Some Christmas Family Pictures are always a good way to start :)
Hello Dear Friends,
Well, after some time fiddling around with google, passwords, and my own ambivalence towards using the internet to communicate, I have made my way into this blog with gratefulness and appreciation soley because I can think about you all. Egypt has brought many new challenges and joys, those being the people, food, and excitement as well as the responsiblity of caring for the creature I once was: a college student. It is akward to be on the other side of the fence, more so with staff than with students. There seems to be a pressure for me to not slip up so as I slowly lower myself into this boiling pot, it takes a bit of adjusting. Boiling pot is perhaps a bit too strong but I couldn't cook up any other analogies.
Phone conversations are the hardest in arabic since I don't know who I am talking to half the time nor am I am to see their emphatic body language which I depend on for understanding the arabic people are whirrling at me. Tonight on the phone I have already called off the delivery man and invited the wrong guy (who I've never met) to men's night to talk about men in Egypt (who could now be potentially any guy in Egypt...surpirse!) . Well, this land is full of surprises and the ability to adapt and be comfortable with chaos seems to be how people remain normal and have fun here. Perhaps all the controlling and pre-planning of our society in America could learn a lesson or two from the beauties of chaos. Could the benefits of chaos be assimilated to silly puddy? Think about it.
All and all, my stay here has been benefitial for learning arabic, more about the region, and learning how to be responsible. The students are a good time and have made my job graceful and fun. We went to Alexandria and Rosetta last weekend and have spent some good time playing guitar and chilling with some tea. Living and working with them requires much time and energy but it is all good and continues to teach me about life in community.
Allah MaAkoh
God with you all
Steve
Well, after some time fiddling around with google, passwords, and my own ambivalence towards using the internet to communicate, I have made my way into this blog with gratefulness and appreciation soley because I can think about you all. Egypt has brought many new challenges and joys, those being the people, food, and excitement as well as the responsiblity of caring for the creature I once was: a college student. It is akward to be on the other side of the fence, more so with staff than with students. There seems to be a pressure for me to not slip up so as I slowly lower myself into this boiling pot, it takes a bit of adjusting. Boiling pot is perhaps a bit too strong but I couldn't cook up any other analogies.
Phone conversations are the hardest in arabic since I don't know who I am talking to half the time nor am I am to see their emphatic body language which I depend on for understanding the arabic people are whirrling at me. Tonight on the phone I have already called off the delivery man and invited the wrong guy (who I've never met) to men's night to talk about men in Egypt (who could now be potentially any guy in Egypt...surpirse!) . Well, this land is full of surprises and the ability to adapt and be comfortable with chaos seems to be how people remain normal and have fun here. Perhaps all the controlling and pre-planning of our society in America could learn a lesson or two from the beauties of chaos. Could the benefits of chaos be assimilated to silly puddy? Think about it.
All and all, my stay here has been benefitial for learning arabic, more about the region, and learning how to be responsible. The students are a good time and have made my job graceful and fun. We went to Alexandria and Rosetta last weekend and have spent some good time playing guitar and chilling with some tea. Living and working with them requires much time and energy but it is all good and continues to teach me about life in community.
Allah MaAkoh
God with you all
Steve
1 comment:
Steveo!
I was thinking about you today because I was drinking red tea out of my dragon fly mug that you made for me and that survived the fire. It's suprisingly soothing to have it around the apartment. I'm glad all is well... we miss you. - the recent minnesotan
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