Abbie's Life!

Pics of Akshore, Bridge of God, and our AWESOME hike

2010-07-22T06:06:00.000-07:00

Copy and Paste

2010-07-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

I'm copying and pasting the story I wrote to you guys in a long email ... I think it describes last weekend pretty well.
I'll add some pictures too. Obviously at the best (hardest) parts of the climb, pictures were IMPOSSIBLE!

We went to Chefchaouen again. The name of the city itself has a story. I've
been exposed to so many languages that I've seen Chef spelled at least four
different ways--not to mention the Fussa and Darija variations. I was supposed
to go to Agadir with my close friends, but a LONG story short, it didn't work
out. My closest friends ended up going to Rabat (a more expensive, touristy,
but beach city). I went with another group of three that I'm close with to
hike in the mountains.
What's great about Chef is that I've been there three times and I still haven't
seen even half of what I want to. Ironically, it's a small city. You HAVE to
walk from one tip to the other, because there isn't a road system; only series
of blue alleys and sidewalks lined with blue houses and BEAUTIFULLY decorated
doors (look at the blog and my Facebook for pictures--I'm bringing a LOT home
too. I'll attach some to this email. Have Dad open them for you). To recap
my other emails/blogs: first trip to Chef I went hiking to the waterafalls and
cascades and saw monkeys, trip two was spent in the city walking literally
every inch, and trip three's story is below.
I'll admit that I've separated myself from the big group of exchange students
here. There are a lot of 18 and 19 year olds who haven't traveled much and who
LOVE to take the big group buses all together on giant group adventures. I
like the people in small doses and I've gone on some of those weekends, but
I've spent most of my time with the grad and upperclassmen who travel in groups
of three or four to the STRANGEST and most exciting spots! I LOVE IT! Don't
get me wrong, the group trips to Voulibilis, Marakech, and Erfoud (the desert)
were exciting too!
SO- this weekend we went to Chefchaouen 3.0 and wanted to do try to attempt the
day hike to the Bridge of God. I say attempt because the first hike we went on
was very difficult, and we were told by our Moroccan friends that this other
hike was much harder. But we did it! We consists of Jake--a third year grad
student at Penn State, Megan--a senior at Emory, and Isaac--another senior at
Emory, and me! We hiked up the high Atlas of Arfoud, Morocco just outside of
Chefchoauen (where we were staying at Hotel (hostel) Barcelona--the night
before I played guitar on the roof with the two of the sons and their friends
whose family owned the hostel--a story in itself). It took awhile and we were
dying of heat. The sun was hitting us the whole time because the bridge lies
in between two canyons. Once we saw it, we were so excited because of just
how "worth it" it was. The bridge extends over two rock canyons and below it
is the river (arfoud). Arfoud is the cleanest and clearest blue water I've
ever seen. I've drank it so many times that it's hard to count. It's just a
wooden bridge, about 15 feet wide and 100 feet long, and from it the looks of
it, was built at least 50 years ago. There was a blue climber's rope hanging
down from the bridge to the water (I would say three Skyscraper lengths below--
think St. Louis Arch height for one--we're talking HIGH BRIDGE HERE). On the
side of the bridge closest to our trail was a little hut where a Moroccan guy
in his early 20's was selling water and other drinks that he drug up from the
ground using that rope.
Isaac, Megan, and Jake are all in the Advanced levels of Arabic. So they used
a Fussa/English mix to ask this man how to get to the water. We were SO
disappointed when he said that we had to go back the way we came (which seemed
impossible to do--that hike was UP rock cliffs, climbing DOWN those things
would be SO hard). I was excited when the conversation stopped. They couldn't
understand each other so I got to use my French. I'm definitely improving my
French even more than my Arabic. That's probably not a good thing. I find
myself mixing Fussa and French way more than Fussa and English though, and I've
been complimented by Moroccans--not my teachers, though. In fact, my teacher
told me today "Muschki Kabeer ma anti kabool" (big problems with your
vocabulary). ANYWAY--about halfway through Isaac and (I think the Vendor's
name was Atta) Atta's conversation, he seemed to change his mind, and we tired
idiots didn't notice or care until after the fact. Atta decided that we could
take the right ( we came from the left ) and continue down to the water. He
told us it would be hard, but easy. What is hard, but easy? Our heat
exhausted minds weren't paying attention and, to be honest, we've been up for
almost any new adventure that came our way. We didn't want to go back the way
we came. We wanted to continue a different way. It was actually Megan and I
(who were wearing dresses and carrying side purses and cameras) who talked the
boys into going!
So we went! Atta showed us the trail head and off we go. Megan took the lead
and I followed her. Atta said something about american men following women and
Megan (who's borderline fluent, I would say--in Fussa, not Darija)
answered "Always! As it should be!" Atta thought that was hilarious.
We realized about five minutes in that we were either going to die or have the
first story for our grandchildren. I literally free climbed down a rock face
hanging over Arfoud in the High Atlas mountains. At minute 6 of the climb down
(I can't express to you how serious I'm being--foot on a ledge the side of a
digital camera and hands reaching into any dark hole--which by the way house
scorpions and snakes--it can find) we came to a small plateau where Megan and I
could stand together and Jake and Isaac were 6 feet above us. Megan climbed
down a few more feet to another plateau and I joined her. Then I climbed to
the next below it. There was an embankment that basically slid to a fourth
plateau. It was about 20 feet long, but looked like if we could take it slow
enough, would barely let us escape without falling hundreds of feet to our
bloody deaths. We were debating. I didn't even know if I could get back to
where Jake and Isaac were standing. Megan, who is about 5'4" and 100 lbs, was
sure she couldn't. We were screwed.
Just then, literally and I confirm, sent by God descended Aiesh (Life) and his
friend Mohammad. Mohammad carried a fishing pole, though in the Arfoud there
aren't even fish. Aiesh was screaming "La! LA!" (No! NO!) and pointing over
Megan's shoulder. These two men, both dressed well for the area in khaki
shorts and cotton t-shirts, actually leaped off the mountain side and over
Jake, then did the same to Isaac. They both grabbed into the mountain like
they had done it expertly 1,000 times. I'm sure they had. When they got to
Megan (Mohammad got their first), they pointed over her shoulder and I thought
that I was definitely dreaming or had already fallen off the cliff to my death
and this was some sort of disillusioned vision. Mohammad wanted Megan to jump
from the plateau she was on to another higher plateau with nothing but empty
canyon below her. Let me stress, NOTHING but rocky torment of bloody death
BELOW the jump! And I had to climb back to where she was and do it too--at
least that's what I got from the hand gestures. OK. So Megan made it. If Megan
can do it, I can do it. And I did. That's where we lost the boys. IT WAS
HILARIOUS. I could hear Isaac like a little girl saying something like, "No
way. There's absolutely no way. I don't even think I can move right now."
Jake was SO mad. He just kept cussing and saying "What are we supposed to do?
There's nowhere to go?" Aiesh went with Jake and Isaac and Mohammad went with
Megan and I to either our deaths or the most earned swim of my life.
We had to separate. There was absolutely no way that four of us were making it
down that mountain together. We were literally causing rocks to fall on each
other and none of us knew the way. We were going to die without these two
guys.
Megan was great. I was terrified at first. I kept thinking that we should go
back--but I knew it was impossible (it just wasn't an option to go back. The
only option was following Mohammad).
So we did. He kept looking back at us and separately staring at us and saying
VERY slowing, "Shiah, Shiaway Shaih" which means"Slowly, very, very, slowly."
Before we took one turn where we each had one foot on a ledge, one leg free
hanging, one hand hold in a rock and one begging a branch not to break,
Mohammad pointed down, then to his eyes,then shook his head no. I took that
as, "Don't look down." So of course I did. Now, I'm glad. Then, I could have
lost my bowels if I wasn't so dehydrated. Nothing, but everything was below
me. Just down. Nothing but Down. I didn't know how scared I was of heights
until now. Before the prayers were in my head. At that point I started loudly
and openly praying to God for our lives out loud. Somehow I went first; I'm
honestly not sure how that happened. I think at that point hanging on a rock
face is hanging on a rock face and if you can get to the next grab, you do it.
That point was at about minute 30. It's embarrassing to admit, but I actually
thought this could be it. I thought "I'm 22, and I'm going to die on this
mountain. This is pathetic." At minute 40 we were finally able to stand!!! WE
KNEW WE WERE GOING TO BE OK!
I knew when Megan said completely seriously, "I bet if we fell from here to
there (pointing at another plateau) we wouldn't even die." I answered equally
as seriously, "Yup."
That was the best swim of my life!
When we got to the bottom, Mohammad showed us his ID. He was a sheriff! So was
Aiesh! Ahamdaleelah! Thanks to God!

What did you do this weekend?

Happy Tuesday

2010-07-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Nobody is even reading my blog:( I'm in AFRICA PEOPLE!

Pictures from our random Tuesday hike. This is a village called ain oom rabbiah (the mother spring). They live in these carved out stone huts built into the side of the river with straw roofs. No time to write now -- but AWESOME. Pictures say 1000 words... I have a video too, but i sound like an idiot in it. oh well.

CHEFCHAOEN #2--- and the Med Sea!

2010-07-05T05:48:00.000-07:00

WE WENT BACK TO CHEFCHAOEN THIS WEEKEND! It's still by far and away my favorite city in Morocco. This time I knew the city (where to go, where to skip, etc) and had a GREAT time! Instead of going hiking, we took the hour drive to the sea. Last time we were in Chef, the big group went to Tetoun and we (a couple friends and I) stayed back in Chef to hike and explore with our Moroccan friends (I'm glad we did, I HATE TRAVELING IN BIG GROUPS!!!)
This time was perfect. There weren't many of us, and we rented a car for the weekend so we were free to go wherever we wanted. We drove out to the beach and ended up at this local hangout. We ate in a cave! I couldn't get pictures that fully gave the pictures justice, but you get the idea.
It was cloudy outside, but nobody cared. Humza and I ended up climbing up and around some of the rocks that went out into the sea. ALL IN ALL--another great day!!!!

ughhhh I HATE learning Arabic.... back to reality.

Sahara-120 and counting

2010-07-05T05:35:00.000-07:00

The Sahara.... well, it's hot. It's really hot. It's really hot and sandy. And that's just about it.

This is a bit late - but for the past week and a half I've been backpacking everywhere! We're taking planes, trains, automobiles, and even horses, donkeys, and camels ALL AROUND MOROCCO! I am so in love with this country!

The Sahara was neat to see. I'm glad I went, but I doubt I'll be making that trip again. The best thing we did was go to see a Sufi village. The elders put on a ritual and ate dinner with us. That's what the first two pictures are. (anyone who can, look at my facebook for the rest of the pics--carey, will you show mom and dad the rest?) The fancy doorway is an entrance to a palace sitting room. The monarchy has old castles all around Morocco (and by all around, I mean ALL around--I've already been to 10+ and I've passed on a few) that are used by the locals when the royalty is finished with them. This particular palace is owned by a king's cousin who still lives there, but it is so worn down that it will literally disintegrate within a couple years. Most of the buildings (I would say 85% at least) are made of compacted dirt--crazy looking stuff. Some of the palaces are carved earth. If they aren't properly taken care of and restored, they literally blow away. Ten of us had tea with the king's cousin in his sitting room at this palace.

The hotel we stayed at was really nice....except for the giant, man eating cockroaches EVERYWHERE. At this point, cockroaches are the least of my worries. The other night, I found a beetle that was literally the size of my hand in my bed. The frogs in Ifrane are some of the weirdest creatures I've seen so far. They get so big that they have to crawl on all fours instead of hop. They're about the size of Joe's head if that gives anyone a clue to their gigantic-ism.

2010-06-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

1 and 2 are m e looking out over the beginning of the hike. we didn't take our cameras the rest of the way.
3 is at dinner
4 is the same as 1 without me

2010-06-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

To answer mom's questions -- there were about six of us who hiked in Chaoen. A small group of us wanted to stay in Chefchaoen both nights of the weekend and really explore the city, while the other part of the group wanted to go on to Tetoun where the Ocean is. I had heard that Tetoun is very touristy, and I've had a lot of that--so I was definitely not going.
The swimming spot was literally lost back in the mountains, so we could wear normal two piece swim suits. Our friends we were with from Morocco said that it's normal for girls to wear two pieces--even the ones who dress more conservatively. It's the public sphere they worry about. They have these bath houses here that women and men both bath in at the same time..completely naked...not from the same family, friend group, or anything. Yet in public the women are covered head to toe. Strangeeee.
Here's some pictures from last weekend! This weekend I'm going to the desert!!! Fair warning to you all-- I'm moving to Chefchaoen.

2010-06-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

short post -- but i have SO many stories. unfortunately arabic has completely taken over my life :(. I wish i had more time to tell all of the AMAZING stories of this weekend!!!
This weekend was BY far and away the best of my LIFE. We went to Chefchaoen--here are the hightlites only. More to come when there's time.
1. The city is painted completely aqua blue and white. The architecture reminds me of Florence, but the way the buildings are built into the mountains and layered on top of each other reminds me of Greece (then again....I've only seen pictures of Greece)
2. I've never felt safer in a Moroccan town -- BUT it's not touristy at all. Ironic.
3. On Saturday a small group of us went on an ALL day hike with a couple Moroccan students we became friends with. I don't even know how to describe where we went. We were on mountain goat paths up the steepest slopes--hand over foot. A family of monkeys passed along the path in front of me, eating oranges like we were the least of their worries.
4. We went back back back to a waterfall and cliff dived into the clearest water I've ever seen (yes, we drank it--you run out of water FAST in Africa). Then we went way further and hacked our own trail to another fall that had its own rock "slide" into the water. UNFORTUNATELY I don't have any pictures of these because our friends told us not to bring anything at all. I'm glad I didn't.
5. The hostel we stayed at was $6 a night--very clean, very friendly, beautiful inside!
6. Chef is full of so many different cultures all mingling together. The streets are insane and it's so easy to get turned around, but if you do, you're glad. There's so many awesome sights to see. I just LOVED it. On the way home the bus broke down and I was so glad. Campus is a LOT like a jail cell.

I'm moving to Chefchaoen. Not kidding.

I'll add pictures soon -- internet is being strange.

Volubilis and the Jinn spirits

2010-06-13T03:25:00.000-07:00

We went on our first class trip for Contemporary Issues in North Africa yesterday to the ruins at Volubilis. It was a Moroccan political capital that was seized by the Romans. The major architecture that still exists is left over from the Roman takeover, but there are huge Moroccan influences, obviously. Most of the ruins were underground--a few tops of buildings showing here and there--but in 1920, a group of French archaeologist came and "restored" the city. The way they did it would NEVER be "okayed" in today's standards. They unearthed all the ruin, then took all the ruble where it stood and rebuilt the buildings.
What was really cool was that the Mosaic floorings (see picture above) were completely intact when the French arrived. The most expensive floors were made of glass.
At one point during our tour, our teacher got into a public shouting match (in French, so I got to translate for the classmates) with a Moroccan tour guide. The guide was telling another group that a public atrium used for large formal meetings was a bathhouse and he was lounging in it for pictures (I guess this is a common tourist trap). Our teacher actually warned us that they did this before we witnessed the Moroccan guide doing it to his group. Our teacher started laying into the guide and the guide started to claim that his grandfather unearthed these ruins....bla bla bla. All in all--the Moroccan was ready for blood, and our homo-teacher backed down. Still, showed a real side of immaturity on our teacher's part for not just shutting up, and it let us witness the power of tourism and false history in the making.
A really cool part about Volubilis is that it's completely open. You can touch anything you want to, with the exception of a couple Mosaics (but they're only guarded by a piece of twine). People were climbing up and over all of the stone ruins.
After Volubilis we stopped to see the people possessed by the Jinn spirits. Supposedly a woman goddess (Moslayleela sp?) entrances the men and they act completely possessed (you would think it's a tourist trap, but they're not looking for money--they're looking for help from this group of healers called "the brothers"). Some men were rolling around on the ground, shaking violently. Others were barking and biting like dogs. The cure for this is to take a trip this magical washing fountain of the spirits (where we were). The brothers say a prayer for your soul, you wash in the fountain, and leave a piece of your old world behind to throw over the cliff representing rebirth into a new life.
A side note -- these "brothers" have more than doubled the success rate of modern medicine when it comes to curing mental illnesses which they relate to possession.
To demonstrate the power of the water, some men would cut themselves with glass bottles (smash them over their heads, or just slice their skin) then wash in the water. After a few minutes, there wouldn't even be a mark. INSANE!

Muay Thai and Fes Market

2010-06-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to Fes to check out the world's largest open air flee market. It definitely had me convinced that it was the largest. Alleys upon alleys upon alleys were completely FILLED with things for sale. The only purchase I made was an awesome handwoven leather belt for mom--we all know how much she loves her belts. More purchases to come, I promise.
THEN Amanda and I (my new awesome friend) had to buy a scarfs to cover up so we could go to an awesome Mauy Thai ultimate kick boxing championship match! We got to see the Moroccan WORLD champion vs. the Russian National Champ. It was a close match, but it was obvious that the Moroccan won. It was his last match, so he was putting his all into it. By far one of the coolest things I've seen. The crowd was INSANELY into it.
We bought the super cheap seats, but at one point I had to go to the bathroom. My friend Osama (he's from Libya, Arabic was his friend language but he can't read or write, so he's in the beginner level classes with me) went with me to the restroom. While I was trying to find the bathroom, Osama asked one the guards for me and they answered, "Oh yes, special restroom for you American girl." Seemed kind of sketchy, but Osama was with me--and he's a touch guy. They took us back to the FIGHTER'S bathroom! I had to go in literally a hole in the ground (ew) but it was SO cool. Then I came out, and Osama told me that they wanted to give us VIP for free! I waited with some guards and Osama went and got our other two friends who were waiting for us outside. They took us downstairs and let us sit ringside!
It was so neat!
This weekend we're going to Volubilis. Apparently it's full of ruins and some really amazing ancient architecture. Should be a good time!

T-A-N spells Abbie

2010-06-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

HOLY AFRICAN SUN, it's HOT!
Tomorrow my north african studies class starts. Which means I'll be in class from 8-5:30 every day. I'm not excited about that, but I'm VERY excited for this weekend--the NAS class is taking its first field excursion to Valapalos (sp?)! It's a really small town in Morocco. Other than that, I know absolutely nothing about it--and that you can't even find it on a map. BUT that's what tomorrow is for!
I don't really have much to add right now. The temperature is officially rising over 100 degrees. It's more bearable than it sounds, but barely. My Arabic class isn't air conditioned, but we never turn on the lights, and the wind seems to be constantly blowing up here.
It's strange--two days ago I couldn't speak a word of English, now I'm reading signs and beginning to recognize sentences. This REALLY is an intensive program. We go through a semester's worth of work in a few weeks then continue right on into the next semester, then the next, then the next. We have already caught up to where most people were in their first year of studies of Arabic, so I don't feel SO behind. Still, it seems that they have a better grasp of things. Luckily, it won't be that way for much longer!
My roommate STILL isn't here! I'm not sure what's up with that -- her classes are supposed to start tomorrow. We'll see if she shows up or if I'm getting a single room for free. That might be nice after a long, long day's study.
More when there's more to say!

Hiking in the mountains!

2010-05-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a five hour orientation into the school...awful...they basically told us to wash our hands, dress modestly, and study hard. After I went to one of the TA's offices to ask about some hiking trails I had heard about in the city. Maryam (a grad student here) gave me the name of a local campsite that is about six miles from campus--Ain Vitel. The director heard us chatting and ran out of her office and told me that I shouldn't go unless the hiking club went with me (there is EVERY type of club you can imagine here) and the Moroccan students won't be here until the middle of this week. I was craving and adventure and Maryam winked at me--so I grabbed a few people and went ahead. One guy, Jacob from Harvard, hunted down a map and found the way for us, and off we went!
IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT! The waterfalls that were promised weren't what I expected, but to get to Ain Vitel you have to hike up a rocky mountain. It was amazing. We decided the fastest way was to forgo the path and cut through the moutaintop. Agan, TOTALLY WORTH IT! The views were amazing--we saw farmers tilling with their donkeys and two little boys ran up to us asking for dirham in exchange for donkey rides. A few guys took them up on their offers. At Ain Vitel there were Moroccans bathing in the water and children playing in the falls. A few guys were riding their horses, which looked like they couldn't have been more than two, through the water and tried to get us to ride with them--again, for a few dirham. None of us though riding off into the sunset on an unknown horse with a peddling Moroccan should be in the day's schedule, so we passed up that offer.
At the top of the mountain I got to use my French skills when we came across another farmers bee hives. His angry donkey tried to neighed (is that what they do?) at us and almost charged, then he came from nowhere and saved the day.
Today I started my Arabic class. Although it's a beginners course, in two weeks we aren't allowed to use English on campus. I thought it was in class only, but it's throughout campus. I guess that's a good thing in the long run--but I'm the only one without an Arabic background, so I'm TERRIFIED! I'm guessing my French will be improving significantly.
I'm signing up for another class tomorrow which starts Thursday. The instructor promises the work load won't interfere with my Arabic because it's mostly done in class and on field excursions. Every weekend the class goes to different locations throughout Morocco and all travel expenses are included in the course load. There is an option (course D) that combines Arabic and North African Contemporary Issues that makes the course less than $500 more expensive--I would have spend that traveling independently throughout Morocco anyway. PLUS the course goes to some of the more remote areas of the country that I wouldn't have had the chance to see as opposed to the more touristy areas. There are two open weekends that I can still travel independently or stay on campus.
I still haven't met my roommate. She's supposed to get here tomorrow.
Here's some picture of campus and Ain Vitel! More to come! Miss you all!

Made it to Fez!

2010-05-29T01:05:00.000-07:00

Made it to Fes by way of flight from Dublin, Madrid, and Casablanca then a train to Fes. (im done capitalizing and using any grammar of punctuation now... im using an french stlye keyboard and all of the keys are out of order. imagine throwing all your keys in a sack, dumping them on the ground, then trying to type. forgive me until my computer is fixed.
i decided to take a train to fez instead of the flight because i ran into a group of students in madrid from yale going to a school called Alif. i had a strong gut feeling that i should travel with them instead of taking my flight... good thing i did... still today there is a group of 15+ students missing because of cancelled flights (including mine).
the night in fes we accidently did something stupid. we were coaxed into a diner to have dinner... turned out to be a brothel. DONT WORRY. im alive to tell about it. they applauded when we left. the back room was guarded and had masked belly dancers/strippers going in and out. needless to say ive been ,ore careful about dining since then.
the food is certainly....different. last night in Ifrane we had *chicken* (im not sure how to describe it other than i dont think it was clean and thank you Mom for forcing that Hep A).
the university is GORGEOUS and very very modern. its in the middle of the atlas mountains, dry air and very cool at night. the villager of ifrane has its safe and sketchy areas. the village itself is rustic and serene. today we are going on a hike to the waterfalls that we saw in a postcard. ill posts pictures as soon as my computer situation is figured out. IT opens on Monday.
for now all i can say is i love it here and im having the time of my life!

a note__im a little nervous because the group im with is comprised of yale, harvard, and brown students. all of them have at leqst 1 year of arabic background and some have three.

more to come!

Copies, Copy, and make a COPY!

2010-05-10T07:25:00.001-07:00

Taking care of everything for my trip today. I planned my itinerary a few days ago. I'm flying into Dublin where I leave immediately for Madrid. I'll spend the night in Madrid (in the closest Hostel--the airport keeps my bags). Then off to Casablanca for a day and night. THEN straight to Fez and Ifrane for two months.
On the way back, the flight takes me back through Casablanca and Madrid--THEN I get to stay for four days in Dublin!!! I can't wait for that. I've been looking at the safest hostels and they're pretty affordable. I can't wait for my adventure!!! I'll admit it's a bit nerve racking that I'm going alone, but that's part of the adventure (and part of what makes it so exciting).

Back again

2010-05-08T13:04:00.000-07:00

I did a horrible job keeping up with this thing the first time, but let's try again.

I'm leaving for Morocco in roughly two and a half weeks to attend an intensive language study program. I know absolutely no Arabic, so this should be interesting. Dad gave me a book about a month ago that he used when he was working overseas (Arabic Language for Foreigners ).
Everyone keeps asking me what made me choose Morocco, so I suppose I'll explain myself.

What's funny is this is the short version of how it happened.
When I went into the Study Abroad Office, I was interested in doing my student teaching abroad. I came to find out that only a few countries were offered, it would be an expensive process because I would have to do it through an outside institution, and I was worried it would hurt my chances of getting a job as a teacher if that's what I choose to do. I was shown the popular choices for students of study abroad and I talked to a girl who was in the office that went to Greece. The director, Janis Halpern, asked me what the focus of my education was and where I saw myself in the job market. I explained to her what I liked about my internship these past summer and winter breaks at RW Armstrong--the logistics, the organization, and mostly the constant influence of a variety of cultures constantly being shown to me. I told her that I am interested in the structures of language; Dr. Latta's English 310 and 410 focused on the history, grammar and technicalities of English, and were two of my hardest and most rewarding classes because they forced me to address the hardest parts of the English language--the parts that didn't come naturally to us as native speakers. Then Janis showed me information on Morocco and a language study program. On the application, I wrote exactly what I told Janis. I'm the first student from ISU to go to Morocco, but Janis has been to the actual school and I'm excited to meet with her next week and see all of her souvenirs.

I got a scholarship for the program, so it's helping with the cost--nowhere nearly covering it, unfortunately. I'll fly home the first of August and then move to Indianapolis for my student teaching at Lawrence Central and Belzer Middle School. Off to the real world, I suppose.

*Does anyone know if you can carry on a hard guitar case or if you have to check it? I would assume check it, but that would mean I need a harder shell case.
*Facebook message me or leave a comment on here with your email address, PLEASE! I'll try to send out a ton of emails.
*Keep me updated on you, too!

I wanted to warn everyone that there wouldn't be loads of phone-call communication while I'm gone. I can call through Sype to landlines, but I'm budgeting every penny.

Ahh..writing this just made me so nervous!

2008-05-15T12:49:00.001-07:00

dearest family-- i have slim to no internet over summer so don't expect much!!

2008-04-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

this week was spring week! we had a lot of crazy activities-- our theme was haunted mansion so the picture of my roommates and i all scary was because of airband (the dance competition). We know, we're creepy!!! Our tandem team tried really hard.... but got 7th:(. But our carnival and poster both did really well so we find out tonight what we placed! I think we will get second overall. Yay Chi O!

DC visit!

2008-03-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

The trip to D.C. was the greatest!! Baby Gaby is the cutest. He loved Addy the most of all his recently viewed relatives but I forgive him because she's cute too.
We got to see all the sights which was interesting and it was SO nice outside!! Quite unfortunate that I had to come back to this 35 degree cloudy, rainy weather. GROSS!
Enjoy the pictures!
i tried to add different ones that other people added just to change it up...... i like the last one- i call it SENTIMENTAL MOM

that one of michael is for joe to see him-- he is kissing his picture in the dining room!

2008-03-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

you know what else is funny? i even got a mystic tan to get rid of my leftover tan lines from lifeguarding and they are STILL THERE!!!

anyway- because i have a cheap laptop, all the pictures i wanted to post wouldn't fit. here are the rest from sledding a few weeks ago down the back hill.... without hardly any snow!

2008-03-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

let's try this again- i just added all my pictures and it didnt save:(

this is from formal! everyone notice blake's matching tie!!! hahah it was great!! i dont care what you say carey-- i loved my leopard dress. call me a teeny bopper all you want!

2008-02-27T15:21:00.001-08:00

i can't wait for spring break, i can't wait for spring break, i can't wait for spring break.
formal is this weekend- i'll take LOTS of pictures and post them--- nobody worry

2008-02-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

I decided to put a cutesy picture of Blake and I up on the blog and one of Michael and I having snuggly time. After all-- that's pretty much my life. Lame, I know. I babysat Mike on Sunday because Melissa was working the bridal show for the Tea Room and mom was deathly ill! Baby Michael and I snuggled all day (Carey is VERY jealous)!!! Joe called the house while Michael was visiting and he started to yell Dada! That was so cute it almost made me cry-- not going to lie, I teared up a bit!
This weekend I'm going to visit Carey, Barclay, and my two girls! I can't WAIT!!! It has been way too long!
It's official that I'm going to see Taryn, Matt, and Baby Gabe on my spring break--- I am SO EXCITED!!!! I really can't even explain how excited I am! I miss you guy way too much.
Right now my life is all school, work, and doctors appointments. I'm getting extrememly sick of it but I'm trying to remember that hopefully soon I'll be off some of these pills and the testing will be at a minimum!

Fire, Job, School.... what a life!

2008-01-28T15:01:00.001-08:00

What a busy girl I am!!!
Last night there was a fire in Blumberg Hall--- aka my dorm last year! My little sis' in Chi O (Becca) called me and asked to borrow my couch until Wednesday because she lives there and they have been evauated! All the Chi Omega couches have been filled with the 10 freshmen new girls that lived in Blumberg! The fire was on the 11th floor- -which is a boys floor- - and the boy that started it claims to have "left a candle burning" and it caught his bed on fire. Becca says the guy has a reputation to be a bit of a druggy so I'm guessing they are going to find it wasn't a candle that started up the flame! Rumors Rumors...
And it's true! I got a job at a daycare!!! I really really like it so far. The girl that runs it is only about 25 so she is a lot of fun to be with all day and the kids are really sweet so far. There is only one baby/toddler that acts up A LOT who has proven to be difficult but I'll deal with it. I do have experience after all:) But my experience comes from perfect angels of course! Today I worked in the baby room with the acting up 1 year old and a four month old baby! The four month old is SO adorable. She is the most smily and happy baby ever. It was like having opposites around me the whole time.
School. I hate school. I really, really, really am over school. I wish that fire was in the Education building.
Taryn-- I miss you guys SOOO much!! I can hardly stand it anymore!
ok..... that's all for now!

Jobless

2008-01-16T18:15:00.001-08:00

I'm officially poor. Extremely poor. Earth shattering-ly poor. I hate not having a good job.

2008-01-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

Laura and I at the Demming Park light show.... we had to get out and pose!
Lily says, "Don't touch my toy, Mamal!"
The dreaded vacuum.
Dad with his favorite gift!

OK I blatently added pictures to that last blog and they didn't publish. How annoying!

2008-01-07T14:38:00.001-08:00

Ok so i'm a little late but here are some pictures from Christmas!! After all, they are in high demand apparently.
Matt- as you can see dad's favorite gift was his amazing colts jersey--------- GOOD THING WE GOT IT FOR HIM. if he only knew the crisis it took to attain the amazing jersey!
In other news- school started back up today. Looks like my classes are going to be a lot of reading! In one English class we have to read over 100 pages for each Monday, Wednesday, Friday class..... maybe the professor didn't get the memo that I actually do have other classes! One of my friends saw me looking up cornhole online to see how much it would be to have at our apartment next year -the answer it too expensive- and over break her grandpa MADE ME ONE!!!!! Now we have GEEZER GOLF and CHI O CORNHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting! we are painting the cornhole tonight.
That's all for now I suppose.

Christmas begins!

2007-12-22T14:12:00.000-08:00

Joe and Melissa pulled up today with baby Michael this afternoon-- and right after they pulled in so did Carey and Barclay with Lily and Addy!! It's so awesome to have them here but it feels VERY incomplete without Matt, Taryn and Baby Gabe!!!! YOU THREE COME VISIST VERY SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been working A LOT at The Buckle trying to save up some extra money-- not working so well since I just want to spend it all at the same time. After break I'm going to start tutoring a middle school boy in his math (good thing it's just pre-algebra or I probably couldn't handle it)! I'll be doing it three or four times a week and getting $20 an hour... so NO complaints there! I'm also going to be still working lifeguarding at ISU but hopefully not often at all! To be honest, I would rather just tutor more and not lifeguard at all..... but we'll see how that works out.
When I get back to school i'll post some pictures from this week with all the babies! Pretty soon we are all heading out to Aunt Kates for the Haley family christmas party-- always a busy party!
I really miss you guys Matt Taryn and Gabe!! Please come see us as soon as you can!

Day 1

2007-12-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

Here it goes, Carey has been pushing me to get a blog for quite sometime- and after the recent facebook incident with dad-- I will accept defeat. I know the question you're all wondering, what's been going on in my life?! Well, my last final starts in about 45 minutes... and as I should be sitting here cramming, my brain is so stuffed full of knowledge and I can't bring myself to open one more book!!!!!!!!!
Ok, OK I'll go study now and write more later.