The Sacrifice

While some of you (particularly back in Lexington now that Keeneland season is nearly underway, spring is coming on in the Bluegrass and parties are a-blooming like the early tulips) may think that this title is in reference to my sacrifice of these grand and glorious things to be in the middle east, the truth is that, yes, I miss all those things, of course!

But, The Sacrifice to which I refer is a short film, written and directed by Zachary Kerschberg, a documentarian getting his feet wet in the realm of fiction. One of Jacob's and my favorite wedding gifts was a Nikon D90 from his wonderful Aunt Mary and family and his Papa. It's produced the photos included on this site. This camera has been the source of much occupation and documentation for me and most recently, it was put to use helping Zach out as he pursues his next options as a filmmaker.

He and the Emerati, American, Palestinian and Omani crew allowed me to tag along and shoot progress, characters and locations over the two-day first-run shoot. It was lots of fun, and a learning experience for certain! The web albums can be found at:


http://picasaweb.google.com/anne.sabatino/CharactersFinal
http://picasaweb.google.com/anne.sabatino/LocationsFinal#
http://picasaweb.google.com/anne.sabatino/LiveShotsFinal#

A little glimpse of "home"

I know it's been an inexcusably long time since I last posted. Since we arrived in the gulf region, we've found an apartment and settled into something of a routine that currently includes class, visits with the neighbors and an anytime-we-can-get-there (weekly sometimes every few days) trip to the internet cafe because internet and phone service are two things that, among many many others, either don't ever get done (even when there are scheduled appointments) or it takes fifty million times too long to get it done.

"Insh'allah" is the phrase we hear most often. It means "If Allah wills it." There is a recognized and demonstrated fatalism that goes along with a language and culture entirely rooted in the will of Allah.

Sometimes it's in a nice way: Layla (our house mom in Morocco), "Insh'allah you will come back here and visit us again." Look, we both know that it's probably not happening, but it's a really nice thought, right? It's the invitation to come back and the hope that we will, but it's just not for certain.

Most times, though, it's like "Bless your (his/her/their) heart(s)." in the south: Lunching ladies at the club, "Oh, that little strapless dress that so-and-so is wearing is so very modern, bless her heart." Doesn't everyone know that you aren't allowed to wear strapless in the clubhouse, could someone get her a shawl at least, for heaven's sake?!

So, when we hear that the internet company "lost" our paperwork and cancelled our order not one but two times (the paperwork, of course, magically appeared in it's proper file when we appeared in the office the next day), and then we hear that "Insh'allah the technician will come tomorrow for the umpteenth time, you can imagine just how much faith we have in THAT (not a great testimony, I must say).

Generally, though, life in Buraimi is pleasant and we continue to find new things and people to experience. For a little glimpse of home, I'll post a few albums on picasa and things should pick up soon on regular posts (Insh'allah!).