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May 2nd, 2007
09:09 am - Grad School
All I have left is a psychopathology final, and I'll have my Master's degree. I don't have a job or even an interview lined up, but I'll have that all important piece of paper and $50K in student loan debt. It's a mixed blessing.
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February 8th, 2007
10:56 am - "The what monologues"
http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/us/2007/02/07/johnson.hooha.monologues.wjxt
I hope you guys can open this link to the CNN video. If not, go to CNN Video and seach for "The What Monologues". It's worth checking out.
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January 7th, 2007
01:54 pm - Cat + Plant = ?
Okay, so Herman my freak of a cat just came back to live with Jay and me. The cat immeadiately began eating a plant in the house. We've had to move the plant into a separate room and close the door. Jay and I don't know what the plant is, but it looks like some type of grass. Is it okay for a cat to eat a plant? I know it might kill the plant, but what if I got Herman a plant of his very own? Should I get catnip? My cat is weird!
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July 10th, 2006
June 16th, 2006
02:13 pm - The General
Here's an update for those of you in the Huntsville area on Thursday. I've mentioned before about my dad's project: the score he wrote to The General, an old Buster Keaton film. Well, on Sunday there will be articles in the Huntsville Times and the Decatur Daily. The official Buster Keaton Fan Club has gotten involved and is encouraging its members as well as Civil War re-enactors (sp?) to be at the show. They've asked the Civil Way guys to come in uniform since the film is set during the Civil War. This project is really important for my dad. He's spent two years hand-writing the score and copying the parts for concert band. The band members are all volunteers from around Huntsville: professional and amateurs, adult and kids. The show will be at Holy Spirit High School Thursday night at 7pm. (I think 7pm.) It's free entertainment for the whole family. I hope some of you can make it!
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April 8th, 2006
09:02 am - Things to do in Huntsville during a tornado
1. Play XBOX until your eyes bleed.--Hey, if you're going to die horribly in the tornado at least you can take a few alien bastards with you, right?
2. Invent names for the Redneck Hurricane season--Start Alvin and end with Zeke. Bubba, Hank, and Cletus were favorites.
3. Make the world's greatest spaghetti sauce.--Who knew cream cheese was good in pasta sauce?
Finally...
4. Watch endless coverage of weather-people go into orgasms over things like doppler, nexrad, and super cells and barely cover their disappointment when they learn that no one was actually swept off to Oz.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/mellow_sp.gif) content
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November 18th, 2005
08:47 am - Unscientific poll--Please offer your opinion
Okay, so this weekend along with writing Christmas cards, watching Harry Potter, and going to a madatory training session for work, I'm planning on starting my grad school applications. I'm meeting with Dr. Vaughan on Dec 1, and I want to have my personal and professional statements ready for her comment and, hopefully, approval. I feel like I have to prove to her that I'm worth yof her recommendation. She's given it before for a job (I quit after a week.), and Peace Corps (We all know how well that turned out.) I'm afraid she thinks that I'm immature and never finish what I start. I want to show her that I've grown and am really committed to, well, a career path.
Anyway, I'm having trouble narrowing the field with respect to the topics of the papers. We have to write a 1 page professional awareness statement. 1 page?!?!? I want to write about an issue that effects women. There are so many now that I'm a little overwhelmed. To help me narrow things down a bit, I thought I would poll all of my friends, acquaintances, and various strangers I meet as to what they thing is the most important issue effecting women today, domestically and/or globally. Some topics I have on my mind right now are access to contraception/family planning, domestic violence, human trafficking, FGM, rape as a weapon of war and terrorism, access to adequate healthcare, HIV/AIDS, honor punishments throughout the world, access to sex education, access to any education. Any other issue that you can come up with, please feel free to bring it up. I know a lot of you have taken whole classes on this stuff, and I value your opinions. I would also like to hear from men, too.
Thanks!!!!
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July 16th, 2005
07:01 am
HAPPY HARRY POTTER DAY!!!!
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/hyper_sp.gif) caffinated
Current Music: NPR
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June 29th, 2005
04:20 pm - New jobs and new books
I just have to focus on the fact that my new jobs are only temporary hells on the way to helping the owrld become a better place for women. My first job with Charlotte Russe is okay. The pay is nothing, but the girls who work there seem really nice, especially my manager. West, the customer service, though...It's going to take a lot of patience. I'm providing customer service for an insurance company, helping people with their claims. Hell. Oh well, it is going to pay the bills and help me to start saving for graduate school.
Anyone interested in human rights, women's rights, Iran, etc should read Reading Lolita in Tehran. It's an amazing book about women living in Tehran and reading banned Western literature. I definitely recommend it. It's given me a lot of stuff to think about concerning men's views of women and women's views of ourselves. It's also made me want to read some of Nabokov's work. I hate to admit it, but I've never actually read any of his writing. That's next on my list.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/pensive_sp.gif) contemplative
Current Music: Dad's writing a silent movie score. pretty cool stuff.
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May 21st, 2005
09:16 am - Dumb Question
Okay, I've heard this song several times on the radio, but I don't know who sings it. Do any of you guys know who sings the song on the Chase credit card commercial? The commercial follows this couple's life thru their purchases with the credit card. *Please feel free to insert your scathing comment on American society here.* I just really like the song. Thanks.
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March 23rd, 2005
09:57 am
I need to get out of the house this weekend. (Yes, this is a desparate plea for someone to suggest something exciting and novel to do.)
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/bored_sp.gif) bored
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March 16th, 2005
10:39 am - Missing Morocco
Okay, so I'm not missing Morocco; I'm missing my PC friends. PC is in many ways like College Night. You live, sleep, eat, breathe, plan, and dream with these people for 3 months. You share your most intimate hopes and dreams and desires to make the world a better place. You rely on them for strength and are relied on in return. They become your world, and then after three months they are stripped from you and you have to put on the show by yourself. You can still have contact thru text messages and the occasional phone call or meeting, but you are still alone. Now I feel like the line in the side song about passing and being forgotten with the rest. I miss them now as much as I missed you guys when I couldn't pick up a phone and call you. I wish I could do it all over again. I would do so many things differently. I would lighten up and not worry about making so many mistakes. I wouldn't fast Ramadan. I would go out an play in Philly and Rabat when we were all together with the Small Business kids. I would stay up all night hanging out and studying language. Damnit.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/sad_sp.gif) sad
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March 7th, 2005
05:25 pm
Well, I had my first 8 hour shift today. This may not sound like much to you guys but the last time I worked a job where I was on my feet for eight hours was in the last century. I'm exhausted! It is still nice to have a real schedule, though. I love structure right now. In, you know, three weeks I may be dying from not being able to do my own things, but for now I'm fine.
Random rhetorical question of the day: Is it crazy to have a crush on a guy I really don't know, who lives either an ocean away or on the other side of the country depending on what happens in the next two weeks? Nevermind. I'm giving up men all together. Relationships are too much trouble and confusion.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/exhausted_sp.gif) exhausted
Current Music: the quiet whirring of the computer
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February 23rd, 2005
09:34 am - Well, I'm back
After an exhausting process and an even more exhaushting plane ride, actually rides, I am home in Elkmont trying to decide what the hell to do next. Thank you guys so much for all of your support and offers of couches. After five and half months in Morocco I can sleep anywhere and think I am more than tough enough to fight Donny for the couch if I need to. ;) Hopefully, I won't have to if Kiwi can let me crash. I may try and get down there next weekend, but I don't know yet. Is there anything going on? I also have to start looking for a job. I don't want to go back to social work so I think I am going to try retail for a few months until I decide. I'm looking at Books-a-Million. Will said they were hiring management so I may see how tat would do.
I am soo glad to be back here. As tough as the decision was I know that it was the right one. I will miss my PCV friends in Morocco, but I am so happy to be near my Montevallo friends again. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Nora
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/awake_sp.gif) relieved
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February 1st, 2005
12:28 pm - Just when I tought things couldn't get crazier
A few days after the incident a newspaper reported it as an attempted kidnapping and attempted rape. Peace Corps telked to the embassy and forwarded the correct story to all the PCVs but they aren't having a retraction printed because they, like everyone else, just want it to go away. Of course, I did get a really sweet invitation to coucous from a granfather and his grandkids after the article came out. The town has been really supportive and keeps telling me that everyone else in town is nice. They really are. My ankle is better, and things are getting back to "normal".
I moved into my apartment yesterday. I have no real furniture, but I have a hot shower. I will buy more furniture when PC send me more money. They only sent half of what they are going to send, and the shower was expensive.
Better go. I will write more later.
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January 25th, 2005
04:08 pm - I am okay
Okay, as usual I don't have a lot of time to type. That will change in 5 days when I am no longer limited by a host sister who wants to spend the day with her super secret boyfriend and insists on coming with me so she can meet him. Long story.
Anyway I susrvived L'eid Kbir (AKA the Big Feast AKA The Great Sheep Slaughter), but it wasn't easy. After spending the morning listening to a sheep being hacked to pieces, seeing said sheep hanging in the living room, ans then smelling buring flesh, I not only wanted a shower but also to become vegetarian. I am not not vegan, but I did have to go for a walk to clear my head and my sinuses. As I was wlking 2 meen on a moped began to follow me very closely, too closley. I crossed a ditch to get away from them, and one man got off the bike and continued to follow me. At that point I felt truly threatened so I began to run. They laughed at me, and I got pissed. I was sick and damned tired of feeling helpless, so I turned around and flipped the guys off. Apparently, that signal is universal because it pissed them off and they came after me. The dude who had ogtten off the bike grabbed my arm and started yelling at me. I really think he was planning to hit me. Anyway, I started struggling and yelling back at him to let me go. Fortunately, he did, and I took off running. I ran until I fell and sprained my ankle. It's not a bad sprain and the swelling is almost gone now, but damn it's been a crazy five days. The local police took the incident VERY seriously and had me hopping to try and identify a suspect every 15 minutes. Bear in mind that this all happened on L'Eid. Think Christmas in the States. they called in the district colonel and caught the guys the next day. The mom of the dude who grabbed me came o the house after they had been arrested and cried like her heart was going to break apologizing and trying to kiss my feet. I still feel really bad for her. I was able to make a positive identification and the guys confessed. I think the police sat in them pretty hard because they looked guilty when I saw them. The dude who grabbed me wouldn't meet my eyes. They apparently had no idea who I was. They just saw a girl walking by herself who had the tamarity to flip them off. Anyway, they whole town knows what happened, and everyone has expressed concern and sympathy. I agreed to drop the charges against the men at the request of their family, the police, and my host family. Peace Corps isn't too happy that I am dropping the charges, but I think the men know not to mess with me any more and I come across as being forgiving and merciful to the town. Plus, I get to put all of it behind me.
That is the short version of all that happened that day. I didn't include my hysterical reaction or frustration because I couldn't communicate well with anyone. Can you imagine trying to explain to the police that you don't want to go outside the house because the entire town is staring at you is a language that you really can't speak? Goddamn it was a bad day!
Things got better on Saturday. That night a group of biys went around town playing drums and dressed as an old woman, old man, and sheep. Yes, he was wearing skins from the recent slaughter. Man he stunk!!! That morning all the kids in town threw water on each other and played in the streets.
Sunday I went to a crazy big wedding that turned into a drunken brawl around 1am. Remember that this is a Muslim country and you're not supposed to drink.
Yesterday I went to the house of one of my students for a birthday party. It was so much fun! The kids were great!
I move into my new house in 5 days and cannot wait! I am going to do some limited shopping today and some big shopping next Sunday. I will let you all know how it goes. Anyway, I better sign off. All of yuo bums better write to me. I miss all of you so much! PV BABY! Let me know how everything goes with College Night, and if you can, I would love to get a copy of the Alabamian every once in a while especially with the results and the judges rulings.
PV!!!!
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December 13th, 2004
11:19 am - Cant type long-keyboard sucks
Well, I didnt quite get the brush off from Tim, but he said the PC relationships re impossible given distance, never seeing each other, etc. However, he did say he wanted to get to know me as a friend and that if we had time to get to know each other other than through email...maybe. Hey, that is all I really want: someone to talk to. I wont completely give up hope forever. Who knows?
Next week I will talk more about town.
Love!
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December 5th, 2004
04:46 pm - Sebt Gzoula
Okay, so I'm here. I'm not really all that happy about it, but I'm here. Nothing ever happened with Tim. I still could barely get up the courage to speak. Finally, one of his good friends told him that someone from his CBT group was interested in him, and he began to send text messages to me. We still didn't have the opportunity to talk, though. I wanted to so badly, especially when we were on the bus to Marakesh. The trip from Ouarzazate to Marakesh in Winter is one of the most breathtaking sights ever. It's a dangerous twisting road that goes through snow covered mountains to dizzing altitudes. It is not for the faint of heart or stomach. I loved it, though, and wanted to express the sense of wonder and beauty that I felt, but the girl I was next to was sick and Tim was at the other end of the bus. In Marakesh we never seemed to have time. We've sent a couple of texts since then, but nothing of substance. How do you flirt in 100 characters or fewer and at a distance of 6 hours or more? I have finally done something very stupid and sent him an email. It will either help break the ice or make him really want nothing to do with me. I just can't speak to him. It is so frustrating!!! At one point all I had to do was step 5 feet across the hall, and I would have been in his hotel room in Marakesh, but I couldn't do it. I think he and I are a lot alike in so many things, but we'll never know if we can't fucking talk!!!
As far as the town goes, I feel lost and alone most of the time. This is normal and will pass but is terribly difficult now. I miss my PC friends. The town is still ugly and there is no view of the mountains, but the people are nicer no that Ramadan is over. I am looking forward to getting started teaching. It's tough for me not to be able to jump in there and get going, but I know that part of my job is to sit and talk and wait. I want to get started, but I must have patience. HA!!! Patience sucks. I've sent Mom some pictures of the group from Ait Mimoun, and I will send more later. I better go now. I promise that my next posts won't focus so much on boys.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/grumpy_sp.gif) frustrated
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November 23rd, 2004
01:04 pm - Things I miss-short list
Will
My family
My friends
The Purple
Montevallo
Cheesecake Factory
Cheesecake
Waffle House
Eclipse's porch
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Homemade chocolate chip cookies
Lucky's
Broccoli
Chinese food--Hot and sour soup
Sushi
Italian food
XBOX!!!!
Pizza Hut
Movie Gallery
Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, etc, etc
Margarita Night
Not being harrassed on a daily basis
Personal Space
Herman
Things I love here:
PC friends
Awesome language teacher-who happens to be the cutest man in Morocco (be jealous!)
mountains
couscous
nes-nes (half coffee half cream)
clementine oranges right off the tree
olives
mint tea
sunshine
sweaters
scarves
dawn
snuggling with my beautiful roomates. Natasha is gorgeous and incredible.
scrubbing off 6 layers of skin at the hammam
whole milk
apricot jam
honey
harrira soup
PC friends again
journal writing
Thinking about decorating my apartment in purple and gold.
Current Mood: calm
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October 25th, 2004
10:45 am - Update-Phase 2
I am actually a pretty damn good teacher so far. I had a really great lesson the other day and really felt in control of the class. I could get so used to this! The kids are great, and Im really going miss them after we leave. I feel a little guilty that we are not leaving a volunteer there, but without constant running water Peace Corps isnt going to post someone for two years, even if they did just get the streetlights in town working for us.
Ramadan is going really well. Im tired and hungry during the day, but get more then enough to eat at night. Plus, the town reaction makes it worth it. Everyday some asks me if Im fasting and thanks me when I say that I am. The best is the tiny, old Berber woman with traditional tatoos on her face that asks me whenever she sees me. You can really tell how much it means to them.
My schedule is a bit crazy. We hqve langauge from 10 to 12 and 1 to 3. Class prep from 3 to 5 which for me has been generally a chance to go home and help my family prep for Ftur (Breakfast). Ftur from 6 to 7. Teaching from 7:30 to 8:30. Art Night or Game night from 8:30 to 9:30, and clean up and evaluations until 10. I go home and have a snack around 10:30 and wake up again around 3am for Skhur. Go back to sleep around 4 and repeat. Whew! Just writing it makes me tired!
FOOD!!!! AMAZING!!!! I break down by meals starting with Ftur. Shabekiya: Deep fried cookies soaked in honey and a syrup made from green tea and topped with seaseme seeds. Sin on a plate! Can only eat one before I go into a diabetic coma. Dates: wonderful. High in nutrients and calories. Try them in the harrira! I always think of Indiana Jones. Zamata: Nut paste made from seaseme seeds, almonds, and peanuts boiled and fried then ground into a paste. Add flour, lots of oil, powdered sugar, and cinammon. Trick is they dont make just a little of this stuff. My host mom showed me how to make it, and she made about 4 kilos! (Mom, I think she wants me to mail some of this stuff to you, but Im not sure. Dont be surprised if you get a grease soaked package in the mail.) Milwee: fried pancakes. Dried olives: grown intown and cured by my host mom. Crepes: try the homemade butter and honey! Fried fish: not so great but I need protein. Fat bread: YUCK!!! Fortunately rare. Literally dough wrapped around sheep fat, oil, onions, and spices. Tastes okay, but bad on the tummy! Finally the meal is capped by harrira: worlds greatest soup. Chic peas, cilantro, spices, tiny noodles. Amazing! Oh! I forgot the coffee! Best coffee in the world. Lots of whole milk and sugar. Its perfect! I drink about a pot a night. Last night, thought we didnt have the soup, but had couscous instead. Normally we eat off a small table out of a communal bowl, but last night the table was put up and this huge ceramic bowl of couscous was set on a table cloth on the floor. There were about 8 women and girls crowded around stuffing themselves full of the most amazing mix of veggies (pumpkin, zuchini, cabbage, and chic peas), chicken, and couscous. Some of the women ate by making a ball of the stuff in their hands. i opted for a spoon. It was so much fun!!! Next time Fatima said she is going to make this amazing curry dish called bormesh! I cant wait!!!
Other stuff is going well. I learn my final site on the 27th. The suspense is killing me! I admit a good part of that is because I am hoping to be placed near a friend of mine, a PCV who has been here a year. I think I mention Tim in my last post. He was working with us during first phase. Theatre major. Speaks at least 4 languages. Three of which he haspicked up here in 1 year. Brilliant! Just a friend, but I would love to be in his region. He is in the mountains near Azilal. Oh well, Ill find out in two days.
My address is still Rabat. I will let you know when that changes. I got the letters from Will and Adam today and will write back tonight. I miss all you guys!!
Much love,
Nora
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/moonsis/stars/purple/hungry_sp.gif) hungry
Current Music: Arabic pop
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invictus_1's journal