Can you hear?

I’m writing a song. The lyrics, my life. Each line a year. The chorus sung once. I’m writing a song, the lyrics won’t stop…….my pumping heart, the beat. My mind the melody. I feel the music moving through my veins with each breath I take. Each moment passing, the rhythm forever changed. I never know what’s next.

You’re writing a song. The lyrics, your life. Each line a year. The chorus sung once. You’re writing a song, the lyrics won’t stop…..your pumping heart, the beat. Your mind the melody. The music moves through your veins with each breath you take. Each moment passing, the rhythm forever changed. You never know what’s next.

We’re writing a song. The lyrics, our life. Each line a year. The chorus sung once. We’re writing a song, the lyrics won’t stop…..our pumping hearts, the beat. Our minds the melody. The music moves through our veins with each breath we take. Each moment passing, the rhythm forever changed. We never know what’s next.

And there he stands. The conductor. The grand orchestra, life. Instruments all around. The music never stops. Perpetual orchestrating. He takes our music, no matter the lyrics or line, the rhythm or rhyme. the chorus sung once. He takes the beats, the melodies, whatever they may be. The music is always playing. Can you hear it? It’s pumping through our veins, from our hearts. The music is playing.

The music is always playing……….can you hear it? What type of person no longer hears the music? What does it take to forget the song? May you never stop singing……may the music continually continue. And when you close your eyes and take your last breath, may your ears be opened to the grandest orchestra echoing through the halls of eternity, vibrating through your soul as if you are the most prized piece.

Because you are.

Now sing your song. Live your life. Listen. Listen to the music pumping through your veins, through my veins. Through our veins.
The music is always playing.

Can you hear it?

*Written after witnessing a tragic head on collision between a mini SUV and motorcycle today.

there's this lady i know...

the more time you spend with someone, the more you adapt to each other.....some of his/her habbits become your own and your own become his/her. this seems to happen without much notice, until one day, when you're not around this person, you realize how much s/he has become a part of you...is a part of you.

so, there's this lady i know......she's a very talented lady: a quick learner. a master multi-tasker. a generous friend, an even-more generous wife and mom. she has always had a niche for art....for creativity whether she (or i) realized it or not. she's always creating something. in the past, it's been cross-stitch, stationary, and other random hobbies. but in the past few years, she has stepped into a new realm beyond what any of us could have imagined.

she spends countless hours creating, designing, preparing, and just exploring the world of stamps. now, this doesn't mean she sits in her craft room learning new techniques to properly place a bunch of ink on paper. bend your wrist this way. hold the stamp that way. don't wiggle. don't wobble. firmly hold. count to three. NO! from intricately elaborate cards, to cutsie little notes, to photo frames, albums, coasters, candles, candle holders, books, notebooks, or just about anything else you can imagine, she can make a project out of anything.

it's a new world to be pioneered, and she has turned out to be quite the pioneer indeed! sure, many people have gone before her........but the pioneering has taken place in her own mind. slowly, she has transformed from the lady who couldn't comprehend random stamping (if you asked her to randomly stamp snowflakes all over a piece of paper, you'd end up with "random order")...

i'm happy to report that she has broken through and and now dominates the random technique........but more than that, she has blossomed into this wonderful creative woman who i am proud to call my mom. i've always enjoyed arts and crafts of all sorts. and it's taken awhile, but i'm excited to realize that, even though i couldn't see it and wouldn't have believed it then, my love for creativity and creating comes from this lady i know............this lovely lady i'm honored to call my mom!

ps. when i was really young, i couldn't decide what my favorite color was. how uncool! all the girls had favorite colors. so, i asked, "Mom what's your favorite color?" "Well, all the colors are beautiful [like mother like daughter], but if i had to choose, i'd choose yellow."

next day at school: "What's your favorite color, janean?" "Yellow, definitely yellow."

REVIEW: My Life, a Magically Mischievous Movie

COMING TO YOU......
YOU WANT TO MISS THIS ONE....

Synopsis:

I'm always commenting on something; it's more like an ongoing narration of my life: "If my life was a movie, right now I'd......"

....knock down that huge stack of cereal boxes in the middle of my local grocery store

....hold the hand of the stranger walking next to me on the street

....join the choir on stage during the middle of a song

....jump into the meat cooler at the market pretending to be a dying cow or chicken

....take a serving spoon from Buca di Beppo....oh, wait, i did that

At a glance, destruction or embarrassment seem to be the leitmotifs. Not because I want to destroy or embarrass others, but I'm fascinated by PEOPLE'S REACTIONS. Juvenile, I know. For instance, I thought it would be entertaining to watch every one's uncertain, awkward, unbelieving responses when I pushed the angel lady off her little podium (she was only about two feet off the ground) at the Christmas pageant last week...not because I wanted to hurt her, but because no one in that crowd would know what to do as my little, eager eyes appeared where this now fallen angel once stood.

Director's Comments:

Trust me, I will never make my life into a movie....for your sake . But, for those of you now concerned with my mental well-being, please note that this movie of my life is...i mean, would be....based completely on "what ifs" because that's exactly what they are. People wouldn't be harmed in the filming process. Rest assured. But, next time you see me remember that you may just be the leading role in the next scene of My Life, a Magically Mischievous Movie.

out of body

Have you experienced an "out-of-body" moment? Not some mystical, self-actualization ecstasy achieved during hot yoga.

There you are, standing, sitting, talking, singing....and before you know it, you're preceiving yourself as if...well, as if you aren't really you. Perhaps you see yourself from a bird's eye view doing whatever it is you're doing. Or not?

Boy #1: "Miss Gigi, yahehkaejalejrkj! heajkejkpodo! jijiownenci! menandnioigjio!"

Boy #2: "No, Miss Gigi, ioeuwiqoiuio cmoinwk! xoyiowekn!"

Girl #1: "Um, he saying that Abdel hit him."

Miss Gigi: "Ask him why he hit him."

Boy #3: "Jkjijew knozxem. wicon lekj!"

Girl # 2: "Because he was going to make a goal so he grabbed his tshirt so he couldn't kick the football."

Boy #1, 2, 3, & 4: "joijwjnm ljknmoi! kojcijeknl! kjkwcoio! iclikenknrkloicivckilesfjklsrjhraljkjteklaw;jfrakefkasjfarjhgikajeifkjsdfjasle;kjfaeijfaioejfrajebnjhi igubinv uoienucisjd idjhfihdiufheiuhIWJDIOJDIKFJAI HIHFAIKJSDiejrofi ijfijiowjeakfn uhirjghehiftrajhifjekfjekljhaierjhfioefoiywgqw2pediqpikjnszmdiw2j ijeficneioqhouhf iojweijmvmo ooeifoidiu jfkenn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And then it happened:

Four sweaty, frustrated, competetive 2nd grade boys arguing in Arabic right after I broke up their little fight. Two girls doing their best to translate the problem so Miss Gigi can "solve" the problem - you know, protect the innocent, punish the naughty.

Just imagine my reaction as I realize how horribly, ridiculously, hilariously humorous this situation must look. I couldn't help but laugh....out loud. No longer concerned with their problem, I just laugh. Not sure what's going on. They follow my lead.

the way we do

who knew tableclothes could be so......useful:

In case you're wondering, the tablecloth is on my head...not my legs :)

our white christmas......party

Christmas party at our flat.....

for more, check out:

http://nwcollege.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004373&l=8c105&id=167100372

muddy buddies, steak filets, and Grandpa Clause

Where do I begin? With my problem-solving skills...or lack thereof...for over-dramatic 2nd graders who argue only in Arabic? With the presents wrapped in make-shift wrapping paper under our little Christmas tree decorated with red, heart-shaped lights and simple sparkling ornaments that were given to us? With the "White Christmas" Party that Lianne and I are hosting. With the miso soup I enjoyed last night thanks to the box full of happiness sent from those two wonderful people I get to call my parents (and thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the beef jerky -- you know me well :) Maybe I'll start with the muddy buddies I just made in preparation for our party. Or the rice krispies I still need to make. Or the large snowman I'm planning to make for that huge blank spot on our wall. Or the Christmas tablecloth I bought as a "splurge" item that doesn't even fit our table.

As you can see, there are many places I can start. I suppose I'll start here: I LOVE peanut butter and oreos! Unfortunetly, just about EVERY bite full of American sweetness cost about, oh, maybe $1/bite at LEAST. Lianne and I hoped to make a gingerbread house; however, this miniture gingerbread house would cost us about L.E. 100 = $20! To give you an idea, I can buy a high-end, juicy, delicous steak filet for about L.E. 10...you got it, 10 steak filets for the cost of ONE gingerbread house.

Hmm....tempting:

But my decision wasn't difficult...at all:

Oh my goodness, right now, I would really enjoy a candycane slowly dissolving in sweet hot chocolate in an oversize mug cuddled on the couch in front of the fake fireplace my Mom assembles every year so we can hang our over-stuffed stockings resulting from an over-generous Mom. Interestingly, as the one in charge of putting gifts in the stockings (including her own), my Mom's stocking seems to be getting fatter each year. Funny how that works :)

This morning, I was thinking about the senses of Christmas. For me, Christmas SMELLS like mint hot chocalate and Christmas pine dancing together in my nose (not the nicest image, I know). Christmas LOOKS like snowy, Seattle streets lined with lights and single people walking their dogs mixed with decorated, tropical coconut trees, that assembled fireplace, and those little people we take out of the closet each winter and house them in their little village for the most exciting days of their year -- outside of their boxes, those poor people. Christmas TASTES like a scrumptous candle-light dinner accompanied with too many sugar cookies and tight jeans. Christmas SOUNDS like Christmas records crackling on my turntable. Christmas FEELS like home.

This year, Christmas will feel different. Not bad. Not lonely. Not gift-less (thankfully). Different. Quite. Lianne and I have come up with some ideas for our Christmas celebration. Together, will will smell, look, tastes, hear, and feel a new Christmas experience. Together, we will remember why we're celebrating. Yes, I will miss all the little cousins running around like head-less chickens full of blissful glee in anticipation for everything they've been wishing for. I will miss that pillow-stuffed Grandpa Clause ringing his fishing bell as all the great grandchildren (and I) sing Jingle Bells and as the youngest babies cry histerically because they don't recognize this long-bearded, square, pillow tummied Grandpa Clause. But I look forward to this experience. I look forward to the comfort of home and family next year. Until then, may you enjoy the holidays with a lot of family..........and food!

A stoll down memory lane:

my life...bulleted

• some of my automatic responses (IE. "wait!" "no!" "hurry" "let's go," "how are you," etc.) now come out in arabic.....even in my dreams.
• i'm feeling as though i'm lacking challenge in my life, which inevitably means i'm feeling a bit un-inspired. inspire me...please
• there are NO craft stores, thrift stores, walmarts, or safeways....duh
• i almost got fired (slightly exaggerated) from my volunteer job for "negligence" in one of my kindergarten classes. some kid poked (or stabbed depending on how you look at it :) another kid with a pencil...but when the principal found out the real story, she pretty much put her hand to the face of the kid's furious dad. it's all fine...now.
• my third official tahd-eesa came today. tahd-essa comes from the word for "stapler"...it's arranged marriage egyptian style - staple two people together whether they like it or not. but today, i found out that i would like it. i even got to see pictures. supposedly, my colleague's mom would love me....just like she does...just like her 24 year old brother would. hmm..arab men - not too shabby...let me think about it........thanks, but no thanks. flattering, nonetheless.
• i almost spent L.E. 70 for a jar of salsa and a bag of chips...yum, chips and salsa. but i didn't. oh yeah, L.E. 80 = $16....that's a fortune here....
• i think i'll be a preschool or kindergarten teacher when i grow up
• a few of the younger boys (pre-k age.)are being a bit too friendly.....maybe my next lesson will be on the birds and the bees......that would be hilarious. oh those poor, little kindergartners...if i lived in a movie, i'd totally do it.
• my roommate had her HAND hanging out of the taxi window and the driver came extremely close to some guy bending over and she almost SMACKED THAT on accident. i almost died of laughter.

Vignettes

Children, chatter, chants:

The door opens slowly. First, peering through the opening door, I then take a step in. Eyes turn toward me. One voice begins: "MISS GIGI!"

The others join in. "MISS GIGI!" The shouts synchronize to a beating chant:

"Miss-Gi-Gi! Miss-Gi-Gi! MISS-GI-GI! MISS-GI-GI!"

"Good moooorning!"

"GOOOOOD MOOOORNING, MISS GIGI!"

"How are you today?"

"I AAAM FINE, THAAANK YOU!"

And so, my morning begins with the Kindergarten 2 class.

Scuffed Shoes

The bell rings, FINALLY! After a long day at school, there's nothing like riding in a bus full of chattering children and talkative teachers through the crazy Cairo streets. But where's our bus?

No bus....you know what that means:

"FOOTBALL!" Of course.

"Miss Gigi!!! Play football!"

Good thing I wore my cute, expensive travel shoes offering the most comfort possible. Good thing they're only going to get completely scuffed and scratched. Good thing I obviously have a choice in the matter.....football it is.

Hands raised in victory as I score the first goal. Um, why are my hands the only one's raised? I turn around just in time to see my answers walking toward us. The principal and a teacher are coming. It's no secret, their wrath will soon be released upon these unsuspecting children.

"Hahaha, suckahs!" is my first thought. These kids are in for it and just as the teachers arrive, I give the "I-can't-believe-you're-playing-football-when-you-should-be-waiting-for-the-bus-you-naughty-children" look. Being a teacher myself, they would NEVER say anything to me.

But secretly, I know they don't always know what to make of me -- a FEMALE teacher who enjoys playing with the children......or a child myself? It's a tough call, I know. It's been a predicament my whole life.

But at the end of the day, it's true......I'm just a girl who doesn't mind scuffed shoes.

Just so you know, the teachers are by know means evil as "their wrath will soon be released upon these unsuspecting children" may make them seem.....seriously.

japanese janean...

i am japanese....ok, so i'm half japanese - hapa as they say in hawaii. this so exciting....yes, yes, ...i've been half japanese my whole life, i know....but still, i'm just as excited today as i am when i, as a wobbly tolder, asked my parents which half of my body was japanese....

i was talking to a korean lady today....we were joking about being asian....and half asian. she said she could tell that i had some asian blood running through my veins (probably in my eyes ;) a generous compliment highlighting my day........she joked about her small eyes. i joked about my dad's small eyes.................... :)







ps. i'm equally grateful for my other half......thanks, mom!

So, you want to marry me?

"Will you marry me?" His face turns red as the guy in front of us glances over his shoulder in shock.

Wait a minute! How did I get into this situation, you may be wondering? Well, it's quite simple really. Let's rewind.

Here we are, about fifteen of us on a bus. I just happen to sit next to one of two Romanian speakers on the bus. Having an knack for learning random phrases in other languages, I begin to show off what few phrases I've stored in my Romanian arsenal to my new Moldovan friend. But wait, I can't quite recall how to ask, "Will you marry me?" Why I ever knew this question in Romanian is besides the point. For the life of me, I cannot remember how to say it. I must know! So, of course, being the curious person I am and wanting to further supply my random Romanian phrase arsenal, I ask this very important question. Being the helpful Moldovan that he is, my friend clearly says, "Will you marry me" in Romanian.

With a sense of relief and wonderment as to how I could have ever forgot this phrase, I begin to repeat after him only to be interrupted as the only other Romanian speaker on the bus sitting a few seats in front of us glances over his shoulder with the i-can't-believe-what-i'm-hearing-i'm-about-to-freak-out look plastered on his face. Priceless!

Let the explaining begin.........

so....I'm not Egyptian?

You don't say! Pardon my slight sarcasm. So here we are, Lianne and I, that is, minding our own business (like we always do, right?) while we shop for much needed supplies. As teachers, we must keep an adequate arsenal of red pens, white out, duct tape, etc....you know, the basics. Anyway, as we are paying for our supplies, Lianne makes a comment in Arabic and without a moment's hesitation, the cashier let's us know that her comment is Egyptian and ONLY for Egyptians to say...........we waited for him to crack a smile, or say "welcome to Egypt" or something.....but no. not even a glance from him. just a cold, pricey check to pay.

wow, just wow.

quick update:

Arabic lessons -- fantastic
teaching -- great
traveling -- greater
having my own kitchen -- priceless......seriously.

I'm going to go make some pancakes.......

photograffiti.....

For more pictures:
http://nwcollege.facebook.com/p.php?i=167100372&k=YXAZQY52T23MYJMGRF44V

click on the picture to enter the album......there's three pages.

This past week I visited a garbage village, the Garbage City, a recycling center, Sinai Peninsula -- St. Catherines, Mt. Sinai, Dahab, a bedouin camp. Blue Hole, and a few other places....you will see all of these in the album.

snap shots:

It takes a really, ridiculously long time to upload photos....so I'll be adding a few each day:) click on it to enlarge for more detail

Garbage City:

Bacan, anyone?

Look carefully for the woman in the pile of rubbish (clue: she has a box on her head)

child's perspective


playing in his front yard

two months......

so far, this has been my longest "overseas relationhship." almost two months. it's about this time that i'm emerging from the first honeymoon stage (i'm sure there will be more to come). it's easy to be flexible and "roll with the punches" while everything is exciting and new. don't get me wrong, even after a year, i know excitement will be lurking behind some pyramid or under some camel....but after a year, the bruises left by some of those punches may be a bit more painful without the numbing effects of the honeymoon stage.


however, here are a few realizations:

1. after this year, i will have spent five years away from home (well, i spent one semester at home);
2. two months is not that long at all, but being two months into an eleven month program leaves nine months (i've always loved math, can you tell :);
3. a year is also not that long and will fly by, i'm sure....but there are moments when a year seems too long -- too long to be away from the ones you love, the ones you want to love, the things you love, the places you love, and yes, the FOOD you love! :) one year leads to another year...and another....soon it's five years.....ten years.....how much longer?
4. life is about balancing dreams -- grand, life-long dreams with more immediate dreams. balancing the dreams/goals and not focusing too much on either one is crucial. it's like snorkling, if you have your head under the water all the time, you'll eventually end up too far out to sea, but if you have your head out of the water all the time, you may not get lost, but you'll miss out on what's right beneath your feet.

To my dear friends and family who take the time to check in, please,please, please pray for the following:

• patience and perseverance (lots of it)
• joy and enthusiasm
• wisdom and more patience
• humility and courage
• and......i left my cell phone in the back of a taxi...it's not retriveable :( a lost quite a few contacts that i'm afraid i may not be able to get back.
• aaaaannndd...it's my birthday tomorrow. please where a tutu in honor my my two-two birthday (22....wwwhhheeeeewwwww!)

I have been learning and growing a lot (just ask my Mom, she'd be glad to share a few stories :), and I know your prayers have helped me. His guidance and faithfulness in some stressful situations have left me humbled and desiring to know Him more. There's a point where it's absolutely OBVIOUS that I cannot handle (or will not handle) a situation adequately....instead of "I told you so," I constantly hear, "Be still, wait patiently for me......" (Psalm 37). In those moments, my waiting has not proved to be in vain.

I'd be glad to share stories if you're interested. But for now, my Mom is the keeper of a few recent stories..........she likes to talk about me (and if she talks about me half as much as she'd like to talk TO me, then prepare yourself for a novel of a time :)

Thank you so much for your faithfulness to Him that has so abundantly blessed me!!! Rest assured that I am doing my best for His glory...your generosity will extend as far as He'll use me.

m3lsh (m-A-lish).....

Here's your Arabic word for the day -- m-A-lish. there's no word in the english alphabet that resembles the 'A'.....so, when writing arabic w/the english alphabet, we use 3. it's like a deep A sound that comes from the bottom of your mouth and the back of your throat.

anyway, this word transcends language into culture. my language teacher told me that language and culture are closely tied together here, and this is the a great example of this truth. what does it mean? well, let me tell you what i know and have observed.

someone drops a plate full of food on the ground - m3lish!
someone arrives an hour late -- m3lish!
someone goes out of their way to help you -- m3lish!

3la = on
mish - not
put them together - m 3la ish

essentially, this means, "it's not on your head" or "it's not on you"

"no problem," "don't worry about it," "forget it," etc. meshie? (ok?)

this is the technical term used when speaking; however, in order to demonstrate the transcendence of this word into reality and it's obvious obviousness in the Egyptian culture, i'm going to use the tern m3lishishness....meshie? m3lish-ish-ness......fantastic.

in the midst of crazy cairo traffic, horns honk, drivers weave in, out, through, or any other way they can move quickly......and then some silly person cuts him/her off. perhaps a few words and then coh-loss (finish!). if you dropped a street full of unsuspecting, western drivers in the middle of traffic here, apocalypse would ensue.........i guess, m3lish is like patience, forgiveness, and laid-back-ness incorporated into one word.

well, remember that i've only been here for about six weeks and with more time, i will learn more aspects to this word and cultural concept..........until then!

i stole this http://aprilchristeen.blogspot.com/2007/10/its-rough-sometimes.html

Autumn
The leaves are falling, falling as from far off,
as though far gardens withered in the skies;
they are falling with denying gestures.
And in the nights the heavy earth is falling
from all the stars down into loneliness.
We are all falling. This hand falls.
And look at others; it is in them all.
And yet there is One who holds this falling
endlessly gently in his hands.
Rainer Maria Rilke

you want a grape....how bout'a date, eh?

6 October work for you? it sure works for these fantastically entertaining egyptians! for those of you not familiar with this date and its significance to my new frieds, a quick google search can enlighten you to the irony of their celebration.

my weekend started on thursday when i missed my bus to school. oops. but it's really not my fault. the bus came early. no complaints here, i took advantage of this unexpected freedom. then i joined my fellow teachers in the breaking of the fast (it's ramadan). then i embarked on a journey with some friends to enjoy TCBY. trust me, it's NOT This Country's Best Yogurt!!!! at least i know for next time.

my weekend extended through sunday because saturday was a holiday. weekends can be quite confusing here. a weekend is either friday and sunday or friday and saturday....so i got it all off! sweet is an understatement :)

my social networking continues successfully to extend into various communities with people of varying perspectives on life. when someone here considers you a friend, you REALLY ARE A FRIEND....not any of this, well, "let's be friends but not friends friends (i.e. bestest buddies)." friends are friends.

i had a short conversation with one of my taxi drivers (in arabic, of course)....that was exciting. i lied...it was

VERY EXCITING!

okay, i think that's enough excitement to last awhile. i'm going to be quite the busy bee the next ten days or so......so if you don't hear from me for awhile, just wait longer! :)

oh, and dad, you'd be so proud. i went bowling and got 6 spares and 2 strikes! ok, ok...don't get too excited...it's embarassing.

until next time, blessings on you, and THANK YOU for everything....really!

burnt feet and cow chips - welcome to egypt

it all started
with a game of football.

wait, no. it started with twenty wasted matches.

light a match, push a button, hold for one minute, and wa-lah! you have heated water. twenty matches later, the starter finally, well, STARTS!!! of course, i hide the used, wasted matches at the bottom of the rubbish can so my landlady won't get mad at me for wasting her precious matches. i'll buy her new ones.

you'd think that, with the heater started, a nice hot shower follows. yeah, no! the shower consists of constant adjustments so i'm not freezing into an ice cube or frying like an egg -- the balance is delicately IMPOSSIBLE..................but not today. twenty matches later, it was perfect. which is why i didn't pack a lunch. i spent my precious lunch preparation time in the shower. which explains why, half way through my day, i'm strolling through the school's snack shop choosing between candy or chips for lunch....or a little of both.

today, i chose chips. but not just any chips. in true egyptian cousine (as i'm learning), i chose "Kebab" chips. yes, meat-flavored chips. chips bursting with cow flavor. perfect for us beef lovers who need a quick fix for those carnivourous craves. i had to try this...........i felt like i was eating fried potatoes prepared in left over roastbeef ajeu (spelling?)....who needs TGIFridays? i get my meat and potatoes in a bag. luckily for me, i grew up snacking (and on occassion, feasting) on military MREs.....this wasn't too far of a stretch...no offense chris, jared, and dad!

so how, you may ask, did i end up with burnt feet? while, it turns out that i wasn't lying when i said i was coming to egypt to play in the sand....i just didn't realize i'd be doing in barefoot. but that's what i get for selfishly spending my time in the shower this morning. not only did i steal my lunch prepartion period from myself, i managed to frivoulously spend the "rational, reasonable contemplation of what-to-wear" time.

therefore, i showed up to school in comfortable slacks with a cute shirt/dress thing, and comfortable, sassy sandals.....did i mention i'm the official PE teacher? and probably the only female PE teacher in Egypt who participates in all of my planned activities...including football.....but every rational, reasonable PE teacher doesn't come to work as cute as I obviously had...and if they do, they come prepared with PE attire. my bad. but, my cuteness didn't stop me (does it ever? ;).....shoes came off, slacks rolled up, the games began. at least football requires lots of movement, which keeps the foot to sand-covered concrete connection to a bare minimum (pardon the pun)......just wait until volleyball starts.

egypt continues to welcome me with arms wide open.......and i receive her sweet embrace!

until next time, your continued thoughts, emails, comments, and encouragment has been and continues to be very much appreciated :) i cannot emphasize how much your encouragement extends through all the excitement and exhaustion!

Dear Grandpa and Grandma,

About eight or nine years ago, I persuaded Chris to switch rooms with me. With white walls and wide windows, Chris had no problems moving into my room. Being the considerate brother that he is, he made sure that I knew he was getting the better end of the deal. Insisting that this dark-walled, smaller room would be great preparation for college, I moved downstairs.

Little did I know how this switch would change my life. As you know, I practically moved into the garden. I always knew when you, Grandpa, were picking tangerines, transplanting orchids, rearranging the gardens, or slicing slugs. But most importantly, I was always first to know that when it was dinnertime because you, Grandma, always needed to give Grandpa extra time to get ready for dinner. So, you would find Grandpa in the garden and let him know it was dinner. With my young ears, I would hear you the first time, but with ears far more experienced than mine, you would need to repeat yourself once, maybe twice before you, Grandpa, knew it was dinner; and thus, making me the first to know it was dinnertime!

Who knew that this switch would change my life?

A few years later, I moved to Seattle into what I like to call a hole (also known as a dorm room!), and all that preparation paid off. The excitement of being single in Seattle will never outweigh the greatest lesson I learned during my first few months at college. A mentor encouraged me to start listening to people’s stories. He especially insisted that I listen to those people in my life who will not be around to tell their stories in the coming years.

This is when I realized that the two people upstairs were more than just my babysitters while growing up, were more than just my grandparents; this is when you, Grandma and Grandpa, became actual people to me. This is when I realized that you both had a life before me, before my Dad, before each other. This is when I began to learn your stories.

These realizations quickly developed into a grateful appreciation for the many blessing I have – especially my family. You two have worked hard and have taken much time to ensure that we as a family take care of each other, help each other out, and be involved in each others lives.
As the stories were shared, my appreciation grew into a new respect and, eventually, into a new, deeper love for you. Your dedication to your family inspired me, and with your love and time, you established a legacy – a legacy, which I am very honored to be apart of.

You have filled my stomach with satisfaction, my mind with many wonderful memories, and my heart with great happiness. I cannot emphasize how honored I am to be apart of your family. As the youngest grandchild, I have a unique relationship bridging the generation before me and after me. I see the ones before me and play with the young ones after me. And each one of them, each one of us, will always be loved, will never be forgotten, and will always be remembered because of the legacy you have established with years of love and dedication to the generations that will continue long after you are gone. With great honor and respect, my children will know who they are and where they came from; they will know Yutaka and Sadako Ikeda.

From across the globe, to the little island I call home, I send you my love! Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you have given me – your love, your time, your stories, your memories, and all the opportunities you have helped me pursue! Thank you for your dedication before you knew I would be here and after I arrived. I thank God for you everyday and ask for His blessings on your life. Even though I’m a world away from you, I am honored to be your physical grandchild and your spiritual sister in our Lord Jesus Christ who has showered us with many blessing!

With all my heart and sincerity, I LOVE YOU, GRANDMA AND GRANDPA!!!!!

Love,
Janean

exhuastion, excitement, entertainment...

today is the first day i have nothing scheduled since i started working and taking arabic lessons. lianne and i continue our ventures around the city -- or at least this side of the nile :) the east side, that is. due to a sketched map that my friend drew, we are piecing together complicated cairo where straight roads are rare and traffic lights, painted lines, and arrows merely decorate streets.

i have some fun opportunities to hang out with my new egyptian friends. although the fun ensues, frustration creeps in as i assert twice the amount of energy to engage those around me leaving me exhausted. relationships are important to me -- i enjoy getting to know people and finding out what they think and who they are. however, lacking arabic-speaking skills greatly hinders, or greatly slows, this process. most of the time, this motivates me to study harder and spend more time with my friends, fellow teachers, and other arabic speaking people. but there are times when i feel like a burden to those who must translate.....or feel awkward as conversations continue and jokes are laughed at....and i have no idea what's going on. this is a good portion of the time.

this is inevitable. my determination to learn constantly brings me back to these situations where, as awkward and sometimes annoying as they can be, i can learn. patience with myself and others is so important, but this is way easier said than done, especially when you're the outsider.

while on our adventure about (lianne's canadian...notice her influence upon me?) the city, we happen upon a starbucks. we enter - mistake number one. we order - mistake number two. we indulge - mistake number three. we'll stick to more domestic enjoyments from now on.

all in all, i'm learning a lot (obviously), enjoying my new life in egypt, and setting practical expectations for myself -- i will not learn arabic overnight, and once i do become more proficient, i will NEVER be a native speaker. such is life. but i will do my best to learn as much as i can while i'm here and have a great time doing it. i feel like i'm giving a motivational speech of some sort. silly me.

as you can see,

i have visited the pyramids and petted the sphinx.....ok, maybe i didn't get that close, but if there wasn't a huge hole surrounding him guarded by armed soldiers/police people, i definitely would've........

i have floated on the nile and dipped my fingers in its cool current.....

teaching continues to go quite well. i can now read and write in arabic; although, my vocabulary is quite limited and my pronunciation quite......foreign. with diligence and patience, i think i will be quite proficient by the end of my time here.

i'm making friends from various communities, which provides me with exposure to all types of egyptian life.

so far, i haven't experienced very much, if any cultural shock. honestly, the community aspect here reminds me of hawaii. people are friendly, welcoming, and helpful. the fruits and vegetables are similar. preparation of food is, obviously,different, but not as nearly exotic as i had expected/hoped. since i'm a connoisseur and explorer of food, i have quite a cultured palate.

i've never really been one to get home-sick. i tend to enjoy myself wherever i'm at...every little experience is an adventure for me, and since one year is not that long, i want to make the most of my time here. i have learned a lot so far and have much more to learn.......

SHOKRAN (shoh-kran -- roll the r) "Thank you" to all of you who have been sending me your love! i love getting emails full of encouragement.......don't stop (hint hint ;)

class is cancelled today...i think i'm going to read....on second thought, i think i'll watch a movie. after eating two-three mangos...they're going out of season and are SOOO delicious. the slight sickness that follows overindulgence is well worth the minutes it takes me to devour these juicy, sweet fruits from heaven.

sneak peak:

it's been....

...one week and two days since i landed in this grand gateway where africa meets near east, meets europe, meets mediterranean. i'll update you according to a tentative outline to spare you from my randomness -- thoughtful, i know :)

FOOD - FRIENDS - FAMILY - FUN

[For those of you who haven't figured this out, i thoroughly enjoy alliteration and absolutely appreciate the consonants f and l...the most important nouns can be found with f -- as stated above -- and the most important verbs begin with l -- living, loving, laughing, learning, listening, lighting (those around you)......this list is not extensive but adequate.]

Ok, FOOOOOD!

let me paint a brief vignette of my current setting......in a cafe, eating a panini hawawsheni and sipping mango juice. now, this is not the italian panini; it's more like an egyptian style pita with this meat -- hawawsheni. delicious! and for the mango juice, imagine throwing a fresh mango into a cup and drinking it......this makes odwalla taste like, i dunno 0.23333% juice.

lianne and i enjoy simple sandwiches prepared with whatever we buy from street vendors and small stores...our favorite it the "happy family" store....and it sure makes us one happy family. um, moving on.

FAMILY!

i have a few families. at the school i work with, i have a faculty full of friendliness. they are very helpful, and we exchange english/arabic lessons. great

the student i teach make another family...today, i taught poetry to 13-14 year olds. loved it. and as of today, i am the official PE teacher at my school. my students were impressed with my futbol skills b/c none of the girls at the school ever play....that doesn't say much for my skill level (or lack thereof) but it was fun.....and very hotter!

then i have my van fam -- the people i ride to and from school with each day. yesterday, they decided to help me practice my arabic.....my students generously help me, their "mooh dah ressa" - teacher.
then i have my lessons, which are going quite well. i spend a lot of time studying on my own (mostly between classes), and practicing with my van family love it.

then my hawaii family -- you have been very generous in ALL your support...thank you! and of course, my family family -- i love you :)

FRIENDS AND FUN

are fantastic.....we went horseback riding in the desert to see the sun setting behind the pyramids...nothing too special :) although, we were a bit late to see the sunset...but then we floated on the nile in a really chill boat thing....i forgot the name. we enjoyed some syrian cuisine....and tomorrow lianne and i are going on a tour of the pyramids. this weekend is going to be mass busy.....more stories in the making.

and for those of you who have stuck around until now, i'll entertain you with a.......silly situation:

my first trip to the bathroom at my school: i got stuck in it....seriously.

for three to four minutes - STUCK - which of course, feels like an eternity when your stranded in a bathroom in a foreign country. needless to say, i made it out and lived to tell about it....lucky you.

Overview...and then some

Ok....I have enough time for a quick update....which means, short update -- lucky you.

I'm working 25 hours at the school, which entails teaching fun songs and planning activities allowing the students to practice their English...and have some fun. This is great for me. First, they love me b/c I'm white (or half love me b/c I'm half white ;), but more importantly, I bring the fun factor through the roof compared to their other classes. Next week, I'll be teaching poetry to Primary 4 (about 9-10 year olds) including Blake, Shakespeare, Stevenson, and a few more.

It's insanely incredible how disciplined these children are. These 7-8 year olds stay in the same classroom all day (with breaks, of course), and the teachers rotate.....the classes are like boxes with desks and a blackboard -- nothing entertaning or inspiring. They listen to lectures, take notes, and PAY ATTENTION all day.

I've now completed two Arabic lessons, each 2 1/2 hours long. I can write and read Arabic (at an elementary level, of course)...and my vocabulary is practically non-existent. I can sing the first verse of a song. I can count to ten. I even sat in the kindergarten's Arabic lesson at school today. Fantastic.

The apartment....or back room situation is fine. Lianne and I are so busy we're usually eating or sleeping when at home OR chilling on our balcony . Otherwise, you can find me at one of the many produce vendors in the neighborhood, at the cafe using their free internet, working at school, at my Arabic lessons, at a meeting, or, in tomorrow's case, HORSEBACK riding with some of my new Egyptian friends!!!

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

I fell out of my bus (it's just a van) face forward while it was slightly moving (they don't really stop...more like a California roll). That was great. Lianne and I caught a taxi today (a fairly frequent activity)....but a tire popped, so he ran out of the car, started jacking it up with us in it...we were obviously too heavy, it wouldn't work. He finally fixed it. He couldn't find our destination. He picked up some other guy (also not unusual) who tried helping us find our destination. This other guy got out of the car and started running in front of us in an effort to find our location.

So, for two blocks we followed a man running through the streets while the frustrated driver muttered what I imagine to be absolutely kind comments under his breath while clapping his hands in an effort to cheer himself up........

MOST IMPORANTLY,

the mosquito situation has been minimalized:

MUAHAHAHHAHA!I'm completely swamped and horribly busy every single day. I'm exhausted, so very !exhausted. But even more excited for all that I'm learning and experiencing.

Well, this update's not so short afterall.....just be glad I don't have more time - stories are endless, experiences are priceless, and time is...running out - salam

Egypt -- beyond the mosquitos

FOR THE STRONG AT HEART: FULL LENGTH

SHORTER VERSION AVAILABLE AT THE END :)

Alright...where to begin. I have moments of complete fascination of the culture and anticipation of really engaging the people once I've learned more Arabic...I start lessons tomorrow, FINALLY! I'm currently drowning in rooms full of foreign words....many, many foreign words.

Despite the differences and lack of communication, this weekend brought many changes. Lianne, my roommate who has a cat at home named MOJOJOJO, and I moved into our land-lady's apartment because the current tenants in our flat haven't moved out yet. Sooooo, we'll be living in this back room accompanied with a bathroom and balcony....It's livable. It's an adventure. I'll post pictures soon.

Tonight, we enjoyed our first meal prepared by our own hands....While I was at work, Lianne went grocery shopping for food and basic necessities like...TOILET PAPER. We have to carry little packs w/us. Definitely not a public commodity. Anyway, Lianne prepared a feta cheese and tomato dip for our pita-like bread. I bought some guava, mangoes, pomegranate, and dates to accompany our grapes and pita.....and bottled water (trying to keep stomach issues, along w/excessive trips to the bathroom to a minimum). So far, I've had no problems. sweet.

Well, at 7am Mena Language School bus pulled in front of our apartment to take me, Jeffery, and Meh-ah (sp?) -- my land lady's grandsons -- to school. I observed primary 2, 3, and 4, and will begin teaching conversational English tomorrow. Essentially, I have the freedom to sing songs, play games, and well...do what I do best -- tell kids what to do!!! AND all in English, sweet.

At 1:15, the bus takes everyone home, but tomorrow, I will get dropped off at my first Arabic lesson......wooohooooooo!!!

Let me give you a brief description of a typical bus ride to school. First off, imagine New York driving w/no rules...for those of you familiar w/drivers in Napoli (Naples), Italy, imagine that.....times ten! It's great. Each drive is like a roller coaster ride w/out guaranteed satisfaction! I'm still trying to figure out why they spend money installing traffic lights and painting lines on the ground (I think the city workers must get bored)....seriously, madness is the method - I LOVE it! Honking is like breathing....if you stop, you die. No joke. I can't tell who has the right away, pedestrians or drivers......I like to think of it as a dance, and I still can't figure out who's leading. Essentially, to cross the street, you just close your eyes and walk. They stop when they ABSOLUTELY have to. But, if you don't walk, they don't stop. I now have an idea of what Peter must have felt stepping out of the boat :) Ok, that's a bit melodramatic...but seriously, it's great!

Well, Lianne and I are at a cafe called Pastaccino, which is near our flat and has Wi-fi. I'm emailing, blogging, myspacing, etc., and she's skyping on my computer (thanks, mom); soon, we'll switch....ok, that's about enough...I hope this blog satisfies those who were tired of hearing about Egyptian mosquitoes.........

FOR THE WEAK AT HEART: SUMMARY

Excitement ensues. Great adventures. Tiring immersion. Sometimes I'm swimming in this foreign sea and find myself looking for a life raft full of English words and hugs (so send them my way!)...Even though I'll still be a foreigner once I learn Arabic, I will not be so much of an outsider....CAN'T WAIT! Today, i just wanted to come home to a nice, big, lovely, engulfing hug......Oh, I haven't mentioned, but life is a bit crazy since it's Ramadan, which changes everyday living quite significantly. On Friday, we're going to the Pyramids, YAY! On Wednesday, I'm going horseback riding with some new friends. That's about it.

dis-bah-how-ala-kheir! (phonetically version of goodnight)....

Of midnight mantras....

....sorry about last night's episodes...episode 1 i wrote the night before. episode 2 was the result of another mosquito attack last night.......and somehow, telling the world of my midnight mosquito mantras vindicated my mass mosquito murders and even made victory that much sweeter....

The Way to True Enlightenment

Episode 2: Mosquito Meditation…

14 September 2oo7

It's currently 2:24 AM.
I am, once again,
The Midnight Special
Lucky me...however, through this treacherously traumatizing experience, I have learned to achieve peace through what I call,
MOSQUITO MEDITATION
Truly, the enlightenment I have experienced must be shared to those seeking pure, blood spilling revenge.

I will be your Guru; I will be your guide. Follow me through this mosquito madness.

Cover all skin leaving exposed only your arms.
Quiet your mind. Itch your bites. Breathe in, Breathe out…
Great achievements require great sacrifices. Prepare yourself.
Once the mosquito(es) land on your exposed arms, allow him/her/them
To settle down and even begin the blood-sucking process. As their bellies fill,
MAKE NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS!
Slowly approach this devilish beast (do not let size fool you!) with your free hand. Think of all the moments of sleep and blood lost over this selfish, soul-less SUCKER and in one graceful, revenge-filled swap,
SEND IT TO APHID HELL!!!!!!
…another one bites the dust…

Mosquitoes were hurt, and even mercilessly killed during the writing of this article. In fact, I killed two while typing. Their lives will be remembered by their marks left on my arm for a few more days, and then, they will vanish into past for eternity…right where they belong.

Eat me, please.....

Episode 1: His guts, my glory…

Written at 3:45 AM on

13 September 2oo7


Or should I say, "Our glory," since, in a moment of complete desperation, I begged God to help me kill that soul-less, self-actualized mosquito who managed to escape Aphid Hell – reserved for those insects who purposely and painfully haunt humans for no other reason but personal entertainment. Those [ insert adjective here ] mosquitoes eat me alive.

TONIGHT'S MIDNIGHT SPECIAL:

JANEAN

Don't rush, there's plenty of her to go around.

So far, I've sent two back to Aphid Hell, but it seems like both families came to their funerals and decided to have me for their post-mourning-meal...

Okay, Okay, "YOUR Glory," not mine.....

ENSUING EXCITEMENT:

• Saturday -- first Egyptian Wedding & Move into flat w/my roommate, Lianne

• Sunday -- begin teaching English

• Monday -- start my Arabic lessons

last night....

a mosquito kissed me on the lip…he left a hickey. I don’t like. In fact, I don’t like the multiple hickeys he left on my ankles and wrists. Try it again, I keel you…unless I’m sleeping, then I’m yours for the eating.

but i do love the family i'm staying with -- generosity is an understatement. their house is incredible! i feel like i'm in a castle: an intricately designed iron railing lines the spiraling staircase; immense windows allow inside to flirt with outside; fabulous furniture livens marble and wood floors transforming empty banquet hall sized rooms into comfortable, even homey, communal spaces; and the kitchen.....i need to take some pictures; oh, i'll have to tell you about the water heater....another time.


Sarah, also 21, is studying to be a translator and speaks Arabic, French, and English. We chit chatted over some grapes andd dates for a few hours discussing life, politics, school, etc., etc. She told me that I have a talent for learning languages and reassured me that i will learn Arabic quickly. i shyly muttered my thanks in Arabic (one of a few words/phrases i now know) accompanied with a slightly embarassed chuckle, but she stopped me by saying, "I’m completely serious."

Well, Sarah, I hope to prove you right. But even if you’re wrong, and I hope you’re not, I’m EXTREMELY excited and inspired to learn Arabic along with your rich culture that even if i lack talent, I will work extra, extra hard to do so. You’ll see.

then there's the lamp shade next to my bed. last night, i hit my head on this lampshade, which would've been fine, even slightly humorous.......except this lampshade is made out of marble. i don't like.

leather bag blanket

first two flights were freezing cold with no blankets. i clung dearly to my bag, which conveniently served as.....my leather bag blanket.

wondering around amsterdam during my ten hour layover was......adventurous. i enjoyed a sun-dried tomato bagel w/my favorite concauction -- tomatoes, basil, FRESHEST mozzerella, and pesto -- at Beans and Bagels and sipped a machiato -- not my favorite, but it's the only thing i vaguely recognized on the menu...and besides, everything always taste better in other countries.....maybe.

then i met Santi...from Spain, living in Montreal, working in Africa. we wondered around talking about randomness -- what two people typically talk about while parusing the streets of amsterdam. he bought me a cappacino (sp?)....also not my favorite, but everything always taste better when....bought by foreign strangers you meet in the central cobblestone square of amsterdam.

and now i'm here. cairo, egypt. home for the next eleven months.........sweet.

and....

the 24 hour countdown begins................ready or not.

and the adventure begins...

In less than one week, I will be across the globe........sitting on a toilet, pooping unremittingly. Ok, that's a bit melodramatic...although, inevitable. I'll worry about that crap later....

Until then, I'm enjoying my last few days on this rock in the middle of the grand Pacific Ocean. I love the overwhelming humility I experience when I stand at the end of the island and realize that.......I'm on an island! That's about to change really fast.

I'm just about ready to go. Four dinner engagements, two lunch gatherings, one surf session (hopefully), and lots of family, friends, and food.