In June 2002, I accompanied Sahra to Brazil to help translate her dance workshops. I happen to be half-Brazilian & half-Lebanese and fluent in Portuguese, as well as a dancer, which made me the perfect[…]
What’s In A Name????
Well when you are an immigrant that can be very complicated! Take my family name for example…. Phonetically it is pronounced Shelaby but because it is an Arabic name, when it is transferred into English[…]
Ahlan Wa Sahlan!!
Welcome!! The Lebanese generosity is evident every where we go. Ahla wa Sahla often followed by Fàdalo (come in)…. So much wonderful food, such pleasure in sharing their culture with others. This is what makes[…]
Arriving in Beirut
Traveling to Lebanon for the first time had me full of conflicting emotions. I was excited to get to know the homeland of my paternal grandparents and the place my father came back to to[…]
Baptized by Fire-How it All Started…..
I was 16 and it was summer vacation which meant I was hanging out at the community pool most of the time when Sahra called. She was on her way to meet with Farida Fahmy[…]
