Heading down south

Well, it is hard to believe that I have been back in Alaska almost a month. I really don't know where the time has gone. I am having a great time being here, and am really excited to go down and see my mom and sister in a couple days. I've been trying to stay up with Arabic by reading news articles and watching some news clips. The other day I finally got a hold of my Sudanese friend here in fairbanks and we went and had coffee together. It was great to speak arabic again, and I was happy that I could understand him so well, because he speaks the sudanese dialect. I am hoping I will get a few more chances to hang out with him before I go.
It is also really great to see all my old friends in Fairbanks/North Pole. I wish I was able to spend more time with everyone, and hopefully I will be able to. I know that time is going to continue to fly by, and that soon I will be leaving again. But hopefully I'll get a couple hiking trips and volleyball games in before I make for the Middle East again.
I don't really have anything important or amusing to say...not even an interesting story, sorry. Here are a few pictures. One of the place I am staying in, and another one of...my niece, surprise! (from a couple weeks ago)

OK, well I don't have much else to say. Things are going pretty well here in Alaska. Things continue to go well with my roommate, although he is up on the slope right now. It is so GREAT having almost 24 hours of daylight. Alaska is the coolest place on the planet....but it could be better if they spoke Arabic and had humus and falafel, but I guess nothing is perfect.
Anyway, here are some pictures from the Jerusalem, Dubai, Oman trip.

This is another picture of Dubai. The tubular looking thing hanging out of the sky is the indoor ski slope...Dubai...

This is the Dubai downtown skyline. Those buildings are TALL

This is a little harbor that we visited in Oman. We went on a short little cruise on one of these boats and saw some dolphins.

This is a picture of the Shakkour family (all of them). I always have such a great time when I am with them. It was so much fun being there when all the kids where home. I had alot of fun...shukran ktiir

Back in Alaska

Hey Everyone, this is a quick post just to let you know I made is safely back to Alaska (after traveling for 42 hours from Dubai). Things are going well. I've got a really nice place to stay (and I'll post pictures of it later) with a very nice roommate. It is a little strange being back in Alaska, and it is taking me a little to readjust to life here. Luckily I was only gone about a year so readjustment is going pretty smooth, but there are certain things that are weird, like the way people drive here and the fact the everything works and that no one speaks Arabic. I actually miss speaking Arabic very very much, so I am going to try and find some one here that is Arab.

This is a picture of downtown Dubai from the beach. It is a crazy place; man made islands, indoor ski slopes, gas that costs 60 cents...

This is what was waiting for me in Alaska, my niece! she was really different than the last time I saw her, but apparently she somewhat remembered me. She likes cats, which she calls 'meow meow'.

I'll post more later, or try really hard to anyway.