Home Sweet Home

I have been back in the U.S. for 3 full days now and have taken notice of a few things:

1. The first thing I noticed is how much I missed understanding people talking around me. I have been chatting it up with everyone I come in contact with, be it the bus driver, the grocery store check out guy, strangers waiting in line with me or people I see in my dorm.

2. I think I may be stuck in money converting mode because every time I buy something I start to think what it really costs.

3. I really love trees.

4. I realize how incredibly loud Amman was and how much I appreciate peace and quiet.

5. It is appalling how women are treated in Jordan and I am grateful that I don't have to deal with it any more.

6. I missed grocery shopping in the U.S.

7. I need to re-train myself to use sidewalks (in Jordan everyone just walks in the street)

8. Apparently in both countries strange men think it is appropriate to offer me a ride. Who are they kidding, do any women actually say yes?

My New Adventure...

I have officially moved out of the middle east! I am wondering what I should call my blog now, I guess I could just take away the "Middle East". For my next adventure I will be a college student again. I am enrolled in a program called Fast Train at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. I am working towards earning a teaching certificate. I have to take 5 weeks of classes this summer and next summer, several online courses, do lots of observations, take a few tests, teach abroad for one more school year and voila I have a teaching certificate. It is an international program so I have to teach elementary education for a year in a foreign country (which one I don't know yet). I just arrived on campus yesterday and am living in a dorm type setup. I have my own room, there is a full kitchen and I have 2 other roommates as of now. Brian is not with me, we will meet up in August when I am finished here. It feels incredibly strange living with strangers and being a full time student again. However, I am excited to start classes Monday and think this program is perfect for me. I don't have the attention span to take classes part time for 3 years to earn this certificate. I have been teaching for years already and just want to get in and out as quickly as possible. Luckily I have a few days to get over my jet leg because 9 credits in 5 weeks is pretty intense. Wish me luck!!