Engaged
My first encounter with him was as eccentric as he is; a random e-mail in my inbox in the first quarter of 2006, gravely entitled, “Pen Pal Proposal.”
His name is Musa, and he is the most brilliant human being you could ever possibly meet, although at that point, all I knew about him was what he chose to tell me about himself : “Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I’m bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.”
Many months later, after wooing me with a red Sharpie and his knowledge of Andy Warhol, I started to really get to know Musa. I discovered that he writes out to-do lists on tissues and scraps of paper practically every day and these lists always start with “Wake up,” that he spends 95 percent of the year in navy blue Adidas sweatpants with the white stripes on the sides, and that he can’t fix electrical appliances for the life of him. :)
I also discovered, way before either of us hinted to the other that we even like one another, that Musa is the guy I want to spend the rest of my life with.
If you know the cynical, realistic person that I’ve always been, you will know how surprising my discovery was. To me, most of all.
You will be even more surprised to know that here I am today, a few months into our relationship, completely unable to resist writing about our choice to take a step forward towards a life together; a step we hadn’t planned, a step that had never even been discussed yet – seriously, between the two of us – not even as I write these words today. I have no idea when this step might be taken; perhaps a year from now, perhaps three years from now, perhaps less, perhaps more. Yet
regardless of when, in my heart, and for some crazy reason that I cannot even begin to comprehend, I know that this step is inevitable.
For now, I will just enjoy being happy knowing Musa, who is very far away at the moment, as well as try to imagine how ecstatic I’ll be feeling as I finally “publish” these words.
The day you’re reading this certainly must be the best day of my life.
- Roobii
(February 09, 2007, 1:28 PM, Amman)
Quick note: I love you Sara M., Noor S., and Hala K..
Tim Naaman
September 13, 2007 @ 10:05 am
Sounded like you were describing a mirror image of yourself for a second there; it all starts off with being good friends after all doesn’t it?
2^76 x Congrats -
Moey
September 13, 2007 @ 10:09 am
one of your best posts indeed,
Hal
September 13, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Mabrook dudette. Best thing about this is I get to buy a new dress and go to yet another party. I also get to co-plan the party. And the music. MOHAHAHHA. Wait, am invited, no? Yeah right, I’d crash it even if I wasn’t. I can’t wait. Will be smuggling in illegal substances, I don’t care what you say.
Oh, and also, moose is cool. Good thing I like him. Otherwise you woulda still been single with me. Sigh. I promise to stop trying to separate you two and make you hate each other, as I so obviously suck at that.
Mmmwwwaaaaa! I am so uncharacteristically happy for you :D Does this mean I’m like good inside or some such shit?? :D
Qwaider قويدر
September 13, 2007 @ 10:19 am
NO WAY!!!! :) OH MY GOD!!!!!
ALF ALF MABROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKK
Oh my god, I can’t find words wallahi! Alf alf mabrook.. I was starting to think that you’re not into guys! WOW! This is awesome!
Yalla alf alf mabrook … and Allah yhanneekom ya rab
Isam
September 13, 2007 @ 10:25 am
Fantastic news … Congargs … you are a good gal you deserve it …
Sarah
September 13, 2007 @ 10:33 am
OH qwaider qwaider qwaider. It’s not that she’s not into guys you see. It’s just that she’s not into YOU. And I say that with utter conviction, being such a good friend of hers. Give it up ya man. Really. Move on.
Poor bugger.
Deee
September 13, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Sincere congratulations ya Roba, you guys seem to be a perfect match… I hope he’s into shoes. =)
Alf Mabrouk! =)
Qwaider قويدر
September 13, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Sarah, don’t ruin the moment, I’m so happy for Roba, and that’s what counts. 7aram 3alaiki .. it’s her day, and her moment, and I for one congratulate her sincerely from the bottom of my heart!
Again, this is awesome, Alf alf mabrook. I’m so happy for the two and wish them all the best
super.devoika
September 13, 2007 @ 11:11 am
Mabrook sweety… I’m happy for you… and I’m sure you’ll be happy together…
your post is interesting… how you describe the person you love… and I felt your love for him… but you didn’t actually used the word! =)
Roba indeed you are special… and you are one of the people I will never forget…
leen
September 13, 2007 @ 11:16 am
roba!this is amazing ! oh my god! w ana kman i thought u r not interested in love and guys!oh my god alf alf mbrook!just wanna tell u eno el zwaj kteer 7ilo khsoosn b3ed 7ob at least for me its great.roba alf mbrook!im really happy 4 u am3 eny ma b3rfek ela mn el blog but im really happy 4 u.(remmember when i told u eny ma kmalet drasty 3shan knt msta3jle atjawaz?)well..actually im back rji3it sajalet hon b dubai w 3mbkamel interior gesighn ):)w kteer mbsoota,(just wanna share it with u) w alf mbrook kman mra.
salam
September 13, 2007 @ 11:33 am
Yay Roba, what beautiful news:) alf mabrook..I love it when best friends fall for each other..best thing ever..trust me I know!! I’m so happy for you ..mabrook sweetie..may your life with him always be as joyful as it is now..
lubna
September 13, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
mabrook! a bit shocking ma ba3raf lesh:S hehe but mabrook,
i guess i met him at cups and kilos that one day right? i remember you both were really tall so yeah i can that this is a perfect match:D
really mabrook ,i find it matching in a cute way…
enough mabrooks, here’s a happy ramadan instead:)
Nas
September 13, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
alf alf mabrook!! very happy for you!
“I was scouted by the Mets”
you forgot to mention that he’s obviously funny :-D
Nis
September 13, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
wheres my love? mabrook roobee ill be expecting a facebook message with details soon ah?
kinzi
September 13, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
I KNEW IT!!! you gave it away on Facebook when you said your were ‘’in lurve'’. Ah, another name to check off my list.
SO SO happy for the two of you. You won’t be believe the synergy of creativity óneness'’ brings.
So does this mean he discovered you from your blog?
Sasa
September 13, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Alf mabrook :)
Jad
September 13, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Mabrook Mabrook
nada
September 13, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
haha
so cute roobi
best wishes for both of you ;D
mpuah
MOHANNAD
September 13, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Congratulation, I wish you all the happiness & joy in this special time.
Farah
September 13, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
MABROUK..TESTAHLY KOULL KHEYR.
Haitham Issam
September 13, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Congratulations!
khalid jarrar
September 13, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
oh myy!!
alf alf mabrook alla ybarikilkom o ywaffi2kom inshalla:))
:D
Hus
September 13, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
Congrats.
What’s up with the date under the signature. Does it date the article or the picture ?
nousha
September 13, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
MABROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK :-)
Beti
September 13, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
Congrats! I’m really thrilled for you!
natasha
September 13, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
I’m sooo happy for you 7abeeebti.. Mabrook
Love you!
KeKo
September 13, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
waaaaaaaaaw :) my warmest hearty congrats to both :) nothing cheers me up more than a realist letting go ;) way to go, enjoy the journey.
PS. The Pink Floyd art still belongs to me, one day I will get round to collecting it :P don’t you dare give him half of it ;)
MMM
September 13, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Congratulations :)
Sounds like a great and funny guy :)
I wish you both all the best and all the happiness in the world :)
Ziad d
September 13, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Mabrook Roba! :)
Husams
September 13, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
ahaaa so this is what the biggest step is about, right? ;) you wrote this in feb, but you are most happy in the day you post it which is today and you cant be most happy unless you with him based on primitive law of love, so i guess he is in amman now :) alaf mabrouk and you both simply enjoy moments as if time a chocolate bar existed to be enjoyed :)
nasimjo
September 13, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Mabrook from Prague :)
its the 1st day i see sun since … i left jordan i guess :)
and i was wondering why is it such a nice day :D
Mabrook!
7usam
September 13, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
Woooow ,, Mabrook lucky you for finding the ONE
truly truly mabrook
7aki Fadi
September 13, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
Ahhhhhhhhh, to be in love. Isn’t it amazing?
He seems to be a funny guy based on your description :)
Yallah alf alf mabrook and tithanoo biba3ad yaaaaaaaaa rab. Being engaged is really fun so enjoy it to the Max!
7aki Fadi
September 13, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
Oh and Hey…. LOVE the header
Ziad
September 13, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
Mabrook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thaer
September 13, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
hehehe, kulloh 7aki fadi. it will be rosy until they actually get married. mark my words.
another one falls for some sweet words, ya3ni ittakal bi3a2ilha 7alaweh. sa7tein.
ma ra7at illa 3ala qwaider il-maskeen. everyone who reads this blog knows inno dayib fi dabadeeb Roba …poor broken-hearted guy …
mabrook …hala 3ammi
Ohoud
September 13, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Congratulations, you look cute together:)
imad
September 13, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
mabrook roba! he’s a lucky guy.
Omar Salaymeh
September 13, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
Alf mabrook ya Roba!! wen il 7ilwan?
You’re gonna have smart, good looking babies ;)
Ahmad
September 13, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
ALF ALF MABROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKK
I am so happy for you.
May allah bless you and your future family.
Ahmad Humeid
September 13, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
I thought someone was trying to trick me when I heard the ‘rumors’ in the office today
:-)
Congratulations to our SYNTAX/Toot/Blogging colleague and her Musa..
Deemco
September 13, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
Alf MABROOK sweetie! Wish you all the happiness in the world! :)
Amino
September 13, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Mabrook Roba! I cracked up about the red sharpie part. I hate to be a typical arab, but I’m expecting geeky babies with red converses ;)
Maha
September 13, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
Mabrook :D
oleander
September 13, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
mabrook Roba :) best wishes!
Firas
September 13, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
Alf Mabrook Roba and Musa (or is it Mosa :D) wish you happiness and a long happy life together!
Congrats. and enjoy the Jaha and the whole “فا احنا جايين نطلب ايد بنتكم روبى لابنا موسى”
It’s good to know that the PenPal thing still works :D
omar
September 13, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Mabrook Roba! It’s funny how you gave it away by this great news - you never mentioned personal relationships on your blog! hehe.
Mabrook Again, and will get you a nice bouquet of Red Sharpies! :D
when’s the party and all? hehe
Hani Obaid
September 13, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
How fortunate, first spam word was “love”, I thought it was setup for this post, but it wasn’t. It must be a sign !
Best wishes to you both 8)
Zeyad
September 13, 2007 @ 9:57 pm
Alif Mabrooooook! All the best to you.
Dandoon
September 13, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
CONGRATS on the engagement and mostly congrats on meeting someone who makes you this joyful!
this is my first time to get this emotional about a blogger’s life….but hey you are one of the few bestest :D …..wish a long happy life together!
Abu Shreek
September 13, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
Mabrook. 3o2bal el 3azabiyeh
Seneferu
September 13, 2007 @ 11:17 pm
Alf mabrouk, Roba:)
Hareega
September 14, 2007 @ 12:19 am
it’s really good hearing this :)
Fido Dido really brings hearts together
manal y
September 14, 2007 @ 12:59 am
thats great news. im so happy for u :D
Ahmed
September 14, 2007 @ 1:32 am
Conrats Roba!
Avery
September 14, 2007 @ 2:25 am
Hey Roba, Happy to hear the news. Congratulations!
This is only one step. Many steps are still to come, each of which will feel better than the previous one. Ask your mother about it, she is having one of these steps just now; seeing you!
Maxxed`ouT
September 14, 2007 @ 3:09 am
مبروك روبا
Shaden
September 14, 2007 @ 4:56 am
oh wow!! it is surprising, but what a sweet surprise Roba! I’m so happy for you I can’t stop smiling :))
best of luck!!
Hala
September 14, 2007 @ 6:09 am
Alf mabrook Roba, wishing you both the best :)
moi
September 14, 2007 @ 8:06 am
is it just a coincidence that the anti-spam word is “joy”? ;)
Congrats Ruba, it’s an amazing feeling to be on that cloud 9, was there just a couple months ago, so relish it and enjoy it as much as possible!
Rania
September 14, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
Roba!! I’m really, really happy for you! Alf, alf mabrouk!
Tololy
September 14, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Ya reeto alf mabrouk :)
MommaBean
September 14, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
Let me be the first to…
ULULULULULULULULULULULULULULULUUUUUUU!
Is this the very fine gentleman that I met at that reception? Habibti, the most sincere and huge congratulations! Engagement (and then marriage) of the heart is a most spectacular thing. El 3atal and I were friends for several years before we began dating. (Little known fact, we met because he had a crush on my Swedish roommate). It’s the best way to go. I’m so truly happy for you.
duha
September 15, 2007 @ 12:24 am
“and he is the most brilliant human being you could ever possibly meet,”
Give it time baby … give it time ..
Leen
September 15, 2007 @ 2:50 am
mabrooook :D
Wasim Ayoubi
September 16, 2007 @ 12:26 am
Great News and may god bless you both, I wish you the very best and to ejoy the rest if your life. by the way wain el 7alwan???
Pat Hickey
September 16, 2007 @ 4:00 am
Best of luck to you both, I’ve been reading your blog almost dailyfor some time now, save when I’ve been in rural places, and enjoy reading your take on your part of the world. You seem to have a good group of friends who care about you. I sincerely wish you the very best in the years to come. It’s funny I “Googled” - “Alf Mabrook” to find it’s definition in english and your announcement was ranked 6th!
Alf Mabrook
life
September 16, 2007 @ 11:40 am
i will allow to say .. that I KNEW it.. :)
We met a couple of times.. when you were both together.. and its all over your faces..
happiness & love makes people more beautiful..
Best wishes…
Liza
September 16, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Congratulations, Roba! I can only imagine what it would take to steal your heart, so Musa must be a pretty incredible guy. Best wishes for a happy future for both of you.
Lisa
September 16, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
Roba, I am so happy for you! Mabrouk, mabrouk, alf mabrouk.
Bardees
September 16, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
Congratulations!!!!!
I just loved how you felt it deep inside and wrote about it months ago :D
God Bless you both
girl4cairo
September 17, 2007 @ 5:25 am
WOW!!! Best wishes to you. And congratulations!!!
laura
September 17, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
Congratulations! You are obviously very happy. I hope everything works out for you.
Mazz
September 17, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
aaaaa
rOba is gettin’ married :D alf mubrook
Carmen
September 18, 2007 @ 3:18 am
Big BIG congrats!!! Enjoy this feeling!
The Observer
September 18, 2007 @ 11:45 am
OMG! I just learnt about your engagment! and to whom Musa?! My classmate! That is awsome! I am soo happy for you guys. You deserve each other.
3ndj, the world is very small! :)
Wish you all the best.
Alf mabrook! Say hi to Musa :)
Rebecca
September 20, 2007 @ 8:34 am
Wow! Alf Mabrook! Somehow I missed this post last week. May the Lord help you build a solid foundation together and bless you for many years.
Rebecca
PS. He’s a plagarist, but he chooses his material well. ;)
Dave
September 22, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
I felt this one coming. Mabrook, groovy chick.
Owen Bin Rogér
September 23, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
Nice works and thoughts, congrats on finding your soulmate :)
Mashallah!
Keep it cool :)
Sami
September 30, 2007 @ 10:52 pm
I just read this!!!
Alf mabrook. I am very happy for you :)
-Sami
Ash
October 1, 2007 @ 10:52 am
Hey Roba,
Congrats! :-) hook line and sinkers eh?