Culture Shock - American Style

I’m pleased to welcome Jenyfer Matthews to the blog today. Jenyfer is an American living in Cairo, Egypt who I met online when we were both published at Cerridwen Press, and I’ve enjoyed hearing about her life in Egypt and her travels on her blog. Today she’s here talking about culture shock, American-style.

People give me a lot of credit for living abroad and traveling as much as I do. Really and truly, while it is interesting and often fun, it’s not really that difficult.

Think about it: I am a blonde American woman living in the Middle East so I don’t blend in at all. No one expects me to know anything so they are inordinately thrilled when I can manage a few words of Arabic (or whatever language of the country I’m visiting) If I inadvertently overlook some local custom, no one expects any better of a know-nothing foreigner anyway. Truly, traveling in Asia and the Middle East is pretty easy – Europe is where I’ve had more trouble. I guess it’s all my Northern European heritage showing because no matter where I’ve gone, everyone has always seemed shocked to hear American accented English coming out of my mouth instead of the local language.

Friday Field Trip - Egypt

While we're exploring Egypt, I'm hosting mystery author Dorien Grey at Author Expressions. Please see what he has to say about Paper Dreams.

Today's field trip comes courtesy of my mom, Lelo Carter. In 2000, she and my dad went Egypt. Here are some of the pictures my mom took. Thanks to Mom for sending these -- but how about some more of you?

Tennis Anyone? Being a Mom is Universal

Today my guest is Jennyfer Matthews, an American living in Cairo, Egypt. She shares glimpses into her life on her blog, and I'm happy to have her at Terry's Place today. When raising kids, some things are the same no matter where you live.

(I'll continue my RT recap tomorrow)

Ever since my daughter was old enough to walk, she wanted to kick a ball. Beach ball, cheapo rubber ball, soccer ball, it didn’t matter - like a puppy, if it was a ball she would chase it. She was not just enthusiastic, she was good. I have pictures of her at age two running behind a soccer ball, hair flying.

About a year ago, I signed her up for tennis lessons. It seemed like a good idea at the time – she is well coordinated, loves to run and play sports, and tennis is a sport you can play for life, right? My son decided he wanted to join in as well, so I signed him up too. Monkey see, monkey do. One more way to get them off the couch and tire them out is never a bad thing.

The logic was sound, but little did I know how tennis lessons would creep up and take over my life.

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During a water break at my daughter’s first lesson, the coach came over and asked me if this was her first lesson. I said yes. First ever? Yes, I replied. She’s never had lessons before, anywhere else? No, I answered. He nodded his head and looked thoughtful.

It’s just shy of a year since then and my daughter has zoomed up through the various tennis groups available. She’s now with an advanced group that meets 7 hours a week, in which she is the youngest member and the only girl. She’s been in there for a couple of months and she’s rapidly gaining on them.

She’s a gifted athlete – I’m both astonished and proud of her progress. But it’s a tough job being a tennis mom. Aside from being at the lessons for 10 hours a week between both children, there’s the competition. I’m not talking about junior tournaments or the other tennis moms (though some of them are crazy!) I’m talking about within myself.

I’d be hard pressed to name one professional tennis player from this decade – I haven’t watched a match since the late 1970s. The point system makes no sense to me – what’s up with “love” anyway? A zero is a zero! I used to chase balls for my mother but have never swung a racket myself. I could use the time they are lessons to read, write, or socialize but instead I am at the fence watching them play. But I’m not just watching, I’m studying them. I love to watch them play and appreciate the beauty of a well played point. Even some of the shots that don’t succeed are amazing. But can I help it if I also notice the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents, er the other children, who they play? I’m not blind, after all.

The fact that I sometimes slip tips into post-practice walks home is just me holding up my end of the conversation.

One of the other tennis moms showed me a book she has on raising tennis kids. It never occurred to me there would be such books available. I have since read that book and have now started on sports psychology. But I read them in private – I don’t want to be labeled one of “those” moms. If I absolutely have to take one out in public, I borrow a dust cover from a hard back mystery on my shelf. I would much prefer people should think I’m just a really slow reader! Would you think badly of me if I admit that I occasionally dream about tennis?

Honestly, keeping it all in perspective is a lot of work. The coach is enthusiastic and often talks of tournaments and scholarships. That is all very attractive – particularly in light of the investment of time and money we are putting into tennis lessons. However, I am trying hard to keep in mind that my daughter is still young. She’s got a lot of time to develop other interests and go in another direction. She also loves soccer – and her soccer coaches are equally enthusiastic about her talent.

Did I mention that she’s only 8 ½?

Today the coach told me that after the summer he wants to start working with my son one on one because he has such talent.

Here we go again!

Jenyfer Matthews is an American currently living in Cairo, Egypt. In addition to being a slightly unbalanced sports mom, Jenyfer Matthews is the author of three contemporary romance novels available digitally from Cerridwen Press . Her first novel, HERE TO STAY, is now available in print from Amazon. T learn more about Jenyfer, visit her website.

Two Places at Once?

In addition to popping in here with a short post this morning, I'm also a guest blogger at Just Jenyfer. Check her blog out--she's an American living in Cairo and has some nifty stuff on her blog.

Last night's twenty-minute drive to the airport turned into an hour-long, bumper-to-bumper drive in the rain. Although I would rather have spent the time in the airport baggage area (even remembered to toss my eBookwise in the car) rather than on the Beachline, the timing actually worked out well, as hubby's baggage was slow to appear on the carousel, and he had to wait only a minute or two for my arrival.

The usual post-travel stop for dinner at our local Chinese restaurant was very welcome. As was the second glass of wine I enjoyed. Hubby could drive home. And leftovers mean one less night of cooking.

Wimbledon's in a rain delay at the moment. I need to figure out the "Something Bad Happens Here" moment in Chapter six.

Blogging With A Purpose

It's nice to know someone reads my posts and finds something interesting or useful in here. Fellow author Carol Ann Erhardt gave me a "Blogging With A Purpose" award. In turn, I'm supposed to pass the award on to five other bloggers whose blogs serve a purpose for me. I've listed them on the side bar, and here's why I chose them.

Banana Death is my daughter's blog. She's coaching and training for a half-iron man competition in Colorado as a fund raising effort for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Her blog follows her training regimen, which never ceases to amaze me.

Dishing with the Divas and Wet Noodle Posse are group blogs run by authors who share writing advice, entertaining anecdotes, and all sorts of aspects of the craft and business of writing.

Jenyfer Matthews is an American author who lives in Cairo, Egypt and she shares lots of pictures and tales of what it's like to live and raise a family over there.

The Graveyard Shift is run by Lee Lofland, author and retired police officer and is crammed with great research material, and he's always got time to answer questions.