Exams

The couple of days after we got back from New Zealand were a hodge podge of things I needed to get done and studying for my first exam which was yesterday. The 14th was Jason's birthday, so we had kangaroo fajitas (which besides the whole 'roo part, had the weirdest toppings for fajitas I've ever seen but they were pretty good). Tim and his friend, Matt, who are both Australian had come over and tried kangaroo for the first time. It always surprises me to learn that most Australians have never even tasted kangaroo, and most of them don't really think much of it. All of us Americans on the other hand all pretty much think it's delicious though... Other than that we made some birthday cake (complete with the same star candle we've used for all three of our birthdays this semester) and played a couple games until everyone was too tired from laughing their stomachs off.

Yahya made another short appearance as he an Rommie brought over a plate of their famous cinnamon rolls and a packet of spices for making Kabsa for each of us to make some when we go home. We have strict orders to make some for our friends and family and report back with how it was :). Hopefully we can get the unmarked super pungent spices through customs though... I can't remember what the US is particular about bringing in, but I definitely have a growing list of things I might possibly have to declare as I come into the country.

Yesterday, as I said, was my first final exam. The actual exam itself was easier than anticipated, and I only took about half an hour to finish it. The exam conditions were intense though. First of all, since there are about 500 students in my class, we were put in the huge gym with a couple other classes. I haven't been to that part of campus since the beginning of the session really, but it wasn't hard to find with the fields in front of it lit up like a huge beacon and massive signs screaming EXAM ENTRANCE .... GOOD LUCK ON YOUR EXAM in oddly unfriendly letters. There were people directing traffic and streams of students into the front doors, past a rambling list of all the student's names taking an exam and their assigned seat. I was I490. Past 4 different people in bright orange jackets who scrutinized my uni ID in comparison with my face, I was allowed into the actual gym, where I was greeted by probably over 1000 desks, most filled with a student waiting for 6:30 to roll around. I did a quick scan of the room, finding section I not too far away, then picking my way through the rows until I found a desk with a piece of paper pasted to it reading, "SEAT: I490. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR EXAM." As I eyed my own little personal good luck wish another woman in bright orange came over and slapped an exam in front of me, motioned to the other two papers already on my desk, mumbled something I didn't understand and left. One of these papers was a scantron-like form that I've seen before, and another one was a form to sign attesting that you are who you claim to be and you won't cheat. These were picked up later during the test, the information being cross-checked with our ID's and faces once more. I appreciate that I don't really get test anxiety, and that due to my watch being behind I had missed all the strict announcements about everything under the sun you're not allowed to do. At 6:30 they announced over loudspeaker that we may all begin, followed by a huge rustling of papers. As I said the exam itself was easy, and I plowed through it as more orange-jacketed proctors patrolled the aisles. Halfway through I glanced up to actually look at the room and realized not only was the entire three basketball fields worth of space filled to the brim with desks, but that the multi-lane track above me had at least 2 more sections on it. I raised my hand when ready, got my papers snipped up by yet another reflective person, and was told to leave. I complied happily, leaving that crazy atmosphere behind for a night of celebration back at the apartment.

Now I just have one more exam, which should actually be tough, but won't be in that same room. Jason, Ashley, and Amy all leave tomorrow morning early for Fiji and won't be back. They are pretty much all packed up, and it really feels like it was just a couple days ago that we were all unpacking and settling in. Katie's friend Tyler has come to visit until me and Katie leave on the 25th, so thankfully it won't be just me and Katie left lonely in the apartment. I'm definitely in denial about leaving and keep avoiding actually thinking about it. Literally every single bus ride I've taken here has involved me thinking to myself about how much I love this place, but today as I went to print something out at uni there was definitely a twinge of something else   behind that thought - of seriously not wanting to leave.