"Sometimes things are just more difficult in Jordan"

Let me just start this entry by saying how thankful I am to even have a shower! Also I am very thankful and in debt to my friend Ed for seeing this project to the end! Many times along the journey he would say, "sometimes things are just more difficult in Jordan." Here is the situation:

My apartment has two bathrooms, but only one of them was set up to have a warm shower. The other bathroom (my bathroom) has a shower in it, but it was not set up with a speed heater or with a shower curtain. In order to bless me with some privacy my friend Ed was willing to do the work to get the shower up and running. He thought it would not be a big deal. :)

A few days later a speed heater was purchased. The next part of the project was to get a corner curtain rod and to install it. This seems like something anyone should be able to do, but the bathroom is floor to ceiling tile, so it requires that you would drill into the tile. This however was no problem for Ed "the tool man" Mangham. The problem came into play when we noticed that the window in the bathroom is conveniently placed where the rod needs to go. We were then forced to make a decision as to make the curtain really low (keep the short jokes to yourself!) or really high. We opted to go high and then have a gap between the rod and the curtain. This way we would not need to cut the curtain as to keep it for further use. Here's where things get interesting. How do you create this gap without making the load too much for the rod? Being the genius that he is, Ed had a few ideas. One of these ideas was to find the beaded chain that is sometimes used for key chains. Well, after looking at several places over a span of a few days we found this exact thing at a hardware store. We were stoked. Then we quickly found out that they don't carry the connectors that are necessary to hook the chain into a loop. So, we went back to the drawing board (or the chain section). Ed found this beautiful brass chain. The heavens opened, and the angels rejoiced when we realized together that we could use this chain and mini zip ties to finish the project! 3.250JD and we were out of there. I brought the loot home and proceeded in putting it all together. It takes a bit of talent to get just the right tension on the zip tie in conjunction with the brass chain in order to get the desired flexibility in the curtain. It's a gift. When I took a step back and saw the whole picture of the silver curtain hooks with the brass chain and the white zip ties my eyes filled up with tears of joy as my heart said "it is finished!"

The shower doesn't look too bad from far away. My flat-mate called it "artsy". I'm not sure I would go that far. (Note the unfortunately placed window)

Grillin' on the Roof

Last night we had a little pre-Ramadan dinner party on the roof. Our friends brought over 2 chickens that had been stuffed with lemons and other "special spices" and grilled them on our roof. It was a very fun evening!

Where are the crosswalks? :)

Most of you who are following this blog probably know that I am a rule follower. I like rules. This is sort of a problem when trying to walk around in Amman. There are no crosswalks. There is paint on the roads that is allegedly distinguishing between lanes, but apparently even that is negotiable. I live near a circle or what you might refer to as a "roundabout". Trying to navigate around it while trying to catch a taxi, or simply just to get to a street on the other side has proved quite a challenge. I went out with my roommate today and she just walks out right in the middle of traffic (as does everyone else besides me!) and expects people to not hit her. My heart jumped quite a few beats, but I tried to play it off. I walked out later by myself and each time I seem to have a bit more courage. It makes me appreciate those crosswalks in H.R. even though I hate stopping at them. :)

Here are some photos from around Amman.

This is a picture of one of the circles. At night there are a lot of people hanging out at the circle enjoying each other's company. It acts as a park.

King Abdullah Mosque

Settling In

Let the blogging begin! I have probably sat down a dozen times to start this blog but then find myself at a loss for words. How do you accurately describe an experience like this? Today there was a huge mile marker in my life here in Jordan. I UNPACKED my suitcases and also made a solo journey around my neighborhood to find a grocery store. I even found my way back! It sounds kind of funny to say that, but it really does take a bit of courage to do that for the first time. Here are a few things that I learned on my short journey:

1. Shoes with traction are preferred. 

You might be asking yourself why I would comment on something like that. Well, let me tell you. I almost biffed it a few times on my little journey when I would come across store front with abnormally slick tile right there in the middle of the sidewalk. I was wearing flip-flops and about had a couple of face plants. Not pretty.

2. Shopping decisions are a lot more difficult when you realize that you have to carry all of your purchases all the way back to your house. 

3. Cereal is ridiculously expensive! Some of the regular boxes were about 9 bucks!

4. I need to start recognizing landmarks because I will never be able to remember the street names!! 

5. I love my apartment. The garden area in the front is pretty snazzy! After my adventure and getting settled in I feel like I can call this home for the next year.

So, let me recap what the last 11 days have been like.

I have had the privilege of staying with Ed, Julie, and their family up until yesterday. Staying at their house was really great. It was nice staying in a home for the first few days as I adjusted to the new culture. They took me around to try and get acquainted with the city, and I think it is actually working! 

Last friday I had a chance to go to the Dead Sea and Mt. Nebo with Ed and some other people visiting from the United States. It was great to actually see some of the places that you read about in the Old Testament. It has helped me get a better handle on the geography of this area which is really helpful in reading the Bible.

Saturday all of the international workers in this area met in Petra for a retreat. Petra was amazing! Check out my facebook for more pictures from Petra. It was great getting to know some of the people working in surrounding areas. I loved hearing their stories of ups and downs. It gave me courage for the year ahead of me. 

Currently I am sitting on my bed enjoying the fact that my bags are unpacked! I moved in yesterday and it feels great. Thanks for all of your emails, comments, and prayers of encouragement. I am very thankful for all of you. Enjoy my pictures!

This is the Dead Sea. Across from the Dead Sea is Jerusalem. From this point you could actually see Jericho, the Jordan River, and Jerusalem. Although they are not visible in this picture.

This monument is found on Mt. Nebo which is where God showed Moses the Promise Land. See Deut. 32:48-52. It is a cross with a snake wrapped around it. It is supposed to symbolize the verse that says, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

This building was built in 1st century AD memorializing the place where God showed Moses Canaan. 

These are random camels that we saw on the way down to the Dead Sea. I snapped with through the window with my little camera.

This is Petra from my hotel room!

This if from inside Petra. Check out my facebook for more like this.

This is a boy who was selling some things in Petra. He wanted to see himself on my camera.

Tough Goodbyes

Well, I leave in the morning and today has been a day full of saying, "goodbye". As I get ready to go to bed I am very thankful that I have so many amazing friends and family members to say goodbye to! A girl couldn't ask for anything more. Thank you to everyone for making me feel like a super star even though I am just a simple girl saying, "yes" to what the Lord has in store for me.