Thirteen Hours in Poland

I am way behind on my blog and do not have a good excuse for keeping all of you in the dark except that I have been busy. I just finished submitting all of my graduate school applications, am still working on fellowship applications, and have tentatively decided to take the Foreign Service Officer's Test (FSOT), which means I am studying a whole heck of a lot.  After three weeks, if I feel ready, I will continue and take the test, if not, I will back out and wait for another time. I must say, though, it actually feels good to be studying again, I have missed being a student.

Anyway, to backtrack, on my return trip to Georgia from America, I had a long layover in Warsaw, Poland. Thirteen hours to be precise. Instead of spending all that time in the airport, I decided to go out and explore the city a little bit. The history of this city is a remarkable one, remarkable in the tragedies it has experienced and remarkable for surviving them, for not giving up. During World War II, the Nazis intended to completely eradicate the city from existence, and they nearly razed the city to the ground, but not before killing thousands of people destroying timeless cultural relics.

I did not have a terribly long time in the city and only had the chance to explore one area, Old Town. Here, in pictures, is my acquaintance with Warsaw.

I would include more pictures, but my internet is going horrendously slow. The pictures I provided above give the essence of my experience in Warsaw. It was a short visit and one I had not expected I would take during my journey with Fulbright. 

Exactly one year ago today I found out that my application for a Fulbright grant had been recommended…

An American Interlude

After the debacle that was December in Keda, I sat in a hotel room in Batumi brooding. The thought of spending Christmas alone was not sitting well with me for several reasons, so I decided to do something about it. On Friday, December 20th, I bought plane tickets back to Chicago and two days later, I was on my way! My parents said that I was the best Christmas present they could have received this holiday season.

Chicago greeted me in typical winter fashion - dreary and cold. Honestly, though, I did not mind; I knew that central heating was waiting for me! I was so happy at the chance to see my parents, my friends, family, my cat, and my dog. Whenever I am away for a long time and come home, I am welcomed by the "greeting committee" or better known as my cat and my dog. I received hugs and kisses from them both.

It is interesting the things one can take for granted living in the United States or the things you would not expect to miss. Central heating, adequate insulation, and double-paned windows definitely made the top of my list as my home in Georgia lacks all of these. Ever since learning that I received the grant, my biggest concern had been centered around the lack of heat indoors and I can say now, almost halfway through this grant, that my biggest complaint is the lack of heat. I have found ways to manage - I have an electric heater that I didn't think worked well before the power outage debacle of December but have since realized that it definitely takes the edge off. I have a mummy sleeping bag which I nestle into every night, under two sets of blankets and while sometimes wearing a lightweight sweater. It works.

I spent one week home, which was not very long for such a long journey, but I am glad that I did it. It was well worth the trip and very much needed!

Me and my cat, Maxie.