refugee status

I had the ‘family’ class at four and then Saffiq called and said to cancel the toefl class tonight as well as tomorrow, which means I have finished teaching until I return in some state in October.  I could have left earlier than Tuesday so ya I got two more full days with nada to do.  I could plan some lessons ahead, ya, I could do that. 

I’d like to see the Pope in Cuba.  I’d like to hear the Pope speak to Congress.  I’d like to know if I’ll stay at the Fishtail Lodge for a night or even two.  Hey, you sleep on a broken mattress on the floor for two months and you’d be thinking nice bed nice bed nice bed and whoa!  Hanukkah is here with bread and potatoes and the bowl of shenllli, I still can’t pronounce the word let alone remember it, the yogurt like drink.  Tonight it was good and I had a second cup of it after I finished eating and listened to the host describe and then show me his souvenirs from the Russians and behold, his wounds have been tattooed. 

What is it that troubles you?  Changes that force me to examine the present and its state and dammit when it happens there’s a lot of questioning and how things will be I can’t foresee.  I look at every angle and try to see how my actions will play out, I don’t wish to end anything. I wish to resolve simply and clearly this is the road I’m taking but I’ll still have an envelope for you when I visit, otherwise I’ll simply leave and never return.

Last night I role played a moment of reaching out to reconcile with an old friend on the back steps smoking a cigarette and it just seems so right to do, perhaps before you leave you can send a note.

A good strong cough is a healthy cough.  George Winston still has the right music for these evenings in September.  Night temps are now below sixty Fahrenheit for the first time and below 90 in the afternoon.  Still the house remains warm and stuffy until dusk, my floor fan has been on since I moved in seven weeks ago.  Is that a record of some kind?

When I arrived in Pittsburgh five years ago it was in its truest meaning time traveling.  From Dubai to the old world.  Exotic in a historical way, exotic in mountain lush and heaping humidity that sucks on your skin and the power is off again. 

I like little kids but having them in a classroom I feel as if I need an extra dozen exercises.  One boy who is named after a very famous Jewish theologian can hardly keep his book open.  And his sister, omigod, she’s a sweet kid who had hiccups today and look, the little girl’s older sister looking at me from the one-eyed halibut angle, what do you look like under the cape, lady?  Ok, we’re giving women some training, I am motivated.  So motivated today I brought in a bag of fruit and of vegetables and didn’t we learn something about what I like to eat and what the difference is between a tomato and an orange and does a pomegranate grow on a tree or a bush. 

9.20.15

8:47am—Can you identify a tree by its burning?  The larger finger piece of wood I burn in the room has the smell of Michigan.  Is it cedar, pine, oak, maple, birch I do not know.  The smell comes from the north, Marquette, Black Lake, the Sleeping Bear Dunes.  I still don’t have the internet but I am hoping it’ll come on before the usual 10am.  Not that I don’t have toefl essays to read and comment, I wanna see the box scores. 

God can’t condemn that which wasn’t meant to be.  If it wasn’t meant to be then you’re forgiven because what the hell do you know, you’re a puny Lutheran who thinks the book of Revelation should have never been added.  Ok?  And this understanding covers all transgressions repeatedly pointed out by Paul and Jesus and the OT, including the most obvious of human error, marriage, because we are simply no match for divinity.

12.43pm—Younnis served up potatoes in a tomato sauce and bread.  He doesn’t cook very much I am told.  The offer and meal is appreciated and it wasn’t too bad, especially if you’re hungry.  City power was on for a whole two hours, lordy loo what are we gonna do?  I tossed the loaf of bread I bought a few nights ago, completely molded out. 

A debit card from the last country I worked in continues to make life a little easier, reservations at hotels for this holiday coming fast, eleven days and three countries.  Sounds almost papal.  I don’t know if or when I’ll get my AIB debit card but I do know I’ll return to this internet account of mine and see if the salary is in and if I can somehow send money.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think every student I’ve had, from 30 to 10, has been a refugee.