Can I Call Myself Lebanese Yet?

I've been living in Lebanon for close to two years now. In that time I've tried really hard to shove myself into Arab culture. Can I call myself Lebanese yet?, I think I can finally make a case for my cause. 

• First I can say, ana libneiniyyeh, (I am Lebanese for those of you who are not as libneiniyyeh as I am).
• I have finally figured out the combination of appliances I can use at one time without blowing the electricity.  2 ACs -OR- 1 AC and the Hot Water Heater (and we should probably turn off some lights), the hairdryer and NOTHING else. 
• I can finally tell the difference between gunshots and fireworks.
• I ate kibbeh nayyeh (raw minced beef) the other day and liked it. 
• I have mastered the missed call and rarely use any cell phone credit.  
• I've been hit by a moped. 
• I usually eat lunch around 2...which maybe isn't quite late enough to be considered Lebanese but pretty late for Americans. 
• Yalla, habibi, shou, and anjad are part of my everyday vocabulary. 
• Also I've started to say things like, "That movie was really nice", "I will pass by your home later.", and "as you like" This may not sound weird to the Lebanese reading this blog but as my roommates often remind me we don't say these things in America. 
• I am always at least a few minutes late. 
• I kiss people when leaving them. (This is anjad one of my favorite things about Lebanon!)
• I don't let people cut in front of me in line anymore. 
• Oh and I just dyed my "blonde" hair brown. 

So there you have it. What do you think Lebnannis, can I call myself Lebanese yet?

10 Things I've Learned About America Since Moving to Beirut

10. American hummus is really gross.

9. You cannot trust American media.
8. Traffic lights and speed limits really are a good thing.
7. Even though America is a bully sometimes, I always feel the need to defend her. #landthatilove (can you hashtag in a blog post, ma barif)
6. Cereal is so cheap in America. I remember when I was little, it was a treat to splurge and pay $4 for the good cereal. Last week I paid $11 for a box of Lucky Charms (I was desperate!).
5. I still can't figure out why the fried mozzarella burger hasn't made it to the States yet.
4. Apparently American girls are very low maintenance. A friend explained to me a few days ago that he wanted to marry an American because Lebanese girls are too needy. He said, "Lebanese girls are too high maintenance. They expect you to have your own house and they want you to buy them a scarf every now and then." Haha. Oh boys.
3. Also American girls don't dress very well. A girl here told me once, "I wish I could be more like you Americans and not care what I wear or how I look." Umm, thank you.
2. We are really blessed in America to have a government that for the most part works to protect the rights of its people.
1. America is REALLY big. I guess I've always known this but it really stands out when you live in a country that's smaller than half of South Carolina. It also makes it hard to answer questions like "What's the weather like in America?" or "What? You've never been to New York?"

15 Things I've Learned About Lebanon Since Moving to Beirut

I logged onto my blog earlier today and realized that the last blog I posted was at Thanksgiving :/ . Sorry for my slacking in blogging. I started this post with 12 things I've learned but I decided to come back and make it an even 15.

So Lebanon....

15. There are NO deserts in Lebanon. And from what I hear only two camels. I have yet to see one :(
14. Lebanon is a land of great cultural diversity with many different religious sects and political views.
13. Nail care is extremely important.
12. Wasta goes a long way.
11. Hairdressers in Lebanon are always men, most of them are really talented, and if you get your hair "brushed" that means styled.
10. You can get anything delivered to your house: groceries, a cheeseburger, even hooka.
9. The arabic word for the number 9 is tes3a. That 3 stands for a crazy sound that we don't have in English. How to Pronounce Arabic Sounds for Dummies says it is similar to a "choking sound."
8. Nothing in Lebanon starts on time... except for movies which always start about about five minutes earlier than they're supposed to.
7. Arabic is really really hard!
6. Lebanese people are the most hospitable people in the world!
5. And the most fashionable!
4. If you visit someone's house you should bring a gift.
3. You should always carry an umbrella because when it rains in Lebanon it POURS and you never really know when to expect it!
2. The Lebanese boast that you can go skiing and visit the beach all in the same day.
1. A common misconception is that Muslims dislike Americans and Christians. Being both, I've learned this is definitely not true, and frankly kind of stupid. I am so thankful for my incredibly kind, loving and accepting Muslim friends!