Just 2.5 weeks...

The rumors are true: on January 13 I leave for the Middle East for 3.5 months!

In some ways, I think I'm about as ready as I could be - I've been doing research on where I'll be living and some things I'll hopefully be experiencing, I've bought my books for classes and begun studying Arabic, and I've reluctantly started saying goodbye to people I know I won't be seeing for several more months (or longer, considering May marks the end of my college days) - but part of me wishes I had more time. For what, I'm not sure, and so I think it must just be all those what-in-the-world-am-I-getting-myself-into feelings rushing to the front of my mind. But I will say that I'm much more excited than nervous, despite all the "Why would you ever want to go THERE?" questions I've been getting for the past 9 months or so (though I might not show it well, I do appreciate the concern).

I expect that the next few months will (hopefully) bring some pretty lengthy posts, full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and hilarious (though probably horrifyingly embarrassing at the time) cultural faux pas. So I'll keep this short now, considering I don't have much to share yet anyway. But in the meantime, take note of this site, because it is where I hope to be doing much of my updating. I may also do email updates, but I'll figure all that out once I'm in Cairo. My internet access will be somewhat limited, meaning that I won't have access in my apartment, but I'd love to keep in touch via email and Facebook and whatnot (just be patient because my response may not be immediate). My email will remain the same while I'm in the Middle East: cw1223@messiah.edu

I will be home in MD until Jan 12, minus Jan 5-10. I will be up visiting Messiah on Jan 9 and 10. I would love to spend time with all of you before I leave, so find me sometime between now and then!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!