Video of the King's Parade

I finally got the video I made of the King's parade uploaded, so here it is for you to enjoy!

Proud Sister

I'm sure you're all aware that I have younger siblings, and while this is supposed to be a blog about my year here in the Middle East, I can't resist this small opportunity to brag on my siblings.

On Sunday Reg got the opportunity of a lifetime...playing baseball in Busch Stadium! (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's the stadium where the St. Louis Cardinals, a.k.a. the best team in baseball, play)

Anyway, the baseball team from his high school was invited to play another high school in the stadium after the Cards game was finished for the day, so they did. It sounds like half of Kalona went down for the game. :)

All that to say, I'm super proud of my big little brother. I just wish I could have been there to cheer him on. 

If you want to watch a clip of the highlights, go here. Reg is the one running in to home and scoring at about the middle of the clip. :) At least, I'm pretty sure it was him.

Now, this is not to say I'm not proud of Tony and Kerri...I am very proud to be their sister. This event was just a chance to say it publicly on this blog. :)

A Few Updates...

I realized I haven't updated the blog in awhile...somewhat because I haven't had as much going on now that school is finished and also because I have pictures but don't ever take the time needed to upload them and therefore keep putting off updating. :)

Last week I started teaching English, which so far has been a good experience. My roommates both teach at this center, and with so many people leaving for the summer they needed as many people as they could get. Actually the group of teachers that eventually came together to teach is a great group, and since all but four of the teachers are guys, that will help with the ratios of guy to girl students as well, as far as interacting goes. One of the guys is even going to be at my college next year, so that is a fun connection. :)

I have hung out with Roa'a and Haneen a couple of times since classes have finished...last week I had both of them here and we celebrated the end of the semester and the end of finals. :)

I have pictures I'll add below.

I spent last Friday night with my friends on the other side of the city, and then Saturday morning I went with one of them to meet up with a group who's visiting for a couple of weeks. Along with the group we went down to the main road where there was supposed to be a parade and other such things in honor of the King, and at some point the King was even supposed to appear. Well, we waited...and waited...and got stared at...and waited some more...and finally my friend and I decided to leave since it was getting towards evening and traffic around the area was a mess. So, I didn't see the King, but it was a fun, and somewhat exhausting, atmosphere. 

Anyway, I have a video but it didn't want to load (I've been trying for the past two days) so instead here are the pictures from my times with my friends.

With Roa'a after her last final for the semester.

 Haneen without her hijab

With the girls at my house for our celebration...both of them allowed me to take pictures of them without their hijabs. :)