Saturday, July 17, 2010

This is not a joke.

I'm going to live in Tunisia for three months!

(And that, my friends, is how you lead with the big news.)

I'm actually serious. You don't even know where Tunisia is, do you. Don't feel bad about this. No one does.

Here, let me help:



I threw in Europe to give you a reference. I'll give you another reference: Star Wars was filmed there. Well, the Tatooine bits. I won't be in that part though. I'll be in Tunis on the Mediterranean. Rumor has it there is a private beach club where the wait staff will bring me beverages and watermelon.

Did I mention that I'm not kidding? Because I'm not.

Here's how it's going down. My friend Bronwyn and her husband and two little boys live there. Her husband works at the embassy and their time there is almost up. With the wee small children they haven't been able to go around and see some of the sights so they asked me if I would like to come out and stay with them and help out with the boys. Um, would I!

They asked about three weeks ago and oh, the mental turmoil and decision making I have had to endure. I do not make large decisions very well. In fact, I leave most major decisions up to my Magic 8 Ball. So when it told me "Signs point to Yes!" I said, "Duh, Magic 8 Ball. I know they do. But HOW?" Because there was the whole part about being away for 3 months. What about the Primary? What about Kramerica and the Pod? What about bills and responsibilities and being a grown-up? Who flits off to foreign lands for 3 months!?!

So I fretted and talked to people and worried and prayed and waffled between yes and no and did pro/con lists and made Excel spread sheets and suddenly things started to line up and then it was just a matter of convincing myself that even though everything had been worked out in theory that it would actually all work out in real life. That took a few more days but I'm all on board now.

So I'm going. I leave Sept. 1 and will be back around Thanksgiving. And I'm thrilled about the whole thing.

And now let's just for a second imagine the blog posts that will come out of this adventure. I speak neither Arabic nor French. I am foreseeing A LOT of awkward cultural exchanges. I've made Bronwyn promise me that if, through the combination of my friendly and trusting personality and my inability to properly communicate, I somehow end up as a slave in a Bedouin tribe she will come and rescue me. And now I promise you that if that does happen I will write all about it. It's a win-win for both of us.

16 comments:

Kelly said...

Wow! That sounds like a wonderful adventure. You are so dang lucky.

Stephanie said...

I'm so excited to hear about your new adventures!! How exciting, indeed!

I'm glad everything worked out in your mind. This would have been something I would have had to kick you in the rump if you said 'no.'

I'm glad you said yes!

Jenny said...

This is so stinkin' awesome. I cannot wait for the blog posts to come.

Tammy said...

we need to have a bon voyage party for you!

Unknown said...

wow can't wait to read the blog post's from this adventure!! although i'm sure it was very hard to make the decisions this is the PERFECT time of your life to be able to do these things so go for it and have fun!!!!can't wait to read all the funny exchanges..

Rach said...

So. Stinkin'. Awesome. I am looking forward to living vicariously through your blog. I expect pictures of you in cool desert garb and you MUST wear a turban at least a little. Many much pictures, please. What an adventure!

Andrea said...

Awesome! I can't wait for the blog posts. Oh and how clever of you to go Sept-Nov. Doesn't that mean you'll be missing the primary program? :)

Heather said...

WHAT?!? That is awesome!!! I'm totally excited for you!

Valerie said...

Get out of here. That's amazing. I couldn't be more excited for you--and us. I'm beside myself thinking about what this blog is going to look like mid-October.

Wait, do I still get to entertain Flat Rachel?

Patti said...

So does this mean you get released from your Primary calling, Ms. Pres?

rachelsaysso said...

On the primary note:

1.) I will not be released as Primary president. I talked to the bishop and told him I'm just not the type of girl to ditch my responsibilities and that if it meant I would have to be released I wasn't going to go. And I meant it and was perfectly okay with saying it. But he and the rest of the presidency have been incredibly supportive about the whole thing - which I'm incredibly grateful for.

2.) I will miss the primary program and I am DEVISTATED over it. Seriously. It's already my favorite Sunday of the whole year and now I can hardly think about missing seeing my kids without break down a little. I will be crying myself to sleep that night for sure.

Hannah said...

I'm SOOOOOOOO glad you decided to go!!! You are going to have such an amazing experience I just KNOW IT! (My magic 8 ball says so too.) Bring me back a rock!!

Mariah said...

Wow! Have fun. You should see if they can tape the primary program for you. Then you can watch it all or just highlights but you won't miss it.

colleeeen said...

Psssh. You should have called me. I would have talked you into it in an hour's conversation and saved you all of that worry. I am so, so good at encouraging people to grab opportunities, no matter how irresponsible or scary they may sound. Viva Tunisia (or whatever they say in French or Arabic)!

colleeeen said...

Oh, and I TOTALLY knew that Tunisia is in northern Africa. Fer sure.

Cynde said...

Cannot wait!
p.s. Love the Chuck Norris bookmark. He looks stunning in felt.