And right now one of the things I'm missing most is my habeeb - Eric Paul. Oh, how I miss the welcoming embrace! The long evenings spent together, poring over books and pondering the universe. I miss the quiet and peace we had together, the special bond forged through three years of togetherness through many trying situations.
In other words, I miss my school library and my dorm study lounge.
Um, yes. I *did* name the library. Aaaaand my dorm study room. Well, it was either that or answer the eternal question "What are you doing this weekend" with "Studying." Saying, "I'm spending my weekend with Paul" sounds much more fun.
At any rate, I just wish I had a good place to go that was ergonomically designed for studying and spreading out books. You see, I am a book spreader. I need my materials in a semi-circle around me for maximum studying effect.
Thinking of Eric (the library) Paul (the study lounge) only reminds me of some other things I routinely miss. Don't get me wrong - being here is awesome, but like anything, it requires some trade-offs. So, here they are:
1. Book of Common Prayer
I am accustomed to using this every day from my iPhone. I don't have a solid copy; and although I could look it up online, it's really hard to kneel while fumbling with my computer.
2. Caffeine
I am used to my 32 ounces of black coffee every morning. Now, I have developed a body clock. This is great, except now midterms are coming up and I have several additional papers to write. And I can't make myself stay up past midnight.
3. Toilet paper
Many bathrooms are BYOTP (Bring your own TP).
4. Regular internet access
My host family has *amazing* internet access. But still, I do miss going to the library and being able to get my research done without having to wait a long time for a single page to load or having the high risk of the email I just spent an hour composing being deleted because of a server error. Not that that's happened, of course. Purely hypothetical.
5. Study space
Previously mentioned
6. Gum
It exists here, but it's expensive. A pack of 5 pieces costs 0.35 JD
7. Gym
Again, I could join a ladies gym (and many of the students have), but I just didn't want to fork over the 75JD/month for the really nice one. I get a lot of walking/hiking in, but no running or weights.
8. Excess water
One of the first things I'm doing when I get back? Long, long, hot shower. I'm not coming out until my skin is the consistency of a prune and I am the color of a lobster.
9. Printer access
There is, technically, a way to print pages at UJ.....I just don't know about it. To print stuff, you have to go to one of the ubiquitous print shops around the University and hand them your jump drive and navigate the process of "Which document do you want to print?" "On both sides?" "How many copies?" "How much does it cost?" Since my Arabic is limited, and I haven't found a print shop where they speak good English......let's just say that deforestation certainly isn't happening on my account.
10. Libraries
So, when I ask about a library where I can check out children's books (to help with my reading), I am continually sent to bookshops. Yes, actual libraries do exist - the UJ one and two downtown, but they aren't exactly what I picture a library to be. And then there's the matter of the bureaucratic challenge of actually checking out a book (not to mention the matter of transportation there and back!). It's just easier to buy.
11. Vegetables
The food here *is* excellent...but there is a distinct lack of abundant salad. Lots of bread, hummus, and falafal, but much less large lettuce-y salads and cheese.
12. Driving
I miss actually driving. I find it relaxing to hit the open road, gently bring it up to 90 mph or so and just set it on cruise. Okay, okay. 70 mph. ;-)
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