Fear Factor

So this article from MSNBC consists of an interview with one of the girls hanging out in the lobby of the dorm. I nearly laughed out loud at some of it. First of all, it makes it sound like we are running out of food and water, which is far from true. There are restaurants open across the street from campus, and last night I split the cost of Dominos pizza with a bunch of friends. The TV is on all the time, and obviously we have Internet. I actually went today with a friend to buy a small suitcase and then to a bookstore - both were open and filled with people. Yes this is a scary situation, yes none of us planned on this, but the people here are used to this to a certain extent. They don't like it, but they keep things in perspective and store owners realize that people need food and need places to sit and gather and watch TV. I'm not trying to make light of the situation and I take my safety very seriously, but I also realize that it is out of my hands right now, and flipping out and worrying constantly isn't going to make things better, so I'm trying not to (trying is the key term).

As for our situation, we are waiting to see from the embassy what the evacuation plan is. It is obviously complicated and may take a few days, so we are advised to stay put and basically do what I am doing. The bombs have not hit this neighborhood and the Israelis have no reason to hit this area, I just want to reinforce this for everyone. Yes, I can hear them, there is an Israeli ship nearby and we can hear and feel the boom, and it makes me jump, but I'm starting to accept my situation. My biggest concern right now is that the stores are starting to run out of phone cards so I won't be able to call as often.

I know everyone at home feels very helpless. If you want to help, I urge you to call your Senators and pressure them to change the US position - perhaps if the US stopped supporting Israel unconditionally, they would back down. Israel is going to start a regional war, and they are getting our blessing right now. And I am caught in the middle of this foreign policy decision. Oh, and when I am evacuated from Beirut, I will have to sign a promissory note stating that I will pay back the costs of evacuating me. Gee, thanks America.