tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49592772700501248562024-03-13T11:47:16.786-05:00When a Woman Loves Amman: The Week Amy Left AmericaReflections of an American [feminist] professor of her time in Amman, Jordan.Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-56818173359384549402011-09-04T23:01:00.001-05:002011-09-04T23:21:27.989-05:00Presentation Scheduled<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Dr. Amy Aldridge Sanford and Dr. Dilene Crockett will discuss their International Faculty Development fellowships in Jordan with a presentation, "Reflections on Jordan," on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. It will be shown on ITV in Room 220 of Business and Technology in Tahlequah and Room 114 of Liberal Arts in Broken Arrow. Further movie screenings are Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. in Seminary Hall, Room 204, and Oct. 12 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 139 of the Education building in Broken Arrow.</span></div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-79416883751649085282011-07-31T22:51:00.000-05:002011-07-31T22:51:11.237-05:00Reactions to my Hijab<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b0g3DbnyJeI/TjYWtXyx8zI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Of1azQZFAPY/s1600/Rasha+and+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b0g3DbnyJeI/TjYWtXyx8zI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Of1azQZFAPY/s320/Rasha+and+me.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rasha and me. Rasha was the assistant who helped us with <br />
EVERYTHING while we were in Amman. She is wonderful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>During my last day in Amman, I asked Rasha to go with Dilene and me to McDonald's and to the tunnel that led to the university. There were shops in the tunnel and I wanted to buy some souvenirs. One of the shops was full of scarfs that women use to cover their heads (commonly referred to as hijabs). There were probably 50 scarfs--in bright, beautiful patterns. Rasha asked me if I'd like for her to put one on me. Honestly, I was honored that she wanted to do it. I told her sure and asked her to pick out the one that she liked the best. Since I had admired her collection of hijabs over the last week, I trusted her taste.<br />
<br />
Once Rasha had chosen the scarf, she put it on me while Dilene filmed and Rasha spoke to the camera. I asked Rasha if me wearing a hijab would offend anybody. She said of course not. And sure enough, the locals just smiled and watched. Rasha had the scarf on in no time. I put my sunglasses on and was ready to go. She asked me if I was wanted to keep it on. I said of course. I wanted to feel what it was like to walk down the street. I had walked down the street many times during the last week as an uncovered woman; I wanted to cover and see if I felt any difference. Rasha beamed and looked at my uncovered elbows and lower arms. After all, women wear the head covering to promote modesty. My naked elbows weren't too modest. I took the other scarf that I had around my neck and used it to cover my arms.<br />
<br />
Rasha took a photo of me walking down the street from the tunnel back to the CIEE office. That is the photo that ran in my university's newspaper last week. I have been told that at least one person feels that she needs to pray for me because she believes I am Muslim or maybe she thinks I'm too friendly with Muslims. I'm not really sure.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to spend time on whether or not I'm Muslim. I think that a stranger making that assumption about me is about as ignorant as the spam emails accusing President Obama of being Muslim. I do want to spend some time on why wearing a head covering doesn't make anybody anything. It's a head covering. It's like wearing a hat or a 'do-rag. For me, it was an opportunity to embrace the culture and take a walk down the street.<br />
<br />
And while I'm on the topic, I'm afraid many American's ideas of what is Muslim is way off. Christians, do you want people to think of David Koresh as a mainstream Christian? Osama bin Laden and his posse were NOT mainstream Muslims. They were extremists, just like Koresh was an extremist. Rasha is a mainstream Muslim, and she is a wonderful, loving, fun person. I would like to think she (and her beautiful hijab collection) would be welcome in Tahlequah.</div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-48206598042573315332011-07-10T12:02:00.000-05:002011-07-10T12:02:13.629-05:00Biggest sinMany of you have asked about the "biggest sin" I committed that I referenced in an earlier blog entry. This is the scene of the crime:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XhtkmRqRJm0/ThnWNUs1aBI/AAAAAAAAAjo/cXUiEjoWkP4/s1600/murals+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XhtkmRqRJm0/ThnWNUs1aBI/AAAAAAAAAjo/cXUiEjoWkP4/s320/murals+copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is a section of a very long wall of murals in King Hussein Park. The murals are a timeline of the country. As you can imagine it is a VERY long wall. What you're looking at here is the very end of it (which is where we started). As I continued to make my way down the wall, I came across this plaque:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7IyidU9Tig/ThnXZnZ36yI/AAAAAAAAAjs/GRtDtrM_F5s/s1600/mosque+plaque+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7IyidU9Tig/ThnXZnZ36yI/AAAAAAAAAjs/GRtDtrM_F5s/s320/mosque+plaque+copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Next to the plaque was a door. I tested the knob and it was unlocked. So I walked in. I thought of it as a replica. I've been to Silver Dollar City. Replicas are meant to be explored. Same rules don't apply in Jordan though. As soon as I walked out of the closet-sized mosque, the Jordanian leader of our group told me I committed the biggest sin. I immediately knew she was telling me I should have covered my head.<br />
<br />
I asked her what I should do. She told me to ask Allah for forgiveness. Uhhhhhhh. I'm not Muslim. Now I happen to believe God is God no matter what we call it, but I wasn't sure how most Muslims felt about that. I didn't want to commit another sin before I even got forgiven for this one. <br />
<br />
At that point, I felt very ostracized by our leader and the rest of the group. I'm sure it was mostly in my mind since most of our group didn't even know about my cultural mishap. It still didn't feel good.<br />
<br />
I ended up asking Rasha (the Jordanian graduate student who worked for CIEE) to ask Allah to forgive me. She assured me that what I did wasn't a big deal. Allah bless her.<br />
<br />
What did I learn? I shouldn't use American tourist rules in another country. Just because the door is unlocked, I should just walk in it.Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-52487855307006192532011-07-02T22:47:00.003-05:002011-07-02T22:53:19.873-05:00Jordanian Men<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">During my time in Jordan, I began to feel sympathy for Jordanian men. They are often blamed for oppressing women within the country, but I really believe the men are victims as well. They perform a masculinity that is expected of them. There is sadness mixed with an arrogance one senses when interacting with the country's men.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>The oldest males in any family are favored. In fact, once a male is born the father loses his name and is know as "father of ______" and the mother becomes "mother of ________." This doesn't happen when a daughter is born, even if she is the eldest. One of our tour guides told of us of men who never had sons, so they just made up a name of a son so they could have the nickname as well.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I witnessed the favoritism of eldest sons many times during my time in Jordan. When I was leaving Amman, an Arab man and his two sons were on my flight to London. The father spoke directly to his eldest son many times, virtually ignoring the younger son. He also kissed the child on the lips multiple times and checked on him constantly while the boy was sleeping on the plane.</div><div><br />
</div><div>There was another Arab man on the plane; he had two daughters and a son. The son was the middle child. Again, all of his attention was on the son. These sons are treated like kings and waited on hand and foot by their parents and the rest of their families. They can't help but grow up with a sense of entitlement. (Speaking of kings, it is law that the successor to the Jordanian throne must be a male). </div><div><br />
</div><div>One of our speakers during our seminar spoke about some research she had done on invisible girls in Jordan. Basically, she was concerned about how girls were rarely seen in public. (You may remember that I commented on an early blog post how I rarely ever saw young girls in Amman). The researcher found that people believed girls should be in the private sphere while boys can be in the public sphere. It all boils down to how the people interpret modesty in Islamic Law. Many people believe that keeping girls in their houses protects them. (An expert on Islamic Law told us that this is a misinterpretation of the law. They said that this is a cultural practice not dictated by religion).</div><div><br />
</div><div>Unrelated boys and girls rarely interact with each other in Arab parts of the world. They are schooled separately, girls are rarely in the public sphere, and everyone is pretty much banned from coed interaction. As a result, boys become young men without any unrelated girl friends. The young ladies at the University of Jordan told us about all of the catcalls they get on the streets. They believe this has a lot to do with men being sexually oppressed. Women are a mystery to these catcallers; the men feel no personal connections to the women as human beings with feelings.</div><div><br />
</div><div>These boys make all the calls in their houses when it comes to their sisters and mothers and female cousins, so they feel that every women should be bossed around by them. The men are behaving the way they've been taught. There are expectations on Jordanian men and they're just trying their best not to disappoint their families and their tribes.</div></div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-59337738743425089242011-06-27T11:49:00.000-05:002011-06-27T11:49:52.870-05:00Fashion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Something that really struck me during my visit to Jordan was the variety of fashions within the country. The common theme was modesty (an influence of Islamic law), but modesty came in a lot of packages. Some people (men and women) covered with head coverings and large robes over their clothes, but I also saw people in very modern clothing with no head coverings. Then there was everything in between. Something I rarely ever saw was short sleeves on the locals, but I even saw that once or twice (especially on the campus of The University of Jordan). I'm pretty sure I never saw an Arab's knees or cleavage though.<br />
<br />
Just a couple of group shots to show the variety of fashion. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gkubdOTeIM/TgickOWHMDI/AAAAAAAAAgg/AgZbJKiL8Bo/s1600/IMG_3131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gkubdOTeIM/TgickOWHMDI/AAAAAAAAAgg/AgZbJKiL8Bo/s320/IMG_3131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Amman. I saw every type of fashion here. There is also a lot of fashions for sale here. This is the only place I saw a woman completely covered so much so that she had to be led down the street by the hand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sokqgqzKhIo/TgidEoxD1UI/AAAAAAAAAgk/V6DkRfDvKCI/s1600/IMG_3288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sokqgqzKhIo/TgidEoxD1UI/AAAAAAAAAgk/V6DkRfDvKCI/s320/IMG_3288.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grocery store in Amman.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns-hr4_bOrM/TgiedZ1Kc1I/AAAAAAAAAgo/_UhLC60NLmM/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns-hr4_bOrM/TgiedZ1Kc1I/AAAAAAAAAgo/_UhLC60NLmM/s320/IMG_2989.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Gregra--a Bedouin community in Southern Jordan. Young ladies are usually asked to start dressing modestly when they hit puberty. It's believed that dressing modestly keeps people from lusting for each other. It is the women's responsibility to maintain the honor of her family and extended family (AKA tribe). This is very important in this collectivist culture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aC_g8kTu7g/TgifaYfcrgI/AAAAAAAAAgs/TggaH9I3pJI/s1600/IMG_2914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aC_g8kTu7g/TgifaYfcrgI/AAAAAAAAAgs/TggaH9I3pJI/s320/IMG_2914.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young lady worked at a bazaar in Amman. She's holding up a Muslim Barbie-type doll. The doll is wearing a traditional robe/dress and a hijab. None of the dolls were dressed like this woman, even though the majority of young women I saw in Amman looked like her (and not like the doll).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LAsnqPWxQ_s/TgigBqS-HUI/AAAAAAAAAgw/xuUFdm2Us8Y/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LAsnqPWxQ_s/TgigBqS-HUI/AAAAAAAAAgw/xuUFdm2Us8Y/s320/1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women who dress in different styles are often friends. The woman on the right is Rasha. She told me that she started wearing the hijab in college and that it was totally her choice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fi2KFrWfCOM/Tgig_6p79YI/AAAAAAAAAg0/s00gsHXy7-Y/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fi2KFrWfCOM/Tgig_6p79YI/AAAAAAAAAg0/s00gsHXy7-Y/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy is Libyan and is a famous singer in Jordan. Notice that she if VERY covered for a pop star. She also very covered in the photos on the inside.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o48jP-BRBfU/Tgihwoh-ArI/AAAAAAAAAg4/xUGSkVaDIHw/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o48jP-BRBfU/Tgihwoh-ArI/AAAAAAAAAg4/xUGSkVaDIHw/s320/3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This woman is a Senator in Jordan and was one of our speakers. Notice that she does not cover her head and is wearing short sleeves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5h6B5HPAbM/Tgii2PrFYFI/AAAAAAAAAg8/I58Y2CdgHfI/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5h6B5HPAbM/Tgii2PrFYFI/AAAAAAAAAg8/I58Y2CdgHfI/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first 3 people on the left are students at The University of Jordan. Notice the variation in styles of dress. Many of the college students told us that men feel that they can catcall women who are not dressed modestly enough.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1Ks7tOu_OE/TgijSj7aBNI/AAAAAAAAAhA/2Z6O7AxVnjM/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1Ks7tOu_OE/TgijSj7aBNI/AAAAAAAAAhA/2Z6O7AxVnjM/s320/5.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This woman was one of our speakers. She told me that she covers because she wants people to focus on her brains and not her appearance. She also does not believe that Islamic Law calls for women to dress any more modestly than this. In other words, she doesn't believe that women need to cover their faces.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxAkPrp4ecs/Tgikf-lPWPI/AAAAAAAAAhE/uDGwnIkBq3s/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxAkPrp4ecs/Tgikf-lPWPI/AAAAAAAAAhE/uDGwnIkBq3s/s320/6.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">The president of the Gregra community center. Her face is covered in the presence of men if she is not related to them. She is a Bedouin--the people native to Jordan.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYbq7070FeE/TgilSuRK9xI/AAAAAAAAAhI/bcNszygmCkw/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYbq7070FeE/TgilSuRK9xI/AAAAAAAAAhI/bcNszygmCkw/s320/7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This always struck me as a double standard. A husband in in jeans and short sleeves with a wife completely covered. I saw this pretty frequently. (By the way, I know they are married because you never saw a man and woman together unless they were married. Most of the time women hung out with women and men with men. The only exception to this was the university campus).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2AMTZUsEnk/TgimV2jgloI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Q6bkEgSCVKo/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2AMTZUsEnk/TgimV2jgloI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Q6bkEgSCVKo/s320/8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dress boutique downtown.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6L8FV2OgWyA/Tgim0ZowxtI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/zQxhr5WmXl0/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6L8FV2OgWyA/Tgim0ZowxtI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/zQxhr5WmXl0/s320/9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of men wore the white robes because they are cool in the hot sun. By the way, the red and white head covering indicate that a man is Jordanian.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODat61t6Raw/TginTmLbz6I/AAAAAAAAAhU/l68uwtlrRhc/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODat61t6Raw/TginTmLbz6I/AAAAAAAAAhU/l68uwtlrRhc/s320/10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of men hanging out in Amman. Again, check out the variety of dress. I saw far more men hanging out on the street than women. I was told that a lot of men in Jordan are unemployed because they won't take jobs that they feel are below them and should be filled by immigrants. Men (especially eldest sons) are made to feel very important by their families and tribes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRyReh2gkpo/Tgin5Otr4CI/AAAAAAAAAhY/WNifpArS8UM/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRyReh2gkpo/Tgin5Otr4CI/AAAAAAAAAhY/WNifpArS8UM/s320/11.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys are playing ball behind a walled area. (I stuck my camera in between bars on a gate to get the shot). I never saw any guy walking in the open in a tank top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0AKDA55MAk/TgioXyytVpI/AAAAAAAAAhc/M6QFIW-R0K4/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0AKDA55MAk/TgioXyytVpI/AAAAAAAAAhc/M6QFIW-R0K4/s320/12.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me walking down the street in a hijab. I had to cover my arms because I was wearing short sleeves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-80332713921872643012011-06-25T21:37:00.000-05:002011-06-25T21:37:52.327-05:00photos and books<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've put up a slide show and a list of books. Both are in the right-hand column. I've also updated links and the blogroll. Feel free to look around.<div><br />
</div><div>My plan is to look through the blog comments over the next few weeks and try to answer some questions. If you have a question for me, please post it as a comment on this blog. Even if you've already posted it on FB, repost it as a comment on this blog. </div></div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-23428741372756003222011-06-21T09:32:00.000-05:002011-06-21T09:32:14.441-05:00See you stateside!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This will probably be my last post until I get back to the states. I still have plenty to say; I just need some time to process (and sleep). Thanks to all of who have taken this journey with me. I do appreciate all of your kind comments and support (even though I have to read them super fast).<br />
Today we went to Jordan University! Universities are one of the places that make me the most happy, and today was no exception. The students were wonderful! So smart and engaged. It was energizing and gave me a lot of hope for Jordan. It's been a common theme amongst our speakers that they are very excited about the young people of Jordan. I now completely understand why they say that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODOFEtHwX8k/TgCrBB3DeEI/AAAAAAAAAGE/DpXQTuIq5c0/s1600/IMG_3344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODOFEtHwX8k/TgCrBB3DeEI/AAAAAAAAAGE/DpXQTuIq5c0/s320/IMG_3344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our group in front of the UJ sign.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FA6Tw4hhhN4/TgCrEjdsB6I/AAAAAAAAAGI/bxXeyfPEo5w/s1600/IMG_3355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FA6Tw4hhhN4/TgCrEjdsB6I/AAAAAAAAAGI/bxXeyfPEo5w/s320/IMG_3355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> At the beginning of the student-faculty dialogue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57mMRm6WR-M/TgCrG2IVXRI/AAAAAAAAAGM/xamRHN0VIL0/s1600/IMG_3375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57mMRm6WR-M/TgCrG2IVXRI/AAAAAAAAAGM/xamRHN0VIL0/s320/IMG_3375.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">Who doesn't love a clock tower????</div></div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-51312085108473419182011-06-20T22:36:00.000-05:002011-06-20T22:36:34.690-05:00Speakers from Sunday and Monday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Asma Khader, the Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said there is a lack of female involvement in the economy in the region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men are responsible for spending, even when the women work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many women are working in Jordan because the family needs the money (Jordan is #4 poorest country in the world), and they are allowed in all jobs now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Khader said there needs to be more family friendly employment policies (i.e., work from home, flexibility, child care, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Women retire when their employers tell them to do so—usually around the age of 45.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This doesn’t allow them to advance very high.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzEt3b4tSbc/TgAL1wSI_gI/AAAAAAAAAE8/7qhts8An-0s/s1600/Asma+Khader.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzEt3b4tSbc/TgAL1wSI_gI/AAAAAAAAAE8/7qhts8An-0s/s320/Asma+Khader.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Maha Khatib, senator, said, “Jordan has no natural resources, but we have brains and we have dreams.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has lots of hope in the younger generation.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhIivH-ScVw/TgAMJQiixKI/AAAAAAAAAFA/YyoUTts6aH0/s1600/Khatib.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhIivH-ScVw/TgAMJQiixKI/AAAAAAAAAFA/YyoUTts6aH0/s320/Khatib.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Abla Abu Olba, a member of Parliament, said, “In order to effect change, a woman should not play the role of the victim or the heroine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also said that to work for change a person must love people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said the feminist movement has been occurring since the 1950’s.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEU2sOmdSIw/TgAMeJx-RQI/AAAAAAAAAFE/dh64IWmbGLk/s1600/Hajaya+Olba+Khatib.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEU2sOmdSIw/TgAMeJx-RQI/AAAAAAAAAFE/dh64IWmbGLk/s320/Hajaya+Olba+Khatib.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Olba is in the center.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rana Hajaya, mayor of Hassa, was only 26 years old when she was elected mayor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is 33 now and serving her second term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Uhc99UZTwo/TgAMwZHB33I/AAAAAAAAAFI/k0p3HsYMYdM/s1600/Hajaya.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Uhc99UZTwo/TgAMwZHB33I/AAAAAAAAAFI/k0p3HsYMYdM/s320/Hajaya.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Eva Abu Halaweh is the executive director of Mizan, a law group for human rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They provided legal aid to 12,000 people in Jordan last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She won the International Women of Courage Awarded, presented by Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama just a few months ago.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F722BeieHTY/TgANEWdsSGI/AAAAAAAAAFM/0GYH4FHmI9o/s1600/Halaweh+and+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F722BeieHTY/TgANEWdsSGI/AAAAAAAAAFM/0GYH4FHmI9o/s320/Halaweh+and+me.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rana Husseini wrote an awesome book “Murder in the Name of Honour.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly recommend it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She graduated from Oklahoma City University!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcOmAEpD4AU/TgANTqx8IaI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/TuOZ3mTsEGU/s1600/Husseini+and+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcOmAEpD4AU/TgANTqx8IaI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/TuOZ3mTsEGU/s320/Husseini+and+me.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dr. Dua Fino shared with us her interpretations of Islamic law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that Islam views men and women as meriting equal treatment and it is up to men to make sure women are treated fairly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her about the veil and she responded, “The dress requires people to focus on my mind and not my body.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She believes that covering the face is unnecessary and an example of custom and not religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She believes in freedom of choice but personally believes the hijab is in accordance with Islamic law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of our other speakers did not wear a hijab (as you can see from the photos).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXzDXc9JTQM/TgANmEO06CI/AAAAAAAAAFU/D1qVtHGlwnM/s1600/Dua+Fino.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXzDXc9JTQM/TgANmEO06CI/AAAAAAAAAFU/D1qVtHGlwnM/s320/Dua+Fino.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leila Diab is a Christian in Amman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the director of the general federation of the YWCA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, “Christians did not come to the Middle East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was not born in New York.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are about 2% of Jordanians are Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many Christians choose to migrate to the Western world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that Christians enjoy freedom in Jordan and have 8 seats in Parliament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that if peace doesn’t exist in the Middle East then it cannot exist anywhere.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IbAj4xgbfQ/TgANxIqo5JI/AAAAAAAAAFY/rAMEt0pYIF0/s1600/Leila+Diab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2IbAj4xgbfQ/TgANxIqo5JI/AAAAAAAAAFY/rAMEt0pYIF0/s320/Leila+Diab.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sahar Khalifeh is a very well published author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told us that it is important to have sympathy of men when it comes to women’s equality, but they should not be our leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need women writers and to listen to women tell their stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She believes that the Muslim Fundamentalist Movement is responding to the progress of women with oppression and this may be the reason we have seen the rise of head coverings of all types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, “You can’t push a woman to be strong, but you can give her role models in literature, the classroom, etc.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7ntnez2eIU/TgAOVpUGjiI/AAAAAAAAAFg/_aV8R9Mz7oQ/s1600/Khalifeh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7ntnez2eIU/TgAOVpUGjiI/AAAAAAAAAFg/_aV8R9Mz7oQ/s320/Khalifeh.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Samia Zaru is an AMAZING artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited her house, and I took LOT of photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also took us to the Children’s Museum that her son designed and the King Hussein Park, where she created a couple of murals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a BIG mistake at the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told it was the worst sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need more time before I can write about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do feel awful about it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rtugpr9hL4/TgAO6n6AFyI/AAAAAAAAAFk/jc3mDv_GJYA/s1600/zara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rtugpr9hL4/TgAO6n6AFyI/AAAAAAAAAFk/jc3mDv_GJYA/s320/zara.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The artist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkUz57LKUzA/TgAO_Yp1WYI/AAAAAAAAAFo/f3MT449BcOg/s1600/my+fave+piece.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkUz57LKUzA/TgAO_Yp1WYI/AAAAAAAAAFo/f3MT449BcOg/s320/my+fave+piece.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">My favorite piece in Zara's home.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq_7IRnRb28/TgAPowRKx1I/AAAAAAAAAFs/opQdg1ii8Wg/s1600/Rasha.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq_7IRnRb28/TgAPowRKx1I/AAAAAAAAAFs/opQdg1ii8Wg/s320/Rasha.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Taken at the Children's Museum-One of my very favorite people in Jordan.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm trying to convince her to get a master's degree at NSU.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a9J-xhMqbYI/TgAP4oCPpfI/AAAAAAAAAFw/Px-QDo5oQ2s/s1600/IMG_3279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a9J-xhMqbYI/TgAP4oCPpfI/AAAAAAAAAFw/Px-QDo5oQ2s/s320/IMG_3279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The mural at the King Hussein Park. This is about a fifth of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z42Drcq2W1A/TgAQAQnCsqI/AAAAAAAAAF0/lJka-VjIRqg/s1600/IMG_3274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z42Drcq2W1A/TgAQAQnCsqI/AAAAAAAAAF0/lJka-VjIRqg/s320/IMG_3274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Family's family tree.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The Royal family is very important in Jordan.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I see King Abdullah's photo everywhere.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two creators of <a href="http://www.7iber.com/">www.7iber.com</a> .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The future of Jordan.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZegPxvD-Bfc/TgARFXsx3FI/AAAAAAAAAF4/CZrNYLPun4k/s1600/7iber.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZegPxvD-Bfc/TgARFXsx3FI/AAAAAAAAAF4/CZrNYLPun4k/s320/7iber.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the last couple of days, I’ve also had the opportunity to visit downtown and watch a couple of weddings from my hotel room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJAwBZ-eaAA/TgARj3gh_UI/AAAAAAAAAF8/HsETJwdsZeI/s1600/bride+and+groom+entering.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJAwBZ-eaAA/TgARj3gh_UI/AAAAAAAAAF8/HsETJwdsZeI/s320/bride+and+groom+entering.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BH8G1NY1CM8/TgARnRm62hI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Bon7fzzShLs/s1600/dancing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BH8G1NY1CM8/TgARnRm62hI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Bon7fzzShLs/s320/dancing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment--> </div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-54447391812107309592011-06-18T21:32:00.000-05:002011-06-18T21:32:32.083-05:00Saturday activities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">marHaba from Amman!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday we visited some Bedouin people in far Southern Jordan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about a two and a half hour drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also swam in the Dead Sea at a nice resort!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Bedouin people are native Jordanians and still keep up a very traditional lifestyle from long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part, they are nomadic and are sheep and goat herders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the Bedouins we met are not nomadic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They actually live in permanent structures and harvest thyme as a community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited their community center where they keep the greenhouses, have a computer lab, do crafts, and have other community gatherings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were the first people from the states that have ever visited them at the center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children in particular were pretty intrigued by us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bedouins pride themselves on treating men and women equally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The president of the center is a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bedouins have great favor with the King and visits them often.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The contrast between the Bedouins and the people of Amman is pretty amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For citizens of the U.S. who have never visited the Middle East, it’s very likely they have seen many images of Bedouins and not many of the urban types in Amman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly had (and probably still have) many misconceptions before visiting here.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXC-dKdS6R0/Tf1elSvkemI/AAAAAAAAAEs/w6jh0WEqKTM/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXC-dKdS6R0/Tf1elSvkemI/AAAAAAAAAEs/w6jh0WEqKTM/s320/IMG_2979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Community Center</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhr_wX0403U/Tf1etcFO77I/AAAAAAAAAEw/8DyCuMAGYPM/s1600/IMG_2982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhr_wX0403U/Tf1etcFO77I/AAAAAAAAAEw/8DyCuMAGYPM/s320/IMG_2982.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Harvesting Thyme</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PrzdOyiLHv8/Tf1e-xPaLGI/AAAAAAAAAE0/KnFHW3iFnNs/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PrzdOyiLHv8/Tf1e-xPaLGI/AAAAAAAAAE0/KnFHW3iFnNs/s320/IMG_3007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Watching Craft Demonstrations</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are near the Dead Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a natural stone carving sort of thing on top of a large rock one can see from the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is supposedly of Lot after he was cursed and turned into a pillar of salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is believed that the Dead Sea is salty as a result of this cursing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Dead Sea is beautiful, but is it ever salty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something like 8 to 12 times saltier than any other body of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also the lowest point on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tour guide told us that the Dead Sea could disappear in 50 years if something is not done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said the do have a plan.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I ended up with a little Dead Sea in my eyes and mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty painful actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s mud at the site for people to put on their bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a mud bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dilene put some on my face for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I guess no one is suppose to wash his/her face off in the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why the showers are there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I should have watched the locals a little more closely.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6yITR2MUfQ/Tf1fmGoqxKI/AAAAAAAAAE4/a-ei6INf8Q0/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6yITR2MUfQ/Tf1fmGoqxKI/AAAAAAAAAE4/a-ei6INf8Q0/s320/IMG_3077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today we are visited The Jordanian National Commission for Women, meeting some senators, meeting a woman who won the International Women of Courage Award (presented by Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama), and meeting an author and activist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No big deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just another Sunday for me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">ma’salama!</div><!--EndFragment--> </div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-798056064514429152011-06-17T13:50:00.001-05:002011-06-17T21:05:16.134-05:00What I learned today...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IADCsOcPhXs/TfuhiZ51-lI/AAAAAAAAAEo/0imeZSsb7ng/s1600/eman+hala+rula.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IADCsOcPhXs/TfuhiZ51-lI/AAAAAAAAAEo/0imeZSsb7ng/s320/eman+hala+rula.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our speakers today. Rula is standing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I posted some photos earlier but haven’t had much of a chance to share what I’m learning about the women’s movement in Jordan. My knowledge is still minimum, but I hope to grow it over the next couple of days. I imagine I’ll be processing this for years to come. I am so struck with the parallel to U.S. women’s movements that I can’t shake it. All of the struggles I heard about today have been and are currently mirrored in the U.S. I wonder if this is true for other parts of the world as well.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Rula Quawas, a Jordanian professor and women’s activist, said that very little critical thinking happens in her classroom and in the greater society because independent thinking is discouraged. She said that decisions are made by family patriarchs (and business owners) who make decisions based upon religion and their interpretations of the Holy Word. I have faced the same issues when discussing feminism in the U.S. It’s a bit more extreme here because it is much more collectivist here than in the U.S. A woman must put her family and tribe first. I’ve been told there is no Arabic word for I. I’m not sure if the person who told me that was being literal or not.</span></div><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Rula believes it is important to educate men (including religious leaders) about the oppression of women but said it’s tough because many of them see it as Western thought and a way to deculturalize the Middle East. She mentioned honor killings and how women who stand up against such things are seen as loose and not religious. (Same tactic used against feminist in the U.S.—except they’re usually called lesbians and man haters). She also mentioned that there is apathy amongst Jordanian women and that women often don’t see that they’re being discriminated against. That is a HUGE challenge for the women’s movement in Jordan. Women have to have their awareness raised first. Then activism. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Many of the Jordanian women on the streets look sad and beaten down to me. They are seen as “daughter of ______”, then “wife of __________”, then “mother of <u>son’s name</u>.“ They are not seen as individuals. I see men out gathering together in town and having a few laughs but I’ve seen very few women together. I’ve yet to see any laughing. This made me think of Friedan’s concept of the “problem with no name.” In fact, I asked if there was a common book (without mentioning Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique”) women gather around in Jordan to discuss women’s issues. The answer was no.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Another seminar attendee mentioned that feminist in the U.S. learned from the Black Civil Rights Movement. Jordanians have not really had a similar experience from which to learn. I hope that maybe they can look to the U.S. for ideas on how to advance, but I feel very ethnocentric (and not very 4<sup>th</sup> Wave) for saying that.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">An aside: I cannot begin to tell you about all of my ethnocentric moments in the last day. People ask me where I’m from, I say “America.” They say, “Which one?” I tried to shake an elderly Iraqi gentleman’s hand. He looked at me like I was crazy, but he shook it. I also don’t know one word of Arabic and just get into every cab like the driver should know English. I’ve had a couple of them say to me, “Speak Arabic.” I’ll say, “Do you speak English?” They respond, “Do you speak Arabic?” I’ve taken to looking for small boys and speaking to them to get directions, etc. They always speak great English, but the family patriarch wants me to speak to him, not his boys. The little boys also know their U.S. geography. They know Oklahoma is in the middle. </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The laws regarding Jordanian women are pretty good, but there is a problem putting laws into action. One of the speakers said: “Women’s conditions are changing but not their status.”</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">A major critique that one of our speakers had about the women’s movement in Jordan is that the research and activism is done my NGOs. She said that they are a part of the system that oppresses women. I’m guessing the NGOs are partially or fully funded by the government? She also stated that these organizations have taken on a patriarchal structure. The speaker who talked about this was very critical of the advances of women in Jordan. She feels like much more can be done. This is the same type of criticism we hear from feminist activists in the U.S. In fact, this criticism sparked every wave of feminism in the U.S. (and much of the fragmentation of the movement as well).</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">By the way, I think our speakers are too hard on themselves. The feminist activists have made great strides in the last 40 short years. She says a lot more can be done and looks to Morocco and Tunisia for how that can be done.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Rula mentioned in regards to gender equality activism: “The price is heavy. It takes a toll on you.” She said a Jordanian is always presented with the false dichotomy of being a feminist OR a nationalist. A person cannot be both. You’re either with us or against us. I’ve also heard this discourse in the U.S.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I’ve had a few chances to interact with Jordanian women who work in shops, but I haven’t seen one girl yet. It’s probably best for their dads if they keep those girls looked up while I’m here. Today we asked one of our cab drivers if his wife wears traditional dress, including the head covering. He said, “Of course!” and without skipping a beat, he very proudly said, “My daughters do too!” His daughters are 14 and 15 years old.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The people of Amman have been very kind and hospitable. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around why they don’t treat their women better, but that’s a very ethnocentric approach. They think that doing what the Holy Word says is what’s best for their families. Women sacrifice in a collectivist culture. Family and tribe first. There is no I. Hmmm. There is no I in team, but there is in famIly and trIbe. Have I just found the new slogan for the Women’s Jordanian Movement?</span></div></div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-37032707770219915222011-06-17T12:04:00.003-05:002011-09-04T22:57:03.619-05:00some photos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I will try to create a slide show in the future but for now I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from Days 1 and 2. Yesterday was spent mostly in airports and in the air. Fourteen hours of air time to be exact. As you can see, I was intrigued by food and drink in the Paris airport. That's a tiramusa below. OMG.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2COOQwoAoU/TgcthANi7iI/AAAAAAAAAgc/CdRbEOtor1I/s1600/coffee+and+tiramusa+at+the+Paris+airport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2COOQwoAoU/TgcthANi7iI/AAAAAAAAAgc/CdRbEOtor1I/s320/coffee+and+tiramusa+at+the+Paris+airport.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVzW-buvhN8/TfuGyprWIRI/AAAAAAAAAEE/G8bxysJL_6s/s1600/Lay%2527s+in+Paris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVzW-buvhN8/TfuGyprWIRI/AAAAAAAAAEE/G8bxysJL_6s/s320/Lay%2527s+in+Paris.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUf6kZgfE-4/TfuG4AytlrI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Ss8Y-1HEXYQ/s1600/is+nothing+sacred.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUf6kZgfE-4/TfuG4AytlrI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Ss8Y-1HEXYQ/s320/is+nothing+sacred.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Today we heard from speaker about the modern day women's movement in Jordan. I will share more about that as soon as I get my thoughts them down. There's a lot to process. I also went to the Citadel today and an awesome bazaar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXGQuAR3lp4/TfuHjyZWbUI/AAAAAAAAAEM/W5Nu65JEOW0/s1600/view+from+my+room-dust.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXGQuAR3lp4/TfuHjyZWbUI/AAAAAAAAAEM/W5Nu65JEOW0/s320/view+from+my+room-dust.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> View from my hotel room. Notice the dust on the windows. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Everything is very dusty here. No one seems to mind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqKrMGNHb1w/TfuHqv-KYNI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/lC5SVVR0onw/s1600/lunch+at+CIEE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqKrMGNHb1w/TfuHqv-KYNI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/lC5SVVR0onw/s320/lunch+at+CIEE.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch today. Middle Eastern food is eaten communally and is awesome. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oQjwS1NNWzQ/TfuHxP932QI/AAAAAAAAAEU/ICcAdtTTi0o/s1600/America+everywher.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oQjwS1NNWzQ/TfuHxP932QI/AAAAAAAAAEU/ICcAdtTTi0o/s320/America+everywher.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remiders of America everywhere. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cpDk4qAIJ5Y/TfuH019ToPI/AAAAAAAAAEY/fQtDY8f0mWw/s1600/subway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cpDk4qAIJ5Y/TfuH019ToPI/AAAAAAAAAEY/fQtDY8f0mWw/s320/subway.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpb-HO_dXmw/TfuH5CLHCHI/AAAAAAAAAEc/LoRnwN_uImo/s1600/subway2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qpb-HO_dXmw/TfuH5CLHCHI/AAAAAAAAAEc/LoRnwN_uImo/s320/subway2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Close up on Subway menu.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g801RBsKREg/TfuH-JTgpkI/AAAAAAAAAEg/gwfcY4hChEs/s1600/IMG_2916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g801RBsKREg/TfuH-JTgpkI/AAAAAAAAAEg/gwfcY4hChEs/s320/IMG_2916.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Bazaar today. Jordanian men do not tend to make much eye contact with me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And they do kind of just gather like this everywhere, including the street. </div><div style="text-align: center;">VERY communial--with other men.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center">Turns out this guy didn't want his photo taken.</div></div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-39697648433622051982011-06-13T23:03:00.000-05:002011-06-13T23:03:27.571-05:00Flights and Time Changes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So tomorrow's the big day. I leave Tulsa International at 3:40 p.m. and arrive in Minneapolis/St Paul at 5:38 p.m. From there I take a flight at 7:30 p.m. and land in Amsterdam at 10:45 a.m. (their time). It's about 8 hours up in the air. My flight departs for Amman at 12:35 p.m. and lands in Amman at 6:30 p.m. on June 15. That's about 5 hours up in the air. There's an 8 hour time difference between Oklahoma and Amman. <br />
<br />
So for those of you keeping score, I will arrive in <b>Amman at 10:30 a.m. (Oklahoma time) on June 15</b>. June 15 also happens to be my mom's birthday. The first one since her death. It could end up being a pretty emotional day, but I'm very sure she would want this for me. Granted, she would probably think Amman was pretty scary (she watched a lot of FOX news), but she would have trusted my judgment.</div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-5283862166815196412011-06-12T15:41:00.000-05:002011-06-12T15:41:13.525-05:00Packing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnSiSKViMik/TfUjVs1y0vI/AAAAAAAAACQ/msQIrjLSB5s/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnSiSKViMik/TfUjVs1y0vI/AAAAAAAAACQ/msQIrjLSB5s/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A piece of advice I got about this trip is to pack a couple of days early. So I did. This is a photo of the inside of my suitcase as of right now. I'm very worried about how much this bag is going to cost me. I will check it in Tulsa, but it's my understanding that it may have to be checked a couple of times on the way there and on the way back. I also have a pretty full carry on. I decided to go with a backpack for the carry on.</div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-50620948077482284092011-06-10T19:26:00.000-05:002011-06-10T19:26:15.240-05:00money, money, money. money.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixaW3V1Y338/TfKyCLwHGLI/AAAAAAAAACM/m8GKhjKJp_o/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixaW3V1Y338/TfKyCLwHGLI/AAAAAAAAACM/m8GKhjKJp_o/s320/IMG_2830.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So I called the bank yesterday after getting the run around from Visa about foreign exchange rates if I use my Visa check card. Visa would not tell me what their fees were and told me to call my bank to find out what their fees are. It was frustrating.<br />
<br />
So I called BancFirst (my bank). Ann was very helpful and suggested I get some dinar (Jordanian money) before I left here. For $217.37 USD I was able to get 130 Dinar. The exchange rate is about 1.58. Maybe it's because the money is so beautiful there...<br />
<br />
Ann also suggested I get a Visa travel card and put some money on it rather than use my bank card every where I go. Some other world travelers gave me that suggestion as well. So today I went to Reasor's and got a Visa travel card.<br />
<br />
I planned to buy a phone card today but decided to talk to AT&T first. (Actually I delegated this task to Gene). He was told that it would cost almost $3 a minute for me to use my cell phone (even with a calling card). They suggested I use a landline or Skype. I think we're going with Skype. I'm not much of a phone person in the USA; I can't imagine I'll feel much differently over there.</div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-24385646815820777702011-06-09T10:17:00.001-05:002011-06-09T10:18:33.994-05:00A few gifts...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui5M91BKcXA/TfDh9m1kMEI/AAAAAAAAACI/f3V4cK4MUaU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui5M91BKcXA/TfDh9m1kMEI/AAAAAAAAACI/f3V4cK4MUaU/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This a sampling of the gifts I am taking with me to Jordan.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Dana Boren-Boer, for the hook up on the NSU gifts: centennial book; flash drives; pens; lapel pins; and sticky notes.<br />
<br />
And thank you, Gregg Simmons, for the giveaways from the Cherokee Nation: Youth Choir CDs and the tourism booklets.<br />
<br />
Sedelta Oosahwee is working with a couple of Cherokee artisans to get me some small baskets and other art. I'll post photos when I get them.<br />
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And while I'm sending out thank yous, thank you to Peggy Kaney and others in the JVL for loaning me a camera for the trip.</div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-11386610136875420632011-06-08T08:10:00.003-05:002011-06-08T09:00:57.867-05:00Seminar Participants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Participant Roster</span></span></b><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">CIEE IFDS Jordan - Middle Eastern Women: Tradition, Development, and Change</span></span></b><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Naima Brown, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Sociology</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Santa Fe College / Florida</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px; font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Dilene Crockett, </span></span></b></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Business / Marketing / Management</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Northeastern State University / Oklahoma</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Barbara Johnson, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Sociology</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">University of South Carolina Aiken / South Carolina</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Amy Aldridge Sanford, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Communication Studies/Women's & Gender Studies</span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Northeastern State University / Oklahoma</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Dawn Nowacki, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Political Science</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Linfield College / Oregon</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Maya Sen, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Psychology</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Northern Michigan University / Michigan</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Siti Kusujiarti, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Sociology</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Warren Wilson College / North Carolina</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Sandra Spencer, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Women's/Gender Studies</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">University of North Texas / Texas</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Rebecca Ulland, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Foreign Languages</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Northern Michigan University / Michigan</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Soraya Mekerta</span></span></b><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Spelman College / Georgia</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Paula King, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Academic Affairs</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">St. Catherine University / Minnesota</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Martha Hardesty</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">St. Catherine University / Minnesota</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px; font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Charles Rock , </span></span></b></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Economics</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Rollins College / Florida</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Amy Hamlin, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Education</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Winston-Salem State University / North Carolina</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Laraine Wallowitz, </span></span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Education</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="font: 8.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Adelphi University / New York</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica;"> </span></div></div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-31522100870028744752011-06-07T11:12:00.001-05:002011-06-24T17:13:26.889-05:00Flight preparation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz06aODq6Tc/TgUL-nsJwWI/AAAAAAAAAJM/BXbu2yt5hv0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz06aODq6Tc/TgUL-nsJwWI/AAAAAAAAAJM/BXbu2yt5hv0/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ1bHfJtsag/Te5L0bZzVFI/AAAAAAAAACE/Gkp_CusoiOo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Aspirin and knee highs for circulation. Amber Cowan told me yesterday about someone she knows who got a blood clot on an international flight.<br />
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Hand wipes for quick hand and face washing. They can also be disposed of in the toilet. You never know when they may come in handy. Some stranger at Reasor's told me to pack tp. I guess this will work.<br />
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Wal-Dram because I'm sensitive to motion sickness. (I get sick in the car between here and Fayetteville).<br />
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Emergen-C to build up my immunity before the trip.<br />
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Pepto (Sooth) because it just taste so dang good.<br />
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I also plan to pack something to knock me out. Amberdawn also suggests I pack earplugs and a mask. Stephen says I need a beach towel to cover up with on the plane. Anything else I'm missing? I got the flight pillow, passport and other documents, extra outfit, toothbrush and toothpaste.</div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-46663733309846441042011-06-05T18:26:00.001-05:002011-06-05T22:14:52.536-05:008 days!Dilene and I leave Tulsa International Airport next Tuesday, June 14! It's so close, and I have a lot to take care of between now and then. Here's a bit of my to do list.<br />
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Need to make copies of my passport, flight itinerary, bank card, prescriptions, and insurance for Gene (my husband) and for Dilene (my traveling companion). If I should lose the originals, I can get the information quickly from one of these people. I also need to give Dilene my emergency contacts. I've already given Gene my contact information while I'm in Jordan.<br />
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I also need to buy an international phone card and circulation hose for the long flight (Dilene's suggestion). Jenn Martin has also suggested some items for my carry on: an extra outfit, meds, chargers, baby wipes, snacks, toothpaste and toothbrush, Emergen-C, and a digestive cookie. (It's been suggested to me that I just try to knock myself out for during the long flight).<br />
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While in Jordan, I will need sunscreen, sunglasses, sweater, head scarf, sturdy walking shoes, plug adapter, camera, business cards, NSU branded gifts, and guidebook. <br />
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The preparation is a lot of work! Does anyone else have any suggestions for me?Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-4685973082187651912011-06-01T17:56:00.000-05:002011-06-01T17:56:51.243-05:00DisappointmentOriginal travel plans had Dilene Crockett (my NSU travel partner) and I with a day layover in London. I was VERY excited about that. We would then fly out of London and be in Amman on June 16--the day we are required to be in Amman by the CIEE. Well, the airlines had different plans. Our flight on June 16 got switched to June 17. FAIL. No London. We cancelled our original itinerary and got rebooked today. No long layovers. We'll be in London for a total of 2 hours on our way back from Amman. Guess I'll get my Will and Kate souvenirs in the airport. JK!<div><br />
</div><div>Thanks to all of you who have offered such encouragement about this trip to Amman. I'm very excited! London is just a minor setback; it wasn't the focus of the trip anyway.</div>Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959277270050124856.post-39415448425996241892011-05-29T00:18:00.000-05:002011-05-29T00:18:49.004-05:00Passport, electrical adapters, head coverings, and long dressesMy students will tell you that I am a fan of discomfort. I believe that discomfort leads to a person's growth. Discomfort tells us that our current paradigms are being challenged. I am taking a trip to Jordan because I needed growth. My life had become too routine. And, boy, am I feeling the discomfort. The raw, nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach discomfort. <br />
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Preparing for a trip to Amman has been a challenge. The CIEE has been great to communicate expectations, agendas, suggested readings, packing lists, etc. to conference attendees, but it is overwhelming. There is so much uncertainty. I bought an electrical adapter at Best Buy, and the salesperson told me NOT to plug a hairdryer or a flat iron into it. Huh? Am I supposed to spend a week with wet, stringy hair?? The suggested packing list said to bring a head covering and long dresses with sleeves. I'm so conflicted about that. I'd rather wear capris, short sleeve shirts, and no head covering. I want to show respect within this culture, but will I also be taking a part in oppression of women by taking part in local customs? I'm teaching an online class during the 8-week summer session, but will I be able to get (and afford) internet during the trip? Will I be able to blog? Will I be able to communicate with family and friend? What will it be like to be in foreign airports and go through that process? Will my suitcase get searched? Will my suitcase even make it? How in the heck do I get everything in one bag anyway???<br />
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It's all very scary to me, but it's also very necessary. I will be a better teacher after this trip. I will also be a better global citizen. <br />
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A note for my current and former students reading this: I am doing this for you. Many of you have taken some big, scary risks because I asked you to trust me. Now it's my turn.Amy Aldridge Sanfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099920486302181003noreply@blogger.com3