Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Apr 9Member-onlyAbdulRahmanmy Saudi Uber driver — I had just finished a meeting that ended about an hour before Iftar. Taxis were scarce. So were Ubers; within 20 mins, three of them canceled on me as I stood baking in the sun. Then, AbdulRahman, my fourth attempt, messaged me in Arabic to say he was on his…Ramadan2 min read
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Feb 22Member-onlyTuesday 22.02.202222 humans make their wishes — Today is Tuesday, 22 February 2022. 22.02.2022. There are mathematical descriptors for such numbers. It happens to be on a Tuesday. For many, it's the second day of a workweek. People who study the earth, the moons, the stars, and the universe talk about energies. …Life Lessons2 min read
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Feb 10Member-onlyWhat bread-baking taught me about mentorshipAnd the naming of my sourdough — Like millions worldwide, I got my hands into flour, water, and many ingredients during the lockdown making bread. It’s been two years, and baking continues to relax me, provide a unique tactile focus, and offer me the pleasure of breaking homemade bread with other people. …Baking5 min read
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Dec 14, 2021Member-onlyWhen you fallWhat do you do? — As I lay on the asphalt, the lady reached out: “Monsieur. Monsieur. Are you okay? Dizzy or something?” “I’m fine. Thank you,” I replied as I was pulling my leg from under the motorbike, trying to stand up. “Is this oil from your engine, or was it there?” she asked…Falling5 min read
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Nov 17, 2021Member-onlyLebanon… No one is coming.Change has to happen within. Vote for change. — It doesn’t matter what has happened or is happening to us. It doesn’t matter what others did to us or how much we’ve inflicted on ourselves. Nothing matters anymore, except what we do today. We are all responsible. Let’s not get into the blame game. We are all responsible. Yes. Other powers have and…Lebanon4 min read
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Nov 9, 2021Member-onlyThe woman with the tattooThe one I couldn’t read — It was a warm day. I looked up from my laptop screen to a tattoo. A barely legible one from where I was sitting and from where she was standing. Her back to me, picking up her drink. Something drew me to her. I squinted at the darn thing. Too…Tattoo3 min read
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Oct 30, 2021Peace warriorDaughter of one — First impressions are such liars! To my left, she sat slightly shifted, looking out. Occasionally sipping from a cold drink, her virtual team meeting on her screen was engaging. This woman was so loud that I had no choice but to listen in. Obnoxious, I thought! The volume of her towering voice owned the store…Nonprofit8 min read
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Sep 6, 2021Member-only“Why me?” she askedSeven seconds later: “Sorry. Why NOT me?” — “I have a mission in my life. It’s a strong one. I’m here to support parents who have children with special needs.” She’s straightforward, transparent, vulnerable, and titanium strong. Holding her coffee in both hands, she told me that no matter how difficult your life turns out to be, you…Parenting7 min read
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Aug 3, 2021Member-onlyAugust 4. 6:07 pmVote with your feet — Beirut Explosion1 min readPhoto by rashid khreiss on UnsplashAugust 4. 6:07 pmVote with your feet----
Published in Tuesdays@Starbucks·Jul 20, 2021Member-onlyA service taxi driverAnd he’s not Driving Miss Daisy — It was a hot day. Noonish. 30+ Celcius. Muggy. An authentic Beirut summer day. If you’ve been, you know what I’m talking about. I’ll attempt to describe this 2021 special blend. Mixed dusty air saturated with lukewarm condensation on your sticky t-shirt, tight pants, dress, bra, and underwear; infused with…Lebanon5 min read
