http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK3Ce9md96g
This is the music video for the song "Sixteen Military Wives" by the Decembrists.
I think that you might enjoy it a little.
I have to go write an editorial for Dordt's student newspaper. I am in an "opposing viewpoints" battle with a freshman about whether the US should talk directly to Iran and Syria. I am arguing for direct relations. We'll see how this goes.
Also, I might get to see Barak Obama in Sioux City tomorrow. And who says nothing ever happens in Iowa?!?!?! Plus, Iowa is so conservative that there are still tickets available 12 hours before the event!!! How do you like them apples?!?!? : )
I guess living in Iowa has its perks after all. If Obama came to Chicago, he would be sold out before you could blink. : )
Peace
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
I'm a bad host sister.
I have a favor to ask... Does anyone still have their sheet with all of the host families and phone numbers on them? I want to call mine but don't have her number. Not that I think she'll even figure out who I am, but its worth a try. Her name is Rasha Mustafa. I would love you forever if you had the number for me! I want to ask how the chicken is that ran around my house and see if they have eaten it yet.
Hurray at last
So here I am back again. I do realize that it has been a while but what can I say I procrastinate. Actually the real reason is that I finally have news and it's good. I got accepted in the Peace Corps. I will be leaving in August or September and will be going to Eastern Europe/Central Asia teaching English. Is that not the coolest thing ever. I worked four months to get a job that doesn't pay. My dad was thrilled about that (sarcasm). Anyway it means that I don't have to worry about getting a real job for at least another two or three years which is very exciting.
In other news I am on vacation this week with a friend and her three little kids. Yup, thats me playing with kids all day long. We went shopping and swimming all day. I have to admit that though kids in general are not my thing being an aunt (in name only) is pretty cool. You don't have to deal with any of the horrid stuff but I get to spoil them rotten. Their mom is loving me to death! We are going to a movie tonight. I really can't wait for that (sarcasm again). Can you really imagine me playing all day with a 6, 4, and 2 year old? Yeah, me neither but it is fun anyhoo.
The house I am building for my parents (the reason I came home in case you missed it) is going well. We almost have the downstairs done. Not the most exciting thing ever but that is about all I do besides read. Hey have a great day!
In other news I am on vacation this week with a friend and her three little kids. Yup, thats me playing with kids all day long. We went shopping and swimming all day. I have to admit that though kids in general are not my thing being an aunt (in name only) is pretty cool. You don't have to deal with any of the horrid stuff but I get to spoil them rotten. Their mom is loving me to death! We are going to a movie tonight. I really can't wait for that (sarcasm again). Can you really imagine me playing all day with a 6, 4, and 2 year old? Yeah, me neither but it is fun anyhoo.
The house I am building for my parents (the reason I came home in case you missed it) is going well. We almost have the downstairs done. Not the most exciting thing ever but that is about all I do besides read. Hey have a great day!
Greetings from Indiana
Hello my friends, in case you couldn't tell from the picture, this is Margie. One of the long lost MESP friends. Like everyone else, life is crazy, and from here on out it will be a sprint to finish this college thing. Some changes/highlights of my life. My hair is gone (see above), my nose piercing came to a tragic end (and despite x-rays I'm convinced I have a metal ball in my nose), I finally start spring break tomorrow, and I've decided to look at going to graduate school next year. This end of college thing isn't all I had hoped it would be. Instead of the excitment and relief I had expected, I instead am feeling dread and fear. I'm sure it will all be fine, but I'm going to miss these people and this life that I have very few financial responsibility. Dang.In other news, I love my Modern Middle East class. My prof is a fomer State Dept. official in Baghdad and while teaching about the Arab-Israeli conflict he jokingly says "I hope there aren't any Christian Zionists here" and being at a conservative Christian school and a class of 50, I'm pretty sure some people are offended and I love it. I have a test tomorrow about the conflicts, and I love that I don't have to be too worried about studying. Don't get me wrong, I learn a lot in that class, but when it comes to papers and tests, I feel ahead of the gang. We also had a Muslim man from Notre Dame come a few weeks ago to my senior seminar class to talk about peace and inter-faith dialouge. I fell in love with him, and I think my class was really suprised at how loving and great he was.
That's about all for now, no funny stories or dramatic news, but I am still alive and miss you all. Peace and love,
Margie
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Hey all.
Life is crazy right now...not much time to detail all that is happening. But if anyone is looking for an AMAZING opportunity this summer check this out:
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/109640-56
much love and an update soon to come!
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/109640-56
much love and an update soon to come!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Diaa is on facebook.
Let me repeat the coolest news since Jesus and Wonderbread: Diaa Nashed is on facebook.
Friday, March 23, 2007
to: my friends
from: phil (i put this at the top because a couple days ago i read a post thinking that the writer was probably mandy and then when i got to the bottom it turned out it was bryan. sometimes context clues just arent strong enough for me...)
well ive been wanting to post for a while now, not because i have lots of sweet things to say, but mostly because its just been too long and ive been thinking about you all. i would have posted earlier, in fact, but i constantly forget my username and password. its just how i do. so i just recreated my account. again.
there is one bit of personal news i can share: i just found out that i got an internship in DC for the summer at the state department. it will be in african affairs, but i dont know yet what ill be doing specifically. if any of you are going to be in the DC area this summer or have contacts there, im looking for places to live...
oh, heres something truly sweet: (julianna, can i say this?) i might be the last to find this out, but in case im not, let it be known that julianna k smith is going to be student body president at malone in the 2007-2008 school year!
school is going well, busy of course. in my classical literature class (in which i sit in the back next to kirsten and never ever talk and the one time i had something to say the kid sitting kitty-corner from me raised his hand and said the exact same thing no lie so i just put my hand down and tried to walk it off) i am trying to find a topic do a research paper about. i think im going to try to do something with monasticism and demonology in the 4th-5th centuries. the early monks are pretty interesting people, and they saw some pretty interesting things. by the way, i know several of you have been exploring eastern orthodoxy, id love to hear about what you are learning and experiencing. and dont you wish that we could go back and re-do our time at st. katherines especially? i feel like i would take so much more from that experience if i could do it over again.
ok, done for now. i hope you are all doing well.
from: phil (i put this at the top because a couple days ago i read a post thinking that the writer was probably mandy and then when i got to the bottom it turned out it was bryan. sometimes context clues just arent strong enough for me...)
well ive been wanting to post for a while now, not because i have lots of sweet things to say, but mostly because its just been too long and ive been thinking about you all. i would have posted earlier, in fact, but i constantly forget my username and password. its just how i do. so i just recreated my account. again.
there is one bit of personal news i can share: i just found out that i got an internship in DC for the summer at the state department. it will be in african affairs, but i dont know yet what ill be doing specifically. if any of you are going to be in the DC area this summer or have contacts there, im looking for places to live...
oh, heres something truly sweet: (julianna, can i say this?) i might be the last to find this out, but in case im not, let it be known that julianna k smith is going to be student body president at malone in the 2007-2008 school year!
school is going well, busy of course. in my classical literature class (in which i sit in the back next to kirsten and never ever talk and the one time i had something to say the kid sitting kitty-corner from me raised his hand and said the exact same thing no lie so i just put my hand down and tried to walk it off) i am trying to find a topic do a research paper about. i think im going to try to do something with monasticism and demonology in the 4th-5th centuries. the early monks are pretty interesting people, and they saw some pretty interesting things. by the way, i know several of you have been exploring eastern orthodoxy, id love to hear about what you are learning and experiencing. and dont you wish that we could go back and re-do our time at st. katherines especially? i feel like i would take so much more from that experience if i could do it over again.
ok, done for now. i hope you are all doing well.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
What, Wheaton, What?!
Sometimes it's just really important to stick it to the man. Ladies and Gentlemen, snaps for Tory.
Sheesha generously provided by one Micah Schuurman.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Spring Break
My Spring Break has been pretty uneventful so far. I got to hang out with Tory a couple of times. That was cool. Tomorrow, there is going to be a bit of a party at my house. Some MESP alums currently in the Chicago area are coming for kosheri, shisha, pita and Turkish delight. Im making the kosheri myself. My mom taught me to make it... sort of... we'll see how this goes. Im going to make them sign a waiver first... :)
I gave a brief talk at my church about MESP. It went really well. Pretty much everyone in the church who was present came up to thank me personally. I focused on Mazhar Mallouhi. I think that it gave people an idea of just how HUGE MESP was for me.
In other news, has anyone heard about "The Secret"? It is this new age spiritual philosophy thingy that claims that you can get anything you want by simply desiring it. Then the things that you desire will be "attracted" to you and will come your way. It was on Oprah and everyone (at least in the Chicago-land area) seems to be talking about it.
Well, wish me luck with the rest of my break. I have a lot to do and a lot to think about and not much determination to do it...
Peace
I gave a brief talk at my church about MESP. It went really well. Pretty much everyone in the church who was present came up to thank me personally. I focused on Mazhar Mallouhi. I think that it gave people an idea of just how HUGE MESP was for me.
In other news, has anyone heard about "The Secret"? It is this new age spiritual philosophy thingy that claims that you can get anything you want by simply desiring it. Then the things that you desire will be "attracted" to you and will come your way. It was on Oprah and everyone (at least in the Chicago-land area) seems to be talking about it.
Well, wish me luck with the rest of my break. I have a lot to do and a lot to think about and not much determination to do it...
Peace
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Krac di Chivilre (sp?)
I was flipping through channels just now...and guess what I just saw!? An expose' on the Krac! I feel like Micah because it was on the History Channel! Haha! Miss and love you all!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A roller coaster week and a half
Ok big updates here and a lot of the roller coaster I've been riding the last few weeks.
Last week during chapel was what we call the "Staley Lecture Series" where we have a series of chapels and other events about one particular topic. This year's topic: "How do we talk about the war?" about the war in Iraq.
Monday last week we had the pro war argument. According to him Radical Islam is a bigger threat to the world than Nazism and Communism and they are going to attempt to take over the world unless we do something. Also terrorist groups have no political aims, only religious ones and apparently we would know this if read their stuff (umm...ok) He quoted only logical sounding people on his side and only quote people who insisted on demonizing Muslims (stories of them ripping babies in half for example) for the other side. Needless to say this was a difficult chapel for me to sit through, but thankful I talked to others and many people said they suspected his arguements and didn't buy much of what was said.
Then Wednesday we had the other side of the issue. They chose a pacifist to pull this side of the argument. While I'm not sure I totally agree with all aspects of pacifism he seemed to be very knowledgable and had very good arguments for his side. Unlike the first speaker (who was very passionate and almost violent in his presentation) he was calm to the point of being so boring he might put people to sleep were his topic less interesting. Despite all this, there were about 20 students who walked out in protest about halfway through (grant it he did say some very controversial things that he didn't fully parse out, the big one for example was that Patriotism = Idolitry).
Thursday night they had a panel discussion with these two gentleman, an Iraqi war vet, and a seminary student who is very interesting (much more about him later). The panel discussion was excellent, despite the way the chapels went. We had great turn out and both sides were able to clarify their controversial statements, plus they were able to through the discussion talk about the depth of the issue in the war.
Friday the Seminary student talked in Chapel. His name is Omar Mohammad Abdul Zerkowie (I'm not sure I got it right, but something like that). He is born of a Christian mother from Texas and a Muslim father from Iraq. When he was born his parent agreed that the father could name him if the mother raised him in the church. Omar didn't so much share his views on the war, as much as tell his story and used those examples to explain why he believes what he believes. He told stories of the horrible treatment he got from Christian's his whole life (example after 9/11 the local newspaper printed an article about the Arab at seminary and how we should send him back strapped to a bomb). He also shared how his family on his dad's side is, Muslim mindsets (and how they might not really want democracy). He also shared their reaction when he married a Jewess (yes, he married a women of Jewish decent, this guy is every issue in the middle east in flesh). He backed this all up with scripture. He opened with the story of Hagar and Ishmael to show how God promised Ishmael that he too was important to God and agreed to make him a nation as well. It was absolutely amazing, and even more amazingly he got a standing ovation!
So overall I think that was a good experience for the campus.
Ok next part of this roller coaster. I'm still dealing with culture shock and haven't been sleeping well, plus this, so I'm already on edge. On Thursday I have my worst class with a professor whose views are diametrically opposed to almost everything I believe and teaches his Christianity as "the Christian worldview" and why liberalism is bad IN A HISTORY CLASS! So anyway, I don't like this teacher, but so far, (even after he told gave a lecture where he told the class there is no such thing as race and the idea of seeking diversity is stupid, he then says that we should racial profile Arabs at airports!!!) I have been totally respectful and never done anything other then hold my breath and wonder how anyone could believe this junk.
Well on Thursday last week we were going through the Roman Empire (it's a Western Civ class) and he explained how after the Roman Empire Christianized it slopped back towards paganism and polytheism and told us all about how praying to the saints was polytheism and venerating icons is idolatry. I have been going to the Orthodox church all semester (I'm even crossing myself now) and I at first tried to just let it roll of my back, but he kept harping on it. He was nice enough though to inform us that he doesn't believe they are all going to hell (oh how nice). Well finally I got to a point that I was either gonna start balling or burst out in rage so I thought the best thing to do was to leave class quietly, less disruptive and more respectful. Well I got up and when I went to close the door my hand were shaking I was so angry and I accidentally slammed the door. I was immediately ashamed at the way the position played out, it was not my intention to be rude to a professor in the middle of class, so I immediately sent him an e-mail apology where I explain some of my background and apologized for my actions (though not for being offended, I feel justified in that, actually I talked to my roommate and he actually dropped this profs class after his lesson a few years ago).
So I assumed the issue was over. I was wrong. I went to the College Post Office after chapel on Monday and had a note from this professor. In this note he said that I was extremely rude and was not to return to class until I apologized for my actions and that if I was not intending to apologize then I would immediately drop the class. I'm spaztic at this point, he saw my e-mail and still sent me this?! I need this class to graduate! WTF?! I called the professor immediately, he wasn't in his office, and left a message asking if he received my e-mail, explaining that I was ashamed and would talk to him in person if he needed me to apologize in person. I then had one of my friends check my voicemail in my room and find out that the professor sent that letter before he left on Friday (but dated it Monday) and didn't check his e-mail till Monday morning. He told me that he accepted my apology and welcomed me back to class. So yeah, that's all well and good, but I really didn't need to have a nervous breakdown earlier that morning...
Today I walk into my room and my roomate is on the phone and telling the person on the other end that he knows a guy perfect for the job whose about to graduate and has a heart like his and that he would have him send a resume. Luke was talking to the Head of Informations Technology for the Frontiers (a missions org that works exclusively with Muslims http://www.frontiers.org/) and apparently the are looking for someone to work at their international help desk. From what Luke tells me I can do this from where ever I am living and work from home to do this and after a year they could send me somewhere else. They have positions that range from purely IT guys who just work with computers to Field agents who are missionaries that are very computer literate and help the other missionaries out while ministering. They are 50% salary based and 50% self-supporting. So this sounds like the perfect opportunity for me. I was wondering if any of you know much about the Frontiers? All I really know is they are team based, they work with Muslims, and the stuff on their website, and that Luke's sister is getting ready to go to Yemen with them. If you guys know anything about this group I would love to here what you know.
In addition to that I have a few personal issues that have been going on that I don't feel confident discussing on the internet. So anyway I've been through an odd ride this last 2 weeks. I cannot wait for Spring Break which starts Friday. I'm going down to Orlando with Diana and like 6 other friends. I'm so pumped and so ready for a nice relaxing break.
I hope you are all doing well and I really wish you would have been around for the discussions last week.
God bless!
Last week during chapel was what we call the "Staley Lecture Series" where we have a series of chapels and other events about one particular topic. This year's topic: "How do we talk about the war?" about the war in Iraq.
Monday last week we had the pro war argument. According to him Radical Islam is a bigger threat to the world than Nazism and Communism and they are going to attempt to take over the world unless we do something. Also terrorist groups have no political aims, only religious ones and apparently we would know this if read their stuff (umm...ok) He quoted only logical sounding people on his side and only quote people who insisted on demonizing Muslims (stories of them ripping babies in half for example) for the other side. Needless to say this was a difficult chapel for me to sit through, but thankful I talked to others and many people said they suspected his arguements and didn't buy much of what was said.
Then Wednesday we had the other side of the issue. They chose a pacifist to pull this side of the argument. While I'm not sure I totally agree with all aspects of pacifism he seemed to be very knowledgable and had very good arguments for his side. Unlike the first speaker (who was very passionate and almost violent in his presentation) he was calm to the point of being so boring he might put people to sleep were his topic less interesting. Despite all this, there were about 20 students who walked out in protest about halfway through (grant it he did say some very controversial things that he didn't fully parse out, the big one for example was that Patriotism = Idolitry).
Thursday night they had a panel discussion with these two gentleman, an Iraqi war vet, and a seminary student who is very interesting (much more about him later). The panel discussion was excellent, despite the way the chapels went. We had great turn out and both sides were able to clarify their controversial statements, plus they were able to through the discussion talk about the depth of the issue in the war.
Friday the Seminary student talked in Chapel. His name is Omar Mohammad Abdul Zerkowie (I'm not sure I got it right, but something like that). He is born of a Christian mother from Texas and a Muslim father from Iraq. When he was born his parent agreed that the father could name him if the mother raised him in the church. Omar didn't so much share his views on the war, as much as tell his story and used those examples to explain why he believes what he believes. He told stories of the horrible treatment he got from Christian's his whole life (example after 9/11 the local newspaper printed an article about the Arab at seminary and how we should send him back strapped to a bomb). He also shared how his family on his dad's side is, Muslim mindsets (and how they might not really want democracy). He also shared their reaction when he married a Jewess (yes, he married a women of Jewish decent, this guy is every issue in the middle east in flesh). He backed this all up with scripture. He opened with the story of Hagar and Ishmael to show how God promised Ishmael that he too was important to God and agreed to make him a nation as well. It was absolutely amazing, and even more amazingly he got a standing ovation!
So overall I think that was a good experience for the campus.
Ok next part of this roller coaster. I'm still dealing with culture shock and haven't been sleeping well, plus this, so I'm already on edge. On Thursday I have my worst class with a professor whose views are diametrically opposed to almost everything I believe and teaches his Christianity as "the Christian worldview" and why liberalism is bad IN A HISTORY CLASS! So anyway, I don't like this teacher, but so far, (even after he told gave a lecture where he told the class there is no such thing as race and the idea of seeking diversity is stupid, he then says that we should racial profile Arabs at airports!!!) I have been totally respectful and never done anything other then hold my breath and wonder how anyone could believe this junk.
Well on Thursday last week we were going through the Roman Empire (it's a Western Civ class) and he explained how after the Roman Empire Christianized it slopped back towards paganism and polytheism and told us all about how praying to the saints was polytheism and venerating icons is idolatry. I have been going to the Orthodox church all semester (I'm even crossing myself now) and I at first tried to just let it roll of my back, but he kept harping on it. He was nice enough though to inform us that he doesn't believe they are all going to hell (oh how nice). Well finally I got to a point that I was either gonna start balling or burst out in rage so I thought the best thing to do was to leave class quietly, less disruptive and more respectful. Well I got up and when I went to close the door my hand were shaking I was so angry and I accidentally slammed the door. I was immediately ashamed at the way the position played out, it was not my intention to be rude to a professor in the middle of class, so I immediately sent him an e-mail apology where I explain some of my background and apologized for my actions (though not for being offended, I feel justified in that, actually I talked to my roommate and he actually dropped this profs class after his lesson a few years ago).
So I assumed the issue was over. I was wrong. I went to the College Post Office after chapel on Monday and had a note from this professor. In this note he said that I was extremely rude and was not to return to class until I apologized for my actions and that if I was not intending to apologize then I would immediately drop the class. I'm spaztic at this point, he saw my e-mail and still sent me this?! I need this class to graduate! WTF?! I called the professor immediately, he wasn't in his office, and left a message asking if he received my e-mail, explaining that I was ashamed and would talk to him in person if he needed me to apologize in person. I then had one of my friends check my voicemail in my room and find out that the professor sent that letter before he left on Friday (but dated it Monday) and didn't check his e-mail till Monday morning. He told me that he accepted my apology and welcomed me back to class. So yeah, that's all well and good, but I really didn't need to have a nervous breakdown earlier that morning...
Today I walk into my room and my roomate is on the phone and telling the person on the other end that he knows a guy perfect for the job whose about to graduate and has a heart like his and that he would have him send a resume. Luke was talking to the Head of Informations Technology for the Frontiers (a missions org that works exclusively with Muslims http://www.frontiers.org/) and apparently the are looking for someone to work at their international help desk. From what Luke tells me I can do this from where ever I am living and work from home to do this and after a year they could send me somewhere else. They have positions that range from purely IT guys who just work with computers to Field agents who are missionaries that are very computer literate and help the other missionaries out while ministering. They are 50% salary based and 50% self-supporting. So this sounds like the perfect opportunity for me. I was wondering if any of you know much about the Frontiers? All I really know is they are team based, they work with Muslims, and the stuff on their website, and that Luke's sister is getting ready to go to Yemen with them. If you guys know anything about this group I would love to here what you know.
In addition to that I have a few personal issues that have been going on that I don't feel confident discussing on the internet. So anyway I've been through an odd ride this last 2 weeks. I cannot wait for Spring Break which starts Friday. I'm going down to Orlando with Diana and like 6 other friends. I'm so pumped and so ready for a nice relaxing break.
I hope you are all doing well and I really wish you would have been around for the discussions last week.
God bless!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sounds of Egypt
A few days ago, we had a HUGE snowstorm. Everything shut down... which doesn't happen very often in Iowa. When the snow settled, the plows began their work. It is sort of silly, but the sound of the plows scraping on the asphalt reminded me of the call to prayer. The loud echoing moan from the plow blades brought me back to Agouza in a heartbeat.
I also have found on Facebook an "Arabic Music Fan Club." Sweet stuff.
In other news, I am faring a lot better. I'm still frustrated with God, but I am beginning to feel at peace about it. About a week ago, I felt a wave of peace rush over me. I finally felt that God was near and that he was listening to me. It is quite precious, having some one listen to you. If you find a friend who actually listens to you, stick with them. Such friends are more precious than almost anything else.
Peace
I also have found on Facebook an "Arabic Music Fan Club." Sweet stuff.
In other news, I am faring a lot better. I'm still frustrated with God, but I am beginning to feel at peace about it. About a week ago, I felt a wave of peace rush over me. I finally felt that God was near and that he was listening to me. It is quite precious, having some one listen to you. If you find a friend who actually listens to you, stick with them. Such friends are more precious than almost anything else.
Peace
Friday, March 9, 2007
Ataturk
Something funny for all of you Atarurk fans....
Apparently Turkey has banned Youtube in Turkey becuase there are videos on there that insult Ataturk... You can read about it on my brother's blog if you want. http://foreignperspective.wordpress.com/ Lets hear it for the King of the Turks!
Apparently Turkey has banned Youtube in Turkey becuase there are videos on there that insult Ataturk... You can read about it on my brother's blog if you want. http://foreignperspective.wordpress.com/ Lets hear it for the King of the Turks!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Can't complain
O I miss u all so much!
I have a Shakespeare midterm tomorrow (its about midnight and I haven't studied or outlined my essay yet) and so I decided the MESP blog was an amazing idea.
I have some great images in my head now of Alissa and her petra shirt and coffee and hemp necklace and Micah in his gallibeya shouting peace to a drunk guy on a snow drift. I imagine there were some arm motions involved.
As for my life, things are going pretty darn well. Arabic class is good. It turns out that Egyptian is slang, but there is a lot more overlap than I expected between Egyptian and Quranic arabic. Sabah Il Khir still works, wagib is still homework (but with a juh instead of guh), la'a is no and nam is yes but aywa still works as slang. I asked the two egyptian guys, and Phil, to study with our class tomorrow, so that should be fun. My ESL student Fatiha is doing great. I taught her coordinating AND correlating conjunctions on Monday and she was better at coming up with examples than I was. Haha. O I have a few funny middle eastern related stories to tell u all too, so here goes.
Friday me and my roommate Joanna went to the Middle Eastern store where we take arabic to get some supplies. I was contemplating the different cans of fuul beans when this middle eastern guy about our age came over and started telling us about the merits of a certain can of spicy fuul. We got some of that, some regular fuul, some coconut shisha, new coals, and fresh hummus. So anyway, Kadar, our arabic teacher, owns the store and came over to ring us up. The other guy said something "arbaa." I was so excited I recognized it and was telling Jo that when this guy proceeds to tell us, "we speak spanish here." I was like, "uhh, I was just in egypt last semester, so I understood." He was like, "no really, that was spanish." I was like, "I heard arba'a. It was not" I was not so easily fooled, haha. Then Kadar was telling us that we could take his devil child home with us for a weekend to practice arabic free of charge. Jo and I were not convinced... Then the random guy was like, "you can take me home for a week, I have all of spring break!" Hehe. O how I've missed the pick up lines from last semester. Anyway, Kadar was scandalized. He was like, "Ahmed!" So anyway, after that though we all did talk for awhile and it turns out this guy is from Iraq and speaks, "arabic arabic" whatever that means, everyone seems to say that that I talk to here.
O so other story. The reason I needed supplies is that Sunday night I had a dinner party and made egyptian food. You flat 5ers probably know but just so u all know, I don't cook. However, I felt like doing something new so I cooked Mis'aa and fuul and spicy fuul (from cans) and tomato and cucumber salad and fruit and batatas and pita bread and hummus. It was a lot of fun. There ended up being six of us (Phil noticably absent, off getting an internship or something). Unfortunately my housemate had a nervous breakdown right when everyone was arriving so I sent them out on a drive together for awhile, hehe, but it blew over. We sat on the floor with newspaper like my host family (I miss them), reached all over each other for the different stuff, and drank wine out of our plastic cups. Everyone liked it, or at least pretended. Then we smoked some hookah, listened to arabic music and the guys ended up wearing turbans (I guess Nahed's lessons in that regard came in handy) and kifayas, of their own free will. Pictures are on facebook...
So ya, o other funny story. So I'm finally over that guy that u all heard about last semester after much self-inflicted drama, confusion, facebook messages and (not exactly illuminating) talks with Micah, and recent talks with the dude himself that made me question what the heck I was ever thinking (not that he's a bad guy or anything, just basically my complete opposite). However, he was one of the guys at the dinner party wearing a turban and promised he was gonna wear the turban to class so I let him take it with when he left. Anyway, so I kind of harrassed him about it and so he ended up proposing that he'd meet me to study in our student center (Johnny's for those who know) wearing the turban. I had fallen asleep waiting for him and so I wake up to my phone ringing and this dutch guy wearing a turban and plaid standing right in front of me, that was quite a disorienting experience, but freakin hilarious.
so ya, such is life. O and today I went with my co-workers to this panel of calvin students and parents talking about being gay at calvin. It was great stuff. I was so proud of those people, and the billion people that crowded the lecture hall to listen, standing/sitting on the floor room only. I love Calvin.
I get to see Alissa soon I believe! And easter weekend tory and eunice (and whoever else is in chicago). I'm going home to cali for spring break with my housemates, so that should be cool, less than two weeks. Time is just flipping flying by.
On the theological front: Sunday I heard the best sermon I've heard in years. It was on God's wrath. I was concerned when he started off because of the topic and because he said the same thing one of the most obnoxious speakers we heard last semester said: "the bible doesn't say God is love love love or mercy mercy mercy, but it says he's holy holy holy." So I was ready for a "kill the palestinians, settle the holy land" kind of thing, but fortunately that was not the case. He just somehow made it very very clear that we are so full of sin and that the wrath of God totally justifiably builds up against us. Even when we don't feel bad, when we feel like God will understand our lazy bum selves, like I'm a good person in general. His wrath is still there and Jesus is salvation. God's so pissed at us because he loves us so much and we're screwing everything up. Anyway, I had forgotten how much was at stake and how Jesus really is saving me from something real. I can't just float along and expect God to love me for how good of a person I am. I'm not a good person. None of us are. So I needed to hear this. My roommate too and we had a really good talk about it. So that's that.
Ok this post is really long, but that's just how I roll... love u
I have a Shakespeare midterm tomorrow (its about midnight and I haven't studied or outlined my essay yet) and so I decided the MESP blog was an amazing idea.
I have some great images in my head now of Alissa and her petra shirt and coffee and hemp necklace and Micah in his gallibeya shouting peace to a drunk guy on a snow drift. I imagine there were some arm motions involved.
As for my life, things are going pretty darn well. Arabic class is good. It turns out that Egyptian is slang, but there is a lot more overlap than I expected between Egyptian and Quranic arabic. Sabah Il Khir still works, wagib is still homework (but with a juh instead of guh), la'a is no and nam is yes but aywa still works as slang. I asked the two egyptian guys, and Phil, to study with our class tomorrow, so that should be fun. My ESL student Fatiha is doing great. I taught her coordinating AND correlating conjunctions on Monday and she was better at coming up with examples than I was. Haha. O I have a few funny middle eastern related stories to tell u all too, so here goes.
Friday me and my roommate Joanna went to the Middle Eastern store where we take arabic to get some supplies. I was contemplating the different cans of fuul beans when this middle eastern guy about our age came over and started telling us about the merits of a certain can of spicy fuul. We got some of that, some regular fuul, some coconut shisha, new coals, and fresh hummus. So anyway, Kadar, our arabic teacher, owns the store and came over to ring us up. The other guy said something "arbaa." I was so excited I recognized it and was telling Jo that when this guy proceeds to tell us, "we speak spanish here." I was like, "uhh, I was just in egypt last semester, so I understood." He was like, "no really, that was spanish." I was like, "I heard arba'a. It was not" I was not so easily fooled, haha. Then Kadar was telling us that we could take his devil child home with us for a weekend to practice arabic free of charge. Jo and I were not convinced... Then the random guy was like, "you can take me home for a week, I have all of spring break!" Hehe. O how I've missed the pick up lines from last semester. Anyway, Kadar was scandalized. He was like, "Ahmed!" So anyway, after that though we all did talk for awhile and it turns out this guy is from Iraq and speaks, "arabic arabic" whatever that means, everyone seems to say that that I talk to here.
O so other story. The reason I needed supplies is that Sunday night I had a dinner party and made egyptian food. You flat 5ers probably know but just so u all know, I don't cook. However, I felt like doing something new so I cooked Mis'aa and fuul and spicy fuul (from cans) and tomato and cucumber salad and fruit and batatas and pita bread and hummus. It was a lot of fun. There ended up being six of us (Phil noticably absent, off getting an internship or something). Unfortunately my housemate had a nervous breakdown right when everyone was arriving so I sent them out on a drive together for awhile, hehe, but it blew over. We sat on the floor with newspaper like my host family (I miss them), reached all over each other for the different stuff, and drank wine out of our plastic cups. Everyone liked it, or at least pretended. Then we smoked some hookah, listened to arabic music and the guys ended up wearing turbans (I guess Nahed's lessons in that regard came in handy) and kifayas, of their own free will. Pictures are on facebook...
So ya, o other funny story. So I'm finally over that guy that u all heard about last semester after much self-inflicted drama, confusion, facebook messages and (not exactly illuminating) talks with Micah, and recent talks with the dude himself that made me question what the heck I was ever thinking (not that he's a bad guy or anything, just basically my complete opposite). However, he was one of the guys at the dinner party wearing a turban and promised he was gonna wear the turban to class so I let him take it with when he left. Anyway, so I kind of harrassed him about it and so he ended up proposing that he'd meet me to study in our student center (Johnny's for those who know) wearing the turban. I had fallen asleep waiting for him and so I wake up to my phone ringing and this dutch guy wearing a turban and plaid standing right in front of me, that was quite a disorienting experience, but freakin hilarious.
so ya, such is life. O and today I went with my co-workers to this panel of calvin students and parents talking about being gay at calvin. It was great stuff. I was so proud of those people, and the billion people that crowded the lecture hall to listen, standing/sitting on the floor room only. I love Calvin.
I get to see Alissa soon I believe! And easter weekend tory and eunice (and whoever else is in chicago). I'm going home to cali for spring break with my housemates, so that should be cool, less than two weeks. Time is just flipping flying by.
On the theological front: Sunday I heard the best sermon I've heard in years. It was on God's wrath. I was concerned when he started off because of the topic and because he said the same thing one of the most obnoxious speakers we heard last semester said: "the bible doesn't say God is love love love or mercy mercy mercy, but it says he's holy holy holy." So I was ready for a "kill the palestinians, settle the holy land" kind of thing, but fortunately that was not the case. He just somehow made it very very clear that we are so full of sin and that the wrath of God totally justifiably builds up against us. Even when we don't feel bad, when we feel like God will understand our lazy bum selves, like I'm a good person in general. His wrath is still there and Jesus is salvation. God's so pissed at us because he loves us so much and we're screwing everything up. Anyway, I had forgotten how much was at stake and how Jesus really is saving me from something real. I can't just float along and expect God to love me for how good of a person I am. I'm not a good person. None of us are. So I needed to hear this. My roommate too and we had a really good talk about it. So that's that.
Ok this post is really long, but that's just how I roll... love u
The History Channel
So, I was watching the History Channel just a few minutes ago and I was dumbfounded. The show was on aircraft carriers. I have sort of felt uneasy recently any time military might is mentioned. I am not sure what I think of war anymore. But, today did not help. The admiral said, "Our mission is to drop bombs to get people to view the world differently." How perverse is that? What exactly is he smoking? AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEW BABY!!! WOOT!!!
In the midst of getting ready for spring break and frantically writing on ten page paper on the ELN (that's right Alissa! I am finally educating myself on South American politics...somewhat..well it's a start), my sister finally (about three weeks over due) had her baby! YAY! Anyways...Here is a picture of Kaitlyn Michelle! EKE! Am I freaking out?!? YES I am!!! For many many reasons....OMG I officially have five nieces! four sisters and no boys at all! It's like a curse or something that's on our family that keeps women from having boys! Okay that sounds dumb. I just find it amusing that we don't "produce" boys in my family (not that all girls is bad..it's just funny to me for some reason). So Who else thinks my niece is just the prettiest little thing you've ever seen?! hehe.
Friday, March 2, 2007
College.
So college is almost over. If you're graduating on May 6th, then you will graduate college in about 59 days. Isn't that freaky? At first I thought that I was nervous about being out in the real world and interacting etc, but now I've come to the realization that I'm just waiting to get to the next point in life and am not quite sure what will happen with that. People ask me what I'm going to do after college and I don't really have any crisp idea to tell them. Right now I feel like I'm just reminiscing of school, while actually still being in it.
I have to write a thesis paper to get my liberal arts degree and detest doing bibliographies, they're gross. I'm doing one in Chicago formating and have to get through the nuances of multiple authors/editors and how to correctly write those entries.
Hmm, I feel like I'm just rambling, so let me just throw in an interlude of self promotion and end this post. I'm going on tour with Concert Choir this week to PA, MD, NYC, DC, and VA, if you're near those places you can get the addresses off my facebook note or check you email for the itinerary for a cool concert. You're invited to go, so please come.
Well, lots of love,
-Peace
I have to write a thesis paper to get my liberal arts degree and detest doing bibliographies, they're gross. I'm doing one in Chicago formating and have to get through the nuances of multiple authors/editors and how to correctly write those entries.
Hmm, I feel like I'm just rambling, so let me just throw in an interlude of self promotion and end this post. I'm going on tour with Concert Choir this week to PA, MD, NYC, DC, and VA, if you're near those places you can get the addresses off my facebook note or check you email for the itinerary for a cool concert. You're invited to go, so please come.
Well, lots of love,
-Peace
Thoughts
I wore my galabeya again today. There was a costume party of sorts. When I walked into the room, one guy said, "Here is Jesus." Then a girl said, "Are you supposed to be a terrorist?" I replied in the negative to both. Later, when I was walking to my apartment, a guy on a huge snow drift (here, the snow drifts reach epic proportions, in this case, nearly 20 feet) shouted at me, "Jihad, jihad." I turned around and shouted "Peace, Peace!!!" (I just finished reading Blood Brothers)
Life has been tough for me recently. There is too much to discus here. I spent an hour talking to a counselor at my school and I only managed to get around to half of the things on my mind (and I was talking pretty fast). Talking to the counselor was really good for me. He helped me put all of my frustration into perspective. He felt that most of my problems stemmed from the fact that I am angry with God, that I am wrestling with him. There is something that sounds "noble" about wrestling with God. It has connotations of sincerity and genuine faith. You all are probably going through this right now, so I am probably preaching to the choir, but let me tell you, wrestling with God doesn’t make you feel "noble" or "genuine" at all. It makes you feel hollow and empty (except for tears). The counselor that I spoke to recommended that I read through the Psalms. In the Psalms, David gets angry at God. He really lets God have it. So, as if for the first time, I have begun to actually read the Psalms. The words seem as though they are coming from my own mouth. If you get angry at God, I recommend reading a Psalm. Sure, reading it wont solve anything, but it will help you recognize that others have wrestled with God too. Others have wanted to scream at him (and some have).
By reading the Psalms, my problems haven't gone away or anything. I’m still just as messed up. But, I now have some purpose in this meaninglessness. I will continue to wrestle with God. I will keep questioning him. I will hold on tight to him. I won’t let go until he gives me a blessing. I just hope that he won’t wrench my hip in the process. :)
Grace and Peace
Micah
Life has been tough for me recently. There is too much to discus here. I spent an hour talking to a counselor at my school and I only managed to get around to half of the things on my mind (and I was talking pretty fast). Talking to the counselor was really good for me. He helped me put all of my frustration into perspective. He felt that most of my problems stemmed from the fact that I am angry with God, that I am wrestling with him. There is something that sounds "noble" about wrestling with God. It has connotations of sincerity and genuine faith. You all are probably going through this right now, so I am probably preaching to the choir, but let me tell you, wrestling with God doesn’t make you feel "noble" or "genuine" at all. It makes you feel hollow and empty (except for tears). The counselor that I spoke to recommended that I read through the Psalms. In the Psalms, David gets angry at God. He really lets God have it. So, as if for the first time, I have begun to actually read the Psalms. The words seem as though they are coming from my own mouth. If you get angry at God, I recommend reading a Psalm. Sure, reading it wont solve anything, but it will help you recognize that others have wrestled with God too. Others have wanted to scream at him (and some have).
By reading the Psalms, my problems haven't gone away or anything. I’m still just as messed up. But, I now have some purpose in this meaninglessness. I will continue to wrestle with God. I will keep questioning him. I will hold on tight to him. I won’t let go until he gives me a blessing. I just hope that he won’t wrench my hip in the process. :)
Grace and Peace
Micah
What does this life look like? For the Xamsath time...
So this post has been a long time coming. Try five failed attempts. So now I’m typing it out on Word in the hopes that if the internet goes out I’ll be able to save it. Five drafts later, you’d think it would probably be better, but alas, it probably won’t be.
I’m sitting in the middle of a blizzard right now preparing to go to California for water polo training. I’m not going to lie, I’m getting antsy. I’m ready to get moving again…too much time in one place and all that. It’s funny though, everyone’s all excited about going to California and how they get to see Hollywood and everything. When they start going on like that I just sort of stare at them. Thinking...
What a strange journey we’ve been on, dear friends. Just think about the places we’ve been, the things we’ve seen, the people we’ve talked too. Sometimes it seems like just a dream, but other times I remember it being the time when I was most alive. A friend told me the other day that this semester has taught me about what it means to truly live life. Live raw, live reality. It is when we can’t depend on anything else that we are truly dragged, kicking and screaming, to the throne of the Almighty God, until that point, we are simply living a game.
I don’t really even know how to catch you all up about what’s been going on in my life, but I should try and I’ll attempt to be as complete as possible. I’ll begin with three stories.
Story numero wahaad: It’s Wednesday morning and I find myself sitting in Wheaton’s chapel where the HNGR interns are sharing stories from their six month internships in third world countries. As we all stand up to leave, they put on foreign music…you know, leave us with a good taste in our mouth, and what better way to do that then to put some on some disco tech. So as I’m walking up the isle, on comes our good friend Shakira. I chuckle a bit as I hear two girls behind me exclaim, “Ok now, what in the world does Shakira have to do with development!” and “Shakira doesn’t belong here!” Little do they know…and I was immediately transported back to hours of dance parties in the flat, on the bus, on the cruise ship…and, I must admit, I shaked my butt a little. Once or twice. But don’t worry, no one saw.
Story numbero itneen: Last weekend our water polo team had our first games. For those of you who don’t know the glorious sport that is water polo, let me enlighten you. Big butch girls sprint around the pool for about and hour trying to drown each other and in the process score a few goals. That’s about it. It’s awesome. So I was fighting with one particular girl when all of a sudden I felt a hand grab something that hasn’t been grabbed since I left Cairo. That’s right, miles away from the trashy Mediterranean, I experienced a deliberate full frontal grab. And I wished I had a nice Egyptian mother with a billowing sheet to come to my rescue.
Last story: Last weekend I also finally made it to our local Sudanese church. As I walked in I remembered something Margie told me the first time we walked into All Saints, she told me that her comfort level immediately increased the second we were around Sudanese (as opposed to Egyptians). I experienced the same feeling last weekend. Everyone there had lived in Cairo for at least a year and I was informed that since I too was “from Cairo” the church was now my home, because I am effectively Egyptian, therefore, effectively their sister. I had a wonderful time talking about Kosheri, All Saints, Agouza, Cairo…and I thought about our students back in Egypt. I wonder if they will ever get to where they are hoping to go. Oh the memories. They amount to very little at this point in my life, but I value their presence dearly.
I don’t really have much to lean on besides memory. When emptiness consumes, when every foundation upon which I once rested is stripped away, and when I no longer know where to go…this is when I remember that verse that Grueler read us in Turkey:
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood…When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered…I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory…earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73.
Let’s face it guys, this earth sucks. Granted, as people I’m surrounded by keep insisting, God made this world and it is designed to illuminate His glory and redemption…but as far as I’m concerned, that doesn’t keep it from being broken. And yet, through the darkness, loneliness, and fear, there are moments of hope. A flash of memory, a brief laugh with friends, a dance party, a cup of hot tea…I wish we could be back in the wilderness of antiquity together so that we could bend over cups of steaming tea and share tears with each other, share smiles. Somehow I feel that then, if you could see my eyes and hear my sighs, I could truly communicate with you.
But we’re not. We’ve emerged from Egypt and now we’re wandering about the wilderness of the suburbs, of the cities, of the churches…we’ve been freed from slavery if you will, but somehow I still feel the chains tightening around my wrists. I don’t feel free, because I don’t really understand what being free means. I’m not quite sure what the Promised Land is, because, once again, let’s face it, it isn’t so promised at this point in the eschatological calendar. But it holds hope. Every stone laid in Jerusalem yearns to break free from bondage and sing praise to God…the world will see peace. I trust this. I trust that I will see peace again.
Maybe it will be in California. Who knows? Anyway, I have to end this—my laundry is calling and I have to pack. I know I didn’t really say much, but it’s been a while. I think of you guys often and pray for you even more, and I’ll for sure be thinking of you as I visit Universal Studios, Chrystal Cathedral, Hollywood…the Wheaton Trustee’s yacht…oh dear…what am I going to do??? I ask God to give you all and show you all his peace. And if he does not, I pray his grace on you so that you might be able to rest in trust. Like Mandy told me the week after our GR reunion, Jesus didn’t promise that life would be easy. But he for sure promised peace. Let’s hope in that.
With that, I love you and I can’t wait to see some of you soon!
Tory
I’m sitting in the middle of a blizzard right now preparing to go to California for water polo training. I’m not going to lie, I’m getting antsy. I’m ready to get moving again…too much time in one place and all that. It’s funny though, everyone’s all excited about going to California and how they get to see Hollywood and everything. When they start going on like that I just sort of stare at them. Thinking...
What a strange journey we’ve been on, dear friends. Just think about the places we’ve been, the things we’ve seen, the people we’ve talked too. Sometimes it seems like just a dream, but other times I remember it being the time when I was most alive. A friend told me the other day that this semester has taught me about what it means to truly live life. Live raw, live reality. It is when we can’t depend on anything else that we are truly dragged, kicking and screaming, to the throne of the Almighty God, until that point, we are simply living a game.
I don’t really even know how to catch you all up about what’s been going on in my life, but I should try and I’ll attempt to be as complete as possible. I’ll begin with three stories.
Story numero wahaad: It’s Wednesday morning and I find myself sitting in Wheaton’s chapel where the HNGR interns are sharing stories from their six month internships in third world countries. As we all stand up to leave, they put on foreign music…you know, leave us with a good taste in our mouth, and what better way to do that then to put some on some disco tech. So as I’m walking up the isle, on comes our good friend Shakira. I chuckle a bit as I hear two girls behind me exclaim, “Ok now, what in the world does Shakira have to do with development!” and “Shakira doesn’t belong here!” Little do they know…and I was immediately transported back to hours of dance parties in the flat, on the bus, on the cruise ship…and, I must admit, I shaked my butt a little. Once or twice. But don’t worry, no one saw.
Story numbero itneen: Last weekend our water polo team had our first games. For those of you who don’t know the glorious sport that is water polo, let me enlighten you. Big butch girls sprint around the pool for about and hour trying to drown each other and in the process score a few goals. That’s about it. It’s awesome. So I was fighting with one particular girl when all of a sudden I felt a hand grab something that hasn’t been grabbed since I left Cairo. That’s right, miles away from the trashy Mediterranean, I experienced a deliberate full frontal grab. And I wished I had a nice Egyptian mother with a billowing sheet to come to my rescue.
Last story: Last weekend I also finally made it to our local Sudanese church. As I walked in I remembered something Margie told me the first time we walked into All Saints, she told me that her comfort level immediately increased the second we were around Sudanese (as opposed to Egyptians). I experienced the same feeling last weekend. Everyone there had lived in Cairo for at least a year and I was informed that since I too was “from Cairo” the church was now my home, because I am effectively Egyptian, therefore, effectively their sister. I had a wonderful time talking about Kosheri, All Saints, Agouza, Cairo…and I thought about our students back in Egypt. I wonder if they will ever get to where they are hoping to go. Oh the memories. They amount to very little at this point in my life, but I value their presence dearly.
I don’t really have much to lean on besides memory. When emptiness consumes, when every foundation upon which I once rested is stripped away, and when I no longer know where to go…this is when I remember that verse that Grueler read us in Turkey:
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood…When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered…I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory…earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73.
Let’s face it guys, this earth sucks. Granted, as people I’m surrounded by keep insisting, God made this world and it is designed to illuminate His glory and redemption…but as far as I’m concerned, that doesn’t keep it from being broken. And yet, through the darkness, loneliness, and fear, there are moments of hope. A flash of memory, a brief laugh with friends, a dance party, a cup of hot tea…I wish we could be back in the wilderness of antiquity together so that we could bend over cups of steaming tea and share tears with each other, share smiles. Somehow I feel that then, if you could see my eyes and hear my sighs, I could truly communicate with you.
But we’re not. We’ve emerged from Egypt and now we’re wandering about the wilderness of the suburbs, of the cities, of the churches…we’ve been freed from slavery if you will, but somehow I still feel the chains tightening around my wrists. I don’t feel free, because I don’t really understand what being free means. I’m not quite sure what the Promised Land is, because, once again, let’s face it, it isn’t so promised at this point in the eschatological calendar. But it holds hope. Every stone laid in Jerusalem yearns to break free from bondage and sing praise to God…the world will see peace. I trust this. I trust that I will see peace again.
Maybe it will be in California. Who knows? Anyway, I have to end this—my laundry is calling and I have to pack. I know I didn’t really say much, but it’s been a while. I think of you guys often and pray for you even more, and I’ll for sure be thinking of you as I visit Universal Studios, Chrystal Cathedral, Hollywood…the Wheaton Trustee’s yacht…oh dear…what am I going to do??? I ask God to give you all and show you all his peace. And if he does not, I pray his grace on you so that you might be able to rest in trust. Like Mandy told me the week after our GR reunion, Jesus didn’t promise that life would be easy. But he for sure promised peace. Let’s hope in that.
With that, I love you and I can’t wait to see some of you soon!
Tory
tutku
if you all have any love left for tutku, check out this comercial on youtube that my brother sent to m e
http://youtube.com/watch?v=U-ppLLhDIxo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=U-ppLLhDIxo
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Cairo
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/01/world/middleeast/01cairo.html?ex=1173416400&en=4cdce3498ec2d087&ei=5070&emc=eta1
and
http://www.habitat.org/ame/stories/01_17_2006_reckford_journal_egypt.aspx
Both are websites about Cairo. Interesting stuff.
I wrote an article for the school newspaper about militant Islam. I didnt get any angry responses, I suppose that that is a good thing.
I also wore my galabeya and a kiffayya last week when it was rather warm. I got some interesting looks. Most of the upperclassmen know me and werent too surprised. But, the freshmen were pretty weirded out.
and
http://www.habitat.org/ame/stories/01_17_2006_reckford_journal_egypt.aspx
Both are websites about Cairo. Interesting stuff.
I wrote an article for the school newspaper about militant Islam. I didnt get any angry responses, I suppose that that is a good thing.
I also wore my galabeya and a kiffayya last week when it was rather warm. I got some interesting looks. Most of the upperclassmen know me and werent too surprised. But, the freshmen were pretty weirded out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)