I have found that in this part of the world little boys become men at a very young age. Sometimes married and with children by the age of 16, 17, 18. It's the same with women. However, with the "new style" city people, they're a little more Americanized and have more traditional lifestyles.

Although growing old before our time seems to be something we're always fighting against, I do admire their level of maturity. I also embrace the fact that I get to learn daily about what's really big, and what really isn't.

Sometimes I wonder if I am maturing, or if I am learning something new. Or is it possible they're one in the same?

It's interesting to see life in another light, and with a much larger mind. It's refreshing to learn, grow, and love things and people in a much more "adult" and deep way than I had previously known.

My mind is no longer small.

Yes, it's celebrated over here too. The American restaurants were decorated with hanging red hearts and red roses, and the malls were filled with balloons and other items indicating love was in the air...even the desert air.

Though relationships in this culture are very different than what I am familiar with, it's very clear to me love is the same regardless of what part of the world we're from.

Distance definitely makes the heart grow fonder -- but is there anything that makes cultures grow closer?

In the Middle East (especially the deserts of Kuwait) men and women play very specific roles in their daily lives. The saying, "I'm a man, and you're a woman.....that's why" is as common as a woman raising children on her own in America. Middle Eastern men truly believe women are "small minded" and should remain submissive to the needs and wants of their men. And not just in a sexual way. But men are allowed to leave their homes when they want, go where they want, and pretty much do what they want....even if it means having multiple girlfriends and a wife at home. However, a woman has to ask the permission of her husband, boyfriend, father, or brother to do any of the above. And, well, to have a "boyfriend" is pretty much forbidden.

Fortunately, I am an American woman, and very proud to be so. I refuse to turn my back on all I have been taught and the independence I cherish as a woman born in a free land. Of course this sounds perfectly normal -- unless you're my boyfriend -- the Middle Eastern man.

In my case, the case of two people from completely different worlds, we're slowly learning to understand one another and where we're from. He's learning to understand my needs, and more importantly -- respect my demands to be the only woman in his life. And I am beginning to comprehend his need to "protect" me by being the alpha male. We work very hard on giving and taking, learning and understanding, and accepting that we're from very different cultures. But we do so without sacrificing what we stand for, and what we believe in from the core.

If countries at war attempted to understand one another instead of change one another, maybe they too could find peace within.

If peace and love are so very possible to acheive by two people who accidentally collided in a little land of sand, isn't it possible for super power countries to get the same results with a little less fighting, and a lot more understanding?

Insha'Allah.

Jet lag is miserable. Weather differences are unbearable.

But there is nothing more emotionally fulfilling as going home for a couple of weeks. Fortunately, returning to my "other home" isn't so bad either.

I'm back!