My apologies to those who are reading this blog regularly for the scarcity of updates here in the past couple of weeks. As things start to come to a close here, the to-do list starts to grow. Not only am I starting to kick into high gear on the studying, but the I'm also figuring out the pieces of the logistics puzzle for leaving Monterey in December and conducting the move to Jordan at the beginning of next year. This move is a bit more complicated than most others have been because the considerations are somewhat unique. For example, I've been talking via email with some of the ICT'ers in Jordan to get a read on what accommodations I can expect. That information is going to determine what, if any, of my furniture is going to need to be shipped. Then I have to figure out what to do with vehicles and the like. As of now, I think one of the faculty at school is interested in buying my truck. Then there's also getting the diplomatic passport and visas, updating my official photo, rummaging through my stuff to prepare to pack up, figuring out my travel plans, etc. And of course, there's always the ever-present need to prepare for the DLPT and OPI coming in just a few short weeks. To that end, I've been spending more time working after school with the department chairperson to improve my weakest areas, and I'm about to add Saturdays as well. AND... I've had to do some physical therapy after classes to work on my shoulder (injured earlier this year). So bottom line here is, things have been quite busy!

But, it hasn't been all work and no play. I've done two very interesting things lately. First, Tom and I (and another Army buddy) decided to use a couple of weekends to get our PADI Open Water scuba certifications. We have our open water dives this coming weekend and we're all looking forward to that. We don't really have the time, but we wanted to get it done before we go to the Middle East because there will be some great diving opportunities there. Additionally, I used the Columbus Day weekend to travel to MEXICO to meet up with some of my old friends from my first duty station in Kansas. It was a great chance to pull back from the daily routine here and truly feel "away from it all" and recharge my batteries for the last big push at school.

My progress with school seems to be going okay. My biggest problem right now is getting enough sleep and exercise. Still haven't managed to find a balance between those things and schoolwork. Fortunately for my ego, it isn't just me. Almost everyone I know is in the same boat.
 

Me having breakfast in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this past weekend. And for the record, that's iced tea in the foreground. Ha!