Tag Archives: old blog

May 2008

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May 23

U-S-A
Clare’s new job is in the US embassy, where they have an American store, with Twizzlers, BBQ sauce and maybe a little person from Seattle who serves coffee with a smile?PS – found 3 more people at work (all belgians) who don’t know Starbucks.

 


May 22

Disappointment
Everything I hear about the European Commission has been disappointing. This week I learned that the people who work there are known for being severely overpaid and underworked. Not everyone, but I spoke to 4 people who previously worked there, and the stories were shocking — 3 hour lunches, 4 day work weeks, ridiculous spending accounts, etc. Plus, they receive money for housing, etc. Plus because they have “relocated’ to brussels, they get additional compensation. PLUS, they don’t pay taxes. That is right — everyone else pays the most ridiculous tax rate ever, but ALL of the people who work at EU, NATO, etc. don’t pay a penny. Am angry. My idealistic view of the perfect EU is ruined.
Good deal
My new Saturday breakfast place, Passiflore, serves you two pasterrie items, any type of hot beverage, juice, and a bowl of fruit for 6 euros. That usually costs us 10 euros at least at Pain Quotidien. But the best part is, the girl there (with the long hair) is very nice. She will mix juices for you, smile, and even apologies to tourist for her level of English (which is really good). I may ask her to be my friend.


May 15

Concert
I went to a concert of Sebastien Tellier – who is an amazing musician and the weirdest performer. He is France’s nomination for the Eurovision music concert – whatever that means. I am pretty sure he was completely high during the entire performance, but the music was divine. And for some reason, after listening to him for a while, I found him attractive. Which is strange, since the French balding caveman look with sunglasses is not usually my type.

 

Name change
How can I tell my co-workers, after 3 months on the job, that my name is not Masha?

 

Sunshine
Brussels is like some strange animal…am not sure which one. Basically the animal is a hideously deformed, gray, tempermental beast that is cold and not welcoming of strangers. Then, the spring comes, the sun is out, and the beast sheds a layer of poop-covered cobblestony skin to reveal a much prettier animal. One that has colors, looks you in the eye and smiles, maybe even purrs. This last week has made me think more than once that I might actually like it here afterall. The weather is beautiful, the people are on the streets, and life has become much more pleasant.


May 5

A Haiku for Sina
boy stares at water
finds the courage to jump in
splash! it is coldHappy Birthday

 


May 1
Happy European Labor Day! For me that means a 4 day weekend, but everything is closed.

April 2008

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April 28
Hair

The typical reaction in Brussels regarding my haircut is “why would you cut it?” No one seems to appreciate my brave move to make the chop – or they don’t even notice. Granted, my male dominated engineering crowd is very different than the fashion forward female crowd I used to have at work. They might not notice that I even have hair. Sigh…

 

April Fools
How could I forgotten about this one? On the 1st, I woke Nava up by telling her that Pedram and I had been trying to get pregnant but were having difficulties. We went to a doctor and he said it is because Pedram wears (these are the exact words I used) “really tight european underwear”, and I wanted Nava’s medical advice. How I managed to say this without dying of laughter, I don’t know. How she possibly didn’t guess that it was a joke, I really have no idea. She closed her eyes, sighed, and started asking me medical questions, to which I responded, “I really really want to be preggers. Please help me Nav” Again, after knowing me as long as she has, it is amazing that she didn’t figure out it is a joke. Eventually, I laughed so hard I fell off the bed. This is the 5th year in a row I’ve gotten her. Victory is mine.

 

Mike – my dad’s alter-ego
When my changes from Masoud to Mike, everything about him changes. He makes ridiculously silly jokes in English to his team at work “are you guys working hard, or hardly working?”. The people at Noah’s bagel recognize him and make his bizarre sandwich (whole wheat sesame seed bagel, blueberry creamcheese, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts), he has a beard and wants to unscramble the iPhone.


April 20

Am back!
Ahhh…back in Brussels after two weeks in the US. Slowly adjusting to life in the slow lane again — today at lunch, the waiter announced to the restaurant that it is Sunday, the chef is tired, and food will not be out for a while.
Shopping
Just as I predicted, everything in the US is better when you make Euros and the dollar is weak. I took 40% off of everything, and since my math is poor, I pretty much halfed it all and bought it. Then party pooper Pedram tried to run my fun with “how are we supposed to get this all back to Brussels?”. So I bought a new suitcase! On a Sunday (gasp!) Evening!! (WHOAH). Yeah consumerism! 

You can’t make this up
Alexa actually knows someone whose signature move is poop. He finds very unique ways to prank his friends and occasional strangers with strategically placed bowel movements. Only in America….

 

Culture Shock
When we arrived in the LA, we picked up 3 girls who we didn’t know and drove them to Yoss’s wedding. The entire time they were talking, all I could think was – did I used to talk like that? Apparently yes, since Pedram tells me that in the US I have a thick, flat accent that sounds like “wran wran wran” to him.

March 2008

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March 23

Weather report
It is pouring snow in Luxembourg, which makes the landscapes even more beautiful, but doesn’t give a good outlook for the spring.


March 20

Happy Naw-Ruz
Happy new year to everyone! Yeah, it’s spring!!


March 15

Euro =$1.56
I’d like to take this moment and brag that I get paid in Euros. Even the meager remnants after taxes will help make my visit to Nordstrom even more pleasant.


March 14

Fromage
I never thought the day would come, but I crave cheese. Sometimes on salads, or with fruit, sometimes with bread, and sometimes just all alone.


March 9

How to make Pedram stop wanting babies
Easy – volunteer him to carry a 15 pound baby for a 3 hour walk.

Pedram and Nael

Dreams
I have had some crazy nightmares since moving to Brussels. But two nights ago, I leaped out of bed and yelled at Pedram “why don’t I just get something? Something for me and the others?” then accused him of not taking me seriously — “this is not a dream! It is not just a dream!”, before waking myself up, realizing it is actually a dream, and going back to bed.


March 4

Sunshine
Just when I was about to sit and write about how much more sunshine I am seeing in Brussles vs. Seattle (sunshine does not equal heat – it is COLD here), a storm hit Europe. Am not sure if you saw the Lufthansa pilot trying to land this past weekend (youtube it – it is great), but there has been thunder, hail, wind, and rain sporadically intermixed with sunshine. Even though the storms are much milder than Seattle, I still think about losing power and not having refrigeration. I shouldn’t be. For all its ghettoness, Belgians were much smarter than Seattlelites and have all electricity running underground.


Babies
Rachel, Sogol and Mina came over for dinner this week to break the fast together. Pedram cooked Addas Polo (so nice) and then sat back and watched us talk girl talk. The discussion ultimately came to children, and having children, which none of us are ready for. (At one point, it became clear to me that since I was the only one married, I would be the most ready. Then it occurred to me – I am ACTUALLY married – and this is the next logical step in my life – gasp, deep breath, panic – but that is a side point). Discussing the responsibilities and duties (burden?) of parenthood, we were all already exhausted — even without the children. It is terrifying. 


March 3
Breakfast concoctions
As I am fasting now, I think all of the time about hearty breakfasts. Pedram makes this croque madame that is intense and includes a sauce with milk, gruyere and nutmeg, and ham, yummy bread and an egg on top. It could definitely be dinner.

Russian

I love knowing so many people from so many different places here. For example, when there is so much hoopla about the Russian elections, I can just ask an actual Russian about the situation. But it gets a little bumpy when I ask her about corruption in Russia, and she tells me that the American elections are not democratic. Whoah — excuse me?

February 2008

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February 23
Crepes
As I write this, Pedram is flipping crepes for breakfast. So yummy with jam, nutella and brown sugar! We ran out of pancake mix last week, so this is our new experiment. Crepes aren’t as big here as they are in France (Belgians are more waffle people) but these homemade crepes are sure delicious!

February 22

Football
If during the day Pedram mentions the following random statements – “do you want a burger for dinner?”, “you look down, let’s go out!”, “how is your friend doing – the one from Roma”, followed with “her team is playing – its a big game”, I know we’re going to be watching soccer that night.
A great part about living in such a cosmopolitan city is that at the Irish pub, there will be fans from both sides of the Roma-Real Madrid game (Rome won, Real Madrid fans were furious), and plenty of fans for the Liverpool-Milan game – (Liverpool won, Materazzi got a red card. Even so, Liverpool fans were livid at the ref, and the Milanos were calm. Funny enough, the Milanos and Romas had nothing to say to each other). However, smoking seems to the international norm, and we emerge with red eyes, stinking of smoke, with a year probably sliced off our lifespans, but super excited for the next match.
En Francais
Puisque ma mere ne peut pas comprendre le francais, j’ai pense qu’il serait mieux d’ecrire mon premier blog francais au sujet de quelque chose qu’elle n’aime pas. Les gateaux. Comment j’aime des gateaux ici. Ils peuvent etre leger ou riche, beau ou moche, mais toujour “flavorful” et delicieux. Au Luxembourg, il y a une patisserie qui s’appelle Oberweis – et chaque fois que nous allons a Luxembourg ma belle mere nous achete un gateau. Maintenant c’est trop difficile de boire un cafe ou the sans un morceau de gateau. Ma belle mere pense que les gateaux Oberweis sont les meilleurs au monde – mais elle pense que tous les choses qui viennent de Luxembourg sont les meilleures.


February 14
Scary mornings

Pedram is a maniac behind the wheel. He is an excellent driver, but I am scared out of my mind when he is driving in Brussels. Each morning, my knees start shaking as we enter the car. The engine starts, and my heart beats overtime automatically.
We throw ourselves without caution in front of racing cars at an intersection because we have the “right hand” priority and they should stop. They realize this at the last second and their faces slammed against the windsheild is my last visual as we speed along.
Darting in and out of small roads, we encounter a daily dilemma. Ahead of us is a car parked in the middle of the road, and a bus is coming from the other side, and an unassuming pedestrian is walking carelessly in front of us. I think “well, we’ll just have to wait for this mess to clear.” Pedram thinks “go!” Bodies fly out of the way, we scrap past the bus with 1 inch of clearing room and play chicken with the oncoming cars before making an (legal?) left turn.
I grab my heart, which has come out of my mouth and try to see if we left any carcasses behind. Pedram, cool as a cucumber, is humming to music and pointing out friends – “oh, look there’s Mina!” and then he practically reverses around the round-about to find a short cut and honk at friends on the street. When I arrive at work, my eyes are wide open, my heart is pounding, and I never join the group for the first cup of coffee.

Gossip

Too impatient to make girlfriends here so that I can partake in some good gossip, I recently got the download from some friends back home:

  • Two good friends are pregnant. One is seriously hormonal, the other has enormous boobs. It deosn’t make for good gossip, but both are married and happy to be pregnant.
  • One girlfriend is dating two guys at the same time – very scandalous.
  • One girlfriend is trying to get an ex seriously jealous via facebook
  • One is visitng her “friend” secretly on the East Coast
  • One went on a date with an “untouchable hottie” and he blew bubbles in his water during dinner.
  • One friend doesn’t know it, but she is getting a huge (think BMW) present.

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February 13

Gym
There are really hot gay men at our gym — who dress better for the gym than I do for work. One of Pedram and my fitness goals is to get one of those hot men to hit on either of us.


Privacy
I have found many Europeans are really scared of having a presence on the internet. When I hear that, it makes me want to put them on my website (ha ha ha – I am evil). This is the 21st century, it is not that easy to remain anonymous. For all my loved ones who have their names and photos all over my site, it is the price you pay for friendship. Love you!!


Jason’s wedding
Normally when one of your bestest friends gets married, you get to be involved with some of the planning and excitement. I am so delighted that Jason and Lovelynn were able to make it to my wedding and very excited that I will be able to attend theirs. However, the distance has prevented me from really being involved in the affairs, something I am sad about. Luckily Jason has kept me in the loop with phone calls and photos of some really unique and amazing ideas. Which makes me very excited from afar.Ahhh…retail

 

Barnaby and I both used to work in retail. We share stories about fashion, brilliant gay colleagues and confusing terminology. My favorite Barnaby story is that he sometimes used to get phone calls from fashion shoots asking for certain garments. Once they called asking for “chicken fillets”, and Barnaby had to wander through the women’s fashion area asking people for chicken fillets, which are British for bra padding.

I asked, I got answers
The 1.5 seats on the new busses are for mothers and small children. There are no signs or explanation of these bizarre seats, but if two grown woman have half a butt cheek each on a seat, a kind gentlemen will let them know. Apartments that only have bathtubs and no curtains or doors are taking baths, which does not mean always filling up the bath, but taking a shower lying down. Hence the no curtain rods.


February 6
Paranoia
The worse part about losing my wallet is that now I am very distrustful of everyone. I used to walk down the street with my head down looking for poop, but occasionally smiling at people. Now all I can think is “are you the one that has my wallet?”

Another thing that doesn’t quite make sense
The brand new buses in Brussels have seats that are made for 1.5 persons. One person can sit luxuriously, which makes no sense when the bus is packed. Two people can sit if they are both small, have no intimacy issues with strangers, and want to be friendly. Did anyone try out the seats before they bought the buses? And they are new buses, so in 10 years, some other American will move here and ask the same question on their blog.

Working out
Now that my brain is no longer retired, I have also decided it is time to wake my body from hibernation and begin some physical activity. Signing up for the gym is easy, but returning to the days of gym life bring back all sort of nostalgia (I miss my work/gym buddies JC and MMM). It apparently does as well for Pedram, who proudly displays gym shorts from 1991, and running shoes that he bought before I could even walk. Between his fashion and my face turning blue after 20 minutes of cardio, we might be the hottest couple there.

Theft
My wallet was taken last week while I was shopping. The dressing room did not have a mirror, and when I stepped out to look at myself in the hallway, apparently someone noticed my bag, saw my wallet, and stepped in my dressing room undetected. The salesgirl says this happens all the time, which is why they suggest making sure the dressing room curtain is pulled before stepping out. I was in no mood to be polite, so I just yelled at her about not having mirrors in the rooms, an attendant, or cameras. The entire experience just made me mad and sad.

It is not the money that I mourn, but the sentimental items of high value that I miss the most. The 10000 rials Naw Ruz present from my grandmother from 2004, the map of England that Naysan and Michael drew for me after the wedding to help me plan my trip there, even the wallet itself, which I couldn’t afford but bought anyways as a present to myself after receiving some flattering praise from a well-respected boss. Why couldn’t they have taken the money, cards, etc, but left the wallet?

February 3
Movie Review
I saw No Country for Old Men, and thought I was going to a movie about a murder that happened in Texas. You know, people with accents investigating in rural US – ala Fargo. I was not expecting Javier Bardem’s pyscho eyes, or a gun raging, bloody thriller that would give me multiple nightmares. Good movie, but it would have been nice to get a warning that this is no Big Lebowski.

Ahh…Africa
Nava’s flight was routed from South African Airline direct to Johannesburg to an Air France flight with a 10 hour layover in Paris. Ahhh…how I miss Africa and how things never go as planned…

January 2008

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anuary 29

Tranny teacher
Just when I was ready to give up on walking in heels in uneven cobblestone Brussels, an 8 foot transvestite with 6 inch heels gracefully glides in front of me. How do they do that?? 

January 25

Sales
Sales in Belgium (France and Lux as well) are really great because BY LAW they can only happen twice a year. Yes, it is illegal to have a sale when you want. So when they have sales, everything is on sale. I bought a pair of fancy shoes and then saw them in Elle UK magazine. Feeling very cool right now.

Good morning Brussels

Yesterday morning, we woke up to the sound of honking. A bus, which I have never seen pass our street, was honking for the driver of a double-parked car to come out and move their car. It was 7:40am. They kept honking, and honking, and honking. Finally, a neighbor, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, came out at 8:10 and yelled at the bus driver, who then managed to pass the car and continue down the street.

Job Search
I have dedicated this month to serious job searching. Not applying to head the UN, but actual jobs that I am qualified for. I am currently deciding between two positions, and thought I would share my job search lessons:

  • Fluent in French on your resume means that the interview will be in French
  • Waking up at 8am after you have been “retired” for a few months is painful. Trying to be smart at that hour is horrid. Trying to reflect on current news that you didn’t read on Perez Hilton – abominable.
  • Being taxed in Belgium means that there is a 49.06% difference between your salary and what you take home.
  • No one is more happy that I will be working than Pedram – he can barely maintain his glee.

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I am tired of using technology

I brought Khanh back with me to Brussels from Paris. She bought her ticket easily on the train website with her credit card and chose to pick up her ticket from a kiosk at the station. When we arrived at the train station in Paris, the kiosks didn’t recognize her credit card. Weird, since that is the one she used to buy the ticket. After trying 20 different kiosks and with 5 minutes left, we asked the only customer service person in the entire place for help. She took a look at Khanh’s Visa, and said – “that is not a french credit card”. Then, she pointed that we could wait in the non-kiosk line that wrapped around the station. Instead we ran for the train, where Khanh was able to board by flashing her blackberry. On the train, she had to buy another ticket, but the guy said that we should be able to get a refund in Brussels. In Brussels, they said they couldn’t do anything because they are also not French. So then we went to the designated specific French train place in Brussels, where they told us that the refund must take place in France. Ahhhh…but of course. Sadly, in France, Khanh was told that she should write the to Belgian customer service.


January 14

It is great to have a government
The new interim Belgian government is doing great. They have even started working on the budget. Interestingly enough, there is 3 billion euros missing…wonder what was happening those 7 months without a government.How come I can’t benefit from this state?
It seems that the Belgian government is against me. The newest case is vacation time. The Belgian government declares that you get 24 days of vacation a year, but that is only after you have worked your first year. Which means my first year working, I have zero days of vacation.

Parking sucks
Pedram’s friend was here, and we were able to benefit from his handicap sign to snag some great parking spots. Now when we drive every night for 30 minutes looking for parking, we stare longingly at those ever-empty handicap spots that are no longer in our reach.

Big Question
If I had my own business, and I wanted to keep my store open on Sundays, pay people extra money to work on Sunday, should I be able to? I am having this discussion more and more these days. And do people actually want to work on Sundays if they live over here?

 

January 12
Par Par’s Birthday
Happy birthday to Parisa, my little cousin, who just turned 14, which makes me feel about 2000 years old. 

January 3

Pretentious children – stupid me
For New Year’s Eve dinner, I was stuck next to a 5 year old child genius. He spoke French and Farsi better than me, and then also spoke Luxembourgish. For a 5 year old to speak 3 languages is a pretty big deal for me, but not to Pedram, who dismiss the child genius as just “ordinary”. Can I re-state how annoying it is that everyone here (and their dog) speaks so many languages?

Socialism – woohoo
I know someone who had a medical issue, took an ambulance to the hospital in the middle of the night, stayed in the hospital for 2 nights in Luxembourg. When they left, their medical bill was 19 euros. No joke. No private healthcare, just the government social security.

January 2, 2008

Happy New Year!
Thanks to all for their warm holiday greetings. Hope to see alot more of everyone in 2008.

December 2007

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December 20

Finally
The Belgians have, after 6 months of deadlock, created an interim government. Interestingly enough, there was an article in the International Herald Tribune talking about the actual need for a government in a state like Belgium the day before. Regardless, I am exactly to see all the immediate changes that this important decision will make. Maybe now it will be less freezing cold?

Cold
I cannot describe to you how cold it is. It is chilled to the bone, negative 4 degrees (celsius), cover all skin in fear that it might crack from the frost cold. I get excited that in a week I will be in Las Palmas, but then I remember that the cold doesn’t go away, like the tacky red Christmas decorations here, but it will be COLD through January and February.

December 11

Done with do-gooding
Pedram and I are back to the car. We lasted 2 weeks. Maybe we’ll try again in the summer?

Doggy doo doo
When I was training for the marathon, everyone said that once you start losing your toenails, you are a true runner. Ick. Today, a man near me stepped right into a large fresh dog poop. When he saw my face (mix of disgust and pity) he shrugged and replied, “you are not really Brusselois until you have stepped in poop.” Ick.Jerry vs. Oprah
There is a major shortage of crazy, fame and money starved people in Europe. For example, Belgians will happily chomp on pig intestines, but they would certainly not eat sewer rat on Fear Factor for any sum of money. In fact, I think they are snooty enough not to even accept money for eating pig intestines.

However, they do enjoy silly Americans and their bizarre lifestyles. So they recreate reality shows, but with actors to retain the absurdity. Today we watched one of these shows in french class. The teacher explained it as “something similar to Jerry Springer”, but with fake actors and host and audience.

What? How does she know Jerry Springer but not Oprah???

 


December 7

British English
Barnaby has been kind enough to invite us to his home for an Xmas celebration. His short email had the following words that I didn’t understand (in context):
Crimble
shoebox
Festival of Lights
mince
mulled
tinsel
realise

Cousin Crazy
My friend Julia was saying today that she wanted to be a psychiatry major, but she hears that only people with psychiatric problems take those classes. It made me think that this might have been the only logical choice in Shayan’s life :)

Weird thought
All of my classmates come from former fascist countries. If we lived 60 years ago, I’d be the only member of the Allies.


December 6
I still can’t get over it
I have been thinking why Oprah, which is so big in the US across all demographics, is not enjoyed in Europe. Anyone know why?

November 2007

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November 30

I am in an alternate universe
This is how it went down: I was talking about the Oprah book club, and my french teacher corrected me by saying “opera”, and I said, no – Oprah – and she said, yes, “opera”, and I said no no no, not opera but Oprah. Then I looked around the room and realized no one knows who I am talking about. How do you explain Oprah? From scratch?? And what is tycoon in french?PS – for all those who think I am too American, Ms. Big O is played in over 117 countries.

 


November 29

Environmentalists
Team Pedhasa has decided to contribute to the environmental movement by giving the car a vacation and using public transportation to get around day and night. So far, these are my conclusions:
Pluses -

  1. Doing good feeling
  2. Decreased our CO2 impact

    3.  

Negatives -

  1. Pedram’s 30 minute commute can now take up to 3 hours
  2. My metro may randomly stop for 15 minutes with no explanation.
  3. People on trains, buses and metro look depressed, miserable and sick, which is a bad way to start the morning
  4. The walk to and from public transport is so cold that my teeth chatter and I claim that I cannot feel my face
  5. Long delays make me think weird things like, what prevents these dogs on the tram, who are allow to defecate freely on the streets, from doing so on my lap?

    6.  

Not quite sure how long this will last. I think we are more “fair-weather” environmentalists, or “when-it-is-convenient” tree huggers.  

Musically charged
The best way for me to figure out what I’d be singing to in the States is by checking Jason Javid’s facebook page, where he lists his favorite songs of the moment (which looks like it is straight from the KUBE hitlist). If you were wondering who actually cares about lil Jay’s favorite songs of the moment, it is me (sans the Britney and Ashley Tisdale)


November 27

Breaking out the blow up bed
It was really exciting having Tana and Dhabih come visit us, although it was really short. They were our first official houseguests, and it makes me want to tell everyone I know — COME VISIT!! They also gave us our first house-warming gift, which is proudly displayed on our table.


November 26

In case you were wondering
For thanksgiving, I ate a mighty feast yogurt and bread.


November 25

Hip-hop
Anyone know how I can listen to generic pop/hip-hop music here? Am a little sick of Coldplay/Amy Winehouse/Seal mix on the radio.


November 16

I welcome winter
I was in Seattle for a week, and returned to Brussels to freezing cold weather. It now takes me about 45 minutes to put on all the layers necessary to go outside. Pedram is my makeshift coat rack, offering me items as I call out for them like a surgeon: “gloves, hat, Uggs”.Reassuring sight
I think the best part of my weekend in Seattle was going to Monday Night Football. Wait, it gets better. It was Veteran’s Day, and there were many people in military garb in the crowd, which is always a little emotional in a country where even if we don’t agree with the war, we support the military. During an intense patriotic half-time show, I got a little emotional when red, white and blue scantily clad cheerleaders spelled out USA on the field.

 

November 15

That was quick
While I was in the States Eliot Spitzer reversed his plan to give out driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Opponents created fear in the public by drawing pictures of Osama Bin Laden driving a taxi and speaking brilliant words such as “giving illegal immigrants a driver’s license is giving them a passport to terror and a license to kill.” Obviously, this must be a huge issue in my native Washington State, where driver licenses have been given to illegal immigrants for more than a decade. Actually, not at all. Huh.


November 10

Mommy is cooking
Nothing is better than hanging out in the kitchen talking to my mom and aunt surrounded by the smells of all of my comfort foods. It is a beautiful day in Seattle, and it is really nice to be back here.

So sad
It depresses me that my sister knows the words to Britany Spears “Gimme More” song. The ones in between gimme gimme more, and gimme gimme more. Yes, there are other words in the song. She gets sad when I tell her that Brit is a mess, claiming that it is a disease called “white trash”. Even worse, she claims that her musically respectable friends Janelle Lin and Shivangi Bhatt also adore Britney. It is so so sad.

 


November 6

Globalization

If the world is really becoming globalized, then how come people here don’t recognize Oreo or Starbucks brands? And how come my brother in law needs me to buy specific toothpaste from the States? Where is the international influence that I am supposed to be fearing?

October 2007

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October 29

Makeshift feel-good Starbucks

I love this machine. In the mornings at french class, this Oxfam farmer friendly machine would dispense a variety of hot drinks (latte, mochaccino, hot chocolate) and sweeten it as much as you want, for only 60 cents! Yes, it is a little gross that the same spout also delivers tomato and vegetable soup, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Myths

To my chagrin, Germans don’t actually love David Hasselhoff. That is just an American myth.

Worst morning ever

It started off when “Step by Step” by NKOTB was playing on the radio. Then I slipped and fell in the shower, and while feeling bad for myself, the water went cold, and I had to wait 10 minutes until it warmed up again so I could finish. Then, my badly bruised butt ran but missed my first tram. The second tram was packed, and an old man lost his shoe on the steps, and I had to stick my fingers in his sweaty damp shoe and help him put it back on.

 

My biggest fan
My brother is the cutest thing ever. I know that he reads my website, cause he always has commentary prepared when we chat. Also, he called last night, just to talk. His flag football team lost and he was bummed out. So cute.


October 23

Surveillance
Everyone here is an expert on the US. Their stories are interesting to hear, mostly because it is an exaggeration of a media story. I have to remind them that (not all) Americans settle fights by shooting each other, (as far as I know) you cannot buy a gun in the same place you pump your gas, you can walk down (most) American streets without being molested, raped or mugged. Most recently, during a discussion about phone surveillance, someone pointed out that if you say the word terrorism, the police would be at your door in the states. Or even if you mention the word Allah, you would be on the government watch list. When I mentioned that this could not be possible since I have a friend named Ala, it was suggested (in jest I hope) that I call him from now on “a la mode.”


Ahhnold sightings
Jalil and Shahla, Pedram’s parents, just returned from Graz, Austria. Jalil studied in Graz before marrying, and they went there for a 50 year celebration of the Baha’i’ Faith there as well as how Jalil likes to put it “to say hello to all of Pedram’s brothers and sisters”. Graz is where Arnold Schwarznegger is originally from, and they named a stadium after him, but then renamed it after discovering that the death penalty exists in California. Jalil and Shahla were excited to share with me that they took pictures with the many Arnold photo figures around the city. Meanwhile, in LA, Nava was equally excited to let me know that she may or may not have spotted the real Ahnold. Small bizarre world we live in.


October 21
Dinner talk

I have come to improve my small talk lately, as a typical dinner with friends here lasts about 5 hours. For example, we’ll meet up at a bar, where everyone will order drinks, and talk and talk and talk. Then, when I think it is time to move on, they will order another round, and we’ll talk and talk and talk again. Then we move on to dinner, where we will talk for at least 20 minutes before even glancing at the menus. Unlike my friends at home, the appearance of food on the table does not end conversations. Instead, in Brussels, we continue to discuss while our lukewarm food gets increasingly tepid. And then we order dessert, and continue to talk. And then we will have coffee, and the chatting will endure for another hour before anyone even asks for the bill. Conditioned to the sit, eat, and run ways of home, I have to prepare subjects for dinner conversation to avoid awkward moments of silence. I try to pick themes that I don’t really care about, but know that the dinner crowd will have plenty to discuss. My newest list include “how about that French president divorcing?”, “when will Belgium have a government?”, and of course, “David Hasselhoff is the best actor ever!”


October 15
Pauvre Pedram
Even though he marsed me and mocked me in every language he knows, Pedram lost in a first-to-five game of takhteh. He lost! Ha ha ha ha ha!! Victory is mine!

I feel sick
We watched Sicko last night, and I take back everything that I ever said about the French. They are great. We should all migrate there…if only they would let us…


October 12
How do you say xenophobia in french?
It is interesting to listen to the discussion of my european classmates about the “BIG” issue in European Union — immigration. They make contradicting comments “I agree that we should have open borders, but I don’t agree that all Polish people should be allowed in Germany”, generalize and stereotype the Eastern states, and pretty much think that immigrants will take their homes, jobs, flood schools, increase crime rates and take away their cultural value. I guess that Europeans, so nationalistic still, are not quite ready for the idea of a “union”. It is painfully bad in particular among politicians, who for example in France have come up with the idea of genetically testing immigrants (cause nationality has to do with genes?), or in Switzerland, post everywhere a poster with three white sheep standing on a Swiss flag, kicking out a black sheep, and the caption is “for greater security”. Or even in Belgium, where the divided politicians cannot agree on anything except to protect the country from immigrants, some even going as far as to propose specific anti-Muslim immigration laws. I guess it is not that great in the States, where we are building an actual wall between the US and Mexico. Can’t we all just get along?


October 11
Boring!
Jason and Lovelynn have decided to stick with a more traditional website name celebrating their union. If you know anyone named Lovelynn and Jason who are marrying, LLCruzJay.com is free.Hmpf


I guess I am replaceable. Christina (ie. fav person of last week) is traveling with Mandy and Shayan, going on coffee dates with Brianna, concerts with Kristin, emailing with my sister….it is as if she has filled the hole I left behind. Not that I am jealous. It is great :(
October 8
Oops!
Recent conversation between P & I regarding the neurotic person at the post office:
Pedram: “Do you think she was mentally handicapped?”
Mahsa: “No, I think she was just being European”


October 7
French sissies
I don’t know why I think some French men are feminine. The French person I know the best is Clement, and he is as masculine as any blue blooded male. Maybe it is their pretty boy President, Sarkozy, maybe it is because they kiss each other, maybe it is because they wear women’s jeans. Anyways, we went last night to a bar to watch the New Zealand – France rugby match. Although the French bar crowd was the typical bourgeois-cigarette-in-one hand, white-wine-in-the-other lady boys, the French rugby team looked as if they were recently exhumed from the neanderthal era. There were 400 people in the bar, 392 cheering for France, Pedram, Barnaby, Mina and I cheering for NZ, and 4 drunken Argentinians cheering for themselves. New Zealand should have won, but the French did instead, and all of the frenchies shook their anti-proletarian fingers at me while sticking out their sweater vests with pride.


October 5
Sbux
Today in french class we spoke about things that we missed back home (I take the class with Japanese, German, Spanish and Turkish girls). People mentioned their family, their dogs, the weather, etc. I thought carefully about the question, then started talking about Starbucks. Not surprisingly, my teacher has no idea what Starbucks is – there are none in Belgium (!!!). Suddenly, all language barriers were removed, and my french flowed easily as I spoke about my beloved. The coffee blended with seasonal spices that felt like a warm hug during the cold winter, the smiling faces that repeated my order without judgment, the atmosphere that felt like a second home everytime I walked in the door. Oh, how I miss thee.

October 2
Apprendre le francais
I have been taking french classes in the morning, and after two days, it has done alot to improve my confidence in speaking french around town (an issue I had before). However, it has not prevented people from making a face when I speak, making it clear that they still are not quite sure what I am saying. Yes, she is still alive


Thanks to Yoss, I have news that Nava has been sighted in the last few days. Thanks so much Yoss for flying out to LA just to check in on Nava ;)

Maybe Nava lost her phone – that happens alot with her.

 


October 1

Have you seen me?

My sister is missing. I think I have lost her to some guy named Aquafresh, who maybe 19 years old. How is it possible that she would call me 5 times a day before I moved, and has not called me once since I have moved? She must have been abducted. If you have heard from her, please let me know.

September 2007

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September 25

Foods I cannot eat
Fois Gras: It is a bit odd that they force feed birds to ensure a fatty liver when they are slaughtered, but then to throw the liver in a blender with some butter and spread it over bread is just sick and wrong.

Filet Americain: This is what it is called in Belgium, but it is basically a hamburger patty uncooked, served with french fries. Apparently health concerns of eating raw ground meat in other countries have decreased the popularity of this dish. Not so much in Brussels, where people eat raw meat unconcerned about parasites and bacteria that may suck out their brains while they are sleeping that night.

September 20

I am coming home!
I mean, I am returning home to Brussels after visiting Seattle! I’ll be there around November 10th, and if Nava and Sina can get their act together, I won’t be alone. Very excited to see what Neda and Farshid created!

Sad sad me
So, it is Thursday and I have yet to find anyone for the favorite person of the week. Maybe because I have only been hanging out with Pedram for the past two weeks. I was hoping to keep him as a “back up” fav person, but maybe that will come up sooner than thought.

September 18, 2007

Website building is for dorks
Am already hating this whole website building experience. I gave it one day, isn’t that enough?

True love is having a team name
Pedram and I have come up with a great name for Jason Imani’s and Lovelynn dela Cruz team name — LL Cruz Jay. We hope that they will adopt it, and that their first dance will be to “Mama said knock you out”

Farewell Tyrone
I have sold my beloved, beautiful car. I loved it so much, I made my dad have each potential buyer write a letter of intent proposal. The final buyer seemed like a great candidate (and it didn’t hurt that he paid cash), but there is now an empty spot in my heart where my beautiful Tyrone once had.

September 17, 2007

Welcome to my new website, where I will test my technical poweress and try to share some of my euro-living with you.