a music video my sis has been obsessing over...

I gotta admit, it's good stuff!

Sudanese love henna.

I'm really excited I just booked my tickets to California for my cousin's wedding, well actually Agid, the signing/wedding contract. Anyway, they'll be a party and lots of the familia around...always good times!!! :)

I'm hoping I'll also have a chance to get some henna done too...

Here's a great portrayal of Sudanese henna in a BBC audioshow

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8608387.stm

Bob.

maybe its the weather, but I'm in my Bob Marley mood these days...

"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds..."

good quote to keep the faith from today's crazy day! :)

Turn your lights down low..

pretty in pink.

I really love this picture. It turned out blurry but I feel like that gives it more character, haha. Yea, I know I'm a bit of a weirdo like that-my belief in art is an excuse for everything gone wrong. lol.


Anyway, it was taken at cherry blossoms in DC. I was there with the fam bam. Funny, I went last year too, but in retrospect I was soo new to the area and it was such a "not quite sure if this is where I'll end up" time for me. I guess I ended up here after all. I'm glad, although I'm not quite sure where I'll be next year.


Some people look down on change and move. I think it's great. I'm young and I should have nothing holding me or tieing me down to one area. Yes, of course I'll miss the familia, but c'est la vie! I once was talking to an old friend about my worries towards not knowing where life will take me next, after reassuring me her case was similar she said, "anyway, life's more adventurous that way"!


I agree. :)


So, what’s my dilemma you ask? Well, maybe you don't give a crap! lol. Either way, here it goes..I'm done with my Americorps position this fall. Afterwards, I have to either find a job, go back to school (well, work towards), or volunteer abroad. I'd love to travel and go abroad, do a peace corps type-thing. Everyone around me, has their ideas about what I should be doing with myself next. My mom of course, feels I need to go to grad school and get it over with. I don't feel ready and I still have a ga-dillion (we on the same page now, I hope!) schools and programs that interest me. No clear direction, I feel. My DC friends desperately in need of a roomie next fall-all conveniently think I should stay here in DC and work. My intellect "uncles and aunts", as in anyone older than 40 and is Sudanese that feels they can speak on my behalf (We on the "it takes a village to raise a child.." theory) think I should, "go to Sudan, wallahi it's different now. You can volunteer with the UN, Care there..” So, back to my fear. So, i don't exactly know...making decisions is not part of my vocabulary. I am a Pisces after all. lol.

No worries though, it always works itself out. Worse comes to worse, I'll go back to the Wisco and have good home cooked meals. lol. Seriously though, the best bet is to apply to all and have the decision made for me. Right?

Anyway, back to cherry blossoms. That was a year ago and being there earlier today made me realize in that year, I came a long way and I'm actually proud of myself. I definitely feel settled into the DC life and know my way around, even the metro (well, somewhat!). I do have my "F this I'm ready to peace out" days, but I get over it. I do still insist on keeping my Wisconsin driver's license and car's plate is still from "the dairyland". lol. What can I say I’m still a Midwestern at heart! :)

la joie de vivre

It all boils down to la joie de vivre....

Ahh...the French.


I just got done watching Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty (in case you're also a fan, yes it aired a while back but I just saw it though Tvo). Anyway, the premise is beauty at what cost in various countries. The last episode was in France. Of course, there was the stereotypical bathing in wine, eating disorders, putting down Americans, and oh-la-la "la joie de vivre". haha.

As much as I love the concept, I think its BS. I have a theory that the French all secretly take an oath they do what they do and keep it to themselves. lol. Bien oui, c'est simple...they proclaim. That is why they all hated that French author who wrote, French women don't get fat. Yes, I read it, own the book, and am a fan. However, its not as simple as loving life-it's self-control. Its being conscious about what one eats. Anyway, whatever. No real point to this, just think they are so funny!

Yes, so far this blog isn't very PC..oops.

What else can I say....well yay for the Health care reform bill being passed (yes, a few days later..)!!! We are finally entering civilization, America! :)

i want a cupcake

I was reminded today about my blog. lol. A coworker (and friend!) actually quoted part of it. Aww. It make my heart smile. So I guess it means I'm back? I have been slacking, but I'm a busy gal these days and plus my life isn't that exciting! Well, actually the "excitement" should be left out! Put nothing in writing, I say...especially on the internet!

Anyway, so my aunt came to visit from Sudan and it is soo sweet to just chill, drink some tea and have long conversations with her in my broken Arabic haha. Mostly, they consists of Sudanese people's number one, beloved topic-El 3iris (weddings/marriages). As a young Sudanese lady, that should somehow be my life's goal. Ugh! Its insane. Its as though prolonging my bachelor's would have actually won me some time from getting the sly comments of "halas baad tha" (okay, after this..'implying its next') and such. My mom claims its in everybody's culture, want their child to be 'taken care of'...blah blah. One of the dialogues my aunt and I had was really funny though! You know when older and wiser people, can just say the most profound things in less than 5 words and it gets their point across (..obviously, I lack in that art. lol.) and make you (in this case, me) feel stupid...

Anyway, I was trying to explain to her that the average Sudanese guy won't work for me. I, of course touched on all the obvious-my independence, not the most religious/conservative, have never lived in Sudan, etc..then I decided to explain that besides, I need an "adventurous" guy! I couldn't translate the word 'adventurous' to Arabic and my mom (aka my human dictionary) was no where to be found. I proceeded to explain it by saying i want someone who doesnt want the suburban life. Someone willing and wanting to travel and live overseas and learn new cultures, and help developing countries and their people etc...She looked at me with a smeak and said "3ad yahyima loh kida, amshi safri baraki" (translation: In that case, go travel alone). No, I'm not mad...its not a dream-killer statement, the way the oversensitive American may take it (excuse the stereotype). Its a dose of reality a la Sudanaise. Thats the way habobat (grandmas)are..you see. They keeps it real. Anyhow, I don't know. I didn't want to ruin her dream either by saying, well maybe I can't find a Sudanese and adventurous guy but maybe I'll find a non -Sudanese, adventurous one...but thats another post. haha.

Anyway, back to reality and by "reality" I mean thinking grad school and career- NOT marriage....