Keeping it together

In a way, it seems like the world is falling apart. More appropriately, it seems like the world as I know it is suffering. Soon after arriving overseas, Hurricane Katrina ravaged and destroyed the city I was born in and love. Before coming here, London became another target of terrorist bombings, and the city is still coping with the aftermath. Paris, Bordeaux, and Toulouse -- the three cities I visited in France -- are in the midst of endless arson and riots. And now, Amman is the latest victim to Al-Qaeda. Ironically, Amman was the city where we sought refuge in the Middle East, the place where we could relax in a nice hotel just blocks from those where the bombs went off.

It seems that the more I get to know the world, it becomes increasingly beautiful and ugly. Life is bittersweet, indeed.

On a more personal note, I am dealing with an extremely emotionally-trying event. On the bright side, I feel as if I'm handling things in the best way possible. Something I have been anxious about is seeing how this time overseas has changed me and will impact my course in life. Based on my response and handling of things, I've already discovered that I have become emotionally stronger and, quite possibly, wiser in the past few months. I have learned to value myself, which was something I needed to learn to do ages ago.

I did, however, need to take a "mental health day," as my coworkers would have called it. I decided to nix the trip to Wales, instead relishing a day of rest and relaxation and devoting Sunday to Stevie's last full day in London. So far, we've seen and done quite a bit. He's on his own today -- I'm anxious to see how he does.

Quite glad I decided to slow down and take a day off. Otherwise, I'd probably hit an emotional and physical collapse mid-week. As it is, I still have a lot planned ahead. Stevie leaves Monday, I've got school and volunteering and catching up with friends to do and, Jessi, my next guest from Georgia, arrives Sunday.

A favorite picture from the past few days. It's gotten bitterly cold here (cold enough to snow!) and, for the most part, the weather has been cloudy and terribly typical of England. Fortunately, Wednesday was a surprisingly gorgeous day and I took plenty of pictures as proof.