are...

"We were laughing soooooo really hard!" (When Mommy, Daddy and Omar went shopping and she stayed with Auntie Sarah, Baby Grace and Uncle Jason).

"Baby Grace is so cute!"

"Oooo La La Spa with Fancy Nancy" (Grandma Nancy's spa designed after Fancy Nancy books).

"Fishing....I caught a fish Momma!"

Riding on the boat, "Grandpa drives really fast! It's fun...hahaha!"

"Jimmy Johns" (her new found favorite food that we don't have in Jordan and keeps asking for).

"Going somewhere fun every day!"

"Grandma is soooo fun!"

"My Princess car. It's so pretty and I can drive it really good!"

For sure this is a short list and the kids continue to remember their times in Minnesota and tell me their "Remember when...."!

We had a wonderful time on vacation. Visiting family and friends is always great, but when you live so far away...the time is precious! Thank you to my parents, sisters, brother-in-law, family and friends for everything while we were home! Watching the kids play and grow with each of you was so much fun for Yanal and I as parents! We love you all!!

Things To Appreciate...

2011-07-09T06:52:00.007+03:00

Things To Appreciate in the USA...

Family

Friends

Sound of trees blowing in the wind

Sounds of loons, birds, frogs, and everything else from nature

Public bathrooms...Clean public bathrooms

Litter free parks

Parks filled with trees, lakes/rives, and paved trails

Sales and Clearance areas in every store

Order

Driving inside the lanes

Smiles

Entertainment

Comfort

Clean eggs

Clean, endless supply of water

Things to Appreciate in Jordan...

Friends

Dry heat

Lack of Mosquitos

Home part 1: Funny Things to Notice

2011-06-21T17:18:00.003+03:00

Funny Things to Notice. Well, we are home. Back in the Good Old USA. Back in Minnesota. We arrived a few days ago and plan to stay for 5 weeks! We are so excited to spend time with family and friend, go to the cabin, do some shopping, hang out in the backyard, BBQ, ride the boat, etc, etc, etc! To put it simple, it feels great to be home!

After living in Amman for 2 years and being away from home for a year, there are a few things that I notice as 'funny' because they are things that would normally go un-noticed.

1. No dust. None on the furniture. None on the floors. None on the dashboard of the car. No dust to be found anywhere. Love it...and honestly...jealous.

2. Water in the toilet. Why is there so much of it?!

3. Green is everywhere I turn. Green trees. Green bushes. Green grass.

4. Space. So many wide open fields and yards to let the kids run freely.

5. Smiles. Smiles on family. Smiles on friends. Smiles from the cashiers at Cub Foods, Starbucks, the gas station, smiles from the people waiting in line. Smiles everywhere. Smiles give one such a warm, welcoming feel.

6. Carpet. What's that...soft squishy carpet under my bare feet?

7. Rain. Rain is falling every morning. The first rain was a shock..."It's raining in summer?!"...then I remembered..."Of course it is, it's Minnesota!"

8. English. Really, English is music to my ears. One gets so use to hearing the little understood language of Arabic, that one forgets how nice it is to understand everything you hear.

9. Lakes. Minnesota is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and here we live in the "Brainerd Lakes Area". Need I say more?

10. Organization. Everything is structures and organized...just how I like it. Even flying over Minnesota, you can see the structure of farm land to be in organized squares of color, the streets are parallel with an occasional street cutting over in a 45 degree angle, and the homes follow the same.

11. Flat terrain. Driving in Jordan is sometimes like riding a roller coaster, because there are so many hills and mountains to drive up, down, and in between. Here, everything is flat.

It's great to be home, the kids are loving it, and we will be savoring every minute of it!

Having a Baby in Jordan

2011-05-20T23:46:00.004+03:00

Well, I am half-way through my 3rd pregnancy!! Today is 20 weeks and counting! We found out last week, Inshallah, in October, we will be having a baby boy!! What has my thoughts pre-occupied these days is deliverying a baby so far from the US healthcare system I am so familiar with.

As a Registered Nurse in the US, I had always heard of and sometimes witnessed the fear of immigrants recieving healthcare in the US. In nursing school, we learned a great deal about how American minorities were sceptical of equal care and immigrants were scared of different ideations on cultural norms presented in the delivery of care. As a lady married to an immigrant, whose non-English speaking Mother-on-law would come stay with us for months at a time, and someone who simply believes in all people...I always did my best to provide the best care to the non-English speaking patients, the immigrants, and the minorities.

Now, the table has turned. I am the immigrant. I am the minority. I am the non-Arabic speaking patient. I am seeking care for the delivery of my 3rd baby, here, in Jordan, a forgein country, a place I currently call home.

Fear you ask? I always feel fear of the unknowns of delivery. Fear of the cultural norms that are un-normal for me...fear, may not be the right word...yet I am nervous.

Intreged you ask? Definately. I am interested on a learning level of what the cultural norms actually are.

Surprised you ask? On many levels, yes. Yet, honestly, I feel farily certain they are similar norms to the US when lets say, my Mother labored her 3 children....30 years ago.

What have you learned so far, you ask? Here is a short list of the differences of labor and delivery in Jordan (generally speaking)...

1-Husbands are not allowed in the room during active labor.

2-You begin in a pre-delivery room where many women are in the same room, you then shift to privately deliver your baby, then to return to a post-delivery area for recovery in a room shared by many women.

3-Delivery by C-Section is done under General Anesthesia, not Spinal Anesthesia.

4-Just as baby is born, Mom is given an injection to 'put her to sleep' until after the placenta is delivered.

5-You do not meet your baby for a few hours...Mom is recovering, baby is bathing and being examined.

6-Baby does not 'room in' with Mom...Baby stays in a nursery and Mom relaxes.

7-You must pay the entire hospital bill before you are discharged...the day of discharge, the hospital keeps baby until you show proof of payment, then you recieve your baby.

8-Cost of deliverying a baby is anywhere from $150-$4500...depending on hospital, normal birth vs c-section, epidural, private room, days spent in the hospital.

SOOO....

What makes me nervous, you ask....
+Being in a room full of other women
+Not having my husband with me
+Other cultural norms that come up that I am not aware of prior.

What will I request to be different from the norms, you ask...

+Not holding/meeting baby immediately after delivery.

+Being put to sleep after delivery (WHAT is that all about?!)
+General anesthesia for Section (WHAT?!...Spinal is safer!)

What am I okay with as long as I know about ahead of time, you ask....
+Paying prior to leaving (this is required of all clinic, lab, hospital visit in Jordan)
+Baby does not 'room-in' with Mom (as long as I have to option to keep baby with me most of the time)

What are the positives, you ask?
+All Physicians and most Registered Nurses speak English well.
+Jordan has the best healthcare in the Middle East
+I really, really like my OB/GYN!!

I will start touring hospitals next week! I will let you know what I find out!

2+1+1+1 = 5 !!

2011-04-09T15:23:00.003+03:00

It's official! Inshallah (God Willing) - We are expecting baby number three the middle of October, 2011!

Siblings.

2011-03-28T20:52:00.011+03:00

Siblings.

My two sisters and I have a total of 4 years between us...in my opinion, this is perfect! I always knew I wanted my kids to be close to each other in age. This way they can play together at an early age, go through school together, share friends, share interests, and go through lifes changes and challenges together. Inshallah (God Willing) they will attend high school graduation within a couple years of each other, followed by college, college graduation, weddings, marriage, pregnancy, and raising their own babies!

I became pregnant with Omar the same month Aisha turned 1 years old; therefore, Aisha was 21 months old when Omar was born. I will admit to anyone that the first year was not easy. Having two, essentially, babies is a challenge. Two in diapers, two waking up in the middle of the night, two needing bottles/frequent feedings, spoon feeding two hungry little mouths, bathing two slippery bodies at the same time, ensuring independant quality time with one while the other is sleeping...juggling two babies was challenging.

Then...babies grow. The grow into toddlers who are able to feed themselves, tell me their needs, walk independantly, help me around the house. They become friends who run and play with each other. Who talk to each other. Who fight with each other ("I want Barney!" "But, I want Dora!"). Who make deals with each other ("I'm first and your next. Okay?" "Okay.") Who love each other ("I love you, Boo-Boo" "No.....I love YOOOOOOOU!")

No doubt, we decided to have our kids close in age, so that at this age they can have a play-mate, a friend, a sibling to go through life with!

Here are some recent pictures we wanted to share with everyone of our wonderful kids playing together! Alhumdillah (Thank God) for such wonderful, healthy children!

Long Live Egypt!

2011-02-11T22:25:00.005+02:00

About an hour after the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, stepped down to the demands of the Egyptian people, we could hear the people of Jordan chanting out of the cars as they drove down the streets of Amman, "Long Live Egypt, Long Live Egypt, LONG LIVE EGYPT!" Cars filled with people, clapping, dancing, honking their horns as they celebrated the news they have been waiting for during the 3 weeks of protesting. Jordan, for those unfamiliar, is a country filled with Immigrants from the neighboring Arab countries. I was unable to find the actual number of Egyptians living here in Amman; however, you find Egyptians on every street in Amman. Those celebrating tonight are not only Egyptian, but also Jordanians. My father-in-law, a Jordanian, admitted to shedding a few tears of joy when he heard the news of victory. The news broadcasters found groups of people proudly celebrating throughout Amman tonight. We saw and heard fireworks being launched into the air. The sounds of victory! The sound of freedom!

What does all this mean for Jordan? We are uncertain what it means, if anything. The news speculates that Jordan could be next; however, those of us living here don't feel this to be true. That being said, there have been some demonstrations around Jordan. The demonstrations two weeks were held because people were unhappy with the Prime Minister and the inflation of prices. Around ten days ago His Majesty, King Abdullah, let go his Ministers including the Prime Minister. The process usually it takes only a couple of days to replace the Ministers; however, this time King Abdullah took his time to ensure selecting Ministers that will accurately represent the Jordanian people...and limit the demonstrations in Jordan. The people who hold government positions, recently received an increase in pay, in an attempt to make up for the recent inflation. One can not say for sure what the future of Jordan is, yet we are hopeful that things remain calm and proactive.

Victory today in Egypt! History in the making! A day to celebrate! A day for Democracy! We don't know exactly what the future holds for the Egyptian people, but we pray for democracy and for a better future for the Egyptians.

Sociology and Empathy

2011-01-28T22:22:00.004+02:00

Hello to everyone. I recently watched this great presentation on Sociology and Empathy. When I was in college and studying in the University, I always LOVED Sociology classes. I know they were a heavy part of my study, even though my degree is Nursing. I always have been able to understand people and understand the 'other' point of view better than most. I suppose a lot of that has to do with the courses I've taken, or this ability has led me to enjoy these classes.

I remember one class in particular. We learned all semester about countries and their culture around the world. Our last class was about a country and culture that seemed so strange, as many did. The conclusion was that the chapter was actually written about the USA (our home) and all its 'strange culture' it has from an outsiders point of view. It reminded me/taught me that what we precieve to be completely normal may not be so completely normal to the person across the room, across the country, across the world-we become accustom to our customs and it is difficult to see them as anything other than normal. Many times we also see other customs to be so different that we see them as wrong, and this is many times not the case-many times they are just that, different.

I have had friends from all walks of life, literally, all walks of life: The very rich and the desperately poor. Those from incredibly successful families and those whose homes broken from drug and other substance abuse. I have hung out with people from all corners of the city (this side of the bridge and that side of the bridge). I have really good friends who are from all around the world: USA, Jordan, Malaysia, Canada, West Bank/Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Nicaragua, Mexico, Philippines, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Bolivia, England, Switzerland, Holland, Australia, and more. I have good friends who are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and those who don't believe at all . I love them all and have learned from them all. -Thank you all of you!

When I saw the below video, I thought it was worth sharing. In life, I always hope that people can understand each other at a human level, so that we can get past and see past the political agendas. I find this video gives a human touch to the other side of each story that many of us have heard, but have not tried to understand. I hope you take the time to watch, listen, and think about your reactions as you watch and listen. I hope that no one finds it offensive. Rather I hope it brings everyone a bit closer to empathizing with and understanding the 'other' side of the story, what ever side of the story you originally come from.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26937.htm

I hope you enjoy!

Karak Castle and Wadi Mujib Valley

2011-01-21T23:29:00.006+02:00

KERAK CASTLE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Karak

WADI MUJIB VALLEY
http://www.visitjordan.com/default.aspx?tabid=141

Parenting

2011-01-14T22:51:00.004+02:00

Life. Isn't life interesting?! You are born into a loving family and follow along with the rules, not knowing they are being made up as they go. We are young, and we think our parents are experts who know exactly what they are doing. We love them for everything they are doing. Then we become teenagers and rebel. Rebel against every rule they impose and every thought of what they tell us to be. We think they just don't get me. Then on to our college and early marriage years. We become friends. We learn to understand that they are human. We are able to discuss different thoughts and yet see the similarities. We are now parents ourselves. We think to ourselves - How wonderful they were. How much they sacrificed for me. How difficult I was. How much they taught me. How great they are.

As you know, I live about 7,000 miles from home. I am raising two small people, ages 3 1/2 and nearly 2 years of age. Living so far, gives me a unique experience. An unique perspecitve. An unique thought about parenting. I don't live the same life as I did; therefore, my children are living a different life from my own up bringing. I grew up amongst the lakes, plains, and forests of Minnesota. They are growing up amongst the desert sands and mountains of Jordan. I am surrounded by a different culture, with a different thought of child raising norms. I struggle with the differences at times and at others I embrace the new ideas.

I don't know if I would do so much if I were near, but I am far, and I often find myself thinking: What would my parents have done? How did they make their point clear of what is expected of us? How did my parents handle such a situation? What did they do to raise three young girls, who are sucessful and respectful young women of today? And how can I be more like my parents? I am trying to be creative in my children's learning experience. To give them similar memories to those that I have.

My Dad was always the one who influenced and pushed my thoughts. To 'think outside of the box', he used to tell me. He use to also teach me about the natural world - the trees, the weather, and the world that surrounds us. I have fond memories of walking through the woods with him as he would teach me about the different types of trees, cloud patterns, northern lights, calls of the birds, shrubs, bushes, and flowers in the forest. Until this day I love the natural world more than the city.

Amman, for those who don't know, has little nature. The nature is there, but you have to really search for it. My husband, as I, so much enjoy the nature, the trees, and the earth - so we search to find the nature that is hidden amongst the stone and concrete of Amman. We walk the olive groves, spend time at his Dad's farm, walk underneath the pine and oak trees with our children. I spend time teaching my little people about the pine cones and acorns-how they are food for the squirrels and are seeds to be watered to spout as new trees. We teach them about listening quietly, to hear the birds sing to each other and watch as they bounce in flight above the trees. Teaching them about the clouds, the sun, the moon, the rain, the snow, and the natural world to the limit a 3 year old can understand. I love watching them learn!

My Mother is also an inspiration. She was always patient - or at least appeared to be. She never really yelled or lost her temper. I have fond memories of her crafty ideas. She not only had crafts to keep us busy and out of trouble, but she also sat down and did the projects with us. She taught us how to sew, cross stitch, paper machet, paint, stencil. We made ghosts for Halloween, Santa for Christmas, treasure hunts for birthdays, sewed stuffed animals for the fun of making something, and made dresses for the new school year. She always welcomed us in the kitchen and taught us how to bake and cook as her Mom taught her.

I now spend time with my kids making simple art projects and crafts. My daughter and I enjoy going to the 'bookstore' as they call them in Jordan, which are where one goes to get markers, paints, colored paper, etc. and I ask my Mom to send the Grandkids fun crafty gifts or learning gifts from the USA....(because those who know, there are not many in Jordan and if you find them you will definately pay extra for them!) Both my kids love to cook and bake with Mommy...and they love to tell Daddy that they helped Mommy make the dinner!

I hope to live up to the parenting of my parents. To raise good, intellegent, thoughtful, respectful children. To carry on with those special times I had with my parents to my children. To give my children what I had, and to also let them have what my husband had. I hope to shape these little people into two adults who can take the best from both worlds and make the world their own.

As I watched my two little people riding on the back of a donkey in my Father-in-laws farm the other day - the beautiful, rocky, brown mountains were the background and the glow from the setting sun warmed the setting - I thought to myself how completely different the life is for them here in Jordan than it was for me in Brainerd, MN -but it isn't a bad different, it is okay and it was so beautiful as they giggled and laughed on the back of the donkey. I want them to be happy, to enjoy life, and to learn from the world around us. I also want to ensure I am giving them what I had, what I learned, a part of me, and a part of my parents!

I love you Mom and Dad for everything you taught me and for everything you sacrificed for me and my sisters! We are looking forward to this summer when we can ride on the boat, warm ourselves by the evening campfire, run in the grass barefoot, and watch the birds sing in your backyard! We love and We miss you!

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T11:10:00.008+02:00

Hello everyone! I hope everyone has had a wonderful year and continue to have more wonderful years to come!!

I am saddened to see all the negative comments about 2010 and positive thoughts towards the upcoming year, as I read the comments written by my Facebook friends. I ask myself, why all the negative thoughts about the last year?! And then I ask myself, why do they think the next year will bring better for them?! Today is 2010 and tomorrow is 2011. It is just another day, another year. It isn't a new year that will make our lives better, rather it is the thoughts inside us. It is the way we react to our surroundings. The way we respond to the events in our lives. The way we thank God for the blessings in our lives. And the way we learn from the struggles that will make our lives better. I hope to encourage everyone and myself to thank God for our blessings and to learn from the struggles he tests us with. To learn to react and respond better to our surroundings and our circumstances, so that we can be more positive about our lives -because positive thinking does make a difference.

My positive thoughts and events from 2010:

-My husband, this year he began working with the Prime Minister of Jordan as a Senior Analyst! Also he is teaching at the German-Jordanian University.

-My son, is in his first year of life and he brings joy and laughter to our life every day!

-My daughter, is in her third year of life and she brings sweetness and love to our life everyday!

-My Dad, has been promoted to Publisher of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch and deserves the very best in everything because he is dedicated to do his best in everything he does!

-My Mom, is so wonderful in every way and takes care of her family whether we live with her or live across the world from her!

My sister, and her husband, have brought home the most wonderful gift of a daughter, Grace!

My sister, is a strong young women who offers so much to the world around her!

Our family, have so many things to be happy for -Alhumdillah - and we wish you all a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T11:01:00.006+02:00

It is Christmas around the world and in Jordan too. About 5% of the Jordanian population are Christians, but you can see the festivities all around town. I was at the grocery store the other day and Christmas music played continuously as we shopped. The radio is also playing the occassional Christmas song and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. The malls are decorated from top to bottom with lights, Christmas trees, poinsettas, and a place for the kiddies to sit on Santas lap (and yes, Santa is there taking requests and pictures). The neighborhood stores are celebrating as well, with signs of Merry Christmas, sales, and decorations in the store windows. Depending on the neighborhood, some street turn arounds are decorates with decorated and lighted trees. The Christian homes have lighted trees and Santa with his reigndeer displayed out front. If today was a normal working day, we would all have the day off because it is a National Holiday. Last night (Christmas Eve) we drove around the streets of Amman and the people were out celebrating. The street vendors were selling Santa hats...and there was the occassional cars with people dressed in Santa hat, beard, and red coat ringing bells as they drove down the streets of Amman. Here are a few pictures we took over the last week:

My Niece is born!

2010-12-20T23:12:00.012+02:00

My Sister!

___________________________

6 pounds, 13 ounces

19.5 inches

December 19, 2010

7:10 a.m.

___________________________

Congratulations to my Sister and her Husband!

The Middle East has Moody Weather?!

2010-12-13T12:15:00.005+02:00

Living and growing up in the Midwest of the United States, we always joked that the weather was moody. One day it would be warm, the next it would be cold. It would be a beautiful summer day and a huge thunderstorm came through mid-afternoon. It would seem as though Spring was here to stay and summer was on its way, then we would get hit by a snowstorm. The weather was something you needed to pay close attention to and prepare for as you couldn't predict what the day would bring.

Living in Jordan, I have not needed to pay attention to the weather. In fact, most people don't seem to care about the weather forcast. There aren't signs at every bank announcing the date, time and weather. Honestly, I rarely know what the temperature is...other than when I talk with my family who are living in the Midwest and they often ask me what the weather is doing over here. It is an interesting topic, never the less; however, the weather over the past 24 hours is an interesting topic being discussed all over Amman today!

Before two weeks, it felt as though summer would last all year in Amman. The temperature was still in the high 70's, beautiful summer blue skies, and hot sunshine. Peopleeverywhere were praying for rain, as this is normally their rain season. Then two weeks ago, the temperature dropped...dramatically. It became cool 50's with a cold wind. Inside the homes, this is a whole other story, one that Midwesterners don't believe until we live here. 50F outside means it is near freezing inside your home...and it is nearly impossible to warm the inside of your home as it built to keep the heat out. All the heat you put into your home is gone, due to the radiating cold coming from all four corners of your tile and cemented home.

In the last 24 hours, we had very interesting weather. It started with rain...lots of rain...so much rain it looked like rivers flowing down the mountain side. This lasted a few hours and was followed by about 12 hours of piercing cold wind. All of this wind started drying out the land. The wind continued at 40km/hour, the hillsides dried, and the sandstorm started! Wind and sand beating against the homes and windows. In some places they could taste the sand in their homes (even with their windows down and shutters closed) and the sand even managed to get in many of the homes. (Side note: This always rocks when you just cleaned and dusted your home!...ugh) Late last night the wind howlled, the doors and windows shook, and the thunderstorm started! Thunder and lightening through out the night. Sometime in the middle of the night, the wind stopped and the snow started! Depending on which part of Amman you live, depends on if you had standing snow this morning. We live on the highest point in Amman, so we woke up to 4-6 inches of snow this morning!

Recap: Intense rain, intense wind, sandstorm, thunderstorm, snow storm!...For my Midwestern friends who just experiences 14 inches during a huge blizzard, I know you are laughing at my choice of words, but for Jordan 4-6 inches of snow is considered a snow storm!

The kids and I got up this morning, got dressed quickly and played outside while I waited to hear if my work was cancelled for today....it wasn't...but many of the schools were closed. I giggled to myself knowing that many of the Minnesota schools were open today despite the huge blizzard that just hit them. And I laughed with my girlfriend from work as she told me that she doesn't think there will be work today because she can't even walk outside due to all the snow. It's a matter of perspective.

Hope everyone survived the blizzard back home and I hope everyone here is keeping warm inside as we all brace ourselves for winter!

What Makes Them Who They Are...

2010-12-04T20:28:00.008+02:00

What Makes Little Miss Who She Is...

Carrying around her beloved Bear everywhere we go - "Momma, Bear misses me if I leave him"

Still sucking her thumb and denying that she does - "I don't suck my thumb, BooBoo sucks his thumb, BooBoo is a baby!"

Being a wonderful big sister - "BooBoo you have to hold my hand, be careful, stay on the sidewalk because there might be cars!"

Enjoying the song and dance - A mix of Arabic and English music, she can sing and dance in both languages!

Constantly checking if everyone is happy - "Momma, are you happy?"

Always wanting to play in her room - "Momma, play with me in my room!"

Needing to say I love you hundreds of times a week - "I love you Momma" and "Momma, I love BooBoo so much!" and "I love my Baba (Dad) really a lot!"

Loving the beautiful things - "Ohhh, her shoes are pink!", "She has pretties in her hair!", "Wow, that's fancy!"

Favorite 'toons - Minnie Mouse, Tom & Jerry

Favorite things - Playing "Scary" (pretending I am an alligator while she hides under the covers). Hide and Seek. Making a fort with the couch. Drawing. Painting. Playdough. Children's Museum. Reading Books. Dresses. Fancy shoes.

What I love most about her - Her soft, tender, enormous heart!

What Makes BooBoo Who He is...

Taking his blanket with him everywhere he goes - "B"

Always checking for Little Miss- "AiJa, where you?!"

Kissing the one who is crying - "Momma, AiJa crying" followed by "Muuuah"

Incredible temper when he doesn't get what he wants - "AIIIIIIIJAAAAAA, NOOOOOO!"

Incredbile personality - Amazing personality!

Athletic ability - Mark my words, he WILL be playing soccer and/or sports and he will be great!

Favorite 'toons - Barney, Tom & Jerry

Favorite things - Hide and Seek. Cooking with Momma. Reading Books. Kicking balls. Walking/running outside. Jumping.

His adorable blond curles and long dark eyelashes.

What I love most about him - He is full of interest and energy!

Thanksgiving in the Middle East??

2010-11-30T00:06:00.006+02:00

Living in the US, our family always got together on Thanksgiving. We enjoy eating the traditional Turkey dinner and playing fun games surrounding the theme of Thankfulness. This year the annual get together took place at the same place, same time. We of course are in Amman and were absent from the actual party, yet we were there via Skype.....btw, have I told you how much I LOVE Skype?!...Well, this lady LOVES Skype and so does the rest of the family!!....anyways, back to the story, I Skyped with the annual gathering of family in Eden Prairie/Minneapolis. We shared Hellos with my parents, sisters, brother-in-law, Grandfather, aunts, uncles, and cousins. And...we were fortuntate to even get in on the What are you Thankful for Game that we have played every year since as long as I can remember. It was fun, no doubt...but, we were still jealous for a taste of the Turkey dinner.....and Grandpa's (yes, Grandpa's) perfect pumpkin pie!!

So.....we decided to cook up our own Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner on Friday. We invited my Hubby's parents, brother, brother's wife, their 6 year old son, and my friend M., her husband and their 11 month old daughter.

Yanal was incharge of the Turkey and I would take the rest. The night before I prepared my Mother's home made cheesecake and my Grandfather's pumpkin pie with Mom's homemade pie crust. I also cut and dried the breadcrumbs, in preparation for my first attempt at Betty Crocker's homemade turkey stuffing. The next morning, Yanal preped the Turkey with salt, pepper, sage, thyme, and rosemary. As the Turkey roasted in the oven for the next 3 hours, I was busy cooking up Grandma's Corn Casserole that everyone loves. I also diced and fried the onions, celery, and mushrooms and sprinkled them with sage before mixing with the dried breadcrumbs, adding a little water, and placing in the oven. I steamed the green beans and grated the ginger as described in the oriental green beans recipe. I boiled yellow potatoes and prepared the garlic for my favorite garlic mashpotatoes. I made the turkey gravey with of course the delicious drippings from the turkey. Lastly, I made Asparagas soup with Asparagas tips. My friend Maria brought over her Angelic Eggs as they call them in Texas (deviled eggs as we call them up north).

For me, I had so much fun preparing the food in the kitchen as I could hear the people enjoying themselves in the other room - kids playing, ggigling and laughing together, adults talking and laughing loudly over the noise of the (must have been soccor) game was on the tv. My sister-in-law in the kitchen next to me, keeping me company and talking about Thanksgiving tradition back home. And of course the maid helping to keep the apartment clean - gotta LOVE the access to maids in Jordan!

The company was perfect. The food (thankfully) turned out great, the Turkey was so tender, juicy and flavorful -it was amazing (Great job to Yanal!) and the desserts were delicious.

With a touch of my Grandmother, Grandfather, Mother, my own and Hubby's recipes...it felt as I was close to my family and continued the tradition in the absence of home.

I so much enjoyed the day! It was a new experience for Hubby's family, an old tradition in my family, and now a new tradition as our family. Thanks everyone for coming and hope next year to have everyone over again...and note for next year - do not forget to take pictures!

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving as well!

How I've Changed

2010-11-23T22:51:00.008+02:00

It is bound to happen to any person who moves and begins living in a new surrounding. It doesn't matter if the move is to a new neighborhood in the same city, to the neighboring state, to the opposite region of the United States, or when one moves to another part of the world. Change is going to occur. They say change is difficult and people generally resist change. However, in certain situations change is necessary and will occur because of the new experiences. Those who experience change, will resist. Those who eventually embrace change usually state that it was positive.

A person adapts to their new surroundings and begins to change as a result of this adaptation. Or as my father always says, "You are a product of your environment". Of course there is the nature/nurture theories...but here we are strictly looking at the nurture part of this argument.

First, change can be a result of assimilation - an unwritten, unspoken expectation of the majority onto the minority person/family who immigrates to the culture of the majority - and a non purposeful absorption of the cultural norms of the new society - assimilation. It is a well known concept of those who study Sociology. Assimilation at some level is necessary and happens with or without purposeful intent.

Second, change occurs because of what is witnessed, experienced, and that which is newly understood about their surroundings. These will ultimately change, at some level, the persons description of me - of what is important to me and of that which is no longer as important to me.

How have I changed?
-Complete awareness of the precious non-renewable resource of water. Jordan is a country thirsty for water. Each person residing in Jordan is allowed a pre-determined amount of water each week. Water runs out if you are not consciously aware of the amount you use. I have learned to pay close attention to the amount of water is wasted and have stopped the waste before the waters runs out.

-Realization of how much I love my family. I have a new appreciation for my family. I have always (except for my teenage years) felt blessed with a healthy and happy family. A family who enjoys our time together, who take vacations together, make an appoint to celebrate special occasions together, laugh together, support each other, love each other. However, not until I have move here, away from that family I love, when I realize exactly how blessed we are and how much I really love my family.

-Deeply understand the meaning of Alhumdillah (Thanks be to God). So many people here (and around the world, including the US) do not have the things that I have and have not the option to experience the things I have experienced in my short life. Previously, I knew of this only on an intellectual level. I had read about it and heard about it; however, I am now living and seeing the reality. I so appreciate and feel blessed for the things that I once found normal, things that I nearly expected...I have been on a vacation at least once in my life (actually I have been on many vacations, rather than only to dream of one vacation). I have been on a boat. Gone fishing. Know how to golf. I have rode a bike. I know how to swim. I have a automatic washing machine...and a dryer. I have a dishwasher. I have a college degree. I finished high school. I went to elementary school. I have healthy kids and family. I have clothing. I have shelter and I have a heater in my shelter. I have clean water. I have food. I am not a beggar. I do not have physical limitations. I do not have mental limitations. Everywhere you turn in Amman, you will see someone living in poverty. Someone is asking for change or trying to make a couple of coins but selling things like tissues and gum on every street in Amman. Alhumdillah, Alhumdillah, Alhumdillah. Thank you God for everything that I have, as I am truly blessed.

-Embarrassment. I have learned to be embarrassed to ask for more. I live nearly the life I had in the USA, and I still want more. Don't we all want more or something? Money, new clothes, bigger home, friendship, health, time, etc. I have learned how to define my wants of more into those as needs and those as extras. Alhumdillah, I have been so blessed and when you truly and deeply understand those blessing, it is embarrassing to ask for more. There are so many around me that have nearly nothing and they also say Alhumdillah. Shame on me to ask for more.

-Hospitality. Jordanians and known for and pride themselves on hospitality. One does not eat nor drink anything without asking everyone around if they would like some. I get up at work to grab a glass of water and I ask everyone in the office if I can make them some tea or coffee. Before I go to the cafeteria, I ask if anyone wants everything and I buy an extra so when I return I can offer something for them as well. Greeting someone is not just "Hey" and keep on walking or continue back to that which I am working on. It is a genuine Asalamualaikum (Peace be on you), Good morning, How are you doing, How was your weekend, How are your kids, family, etc. It is rude not to, and it is interpreted as those you are not interested in the well being of others. It is good practice and it is a positive assimilation.

Something I want to change.
-Feeling comfortable with being forward. The society here is not bashful to ask for things. There are no lines - it is who speaks the loudest who gets his/her turn first...I need to learn how to do that!

I was hoping to ask Hubby about the changes he has noticed in himself...he is now sleeping...Inshallah I will ask him this week and see how his list is the same or different. It will be an interesting discussion :-)

What times in your life did you under go change? What were the circumstances surrounding the change? Was it a positive experience - why or why not?

The Citadel - Amman, Jordan

2010-11-17T23:24:00.006+02:00

Hajj and Eid Al-Adha

2010-11-14T22:18:00.014+02:00

JUST THE BASICS - FACTS:

Hajj
The largest pilgrimage in the world.
Two and a half Million - Three Million Muslims.
Muslims from all over the world attend.
Required of all able Muslims to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
Men and Women.
The 5th pillar of Islam.
Located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

History:
Abraham was instructed by God to leave his wife (Hagar) and infant son (Ishmeal) alone in the dessert.
The infant became thirsty.
Hagar ran back and forth seven times looking for water.
Infant cried and hit his foot to the ground/Angel Gabriel's wing scratched the ground.
Water miraculously appeared (well of ZamZam).
Years later Abraham was instructed by God to return to this place and build a place of worship next to the Well Zamzam.
Abraham and his son built the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Abraham was instructed by God to sacrifice his son.
Satan tried to persuade Abraham not to sacrifice his son.
Abraham and his son drove Satan away by throwing stones at him.
Abraham and his son proved their williness to sacrifice for God.
God replaced his son with an animal to sacrifice instead.

The pilgrimage commerartes this historical and religious history.

Day 1:
Pilgrims reach Mecca, shower and change clothes
Shedding all signs of wealth and societial distinction
Muslim men wear two white cloths, Muslims women wear simple white dress and headscarf.
Travel from Mecca to Mina
Pray, read Quran, rest for coming days

Day 2:
Leave Mina and go to the Plain of Arafat.
Muslims spend the entire day near the Mount of Mercy
Asking for forgiveness and making supplications.
(Muslims not in Hajj often fast this day)
Travel to open plain call Muzdalifah
Collect small pebbles for the following day
Spend the night praying

Day 3:
Travel back to Mina
Throw small stones that repressent the temptation of Satan (rememberance of Satan tempting Abraham not to sacrifice his son).
Sacrifice an animal
Return to Mecca
Circle the Kaaba seven times
Walk seven times between two small hills (in remeberance of Hagar search for water)
Drink from the Well of ZamZam

SEE HAJJ LIVE and learn more! : http://www.islamicity.com/multimedia/livetv/LiveHajjCoverage.shtml

Eid Al-Adha
The Festival of Sacrifice.
Animal sacrifice
Sacrificed animal, which must meet specific criteria
Symbolize God's mercy on Abraham when God replaced Abraham's son with a ram.
Sacrificed meat: 1/3 kept for family, 1/3 given to relatives, 1/3 given as charity to the poor.
Largest Holiday in Islam.
Follows the Pilgrimage of Hajj.

Morning of Eid rituals:
Wake up before sunrise, wash and pray Fajr Prayer.
Dress in best clothing.
Attend early morning Eid Prayer offered in congregation.
Sacrifice animal.
Visit family and friends.

Hajj is currently going on.
Eid is on Wednesday, November 16th this year.
Eid Al-Adha lasts for 4 days.
We are off work for the week.
Proper greeting: Eid Mubarak, Happy Eid.

Eid Mubarak!

Weekend Getaway - Aqaba, Red Sea

2010-11-07T21:56:00.012+02:00

http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/pub/your_hotels/worldmap/tala_bay_aqaba/overview.cfm

Home Sick

2010-11-07T14:39:00.007+02:00

Okay, so I am at work, about to cry. Unsure why I decided to start typing on my blog, because I am for sure going to cry in doing so. Whatever, I feel the need. I feel the need to express my wish to be home. Home today and home next month (and the months after that too....why not?!)

I am excited for my sister today, as today is her baby shower! It is her first baby. It is my first niece/nephew on my side of the family! I am so excited for her! I am sure those of you women out there can relate: Those of women who have carried, delivered, and are mothering your own babies and who have a younger sister who is now doing the same (for the very first time)...you know how exactly how exciting it can be. Talking about pregnancy, about motherhood, about delivery, about babies, about marriage, about life with a baby, about about about....it's never ending the excitement!

Today I will be celebrating with her...long distance...from Skype...7000 miles away. I am so happy and grateful for Skype...yet wish I was home. I wish I was home to rub her belly. To hug her. To see her daughter's nursery.To watch her open gifts. To watch her do the pregnancy waddle. I want to feel the baby kick as she is in her belly, and I want to hold her once she is born.

It seems so strange, so amazing, so beautiful to think about my little sis is about to become a mother. Being a mother. There is no experience like it. It cannot be explained. It's the best thing any woman can experience.

I can't wait to hold my niece, play with her, and watch her grow into a beautiful woman -like her Mother and her Grandmother! I am so looking forward to visiting this summer. Looking forward to meeting my little niece. For my kids to meet their cousin - and for their cousin to meet her cousins! My daughter is looking forward to a girl cousin (as she has all boy cousins from her Dad's side).

Sis, I am so excited for you and looking forward to being part of your little lady's life. I am sorry that I am so far away during your special time. I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating the soon to be birth of your baby. A great day spent with family. A day to be remembered and enjoyed. Looking forward to Skyping with you at 230pm your time and 1030pm my time!

Take care and miss you.

My 3 year old and a Camera

2010-11-02T00:26:00.006+02:00

HAVE A GOOD DAY!

Chaos is Fun!

2010-10-26T22:41:00.004+03:00

Arab culture - If you have not yet figured out from my previous blog posts, is disorganized and chaotic at times. Examples: The driving...I describe as organized chaos, as you need to force your car in where you can fit it. There are not many rules of the road that are actually followed or enforced for that matter in Jordan. Making an appointment....not many places take appointments. You simply show up at 800am, with half of Amman, sit and wait for your turn. Standing in line....not many lines to be found, except at the super market, otherwise it is the one who is most assertive who gets in first. Taking turns talking is not a common courtesy in Amman - just speak up if you want yourself heard! Time....ever hear of 'Arab time', every Arab follows a different clock or not one at all. Everyone runs late, and I'm not talking about the 'fashionable late' 15 minutes we have in the US, but it is normal to be over an hour late and be welcomed as though you are early! Time doesn't matter for much in Jordan.

I am slowly getting use to all of this disorganization, but I don't necessarily like it. I use to fight it every where I go. I try to make some sort of structure of an unstructured society, not an easy and mostly impossible task.

In particularly, this disorganization is bothersome for me at work. Everything is happening quickly, with no plans or plans that change without reason or warning, no preparation, just fly by the seat of your pants and hold on! Oh - and make sure you look confident in doing whatever flies your way as it a sign of weakness to look confused or to ask many questions. I am learning how to dodge the balls as they fly past my shoulders; however, it is not my forte and not the way I like to do things. But whatever, it is what it is and I am where I am, things will not change, so I try to adopt and learn new strengths from these adaptations.

Interestingly, yesterday at work, I was talking with a Jordanian Physician who worked in the United States for quite some time. He was talking with me about our Electronic Health Record we are about to implement in his hospital. He asks me, "So how long have you lived in Jordan?" I told him, "14 months" and he goes on to say, "Well, then you know the challenges you will face with our people here. This EHR is very organized and we don't like organization." I laughed a bit at this statement because 1- it is so obviously stating the obvious and 2- it is completely understated. He says, "We Arabs, we like chaos. Chaos is fun!" Obviously taken back by this new idea of chaos is fun, he continues to explain how structure is boring and can be quite stressful. Whereas chaos is fun and exciting. He compared it to being a teenager and how teenagers enjoy jumping from one thing to the next, without structure. How teenagers, in general, love the unstructured lifestyle and that Arabs are too like and would like to stay teenagers. Arabs like this chaotic environment as apposed to structure. I told him that I disagree with him, but that I would adopt his new idea that chaos is fun, just to help me get through the day - whether it is for a coping mechanism or for a good laugh -I'm not sure, but I am quite sure that I don't agree with the idea that it is fun....!

To each there own. We are all different. Whatever works for you! It is what it is. These are some of my most overused statements. I would say each can be used to describe my conversation with the physician :-)

2010-10-22T21:20:00.004+03:00

This is the view, everywhere you look in Jordan these days! Faces. Thousands. Thousands of faces staring. Faces of those hoping to be elected for Parliament in the Jordanian elections to be held in November. I, being new to Jordan, am learning about this process as it goes on. Here's what I learned from Wikipedia.com:

"The Legislature consists of two houses: The Assembly of Senate and Chamber of Deputies. The House of Senators has 55 members all of whom are directly appointed by the King, whist the Chamber of Deputies/House of Representatives has 80 elected members representing 12 constituencies. Of the 80 members of the lower house, 71 must be Muslim, 9 are for Christians, 3 are for Circassians and Chechen minorities, and six seats are for women."

"Senators have terms of 4 years and are appointed by the King and can be reappointed. Prospective Senators must be at least 40 years of age and held senior positions in either the government or the military."... "Deputies are elected to serve a four year term. Candidate must be older than thirty five and cannot be related to the king and must not have financial interests in governmental contracts."

"Both houses can initiate debates and vote on legislation. Proposals are referred by the Prime Minister to the House of Deputies where they are either accepted or rejected. Every proposal is referred to a committee of the lower house for consideration. If it is approved then it is referred to the government to draft in the form of a bill and submit to the Chamber of Deputies. If approved by this House it is passed onto the Senate for debate and a vote. If the Senate gives its approval then the King can either grant consent or refuse. In this case the bill is passed back to the House of Deputies where they review and voting process is repeated. If both houses pass the bill by a two-thirds majority it becomes an Act of Parliament overriding the Kings veto. Article 95 of the Constitution empowers both houses to submit legislation to the government in the forms of a draft law."

To learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Jordan