Birthday..

Celebrating my birthday in Jordan was almost as fun as at home. Minus angel food cake and sky diving :) We had class, and Brianna, Mike and I went out to lunch at TCHE TCHE, (our favorite, and the only, American style restaurant). Later that night, the entire group was invited to Akrum's aunt's house for a traditional Jordanian meal. His mother is visiting for two weeks, and she made us mensaf, a very popular and delicious dish here. We had a lot of fun talking to his younger sisters, who are extremely adorable, and his mom. Akrum had told him mom it was my birthday and she brought out two huge cakes–one coconut, one chocolate–she had made. It was SO nice of her, and they were so good we all left very full and happy. I skyped with my mom for a long time after that, and talked to Jimmy on the phone. Not an overly exciting birthday, but 22 isn't a very exciting age. And Jimmy has promised me a celebration when we go to New York so I'm holding him to it!
In other news, classes are moving faster every day, and the homework is piling up. Our weekdays consist of class, speaking partner, homework, dinner, homework. We have learned so much though in only five weeks I can't believe it. It's crazy that next week is our last week of classes!
Tomorrow after class we're going to Israel. Only for one night. We want to see Jerusalem, though we're less than thrilled with the Israeli government, (even less in the past few weeks than normal). Hopefully we get across the border quickly, but we're budgeting in 5-6 hours from some stories we've heard. Though Jordan and Israel are allies, there is much tension. For example, when we were at the Dead Sea and could see a city all lit up right across the water, Akrum asked someone, (in perfect colloquial Arabic, which made it worse), what city in Israel it was. He was quickly reprimanded and told that THAT IS PALESTINE! The professors are the same way, especially lately, and our friend Gabe who is studying in Israel next semester tells everyone we meet he's studying in Egypt just to avoid conflict.
Anyway, right now we're watching the USA/Algeria match in a cafe. Clearly we're the only ones cheering on USA. As if we didn't get enough stares already :)