First of all, my apologies for taking forever to blog and being so bad about keeping in touch via email, etc!!

Second of all, I've added new pictures!

I'm feeling settled in now, and the homesickness has started to hit me, but it comes in waves. I've definitely gotten to know people better here, which has been fun and makes me feel much more settled and at home. And of course, Dina's family has just been so great. I went out to eat with them last weekend and it was just perfect -- just what I needed. They have been so, so sweet and hospitable. Really, all of Lebanon has been. Daniel asked me what big cultural differences I have noticed here are, and I told him that the biggest thing I notice is just how nice people are! It's so easy to start conversation with a stranger, even if I'm just stumbling through my words, using the Classical Arabic... People just smile and encourage me to keep trying, or just smile and respond in English. I'd prefer responses in Arabic, but I know they're just trying to be helpful (and it's a valid concern -- if they do respond in Arabic it does usually take me a couple times to get what they're saying). And even when someone does respond in English, I can always tell that they appreciate my effort to speak Arabic.

From BEIRUT!

Last Friday we took a field trip to downtown Beirut, where the above picture is taken, with a couple of my friends from class. We also visited the gorgeous mosque below, but sadly we didn't have time to go in.

From BEIRUT!

We also saw Martyrs' Square, some ruins, Rafik Hariri's memorial, another mosque, and an old church. My favorite part of the church was seeing the Arabic script next to the pictures of the saints because it seemed like a juxtaposition of cultures. I think because Jesus and the saints seem to be depicted as white -- but maybe I just am not looking closely enough? What do you all think?

From BEIRUT!

This week wasn't as bad for homework, but next week I have two exams -- ya allah! Ma'lish, I'll be fine because my parents will be here!! I do feel like my Arabic is improving, but I still have a LONG way to go. I'm also feeling much more of a desire to learn the Colloquial instead of just Classical. Of course, I see the importance in both, I love the history and the richness of the Fusha, but it feels useless if I can't use it to communicate! My dialect class is always fun, the teachers have a lot of energy, and we learn the basic fundamentals for living in Beirut. Anyway, I try and speak Arabic when I'm out in restaurants or stores or wherever. Today my friends Claire and Brittany and I went downtown for dinner and went to Virgin Records Megastore this evening, and they have books too, so we of course went to the Arabic children's books because they were about the appropriate reading level for us... So I bought a couple books that really are adorable. But when I was checking out, I was attempting to speak Arabic, and the guy who was working the cash register and two other employees got the biggest kick out of my attempt at Arabic and my purchase of children's books. Of course, I was laughing and stumbling over my words, and they were smiling and laughing back, and helping me out. I was pretty entertained myself.

My class took a field trip to a couple Arabic bookstores the other day, and I was trying to say something or other and there was a boy there, maybe in his early teens, who kept smiling and finishing my sentences for me. I really don't know why I'm attempting to speak another language when I often can't even spit out words in English!! Regardless, it makes for entertaining interactions. And I'm definitely improving. I have gone from speaking no colloquial to speaking enough to get by, and definitely understanding much more, in just a couple weeks. And I got mistaken for Lebanese today!! I was pretty excited. Someone pulled over to ask for directions (which I obviously did not know) and was surprised when I spoke in English.

I also visited the CD store that Adib works at today. I spent close to two hours just listening to CDs he recommended and biding my time choosing which ones to buy. I bought quite the variety -- some local stuff, some in Arabic, some in English, all very good and interesting and new. I'm excited to listen more!

Also, Claire and Brittany and I went to the knitting store I found in Beirut because Claire and I both knit. It was a cute little shop, called Y.Knot, but unfortunately, they didn't have any local yarn. It was all imported, and they were good brands, just expensive, and the same ones we have in the US.

I'm just going to keep jumping around in my thoughts, so bear with me. ;) Anyway, I'm really enjoying my classes. I love both of my professors. They have quite the personalities. And my classmates are fun too. We have a small class - 7 including myself - and we have a great dynamic. Lots of sarcasm, joking, and teasing, between classmates and the professors. A lot of fun.

Tomorrow the whole program (or anyone from it who wants to) is going on a trip outside Beirut to Byblos, Jeita, and Harisa. And I love Beirut, but I'm really excited to go see the rest of the country. Part of me feels shocked I haven't left the city yet! The mountains and sea are supposed to be beautiful, so I can't wait to go.

Anyway, one more picture for you. I promised a picture of a cute cat, and here it is:

From BEIRUT!

Oh, also, just because I said I would -- I posted an update on my knitting blog. :) I'm off to bed now to rest up for my trip tomorrow -- we leave at 8:30 am! Eek. Watch for pictures soon because I know I'll post way too many after this trip. Can't wait!

Note to self: Good Lebanese restaurants - al-beit, al-balad (downtown)