Day 52 - Kuwait

After being out late last night I slept in until 7:30am this morning. Shaking off the sleepy dust I headed down for breakfast. It was there that I decided to forgo church this morning in favor of getting caught up on some schoolwork and study for the upcoming conference. Overall I had a productive day studying.

Later in the afternoon, I took a break from studying and went downstairs for a workout. About halfway through the second set of today's InnerFight workout I felt my stomach heave and I thought I was about to revisit lunch. I stopped to catch my breath and wait for everything to settle down. After a few minutes the nausea subsided, but my legs were very much jello-like. I went to the locker room, exchanged my workout clothes for a swimsuit and headed to the beach for the first time. As I was walking towards the water the sun was setting behind the hotel. When I stepped into the water, something was missing - the initial shock you get when you step into cold water. This water was warm and inviting. I kept walking right in, without any of that impact on the nervous system. I walked in until the comfortable, soothing Gulf water wrapped me from neck to toe. I swam around for a while, enjoying the sunset and hearing the call to prayer which signaled the breaking of the daily fast. I headed back to the locker room, showered, dressed and headed back up to the room. By then it was after church back home so I Skyped my brother.

After chatting for nearly an hour, I Skyped my wife and kids, my brother-in-law, Ash and Sam (co-workers on The Grapevine Project), Marty and Rachel (Marty was out running for his marathon training - again), and finally my parents. Looking at the time, I have been sitting in front of this computer for 4 1/2 hours of non-stop Skype-ing. I had no idea that the time went by so fast. I treasured every moment I was talking with someone back home. It didn't have to be the most exciting of news; it felt good just to be a part of the community.

Seven and a half weeks in; less than two weeks to go. And while I feel as if I'm a world away (which I am), I also feel close to everyone back home for all the time I've been able to spend talking with them. There is one thing that I do miss, though:

Hugs.

No matter how adept we are at bridging distances through technology, there is no substitute for being in the same room, face-to-face with a loved one and being able to reach out and hold a hand, squeeze a shoulder or, in the case of my kids, paddling a bottom that needs realignment.

I'm already visualizing the reunion on October 2. I'll pull up to the house, head up the stairs to the front door, ring the bell and immediately get knocked backwards by a charging Benjamin. Then, just as I'm starting to sit up Samuel will come barreling through and knock me over again. Meanwhile Basma will say something to the effect, "Boys! Be careful! Your father just got home from a long trip in the airplane!" Juju? Well, she'll wait for the commotion to die down before walking over for a high-five.

I've learned a lot on this trip. In many ways it has been a good time of reflection and learning. I don't know whether I'll ever take a long trip like this one again. I suppose I'll have to assess the "collateral damage" in the upcoming weeks.

It's getting late; the alarm clock will go off soon. I'm turning in.

Blessings,
Khalaf.