The Soup Story

The whole time I’ve been here, they’ve never bothered or were the least bit interested in doing anything in a way that I’m used to. I guess you could say The American Way. No, this doesnt necessarily piss me off but I’ve been totally down and accepting of doing things their way, all the time. I feel like I’ve put up with a bunch of shit. Also, to help this story, I need to add that Ali doesnt really care too much for me. He wants help with his homework and studying for tests. He’s made that clear. All he wants is a good grade. Sometimes we joke and call me his sister, Laura Küçükbasmacι (koo CHUKE bas mahjuh) and that really gets him pissy, he doesnt like the sound of that. Like a typical 11 year old, all he likes to eat is meat and bread. I try to get on him all the time to eat his colors. Of course, he hates it. ‘Colors are so gross’

This, plus daily being insulted about my personal abilities and decisions, adds up to the night I decided to make soup. I mean jesus, its just soup, how hard can it be? Plus I’ve seen them make it 100 times. Water and grated veggies. Allright lets do it.

Immediately Omer is critizing everything. EVERYTHING. I dont even want to describe all the shit he was wasting his breath on. Sad thing is this is nothing new. I’ve just started grated some zucchini when he realizes there are no lentils for the soup. I try and talk him down because he freaks out quick. I dont NEED lentils, they arent that essential its just vegetable soup. Ohhh no. He calls the neighbor to tell her I’ll be coming over to borrow some lentils. I didnt even know he did this until he’s half yelling at me why dont I hurry up and go get the lentils next door. Fine. Come back and tensions are rising. I didnt peel the potato and carrots before I grated them..why? Because Omer, that is where lots of the vitamins are. While back I find all my grated carrot in the trash and Fatma grating some new carrots she apparently peeled first. God who even peels carrots anyways, this is nuts.

He’s walking in and out the kitchen pretending to look busy but really I know hes watching my every move analyzing everything I do. Realizing he is standing staring at me and my veggies I want to turn around and scream ‘WHAT!?!’ but I dont, I’m trying to remain calm. Eventually his 50th F-ing comment was the last straw and forced me to respond. Loudly. ‘Look Omer, I am JUST trying to make some soup. I’m doing what you want me to. You wanted me to make some dinner and I’m giving it my best shot and all youre doing…’ Here I get interrupted. I’ve never met anyone like this family ESPECIALLY Omer that absolutely loves to interrupt. Just fuel to the fire.

Basically that was my long awaited but short outburst. Right after that Ali comes in and does something I never believed he would do. He’s calling me Sister and putting his arm around me. He’s never once touched me and usually cringes when I try and hug him. “Hey sister! Look sister (points to the soup) we’re eating colors! Yay, colors, its good to eat colors. Sister laura!”

This was huge. He’s actually trying to make me feel better, and saying things I always thought he hated to hear. I think about this every day since. Maybe this sounds petty, or maybe I didnt set up the scene well enough, or maybe I was so emotionally vulnerable right then but I was amazed. Truly touched.

My emotions: “What the FUCK is going on???” I was so angry a second ago and now Ali is saying things I always wished he’d say. I dont know what to feel. Thank god the ‘rents left soon after so I had time to cool myself down and heat up the soup. Plainly put, that nights soup turned out to be very emotional but epic. And no, these tears are not because of the onions.

In other news, I have compiled a few of my favorite photos. Feel free to take a look around.