Chattanooga: a place where your kids can play in the public fountain and tattoos are contagious

Chattanooga is a white trash haven nestled between the Smokey Mountains. At first glance, it looks like a picture perfect mountain town with the kayaks atop family SUVs. But with a closer inspection, one begins to note the trailer park attire, rampant mullets, and the plethora of bad tattoos. (Please refer to earlier post about Tattoos to Avoid) By the 3rd day, I realized that there's also a hippy scene where artists sell their paintings on the sidewalk outside of the used bookstore. After discovering this along with the sculpture garden in the Art District I was loving this cute town. The Aquarium was also really fun to walk around. My favorite part was the lack of wildlife in the Nile River exhibit. If you have been to the Nile, you know that nothing would ever be able to survive in there. The live music downtown was good but it was just too hot to be walking around. Had a great time with Becca and can't wait to go back and hike around the mountains when it's cooler weather.

Culture Shock (again)

Weird how every time I come Stateside, everything here feels so weird. I went running on Friday morning and did not see one piece of trash on the street! No cats were seen! Almost stepped on a turtle. Saw squirrels, bunnies, and dogs! I can't get over how green it is here and how it doesn't hurt to breathe! A trip to the mall was very uneventful. I drove there in a SUV with air conditioning listening to satelite radio while using the GPS to get there. I wasn't harrassed by shop owners to buy something or by beggars grabbing my arm asking for some cash. Again, no trash on the streets! The only sand I have seen in on the golf course. I feel like it's too easy. Too boring. It's almost kinda creepy. I really don't know if I can live in the States ever again.

Saying Goodbye.

I wish I had taken more pictures during the goodbyes this week, but I'm really bad at remembering to do that sort of thing. Thursday was our last day of school and basically everyone was flying out that night. To celebrate the last day of school, we went to the A.C.E Club with Darren and Jen for a cold one. (Yes, I'm officially a member now!) Then went to my new apt to drop some stuff off. Went back to the ACE Club with John and Sarah for another cold one and dinner. Then off to TGIFridays on the Nile for the Paper Plate Awards. Now, I wasn't planning on going to this, but since I was packed and ready to go and in Ma'adi anyways, we went. Turns out there's a "special" award each year for the couple who met in Cairo and started dating : the double gallabeya. So Joe and Jen, who are getting married this summer (yay!), awarded O and I with this honor. Due to our differences in height, this turned out to be funnier than usual. Jen and Joe informed us that we have to keep this tradition going and pass it on to another couple next year. I'm thinking it should would be hilarious if we gave it to Kevin and Greg. We ended the night back at the ACE club with some of my favorite people for a few goodbyes and seeyanextyear. (Yes, I took full advantage of my ACE Club membership by going 3 times in my first day. I am addicted already.)


Everyone who is leaving is headed off to various parts of the world! I will miss y'all!! But I plan on visiting!!! :)

Lori (Columbia), Kayla (Hong Kong), Katherine & Jason,(Venezuela) Joe &Jen (Malawi), Norris & Ang (NYC), Mike (Canada) , Jen Fij (Chicago), Sarah (Italy), Jakob (Germany)

I did it.

Yes, the blog is public and you don't have to sign in anymore. Screw privacy.

Tattoos to Avoid

This link is hilarious! Please read if you are thinking about getting a tattoo. And if you have any of these tattoos, I'm sorry.

Things You'll Never Hear a Teacher Say:

"Our principal is sooooooooo smart. No wonder he's in administration."

"Thank goodness for these evaluations. They keep me focused."

"I'd like to see Red Lobster offer a meal like this!"

"Here class, just put all your gym shoes in this box next to my desk."

"I bet all the people in our administration really miss teaching!"

"Gosh, the bathroom smells so fresh and clean!"

"I'm so glad I gave my phone number to my students' parents. It makes keeping in touch so much easier."

"I can't believe I get paid for this!"

"I think the discipline around here is just a LITTLE too strict!"

"It's Friday already????"

"Those students this semester really made my job a real joy."

"I believe that athletics are not getting enough money."

"We'd be able to educate our children if they let us teach through summer too."

"Have you noticed that the teachers drive better cars than the students?"

"This in-service training has been fabulous."

"It must be true; the superintendent said so!"

Party like an Egyptian

I might have complained a lot in the last posting, but I LOVE my life here. I have the best friends ever here. There are several friends who I will miss when they move away. But I plan on keeping in touch and visiting a few countries in South America to visit them... maybe Summer 2010?? And we've already started planning out trips for next year. Last night we decided what a group of us are doing for the first week break in October. And possibly plan to visit some friends in other parts of Africa for another break. I live in a crazy place and there are definitely some crazies who I work with, but life really is good.