Another Year

It’s already 2008. How did that happen? I was too distracted watching wedding videos in Hebron. She was 16 and he was 22. At least I know they are no longer saving him for me. He is now the proud father of a beautiful little girl. When I saw her in the summer she was an infant. Now she is crawling and starting to walk. It’s amazing how quickly the kids grow and change. When I visited in the fall of 2004 D was just a few weeks old. Now three and a half years later, we can talk about animals and colors and vegetables – all in Arabic.

My sister came to visit. Went to Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Hebron, and quality time in East and West Jerusalem. I attended a Jewish wedding and a Muslim wedding, but skipped the Christian one. Too much for one week. I danced and drank and laughed and reconnected with old friends, and now I’m sick.

This workshop is taking over life, and there still aren’t enough Palestinians. Now it’s getting personal. I need it to be successful, but I also need a job when it’s done. 21 days – eek. Time to learn the art of balance.

Bush is coming to visit. The streets are lined by American and Israeli flags. Instead of feeling patriotic, the two flags together make me feel a little uneasy. The same way I feel when I see such a combination gracing a man’s chest on a lapel pin. Not so attractive. The city is going to be in lock-down mode. Businesses are closing, doctor’s offices are canceling appointments, and schools are shutting down for 2 days. I am supposed to have a meeting in Ramallah on Thursday – looks like I might have to reschedule.

Finally bought stickers with Arabic and Hebrew on my keyboard. I can’t wait! Except it seems some of the Arabic letters a wrong. Zift.

Graduation is next week. I won’t make it.