Welp, I survived my first week! That counts for something, right?
Each day certainly feels like a new adventure. While, I have had a lot of free time this week--way more than I know what to do with--I have had a few little...ahem...mishaps, too. It has been nice to rest and recover and adjust, though I'm pretty ready to dive headfirst into ministry.
Wednesday night made one full week of being here. Crazy. In that week I have:
Taken myself on a tour of the city. And gotten lost. So lost that when I called Linda she had no idea where I was and told me to get in a taxi and meet her somewhere familiar. Turns out I wandered pretty far.... :D
Had coffee (okay lemonade/water) with two 12 and 13 year old girls from the Center. They showed me around a bit, we chatted, they practiced their English. We giggled at my attempts at Albanian. It was fun.
Had Turkish coffee (which is thick and strong with heavy grounds on the top...not exactly a decaf soy latte) and pite (I'm not sure how you spell that one) with my landlords, who speak significantly less English than I speak Albanian--which is saying a lot. We laughed and I looked sheepish and they fed me way too much. Moreover, this was on day number two when my understanding of the Albanian language was about, eh, none. I've picked up a little more since I've been here.
Experienced some culture shock. Wandered around in a daze for a little while. "What did I get myself into?!?" Hid in my room after an overload of Albanian. Took deep breaths. Cried. Played music. Freaked out. Got excited again. Yeah, not a roller coaster or anything.
Met with Geni and Soni to discuss my role here. It's getting clearer, but not perfectly defined...more on that later. They are amazing. I have a very deep admiration for them within in the little time I've had here.
Laughed with Nesha at our often hilarious methods of communication. She is a great storyteller with an amazing heart for the Lord. Even in her broken English, I understand her. Her English is actually pretty good, she just isn't very confident in it. But living with me, I hope, is helping her.
Learned a bajillion Albanian words from Simone, Geni and Soni's youngest son. Enjoyment level: really high. Retention level: yeah, pretty much zero.
Spent time with Genti and Linda and their boys. What a sweet family! Love them. Linda took me shopping so that I actually had food to eat, which is a plus, all things considered.
Discovered that Kosovars are always late. If we're supposed to be somewhere at 9, we get there at 9:10 or 9:15. And everyone else is on this same schedule, so there isn't really any point in being prompt.
Put money on my cell phone all by myself! Never mind the fact that the man at the booth kept trying to communicate with me and I was absolutely clueless as to what he was saying. So finally I just held up my hand for five euros and he understood...after the girl next to me interpreted. :D
Read me some Jane Austen. Spent too much time on Pinterest. Checked my Facbook a LOT. Did some creative writing. Checked Facebook some more. Skyped with la familia. Like I said, I've had a lot of time on my hands. I have a feeling this will change very, very soon. So I'm soaking it in while I've got it!
Met another single American woman living in Gjilan. She teaches English and has been here five years. Her name is Meredith and I really like her. We had coffee last night. She has such a sweet heart for the Lord.
Well, there's a glimpse into my life. Hope yours is going well too!
With love from Gjilan,
Katelyn (aka Katalina around here)
Each day certainly feels like a new adventure. While, I have had a lot of free time this week--way more than I know what to do with--I have had a few little...ahem...mishaps, too. It has been nice to rest and recover and adjust, though I'm pretty ready to dive headfirst into ministry.
Wednesday night made one full week of being here. Crazy. In that week I have:
Taken myself on a tour of the city. And gotten lost. So lost that when I called Linda she had no idea where I was and told me to get in a taxi and meet her somewhere familiar. Turns out I wandered pretty far.... :D
Had coffee (okay lemonade/water) with two 12 and 13 year old girls from the Center. They showed me around a bit, we chatted, they practiced their English. We giggled at my attempts at Albanian. It was fun.
Had Turkish coffee (which is thick and strong with heavy grounds on the top...not exactly a decaf soy latte) and pite (I'm not sure how you spell that one) with my landlords, who speak significantly less English than I speak Albanian--which is saying a lot. We laughed and I looked sheepish and they fed me way too much. Moreover, this was on day number two when my understanding of the Albanian language was about, eh, none. I've picked up a little more since I've been here.
Experienced some culture shock. Wandered around in a daze for a little while. "What did I get myself into?!?" Hid in my room after an overload of Albanian. Took deep breaths. Cried. Played music. Freaked out. Got excited again. Yeah, not a roller coaster or anything.
Met with Geni and Soni to discuss my role here. It's getting clearer, but not perfectly defined...more on that later. They are amazing. I have a very deep admiration for them within in the little time I've had here.
Laughed with Nesha at our often hilarious methods of communication. She is a great storyteller with an amazing heart for the Lord. Even in her broken English, I understand her. Her English is actually pretty good, she just isn't very confident in it. But living with me, I hope, is helping her.
Learned a bajillion Albanian words from Simone, Geni and Soni's youngest son. Enjoyment level: really high. Retention level: yeah, pretty much zero.
Spent time with Genti and Linda and their boys. What a sweet family! Love them. Linda took me shopping so that I actually had food to eat, which is a plus, all things considered.
Discovered that Kosovars are always late. If we're supposed to be somewhere at 9, we get there at 9:10 or 9:15. And everyone else is on this same schedule, so there isn't really any point in being prompt.
Put money on my cell phone all by myself! Never mind the fact that the man at the booth kept trying to communicate with me and I was absolutely clueless as to what he was saying. So finally I just held up my hand for five euros and he understood...after the girl next to me interpreted. :D
Read me some Jane Austen. Spent too much time on Pinterest. Checked my Facbook a LOT. Did some creative writing. Checked Facebook some more. Skyped with la familia. Like I said, I've had a lot of time on my hands. I have a feeling this will change very, very soon. So I'm soaking it in while I've got it!
Met another single American woman living in Gjilan. She teaches English and has been here five years. Her name is Meredith and I really like her. We had coffee last night. She has such a sweet heart for the Lord.
Well, there's a glimpse into my life. Hope yours is going well too!
With love from Gjilan,
Katelyn (aka Katalina around here)
4 comments:
All that effort trying to break the family curse of being 5-15 minutes late everywhere you go. Little did you know that we were just preparing you for your life ahead-saving you from untold frustration.;)
whoops--that last post (and this one) are actually from your mother.
Oh my gosh! Jess I was thinking the same thing on the being late thing! Hahaha! Love u Katelyn! -Martha
This looks an awful lot like a post I wrote a few years ago! Hope you are doing well! Let me know if you'd ever like to skype so that we can "meet" and talk about some of the challenges and joys you are experiencing.
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