It could be worse...

My nemesis

I guess things could be worse if the worst thing that happened to me this week was a total cookie disaster...

The plan was to make something sweet for the family. The choices today were chocolate chip cookies or the fabulous pumpkin bread cake. Of course, we are down to our last can of pumpkin, so we decided to go with cookies. Keep in mind this is my first time making cookies in our new microwave convection oven combo but I had made a cake and muffins with wonderful results, so how hard can it be??? My eyes now roll with exasperation.

The mixing was no big deal. I was so excited to use my new scraper I had purchased on our trip back to the states last week. For some unknown reason, scrapers do NOT exist in the Middle East. Don't ask; I don't know why. We will chalk it up to one of the many mysteries of the land of sand.

Once mixing commenced, it was time to put them in. The only catch is I didn't have a cookie sheet that could fit into our small oven. So I tried two methods... The first was a handmade cookie sheet made out of foil. Smart huh? It didn't work. The next was the glass dish I use for all other meals. No dice there either. Both times, the cookies browned nicely on top but when I pulled them out, they were not cooked in the middle. What is up with that? I tried cooking longer, at a different temperature, and using different methods…after 3 batches of what I like to call mushroom top cookies, I gave up. The rest of my cookie dough is now hanging out in my freezer to either be eaten one late night or taken over to my friend's house who has a real oven.

The top that has browned oh so nicely...

The bottom that doesn't exist.  It is just a mushroom top of cookie.

If by chance you know what I am doing wrong…please let me know. I am at a loss. But in the overall scheme of things, life could be worse.

Happy mushroom cookie madness!

Really?

Round cucumbers?  Really? 

Interesting moments when readjusting

Here are a few tidbits of my thoughts while back in the states during our whirlwind 3 day trip...

1. US coins are SO small in comparison to Jordanian money.  Strange, because I never thought they were small.

2. I love polite people who open doors for me, say hello and good-bye, and look me in the eye.

3. Public displays of affection are sweet.  How I love to greet my husband with a hug and kiss on the street.  Keep in mind; hand holding is about all you can get away with here...even if you are married.

4. Dipping food items seems to be universally a good way to eat.  While in Jordan, they love to dip anything into hummus or olive oil.  While in the states, for me, it is chips and salsa.  YUM!

5. Scarf covered women seemed normal to me.  Hmmm...didn't expect that one.

6. Trash cans are abundant and people actually use them.  I love not littering.

7. The whole three days we were in D.C. I did not see one cat. 

8. At one point, someone held the door for me and I said thank you and thought Shukron (thank you in Arabic).  Funny for someone who doesn't speak Arabic. 

9. The sound of silence...priceless.

Ready for action

BEFORE: The hubster ready to be interviewed.  So proud of him!

AFTER:  Drink in hand we discussed the interview and he did great. 

Now just waiting for the call with fingers crossed.

Reverse Culture Shock

Who knew the things I had missed so much for the past 9 months would affect me in such a way. Simple things like short sleeves, exposed chests, short skirts, and wild hairstyles seemed to jar me. It isn't like I had been away for years, it has only been 9 months. But yet, everywhere I turned, I was bombarded with skin. I honestly had a overload headache walking around the mall. The even odder thing was even thought it hit me like a ton of bricks, it melted away within an hour and I felt as though I hadn't been gone at all. I suddenly was home again.

The things I had missed were right at my fingertips and I had three days to soak it all in. I, of course, wrote a list of things I wanted to have, do, and buy while in the states. I know, I am a list girl. But when you are overwhelmed with the joy of being back, some things are bound to be forgotten in the giddiness, so I wanted to be prepared. On the top of the list was food... The desire to have sushi and mexican food were unmistakable. And I have to say, both were amazing! Stopping by the grocery store to pick up things was next on the list...pretzels, specialized products, the like. But the main thing I wanted was not something I could buy...it was something I needed to experience. The joy of walking down the street unnoticed. A quiet clean street with little to no honking or men yelling out of their cars saying "welcome to jordon". And mostly being able to be independent and walk down the sidewalk alone. Not that I haven't loved having my husband by my side for the past 9 months but being independent was one things I loved about myself. For three days, I was myself again.

Knowing that these short three days were only going to last so long, I drank in everything I could, ate everything I missed, and experienced all. As I boarded the plane back to Jordan, I kept reminding myself...we only have three more months left. My goal is to enjoy those moments I will probably not have access to once back in the states like napping in the middle of the day, happily picking up my laptop to play on FB instead of grudgingly to look for jobs, and basically enjoy the simple life.

Juice anyone?

I think taste buds in every culture are a little different. In the states, people enjoy sweet juices like apple, grape, or even tart ones like orange or grapefruit. But over here, there are a few that look totally foreign to me.

Exhibit A

Have you ever had tamarind juice or loctst beans juice?  I can't even imagine what they would taste like...

As you can tell, I have yet to try the juices above as the process of trying them looks a little daunting and germy to me. You walk up, pick your flavor, he pours the juice into a glass mug, you then hover around the stand chugging your choice, and then give the glass mug back to the guy. I guess to go cups haven’t been introduced to this storekeeper. Maybe once I am braver or bring my own glass, I will partake in the juice experience. Until then, my imagination will run wild...

Souk Jara

Every Friday during the summer, Souk Jara comes alive. What is Souk Jara you ask yourself??? Basically it is an outdoor handicraft market filled with items made locally in Jordan. I loved every bit of it…the beautiful weather, amazing crafts, and fabulous foodies.

My favorite was Batatees (meaning watermelon) that sold everything made of watermelon from watermelon shish-kebabs, watermelon slices with cheese, and my all time fav a watermelon smoothie. YUMMO!

Who knew there were so many things you could do with watermelon? I guess I am pretty boring and only thought of slices and fruit salad…

The only hard part of the market to decide exactly what I want for myself and what to buy for presents. Tough choices these days!

To go...

You know you are in a tea/coffee society when they have men who stand out in the streets ready to serve you tea or coffee to go.  No drive thru necessary, just wave and he comes to your side window.  The question I have is...Is that vat of coffee hot against his body?  Yikes!  It brings coffee scalding to a whole new level.

Apartment adventures

I have to say I have become more creative living overseas.  Case in point, this afternoon...  The simple task of  blow drying your hair can be a little hard if there are no electrical outlets in the bathroom with the only mirror in the apartment.  My first thought is maybe there is an outlet close to the bathroom where the cord could reach.  No dice.  We have no extension cords, so that idea is out.  My alternative and final remedy...blow dry my hair using the reflection of myself in the window.  Overall it worked pretty well.

Oh and I used my convection oven today for the first time.  You would have thought I was a kid in a candy factory watching it bake banana nut muffins.  After the alotted time, they came out and were perfect.  I think I am going going to like this gadget. 

Happy Apartment living!

Oxymoron of Nature

Scary yet beautiful.  Strong yet delicate. 

Randomly found on my walk back from the gym.

THE move

Yes, if you have been paying attention, this is our third move. Thankfully, our final, while here in Jordan. Our new apartment has what I like to call a “hotel boutique” feel. It is much smaller than either of the last two apartments, but this one is brand new with all of the upgrades. When I say brand new, I mean brand “spankin” new right out of the box appliances and still to be installed AC. Yes, you read that correctly, we will miraculously have AC. We will also have a washer and a dryer! I know, I said it couldn’t be done here in Jordan but magically it has happened. It has yet to be delivered or installed but I know deep down the dream will come true.

We have now been living here for a little over 24 hours and these are probably my most favorite attributes so far, of course in no particular order.

1. I am so much closer to my favorite fruit and veggie stand. See amazing picture below.

2. We no longer have any gas appliance. Therefore there is no longer the feeling we may or may not die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

3. It is quiet! There are no bag pipe players, 4 hour band practices, or shouting neighbors.

4. You can walk from one end of the apartment to the other within 6 strides. We will just say it is cozy…in a good way.

5. Our landlord just informed us we didn’t have enough satielite channels and we will be getting more. By the by, we currently have 500+ but of those only 30ish have English programming.

6. I have my Middle Eastern Food Network channel back! Yippee!

7. Only having two burners and a microwave/convection oven combo makes you become more creative in your weekly menu. Here I come foodie websites!!!

8. Did I mention the AC???

9. I took a hot steaming shower after only waiting for 35 minutes for the water heater to do it’s job. Bonus – I didn’t run out of water mid way through and some warm water was even available the following morning.

10. The fridge is brand new and there are no mysterious color or odor issues. I have to say it is FAN-freakin-tastic.

11. We have a real mattress! No box spring, but I am not complaining as I slept like a rock.

12. The view is amazing!

All in all, our new place is ultra fabulous. What a great place to spend our last 3.5 months in Jordan, the land of sand.

Hello! Greetings!

When meeting someone for the first time the question is how do you greet them.  In the Western culture, you may shake hands, hug, or slap backs.  In Asian cultures, you bow with no touching.  In the Middle East, you kiss...air kiss to be specific.  This being the newest of greetings for me, as kissing strangers is well a little strange.  The even more confusing part is the number of air kisses changes willie-nillie.  Sometimes it is the type with one on either side, sometimes three back and forth, another with one on either side with two on the last side.  I can't tell you how uncomfortable it can be when you think you are done and are pulled back for the third and final air kiss.  The funniest to me is to see some people go overboard and air kiss four or five times.  Who knows, it could mean they are close intimate friends or family...  I think I shall stick to my handshake.  You hold your hand out and they either take it or don't, either way, no one is pulling you in for more.

Taxi drives – enter at your own risk…

Today we walked down to our usual spot for transport via taxi to school. Sticking out our hand to show we wanted a taxi, one pulled alongside. We jumped in and were off. I, of course, tuned out as usual. But only after a few seconds, I was pulled back into reality. Rob was arguing with the cabbie. Hmmm, this is odd…what’s going on?? After a bit of discussion, raised voices, and Rob’s body language; I realized it was time to get out of the vehicle. Okay…the question was what happened? From the tense response I received after asking that same question once back out onto the sidewalk, it seemed the cabbie wanted to take us the long way to school after which Rob told him we had been here for one year (which really is only 8 months, but hey, rounding up, that sounded fine to me) and that we went the same way every day and what does it matter to him if there is traffic. SIGH! Chalk it up to another bad taxi experience.

A few minutes later, we started from step one again putting our hand out to get another taxi. Yet again, we jumped in and were off. With only a slight amount of traffic, we arrived but the cost of the trip wasn’t right. Hmmm…what is going on? Rob explained that we took this drive everyday and the price was not right, was his meter broken? The taxi driver said it was new but that was the fare. Sheesh…can’t we get an honest taxi driver today? We were both so frustrated, as we got into the elevator to go up to the school we ran into the school’s director. Politely he asked us how our day was going and Rob’s response was, we were robbed… Of course, he immediately got upset and asked what happened. I, of course, knew Rob was just upset and being overly dramatic so we explained we didn’t actually get robbed but that we had two very frustrating taxi experiences. The director understanding our frustration explained that just recently he had been in three taxis and had the same experience with a fast meter. Blowing off the first two experiences, he finally asked what was going on in the third taxi. It seems due to oil and gas prices, the taxi meters were being sped up to accommodate the higher prices. Of course, no one was told, so we all thought we were being cheated.

The moral of the story – always communicate changes…it helps in the long run.

Par-tay!

My first wine and cheese party was a total success.  With each person bringing their own bottle of wine to share, we had a great mix of Jordanian, Lebanese, and Italian wines.  Keep in mind, none went to waste. 

I look forward to the next...very soon!