Hello All,
First and foremost, Ramadan Karem! Last night marked the beginning of the month of Ramadan.
Today I began my first day at Qasid. To my surprise, I woke up and discovered that I was placed in the highest level in the program 5, as well as the highest section, A. This came as a shock to me, as I never do well on placement exams and I always have to ask to get bumped up a level. To anyone who is reading this that has completed Alhawary's Arabic Grammar class, heck did his class make this test look like a coloring book! I found myself saying "Is this all you got?! Come on!!". Yes...I'm insane. The class seems a tad bit simple and slow at the moment. I am used to being the worst in my class and having to really work for it. The readings and assignments on the syllabus for the summer class seem a bit too simple, particularly after Shammas' Modern Arab Authors course, a class that was incredibly difficult. Today is only the first day, so I will see how it goes. I might hire a tutor to work with me on some older Arabic poetry.
In my class, I am one of four students, and I am the only girl. The three other men are from Turkey and are a tad older than me. I have a feeling that this will be an interesting semester as this is a unique group of people. Two of the men are currently sleeping in a mosque, as their housing plans fell through. Mosques will house travels and people who need a place to stay at night. The one man said that the Iman was very nice and let him in after he recited the Shahada. Because it is Ramadan, there is a lot of food at the mosque before and after the fast so the men said they were eating well. I have never heard of churches taking in people like this, but I am sure that this happens as well. Because we all speak different languages and are proficient in Arabic, it is easy for us to talk in Arabic throughout the entire class. Our teachers do not know English or Turkish, so Arabic is really our only mode of communication. Also, one of the men is studying Sharia and the other two seem pretty conservative and religious as well. I am definitely the odd ball in the group. However, this is a great thing and I truly think everyone will bring something to the course.
After class, I went to Taj Mall. In Jordan, it is a tradition that I go to the Nestle Tollhouse Cafe after class for what I call my "tasty treat" (Yes, I sound like an obese person). I really enjoy eating a cookie there and using the wifi to do my homework. Today however, I beheld something tragic: the cafe was closed! Turns out, almost all cafes, bakeries, restaurants etc. close during the hours that you should be fasting. I guess I will need to move cookie time to a later time in the evening. However, I did go grocery shopping again today while I was at the mall. The Safeway near my house did not have yoghurt (American yoghurt) or a good amount of fruit (go figure, I'm in a desert!). I found these two things at the grocery store in the mall as well as fresh Zatar, or Thyme, rolls. I look forward to eating all of these things! There was also a bookstore next to the grocery store, so I bought some Arabic books I want to read. It feels so great to have access to current Arabic books and music!
I kind of accidentally fasted today. I forgot to eat breakfast as I was busy trying to figure out what class I was enrolled in and get ready for school. Throughout the day, I did not drink water as I did not want to offend the people around me and I did not eat as there really was not time to. However, I did shove my face at 6:30pm, about an hour before the fast was over. I just could not resist after going to the grocery store! The yoghurt looked so good!
Also, one of my neighbors has hedged the words Allah (الله) and Mohammad (محمد) into his bushes. I saw this days ago while walking with my host sister and burst out laughing! I would never have thought to carve "God" or "Jesus" into a bush. However, it looks nice and it is festive for Ramadan.
Now I will be heading over to Mayada's apartment for Iftar and to break the fast. I will write more later.
I went over to Mayada's apartment for Iftar. There I saw Rashad, her husband, for the first time in years. He was very nice and is a happy person. It was nice to see him again.
When I walked in, the table was set with food. Since I was the only one not fasting, Mayada had me be the taste tester to see if something required more butter or salt. Of course everything tasted great as I was at Mayada's house. The call to prayer sounded over the speakers of the nearby mosque, and everyone sat down. This is a regular occurrence in Amman and across the Islamic World, but next surahs from the Quran were being recited over the speakers as well. I asked Mayas what surahs were being recited, but she did not know (If you happen to know, please leave the information in the comments section.). During this time, people might ask God for a blessing or offer up a prayer. Mayas asked for Allah to help her on her Tawjihi exams, the large exams Jordanians have to take in order to enter college. Certain scores are needed in order to enter certain professions, and only a small fraction of students pass the first time. Next over the loud speakers came a prayer, or Du'a. I asked what the prayer was, and Rashad started laughing as I was literally speaking over a prayer. Way to go, Natalie! That was certainly an ignorant American moment. I apologized and laughed as well.
Finally, dinner (Iftar) was served with the conclusion of the prayer. We began the meal with a small bowl of chicken noodle soup. It had the alphabet in it and it was so cute. I assume the reason that we begin with soup is because you want something light after not eating or drinking all day. We had a fresh salad, Fatoush, chicken that was marinated in mayonnaise, ketchup, and a tad bit of olive oil, an eggplant dish, and some pies with vegetables in them. Everything was superb, but I really loved the Fatoush! In the US we do not have Pomegranate Syrup that is used as a dressing for the salad. It is so refreshing and light. The chicken was also fabulous and I need to remember the recipe to cook it at home later. The meal was enjoyable and this was the first time I spoke to Rashad in Arabic really as the whole table, Lizz and I, were able to join in conversation.
After Iftar, we sat in the living room and watched TV. We watched a famous show Bab ElHara that depicts life in Syria many years ago. I enjoyed the show as it is good fun and reminds me of a soap opera. I also liked seeing the furniture and style of the old houses in Damascus. It really made me think of what a tragedy the war in Syria is. So many people are being killed and history is being destroyed.
During the show, I found out that Rashad likes eating shrimp. I said that I brought a spice, Old Bay, with me and if we could find some fresh shrimp, I could prepare some shrimp Maryland style (God Willing). He liked this idea and knows of one place that sells fresh shrimp. I hope this happens as I really would like to cook a dish that my friends have not had before, and Old Bay is in my blood. Also, Mayas was quizzing Lizz and I on Arabic grammar from her Tawjihi book. This was hysterical as we were all very passionate about who was right and wrong.
Mayas, Mayada and I went to a cafe around 10pm for tea and coffee. Turns out that most stores and cafes are open until 4am during Ramadan and it is common for people to stay up really late and go out. This was a lot of fun as well.
Around 3am, it was time to eat again. This time the meal was called Sahour. We were alerted that Sahour was approaching as a man was walking in the streets banging on a drum saying "Wake up, It's time for Sahour". This man will do this everyday for the whole month and the neighbor will give him money at the end of Ramadan for this service. This was a neat sight to see and I embedded a video of this below. Mohammad brought back huge hamburgers for us to eat. Seriously, mine was as big as my head and was overwhelming. Around 5pm, another call sounded over the speakers of the nearby mosque letting us know that it was now time to resume the fast. Mayada quickly finished her last cigarette and put away the coffee.
As it was late, I spent the night at Mayada's house. I woke up at 2pm after going to bed at 5am and was alarmed. However, Mayas and I were the only ones up at this time, so I felt okay. It felt so strange to wake up so late!
Today I am fasting as I feel like I began correctly. Never before have I eaten Sahour before trying. It is 4pm here now and I do not feel on the brink of death despite the fact that that I have not eaten or drank anything since 5am. Also, if you sleep for a good amount of the day, that helps as well. I think I will go see my friend Paige for Iftar today as she returned from Kuwait last night. Paige also studies at Michigan as well.
See you later,
Natalie
First and foremost, Ramadan Karem! Last night marked the beginning of the month of Ramadan.
Today I began my first day at Qasid. To my surprise, I woke up and discovered that I was placed in the highest level in the program 5, as well as the highest section, A. This came as a shock to me, as I never do well on placement exams and I always have to ask to get bumped up a level. To anyone who is reading this that has completed Alhawary's Arabic Grammar class, heck did his class make this test look like a coloring book! I found myself saying "Is this all you got?! Come on!!". Yes...I'm insane. The class seems a tad bit simple and slow at the moment. I am used to being the worst in my class and having to really work for it. The readings and assignments on the syllabus for the summer class seem a bit too simple, particularly after Shammas' Modern Arab Authors course, a class that was incredibly difficult. Today is only the first day, so I will see how it goes. I might hire a tutor to work with me on some older Arabic poetry.
In my class, I am one of four students, and I am the only girl. The three other men are from Turkey and are a tad older than me. I have a feeling that this will be an interesting semester as this is a unique group of people. Two of the men are currently sleeping in a mosque, as their housing plans fell through. Mosques will house travels and people who need a place to stay at night. The one man said that the Iman was very nice and let him in after he recited the Shahada. Because it is Ramadan, there is a lot of food at the mosque before and after the fast so the men said they were eating well. I have never heard of churches taking in people like this, but I am sure that this happens as well. Because we all speak different languages and are proficient in Arabic, it is easy for us to talk in Arabic throughout the entire class. Our teachers do not know English or Turkish, so Arabic is really our only mode of communication. Also, one of the men is studying Sharia and the other two seem pretty conservative and religious as well. I am definitely the odd ball in the group. However, this is a great thing and I truly think everyone will bring something to the course.
After class, I went to Taj Mall. In Jordan, it is a tradition that I go to the Nestle Tollhouse Cafe after class for what I call my "tasty treat" (Yes, I sound like an obese person). I really enjoy eating a cookie there and using the wifi to do my homework. Today however, I beheld something tragic: the cafe was closed! Turns out, almost all cafes, bakeries, restaurants etc. close during the hours that you should be fasting. I guess I will need to move cookie time to a later time in the evening. However, I did go grocery shopping again today while I was at the mall. The Safeway near my house did not have yoghurt (American yoghurt) or a good amount of fruit (go figure, I'm in a desert!). I found these two things at the grocery store in the mall as well as fresh Zatar, or Thyme, rolls. I look forward to eating all of these things! There was also a bookstore next to the grocery store, so I bought some Arabic books I want to read. It feels so great to have access to current Arabic books and music!
 |
| The beginning stages of hoarding Arabic books |
I kind of accidentally fasted today. I forgot to eat breakfast as I was busy trying to figure out what class I was enrolled in and get ready for school. Throughout the day, I did not drink water as I did not want to offend the people around me and I did not eat as there really was not time to. However, I did shove my face at 6:30pm, about an hour before the fast was over. I just could not resist after going to the grocery store! The yoghurt looked so good!
Also, one of my neighbors has hedged the words Allah (الله) and Mohammad (محمد) into his bushes. I saw this days ago while walking with my host sister and burst out laughing! I would never have thought to carve "God" or "Jesus" into a bush. However, it looks nice and it is festive for Ramadan.
 |
| Allah is in the bushes! |
Now I will be heading over to Mayada's apartment for Iftar and to break the fast. I will write more later.
I went over to Mayada's apartment for Iftar. There I saw Rashad, her husband, for the first time in years. He was very nice and is a happy person. It was nice to see him again.
When I walked in, the table was set with food. Since I was the only one not fasting, Mayada had me be the taste tester to see if something required more butter or salt. Of course everything tasted great as I was at Mayada's house. The call to prayer sounded over the speakers of the nearby mosque, and everyone sat down. This is a regular occurrence in Amman and across the Islamic World, but next surahs from the Quran were being recited over the speakers as well. I asked Mayas what surahs were being recited, but she did not know (If you happen to know, please leave the information in the comments section.). During this time, people might ask God for a blessing or offer up a prayer. Mayas asked for Allah to help her on her Tawjihi exams, the large exams Jordanians have to take in order to enter college. Certain scores are needed in order to enter certain professions, and only a small fraction of students pass the first time. Next over the loud speakers came a prayer, or Du'a. I asked what the prayer was, and Rashad started laughing as I was literally speaking over a prayer. Way to go, Natalie! That was certainly an ignorant American moment. I apologized and laughed as well.
Finally, dinner (Iftar) was served with the conclusion of the prayer. We began the meal with a small bowl of chicken noodle soup. It had the alphabet in it and it was so cute. I assume the reason that we begin with soup is because you want something light after not eating or drinking all day. We had a fresh salad, Fatoush, chicken that was marinated in mayonnaise, ketchup, and a tad bit of olive oil, an eggplant dish, and some pies with vegetables in them. Everything was superb, but I really loved the Fatoush! In the US we do not have Pomegranate Syrup that is used as a dressing for the salad. It is so refreshing and light. The chicken was also fabulous and I need to remember the recipe to cook it at home later. The meal was enjoyable and this was the first time I spoke to Rashad in Arabic really as the whole table, Lizz and I, were able to join in conversation.
After Iftar, we sat in the living room and watched TV. We watched a famous show Bab ElHara that depicts life in Syria many years ago. I enjoyed the show as it is good fun and reminds me of a soap opera. I also liked seeing the furniture and style of the old houses in Damascus. It really made me think of what a tragedy the war in Syria is. So many people are being killed and history is being destroyed.
During the show, I found out that Rashad likes eating shrimp. I said that I brought a spice, Old Bay, with me and if we could find some fresh shrimp, I could prepare some shrimp Maryland style (God Willing). He liked this idea and knows of one place that sells fresh shrimp. I hope this happens as I really would like to cook a dish that my friends have not had before, and Old Bay is in my blood. Also, Mayas was quizzing Lizz and I on Arabic grammar from her Tawjihi book. This was hysterical as we were all very passionate about who was right and wrong.
Mayas, Mayada and I went to a cafe around 10pm for tea and coffee. Turns out that most stores and cafes are open until 4am during Ramadan and it is common for people to stay up really late and go out. This was a lot of fun as well.
Around 3am, it was time to eat again. This time the meal was called Sahour. We were alerted that Sahour was approaching as a man was walking in the streets banging on a drum saying "Wake up, It's time for Sahour". This man will do this everyday for the whole month and the neighbor will give him money at the end of Ramadan for this service. This was a neat sight to see and I embedded a video of this below. Mohammad brought back huge hamburgers for us to eat. Seriously, mine was as big as my head and was overwhelming. Around 5pm, another call sounded over the speakers of the nearby mosque letting us know that it was now time to resume the fast. Mayada quickly finished her last cigarette and put away the coffee.
Video of the Man with the drum
Video of one of the calls to prayer and Quran readings
As it was late, I spent the night at Mayada's house. I woke up at 2pm after going to bed at 5am and was alarmed. However, Mayas and I were the only ones up at this time, so I felt okay. It felt so strange to wake up so late!
Today I am fasting as I feel like I began correctly. Never before have I eaten Sahour before trying. It is 4pm here now and I do not feel on the brink of death despite the fact that that I have not eaten or drank anything since 5am. Also, if you sleep for a good amount of the day, that helps as well. I think I will go see my friend Paige for Iftar today as she returned from Kuwait last night. Paige also studies at Michigan as well.
See you later,
Natalie
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