About Me (15-Sept-2008)

Some people like the Internet because of the anonymity it provides. Others seem to throw caution to the wind and reveal every possible fact about themselves. I fall somewhere in the middle.

My name is Brian and I’m currently living in Amman, Jordan. I studied Education and Geography in my undergraduate days, and have an M.A. in Intercultural Studies and TESOL. My work experiences have led me down a variety of rabbit trails including summer camp counseling, uniformed security, human resources, substitute teaching in high schools, and teaching adult ESL at colleges/universities in the States.  I’m sure there are other things I’m missing, but, alas, I seem to have settled into a career of English teaching, having enjoyed doing so here in the Middle East for the past few years.  (Oh yeah … I am also  a bit of a free-lance copy writer and editor – I knew I was missing something!)

I love to travel, but haven’t traveled nearly as much as I would like. I have a soft spot for many places in the United States, but most of them are off-the-beaten path kind of spots that don’t make it on the map. Well, Chicago is on a lot of maps, but I like the less frequented places there too.  My favorite locales internationally include Montreal, Venice, Rome and Jerusalem. Of course, Amman has joined that list now.  I could write volumes about Amman and Jordan … but I guess that is what the rest of the blog is for!

My interest in the Middle East stems from the two summers I lived in Gaza City in the late 90s. It was that time that spurred me on to 10 years of studying Islam and the Middle East, befriending Muslims back in the States, and exploring a little more of the Middle East when I’ve had opportunity.  These experiences had such a profound impact on me that I’ve moved here with my family, following a wonderful and strange fork in the road of our life’s journey.

I write this blog as an outlet for my personal reflections on my life as father, student, teacher, and foreigner living in the Middle East.  I don’t expect anyone else to find it interesting, but if you do I’m glad – leave me a comment once in a while.

Peace.

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Here’s the “about me” description I’ve had on the blog from the beginning when I was just starting to write and being more anonymous. I’m not sure it fits with the current tone of the blog, but I rather like it, so I’m keeping it here.

i am an amateur. amateur husband and father, son and brother. amateur camper, cyclist, and writer. amateur cook, gardener, and beer enthusiast. sometimes theologian, amateur preacher, and fellow pilgrim. an aggressive pacificist, or is that passive-aggressivist? all i’m really good at is being the person God created me to be. and then that’s only part of the time. but in the end, i hope that helps rather than hinders you from being the person God created you to be.

(yeah – i didn’t use capitals – that was intentional)