8/31/10

I am off to a bittersweet start and something tells me that this will not be the last time I find myself using that statement.

The upside: I was able to check a few things off my list today, the two biggest being my luggage and Dubai-appropriate clothes shopping. I was able to find long leggings and skirts and wide v-necks in autumn flavored hues. While the weather may suggest otherwise, I still feel the need to incorporate the season –whether I’m on this side of the world or not. I also finally buckled down and purchased a pair of unripped jeans (sigh).

I also found a Dubai travel guide at Barnes and Noble! This is quite an accomplishment, since I rarely walk out of that wonderful place with any of the original items I had intended on purchasing. A girl can never have too many cupcake cookbooks! Okay, maybe she can… but that’s beside the point. Back to the business.

The downside: I’m having to say farewells to friends and others already. As most have probably already discovered about me, I am horrible at goodbyes and often avoid them like the plague. If I run off without saying anything to you, it’s nothing personal. It just must mean I like you a whole lot. ;)  Besides, it’s not goodbye. It’s “see yah later,” right?

I feel like everyone disappears right before my trips. I think this could be God’s way of insuring that I rely on Him and cut any human dependencies before I leave. It sure gets my focus back to where it should be, to say the least.

In other news: Good luck to all my NAU babies who started classes this week! You all better keep causing trouble on my behalf while I’m away.

There’s not much else to update on. I’m slightly stressed, slightly excited, slightly a million other things.

P.S. I thought you might all enjoy a few photos of some Dubai surf action. How sick is this?!

Two weeks and counting...

I created this blog so that all you friends, family, and soon to be friends can keep up with me. I can't seem to stay put very long, so consider this a past due way of knowing whether or not I’m in town! Feel free to email me at chelcifadden@yahoo.com and make sure to keep in touch! Or you can always facebook or skype me, but who knows what will be accessible, depending on what part of the world I’m currently running around on.

Where to begin… Well, as many of you already know, I’m studying abroad this coming semester in the United Arab Emirate of Dubai at The American University of Dubai (AUD). By ‘this coming semester’, I really mean in just over two weeks. My departure is quickly catching up with me and I’m beginning to realize how much I haven’t done yet! There’s so much packing and preparation to be had! Speaking of which, I’m not even sure I have my luggage yet.

I’m going to the Middle East on scholarship provided by the William Jefferson Clinton foundation. I will be taking six courses (18 credit hours) ranging from Arabic I to Introduction to Islam. Through the –successful- completion of these classes, I’ll be granted with my certification in Middle Eastern Studies. I’m not sure exactly how I’ll be using this certification in the future yet, but I’m sure it’ll come in handy one of these days.

Many of you have already inquired about why I chose the location I did to study abroad in and, in more colorful terms, what exactly was I thinking when I chose it. After prayerful consideration and numerous hours of research, I knew that I wanted to study somewhere that I probably wouldn’t travel to otherwise. With the conflicts presently occurring over many parts of the Middle East, there is no way I would ever see much of it unless I was a diehard journalist (emphasis on the die) or in the military. Dubai is way out of my price range as far as tuition goes, so it was either get the scholarship or find somewhere else to reside. God proved faithful, once again, and He has opened every door leading up to this grand adventure.

No, I’m not going to convert to Islam. No, I’m not going to run off with some rich sheikh (sorry, Dad).  No, I’m not going to die. Dubai is considered one of the safest travel locations in the Middle East and is well approved by partnering universities worldwide. You can find out more information about AUD itself at their website: http://www.aud.edu.

As I prepare to for my three and a half month stay in Dubai, all I can ask for is you support and prayers! Being in a Muslim dominated society, away from home, and with a heavy academic load, I can only imagine the obstacles awaiting me. I stand firm in knowing that I’m permitted to be there for a reason and that my Lord will keep me safe! He provides above and beyond and my concern is more so for my parents! Having a slightly unruly gypsy for a daughter is no easy task, I’m sure.

 Jesus calls us to love one another, whether here at home or overseas. He does not say “only love someone if they believe the same things as you and live next door.” We’re called to just love errbody! I’m ecstatic to learn all I can about the peoples of the Middle East and I look forward to sharing as many adventures with all of you as I can. Galatians 5:6 talks about “faith expressing itself through love” and what better testament of that verse then this trip.

The semester officially ends on December 21^st, so I will do my best to be home by Christmas.

You all mean so much to me and I’m so incredibly grateful for this opportunity.

Stay in touch,

<3 Chelci