Rain Rain... PLEASE COME!

So, today is the second (yes, you read that right... second) day of rain we have had all season in the south! The hills are dry, there is no greenery... and for a community that is based largely on agriculture... we are boardering on a crisis situation! So, our hope is that it rains solid for the rest of the month of february... but as that is unlikely... lets just hope we get enough to make some sorts of crops grow.
As for me, I have been back in jordan a week now and it feels like an eternity. Not in a bad way, I have just gotten back into my routine and, in some ways, it feels like i have never left.
I have been very busy writing a grant with another volunteer to put on a special education workshop for all the special education volunteers and their co-teachers on different teaching methodologies. In addition, just getting back into the classroom has been rewarding (as, at least for me, my kids are the reason I stay... I would rather be at work than just about anywhere else in jordan).
My center has had some major improvements done while i was away on vacation. a masonary stone wall was put around the front area and it was paved with walkways and has had soil brought in for a garden area in the middle. It really looks amazing! As I write this, I am uploading some videos I took for people to see.
Lets see, other news... I am starting to realize my time here is short (and getting shorter). For me especially (being in the south) this has made me realize that I have precious few more opportunities to hang out with other volunteers. So for valentines day weekend a bunch of us are getting together in Madaba to hang out and I can't wait to see everyone!
Anyway, that is the news here for now...

Amazing Music

When I was home I had one of my best friends in the world introduce me to a new music artist and I was so moved by her song, I had to pass it along.
The artist is named Randi Driscoll and she wrote a song for the Matthew Shepard foundation following his murder called "What matters". Not only is her voice amazing, but this song is just so touching and so true! So, wanted to pass on the info on this talented artist and get everyone to check her out.

http://www.randidriscoll.com

Celebrations in the Village

Well, today was a very big day! Tawjihi scores (which is the Jordanian equivilent of the High School exit exam... you MUST pass to go to college... very important) were announced today and my landlords two kids who took it (one was taking it for the first time, one had to retake it after not passing last year) both passed! YEAH!!!

BIG NEWS!!!

SO, I'm back in jordan... flight was good. God bless international flights that aren't full! I had the two seats to myself and was able to kick back and relax.
Then, upon my return, I found out that my SISTER IS ENGAGED!!! Apparently, her fiancee Chris proposed right after I left (and the general question on this side of the world is... "Chris, couldn't have upped it by 48 hours, could you?"). But seriously, I am so happy for them... The word is that a December wedding is in the works! So, that is the big news to share with everyone.
Again, it was so great to see everyone and i will see you all in 6 months!

How time flies!!!

Well, this is my last posting from home! The three week vacation has been amazing. Not only because it has been nice to return to the comforts of home (I have felt cleaner and prettier in the past three weeks at home than I have in the past 2 years in Jordan... amazing what daily bathing can do... smile) but it has been so nice to see so many family and friends.
Being away from home truly makes you appreciate the friendships and bonds you do have at home. While I have developed many good friends overseas, with the barriers in language and culture (I can never truly be myself in a small muslim village) I do not develop the bonds that I have with my friends at home.
To come home and be around those who know me, and who truly care about me, has been so wonderful. I was discussing friendships tonight with my mother and there have been friends here in the stateside that have been such a source of support and strength to me by keeping in contact while I have been overseas. Those friendships, I realized being back home again, are going to be stronger than ever when I do return for good.
In addition, there are those I have not been in much contact with since I left and, yet, it seemed some things (like old friendships) never change! I am so grateful for that.
I was able to meet new babies who had been born in the past year, meet new "signifigant others" in my friends and families lives, and catch up with everyone here.
So now, I head back for my last 6 months. In some ways I am happy to go back. I feel that there is much work to be done in my last 6 months of service. Many loose ends to tie up, new trainees to help train, and a few more trips to take. But I am going to miss all of you here in the states dearly and I can't wait to see you when I return!

Really, the world is too small!

Visit at home is still going great! Today I went and watched my students from the school for the deaf in their bowling meet for special olympics. It was fun to hang out and watch them all.
Then, on the way home I went shopping. I was in this store with my mom and sister and I look over and see this woman and I turn to my sister and say "I swear, that looks just like Lindsay Crawford" (for those of you who went to westminister woods with me, you may know her... for those that don't, lindsay and I were in camp programs and counselors WAY back my freshman year of high school). So my sister looks over and says "yeah, a little bit i guess." So, I figure it is just one of those people who looks like her... considering the last time I even talked to Lindsay was back in college and I haven't seen her since high school. Well, as my sis and I are talking she heard my name and goes "Ryan?" YUP!!! Turns out it was her! She is getting married this July and is living out in brentwood! It was just so random to happen upon her in a store on my three week visit home!
Other than that, life is going well. Tomorrow i get to see some great old family friends for lunch, and then dinner with my old camp counselors (who are actually from the same camp that Iwent to with Lindsay) who have become dear friends.

No, I have not lost my mind... smile

So, disclaimer post. I posted a bunch of my own baby pictures on my website. Why??? Well, my villagers have been asking to see pictures of when I was little... so I went to my baby book today, took a bunch of pics of the pics in my baby book, and this way I can access them when I get back to jordan.
So, on other news... my visit home continues to go EXTREMELY well! Last night went out to Todai for all you can eat sushi (and, believe me, I made the cost of the dinner worthwhile... and I did go there after telling Adam I would) and on Saturday my kids from CSDF have a special olympics bowling meet in Alameda so I am going to go down and cheer them on.
Tonight my sisters boyfriend and his family are coming over for dinner. I met them briefly in church the other day but didn't really get to know them. Since this is a pretty serious relationship I am excited to get to know them.
Other than that, all is well.

Great New Additions!

Last night I went to SF for dinner with several friends! It was so great! First of all, I had not seen these friends in SOOOO long, and second, it was my first time back in San Francisco (the city of) since i had been home.
The vibrancy, energy, and just general fun of the city was so great to experience. In addition, my friends had all started dating new people since i had been gone that I got to meet and I just LOVE the people they are dating. It is hard when your friends date people you dont neessarily like, but all of these people are ones that I would choose for my friends (if it were my say at all) and I am so happy not only that my friends have found love but that the people they are love are so very wonderful!