March 2010

oatmeal cookie cupcakes

March 29, 2010

We all know a person like this. This person always has some new scheme brewing in the back of their mind, some new job, career, business proposal, whatever. The constant entrepreneur. Sometimes they just tell you about it, sometimes they get you involved. For a week you and this person will talk about nothing but [...]

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Middle East-inspired granola

March 26, 2010

One of the first things I did after getting back from Iraq this week was drag my granny-cart down to my friendly neighborhood Whole Foods and stock up on groceries (after taking a long nap, of course, since 20 hours of flying is not conducive to feeling rested). It wasn’t until later that day when [...]

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Intro to Istanbul

March 25, 2010

Sunday afternoon I finally began the arduous task of leaving Iraq. I arrived back in D.C. three days later and I now understand a bit better why some people choose to work in Iraq for several years. It’s just easier to hang around, dodge rockets, get paid and not get frisked and searched five times [...]

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Saved by the bao

March 19, 2010

Okay. So, maybe my trip to Malaysia was several months ago. I’m sure you all get it: I loved it there. I swear, I didn’t want to write another Malaysia post. (well…maybe I did. But for the sake of whatever sort of limited-loyal readership I have, I wanted to restrain myself) Readers, this was the [...]

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What will Dubai look like?

March 14, 2010

It’s kinda strange to check my blog stats and find that the number one search topic is “what will Dubai eventually look like?” Eventually? What does that even mean, searchers? That reminds me of that show where they try to figure out what cities will look like a week, year or century after people. So, [...]

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Baghdad's spring fever

March 13, 2010

It’s spring in Baghdad! Everybody is out and about trying to enjoy the mild 100 degree whether before it gets too hot out. …yeah. Seriously, 100 degrees in March? Get me out please. Aside from the blazing sun, it was a fun day. A coworker invited me to take pictures of the first formal lacrosse [...]

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An Oasis in the desert

March 11, 2010

Another Baghdad restaurant review! This one is called “Oasis” and truly lives up to its name. The place is run by Iraqis and is packed with authentic Middle Eastern flair. For example? Several large TVs installed in every room, each blasting “Melody Hits” or “Melody Tunes,” the Arab world’s answer to MTV (if MTV still [...]

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Happy Election Day!

March 7, 2010

I have to admit, I’ve been sort of overdosing on Iraqi politics and news for almost eight months now and I’m just about completely fizzled out. (Read: I’ve got exactly two weeks left) That being said, it’s election day so I feel a bit compelled to throw in my two cents. It’s sort of a [...]

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Lighthouse Bakery

March 6, 2010

I didn’t know much about Malaysian cuisine before visiting there, other than a few Lonely Planet, Wikitravel and food blog blurbs that had proclaimed the country a “foodie haven.” I love Asian foods of all sorts, so I felt okay with discovering the finer nuances of Malaysian cuisine along the way. This meal, which I [...]