... and I feel...pretty good.
I am shocked that tomorrow is my last day in San Diego! This training experience has been really good. I have learned a lot - about Kurdish culture, yes, but more about myself and my role in all this madness.
I hope to find more time to write about this experience later, but for now I just want to say:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
12/19/2005
12/15/2005
Closing In Fast
Min zor serim sermawe!
That means I’m very surprised for those of you who don’t know. Why are you surprised, you might ask. You might even ask Bo çi to serit sermawe?
Well, because I only have 8 days left here in San Diego and I find myself in a strange place mentally. I can’t wait to come home, but I will miss it here at the same time.
I wish you could all come here and meet the family that I’ve been staying with. You couldn’t have chosen a better one for me. It’s as if the Meekers were Kurdish. Seriously.
I am also surprised that no one commented on my last post, but that’s neither here nor there.
Ooh, and I have learned two new high quality jokes which I will have to share when I get home. Yes, one of them is a knock-knock joke which I am excited to share with Hannah. And Kate. Kate loves the knock-knock jokes.
Happy Birthday to Kate, by the way. And Angie. Two nerds, one birthday. How convenient for me. It’s still the 14th in California, so I can still say it.
Since I’m rambling anyway: has anyone heard from Erin? I have called and left messages, but no response. Last time I told her that I would have to call the police and report her missing if I didn’t hear from her. Perhaps she’s calling my bluff. Or she’s actually missing. Either way, she didn’t call me back. Is her face on a milk carton? Have
they issued an Amber Alert? What’s the deal?
I would like to apologize to everyone who has read this far. For the lack of a coherent plot, etc.
Let’s face it, though. You really didn’t have anything else to do, did you?
Well, really. Did you?
That means I’m very surprised for those of you who don’t know. Why are you surprised, you might ask. You might even ask Bo çi to serit sermawe?
Well, because I only have 8 days left here in San Diego and I find myself in a strange place mentally. I can’t wait to come home, but I will miss it here at the same time.
I wish you could all come here and meet the family that I’ve been staying with. You couldn’t have chosen a better one for me. It’s as if the Meekers were Kurdish. Seriously.
I am also surprised that no one commented on my last post, but that’s neither here nor there.
Ooh, and I have learned two new high quality jokes which I will have to share when I get home. Yes, one of them is a knock-knock joke which I am excited to share with Hannah. And Kate. Kate loves the knock-knock jokes.
Happy Birthday to Kate, by the way. And Angie. Two nerds, one birthday. How convenient for me. It’s still the 14th in California, so I can still say it.
Since I’m rambling anyway: has anyone heard from Erin? I have called and left messages, but no response. Last time I told her that I would have to call the police and report her missing if I didn’t hear from her. Perhaps she’s calling my bluff. Or she’s actually missing. Either way, she didn’t call me back. Is her face on a milk carton? Have
they issued an Amber Alert? What’s the deal?
I would like to apologize to everyone who has read this far. For the lack of a coherent plot, etc.
Let’s face it, though. You really didn’t have anything else to do, did you?
Well, really. Did you?
12/11/2005
What I've Learned
So, I’m sure that you’re all wondering what types of things I’m learning here in San Diego, so I thought I would give two examples:
1) I have learned to say that the flying monkey ate my homework:
Mêmuneke kefirrî wazîfekê minî xward.
Native speakers should ignore any spelling errors.
2) Apparently, Bigfoot is alive and well. If you don’t believe me, check out this website.
You’ll notice that all Ohio is not a popular place for Bigfoot sightings.
I highly recommend that you check out the Skookum Cast. I also recommend that you try to recreate Bigfoot’s actions when grabbing for the fruit as seen on the diagram. Most of us have.
I should warn you, though, that I find that the re-enactment makes the whole thing seem very doubtful. Why would Bigfoot do that?
That’s no way to reach for fruit, if I do say so myself.
1) I have learned to say that the flying monkey ate my homework:
Mêmuneke kefirrî wazîfekê minî xward.
Native speakers should ignore any spelling errors.
2) Apparently, Bigfoot is alive and well. If you don’t believe me, check out this website.
You’ll notice that all Ohio is not a popular place for Bigfoot sightings.
I highly recommend that you check out the Skookum Cast. I also recommend that you try to recreate Bigfoot’s actions when grabbing for the fruit as seen on the diagram. Most of us have.
I should warn you, though, that I find that the re-enactment makes the whole thing seem very doubtful. Why would Bigfoot do that?
That’s no way to reach for fruit, if I do say so myself.
12/09/2005
1/2 Way
So, I am halfway through training. I’ve learned some pretty good stuff. I am progressing with the language and for less than two weeks, I’d say I’m not doing too badly. I know how to say that I am going to the hospital and that I went to the bazaar on the bus, both of which I hope not to need.
More importantly, I know how to say that a flying monkey ate my homework and please, I don’t like the orange.
Seriously, though, I think I’m picking up some great skills: people skills, culture skills, language skills, anthropological skills, nunchuk skills.
God’s really teaching me a lot about myself and what I can do and where I need to learn and why He made me this way. And to be patient, especially with people.
More importantly, I know how to say that a flying monkey ate my homework and please, I don’t like the orange.
Seriously, though, I think I’m picking up some great skills: people skills, culture skills, language skills, anthropological skills, nunchuk skills.
God’s really teaching me a lot about myself and what I can do and where I need to learn and why He made me this way. And to be patient, especially with people.
12/08/2005
12/04/2005
Lutherans...
...are great! I went to a Lutheran church this morning and had a great time.
I even took communion. So, in two weeks, I've had communion with the Chaldean Catholics and the Lutherans. It's great to be a part of God's church.
One thing that these California Lutherans do is something called a "Blessing Bag." They have plastic bags made with the church's info and people fill them with nonperishable food items. Then - and this is the great part - they keep them in their cars to give out to homeless people as they see them! I mean, that idea is so simple and perfect. Why didn't I think of that!
What did you think of my pictures? Pretty lovely out here. Now, I know why people risk their lives to live out here: It is gorgeous every single day.
I even took communion. So, in two weeks, I've had communion with the Chaldean Catholics and the Lutherans. It's great to be a part of God's church.
One thing that these California Lutherans do is something called a "Blessing Bag." They have plastic bags made with the church's info and people fill them with nonperishable food items. Then - and this is the great part - they keep them in their cars to give out to homeless people as they see them! I mean, that idea is so simple and perfect. Why didn't I think of that!
What did you think of my pictures? Pretty lovely out here. Now, I know why people risk their lives to live out here: It is gorgeous every single day.
12/02/2005
December 1? Already?
Hello, everyone.
I hear that it is snowy at home in Columbus. It's cold here in San Diego, too. The high was probably only in the low 70's today!
Things are going pretty good out here, though. They're keeping us very busy, but I hear that we'll get free time on Saturday and Sunday, so I plan to go see the ocean. I may even stick a toe in.
I would like to add that I check everyone's blog everyday and two people who shall remain nameless are not keeping up-to-date. You know who you are.
I miss you all, but I'm starting to feel excited to go. Imagine that. God has plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Who would have guessed?
I hear that it is snowy at home in Columbus. It's cold here in San Diego, too. The high was probably only in the low 70's today!
Things are going pretty good out here, though. They're keeping us very busy, but I hear that we'll get free time on Saturday and Sunday, so I plan to go see the ocean. I may even stick a toe in.
I would like to add that I check everyone's blog everyday and two people who shall remain nameless are not keeping up-to-date. You know who you are.
I miss you all, but I'm starting to feel excited to go. Imagine that. God has plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Who would have guessed?
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