This little piggy went wee-wee-wee...

....All the way home...


I can't believe it's been a month since I left Jordan. Actually it really just hit me that it's literally been a month since I flew out of Amman.

The Europe and Middle East SALTers

I spent the first week in the States with other SALTers at MCC headquarters. It was a great time to relax and reflect with people who had just gone through similar experiences. And it definitely helped with culture shock, since I was able to slowly adjust to the US life. My parents brought me home at the end of the week, and I promptly was dragged wedding dress shopping with my sister. We didn't find a dress that day, but she has since picked one! And I have also found my maid-of-honor dress as well.

Visited Friends in DC

Things have been pretty hectic, between trying to see my friends, figuring out what I have and don't have anymore, doctors appointments... and generally preparing for my next MCC term.

Oh, did I forget to mention that I got a job? I'm starting a new international term of service with MCC. If you want to hear more about it, and follow my adventures, check out my new blog Peace, Pabulums, and Phnom Pehn.

Back to the USA

Well today's the day! On Thursday I moved out of my room at the YWCA in Husn (I've been staying in a hostel in a Amman since). Last night, the MCC Jordan team (with the 2 new members of the MCC Iraq team) got together at the Rep flat for my farewell dinner. I just checked out of my hotel and now I'm hanging out at the office until I leave for the airport at 1:30pm (less than 30 minutes).

My flight leaves Amman at 4:35, heading to Doha, Qatar. I arrive in Qatar at 7:15, where I will meet 11 other SALTers (serving in Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Nepal). From there the 12 of us have an overnight flight (leaving at 1:05AM) to Philadelphia. ETA in Philadelphia: 7:55AM, Monday the 21st. From there my father is picking me up (YAY DAD!), and then I am heading straight to SALT Re-Entry Retreat, in Akron, PA. Early Saturday morning my parents (YAY MOM AND DAD!) will come to Akron and take me home.

It's hard to believe that my SALT journey is nearly at an end. I want to thank everyone who supported me throughout this year. I was blessed and touch by each and everyone person who made this experience possible. I will miss everyone I got to know here in Jordan.


A year in pictures, some of which have probably been shared before:

First week in Jordan, at the Roman Ampitheater in Amman with Caleb

Visit to Ajloun Castle in November

Visit to Ajloun Castle in November

AES Student Art Exhibition in Amman, with teachers in November

AES Student Art Exhibition in Amman in November

Ina and me at our favorite restaurant in Amman in November

Lunch at Hashem's in November

At the Security wall in Bethlehem, just after Christmas in December

Decorating an olive tree in Beit Jala, Palestine in December

Petra with Jackie in January

Picnicking in February

Church at the Jordan River in March, with Judith

Visit to Jerash in March (here at the Temple of Artemis)

Visit to Umm Qais in March

Trip to Wadi Rum for Easter in April

Standing in the Red Sea, on the beach in Aqaba in April

Desert Castles trip with Ina and Judith in May

Fighting  Ina for my food at a BBQ in June

On Rainbow Street, in Amman with Judith in July

In King Abdullah Mosque in Amman in July

Getting muded up at the Dead Sea in July

Leaving school on my last day of work in July

Five Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes*

On our last day all together in the office.  From left to right: Headmistess Sabah, Jana, Judith, me, Ina, Rev. Samir, and Abu Munther

Today, was my last day at the Arab Epsicopal School. It's hard to fathom that I'm not going back tomorrow morning. Or the day after. Or any day in the foreseeable future. I have been blessed to work with all the teachers, admistrators, and staff at AES this past year. The chance to be part of this ground breaking community has been more amazing than I can express. Working with students has been the highlight of my year. They made every day a blessing and an adventure.

Getting the chance to live in Jordan this year has been more amazing than I can express. For all it's fustrations, and ups-and-downs, it has been a joy to serve these people and to learn from and with them.

As Jonathan Larson wrote, in the song "Seasons of Love" in his Tony award winning musical Rent: "How do you measure, measure a year?... Measure in Love."

*Well, not exactly. More like four hundred eighty two thousand four hundred minutes, since it's only been 11 months not a full year. But the song still relates.

One Month... WHAT?

Can I just say something crazy? I have less than a month left here is Jordan. It's pretty insane. Things are coming to a close at school. The students have finished final examinations and are no longer attending school. New teachers are being interviewed for next years staff. The final newsletter for the school year is out. It's hard to imagine that in a few short weeks I'm going to be back in the States. I'm excited to see my family and friends again, though I am sad to leave all the relationships I've made here.

Final Countdown!

Ticket Home.... WHAT?

A few weeks ago I recieved my ticket back to the States! I spent the next two days going through an emotional crisis about how that made me feel- I was happy, and sad, and kind of surprised, and reluctant to admit how soon I'm leaving, while also extremely excited to see my family, and many more feelings.

So here's the deal:
July 20th - Flight from Amman, Jordan to  Doha, Qatar
Alittle after midnight on July 21st - Flight from Doha, Qatar to Philadelphia, USA
ETA in Philly: 7:55AM, July 21st

From Philly I'll go directly  to MCC headquaters in Akron, PA for reentry retreat. Then on July 26th, my parents will pick me up and I'll head back to the Eastern Shore.