It was awesome and fun!
I went all over the country, and spent a few days in Ljubljana. (No that is not a spelling error. And no, I am not sure how to say it. I think it is pronounced: lu ble ja na. Think).
There were some tough times as well, but you have that whenever you travel.
And some thing that ranks high on my list: I learned some thing about myself on this trip. I don't like outdoors things while vacationing. I prefer museums, or city tours, but not hiking or wandering through caves or along a lake. It's just not my thing. But that's ok- I sitll had fun.
Updates to come soon. Hopefully this week. Hopefully!
See you around the globe!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
In Slovenia
Hey Y'all.
I'm currently in Slovenia having a blast. I have been here since Jan 3rd with Jen and Lizzie, when we flew out of Skopje in the afternoon.
I will be here until Jan 8th (technically the 9th- we get back into Skopje at 12:05am).
then expect numerous posts about what I did there! (In my own verson of a timely manner, as you know by now!)
See you around the globe!
I'm currently in Slovenia having a blast. I have been here since Jan 3rd with Jen and Lizzie, when we flew out of Skopje in the afternoon.
I will be here until Jan 8th (technically the 9th- we get back into Skopje at 12:05am).
then expect numerous posts about what I did there! (In my own verson of a timely manner, as you know by now!)
See you around the globe!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Happy New Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
When a new year starts, it seems to be a time of reflection for everyone, and I am no different.
Last year, I had no idea that I would be writing this post in Skopje, Macedonia while getting ready to fly to Slovenia later today. (P.S- I wrote this post on Jan 3, 2012, by the way. I know you won’t be reading it until Jan 5th, but....) I mean I had hoped that I would get the Fulbright, but at this point last year, I didn’t know that I would. I already knew I had gotten into Teach For America and would possibly be teaching somewhere in the Rio Grande Valley. I was super excited.
The last year involved many “life events” that Facebook would want me to include on my new timeline. Things such as getting engaged, graduating college with my BA, or learning a new language. Then there are the little things, like laughing with Ashley over someone’s shirt at chili cookoff, or talking with Andy about a movie on TV and how it would make the perfect subject for a paper, or walking into the DH while I was at college and finding out that the thing I had been craving was on the menu that day! There were times when I was sad, when i didn’t want to be where I was or doing what I was doing, but there were also times when I was so excited but nervous because I didn’t know what the future held (specifically thinking of that bus ride into Macedonia).
When I applied to both TFA and Fulbright, I figured I wouldn’t get either. I had been told by a professor or two that since I had never had a prestigious grant before that I would never receive one. Also they mentioned that since I only had a 3.7 GPA, and was only involved in about 2 clubs, that I didn’t really stand a chance. (if you know me at all you know how much I wanted to go shout in said professors faces, “hey, guess what? I didn’t apply to that grant you told me not to, but guess what? I GOT THE FULBRIGHT!!!! BOO YAH!..and if you know me still, you know I never actually did).
I don’t know why I got either of these wonderful opportunities, but I am thankful that I did. I have learned so much about the world and myself since having these opportunities. There are some things that I can point out, and there are probably more that I could never name. I know that I will be a stronger teacher next year in Jacksonville when I begin to teach high school there because of my travels abroad. This time is different than before when I did a semester in Russia. I guess because I know that it was a longer time, and the fact that I am older, at a different stage in my life.
I look forward to many different dates in this coming year, but a few stand out:
June 6th (155 days) when I return to the US.
July 25 (204 days) when I marry the love of my life.
August 6 (215 days) when I start training/teaching in Jacksonville.
I’m sure there will be many more first’s for me in this coming year, ones that I currently know nothing about, but that could change my life.
I hope that this new year brings you joy. I hope that you are able to have learning experiences, and try new things, go new places, meet new people. Maybe one of them will change your life, maybe you will change theirs.
No matter what this new years holds (or if you believe the fake version of the Mayan calendar debate that it will end) for you, I hope you are able to be yourself and have fun!
When a new year starts, it seems to be a time of reflection for everyone, and I am no different.
Last year, I had no idea that I would be writing this post in Skopje, Macedonia while getting ready to fly to Slovenia later today. (P.S- I wrote this post on Jan 3, 2012, by the way. I know you won’t be reading it until Jan 5th, but....) I mean I had hoped that I would get the Fulbright, but at this point last year, I didn’t know that I would. I already knew I had gotten into Teach For America and would possibly be teaching somewhere in the Rio Grande Valley. I was super excited.
The last year involved many “life events” that Facebook would want me to include on my new timeline. Things such as getting engaged, graduating college with my BA, or learning a new language. Then there are the little things, like laughing with Ashley over someone’s shirt at chili cookoff, or talking with Andy about a movie on TV and how it would make the perfect subject for a paper, or walking into the DH while I was at college and finding out that the thing I had been craving was on the menu that day! There were times when I was sad, when i didn’t want to be where I was or doing what I was doing, but there were also times when I was so excited but nervous because I didn’t know what the future held (specifically thinking of that bus ride into Macedonia).
When I applied to both TFA and Fulbright, I figured I wouldn’t get either. I had been told by a professor or two that since I had never had a prestigious grant before that I would never receive one. Also they mentioned that since I only had a 3.7 GPA, and was only involved in about 2 clubs, that I didn’t really stand a chance. (if you know me at all you know how much I wanted to go shout in said professors faces, “hey, guess what? I didn’t apply to that grant you told me not to, but guess what? I GOT THE FULBRIGHT!!!! BOO YAH!..and if you know me still, you know I never actually did).
I don’t know why I got either of these wonderful opportunities, but I am thankful that I did. I have learned so much about the world and myself since having these opportunities. There are some things that I can point out, and there are probably more that I could never name. I know that I will be a stronger teacher next year in Jacksonville when I begin to teach high school there because of my travels abroad. This time is different than before when I did a semester in Russia. I guess because I know that it was a longer time, and the fact that I am older, at a different stage in my life.
I look forward to many different dates in this coming year, but a few stand out:
June 6th (155 days) when I return to the US.
July 25 (204 days) when I marry the love of my life.
August 6 (215 days) when I start training/teaching in Jacksonville.
I’m sure there will be many more first’s for me in this coming year, ones that I currently know nothing about, but that could change my life.
I hope that this new year brings you joy. I hope that you are able to have learning experiences, and try new things, go new places, meet new people. Maybe one of them will change your life, maybe you will change theirs.
No matter what this new years holds (or if you believe the fake version of the Mayan calendar debate that it will end) for you, I hope you are able to be yourself and have fun!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Aqua aerobics
For the month of November, I, along with Nevenka did Aqua Aerobics 3 times a week. There were some striking cultural differences. And I would like to make clear that these are just differences rather than a judgement on either culture.
What we would do is catch a cab to the sports center, go into the changing room, quickly change and go into the pool. The workout would last for about 1 hour, but Nevenka and I would do some laps and stretches before and after.
There were a few similarities. (1) the instructor can be brusqe “Quicker! Stop being lazy!” “Get those arms up!” (2) the people working out (in this case all women) complain about doing said exercises.
But the differences were more striking to me. The main one that I remember is the changing rooms were mixed gender-like men and women can go into the same room, change in the same dressing rooms, and shower in the same showers. I know this sometimes happens in the US (Ally McBeal comes to mind. Bonus points if you know the reference), but I’ve never experienced it like this at a gym.
The pool was very cold, every time too! They tried to say it was for better work-outs, but I hated it! Even when moving, you were still COLD!
Also, people were very concerned about the wet hair and getting sick. (this is also a difference that I have noticed- people are very concerned about my short sleeves, or no socks when wearing heels, out in winter. This is not specific to the gym, but rather to the country. People are really concerned about being cold. I mean I often am cold, but not because of my lack of socks with heels of ¾ length sleeves.)
What we would do is catch a cab to the sports center, go into the changing room, quickly change and go into the pool. The workout would last for about 1 hour, but Nevenka and I would do some laps and stretches before and after.
There were a few similarities. (1) the instructor can be brusqe “Quicker! Stop being lazy!” “Get those arms up!” (2) the people working out (in this case all women) complain about doing said exercises.
But the differences were more striking to me. The main one that I remember is the changing rooms were mixed gender-like men and women can go into the same room, change in the same dressing rooms, and shower in the same showers. I know this sometimes happens in the US (Ally McBeal comes to mind. Bonus points if you know the reference), but I’ve never experienced it like this at a gym.
The pool was very cold, every time too! They tried to say it was for better work-outs, but I hated it! Even when moving, you were still COLD!
Also, people were very concerned about the wet hair and getting sick. (this is also a difference that I have noticed- people are very concerned about my short sleeves, or no socks when wearing heels, out in winter. This is not specific to the gym, but rather to the country. People are really concerned about being cold. I mean I often am cold, but not because of my lack of socks with heels of ¾ length sleeves.)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Usually Dead Week Between Christmas and New Years
Was actually a lot of fun.
I was able to work at the NGO, and do some more research on Tuesday. Then I was able to hang out with some of my new friends at their houses throughout the week. Even some video games occurred. But that was more of the girls pressing random buttons and the guys actually playing. but, hey we won once or twice!
On Wednesday, the DCM (second in charge at the Embassy) hosted a "Holiday Reception" for the Public Affairs portion of the embassy and local contacts. I was finally able to meet Brian, the guy in charge of the section that deals with the Fulbrighters. And a few other contacts were possibly made to meet more NGOs.
I was able to work at the NGO, and do some more research on Tuesday. Then I was able to hang out with some of my new friends at their houses throughout the week. Even some video games occurred. But that was more of the girls pressing random buttons and the guys actually playing. but, hey we won once or twice!
On Wednesday, the DCM (second in charge at the Embassy) hosted a "Holiday Reception" for the Public Affairs portion of the embassy and local contacts. I was finally able to meet Brian, the guy in charge of the section that deals with the Fulbrighters. And a few other contacts were possibly made to meet more NGOs.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Christmas Weekend.
Christmas Weekend was a BLAST if I do say so myself.
I was invited to a Christmas Buffet on Christmas Eve at a "new Embassy family" that turned out to be the Director of USAID. They were super nice and I was able to eat some American snack items. That made it kinda cool. There were a bunch of people there, I even made some contacts that might pan out for more NGOs. I really loved talking to different people there. There were even some younger people there (the family has three kids, two older than me and one younger) that I was a bit shocked at. It was a nice surprise, I usually expect mostly "older" staff members and not younger people. Being the youngest Fulbrighter over here (I'm only 22, the others are 26, 29, 34), I often feel like I am in a different place in my life than most of them are. Anyway, a few of the new people I met were going to go out to a bar with a few local friends, and I got invited along. And then made some new friends! You should get to know their names, they will more than likely pop-up a lot the rest of the time. Hyun, who works at the Embassy; Danny, a new Marine at the Embassy; Vancho, Iva, Zlatka- new Macedonian friends who work in Skopje! Then we ended staying out until 4 am, well, that is when I left because I had to wake up early the next day.
I caught a kombe to Tetovo on Christmas to celebrate with Jen and Lizzie. That was a tough one to get up on 5 hours of sleep. But, it was still fun. When I got there, Jen was making fritta for our yummy breakfast.
When Lizzie woke up, we had our fritta with a lot of yummy fruit! (Have I mentioned that I love the food here?) Then we open Christmas presents.
I was invited to a Christmas Buffet on Christmas Eve at a "new Embassy family" that turned out to be the Director of USAID. They were super nice and I was able to eat some American snack items. That made it kinda cool. There were a bunch of people there, I even made some contacts that might pan out for more NGOs. I really loved talking to different people there. There were even some younger people there (the family has three kids, two older than me and one younger) that I was a bit shocked at. It was a nice surprise, I usually expect mostly "older" staff members and not younger people. Being the youngest Fulbrighter over here (I'm only 22, the others are 26, 29, 34), I often feel like I am in a different place in my life than most of them are. Anyway, a few of the new people I met were going to go out to a bar with a few local friends, and I got invited along. And then made some new friends! You should get to know their names, they will more than likely pop-up a lot the rest of the time. Hyun, who works at the Embassy; Danny, a new Marine at the Embassy; Vancho, Iva, Zlatka- new Macedonian friends who work in Skopje! Then we ended staying out until 4 am, well, that is when I left because I had to wake up early the next day.
I caught a kombe to Tetovo on Christmas to celebrate with Jen and Lizzie. That was a tough one to get up on 5 hours of sleep. But, it was still fun. When I got there, Jen was making fritta for our yummy breakfast.
Jen made sure to get us some toys!
Then we basically vegged out, watched movies, and talked to our family. It was actually a lot of fun for me. Lizzie was very unhappy and missing her family, as was Jen. It was actually the first time any of us had been away from our family for the holidays. We also made dinner. We had Squash casserole, potato pancakes, curried zuchinni, and the afore mentioned lemonade -raspberry cake. Here was our spread:
Of course, we had to take pictures with Santa. (it squeaked, by the way..kinda weird).
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Raspberry Lemonade Cake
For our Christmas dinner, I was responsible for making the dessert. Since I have recently discovered Pinterest, I found a recipe for "Lemonade Raspberry Cupcakes" that I had been wanting to try. So I decided that this was the perfect time to try!
- Gather all of your ingredients.
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
grated zest and juice of a lemon
1 cup milk, divided
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
grated zest and juice of a lemon
1 cup milk, divided
2. Preheat oven to 375 F and line 24 muffin tins with paper liners (or in my case get the cake pan to spray later).
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.
5. Add to the butter mixture a third at a time, alternating with half the milk and half the lemon juice after each of the first 2 additions of flour. Beat until just combined.
6. Fill the prepared tins and bake for 20 minutes, until springy to the touch. Tip the cupcakes in their tins to help them cool. Let cool completely before frosting. If you like sprinkle with colored sugar. Makes 2 dozen.
Fresh Raspberry Frosting
1 cup fresh raspberries (or thawed from frozen)
1 cup butter, at room temperature
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
In the bowl of a food processor, puree the raspberries until smooth. If you like, press the mixture through a sieve to get rid of the seeds. (can't find said pictures. sorry, use your imagination!)
In a medium bowl, beat the butter and half the sugar until smooth. Add the raspberry puree, then more sugar until you have a fluffy, spreadable consistency. Add a splash of water, too (a tablespoon or two) if it needs it.
Pour on top, refrigerate!
EAT and Enjoy!
In a medium bowl, beat the butter and half the sugar until smooth. Add the raspberry puree, then more sugar until you have a fluffy, spreadable consistency. Add a splash of water, too (a tablespoon or two) if it needs it.
Pour on top, refrigerate!
EAT and Enjoy!
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