A rough start

Well, I made it back to Jordan safe and mostly sound. The flight back (12 hours) was packed, and it was my luck to have a group of handicapped children sitting behind me who really didn’t understand why you are not supposed to beat on the back of the seat in front of you…oh well, no one likes to sleep on airplanes anyway. At least I had my new mp3 player (it’s a Sandisk knock off of an Ipod model, but less expensive and NOT Apple). Eventually the kids went to sleep and I was able to nod off for a couple hours. I was pretty tired since we spent the whole day walking around New York, or taking buses, subways, and ferries. I thought the transport system in New York was great: cheap, quick, and easy to use…maybe it’s improved since last year J.
When I arrived to Amman my friend picked me up and we had dinner together then went to see my apartment. This is where the fun really began…The apartment was supposed to be finished and everything ready, or so I had been informed. Now, anyone who has any experience in the Middle East is a fool to think that everything will ever go according to plan (no matter how simple that plan is). I was expecting some problems, but I had called and double checked before coming to make sure things were in order. Nevertheless, when we arrived at the apartment (about 10 pm) I discovered that the apartment was far from ready. It did not even have electricity or water hooked up, and the resident guard (a guy who watches over the building during the nights) said it probably won’t be done til end of Ramadan, which translates into ‘not until at least a month after Ramadan’. It was 10:30 at night, but that didn’t stop us from going around the neighborhood looking for apartments. Arabs are night people, especially during Ramadan. Everything was high priced and I was too tired to make a clear minded decision. My friend graciously offered (actually ordered) to let me stay at his place that night. He has internet at his place and so I tried getting in contact with my old roommate (who is in the states now) to see if the old apartment was open. Since I couldn’t sleep more than about three hours I ended up catching him on MSN around 4:30 am. Come to find out the old apartment was vacant, but the key is with his uncle (who lives in Amman). He said I could stay there until things work out. So the solution was easy enough: try to get some sleep, get up, contact his uncle, and go and get the key. Problem solved right? Nope. When morning rolled around (with no sleep thanks to jet lag) I couldn’t get a hold of the uncle, so I went with my friend to his work and then walked around Amman until 2pm when he got off work. Normally I like going into downtown Amman, however this time was not so fun. The temperature was around 100 degrees, I had almost no sleep for two days, I was catching the standard nasty cold that always comes when I change climate zones, and the worst part was I couldn’t eat or drink anything in public (which in Amman is everywhere). Needless to say, I’d had better days. Nevertheless, my spirits were high, and I tried to just embrace the hardship (with a fair amount of success). That afternoon we still had not got a hold of the uncle, but we found out where he lived, so after a short rest, my friend took me over the place. My roommate was supposed to have called him and let him know the situation, so everything would go smoothly…smoothly if anyone was home. As it turns out the uncle and all his family were away in Saudi Arabia and no one could get a hold of them.
Our options were running low at this point. Luckily, in the middle east families are well tied together, so I called my roommate and he got in contact with all the relatives he could to find out if they knew anything about the apartment key. I guess at this juncture the Lord figured the trial was sufficient and that my patience was sufficiently increased, because my roommate called me back and said that a cousin of his had a spare key and I could come pick it up that evening. So, after dinner with my friend we grabbed my stuff from his place and went to the apartment. I am so glad that I had my friend there to help me, the whole situation would have been much more difficult without him. He was incredibly helpful and hospitable. A real friend.
So anyway, that is my story about my first two days back in Amman. Had I not been tired and sick it probably would have been an average experience in Jordan. Nevertheless, I am thankful the experience, and the gracious watchfulness of the Shepherd in leading me through every challenge. It is truly comforting to know that God never stops looking out for His sheep.

Well, I better wrap this up. I start work tomorrow by the way. We'll see if things work out in that arena...

Here is a picture from the trip to New York

P.S. can someone email Brian's email address, I seem to have misplaced it...

There it is, the Big Apple...its a strange place, people: 14 times the population of Alaska in 1/2,000 the space

See how wierd it is...they won't even let you stand in this city. This is brother Shorter breaking the law haha.

A list of highlights

Since I am not sure when the next time that I will have access to the internet will be I figured I better make a quick post (quick because it is midnight and I'm tired) about the last week here on the east coast. It has been an incredibly fast week, but I've been able to see a little of the east coast (and it doesn't seem as different as I anticipated), and meet lots of great and interesting people. Here is a quick list of highlights (maybe good or bad) as I see them
- Meeting the Hammetts and/or getting to know them a little better. I really had a great time with them all and was able to learn alot. For instance I learned Sam has a hard head and plays defense with it in basketball...
- Meeting the Shorters: I left for New Jersey on saturday morning and have been staying at the Shorter's residence since. It has been a lot of fun. They really treat me like part of the family, and I kinda even feel like part of the family. Mr Shorter speaks a little bit of Arabic, which was really cool. It really is too bad I am always leaving the people I would like to stay longer with...
- Giving presentations and speaking at the Hammett's and Shorter's. Both nights went well. I ended up speaking all day in New Jersey. During the evening presentation I spoke for almost three hours, including the Q and A session. The people seemed to be very interested in the material.
- Getting to see some of the sights and do different things: I went to Philidelphia and will got to New York tomorrow. We went canoing today and then bowling afterwards. On sunday I met some great Korean people and they invited us for authenticate korean food, which was really good.

OK, there is lots more, but it will have to wait. I'll leave you with a couple pictures

This is me at the Liberty Bell...its kinda dark...

This is a statue of ol' George, our first President, standing next to bro. Shorter's daughter Christian. I had fun harassing her, it reminded me of my sister. While I was at the museum I learned that Washington was like 6'4"...I didn't know that. Guess you learn stuff at museums

A look back in time

So I am going for a personal record by posting two days in a row.
I am having a really good time here in PA. The meeting wednesday night went really well. I was teaching about Islam and a young muslim girl was there that night. We were able to have a long conversation after the meeting. I've spent most of my time here between pastor Hammett and George and Kristin. Ronnie left on vacation before I got to meet him...so I guess that means I have to come back, eventually. I got to play volleyball a little bit today with their schools volleyball team, it was fun. Every time I play sports I realize how much I love physical activity.
I got some new website building software and am going to start trying it out...should be fun, if I find the time. I think physicists should be able to make time. OH! I met Kristin's brother, who apparently is also my long lost brother! He thinks physics is actually interesting (not just faking it to humor me) and can talk about 'why and how stuff works' for as long as I can (though we didn't test it for George and Kristin's sake). He even dislikes Walmart. He works in IT, so I guess it is given that he is a nerd, but we both agreed we are actually geeks, because we like sports as well which, for those who are interested in these useless technicalities, is the difference between a nerd and a geek.
Anyway, I'm gonna stop now before I further incriminate myself.

This picture is in loving memory of Aaron and Tobi (lots of love) and all those who went on the Chena dome survival trip. You may have to enlarge the photo to see it.

Outside Alaska, inside America

I guess not everyone will agree with that title, but probably cause they are not alaskan. I figure that any time you have to spend 10 hours on a plane you must be in a new country...I arrived safe and sound (as sound as I can be) into Philadelphia and rode back to Emmaus with the Hammetts. I got to meet pastor Hammett and had a good time with him and George. I've almost met the whole family.
I had a really great last week in Alaska, except for the fact that it was the last week. My brother came up from Juneau and stayed for four days. We didn't do anything especially exciting, but we didn't need to. Any time with my brother and dad is special. It was hard saying good bye to everyone (again), but it was kinda short and sweet and I was busy enough that I didn't have time to think about it much, which always makes it easier for me. It seems like each time I leave it becomes easier. I don't know if that is a good thing or bad...some of both I suppose.
I am looking forward to the week here on the east coast. I am not sure if I will do anything specific, but I'm sure I'll get to meet alot of people, which is the part that I love the most of any new place.
Anyway, here are some randomly arranged pictures:

Left to right (obviously): Monk (brother), Dad (dad's are always just Dad), and Me. I love this picture. I have very few moments when we are together, and I miss it very very much. I learned so much about life from my dad and brother...

No post would be complete without a picture of my neice. It is old, but she's still cute. The dog is my dad's new puppy.

This is a picture from our Denali trip (with George and Kristin)...One of the many reasons Alaska is amazing.


These two pictures are from the Chitina trip. The mountains are incredible...I wish the Middle East had some.
I actually don't fillet fish very often. My mom is so good at it that it was just foolish to do it when she is around, nevertheless I know how to do it, and was even able to fool Rebekah into thinking I knew enough to teach her...she actually did a good job (good student, not teacher).

a very late post...no real excuse

Well, I guess I have been on blogger vacation for the last six weeks or so. It goes by so fast. I would tell you all about the drama in my life, but I don't think that I really have any, and if I did I couldn't make it sound very interesting or exciting...maybe I'll hire Aaron to write stories about me; he's said that is going to do that some day.
So, here is a quick list of things that have happened that have stuck out in my mind from the past month and a half:

1. Spending almost two weeks in Ninilchik. I got to see my mom, sister, and niece (who is super cute, funny, and all around great). I realize more and more how lucky I am to have a family, even if I don't get to see them very often; I love them lots. I also got to spend a day commercial fishing (pics included). I've not fished for three years, but nevertheless I hadn't lost any of my knowledge of skill on the boat...I guess that is what 8 years of experience does for you

2. Missions conference at the home church. It was an incredible time; very challenging, very focusing, as well as fun. I enjoyed being able to get to know the Hammetts (or two of them, the rest will follow).

3. Spending time with my friends here in North Pole. I'm sure I don't do a good job of showing that I enjoy being around them, but I really do, and I know I am going miss that (again) when I leave.

4. Being able to work with my hands again. Luckily Alaska has no shortage of opportunities for physical labor. I got to tear down some trees, help build on houses, and other fun things from my past which are non-existant in the Middle East

5. Going hiking through the howling wind and fog. It was a little cold and alot windy, but the hike up to the bomber with the guys was a fun trip. It will make a good memory and a good story (now the Arabs will really think I'm nuts).

6. Preaching once a week and doing some outreach. It has been good to get back into the practice of preaching and doing outreach (both of which I can't do in the east, due to circumstance)

Well, I am sure that there are more if I thought about it. I'm certain that going to Chitna will make the list, as well as getting to know Sam and Rachel, though the experience will be especially fun (or funny at least) after someone throws Sam in the river.

OK, here are a few pictures of past events:

Me cathcing fish like you are SUPPOSED to catch fish, with big nets. Fishing, by the way, is supposed to be work, not recreation. I love commercial fishing

My mom can fillet fish better than anyone I have ever met. She gets gold for speed and effeciency.

Left to right: Hannah (sister), Devynn (niece), Me, Mom (moms are always just mom)

My Mom and I on our bushwhack hike into the Caribou Hills.