Break-throughs

This is a list of some of the personal/cultural/language break-throughs I've had in the past few days:

I was sitting on the bed with Ala2, Sana'a, Hibba, and Mama. Ahmed walked over and started going through my little book-cubby, looking for his school books. I wanted to say, "Why the crap are you looking through my stuff, it's super obvious that it's not going to be there!" Instead, I blurted out, "Shoo bidduk feeha!?!?" without processing it in my mind. "What do you want in there?" - all the sisters and Mama started laughing and laughing. My reaction was very Arab. It felt almost surreal that I had shouted that without thinking about the words before hand. Language is coming!!!

Last Sunday, I translated the YW lesson for Sister Bradshaw. I only understood the main ideas of what she was talking about. This Sunday, when I translated, I understood a whole lot more of the actual words. It felt great.

I used the bidet without thinking about it.

Hibba wanted to know about what makes Mormons different from other Christians. I told her about the Book of Mormon, and let her read my copy of 'The Living Christ' in Arabic.

I learned that when Muslims pray, it is not 100% rote prayer; they can ask and thank God for specific things.

I know where the international student office is. "Office of Ex-Patriot Affairs." Hehe.

During my class, I had an overwhelming sensation of the importance of me learning Arabic.

For the first time in my life, I have gone more than three consecutive days with good study habits. I LOVE studying now!

I read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon in about 10 minutes. When I read it about this time last year, it took me over an hour.

Kissing people on the cheek at church isn't weird anymore.

This morning, there was a TV show about Jordan-America exchange student programs funded by the states. Mostly, it was focusing on a specific program allowing Jordanian High School students a home stay experience. At the end of the program, the interviewer asked the US Amabassador if there were similar programs that sent American students to Jordan. She mentioned the summer programs briefly - referring to things like BYU and the University of Virginia, University of Alabama programs. I felt a redoubled surge of how important it is for me to be here NOW, in a non-summer program. What a huge chance I have, to be living in a home-stay situation. Wow. I am the only one to be doing this PERIOD. Wow. WOW. Incredible.

I am happy to be here, and learning a lot.

On Wednesday, I will go down to Amman with the YSA kids in my branch (me, Majdee, and maybe a few more) and the Missionaries to meet the BYU Jerusalem Center students.