My mind and heart are tired. Sometimes, I feel that I will fall under the very weight of all the troubles of those around me who come to share with me. Don't get me wrong. I am humbled and honored that they share with me. In the case of the students at the school - just because it's my job doesn't mean that students will automatically be programed to open their hearts in my office. And with others, well, I gladly open myself to them. But, now it has come to a point where I need a break from everything, especially this country. Lebanon is an amazing place to live, but it can get exhausting.

So, tomorrow, I will step on the plane and fly to Paris. After an overnight in the Charles de Gaul airport, I will catch the train heading west towards Brittany, where I will take the ferry over to the Ils de Groix. There, I will spend two weeks with my missionary friends, the Sanders. After also spending a few days in Paris, I'll take the Eurail up to Stockholm to visit my best friend Annika, whom I haven't seen since last summer when she sneaked into Lebanon in the middle of the war.

No mobile, no laptop... I will be away from such technology, except for when I can sit down at my friend's computer to check my mail and update my blog. It will be wonderful. Can't wait...