Anyway, my time at home was great. My mini USA tour to see family and friends was just what I needed: a nice break, a return to English speakers and non-smokers all around me, and a chance to get my energy back. Thank you to everyone that I got to see for making it so wonderful and being the incredible people that you are.
I got back to Bosnia before New Years and got to spend it here, which is what I was looking forward to. It was actually pretty low-key, I spent it in Fojnica and it was really wonderful, just what I wanted. When I got here there was still snow but even a few days after New Years when we went up the mountain to go skiing we found that there really wasn't enough snow on the slope and now everything has melted. Kind of incredible to think that this weekend I was outside without a coat on in the beginning of January. But now it's getting chilly again and I'm sure it will snow a few times over the next few months.
I was lucky because I planned it so when I got back to Bosnia I had a little less than a week before I had to return to work, so I got some time to settle back into it and see some people. I think that first week was the most confusing because there was something comforting about being back, something routine yet at the same time I realized how much I missed everyone at home, in a good, healthy way (not a homesick way). My 23rd birthday was my first day back at work and was pretty uneventful, although in my transition back to European life I forgot to switch my plug on my cord for my computer so ended up getting to go home early and I guess karma gave me a little birthday present! I spent the day walking through Sarajevo and even bought myself a birthday present: a nice, big comforter for my bed!
Now that I'm back I am determined to make every effort to better my life here. I've been pretty lucky and happy so far but I know that I can be more proactive about what I am doing here and really take advantage of my opportunities and life in Bosnia. Who knows what I will be doing next year, where I will be, but I don't want to take any of this time for granted. I've made (and keep adding to) a to-do list and have been pretty active about getting things done. Internet is still a top priority but I've made a few visits to the office and even had someone call them for me. Actually, I think I'll be making another stop during my (extended) lunch break today. Same with Bosnian lessons, I'm really determined to keep them up so I can learn as much as I can. Caleb's gotten me in touch with one of his friends who has agreed to tutor me so we are going to meet tomorrow to set that up and I might even continue some lessons at a school too. We'll see. I also want traveling to be one of my goals while I'm here. It would be a shame, and I know I'd regret it, if I didn't explore as much as I could and experience as much as I could while I'm here. Those of you who I got to see while I was home know that I've been disappointed with my internship and the lack of work that I've been given to do, but I sat down and discussed how I was feeling with my supervisor (-ish person) and he was really receptive. I thought at first that I would have this discussion and ultimately leave Gariwo but he seemed to understand where I was coming from and promised to give me more work (I have a new project I'm already working on), although I also said that if I felt the same way in a month or so I would want to talk again about other possibilities. So basically, I have been trying to really work towards creating a fulfilling experience here. As you all know, I love Bosnia and love being here but at times over the past months I have gotten disappointed and I really want to do my best do make the most of it and not let these outside forces affect my time here. Ha, at least that's my mentality two weeks in to my return.
I don't think I have much else to report. Last night after work I went with Caleb to the new shopping center that they built (they have a few new malls that are clean and modern and most people are really proud of them. I guess if I didn't hate malls quite so much they would be more attractive to me.) and in the basement there is the most wonderful grocery store in all of Bosnia. Ha, ok so Caleb and I talked about how we felt a little guilty that we, as foreigners, were coveting this American-like grocery store, but then decided that we really didn't care because we missed some of these foods so much. I mean, they had avocados. You can't find avocados in Bosnia. Granted, it is more expensive and you do have to take the Western implications into account, but at the end of the day I miss some of these foods and damnit, I'm gonna get them (from time to time). I didn't do any shopping yesterday because I was pretty overwhelmed (not as overwhelmed as when I did Christmas dinner shopping with my mom at the new, huge Kroger in Waterville) but I think I'll make a game plan and return after work tonight.
KARMA!
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