Lebanese Lambchops and Austrian Apfelstrudel

My family loves nicknames. When I was little, I was the snow bunny and my brother was the chocolate bunny. My mom is a third-generation Lebanese woman, growing up with the huge Lebanese community of Arizona. My dad is a first-generation Austrian male, with an immigrant mother who opened up a clothing shop in Nebraska. My brother and I resemble the two very different origins. Growing up, when I told people that my brother and I were siblings, they'd laugh, like it was some kind of joke. Some people asked if I was adopted. My brother has dark olive skin and curly dark locks of hair. I, on the other hand, have fair skin and light eyes. I got my dad's genes, my brother got my mom's. The thing is, I never saw my brother that way. He was my brother, and I thought we looked alike.

Austria's a beautiful country, but I really want to focus on Lebanon. Lebanon is a small, middle-eastern country rich in culture and history. Nobody really knows about it, so here are some fun facts:

-There are more Lebanese people in Brazil than in all of Lebanon

- The country's name is known to be the oldest in the world and has remained unchanged for over 4000 years

-The capital is Beirut

The funny thing is, Lebanese people are classified as white. Plain and simple. But, looking at my brother, how could that be the case? We've recognized so many other cultures and races, but the middle-east is still an untouched subject. Lebanese people are so much more than that, and we deserve to be recognized. I've seen first-hand how powerful Lebanese women are. Have you heard of the Mayyas? The 2022 winners of America's got talent are 36 Lebanese dancers, actually from Lebanon itself. My great grandmother is another example. Fiery red hair and personality, my great grandmother is 102 years old and still thriving. My mom and her sisters are all shrewd and tactful in business, even though their parents never worked in corporate America. When I asked my mother her greatest regret, it was not learning Arabic. Her father knew Arabic put didn't teach them, wanting them to live the "American Dream." Even though my mom doesn't know Arabic now, we still continue to honor our past and our ancestors home.

All cultures are beautiful and important, and I am so grateful that I could share mine with all of you.

Have a beautiful day! -Gigi