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11:10 PM Sitting on Couch in Apartment
I really shouldn't do this right now because I'm studying for 2 quizzes tomorrow. But I haven't written in awhile, and I need a break from studying. I've found it's hard to focus just on what I'm supposed to be studying because I will get these kicks where I want to take it ALL in and diversify/re-inforce the vocabulary and phrases I know and want to be able to use on a daily basis. This can be tough due to the fact that it's hard to throw in the phrase (do not... or else, or irrespective of different...) in everyday situations and discussions. It really feels like this summer and program are coming to a close. I feel like I have to make an assessment of everything right now, even though there are 2 weeks left. The pressure is on and I feel that if I think about it too much the pressure will become a negative influence on my studying, learning of the language, and everyday life. Dusty is asleep beside me and Chewbecca is probably on my bed asleep. They are some of the nicest cats I've known and I will truly miss them. I though Chewbecca (I call her little bit) got carried off by another cat tonight, but I found out it was another kitten and that she is okay. It scared me for a little while because of the scream of the cat being carried off sounded like little bit's voice. Needless to say I was very relieved when she came around the other corner and was not harmed at all. It's going to be a tough life for these guys when we leave but we haven't fed them in 2 weeks so they're just relying on us for water. Dusty brought in a half-live mouse the other day and you could tell he was proud by the way he came prancing in meowing with his tail up, haha. I promptly made him take it back outside. Ramadan starts this next week, so it'll be interesting to see how things change around here. Classes are giong well, I'm really enjoying the newspaper class even though it falls on my lunch break so I have to rush to get something going back to class. 2 weeks until Laura comes!!! :) I can't wait until our trip, but I still need to workout some kinks beforehand. I've been getting some good advice from students who have lived in Cairo. Mainly how to avoid tourist traps and annoying peddlers at the pyramids. This week Cameron and I will find out about Saudi Arabia and it is coming down to the wire. This is pretty much the last weekend we'd be able to go if we get our VISA's. If it doesn't workout we're most likely going to hop a plane to Lebanon for the weekend and have Dima (our former Arabic teacher) show us around. The weather here has been really hot these past couple of weeks, but I've heard it hasn't been as bad as Alabama (112 heat index) The nice thing here is that 103 or 108 is really just that, because there is no humidity. The heat makes you tired and it is hard to study. We're getting tired of Falafel and Shewarma for every meal, so we mix it up on the weekends and eat Yemeni, Burger King, or Ramen. I boughta mini pizza from the bakery today and it was excellent! It was 1.5 JD. I also got a haircut today for 3 JD. IT was about what I expected and it's not too bad, haha. The guy trimmed my moustache and goatee as well. Our internet has been out the entire weekend! Really annoying. We hear that it is the actual company and not the usual gamer or downloaer hogging it all. Last night Cameron and I sat out in front of the apartment complex and talked with a Russian-American that goes to Qasid and teaches Arabic in Tuson, Arizona (her name is Maria) and an American in his 50's (?) named Pat. He was in the military for 20 years and now does contract security/transportation logistics, and supply work in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. He seemed like a nice guy but you could tell he could get kind of crazy (from some of his stories). This is his vacation time and he's been in Amman for 8 months. He hasn't been back in the US since 2004. Pretty crazy. I translated an Avett Brothers song into Arabic the other day and it was fun distinguishing the main ideas and themes behind what was actually being said in order to translate it as closely as possible into Arabic. Allright, i think that's it. Thursday night we ate Yemeni food with a couple of student's from Notre Dame (Rob and Ryan) that go to Qasid. They came over and we played hearts and drank Arak. I'm tired, going to study and bed.
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