501 Verbs

Barron’s has finally released their update to 201 Arabic Verbs with the new, improved 501 Arabic Verbs.  I used to scoff at these books, but the Arabic verb system is very complex and forces even the advanced learner to consult verb charts.  So, thanks Barron’s!  It looks like you’ll have to wait for their Hebrew update.

“Just help her fill out the form for the doctor”

The wife of the couple from Ahwaz is pregnant and she has a doctor’s visit coming up.  So, my sis-in-law thought it would be good to have me help her fill out the forms prior to the visit.  Now, most of my Arabic comes from general conversation and reading BBCArabic.com.  So, I know words like “alive” “dead” “killed” and “blood”.  For the other words, which were many, I used Google Translate to the best of my ability.  Yes, I’m single.  Though, I think it would be uncomfortable for any dude to conduct that interview.  Thanks sis!

Living in Amman

We live near the U of Jordan in a 6-story limestone building that doubles as a limited public library.  They cook a large, Western style meal for us once a day (7 PM), clean our rooms, and do our laundry.  This is all very helpful when you live with 3 college students.  For lunch, we usually grab a shwarma or falafel sandwich, which costs less than a dollar.  Other options include KFC, McDonald’s and Pizza Hut, but since I avoid them in the US…  Sadly, Pizza Luce has not set up shop in Amman.

Our place is somewhat off the beaten path, which makes it difficult to develop relationships based on proximity, that is, relationships outside of ACOR.  I plan to contact my potential language partner today and also take advantage of more tutoring sessions.  I’ve had progressively more success each time I go to the store, get in a taxi, or ask for directions.  It seems that the more common the task, the closer the vocab and language used is to Amharic.  That’s really my only hope to achieve any fluency while I’m here.  That is, in order to maintain a significant conversation, you need a vocabulary of several thousand words.  That’s why it’s “easy” to learn Spanish or German.  So, I’ve focused much of my attention on cognates with Amharic and Hebrew in hopes that I could quickly move past the initial frustration of limited vocab.  From feedback in conversations and in class, it seems to be working.

Shots: Part 2

I got shot up with Typhoid today.  They also made me get a flu shot "cuz Jordan has the flu."  A Flu shot in May!?  I think they were more trying to prepare for the bird flu, so they also gave me a prescription for Tamiflu.  Bad news is that I found out they also have amoeba, giardia and other intestinal diseases.  

Shots

So, looks like most of my shots from Ethiopia (2002-2003) carried over, but they want me to renew my Typhoid and Meningitis vaccines (every 3 years).  My regular clinic in Minneapolis is rad enough to supply those without sending me across town.  Vaccinations give me a healthy feeling, even though I'm not really exposed to Typhoid, etc. regularly.  My hope is that the sheer quantity of vaccinations may work together to protect me from bird flu.