Welcome Home

My travel back to the US was uneventful which is good for air travel, except I did run into a girl from Gordon in the Frankfurt airport. We were sharing the same flight home to Boston. We chatted at the gate, sharing stories about our different study abroad experiences. It was good to see a familiar face from home. It might have even bridged the two worlds together a little more.  My dad picked me up from the airport and was waving with love and excitement as he saw me with my cart full of bags coming out of baggage claim. I tried not to, but I couldn't help from crying out of joy just a little bit.  When we got home my dogs were waiting on the front stoop and I jumped out of the car and started playing with them. We were all excited. Lots of barking, jumping, and smiles (on me and the dogs faces ha).

I went to Gordon's graduation ceremony the next day. It was great seeing everyone again, but not as satisfying as I thought. I didn't get to spend a lot of quality time with any of my friends, mostly just lots of hugs and "omg I missed you!" but there was a lot of chaos with the graduation events, so we didn't get much further than that. But that leaves more to look forward to as I get together with friends later on and catch up all summer, while making new memories.

I've been speaking some Czech with my parents.  It's going really well. I realized that I am really lucky to have family and friends at home who understand the culture and language that I'm coming back from. I imagine my friends going back home to family and friends who know nothing about Czech Republic and how difficult the change may be. If I say I miss Kozel (type of Czech beer) my mother understands. If I say I miss the woman's voice from the metro intercom, my parents understand. They too made fun of "pristi stanice.." when they were in their twenties, riding the metro. Funny.

Today I did lots of errands: bank, post office, renewed my gym membership... Then I went on a shopping spree: shoes, summer dress, and GRE study books! Everything went so smoothly and quick and I wondered why.. I realized that it's easier because everyone speaks English! I don't need to clarify anything or repeat anything. Also, everyone is so kind. They even make jokes and are so cheery.  The woman at the bank even asked how my grandmother was doing...God I love American small suburbs sometimes haha.

Picture of me and my uncle, Lubos, walking somewhere in the Czech Republic.

The last days...

(Entry written on Sunday, May 10th)

In 6 days I will be home. Now that I've been here for 4 months, I feel as if I could stay here for the rest of the summer.  4 months ago I thought this was such a long time to be away from home.  Now it feels like only the beginning.  I contemplated the idea of what it would be like to be here for the summer, but I know that home is the right choice.  My last class was on Thursday, and afterwards I celebrated by going to the Letna Gardens, up high on a hill that overlooks the whole city, to share a beer with some friends. It was sunny, perfect temperature, and we were surrounded by others who were also enjoying the splendid afternoon.

Yesterday I went to a park with some friends, including our Czech friend that we've gotten to know (Daniel), and played some Bocce Ball, and just laid in the grass talking.  After the sun started setting we went out to dinner at a Czech pub. Classic day of doing nothing but enjoying ourselves :) Today I've been working on a paper for most of the afternoon.

I've learned a lot this semester from my classes. I've learned a lot about Czech history, Czech culture, Communism, and more global issues including social stratifications involving post-industrialism, lustration versus truth commissions, and dissent movements all over the world.  I'm going to miss it here.  I think most of my friends would agree with me that we might even miss the scowls on the Czech people's faces and the gloomy stares on the metro in a bittersweet way. I'll be happy to be home in a more lively, friendly public atmosphere with little-to-no tourists, but part of me will still be thinking of those who ride the metro at rush hour and end up getting pushed into the already full metro-car before the doors close.  Good memories that bring a laugh… I will have many of those.

My great aunt, Magda, called me at 8:30am on Friday morning when I was still fast asleep and was speaking in fast Czech, asking if I was going to come visit her in Liberec again before I left. With my eyes still closed, I responded that I wouldn't have time, that I need to study for my tests and write papers. After a few minutes of communicating back and forth in my sleep-like trance we said Cau and hung up. I fell back asleep for a few hours. When I woke up again I realized I had a whole conversation in Czech with my great aunt... at 8:30 in the morning. How cool is that?! Not only was learning Czech one of my goals for this trip, but was a lifetime goal of mine.  Not only have I started reaching that goal, but I'm progressing successfully and am now able to communicate more fully with my relatives. Awesome!

I won't go on and on about all the things I will miss because I'm sure it would be too long and will most likely grow even longer once I actually return home.  But I do believe that I was meant to come here to Prague this semester. I accomplished a lot in these 4 months, educationally and personally. I think back to August when I found out my original spring semester plans were discontinued and now I can only smile about what has happened since that I never expected.  I knew that I wanted to come to Prague sometime in my future, but was leaving it up to God to present an opportunity--then next thing I know I'm applying for a study abroad program, booking a flight, and am living in the center of Europe, speaking my family's language, meeting new relatives, and traveling my heart out across Europe.  God has really been faithful through the whole experience in so many big and small ways.  It's a true testament to how much God loves us, that he desires for us to be fulfilled and wants to shower us with his love.  Many things that I've always wanted to do I have now done since studying abroad out of an attitude of living in the moment, and "being here now".  These adventures that God granted me are such beautiful gifts and ebenezers that I lift up to him in praise, thanksgiving, and love.

Here is a list of some of my summer plans

-Gordon for my friends' graduation ceremony (May 16)

-VA for a CFO Annual meeting (May 21-29)

-Cousin Ben's high school graduation in ME (May 30)

-Living at home for the rest of the summer working and catching up with my American roots :)

Last Day of Classes

I finished classes today! I really loved them all, but glad they're over at the same time.  After classes I went to the Letna Gardens with my friend Brett, enjoyed some pivo (beer) while sitting at a picnic table overlooking the entire city of Prague. It was beautiful and sunny. One of my favorite things about being here is exploring for the fun of it, not necessarily knowing where you're going or where you are. Brett and I were walking from the gardens to the Tram stop, getting there just after the tram pulled away. Instead of waiting 8 minutes we decided to walk to the metro. On our way to the metro we decide to take a side street for fun and see what's there. We end up walking a long way to the metro, but get to see random streets we've never been on before. You always find a surprise when you go off the beaten path :)

Tonight I went to see 17 Again, the new Zac Efron movie.  American movies are played here often with Czech subtitles. Tomorrow I plan on going paddle boating down the Vlatava River with some friends, while enjoying some wine, bread, and cheese. You'd think we were in France! ha.

I can't believe I have one week left... I contemplated not coming home. Alas, I will come home the 15th with mixed emotions: missing Prague, thinking in Czech, but loving fresh veggies, fruit, and driving through New England.

Vienna

Vienna was gorgeous! I got sunburnt on my shoulders and forehead, but otherwise it was a delight :) I went with my friends Jacky, Corina, Andrew, and we became friends with the two guys we were sharing our 6-person room with. I went to the Leopold Meseum and saw the exhibit of Egon Schiele's collection which was amazing. Corina has been to Vienna before, so she was showing us around all her favorite spots. It was great to have someone who knew where we were going and how the Metro worked etc. because Jacky and I booked our bus/hostel late and didn't even look up things to do in Vienna before we had to leave. We've been busy and lazy haha. We've gotten so used to traveling on the weekends and visiting different cities, we know that the hostel will always give you a map and tell you the places you need to see if you're in the city, and you can always figure things out as you go along.

We got to Vienna at 5:30am, so we went to a park and walked around as the sun was glisening through the trees and the morning mist was evaporating. It was beautiful. There were Lilac bushes everywhere. We needed a bathroom.. so Jacky went behind a bush. Then we took naps on benches for about an hour. Finally, around 9am we went to our hostel to check-in and start our day. Note to self: traveling through the night is convenient, except for the fact that you don't sleep for one night. Take into consideration.

View from my Window

Winter vs. Spring. I can't believe it. ha. I look out over my desk and balcony and see a lush green forest. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating.  It's not a forest. It's still the same dog park, but now people are enjoying laying out on the green lawn too.  When I open my window the smell of the lilac bushes flow into my room with the wind. mmm. You could say that my season depression has now been replaced with spring fever :)

1 Month

I've been in CZ for 3 months now and leave in exactly one month. I didn't notice it until the last few days, but I'm getting tired... kind of like a study abroad burn out. I still have plans to travel to Vienna in two weeks and have a few papers to write, readings, and two final exams. Right now I'm able to get away with not doing much work, but within the next week I'm going to have to buckle down and start working hard.
I've tried getting more sleep, but I still am tired by the afternoon. Maybe it's my body telling me it's ready to go home soon and can tell that the time is coming up fast. Mentally, I'm wondering if I've already left. Part of myself says, "Try as hard as you can to stay here! Embrace the last moments you have!" but then another part of me is too tired to try. This is beginning to sound depressing... haha oops. I'm doing fine though. And I do love that spring is here, and I'm enjoying the parks now that I've waited 3 months to go to (considering snow/rain is not good park weather).
We'll see how I feel in a couple more days. I haven't given up yet :)

Written in class..

"I'm sitting in my Law and Humans Rights class talking about free speech and affirmative action.  The classroom windows are open and I can hear the horse drawn carriages carrying tourists outside, laughing Italian tour groups, and people chatting in the outside restaurants in Male Namesti.  Also, down the hall I can hear the loud NYU students gathering before David Cerny comes to speak in 5 minutes about the controversy over his artwork: Entropa, the art piece representing the EU for this term under Czech presidency.  Although our class is interesting, I'm hungry and can't stop thinking about the sausage, potato pancakes, and sauerkraut, and Tdelnik that is in Old Town square. Spring is here, people are wearing sandals, sunglasses, and T-shirts. Spring fever has set in and I'm divided over where I want to be right now--downstairs with D. Cerny, here, or outside eating a lot of good Czech food and getting a tan."

Easter Festival

The celebration in Prague right before Easter is full of energy, delicious food, and wonderful music and dancing.  I have to resist the good sausage and pastries, but enjoy walking through the booths and listening to the street performers between classes.

Obama in Prague

On Sunday, Obama came to Prague to talk with the President and Prime Minister and give a speech at the Prague Castle.  I was lucky to get a special pass through a friend and stood in the first row in front of the podium. Not only was Obama's speech brilliant, but he walked around the podium with his wife, Michelle, and there Obama walked past me shaking hands inches from me! I got to shake Michelle's hand as well as Mirek Topolanek, the Prime Minister of CZ (who actually just got a vote of no confidence).  I had to wake up at 5am and got to the stage at 6:30am.  Ece (my roommate) and I stood there until 10am waiting for his speech.  During that time we listened to some good folk Czech music.  What an amazing morning!

CoffeeHeaven

Coffeeheaven.  Yes, this is the name of the cafe.  It is a great place right outside the metro stop that I get off at to go to school.  It's small downstairs, but then has tons of seating upstairs.  Plenty of people come and go, but it's a great place to meet with friends or do work between classes.

Right now I am here with my friend Taryn working on a project (obviously I'm working hard because I'm writing this blog entry...) I come here before class to take a velke latte (big latte) with me to class.  It's cheaper than Starbucks, and the only place I know of that does take-away coffee.  I usually sit in other non-chain cafes when I want to enjoy a cup of coffee, pastry, and read. I also learned today that Coffeeheaven has wireless :)

Coffeeheaven is quite a western influence, but it gets a lot of Czech customers too unlike the Starbucks down the street (The only one in Prague).

Barcelona

Yes, I wore a tank top while walking along this seaside walkway.  Taryn and I walked around outside most of the time we were in Barcelona.  We also laid on the beach, catching some rays.  If you are going to go to a city to look at archetecture, Barcelona would be the city.  Gaudi went wild and it's fantastic. I love all the colors, especially his mosaic work in Parc Guell.  Tapas are delicious. Sangria is.. dangerous haha. and Seafood from a coastal town is to die for.

Paris

• I have never seen so many good looking, well dressed people before in one place! Everywhere I looked.  Even children were better dressed than me.  Women in heels were riding bicycles.
• I love croissants. A lot.
• The most beautiful public parks I've ever seen.
• I got some color on my skin for the first time in months.
• I saw paintings in the d'Orsay museum that I've studied in school.  Full circle experiences = surreal.
• I walked up the Eiffel Tower and took the elevator to the top, where Taryn and I were too afraid to go outside because it was so high.
• Having your own hotel room felt like luxury compared to hostels.
• Latin Quarter is full of restaurants and cafes.
• Montmartre is the artistic quarter where Van Gogh and Picasso lived. The winding streets all lead to the spectacular bascilica at the top of the hill.
• I saw the original Moulin Rouge and caught myself singing "Love will lift us up where we belong..."

Prague Castle

I stood next to a Prague castle guard when I was 5.  Here I am again, 15 years later.  My pilgrimage to my heritage has begun.  Watching the changing of the guards is simple, yet exciting. When you stand near them you can see their eyes move, following you, but their bodies stay complete frozen. Creepy. They seemed more doll-like when I was little. Now I make eye contact with them and see a person who has been standing there for an hour and is probably looking at me like another other tourist.  Conclusion: prime people watching job!

Metro System

The public transportation system in Prague is amazing. You can never give the excuse that you were late because the metro wasn't on time. It's 100% reliable. No one talks much on the metro, except the foreigners. You either check people out, read a book, stare, listen to music, or make out. Yes, PDA here is completely acceptable. Even when you're past your youth.  I'm a 10 minute metro ride away from the center of Prague and from my classes.  I've been checked for my metro pass twice since coming here.