Oh, the things you think of during your commute...

            I can't believe it's been yet another day! What is this craziness? Regardless. It was a good day. I was so exhausted when I got home yesterday; I passed out when I had the chance. Oh yes, I definitely made mistakes on the way home. I went to the wrong bus stop (two sides of the same corner, very different buses…) So I had to have at least wait 30 minutes… AHAH! Though that adventure reminded me of something… You see, the street I have to get off at to get home from the Galeria is called Hallera. Well, I found out on my first full day in Wrocław the importance of that street. It is named after a general. This was the very same general that my mom’s grandfather, aka my great grandfather, fought under. I had no idea. But I was quite awed at the same time! In case you didn’t know, my great grandfather fought in World War I. The one story I know about him in war was that he had been in a stationary artillery tank (I think that’s what it was?), and that the tank was blown up. He was the only one of the seven soldiers in the tank to live, and he left with being disabled in one leg. That’s it.
            Anyways! Back to this year and today. Today was rather nice. Uneventful, slow day. I think once I am better clued in to the process of things at work, I’ll be fine. But either way, it’s going really well. I fixed up my presentation, translated some forms, and then researched up English organizations that might want to have representatives at the conference. Aka, I’ll be calling them either tomorrow or next week informing them of this wonderful opportunity. :D Besides that, I finally learned the really nice woman’s name. Aldona. I feel much better now that if I have to ask her a question, I’ll know what to call her by. xD A note about my work: everyone cusses. A lot. Especially the guy beside me. It’s amusing, to be honest. And quite relaxing. It’s just… cool, professional but laidback environment. That doesn’t mean I’ll join in, but I don’t mind it. Just get a good kick out of it. Tried a new sandwich today too. I feel so adventurous. Normally, I stick to one thing, but I tried a new sandwich, and now lots of different ice creams. It’s great, so proud of myself! Haha. I also met three (I think?) more coworkers today. Oi, I really don’t remember all their names. However, one of them who came in to meet me essentially said to me, “I heard there was an American girl working here now.” Which likely means that I am mostly known as the American in the office. Which I find amusing as well. (: Also, when Aldona introduced me, both times, she commented how pretty my name is. <3 And the first time she asked me if I read the story “W pustyni i w puszczy,” which is “In the Desert and the Wilderness.” While I don’t think I’ve ever read it, I’m pretty sure I saw the movie based off it. She asked me that because one of the main character’s names is Nel, which I find awesome.
            Speaking of work! I find it incredibly amusing that most of my coworkers smoke. Mind you, this is an entire office dedicated to promoting health and disease prevention. And I can smell smoke on most of them after they have finished a smoke break… *coughhypocritescough* Ah well. More seriously though, lots of people smoke in Poland, which has been a bit bothersome for me. I’m hypersensitive to smoke, thanks to it being an old allergy of mine (the only allergy I have ever had, actually). It’s really unfortunate how popular it is, but I really can’t do anything about it but try my hardest to avoid it. :/
            On a brighter note, I love the weather. It has not hit above 70 in all the days I’ve been here. It has always been around 60, and with that perfect fresh air chill, which I love. It’s just that fresh, crisp, breathable air which invigorates me. That’s why I love colder weather. It’s so much easier to deal with. If you get cold enough, throw on another layer. Or five if it’s that cold. Regardless. So. Much. Easier. I can stand outside, get a bit goosebumpy, and I love it. It’s rained a little bit every day, which I find wonderful as well. People need to learn how to appreciate rain. We need rain. It’s so important for our world to have that water, to have that resource revitalizing everything, so to see that rain, to let it cool off the environment. I love it. This is the kind of weather I could live in for the rest of my life. So refreshing! Meanwhile, in TN, I would hardly stand outside for more than 5 minutes do to the blistering, horrible heat and humidity. Here, I walk around to get to places, and I really don’t mind it, because the weather is enjoyable instead of making me hide inside. Which I have done all summer, just because of that. People ask me what the weather’s like? I reply, “Oh, the air conditioning is nice.” That’s it. So yes, Poland weather? Absolutely love it.
            Then there is the matter of transportation! Sure, people have cars, and sure, there are plenty of them, but it’s not like America where if you have no car, then you’re stuck (unless you live in a big city). No, not at all. The big cities have wonderful public transportation, including trolleys and buses. The little towns are set up in such a way you can walk around everywhere easily. You can’t do that in America. You just can’t. Everything is so spread out. Though, it’s really interesting to just watch the transportation. People drive quite close to each other. I mean. Really close. Americans would be scared to drive that close. (I’d be scared to drive so close.) Mostly everyone has little cars. No pick-ups, minimal SUVs, some vans, and even the tractor trailers are smaller. They have fourteen wheels. Not eighteen. (Ya see… when you get lost, you start observing things closely…) I was shocked on my first day here to see a HUMONGOUS BMW car which was taller than me. Most of the cars here, I’m at their height or taller. It’s normal. And they’re all manual. So much conservation. Oh, yes, even the trolleys go by each other very close. And people fearlessly stand close to the roads and trolleys. It’s just a part of day to day life, and I love it. I always have. (Honestly, most of these thoughts are so old from my many visits to Poland, but… I finally have a place to record them.)
            Unfortunate part of public transportation today: I heard from my coworker that a bus and a trolley had an accident. Apparently, the bus had sped past him and then he heard a boom, and it was four cars in front of them. People were getting out of cars to help out. I really hope everyone was all right. :/ I’ll have to read into it. Which reminds me. Been reading the newspaper I got for free this morning. Excellent practice! I’m so glad I taught myself to read Polish; it’s become incredibly useful (obviously for my job, but in other ways as well). My writing has even become better. Just from reading and continuously trying to write in Polish, and having people correct me as I go. I dunno, it’s just one of those things I’m quite proud of myself for.
            Anyways, I actually tried the mango flavor today of ice cream. I don’t know how I feel about it. I mean, I liked it enough to buy an entire scoop. However, I don’t know if I’d get it again? I really don’t know my view of the mango taste in general. Perhaps it’s just one of those things I need to develop a taste for in my case. At least I’ll eat it now, which is always a good thing. Means I’ll be less picky and have far more options. Also, I just noticed this earlier. There was a fountain that my uncle pointed out in the mall our first day, and he was surprised to find it covered up. Now it’s uncovered, but it’s not running. It has two frog prince statues on it, though, and it’s really pretty. I like it. I’m glad I finally got to see it, though I wonder when they’ll turn it on. Well, I’ll stop rambling now! I still have a few topics I want to mention, but I’ll save them for my next entry. (: Do następny raz!