I never thought that the first time I would see “Pimp My Ride” would be here, in Jordan. As well as watching Bow Wow’s "21st birthday in Vegas." Other than MTV, my host mom and sister enjoy CSI, Bones, ER, A Walk To Remember, Friends, Biggest Loser, Super Sweet 16, NCIS along with other movies and shows I don’t even watch in America. I do admit that hearing Gibbs, McGee, DiNozo, Abby, Ducky, and Zeeva were quite refreshing. I thought I would have to live without NCIS for 4 months. Globalization seemed like a blessing in this case. As I was getting to know my host sister more, she enjoys listening to Akon, Beyoncé, Rihanna, etc. Jokingly, I told her that I thought I got away from all these American icons and that I need to listen to some Arabic entertainment. So we did.
My host family is just a mother and daughter. A cute tight-knit family so I fit just right in. I quickly became comfortable with them, which is surprising since I'm really shy. But my little "sister" talks talks talks so there is never an awkward silence. That definitely helped break the ice my first night. Also, they're Christian so I don't have to worry about covering my shoulders and knees in the house nor wear slippers. And we get to eat during Ramadan…inside the house, of course. At orientation, I was taught to cover up, wear slippers, not to cross my legs having the soles of my feet facing someone (that's an insult), and have my feet on the furniture. Then when I arrived at my new home, all those rules were broken. I'm thinking, "Rewind! Wasn't I just told not do these things?" Then I remembered that they're Christian. Opposite behavior from a Muslim home. Definitely more relaxed.
Anyway, my "sister" helps me with the little Arabic I know. I posted a video of me trying to say the letters "haa" and "khaa." The former is pronounced in the throat, which is very difficult for me to do even though it comes naturally to the people here. (Not fair!) In class, everyone has the same problem so it sounds like we were all having a coughing attack. But our teacher is very nice and funny about it. Patience is very important when learning Arabic or any other language.
keep practicing on the kha letters .. u are almost there :)
ReplyDeleteand iam a muslim so i ahve to tell this .. we have no problem with slippers ))i can see wher the rest of rules came from .. but the slippers is all cool )
I <3 you, your video is too cute!! I can imagine what your class looks like practicing the alphabet :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your host fam is working out well! that makes me happy b/c it's obviously so important to your experience there, so yay
I like NCIS too, I hadn't watched it til I met someone who works there and said how the outside of the building's quite accurate. my host fam loved Tom & Jerry and Friends and had the episodes almost memorized, haha
Looks like you are having so oooo much fun! I'm proud of you for everything- going to a foreign place, learning a strange language and trying to fit in with a new family! these are the memories that will last you a life-time!
ReplyDeleteI love you JOLEEN!