Post #1: Rhode Island
This one will be boring because I'm just starting this blog. Expect dazzling prose and compelling literary wizardry after I get done with this one.
Thought #1: Blogs can get tedious if the person is telling you too much. Like why the guy who sold him the dental floss was rude and gave him the wrong change and then he had a bagel for lunch but with extra cream cheese this time and how that makes him think about how he's thinking about getting a cat and what a good name for a cat might be and -- then you're asleep at your computer. I'll try not to do that.
Thought #2: If you feel like posting a reply of any sort to anything I write please do. (Unless you're some jerk who just happened by this blog because it's on a blogging website and you want to make a pain in the butt of yourself by posting stuff like "Adam eats boogers." Then don't do it. You suck and should die.) Even if it's really short. Just say something.
Okay, now the boring stuff: I'm in Rhode Island now, visiting Sophia, my girlfriend/quasi-girlfriend/"friend"/ho (OMG, JK). She's short and gentle and artsy and way pretty. And I have to say goodbye to her tomorrow, for 2+ years. I think crying in the airport is great. And I plan on doing it. Even on the plane. People are too stoic and lifeless in public places. I plan on crying and blowing my nose on whomever I please. Tomorrow I fly back to Chicago, then it's a long trip back to Idaho for a few weeks while I shack up with my folks and prepare to leave for Bangladesh. I have to get my wisdom teeth out in about 4 days. Snap.
I leave for the 'Desh on the 6th of August, for those of you interested in mundane details. I'll be living for 3 months with a host family, learning the language and how to teach English to Bangladeshis. Then, they'll send me to site where I'll do just that for 2 years. There I'll live with another host family for 3 months and after that I'll find my own apartment. If all goes well, I'll be back in the USA right around my birthday (Nov. 19) in 2007. 2007!!! Holy cow.
One last thing: I have a lot of doubts about the decision I made to go to Bangladesh. As you'll find out if you read more posts after this, it's a really, REALLY hard country for us Americans to live in. Just stressful, I'm told. People are packed in like sardines and they're poor as all-get-out and they're all up in your business whenever you're in public and the climate is crazy hot and muggy and it's Muslim and (insert further complaints and prognostications). But, while I'm scared, I'm feeling like "this is it." This is what I'm supposed to be doing right now. I'm supposed to go somewhere scary. And be uncomfortable. And suffer a little. And get out of America for awhile. And try to learn how to not be so selfish and individualistic.
So, I guess on that note I should shut up for now.
Isn't pizza the best invention since sunless tanning? I'm going to go eat some and be happy. Or try to.
posted by Adam @ 4:08 PM
12 Comments:
Hi Adam,
Sorry I missed your goodbye party. I'm in northeast Pennsylvania, which isn't quite as scary as Bangladesh, although there are moments...
Good luck. I'll be thinking about you.
Kristin
Hi Adam,
I stepped her by mistake. You're about to discover a new world. Just one advis about the Muslim country: Try to bild your own idea about Islam and get ride of sterio-types before you get there.
Good luck :-)
Adam,
dpg from Vancouver..I'm in awe of your choice to shake it all up. Good thing buddy!
Are you still pursuing theatre? Perhaps you will see some interesting and traditional South Asian Theatre at the other side of the world.Hope so.
Good luck from friends in Vancouver.
dpg
What an amazing adventure! Thea (my oldest daughter, you probably remember?) just left Thursday afternoon for Australia. She'll be with Youth With A Mission (sort of a Christian peace corps, kinda?) for five months. That seems like forever, so two years seems like.... Well, about 4.8 forevers?
Bless you, guy. Talk about putting your money (your feet?) where your mouth is. (A painfully mixed metaphor. Don't try it at home.)
Ron
P.S. I saw dpg's HAMLET last week, and it was wonderful! And like him, I'm curious to know if this'll be a theatre-free two years, and how you feel about that.
Hey there Adam,
Miss you over here in Vancouver. We'll check your blog to keep updated. Strength to you in this new adventure.
Saron and Jabin
hi. adam.
shitty smitty, if you will. and i will. let me know how the crying works out. i expect mundane details.
...jack
You eat boogers.
Oh, man I am so funny.
http://ithinkiamcured.blogspot.com/
You will find some of our friends bloggs linked from here.
Until later,
Matt
To answer Dean and Ron's question, theatre will play a minor role at best. This is probably what you'd call a break from any career aspirations. I might try to start up or join some community theatre in Bangladesh, but you never know. The goal is to get life experience and usually that helps one's art/craft.
i wanted to be the first to say adam eats boogers. Guess old Deppe beat me to the punch. Drat.
from your family in Kirkland. We know you will have a great adventure over there and grow alot. We over here will be praying for you and your safety alot. Love you Adam. Kevin, Peggy and kids.
Hey adam,
it's me, your friend nick who never writes. I'm very excited for you and i hope you enjoy your experiences over in "desh". are you in idaho right now? (7/19/05) if you are, i'll give you a call at your parents house and maybe get a hold of you and take you to coffee or something totally cliche' like that.
anyhow
good luck and i'll try to contact you before you leave.
your friend,
nick
Adam -
sorry the phone connection thing didn't work last week - I spent more time in meetings than I have in my whole life. (Did I mention that I'm a dean now? Wow. I just said that out loud.) Peace to you - I can't wait to hear about the million social norms you're going to violate. To prevent about 10,000 of those, see if you can get ahold of Valerie Haarsma (Dordt alum of the year about 5 years ago, spent 2 years living in Desh - cool stories).
All for now - sbl
Post a Comment
<< Home