Squirrel?

When we went to Wisconsin this summer, our parents took us to the Milwauke Zoo, which is famous for its chimpanzees that we didn't see.

There's something you need to know about here. We see donkeys, camels, and horses all the time. Whether you're on your way to the Dead Sea, or still in Amman. They could crossing the street, resting in vacant lots, or giving people rides. But there aren't any rodents. You want to know why?

Cats.

There are so many cats here that you can't go one day whithout seeing at least five. Sometimes they get onto the school grounds, there are several that live at the embassy, and they are ALWAYS in dumpsters or fields or roads, anywhere you go, there will be at least one cat. I guarentee it. So what do they do? They eat all of our squirrels, chipmunks, mice, rats, and any other rodent that once lived here. A squirrel, here, is about as rare as a camel in the states.

So, my brother has been here for two years, through the ages five and six. Very vital learning years, no?

Anyways, we were at the elephant exhibit at the zoo, and a chipmunk ran right by our feet. A little girl exclaimed: "Look, a chipmunk!" And my brther leaned over, and said very matter-of-factly:

"No, I'm pretty sure that's a squirrel."

Well, We're Back. Dad's Not.

So, we got back to Jordan, when? Like a week ago? Anyways, we've all been very jetlagged, tired, and busy, so I finally got around to posting this today.

So, Jordan. It hasn't changed. I've magically grown taller than most most of my friends, but the embassy's the same, our house is the same, and school? I don't know, I'm not going there until I have to. And, we have an embassy family living in the apartment below us, which is going to be great, because who doesn't like living near other Americans while they're overseas? I know I do.

And, my dad left yesterday. For Iraq. And, surprisingly, I'm doing okay. It's funny, if you think of it like he's just on a work trip for a couple days and is coming home soon, it doesn't hit you. Oh, he's coming back soon, he's in Europe, in a nice hotel, meeting with the president, right?

Wrong. But I like to think of it that way. It seems more... happy.

So when a couple days goes by and he's not here it's going to hurt.

Especially when I need help with my math homework, or soccer. I'm trying out for the Junior Varsity team this year at school, and though I'm pretty sure I'll make it, last year my dad would always practice with me, drill me, and tell how to become better. He's not going to do that this year. Unless we Skype on the soccer field at school.

So, here I am in Amman, doing alright. Except for the pain in my gut that I can't walk down the street to a Seven-11, or a Wal-Mart, or any restaurant at all. I took so much for granted when I lived there. The pond across the street from our house, where we would walk and play with our old dog, friends that lived just down the street so we would go knock on people's doors whenever you wanted to play. Hardwood floors! Okay, I know lots of homes back in the states don't have these, but my old ones did. Here all of our floors are marble. And marble is very unforgiving when you trip and fall on it.

But, only one more year of this, and we get to leave. Heck, we could leave now! Because we're aloud to live in America while my dad's in Iraq. But we're going to stay here, closer to him, and closer to what right now is the closest thing I can call home.

Becasue it's not home, and it never will be.

But, no matter, I have to change all of this next year. Might as well call it home while we're here.

Seven

Today is my brother's birthday. My baby brother. Well, not a baby anymore but, you get the picture. We have a five year age difference from each other and when I was at the hospital to visit him for the first time, I lost my second tooth. Right there in the hallway next to a soda machine. I remember that day because it was special. He was heavy, just like I was. And now he's all bones, same as me. He's stubborn too. He can almost out-argue me, but not yet. He also likes to listen to stories. He actually thinks he lived in England, just because we've told him stories of it, from before he was born.

His favorite sport is soccer, and his favorite cartoon character is Mario. He loves any Mario video game, and begged for them for his birthday. He likes to watch my dad play Call of Duty, and he likes to listen to me sing and play my guitar. He's funny enough to make me laugh when I need it. And annoying enough for me to want to slug him. But I love him. I really do.

Happy Birthday Colin. I hope this year is great for you, even without a dad to play Call of Duty for you.

It's A Small World

So, two days ago I got back from my friend's house. Yes, my friend's house in Colorado. Some of the first people I met in Jordan are from Colorado and they moved back there last year. So, since we were in the area, and our parents are friends, we got to see them! We all stayed the night, and then my parents and brother left so I could spend an extra day with them. We went to the pool, canoed/kayaked (we really couldn't tell the difference), and I even got to meet some of their friends while I told them how everyone was doing in Jordan. It was amazing, and we're going to do it next year too.

Tomorrow we go to Arkansas to visit my mom's side of the family. But honestly, I really don't want to leave Colorado. I love it here. The mountains, forests, deer along the road, it all takes me away from Jordan.

So, good bye Colorado. See you next year.