cheesepuffs (andbarbie)

I could only stumble over my words in an attempt to try and describe to a new friend my deep love for rap/club/pop/radio music. He explained my ramble in two words. CHEESE PUFFS. Even if you are local and organic, you are always going to love them cheese puffs.... Exactly. 

~And cheese puff of the month is... BARBIE. I love Barbie  

                                                             

Never mind if she was real she couldn't walk.

And that I am sure she would be a total superficial bitch.

Never mind she fucks with the self-image of millions of young girls worldwide.

Because... Barbie totally rules. She is a fine piece of plastic. Great curves. Great clothes. AND she doesn't even talk.

~This week I have been playing with Barbie for hours on end. Cutting her hair, talking to her, makeover, and different clothes for differnt occasions. The options are endless.

~Yesterday we undressed all of them and laid out all of the clothes. The mom and I were the shop owners and the girls went shopping. It was a success. All the Barbies were dressed to impress...

~It is so easy to fill our mind with the serious bits of life. This is why cheese puffs are essential, to all of us. So, what are your cheese puffs? 

                                                                                                                                                                 

P.S.- authors of barbie books do not totally rule. this is one page:

"When it comes to teachers, Ms. Barbie is everyone's favorite. Her students are busy figuring out math problems Ms. Barbie writes on the chalkboard. Then she reads the encyclopedia entry about birds. After recess, the class learns about the world by studying the globe. There's always lots to learn in Ms. Barbie's class."

wow... now that is one actively engaged classroom!

boobs.

After 7th grade jokes about not having boobs subsided and I happily came to terms with my small chest... BUT when traveling it seems to be a true point of fascination!                                      Right after this picture was this picture was taken(i did not do the makeup) this beautiful Bedouin woman whose expression rarely changed reached her hand over and placed it on my chest. I smiled awkwardly. Then she took my hand and placed it on her very large breast. Though her stern face she laughed and said "no? (with a big question mark)" With a smile "no" was all I could tell her.

Late night I was sitting with the old nanny and the maid. Chocolate ice cream and quiet connection. Then a question came.... translating for the maid the other nanny asked me, "what happened?" and pointed to me chest. "I guess nothing happened," seemed like the most logical response. Through actions they indicated that it would be very nice for me to stuff my bra. foam, water, plasticy stuff... They said, "men like very much." I tried to get my point across that I like to tell the truth. What happens if you took your shirt off, and opps! Sorry men, do you like this very much? Looks can be deceiving. 

Yesterday as the 6 year old was getting dressed, she translated for the maid. She looked at me with bright eyes and a big smile. "SAME!" she said, pointing to her chest, and mine. "yes honey, the same.".....  I said with a smile. 

party time!!!

Lets jump between two scenarios. I will stick to the birthday theme, and explore two thoughts.

-How the same world can house so many millions of different lives,

-and how do I gently work my way into these lives.

Last year. Cincinnati, Ohio. Kizaya was turning two. The attendants for her classroom party included a 5weekold with crack in its system, a boy whose mom just moved them to a shelter (domestic violence), and 10 others all of whose life was fully unexpected. - We sang happy birthday, but had no cake. I wasn't even able to hold the birthday girl extra. It would spoil her. I was told birthdays come every year, and someone has a birthday everyday, no reason it make a fuss over it.... - her mom picked her up late, yanked her by the arm, and she left in tears. Happy Birthday Kizaya.

Yesterday. Istanbul, Turkey. Defne was turning 6. We woke with excitement. It was the day of the party. The girls wore their new pink and white silky dresses. They looked beautiful. The party was filled with laughter, streamers, balloons, games, smiles, magicians, photographers, videographers, cake, cookies, pinatas, face painting, and love. It was as if from a storybook. It was a special birthday. Except her birthday isn't really until August.... but all of her friends will be away on holiday. So Defne, in two months, Happy Birthday.

- Some children are given a world full of love, opportunity and hope. It is also filled with the expectation that they will take these seeds and create a life for themselves that reflects this.

-Others are not. One parent told me, "Why give  you child false hope, for what they can never become?" These children are conditioned from the day they were born to be the fighters, and the survivors. 

Ahhhhh.... Perhaps I am not articulating my thoughts so well,,, and I apologize if I am speaking in such absolutes....

and now for me- so I have been thinking about what I am doing in these lives.... I am not necessarily here to live out my educational philosophy. I am here to be an active observer of their reality. Not to bring change, nor judgement. Just enter their lives in the softest and most unassuming of ways.... and attempt to show them a bit of my world.... 

(well shoot. it is rather curious.... i have great pictures for you.. but its not going to work now. sorry. just imagine.)

junebug

Birthdays are a great point of reference.

2004- I was driving out to the farm in  Mars Hill, NC. I was wearing a black and white polka dot dress AND I cried AND I still got a speeding ticket for over 300. Got to the farm to find everyone went into Asheville for the day, so I eat a jar of pickles and took a dip in the mountain stream. 

2005- I turned 21 working in a damnhot kitchen in Israel. I got really drunk that night.

2006- Worked all day in a garlic farm in England. Had a delightfully perfect English lunch, and tea. Watched da Ali G movie with the dad in the evening. Not so funny.

2007- Back in Israel. and working in another kitchen. eh, a theme seems to be appearing.... but seeing the extreme beauty in life for the first time... starting the day with the sunrise and continuing it with nix's songs.... and many, maybe too many, things to smoke...

2008- today is my birthday. It rained last night so the sticky heat that drenched Istanbul yesterday was washed away leaving a soft air for us to enjoy today... after unconsciously turning off my alarm this morning I was woken by two little ladies who are warming up to me very nicely. Today I had time to meditate and read while the girls were in school (today was the last day). I bought two small brown notebooks to stay organized. I played games, airplane, and on iphoto, but mostly I brushed and cut many Barbies hair. They were well overdue for a trim. I eat the most delicious cake ever... and now I am excited to go to sleep in my pink bed with a slight breeze...

Something is slightly intoxicating about the bustle of a new city..... slowly slowly I am working my way into it all.... 

It is fun to be ridiculous. So I am loving listening to Ray J, R. Kelly, Akon, Usher, 2pac, Mariah Carey (christmas) while I sit on the bus or tram and smile to woman wearing headscarves, or navigate my way through the market, or sit in a chic coffee house. 

WOW. I just leaned out my window to the most perfect birthday treat. Fireworks (over the Bosporus) on my right and prayer from the mosque directly on my left. at the same time. incredible.... AND it was no coincidence (have you read the Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)? You should... (it is filling my mind all day long)

night. 

a nutshell

New York - Turkish/Russian baths. 10th between 1st and A- highly recommended. Sweat it all out. I like to think of the many cultures of the world that use sweating as a cleansing ritual. Yes, some things these days are still this natural....

- The ordered chaos of New York amazes me. Big city living. I want to try it, and am glad Istanbul will provide me with the opportunity...

- Big cities are like wearing heels: It forces you to walk with confidence. 

Israel- Landing in Israel always feels good. People clap and you cant help but smile. A strange homecoming of sorts.... 

-I made it to Shabbat dinner at Kibbutz Lotan and managed to break two glasses in one evening. Bring on the Arrack, mud domes, and desert heat and I am a happy gal. 

Jordan - Yes, I would love some tea. No, I do not have a boyfriend. I am so sorry I can not marry you, nor say I love you back. But please, please let me cross the border. Welcome to Jordan. 

-I was tough enough to get a taxi to Petra for almost the same price as the bus... you should be proud dad. The driver did not make me get drunk this time, but he did force me to drink three Cokes. Try to say no to these men- virtually impossible. 

-I love how you can feel history. The mountains and sand of Petra scream with stories of thousands of years. I keep promises, and took pictures to the Bedouins. Reunions are always glorious and I was happy not only to see faces, but also caves, streams, rooftops, tea, donkeys, and camels.

-Wadi rum is magic. A desert is soft and forgiving I was told...the sand always allows for change. 

-I decided I love to travel because I seem to feel life a little bit deeper and stronger. 

Egypt- A week of the Sinai desert is a cleansing for the soul.....but only if you are ready to face yourself. Read, write, eat, sleep, swim, write, read, and do it again. and again. and again. ...

Israel- Gene Dolgin was my saint in Tel Aviv and provided the perfect accommodation for a week at the Ohio Hostel. (also highly recommended/ 48 Ibn Givrol)

- I toured the Palestinian territories. Saw the wall dividing a Palestinian village into two, the terrible conditions, the checkpoints, the desperation. The checkpoints that 185 woman have given birth at, not allowed to cross, and 18 have died. - Sometimes it feels like all we can do in this world is have hope. Hope for a better something. In this war, both sides seem so damn unhopeful I don't see how peace will ever come. Why do we expect youngsters to share, when there are almost no role models in sight? 

- I eat a lot at the airport today.... excited/nervous about the year to come. 

Turkey -  My internet meeting is legit. No rapes or kidnappings (as too many suggested)... just a sign with MOLLY written in pink and a nice driver. Perfect. I was welcomed warmly into a beautiful home, and immediately comforted........ i am ready....