25 meetings and I am no closer to understanding

Today was a lovely day. I came back to Radovljica yesterday via Škoflja Loka where I made a friend and drank Czech beer on tap (!!!), because I had an important meeting to discuss how school will work tomorrow. What did we do at our meeting? EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE DONE AT EVERY OTHER MEETING. We drank coffee outside and chit-chatted. Huh? Tomorrow I start teaching the youth of Slovenia and I really do not even know when school starts.

Wish me luck? Ima need it.

Sometimes It's Just Nice To Start Your Day By Jumping Out of a Window

Friends throughout the world:
Živjo! Hope that you're enjoying whatever you're doing right now... I can safely say that I am, though I've had a fair share of complications already- and it is just the beginning.

For those of you who do not yet know, I am living in Radovljica, Slovenia- 7 km from the gorgeous Lake Bled, 10 from Vintgar Canyon (a.k.a. 100 waterfalls...). Unfortunately, I could not afford a spot in the castle, but am living instead with a woman and her daughter near the center. We're communicating well- my Slovene has improved tremendously(!!) but still find myself needing a bit of time alone for sanity in general. HOWEVER, I am a bit bummed that she is gone at the moment- not because I do not have plenty to do, but because the key that she gave me for the front door was actually a copy of the key to our apartment, and therefore I can only come in and leave by climbing through the window that is a half story above the ground. The neighbors have noticed.

love love.

Bad idea

Those giant Milka Bars? They are not good for people with little self-control around delicious chocoately things.


noted.

All's Well That Ends Well

...let's just hope this ends well, eh?


Today has been quite a day.
(written Tuesday, Aug 23rd)

_________________________________________________

Oh my, had my first battle with bureaucracy on Tuesday... thought for a moment that I might be deported, but surely if they didn't kick out Sam Greenberg, they will not kick ME out...

So what happened, eh? I arrive to Slovenia 2 weeks ago. It's been a bit chaotic- afterall I have made a few friends in the past 2 years that I love very dearly and have been eager to visit in addition to the pseudo-family. Plus I had to relax on the seaside, make new friends, explore nature, and form a crush on a charming young Slovenec... these things take energy... (don't worry, potential suitors- the crush is dissipating)

In the midst of all of exhausting wonder, I received a phone call. This phone call, in fact, came at the perfect time to destroy my ecstasy at purchasing a bike (which, btw is BEAUTIFUL. I will attach a picture soon- it's a men's Hybrid, blue and silver... perhaps would prefer a woman's bike, but the price was unbeatable). I couldn't make out everything in the phone call, only things like:
''Your work permit was rejected''
''We have to get these things Apostilled''
''We can't pay you until October''
''You might have to go to Washington''

Huh? Are you serious? I sent all of the documents, along with multiple clarifying emails.

Luckily, I am the most blessed woman in the world and have people taking care of me at every corner. So thankful, dear parents- mom, thank you for your incredible organization that allows me to know exactly where documents are even from 7 time zones away, Oče- thank you for being a knight in shining armor and letting this Apostille issue eat up your morning at work (and then afternoon? Evening?) without a single complaint, for taking everything to the post office, and for making photocopies to send to me (remember! Do not unstaple!!!).


I think it's all going to be ok. At least, that is what people keep reminding me. Fighting against the typical-nicole-panic-state, trying to keep calm and carry on...

Love you all.
-Nika

ps. I promise- future posts will be more entertaining.

Why hello hour 39 of traveling.

My watch says 7:47am. It's 11:47pm in Kansas. 6:47 in Slovenija. 1:47am in Nova Scotia. I am in Helsinki. Why? I don't know... I'm too tired to remember anything- I have not gotten a good night's sleep since Sunday. Is it Thursday? Thursday.

Apparently I can only sleep at really inconvenient times on this trip (while I am waiting in line for the bathrooms, while they're serving meals on flights, moments after my tea was delivered to my table in Manchester). Give me a solid chuck of time in a relatively-quiet airport after a full-energy fight just to stay awake on the airport shuttle bus, and I will defeat all odds and stay up throughout the night.

Still, I am safe. In 5 hours or so I will be at my somewhat-new home... and I cannot wait explore that place and figure out what that means. I'll probably let you know.