Photo A Day: New Personal Challenge

Summer is coming (or already here if you live in the Arabian desert) and with it lots of change is on the way.

Jordan and I have been living a nomadic life for a while. Five years ago we left the States and moved to Korea to teach English. We lived there for two years, leaving only to visit our families (who were living here in Jordan and in Slovenia, respectively) and a trip to Turkey. Our dream had always been to backpack for a year, and when our teaching contracts finished we left Korea for Taiwan, and eventually 16 more countries. When that year was over we wandered here to Amman where we've been living for the last two years, leaving only to travel to Israel/Palestine, Tunisia and Egypt. So basically we haven't been back to the States for 5 years. Our ties to America are apparently a lot looser than I thought.

Apple Orchard 01

5 Years ago in MN.

palace1

In Korea

2010.12.03 - Changhua

Taiwan

IMG_4102.jpg

Life in Jordan

But the time finally has come for us to return. After years of putting off a reentry plan, one has finally emerged and we've even purchased airline tickets. From today we have one month left here in Amman before we start a new adventure in America.

Dramatic, cross-planet relocation is something I have experience with; I have come not to expect anything particular, and have found that life is a little weird pretty much all the time. I live with the tension of not really knowing what normal is. Is normal seeing only the eyes of a woman peeking out from behind her giant head to toe covering, or being able to wear shorts outside of the house? I'm not really sure.

079

Jordan very small and living in Tunisia

andes

Living in the Andes of Bolivia.

family at pyramids

Life in Cairo, Egypt

HK 11

Life in Hong Kong

The one thing that I have going for me now is that I've done this before and I have the wisdom of age (almost 28, and so wise!). In order to help stay in the moment during a rather busy and demanding time, I'm going to start up a Photo a Day challenge. I'm going to do my best to take a photo every day for a four month period, starting today May 8 to Sept 8. This period will cover our last month here in Amman, two months of crazy time, and one month in our next destination (Oregon). I'll be sharing photos as I can here on the blog.

If you'd also like to document your summer with a photo a day challenge, join the conversation here, where we can figure how to best help and motivate each other.

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Recent Comments

Anita Wells
Anita Wells Fri, 05/31/2013 - 13:40

Wow, sounds exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Good luck with your adventures!!

Brittany Olson
Brittany Olson Mon, 05/13/2013 - 19:50

How awesome and such a blessing and experience to be able to view so much of the world at such a relatively young age! I always wanted to travel, but my plans are now on hold as I'm a 21 year old stay at home mom. Although now I'm thankful that if the circumstances allow, I can take my kids with me to see the different landmarks, cultures, and histories. I only hope that they're as fascinated by history and the world as I am. It makes life more interesting. :)

Mersija (Mer-see-ya) Simon
Mersija (Mer-see-ya) Simon Sun, 05/12/2013 - 06:59

Know i now more about you and where you live,what an amazing journey you two have taken on,visiting the world is a fun escape from the way we live in the states.You will have life long memories to tell your children and grandchildren.The best to you both on your new adventure!!

Lana Fischer
Lana Fischer Sat, 05/11/2013 - 06:29

Marisa & Jordan, wishing you both good luck on your newest adventure and hope that it is an easy process for you both. I think the photo a day is such a wonderful idea..you won't regret it down the road when you look back.

Leablahblah
Leablahblah Fri, 05/10/2013 - 16:16

wow I'm as old as you are and have not traveled nearly as much! What great life experiences!

Janet Kemp
Janet Kemp Fri, 05/10/2013 - 09:28

Whew...I feel for you on the moving front. We've never moved anywhere near as far as you, but have moved 7 times in 10 years. I'm sure you guys are pros and it'll go without a hitch!

Would love to join you in the photo a day project, but managed to go about a week the last time I tried...lol.

Cynthia Arnett
Cynthia Arnett Fri, 05/10/2013 - 06:00

I just love the sharing you do of your travels and pictures. I always find your words interesting and enlightening. Hope you share more of your travels this summer and have safe traveling. When you come to the US in Sept., I hope your entry into the US is not chaotic.

Debbie Cramer
Debbie Cramer Thu, 05/09/2013 - 06:29

I always enjoy seeing pictures of all of the amazing places you visit. Thank you again for sharing.

Shiree Clark
Shiree Clark Thu, 05/09/2013 - 06:08

You and your traveling is amazing to me. How many languages do you speak? I love this blog post because it was so interesting to read. Good luck in Oregon. I hope you are happy there & love it.

Angela Hoynes
Angela Hoynes Thu, 05/09/2013 - 04:57

What an amazing life you have had so far! You are such a get up and go type person I am sure you will treat the next move like another adventure! Wishing you all the best xx

Dawn Evans
Dawn Evans Thu, 05/09/2013 - 02:28

Part of me really envys you - I would love to visit that many countries/cultures but another part knows that after 3 weeks away I'm usually ready to go home LOL It sounds like you've had a blast and I hope your next move is just as much fun for you both. I have been to Oregon (from the UK) and it was beautiful. Look forward to the photos.

Keisha Dawson
Keisha Dawson Wed, 05/08/2013 - 18:22

Your life sounds amazing and adventurous! I've been talking for months about selling all of our possessions and moving to the carribean to relax and enjoy our children...everyone thinks I'm a bit crazy! :) I love the idea of a photo a day challenge. I am going to do my very best do follow in this challenge with you. Luckily, my husband is in the middle of a huge backyard renovation, so the camera is out often, and I've already taken several today to document his progress! I can't wait to see all of the pictures of your next adventure!

Sunny Faith Rush
Sunny Faith Rush Wed, 05/08/2013 - 13:58

I live in Oregon, therefore I think that you have made a nice location choice for your next adventure. I live in eastern Oregon, which is the warmer/dryer side of the Blue Mountains. Hope that you have a smooth transition to your new digs! No matter where you go, you will carry the sounds and senses of Jordan with you.

Lou Anne Hazel
Lou Anne Hazel Wed, 05/08/2013 - 12:27

That's exciting news! I love Oregon and have some family there. I'm originally from Washington. Your photo a day project should be fun and I have no doubt you'll succeed. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your new adventure.

Meg Bertapelle
Meg Bertapelle Wed, 05/08/2013 - 11:57

WOW! best of luck on your new adventure!! LOVE Oregon, we have family in Portland, and I always love visiting them :)

Melo Vrijhof
Melo Vrijhof Wed, 05/08/2013 - 11:44

Talk about globetrotting... Good luck relocating (again) and good luck on the photo-a-day as well - I managed to keep it up for exactly eleven days, haha!

Violet Irisovna
Violet Irisovna Wed, 05/08/2013 - 11:02

Good luck on the next chapter of your adventure! It will be fascinating to see what kinds of kits the US inspires after so many incredible international kits. I'm on year 4 of photo-a-day so I will definitely be playing along with you.

Brandi White
Brandi White Wed, 05/08/2013 - 10:37

Do you think Oregon will be long-term, or do you expect to keep wandering? Either way, good luck with the relocation!

Harriett Humphries
Harriett Humphries Wed, 05/08/2013 - 07:32

Moving house is always an overwhelming task, no matter how far or near. I wish you the best in your upcoming adventure.

Sharilynn Marie
Sharilynn Marie Wed, 05/08/2013 - 07:09

Great pictures! Good luck on all the moving and reentry as well!

Sarah Lewis
Sarah Lewis Wed, 05/08/2013 - 06:53

Best wishes on all your new adventures. I look forward to seeing your photos as you document your new journey. I am an Oregonian--born and raised there--now living in Washington. I now call myself a Northwesterner! Invest in layers when you arrive, however, I think August and September are the most beautiful months of the year out here!

Cameron Yates
Cameron Yates Wed, 05/08/2013 - 02:34

Oh! You're going to Oregon! That's where I'm from. :) I hope you love it. :) I haven't lived overseas as much as you, but we were in Italy for 3.5 years; the reentry to the States again was painful. Within the first day of arriving in the States (after traveling the Eastern Med for a few weeks) I had to go buy deodorant and I was quite literally overwhelmed with the choices. Why do we need 45 square feet of shelf space for deodorant options? The other thing that got to me was that even though I spoke some Italian, I could tune it out; so when we came back and I could understand EVERYTHING EVERYONE said around me I was like, "Will everyone please stop talking? And stop saying such inane things?" Ha ha! Good luck on your reentry process and I look forward to following along on your journey!