Away I go!

Earlier this afternoon, as I zipped up my packed suitcase and was about to sit down and rest, I heard a loud banging at the door. It sounded as if a group of angry rioters were ramming a large tree trunk into the wood, trying to break it open. I open the door and see a plethora of screaming fans demanding to know why I stopped blogging. "Nasrin, your old blog was the sunshine of our cloudy days," they yelled. That is when I lifted my hand, instantly inspiring silence. I said, "Well, people, you demanded it and I listened."

But what really happened was I decided to spend nine months in Lebanon and thought this was a great way to keep my friends and family updated on what I'm going to be doing. So here we find ourselves once again. Are you excited? You should be. Because you're about to go on a free trip to the Middle East courtesy of your family-friendly Arab.

Yes, there are family-friendly Arabs.

I'm hoping to update this often with hilarious misadventures and stories laden with wisdom and maturity. But what you will probably end up reading is, "I had my first suitor today. He seemed impressed while I served him coffee, so we should be engaged by the end of the week."

Just kidding. We all know I would spill that scalding pot all over him.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the popping of my American bubble. I'm sure I'm going to learn a great deal about myself and the life I want to lead. Here are more things I am looking forward to:
- Eating shawarma
- Eating tabbouleh
- Smelling, then eating, fresh saj
- Drinking 961 beer
- Hanging out in Beirut
- Getting to know my family

Let's pretend I said that last one first.

Some may ask, "Nasrin, why are you leaving us? What are we going to do without you?"

I believe more bullets can answer your first question. I am leaving to:
-Find a fulfilling job abroad where I can truly integrate into another culture.
-Eat food.
-Bar hop as often as possible.
-Eat a lot of food.
-Learn about Lebanese history from people who live it.
-Pour coffee.
-Inspire my writing with a new environment.
-Make it seem like I'm doing something productive instead of watching reruns on my parents' couch.

To the second question I reassure you that you will live, albeit quite sadly. To tide you over I gift you with this blog. But joking aside, I'll miss you all so much. I'll be thinking of you all as I board the plane tomorrow morning. Please email me regularly and update me on your lives, your shawarma, and your pending engagements. I want to know everything.

Note: The above paragraph is reserved for friends and family. Although if by a freak chance I do have an actual fan, you may also feel free to update me on your shawarma-related incidents.

P.S. Blogspot thinks the word "shawarma" is spelled wrong. I think we're going to have a problem.