My brother is coming here in 5 days!!!!!!! super stoked for him. NOT looking forward to the two midterms and two papers I will have to take, and turn in while he is here. What can you do though?
This was the snow day in Amman, Jordan. It hasn’t snowed like this in a few years, so naturally everyone was super stoked to be playing in the snow. On every hill were people sledding, or building snow men. I have never seen so many snowmen in my life, honestly. Of course, there were a lot of people who had no idea how to drive in that weather, so there was a lot of congestion and stress, but I never saw anything too bad. It was really an exciting time to be in the snow this weekend, especially so far from home!
Nothing new, nothing special
This is just an update, because I haven’t posted in a while. Lately, things here have been so good. I love everything, and everyone. The classes are going good, Arabic is improving, and I’m meeting new people. I think that’s one thing I’ve been taking for granted. I never really realized until tonight how good it feels to have friends here. At first, I didn’t really want to make a lot of friends, because honestly, what’s the point? But, now I know that the people I do make relationships with are really special, and are worth getting to know. As far as life with my host family goes, I LOVE THEM. The whole family holds a place in my heart, and the always will. I am so grateful for them, and I think the are the best family I could ever stay with. Of course, I get annoyed and frustrated, but they treat me like their own sister/daughter. What more could I ask for? What usually happens is my host mom just talks to me in Arabic all the time, with a few words in english, and the guys don’t think I understand her, but I do! Every single time she talks to me, I know exactly what she’s saying. This usually blows the boys mind, and I don’t know why! I can understand so much in Arabic, but its so difficult for me to get the words out sometimes, I just don’t have the right amount of vocabulary to respond like I want.
Tonight I went out with some friends, and it really isn’t my scene, but I had a really good time. I like being out of the house, in the city, doing my own thing…until midnight, that is. Even just sitting, talking to people in my program is fun. The smoke is getting to me these days, but still everything is great. One thing that really frustrates me is that I still am not able to really get around Amman alone yet. The city is not that hard to navigate, but for some reason, I can’t get it down yet. I can get to my house from anywhere really, and to school, and a few other places, but when I need to go somewhere new, I freak a little bit. This will get better though, I know.
Everything in my life at this moment, is exactly how I want it to be. I love Jordan.
This was my overnight trip to Petra and Wadi Rum. It’s definitely shaky and not professional at all, but I hope you like it!
There were a lot of cats, and they were sweet. :)
After the 4 miles, and a shower.
Just a little update.
This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions… but what’s new. What do you do when a family’s conflicts come up, and you are put somewhat in the middle? This is my current dilemma. Not that it’s too serious at all. There is definitely a struggle between the generations of understanding differences. The kids my age and a little older wanna go out, they wanna be free and live life, while their parents want them to get jobs, and make money. They are treated like young children and worried after, trying to live life as they please, but causing stress to their parents. Of course there are deeper rifts than this, but this is the obvious struggle, in my family.
How do you become strong willed? I thought I was doing a pretty good job of being strong, and brave, and independent, but it has been brought to my attention that this seems like an act. That I am trying too hard to show I am strong, but not actually being so. I know I am not understanding what the person meant, and I also know I am thinking way too hard about this. I am emotional and I always have been, but I think I’ve come a long way since my middle school days. There are norms and rules over here that I don’t want to break, there are expectations, and things you never every do or say. So, how much time does it take to let people see you are comfortable, and acting like your true self? Is it even possible in a foreign area? Does this all come with age, or am I supposed to do something now? See, I was under the impression that I was being really brave, and somewhat independent, significantly more than at home in Oklahoma. I know I’ve been acting reserved, but I’m in another country, with a whole new family of 7! Am I just supposed to not be courteous, and not feel things out before I starting acting like a fool?
What a thought, what a day, what a week!
Classes are going very well. Language skill are improving everyday, and conversations with my host mom are becoming more detailed. I even directed a taxi home today, in Arabic. :)
I ran 4 miles today… there must be something in the water.. of this I am certain.
This was the view from my first day of classes. This was the first day I had falafel here in Jordan. It was kind of cold this day, but we ate outside anyway. I am really enjoying my time here, and I don’t know how many times I will say that. I keep worrying that this is a dream and soon I will have to wake up, and go back home to Oklahoma, but it’s not! I have four months here! I remember friends back home telling me that the first few weeks will be frustrating when it comes to speaking, and today was the most frustrating day of my life here. All I wanted to do was talk in complete sentences in Arabic, but I wasn’t able to. I know I need to practice more, and use the skills I have, and soon I will be able to talk the way I want to, but for now I am frustrated, thank you.
Tomorrow is my 21st birthday! If I were back home, I would be getting the tattoo I have been wanting, but here I will probably just hangout with my host family, and go to class of course. I love my host family. :)
I burnt my forehead curling my hair last night, I felt like I was 12. Now, I have a mark on my head, but luckily I can cover it with my bangs. I wish I had some of the makeup I left at home.
As it turns out, I really did fry my straightener. :( I’m starting to drink energy drinks more often than ever before now, but not by much.
So it goes.
This is the best warm drink/feel good food in the world. It’s milk, with coconut, and other great wonders, including cinnamon. I had it for the first time tonight, after hearing about for the past week. I’ve also had mensaf, which is lamb in a yogurt sauce. Most of the food had a strong taste, nothing is mild, and that can get some getting used to. I like most everything, but it’s just not like anything I’ve ever had. I’ve also come to really enjoy hookah, or hubbly bubbly, as they call it here.
Tomorrow, I meet my peer tutor at around 9 in the morning. We will have a scavenger hunt, but I hope it doesn’t last all day.
I NEED A LARGE PURSE. Or just a purse in general, cause using my backpack all the time is lame. The malls here are so awesome, which is probably going to hurt my wallet.. but I’m really trying not to spend a lot on clothes. The main reason being I DON’T NEED ANYTHING, but I want everything. You’re welcome mom and dad.
I miss not having a curfew. I like the music here, and I want to go dancing, but I dunno if that will happen any time soon.
This is my life.
More classes
I went to my other classes today, and I guess they sound good. They really don’t interest me right now, but I’m sure that will change in the future. I’m actually a little stressed because we have to write a 12 page paper in one, and a 6 page paper in the other. Usually, this really wouldn’t be a problem, but when it’s about something I know nothing about, and have no desire to research, it’s gonna be a little challenging.
I ran 3.2 miles today. :)))
I’m having a blast right now, even though I’m only going to class. I can’t wait until our first trip next weekend, to Petra and Wadi Rum. This weekend is my birthday!!! I pretty much have all my weekends set…. I hope this won’t be a problem for studying for tests, or papers or anything. I may have to cancel some community service, and that makes me feel like a scrub, buuuuuut grades are more important. I guess I won’t know until I get there.
Meowmeow :)
