The Kite Runner

When we were living in Kazakhstan a group of women got together and formed a book club. Given that our group came from all over and most had lived overseas for much of their adult lives, the kinds of books we picked tended to have an international flavor. Our first read was The Kite Runner byKhaled Hosseini - which turned out to be one of those books that you continue to think about months after you've finished the last page.

I just found out that Mr. Hosseini will be in Fairfax Virginia later this month to talk about his book, which I'm thrilled about. If you haven't had a chance to read the Kite Runner, I highly recommend it -- and if you're in the DC area, this event is going to be an amazing opportunity to meet a truly talented author.

GoNomad Story on Kashgar

I've been insanely busy lately and I've had so little time to write. School is up and running and we're off to the races. Legal research and writing has now taken over travel writing -- which in some ways is good and in others a bit sad. But, this week a story I wrote on my trip to China was published, so I can almost feel like I'm there. Check out the story here.

Chaos

I forgot how stressful law school was. Is. Will be.

The past few weeks have been filled with preparing for on-campus interviews, getting books, reading up for my teaching position -- all while being in a state of transition. Some nights we spent on the road, others at my in-laws. We've driven up and down the east coast about 4 times now. It's funny how even the biggest travel bug can crave home sometimes. Or at least the same pillow more than 3 days in a row.

We signed our lease last week and our storage was delivered on Friday. Old bookcases, books and kitchenware that I'd long forgot about. I even found two glasses from my high school proms. Which was timely since my 10 year reunion is tonight.

So with that, I'm on the road to my reunion. If I can stay cool I might even have a great time. But with this 90 degree weather I'm sweating like crazy. Nothing sexier than that.

No longer homeless

Taking some time today to get life in order. I am finally sitting down to write an article on western China which I've been trying to finish for the last month. Almost there and it has been fun to relive that trip.

Good news arrived this morning -- we got a house! We'll be renting for the next two years, but what a rental. Three bedrooms, hardwood floors, great light and a great location. Commutes are going to be great for both of us and I'm thrilled that we've finally nailed down a place (and it is nice to have an address!) So things are coming together with this great move back to the States. Now that we've cleared this hurdle, I'm hoping our last week and a 1/2 of home leave will be carefree. We're off to the Poconos tomorrow!

Kids Art

A few days ago my Mom told me that she and Dad thought about adopting a few kids orphaned by the tsunami last Christmas (to which I exclaimed, "I was going to have a brother and sister and you didn't tell me!"). The adoption never happened, but my parents like many other people around the world wanted to do something to ameliorate the pain of so many orphaned kids.

I just came across this very cool project called Cottage Youth, which takes art from children who were affected by the tsunami and turns them into greeting cards. You can purchase the cards and the money goes to help children in Sri Lanka. Great way to get your hands on some fantastic greeting cards and do a little to help at the same time!

Real Life

Even though Liam and I have been doing a good job of taking trips -- I've realized that we are back in the real world where our new vocab includes "rent" and "dentist appointments" and "commutes" and "utilities." The search for a place to live has been a royal pain in the you-know-where and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll nail down a house in the next few days. Housing prices, as everyone knows, are out of the stratosphere and it is just kind of depressing that after two years of living abroad and saving money we still feel priced out of the market. You shouldn't have to put a half million dollars down for a two bedroom shithole in D.C., in my opinion. The market says otherwise.

I've tried my best to keep stress at bay, but the other night when my jaw was hurting, I realized that I've started to grind my teeth again (a problem I developed during my first year of law school.) Even if you are the most non A-type personality, moving 1/2 way around the world comes with a book full of logistical challenges that are bound to cause at least a modicum of stress.

We've been home now a little over three weeks and it has been wonderful to see family and friends, but I'm looking forward to the day when they can come visit us in our new place, wherever that may be. It's just nice to have a home base, even if you're paying out the nose for it.