Howdy fam (and friends and other loved ones)! School has now started in Amman and it's providing somewhat of a routine which I find extremely helpful! I am still not used to waking up at 6:45 for school! I haven't woken up that early [regularly] since junior year of high school!!! The bus that the جامعة (university) provides stops at our دوار (circle) at 7:25 IN THE MORNING. Just in case you were wondering, I set an alarm for 7:15 reminding me to get up... and dressed... and moving.
Yesterday, the first day of classes, was rough. I was up late the night before learning of the sudden and tragic loss of a friend and a sister. Kristen (Ambriz) Stoltman passed away from injuries from a car accident Friday night. She was a beautiful girl. We met through Kappa Phi last year even though she was from The Woodlands. She was recently married and had even more recently lost her father. Her husband, Jesse, is still in critical condition in the hospital. I didn't know Jesse but I was friends with Jesse's brother in high school. It hurts my heart to think about how much loss these two families have suffered as well as all of their friends. Kappa Phi has lost a sister - but gained an angel.
Needless to say, I didn't sleep well Saturday night. After three hours of sleep, getting up and going to classes was difficult. I didn't feel well during Arabic (which is at 8 - 10:20AM Sunday - Thursday) and had trouble concentrating during my US Foreign Policy class (10:30 - 12:20PM Sunday - Thursday).
After classes, we came home on the 3PM bus and the entire apartment fell into a slumber. Ashley, Rosalynd and I went to the grocery store last night and I finally bought some real food. I am getting pretty awesome at hailing a taxi cab! I also am getting used to nice, cold showers.
This morning was a lot better. I had prepacked a baggie of Golden Grahams to take on the bus with me (which were delicious, if you were wondering). I realized also that it's been quite a while since I had a real meal so the breakfast was extremely welcome. I don't know what it is but I find myself not eating a lot while here.
Arabic was okay today; we're reviewing the first ten chapters of al-kitaab which I've learned previously. We were supposed to start chapter 11 tomorrow but she has been going at a slower pace than anticipated so we are a little behind and will need a couple more days to finish a review.
I'm really enjoying my foreign policy class. Our professor, Beth, is an American who graduated from American University in DC. She moved to Jordan about 4 years ago, got married, and hasn't looked back. On our first day of class, she gave us "rules of the road" and tried to help us stay away from cultural taboos. That much thought was definitely appreciated.
I decided to take a taxi home from the university instead of waiting until three and managed to get home and get a solid start on my homework before the rest of the apartment got home, which they are now. I'm not sure what the plan is now but I think we've decided on watching The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (the American version) later this evening. If anything cool happens, I'll let you guys know.
In the meantime, I would really appreciate some thoughts and prayers for Mrs. Ambriz and her family as well as the Stoltmans in their difficult, heart-wrenching time of need.
Miss you all lots.
Love from Amman.
Yesterday, the first day of classes, was rough. I was up late the night before learning of the sudden and tragic loss of a friend and a sister. Kristen (Ambriz) Stoltman passed away from injuries from a car accident Friday night. She was a beautiful girl. We met through Kappa Phi last year even though she was from The Woodlands. She was recently married and had even more recently lost her father. Her husband, Jesse, is still in critical condition in the hospital. I didn't know Jesse but I was friends with Jesse's brother in high school. It hurts my heart to think about how much loss these two families have suffered as well as all of their friends. Kappa Phi has lost a sister - but gained an angel.
Needless to say, I didn't sleep well Saturday night. After three hours of sleep, getting up and going to classes was difficult. I didn't feel well during Arabic (which is at 8 - 10:20AM Sunday - Thursday) and had trouble concentrating during my US Foreign Policy class (10:30 - 12:20PM Sunday - Thursday).
After classes, we came home on the 3PM bus and the entire apartment fell into a slumber. Ashley, Rosalynd and I went to the grocery store last night and I finally bought some real food. I am getting pretty awesome at hailing a taxi cab! I also am getting used to nice, cold showers.
This morning was a lot better. I had prepacked a baggie of Golden Grahams to take on the bus with me (which were delicious, if you were wondering). I realized also that it's been quite a while since I had a real meal so the breakfast was extremely welcome. I don't know what it is but I find myself not eating a lot while here.
Arabic was okay today; we're reviewing the first ten chapters of al-kitaab which I've learned previously. We were supposed to start chapter 11 tomorrow but she has been going at a slower pace than anticipated so we are a little behind and will need a couple more days to finish a review.
I'm really enjoying my foreign policy class. Our professor, Beth, is an American who graduated from American University in DC. She moved to Jordan about 4 years ago, got married, and hasn't looked back. On our first day of class, she gave us "rules of the road" and tried to help us stay away from cultural taboos. That much thought was definitely appreciated.
I decided to take a taxi home from the university instead of waiting until three and managed to get home and get a solid start on my homework before the rest of the apartment got home, which they are now. I'm not sure what the plan is now but I think we've decided on watching The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (the American version) later this evening. If anything cool happens, I'll let you guys know.
In the meantime, I would really appreciate some thoughts and prayers for Mrs. Ambriz and her family as well as the Stoltmans in their difficult, heart-wrenching time of need.
Miss you all lots.
Love from Amman.
That is so horrible! I will lift them all in my prayers...
ReplyDeleteLove you!!!
-Auntie