Oh Amman, here we go...

Here are a few things I have learned since being back...

1. Being pushy, mean, and direct are they ONLY ways to get anyone to do anything right when you ask. No room for pushovers here...

2. It never rains here, and probably never will....haha (see sandstorm video below)

3. The mall is a great place to go when you need a touch of home (Forever 21, Pinkberry, and Starbucks people!)

4. Batata (Potato) bread is amazing and is usually what I have for breakfast.

5. "Welcome to Jordan" "I love you" and "oh my god" seem to be the only words many men know.

6. Man cannot survive on falafel, hummus, and schwarma alone. Give me some fast food! (something i usually NEVER have, and i miss chik-fil-a...)

7. Arabs really ARE the most hospitable people you will ever meet....I've already gone to one wedding and got fed a MOST delicious meal...and i didn't even know the bride or groom!

8. Taxi drivers WILL stop the car in the middle of a busy road just to get out and yell at the BUS that was in their way...

9. Walking up and down millions of stairs just to get home and to school is normal.

10. Lemon Mint drink is the best

11. Learning Arabic is not easy, saying things wrong publicly is even harder

12. The Internet is seriously the best invention ever, and my saving grace....I get to watch my Noles every Saturday! And Amy gets to watch her Auburn Tigers...so a winning situation overall!!!

13. Dad is doing some pretty AMAZING things in the Middle East, so everything is....

worth it. :)

Sweet Home Alabama...

...which is where I am right now. I can hardly BELIEVE how fast this summer has gone...it seems like just yesterday I was greeting the humid, sticky stickiness that IS summer in Florida. Now I'm in Birmingham, Alabama, at Amy's house (for those of you who don't know her, she has lived in Jordan for the past 3 years, met her when I went last year, and she is awesome!). In SIX days, we fly out to Jordan. It will be her millionth time, and my first.

Packing last week was ridiculous....i am not the best of packers, I wish I was better, especially since I've done it alot in the last two years. But I managed to stuff and squeeze all my crap into all of my bags, so it is well with my soul.

I can honestly say at this point in the game that I am SO excited and ready to get over there. I have been home for about 9 months now, and during those 9 months I have been preparing and waiting. My time at home was what I needed, even though honestly the travel bug within me wanted to GO GO! But man I learned so much. I needed that growing time, with my church, with my AMAZING family and friends. But now it's time. I'm not fully ready, but I guess thats a good thing? I am just SO excited for this new season and all the exciting things that will happen. I hope you are excited too to see all the things that "Dad" is going to do too!

So that was my blog about my EXCITEMENT. Interesting, I know. I'm sure next week I will have a LOT more to write about!