Warm Again

The leaves are starting to change
But all I feel is exactly the same
And the cold is coming in
Through the window panes
And your eyes are getting
That same sad look you wore last year
Beneath the hood of your coat
And I think that we should get away

So pack your bags I won't ask twice
I'll drag you if I have to
Throw your mittens out into the night
And get in my car
And we'll take the road south
And we'll keep driving
'Til you feel warm again
Warm again

Some nights I'm happy to sit with
My cup of tea and my blanket around me
But others you know I just feel empty
And you're back in that
Same sad cave that you dug last year
In an attempt to escape
And I think that we should get away

So pack your bags I won't ask twice
I'll drag you if I have to
Throw your mittens out into the night
And get in my car
And we'll take the road south
And we'll keep driving 'til you
Feel warm again
Warm again

So pack your bags I won't ask twice
I'll drag you if I have to
Throw your mittens out into the night
And get in my car
And we'll take the road south
And we'll keep driving
'Til you feel warm again
Warm again

Oh we'll keep on driving
'Til you feel 'til you feel
Oh we'll keep on driving
'Til you feel 'til you feel
We'll keep driving
We'll keep driving
'Til you feel
We'll keep driving
'Til you feel
Warm again

~lyrics by Hannah and Maggie

This song pretty much got me through my time in Irbid. I love it. Now I am home, warm and safe in Massachusetts. Here's the story:

After 7 months of misery,I took my fos-ha exam (I was too done to study which I am not proud of but whatever... It doesnt really matter in the long run, I still have to take another test when I get back to GW). It was really hard, and I don't think I did that well, but who knows?

Then I went to Manal's apartment. She is the Academic Director. We discussed my essay, and it was nice to just talk with her. That night we had a goodbye dinner, and all our teachers came to say goodbye. It was nice and we got a lot of lovely photos. The girls made cards for each of our teachers. Then we said goodbye and went to finish cleaning our apartments, before heading out to the airport!!! My flight was the first, at 4am but we all were so eager to get out of Irbid that the other girls came with me. We got there at about 11:30, but only about 30 minutes later, they called my flight for check-in. I said goodbye and headed through. They were very confused with my carry-on bag because I had a glass lamp (you put a candle in it and it is really beautiful) inside. I took it on carry-on because I was worried of it breaking. They made someone check my bag, and when he realized what it was he got all worried about it breaking and helped me wrap it up nice and carefully. They let me take an open water bottle and food on the plane. Jordanian security, ladies and gentlemen. I flew to Istanbul which is a very confusing airport. Luckily, I was creeping in on people's conversations on the plane and knew one man who was going to New York, so I followed him and he found where to go okay. Still though, the shear size of the airport made me get to the gate after it was closed, but they still let me on without a hassle. The plane was HUGE and had WiFi! I didn't use it though, I just took a sleeping pill and tried to sleep. I woke up a few hours later and had enough time to watch a movie. I landed in New York and hoped in a cab and headed to Hannah's office where I met her and left my large suitcase. Taking only a small duffel, we had a quick lunch (Thai food!!!!!! How I missed it!!!) then I had to walk over to catch my megabus to DC. Of course, the bus left on time and was about 40 minutes late, but finally I got there and was met by my two best friends Marissa and Raquan! It was lovely to see them and was Raquan's 21st birthday! We rushed home so I could shower (about 30 hours of travel leaves one in desperate need of a shower). We went out for a lovely birthday meal and were "planning" on going to some bars but decided to reconvene with some other friends at Raquan's apartment. When we got there, a SURPRISE PARTY! awaited her. It was so lovely to see everyone, but I felt like I had been off planet (like in star trek) for so long. I missed A LOT. The next day, I met a friend from work for coffee and then passed out in the most beautiful bed ever for a while, and Raquan and I went out to eat more Thai food. Then it was a holiday party, and the next day I left. I got back on a bus and headed back to New York. When I arrived, I walked over to my sisters office, and met up with Hannah and my mom, and we walked to meet my dad (who had NO idea I was home. He thought I was in Vienna as an au pair). I surprised him for his birthday and he was very happy and shocked. We headed home.

It is lovely to be home.