Jordan is just a month away. As i sit in my room reading the news, it's disconcerting to think that in just a few weeks I will be smack in the middle of the region where there appears to be so much conflict. We in the west have such luxury in being able to sit in front of our tv's and laptops and to simply read about that world, I wonder how I 'll do when I actually start to meet people who've actually lived it and suffered through horrors that I can only beging to understand. It shocked me to my senses the first time i sat down to talk to locals in the streets of Jerusalem on a Friday amidst IDF pouring into the city for "crowd control" and hundreds of muslims praying outside the old city walls. It made me realize that I was in the minority in this world in my peaceful middle class surroundings without fear for my life and with the ability to pursue my goals in life. Was the world always such a horrible little place? How could I not see it before?
I spoke to my mother about it this morning, and for those of you who've met her, you know that this is a rather odd conversation topic. She's changed a lot in the last year it seems, dont really know why, but she has. Maybe it's the prospect of her daughter headed to the Middle East? Maybe a midlife crisis? Who knows :) But from these conversations I've unearthed her past growing up in a third world country and her experiences in life to get where she is today. Her views on the middle east conflicts are interesting to say the least. She hasn't studied the history of the area, she didn't even know where Jordan was until I went there, and having grown up outside the U.S. doesn't have the same political shading to her opinions. She watches the news, Fox news even, and comes away with a clear stance. She's puzzled by U.S. actions in support of Israel, and in fact puzzled over Israeli occupation of Palestine in teh first place. It was strange to hear her ask me, "why are they there? I thought they hadn't been in that area for a long time?" and she is heartsick over the deaths of victoms across both sides and mad at my stepfather for supporting bush just cuz he's a republican. "Who Cares about parties, you have to see what they are actually doing" she says:) Makes me love my mother even more.
anyways, i'll stop rambling for now, must get ready for some guests who are coming over for dinner. ¶ 14:09

A quarter of a century and still going, this is my first time in over 6 yrs to be home with my family for my birthday. It's quite nice and the food can't be beat :)
I've been getting to know my brother this summer too. He's turned out to be a pretty great guy, hehehe. OF COURSE with a sister like moi.....lol. This photo was taken by my brother on one of our photo trips to the little pond in our neighborhood. I was quite impressed :) We had a nice little excursion with several cameras, the lighting was great and there were little birds all around. ¶ 22:09