It's an entire week into February now and the realization that in a matter of weeks I'll be in another country is slowly settling. I'm getting excited and also extremely nervous.
1. I've never been to another country and I've barely been to other states,
2. I don't know anyone over there sans the family employing me,
3. I'm not prepared yet.
Speaking of prepared, I've been preparing. I got my international license, my passport, a suitcase, and a basic idea of what I'm going to bring. I'm emailing the family about visas and packages and Skype sessions and it's not all that much but it feels like a lot more because everywhere I go, people ask me about it. "When are you leaving?" "Where are you going?" "Why are you doing that?" "How did you find out about this?" "Is it even safe?" I get versions of that one a lot. More often it's akin to what a friend said to me yesterday "Ashley, you're going to DIE over there! Saudi Arabia is so dangerous!" Fun fact: I'm not going to Saudi Arabia. Fun fact: My parents and I have taken precautions and researched to where they feel comfortable sending their youngest daughter there. So, yes it is safe, and no I'm not going to die. Thanks for the vote of confidence though.
The thing I've been worrying about the most with leaving is trying to find times to spend quality time with my quality friends before I leave. In my endeavors, I've found that quality time is harder than it used to be. With some friends, it's as easy as being in the same room with each other, but with others, I'll see them pull out their phones constantly. I like having an iPhone and a computer and the internet; however, I don't like when people use it separately from the person sitting next to them. Looking things up that you're talking about or pulling up a video to show them is fine, but texting and using Facebook just makes your friendship feel like a facade.
On a separate note, I've been having more and more scheduling issues arise. It's February 8th and people have already started asking me to do twice a week babysitting for the entire summer. I realized also that I have to go to ACC before I leave to fill out my ECS form and get advised for summer classes. While we're talking about college, at least once a week someone asks me what I'll be doing for the fall semester. I don't have an answer yet. Will I move to Fort Worth? Will I continue education at ACC until I have all my core classes? Will I cry in a dark room and ignore the world for the entire semester? The former is feeling more likely every time someone asks me...
1. I've never been to another country and I've barely been to other states,
2. I don't know anyone over there sans the family employing me,
3. I'm not prepared yet.
Speaking of prepared, I've been preparing. I got my international license, my passport, a suitcase, and a basic idea of what I'm going to bring. I'm emailing the family about visas and packages and Skype sessions and it's not all that much but it feels like a lot more because everywhere I go, people ask me about it. "When are you leaving?" "Where are you going?" "Why are you doing that?" "How did you find out about this?" "Is it even safe?" I get versions of that one a lot. More often it's akin to what a friend said to me yesterday "Ashley, you're going to DIE over there! Saudi Arabia is so dangerous!" Fun fact: I'm not going to Saudi Arabia. Fun fact: My parents and I have taken precautions and researched to where they feel comfortable sending their youngest daughter there. So, yes it is safe, and no I'm not going to die. Thanks for the vote of confidence though.
The thing I've been worrying about the most with leaving is trying to find times to spend quality time with my quality friends before I leave. In my endeavors, I've found that quality time is harder than it used to be. With some friends, it's as easy as being in the same room with each other, but with others, I'll see them pull out their phones constantly. I like having an iPhone and a computer and the internet; however, I don't like when people use it separately from the person sitting next to them. Looking things up that you're talking about or pulling up a video to show them is fine, but texting and using Facebook just makes your friendship feel like a facade.
On a separate note, I've been having more and more scheduling issues arise. It's February 8th and people have already started asking me to do twice a week babysitting for the entire summer. I realized also that I have to go to ACC before I leave to fill out my ECS form and get advised for summer classes. While we're talking about college, at least once a week someone asks me what I'll be doing for the fall semester. I don't have an answer yet. Will I move to Fort Worth? Will I continue education at ACC until I have all my core classes? Will I cry in a dark room and ignore the world for the entire semester? The former is feeling more likely every time someone asks me...
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