"She couldn't wait to get going but wasn't quite ready to leave..."

This time next week and I could be writing my first post from Madinat Zayed! For those of you who are unsure, Madinat Zayed is a city in the United Arab Emirates. It is 1.5 hours inland from the coast of Abu Dhabi, in the middle of the desert! It is in the Middle East and is a Muslim country - where the language is Arabic, the religion is Islam and the woman wear abayas (which covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands)!

Feeling sad and emotional about leaving(poor Justin has to deal with an even more emotional Amy) but am so anxious to start this new chapter in my life. I can feel in my heart that I am on the right path in my life - this is one step in my journey and I can't wait to see where this life will lead us in the next few years.

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, which may appear to give one piece of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy that to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day, to have a new and different sun."

One may call it a fear of growing up, a restlessness or even a lack of responsibility - but I call it a search for a richer and deeper life. I want to see the world, I want to experience new cultures, I want to meet new and interesting people that can enrich my life with their thoughts and views, I want to live a life outside of my comfort zone -  a life that encourages risk taking, I want to try new foods, I want to learn new things, I want to make the most out of every day that I am living. My soul is not content with living the life that is expected from so many of us my age - so I am okay with my uncertain future and my big leap of faith because I know that the rewards will far outweigh any struggles.

In saying that, not everything is uncertain. I am so happy to have my main man as my partner in crime as we start this adventure together. Stay tuned for news on our arrival in Abu Dhabi as I will be posting as much as I can about life in the Middle East - the people, the food and of course, the schooling!