Jerusalem and Some Book Reviews

Marhaba, So I'm off to Jordan for a special needs conference on wednesday and while there I'm sneaking over to Jerusalem for a night. It seems to me that growing up in the US as a Christian that Jerusalem has this incredible mystical aura around it. It is our Mecca. No doubt going to Israel is a risk, and I already backed down once for fear of loosing my job but the draw is too powerful. I've been reading "Eat, Pray, Love", and this quote seems to encompass how I feel: (side note: yes J, I do like the book and I can't understand why you didn't) "Traveling is the great true love of my life. I have always felt that to travel is worth any cost or sacrifice. I am loyal and constant in my love for travel, as I have not always been loyal and constant in my other loves. I feel about travel the way a happy new mother feels about her impossible, colicky, restless, newborn baby--I just don't care what it puts me through. Because I adore it. Because it's mine. Because it looks exactly like me. It can barf all over me if it wants to--I just don't care." Next on my list is a book called "Girls of Riyadh", which was recommended to me by a Saudi friend. The book was highly controversial when released in arabic here in Saudi and the writer is now living in the US until the dust settles. You all should check it out if you get the chance. I haven't been up to much recently. Mostly just working and tutoring. Last weekend I went to the Australian Ball in Bahrain with my ex-pat buddies. It was a great excuse to get dressed up and have a blast. I'm a little dizzy with happiness from how well my great adventure is turning out. I'm so happy I took a risk, I totally recommend it. :)