HEARTC♡RE

Now,

I've left behind my wife related reality tv (ex: Mob Wives, Real Housewives, Basketball Wives) and moved on to Indian soaps. I'm sure we've all heard something here or there about them. Both the good and the bad. I'm going to highlight a point or two within both aspects. I will begin with the bad to end nicely. Let's begin on how I even got into them. In the afternoons we'll spend a nice amount of time in grandma's room. . . . . . actually, need I say more?

Sometimes the volume isn't even on but I'm still crane-ing my neck to get a good look and guess what the heck is going on. I thought the longing of wanting to speak any one language off the Indian subcontinent was gonna subside after I left the IRC. WRONG. Lord, please insert the gift of knowledge into me and allow me to understand Hindi. I'm tired of having to interrupt and say "wait, so why did the dance leader of the co-ed dance troupe confront the teacher of the all girl dance troupe?" Or something super juicy is going on (like the sister swallowing the engagement ring because she doesn't want her younger sister to marry the guy because she wants him for herself and then her mother begins to half choke her until her NOT-to-be father in law hits her in the back to make her spit it out) but at the moment you can't even ask because you'd be interrupting. Anyways. . . my point is it'd be nice to know what's going on. 

I heard about the colorism that existed within Indian media. Colorism meaning the discrimination and prejudice against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group. I heard that most of the Indian actors and those on the screen were most likely light skinned. So when the soaps were on TV (and when are they not honestly?) I made it a point to check out everyone to see if this was true. Conclusion: every actress and actor wears MAC concealer Nude Beige 25 (not for purchase bc I made it up). BUT WAIT, I actually saw someone who could pull of Mocha 360, he played the role of the "terrorist organization leader." Now I'm only making a narrow observation of Indian media from the three or four soap operas I have been exposed to, I trust bollywood (or whoever) is making an effort to have a more diverse casting. 

Another thing related to colorism that I've seen on the same soap channel are creams. Skin lightening cream commercials, like "Fair and Lovely." We obviously also have that in the states, but I don't think they are adverstised as much or at least not under the same guise. I'm sure in the US they are sold as "even" skin tone creams. I know all of this exists, but it makes me sad seeing a daily reminder and thinking of all the little girls who hate their skin and think they would be prettier if they we're lighter. I mean, fair and lovely?? Fuck off. Also, I'm sure these creams are made by the same big companies that advertise those "pull on your heart strings" commercials about acceptance and embracement of female body over in the U.S. Anyways, another post for another day.

What I'm sure you've heard about Indian soaps is ALL THE DRAMA.  I mean they are dramas, so we can't blame them. Yes, who doesn't love some good drama??? Y'all have to get on this channel: sit, observe, and absorb. 

Here's how it goes according to some reddit users:

What is the Shwoo Shwoo effect??

exhibit A:

exhibit B "me when I enter the room":



Honestly, they're all such a good time. Some of it is a bit silly. Like this one undercover police girl is following a group of bad guys, literally 15 feet behind in an open field, hiding behind the single tree, wearing a bright blue, blinged out sari. I mean??

anyways here's the worst (and only available) picture of the most beautiful creature, Shekhar from Diya Aur Baati Hum (ignore the equally as beautiful woman next to him):

PS: Mexicans are no better

During my first couple days at my new home I couldn't help but notice there were at least two boxes of tissues in every room. Look to the left, tissue box. Look to the right, tissue box. Bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, you name it, tissue box. Even when we ate dinner (only at home. . .THUS FAR) I spotted no paper towels or napkins, just good ol' tissues. In the beginning I thought it was just a thing at my new home. So I let the questions go. A couple days into my stay, we go visit HD's parents and it's the same thing. Tissue boxes. So I have questions now, what's up with the four hundred thousand tissue boxes? Oh, did I mention some are not just in their original packaging. They have silky, tasseled, and embroidered, covers.

I asked about the tissues and they said "oh, grandmom just insists on tissues in every room." Which sounds like it's more personal taste than a norm. Then I ask about the tissues at the other house and they said "well, I just grew up that way." So now, is it a coincidence both grandmoms love tissues? Well yes, because tissues just sound like a grandmom thing. BUT THEN last night I went over to someones house for dinner, and lo and behold: tissue boxes. And no grandmother present. And although I have only been to three homes. It is enough evidence for me to assume that every single Omani household maintains at least five open boxes (that's a very low number thirteen is more realistic) of tissues at a time. I am also sure that it has caught on to non locals, because I am sure to have multiple tissue boxes available to me when I return home. (Update since I typed this: they are in every car too. Even one of the cars at the house has a tissue box from the actual dealership. Meaning, it's def a thing)  I need to get into the tissue business. I have some ideas. (edit 9/3: embroidered tissue box at the bank, right next to the Omani coffee and dates)

Another thing slightly specific to the Muslim world (not referring back to the tissues) are the Islamic showers. Most of us have probably heard of bidets, and I say most of us because you're probably American if you're reading this. If you are American, you know they typically don't exist in our neck of the woods, practically non existent. It's a sort of appliance (can't think of a better word) that is used to properly (up for debate?) clean yourself after using the restroom, especially number two. The classic bidet we are more familiar with is usually a little basin next to the toilet that sprays up. The kind in Oman is a hose with a sprayer connected to a tap in the wall Every bathroom/restroom in Oman, public or private, has an Islamic shower (as seen below). It's probably the law to provide one in public bathrooms. Here, these little beauties are a necessity. Not just because they're especially anal (edit: no pun intended) about their cleanliness, but it's a part of their faith. Hence, the Islamic in Islamic showers.



Islamic shower related stories:

HPs usually look up to see if there is a bidet of some sort when they book hotels (abroad). Once they forgot to check, or assumed, and they arrived and none was available. So every time they used the bathroom they would take a shower.

I had a friend, in the states, who would take a water bottle to restroom when they would go. And once someone asked them, as a joke, "what, do you always get thirsty in there."

I saw the bidets in Argentina, but I didn't have the courage to try them. I researched the reason as to why Americans never picked them up. There are a few reasons, the one standing out to me was rejecting them because of their European origin. . . of course. They are just too convenient, who just uses toilet paper anymore? ;) I will have to do like HD's visiting friend. Pick up ten or so and take them back home with me.

#Tissues&IslamicShowers2k15 #ISwearByTheTissueLife

melissa

It's almost 2AM 3AM and I should have really really gone to bed 3 4 hours ago. I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but the few days before I left I would "laugh-cry"(I know I know) in the car while driving. I would just think to myself, "what am I doing??" Like it would hit me that I was actually doing this. It's so bizarre being here. Like I am here so casually. Like I just packed my bags and was like peace out. When I am just around my (new) family I think: "wow, I'm just sitting here on these peoples' sofa, sitting about nonchalant." It's really a weird feeling. Although it is a new culture and environment, it is as if Muscat and I are longtime friends. Again, what gets to me is how casual I feel being here. It is a big deal to me, but at the same time I knew this was in the future so it was just a matter of when. 

I haven't gone to bed yet because I was reading another expat's (am I an expat?) blog of Oman. I have read about 8 full posts and wish I could be as interesting as them. If I don't get it together in a few more weeks I am shutting this down LOL. 

There are so many possible things to write about I think and I am excited to slowly get exposed to the different possible topics. And although I am here so casually I can never get over the scenery when we go for a drive. 

And as this woman (whose Oman blog I've been reading for the last two hours) put it: "I've promised myself that, no matter how long I'm here for, I can't allow myself to become immune to the beautiful scenery. The day that I stop noticing the beauty of the mountains or the ocean will be the day I no longer deserve the gift of being here."

hopefully I will have a few fun posts coming up which I have ideas for. I know I will regret this sleeping decision later, but I can't help myself.

melissa