Thank goodness for a family

From the minute I met Ola and Sausan, I felt at home. They both have the kindest of hearts and are very sweet girls. I didn’t feel awkward around them at all, in fact, I feel very much like a part of their family. Their family consist of five children. Ola the oldest, 18; Sausan my official host sister, 17; Hussain and Adnan, the younger shy brothers that thought that all Americans had blonde hair and blue eyes, and finally, Joud (Joudy, as the sisters like to call her), a sweet, adorable and smart little girl. She speaks English very well for her age.

I haven’t officially met Adnan because he is very shy. Apparently he came into my room (that I share with Ola and Sausan) while I was getting ready for bed, and looked at my suitcase and asked what it was, but as soon as he heard the lock turn, he ran out of my room. He is very very shy…

Their mother speaks only Arabic, and is in the process of learning English and German. I haven’t met the father yet, but I think I will meet him today. The other thing about Omani families that they had warned us about was that they never sleep during Ramadan. I didn’t fully believe them until now. We didn’t get to sleep last night until 4:30, and I didn’t even take part in the Suhour!

The mother, Samiya, told me that she will not let me leave the house without eating breakfast, despite the fact that it is Ramadan and they won’t be eating, and that we have breakfast provided for us at the center.  See what I mean about family?

Right now I’m sitting in bet (it’s noon) and I think the rest of the house is asleep, but I also think that I found the perfect time to study, write on my blog, and read for summer reading. When I told Ola that I had summer homework, she was puzzled.

“Aren’t you on summer break?”

“Yea..”

 “Well then you shouldn’t have homework!”

You hear that American school system? Even in Oman they think that summer homework is ridiculous!

Another funny point. When I was unpacking, Ola was telling me that I needed pants, because it would be weird to have the American wearing long (hippie) skirts while the Omani girls are more fashionable than that. I think I have a lot to learn about fashion...fun stuff :P

Oh and I think I will be getting a haircut sometime soon because I mentioned to Sausan that I needed to cut my hair…so to the hair dressers we go!

Overall, my sisters are very sweet and very fashion aware. These three weeks will be good, I’m excited to see what else there is…

Today I’m going to meet Ola’s best friend..(I forget her name). We talked to her yesterday on the phone, she seemed VERY excited to meet the “American girl”…woot woot

Off to study for my FGLL test while this house sleeps..