Poland

Well, last weekend we went to Poland! We get 3 different vacation times and this was the first one! We get two 4 days and one 10 day! This was one of the 4 days. We were going to first Krakow, Poland and then Zakopane, Poland.

So, Thursday night we left to go to the bus station to take a night bus all the way to Krakow. It.was.long. But, the nice thing was the two busses we rode had TV screens in the seat in front of us so we could watch movies! I luckily had some dramamine still that I took because I get super bad motion sickness, and so I basically slept the whole way there. At points I would wake up and look out the window and the country side of Poland is GORGEOUS.

Our bus arrived in Krakow, Friday morning at 11 AM! We first had to take out some money from the ATM because unfortunately, Poland doesn't use euros. BOOOOOOO! But, its okay, their money is so pretty! We were all starving so we decided to find somewhere to eat. Luckily the bus station had little restaurants and we settled on this burrito place. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS. Oh my gosh. My tummy was so happy. Finally after we finished eating, hung out for a little, we went to go find our hostel.

Krakow is so pretty! All the green everywhere made my heart so happy. All the buildings and the detail on them is so gorgeous. Finally we arrived at our hostel and unpacked and washed up because we all felt disgusting from being on a bus all night long. After that we decided to head out and explore the town of Krakow :) It was so much fun! We went to the big castle they have there next to their old town and square, and just had fun walking around! There were carriage rides all over the center square it was so magical. After that we all decided we were getting tired so we went back and relaxed at our hostel. For dinner we went to this cute salad dinner place and I had THE BEST pumpkin soup ever. I've never had pumpkin soup before, but that was the best if I ever do have it. We were all so exhausted so after dinner, we got home around 8:00 and we were all just ready for bed.

The next day we woke up around 7:00 to get ready to go meet with tour group for Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. I knew going in, that it would be a lot to take in and boy it was. It was amazing, sad, eye opening, mind blowing to be walking where so many innocent lives taken and where history unfortunately took place.

We first went to Auschwitz I camp. That was... wow. We learned a lot about the "process" and what people went through and thought was going to happen when they were coming to the camp. How they would literally be on trains for days without food or water. I mean, I remember learning a lot about this all in School but it is INCREDIBLY different walking and being there. We walked through the bunks where sick, disgusting, "medical experiments" would take place. A lot of this camp was turned into a "museum" in terms of teaching a LOT of history and it was just so much to taken in. All the new things I learned too made me sick. One "block" or building we went into had the hair they shaved off the people's head and I cannot explain to you how sick that made me. I am still unable to wrap my mind around what I saw. Then we saw all the briefcases, shoes, hair brushes, glasses, cups, bowls, plates, clothes, dolls, "work outfits" and so much more. When we walked into each room our tour guide reminded us, "One item = one life lost." We also went into the torture chambers where they would do unspeakable things to people and it just made me sick and heartbroken for what all of those people went through. Finally the last part of the portion of the tour was walking through the gas chamber... I couldn't believe it. It is so hard to put into words what I felt there.

The second part of the tour was spent at Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. I cannot even begin to explain how in awe I was at how big it was. It honestly went on for miles. It made me so sad! We walked through and learned more about the history of it. How they tried to "cover up" what they did by burning the gas chambers but the ruins were all still there. There was this huge memorial there too and there was a saying in 22 different languages that says, "For ever let this place be a cry of despair and a warning to humanity where the Nazi's murdered about one and a half million men, women, and children many Jews from various countries of Europe." It was so sad. The whole day was just so emotional and its hard to put into words.

After we got back from the tour, we ate some food it was SO YUMMY!! Then we decided to go to the old Jewish Quarters in Krakow and explore. It was really cool to see everything! We also went to try this bagel place that is amazing. How? I do not know. I'm still thinking about it right now. Yup, wishing I had a bagel sandwich from Bagel Mama. Yummooo. Then McCall, Annie and I went to go get some hot chocolate because we were freezing. We also got a donut. I promise we do more things than just eat. We just chatted and chatted. I love those two so so much.

Sunday morning we left for Zakopane! Oh my goodness that place is GORGEOUS. It is a tiny town and in the mountains and my heart was just so so so so soooo happy. We went on a nature hike and just randomly explored. We had dinner at this yummy kebab place and the kebab was HUGE. Oh my gosh. So we were only there for the whole day sunday and monday morning. Sunday was so foggy and rainy and cold but it was magical. Poland is magical. I love it!

Then, monday afternoon, we left for our long long loooonnggg journey back home. It was long. We got home tuesday morning. Annie and I were so exhausted that we got home around 9 am, we passed out. We woke up at 1 in the afternoon to go to lunch. I'm so happy I got to Poland and I cannot wait for our 10 day vacation!!!!

One Month

How in the heck have I already been in Vilnius for one month?! Time is flying by!!!! We are starting our 5th week of teaching today. Which is actually only a 4 day week because we don't have school Friday! We have our first 4 day vacation to Poland! Yay!! Then the next week is only a 4 day as well because no school the following Monday! Anyways...

So far, I've learned a lot and have learned to be grateful for a lot in the past month since I've been here.

#1: Everyone hates you. Especially the older people. No matter what.

#2: Say "laba dienna" to everyone. Especially the older people. They'll get mad if you don't. If you don't say "laba dienna" to them, they WILL yell at you.

Example: Annie and I were walking past this older lady, and we were not making eye contact with her, and she was walking very fast so we didn't want to bug her and say hi. So, we didn't. We pass her and she starts mumbling something and then we turn around and she is raising her fist at us and yelling something in Russian or Lithuanian. We don't know. Either way, they'll hate you. Just learn to smile and say hi.

#3: Homeless people WILL come UP to you and ask you for money. Ignore them, ignore them, ignore them. We have had multiple people literally tap us on the shoulder, and stick their hand out at us and beg for money. Half the time I feel like an idiot because I have no idea what they're saying so I just say "ah.. uh.. english?" and walk away. Then they get angry because you don't understand Lithuanian... again back to number 1 and 2, everyone hates you.

#4: Attitude is literally everything. You will have people start talking to you in lithuanian, and just have to smile and just hope they walk away. Kids will NOT listen to you and disrespect you, and you just have to smile through it and be nice and take a stand. Lesson plans will never go how you want them to, but making the best out of it and having a positive attitude will make your day better.

#5: Be grateful that you can flush toilet paper down the toilet in the United States.

#6: Be grateful for the dryer you have to dry your clothes. We are not given a dryer here and so we have to air dry our clothes and the humidity here makes them dry SO slow.

#7: Half the time you won't know what you're eating, so just hope its something nutritious

#8: People will start coming up to you and assuming you speak their language... just walk away and smile. Walk away and smile.

#9: When you ask for 3 scoops of ice cream, not expecting it to be that much and the lady asks if you're sure you want 3...listen to her. You will end up with actually the equivalent to like 5 scoops of ice cream and an upset tummy later.

#10: Expect the unexpected with what food you're going to eat. Sometimes you may just get potatoes for dinner in two different forms. Mashed and boiled. Not kidding.

#11: Be grateful for peanut butter.

#12: Get outdoors and explore more. You'd be surprised at the beauty surrounding you. I've found more joy in the little things life gives me than the bigger things.

#13: Live in the moment because you don't know when a child will bite you or lick you when you're doing a craft project... true story. Happened to me. Be happy, smile and roll with the punches... literally.

#14: Half the time your translators won't work in church so just read your scriptures or pretend you know what their saying. Either way, the spirit will speak to you.

#15: Read your scriptures every day and it will help you have a larger amount of patience for things that will happen to you through out the day. Heavenly Father loves you so much and wants to help!

I've learned a lot more and have learned to be grateful for a lot more things than I ever have before I came here. But, in the end I couldn't be happier and I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity to be here. I continue to learn more each day. I love my kids I teach and I love Lithuania. My patience has grown a large amount. My attitude for things to not let them bug me has changed.

I can't wait to see what I will learn these next 3 months, and how much I will have changed.

I miss a lot of things and people, like my family, my dog and American Food. But right now, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here!

Heres to the next three months! 

culture shock is real.

So, this week was hard for all of us. It started out great! We all got flowers from our students on Tuesday, because it was National Learning Day and every teacher gets flowers. But, then the week just got harder. The biggest culture shock I have seen here, is the lack of respect the younger kids have for adults and teachers.

We had one student rip up her paper and say to the teacher "I'm not doing this. I don't have to do this." Then walking out. I've had several eye rolls, and students just not writing the things down. One girl came into Annie's classroom in the middle of class talking to her friend in Lithuanian and Annie said to her she can't do that and you need to go back to your own class. Her response? "No you can wait. I need to talk to her. She's my friend". That happened to Annie THREE TIMES. I've even seen some parents disrespect Dima our Local Coordinator. I teach pre-language and Dima asked some of the parents to leave the room and they just stared at him and didn't leave. I've had kids make one of the other teachers cry they were being so rude. One student was pushing and shoving Annie and I out the door. They throw fits like they're 2 years old in the middle of class. So many other things too.

The thing is, we found out that it's not just us they do it to. We were riding the bus into old town on Saturday and these boys I'd say around the age of 11 or 12, were kicking each other and messing around and there was this old man that said something to them, probably along the lines of "be careful you'll get hurt." The kids just crossed their arms and did like a "whatever" kinda look and laughed at him. THEN, the girls and I who go to church was talking to this couple who lives here for the husbands job and HE asked US if we've had trouble with disrespect. They said that it is terrible and their kids see it all the time in their school. Kids here think its normal and the parents think that their children would never do such a thing.

I know I might sound like I'm complaining, I love it here and I love the kids but teachers should never ever get treated with disrespect. Especially here when your parents are paying a lot of money for you to come and learn and for us to be here as well. I have been gaining a new found respect for teachers I've had and teachers in general. I love the kids here with all my heart don't get me wrong but some weeks are harder than others and this was one of them. This is the biggest culture shock for me.

I'm grateful I get to be here and help these children. It's just hard sometimes. Attitude is everything. Being positive is everything. Showing them and leading by example will help them, I know it. It just takes time. I can't believe I'm already starting my 4th week here!!!! It's crazy.. I know time is going to start picking up faster and faster.

The weekend was fun though! We were all mentally and physically exhausted from this week that after we got done Friday we just came home, made dinner, laid in bed and watched movies. Saturday we slept in and went out to lunch for McCall's birthday that was on Sunday with Dima's family at this yummy Brazilian restaurant. Then we came back and all bought our tickets to POLAND for this month!!! I'm so excited. We're going to Krakow which is where Auschwitz concentration camp is and we're going to do a tour of it. Then we're going to Zakopane for a day too. Then Saturday night there was this big festival in old town called "Capitol Days" where theres music, food vendors, and people selling art and stuff on the streets! It kind of reminds me of a derby days almost! We went and got ice cream and just walked around it was nice. Then Sunday was McCall's birthday and after church we got invited to the break the fast at the senior missionary couples apartment! We had delicious food. Chicken cordon bleu and veggies and pasta! It was so so so yummy. After that we came back to our apartment and Annie made McCall homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies from scratch. We couldn't find canned pumpkin so, Annie ROASTED A PUMPKIN and scrapped it all. Made the cookies everything. They were so so so good.

Overall, even though the week was hard there was definitely some high lights. One of the kids I work with who has been struggling reading/sounding out words read a word on the board on Friday!!! I was SO happy!!!!!! Its those little things that make me so so so happy. I love it. I miss my family, my dog, America and the mountains and everything about home some days more than others but, I love the kids I really do. I'm so grateful I get to be here and I know there will be tough days or weeks, but the good days/weeks will out number the bad. Attitude is everything. Positivity is key. You get to decide how you act, think, do. In the words of Al Fox, "Don't let a bad day, make you feel like you have a bad life. Just relax, enjoy life and enjoy it being completely true to who you are and who God wants you to be."