Unpredictable
This year I embarked on a journey to figure out who I am, where I came from and where I wanted to go in the future. There were many bumps, turns and dea
d ends, but I definitely learned many lessons. I am proud to say that I am leaving a better person than I arrived. I am more patient, confident and joyful. I have learned to rely on myself more than I could ever imagine. At the same time, I have learned to trust others and to enjoy the time I am given with them, I never know when that time will end. As I sit here just hours before I will leave this country, I would like to reflect on the time I have spent here.
I came with the intention of learning about my family, my heritage and my country. Those who know me, know that I am proud to be American and to have had the opportun
ity to grow and learn in such a wonderful country. However, I always felt there was something missing from my identitiy. The only thing I knew about Egypt was what was taught to us in school and that is pretty limited to the Pharoahs. There is so much more to Egypt than the pyramids and the Nile.
I have learned that Egypt is filled with endless beauty. There is amazing architecture, landscape that takes your breath away and the sunset over my family's farm is fit for a painting.(see pic at top of page) There is beauty in the culture, many traditions are full of family togeth
erness, love and joy. It is a culture that strives to share with others and show that we have more in common, than not. Finally there is beauty in the people, the people could be living in extreme poverty yet they will offer whatever they have to make sure you are comfortable. The people I have met in Egypt have impacted my life in the most profound ways. I have made lifelong friends amongst the other teachers, my students, and even my own family. I was able to get to know my father 
and stepmom in a way I never could back home. I will always treasure the time I was able to spend with them here in Egypt.
It is hard to say goodbye, not knowing when I will see each of these important people again, but I carry them in my heart. I take with me the passion, creativity, eagerness, and energy of my students. I take with me the laughter, stories, and knowledge of new friendships. I take with me the love, security and con
fidence of deeper relationships with my parents. I take with me a new outlook on the world around me and how I want to affect change in that world.
I leave a piece of my heart in a country where I finally started understanding my place and purpose.
I don't have all the answers and I don't think I ever will. I now know that I don't need the answers, the best part of this journey we call life are the outcomes we can't predict.
I found this quote back in October. I used in my classroom and it became my mantra.
"And I refuse to walk faintly through life only to arrive safely at death." -Paulo Coelho
d ends, but I definitely learned many lessons. I am proud to say that I am leaving a better person than I arrived. I am more patient, confident and joyful. I have learned to rely on myself more than I could ever imagine. At the same time, I have learned to trust others and to enjoy the time I am given with them, I never know when that time will end. As I sit here just hours before I will leave this country, I would like to reflect on the time I have spent here.
I came with the intention of learning about my family, my heritage and my country. Those who know me, know that I am proud to be American and to have had the opportun
ity to grow and learn in such a wonderful country. However, I always felt there was something missing from my identitiy. The only thing I knew about Egypt was what was taught to us in school and that is pretty limited to the Pharoahs. There is so much more to Egypt than the pyramids and the Nile.
I have learned that Egypt is filled with endless beauty. There is amazing architecture, landscape that takes your breath away and the sunset over my family's farm is fit for a painting.(see pic at top of page) There is beauty in the culture, many traditions are full of family togeth
erness, love and joy. It is a culture that strives to share with others and show that we have more in common, than not. Finally there is beauty in the people, the people could be living in extreme poverty yet they will offer whatever they have to make sure you are comfortable. The people I have met in Egypt have impacted my life in the most profound ways. I have made lifelong friends amongst the other teachers, my students, and even my own family. I was able to get to know my father 
and stepmom in a way I never could back home. I will always treasure the time I was able to spend with them here in Egypt.
It is hard to say goodbye, not knowing when I will see each of these important people again, but I carry them in my heart. I take with me the passion, creativity, eagerness, and energy of my students. I take with me the laughter, stories, and knowledge of new friendships. I take with me the love, security and con
fidence of deeper relationships with my parents. I take with me a new outlook on the world around me and how I want to affect change in that world.
I leave a piece of my heart in a country where I finally started understanding my place and purpose.
I don't have all the answers and I don't think I ever will. I now know that I don't need the answers, the best part of this journey we call life are the outcomes we can't predict.
I found this quote back in October. I used in my classroom and it became my mantra.
"And I refuse to walk faintly through life only to arrive safely at death." -Paulo Coelho
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