Just a few tidbits

Whew. Using the internet here is way harder than I thought it would be. We clearly don't have it in our mountain village home, and it's hard to convince my mom to take me to an internet cafe.
Uploading pictures takes WAAAAYYY too long, so I'll have to try another time when I have a few minutes.
We're having a pretty good time. I'm definitely ready for my dad and Sami to get here though.
There's a lot to tell you guys, so here are the highlights:

* My uncle has lent my mother a car. Let me just explain something: driving here is nuts! Apeshit crazy. Batty even, some might say. There are paved roads but they don't have lines, or lights, or laws governing them...I saw one stop sign but I was riding with my uncle so clearly he didn't even pause. So anyways, my mom has a car. An unidentified, never heard of in America Mitsubishi SUV. It's old as all getup and turns off on its own regularly. The tires squeal NASCAR style everytime you take a turn. Mom is pretty good about knowing her way around, but she drives way too cautiously for these people. We're constantly being honked and and carelessly passed by people in cars just as heinous as the one we're in. If I wasn't so busy holding on for dear sweet life every time we went anywhere, I might be tempted to drive.

*The other night we went to a fancy-ish dinner in a neighboring village. My uncle, who was somehow involved in a local election, was invited to this party by or for the candidates and brought us along. I wore my short black Ann Taylor skirt with pockets, my new pink J.Crew tank with roses on it and my very favorite purple wedges. The outfit was brought together by a skinny silver belt. Tres chic if I do say so myself. Anyways, the party was mostly for older people, so I was very glad that my 16 year old cousin Brahiem was there. We sat together, threw back a few Dewar's Scotch and soda, and mostly made fun of people. He was very kind and kept introducing to people and pointing out who the candidates were. Now, the arabic word for "candidate" sounds very much like the arabic word for "someone with a runny nose." It took me a minute to understand that not all the finely dressed, seemingly healthy people he pointed out didn't have the grippe. It's just like how Siobhan says that "Erin and Aaron" sound different....it's the same sound to me! And I kept using the wrong one and accidentally calling the candidates snot nosed people. My bad.
Before dinner, a priest led us in a prayer that I obviously didn't know. I had to bite my tongue a little bit while he sang some of it- I don't know what it is; I just always need to laugh at totally inappropriate times. When he finished the prayer, I casually said "amen" without thinking. Everyone else in the room (like 50+ people) said something else....woops.
The food at the party was pretty good. I mean, my mom's tabouli is better, but that's a given. The food at this party was catered by some fancy catering company in Beirut. I'm always a little offended when parties are catered. Maybe it's because my mom slaves in the kitchen for literal days when she throws a party. On the other hand, this hostess actually had time to enjoy the party and her guests without worrying about food and serving. Maybe mom should take a lesson from her...
*I've been having my coffee cup grinds read by my aunt every morning and writing it down so that I can tell you guys the crazy that's being told to me. Here are some highlights:
-a duck: means that I'll meet someone with a great personailty
-there is a dream that is far away and behind a curtain. the curtain is slowly opening to reveal my dream
-i have an internal struggle and can't decide to what to do
-there is a tug of war happening
-i'm being supported by a big rock in my quest

These cup readings are all open to interpretation, so please, send your thoughts along!

While I'm having a great time, I can't help but think of the things that I'm missing: the Bachelorette, Siobhan's first pedicure, and the crazy mishaps of my nutty roommates. Please keep me updated on you guys!
xoxo,
Leyla