Where Did All the Time Go?

The months and days have melted away quicker than I anticipated. There are 53 days left until I board a plane bound for Israel. My feelings at this point are a mixture of excitement, fear, enthusiasm, and worry. The itinerary came in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Every field trip, every class, every activity, every exam is at my fingertips; I know where I'll be at nearly every minute of every day, minus those that are free days. This helps to create some stability amongst my nervous emotions.

There has been a lot of unrest in the Middle East and Africa lately. There was an uprising in Egypt, where the president was overthrown. Libya is facing a Civil War, one side headed by revolutionaries. In addition, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are still raging on with civilians being killed daily. Terrorism and racial hatred make Israel a dangerous place, one where you must take great caution and be aware of your surroundings one-hundred percent of the time. As a student, these issues don't generally appeal to me. I am more interested in boys, grades, and friends; I don't have time to solve all of the World's problems. Now, however, these issues are on the top of my list, taking priority over my social life and my dating life.
While in Jerusalem, I will be taking classes about Arabian and Israeli civilizations, languages, and religions. I will have the opportunity to walk the streets of Jericho and swim in the waters of the Red Sea. I will walk the steps Jesus took in the Garden of Gethsemane and in Galilee. I will see the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx. How could I be anything less than excited? This opportunity, this study, this adventure will bless and change my life; it will create light in an unknown world. I look forward to it, and I look forward to sharing it.