Bad Habits. Thanks Jordan

My newly found obsession with CSI Miami. Oh good GOD, Horatio Cane. Those sunglasses, the way you say every word with such precision, how you always catch the bad guy, even if it means running into a building with a bomb, and emerging, still standing, as the building explodes.

I love you Horatio.

Ok. That will NOT leave Jordan with me. As one of the few shows that are on TV constantly (perhaps 3 times a day) I’ve seen my fair amount. At first I was so against it. But then it won me over based on the sheer ridiculousness of the actor David Caruso. He makes the show. Probably because he always manages to slip on his sunnies just as the sunlight hits him just so. Couple that with a line like “I think you’re right. This IS a murder,” and I get shivers.

The overplayed pop music. Maybe it’s because I’m not in America, but I REALLLLLLY miss pop music. Therefore, I overplay what I have. Um, my “Top 25 Most Played” playlist is ridiculous. Lady Gaga, Jason DeRulo, Lily Allen and Katy Perry are there—in multiple quantities. The only alternative ones that top my list are the Decemberists, Arcade Fire and Death Cab.

Granted, a lot of these plays have happened because of the gym, but its still a tiny bit embarrassing. I vow to return to my not overly played pop music roots when I get back.

Eradicating Slang. I can already see people getting super annoyed with my use of Arabic slang. But here, my English is already peppered with these fun words. I mean, why wouldn’t you want to say “MushKila” instead of “problem” or use “Kbeer” instead of “huge.”

Plus, it reaffirms that I am actually learning shway Arabic here. But I need to stop, because back home no on knows what these words mean. And that’s a mushkila kbeer.

Not ragging on American Money. So before I left for Eid I tucked a couple of American $20s into my wallet to pay for visas in Egypt and Turkey (Dollars is THE international currency). As I was holding it, I noticed how WEIRD the money looks. I couldn’t believe this is what I used back home. It just was so long and skinny, unlike Jordanian money. And don’t even get me started on the how ridiculous pennies look and feel (so light). I’m not the only one who has noticed this either; the appearance of the dollar has come up in many a conversation.

Not Being a Hummus Snob I am going to cry because I have to leave GOOD falafel and hummus. It sucks in Amrika. Even bad hummus in Jordan is good hummus by American standards and that is going to kill me. I am going to compare every hummus I ever eat the rest of my life to the hummus I get here. And the falafel. Where am I going to get good falafel. And Baba Ganoush. I mean I can make that, but I need Tahini—where do I find Tahini?

Gah! It’s going to be a veryvery sad day leaving this country’s food.