4 months too late... :)

So it occurred to me that I haven't really posted any photos or information concerning my daily life. Some have asked, so here are a few. Generally, my daily routine involves going to school at either 8am or 10am, and going until 12pm or 5pm. I usually ride the bus or ride with my host brother, but sometimes I get lazy and just take a cab. After class, I usually go to the gym for about 2 hours. Then I come home, eat... then do homework or go out for a bit with friends or the family. I generally watch approximately half (I can never make it the whole way through) of a bad TV movie with my family once per week. I don't go out a whole lot; mainly because of money. Also because I don't feel safe being out late because I generally have to take a taxi alone or walk alone. It can be a bit scary, especially since I get harassed all day every day. On weekends I like to take trips around Amman and Jordan, go to the gym, hang out in the apartments of other students if they bother to call, lay around and read, and walk around Swefieh (local area with a bunch of shops and cafes) and people watch. One thing that is really getting to me is all of the travel bans. We were all so excited to come here because we are so close Judeastan (our new name for Israel... :P), Lebanon, Syria.... but we can't go!!!!!!! These places are close enough to take good weekend trips and it would be really cool. But, c'est la vie, I guess. There must be a reason.

Our apartment building... :P


My host sister Najwan, host brother Nimer and their friend Zaid


My second home at the University. I was tacky and stole this photo from google because I always forget to take a picture of it when I bring my camera to school... oopsa!


My fabulous Arabic teacher Ghadeer got to meet Felix. It was something special.


Looky! Another one of my professors, Dr. Shteiwi also got to meet Felix. Tres bien.

Today a schoolmate and I went to the Hammamat Ma'in-- natural hot springs located near the Dead Sea. It was a relaxing day and a lot of fun, thought we didn't really need to stay as long as we did. There are 3 waterfalls in the place, nice picnic areas and saunas and closed in baths for women and men. I had never been to natural hot springs before, but it was really cool. The water in the main area was a perfect temperature and the waterfall cooled everything down a bit. There was also a small, hallowed-out terrace with a flow of really hot water and created a kind of natural steam room. Despite the lovely scent of sulfur, this was a really nice little alcove to hide in for a little while. The second waterfall was smaller and the water was extremely hot- around 150 degrees Fahrenheit. We only stuck our feet in, but ended up hanging around this area for awhile because it was quiet and not crowded. The last waterfall and spring was just for women, though being a foreigner it was fine for us to be in the main waterfall. It was nice lounging around in hot mineral water for the day, trying not to worry about school and life too much. I ended up playing with a 10 year old Jordanian girl for quite awhile and it was a lot of fun. My paleness astounded her... :)

Main waterfall in Ma'in. I didn't repell down this one.

Next weekend I might go to Aqaba for the night since I haven't been there yet. It's a beach resort in the south of Jordan on the Red Sea and seems like it could make for a good overnight trip, depending on my finances.

I also need to say that I NEVER want to see a pita again. NEVER. I feel the same about pita as I did about porridge upon departure from Mother Russia...

Other than this, same old same old. We are just wrapping up the end of the semester. I am getting REALLY anxious to come home. I desperately need some Guitar Hero, salad and my bike Doris B. Anthony. My stomach is also begging for mercy, but that is another story for another day. Of course, I miss you all as well and can't wait to see you and regain a modicum of normalcy in my life (temporarily).

See you all in a few weeks. Wooooo!