"So today is Easter in America."
-Peter Dula, my Honors seminar professor

A refreshingly honest reminder that no presidential candidate can be the savior of this nation.

But still. I sure know what result I'd like to see.

It's been a while.

Obviously, I disappeared from the blog scene for quite some time. Those of you who used to check this faithfully may have given up on me by now. I thought I had given up on this myself, so I can't blame you. After I returned from the Middle East, I never fully intended to resume posting again. Somehow, my thoughts and feelings felt too overwhelming and all-encompassing to possibly consider writing about in this type of space (or at all, sometimes). But I'm willing to give it a try again.

Though I've now been back in the U.S. for longer than I was gone (really?) and spent the summer transitioning back into this culture, returning to EMU has brought on a fresh wave of longing for the Middle East. It seems like everything reminds me in some way of my experiences there. Sometimes, I struggle with living in the present and not constantly desiring to return to my time on cross-cultural. The challenge lies in figuring out how to integrate what I learned there into my life in this country...and how it affects what the future holds for me.

oh hello, 2008.

The new year snuck up on me in the midst of all the busyness of this break. So far, my 2008 has mostly consisted of shopping and packing for the Middle East, for which I leave in one week.

I am so excited and ready to go. I finally have most of what I need, though I have yet to figure out how to efficiently pack it all. Those concerns are far outweighed by the thrill of knowing that very soon I'll be seeing the pyramids, hiking Mt. Sinai, spending Easter in Israel, tracing parts of Paul's journey, and much more. This will be the biggest adventure of my life so far, and I simply can't wait.

I don't plan on blogging much, if at all, while I'm gone, so the only way you are likely to hear from me is if you are on my mass email list. If you haven't already asked me to include you on that list, please let me know soon!

on fire
by switchfoot

they tell you where you need to go
they tell you when you need to leave
they tell you what you need to know
they tell you who you need to be

but everything inside you knows there's more than what you've heard
there's so much more than empty conversations filled with empty words

and you're on fire when he's near you
you're on fire when he speaks
you're on fire burning at these mysteries

give me one more time around
give me one more chance to see
give me everything you are
give me one more chance to be near you

when everything inside me looks like everything i hate
you are the hope i have for change
you are the only chance i'll take

and i'm on fire when you're near me
i'm on fire when you speak
i'm on fire burning at these mysteries

i'm standing on the edge of me
i'm standing on the edge of everything i've never been before
and i've been standing on the edge

Sophomore year classes? Check.
15-page paper? Check.

And it's Friday. All in all, a fairly fantastic day.

Still to do...
6 page Theology paper
6 page Politics paper
Christmas gift for Shakespeare class (?)

Could be worse. Christmas break, here I come...

I forgot to include this in yesterday's post...

MIDDLE EAST CROSS CULTURAL SEMINAR
Itinerary, Spring 2008


JANUARY 7 – 11 ORIENTATION AT EMU

JANUARY 11 – 12 TRAVEL to EGYPT
11 Depart from EMU to Dulles 12:45 pm
Depart Dulles for Frankfurt 5:55 pm, Lufthansa 419
12 Arrive Frankfurt 7:35 am, depart Frankfurt 9:55 am, Lufthansa 582
Arrive Cairo 2:55 pm

JANUARY 12 – 23 EGYPT
Program arranged by MCC/Egyptian host, pyramids, Islamic Cairo, Orthodox Cairo, MCC, train trip to Luxor – Valley of the Kings (tombs, temples, Nile River boat ride, etc.)

JANUARY 23 – 27 JORDAN
Program will include a day in Petra, the famous Nabatian city carved in stone, 2 days with Bedoins (camels, overnight in desert in Bedoin tent) and several renowned biblical and archeological sites (Mt. Nebo, Madabah).

JANUARY 28 – APRIL 9 ISRAEL
Program includes language study, archeology, geography, history with Jerusalem University College, Judaism and Islam, Kibbutz stay, Nazareth Village.

APRIL 9 – 13 ATHENS, GREECE
Plans include, independent and group exploration of ancient /biblical sites, culture and Greek Orthodox community. Visit to Corinth.
11 Leave Athens. Travel to Patros for ship to Bari, Italy. Depart Patros 6:00 pm
12 Arrive Bari at 8:30 am - travel to Rome by bus and check into hotel for 4 nights.

APRIL 14 – 22 ROME, ITALY
Individual and group exploration of Rome, ancient and biblical sites, Roman Catholic church, culture. Final debriefing, conclusion of study program, completing assignments, and all final exams. Prepare chapel presentation.

APRIL 22 TRAVEL to USA (the times may change slightly for this flight)
Depart Rome 11:00 am Lufthansa 3857
Arrive Frankfurt 12:35 pm, depart Frankfurt 3:05 pm Lufthansa 414
Arrive Dulles 6:15 pm

Less than three weeks.

I can't believe it. I'm so ready for next semester, but at the same time, I'm loving it here so much that it will be a little sad to leave.

I also have absolutely no motivation to do anything academic anymore. I'd consider making a to-do list for the rest of the semester, but it might throw me into depression. So I think about the many other things to look forward to...that list is much more exciting:) Some examples....
-Campus semi-formal
-Christmas party for the boys hosted by the girls
-My future suitemates gathering in Lancaster during break
-Hockey team Christmas party
-Christmas!
And, of course...the MIDDLE EAST! (The most exciting news on that front...as of yesterday, one of my best friends is also going!)

The future is bright, to say the least. Papers and exams won't be fun, but it's easy to look past them...maybe that's not good?

On another note, out of my excitement for next semester and my inability to wait patiently for it, I'm beginning to make a list of people to send mass email updates to. If you'd like to be included on this list, please let me know...