Can't Sleep so why not blog

Instead of lying in bed trying so hard to sleep this morning, I gave in, woke up, made myself a cup of coffee and I am sitting here at 5:30 am Friday, July 24th blogging. I have a lot on my mind these days. In twenty one days I will be boarding a plane for Dubai, U.A.E. to begin working. Where has the summer gone? With this departure comes all sorts of loose ends to tie up and all kinds of preparations. I will share with you a few things on my mind in hopes that this will relieve a few anxieties and bring a better night of rest later this evening.

First of all, I am really not that nervous to leave the U.S. for Dubai. People ask me this question quite frequently and I ponder as to whether I really should be answering the questioner or wonder what they are expecting as a "normal" reply. I am really not that nervous. I am more concerned as to what should go in my suitcase! aka what clothes and shoes to pack. Perhaps this anxiety or nervousness will arrive a few days before departure but I only envision myself becoming more and more excited! I look forward to the change in pace, being surrounded by Europeans, Asians and others. Meeting the girls, my new students. The fun things that arrive with a fresh new school year. New co-workers (not that I did not like my old co-workers) but the women who, like me, move abroad to teach I bet have some amazing histories and stories that I cannot wait to hear about.

Second, maybe the insomnia and anxiousness for my trip is a good thing. After all I am leaving some amazing friends, colleagues, my love and so many others so it might as well be worth all of this work. To be honest, I have not been dealing with the whole visa process just yet. I have renewed my passport (have you noticed the US Visa resembles the Colbert report with eagles and such?) and I endured the long process of getting my diploma and transcripts approved by four different offices ( I swear Hillary Rodham Clinton hand signed my documents:))

Last, maybe the lack of sleep is a result of too many Diet Pepsis or caffeine? I doubt it considering I drink quite a lot of caffeine on a daily basis but regardless it was just another option to throw out there! Okay, I'm going to end this rather lengthy entry and let you know that I am alright and will be fine. And no, I am not nervous about Dubai! :)