Nov 16, 2023Liked by Noha Beshir, Samantha Childress
This is such an incredible conversation and I adored hearing such an in-depth perspective on Egypt and Egyptian culture mixed with both of your unique perspectives. Thank you for such an enriching read xx
Nov 16, 2023Liked by Noha Beshir, Samantha Childress
Really interesting conversation! The diaspora / expat dynamic is so interesting because your perspectives are so different, but you both share an 'outsider' status to a degree, though experienced differently.
Thanks, Mikey! I found Noha’s perspectives super illuminating--it was fun to talk about familiar things in a different light, from angles I hadn’t considered before.
Nov 16, 2023Liked by Noha Beshir, Samantha Childress
Great conversation. It really flowed naturally. You bring up important topics of recognizing the actual span of control over our lives (agency) and how community can improve that agency. I have found that the more community I have the more ability I have to handle issues, problems, disruptions. It's convenient to have dog sitting apps, but so much better to have a trusted friend or family member to sit your dog.
One of my favorite Yiddish sayings relating to what we can control is "Man plans, God laughs."
I always had this perspective that as I got older I would suddenly have all the answers. Meanwhile, what's actually happened is I know we're all always looking for clarity. There are not really many answers. Life is way more nuanced. That's what I think of when when I hear your saying above.
Dec 17, 2023Liked by Noha Beshir, Samantha Childress
This post rang true for me in so many ways. My life as an Egyptian born and raised in the USA with a huge family in Egypt mirrors so much of my lived experience... Thank you Noha and Sam for sharing something I have felt my whole life but never really understood.
Omar, thank you! This is the highest of compliments - By the way, my husband's family are also Shahine's. I know it's the most common last name ever so there's probably zero relation.
Nov 16, 2023Liked by Noha Beshir, Samantha Childress
Definitely a post to savor in more ways than one! The reflections on the different attitudes toward fate, family and even traffic behavior in Egypt compared to the U.S. and Canada are so striking. And the appetizer recipes seem perfect for the holiday table. An excellent series, Sam!
Ruth! You're in the maritimes - so cool - I have never been but my husband lived there for several years and we have been planning to go, but life keeps interfering with that plan 😅
Hey Noha, we visited a few weeks ago, loved it and want to return one day. I hope you get a chance to go. It’s so beautiful. We’re big fans of Canada, particularly the people!🇨🇦
Thank you, Ruth!! I hadn’t even been thinking about the dips for the holidays until you and Vicki mentioned it, but you’re so right...they’re the perfect thing to spread out on the table and let everyone mix and match!
This is such an incredible conversation and I adored hearing such an in-depth perspective on Egypt and Egyptian culture mixed with both of your unique perspectives. Thank you for such an enriching read xx
Thank you, Aoife!
Thank you for this sweet comment, Aoife! So glad you enjoyed the conversation ☺️
Really interesting conversation! The diaspora / expat dynamic is so interesting because your perspectives are so different, but you both share an 'outsider' status to a degree, though experienced differently.
Thanks, Mikey! I found Noha’s perspectives super illuminating--it was fun to talk about familiar things in a different light, from angles I hadn’t considered before.
This is exactly what I felt in speaking with Sam about this: the same but different.
Great conversation. It really flowed naturally. You bring up important topics of recognizing the actual span of control over our lives (agency) and how community can improve that agency. I have found that the more community I have the more ability I have to handle issues, problems, disruptions. It's convenient to have dog sitting apps, but so much better to have a trusted friend or family member to sit your dog.
One of my favorite Yiddish sayings relating to what we can control is "Man plans, God laughs."
robertsdavidn.subsrack.com/about (no paywall)
I always had this perspective that as I got older I would suddenly have all the answers. Meanwhile, what's actually happened is I know we're all always looking for clarity. There are not really many answers. Life is way more nuanced. That's what I think of when when I hear your saying above.
“Man plans, God laughs”...I love it, what an apt expression!
This was such an engaging AND ILLUMINATING piece. Thank you, Noha and Sam!
Thank you, Jolene!
Thanks, Jolene ☺️ this comment made my day!
🤗
This post rang true for me in so many ways. My life as an Egyptian born and raised in the USA with a huge family in Egypt mirrors so much of my lived experience... Thank you Noha and Sam for sharing something I have felt my whole life but never really understood.
Omar, thank you! This is the highest of compliments - By the way, my husband's family are also Shahine's. I know it's the most common last name ever so there's probably zero relation.
Wow. Spelled the same way? I have known other people with similar last name just spelled differently.
oh no, spelled differently in English. Obviously spelled the same way in Arabic, I would assume. In English they have both Shahins and Shaheens.
Definitely a post to savor in more ways than one! The reflections on the different attitudes toward fate, family and even traffic behavior in Egypt compared to the U.S. and Canada are so striking. And the appetizer recipes seem perfect for the holiday table. An excellent series, Sam!
Ruth! You're in the maritimes - so cool - I have never been but my husband lived there for several years and we have been planning to go, but life keeps interfering with that plan 😅
Hey Noha, we visited a few weeks ago, loved it and want to return one day. I hope you get a chance to go. It’s so beautiful. We’re big fans of Canada, particularly the people!🇨🇦
Yes, the people are wonderful, though I may be biased in my thinking lol .
I don’t know why I thought you were actually a maritimer? I must be mixed up
It's okay, Noha! After visiting, I kind of wish I WAS a maritimer!😆
Thank you, Ruth!! I hadn’t even been thinking about the dips for the holidays until you and Vicki mentioned it, but you’re so right...they’re the perfect thing to spread out on the table and let everyone mix and match!
Great piece, Sam. And I may try out a couple of those dips on my Thanksgiving guests!
Thank you, Vicki 🥰 please report back if you do!!
Will do!
Isn’t it funny how the chaos starts to feel homey? Now when I’m in the U.S. I’m like, “it’s quiet...*too* quiet!”
Hahaaa that was how my cousin felt when he called Ottawa boring 😅
I thought you'd relate to some of this, Kimia... and yes, I want a big plate of fattah and a jug of karkade now heheheh