a new low

I have Reuters 'Oddly Enough' stream on my google homepage because it usually provides me with a little amusement. Not today. I made the mistake of reading this article while I was eating lunch.
Truly appalling.

Their argument that a legal age simply makes children curious is crap. Those laws are not designed to protect kids from themselves. They are designed to protect them from creepy people like you (the 'political party').

Sick

23

Happy Birthday to me!

I love birthdays. The past few years my birthdays have been pretty fantastic. Can 23 compete?

In the US my birthday is a national holiday (I'm special like that)- but here, sadly I have to work.
This weekend however, I think I will count as my birthday celebration- I'm going to Oman.
Practically speaking, its for the purpose of renewing my visa.
But thats boring.
So I'm making it a vacation! Wahoo!!!

I will have to reference my favorite travel book, and probably some others, and figure out a few must-dos. But I'm more of a by-the-seat-of-my-pants girl, so we shall see what kind of adventures await.

I'll take a cup of impossible with a splash of determination

For a long time I have identified myself with optimism, energy and faith. I have also been willing to accept the judgments that follow such a mantra: naive, immature and silly.

Entering the 'real world' is a true test of oneself. I had heard that before, but you never truly believe anything until you have seen or experienced it. And that is as it should be. The 'real world' can have a quick way of breaking you, making you feel like you are lacking, not quite good enough, don't truly have what it takes, or if you're still new, too young to really know anything.

In the past year I have experienced unemployment, debt and endless bills. I have been scoffed at for having a degree in international relations when I am not seeking a position in politics. I have been made to feel inadequate for pursuing a career in the Middle East when my second language is Spanish. I have been teased for only having 2 (barely) languages under my belt. I have been told countless times "we really like you, you just don't have the experience that we need".

I will be the first to admit that I have let this stuff get to me. Optimism can expire if it has nothing to feed itself on. Sometimes you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, you lose track of the big picture.That'ss when the trouble starts. Because then practicality sets in. And brings along its friend-mediocrity. I hate uninvited guests...

Its really difficult to maintain motivation when faced with what can seem likehopelessssituationss. But I think that is when opportunities for greatness are given. Anyone can succeed when things are handed to them on a silver platter. But those who's ladder is a little more difficult to climb, who might be a little slower and not, say become a VP their first month with a bachelors degree, those are the really great ones. Overcoming challenges in the face of adversity builds character. So the next time you are faced with a challenge, it makes it that much easier for you.

Finding hope in what seems hopeless is tricky. I don't have the answers. But what works for me when I am lacking my own, is finding tiny bits of motivation in random places. A TV commercial (I love MBC's new one), and article that I read, something that I see in the street. Anything. Whatever it takes. Embrace it- and refuel.

One of the things that has been inherent to me for as long as I can remember has been a desire to prove myself. Along the road of life there have been times when I have gotten slightly confused on exactly what I was trying to prove, and to whom- butthat'ss natural. And, like everything, a learning process.

I won't try to fool myself into thinking that I have everything figured out. That I know where I will be in 25 years, or even a month. I have learned that things like that are impossible to predict. What I do know is what I want for right now. I have my short and long term goals. They may change slightly. Or evendrasticallyy. But I will still be me, bold, bright and ambitious; ready to face the world and whatever it happens to hurl my direction.

So bring it on, world. Give me all your bitter- it makes the sweet sweeter. I will fall, and I will get up again, and I will be a better person for it.


Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
-Theodore Roosevelt

Last night I was asked to explain to a group of friends why so many Americans they know have the "I'm American so I am right" attitude.
Why must my fellow citizens make it so hard to be an ambassador?

On Ann Coulter

...really?


Reading through her columns makes me fume. Of course, that would make me one of the 'stupid liberals' she supposedly despises. So that's the whole point.

I have to hand it to her. She has done well creating a name for herself through a combination of slander and a mini skirt.

Maybe if I run around spreading messages like 'everyone in the world should die' or even 'we should all quit work and paint the world with sunshine and rainbows' I can sell books and make money too.
But of course there is the key factor of razor-sharp wit. I bet I could write a book about painting the world in sunshine and rainbows and be very witty. That's it! I've finally nailed down my 5 year plan.

Bottom line: If she truly believes half the crap she writes, she should be the one at the receiving end of all those missiles she doles out.

But not really, because I don't believe in the death penalty- quick! Run if you're conservative!

Whatever your agenda is in life, keep in mind that some people actually might leave out that essential grain of salt when reading your work. And if you don't tend to include one, then I am genuinely sad for you.

how do you kill a blue elephant?

I started to realize that a lot of people don't get my humor...

Or perhaps I am finally coming to terms with the fact that I am not funny...

Well, at least I keep myself entertained!

If Amr Diab calls, you'd better answer.

The last few nights in a row I have been awakened in the wee hours of the morning by muffled music.
And no, its not coming from the less-than-reputable women who live down the hall.

Its coming from the ipod on the table.

Why does it always go off in the middle of the night?
Its possible that I am too slow technologically speaking to change whatever whacky setting it is on. Perhaps I bumped something when I was jamming out to 'Jenny from the Block'. Serves me right.

or mumkin... its a sign.

It always plays Amr Diab- "Wahashtiny"

Is he trying to tell me something?

and my rear-view mirror's torn off

Its the small victories...

Today I was so proud of myself that I don't mind sharing it with all of you.
I drove myself to work for the first time!
And it was incident-free!

This may not sound very exciting to the entire audience. But if you know Dubai driving, and you know my driving, then it is.

I am an overly cautious driver, sometimes to a fault. I like my own space. I have no problem letting people in front of me, and enjoy being kind on the road. Its the "Minnesota Nice" in me. I also have a terrible sense of direction and usually don't like driving in large cities (keep in mind that the largest city I lived in until 18 was 22,000, so use that when you are judging what a 'large city' is).

Sometimes I get nervous when I am in the car with a not-so-cautious driver. If I have ever done that to you, let me just apologize now.

But today I did it. In Dubai. All by myself. No one was mean to me. I didn't yell at anyone. And to my knowledge, I didn't anger anyone in turn.

We were at peace- me, my jeep, and Dubai.

I hope I am not jinxing myself for the ride home. You know what happens when people get cocky. ;)

Next stop: the streets of Cairo!
... ok... maybe not quite yet.

I'm walking into spiderwebs

I need a new phone- and the one I like costs $1000
yes 1000 U.S. dollars.
for some un-godly reason
thats a months rent! (in my crappy studio, in dubai the land of everything expensive)

and lets not pretend that I would know how to attempt to take advantage of all its expensive features.
its just pretty.

why can't they make pretty ones that ring, and you answer, and they cost 10 dirhams?

a dead moose on the side of the road?

20 questions (although you never stop at 20) is a fun game no matter where you are in the world or who you are with
but I have learned that you have to be careful with the things you choose based on your audience
for instance- not everyone knows what dryer lint is. even if you describe it

I guess not everyone takes 20 questions as seriously as others.
Extra long road trips required that, however. Because after a while you run out of riddles.
and lesotho takes longer than an armchair

Maybe I just have a mind that only a fellow townie can understand.
I tried to tell the dead moose story.
No one laughed.

check!

I was elated last night when I suddenly realized that I was able to mark off another entry in my favorite book: 1000 Places to See Before You Die

I had forgotten that our destination from the other weekend, Al Ain, was an entry!

I could spend hours sitting and sifting through that book, which has both man-made and natural wonders from around the world, and often do. The best part is that it doesn't just have PLACES. It has activities. As well as restaurants and places to stay, etc.

I got the book a few years ago from my Aunt, she has it as well. Whenever I go to a new place in the book I send her a postcard with the date and the page number. Its very fun. :)

So I stumbled across a few things that weekend- a forgotten entry in my book, and an inadvertent border cross. (I went to Oman- just the tiny part that is separate- Al Ain is half in each country). Exciting stuff!

Now I just have to find a post card for my aunt- forgot to buy one of course.

favorite quote of the day
from my co-worker, Rose:

"I feel like a dried fish, its so hot outside"


made me giggle :)