Working... Relaxing

This morning we had class from 9-1. I'm excited because tomorrow our class is going to be split into 2 classes, which I think will make it a lot more productive. After class I came back and did my homework and then worked on the blog, the journal, and the photo organization. Sometimes I wish we could spend less time documenting the trip and more time just going out and doing things. It's VERY redundant to me to have to keep a journal, a blog, a cultural event log, and take pictures. But I guess we are taking classes, so the work is to be expected.

Later on we met with a Northeastern student who's studying abroad at AUC. She loves living in Cairo but she's not crazy about AUC, and confirmed that a lot of people there are very clique-y and elitist. After talking to her, we went out for gelato at a nice pastry shop and then got bagels from this little place called "Munch and Bagel." They were really good, AND i found out that they serve "American" coffee. I just can't get hooked on the Arabic coffee or the Nescafe. I don't want to ingrain stereotypes about Americans even more, but I miss Dunkin Donuts coffee. I think it's more of a comfort of home type thing. Anyway, tonight has just been a relaxing night, I'm just hoping to get started on the reading for our next writing assignment... probably should have started that earlier...

1. illness: people on the trip have been dropping like flies lately, and it's really nice to see everyone taking care of one another. It's nice to know that there will be people to lend a hand if I get sick.

2. frustration: Arabic is a frustrating language to learn. The first couple of days of class we breezed through some simple stuff, which makes you think you're doing pretty well. Then the initial excitement of the class wears off and the motivation to put in the effort starts to wear off, leading to your inevitable irrational belief that you are just no good and will never learn it. I am currently moving through that 2nd stage.

3. bagels and American coffee: nothing makes you miss home like a heaping chunk of carbohydrates and a mug filled with enough caffeine to get you through whatever the day might bring. Arabic food is great and all, but when I am just completely a creature in the morning, I need the psychological boost of that cup of coffee charging up my brain.