Let the formal hiatus begin...

Well,

I sit now in a Panera in Ocala, Florida (my father and I are down visiting my grandmother). South Africa is not only thousands of miles away, but thirteen days past. In many ways, life has returned to normal. Too normal.

At times, though, it all gets a little unnerving. A few days after I returned home, my mom was the innocent bystander while I railed on about the excesses of my life...poor mom. There is much left to process and learn, and lifestyle changes to match, perhaps. A friend emailed me and advised that I not make any rash decisions within the first ten days of my return. Well, now that I've been here for thirteen days...(grins).

Seriously, though, this is all very strange and mildly uncomfortable. I hope that part of me can remain that way always, questioning myself and my lifestyle in a way that is productive, meaningful, and empowering; to offend those around me or to make rash decisions for some liberal ideal with no real purpose is hardly what I'm after. Living in my true context in a way that affirms the humanity of...well, humanity, is the greatest challenge of all. I intend to engage it.

I think that my time on this blog will now end. In any case, I may be utilising this very blog again--I've the opportunity for another study abroad programme in Beijing, China, through American University's Beijing Program of Asian Studies (http://studyabroad-china.net/). So, you may see me again here in the new future, spring of 2007.

Until then, all the best. Thanks (nkos) for reading...the comments and discussions I've had have meant quite a bit to me.

Go well, and I pray that we may all live a little uncomfortably and very gratefully in our comfort.

john