On Friday, Beth and I spent about 2 hours on the phone with our good friend Tim Shriver. This was the first time we've talked with Tim since our wedding 3 years ago when he fled overseas to avoid buying us a gift. Oh yeah, and he also selfishly joined the Peace Corps. Stationed in the Moroccan mountains about 15 hours from Tangiers, Tim spent his 2-year commitment as an English teacher and coordinator-extraordinaire of various children's community groups. Learning Arabic and immersing himself in the Moroccan culture, he comes away (presumably) a different man.

Tim then spent the next year finding his way home by way of Granada and is currently in Chicago visiting Nat, who was kind enough to loan his cell phone to our marathon conversation (and was summarily ignored). Understandably, Tim is now experiencing a bit of culture shock and, having spent more time abroad than most do in lifetime, having a bit of a conundrum as to what to do next. Do whatever makes you happy Tim, just so long as you do it here.

Welcome back.