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Joining Technorati.com… Don’t know what the heck it is! Surely, it will improve the ranking of my blog

Will an Thai-American Called Jackson Cha visit Smakieh?

Last year, when good luck lead me to the Christian Alliance Church near the 3rd circle, I met very nice people. I forgot the names of all the volunteers, except two: The first one’s name is similar to that of a famous singer-Justin. The other one, is a very optimistic, open-minded, and jolly young man. Jackson!

From the first day we went out in a walk on-foot, I felt like I know this guy for years! Immediately after that, I thought that I must invite this new friend of mine to my house. But why invite him?

It is a tradition of Bedouins, and Jordanians in general, to invite worthy people whom they meet into their houses. If you want to show your respect to a visiting person, then you invite him to your house. On the other hand, not any guest is simply invited. Oprah Winfrey put it in a nice way, “If you invite a person into your house, then you are inviting him into yourself!”

Based on the importance of this guest, a meal will be prepared. The most prestigious meal that you can ever prepare is a Mansaf. But if your guest is American, as I was told, then Magloubeh can be a very fierce competitor of Mansaf!

Sorrowfully, God allowed me to be born in a tiny village more than 120 KMs south of Amman. The only times a person would sneer at this village then this is because of its distance from Amman.

“Would Jackson accept my invitation?” I thought a lot of this question. At the end, I stopped thinking. I remembered what Jackson answered when I asked him how another fellow volunteer of him simply accepted an invitation from me, a person whom he barely knows, “You are a Christian!” He simply answered! Jackson then explained how they would trust a person just because he is a Christian.

Back then, I was baffled! How could they trust a person they don’t know? Even if this person is Christian, will you agree to eat in his house? How Christianity can allow you to trust people you don’t know? This can be written in the bible, but practically, this is not applicable. I never thought of finding an answer! The volunteers, and Jackson is one of them of course, are an example of dedication, altruism, optimism, free giving, and people whom you enjoy their company.

But this year, I find myself reconsidering my not finding answer. It no longer makes sense! Does Christianity, the religion of my parents, confer such characteristics? I look on the world around me and I sorrowfully find no much difference between believers of different religions. We are all human beings with the same mistakes, sins and same prejudices against each other!

Do you remember the dollar you gave me after signing it? I was very proud of this dollar that I kept it in my wallet and did take it out every time I met friends, relatives, and of course, my family members. I then would tell how a Christian Thai-American visited my old rented apartment in Hashmi Shmali. I would then tell how this American and his fellow volunteers said how they trusted me just because I am a Christian!!!

All but one of the people I told the story to were smiling and contemplating about what they have just heard. What did this person say? He gave me a little shock. I just ignored his ‘silly’ comment. But now, if I tell him that my American friend ran from visiting my house, he will be happy because his ‘silly’ comment will prove to be correct. How did he “trust” thing of my new friends?

“They have a goal!” He explained. “No one trusts others that simply!” He continued. “They are Evangelicals. Right? This is how evangelicals work! They befriend you so that you trust them and then convert from your old denomination to theirs!” He then finished, “Nothing is free! A person, who gives, wants something in return!”

I don’t know what to say? Is what he said correct? I don’t know and I don’t want to know! But if I told him that my friend is refusing to visit me, then he would surely…

Summary:
I learnt that friendship cannot be attained easily. It doesn’t matter if your friend is Christian or not! Think of the person in front of you as a human being!
Christianity teaches very beautiful and nice principles. However, they are hard to be executed in real-life. Will a person from another country immediately accept your invitation to a lunch, even as tempting as Mansaf? Noooooooo! This only can happen according to biblical teachings! Some of those teachings, if not most, are not observed by many Christians!

Daniele Ghassan Hijazeen… An Engineer in the Faculty of Agriculture in Mu’tah University

[05.06.09: Daniele is here checking the car of my Uncle, Fr. Riad Jameel Hijazeen, whom car didn’t want to start. Daniele didn’t know how to help. “Everything in the car is different!” He said as he did nothing to find the problem. We had to bring son of Hatmal Halaseh to fix the problem. Neither Daniele nor Abu Ibraheem knew how to fix it!]

Today, we had our first exam of Horticulture course. Daniele is my cousin. Formerly, I used to refer to him in my Blog as Samuel (Do you agree with me Mr. Sammer Hijazeen?).

Samuel… sorry… Daniel was a supervisor of the exam. The doctor brought Daniele with him to help watch students during the exam. I was amazed when I heard the loud voice of Daniele ordering this student and that to stop cheating. How courageous was he!

Before I entered the class, I saw Daniele sitting with the doctor. I didn’t know what to do? Should I greet him? Wouldn’t some student say that “a supervisor helped Moabite in the exam”? I didn’t want these rumors to spread… I just ascended the stares of the large hall. I was sitting in the middle of the 160+ seat hall when Daniele spotted me. I turned red! What should I do?

Next thing, I was waving my hand. I didn’t say a word. I hoped nobody will notice; the hall was full of students. Not less than 10 were medical students, my colleagues who all knew who Moabite is. I only thought of the idea of some students rumoring that Moabite’s relative was a supervisor… You continue the rumor!

My face turned as red as a ripe tomato. I looked as a shy child clinging to the dress of his mother. Daniele shouted from far below, “How are you?” How I was? Ask me how the rumors will be? I just got redder and redder… I think that I waved my hand to him and signaled toward some students…

Next thing, Daniele was talking to the doctor about me. “What year are you?” He shouted again from below. “Second-Year!” I shouted back, but certainly in a much lower voice. Daniele lowered his head. I didn’t know why. "The doctor whistled and gave a smile…” I don’t want to describe the smile. He understood that I should be a third year student.

We began the exam. Daniele and Yazan Ziadeen, the other supervisor, shouted many times on this student and on another. I didn’t look a cm away from my paper. This is the only time I never see anything of the persons setting beside me. Usually, I can easily find what exam form they have. Today, I didn’t!

Some students finished the exam in less than 10 minutes. Students started to exit the hall. I kept setting because I was thinking thoroughly. I was supposed to wake up at 5:30 this morning. Sorrowfully, I turned off my mobile phone alert and continued sleeping. I woke up at 6:25 How lazy am I!

Finally, I handed over my paper to the doctor. I met Daniele as I was coming out of the hall, “Ya’t’eek Al-Aafieh” said I in a low voice. A normal student greeting a teacher he had just supervised his exam.  A tiny smile drew on my face. He smiled back, “Allah Ya’afeak!”

I believe he understood. We don’t know each other. Do we? I didn’t talk to him since this then. Tomorrow, I will tell my parents to visit my Aunt Umm Ziad so as to thank him… Just knowing that someone is there to support you…

Today, I made sure not to embarrass my cousin by cheating although many students were. Will my mark… I don’t know and don’t know if this is ethical or not… What will you do if you were in my place? Cheat?

After revising my answers, I only found 2 definite wrong answers. Will I get 23/25? Will the doctor bring the marks tomorrow?

Peace Corps in Karak

Today, I finished this first week of English Village in Mu’tah University. These lessons are given freely by American Volunteers of this amazing American Governmental Organization; Peace Corps. [I thank Chris for the spelling of Corps!]

Of the four teachers who taught us, I only knew Chris. I met new 3 volunteers; Funny and Confident Adam, Courageous and Funny Rachel Cleary, Beautiful Nataly.

I don’t remember this saying exactly but is says,

When you are 25, you differ than what you were when a child only by two things: The Books you read, and the people you met.

Yes, meeting people add things to your personality. Those 4 people added a lot! To improve my personality, i want to learn a thing from each one of them! What will it be? Its early to decide… But they are people you should learn from… How lucky am I to meet them!

Peace Corps… Thank you! What can I say more?

Chris, and American Volunteer, arriving at Smakieh

*** This post was written some time in September or October of 2008. I am publishing it not in its place because I invited the American Volunteer this post talks about, to visit my blog. Will he visit my Blog? Yesterday, he said that he is sorry that he didn’t have time to visit my Blog. In the future, will he? If he, will he read this post? Will he like it? Are my descriptions correct? ***

 

*** I am not correcting any spelling or grammatical errors! It want this post to show how my English was almost a year ago. Did I improve my English? I hope the English village will. ***

A few days ago, an American volunteer rented a house in Smakieh. It is the house of Sharea’ Hijazeen. His name is Chris. He will be both teaching English and learning Arabic at Hmood High School for boys – a governmental school. Yesterday night, I met him in the house of Mukles Torman Hijazeen.
Chris works with an organization called “Peace Core”. “Peace Core aims at eliminating the misconception that people have about the US” Chris said yesterday evening at the house of Mukhles Torman. What is more, helping promote understanding between the Middle East and the United States is but one side of the coin. “After 2 years,” Chris said. “I will be back in the US. There, I will be teaching my fellow American’s about the Middle East.”
Before coming to Smakieh, he spent two months in Irbid. He used to live at a host Muslim family. In order to understand more about Islam, Chris proudly and happily said how he fasted for five days.  His next station was Smakieh. “I was astonished.” He describes his feelings when he found out some facts about this tiny southern Jordanian village. “In Irbid, I was taught how to live in a Muslim society.” He recalls. “I came to Smakieh and I found that it is an all-Christian village.” He regretted.
Mukhles Hijazeen and his wife, one of Chris’s closet neighbors, were very happy. Still, their happiness is nothing compared with that of their children. One of their two sons, Hamzeh, aged around 8 year-old, smiled as if he was sitting beside a king. Most of the time, the tiny hands of Hamzeh held the left hand of the embarrassed Chris. Hamzeh looked like a son clinging to the hand of his mother. You should have seen the embarrassment on Chris’s face when the little Hamzeh kept and kept holding his left hand. Moabite noticed a silent call of help in the eyes of Chris. Moabite, however, never allowed himself to intervene. Moabite thought that if there was anything wrong in the obvious huge compassion the child shows, then his parents are the ones who should react.
Moabite acted as a translator between Chris and this Hijazeen family. “I should make no conversation at all. This is why I was invited to drink a cup of tea, it was because they needed my knowledge of English.” Moabite told himself. Consequently, most of the time, Moabite was only doing translation. Occasionally, he looked at the faces of Muklish, his wife, and his 6 children. Based on previous experience, Moabite used to think that people, especially young children, stares at him when he speaks English. Wouldn’t you stare at a person who speaks a language you don’t know? But that night, not on any of the few occasions he looked at the family did he find anyone looking at his direction. All of the people present, young and adult, males and females were staring at Chris. All of the time, Chris was the center of attention like a singer on stage. “I am invisible!” Moabite thought cynically. Was Moabite upset because of being ignored? Not at all! He gets embarrassed whenever he is a center of attention. “Nice, I hope that no one is looking at me now, no one will be describing my English to Smakieh.” Moabite thought the way his society teaches. He hoped that no one would ‘envy’ him because of his English. How sad is that some people, in the 21 century, still believe in myths as envy!
Over a period of 60 minutes, Moabite and Chris drank 2 cups of tea with mint. The time passed quickly because there was always something to talk about. For example, how much does the organization pay Chris?  Chris told them that he receives a salary of 170 JD. Every one present, except Chris and the little children, were amazed. How could it be that an American receives such a low salary? Egyptian workers receive higher salaries. Don’t they? Chris had to explain, for many times, what it means to volunteer. On the other side, more than 3 times, Mukhles and his wife made the translator, Moabite, translate to Chris stories about the Canadian family that used to live in that same house Chris is now living in. “In two years, they spent more than 100,000 JD. All paid by the organization.” Mukhles said amazed. His wife followed him to say how the Canadians toured not only whole Jordan, but also the whole Middle East. “Jerusalem, Syria, Sharm Sheikh…” She gave examples of places they visited. After huge emphasis on the salary issue, the conversation took a turn to discuss the Canadian Family. Both of the parents praised, Ken, the husband, a lot. They stated how nice he was, how he used to come and sit with them, and how different he was from his wife. Talking about his wife, Chris laughed about a description they gave of her character. They didn’t love her as they loved the husband.
In another subject, a hazardous subject was started; Politics. In short, political views of Chris will bring him publicity with a Middle Easter. He stated how horrible America’s foreign policy is. Later on, he described how America, not the American government, wants money from the whole world. In many occasions, he clearly stated the need for a change. In his opinion, laws in America only support the wealthy people (Somehow, I can’t remember this point exactly.) “You are voting for Obaman?” Moabite deduced easily. Chris didn’t object on Moabite’s comment. The conversation about politics ended when Mukhles wife whispered to him, almost stealthily, “Leave it!” Moabite laughed as he was the only one who noticed this warning. Muklhes looked at  Moabite and said nothing. From that moment on, politics was history.
“I wash my clothes manually; I want to buy a washing machine.” Chris asked for advice. Mukhles showed him 2 types of washing machines. One of them was very plain that only rotated the clothes within it. It had no dryer. “You can get it as low as 50 JD” I translated after Mukhles. To my amazement, Chris said that this was expensive. He wanted to know if there were cheaper washing machines. Mukhles informed him the bad news. Later, Mukhles told Chris that he can take him to Karak city if he wanted to buy anything. I don’t believe that Mukhles will profit any money from Chris. Chris thinks that 50 JD for a washing machine is ‘expensive’. How could such a person afford hiring a car when he wants to travel? “I will pay his bus fee if we go to Karak castle together.” Moabite took sympathy at Chris because he thought of how an American can get used to living by such a very low income!

Playing a Christian Song in an ‘English Village’ in Mu’tah University, Insanity?

Chris is one of four American volunteers in a governmental American organization called ‘Peace Corps’. Today, Chris gave us the 4th lecture of the English Village course in Mu’tah University.

Since less than a year, Chris lives in Smakieh, my village. “We, volunteers, don’t choose where to live! Peace Corps just choose where we live!” Chris explained to a student in Qaser-University bus today’s evening.

Today’s lecture was about English songs. It was clearly that Chris had a hard job preparing this lesson for less than 30 students who attended his three-hour lesson. How many hours did he spend preparing the lyrics, downloading the songs from the internet then to his iPod, carrying large speakers to and fro the University, standing for 3 continuous hours explaining, discussing, and interacting with Jordanian students studying in Mu’tah University! If volunteers decided to ask for money in return for their lessons, what amount of money is enough to repay them their favors?

Chris asked us, students, what songs to play. He just enumerated the songs he prepared. Then he would wait for students to decide. After the first song or two he played, he started to talk about a song he had talking about ‘Christian Song’. “Oh God!” I thought to myself. Does he really understand what he is talking about? I discovered that it was only the beginning.

He described this song as “very emotional”. It is about a “conversation between God and his son, Jesus!” I didn’t know what to say or do! Doesn’t he know that he touched the most controversial issue between Christianity and Islam? The Quran talks specifically about the ‘infidels’ who claimed that ‘God had a son’. What? Why? How? I was baffled and my face flushed instead of Chris’.

Chris just continued. He didn’t seem to care. He talked as comfortable as if he was talking about the weather. I wanted to warn him. “You should stop! This is not a topic of discussion! Christians believe that Jesus is the ‘Son of God’ and Muslims…” How could I explain all of this to him in front of all students? Will I deliver my idea correctly? Should I enter in a discussion related to a forbidden subject as “Religion”? I sat silent waiting to see a student or another raising his voice to object to Chris. “How pity is Chris! He doesn’t know much about religions in the Middle East!” I felt sorry for Chris!

Students chose the third song and ignored the idea of hearing the “very emotional Christian song”. I felt relieved! But, for not too long!

We finished the third song. It was time to choose the next song.
Again, Chris began to explain what options we had. Again, I heard him mentioning “God and his Son”. “What is the matter with him?” I thought and thought! Again, the students voted to listen to another song. I was voting with them! I surely understood why they don’t want to understand such a song! Discussing religion is like discussing Sex or Politics. Nawaal Sa’dawee نوال السعداوي , an Egyptian feminist and writer, describe those horrible and unspeakable topics in the Arab World as “Forbidden Trinity”. Choose any other topic and talk about it!

Again, we finished this song. Chris wanted to start another. It was way long before lesson ends. Again and Again, Chris offers the Christian song, and we students, choose the one of the remaining 3 then 2 options.

20 minutes prior to the end of the class, Dr. Layla Omari, a doctor in the English department of the Faculty of Arts in Mu’tah University entered our class. Since the beginning of this course on Sunday, this is the first time the Supervisor doctor attended a lecture with us.

We finished the 5^th or 6^th song. We were left with two songs to choose from. The first song, you name it. The other one was about ‘loving one’s country’. A fuss occurred in the class, a female student behind me whispered to Dr. Layla. I was sitting between the two. I didn’t turn my head toward them. I didn’t want to appear spying on them. In the first place, why was she whispering? She wants the subject to be classified.

I overheard the following words… “Tell him… Religion…. Religion…” Then Chris just interrupted and all the students, including this one, stopped talking. Dr. Layla nodded like she understood what the girl talked about.

It was the time to choose the last Song to hear. It was almost 5 o’clock. Students had only two options. What do you think we chose? You guess it! I smiled at how Chris insisted on describing what the Christian song talked about. I have never seen him in the Church in Smakieh. Why Christianity was so important to him then?

After the lecture, I waited till all students left. I approached Chris and was beginning to explain to him this controversial issue between Christianity and Islam. “I know!” Quickly he answered. I was shocked. “Muslims doesn’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God!” I said nothing more. It turned out that he knows! Why did he talk about it then? Is this “Bravery” or “Misjudgment”? I thought for a moment until Chris expressed his opinion!

Americans! How courageous is to have a principle in life! What is more courageous is to defend this principle! The principle might be wrong! This might be the case as trying to play a Christian song in Mu’tah. But in the end, you are defending what you believe in no matter what Moabite or others think of!

“OK, Muslims don’t believe in this… Fine! If you listen to other’s opinions, this doesn’t mean that you are accepting them! Just listen to them”

What do you think? Is Chris’s principle correct? Should you listen to an idea or opinion you definitely believe is incorrect?

Omar Qasem Btoosh, in the USA

[ May of 2006: Omar Btoosh doing a speech during the graduation ceremony of the 5th batch in Latin Patriarchate High School\ Wassieh]

Omar is a second year medical student in Mu’tah University. He has no courses in this summer semester. He invested the months of summer to register in a company that gave him the chance to ‘travel and work’ in the USA. Actually, the name of this company\agency is Work and Travel. The name fits it 100%!

Gaith Adaileh, another friend of ours, told me that Omar works as a Cashier. He receives 10$ an hour. How profitable is working in the USA! No matter how much money he will generate, will he dramatically improve his English? Sure he will! We are talking about 3 months of living in an English-speaking country!

Omar is not the only one who participated in this job. His brother and 2 other students accompanied him. What is the chance that either of them will refuse to come back to Jordan? Will a Jordanian university student forgot about attaining a university degree in Jordan in return for living in the USA? What do you think? Will any one of them stick in the USA? It is a hard idea!

Good luck dear Omar! Wishing you to improve your English to a degree that you will find it so much easier to study Medicine in English!

The Sound of Harmony Band of Boston is performing in Karak, Jordan

The above band is supposedly to perform in Karak this evening. I read an Ad in Alghad newspaper yesterday evening. This activity is one of the very first activities of the Jordan Vestival. They specified the date but not the time.

I searched in google news… I searched in Jordanian Newspapers websites but never found an answer. The best I could find was in Alrai newspaper. It only confirmed to me that the event will be held today’s evening in Marj, Karak. But when?

Today’s morning, before 8 o’clcok, No Ad was hanged on the north gate of Mu’tah university. Where can I find the timing? Please…

I will Kall Mazen Kheetan to inquire;  he lives in Marj. maybe he saw an Ad on his way to university.

If it turned out that I have no exam tomorrow, I will make sure to attend this event held by this American band.

Googling the name of this band gave me no clear results. Either the name is wrong, or, maybe the band is not very famous. Will a famous and very prestigous band agree to perform in a small place like Karak?

Since I put the name of this band as the title of my post, will this post appear in google search engine when a person want to get information about this mysterious band? Will my post be one of the top 10 results?

Lets wait and see… In the mean time, dear reader, if you arrived to my blog through google after searching for “The Sound of Harmony Band!” Can you publish this interesting information in the “comment” section below… Thanks!

Rachel Cleary: “This word is so bad that I haven’t proably said it in my life!”

What kind of word that my English teacher couldn’t have ‘probably’ said in her life? I and the students in the English village class in Mu’tah university were amazed at how intense, emotional, and almost agressive our English teacher, Miss Rachel Cleary became. But what was said that bothere her?

A student started a questoin, with a modest English, saying, “Negro!” The teacher didn’t give herself nor us a time to understand what the question is about. She just answered him very quickly and strongly. I couldn’t imagine how a smily, jolly, and joking person can become furious as she was. Women!

“This is the worst word in English language!” She stated confidently. Wow! I didn’t know that such a word is that bad. She continued only not to let anyperson have the chance to think of the innocence of this word against the charges against it. To prove her point of view, she only asked a question. She is smart to have asked such a question. When you put yourself in other’s places, you can understand what they feel. When teacher rachel asked that question, I could understand what she thought about this word. She asked:

“What is the most horrible Arabic word?”

She gave us little time to think. Later in my house, it took me minutes to think of an answer. She then said only to deliver her idea effectively and strongly, “Negro is like this most horrible Arabic word!” Wow! How could she come with such a comparison? Again, “Women”!

The most horrible Arabic word in my opinion could be “Infidel”. I hate this word because it is a sterotype against those not following a certain religion. As Negro is sterotyping against a human beingjust because of the color of his skin, an infidel sterotype against a human beings for freely choosing his religion!

English Village in Mu’tah University Started on Sunday

I met 2 Amreican volunteers till now. The man, named Adam, is a unique person. He is the kind of of teacher you will remeber till the end of your life.

I was surprised to know that there were Iraqi Kurdish students studying in Mu’tah university. Four are part of the English village.

Today, Chris is gonnna give us his first lecture. Will he be as shy as he is in public buses? Will he be as confident and funny as Adam is? Will he be as courageous as Rachel was in front of the angry doctor who wanted to get us out of the classroom? Will he control the lesson strongly as both Adam and Rachel did?

A guy told me that Rachel is married to a Tarawneh man. Really? If so, I wonder what personality doles this person have that he was able to make an American women, of different culture and different standard, to fill in love with him?!

Who is to be blamed more on poverty, governments or individuals? My opinion was that it depends on what country that individual lives in. If he is a hardworking person but lives in a country where there are no jobs, and if there are jobs, they generate low salaries, then the blame is not his but on his country. Don’t you think that my opinion is correct?

10.06.09

We had lucnh at my aunt Umm Yousef. It was delicious KOFFTEH she made. I also liked the watermelon and SHEMMAM we ate. It is the same as I ever eaten. However, because of the hot weather and because of not eating well at my brother’s, I ate it as if I am eating in a very fine Parisian restaurant!

Going to downtown Irbid right now! I am gonna buy a Mug just for my father!

English Village in Mu’tah University (3)

Minutes ago, I checked Mu’tah University website for my new schedule. Did they change the time of my Islamic “Knowlege” lecture? I was afraid yesterday. On  my way here, I said to myself, “it will work and I will not have to write a diary to say what I will do!”

I am writing a diary and it worked! I am very happy! I want to express my thanks to both the head of Registration and Administration department of Mu’tah University; Mr. Yasser Kasasbeh. (Although, he almost screamed when he finally judged in my favor!). Secondly and most importantly, to Mr. Mohammed Thabah Al Jamal for cooperating with me from the beginging.

At 2 o’clock this day, the first lecture/lesson or whatever they call it, will start! Will it be interesting? I hope so! but, will I improve my writing? This is what I would concentrate on!

Now, I will go and see my clinical psychology doctor. I want to find out what book shoud we study for this course. I like this subject already. In yesterday’s first lecture, he talked about Schizophrenia, OCP, Psychosis, Social norms   معايير اجتماعية , Behaviour… I like it!

English Village in Mu’tah University… A dream come true?

As I wrote in the post below, I went to the Administration and Registration department in Mu’tah University.

I was very lucky. I stress the word lucky many times. When I reached the office of the head of this department, Mr. Yasser Kassasbeh, he was closing his office and was in a great hurry to leave. I quickly knew that I have no option but to explain my problem to him in the secretary office. I later followed him to his closed office, then into the corridor, then into the secretary office. He totally ignored me. What would you have done if we were in my place? Quit and leave? Leave a life-time chance of yours to improve your English writing?

I didn’t care! I knew that I must fight in this battleground. I had no options! If I lost this battle, I will have had to forget anything concerning this village. My program doesn’t fit into it at all!

So, I continued the fight. I wanted to have my voice heard. “Freedom is not given, it is taken” I believe in this saying. Although I knew that Mr. Yasser is running from an office to another trying to lose me, I continued to fight for a right of mine; the right of a student who was a prey to people that doesn’t believe in planning. Why don’t they allow the timing of events, lectures, plays weeks before they are held? For an event that spans 4 days a week and for 3 continuous hours, which student do they think can fit into such a tight schedule?

One time, as I was entering through the main university gate, I was shocked to find an Ad advertising a lecture which will be held that same day. This Ad wasn’t put the day before. It was very large and red-colored. No student entering the through the north gate of Mu’tah, could his attention be grabbed by that big Advertisement. That lecture interested me. But again, I must have taken a lecture or two in an earlier time so as to allow myself to attend this sudden event. Time was already late for such temporary modification in my schedule. I couldn’t just miss those lectures. They were not only important but also attendance counts in them. The sure student I was, I headed and complained to one of the gate guards. He said nothing in deafens.

- “They should…” This is the best he could say.

- “OK, I will not be able to attend this lecture,” I asked, “In the future, how can I be informed about such important events before they occur? Where can I ALWAYS find Ads?”

- What was his answer? “Here! On the gates!”

Yes, I could understand how much well-informed I would be if I followed his advice! What happened with this course is another example of such mis-preparation!

Back to the story: At last, Mr. Yasser entered the office of the register of Medical school, Mr. Mohammed Thabah Al-Jammal. He almost screamed, “See this student… If he has a problem… only a great problem… help him!”

I was speechless! I was shocked! Firstly, I found out that he had been listening to me; somehow! Secondly, how he screamed as if I was a beggar who stormed his head. “I am going to a funeral!” I heard him saying quickly to a fellow employee when I arrived. But does this give him the right to raise his voice? What do you think? Is what he did right?

I had the feeling of victory inside me. It didn’t, however, show on my face! I couldn’t and didn’t want to allow a smile to run on my face. It will appear as if I got something I didn’t deserve or, most probably, Mr. Yasser would change his mind after seeing my smile. People don’t like to have someone convince them into something against what they initially stated strongly.

I prepared myself for another round of explanation. However, Mr. Mohammed didn’t say a word. He only told me to write a paper. Why? I believe that this is because I had convinced him with my opinion back in the early morning. I remember that he gave a smile upon my asking him if he agrees with this disrespect of time!

I wrote the paper. I gave it to Mr. Mohammed who was then sitting in a new office in front of a computer screen. He told me to leave and to “check my problem the next day”, he then continued, “insha’allah, you will find the new time of your lecture!” Why didn’t he enter that information in front of my eyes? Couldn’t anything could have possibly went wrong? I fear this! Today’s evening, I went to the internet café in Smakieh society, I checked the online registration system. To my depression, the schedule wasn’t changed! Why? Isn’t it a computerized system and changes take effect immediately? Is it possible that he postponed it till tomorrow? Was my request refused by the faculty of Sharia’h? Did a student object? Anything is possible…

You know what? I will be optimistic. Mr. Mohammed said that it will be tomorrow and I believe him! I will check the university site tomorrow morning! If not, I will simply visit his office to find out the reason!

English Village in Mu’tah University by Chris and other Americans

Yesterday evening, I was most lucky to be told by the very shy American who lives in our village that there will be some kind of an English course in the faculty of “literature?” in Mu’tah university. I was very shocked because I could have possibly missed such an opportunity! I am eager and would die to improve my writing. For God’s sake, I dream of writing in my blog so that i can deliver an information or an idea to a speaker of English effectively, quickly, and funny enough.

As soon as I came to the university, I headed to the faculty of “literature”. Dr. Layla Omari, doctor in charge of the activity, was very helpful. She had a big smile to a Jordanian. “It would be fun and interesting!” She stated happily. “I hope the following won’t be an obstacle,” I asked her afraid. “I am a MEdical student, can I still join this activity?” To my extreme happiness, she nodded. How happy was I! I t was as if I won a lottery or something else!

One more obastacle I had to pass; my islamic knowledge course. This course contradict with this English course. The timing of this lecture must be changed!

I went to the doctor, Mashoor Qutishat. He was very helpful! He asked me to come back if my trials at the admission and registeration was fruitless! I hope I will n ot have to bother him going back to him!

After finishing these lines, I will immediately head to the registeration and admission building. I have to meet the head of this university department. Mr. Yasser Kassasbeh.

Will he help me? I will do anything to improve my English… Please… I pray that he will consider my situatino with an eye of mercy!

Who is your role model in life? Nancy Ajram? Profet Mohammed? Jesus? Obama?

Today’s afternoon, I attended my first Islamic Knowledge lecture. The above question was one of the many diverse questions my doctor asked today.

The name of my doctor is Mashoor Qutishat مشهور قطيشات. He said that he finished both his bachelor and Master degrees in Jordan University. His PhD, to my happiness, is from the UK. Oh my God! How lucky am I to be taught by a doctor who studied in the west. A west that is sometimes described as “Christian West”. Will this doctor have negative opinions about the west? Will he talk respectfully about Christianity and other religions? Will he discriminate against a Christian student? Is he a narrow minded person not to accept non-Muslims in his lecture? I will find the answers to these questions during this whole summer semester. But what are my first expressions?

I learnt not to judge people from the first meetings. However, just for the sake of evaluating the correctness of my first impressions, I will write my opinion. This, however, doesn’t mean that I believe in first impressions. On the contrary, I believe in the Arabic proverb that advises not to judge before “a year and a half”.  لا تذم ولا تشكر إلا بعد سنة وست أشهر

A role model, to Moabite, is a word that describes someone whom you think is a perfect person and whom you try to imitate in your life.

Some people think that a certain singer is their role model. “Haifa Wahbi… Nancy Ajram… Are they your role models?” Our doctor said mockingly today. Some like look to certain politician as their models. Some Muslims, as my Islamic course doctor, think that prophet Mohammed is their role Model. “I wish I can reach a little of…” Our doctor proudly and firmly announced in the first Islamic lecture/lesson I’ve ever taken in my life.

While I sat in my seat, anxious and almost having a stomachache in the beginning of the lecture, I thought of this question the most of all questions that were asked. Most of the questions were to Muslims alone. For example, “Why are you a Muslim?”, “What is Islam to you?”, “Do you think that Islam limit your freedom?”…

Who is my role model? It took me some minutes to find an answer; I don’t have a role model… Many names rolled in my mind: Einstein, Dr. Hani Azawi, Any of the Noble prize winners in Physiology and Medicine, Nelson Mendela… What about Jesus? The Islamic doctor said that many students pick Prophet Mohammed as their role model. Should I pick the prophet of my religion as well? I did take me very short seconds to find a definitive answer. Sorry Jesus, but you aren’t my role model.

A friend of mine gave his opinion in the subject, “I love special things in many people!” I stopped thinking! This is my answer! I love certain things from many people. Here is my list:

1. Political Prisoner –> Bravery

2. A Child –> Innocence

3. A Mother –> Altruism

4. A Researcher –> Dedication to your work

5. A Politician –> Eloquence

6. A Sale Representative –> Persuasiveness

7. A Lawyer –> Astuteness (Shrewd and discerning, especially where a personal benefit is to be derived)
N.B. The translation is not for you, dear reader. No offence! It is just to remind me of the meaning! I’ve just located this word using Microsoft Word Thesaurus)

8. A Volunteer –> Forgetting yourself and thinking of others

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The list continues and continues… I don’t think that a person can have all of the above characteristics. Do you?

Who is your role model? Or let me guess, you are like the owner of this blog, you don’t have one?

Diary of today:

# First real university day of the summer semester. I complained to the friend who refused to kiss me. “You ruined our friendship!” I told him in a regretful tone.

# Before writing this post, I went to the Biliard club of Abu Ishaq Yousef Freh Hijazeen. To my big surprise, it was closed. How could it be? I didn’t and don’t understand!
If the billiard club was opened, I wouldn’t have written this post!

# I invited Z. Haygneh and U. Ma’aetah to my house. Will they come? What food should I be thinking to cook?

# I met Chris in the bus today. He was surprised to know that I know about his picasa Albums. He said that he will make it private. This is a sad news. The good news is that he doesn’t know that I commented on one of his blogs. In other words, the reason why I didn’t get an reply is not because he ignored me but because he didn’t see my comment! He doesn’t know that his blog is public!

God! How much conservative is this young man! What if he were British?