ah winoos

Funny, I was just listening to "Ah winoos" the other day and pretending I could sing all the words. Luckily I was driving by myself. Well, life at school isn't all its cracked up to be. I have noticed a real lack in motivation, even though all my classes are interesting and on subjects I want to learn about. I am back at Trinity and living with 5 great girls in a house that has quite a bit of room and a pool - why you would have an unheated pool in BC I have no idea, but we have it now, so at certain times we work up the courage to go swimming in the artic, or so it would seem. We got a good deal though, so what can I say? I'm sure it's the same for you all, but things are starting to get busy, papers and projects and people. And I definetly have seen how much Arabic I have lost over the summer, esp. in teh last 3 weeks. Funny, I was trying to figure out ways to find people who spoke Arabic, and God kinda just placed some in my lap. One guy from Sudan that I met before I went to Egypt is back at Trinity this year, so we have talked a bit. Also, my new advisor did some masters work (I think) in Egypt and so when I went to see him he rattled off some Arabic to which I replied "Aiowa, aiowa". To be further investigated. And then, for one of my classes we have to be partnered up with an international student and do some things together, and since Trinity has large populations of Koreans and Chinese, I knew it would be good, but when I got there, I got paired up with Sultan, a guy from Saudi Arabia. I was excited, and why he would ever come to a Christian school in Canada I have yet to find out, but we will spend quite a bit of time together for class, so hopefully some good insight will come. He's pretty true Saudi - father in the oil business, 3 "moms", 23 siblings, such like that. But, all this to say that it's been cool how things have come together. Yeah, and also in that same class, one of the Canadians I have to work with as well is named Lindsey Vanderhoef or something like that and is apparently friends with Dena - go figure! Egypt withdrawal is definetly going on though. Studing is just not the same without my crazy flatmates trying to distract me. I do have some great people here though, 5 of whom I have to make breakfast for in the morning, so I might head to bed. Iowa? aiowa - hope to see you guys there.

Mmmm . . . Crunchy

Andrew and I made roz bi labin and sahlab today - the roz bi labin was crunchy, and the sahlab wasn't quite thick enough (not to mention that the nuts tasted a little old - sorry about that Andrew) but it was still a delicious reminder of Egypt.
Right now I'm supposed to be writing an article for our school newspaper about my semester abroad, but not only did I just introduce my roommates to "Ah winoos" (we had a dance party and they all want to get copies of my Egyptian music now - and dancing has made me ADD) but thinking of Egypt also makes me miss all of you (which has been happening a lot lately) and I decided that I just couldn't put off posting any longer.
I think it's been about 4 months since I last posted - I had some difficulty figuring out how to do it just now. Like Claire, I find that blogging isn't my strongest point. It's not that I don't want to post (and I check the blog almost everyday), it's just that since it's been so long I feel like I have so much to write that I don't even know where to start.
First of all, I have to say that while I was reading on the blog that Margaret was searching for me somewhere between Iowa and Canada, I was wondering what happened to Claire so thanks Marcia for letting us know that she's ok up there in Minnesota. Today I was watching a documentary called "The Lost Boys of Sudan" and in it, some Sudanese boys were going to a Nazarene church in Kansas (possibly in the same town in which Rachel lives) and I got to thinking about where Rachel is too. To all those who seem to have disappeared (i.e. Rachel, Paul, Chris, Denny) : where are you?
I've been in classes now for a little over one month (for some reason Dordt decided that August would be a good month to start). School is . . . well, it's school. The classes just can't compare with MESP and things are way too busy, but I like being a senior so I'm surviving. Since I switched my major so many times I'm not exactly coasting through my last year like a lot of my friends, which isn't the greatest because I get easily distracted (stop laughing Chelsea and Lindsay).
I spent some of June and all of July and August working at a summer camp for inner city/underprivileged kids (ranging from 8 to 18 years old) that's about an hour and a half away from my house - it was the best summer job I've ever had. It was rough sometimes - we had kids running away, kids threatening to kill themselves and others, and kids who had some really tough life stories, but just being able to love them for a week (though a challenging thing some days) was amazing. For a lot of the kids, "home" is a place none of us would want to be and it was always a really helpless feeling to watch them get on the bus at the end of the week. However, being able to give them 1 week of being a kid, and being able to give them one more step up in life (even if it was a small one) was something I'll never regret doing. I'm still keeping in contact with quite a few of them and we're going to have "camp reunions" and I'm grateful for that. The camp director was big on "wilderness" stuff so we did a lot of fire building, and over-the-fire cooking, and tenting, and sleeping in teepees or just under the stars and it was amazing. One of the funniest parts of every week was on our cookout/sleepout night when the first campers said they had to go to the bathroom and I got to tell them (while trying not to laugh) that they had to go in the bushes. Some of them were not impressed, and some of them were a little too impressed (lots of stories about that one). Most of them were "unchurched" and I really loved that too - they asked a lot of really tough questions about God (I felt like I should have gone to seminary before I started at camp) but even if they were cynical (which a lot of them were), they still had a lot to say about it all. I think the hardest was the campers -I'd get at least 1 every week- who would ask, "Trigger, (that was my camp name - no reason behind it. Two of the counselors just thought it sounded "cool" and the campers could never remember "Dena" anyways), if God loves everyone, then why is my life like this?" How are you supposed to answer that in a way that a 10 year old can understand? I don't even usually understand . . . I also had a lot of kids who had many of the questions that we struggled with at MESP about other religions and people of other faiths. I told them a lot about my struggles with that too, and we talked a lot about faith and about how there are no easy answers and about how we can't ever be the judge. That part was really hard for me . . .
Now I'm back in school and I have time to think about things besides camp and I think I'm going through "Egypt-withdrawal". When I first got here I went for coffee with Margaret before she went off to Canada and we both decided that the place we'd most like to be is back in Cairo - Andrew and I still feel that way a lot. Today one of Andrew's roommates asked me what I liked the most about Egypt - my answer was the people. Andrew's current answer (I think it changes a lot) was "being able to walk outside my door and get so many different kinds of food like shwerma, falafel, and sahlab." I laughed :)
Well, I'm sure I could keep going, but it' s almost midnight and my article's really not doing so well, so I'm going to get to writing it. Hope all's well in your areas of the world, and, for one last word from Dr. Dave, remember not to forget that we are freeriding on the killing of our ancestors. . . (what a cheerful note to end on - I just keep thinking of our Chelsea-authored song).

Cheers,

Dena

Sunday

Well let's see I feel like I have a lot to say. First of all, I just woke up from a nap (you know Sundays were made for napping--and its raining in Upland), but during that nap I had a relatively disturbing dream. I dreamed that one of you died in a plane crash and that my roommates thought that I was joking. Sick. It was a really awful dream--I think I have a headache.

In other news, I've been experimenting with bileela in recent weeks (Andrew has partaken a couple times). While I'm thrilled to eat my breakfast treat I still can't get it to be the same exact consistency as the lovely and talented Kareema. Perhaps I'll have it perfected by New Years...

This morning I attended St. John's Orthodox Church about an hour up the interstate in Fort Wayne. It was this small building tucked away in a neighborhood that looked unimpressive from the outside, but the inside was just as beautiful as any Orthodox church we saw in the Middle East. I was thrilled to see icons of St. George and Simon Stylitus as my senses were flooded with that strong, familiar smell of incense. The liturgy was in English which was nice, but downstairs after the service the Arabic flew and it was wonderful. There are several Syrian families that attend the church (don't worry it wasn't difficult at all to explain to them why I'm Egyptian and don't speak Arabic) who were thrilled to hear that I've recently spent time in Syria. I almost laughed out loud at how awkward I felt at the "holy kiss" part of the service remembering how taken aback Dave was when Rachel suggested we exchange a holy kiss at our Easter service in the cave churches.

Here's the short version I've been thinking of you lately. I miss you. I love you.

I'm particularly interested to hear how our graduates are carrying on. We've heard from Liz, but what about Heather and Rachel?

That's all she wrote.

t-t-t-turkey!

After getting take-out from probably the shaddiest Chinese place ever today, Joanne (my grandmother figure that who I'm living with right now) and I walked past a man on the street. I happened to be wearing my Turkey t-shirt, and when he saw me, he started grinning. He came up to me and asked me if I was from Turkey! Unfortunately I had to say no, but I thought that being able to say I was from Turkey would be one of the coolest things ever. I like Turkey. I want to go to Turkey. Who's coming?

yay engagement pic!!!

Andrew and I finally got around to getting our engagement photos taken, and I was inspired by Corrine to post it here for all of you. So here is our favorite. :)

mmmmm peanut butter

How I miss you all!!!

Two weekends ago I was incredibly fortunate to be able to see Corrine and Cecka in the Twin Cities. It was a short trip, Andrew and I were driving back from a wedding in western Minnesota. It was so great, although I missed seeing my wonderful roomie Claire......

And I have to admit that I'm always a bit surprised when I see one of you in clothes that I didnt see you in for 4 months in Egypt. Weird.

Of course it made me think of our wonderful semester, and how I agree with the comment Marsha made [whom I was also lucky enough to see this summer] about how infuriatingly right Dave was on what it would be like coming back. How thankful I am that we have phones and email and this blog, and how much more I need to use it to stay in contact with all of you.

In short, count me in for New Years. :)

Lets see, what else. This summer went by so fast for me. I cant believe that we've been back longer than we were in Egypt. I'm still working at the dealership. Emily, you are so blessed in that you like going in to your job in the mornings. Wish I could say the same, but this is a learning experience and I know that I wont be here forever. I'm taking two classes this semester: Econometrics at Eastern Michigan University and research in Economics at Cornerstone. Its going to be incredibly challenging, especially working 40 hours a week and planning a wedding and looking for a job and etc. But I love school. So I say bring it. :)

Andrew and I are fabulous and trying to get as much planning done as we can for the wedding. Which is July 29th. Of next year. Plenty of time for you all to make arrangements to be here. :)


Oh and for all of us who were hopelessly addicted to watching Empire Records last semester? I totaly recomend the new Fan Version- extra sceens, more music, more rolling on the floor in tears laughing. Completly worth $20. Gotta give a huge thank you to Claire for introducing me to that movie!!!.

My snack of apples and peanut butter call. Praying for all of you and where the Lord has you in life. For growth, for wisdom, for Grace.

Lizzy

Fools

Hey team,

I agree with marcia that those silly people posting their advertisements as comments on our blog are fools. I don't think it will be happening anymore. I changed the settings, so that only members of our blog could comment on it. So, there you have it. Thanks faithful bloggers. I'm sorry I have been less than faithful. Hopefully I'll get back into it.

evil?

Alright, here's what I'm struggling with. I'm living in Burnaby, B.C. right now with some very dear family friends. They treat me wonderfully--as if I am in fact their granddaughter. The grandfather figure, Gerry, is getting older and has leukemia although he's in remission right now. I have enormous respect for these people and the way they open their house to anyone and everyone. They are part of many peoples' support networks. Now, as I said, Gerry is getting old. And as he ages, he seems to narrow the way he thinks about the world. He also seems to get stuck on certain topics. Almost every day he tells me that he is worried about what the world will look like in 50 years because of the frightening threat that the Muslim world possesses. He read a short book (written by Christians) about Islam--he's tried to convince me several times that I need to read it, although I told him that I went to Egypt and took a course on Islam (although certainly not comprehensive :)) and I believe that I know most of what's written in that book. Almost every day he tells me that the Muslim philosophy is that if you're not a Muslim you don't deserve to live. While he's not totally wrong on that point, he's not toally right either. He's convinced that all Muslims are evil.

So here's the dilemna: how do I talk about this with him? I respect him immensely--he is a very faithful man of God. He grew up in Germany under Hitler, so he knows better than I what it is to suffer under a dictator. Sometimes I try to point out that Christianity doesn't have a totally clean record either, but that doesn't seem to make much of an impact. I'm frustrated because it hurts me when a man I love tells me that the wonderful family Claire, Dena, Amber, Marcia and I met in Alexandria is evil, or my host family, or any of the women who smiled at me shyly on the Metro. If they're evil, so am I. I guess that's the answer, eh? We're all evil. I know I certaily don't deserve anything I have, much less salvation. Any ideas? What should I say--keeping in mind that anything I say he will probably forget or simply refuse to listen to?

Your favorite intern and her habibee

Thought you guys would like to see a recent picture of us. It was on our honeymoon and we are hiking up at Hurricane Ridge in Washington (I had a cold that day so I look a little tired, ma3lesh).
more to come later :-)

4:30pm

My work day is almost over, it is 4:30 and I am in desperate need of a weekend. So I decided to go on and read about the lives of the people who I love so dearly. Your blogs make me smile, reminise and think about the deeper things in life.

These last few weeks have been crazy. Brad was placed at Tigard Highschool (a town 20 minutes from our home) and is teaching Spanish 3. He is a little intimidated by the whole thing and has had a few students with attitude but isn't that to be expected ?? ;-) We is in class as well and on Wednesday night is at the highschool untill 5 and then has class from 6:30-10pm. It is kind of a long day. One of my bosses during college workstudy her daughter is a single mother and I have taken on babysitting her 1 year old that night to keep me occupied while Brad is in class. I think it will start next week. It is good to keep me exposed to kids so I get my fill of them and don't end up wanting my own yet :-)

Work has been good. I love coming to work. I can't see myself here forever but for the time being it is exactly where God wants me to be. Brad and I have found a chruch that we are going to attend regularly. It is actually the chruch that we got married at :-) There is a young adults sunday school that we are a part of and so far we are liking the people alot. They are all very intellegent and globally aware....and we all have similar political views which makes for interesting conversation.

I am really missing my parents and struggeling with the fact that I won't see them at Christmas. Their adjustment to Jordan has gone really good. Ruthie is loving school which is A PRAISE. I think the community there has been bigger and richer for them. Their shipment from Lebanon still hasn't come. First there were border problems then the truck broke down and the truck driver wanted my dad to send money to fix it. The middle east has such funny ways of conducting business :-)

Well I should get back to work. love you all and am praying for you.

sitting here missing egypt

dena and i are sitting here on my roomate's very large couch facing a blank TV remeniscing (sp?) about egypt. yes, we miss it a lot, but it's worse tonight because we have to speak in a class tomorrow about culture/christianity for only 6 minutes! how are we supposed to even say hello in 6 minutes? well, besides "hello"
anyhow, we checked the blog and there was nothing new...
how many people are planning on new years?
tisba ilxeer
Dena and ANdrew

list

Another list. Places I want to go (because I have itchy feet and want to travel):
1. India
2. Tibet
3. Russia--specifically the Trans-Siberian railroad
4. Afghanistan
5. Eastern Europe
6. I guess I better put Western Europe on here too, for that matter.
7. Peru
8. Cuba
9. Alaska/Yukon
10. Kenya

That's it for now. There are more places but I can't think of them all right now. Bascially I just want to see everything.

I feel like an Egyptian

Just a few stories that have compiled themselves over the summer:
I was working at your friendly neighborhood GI Joes and stocking the bug repellent aisle. Using my handy dandy box knife, I sliced open the box I grabbed from the warehouse to find a full box of citronella candles... teardrop shaped citronella candles. Then I thought to myself, "I didn't know they made Islamic citronella candles." Then realizing my train of thought, laughed outloud because here I was in Newberg, Oregon thinking that an outdoors store had some consideration for any sort of religion. and it just so happened that a coworker walked by and probably thought I was mad, because I was standing laughing at the citronella candles.

The other day Nick was over and we were eating lunch before going to watch a guys soccer game. I didn't really feel like driving, and Nick drove his moped over to my house. Yes, my boyfriend owns a moped. heehee! So, we decided to just take the moped. Well, the seat isin't exactly huge... so there we were, 2 of us crammed onto the moped, his knees sticking way out on the sides and me crunched in the front scootin along the road to the game. Minus the helmets, I felt like an egyptian.

The day the freshman come to George Fox, the cafeteria pulls out this exquisite meal to increase the expectations of the students (which is a mistake) and to trick the parents into thinking that their child will get the kind of food they pay for. oh the ways of this world. So just coming from soccer practice, our team moves in; hot, sweaty, and moving like a mass of lethargic hippos. Then my whole persona flipped--my eyes became wide with disbelief, my jaw dropped open to that attractive state where its possible that drool may drop BECAUSE there, in a huge bowl, were lentils, followed by a plate of pita bread (close enough right?) and hummus. It was a great day and I felt like I was home. To me, this was comfort food. I felt like an Egyptian.

oh, and side note: I stopped by Margaret's blog (Margaret, I love it!) and was reading and laughed out loud when I read this: "I remember what I was like as a freshman. I don't remember being a giggling, tube-top wearing, brainless bimbo, but I was more highschool than college. Anyway, it's a good time to leave." So I guess this is the PR coming out of me telling you all to stop by Margaret's blog. its a good one.
Hope school is going well for all y'all.

Tie Dye is Back!!

Hello my little mespers. I come to you tonight from Upland, Indiana--apartment 2M--Taylor University and especially thankful for you. Who you are and the community that we were last semester. I am coming to realize that Dave was so infuriatingly right on about leaving Egypt with so many more questions than answers. So basically the shit is starting to hit the fan here at Taylor U and I'm understanding that I'm different. Summer was so blah for me--so this challenging sometimes frustrating environment is certainly exhilirating, but I'm slightly bewildered by what an oddity mesp has helped me become.

I can't believe it was only a week ago we dropped Marky Baby off at Bethel University. Buffalo Wild Wings with Cecka on a sweaty move in day and then a little mesp contingent at Cecka's flat: Andrew U, Claire, Cecka, Corrine (sporting a new diamond), and I eating cookies fresh from the oven make me nostalgic for Agouza and the potato man. I spent the night with Claire at Northwestern--don't worry she is alive and well, but this online journal thing is not her forte. Now button making--that is an area of expertise for our tall friend. She sent me on my way with two buttons for my green corduroy backpack one read I heart Ataturk and the other says Jesus loves the Palestinians.

Its wonderful and strange to be back at school and intellectually stimulated. The apartment is starting to look like a home--8x10 photos of the desert and Turkey waterfall--5x7 of men praying in Alexandria and women in the desert showing their henna. Ataturk has not yet found a home I'm searching for the perfect place for those striking blue eyes against the black and white background. I think that's all she wrote. Peace.

P.S. I love tie dye