Reflections

In about 13 minutes, it will be 2014 here in Morocco. And let me tell you, this year has been nothing like I expected it to be. I did not expect to be living in Morocco, studying Arabic this year. I expected to be  in college, studying something that I had tricked myself into believing was what I wanted to study (read: Economics. Glad I dodged that bullet). Instead, I'm here.

And I'm more than grateful to be here, despite all the challenges that come with living abroad. Missing family, friends (not going to lie here, I'm sometimes homesick, although that is often curable with mint tea) feeling frustrated because sometimes you just cannot communicate, feeling frustrated because you wish you could call out the guys that call at you in the streets, and other things. However, the good certainly outweighs the bad. I'm studying Arabic, improving every day, I have finally reached the level at which I'm comfortable speaking with random people (taxi drivers or people in the Souk)...and finally, the looks of pure astonishment I get when I open my mouth and speak Arabic. It all pays off, and I'm very glad I was able to take this gap year.

Sorry for being a bit absent from my blog, but my parents have been in town and I wanted to spend time with them. As for now, Happy New Year, and may this new year bring happiness and health to all.