New Blog URL - I've moved

Due to censorship issues I can't access any URL with word 'blog' in the title, hence I've created a new site for my chronicle. Please check out:

www.whysosyria.com

I'll keep you posted on all things Syria and my new life here!

Best,
Kezia

BLASTOFF IN 7 DAYS

In exactly one week from today I’ll be living in Syria. It feels real and immediate. Everyone we come across keeps asking the same question -- “What does it feel like to know you’ll be living in Syria so soon?”. We’ll, it kind of feels like ...........

SKYDIVING

Exhilarating and scary all rolled into one. Your mind pulls you in two different directions -  one side telling you how awesome, life changing, and epic it will be while the other side asks ‘What the hell you are thinking!?’, ‘Do you know all the things that could go wrong!?’, ‘What will you do if there is a war?!’. But with one week left to go, all our worldly possessions packed up, and tickets purchased - there is no turning back. It’s happening, we’ve reached our cruising altitude. My only hopes are that my parachute works as it’s supposed to and that I take the time to enjoy the ride.

NOSTALGIA

Before I jump off the proverbial plane though, I’ve been feeling something that’s taken me completely by surprise - nostalgia. Not for my loved ones (which I will miss dearly of course) but nostalgia for the completely trivial things of American life -- Starbucks, US Weekly, House, Oprah, etc. I have no idea where this is coming from! I rarely go to Starbucks, for example, but for some weird reason I’m comforted by the fact that IF I got the sudden urge to drink a 2000-calorie caramel frapuccino I could just go down the street and get it.  So for now, I smile in excitement for what is to come while I say goodbye to the inconsequential things that I won’t have access to day-to-day.

Side note: Syria is the least westernized country I’ve ever been to. There are no McDonalds, Starbucks, Coca-Cola or anything like that. They have their own brands of stuff which are very similar but it’s extremely difficult to find what for me are everyday items like brownie mix,  sliced bread, or mac and cheese.

NEXT BLOG POSTS
Thanks for bearing with me as I narrate the emotional state of affairs. I promise the next blog posts which will be less sappy and more informative. Teaser: Did you know in Syria they eat olives for breakfast?

Stay tuned.