February has flown by, can't believe it's March on Thursday (which is also Justin Bieber's as well as Whitney Heemstra's birthdays!!)
For Valentine's Day I celebrated with a few friends by going out to dinner at a restaurant named, "Blue October" where we ordered our dinner on ipads. Different, but also annoying when we kept accidentally deleting our order and had to start over twice haha oh the joys of technology....I then had my first experience with 'Pinkberry' and absolutely loved it, so delicious! Then, of course, we went to our first movie here in Amman, 'The Vow' haha, it was Valentine's Day after all
Valentine's Day in Jordan seemed semi-relative to the U.S.'s standards, however, I've never personally celebrated the holiday in full force myself, so perhaps it was just me. Some people did wear red and go out with their significant others, including my host brother, and decorations could be seen around town, especially in the malls.
This past saturday I visited several of the biblical sites here in Jordan, including the place where Jesus may have been baptized in the Jordan River and the ruins of the palace where John the Baptist was be-headed. Really interesting to have read and known these stories for so long and then finally be able to walk and be and see the places where these events may have actually taken place. I think the coolest moment for me was being on Mt. Nebo and over-looking the surrounding area and realizing that this could very well be the view that Moses had of the Promised Land but was denied entry into it.
Family life is grand, I am still sometimes made fun of when I can't remember certain words, (learning the dialect is like learning a completely different language sometimes so it can be frustrating, but so rewarding when I can finally form sentences in Ammiyah) but it's wonderful that they're so willing to continually help me learn. Christine and I enjoyed a movie night complete with popcorn and candy a few weeks back, it was a great night in, and we enjoyed getting to hang out together!
We celebrated my friend Kate's 21st birthday here in Amman last week with a surprise party. She was thoroughly surprised and the look on her face was priceless, so glad I was able to be a part of planning that for her!
The place where many archaeologists/historians/scholars, etc. believe that Jesus was baptized. The river has naturally moved throughout time.
Beautiful church along the Jordan River.
Jordan River site. Literally 3 meters across the river is Israel, hence the security. There was a group of Amish on the Israel side that we talked to, turns out most of them were from Wisconsin!
Part of the first map of the Holy Land in Madaba, only 25 sq. meters remain due to severe damage done by an earthquake.
Possibly the cutest, fluffiest, softest, and most flea-ridden thing I've ever held haha
Part of the palace area where John the Baptist was be-headed.
Gorgeous view. Dead Sea in the background.
For Valentine's Day I celebrated with a few friends by going out to dinner at a restaurant named, "Blue October" where we ordered our dinner on ipads. Different, but also annoying when we kept accidentally deleting our order and had to start over twice haha oh the joys of technology....I then had my first experience with 'Pinkberry' and absolutely loved it, so delicious! Then, of course, we went to our first movie here in Amman, 'The Vow' haha, it was Valentine's Day after all
Valentine's Day in Jordan seemed semi-relative to the U.S.'s standards, however, I've never personally celebrated the holiday in full force myself, so perhaps it was just me. Some people did wear red and go out with their significant others, including my host brother, and decorations could be seen around town, especially in the malls.
This past saturday I visited several of the biblical sites here in Jordan, including the place where Jesus may have been baptized in the Jordan River and the ruins of the palace where John the Baptist was be-headed. Really interesting to have read and known these stories for so long and then finally be able to walk and be and see the places where these events may have actually taken place. I think the coolest moment for me was being on Mt. Nebo and over-looking the surrounding area and realizing that this could very well be the view that Moses had of the Promised Land but was denied entry into it.
Family life is grand, I am still sometimes made fun of when I can't remember certain words, (learning the dialect is like learning a completely different language sometimes so it can be frustrating, but so rewarding when I can finally form sentences in Ammiyah) but it's wonderful that they're so willing to continually help me learn. Christine and I enjoyed a movie night complete with popcorn and candy a few weeks back, it was a great night in, and we enjoyed getting to hang out together!
We celebrated my friend Kate's 21st birthday here in Amman last week with a surprise party. She was thoroughly surprised and the look on her face was priceless, so glad I was able to be a part of planning that for her!
