Happy July 3!

Just because we are away from home does not mean we can let milestones like July 4 slide by unacknowledged. To the contrary, we "celebrated" all weekend long.

July 3 we were invited to the house of one of M's colleagues for a July 4 Lebanese feast that was to die for, as they call it a "lebo feast." They went all out for us inviting other Americans, dressing their little one in American flag gear and buying Miller Beer (remember that is an import and as such it is priced like an import).

CH knows the best place to be is eating amazing food with a pretty lady! They are enjoying, kibbeh, lamb, pita, hummus, sausage and more!

We are on the books to have them over next for "American" food. I think shrimp and grits, or BBQ maybe in order. Although, I fear grits are an "acquired" taste I also fear getting deported for smuggling in grits! They have been to the States twice but they knew about grits from My Cousin Vinny! And they know about American football and football slang from Ace Ventura. And when I asked, they came up with 911 before 000 for emergencies. They quickly corrected their mistake, but first instinct was 911. This learning of America and Americans through our TV could explain why we get such a bad rap, as shows like COPS,  Swamp People, and Paris Hilton's My New BFF are TV staples here. Not to mention Two and a Half Men plays on a a continuous loop. This could explain the ugly American thing.

Another funny cultural thing here are nicknames, everyone and everything has a nickname or a short name, ala "lebo feast." His name is Warren and most people call him Waz. Even his wife calls him Waz. M tells me the guys at work who are called by their last names are also called that by their wives. Just strikes me as a bit odd.