Yara's journal entry describes a deeply rooted tradition of superstition and coffee ground reading, as taught by her grandmother.
In their tradition, bad luck is a prevalent concern, with customs for protection that include throwing salt and avoiding certain things like black cats.
Teta, Yara's grandmother, is adept at 'tabseer', a method of fortune telling by analyzing the leftover Turkish coffee grounds in a cup.
Yara's grandmother told her the meaning behind various patterns and symbols seen in the remnants of Turkish coffee, imparting her knowledge.
The rooftop of their shelter is a cherished space for Yara and Teta, a place of freedom and cultural practices.
Yara recalls her upbringing in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank and her closeness with Teta as they engage in daily activities and rituals.
The coffee reading tradition serves as a means of connecting with ancestors and a practice that Yara learns to appreciate and perform.
One poignant memory is from Yara's wedding night, where Teta finally reads her coffee grounds, signaling her transition to a new chapter in life.
Yara has dreams and ambitions beyond the expectations of her culture, such as becoming a singer in America rather than just assuming a traditional role as a mother.
Despite Yara's aspirations, Teta's reading seems to reveal a destiny of motherhood and possible hardships depicted by the mountains in the grounds.
Yara grapples with the fear of leaving her grandmother and her heritage behind, but feels suffocated by the idea of staying.
The emotional distress of parting is evident as Teta breaks down in tears and eventually gives Yara a gold necklace with a hamsa charm for protection.
Yara carries the physical and emotional marks of her heritage and the intense emotions of this farewell as she embarks on her journey to America.