I did not learn to say whole sentences when I went to Ethiopia. I learned to say "toilet", "hungry", "please", "thank you", "wait", and "it's ok". I would say the first three as statements and as questions.

Makes sense to me, but Pimmsleur wants me to learn in sentences, so that's what I'm doing. Haven't learned to read yet, although I can occasionally write!

I just so don't want to go to work today. I'm having a terrible week. No signs that it will be any better today.

I've quit using the squat machine at the gym. Every single time, no matter how I use it, even with the trainer there monitoring my posture, my left knee makes a terrible pop.

Why do trainers not accept this? Every other machine is fine. Cardio is fine. Squat machine? My knee says no, and I'm not risking an injury that would prevent me from doing everything else at the gym. GET OVER IT TRAINERS.

Google Maps uses non-classified satellite photos, and Israeli has placed lots of pressure on the civilian satellite corporations (directly or indirectly through allies) not sell satellite photos to anyone...

Thanks, y'all!

I usually use "from". But somebody here, who asked me to go over a text he wrote in English, keeps using "than", so much so that I started to doubt my phrasing. Now it seems that I'm just older and Britishier. Hmm.

Why is Israel a big blank on Google Maps?

Security reasons.

Emily, have a great trip! I'll just have to get to see you some other time, in some other place.

[Edit: "in"? "at"? I have now reached that point in which I doubt every single English phrasing I try to use.]

Why is Israel a big blank on Google Maps?

Because Israel isn't a country; It's an experiment.

Suggestions?

When in doubt about traveling, I go there. Or actually, to one of the groups. I highly recommend posting a question in "Independent Women" group.

Allyson,

My knee does the same thing. Anatomically/Biologically speaking, its supposed to just be Nitrogen escaping. I don't really buy that either, maybe the first time it cracks but not every subsequent time.

Security reasons.

I figured it was probably that. So how long DOES it take to get from Cairo to the border?

Which is sad in a way, because satellite archeology is growing field, and I suspect that there a lot of sites inside Israeli borders that hi-rez satellite photos can help direct scientists to...

Yeah, I don't buy it either. The pain was getting progressively worse. I didn't use it today and there's no knee pain.

Allyson!

In the rounds of loading your book to friends, the one who borrowed it now wrote me an e-mail yesterday saying "I LOVE Allyson. She writes about *me*! Me! ME!".

So how long DOES it take to get from Cairo to the border?

I guess it depends on more than just the distance - the quality of the roads, the cars, and the like. Sorry, no idea. But I still wish you could miraculously skip here, just for a bit. It doesn't have to make sense, right?

[Edit: I seem to have lost all ability to write a doesn't-need-an-Edit post]