Senioritis as a junior

Sorry for the lack of communication lately…ISP (independent study project), which is basically a mini-thesis, is just around the corner and the stress is palpable. We’re kind of at a weird phase in our program; everyone has caught the contagious disease called “senioritis” (apparently it does exist after high school), we’re supposed to be finishing up the preliminary research for our ISPs and figuring out our travel plans, and we’re all kind of missing home a bit. I don’t presume to speak for everyone on the program, but that seems to be the general feeling among people I’ve talked to. My parents and younger sister are coming to visit next week (yay!!), so that will probably tide me over in the family department until the end of the program, but unfortunately the ISP and “senioritis” issues are things I’m just going to have to ride out.
My ISP will be focusing on the human rights violations that occurred during the reign of Hassan II (1961-1999)—more specifically, the implementation of communal reparation programs throughout the country. This is important for many reasons; one of the most important ones being that this is the first case of communal reparations in the Muslim world. I’m lucky to be here during such a ground-breaking time, and everyone keeps telling me that I should have no problem finding people willing to work with me. Let’s hope they’re right, because I’m still looking for an ISP advisor!
We move out of our houses next Sunday and then we’re on our own for three weeks to travel around the country at our leisure (ha.) while scrambling around to do field work and write a pretty important paper. We receive a daily stipend to cover our transportation, housing, and food; from what I’ve seen throughout a semester of traveling around Morocco, it won’t be hard to survive on the amount they give us. I don’t think I’ll be staying at any 5-star hotels, but you can get a decent hotel for ~$10/night, no problem. As for the food… I bought lunch for 3 dirham yesterday (about 35 cents), so I think I’ll be ok. Going back to the high cost of living in Southern California is going to be one heck of a shock, that’s for sure.
I’m not too upset about moving out in a week…my family’s been nice, but because they house students all the time, I feel like I’m in a boarding house more so often than not. It’s worked out well though because my friend’s family has adopted me and I’ve started eating couscous at their house on Fridays and hanging out with her younger sisters…I’ve got the family atmosphere when I want it, but then I can always retire to the calmness of my bedroom whenever I need to. Best of both worlds. Also, I’ve discovered the movie part of the souk…any movie you could possibly want, for less than a dollar. Granted, these aren’t the most legit movie copies, but when you need a small taste of America, it’s reassuring to know that it’s there. Watched Twilight this evening and I think I might cave and read the books now (Uncle Rich—I watched Reservoir Dogs!).
Think that’s all for now, but I’ll try to update with more frequency from now on. You can hold me to that.