Cowboy Boots

Let me get straight to the point -- I think I am less comfortable leaving the familiar behind than I thought I was.

By all means, don't understand me wrong. I am absolutely psyched about being in Morocco! I cannot wait to be there and see everything and meet new people and learn different dialects of Arabic. What crushes me I think is that this eagerness also doesn't spill over into my daily life as well.

Wherever I am in the world, I feel like I always need to be connected. Nobody really has to be physically present but there is a certain pressure from this globalized society that we are in today to be constantly communicating. Truth be told, I have lapses of isolation when I have no desire of being in touch. But I cannot say those last more than a couple of days.

My goal for Morocco is simple: to challenge myself to slowly let go of everything that is familiar to me. If I succeed, then I think I will have also learned more about myself.

If I fail, does this mean I have a 9-to-5 mentality that I cannot shake off? Is it American culture? Is it the Generation Y? Is it simply me?

I admit that I am attached to many, many things. I will miss much about the lifestyle that I am currently engaged in. Namely -- my cowboy boots.

I feel so secure in them. If I could wear them every day, I would. No matter what the weather, those boots are ready to endure whatever comes their way. The constant plop-plop of the sole make me feel grounded to something. There isn't much of a bounce in the shoe because this is a no-nonsense piece of art. There is something about it that makes me feel , well, happy.

I had made up my mind several weeks ago that I would take my boots with my to Morocco. When I felt like I needed to be home, I would simply pull them out and wear them around in the souks. Sure, I'd get a couple of glances and raised eyebrows, but afterall, I was in my beloved boots. Nobody can hurt me when they are on my feet.

But just now, I have decided to leave them at home, tucked in their box under my mattress. The only thing that I am bringing from home is myself. Everything else may be material but the only thing that can make me feel what I truly want to feel -- renewed -- is simply myself.

So adieu, cowboy boots! We'll catch up in February.

10 Days!

I can't believe it - I'm headed to Morocco in less than two weeks. It won't hit me until I step off the plane. I know myself well.

Anyways, I've been busy cleaning out my room from top to bottom. I consider my room to be in pretty good shape, but to tell you the truth it's just a very well-organized mess. I'm a hoarder, to be honest. I hate throwing away that piece of notebook paper that has a perfect A+ written in red ink at the top commending my good work spelling out words in the 3rd grade. I've finally got over that and threw much of that stuff away this summer.

Anyways, lots of books! Lots of OZ trinkets! Lots of spare change! It's everywhere. My sister is moving in as soon as I head overseas so I'm trying to get it in great shape.

In other news, I'm about 5% (physically) prepared to go to Morocco! -- but 110% mentally prepared so it doesn't matter. I'll toss a couple of shirts and jeans into a suitcase and I could consider myself ready to go.

I know this post made me sound like a slob, but really, I'm not. I just spent an hour polishing the granite countertops downstairs.

Enough materialism :) Carpe diem, everyone!

Home

"Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it -- memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey."

The End of the Beginning!

So today was my last day as an intern at the World Affairs Council. It was so strange to leave the place. I am so attached to everything about that office.

In other news, I leave to Morocco on the 28th. I am very excited, but not quite prepared! I have quite a bit of time before I head out but my to-do list is certainly not get any shorter.

Besides this, there is not much else going on. Yesterday was the first day of Ramadan! Ramadan kareem to everyone. I am especially anxious to see the environment in Morocco during the month of Ramadan and Eid. My mom was sharing stories of all the joys of Ramadan when she used to live in Nazareth, Israel.

Until next time...carpe diem!
Asil