I can’t believe this is the end of my time in Jordan. I was here for two and half months, I remember my first day here like it was yesterday, and at seven o’clock tomorrow morning, I’m gone. Everyone said the time would fly by, and boy, they meant it. I think overall, my Arabic improved, but more on the dialectical side than the classical or grammatical. So, I’m really happy about that, and hopefully I’ll continue to learn back in the US. But, as I cram all my scarves and souvenirs into one suitcase and eat the last of the foods I have, I’m already starting to miss Jordan. I loved how truly hospitable the people are, I loved having a conversation with anyone and everyone, and of course, I loved Mutam Hashem’s. It’s true that it really is another world here, but I know, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for this other world. Anyway, I’m off to Beirut in the morning! It’s incredibly surreal, that’s the only way to describe it. I’m so lucky to have had the chance to be in Jordan, let alone travel on to other famed, extraordinary places. We don’t have too many set plans for our time in Lebanon, but it will include Harry Potter—can’t believe I haven’t seen that, yet. Anyway, I’m filled with excitement for the moment!

I just came home from my finals exams at Qasid and I’m so relieved! I can’t believe the program is finally over—it went by so quickly! I have to say the tests were pretty easy, which is a pretty astounding thing to say. I’ve been studying the language for roughly two years now and to be able to read poetry, news articles, and research findings with some amount of ease is incredible. I’ve learned so much more than just that during my time here, though. It’s been incredible and it really is true what they say—you end up learning more about yourself than of language and culture. I got through this program only being homesick twice and that was my biggest fear coming here. I’m so motivated to travel to more places and learn more languages! I feel like the world is at my fingertips here and the US is so far away from it all. I still have another week left in Jordan and then a week or so in Lebanon and then I’m off to Palestine and now, I’m slightly contemplating extending my stay a little bit and heading over to Egypt…we’ll see! But, the program is over, ilhumdulillah, and I can’t wait to start traveling!

     Well, I’m more than halfway through my time in Jordan. Everyone said our time here would be gone in an instant and of course, none of us believed this until recently. It seems like just yesterday we were figuring out how to use the stove and water heater, breaking out of our shells and speaking Arabic with cab drivers, and now we’re planning our final projects. In less than a month, Heather and I will be in Beirut and Jerusalem and in no time at all, I’ll be back in Rancho Cucamonga wondering where the time went. We’ve all had our challenges, but our summer here has been amazing, to say the least. I really need to push through these last few weeks, though. I definitely haven’t been working hard enough, there’s always something else I could have been doing to improve my Arabic and I need to step it up while I have the chance.

     Anyway, I went to a wedding last night! It was beautiful! I was surprised to see all the similarities between an American wedding and a Jordanian/Palestinian wedding. The bride wore white, they cut the cake together and shared their first bites, they shared a first dance upon walking in the room. But, there were also a few differences that I loved! When they cut the cake, they didn’t use just any kitchen knife, they used a traditional sword! And after the first dance, a treasure-chest looking box was wheeled in filled with gold jewelery as a gift from the groom to his bride! It was such a beautiful gesture, and I guess that’s pretty customary for a groom to his bride. Afterwards, we all just talked and danced and cheered on the newlyweds! I haven’t been to many weddings but this one was definitely more lively than the weddings I’ve been to in the States and I was so grateful for the chance to go!

     I don’t know what we’re up to this weekend, but it’s our last weekend before Ramadan! Ramadan could start on Sunday or Monday and I’m incredibly anxious! It’s my first Ramadan, so how lucky am I to be in Amman to celebrate it?! You can definitely feel the anticipation here—decorations have been up for weeks, the calls to prayer are slowly changing, and everyone’s talking of the sweets and such to come. So hopefully I’ll be able to fast like everyone else!

      I’ve also tried several times to upload some things, but it just hasn’t been working out—pictures and videos alike. We’ve been having a lot of problems with our internet lately, so hopefully I can get those up soon!