Wild World

I added an album with some pictures to my Picasa account. This is going to be some last American internet for a hot min, oh and I do mean hot. Its even about to be the wet season and its much cooler now then it could be. I am pretty excited about the weekend Kristy and I are going to get a new family and live with them for quite a few weeks. (oh btw fun fact here in Mauritania Sunday is the first day of the week and it IS a work day. So first day of the weekend, is Friday.)

I took a language placement test and get to find out where my level of expertise is, and how much French I have to learn prior to my language. There are a few here I may get to learn: Wolof, Pulaar, Hassaniyya, or Soninke.

I am super tired, but having fun much love to all.

I am gonna work the link momentarily.

Smile Like You Mean It

I dont have much time before breakfast, figured I would use some interweb while its handy. I took a picture of my in my Boubou. You shouldn't be able to see it in the email or on the group so check out the blog if you want to see it.

I Will Survive

Greetings, Friends and Family, and Loved ones from beautiful Mauritania!!1!!!1!!1!!1!!

This place here fills me with awe, truly. We barely speak any languages here and the attempts of all involved have been astounding. We are safe, happy, fed amazing food, getting to know what to do and not to do. Don't worry about us, this is a great time to be alive.

I dont have much time I have to sneak in time to bathe and find my adapter.

This is the beginning of something that is bigger then me. I am at its mercy, I shall ride the tide, let it take me, and I shall prosper.

Boys On The Docks

This will be the last post I make from the US for a while. Kristy and I are PCT's!!! We signed on the line yesterday. There is such a great feeling of unity here at the training. We are being taken care of well and having fun.

I just got a Skype account so I can chat with video, audio, or just IM if you have Skype let me know so we can chat. I would love to see and hear from you.

Know that we are safe and and our thoughts are with you. I will post again as I am able. Write me in the mean time.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

I know that I mention leaving a lot lately and while it is a major part of what is happening with this part of the journey, I want to focus the rest of this part of my journey on arriving. I have decided that my migration is no longer going to be an emigration but is going to be immigration. Our lives are colored by the way that we look at them more so then what is actually happening; I am not nervous, I am excited it’s the same energy caused by the same thing but it means a world of difference.

Tomorrow: I arrive in Atlanta, I will reunite with my lovely wife, and I get to meet the people that will be braving the Sahara with Kristy and I. It’s going to be fantastic, this is the culmination of years of work for us and it’s almost surreal to think about. I get to live in a country that so few have even heard of, work with peers from all two different continents, learn about new cultures, attempt to do some good, and all of it next to the smartest, strongest, most beautiful person I have ever met. I couldn’t ask for more out of my life.

Leaving Jesusland

I have been trying to leave Ohio and go see the world again for half my life; I have accomplished this feat. I currently have no apartment, no car, and a sparse amount of belongings between my wife and I in our bags and packs. The feeling of having so little is liberating and intimidating at the same time. I think I like it.

Kristy and I lived at Shannon’s for a few weeks and her kindness and patience have been tested to limits. She will never know how much she has done for Kristy and I because words cannot express it.

Kristy is in Colorado and will continue to be until the 17th when the group of RIM Peace Corps Trainees meets up at our hotel. Shannon and I dropped Kristy off at the Akron airport and drove to Philadelphia on the 12th it was a great drive and a good time. I am in Philly visiting my Jeremiah, Kelly, and Pops. We were received warmly; it is good to see them. My brother’s shop is fantastic; when I look at it I see that he is a thriving businessman who lives the dream, instead of merely dreaming the life.

Over the last week I have said goodbye to so many of my friends and loved ones. It has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life to receive so many well wishes from the people whose opinions and affection I hold so dearly, thank you to all the people who have helped us along this crazy ride.

One of the places I had the honor of saying goodbye was at Saric and Erah’s (Eric and Sarah) wedding; it was awesome, truly. I was privy to stand next to my best friend while two people dedicated themselves to their loves before their friends, family, the Earth, and the creator. I am glad knowing that I can leave them in that state of happiness and marital bliss, I wish only the best for them. Leaving my friends and family from that reception hall was hard; tears flowed as freely as the beer and champagne.

I feel that the amount of my blogs will slow down soon so I am trying to take advantage, as I am able. I have a journal and will be transferring some of the entries that I feel are appropriate for the eyes of interweb. I have started a Picasa account and will be adding pictures to it as soon as I can, look for the link to pictures on the sidebar.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

My school year is over, it is a bitter sweet thing. Most everyone is off to bigger and better things, some of my students are doomed to repeat history (class). I had the most amazing bunch of coworkers, seriously the Executive Cluster helped me out phenomenally. I am proud to have been a part of it and I will carry the lessons that I have been taught as a n0ob teacher and now walk away with a fuller pack of skills and I am proud to say that I have the "stop what you're doing and get back on task look".

I was given some parting gifts, trinkets for our journey, help from trusted friends, promises of future contact, and the sweetest book of memories. The cluster banded together and had the students write down: what they learned from Mr Sisco, what they liked about Mr Sisco, and a wish for the future for Mr Sisco. I was deeply touched that many of the lessons I taught included pieces of character in addition to American or World history.

I already miss room 111 and Robinson Middle School.

If any of my former coworkers or students from any of my schools read this; I would love to hear from you and will write back.


I can count my days left in Ohio on my hands.