About Me
I was born and raised in a Lebanese household in Southern California. Growing up, I constantly found myself living between two realities. Outwardly, I was an American girl who loved swinging on the monkey bars and reading The Baby-Sitters Club. Inwardly, I was Lebanese, speaking Arabic at home and forbidden from attending sleepover birthday parties.
I tried to suppress my uniqueness, wolfing down my mother's pita-bread sandwiches away from the scrutinizing eye of American kids toting their white Wonder bread. In Lebanon during long summer breaks, blending in was a struggle, too. I couldn't keep up with my French-speaking cousins, and girls seemed manicured and primped beyond their adolescent years.
With age comes awareness, maturity, and self-confidence, and I learned to embrace these differences. I accepted that I'd forever be suspended between two worlds, that I'd never fit one specific identity, and that I'd be like a tapestry, one culture woven into the other. As I grew more worldly, I promised myself I would one day come to Lebanon to live, not just vacation.
And here I am. Three college degrees and a few consulting gigs later, I am in my parents’ homeland, working in global strategy management at a leading Lebanese bank. I get my hair coiffed several times a week, like any proper Lebanese girl, and I love the traditional mezze. But I still prefer peanut butter to Nutella. And my American accent is unmistakable.
This blog seeks to chronicle my adventures in Lebanon and invites the reader to chime in, too.
If you really want to get up close and personal with me, I recommend you start with my Caught In Between series, comprising four parts and still a work in progress.
If you want to know more about the origins and purpose of Beirutista, read this interview.
Welcome aboard!
Danielle
Follow me on social media!
For any media invitations or general correspondence, email me at
I tried to suppress my uniqueness, wolfing down my mother's pita-bread sandwiches away from the scrutinizing eye of American kids toting their white Wonder bread. In Lebanon during long summer breaks, blending in was a struggle, too. I couldn't keep up with my French-speaking cousins, and girls seemed manicured and primped beyond their adolescent years.
With age comes awareness, maturity, and self-confidence, and I learned to embrace these differences. I accepted that I'd forever be suspended between two worlds, that I'd never fit one specific identity, and that I'd be like a tapestry, one culture woven into the other. As I grew more worldly, I promised myself I would one day come to Lebanon to live, not just vacation.
And here I am. Three college degrees and a few consulting gigs later, I am in my parents’ homeland, working in global strategy management at a leading Lebanese bank. I get my hair coiffed several times a week, like any proper Lebanese girl, and I love the traditional mezze. But I still prefer peanut butter to Nutella. And my American accent is unmistakable.
This blog seeks to chronicle my adventures in Lebanon and invites the reader to chime in, too.
If you really want to get up close and personal with me, I recommend you start with my Caught In Between series, comprising four parts and still a work in progress.
If you want to know more about the origins and purpose of Beirutista, read this interview.
Welcome aboard!
Danielle
Follow me on social media!
For any media invitations or general correspondence, email me at
Wow great blog, Dano :) keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteLove that I just came across your blog. Looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI think it's spectacular that you are born in the states but yet have retained your lebanese heritage and moved back there to have an inhibited experience. Elie
Hello Danielle, well expressed, I understand your feelings very well.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. I really enjoy following you. I can somewhat relate to your stories as, I was born in Lebanon to Lebanese parents. But upon my entry to the world, we moved to Switzerland where I spent 22 years of my life. Following that I lived in 17 countries over the next 10 years. I still had very little idea what living in Lebanon would feel like. At the Age of 33 I dropped everything, including a high paying job to come back to Lebanon and live my life in my country. 1 year later I am writing this post and still trying to figure out, how I fit in Lebanon and how to adapt to some of our traditions. You sure made a follower out of me as I continue to figure out my identy
ReplyDeleteI think we're forever doomed (or blessed) to be suspended in-between many identities. All we can do is embrace it :)
DeleteDanielle, I was the one who posted about RD and Deek and Duke on Blog baladi, I can't really speak more about the purchase as I work in the hospitality/restaurant field as a consultant for most of these restaurants. However I would be more than happy to share with you in an email the full details.
DeleteRegards,
Jad
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog through foursquare. Love it :) Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nadim! I enjoy reading your descriptive food reviews as well--glad we agree on Al Hindi ;)
DeleteI like the part where you say -'speaking Arabic at home and forbidden from attending sleepover birthday parties'.. I am living abroad now but thats what i feel right to do to my children in the future! great blog love the simplicity and passion.. got to know you from annahar news website.
ReplyDeleteWhen the time comes, i will probably do the same with my kids! Thanks so much for reading--I promise more reviews of value-buster restaurants.
DeleteAwesome!!
ReplyDeletevery helpful blog!!! thumbs uppp and keep us posted for any updates regarding OUR FAV STORE: WESLEYS :)
ReplyDelete