The host fam

So let me give you an idea of what I am doing right now. After a LONG search for a converter which consisted of a 20 minute attempted explanation of what a converter was and then digging through a box of random electronic pieces and cords in three separate shops, I finally came out with a converter. If only my process ended there. Now I have all the parts necessary to use my computer in my house, it's just putting them all together which is the hard part. It turns out the electricity doesn't flow unless you are physically pressing the plug into the outlet… so that's fun. Right now I am sitting against the wall with my back pressed up against the plug to try to keep it in. It's making me wonder whether the computer is really worth it here. My battery only lasts 2 hours and then I have to start the back bruising process again…

Host sister Eeman (10) is a cutie and is my official Arabic tutor. She goes over my notes after class and fixes them since I am prone to leaving out essential dots that change the entire meaning of the word. She is also the official 'sticker-putter-oner' for my letters and eagerly awaits me finishing each one so she can choose a smiley face with which to seal the letter.

I have discovered that I am absolutely useless helping Host Bro Ayoub (18) with his English homework because I don't know any English grammar. He asks all these questions about when you use 'who' and 'that' and 'could' and 'would' and I don't have a good answer for him. Have any of you heard of the past continuous tense? Oh well.

Let me describe for you the room in which I sleep. I think it was Ayoub's room before I came because it is covered in posters that came from French Teen Beat. There is a lovely picture of Eminem flipping off the camera, many Shakira, Britney Spears, and Lorie pictures. I'm not sure who Lorie is but I imagine she's a French star. There are also French boy bands on the walls, it's great. We can't forget the massive American flag hanging from the wall right over top of my bed. Yeah, so that's a little weird for me, I'm American and the flag creeps me out… I wonder where he bought it? Ayoub desperately wants to study in the US, hence his Americaphilia. Okay, just made up that word but you get the point.

My host father has written a French dictionary to help students, complete with pictures and sample sentences and he is furiously proud of it so I need to read it in its entirety. I will probably buy one at a store to support his efforts and to add another few kilos to my luggage because it isn't already heavy enough. Yesterday he showed me his thesis and I think he wanted me to read it… good thing it's only 1000 pages…

More soon, I have to stop being the lame American who comes to Morocco and uses the internet.