some guy in lebanon

So I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted, but I wanted to fill everyone in who’s probably given up on me saying anything new at this point…

I’m now right in the “hump” period, which is usually one of the most difficult of being abroad. There are almost exactly two months left in my program, and as I look back at the past two months I’m surprised at the vast diversity of emotions and experiences that I’ve felt and witnessed.

Jordan continues to be interesting and enlightening, even as it is sometimes boring and frustrating. I’ve been sick off and on again, at first with stomach problems, then with migraines, but I’ve also had more time to read and to study on my own then any time since high school, when I certainly did not take advantage of my free time.

My “family,” as we now call ourselves, the eight of us who live in the house together, continue to get along fine, even through difficulties such as one girl’s mother excommunicating her from the family after the girl got engaged to a Jordanian. I’ve also had the pleasure to meet another girl’s fiance from the states, and look forward daily to hanging out with most host brothers and doing nothing.

I’ve been seriously confronted with the possibility that all of this is sort of a silly situation. It’s pretty obvious that if I had not left DC this semester would have been unbelievably easy, and I would not now be confronting the scenario where I will very nearly graduate on time. I’m also missing my amazing and beautiful girlfriend, my fantastic apartment, my cushy job, and McFadden’s.

At the same time I haven’t had a drink in two months, worked my way through the entire New Testament, been confronted with and learned to live in a completely alien culture, and been forced to make serious plans for my future. Our lives, it is obvious, are continually effected by the decisions we make that make life more difficult in order to learn more. This experience, I believe, is one of those. Even as it is difficult and of course far more difficult than taking gut classes in DC, it is so worth it and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

I am no planning on returning at some point in July – I look forward to seeing everyone, and especially look forward to some much deserved rest. Gotta go – Mid terms to study for,

Will