Well, today is a milestone. After school, I was able to fit in a nap, dinner/family time, ALL of my homework, and a trip out with Jumana, Shereen and Emily. Ilhamdilallah!
Assef - I am sorry. I haven't been very diligent with this blog. Here's a brief summary of the last few days:
1.) I saw a bunch of old Greek Orthodox churches and ancient ruins in Madaba, took a trip up Mount Nebo where Moses supposedly hung around, stepped into the Jordan River where Jesus was supposedly baptized (although for me, far more significant is the fact that Israel diverts most of the water, so this ancient river is down to little more than a trickle), and floated in the dead sea.
2.) The dead sea was very fun, it felt like I was in space, but the saltiness burned every little cut on my body and I could only stand it for 15 minutes.
3.) Happily for me, there was a nice, cold, non-salty swimming pool at the resort we visited. Shereen and I spent a few joyous hours swimming and sunbathing. My new bathing suit is jamila kteer!
4.) I ACED my first Arabic test!! 9.5/10. Go me! Imtihani Arabeeya jayeeda!
5.) Ma-salaama.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
1 AM Again
Tuesday was my day off, and it was fabulous. Shereen, Emily, everyone else and I walked from coffee shop to hookah bar to restaurant, sipping coffee, smoking shishah, and eating falafel/mango puree/baba ganouj. Also, I got my scholarship check deposited in my account! I was able to pay off my Dad for my taxes + plane ticket loan, pay my Houghton rent in advance for the entire summer, pay off my credit card, and still have a SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT left over. Like, I'm thinking enough for a trip to Egypt, maybe. Also, I went for a mini-shopping spree at ZARA. Best. Store. Ever. I got two shirts and a gorgeous pair of shoes.
Since it was Jordanian independence day, we went to King Hussein Gardens for an Independence Day Celebration. It was a riot! I have never seen so many excited Jordanians in my entire life. They were dancing and clapping and waving flags, and they were ALL decked out in their red-and-white-checked scarves (kind of like the one you see Yasser Arafat wearing, except it actually symbolizes Jordanians). I love traditional Jordanian music. The only unfortunate part is that the exuberant dancing is left to the men - the women just watch and clap. Kind of lame. Funny story - I walked up to a group of dancing guys to get a few pictures, and my friend's host mom actually walked up and pulled me away! I guess it's considered dangerous to get close to dancing men, but they didn't seem scary to me. They were all smiles and were pretty much fighting to get in front of the camera. I guess that was my "crazy American" moment of the day. For pictures, see my Flickr.
Today it was back to the grind, and boy, is it a grind. I officially know the entire Arabic alphabet, which means that I can read aloud any Arabic script I see and write down any word I hear(in theory). But let's not forget...Arabic is HARD. Imagine a language with two different kinds of D's, T's, K's, S's, H's, and TH's...spelling is so difficult, because I'm not good at telling the difference between the "soft" and "hard" consonants yet. That being said, Shereen, my Arabic-extraordinaire classmate (It's her parents' native language, she has an advantage) says that she is impressed and so are the teachers, and that I'm progressing quickly. I hope so. My brain feels jam-packed. I guess that's how it's supposed to feel. I feel lost sometimes, but I'm working my butt off and getting into it.
*Cough, cough*. I'm not sure if I've contracted a virus or if it's all of the smoking in the house, but I'm hacking up a storm. I spoke to my host mother about it, and she said she was so sorry and that they would start smoking outside on the balcony only. Still feels a bit like a cold, however. We shall see.
Since I'm feeling sickly and I had a METRIC TON of homework tonight, I was looking forward to just going home, doing my homework, and crashing early/having some free time. Madam Al'Araj picked me up from class at 3, and no joke, we were not home until 6:15. There was quite a long list of stops...I never want to hear the phrase "just ten minutes!!!" ever again.
That being said, the Al'Araj family are some darn good people. They seem to have been inspired by my pinings for Rosalie. We're getting a cat!! After about an hour of expressing my concern that they're only getting it for me, that it's a big responsibility, that they can't just neglect it once I leave, etc. etc., I was reassured that the whole family really does want a cat and that once she is trained up, Joud will make a very good pet owner. =)
Well, I have to get up in 5.5 hours (FML), but I cleaned my room, showered, and did every homework assignment to my best ability. I hope I'm not still all scratchy-throated tomorrow.
Ma-Salaama,
Kaye
Since it was Jordanian independence day, we went to King Hussein Gardens for an Independence Day Celebration. It was a riot! I have never seen so many excited Jordanians in my entire life. They were dancing and clapping and waving flags, and they were ALL decked out in their red-and-white-checked scarves (kind of like the one you see Yasser Arafat wearing, except it actually symbolizes Jordanians). I love traditional Jordanian music. The only unfortunate part is that the exuberant dancing is left to the men - the women just watch and clap. Kind of lame. Funny story - I walked up to a group of dancing guys to get a few pictures, and my friend's host mom actually walked up and pulled me away! I guess it's considered dangerous to get close to dancing men, but they didn't seem scary to me. They were all smiles and were pretty much fighting to get in front of the camera. I guess that was my "crazy American" moment of the day. For pictures, see my Flickr.
Today it was back to the grind, and boy, is it a grind. I officially know the entire Arabic alphabet, which means that I can read aloud any Arabic script I see and write down any word I hear(in theory). But let's not forget...Arabic is HARD. Imagine a language with two different kinds of D's, T's, K's, S's, H's, and TH's...spelling is so difficult, because I'm not good at telling the difference between the "soft" and "hard" consonants yet. That being said, Shereen, my Arabic-extraordinaire classmate (It's her parents' native language, she has an advantage) says that she is impressed and so are the teachers, and that I'm progressing quickly. I hope so. My brain feels jam-packed. I guess that's how it's supposed to feel. I feel lost sometimes, but I'm working my butt off and getting into it.
*Cough, cough*. I'm not sure if I've contracted a virus or if it's all of the smoking in the house, but I'm hacking up a storm. I spoke to my host mother about it, and she said she was so sorry and that they would start smoking outside on the balcony only. Still feels a bit like a cold, however. We shall see.
Since I'm feeling sickly and I had a METRIC TON of homework tonight, I was looking forward to just going home, doing my homework, and crashing early/having some free time. Madam Al'Araj picked me up from class at 3, and no joke, we were not home until 6:15. There was quite a long list of stops...I never want to hear the phrase "just ten minutes!!!" ever again.
That being said, the Al'Araj family are some darn good people. They seem to have been inspired by my pinings for Rosalie. We're getting a cat!! After about an hour of expressing my concern that they're only getting it for me, that it's a big responsibility, that they can't just neglect it once I leave, etc. etc., I was reassured that the whole family really does want a cat and that once she is trained up, Joud will make a very good pet owner. =)
Well, I have to get up in 5.5 hours (FML), but I cleaned my room, showered, and did every homework assignment to my best ability. I hope I'm not still all scratchy-throated tomorrow.
Ma-Salaama,
Kaye
Monday, May 24, 2010
jayeed
Al Salaam Alaykkum.
Today, I feel sooooo much better. A hot shower (albeit with extremely low water pressure) and a good night's sleep helped a lot. My in-country director, Hala, was also a large factor. She is so understanding, and I was able to tell her about everything that was going on with me. She is GREAT. She is one of the most eloquent, intelligent, interesting, cool and warm-hearted people I have ever met.
Julie and Mom: Today, I wore the sequin-pocket shirt, and it looked great.
I now officially know roughly half of the Arabic alphabet. It's so cool - I'm reading street signs! I'm usually not sure what the words mean, but I can translate that curly script into something spoken aloud! I'm also picking up quite a bit as far as actual communication goes. Between my family and my classes and my new friends, I learn new words all the time. I can't believe it's only the fourth day. I've learned so much already, and I can't wait to see where I'm at at the end of the summer.
I already feel at home in Amman. It is interesting, beautiful, and exciting, but most importantly, the people are extremely hospitable. If any of you readers have negative perceptions of the Arab world, I would think again. While some are conservative and all are different from Westerners, Arabs are warm, friendly, and always ready to help you out. They are also incredibly full of life. They laugh a lot, eat a lot, and hang out in groups a lot.
While a large portion of Jordanian women cover their hair with a scarf, it is CERTAINLY not a necessity. I can walk around in jeans and a t-shirt and look quite normal.
My host family could not be any more welcoming and accepting. While officially Muslim, they really seem to be more open to ideas than anything else. They all thought it was really cool that I'm a Buddhist. Joud loves to dance, and I kid you not, today, we were busting a move to Pitbull in the living room (with her mother looking on and encouraging it!). I showed them some videos of the dance team, and they were delighted. They are very excited because they just realized that I'll be staying for 11 weeks instead of 5. They want to take me to some weddings.
I'm so thrilled because I already have friends and a life. I met a girl named Shereen in my class, and we've quickly become friends. She is from Texas, but her parents are Palestinian and spent a large portion of their lives in Jordan. Consequently, she knows quite a bit of Jordanian Arabic, which comes in handy for me. Also, one of her college friends is actually a Jordanian native who is home for the summer. Shereen is living with this friend, and through them, I've been able to meet all kinds of Jordanians my age! We all hang out together and it's so much fun.
I feel sort of bad because I got home at 11:30 and I woke my family up because I got lost on the way home and had to call them, but I can't be that upset about it. I had a GREAT time tonight. We went to a shishah (hookah) bar, and just sat and smoked hookah and sipped coffee for hours. Then we got ice cream, and to end the night, we drove around listening to a mix of American pop/rap and Jordanian traditional music, singing and dancing and just being goofy.
My life is so perfect right now, and the little devil in my brain always has something to say when that happens..."you're going to mess it up, Kaye". I just tell him to shush.
This weekend, I'm going to see Biblical Jordan (Jerash, Madaba) and the Dead Sea! I can't wait to lay on a beach.
I miss my family and friends and cat back home. Love you all.
Ma-Salaama,
Kaye
Today, I feel sooooo much better. A hot shower (albeit with extremely low water pressure) and a good night's sleep helped a lot. My in-country director, Hala, was also a large factor. She is so understanding, and I was able to tell her about everything that was going on with me. She is GREAT. She is one of the most eloquent, intelligent, interesting, cool and warm-hearted people I have ever met.
Julie and Mom: Today, I wore the sequin-pocket shirt, and it looked great.
I now officially know roughly half of the Arabic alphabet. It's so cool - I'm reading street signs! I'm usually not sure what the words mean, but I can translate that curly script into something spoken aloud! I'm also picking up quite a bit as far as actual communication goes. Between my family and my classes and my new friends, I learn new words all the time. I can't believe it's only the fourth day. I've learned so much already, and I can't wait to see where I'm at at the end of the summer.
I already feel at home in Amman. It is interesting, beautiful, and exciting, but most importantly, the people are extremely hospitable. If any of you readers have negative perceptions of the Arab world, I would think again. While some are conservative and all are different from Westerners, Arabs are warm, friendly, and always ready to help you out. They are also incredibly full of life. They laugh a lot, eat a lot, and hang out in groups a lot.
While a large portion of Jordanian women cover their hair with a scarf, it is CERTAINLY not a necessity. I can walk around in jeans and a t-shirt and look quite normal.
My host family could not be any more welcoming and accepting. While officially Muslim, they really seem to be more open to ideas than anything else. They all thought it was really cool that I'm a Buddhist. Joud loves to dance, and I kid you not, today, we were busting a move to Pitbull in the living room (with her mother looking on and encouraging it!). I showed them some videos of the dance team, and they were delighted. They are very excited because they just realized that I'll be staying for 11 weeks instead of 5. They want to take me to some weddings.
I'm so thrilled because I already have friends and a life. I met a girl named Shereen in my class, and we've quickly become friends. She is from Texas, but her parents are Palestinian and spent a large portion of their lives in Jordan. Consequently, she knows quite a bit of Jordanian Arabic, which comes in handy for me. Also, one of her college friends is actually a Jordanian native who is home for the summer. Shereen is living with this friend, and through them, I've been able to meet all kinds of Jordanians my age! We all hang out together and it's so much fun.
I feel sort of bad because I got home at 11:30 and I woke my family up because I got lost on the way home and had to call them, but I can't be that upset about it. I had a GREAT time tonight. We went to a shishah (hookah) bar, and just sat and smoked hookah and sipped coffee for hours. Then we got ice cream, and to end the night, we drove around listening to a mix of American pop/rap and Jordanian traditional music, singing and dancing and just being goofy.
My life is so perfect right now, and the little devil in my brain always has something to say when that happens..."you're going to mess it up, Kaye". I just tell him to shush.
This weekend, I'm going to see Biblical Jordan (Jerash, Madaba) and the Dead Sea! I can't wait to lay on a beach.
I miss my family and friends and cat back home. Love you all.
Ma-Salaama,
Kaye
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Not. Feeling. Well.
First of all, let me say that this is already a fabulous experience in so many ways. Wonderful host family, awesome city, ancient Roman architecture, interesting and challenging language lessons...the problem, however, is that my stupid body is not allowing me to enjoy any of this.
I'm still suffering from severe jet lag. I couldn't fall asleep last night until 2 in the morning and had to wake up at 7. I woke up feeling like death. This lack of sleep is causing my ever-present anxiety issues to go FULL STEAM AHEAD. I am so so so anxious, for no reason (so my brain creates reasons). It's the worst feeling ever. In turn, the anxiety is exacerbating the issues that my digestive system is having with different food. Don't get me wrong, it's all delicious, but I'm just not used to it.
This is the most steam I can muster to write a blog today. I love Arabic but it took every ounce of energy I had today to stay awake and make my brain work, and I still have lots of homework. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be feeling more myself and will be able to give more details. For now, let me just say..."ana tabbanih". (I am tired).
Ma-Salaama,
Kaye
I'm still suffering from severe jet lag. I couldn't fall asleep last night until 2 in the morning and had to wake up at 7. I woke up feeling like death. This lack of sleep is causing my ever-present anxiety issues to go FULL STEAM AHEAD. I am so so so anxious, for no reason (so my brain creates reasons). It's the worst feeling ever. In turn, the anxiety is exacerbating the issues that my digestive system is having with different food. Don't get me wrong, it's all delicious, but I'm just not used to it.
This is the most steam I can muster to write a blog today. I love Arabic but it took every ounce of energy I had today to stay awake and make my brain work, and I still have lots of homework. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be feeling more myself and will be able to give more details. For now, let me just say..."ana tabbanih". (I am tired).
Ma-Salaama,
Kaye
Friday, May 21, 2010
I made it!
Salaam allahykum.
Well, here I am, typing away under the covers of my new bed so I don't disturb my adorable new little sister, Joud Al'araj.
After an uneventful morning of watching 'The Godfather' and eating waffles, I headed to the airport with my entourage. I miss my family already, but I did my best to keep the good-byes short and sweet. No use dragging that stuff out. Upon entering the airport I immediately binged myself on some fast food and then set about mentally preparing for 16 hours (total) in an airplane. The trans-atlantic flight was actually pretty swell. I watched Juno for the 2894492837th time, listened to my i-pod, and enjoyed my new age (21) by ordering a big old glass of wine and then conking out for the rest of the flight. Also, they served me paneer with chicken curry for dinner! It was FABULOUS.
Once I landed in Kuwait, things got hairy. People kept telling me that my "booking had been cancelled", and sending me to various help counters (I must have walked that entire airport at least five times). Finally, I ended up begging the man at the gate. I showed him my passport, my itinerary WITH the KWI-AMM flight on it, and my baggage tag which showed that even though I wasn't in Amman yet, my luggage was. He was an absolute angel about it and was able to just give me a handwritten boarding pass on the spot. It all turned out okay, but....F*** YOU, TRAVELOCITY.COM.
My host mother is wonderful. Manal (sp?) Al'araj is the most hospitable woman I have ever met. She has pretty much devoted every second of her time since I got here to meeting my every need/want. It's gotten to the point where I'm starting to feel slightly guilty, almost. My new home is in a VERY nice apartment complex just a couple blocks from a shopping mall. It's beautiful inside - and the best part - wireless internet!! My new little brother and sister are ADORABLE. Mahmoud, the oldest, promptly presented me with a baby chick upon my arrival (how long his mother is going to let him keep it running around her upscale apartment is beyond me). Joud has so many questions for me about my life in America that I can hardly keep up. She already wants me to take her shopping tomorrow.
I am ALREADY learning some Arabic just by being around my family. New words under my belt include: please, thank-you, no problem, bathroom, and beautiful. P.S. - one of the first things my new mom told me was that I was very beautiful. It was a nice way to be welcomed.
Tomorrow, I have orientation at 9 AM, so I should wrap this post up. I love and miss whoever is reading this and I cannot WAIT to start some photography.
ma-salaama,
Kaye.
Well, here I am, typing away under the covers of my new bed so I don't disturb my adorable new little sister, Joud Al'araj.
After an uneventful morning of watching 'The Godfather' and eating waffles, I headed to the airport with my entourage. I miss my family already, but I did my best to keep the good-byes short and sweet. No use dragging that stuff out. Upon entering the airport I immediately binged myself on some fast food and then set about mentally preparing for 16 hours (total) in an airplane. The trans-atlantic flight was actually pretty swell. I watched Juno for the 2894492837th time, listened to my i-pod, and enjoyed my new age (21) by ordering a big old glass of wine and then conking out for the rest of the flight. Also, they served me paneer with chicken curry for dinner! It was FABULOUS.
Once I landed in Kuwait, things got hairy. People kept telling me that my "booking had been cancelled", and sending me to various help counters (I must have walked that entire airport at least five times). Finally, I ended up begging the man at the gate. I showed him my passport, my itinerary WITH the KWI-AMM flight on it, and my baggage tag which showed that even though I wasn't in Amman yet, my luggage was. He was an absolute angel about it and was able to just give me a handwritten boarding pass on the spot. It all turned out okay, but....F*** YOU, TRAVELOCITY.COM.
My host mother is wonderful. Manal (sp?) Al'araj is the most hospitable woman I have ever met. She has pretty much devoted every second of her time since I got here to meeting my every need/want. It's gotten to the point where I'm starting to feel slightly guilty, almost. My new home is in a VERY nice apartment complex just a couple blocks from a shopping mall. It's beautiful inside - and the best part - wireless internet!! My new little brother and sister are ADORABLE. Mahmoud, the oldest, promptly presented me with a baby chick upon my arrival (how long his mother is going to let him keep it running around her upscale apartment is beyond me). Joud has so many questions for me about my life in America that I can hardly keep up. She already wants me to take her shopping tomorrow.
I am ALREADY learning some Arabic just by being around my family. New words under my belt include: please, thank-you, no problem, bathroom, and beautiful. P.S. - one of the first things my new mom told me was that I was very beautiful. It was a nice way to be welcomed.
Tomorrow, I have orientation at 9 AM, so I should wrap this post up. I love and miss whoever is reading this and I cannot WAIT to start some photography.
ma-salaama,
Kaye.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The Start of a Great Adventure
Thanks to Katie Bor for inspiring me to start this little cyber-hole up again. It's unfortunate that I couldn't come up with the idea myself - I AM leaving the country, after all, and it seems like a good idea to document my travels.
In addition, the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship I just had the fortune of receiving requires me to do some kind of project involving my study abroad experience. I wonder if a blog will suffice?
I'm spending this week making the rounds, trying to cram in visits with the multitude of people I have to spend ungodly amounts of time with because they're convinced I'm not going to come back alive.
Visiting is a 24/7 job.
I'm also gathering up the last of my trip necessities: an international plug adapter, gifts for my host family, and the Skype screennames of select individuals.
That doesn't leave much time for fantasizing, but when I really want to sit down and get all excited and have a good daydream, I just bust out my scarves. They're beautiful. Beautiful and flowy and so perfectly appropriate for a summer in Amman, Jordan that I can hardly contain myself. But, I must contain myself, because discussion of my journey is sort of a somber topic for others in my home.
6 Days!!! =) =) =) =) =)
In addition, the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship I just had the fortune of receiving requires me to do some kind of project involving my study abroad experience. I wonder if a blog will suffice?
I'm spending this week making the rounds, trying to cram in visits with the multitude of people I have to spend ungodly amounts of time with because they're convinced I'm not going to come back alive.
Visiting is a 24/7 job.
I'm also gathering up the last of my trip necessities: an international plug adapter, gifts for my host family, and the Skype screennames of select individuals.
That doesn't leave much time for fantasizing, but when I really want to sit down and get all excited and have a good daydream, I just bust out my scarves. They're beautiful. Beautiful and flowy and so perfectly appropriate for a summer in Amman, Jordan that I can hardly contain myself. But, I must contain myself, because discussion of my journey is sort of a somber topic for others in my home.
6 Days!!! =) =) =) =) =)
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