11 Days

Well, the fact that it has taken me until 5 p.m. to get this post started probably indicates that at least I'm getting a few things done today. Eleven days until wheels up for the U.S. for six months. I've been packing today. Or at least making piles all over my house. It is hard to pack for six months of weather, but we're gonna make it work. With the help of lots of shopping! I'm a bit of an over-planner and over-packer, so I really struggle every time I pack to not over-plan and over-analyze every possible scenario, and then try to pack for it. When I got started this morning, every single room made me want to panic when I walked into it. So I ended up sewing a camel instead. He/she has been on my fridge for at least a year, waiting to be finished for a gift for my niece. And so I chose today to do it. Because it's not really procrastinating if you needed to do it anyway. And clear off the fridge was on the to-do list! Check that one off baby!

The wedding last night was wonderful. Our internet is really slow here and it's especially slow any time but the morning (which is when I usually post) so video and pictures from last night may have to wait. . . but let me just summarize it for you:

1. Hired dancer-drummers
2. Pyrotechnics
3. A sword to cut the cake
4. Ear-damagingly loud music

This wedding had all the Arab-essentials! It was LOUD, fun, and really special to see this favorite family of ours. They are very typical of many people here--confusing and all over the chart as far as their political and religious views. Briefly--they have Palestinian, Shi'ite, Hezbollah, and Communism all in one family. I would say about half of the female guests had their heads covered, but then when we all danced, some of them could give Shakira's shake a run for her money. It was fun to get dressed up and dance and go out. We went to the wrong wedding at first, then realized we were at the wrong building. Then when we got to the right building, we had to find the right room because there had to be at least 5 weddings all happening at once. Maya was good for her babysitters (which was a real relief b/c the last time we left her, she got sick and ended our date about 30 minutes into Robinhood). Other than my shoes rubbed 5 blisters (I'm not even exaggerating!) the night was perfect. My friend Laura went with us and her camera is way better than ours, so maybe I'll get her pictures today and post them tomorrow. For now I will leave you with this . . .

Matt dancing the National dance between the mother and father of the bride.

Electricity is a problem here . . .