6th International Conference on Language, Literacy & Translation, Irbid National University, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

I spent 3 amazing days at Irbid National University about an hour north of Amman (and only 10 miles from the border with Syria!) where I presented a talk on native Arabic speakers and their perceptions of the various dialects of Arabic. (To read my original paper, go to http://w3.coh.arizona.edu/awp/AWP16/AWP16[Cote].pdf) The days began at 6am for breakfast, 7 on the bus, 8 -6 at the university, dinner 8-10 and then a bus ride back to the hotel in Amman. Dr. Taleb and the faculty and English majors at the university were the nicest, most hospitable group of people. The weather was cool and windy with heavy storms the last day.

An Evening at Burj Al Arab - FINALLY!

After talking about visiting this amazing hotel for YEARS, we arranged for me and Mo to celebrate our birthdays at the Burj with Ingrid, Nicole and Nadine. It was awesome!

CESL/University of Arizona Reunion!

From March 4-15, we were lucky to have so many people visit us from the US all at once for the TESOL Arabia conference held in Dubai! We had a dinner party on March 11 with Jeremy & Bridget from American University of Sharjah, Paul from HCT Al Ain, Steve, Ellen, Martha, Linda & Kathleen from U of A in Tucson, Lance, Virgine and baby Sam from Notre Dame, and our former student, Mahmoud Khoory from Abu Dhabi! Talk about a small world. Later in the evening, the gang went to the Burj l Arab for drinks while Ingrid and I stayed home & babysat!

Michelle & Daniel's Wedding

Michelle's Pre-Wedding in Sarasota

Tucson

After finding a cheap ticket from FLL to TUS on Jet Blue and SW via Long Beach & Vegas, where I missed the connection but found a hotel for $8US and did not know Aunty Ronnie & Uncle Jack-in-law were there, I got to good ole Tucson. Michael and Shevon have kept the house and yard in great shape despite the severe cold - nights in the high teens and days in the mid 30's! Coldest weather since the 1890's! There were blood oranges and lemons then, but some of the citrus trees are dead now. I can't wait to go back!

Trip to USA Jan 21 - Feb 3, 2011

We traveled 25,000 miles in less than 2 weeks to attend Sebastian's baptism in Miami, visit cousin Michael, check on the house/garden, give a job talk at UA & do 2010 taxes in Tucson, and go to my sister Michelle's wedding in Sarasota. It was too short but well worth it!