I just got back from ringing in the New Year with some friends from my apartment building and some of their friends. :) We even had fireworks (not just firecrackers, mind you) that we shot off at midnight. And it has been raining for the past two days, so that made it feel a bit more like winter and not fall or spring. :)
Anyway, I'm going to go to bed now, and sleep while the rest of you in the States ring in the New Year there.
May you all have a wonderful start to 2011!
12.31.2010
12.28.2010
Visiting...
Yesterday I visited Roa'a's (now that looks strange with two apostrophes) house since I only had one class in the morning. She met me at the university and we took the bus to a nearby town (almost a suburb, but not quite the same) where she lives. Her mom made us lunch and we spent a couple hours just talking. It was nice to get out of the city and see something other than my neighborhood or the route to and from school. :) I wish I would have taken my camera along because the scenery and the mix of people was so fascinating. I tried to take it all in but I don't think I could ever do justice to it. Also on the way home I had the adventure/misfortune of getting the taxi driver lost trying to find my way to my neighborhood, since we came from a different direction. Poor guy...he couldn't speak English and I couldn't speak Arabic, plus I didn't really know exactly how to get him to my street.
I must admit that traveling outside the city like that made me feel very foreign...like I stuck out like a sore thumb. But maybe it was mostly because everything around me was foreign to me. I hope that in time I won't feel as much like I don't belong, even if I still look foreign to the people around me. :)
I am counting down the days until finals day...the 6th of January!! Although I'm not exactly sure yet what I will do to fill my time during the weeks of break (besides the trip to Germany) I'm looking forward to a change of pace.
Finally, I'll leave you with a picture that was taken while my friends were visiting. I am always fascinated by the differences in people here...people watching brings all kinds of interesting perspectives. :)
I must admit that traveling outside the city like that made me feel very foreign...like I stuck out like a sore thumb. But maybe it was mostly because everything around me was foreign to me. I hope that in time I won't feel as much like I don't belong, even if I still look foreign to the people around me. :)
I am counting down the days until finals day...the 6th of January!! Although I'm not exactly sure yet what I will do to fill my time during the weeks of break (besides the trip to Germany) I'm looking forward to a change of pace.
Finally, I'll leave you with a picture that was taken while my friends were visiting. I am always fascinated by the differences in people here...people watching brings all kinds of interesting perspectives. :)
12.26.2010
I got it!
I realized after I put up that last post that I hadn't confirmed that I did in fact get my ikama, or residency card. I even took a picture I was so relieved/excited. :) I can now stay here until the beginning of December 2011. Humdillalah!
Student Elections
I wish I would have taken my camera to school this morning. On Thursday the university held their student elections and today everyone was celebrating. :) There was a huge group of guys dancing and singing close to the language center, and groups of guys were "demonstrating" (according to Roa'a)/marching and chanting down the streets.
The student elections were basically a smaller version of the nation's elections...lots of posters everywhere and on Thursday they were handing out all kinds of candy and treats to entice their fellow students to vote. :) All the students wore something that declared who they were voting for and everyone was really involved in it. It was very different than the way universities in the States do elections, and Roa'a kept laughing at me because I was fascinated by all that was going on. :)
Last week my teacher paid me a compliment...she told me that I'm doing really well with Arabic, and that if my writing is any indication I should be able to speak perfectly. :) I tried to explain that I have to remember the words to be able to speak, but it was nice to know that she thinks I can do it. Here's to hoping she's right. :)
The student elections were basically a smaller version of the nation's elections...lots of posters everywhere and on Thursday they were handing out all kinds of candy and treats to entice their fellow students to vote. :) All the students wore something that declared who they were voting for and everyone was really involved in it. It was very different than the way universities in the States do elections, and Roa'a kept laughing at me because I was fascinated by all that was going on. :)
Last week my teacher paid me a compliment...she told me that I'm doing really well with Arabic, and that if my writing is any indication I should be able to speak perfectly. :) I tried to explain that I have to remember the words to be able to speak, but it was nice to know that she thinks I can do it. Here's to hoping she's right. :)
12.25.2010
Merry Christmas!
I just got up (it's after 10 am) and as I was sitting here checking email I heard some church bells start to ring, playing "Silent Night". It was beautiful and a reminder that today is in fact Christmas, instead of the normal Saturday.
Yesterday I spent the morning just relaxing, and baked some snickerdoodles, before opening presents "with" my family back home. :) Skype is a wonderful thing! Then I went to my church's Christmas Eve service and afterwards went to celebrate with some people who I have a really random and fun connection with. :) Thanks Janine and Stacy! This couple work mostly with South and Central Americans, so it seemed so crazy to be celebrating Christmas in the Middle East, with Latinos. But they were so generous in welcoming me, and I had a lot of fun. :)
Tonight I'm gathering with some single women from the building and we are celebrating together.
It's not Christmas at home (and they have a really white Christmas!) but I'm content, or at least reminding myself to be content that my purposes here are so much better than being at home for Christmas this year. :)
And tomorrow it's school as usual... :)
Yesterday I spent the morning just relaxing, and baked some snickerdoodles, before opening presents "with" my family back home. :) Skype is a wonderful thing! Then I went to my church's Christmas Eve service and afterwards went to celebrate with some people who I have a really random and fun connection with. :) Thanks Janine and Stacy! This couple work mostly with South and Central Americans, so it seemed so crazy to be celebrating Christmas in the Middle East, with Latinos. But they were so generous in welcoming me, and I had a lot of fun. :)
Tonight I'm gathering with some single women from the building and we are celebrating together.
It's not Christmas at home (and they have a really white Christmas!) but I'm content, or at least reminding myself to be content that my purposes here are so much better than being at home for Christmas this year. :)
And tomorrow it's school as usual... :)
12.21.2010
All I Want For Christmas...
...is my residency card! Inshallah, tomorrow I will finally get all the paperwork needed and can finish up the process. It has been a crazy process, because I'm not sure I understood everything fully when I started out in it, but now that I have a specific list things are better. :) I have learned things along the way, and will definitely have some advice to give for those who are coming after me, but all in all, I have a feeling this is nothing compared to the process for getting residency in the U.S. or even some countries in Europe.
Hopefully before Christmas Eve I will have the card in hand, which will make it much more relaxing to travel to Berlin in a few weeks. :) And speaking of Berlin, I am so excited to go and see Kidron and Kenton, who I haven't seen in well over a year! I missed them by just a week or two this fall when they were back in Iowa for a month. And they are expecting a little girl anytime now, so that will be an added bonus to be the first of the Iowans to meet the new little one. Not to make anyone jealous or anything. ;)
All in all, I have a lot to be thankful for and to anticipate this Christmas season, even though I'm missing home, I think now more so than ever since Kerri and Tony are both home right now and the family is all gathering. I keep reminding myself, though, that this opportunity to live here for this year should not be taken for granted...I may or may not have the chance again (although I really hope I do). :)
Merry Christmas!
Hopefully before Christmas Eve I will have the card in hand, which will make it much more relaxing to travel to Berlin in a few weeks. :) And speaking of Berlin, I am so excited to go and see Kidron and Kenton, who I haven't seen in well over a year! I missed them by just a week or two this fall when they were back in Iowa for a month. And they are expecting a little girl anytime now, so that will be an added bonus to be the first of the Iowans to meet the new little one. Not to make anyone jealous or anything. ;)
All in all, I have a lot to be thankful for and to anticipate this Christmas season, even though I'm missing home, I think now more so than ever since Kerri and Tony are both home right now and the family is all gathering. I keep reminding myself, though, that this opportunity to live here for this year should not be taken for granted...I may or may not have the chance again (although I really hope I do). :)
Merry Christmas!
12.17.2010
8 Days 'Til Christmas!
It's hard to believe Christmas is next week. :) In some ways it seems like that time of the year, and in some ways hardly at all. However, I do have plans for Christmas (rest assured, Mom) both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I'll even get to "join" my family when they open presents there, thanks to the wonderful technology of skype. :)
This weekend is pretty a nice chance to relax, and in about half an hour I'm headed out to go see the new Narnia movie with another American woman and then we'll go to services this evening. Tomorrow I'll spend time getting ready for the surprise celebration on Sunday a couple other women and I are throwing for my roommate's birthday, who actually has the same birthday as Kerri. :)
And then the next week brings a guest in the form of Jeremy Pickard, who is coming on business but is also a friend and willingly a courier of items from home. :) Humdillallah!
This weekend is pretty a nice chance to relax, and in about half an hour I'm headed out to go see the new Narnia movie with another American woman and then we'll go to services this evening. Tomorrow I'll spend time getting ready for the surprise celebration on Sunday a couple other women and I are throwing for my roommate's birthday, who actually has the same birthday as Kerri. :)
And then the next week brings a guest in the form of Jeremy Pickard, who is coming on business but is also a friend and willingly a courier of items from home. :) Humdillallah!
12.14.2010
Pictures
Some pictures from last week.
With Roa'a and my friend who visited
Discussing political and spiritual implications in this region
With our hosts and another American after a meal together
The mosque in the balad
12.11.2010
O The Weather Outside Is Frightful...
....And a fire would be delightful. :)
Today the wind has raged outside, stirring up the dust and making the temps drop, both outside and inside. I have been wrapped in my blanket most of the day, trying to keep warm. This morning as I was waking up I could almost believe I was back in Iowa with the wind whistling against the windows, but then I opened my eyes and I was still here. :) I'm grateful that I didn't have to go out today, and I'm hoping the wind will die down in the night before I have to venture out for class. I've heard rumors that there might be snow tomorrow or Monday, but the temperatures aren't quite low enough, so it'll probably just be rain. If it snows I'll be sure to take pictures. :)
The past few days I've had visitors! We had a wonderful time exploring some of the balad and I got to show them the university. It was such a blessing. I have some pictures from the past few days, but I'll upload them later.
I hope you all stay warm back home...I hear most of you will be getting a white Christmas. :)
Today the wind has raged outside, stirring up the dust and making the temps drop, both outside and inside. I have been wrapped in my blanket most of the day, trying to keep warm. This morning as I was waking up I could almost believe I was back in Iowa with the wind whistling against the windows, but then I opened my eyes and I was still here. :) I'm grateful that I didn't have to go out today, and I'm hoping the wind will die down in the night before I have to venture out for class. I've heard rumors that there might be snow tomorrow or Monday, but the temperatures aren't quite low enough, so it'll probably just be rain. If it snows I'll be sure to take pictures. :)
The past few days I've had visitors! We had a wonderful time exploring some of the balad and I got to show them the university. It was such a blessing. I have some pictures from the past few days, but I'll upload them later.
I hope you all stay warm back home...I hear most of you will be getting a white Christmas. :)
12.07.2010
The University
I got an email yesterday asking for more information about the university, which I am happy to share. :) If any of the rest of you have questions send them my way...I am always happy to know what you are interested in hearing about.
Anyway, the university is probably one of the largest in the country, and I was told by an Arab friend that there are around 42,000 students altogether, this semester. They have buildings for all the programs and I'm pretty sure I haven't seen half of the campus yet, because it probably is half a mile or more from one end to the other. Connected to the campus is the university hospital where the medical students study, similar to the U of Iowa I guess. However, unlike the U of I, I don't think this hospital would be considered the go-to place for procedures. They tend to have smaller hospitals (more like clinics really) that are in about every neighborhood. My little part of the university is called the Language Center. Not only does it house the classrooms for us foreigners, it also holds classes in other languages for Arab students. I'm not sure how many foreign students there are in the Language Center program...but there are 7 levels and probably 4 of those levels have two classes. There is also an exchange program operating out of the university that has probably close to 100 American students, but they are not just taking language, they are taking other classes about the culture and history of this region.
Demographics...I'd say from my observations (don't depend on these to be totally accurate) that there are at least equal numbers of guys and girls, and possibly a majority of girls. At least around the capital here probably 9 out of 10 high school graduates go on to university of some kind. I think you will find women in about every program, or faculty as they call them. I'd say the vast majority of the students are Muslim, and most of the girls at least are pretty conservative in the way they dress, wearing either just the hijab or also the veil. There are some Christians (I've met at least one, and had several others pointed out by Roa'a) and I don't think they would be discriminated against in entering the university. I don't think there are any Arabs who are not from this country or Palestine...it doesn't appear to me that they travel great distances to attend university, since family is so integral to their lives.
My roommate told me after she came to the university one day that it seems pretty chill compared to some parts of the city. She didn't feel like the guys were staring or making noises at her.
The campus itself has a lot of trees and is pretty green (as in, there's more vegetation) compared to most of the city, which is nice.
Umm...and that's all I can think of to describe about the university at the moment. :)
Today is the Islamic New Year so we didn't have school, and Roa'a came over and we made snickerdoodles and hung out for a few hours. Tonight I'm going to the airport to pick up some friends who are visiting for the rest of the week. :)
Anyway, the university is probably one of the largest in the country, and I was told by an Arab friend that there are around 42,000 students altogether, this semester. They have buildings for all the programs and I'm pretty sure I haven't seen half of the campus yet, because it probably is half a mile or more from one end to the other. Connected to the campus is the university hospital where the medical students study, similar to the U of Iowa I guess. However, unlike the U of I, I don't think this hospital would be considered the go-to place for procedures. They tend to have smaller hospitals (more like clinics really) that are in about every neighborhood. My little part of the university is called the Language Center. Not only does it house the classrooms for us foreigners, it also holds classes in other languages for Arab students. I'm not sure how many foreign students there are in the Language Center program...but there are 7 levels and probably 4 of those levels have two classes. There is also an exchange program operating out of the university that has probably close to 100 American students, but they are not just taking language, they are taking other classes about the culture and history of this region.
Demographics...I'd say from my observations (don't depend on these to be totally accurate) that there are at least equal numbers of guys and girls, and possibly a majority of girls. At least around the capital here probably 9 out of 10 high school graduates go on to university of some kind. I think you will find women in about every program, or faculty as they call them. I'd say the vast majority of the students are Muslim, and most of the girls at least are pretty conservative in the way they dress, wearing either just the hijab or also the veil. There are some Christians (I've met at least one, and had several others pointed out by Roa'a) and I don't think they would be discriminated against in entering the university. I don't think there are any Arabs who are not from this country or Palestine...it doesn't appear to me that they travel great distances to attend university, since family is so integral to their lives.
My roommate told me after she came to the university one day that it seems pretty chill compared to some parts of the city. She didn't feel like the guys were staring or making noises at her.
The campus itself has a lot of trees and is pretty green (as in, there's more vegetation) compared to most of the city, which is nice.
Umm...and that's all I can think of to describe about the university at the moment. :)
Today is the Islamic New Year so we didn't have school, and Roa'a came over and we made snickerdoodles and hung out for a few hours. Tonight I'm going to the airport to pick up some friends who are visiting for the rest of the week. :)
12.06.2010
Winter Has Officially Arrived
I wish I could add to the title by saying it snowed, but instead I'll have to be content with lower temperatures and rain. Actually, it's a really good thing it rained, even though it makes it a bit miserable to be out and about. Apparently it was supposed to have rained awhile ago, and the lack of rain has been a huge concern for farmers, since they were in danger of losing their crops. Last week they held a time of prayer for rain here in the city, if not in the rest of the country as well. I have a feeling the lack of rain contributed to the wildfire that raged this past week near Haifa too.
The coming of the rain means that from now until maybe March the temperatures will be a lot colder. I even pulled out my winter coat today. Now, granted, it's not nearly as cold as it is back home...I saw the temp listed at 11 degrees Celsius, which is right around 50 degrees Fahrenheit...but still. :)
The rain has stopped for the moment now, and it looks like the sun is trying to break through.
Another way I'm marking the transition to winter is with Christmas decorations! Last night my roommate pulled out her decorations and we put them up. It isn't much, but it does help me feel like Christmas is around the corner, rather than months away. I guess the presents I got in the package from my family helped that feeling too. :)
Anyway, here are some pictures of the decorations
The coming of the rain means that from now until maybe March the temperatures will be a lot colder. I even pulled out my winter coat today. Now, granted, it's not nearly as cold as it is back home...I saw the temp listed at 11 degrees Celsius, which is right around 50 degrees Fahrenheit...but still. :)
The rain has stopped for the moment now, and it looks like the sun is trying to break through.
Another way I'm marking the transition to winter is with Christmas decorations! Last night my roommate pulled out her decorations and we put them up. It isn't much, but it does help me feel like Christmas is around the corner, rather than months away. I guess the presents I got in the package from my family helped that feeling too. :)
Anyway, here are some pictures of the decorations
The stocking from my Mom, hanging in my room
The door leading to the bedrooms
Our tree :)
12.04.2010
Yay for packages!
Today I went to the post office to pick up the package Mom sent for Christmas. :) I have been anticipating it for awhile now, and so it was great to finally have it arrive.
I didn't realize the process for picking up a package was so complicated here. I had to go to this office and then that office, and then get a signature and then back again for another paper and then upstairs to pay customs then back down again, then.... you get the picture. :) But it was worth it to open it up and find some new clothes, lotion, Stringtown gummies (my favorite!), a stocking and several wrapped packages (it's going to be hard to wait to open them) and Reggie's school picture and Katie's newest picture. :) I'm excited to wear the new clothes and now Christmas seems even closer with presents wrapped and waiting.
Thanks Mom!!!
I didn't realize the process for picking up a package was so complicated here. I had to go to this office and then that office, and then get a signature and then back again for another paper and then upstairs to pay customs then back down again, then.... you get the picture. :) But it was worth it to open it up and find some new clothes, lotion, Stringtown gummies (my favorite!), a stocking and several wrapped packages (it's going to be hard to wait to open them) and Reggie's school picture and Katie's newest picture. :) I'm excited to wear the new clothes and now Christmas seems even closer with presents wrapped and waiting.
Thanks Mom!!!
12.01.2010
Speaking Arabic
Well, I finally made a movie, but I must admit I'm not sure about it. :) Hopefully you enjoy it though. Audrey, I hope you're happy.
Tomorrow we are having breakfast together as a class, since my teacher wanted to make sure that we experience all the different food that they eat here. Also, on Tuesday next week we have yet another holiday, this time for the New Year according to the Islamic calendar. It is now the year 1431 according to their calendar. I've enjoyed the random breaks throughout the semester so I really hope we have some next semester, even though there aren't any Islamic holidays in the spring.
Ma Salaam!
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