second year

Dream another dream, this dream is over!

2006-08-15T04:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm sitting here in the peace corps office with the others who are COSing tomorrow (Gilbert, Melissa, and Ami... and honorary Adam who is going to the airport with me).
I finished my meeting with our financial guy and got my ticket in hand, my money in my pocket (oh, and I get a per diem for travel which was handed to me in AMERICAN DOLLARS), and am ready to go. In about an hour I meet with our country director for a final meeting in which she signs our description of service, congratulates me, and I am officially out of the peace corps.
It is SOOOO surreal! All the volunteers are going out tonight to celebrate with a fancy dinner. My bags are packed and while they are going to be overweight (I was originally going to take an extra checked bag for Adam... since he is traveling to China... we were able to get his stuff into my bags and the cost for an overweight bag is less than for an extra bag) they are ready.
The peace corps called a cab for us which will pick us up (us being Gilbert and I... who have flights to paris 20 minutes apart and the same flight from Paris to Atlanta) in the morning and take us to the airport!
So, this is my last post from Jordan and my last post in the peace corps!
I can't believe that in less than 48 hours... I will be home! Can't wait to see you.

Oh... and as a final note... not that it matters... but i got an advanced-low score on my final language exam. A lot of people did better than I did but i am just happy i hit the advanced mark!

Ry

Last Blog from my site

2006-08-12T05:25:00.000-07:00

So... i have finished packing, am waiting for some co-workers to come visit, and then there will be a goodbye dinner at abu aimans and thats that! I am giving his son the laptop tonight at dinner so wont have access to email or blogging tonight so wanted to do this now.
I leave for amman tomorrow morning at 5:30!!! and then, its just last minute wrap up before I fly home!
Can't wait to see everyone!

WORST ARABIC JOKE EVER!!!

2006-08-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Ok, I am probably going to be the only one reading this that finds it funny! But thats ok... cause isn't my blog ultimately about me anyway.

Where is the only place you can safely and publically order cocaine?? IN JORDAN!!!

Ok, explanation (and, for my fellow PCV's here... you had better already be laughing... oh, and no, i didn't come up with this! Kudos to Ami for being much more quick witted than me).

In Arabic, there are three ways to look at nouns... the singular, pairs, and anything more than 2.
The conjucation is pretty much the same... lets take the the word for chair (Korsi).

One chair= Korsi

Two Chairs= Korsain (ain being the way to make something into two)

More than 2 chairs= Korsat (at being the way to make something three or more)

So, following this model... you have a can of coke... COKEAIN (which sounds like cocaine) and Cocat (which just isn't funny).

So, now my new thing is to ask for "cocaine" when i go into a restaurant. Of course, since cocaine is also the drug here you just say it with a big smile on your face and hold up 2 fingers! and then the waiter laughs with (or perhaps at) you.

And, as a cultural note... the word Taliban... This came from the word Tulab (which means student)... the word Taliban came out of the fact that it was started by two students... being Tulabain!

Thoughts as I pack

2006-08-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well, my packing is being finished up... I have one room completely cleaned out (of course, that means my sitting room looks like a bomb went off... but i'll deal with that tomorrow) and as I pack, I have listened to one song more than the others. Andi, another volunteer, put this song on my IPOD but many of you probably already know it. It is from Sesame Street... and Ernie sings about how he doesn't want to live on the moon. So these are my thoughts exactly... happy to have been here... but wouldn't want to stay forever.

I Don't Want To Live On The Moon
Written by Jeff Moss
1978 Festival Attractions, Inc. (ASCAP)

sung by Ernie (Jim Henson)

Well, I'd like to visit the moon
On a rocket ship high in the air
Yes, I'd like to visit the moon
But I don't think I'd like to live there
Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above
I would miss all the places and people I love
So although I might like it for one afternoon
I don't want to live on the moon

I'd like to travel under the sea
I could meet all the fish everywhere
Yes, I'd travel under the sea
But I don't think I'd like to live there
I might stay for a day there if I had my wish
But there's not much to do when your friends are all fish
And an oyster and clam aren't real family
So I don't want to live in the sea

I'd like to visit the jungle, hear the lions roar
Go back in time and meet a dinosaur
There's so many strange places I'd like to be
But none of them permanently

So if I should visit the moon
Well, I'll dance on a moonbeam and then
I will make a wish on a star
And I'll wish I was home once again
Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above
I would miss all the places and people I love
So although I may go I'll be coming home soon
'Cause I don't want to live on the moon
No, I don't want to live on the moon

Almost done

2006-08-04T03:51:00.000-07:00

Well, i have just over a week left in my village. To be honest, it is kind of surreal. I am starting to go through the "this is the last time I will ever have lunch at this persons house"... or "this is the last time I will ever take this bus ride from Amman back to my village". I am truly ready to get home but I just cant believe that this signifigant experience in my life is coming to a close. The group of friends that I have made here has really changed my life. I am lucky that two that I am close to live in the bay area (in fact, Gilbert and I are on the same flight from Paris to Atlanta...then he's going to LA for a while)... but I can't believe that after another week, I am not sure when I will see some of the others again. Kind of hard to wrap my mind around.
But it is time for us to go. I have done 4 training workshops with the new group of volunteers and they are all eager and ready to go. I wont find out which one will be assigned to my center until the 10th, but all of them are very experienced.
So I'm here in my village till the morning of the 13th and then up to Amman for the last two days of bloodwork and paperwork and so forth.... and then home on the morning of the 16th.
I am coming home to a very busy time. I have two great friends that have offered to let me stay with them my first year home so I will be at my mom's until Sept 1st and then down to San Ramon. And I will be busy with the start of college, start of work, and getting ready for Erin's wedding! I'm a little nervous to jump headfirst back into all of this... because i know I'm not the same person I am when I left for Jordan and I am not sure how I am going to readjust with relationships, friendships and so forth but I am sure it will all work out in time.

Can't wait to see all of you

Update

2006-07-22T03:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I know people stateside have been worried about me. I have recieved several emails and calls from close friends and i do appreciate the thought.
At the beginning of last week, when Israel declared war on Hezbollah and began destroying Beirut, I did think there was a chance we would be evacuated and sent home. However, like many events in the region, Jordan continues to remain the calm in the eye of the storm.
Remember, we do not boarder northern israel or lebanon and therefore, the majority of the fighting and missiles are not in a region that is threatening to us. However, we have still been kept on our toes. Peace Corps, ever vigilent to where the volunteers are, has recently become even more involved. Sad to say, kind of like a lockdown. Not in that we can't travel, but in that we must inform Peace Corps of our ever step. While a bit annoying, I understand the necessity. My thoughts are as long as Syria does not get directly involved in the fighting, it will stay calm where we are. However, if Jordan does get involved, I can see the peace corps considering evacuating us as many of the volunteers live in villages close to the syrian boarder (I think the closest volunteer is only like 5km south).
So, for now, life goes on as normal. However, i am going to have one unmet goal over here directly as a cause of this turmoil. One of the things i had wanted to do was go to the famed jerash music festival this summer. It is held every year, is internationally known, and brings many of the best performers from the middle east to perform. I saved vacation days and was planning to go at the end of this month. However, because so many of the performers are Lebanese, the music festival has been postponed indefinitely/cancelled in the wake of the fighting. this is the first time this has happened since 1982 when the israel/lebanon conflict occured last time.
I am sad i wont be able to see it, but that is life in this part of the world.
Oh, and on a happier note... for those of you who have not gotten the news... I officially recieved my tickets home. I will be flying from Amman, to Paris, to Atlanta and then to Oakland arriving in Oakland (providing I make all my connections) at 11:36pm on the night of Aug 16th! Can't wait to see you all

Its been a while...

2006-07-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have been horrible at blogging... i realize that. Since i last blogged, we have had the 4th of july party, and the j10's have arrived (although, in all fairness, that just recently happened).
As for me, with the end of work has come a very big down period. Luckily this will end next week as I am going to be helping with the training of the new volunteers. However, last year at this time, I knew i would be going back to work in the fall. Considering i know that I will be leaving before school starts, and school is my primary reason for being here, I am feeling a bit restless and ready to go home.
However, that is not why I am writing. I wanted to just reassure everyone that things were still calm here. I am also reading online about the Israel/Lebanon conflict that, true enough, is escalating. Between the action in the Gaza strip a few weeks ago and this now, it is a tense time here. I would just ask that everyone please keep us in their prayers. This is a hostile time in a hostile place in the world... and I just continue to pray for peace on all sides.

Wadi Rum

2006-06-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been indescribable. The most amazing thing I did was go to Wadi Rum. I have wanted to go to Wadi Rum for a while now but there are no busses and it is difficult to get to. Well, fortunately, another volunteer had friends visiting from the states and arranged a trip for us all to go.
We got to Rum in the morning and had a 4 hour Jeep tour of the area. The Wadi Rum desert, most famous for being the home of Lawrence of Arabia, is so vast that in the whole 4 hour tour… we only ran into another tour group once. It truly is like nowhere I have ever seen before.
Then we came back and took an hour camel trek. I had not been on a camel yet so this was also another first. A camel is fun to ride (quite tall) but man, getting on and off is no easy feat!
That evening we went to a bait shahar (traditional bedoin goat hair tent) and camped out under the stars. The volunteers on the trip actually decided we didn't want to sleep in the "comforts" of the tent and, instead, took the farshas (mats) up the hill and slept on the top of a cliff. Let me just tell you, when we got up at 5am the next morning to watch the sunrise over the desert… well, nothing will ever compare.
I got back home and another volunteer had a cousin visiting her and she was staying at the Movenpick in Wadi Mousa (one of the 5 star hotels) so I am down for the afternoon visiting her and relaxing by the pool.
All and all, a great few days. As for the wadi rum trip… I have uploaded a million pictures and videos. One in particular that may be of interest. In wadi rum we hiked up a very tall, steep sand dune. Well, once at the top of a tall, steep sand dune… I know of only one fun way down… BARREL ROLL!!! So there is a great video of me rolling (like a sandy idiot) down the sand dune… might want to check it out!

Long time, no write

2006-06-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

Hey All,
Sorry I have been so bad about posting recently. Times have been BUSY BUSY BUSY!!! Between the end of the school year, preparing for the new J10 arrivals, and just generally trying to fit everything in to the last two months I have left, life has gotten hectic.
Lets see, life is going well... i will FINALLY be going to wadi rum (it is right near me, and I have never been) next weekend and I am in Amman this week trying to put together all the materials we have gotten for the new volunteers coming in.
In addition, I finally got around to buying two argilas (water pipes) which are BEAUTIFUL! If you come to my welcome home party, we will definitely be smoking the argila!
Anyway, i posted a TON of new pictures and new videos... however, I know my picture section has, once again, gotten out of control... so I wanted to let you know the new folders.
The folders are titled "Amazing wedding pictures by Andy" which, are just that. Andy, another volunteer, is an amazing photographer so finally got pics of josh and jens' wedding from him.
Also new folders are "Melissa's birthday bonanza", "Jolene and Bill's family visits" (which are the mormons in our area) and "Last days of school".
So, please do enjoy and i will be sure to post pictures of wadi rum after that trip.

And the wedding continues

2006-06-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

Well, today was the village wedding! It was AMAZING! Ok, so there has to be a small hitch to everything, and this is no exception.
Abu Aiman's family was going to prepare lunch for the volunteers which were coming down (15 of them) but when they arrived there were 10 extra jordanians (abu nehad and family) and so Abu Aiman got mad at me cause I hadn't told him.
Needless to say, I was tired (i'd been helping with cooking for 3 hours) and so i kind of blew up at him. I told him he could do whatever he wanted (invite them or not invite them) but I was done with it and he could do whatever he wanted that didn't involve getting mad at me!
We ate, and went to the wedding (which involved the women and men being separate... the men dancing and the women sitting) and came home.
But the one thing that made me feel better... is when I said goodbye to the girls abu aiman came outside and apologized. He told me he was just upset at being caught off guard and surprised but wasn't mad at me and was sorry he took out his frustrations at me.
Well, I was floored.... for an older man to apologize to a younger woman is almost unheard of (due to pride) so it was quite impressive.
Tomorrow I will go with Josh and his family to Amman and then have a meeting sunday morning and then back to the village sunday afternoon. Boy, am I looking forward to a weekend at home... smile!

JOSH IS MARRIED!!!

2006-06-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

So, the long awaited day arrived. Josh and Jen got married! It was a such a wedding full of joy because it is apparent just how right the two of them are for each other and how much they love each other! We should all be so lucky in life.
Josh's family came over and, I've said it to him but I'll say it here too, next to my own family, his is quite truly the nicest family I have ever met. Everyone from his grandparents to his siblings, cousins, and especially parents and just so warm and loving!
The wedding went off without a hitch (well, a minor one... his brother jonathan, best man, passed out during the ceremony... but don't worry... someone caught him and he went down gracefully...smile)
Then we went back to the hotel our conference was at (the wedding was over at 5:30 and the reception didn't start till 8:30) and all the girls got dressed up for the night out!
We went to the hotel and danced, ate and celebrated till 1am! One of the funniest things was seeing our country director get up and dance to "Its Raining Men". It was truly a night I will never forget.
And so Josh and Jen will come down to the village for their village wedding and then head on their honeymoon and back home! It is hard for me to envision a Jordan without Josh and Jen in it, as Josh has become such an important person to me. But I know they will be happy and I will be in touch with them whatever the future may bring.

Top 10

2006-05-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

So, I am getting ready for my COS (close of service) conference. This will be the last time my group will all be together and probably the last time I will see many of the volunteers while I am in country.
While I am sad about this, it is also a great time to reflect and I am excited about the conclusion of my service.
At the conference we will be working on many things such as resume writing, closing out of our service in the village, post peace corps plans, etc.
One of the things that we were asked to bring was our favorite 10 pictures from service. They will compile 10 from all of us (15 volunteers left from my group) and make a slideshow for each of us on CD. So, i spent the afternoon going through all my pictures. And these are the top 10! Figured since my website pictures have gotten a bit out of hand, this would be a nice place to put the best of the best.

My training group when I was in PST

My best friend in Jordan! There are days I probably wouldn't have made it here if it weren't for Adam

My first christmas in Jordan

Quite possibly one of the best people I have ever met! I'm so lucky he's a san francisco boy. Here he is doing what he does best... pondering (most likely, something very profound)

Us girls asked Josh (my village mate) to take our picture at Petra. So, Josh being JOsh, decides to get in on the action himself with a nice self portrait (so his big head takes up half the picture... LOL)

This is one of my students who I call my "little monkey" cause she is one! She is so cute but definitely keeps me on my toes!

This was our 80's party for one of the volunteers birthday! but it gave me the chance to get this picture of my three closest friends here in Jordan

This is a pic that was taken the first time I went to mt. nebo. I just like this group pic... cause it reminds me of good times!

This picture is of the young boy I fell in love with at Operation Smile, Iraqi mission. He is blind and autistic and this picture was taken just after we had played some music together. The first mission he came to (where this picture was taken) he couldn't have surgery but this last mission, I was allowed to scrub into surgery and it just so happened it was his surgery I got to watch!

This picture was taken during training when we were up at some ruins in the north called Um Quaiss. I just like the composition and if you look at the mountains in the background, that is Syria. The picture was taken about 5 kilometers from the Syrian Boarder.

Hercules Made National News???

2006-05-24T02:51:00.000-07:00

Oh my word... ask me how surprised I was to bring up my yahoo and see on the national news section an article about Hercules! I knew the town was fighting wallmart... but considering what a sleepy little suburb we are, who would have thought we'd make national news!

Anyway, here's the link to check out

Ryan

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060523/ap_on_bi_ge/hercules_v__wal_mart

Well, no vacation can be perfect

2006-05-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

So, all in all this has been a great vacation! But, there have been some things along the way. Unfortunately, they both happened in two consecutive days causing a minor meltdown on my part.
The first was the day I traveled to Nazareth to see the church of the Asencion. Well, by car this takes about 2 hours each way. But my friend was working, and I'm a big girl, so I hopped on the bus. Well, busses being what they are and so forth (and, apparently, Nazareth not being much of a destination) it took me 10.5 hours round trip (this involved a lot of waiting for busses that never came, etc) to see the church for about 40 min.
Needless to say, I was tired. So, the next day (yesterday) I was to get up and go see a street faire market that is held two days a week in downtown Tel Aviv. I was excited about this and, in the morning, went to the ATM to get some money out. Well, the machine ate my card so I went inside thinking that this specific bank just wouldn't take cards from the US. The woman retrieved my card, and called VISA to clear it only to get off the phone, tell me my card was reported stolen, and not release it to me. I was REALLY upset (as I did not report my card stolen) and very confused and had a bit of a meltdown.
Thank god for my friend I am staying with. She let me call the states and so forth and, to make another long story short, turns out that my mom thought when the bank called they were referring to her card not mine... so when she heard there were a bunch of purchases being made in the middle east, she had them put a block on it.
So now, my mom has wired me money (which I am to pick up at western union this morning) and a new bank card will be mailed to me in Jordan and today is the last day of my vacation.
My friend has work so I will putz around Tel Aviv (and maybe meet up with her friend who I have met and love... hers was the birthday party I went to the first night I was here).
Then, tonight, we are going to Jerusalem for a concert of a friend of hers and then to a bar.
Tomorrow morning, I head back to Jordan.
Also wanted you all to know, that because I had access to a MUCH faster computer here, I was able to upload all my pics from the trip as well as all my videos (33 of them) so my webpage is quite full.
In my pictures, the folder is called "Visit to Lilach's"... and I was also able to finish uploading all my pictures from easter and the baptism site as well as from Operation Smile.

The Most Amazing Vacation

2006-05-14T00:54:00.000-07:00

So, I am writing this while sitting at my friends computer in her apartment in Tel Aviv! I have had the most amazing 48 hours!
For those of you who don't know, I have a very good friend from my freshman year of high school. If I were to say I had a soul mate in a best friend, she would be it! She was a foreign exchange student our freshman year and we have kept in touch ever since (so, about 15 years now). She lives in Israel with her parents and i have only seen her once (we met up in Ireland in 2000) since she left in 1991 and hadn't seen her parents since then.
So, I decided, being so close, I would take the bus over and take a vacation in Israel. Therefore, on the morning of the 12th (what seems like ages ago but is actually only 48 hours) I took a bus down to Aquaba (which was the closest crossing point for me) crossed over, and headed up to Jerusalem.
I got in in the afternoon and she picked me up. Turns out, one of her good friends was having a birthday party that night so we dropped off my stuff at her parents and went to this party. Can I just say, I love my friends... but Lilach has some of the nicest friends I have ever met. There were about 12 of us and we had a fantasic dinner party! We sat on the outside patio having wine and hors dervs... and then came inside for a 3 course dinner (man, her friends know how to throw a party). Afterwards, she and I went into Jerusalem cause a good friend of hers owns a bar. Unfortunately, he wasn't there so we had a drink and went home.
The next morning (yesterday) I got up and was greeted warmly by her mom (who I hadn't seen the night before cause we got in so late). Her mom hadn't seen me since i was 14 so it was quite the reunion. We had a lovely breakfast out in the garden and then Lilach, her mom and I headed out for a day of sightseeing. We started at Mt Olives overlooking the old city. From there we took the same walk Jesus did the night he was betrayed. We strolled down the mountain to the garden where Jesus went to pray when all the disciples fell asleep and then wandered down to the Garden of Gethsamene. After that we went into the old city of Jersalem. I went to the wailing wall and then we went to the church where Jesus was washed and burried after being crucified (ok, well the church wasnt' there at that time but you know what I mean). It was all so incredible!
Then we came back and Lilach and I headed to her apartment in Tel Aviv. We decided to meet up with her sister but, as the drive into town went on, Lilach kept remebering people she wanted me to meet. So she kept making calls. By the time we got to the bar (which was the cool, outdoor bar on a pier down on the mediterranian) there were 8 of us and this group of friends was equally as cool as the night before.
So, we stayed out till 2 and then headed home.
Today she had to go to work so I am finishing up here and then taking the bus back to her parents house and then tomorrow I will take the bus up to Nazareth. Tomorrow night is a holiday so there will be bonfires and we will either celebrate with her parents (if her younger brother comes up from boarding school... I saw him when he was 2... he's now 17) or in Tel Aviv with her friends.
On Tuesday night there is apparently some fireworks celebration her friend told us about last night so we will go down to the beach with her friends for that.
On Wednesday we will go back into Jerusalem and in the evening there is a concert of a friend of hers so we will go to that and then Thursday morning I head back.
It has been such an amazing time and I am sure the rest will be equally as amazing!

I have the most AMAZING friends!

2006-05-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

So, this weekend was wonderful! We pulled off a Special Education workshop in Amman and it went well! All the participants were thoroughly active in the process and all worked together well. Considering it was my first time really standing up in front of a group, leading discussions and activities, I am quite happy with the outcome. Now, the volunteers and I are going to develop a handbook based on the materials and ideas developed at the workshop (needless to say, I have some homework ahead of me... smile).
But, the most amazing part was one evening. In the evenings, we were free to go explore Amman and there is a bar at the bottom of the Mariott hotel that does Kareoke on Friday nights. Many of the volunteers had been there sometime in their two year service but I had never managed to go. So, we went out on Friday night and, as I'm sitting at the table, the bar tender comes up with the most amazing drink. Now, I don't know my drinks but it looked like vodka (well, it was clear) in a martini glass that he LIT ON FIRE!!! I mean, it was on fire... and I had to drink it through a straw while he kept refilling the "fire cup" with different shots (I think baileys was one... but not sure).... basically, it was a chaser drink that was on fire! Well, as I drink this there is "Happy birthday" playing and everyone sings me happy birthday! Then, we went on to kareoke our asses off! The peace corps girls did a lovely rendition of both "Summer of 69" as well as "Stop in the Name of Love". It was so wonderful to be out with such dear friends just living it up! They really gave me one of the best birthday parties I could have ever imagined! I was hoping to upload pictures tonight but the CD they are on is a bit scratched so I have to get it fixed first... but I want to thank everyone that was there for making me feel so loved!

what in the world am i doing???

2006-05-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just feel like you are undertaking tasks in which you are in no way qualified for! Somehow, I have been managing to go along with life and tonight it just kind of hit me what I have coming up... and i feel so inadequate to the task.
I am supposed to be leading (not participating in, not attending, but LEADING) a special education workshop in Amman this weekend with all the special education volunteers and their counterparts. Now, rationally, my mind says all the volunteers are my friends and want to support me, and want me to do well. In addition (and this is not to slam on jordanian work ethics) but I am pretty sure that when it comes to village counterparts, I am more qualified to lead this than they are. However, I am still terified! You give me a room full of disabled children, no problem... i am totally in my element! However, speaking in front of a group of adults/peers... I am not sure what I was thinking!
I want to challenge myself considering i am going back to school for my administrative credential (so i might as well get used to speaking in front of adults) but quite frankly, I would rather be caught in the nightmare where you show up somewhere in your underwear than do this workshop!
Then, to top it off... this workshop is reminding me that I am going to get my administrative credential and will be speaking in front of adults and coordinating meetings once i am done with that...YIKES!!! I am going to write my friend Jason at home (who gives professional seminars for a living) and ask his advice... but man... i guess this is just a vent blog!
And, speaking of Jason (so this is a tangent blog as well) I was thinking a lot about my friends at home tonight and it made me a bit homesick. I'll admit, the homesickness is never as bad as it was the first year cause I can look at a calendar and see the date I'll be home... but I am so looking forward to the time when I can hang out with people who truly know me. Being here has really made me cherish my friendships back home and I can't wait to see you all!

Update on webpage

2006-05-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
I just wanted to let you know that I have spent a great deal of time this weekend uploading pictures and videos (and still not done... so don't order any yet mom... smile).
I have uploaded all sorts of videos from easter on mt. nebo, my trip to the baptism site, and videos from operation smile. In addition, MOST of my pictures from my trip to the baptism site are uploaded.
I realize that my files of photos under my new photos are getting a bit out of control so wanted to let you know that the folders are "trip to the baptism site", "Operation smile 2006", and "Easter".

Hope you all enjoy.

Ry

Good News

2006-04-27T23:14:00.000-07:00

So, quick blog! Just wanted to let all know that I got accepted to grad school for fall 2006. I will be attending CSU Hayward in the fall cohort for their administrative credential program.

everything happens for a reason

2006-04-27T00:09:00.000-07:00

The past few days, life has been going extremely well! And everything has been falling into place suprisingly well to allow for things that wouldn't have been possible otherwise.
For example, yesterday I was at the peace corps office. I was rushing around trying to get stuff done and get back to the operation smile hotel but one of the staff asked me if i could stay for lunch. I couldn't, but since she was running around for meetings, i decided i would run next door and get her lunch. While i am in the small sandwich shop, I see a very foreign looking man with hearing aids. Well, after watching for a minute i realize that he is definitely deaf and so I figure, looking foreign i would try my ASL with him. Well, turns out that he is actually Dutch but he understood american sign language. It was great to chat with him and it turns out that the deaf cultural center is right down the road from the peace corps office.
He invited me to the ribbon cutting ceremony with Prince Ra'ad next month. It would be great. Needless to say, if i had not be there at that time, i would not have had the chance to meet him.
Then, I go to the optometrist to get new frames for my glasses and it takes longer than I thought it would take... so I end up getting to stay an extra night in Amman and because of that, there is an Operation Smile banquet dinner tonight that i get to go to. I am very excited about this.
So, as I always believe... things do work out for a reason in life!

How many people have gotten to seen...

2006-04-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I am writing this from the hotel where i am staying while helping out with the Operation Smile Iraqi mission. The kids here are great and it is great to see some of the kids from last time.
Today I had a rare opportunity to go to the hospital. I really wanted to see how the hospital side of the mission worked. We stay at the hotel and coordinate from here so we really don't get to see what goes on over there. Well, since this will be my last mission, I wanted to go over and I traveled with the kids over there. Once I got there, I asked if i could see some of the surgery. Well, they let me put on scrubs and go in and watch surgery. When I get into the operating room, they tell me they are just finishing up with one child and I should wait because they will be starting a new surgery in a few minutes and I can watch that. Well, imagine my surprise (and delight) when the child they bring in is the one I had connected with in my first operation smile experience back in november. This is the child who is blind and autistic and, if you look at the pictures from my first operation smile experience, is the one I am playing the tambourine with. He was not able to have surgery the first time he came in november, so I was delighted he could have his surgery this time and also that, of all the 100 kids who were having surgery over the span of 4 days... the one hour i happened to be there was the hour he was having surgery!
I will be going into the peace corps office on thursday morning and will try to upload most of the pictures then as I will have a fast internet connection then.

Wow... life is good!

2006-04-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

So, lots to post about. This past weekend was truly awesome! After going to the baptism site, I also had the opportunity to go to easter sunrise service on Mt. Nebo. I have been to Mt Nebo several times... but somehow, sitting in the church listening to the scripture about Moses looking out over the land of Moab... and knowing that I was sitting in the spot where he overlooked that region was just inspiring.
After church several of us had a nice brunch at a volunteers house.

One thing that I am really grateful this weekend is I made an amazing new friend. I have made several good friends since I have been here but, just like any other experience, there are some you connect with more than others. Well, I met a J9 (someone who came in the group after me) and he is one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. In the short time I have hung out with him, I have been truly amazed at his character, talent, grace, and general trust and faith in life. I am truly glad that this experience has allowed me to meet him and I have a great feeling that we will develop a really deep friendship as time goes on.

Then I headed into Amman to work at operation smile with the Iraqi students. It is an amazing experience. Different this time as I have already done it. It is kind of like the second time you return to summer camp... nothing is ever the same as the first time you experience it. But still very amazing! In fact, during my first experience, I was able to work with a student who was blind and autistic. It was wonderful to make that connection. Well, he was back this time so it was fun to see kids that were returning either due to the fact that they had not had the operation the first time or who were having second operations.

So, the past few days have involved going to the baptism site, easter services at mt nebo, working with iraqi kids, and most importantly, making an amazing new friend!

The Baptism Site

2006-04-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

Today was such a fun day! I got up, and decided to live on the wild side (well, ok, wild for me... but hey, isn't everything relative). I walked down and I decided I would get whatever bus (well, one of 5 I knew would take me to the right area) came first. So I got on a bus from Madaba to Naur and then caught another bus into Amman. It was so nice to see a different route and just enjoy the scenary. There, I met up with two volunteers. One of them, a J9, I hadn't really met before. Turns out, he is just the nicest guy! And also a christian so it is great to get to know him.
Anyway, the three of us made our way down to the Baptism site by the dead sea.
You go in, and then they take you by bus down to two places. First stop, Elijah's hill. Which isn't much but was fun to see. From that spot you can also look over the town of Jericho. Then we went down to the river. You get off the bus and walk through a path that has been put in to guide you down to several areas (kind of like a nature trail). The interesting thing, is at the top (before you start the walk) there is a pool (i mean, it has stairs at looks like a swimming pool) which has been put in with filtered water from the Jordan river for those who are elderly or disabled but who want to be baptized. It is really one of the first (and only) times I have seen something in the country which takes into account the needs of the disabled. So, while a pool made of river water was kind of funny to me, I did appreciate its signifigance. Then we walked down to the place where Jesus was baptized. The sad thing is, now it is nothing more than a dry creek bed. I mean, you can see where the river used to be, and there is a monument put up, but the fact is that the dead sea and jordan river are drying up so quickly that they are predicting in 50 to 100 years, they wont even be there anymore.
So after we looked at that, we walked down to the actual river (which, at this point, is quite narrow). The truly wierd thing was that half way in the middle of the river (which is no wider than a standard bedroom) is the boarder between israel and jordan. So, on one side of the river (where we were) there is a jordanian officer, a jordanian flag, etc etc. And on the other side, is an israeli tank, an israeli flag, and tourists visiting the baptism site from israel. In fact, you could talk to them in a normal voice. Kind of surreal considering the politics of the middle east.
Some of the people from our group actually had on swimsuits and went in the water and submerged themselves. I am not sure, even if I had my swimsuit, that I would have felt comfortable with that. But I did roll up my pants and wade in the water. Wierd to think I have waded in the Jordan river.
Anyway, then we made our way back up to Madaba and tomorrow is sunrise service on Mt. Nebo at 6:00am. I am SOOOOO looking forward to it.
I will post pictures just as soon as I am able.

Until then, Happy Easter!

The longest BBQ ever

2006-04-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

So, i had a pretty surreal day here in Jordan. Last week my center had planned to do a BBQ with the staff after work. Well, today we get up and it is kind of cloud and overcast, but we decide to go ahead with it.
So, as we are driving down to where we had planned to BBQ (a place called "little petra" which are in the mountains next to petra and much prettier... cause there are no tourists) it starts to rain. Well, the driver decides to just keep driving and see what happens. We drive for almost an hour all the way into the Wadi Arba (the valley below the mountains where i live that separate Jordan from Israel). Down below the clouds it was sunny so we set up and start our BBQ. It was truly beautiful! We were about 30KM south of wadi mousa and about 15KM from the Israeli boarder in the middle of nowhere! Well, just as we finish the chicken and sit down to eat... it starts to rain. Luckily, it is light so we just move the blanket under a nearby tree and go ahead and eat. Well, just as we are finishing eating the sky opens up and a DOWNPOUR starts! We all rush back and get into the van and start home. Well, because i live on a mountain, and because of the laws of gravity, when it rains here it floods.... so we couldn't go back up the road we had come down cause of mudslides. We end up driving through the valley (at times, really close to Israel... at one point I could see the boarder checkpoint... probably less that 5KM away) all the way down to half way to Aquaba (about 40 minutes) before we finally found a turn off to a road that was not flooded.
It was quite a long trip for what turned out to be a short BBQ but it was an adventure to say the least.
Now I'm back home and warming up but wanted to share with everyone.
I also wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Easter. We celebrate on the eastern orthodox calendar here so I will have easter services next sunday but for all of you in the states, happy easter!

Worthwhile Organization

2006-04-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
I wanted to let you know of something exciting that has happened in Jordan. There is an organization that has been set up by returned volunteers from Jordan called "Friends of Jordan". They have sponsored and supported several small projects within the country and also put out a newsletter.
I suggest everyone check it out as a way to continue to support volunteer efforts over here in Jordan.

http://www.friendsofjordan.org

Ever have those moments???

2006-04-11T05:05:00.000-07:00

Ever have those moments where it just hits you smack in the face that you aren't the same person you once were? I had one of those moments today!
I received some news that an old flame is engaged to be married! Let me tell you, probably less than a year ago I would not have taken this news well. And, for those of you counting, this is the fourth recent engagement/wedding I have gotten news of (my sister, just found out my dad is proposing, my villagemate over here is getting married in a month, and now this). So, for someone who is pushing 30 (yes all, my 29th birthday is in less than a month) and who is very single, this could have been a huge blow.
And instead, I actually found myself happy for him. Don't get me wrong, don't particularily want all the details or anything, but was also not resentful, upset, or anything of the sort.
The timing is actually kind of funny as I was just out with another volunteer for dinner the other night and we were discussing the fact that some men we know over here (volunteers) have "checklists" and are looking for someone to settle down with (which we find funny considering this guys age).
This guy is GORGEOUS, intelligent (some would even say "wicked smart"), compassionate, worldly, etc... basically a perfect package. And yet he has not found his mrs. right. So for me I realized, again, that you just flow with life. Some may have have the luck of finding a perfect partner in life, and others dont (and I keep saying, I would rather be single forever than end up with the wrong person).
Shortly after I recieved the news of my friends engagement (oh, and I know he reads this blog so, again, congratulations!) I had my first English tutoring session with a young girl from the village. It kind of caught me off guard as I thought i was going to her house and she showed up just as I was getting ready to leave (which works out better cause she has like 14 younger siblings and studying at her house would be a pain). It took me out of myself and the news and threw me right into work and life back here. And as i was sitting there tutoring her, I realized that, as much as I would like to get married, settle down, have a family, I am also doing exactly what I am sure I was meant to be doing at this time in my life. And that thought alone was great.
It was at that moment that I realized just how far I have come being over here. Oh, I suppose I am still the same person. I really wish I could ask some of my friends over here but since they have only really known me over here, I suppose they couldn't really say. I still like to go out and have a good time, although i am just as comfortable and happy with my own company at this point. How I judge a friendship now has much less to do with how often I see a person and much more to do with how much we "connect" and can communicate and support each other...
So, I'm sitting here now... done with my tutoring, having processed the news about the engagement, and I am at total peace with myself and my life. I think in these days where we often move so fast and things happen all around us, it is a rare and precious time that we can just "be"... and be content in that.
I wish you all the same peace and contentedness in life!

Sometimes the end comes too fast

2006-04-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight the end finally hit me. You see, my village mate is done with his service in just 4 days! He will be staying in the country until June (cause he is marrying an awesome girl from here) but he will be leaving the village. So, tonight, the "southern posse" (which, there are only 3 of us) went out to dinner.
We were having a great time, laughing and so forth, and we got ready to catch the cab (we were waiting in the hotel lobby) and he gave each of us a big hug in the hotel before we walked out (cause we can't hug in public)... and right then and there it hit me. As of this time next week, he wont be in the village with me.
He arrived 5 months prior to me so the whole time I have been here, so has he. Now, funny thing is, we aren't allowed to talk in the village, and I have wanted to kill him on more than one occasion in the past two years... but for all the ups and downs, he is my brother! I have other volunteers that I am more "connected" with, people I keep in better contact with, but there is no one I can go to to vent my frustrations about my landlord who will understand but him! There is no one who I can talk to about my co-workers who will understand just how cool they are. There is no one I can say to "hey, can you let me know what time the village bus is coming" or who I can talk to about different families except him. And, while it is part of life and service, having him leave feels like loosing a brother.
It then made me realize that while I am excited to get home and move onto the next phase in my life... in a few months, there is a good possibility that I might not see some of my friends ever again! Believe me, this wont happen with my village mate (I love him and his fiancee too much... if it means vacationing in the mid-west to see them, i'll do it) but it did bring home the fact that I have had this amazing experience... and have made some amazing friends... and soon it will come to and end.
So, in the cab ride home, I did cry a bit... although i tried not to let it show. I figure, if I am going through all these emotions right now, imagine what he is going through. No need for him to deal with my emotional crap as well! But I can say, should he read this... brother, I'll miss you! And I will never forget what a FoHawk is! Love ya!

A new hobby

2006-04-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, Ok... I know I don't have enough of them. I mean, what? Between the cross-stitching, the guitar playing, the knitting, the flying... well, I just wanted something new!
So, my sister brought me over a model airplane kit. Now, not one of those plastic ones where you just snap parts together... oh no! This is a balsa wood one where you actually build the frame and everything and then, should your aerodynamics be right, it SHOULD fly! Well, i started it today and 3 hours later, realized i had spent three hours on it (its not as easy as you might think). But, the funny part was...you have to sand down the balsa wood so that you can snap out the pieces without breaking them. So I did that and then my carpet at my place had all this sawdust on it. Now, I love sawdust! I am sure several friends will remember my attempt at "building" my own desk when I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. For those of you who did not experience this... my one bedroom apartment looked like the main base of Home Depot! And I know, for a fact, Miguel at least remembers this (probably still has nightmares about helping me assemble, and then disassemble it at midnight).
Well, the difference here is that I don't have a vacuum cleaner... so I guess I will just enjoy the sawdust for a while! But I am definitely addicted to the model plane building.
My fuselodge is now done... on to the wings later. This one I will leave in the village with a kid here who is an aviation enthusiast... but when I get home, i plan on building a motor powered one like my Uncle did and then taking it up for a flight! Hopefully, my maiden flight will last longer than one takeoff (which is what his did before it crashed into the ground).
Well, there is my rambling for now... Hope everyone is well

A Day of Personal Thoughts

2006-04-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, I want to preface this blog by saying I have had a lot of thoughts today (due to surrounding events... which are expanded on below) and it may be a bit of a harsh blog... but they are my thoughts.
I found out yesterday that one of my students parents delivered a baby this weekend (6 weeks early) who either died shortly after birth or was still born. Now, I realize this is devastating... but I also know this is the 5th (YES... FIFTH) child this woman has lost either shortly after birth or late in her pregnancy. You must also realize, she is married to a first cousin and both her children have special needs (her daughter in my class more than her son but still). As much as I greived for her, a part of me felt like saying "you have two children... and clearly having more children is not a very realistic or safe possibility for you... so STOP". I also have to wonder if it is a blessing... I mean, looking at her daughter, and knowing that at least two of the children who have died shortly after childbirth have been children who died because of medical complications and problems, I have to wonder if it isn't for the best. I mean, I would imagine if the child had survived, it would have had a SEVERE amount of problems.
So, I felt harsh for thinking that but I did. Then, her sister (who is a co worker) got extremely distraught over it and this was intensified this morning when she came across a bus accident in which a child was killed. Again, while tragic, it suddenly hit me. This is a culture that is STEEPED in religion. I mean, everyone here has such an ingrained faith, and everything is "in sha allah" (translating to "if god wills it") that part of me was surprised. This woman is fearful of everything... she is fearful of death, of getting sick, of EVERYTHING (if she were in the states and I could understand everything she said... I would probably call her a hypochondriac). So I had a long discussion with my two co workers that i am friends with (she was not present) about this wondering why she was so scared of everything if everything is in God's will. They didn't understand either, they just said that was her personality. But it was a great springboard for a discussion on religion, death rituals (creamation vs. burial, etc) and faith. Really, an over all good day considering it sprang from such greif.

The surpriser becomes the surprisee!

2006-03-27T02:17:00.000-08:00

So, you all know I blew my surprise for my family when I went home in Jan. Well, apparently my family is better than I am. Last night, to my shock, my sister showed up at my door step here in Jordan for a visit. She had apparently contacted Josh (my village mate) and made her way down here without me knowing!
What a great treat! We are working on wedding stuff (I am supposed to do the invitations but her bags got left in New York and wont be here till tomorrow night... so i'll start then).
Anyway, just wanted to share the fun news!

Amazing Film!

2006-03-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

Well, I had the opportunity to watch a very powerful, controversial film and I wanted to pass the message along. The movie was filmed on location in Nablus, is entirely in Arabic, and tells the story of two young men who are recruited to go on a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. I wont say any more about it than that but it does discuss a lot of very controversial topics in (what i felt) was a well directed film.
The film is called "Paradise Now" and if anyone can check it out, I really suggest they do. Gives a log to think about and also (because of the language and where it is filmed) really does look a lot like where i live!

Cool Playlist for IPOD's

2006-03-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

Ok... I cannot take credit for this... but I did want to share it! As volunteers, we sometimes have extra time on our hands for little projects.... be it knitting, cross-stitching, or making different music playlists for the volunteers.
One of the volunteers decided to make a playlist for our IPODs with all songs that referred to God (and these are secular songs). Then, he looked at the message, and retitled them by what they related to in the Bible, and then put them in order... so, I will list it below with the "Peace Corps" title first and the real title and artist listed in the parenthesis following. Enjoy

Genesis (Phil Colins- In the Air Tonight)
The Exodus (Kaiser Chiefs- Oh My God)
The Promised Land (U2- In God's Country)
Samson and Delilah (Jeff Buckley- Hallelujah)
Psalms (John Denver- Thank God I'm a Country Boy)
Jonah (Phish- God Never Listens)
The Nativity (India Arie- I See God In You)
Baptism (Mindy Smith- Come To Jesus)
The Disciples (Depeche Mode- Personal Jesus)
The Resurrection (Ben Harper and the Bl... - Pictures of Jesus)
Doubting Thomas (Tori Amos- God)
Saul to Paul (Coldplay- God Put a Smile On Your Face)
Letters to The Apostles (Kanye West- Jesus Walks)
The Armaggedon (Great Big Sea- Its the End of the World as we Know It)

33 Things Not to Miss in Jordan

2006-03-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

This list came to my mind because I checked off another one this weekend by snorkling in the Red Sea.
In the book "Rough Guide to Jordan" there are 33 things not to miss. I am hoping to hit all of them while I am here... so, below are the 33 things. The one with the (+) next to them are the ones I have already completed... the rest are things yet to do.

1) Wadi Rum
2) The Monastery at Petra (+)
3) The Colors of Petra (+)
4) The High Place of Sacrifice at Petra (+)
5) Walking the Siq at Petra (+)
6) The Treasury at Petra (+)
7) Petra by Night (+)
8) Burqu
9) Jerash
10) The Wadi Mujib "grand canyon" (+)
11) Camel Riding
12) The King's Highway (+) --- which, as a note, is the main road through my village
13) Umm Quaiss (+)
14) Bedouin Hospitality (+)
15) Madaba Mosaic Map (+)
16) Red Sea Diving and Snorkling (+)
17) Mt. Nebo (+)--- which, as a note, is my favorite place in Jordan
18) Dead Sea (+)
19) Pella
20) The Eastern Badia
21) Dana Nature Reserve (+)
22) Trekking
23) Jerash Music Festival
24) Hammamat Ma'in
25) Umayyad Palace, Amman
26) Qusayr Amra
27) Roman Amman (+)
28) Qasr Azraq
29) Baptism Site
30) Kerak Castle (+)
31) Qasr Hraneh
32) Jordanian Cuisine (+)
33) Shaumari Wildlife Reserve

Amazing Weekend!

2006-03-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I spent out of site in Aquaba and had the MOST amazing time! Lets see, it was so jampacked I'll break it down.
On thursday my center took a fieldtrip to Aquaba. We started out by having a picnic breakfast in the park, and then we went to the beach. Women here do swim in long sleeve shirts and pants but for many of my staff members, it was the first time they had done anything more than simply wade! It was a great time! The kids loved it and the staff were just liked kids as well. Then we went and had lunch at another park and ended the day with doing a little shopping at the market.
Well, my center headed back home but I stayed in Aquaba with some other volunteers for the weekend.
That evening we all hung out and just relaxed and caught up. Well, the next morning we were very hungry so we headed out to get breakfast. Well, after walking and walking we found that so many places were closed. So, we ended up at the Movenpick (5 star hotel) for their buffet breakfast. It was a lot more money than we usually spend but WELL worth it! It was delicious and we got to have things that are not readily available in Jordan (such as croissants).
After breakfast we went to the Royal Diving Club which is a nice beach club where we rented snorkling gear and snorkeled on a reef just off the coast in the red sea! It was amazing. I have only snorkled one time in my life in Hawaii and the red sea is far more full of sea life!
Then we came back and a big group of us went out to dinner at a nice restaurant and then dancing at a club at the movenpick.
This morning I finished the weeked off with a trip to safeway to get some goodies and then came back home.
Right now I am uploading some pictures and videos from our trip so check them out

Lots to report

2006-03-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

First of all, let me put in the disclaimer that i am COMPLETELY wired right now. Those of you who know me know that I don't drink coffee.... well, I have found this cappachino mix drink over here that I really like and have had 3 of them today. Combine that with the fact that I don't drink coffee and you can figure out what state I am in.
Lets see, the past week has been really busy. We have had a workshop at our center training our teachers in special education methodologies. At first I was very excited about this workshop but, in keeping with tradition, the presenters who were supposed to be there the first day at 8:30... showed up at 12:30!!! Well, we were made to wait so we just sat (although, expecting something like this would most likely happen, I have taken to the habit of bringing a book or knitting with me everywhere i go... so i worked on a scarf).
Then we left and I saw a completely eerie sight! My village is only about 40km from Israel. I live on the edge of a mountain range, there is a big valley below me (wadi arba) and on the other side of the valley is israel. Since it is a pretty remote part of israel, and not heavily populated, that is where much of their military training takes place. During the summer I often hear bombs going off so I don't think much about it. Well, on this day it was crystal clear and I could see all the way across the valley. I heard the sound of a bomb go off (which, as I said, is not unusual) but what was new was that, as I looked, I could see the large mushroom cloud of smoke rising from across the valley where the bomb had gone off! It was a distinguishable cloud that could not be mistaken for anything else. It was quite a surreal sight to see.
The next day we finished our workshop. The head of special education was there and was going to go over the new forms with us. So, I am thinking this is going to be an interesting workshop I should sit in on. Well, in actuality they spent the time talking about how to measure IQ's and what causes different disabilities. It was kind of sad to me. This culture is so focused on deficits, labels, etc... they want to know whether someone's developmental disabilty is severe or moderate and what caused it instead of looking at what the child CAN do! So, i left the workshop and worked on translating the new forms.
Either way, it has been one heck of a week!
Next week my center is going to Aquaba on a field trip with the students and we are going the thursday (which, is our school weeks friday) so I am just staying down the there for the weekend to visit with some peace corps friends and go snorkling in the red sea!
Well, that is about all from here... I want to give a birthday wish to Scott, Rufus, Dave and Kristy who all have birthdays this week!

The secret to happiness is...

2006-03-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

CILANTRO!!! ha ha ha! After over a year and a half here... I was finally clued in to where to get fresh cilantro in Jordan (and yes, you have to get it in amman). So, thanks to that advice, plus an AWESOME salsa recipe from another volunteer... and I had a ROCKIN mexican dinner tonight with salsa....ahhh, after being in the peace corps, you truly do learn to appreciate the little things

VERY inappropriate (Yet truly funny) humor

2006-02-28T12:15:00.000-08:00

So, today was Fat Tuesday. And it was also the day after a volunteers birthday (Andi's birthday was yesterday but I didn't find out till today). So, Josh (my village mate), Andi and I all decide to get together tonight for dinner and ice cream to celebrate her birthday.
We are hanging out at the internet cafe and, as we are walking out, Andi says "So, it's Fat Tuesday... where do you think I can get some beads?"... to which Josh replies (very quietly I might add) "At the mosque". For those of you who are not familiar, all men carry around prayer beads that look an awful lot like the string of beads you might see at Mardi Gras. So, with this, Andi goes "well, you know what I need to do to get some beads?" (and for those of you who are now worried... no, she did not actually flash all the men at prayer... although the three of us did get a good laugh at the thought). So, we are now (at least those of us here) referring (and yes, only to each other within the safety of the PC group) to the act of flashing as "mosque-ing"... ok, a bit distasteful I know... but hey, we have to let off some steam with some humor now and then, don't we??? smile

Walking is great

2006-02-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

So, after being a lazy sloth most of last summer (c'mon it was too hot to walk), and winter (c'mon, it was too cold to walk).. LOL... I have finally started to get back into training for the Dead Sea Marathon (well, you all know me... HALF marathon... smile).
I walked about 2 and a half hours today and it was great. There is this amazing mountain road that connects my village to the next one and there is NEVER anyone out on it... in fact, just as was the case last year, I was stopped 4 times today by people offering me a ride somewhere. Being in a culture that doesn't really excercise, much less have women who walk out on freeways by themselves, I turn quite a few heads when I say I am just out for exercise. But the road is amazing and there is nothing like throwing on my headphones and walking in the middle of, what literally feels like the wilderness, with no one around me except for the occasional car or two.
Such a great feeling! Ahhh, i guess there will be some things I will miss when I get back home

A definite reason to celebrate

2006-02-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

Often, the western portayal of Arabs is an "us against them" mentality. However, being here has reinforced for me there are good people in every society and bad people in every society. Last November there was a man in the village next to mine who was kidnapped and held hostage in Iraq. He was Muslim and Arab, and yet, he was still help captive in Iraq. Well, last thursday he was released! His arrival home sparked a party the size of which I have never seen before. It is something that everyone in his village and the nearby villages are all grateful for!

Frustrations

2006-02-21T09:45:00.000-08:00

There are some days living here that I just don’t understand the culture. There are also days that I understand the culture and just don’t agree with it. Today was a day that emcompassed both of those feelings! I have not been more frustrated lately than I was today.Two days ago my landlords daughter (and one of my students) fell while getting out of the school bus and cut her lip badly (requiring two stitches). About 30 minutes after this I became pretty ill and went home for the day. After speaking with the Peace Corps doctor and figuring out what the problem was, I rested and slept the rest of the day.The following day (when I got up) I was immediately asked (more like attacked) by my landlord as to why I hadn’t visited. I explained that I had been sick and was very sorry but planned to visit after work. Well, without any notice or warning, we had guests come from amman and (as the women) were required to prepare a large luncheon. Because of this I was gone from 7am to 5pm pretty much running around the whole time. By the time I was done, I was exhausted! So, this morning when I got up, I was again questioned by my landlord… although this time I was told that I was “misch kwayes” (no good) for having not visited and that his daughter was mad at me. When I arrived at work I was also informed by the other staff that he came in stating that the only reason a staff member didn’t go to the clinic with his daughter was because we were all lazy and just sat around. Of course, the real reason is that her mother came and took her and we had work.But, what baffels me the most is that his daughter is very shy. She does not like a lot of attention and probably would not like visitors. In fact, when we came to visit today (we brought all the students from her class and the teachers as well) his daughter barely said anything. Visiting is such a mandated part of culture and yet, it is something that not everyone wants or desires. The bottom line (in my opinion) is that my landlord wanted the attention via his daughter… which kind of makes me sick! So, I decided to screw everyone and just stay home today.In fact, my village mate laughed at me. I rarely swear… but when I have a day like today “fuck this” and “fuck that” just seem to stream out of my mouth. Josh calls it my “steam release” valve that I turn on to keep from blowing! Ha ha…. I thought that was a pretty good analogy.So now I am just looking forward to going to Amman for the day this Thursday. It may be for a meeting and it may be a long trip, but it will get me out of here and give all a time to cool off.

Great weekend

2006-02-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

So, I went up to Madaba for my weekend away. It was so nice to see some friends. I have been lucky that, after the year and a half here, I have developed very close friendships with several of the volunteers in my group.
In fact, it is interesting... the group that has come in behind us has lost many volunteers already (they arrived in country in July, and have already lost almost 30% of their group). So the staff has been talking to volunteers about "What makes a resiliant volunteers"... in otherwords, what makes one volunteer ride it out through the rough times (and we all have had them) and keep going and bounce back when the same things send other volunteers home. Now, I don't know the answer to this... but I do know that my friends in country (and really, especially the boys... are like brothers to me... I only have a sister at home so have never really known what it was like to have brothers) have supported me and kept me going and I can't thank them enough for that! Seeing them this weekend was a great time to reconnect.
Things here are getting busy with writing grants (another volunteer and myself are writing a grant to host a special education training workshop for 3 days with all the special education volunteers and a community partner), upcoming events such as the J9's having their mid service conference (which we, the J8's will help with)... our group having its COS (close of service) conference, my village mates wedding, and I have decided to, yet again, run (yeah, whose kidding who... walk) the dead sea half marathon! So, busy times here... but you at home are often in my thoughts and I love hearing from each of you.