Dear Friends and Family,
I knew it had been a while since my last post but I had no idea it has been over 5 months!!!! I apologize for my oversight but as only 6 of you read this blog (and you all have kept in touch via Facebook) I can't imagine anyone is pining away for a new one but here it is all the same (I apologize in advance for its length and thank you for reading...even if this is where you stop).
I am not going to go into depth on the details of the past 5 months during which time I have experienced extreme highs, lows, excitement, frustration, and the most intense loneliness of my life. I am not going to spend the entire day rehashing for you these past events because I do not have that sort of focus, you don't have that sort of patience and I am doing my best to just keep my head above the sand these days. I will say (for the one person who has never read my blog and is just randomly stopping by) that I came here expecting to be changed by the experience and I have been.
I will list (in short) some highlights and then I will make a few pointed observations (probably much longer).
Since my last post from Bahrain in October of 2012 I have-
Pointed observations-
This past week has been one of horror and devastation for people in the United States due to the Boston Marathon bombings and consequent manhunt that followed and the explosion in West, Texas. My heart goes out to the families, friends and communities effected. It is never easy when something as incomprehensible as hatred and mass destruction happen on home soil. All eyes and ears have been watching and praying around the world and the world media has had 24/7 coverage. Brave acts are inspiring and the compassion shown by individuals getting involved is uplifting.
I in no way want to take anything away from what has happened back home and again want you all to know that you have my love and support. My thoughts right now are not about bringing pain or derision. I do need to say however that the intense media coverage both at home and around the world brings up a few feelings. The play by play reporting (often times inaccurate and damaging) mixed with the overabundance of up to date status posts on social media outlets was a tad overwhelming. Does it do any good?
Everyday here in Kuwait, I hear about horrific things that are happening in countries all around me. A day does not pass that I do not hear about the intense suffering of the Syrian people. While the reports were going non-stop about the manhunt in Boston, a cafe full of people was bombed in Iraq and at least 25 people were killed. People caught up in struggles between waring factions.
I have the great honor to call many people from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Iran and other parts of the Middle East my friends. I work with devout Muslims who pray daily for peace and volunteer time and money to those in need. The school I work at had a blanket drive for Syrian refuges in Jordan. I have even been able to have in depth conversations about our differences (Western and not Western, Christian and Mulsim) without ever coming to blows or disrespecting each other's cultures. I may not agree with many things that are genuinely believed to be true by other people but at the end of the day we can still share a laugh and perhaps a little more understanding.
It always hurts more when it happens at home. I just wish people would stop with the name calling, scrutinizing and jumping to conclusions. Wait for the facts. Tell the truth. And when tragedy strikes as it inevitably will because the world is filled with people who make the wrong choices "look for the helpers" for they too are everywhere. There are helpers in every country and heroes of every background. There are regular people who do the right thing and who never have their praises sung.
Enough of that...next observation.
I have been to 9 countries this year and spent quality time in 7 of them. I plan to see a few more before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. In this time of traveling I have received a new calling and it is two fold.
1- I want to inspire you to travel more! Nay, not just travel but become Social Adventurers! In general people around the world believe that folks from the U.S. do not like to travel. I am always trying to dispel this myth but I cannot do it alone. While there are many people from the USA traveling all over the world...the stereotype persists. I am making it a personal mission to meet as many people around the world as possible to help them know that this is indeed a myth and that I am not an oddity from my homeland. Statistics are not helping me convince anyone as only about 25% of Americans have valid passports compared to 60% of Europeans. I know there are a lot of reasons why y'all don't get out more (namely vacation hours, expenses, families etc). I get it. It's not easy. But I KNOW it is not due to lack of desire! Or at least I refuse to believe it. So do me a favor...get a passport! Then do something even crazier...GO SOMEWHERE!!! There is a foreign country out there that you have yet to explore and you can afford it, you CAN take the kids, and you CAN TAKE TWO WEEKS OFF!
2- People are afraid to travel alone. I was. I would still be if I hadn't done it. I am not saying to go to places that are dangerous all by your lonesome (or at all for goodness sake) but don't let the excuse of not having a travel companion keep you from going somewhere new. Do your research. Save up some money. Stop making excuses and GO! I spent a week alone in Thailand. I didn't know the language and I was nervous but guess what? I met people, I tried things I never thought I'd try, I made mistakes, I asked for help and I had a life changing experience. Yes it got a little lonely (just ask the poor gecko on my wall in Koh Lanta who had to hear all about it) but you will find you do things differently when you don't have anyone else to answer to. You find you are much more resourceful than you thought. If anything, it makes you that much more likely to talk to strangers and share a meal with people just passing through.
There, I'm done. Well...almost.
Finally,
I am turning 40 in a month. It is a strange time in many ways for me. I am not married. I have not been blessed with children of my own (of course I am currently raising 25 six year old boys...so...that's taken a toll on the old biological clock). However, I know exactly who I am and I am not too modest to admit I am super cool with being myself. I am also cool with continuing to grow, learn more, and change for the better with every new experience.
I may not blog again before I go home (55 days!) so if you have skipped everything else please read this next part.
More than anything I have been blessed to meet folks from every walk of life who are here with me in Kuwait. It has been amazing and inspiring to be around people who say things like "Petra is breathtaking" or "The people in Tanzania are wonderful" not because they are bragging or pretentious, but because they are Social Adventurers who are "sucking the marrow out of life". Their excitement, challenges and willingness to "see more...do more" have been my favorite part about this experience. I have been able to talk to people who have shared their tips on traveling by camel back, sipping tea with Bedouins, teaching children in India, cruising down the Nile, glamming it up in Dubai or Qatar, or going on safari in Africa. I know where to go and who to call should I find myself in Korea, Egypt or Cyprus. In turn I am able to provide some tips and tricks of my own (don't even get me started on seeing everyone's pictures). So while the homesickness has been the ever present and painful challenge to my sojourn here, time spent smoking shisha with the girls or talking at school to people back from a recent trip to Morocco, Abu Dhabi or Oman has been part of making this the greatest adventure of my life. To all of those new friends, colleagues and passers-by I give the most heart felt thanks.
Alhamdulillah,
Michele
I knew it had been a while since my last post but I had no idea it has been over 5 months!!!! I apologize for my oversight but as only 6 of you read this blog (and you all have kept in touch via Facebook) I can't imagine anyone is pining away for a new one but here it is all the same (I apologize in advance for its length and thank you for reading...even if this is where you stop).
I am not going to go into depth on the details of the past 5 months during which time I have experienced extreme highs, lows, excitement, frustration, and the most intense loneliness of my life. I am not going to spend the entire day rehashing for you these past events because I do not have that sort of focus, you don't have that sort of patience and I am doing my best to just keep my head above the sand these days. I will say (for the one person who has never read my blog and is just randomly stopping by) that I came here expecting to be changed by the experience and I have been.
I will list (in short) some highlights and then I will make a few pointed observations (probably much longer).
Since my last post from Bahrain in October of 2012 I have-
- Discovered that not everyone in the world celebrates Christmas...even a secular one. I did however get the chance to spend Christmas in Jordan where it was cold and I could sip wine and where church bells ring and Jesus is more than a prophet to some. I did get to spend Christmas Eve in Bethlehem and it was miraculous and I am grateful to have been there.
- Learned that I am not cut out for the teaching profession here in Kuwait however I am also not a quitter and will be back next year to test that hypothesis with a 2nd grade class.
- Moved out of a hotel room and into an apartment! I love my apartment. It is my sanctuary.
- Traveled to Thailand and island hopped. Thailand is fantastic.
- Discovered that I am easily swayed by big brown eyes and an accent, not as sophisticated as I keep pretending to be, still have a heart that can be broken and I am an amazing girlfriend! While I am trying not to fall for anymore honeyed words from a devil's tongue (pretty much ends any ideas of serious dating here in Kuwait)...I wouldn't change a thing. I have also learned that I really like myself and as soon as I meet a man who appreciates the me that I am then I will appreciate him right back.
- Started painting and writing poetry again. Solitude does wonders for creativity.
- Freely admit that I am not the world's most amazing housekeeper and I am going to hire a maid Insha'Allah.
- Life goes on back home and even though I am not there, people are having a good time anyway.
- Traveled to Amsterdam and Paris. I love both.
- Learned that I travel well by myself (that is not to say I do not travel well with others, that is to say that traveling alone is not as scary as some would have you think and everyone should try it).
- Admitted that I am not safe walking in clogs and will no longer be wearing them.
- And finally, I have fully embraced my nerdiness and will never again feel embarrassed or ashamed to freely quote Tolkien, Lewis, Gaiman, Rowling or Lucas. I will not act as though I am too cool to wear costumes if I wish too. I will proudly wave my collector's Hermoine wand at the world non-verbally chanting Reparo, sing drinking songs from the Shire and find numerous ways to interject Jedi wisdom in everyday conversation.
Pointed observations-
This past week has been one of horror and devastation for people in the United States due to the Boston Marathon bombings and consequent manhunt that followed and the explosion in West, Texas. My heart goes out to the families, friends and communities effected. It is never easy when something as incomprehensible as hatred and mass destruction happen on home soil. All eyes and ears have been watching and praying around the world and the world media has had 24/7 coverage. Brave acts are inspiring and the compassion shown by individuals getting involved is uplifting.
I in no way want to take anything away from what has happened back home and again want you all to know that you have my love and support. My thoughts right now are not about bringing pain or derision. I do need to say however that the intense media coverage both at home and around the world brings up a few feelings. The play by play reporting (often times inaccurate and damaging) mixed with the overabundance of up to date status posts on social media outlets was a tad overwhelming. Does it do any good?
Everyday here in Kuwait, I hear about horrific things that are happening in countries all around me. A day does not pass that I do not hear about the intense suffering of the Syrian people. While the reports were going non-stop about the manhunt in Boston, a cafe full of people was bombed in Iraq and at least 25 people were killed. People caught up in struggles between waring factions.
I have the great honor to call many people from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Iran and other parts of the Middle East my friends. I work with devout Muslims who pray daily for peace and volunteer time and money to those in need. The school I work at had a blanket drive for Syrian refuges in Jordan. I have even been able to have in depth conversations about our differences (Western and not Western, Christian and Mulsim) without ever coming to blows or disrespecting each other's cultures. I may not agree with many things that are genuinely believed to be true by other people but at the end of the day we can still share a laugh and perhaps a little more understanding.
It always hurts more when it happens at home. I just wish people would stop with the name calling, scrutinizing and jumping to conclusions. Wait for the facts. Tell the truth. And when tragedy strikes as it inevitably will because the world is filled with people who make the wrong choices "look for the helpers" for they too are everywhere. There are helpers in every country and heroes of every background. There are regular people who do the right thing and who never have their praises sung.
Enough of that...next observation.
I have been to 9 countries this year and spent quality time in 7 of them. I plan to see a few more before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. In this time of traveling I have received a new calling and it is two fold.
1- I want to inspire you to travel more! Nay, not just travel but become Social Adventurers! In general people around the world believe that folks from the U.S. do not like to travel. I am always trying to dispel this myth but I cannot do it alone. While there are many people from the USA traveling all over the world...the stereotype persists. I am making it a personal mission to meet as many people around the world as possible to help them know that this is indeed a myth and that I am not an oddity from my homeland. Statistics are not helping me convince anyone as only about 25% of Americans have valid passports compared to 60% of Europeans. I know there are a lot of reasons why y'all don't get out more (namely vacation hours, expenses, families etc). I get it. It's not easy. But I KNOW it is not due to lack of desire! Or at least I refuse to believe it. So do me a favor...get a passport! Then do something even crazier...GO SOMEWHERE!!! There is a foreign country out there that you have yet to explore and you can afford it, you CAN take the kids, and you CAN TAKE TWO WEEKS OFF!
2- People are afraid to travel alone. I was. I would still be if I hadn't done it. I am not saying to go to places that are dangerous all by your lonesome (or at all for goodness sake) but don't let the excuse of not having a travel companion keep you from going somewhere new. Do your research. Save up some money. Stop making excuses and GO! I spent a week alone in Thailand. I didn't know the language and I was nervous but guess what? I met people, I tried things I never thought I'd try, I made mistakes, I asked for help and I had a life changing experience. Yes it got a little lonely (just ask the poor gecko on my wall in Koh Lanta who had to hear all about it) but you will find you do things differently when you don't have anyone else to answer to. You find you are much more resourceful than you thought. If anything, it makes you that much more likely to talk to strangers and share a meal with people just passing through.
There, I'm done. Well...almost.
Finally,
I am turning 40 in a month. It is a strange time in many ways for me. I am not married. I have not been blessed with children of my own (of course I am currently raising 25 six year old boys...so...that's taken a toll on the old biological clock). However, I know exactly who I am and I am not too modest to admit I am super cool with being myself. I am also cool with continuing to grow, learn more, and change for the better with every new experience.
I may not blog again before I go home (55 days!) so if you have skipped everything else please read this next part.
More than anything I have been blessed to meet folks from every walk of life who are here with me in Kuwait. It has been amazing and inspiring to be around people who say things like "Petra is breathtaking" or "The people in Tanzania are wonderful" not because they are bragging or pretentious, but because they are Social Adventurers who are "sucking the marrow out of life". Their excitement, challenges and willingness to "see more...do more" have been my favorite part about this experience. I have been able to talk to people who have shared their tips on traveling by camel back, sipping tea with Bedouins, teaching children in India, cruising down the Nile, glamming it up in Dubai or Qatar, or going on safari in Africa. I know where to go and who to call should I find myself in Korea, Egypt or Cyprus. In turn I am able to provide some tips and tricks of my own (don't even get me started on seeing everyone's pictures). So while the homesickness has been the ever present and painful challenge to my sojourn here, time spent smoking shisha with the girls or talking at school to people back from a recent trip to Morocco, Abu Dhabi or Oman has been part of making this the greatest adventure of my life. To all of those new friends, colleagues and passers-by I give the most heart felt thanks.
Alhamdulillah,
Michele
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| At the Heineken Eperience in Amsterdam. Photo credit: Maggie Stewart |
