darling neighboors

Yalah! They yelled as I peered between the cold white gate. It was already dark, when our friendship began, so I couldnt come out to the street. I had chicken and fish wrapped up in a paper napkin for the litter of kittys I had come outside seeking. Yet how wonderful it is when things dont go as planned, the unexpected is always so much better. Some of my first friends here were Yusef, Hassan, and Abdallah. They are all compltely darling. The first night we hung out they had to stay on one side of the fence, and we talked through the bars. We played volleyball, and each time I would hit the ball, my terrible aim would have them scrambeling out to the street.


The first thing that both sides of the fence agreed to is that we all loved cats. The language barrier can be annoying at times, as you cannot get to know many details from words. But each detail is like carefully unwrapping another delcisious piece of chocolate. And since then I have loved unwrapping and discovering so much more!

Definitly my favorite part of the Holy land is the people. They are so warm and inviting, and full of love. When I first told the kids across the street I liked to draw and paint, one of them ran immediatly into the house and came out with a big sketch pad and another one brought this chair ourside and exclaimed "welcome to the chair!" Thats one of the things that can bridge any language barrier-their inviting attitudes and pure love!


This little boy Saef will always want to curl up on your lap. He doesnt say much but looks at you with these big brown eyes and you are in love with him.
Aseal and Nagam are wonderful artists! There is so much to learn everyday- new names, and new words. So something thats been very helpful is to carry a little pocketbook around to jot things down in. These sweet little girls are always filling the pages with little pictures to help me remember all the new vocab.

Even though Aseal is only 6 she still has the spirit of giving like many people here. You kind of have to be careful, if you comment on something you like, they sometimes take if off and give it too you. Kelsey accidentally inherited these Hello Kitty hair clips from Aseal. Very darling!
One night we babysat four kids for a little bit while it was one of their fathers birthdays. It reminded me so much of home. I must give off the vibe to all kids to be buck wild when their parents leave or its universal that kids must get out of control the minute their parents walk out the door. I was fine but my friend Aaron came home battered and bruised.
Abdallah recently broke his hand during football, but we taught him how to play Spoons the other night! Thanks for the idea Monique! They loved it! His sister is this cute little girl Zenab, she always tries to speak to me in Arabic, and when I dont understand she just speaks louder. I love her so much! She always kisses her hand and then makes it burst in my direction, perhaps like the Italians might do when something is delicious.

The neighborhood boys love to play "football" and we all love them so much. Kathleen said that she thinks that everyone who lives here were "choice" spirits, chosen specialy to live here, and I have to agree! They will all say that they love their country and "Welcome anytime" "Feel at home" and I do!

Days with Aya

Hearing the chirp chirping of crickets at night reminds me of summer nights in Japan, but the Middle East also resembles Japan in that people are so quick to be hospitable. My Arabic teacher told us to be careful about saying things like "I like your..." or the person we are talking to could possibly take off the complimented item to you as a gift.

There is something incredibly magic about this land, especially the people. Something that cannot be put into words.

Before I left for Jordan I met this girl Aya on my way home. She invited me over to meet her family but unfortunately because of some riots that happened in the old city we couldn’t leave the center so I had to cancel. So this week one afternoon I made arrangements to visit her.

As we walked up to their neighborhood, children all around started to gather. And when I saw Aya again for the first time she greeted us with hugs and kisses on each cheek, just like the French. Oh I just felt so much love. It is so wonderful how they treat one another. Aya has this beautiful long black hair, and just like any 13 year old in America she loves Hannah Montana, dancing and shopping.

Walking up the hill all the neighborhood kids and some of her cousins all rushed around us and took our hands leading the way to their home. They were all so excited to show us their home, I was too!

As soon as we came in the very hospitable host Aya told us to sit down and she ran off somewhere and brought back with her a gold ray carefully carrying plastic cups full of apple juice. She served the three “guests” first and ten the 4 other little girls and herself last. I was blown away by how much the kids take care of each other.




Noha their mother is the most beautiful woman. She greeted us with so much love tons of hugs and kisses. Makes me miss my mommy! I feel that Noha has such a powerful heart. The first day we hung out with them they showed us pictures of their family and Noha told us how her and her husband met. We drew pictures and learned some Arabic phrases.

The next day they invited us over again to go shopping. Their kindness is so genuine and so beautiful to me. I want to adopt such kindness! Its instant and doesnt ask for anything in return.
Noha and Aya showed us some beautiful dance moves which Ive already forgotten. They do beautiful things with their hips, popping them in and out and shaking them. They were very graceful meanwhile I was trying hard to keep up.

After talking and shimmying and drinking we took the little girls out shopping. Aya took my hand and didnt let go of it until we said goodbye. I thought that was so beautiful. In the U.S. 13 is such a tender age, kids are sometimes embarresed to have someone hold their hand but here I felt she was so content with us. She said while we were walking “I can’t stop smiling. Im so happy to be with you”.





Aya was so darling we stopped at a dollar store and she got presents for her mother and bought her sister Aseal stickers and candy. Aya bought chili flavored potato chills and when I asked for a sample she said, “Of course” and pushed the bag towards my hand. This "go ahead" attitude is in everything. I love them!


When we got to the street I felt many eyes on us, but greater I felt such love from Aya and her sister. A man came up to Aya and asked how she knew us and she told him we were her family. What a privilege and blessing to walk hand in hand with this special girl. I feel she will do many great things. Her family too, they are all musicians!



When we got back to her house her mom, Noha had made us a chocolate cake from scratch. It was deilicious! I know that this life is a spec in the span of eternity, but I hope that this spec that is my life is as vibrant and beautiful as these girls. There is so much good in the world and so many people to share it with!

Jordan!

Jordan was such a beauiful country! Everyone is extremely friendly and you can feel more peace between people. Petra, the ancient city built entirely out of rock was beautiful! Conditions were very dusty though, some people who were wearing white shirts in the morning, came home with brown ones. While at Petra I thought by looking at the explosions of color on the stone, “how could there not be a divine creator?”

You can see Heavenly Fathers artistic style, in the rolling mountains, crashing waves, in the rocks, and even looking into the brown eyes of a camel, what a wonderful creature!





This was carved I think in 100 BC out of the mountain! So incredible!





We met many Bedouin people who used to live in the caves at Petra (some were told to move out I think to make way for tourists. A little rude!) I secretly want to be a bedouin!


This darling little boy was selling rocks and hes only 3! I was sad for him when I first saw him, but he totally made my day as I got to play with him for a little while. He was so precious.

Walking through I kept thinking of all the people who have walked the same road. The rock was red, purple, yellow; Oats asked me if I thought the desert was Heavenly Fathers favorite landscape since he made Utah mountainous and dry as well. Im not sure but its an interesting thought.


I missed my wonderful family in Jordan. As I grow up I try to miss people less and less and try to savour the moment but I couldn’t help it. All our bus drivers, cab drivers, police officers, all the small talk I make with them is always asking about their families. I usually share to everyone that Momi is a regular Martha Stewart, incredibly kind and supportive, Monica is so social, very sweet, Maya is artistic and very caring, and my parents are super darling. This trip has felt like one big family vacation, but makes me want to plan some with my own family!

The value of seeing how others live is so immeasurable. I want to be like Middle Eastern people incredibly welcoming, generous, friendly, kind, happy, they all seem to be in good spirits.

In Amman we went to this place called Jerash-an odd phenomenon being in Jordan, in a Roman amphitheater, listening to bagpipes. I asked the bagpipe players how their national song was played with bagpipes and they told me it was because the British had ruled them. Then we watched all these men reinact what it was like during the ruling of the Romans. I could have never lived back then when fighting was entertainment.
This little darling was taking a nap in the resturant, I decided to join in.


On our last day in Jordan we went to a Mosque where all of the girls had to wear black cloaks that looked like Snape from Harry Potter. It was pretty cool. I really love and respect the Muslim people. They pray 5 times a day and are just so wonderful!

happy halloween!

What a blustery few days it has been! The wind has literally been howling. Flinging doors open and sweeping dried leaves to and fro, throughout the building. Though I dont like the cold, being there is something so wonderful about the cold air, it always seems to whisper, “Christmas time is here!” under its breath.



The holidays were kicked off to a great start! I didn’t know what to do as supplies are limited here for Halloween costumes. I was rummaging through the recycling bins, and borrowing things here and there to try to put my costume together.


I thought this was unique to the season!
Cultural misunderstandings were definitely flying through the air as I tried to explain to the custodians that I was going to “BE” the dome of the rock. I struggled as they said, “yes you want to go there? You have to put like this.” motioning that I had to cover my shoulders to my wrists. It was very confusing. But it was so much fun and everyone had the most creative costumes.

Kathleen was a genious comming as a mummified pharo. Her facial expressions were spot on.