Good News for this summer!

I just recieved an email that confirmed me a place on the trip this summer to the country of Jordan in the Middle East. I will be traveling with about 18 other students including three Jordanians from AC for three weeks in July. We will organize a conference for 140 Jordanian university students that will focus on promoting enviornmental awareness and support international understanding between the Middle Eastern and Western countries. We will also spend time helping to build govenment houseing for those who cannot provide shelter for themselves. A few days will also be spent at a Palestinian refugee camp which will be an absolutely incredible experience for both the refugees (who have never seen a white person in real life) and especially for us as we'll get to see first hand the manner in which these people live. So different from our own.
We are raising money now in any way possible. We want to be able to pay for everyone's travelling expenses while in country that way everyone has equal oppertunity to this amazing trip. Letters will be sent out to companies, our friends, and our families all over the world to ask for their support in this venture. If you're reading this you may well get a letter from me in the near future!! We really really are grateful for absolutly anything anyone can give. If you'd all like more information please let me know!!!

Other than that good news and the excitement for an amazing summer trip, my life has been going along pretty smoothly. I started a new class as a seventh subject: Music. A seventh subject is unusual and not recommended but they allow it for people who love the subject they'll be adding.... not a problem for me! My last two classes we listened to a Romantic Symphony and analyzed everything from key changes to patterens to dynamics. I felt a little lost but my piano background allowed me to understand at least the basics of what they were talking about. I'm sure I'll catch up in no time. It will then be all I can do to stay caught up!! We'll see and hope I don't get too stressed out!

Surrounded by music (running to chior now!),
Malia