पास बे उपों यू!

I got up bright and early this morning after a late night of chatting with my roommate. Made it to my first language class this morning and I hope that you enjoy the photo below that is me waiting outside of my language school—just like all those first day of school photos from the good old days.

It was raining this morning, which is a good thing around here. I was a bit surprised when I saw this outside my window, but was delighted when I watched a little guy run back and forth in the rain to get out in it, then hide from it. It was delightful.
After sitting down for my first language class I had my worries rise up, but was excited as my teacher is very sweet and is really great. I really admire teachers. I taught ESL for a bit and now have such respect for the students I had. My teacher was gracious, very helpful, precise, and great at reading my face when I was in distress. I really enjoyed the initial session and will be continuing my three hours a day through Thursday of next week to catch up to an already further along classmate. There is hope here.
After my session, I joined some friends for a late lunch that was great and serves as the meal of choice in this place. I have been delightfully surprised that people do indeed dine out (which is one of my favorite things to do) often. This has been fun and pretty inexpensive at the same time.
Afterward, I had the opportunity to check out the country’s version of Wal*Mart. Purchased an exciting microwave for my roommate and I. The store really had many items and I was very surprised to see what all is available. I am thankful. Especially thankful that a friend drove us there, so we wouldn’t have to walk a microwave back to our place.
I got to see some new parts of the city today and it really got me excited as some sites were very distinct reminders of home. It was surprising, yet delightful. I am really glad to be here and just excited about learning more about the culture, language and people.
Next weekend I am tagging along with some friends to go to another city a couple hours away। I am really stoked as this will be a really neat opportunity to learn more about the different people in this place. I am very grateful for this time and am in a positive mind.

वेल्कोमे होम!

Well, I am here in my new home and taking it all in—literally. My window is open and life here is bustling on the main artery of a street below. I have ridden in two taxis thus far and have learned that I have a ways to go in learning how to communicate effectively. Our house-cleaner is so sweet and politely asked me to leave the room that she was about mop for us. Later she decided to rename me to Miriam, which is a name that I have recently grown fond of. She does a fabulous job of wiping down our stone floors and keeping the layers of black dust to a minimum. What an exciting adventure this is and I am so glad to be here.
I got everything unpacked last night so I could start fresh and ready this morning, although I slept in pretty well and am enjoying this “morning” and will be going out with my friend this afternoon. As I gaze out the window here at my desk, I see 30 plus satellite dishes and half that many antennas. The wind is blowing and the air is nice and cool. The traffic on our street is constant and the horns add an extra pitch to all the humming of the diesels. Laundry is flapping in the breeze and the outside walls of nearby buildings are painted a crisp white.
As I came into my new room yesterday afternoon, I have to admit that tears came to my eyes. I am actually here. Wow.
I start language school tomorrow and I am ultra happy about that. I can already sense my insecurities coming out as I am so unable to use words to communicate. But I know that it will come. Feeling this way makes me already want to incorporate hundreds of hours in studying practicing, and using the language. I just hope that I will be good at following through on my aspirations.
Leaving you now with a few photos that you may enjoy…thella फ्रासेक

सयिंग गूद्ब्ये टू थे फाम!

अर्रिविंग टू थे एअरपोर्ट अल बग्स!

माय रूम!

update from training!

hey friends,

sorry it has been a bit since my last update. if you are not currently receiving updates from me via email, please leave me a comment and i will get your info to add you to the list.

life is good here at orientation. i have learned so much and am so excited to be here! He is doing a lot of great things and i am grateful to be amongst others that are glad to be sent out. i don't really have a lot of pictures from my time here as many don't need to have their faces all over the Internet.

i have been able to get off campus and it has been fun. this past weekend a couple of friends from Arkadelphia picked me up and we went to lunch and to check out the local Dillard's (way to go for AR-based business). it was nice to get out with them and see what He is doing through them.

i have gotten back into running a bit since being here and it feels great. the food has been really good and it is way nice to be served (we eat cafeteria-style).
i am also looking forward to being back AR for that week before i head out. i am planning a get together in NWA for family and friends, so be looking for more info about that.

i hope this finds you well! much love, mj

update update update!

well, i am finally back on my computer and able to give you a good update on life before heading to training in Virginia. check out the pictures--you may be in one!

my dad, bonnie, barrett, & mande all came south to celebrate Christmas. we went to garvan woodland gardens for their light display!

here i was able to have lunch with my BCM gals one last time!
my friend, Debbie, and i got a pic in before the George Strait concert in Little Rock!
Debbie's husband and my sister also joined us cowgirls

i got to hang with some super heros in Arkadelphia--Ben & Abby Sickler
back in Rogers sharing with the Awanas kids at FBC Rogers--they got a fun geography lesson
telling them all about north Africa--they had a lot of great questions like:
do they have bathrooms?
will you have cartoon network in north Africa?
it was a blast to hang with this fabulous kids!
my mom, sis, and i had a very Merry Christmas!

in downtown Chicago with my Aunt Pam at the Bean
got to share about north Africa with my past co-workers at the USCWM/Perspectives headquarters in Fayetteville

mande and i saying happy 2008 at Navy Pier in Chicago!
i got to use a snowblower for the first time in Denver while i visited my family and friends there

thanks so much for staying in touch. i look forward to keeping you more updated. thanks for your support and for thinking of me.
shukran!

howdy friends!

happy new year, too!

i am travelling right now--having been in Chicago and presently in the Denver area. just wanted to say hello and that i will be updating this when i return to AR next week.

:)