Today was the final exam, and though I am not certain whether or not I passed (I won’t know until next week) I DID understand more of it than the last one. Hey, gotta take improvement where given. I even got through the conversation part, more or less unscathed. I can’t use verbs correctly, plural, tenses, or, well, anything, but I can put a complete sentence together. Fortunately, they pair us up so I didn’t have to try to talk with our teacher, who I suspect thinks I’m a moron, nice, if slow. I got the funny British guy, and we almost had fun mangling out topic. Here’s a translation of the gist of the thing:
Teacher: “How was the exam?”
Funny Brit Guy: "Not bad. Some hard, other parts okay. Listening good but essay tough."
Me: “I no listen good. Ear bad, big big. Exam no hard yesterday exam.”
Teacher: “Ah, do you have hearing problems or is it the machine?”
Me: ” Me the problem”
(Pitying look from teacher, then instructions to discuss our hobbies, which was in our reading from class)
Me: “Hey Brit guy – you got hobby?”
Brit guy: "With. Me no have hobby. Like write, read, think stuff. How about you?"
Me: “I loved musician and play lot big music. Teach music and history and a little Arabian music (really pulled out the stops on that one!). Me like known stuff Arabic. Much good. How about you?”
The conversation continued in this manner, with periodic, pained interruptions from the teacher when we really mangled something.
Everyone was chain-smoking in the hall, looking dazed (under the signs, of course, that said "No Smoking") and we all wandered out into the lovely weather. SO, we of course went shopping! I bought a few things, my colleagues bought a lot, and then we had a huge lunch at "our" restaurant, Beit Jabri. Then, I said good-bye to my beloved Spanish friends who are off to Turkey for the break between classes. I will miss them so! My wonderful friend who works for the UN (and her agency may also get kicked out of Sudan) is also off, so it will be quiet this weekend. Well, unless the kids party, which is also fine.
I have shopping to do, friends to say goodbye to and have time for a few more adventures, so stay tuned! I return on Monday the 9th in the evening, and my wonderful Better Half will get me from NYC. Hopefully, I won’t get crap by the TSA, but I can handle it.
Thank you for all the confidence, well wishes and great comments – this has been a lot of fun and a good way to stay in touch!
March 6, 2009 at 1:02 am |
You did it! Congrats for surviving and, in my humble opinion, thriving! I hope the next few days are peaceful and full of rest and fun! Thank you so much for this blog, Lisa! It has meant so much!
March 7, 2009 at 1:12 am |
Oh my word! I was reading this and started cracking up. I think Bob thought I was losing it a bit. He asked me what was going on, and I had to explain it to him briefly. I agree with your mom. I so appreciate you doing this blog so that we could all share a little of your experience. I look forward to seeing you when you come to Maine.
March 7, 2009 at 12:47 pm |
You talk pretty someday…