Still alive
Yes, I know...it's been hard for us to be apart like this. But it's not in our hands. The demons that have taken over my computer just aren't letting go quite yet.
And, really, that's not a good thing. If I can just hint at the strange drama of my life right now...In the last week, I have met (in person) four Turks, 2 Israelis, 2 Iraqis, 1 Libyan, and 2 Moroccans. Among them, there are maybe two romantic opportunities...not that I'm looking, but I can't help but notice.
Not far from my home, a little Mediterranean community seems to be in the making.
I also finished reading Persepolis II (Satrapi) and Children of the Alley (Mahfouz). Fantastic publications that everyone should check out. Persepolis is like candy; Children of the Alley is for the philosopher in you.
If my connection is still on in the morning, I'll really post something then.
Ciao and Salamat.
And, really, that's not a good thing. If I can just hint at the strange drama of my life right now...In the last week, I have met (in person) four Turks, 2 Israelis, 2 Iraqis, 1 Libyan, and 2 Moroccans. Among them, there are maybe two romantic opportunities...not that I'm looking, but I can't help but notice.
Not far from my home, a little Mediterranean community seems to be in the making.
I also finished reading Persepolis II (Satrapi) and Children of the Alley (Mahfouz). Fantastic publications that everyone should check out. Persepolis is like candy; Children of the Alley is for the philosopher in you.
If my connection is still on in the morning, I'll really post something then.
Ciao and Salamat.
posted by smokey spice at 2:52 AM
13 Comments:
I've wanted to read Persepolis so much. What is your review on it? I like the interesting mediterrean bunch you are hanging with. Turks are handsome usually, Israelis are very interesting, Iraqis are soooooo attractive ( raw sex appeal), Morocans hmm well not so sure, and Libyans ;) I don't need to tell you about that azizti, so pick a choice and tell me about it, and introduce me to the rest he he he, though not the Moroccan. Thanks for the support sis and I'm having lots of network problems as well..EID ADHA MUBARAK!
Persepolis is one of those books that you can't put down until you finish, and then find yourself sad that you finished it. She tells the story so beautifully! Imagine...Iranian politics is the back-drop, and the rest is the personal (as affected by the political, the social, etc). You learn an Iranian version of how politics, culture, and society affect at least one Iranian woman. And the pictures make it more real, more endearing, like it's your cousin telling you a story.
Most people in the US have a very distant relationship with politics...like it doesn't affect them at all. This is mostly true, I understand, but it's also frustrating. It's exactly the opposite of my (our)experience in which politics dictates so many parts of life. Persepolis tells that story like she's talking to you personally...you laugh, you cry, and in the end, you think.
I love it and can't wait to read the rest of the series. Inshallah, next time I come to Libya, I'll bring both of the books with me and give them to you in person.
As for the bunch I'm hanging with...ay yay yay! First of all, I thought I was the only one that felt that way about Iraqis. I can't believe I'm saying this in public, but man oh man do they have something going. I can't type in Arabic (no key-board, plus my spelling sucks), but I will say... rijal bi ma3na il-kalima, mashallah 3ailhum. Maybe it's my latent shargawee heritage (We're from Derna, but the family lives in Tripoli) or something...I just didn't know anyone could get to me like that anymore. I'm honestly stopping myself from calling.
The Turks, while they are handsome, are also a bit different for me. Middle Eastern, yet not so much or something. I will say that they definitely have a problem with Arabs. One Turkish guy I know didn't tell me that his family background is Arabic until a couple of weeks ago...and I've known him for two years! No skin off my back, but the question of why always looms in the background. Another guy...well, I'm just not sure what's going on there. Maybe nothing...
The Moroccan...is interesting. I should say that he's Barbari too (which is nothing important to me, but to some and maybe him). I didn't know that until today when we actually had a conversation. We actually met 6 months ago. As of now, I'm baffled, yet intrigued. He's interacted a lot with Libyans, both back home and here. I can't say much more simply because I don't know anymore than that he has some kind of interesting story that he won't tell me until we meet again. He's raw though, for sure.
The Israelis are an interesting bunch as well. Very forward, as most people in the Mediteranean. Of course, there's a certain tension. To be honest, I've been introduced to them through a Palestinian friend. On my part, I respect his friends as I expect that he should respect mine. Then again, I figure this could be a rare opportunity to learn about each other on a human rather than political level. I think we all know the politics more than the human. Inshallah khair.
The Libyan of course is the most elusive. Partly because of the random introduction (through a family friend), and partly because of other things. The problem is that I'm hyper-sensitive to the idea of protocol--I over think these kinds of things--and that this is nothing new to him. Again, inshallah ma3rafit khair.
I don't know about you, highlander, but I do know that Libyan women raised outside of Libya tend to have problems with Libyan men (if we're unmarried at a certain age). Now, I'm not old by most accounts, but sometimes I feel like I'm not young enough. I can't compromise so easily anymore.
Eid Mubarak to you too. This is my favorite Eid in Libya! Alhamdulilah, we're having a semi-family reunion this year, so I'll enjoy it more than most years here.
I imagine we'll be doing one of those pass-the-phone-off with the family in Libya and then talking about what Eid would be like there. I'm the super advocate of my siblings going back or sending their kids at least.
I leave the day after tomorrow and get to see my neices and nephews...so excited!
This comment should be a post, it's so long! Sorry about that. I'm still working on my computer, and learning a lot about it in the meanwhile. Until return, peace.
smokey_spice, it is absolutely delightful talking with you. I won't be home either for the Eid, so I'm happy you are meeting a lot of your family members. I totally agree with your analyses of all these guys and nationalities. I personaly have a soft spot for Iraqis ;) boy they are so ****. I have the same issue with Libyan guys just like you do ...I don't believe I'm actually saying this in public loooool. Let me know when you come to Libya next, jus in case I'm travelling ;) ( I think I've been doing to much of that lately). Thanks for the offer of Persepolis, I had read some excerpts online once and had put it down on my wish list. I have such a list for when I go abroad and get to spend all my savings on books...so difficult to decide. So what I do is email my favourite bookshop and get them to reserve all the books I want and then on one of my trips I just collect the whole lot. It's my own Christmas party. Have fun on Eid and we can talk girl stuff next time ( over email perhaps to be more discreet ha ha ha ). Salamat azizti.
salam:) so i randomly came across this blog and let me say, it is indeed refreshing to be reading such thoughts from fellow libyan girls. yes, i am libyan myself... anyway, just wanted to let you know its great to find not only fellow libyan sistas out there, but fellow libyan bloggers :).
Hello there new comer! Marhaba beek ya habibti. How exciting...the Libyan ladies are coming out, and in the blogosphere no less. Subhanallah! Who would have thought?
I want to greet you before my computer crashes. Salamat, and it's a pleasure.
Ok...finally I was able to connect to your profile. Raised Muslim and Libyan anywhere outside of Libya is tough, and we're all trying to make sense of it.
Now write about it. People need to know about us Libyans and we finally have the means to tell them.
Peace Out Canadian Division...
Hi e!manie, and welcome to the blogosphere " the Libyan Connection" loool , give us a link to your blog, I found your profile very interesting. So now there is at least 3 of us Canada, US and yours truly taking care of the Africa-Asia-Europe dept ..he he inshallah 3aidin wa faiezin fi al-adha al mabrouk. You still speak Arabic don't you?
Kul a'am wa intum bikhair.
eid mubarak ladies :) ahlan wa sahlan - tsharafna, and thankyou for the oh-so-warm welcomes :).inshallah kul 3am wantum bkheir... yin3ad 3alaikum bil salami ;) * i noticed highlander was a fan of beirut - or so i read in one of ur blog entries so that was for you *. i dont understand why my profile doesnt connect you to my blog.. it could be because its not public. either way, its just reflections on my so-called life more than anything - when i get better at making things less transperant i will go public inshallah. in the meantime,
hit me up: http://eimanie.blogspot.com
take care ladies :) happy blogging and tamaaaalllaaa...
hey e!manie , thanks for the link, yes you have to make it public for the blog link to appear....you write beautifully, do you mind if I introduce you on my blog ?
Yes I love Beirut ;)
E!manie...you're writing is breath-taking and moving. I'm not sure what transparency you're concerned with (though I suppose I can guess), but I almost feel guilty reading your pieces and NOT sharing them.
I would be thrilled if you would publish whatever you're comfortable with sharing publically on my blog, or we could create a seperate joint creative writing Libyan blog and see who joins us. Your themes and mine seem to overlap in many places, and I find your writing inspirational. What do you say?
:) ive left you an answer on my blog. i hope you understand my reasons in the mean time. IN the meantime, happy blogging girl :)
Thanks e!manie,I had the same 'thoughts' until somebody convinced me to go public....good luck I still keep my seven eyes ;)
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