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As Thanksgiving approaches here on Thursday, I was talking with my Mom about recently about what all has happened in the past year since I have been home. I left Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 22, 2005 - blog entry here - and, after a quick shower, and change of clothes, jumped in the car for our traditional Thanksgiving trip to St. Louis (we are again leaving this year on Wednesday morning). So what has changed?- Well, I guess the largest change would be that I graduated from the University of Tennessee in May. It is weird to no longer be a college student, even if the large majority of my friends are still in college. For example, I went to Aid For Africa, a formal benefit (or is it a benefit formal?) my friend Mona put together this past Friday at a local downtown club called World Grotto. The event was well-planned and very well attended. I couldn’t help feel a bit out of place, however, as just about everyone was still in college who attended. “Am I getting too old for this?” was a thougtht I had more than once. Well, so am I? Any comments would be appreciated. As an aside, I went with Mona to her first benefit formal/formal benefit - also supporting Africa - back in April.- I have steadily worked towards a point where I can sell my business. This has been a thought of mine since the time of graduation and, as I firmly believe, it will soon happen and it will work out for the best. The pieces are in place - the business is listed in multiple locations, both locally and nationally - and I have a business broker (who is also a friend) that is representing me.- Plans to go abroad again are still progressing - albeit not at a pace that I am happy with. I am planning to sign up for this online TEFL course so that I can be certified to teach English wherever I go. I am also working on getting my vacinations in order and am trying to sell off all sorts of old things that I no longer use such as my guitar (which I never used clothes, an old computer, and a Jeep engine that apparently is no longer necessary - story here- in order to truly become a “vagabond”.- My soccer has improved by playing with the Mexicans over at Victor Ashe Park and with UT International.- My spanish has declined (although I have made new friends because of it - 1, 2, 3).- My raquetball has improved (although I still can’t beat Wes!)- UT and the Knoxville News-Sentinel covered my time studying abroad.- I’ve traveled within the U.S. a fair amount:

• Spring Break - Key West
• St. Patty’s Day - New York
• Atlanta
• Memorial Day - Peachtree City
• Texas in June & August
• Miami
• Union University

- My working life has changed:

• No more Melting Pot (although I do have a newfound respect for servers)
• Sporadically working as a hospital translator
• No more internship with the U.S. Dept of Commerce
• Uneventful job interviews

.- I have had the chance to read quite a bit:

• Ordinary Heroes (4 stars)
• Treasure: Uncovering Patterns & Principles That Create Prosperity (4 stars)
• Sleeping with the Devil: How Washington Sold Our Soul for Saudi Crude (4 stars)
• Vagabonding : an uncommon guide to the art of long-term world travel (3 stars)
• Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (3 stars)
• To Have and Have Not (3 stars)
• State of Fear (4 stars)
• The Broker (3 stars)
• See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA’s War on Terrorism (4 stars)
• Investment Biker: Around the World with Jim Rogers (4 stars)

Well, we have some pretty crappy weather going on here in Maryville lately and maybe the weather, combined with my sprained & swollen ankle and a botched tooth filling last week have left me in the house and in a foul mood. After writing all of this above, though, I feel better. I’m thankful that a lot has happened in a year!

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