Allies

After having a bit of a frustrating day yesterday, I decided to take today head on. The first half of the day was very good, we did the usual mass amounts of language learning. Today we did seasons, time, and the days of the week. And if you’re thinking it’s elementary stuff, yeah it is, but we need to learn it.

So after a great lunch (cous cous with vegetables and chicken, mmm!!!) the younger lads and lassies took a nap. Come on, the work’s hard here, we nee our rest! However, when we woke up, we were told some unfortunate news. Our group’s married couple, Aisha and LeHcen, announced to us that they were going to be returning home. Now, while all of us are very supportive and hate to see them leave, it brings up our own issues as well. Though we may have just met a few weeks ago, but everyone here (yes, all 60 of us) came together and got pretty close. We’re all going through these changes together and to see someone leave, well, just sucks. Especially when it’s a married couple, because we lose two [which brings our total toll of 3 people going home].

Now, unlike our married friends, when it comes down to it, we don’t have someone to turn to at the end of the day. So, after talking a bit, the four of us who remain in our CBT group have made a pact. If at any time any of us feel the tiny bit of desire to go home or anything of the sort, we turn to each other; we talk about it. No one gets left behind. Allies until the end.

So what do four twenty year old’s do when they’re feeling down- I know what you’re thinking, but we don’t have any booze- we watch stand up comedy. So after watching an hour of comedy, we call it a night, and for me- I head home to help with dinner and relax.

On a positive side, today I feel like I actually communicated more with my Mom and Aunt than I ever had. Explaining to my Mom what I was doing tomorrow and for the weekend (we have a free weekend and a few of us are going away). And then, while trying to peel a tomato, telling my Aunt how I’m not married, but hopefully one day I will be (God willing). Even MoHammed and I seem to be talking without all the hand gestures. So I’m definitely getting there.

End of the day thoughts: I’m not coming home any time soon (sorry!). This may be tough and challenging, but as I’ve been reassured a few times lately by a friend here, I can do this, (I know Dad, you’re so proud haha).

(My CBT Group: Fatima, Jawed, Myself, and Bassu)