Planning, planning, planning!

           Once again, this morning the bed was very very comfortable, and the outside world was not too inviting. Meaning, I wanted to keep sleeping in. The kids woke up at around 7:00 and started yelling, but I managed to sleep through that. And would’ve slept in later if it weren’t for the fact that I had a bus to catch. So after a quick, delicious breakfast and some good-byes, Michał drove me to the bus stop, where we waited for the bus that I hopped on to Strzelin. I really hope I get to see them again, but with their weekdays being crazy, and me leaving in the middle of the week, I don’t know how it’s going to work. They said maybe at the end of the year, but oh goodness, that’s going to be insane as well. So we’ll see! I mean, I have to meet with one of them to return the keys to the apartment.

           On the way to Strzelin, I was just… incredibly happy. I literally had this small smile the entire way there. I don’t know why, but I felt such a peace on that bus. The longer I stay here, the more at home I feel. So when I got to Strzelin, I hopped off near the house as opposed to the station. My uncle and Martyna were there! … Except Martyna was stubbornly trying to lead us home the other way, in the direction of the playground… Hmmmmmm… Little trickster. While we were waiting, though, one of my parents’ old school mates walked by and we talked for a bit. I was introduced as my uncle’s brother’s daughter, of course, and he went off on how it’s unfortunate when Polish children really don’t get that experience of Poland and what not… And he wished me well and that I enjoyed my trip in Poland. Of course, he didn’t quite realize I’ve been here. A lot. Oh well! Apparently, though, his wife was the one who helped take care of me when I came to Poland the first time at a year old, and something was wrong with my legs. Now that was quite interesting!

           Finally, Martyna decided to turn around, but really, it was a very slow walk back to the house, and my poor uncle was carrying my bag. Which isn’t a problem in itself. Until you consider my heavy as heck computer. He picked it up and immediately cringed at the weight. I think anyone who ever picks up my bag thinks I’m pretty much crazy. I dunno; such weight doesn’t really bother me. Yay upper body strength! After the 15 minute walk back (which should’ve been a five minute walk), I said hi to Dorota and my aunt. Honestly, I was surprised that Dorota had come to Strzelin; she usually doesn’t take the kids to many places because it’s just hard for her. Besides the fact that Martyna is stubborn as hell and has the attention span of a kid (oh wait, you mean short and varied? Who would’ve thought kids don’t focus for too long…), it was a pleasant surprise. Krzysiu is still precious. Such a quiet baby. It really is amazing how much personality at such a young age these kids have. So really, the day was spent at home. I chatted with Dorota for a bit while my uncle and aunt played with Martyna. We talked about a lot of things, and she was so grateful when we were talking about other things than kids. Hahaha. For example, we talked about the differences between having siblings and being an only child. Just, it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Eventually Dorota headed home with the kids. I Skyped with my parents, again, and took a nice Sunday afternoon nap. We Skyped my aunt in Łódż as well! I ended up calling my aunt in Gdynia as well, cause we’re all trying to figure out how this week is gonna go. The original plan I had was to head to Gdynia Wednesday night. Then I found out that my cousin who lives in New York is actually visiting Poland with her two kids! Ahhh! Super excited to see Chloe and Colin! (Go figure, I’m going to see them outside of the country… No surprise there!) So they’ll be visiting Thursday. So I was like, ok, one more day won’t hurt. But then we had to look at the train options. I wanted a non-stop trip, because to be honest… today was the day I realized, I don’t trust the trains in Poland. Or more of the train stations, because the trains seem to be timely. But the train stations are quite… unorganized. And it’s just not like an airport, and I really didn’t want to have to worry about any changes or what not and possibly missing a train… I was planning on going through the night, but then we all realized the next day I’d be exhausted anyways, so that wouldn’t work, and with layovers and what not, I’d be tired, and yeah, just wouldn’t be good. Eventually, we found a good train for Friday, so, two days later, but whatever! And we decided I would go to Bydgoszcz, as it’s a shorter route, and my uncle and aunt will take me back to Strzelin, because they’ve been meaning to come anyways. So everything worked out today, and I am super excited!

But… let’s go back to this Thursday thing… Bahaha. You see. The special thing about Thursday is this. My cousin, Kamila, will be visiting Strzelin with her two kids. Mind you, they were born in ’08, and ’07. So about 3+ and 2-ish. Not only will they come, but Dorota and Grzesiek will come with Martyna, who is a bit of a riot, and Krzysiu, who fortunately is quiet. But wait for it… waaait for it. If Tymek gets better by then, then Agata will also be coming with him. Five kids. And mind you, the oldest one is Chloe, from ’08. … Bahahahahahhaha. This is going to be hilariously interesting, and it’s probably a good idea we determined I’ll be sleeping at my uncle’s and aunt’s house one more day after playing with four 2-3 year olds. I told my aunt if she’s lucky, maybe Tymek will gravitate towards me and give her some peace.

The rest of the afternoon and evening I really just spent chatting with friends. I realized today as well that… I really wish I didn’t have to go to work for the rest of this week. Which is horrible to say because I have the easiest job of anything possible, but… that’s just it. I feel like I’m going to be wasting my time. I honestly won’t do much of anything else, and that’s valuable time I might’ve been able to spend with family instead… But ah well! This job has been quite the good experience. A wonderful work environment, with great people, and incredibly laid back for me. I found out that I really couldn’t and don’t want to work in a typical office setting, and that my intentions of being a professor are spot on. I need that variation and continuous challenge. So I feel like I’ve gotten a lot out of it, for sure, but… I could be spending this time doing something else, more productive. Ah well…

I say that mainly because I left Strzelin tonight with a very heavy heart… I felt like something was wrong. As if my visit was too short-lived. All of this family time is just showing me more and more that I really want to have my own future family near my family, or my future husband’s family. (Which just makes me hope I marry some European so at least we could travel to whatever country we don’t live in more easily than across some ocean.) Family is so important… Really, people often might not realize how important it is, until it’s gone… or unless it’s always gone except for special occasions. Heh, like today I was talking with a friend, and he was excited he was going to see his grandmother who lives out of state, and he doesn’t get to see her often. I sort of had to laugh to myself at that, because I definitely understand the feeling… On a whole different level. And I’m saying that out of empathy, not out of some sort of jealousy or anything like that. I really understand that excitement to see long-distance family. Of course, thanks to my upraising, that’s likely why I can deal with long-distance friendships and the idea of long-distance relationships far more easily than most people. Distance makes the heart grow fonder!

Anyways, I got on the train at night, which is the first time I’ve done that really. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Oh! And I managed to get another ticket as a student. Whoohoo! I really do look my age! Haha, and everyone told me (everyone being my uncle, aunt, and parents) that when I got back to Wrocław to get a taxi… … I got outside of the train station, went towards the first taxi I saw which had an actual company name as opposed to some unlabeled taxi, and he said he was reserved. So with that, I just headed the way I knew to get home by tram. Yay for stubbornness and cheapness! (I really have picked up my dad’s cheapness. If I can avoid spending money, I do… Hahaha.) If it were in fact later, and I knew I’d have difficulty with the bus, then I would’ve likely called a taxi, but because I knew for sure the buses would still be running, I really didn’t worry.

Note: Above written yesterday.

Now, the most important part of today is this: It’s my dad’s birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TATA! STO LAT Z POLSCE! Kocham cie! <3 Wszystkiego najlepsiego! 

However, onto the trams from this morning... While I didn't have to do any hardcore running, I jumped on the tram "R" today. ... Just so you know, I've never heard of seen of tram "R." However, I recognized the place it intended to go to, which is one of the trams I can use to get to work. So I took a leap of faith and grabbed it. And with good reason! Except for the ONE turn before my stop, it went straight instead of turning left... ... Dangit. Fortunately, it was easy to get back to the place I needed, but still. It was really funny, because everyone got on and they were like, "Does anyone know where this is going?" 

Everyone: Nobody knows...

Well isn't that great? People riding trams without full assurance xD It was amusing. Then at the final stop I have to get on the tram for work, tram "0L" came by my stop... ... Yeah, for this stop, that tram does not go there. So I, long with others, we were all very confused and basically asking, "What in the world is going on?" I really don't know. Trams. What was going on this morning? Ohhhh public transportation! I keep reminding myself, though, at least I have the option, and all my aggravations go away. (Well, I still don't trust the buses and never check times anymore. Trams and trains, though, are pretty reliable, which is awesome.)

Also, I totally forgot to mention a few things about the George Michael concert! Before it began, the entire stadium went through 5 rounds of a wave. It. Was. EPIC. Honestly, such an amazing sight and to hear everyone cheering. And someone even started a slow clap! Super cool. Really, the crowd was a wonderful crowd, I'd say. Lots of cheering an applause. Suuuch a fun environment!

Hmm, and I forgot to mention... as I was going home last night, I realized that... this is the beginning of the end... of chapter 1... My time in Poland is really going to be in three chapters. Chapter 1: Wrocław, Chapter 2: Kraków, Chapter 3: Everywhere possible with my parents! So... it's kind of mind blowing... 

All right, I'll leave you guys with that! (:

Sto lat, jeszcze raz, Tata!