So today I got the email from AUC with instructions on where to take the Online Arabic Placement examination. I clicked on it and then clicked on the link that would show me a ’sample text’. All I have to say, is …oh my. I am way worse of than I originally thought I was. I took three semesters of Arabic, but its been almost a full year since I have done any studying.
Maybe this will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. If I do poorly I won’t be able to complete my degree in the two year time frame, unless I take some intensive Arabic courses. I am not opposed to such a thing, and I think that if I start from the beginning I will be able to pick it up a lot easier. Now that I am a graduate student, I will not be working. I spent at least 40 hours a week while I was in my undergraduate career at Sacramento State, and I know I would have done better in all of my courses if I had not worked and spent more time studying. So, Insha’allah, I will do better this time.
I believe that I am still on course ( I make it sound like a race) to be baptized this August. Hopefully it will be on August 15th, which is the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother. Being baptized on that day was not my idea, it was my Priest…and he only mentioned it in passing. But somehow, it seems right.
I’ve much more to say, mostly about my upcoming trip to seattle, but I have to go now. So, until next time…bye!
Yours,
Scott
