Long overdue update...

 So first let me apologize to my friends and family for not updating this sooner. Since school started I feel like I have been trapped in a massive sandstorm (a haboob if you will). Little kids are exhausting! I can't believe it's already been almost three weeks of teaching already. My classes are going... ok. There are definitely some cultural differences between the school system here and back home that take some MAJOR getting used to.  On the first day my 1st graders were so adorable! Yeah... that lasted about five minutes. The good news is that my principal and co-workers are all very nice and supportive. Overall I feel like I am very well taken care of and have a good network of resources to draw from. Also at my school there's a lady whose sole job is to make coffee at a moments notice. Arabic coffee too.. strong stuff. She doesn't speak any English but it only took a day before she started to grab the big cup when she sees me coming (mish sukar). So yeah, it's a challenge, not without its perks, and it will get easier (inshallah).
Today we tried using a ball in my first grade class. Kids who can sit quietly and raise their hand (without shouting "Mr. Will! Mr. Will! Mr. Will!") get to catch the ball and talk. At one moment I had the surreal experience of training a dog. "You want the ball? Can you sit? Stay... STAY! Ok speak. Good boy." worked pretty well actually...  First graders just don't know how a classroom is supposed to function so it takes a lot of work.
There are def some good moments. During recess teachers are expected to be in different places on the playground to monitor kids (ie break up fights, and believe me there are FIGHTS). At first I was kinda ticked that I had to do the "duty" but it is quickly becoming one of the best parts of my day. Today I sat in the shade and ended up hanging out with 5 of my first graders watching the soccer game and talking about sharks. Ironically 3 of them are some of my most difficult kids IN class.
So lets see... updates updates...
Went to the city mall and bought a DVD player (got 5 seasons of sunny in philly for like $15 US too, pretty sweet). This mall is HUGE. Pretty westernized. Still couldn't find any comic books. Young males aren't allowed in by themselves because apparently they have problems with women getting harassed. Waiting outside I saw a bunch of boys get turned away. Even had a couple teens ask me if I could get them in (foreigners are ok apparently). Ate at a TGIFridays. Never done that before, never would do it back home, but damn it was awesome.
Lots of interesting taxi rides (people laugh at me when I call them cabs).
I've been doing a bit of socializing. Had a couple nights out, went to a house party, met a slew of ex-pats.
Did some downtown stuff, bought a fan. Been eating lots of good, cheap food.
Went to the police station and got my visa extended. That was an experience. Seriously THE FILTHIEST bathroom I have ever been in.
I bought a phone card! Mad cheap so if anybody wants to chit chat let me know....
The internet at my apt is terrible but I plan on buying some superwebs when I get paid in about a week so I should be a lot more in touch and able to get back on updating this blog.
I haven't been taking many pictures lately (since I started actually working here I think I've shifted out of tourist mode) but here's what I got:

Little cartoon I drew

"Al Daktoor."

 Caught the end of a wedding ceremony

 View from waiting at the stairs to walk to work with James and Carly

 View from my friend Helena's new apt

 Look, grass!

 And cats...

 and cats...

 and kittens...

 and angry cats...

 and more cats (there were at least three more under the dumpsters).

Oh yeah, I was in the NY Times dontchaknow: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/09/04/travel/20110904-surfacing-amman-3.html