September 2012: Gifts & Books

End of September I had temporary work escorting a Japanese group around and during this time, it really felt good to get back in touch with part of roots. I haven't visited in Japan in so long!!! And without knowing myself, a lot of the traits I have I got from my Japanese side even though I haven't exactly lived there. However, when you are away from it too long, and living in another culture, it is only natural for you to adapt and take some traits of the culture that surrounds you. One week with the Japanese group I find myself becoming as smiley as I was back in London (As I stopped smiling in Jordan because when you walk around smiling here, people will mistake you for an idiot, or even seen as you being flirtatious), and seeing things in a more positive manner which is generally how I am. However, since I am here temporarily (until I am back in London to start work end of the year) without much to do, I haven not been the happiest person around and has been affecting my mood! This is not just me. Over the past 2 1/2 weeks my mum went to Japan for work and leisure, and she has also returned in a similar uplifted spirit. It's that childish innocence Japanese carry around that makes things very peachy! And so it is always important to remember your roots, and take the good aspects of it. I am not only referring to the Japanese roots, but also my Arab traits that I do sometimes neglect to mention, but has also their advantages. The Japanese group have loved their visit here!! They loved how easy going people were, how they took the day as it came (although problematic when sticking to a tight schedule),and of course they loved the amazing food we had !! This group that consisted mostly of students who were experiencing different culture were quite amazed and impressed on how individuality can influence one's life and their choices (as Japan having a very collective culture especially in the workplace often leads to depression and anxiety). I must say I have to be quite grateful for my Arabic culture, that allows me to self-express, and be able to adapt to circumstances and have be be flexible in the different situations I could find myself in. The reason for this very long introduction is to kind of change the vibe from my last two points (although the truth but somehow on the negative front), and the gifts section covers things from Japan (from the group and some items mum has got me!)

From the group a fan and a pencil case that I thought was so awesome as I wouldn't buy such things in Japan for myself!!

 As for something more me, here are some of the gifts mum got me!
 A hair serum
A Japanese magazine (they coordinate fashion the best!! visual merchandising award goes to them!)

 Although they are from the 100 Yen store, a memo pad and a calendar, as I am obsessed with cute stationaries

Earphones I asked mum to get, since I broke mine (again)! I specifically looked them up on SONY website!

 

Some clothes of course!! I am posting these two but she also got me some shirts I asked so I can start wearing for work...etc.

These are three vintage pencil type skirts (My mum's) that she no longer wears and gave them to me!! and I am planning to wear them for work as I don't have any office type clothes since my last employer was adidas where I used to literally go into work very casually, sometimes with gym trousers and sneakers!! And those skirts are such bold colours!! Loved them!!


Books: I haven't been reading in quite awhile and as I am getting back into it thought I would share that I am currently reading my first political read and you would think that a book by a former president would be such a difficult read, but think again! I am very ignorant in history and politics, and don't really seem to be all that interested in this area, so I was worried that I wouldn't get through the first 20 pages but I am already half way through!! Afterwards I am planning on reading "Aleph" as I've heard so much about it, and "A thousand splendid suns", a book everyone around me has read except me!! So I am quite impatient to start on those two!!

Peculiar Ami xx

Being Stereotyped by stereotyped people

As you know, I am a mix of Japanese and Arab blood. I don't exactly look Japanese, but in Jordan people can see a hint of it as I do have some Asian features.

Because of this, a lot of people think I don't understand Arabic, and although this can be advantegous at times, it also has many negatives. Especially when you hear very very very nasty comments in the mall because they assume you didn't pick up what they said! 

It's not even about the language. For example, when me or my mum open the door when someone is knocking, they immediately ask "Is the madame home?". (You know, because Asians are all maids. Just like all Egyptians are labour workers and a guard of a building.) Now, we always play along and say " No No" pretending to speak terrible English so we don't have to listen to what some of those McDonalds voucher sales men have to say. But there are those days when you are just not in the mood and I think "Excuse you?"

One day in Ramadan (Yes, a "HOLY" month), to digest the large Iftar meal, my mum and I would take walks around the neighborhood. Without mentioning the area, it is a quite nice, safe neighborhood I live in, and women in the area are walking all the time, even jogging! Kids that were playing around would look at us and point "China!! Nihao!! (Hello!! in Madarin)" ..and laugh in mockery...  Ok, I will let this one go since they were kids, but quite frankly, grown people say the same thing all the time. You know that 2 minute walk from the car to the supermarket to buy phone credit?  I mean, "what the!??"

First of all: I am JAPANESE you idiot.

and second: China has the world's second GDP!! Jordan is considered a 3rd world country. Really you morons?? 

I bring this up because now watching the news and all the protests against the anti-islam film, and how Arab Muslims are always stereotyped negatively in the West, it makes me wonder.. "Wait a minute, I have never been stereotyped negatively as much as I have in Jordan, (due to ignorance), why shouldn't the West with what they see on TV?" 

I am not saying this perception is correct, as when this topic comes up, I always emphasize in defense the difference between the religion of Islam, and how it is implemented by some. Certainly the media and all the politics (two areas I am noooo expert in at all!), have a big role to play here as well. But then again, if I see a man with a beard (a sheikh) in the airport and you are "randomly" selected for inspection, don't you dare be offended when that's how your people may be are treating their visitors. (FYI tourism is bringing your country money and you are charging them 50 JDs to enter Petra and a local pays 1 JD ... but that's a different topic, lol)

I am also not saying it doesn't exist else where in the world. Certainly every country is associated with some sort of stereotyping. In the West, when I meet people, and I mention I am half Japanese, they always say "Oh I love how you guys take pictures!!" whether they refer to the very awkward standing position when taking a picture, or the infamous PEACE signs! But I don't get pointed at and spoken to as if I am looked down on and be yelled at "China!" , "Phillipine!!", "Ni-Hau!", and this isn't happening to me because I am lower class, and the advancement of this nation is better, but because people are mostly ignorant, and that's the majority. I was really embarrassed when my grandfather and uncle came to visit Jordan!!

But when you are from a country that invented Playstation, (out of many advanced technologies) then maybe , just maybe then, I'll let you point at me and say "ARAB!". But you know what, it is not ok either, because it's rude. And you know what, they don't do it! Not out loud anyway.

I mean - I don't mind most of the times this happens, and this is my personal experience I understand that. A lot of people may be against what I am saying and get defensive, explaining Amman is getting advanced and people are open minded, but I am not talking about the minority Middle/Upper class of West Amman, and all the fancy restaurants and Westernized pubs and bars in Abdoun area (where I do go to), as this is not Jordan. I am talking about the majority here, and being from here, it saddens me to see the other half of my heritage not improving or advancing whatsoever.

But I want to emphasize on how possibly other nationalities may feel who are living here. Or what perceptions tourists may have when they leave Jordan? "Oh the food was great!! people were friendly and hospitable, except in Petra they kept pointing at me and saying China!". So can we please educate the nation on not to discriminate, respect culture (not only your own), and stop thinking you are superior to others? 

To Veil or not to Veil...?

I have recently submitted my dissertation about working Jordanian women and their progression in their careers, and the difficulties they face. Skipping all academic researches and findings, I have grown very attached to this issue Jordan faces, and felt as though I should be standing up for them and do something about this. However, the conclusion of the topic all goes down to the culture of the country, both men and women, and it will take a long long loooooooooong time until anything happens. The problem goes down to the culture in the country.

The reason I brought this topic up is  a news article on BBC titled Egypt TV presenter 'in first headscarf appearance'. I have not done much research so please feel free to criticize & comment, but I don't believe there are a lot of news presenters in Jordan who would be veiled, not because the regime or the law, on the contrary, Jordan's labour laws are quite advanced. I will walk away from the TV presenter topic in Jordan as  I do lack knowledge there.. but as concluded in my research, as well as many other literature reviews, being veiled in Jordan does not help with some employment opportunities such as hospitality, tourism, or anything that is customer focused. And if you really think about it, most banks, unless it is an Islamic bank, would have non veiled women working, and being veiled will affect your chance of being employed. The culture sees it as not presentable, or even worse, women as a friendly face can attract customers, and in the sales and marketing field, take retail for example and go to your average mall, all sales personnel would be non-veiled. And many companies and sectors, would openly state in their add the preference of non-veiled women. This is very surprising considering the majority of the country are veiled, and that it is an Islamic country.

However, when watching the Dubai One channel, every Jordanian person would have this channel in their home, they do have presenters who are not only veiled, but presenting in the traditional clothing on an English speaking channel. This is a country that is very rapidly developing and has Western influences worldwide, and when compared to the very Islamic country such as Jordan, it is preferred to be as WESTERN looking for certain jobs as possible...So when reading this phrase in the article, Under Mubarak's regime, veiled women and those with headcoverings employed in the TV industry were given jobs away from the cameras, where similarly applied in Jordan where veiled women are preferred to work in back offices... and there are no regulations that says this should be the case, it could be just that the Jordanian population think the same way as Mubarak.. It is something we should ask ourselves.

Return to Amman

It has been a month and a half since my return to Amman. I am finishing up my Master degree, and have returned to Jordan until the end of the year, partly to do my dissertation, and partly as a break until I return back to London to work. Having just submitted my dissertation just yesterday, I find myself becoming lazier than I already am. Out of boredom, I remembered my long forgotten blog, that was disabled for awhile, going over them now and reading the old posts made me laugh of how simple my topics were. Basically shopping and cooking. And once that stopped, as I left work for uni (having income to spending my savings) and life got busy, I stopped blogging all together, as student life does not give the luxury of shopping!

I loved London and everything about it, although I have to say I did not experience every aspect of it yet, but there is more to come once I start working there (yes! Income!) beginning of next year, as I am attempting to become an official Londoner! That would be the next chapter of my life.

Being back in Amman, with less than a year of absence, I feel Amman has changed so much!! Maybe it is me that changed as well, as I tend to be more critical of things! But the changes in Amman has been quite drastic, so I figured I might bring up some of the topics in some posts, attempting to discuss more serious issues I suppose. Of course a lot of cooking blogs and pictures of dishes will soon take over as I am trying to kick my minimal culinary skills up a notch in my free time in Amman as I spend quality time with family.

Peculiar Ami