can't think of a good enough name.

I am spent.


I have been going to "lektorat" for 2 weeks now... 3 hours a day, 3 or 4 days a week, just the instructor and I, speaking solely in Slovene. Doesn't sound too bad? Wrong. It's bad. My brain is mush afterward. After tutoring on Friday, I realized that I was just staring at intently at this insignificant sign (probably with my mouth open, and eyes partially closed), and I didn't know how long I'd been there. Then I looked at my watch, and class had ended 11 minutes ago. What?! 11 minutes of doing nothing but standing and watching a sign.

It is wonderful though, being able to semi-communicate with beloved people. It's also nice to be able to refuse food and have a slightly larger vocabulary (though even young people who can speak English give you the food pressure. For example, every time I eat with my roommates, Rok and Nejc and Jure, they too try to get me to continue eating. "Have more!" "Come on, eat, eat" "Nicole, there is plenty of food, have more!" They even did this on Thursday, "Nicole, please eat more." Why was this strange? I made lunch.).

I am trying to find energy- everyone is taking such great care of me. Jure is the most hospital roommate ever, and I have incredible friends here that never want me to be bored. The only problem is, I would not mind being bored for just a little while. :) Sometimes I go to the river to do my homework, and am truly relaxed. Maybe it's the gentle breeze brushing the hair against my shoulders, or the sun setting and bringing out the pink hues in the buildings, or the boats slowly moving past, or hearing the groups of people laugh, or smelling the cigarette smoke waft past (note: I have again been forced to take up second-hand smoking. jbh, maybe you should come and visit). Maybe it's just that I am sitting and can still feel the soreness in legs, or maybe it's the fact that I am not really doing my homework, but just thinking about these things and how nice they are as I listen to Brent Berry Band. As peaceful as it is here... Brent Berry makes me just a little homesick for Lawrence :)

Today too will be full. Full of eating and drinking (definitely), full of cycling (hopefully), full of studying (perhaps).

Would be happy for news of you... miss you all. love, n