Weighing In...

Friends and family can attest to the "little" weight issue that was slowlying, but surely catching up to me while working in the office. My belly became known as my "Corporate" here in Morocco. When I first signed up for this assignment, I was pushing a solid and respectable 270lbs! Buttons were being forceably removed by my "Corporate" which was this diesel engine that I used to make fun of, and now was reaching full speed. Because I'm 6'7'', this weight was spread out and wasn't extremely noticable. However, according to my BMI (Body Mass Index), I was at least 40lbs over weight.

Long story short, so a few weeks back, I passed by a pharmacy here in Amizmiz and I was curious to see what my current weight was since checking it last September. Reason being, my pants were beginning to fit better and my face began to remarkable grow cheekbones. So, I gingerly stepped on the scale, hoping for it not to break into tiny pieces when I noticed the scale read 235lbs!! I'll do the math for ya, it's a lose of 35lbs over 5 1/2 months. It then dawned on me that this was only due to a basic 1 hour or so walk each day, and a modified diet of (basically) less fatty food, less salt, etc.

As of week ago, I wasn't even doing anything extremely excercise related until I met this little guy there in Amizmiz. This man, which I later came to know as Ahmed, was the "local trainer", and was curious in working-out with me. I mean, this guy couldn't even have been 5 foot tall and he was telling me about working-out. I discounted him, thinking that I had years of experience in the gym, as well on the Div1 level in basketball. In addition to this, I had no motivation to learn "futbol", which I was sure that's what he was referring to. Regardless of my apparent negative body language towards his suggestions, he proceeded to offer to meet him at his "gym" for a look see. First thought in my mind, was
"you've got to be kidding me", but I hadn't anything to do, so I went.

From there, it's been history. The picture of myself and my new trainer are below, and the relationship we've begun to build is pretty unique. Ahmed, was a former lightweight Moroccan champion back in the 70's and is now a certified trainer looking to open up a training room in our small town of Amizmiz. So, with alittle training and his assistance, this flimsy 235lbs body of mine just might get back into the shape it used to be back when I played for Gonzaga's basketball team.

Weight Calculator (Body Fat Percentage):
http://health.yahoo.com/centers/weight_loss/10002

BMI (Body Mass Index) Calculator:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm

My new trainer and former Lightweight Champion of Morocco... AHMED, alongside (half) of my body

Just a few more images of my site...

My town and one of the many snowy mountain tops in the foregrown

This is shot of the Tuesday Souk (open market)

Another (artsy) image of the Souk doors

A rooftop view overlooking the village

These were the clouds a few weeks back (they almost appear to be fake).

...and here is the frontdoor of my house (I even got my basketball number).

...and here is the courtyard within my house which is 3 stories tall and has 6 rooms (obviously too big for me, but there's no apartments here).

...and finally, here is a shot of my culdasac (my house is on the gray one the right).

Morocco Vice

Although my sitemate and I don't completed fill the italian loafers of the stubble-faced detective Crockett, who lived on his sailboat guarded by his alligator Elvis. Nor am I afflicted with his New York partner Tubb's struggle to locate his brother's killer. However, together we do take on the Morocco in a similar zeel.

...on the tough streets of Marrakech.

Miami Plage (Miami Beach)
This shot was taken in Casablanca, which is their version of ''Miami Beach".

Andrew (Crockett)
Born and raised just outside of the tough streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he attended Trinity College in Connecticut where he studied History and Economics. Having this rough and rugid persona that he does, he included stints on the varsity crew team, and played squash in his spare time. After graduating, he postponed attending law school in order to serve here in Morocco.

Doug (Tubbs)
...you already know me.

A Walk Down Memory Lane...

As I quickly approach my 6th month here in Morocco, I have begun to really take into account everything from my "old" life that mattered to me. Going through this period of reflection I began to realize how much I truly did miss from the states. Missing things such as; my home, friends, foods, smells, sights, sounds, etc.) Then going through my collection of images stored on my disc, I picked out just a few of the images that represent these...

Believe it or not, but this particular image (for me) represents the worklife there in the states. This is a shot of the windmills on the Altamont Pass between Tracy and Livermore, California. Just as the sun was waking up, I was taking these back roads (to avoid traffic) on my way to work, which took about 2 hours (one-way). Doesn't seem that bad right now, considering.

"The Boyz"

This is a shot of my friend "Ed" on the couch at a party celebration in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Of course, this would photo would have to represent my friends (or my Boyz) back home in the states.

Although there are beaches here in Morocco, there are far and few times in between that I am able to visit them. Coming from California (Santa Cruz), the beaches were just a lunchtime break away. In a very simple way, this would have to represent Location, Location, Location.

This image represents my Neices & Nephew. This shot was taken just outside of my brother's house and at the park across the street. I had the opportunity to babysit my nephew for a few minutes, so we took some time to play alittle at the swingset across the way. I certaintly miss this little guy's humor. And if I regret anything about being away from the states this long, it's that I won't be able to watch these next 2 years of character development.

This shot would probably have to represent the "freedom" of life back in the states, and in particular California. Life here is not only restricted by government influence, but by the country itself, as many things that are normal to most Californians are considered forbidden or shameful here in Morocco. Here is a shot of seagulls that frequent the coastline.

This image speaks volumes for what I miss back home. First of all, Golf!! Second of all, my big Bro & one of his best pals, John. These guys are "classic" and account for many of my relaxing weekends in California. Wishing I could have been there to watch this year's Super Bowl with them.

This image represents the "Thrill of Driving". I've got some pretty good stories regarding this particular drive through the Napa Valley. Now a days you can find me in a Souk Bus (where carrying goats and chickens on board are common place), or a Grand Taxi (riding along with sometimes up to 8-or-9 adults packed "comfortably" into a 20+ year old Benz). Then again, a Benz is a Benz. :)

Hassan II (Casablanca)

Hassan II:

Hassan II Mosque, built for the 60th birthday of former Moroccan king Hassan II, is the largest religious monument in the world after Mecca. It has space for 25,000 worshippers inside and another 80,000 outside. The 210-meter minaret is the tallest in the world and is visible day and night for miles around.

Although Hassan II Mosque was designed by a French architect, it is Moroccan through and through. All of the granite, plaster, marble, wood, and other materials used in its construction were taken from around Morocco.* 6,000 traditional Moroccan artisans worked for five years to turn these raw materials into abundant and incredibly beautiful mosaics, stone and marble floors and columns, sculpted plaster moldings, and carved and painted wood ceilings.
*The sole exceptions are the white granite columns and the glass chandeliers.

The mosque also includes a number of modern touches: it was built to withstand earthquakes and has a heated floor, electric doors, a sliding roof, and lasers which shine at night from the top of the minaret toward Mecca.

Many Casablancans have mixed feelings about Hassan II Mosque. On one hand, they are very proud that this beautiful monument dominates their city. On the other, they are aware that the expense (estimates range from $500 to 800 million) could have been put to better use and they resent the fact that the building of the mosque necessitated the destruction of a fairly large, slummy section of Casablanca, the residents of which did not receive any compensation.

Ahh... Casa!