Rollercoaster

Its amazing the highs and lows that I have felt so far. One minute I feel totally comfortable, happy, then the next I am wondering why at all I made this decision, totally sad and lonely. Yesterday we went to Agrigiento again to see more of the Mandorlo in Fiore festival. More of what I had seen earlier, but it was really nice anyway. Walked around, got gelato, took some pictures. Then we went to McDonalds, which was really weird. I was a little grossed out by it so I just got fries and water. The lunch of champions. The whole time I felt really down. Even though I was surrounded by friendly and helpful people, I felt immensely alone and far from my home base. Its a really crippling feeling, and it has so far been lingering in the back of my head at all times. I try to keep in my mind the poem that my mom sent me about Joy and Sorrow, which says that it is the sorrow that makes the joyous times so amazing, and the joy that makes the sorrowful times so terrible. Really amazing poem, and has helped me a lot to understand what I am feeling.

Then I got home, showered, got dressed, and Skyped with Dave Rozins and talked with Chris online. That helped a lot to cheer me up. Its just strange how high and low I get. 

Last night was fun. We went to an 18th birthday party, which is the equivalent to a sweet sixteen, in that at 18 you can get your drivers license. It was really fun, all of my classmates were there, and I got to talk to Kaja, another AFSer, about what I was feeling. She said that that is totally normal, that she felt it for the first few weeks then it subsides. I am looking forward to that! 

Really late I Skyped with Simon, Dad, and for a little bit mom, when they were up at the ski house. It was amazing to see them. Skype is a really unbelievable thing, that I can be watching them in real time thousands of miles away. It has helped so muc through out this process. 

OK- I must go now. I am going to a soccer game today, I am really excited about that. Its just a local game, but it promises to be a cool experience.

Ciao,

Zander