Preparing to Leave: 3 days away

Tonight after institute in Hartford, we played a wicked awesome game of soccer together. It was hard, and fun. I ran full-body on into Greg, scored 5 goals, and had to run around the building in negative degree weather to cool down afterwards.

I said goodbye to my favorite Williston teachers. It was less of a "goodbye", more of a "cya". I hadn't been around them for very long. To actually say "goodbye" to my peers, my close friends here, is going to be extraordinarily difficult.

The whole 44 pounds thing is a little bit worrisome, too.

My BYU Jordanian friends told me that tampons were available in one of the seven Safeways in Amman, but I don't want to take that kind of a risk; especial since I won't even be living anywhere close to Amman. Well, I guess it's a heckuva lot closer than HERE, but seriously. This is where I will be living in Jordan. --->

It may be labeled "CyberCity" on the map because it has the street with the singlemost internet cafe's on one street in the entire world.

Senaa's family lives close to the University of Yarmuk, the school I will be at.

From henceforth, Nedal Tashman will be referred to as "Adam" since that is his preferred name. I had a funny, somewhat dis-connected conversation with Adam today. He was walking between classes in freezing cold Logan, UT weather. I asked him to help me figure out how to get from the airport to his house, and if I could stay there for the first few nights. He said that I can definitely stay at his house as long as I want, in traditional Arab generosity, and said that, "I can help you arrange anything you need, and arranging rides and a place to stay is easy. I am happy to help you with anything you need!" What a great friend. I remember being there last summer. One of the girls had a problem with her bank; they weren't wiring money to her fast enough. "Just tell them you know Nedal, and everything will be alright." We all laughed, partly because it was a funny idea, partly because it hit an emotional truth.

My psycho-analyst seems to think that it would be easier to deal with "goodbye" if you think of it as temporary. "When I drop you off on Sunday, I'm going to say, "See you tomorrow." - and I will see you tomorrow! - and you have to say, "Okay, see you tomorrow!" "

I am afraid of how it will be to leave. I have never had such a fiercely loyal and caring group of friends. Thinking about leaving is not good; fortunately there are still about a million preparations to be done before I can think about it more seriously.