Watching Titanic

"I've got ten bucks in my pocket, I have nothing to offer you and I know that. I understand. But I'm too involved now. You jump, I jump remember? I can't turn away without knowing you'll be all right... That's all I want. "

-Jack Dawson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Titanic

One of the cutest lines ever from a movie! *sigh* true love!

Baby Got Back?

Seriously, I was horrified when I was flipping through the channels the other night and came across an infomercial for....are you ready for this.... padded underwear. *blank stare* This "special" underwear comes with some sort of padding made to give the appearance of a more ample derriere, so to speak. Why, you might ask? Apparently, this summer is the season for big booties to be in style. Now I'm not a fan of body parts going in and out of style, I would much rather prefer that it were shoe styles being monitored.

Seriously though, whatever happened to loving yourself as you are and unconditionally? Being yourself cuz you're unique and beautiful no matter what? This is just teaching girls to want to be someone they're not, just because it happens to be en vogue at the moment. And, it promotes lying lol! Look, bottom line (no pun intended) is that curvy girls are beautiful, skinny girls are beautiful, and everyone in between is just as beautiful.

Just be yourself! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Damascene

The other day I mentioned how much I miss traveling, so all throughout the weekend, I will share some photos of my trips to Damascus, Syria; highlighting a different point with each post. These pictures were taken during my most recent visit, this past Summer.

Damascus is the capitol of Syria and is the oldest inhabited city in the world! Even today, upon visiting, there are neighborhoods known as 'Old Damascus' and others that are more modern. Everything, from the architecture, to the shops, the souks, and even the neighbors, are so rich with history; the city is practically a live museum! Living in the states, I am used to modernity, so I really enjoy roaming the old city neighborhoods of Syria when I visit.

And of course, it is no secret that every girl loves to shop, even if it's just window shopping, and in Damascus, there are many malls, and small independent shops as well, but again, all of that is great, but not new to me at all. so instead, whenever I visit, I head to the souks, otherwise known as the marketplace. In the souks especially, it gets very crowded early on in the day with tourists from all over the globe and locals shuffling through the sea of people to pick up groceries and among other items, however, it's a great place to go for amazing souvenirs, oils, spices, books, anything really, for amazing prices. If you are thinking of visiting Damascus, you must go to the souks, the experience unforgettable. Here are some photos from the souks of Damascus, enjoy!

Shoppers crowd a souk for snacks, headscarves and bags.


A young boy watches his family's perfume, incense and oil shop.


A spice market in Damascus


Masha'Allah, look at that architecture!

Tourists roam the souk for goodies!
Princess

Home Sweet Home

So, today I wanted to share with you some photos of what a traditional Syrian home looks like. Typically, most of the older homes are quite spacious with many, many rooms. Much of the furniture seen in homes is made using mother of pearl adornments as seen on the cabinet in the photo to the left and the couches in the last photo of the living room.

The main room is always the largest. Upon entering this room, you will notice that there is no ceiling, which allows for great amounts of sun and a refreshing breeze to enter the home in the summer. However, in the winters, the concept of no ceiling becomes quite a nuisance so most people have installed a makeshift adjustable ceiling which can be pulled on and off, kind of like the roof top on a convertible car! Every home has a living room, a main room, a guest room, of course a kitchen and several restrooms, depending on the size of the home, and walk in closet rooms. Enjoy the photos!

All of the bedrooms are usually on the second floor of the home, there is usually over five.


Main room fountain surrounded by flowers and plants.

Living room with traditional furniture and wall decor of bronze and silver plates.

Princess

Tea Break

I'm just sitting here drinking tea.....I think I am in love with tea, this has to be my fourth cup today, decaf of course, otherwise I'd be running miles at this point :D There are sooooo many different kinds of tea! I have tried quite a few, tea is a component after every meal in our house and in all Arab homes actually. From what I have tried, I like rose, green, jasmine, chamomile, cardamom tea. Coincidentally, cardamom is also used in traditional Arabic coffee, which also happens to be very good :) For afternoon breaks, I love drinking my green tea along with a few dates. Traditional Arabic coffee is also good, but only once in a while as it is pretty strong.

I am reading The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. This book is probably one of the best books I have read so far and I have not finished reading it yet. I will share with you, my opinion, as to one of the most beautiful sections I have read so far, enjoy!

Pleasure is a freedom song,

But it is not freedom.

It is the blossoming of your desires,

But it is not their fruit.

It is a depth calling unto a height,

But it is not the deep nor the high.

It is the caged taking wing,

But it is not space encompassed.

Ay, in very truth, pleasure is a freedom-song.....

And now you ask in your heart, "How shall we distinguish that which is good in pleasure from that which is not good?"

Go to your fields and your gardens, and you shall learn that it is the pleasure of the bee to gather honey of the flower,

But it is also the pleasure of the flower to yield its honey to the bee.

For to the bee a flower is a fountain of life,

And to the flower a bee is a messenger of love,

And to both, bee and flower, the giving and the receiving of pleasure is a need and an ecstasy.

People of Orphalese, be in your pleasures like the flowers and the bees.