I’m almost speechless. How the hell can something so
terrible happen in the world. The sounds of people asking me if teaching in
Albania would be safe come rushing back to me. I picture the security guards at
the front gate of our school, and the armed gunmen standing outside of the bank
next door. Then I remember my response. “Is anywhere safe anymore? What’s
‘safe’?”
December 16th 2012
I spent my morning cleaning my apartment and was feeling
very at home. Then I made a quick trip to Euromax to get butter. As I walked
outside it hit me that I live in Tirana. Every once in awhile I get so
comfortable I feel like I’m “home.” And then something happens to make me
realize that I’m not.
The rest of the day I’ve felt like part of me is missing.
I’m not sure where it went or why. My guess is that it is back in Minnesota
somewhere. Maybe it was the part of me that craves a relationship. Maybe it
finally realized that I’m going to spend the next 3-5 years of my life single. Maybe
it realized that the rest of me is content with this fact. Maybe it realized
there was no good live music to be found here, and has given up hope. Maybe it
needed a hug from my mom. Maybe it couldn’t last any longer without cheddar
cheese. Maybe it went home to watch the packer game with my brother. Maybe it’s
in Connecticut comforting a fellow teacher.
Maybe it will never come back. Something feels different
today, and I’m not sure why.
December 17th 2012
Some days I have to take a breath and remember that I can’t
do everything I want to do at once. My life is pretty incredible for 22, and I
have plenty of time to accomplish many things. I may have to pick and choose,
but I have time. I need to be more thankful for where I am, and the time I have
been given.
December 22nd 2012
I’m 2 days away from being in Madrid. And I had quite a
fantastic night out yesterday evening. It began with dinner at another school
that is owned by the company that owns my school. The school was gorgeous and
our director informed us that it is hoped that soon they will be able to
purchase land to build a similar school. I also got to eat the best cookie
and baklava of my entire life. So good!
Then we headed to rainbow road for one of my fellow teacher’s
birthday party. I started the evening with some delicious hot wine, followed by
some beer from the beer garden, a 600 lek bottle of wine (which we topped off
in about 20 minutes.) Then we decided to head to the plywood place (as we refer
to it.) Unfortunately it was closed. So we sat on their tables and drank our
travelers. Me and Robert had to pee pretty bad at this point, so we decided the
playground nearby would be perfect. Robert informed me, “if anyone comes to
yell at us let’s just pretend to be making out.” Little did we know there was
already a guy peering in on us. I noticed him just as I was about to unzip. Robert
and I ran away laughing super duper hard. I don't think he understood english, but if he did I'm sure he had a good laugh too.
Then about 5 minutes later we peed in an alley together. Pretty sure it was a
bonding moment and Robert and me can now be considered best friends. On the way
home we stopped at Slippys (aka Goodies) and had fries and ice cream. I felt
like such a fat girl, but I still managed to be wearing my skinny jeans. Not
really sure how this happened.
The point of this story is that I’m always going to remember
the time Robert and I peed in the alley together.
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