A Break in Excitement

                Work. Slow. But, I finally got access to Pottermore, so I spent my hours thoroughly entertained and thrilled with everything. I have a 10 inch Rowan-and-unicorn-hair wand, slightly bending (I think), a western green toad (virtually no one got a toad!), and I was sorted into Hufflepuff! Which was actually the most nerve-wracking part of it all. Although, reading all of the information Jo gave us, it just made me feel all that much more at home! <3 Seriously awesome how Newt Scamander was a Hufflepuff too!

                Anyways, onto actual study abroad experiences! Haha, as I said, slow day. I went home, and this was the first time I really had to deal with rush hour traffic. It was bizarre, because the tram had to stand and wait for quite some time, and there was a lineup behind us; I haven’t had to deal with that yet, or saw the cars so badly. I mean, I usually get out around the same time anyways, 4-5, usually 4:30. Then again, I usually just go to the Galeria or chill in Rynek, so that would make sense. I didn’t end up going to buy my salt and pepper shaker, because I was starving and wanted food. I’ve determined I’m going to have little snacks throughout the workday (likely a wafer bar and a banana, and maybe something else), and just have a really good dinner after work. Or maybe not. It’s really been varied.

                Today, I went to the small pierogi bar near Hallera. I got cabbage and mushroom pierogi, a cup of clean barszcz, and a carrot/apple small salad (hello childhood!). Honestly, it was really good, and the price was wonderful. I think from now on I’m going to eat there at least once a week so that I can try all of the pierogi they offer. (: Including the sweet ones. (They don’t have blueberry pierogi, but they have strawberry, so close enough!) It’s really easy and fast to go in and order something, then leave.

                Afterward, I went grocery shopping, finally. I found that I prefer Biedronka over Lidl, due to the fact they offer smaller portions for their sales, which is far more appropriate for me… Cause I just don’t need that much food, so I don’t want it to go to waste, you know? I need to find some recipes, though, and start cooking at home. But, I dunno, I feel really restricted with my pots and pans… I can’t really bake or cook anything in the oven, cause I don’t have anything for that purpose…

                Ended up buying a different shampoo, because the one my aunt bought me has been certainly destroying my hair instead of leaving it refreshed… (L’Oreal…) But, I managed to forget to buy eggs. And pepper. Argh! If anything, I know I can make my own crepes here at home, but I’ll just have to buy the materials for it. And considering I already know that my flatmates in Krakow are excited to learn how to make pierogi, I at least know that any flour would be used.

                Oh! So, this is sad, but I was really excited to see a huge Ikea catalog in my mailbox today. >3 Oh, I’m going to have so much fun designing future rooms for my future house. As you can tell, this day hasn’t been all that impressive. Ah well! To reading, postcards, and tea!

Note: The above was written yesterday.

                And because it was such an uneventful day, I'll share with you guys some of this morning's thoughts! Today is an important day in three ways.

1. Seventy-two years ago, Germany attacked Poland on this fateful day and began World War II. It was even mentioned on the radio this morning, and I think the cities that first suffered the attacks will have sirens running at the time they were attacked today. 
2. School (not college) starts today for all students across the country. This means, when I got to the tram stop this morning, I saw an onslaught of teenagers crossing the street to the tram stop; at first, I thought it was some trip, but then I realized their age and the day. My facial expression was pretty much that of Ginny Weasley in Harry Potter 2, when she sees Harry in her house. Except instead of thinking, “Oh my god, it's Harry Potter!” it was more along the lines of, “Oh my god. So. Many. Teenagers.” Without a doubt, the tram indeed was far fuller than it has been. (And since I made the Harry Potter reference, today is also the first day of school at Hogwarts!) 
3. And finally... today is Chip's birthday!!! Happy birthday to you, you wonderful person! :)

                 On another note! I also am confused by the amount of people wearing long sleeves already. I tried. I honestly did. But I got hot and took it off on my walk to the bus stop... It was still warm enough! Yet, here I am, from the freakin' Southeastern United States, wearing short sleeves, and all these people used to the cold, bundled up. So bizarre. But... I love the cold. <3 So much. Everyone keeps telling me: Ohhhh wait until winter! Snow and everything, and pain in the arse! Me: .... *shrugs* I'm excited. And besides, it's not up to me to shovel the snow away. And I breathe far more easily in that crisp, cold air. So pumped!

                Now! Time for... sitting around and hoping for emails...?