Insha allah

So, ppl use insha allah all the time here. It stands for "Lord Willing" Some say its basically saying  I'll see what happens, or how I feel. Just to avoid saying "NO" and possibly shaming the other person. 

Its become a part of my new vernacular, it took a while, you know, let your yes be yes and your no be no, but well in this culture I think they'd prefer an insha allah instead of a No, its a whole honor/shame thing, and saving face. I use it, at least when haggling, insha allah I will buy this from you at this price, or return later. 

But anyways. Last night I took a taxi, for a non-local, the price would be like 3 pounds, but ofcourse I say about 5, he says ok, I get in, and he says insha allah 7. I say ok, insha allah, soon after we get out, i give him 5, it wasn't even far.... he said no, 7, I used my arabic, YAY, and told him you told me 5, and he said... i said insha allah 7. So I learned a new meaning for insha allah. 

"These ppl with their mouths, they honor me, but their hearts are far away from me." 

- The Creator

Silver lining

This last week while doing my hair and listening to a podcast, I was overwhelmed with happiness. I realized I felt at home... and I thought I should compile a list of little things that I'm thankful for here... they are commodities that I didn't think I would have at all...

I've learned to give thanks for the blessings, its better than focusing on all the toughies of living in this place and It makes for a more enjoyable journey:

Wireless internet. 

SKYPE!!! 

Itunes Radio- I even enjoy the commercials =)

Itunes Podcasts- I hear one of my favorite speakers weekly.

IPOD- read previous blogs to see why

Local Market (STRAWBERRIES)

My balcony (Daniel 6)

Microwave

Hot Water

Grass (when i see it....The couple of places that have it)

My dark sunglasses

Washing machine

Straightner

Thats black from the "dust" that builds up a day after another.. imagine not having a washing machine...

OH...It's not hot yet, ask me about what I'm thankful then, lets pray I'm quick to answer.

Living Water in the Desert

I mean... is it not awesome? One week I went to the desert... fyi, the desert is the suburbs to my home and then the next week  I went to the beach! (twas too cold...boo)

Camels are so ugly they are cute. This picture doesn't portray this concept very well...BUT believe me they are some intriguing creatures I think the Father had some fun creating them.

Lol they make the funniest faces, spit, and pee for a reallll long time, oh and they roar... lol. 

   

 The Mediterranean Sea inspires me to paint but then how is it possible to take such beautiful creation and duplicate it on canvas? I was also reminded by creation that water is not far from the desert. i.e.  The living water (I could hear the roar of the waves from afar) is here, in this desert.

Mish Kwayas... Not Good

I should be asleep, I can't because my neighbors wont go to sleep... when do they sleep? OHHHH durIng the day... hmmm....

Prayer call at 5 in the morning is pretty scary... 

recording of it, coming soon!

The man sounds like he's sobbing.... 

Man..... its sad. 

Oh did ur house smell like feet?

OK So if u're a mexican u know a staple at home are beans, frijolitos. Frijoles con huevos, frijoles con arroz, frijoles y carne, frijoles con frijoles.. I mean... we ALWAYS have frijoles at the house. Ok so now that I'm pretty much set up I've started my hunt for beans. And this is what I found..... 

The local beans here....... They don't sell pinto beans, I asked my friend if she knew what they were.. its Kinda hard to describe beans i mean what am i going to say? oval shaped beans light brown with darker stains on them.. i dunno...I TRIED, MANY WAYS, oh and black beans.. she was amazed at that, never seen them before!! Well we looked and looked and finally I was like just show me how u guys make your beans. They call it ful and I tried some at one restaurant they were actually tasty. So i buy 1/4 of a kilo of these, you have to let them soak supposably for 3 hrs, she said, but online It says all night... I followed her advice, then boil them like our beans.

And this is how they look...

 eww... and my flat stunk... I called my mom and she said ohh their 'avas'... and her friend who was there, was like ohhh did ur house smell like feet? Yea.. it did. They knew exactly what I was talking about. My home smelled nasty. So i gave up on them for today.

 I just want some pinto beans.... Tomorrow I'm going to try again, my mom told me a good way to prepare them, crossing fingers... hope it works. I'm sure i'll have to have them refritos so they wont look so uglay.

OTHER RANDOM FOOD ITEMS.... I like the bottles.

Coca Cola.. its real good! I think its better than the states. It's not as sweet.. more gassy =/ lol jk. its good.

And here's the milk its called laban in Arabic. The brand is "Labanita"

They sell milk in boxes but ewww and like the real stuff in the streets... but also....ewww..

I'm still on the hunt for real Jalapenos... I made salsa today to go along with Carnita and delicious flour tortillas... (which i'm so happy about, because yesterday I tried to make them and they came out horrible it was very dissapointing, something about the flour made them stiff and yucky...) but =/ these peppers were not cutting it. I mean I could get used to them but still....you know..