6, 7, 8, 9

another interesting and different thing about teaching in jordan was that twenty minutes or so into class, we were served cookies and offered coffee or tea. this made things cozier, and i like cozy. i flew home on monday--13 hour flight, lots of turbulence, three movies, including a rom-com that made me cry called About Time--and when I arrived at the airport i was immediately chosen for special inspection, during which i again cried. "come with us", an airport security official demanded, "may i ask why?" i responded, "because i said so!", she snapped, it felt like i was crossing through israel into palestine, it seems i am now being antagonized in both my countries.

on tuesday i taught my class back in the states. Still immersed in the intimacy and intensity of my class in jordan, i found myself being especially forthcoming and open. One thing i have always appreciate about writing and teaching writing is the intimacy and lack of compartmentalization. it is an area in which vulnerability is welcomed and even beneficial, though sometimes it's difficult to know what constitutes too vulnerable, especially when i am the teacher.

jet lag, leave me please....

days 4 and 5

yesterday we read winterson and critiqued two essays. today we read amy tan and critiqued two more pieces. another difference: when we free write, i am encouraged to share mine, too! it's fun.

day 3

the main difference between teaching in the States and teaching in the Middle East is the ten minute smoke break at the 1.5-hour mark. i am the only non smoker, though if it didn't make me dizzy, i would join in, for the sake of camaraderie. 

Jordan class

I'm finally teaching the Jordan class, creative nonfiction, 7 classes in 7 days. 10 women, 1 male student, all lovely. Today was class 2; we read Didion, workshopped a piece, and wrote about fear. Last night, class 1, we ate pizza and talked about writing. Wishing I could spend 7 days in a row with my students in the States. It's exhausting but intimate, the way writing and talking about writing should be.

insight

if you blast dirty diana by the weeknd while reading your own writing, both will sound much better.

permission to death cab?

thanks.

we don't have to go

without

dont be afraid

to seduce your audience