i am NOT a loyal blogger. i am sorry.
this past month has been a whirlwind. i'll start with a highlight: at the end of february, i went to the canary islands with a friend of mine. it was PERFECT. i went with my friend valerie, her sister, and their friend. they were all french, and it was certainly a cultural experience. they were wonderful women and i was happy to spend a week with them, and i was taught how to appreciate good wine, good cheese and fresh fish. while in the canaries, we stayed at a beautiful old hotel in las palmas, but we were able to travel to different parts of the island to see mountains, beaches, and even a small desert. even more, it was the week of Carnaval. one night there was a huge parade and everyone was dressed up, dancing and having a good time. it was fun. most importantly, it was good to have a change of scenery... palm trees and sun were a much welcomed change from the cold and windy streets of kosice.
besides the canary islands, i've been to some concerts, some parties, my friend stephanie visited and i found a new park in the city thanks to the help of my co-worker and friend misa. a typical day consists of waking up and enjoying a long breakfast, going to school, coming home and reading, watching a few episodes of Mad Men, and then meeting friends in the evening. i cannot express how blessed i am to be here.
i'm realizing that my time is starting to come to an end. two people at school today asked me when i was leaving, and when i met my friends tonight we were discussing summer plans. when i think about leaving the only things i feel are fear and despair. let me explain why. on the most basic level: i live alone in a perfect flat, in the center of the city, with a great (and famous) landlord, and with a phenomenal view. i work with amazing people. i LOVE my co-workers. i have a great principal, great vice principal, great direct co-workers... and what's more, great students. i truly love going to school everyday. teaching makes me come alive and i am surrounded by the kindest, most supportive and most interesting people. AND i live in a great place. slovakia is a beautiful country with great people. there are mountains and breathtaking nature everywhere. and kosice is a perfect city. it's large but without the international/tourist market. it feels authentic, warm and welcoming... and it's simply wonderful and loaded with opportunities for culture.
on a bit of a deeper level: i've made great friends here. they are great people-- supportive, interesting, fun. but what's most important-- they want to do things! i have always found it frustrating at home that when i want to go out, or go on a trip, or meet for coffee, or go shopping, or go to a movie, or go on a walk... that i have to pull teeth to find someone to go with me. ok, ok... maybe it's me! maybe i'm horrible to spend time with. but this sense of community and engagement is one that i lack at home. i'm not saying it's distinctly american, but i will say there is a sense of belonging and activity that i've always longed for at home, but have mostly lacked. here i have it. and it is so, so precious.
and finally, most selfishly, i have been totally free here. i have truly felt like this is a year for me, and it has been such a gift. i have been allowed to grow and experiment and change... all without the heavy pressure from home. maybe it's a consequence of being finished with college, but i feel so light and free. i have hardly any responsibilities, and those i do have i can do with pleasure.
i know that all of these things are rare in life. and like all things which are gold, they cannot stay. i know that when i come home i need to start thinking about life: money, future, grad school... but for now i'm basking in the beauty and freedom i feel in slovakia.
until next time...
xo
anna
