Bam-ZaH!

So, this is class in Jordan. Ha. Looks like class in America right? I'm not as integrated culturally as I could be . . . but it's cool, I'm still learning. I'm using this summer as a time to adapt, then inshaallah (hopefully) I will focus more on cultural immersion in the fall.

(Btw, the two adorable ladies on the left are my roomies)

It's the weekend here - if I didn't mention it before, weekends in Jordan are Friday and Saturday - which means the school week starts on Sunday. Bit of an adjustment. Anyway, one of my roommates has family here, so we're headed over to their house tomorrow to learn how to make some popular Jordanian dish. I can't remember what it is, but I'll take lots of pictures and explain more after. Then, on Saturday, our whole program is taking a "Biblical" tour of Jordan. I'm just excited to finally see a part of Jordan that isn't Amman. I've yet to see this desert I'm apparently living in . . . All in all should be a pretty good weekend.

Oh and the most important news! I have discovered a bakery (makhubz) in my neighborhood!!!! My love for bread can continue. Pssst . . . totally sick of pita already, and I was never too hot for hummus in the first place. But now I can indulge in a variety of breads (many of them filled) for cheap, cheap, cheap. Which is good because I need to put some weight on. I've lost about 10 lbs since I got here - no joke. I was really sick, and since then, I've yet to have much of an appetite. But I just ate a whole thing of cookies, and some bread, so I'm on the right track. The problem is, I thought I would gain weight here, since I'm not working out, so I brought pants that were slightly large. Now they're really large. And I hate ill fitting clothing. It's my biggest pet peeve.

Drumroll . . . my roommate and I picked up some things from a corner store yesterday, and we held down a conversation in Arabic with the cashier. When we left, I wasn't sure if we had spoken in English or Arabic, because I've gotten so used to hearing Arabic. It was very cool. I can tell I've learned so much already, and it's only been two weeks! Basic Arabic has become second nature to me! I would say that in another month it will have easily passed my Spanish speaking abilities - which is sad, because I've studied Spanish for five years . . . but whatevs, I'm sure that if I want to become fluent in Spanish, it will take no time at all, especially after conquering Arabic.

Best word in Arabic: bam-zaH! which means "just kidding." Since I am "bam-zaH" 95% of the time, I love this word. I throw it out at every opportunity. Especially since it works so well in the context. It sounds like the right word for "just kidding." I say it all excited like and throw my hands in the air. It's awesome.