Mail and Packages

So, I just got another letter and another package in the mail, and I have to say that I am the envy of the group for these manifestations of affection. I thank all of y'all who have sent things my way. It really is appreciated.

Yesterday evening my stomach wasn't feeling well (again) and Mother suggested that I go to the doctor. I was only too happy to have an excuse to get away from the somber funeral atmosphere (they last three days here) and go to bed early. I knocked out the moment my head hit the pillow and slept through the night - even Mother coming in to leave my breakfast tray on my little table. I was informed that Hanane's wound from the C-section is taking a long time to heal and a hint was given that it's infected and thus her prolonged stay at the hospital.

I have Arabic homework this weekend in the form of reading a children's book aloud to my family. I started last night with Mohammed, and it was evident that he was bored by my slow pace. He has taken to the habit of coming into my room every evening to tick off the days of the calendar for me and signing his name on each of them. April so far looks much more interesting than either March, February, or January.

Last night there was a concert of Andalusian music at the CCCL. I absolutely loved it. I had never heard anything like it. It is so hard to describe now but I got a video of one song. If the Internet ever gets around to working well for more than ten minutes I will upload it for y'all to view. It was meant to be only for BU students, but as only five of us showed up, several of the SIT kids came to watch as well. They leave either Sunday or Monday for their multiweek researching travels throughout Morocco to write their big papers.

Read Lamb by Christopher Moore. It's the Gospel according to Biff, Jesus' childhood friend, and it's one of the few books that has made me actually laugh out loud. It's full of linguistic puns. Monica and I, the linguist majors and both with French/Arabic minors, have been having a blast finding jokes involving learning of the Arabic language. Here is my favorite. It's funny because 'alif is the name of the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, like our /a/ but longer in length.

Arabic class approacheth. The syllabus says that there is a quiz but there was no mention of it in class. Let's hope that my review from last night pays off, إن شاءالله.