Expecting the UNEXPECTED

This is an article Stephanie wrote for the United News. Sorta taken from some of our blogs and her own. Thought it was really good and would share.

Expecting the UNEXPECTED

There are no certainties in life – there are only opportunities. Opportunities to embrace what comes at each and everyone of us throughout the course of a day, a week, a month…a lifetime… How we embrace these opportunities, what we give, and how we respond to them is what matters. These opportunities may not reveal their full potential right away, but rather require time to explore all that they hold.

The five of us serving in Jordan this year responded to an opportunity. It was an opportunity to serve with United Youth Corps for one year in Jordan working at three different projects. We are now two months into exploring all that this project holds - for us as a group and as individuals. The city of Amman has offered us many new experiences in the way of people, sights, food, etc. We have met our neighbors, some who chuckle every time they see us return from one of our early evening runs (there really is no one else who runs along the roadways in Amman – I guess we give them an unexpected experience); we have watched beautiful sunsets – even from the middle of the desert in Wadi Rum (an unexpected opportunity to join one of the Bedouin guides as he “checked on tourists” - does that mean WE are no longer tourists?!); we practice our Arabic in the many yellow taxis (which sometimes includes a round of hand gestures and charades); we have become regulars at a falafel shop, always amusing the cooks with our request for extra hot sauce.

Living in Jordan for a year, we have an invitation to live expecting the unexpected. For us, still learning Arabic and becoming familiar with the culture, there are many "unexpecteds" in daily life. At times some of these situations pose challenges and frustrations; more often than not they are rewarding. In both ways, we are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience something new, something we may never have the opportunity to do again. And as Jamie said, "They usually have happy endings” (like accepting the Bedouin's invitation to join him for a ride out to the desert).

Our different projects have also offered us many new experiences. Stephanie is conducting a research project at the Regional Human Security Centre and has had the opportunity to visit a Palestinian refugee camp. Eduardo is helping with the restructuring of the accounting department at the Amman Baccalaureate School by documenting policies and procedures. Audry’s experience at the Amman Baccalaureate School has taken her out of the traditional teacher’s role and given her the opportunity to organize a library and provide resources to teachers. Kelley’s days are filled with assisting the art teacher at the YMWA Center for Special Education and breaking through the language barrier with lots of smiles and high fives. Jamie’s new project at the YMWA Center is to set up a first aid program, educating all the students and teachers in first aid practices.

We are still at the beginning of learning all that this year in Jordan holds for us – the expected and the unexpected. We look forward to sharing parts of this journey with you!

This is what we unexpectedly came home to find our kitchen and washer looking like. We found it funny enough to take a picture.

this is Jamie's Speed heater (heats the water in our shower) - was very unexpected when she was in the shower and this happened :)

Thailand

I guess you guys haven’t heard from me in a while. I think first I will tell about the trip to Thailand. We left the airport on Thursday evening and took a 2-hour ride to Kuwait City; next leg was 7 hours to Bangkok Thailand. We arrived at the hotel at about 1. They boys (Justin, Jamie and Jonathan) had already been there for a couple days. We got to our rooms and found out the guys were on the same floor as us (17th, the view was really cool of the big city) and went to their room, no answer. Called a couple times, left a message, knocked a couple more times, nothing. I was starting to get a little upset, oh well us girls would go find something to eat, I knocked one more time as the elevators were coming and they were there! It was sooooo great to see them all. I hadn’t really talked to Jamie but a few words since he went to Ohio and saw Jonathan a week before I left but it was great to have them all together in one spot! We all (the boys and Jamie, Audry & me) went to a little hole in the wall place for food. We were already very tired. The time difference is only 4 hours but we had an overnight flight and I slept maybe an hour the whole time. Next we went to the suit shop. The boys had begun looking to get custom tailored suits made but hadn’t made any decisions yet. We picked out fabric for each of them and they measured them and picked out styles and such. It was really cool, and they paid only $80 a suit! Also, if needed they can get them done in 24 hours. After that it was pretty much time for the first church service that night at 7 and the off to bed! Slept amazing.

One of my favorite things about Thailand was the complete difference it is from Jordan. Neither were the U.S. but it was refreshing to have a change. In Jordan everything is dry, sandy, shades of tan, Muslim, and conservative. In Thailand it was tropical, humid, greens and colorful flowers, and Buddhist. Very very different cultures. But way cool that I get to see so much variety. The hotel was really nice, 5 star I think and included breakfast, which was a huge buffet. Saturday night we went to dinner and a show. The Siam Niramit Show was a cultural show about Thailand by dancing to show stories. The show was okay; I think I missed a lot because later a lady was telling me that she had been reading about Thailand history and caught/connected many things that I had no idea were happening. The best part I thought was the stage design. One part a river opened up in the floor of the stage and a bunch a rain stormed from the top. That was really cool. OH and before I got picked up by an elephant! The guy asked me if I wanted and I thought he elephant would eat me but I stood next to him and put my arm over his trunk and he just rapped it around me and lifted me up! It was very weird and slightly scary but how many people can say they have done that! :)

The next day was supposed to be a tour of the Grand Palace. Justin and I however, did not make it. I skipped lunch and took a quick nap before and when I came out to the busses to meet the boys Jamie said, um Justin is having problems, he might not make it. Apparently the ATM he tried to use was not working and ate his debit card and would not give it back. Since it was a Sunday no banks were open and no one would come to open it up. We ended up on the phone forever and then just canceling his card. Jamie and Jonathan said the Palace was really good though. I have pictures posted but can’t tell you much about it. We ended up going to a mall and finding a Mexican food place! There is NO Mexican in Jordan and since it is my favorite, I feel a little deprived. It was amazing. We met back up with Jamie and Jonathan and went back to the Thomas’s suit place for their fitting. They tried on, made some suggestions, also, Jonathan decided he wanted another one and we brought more people with us so we picked out more fabric and got them measured. We went to a place with a bunch of shops and looked around and bartered a bit. They are crazy about bartering here and they boys were really good at it, I think they flirted a little.

The next day we went to a Floating Market. I think it was one of the coolest things we did there. We road a boat on this man made river where all these people have houses along it and their own boats when we came to the market sections where the sellers are in boats selling their stuff and buyer are either walking around at the main place or in their own boats buying stuff. I just loved it.

Our next tour was to the River Kwai. We went to the Bridge over the river Kwai which has been in several movies. Then we took a train on the Death Railroad. This was a railroad that POWs built and tons died. From there we took a boat ride on the river.

Other than tours we did TONS of shopping. We also road in tuk tuks and one night a group of us went to karaoke. Besides the tours I would say most of our trip consisted of walking, shopping and eating. We also got massages! Prices there are very cheap, and you can barter so its pretty affordable once you are there. All in all it was a great trip, like always, it went so fast.

I have tons of photos online. There are 2 albums. Here are the links.

Thailand Photos 1

Thailand Photos 2

Happy Feast!

Hi blog world. I don’t have a lot to update on. We had a quick week and are getting ready to leave for the airport in 1 hour and 30 min. School has been pretty much the same. We found out we will stay in our places (the art room in the school) until October and then possibly switch but not sure. School without Ramadan is much better! We have been eating in public and invited into offices for coffee, yuck. Tine will be leaving us, she will be moving back to the U.S. Friday so we will miss her! Jamie and Justin made it to Thailand! Jonathan is trailing 24 hours later. I talked to the boys once last night and once today. Last night they were so funny and very awake for traveling for 24 hours and it being 3 am in Thailand, however with the 12 hour time difference it was 3pm central time. Today they said the hotel breakfast was amazing and they went shopping and got great prices on some shirts and other things! I’m jealous! Shopping without me!! How could they! I’m so excited to get there and see them! I will arrive at 10:50 am on Friday. It is a 4 hour time difference for me so that’s no too bad. Okay so that’s all! Lame update I know but thought I would send a message for I leave. Hope everyone who is going to the feast has a good one!