So, it has been 11 days so far in Beirut, and it's been nothing less of a whirlwind thus far! Getting here was easy enough, a cramped plane ride straight to London-Heathrow and a connecting flight to Beirut, Lebanon. After some 13 hours of sleep and rest, the first noticeable difference was the heat. Being from SoCal, I like to say I love the heat, but 110 degrees with humidity is just ridiculous! Thankfully, that heat is only present for a few days of August, and now a comfortable 85-95 is the current state through November. Other differences are even more obvious,  with the main languages being Arabic,Armenian and French, then English, and the crazy traffic and lack of street lanes or traffic control. However, despite these differences, life in Lebanon is lovable! The traffic and honking is comical, the languages are interesting to hear and learn, and the people make it feel as if I have lived here forever. 11 days in and I have already been blessed to see the beautiful natural Jeita Grotto, full of stalagmites and stalactites, the Harissa mountaintop church and Our Lady of Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea. Full of beauty, wonder, and places to explore, it's what will motivate me these next four months before I can start the American University here, knowing I have the opportunity and time do see and do something that has MEANING.