Man, eight weeks goes by really fast. I had a lot of fun at the language school in La Crosse, and learned a lot as well, although I'm sure I've already started to forget what I was learning. If you have never learned a foreign langauge you have no idea how fast it begins to fade. I have been trying to keep up some of it by reading childrens books (that is the highest level I can read without serious problems), but lately I've had about zero time. It was possibly the hardest school I've been to, but that is probably because I am not remembering my junior and senior years in the Physics department. It was the equivalent of taking 10 credits in eight weeks, so like taking over 20 credits in a semester. five hours of class a day, and at least an equal time dedicated to study and homework, plus having to use Arabic all the time (which I learned to actually enjoy quite a bit). I also made some friends while I was there, one of which I am actually going to go see today. He lives in northwestern washington...pretty cool I think. It is strange the connection you gain from being with the same group of people and sharing everything together for 8 weeks.
When I finished the school in La Crosee I went over to eastern Wisconsin to be with a church in Kaukauna, then flew to Seattle. After a few delays I finally got into Seattle, waited 5 hours for the bus to take me to the amtrak station, hopped on the train to Portland where my grandfather met me and went to his place, about 45 minuets away. There I picked up my uncles spare car (which is much cheaper than the 330$/week the rental car companies wanted!). After talking for a couple hours I headed out for Washington, made it about 12 miles then broke down...which is about par for my experience with cars. As it turns out it was just the alternator, so I was able to limp it back into town and buy a new one and replace it at my grandpa's place. It actually felt really good to do some mechanic work after being stuck behind a desk for so long. Anyway, every is working out well, and I have made all my appointments and had a wonderful time meeting new people.
My mom and sister are scheduled to come into Portland in a few days. I can't wait. It will be good to see them one last time before heading over seas. I leave for Israel on the 7th of September. I'll spend a couple days with the Shakkours then catch a taxi over to Amman and move into my apartment, which I found online about a month ago. Hopefully everything will go well with that and then registration for the University in Amman.
I am sorry I didn't take very many pictures while I was at language school. Here are a couple though: one from the last night of the program and one from a trip we took on the Mississippi.
Take care and ma'a salaama
