This week, I went to my first official overseas training for my new position in Kuwait City, Kuwait. I was tired but excited because it would mean meeting my co-worker for the first time in person, and really learning more about college counseling and being prepared for the added responsibilities of working with students overseas. It was a jam packed week from the time I landed and traveled to Georgetown University, to even now. I am actually looking forward to tomorrow because I will have a day to myself. To just breathe and relax, before going back home for the summer.
But it's in these moments, these kind of weeks, when you realize the bigger plan that God places in front of you. Why at this moment, at this time in my life, that this is happening. Or even the realization that those storms that I went through a couple of years ago was because of the sun shining down right now. The biggest thing that I was happy to see is that I was surrounded by the world for a week. Over 50 school counselors, working and representing every continent (except for Antarctica), working together for one common purpose with one mind: helping students. I cannot say that I didn't have that where I worked, but I can say that right now, my heart and needs were needed on a larger scale.
So I created a list of 10 things that I got from the week, besides all the lectures (in no particular order):
- Washington, DC is the perfect place for international counseling. I mean it is a melting pot. Just walking on campus for the week, you didn't feel out of place because of the wealth of cultures that were around you.
- Everybody has Facebook (except for the Chinese). I knew that Facebook was popular, but even counselors who work in Sudan or the Congo have Facebook. WTH?
- Health insurance is a wonderful thing. I got sick this week, and ended up going to the emergency room. Thank goodness my health insurance didn't expire yet. And thank goodness that antibiotics only cost $8 with a pharmacy card.
- I am glad that I have an Iphone. For years I avoided the Apple/PC debate by having an android phone. But I am glad that I recently purchased an unlocked Iphone because it is the main path to communication overseas. The apps are easy to function, the phone works great, everyone was using theirs....STOP! I don't want to sound like a commercial.
- No matter the race, fact one: Even as an adult, if the stuff is boring, people are falling asleep, or
- No matter the race, fact two: Even as an adult, if the stuff is boring, people played on their cellphones or on their computers, or,
- No matter the race, fact three: Nothing unites and ticks off a group of bored adults more than the wifi not working in a building.
- Meeting people on Facebook great/Meeting people in person and they are just as fabulous than their Facebook personality, priceless. I met my co-worker Issa this week, and I am so glad to officially force my parents to adopt him into our family. We are of similar mind and bring a good balance I think. Lookout Kuwait!
- Nothing is more fun than riding a metro train with a virgin. After going shopping with women from Qatar, Honduras, and Mexico, we decided to take the Metro back to campus. The woman from Qatar never rode the metro. It was great, and her reaction was just as wonderful.
- It is definitely a small world after all. I mean that by saying that all of us this week truly had common experiences, no matter where we are from. And to be in this new community that respects that just makes this experience even larger.
- Bonus: we love our old students. I wasn't the only one showing pictures of my students here in the United States. I will miss them terribly, but I am excited about this time in my life.
I made friends this week. Not acquaintances, but actual friends that I know I will have to communicate with because we are part of this bigger picture global community where we have to trust one another or this work will not work. I already made travel plans for the year, and have places to crash wherever I go. I am truly grateful for being part of community that is all about working together for one mind and one purpose.
