Soooo, for those of you wondering where the heck I've been... Well, I couldn't write up my blog yesterday because I had to rush from my Polish language course to the train station... But I'll explain more of that later! :D Because for now, I need to recall Wednesday. Yes... It was nice. I woke up super early after going to bed super early, and I actually felt quite well-rested. (When I say super early, I mean 7... ... and 22.00... yeah...) But! History was quite interesting. We just went more into the logistics behind World War II, and how Russia, despite all of Stalin's crimes, kept on getting the support of the allies in order to defeat Hitler... And sort of realizing how different the world could be if just a few things were different. Then Secularization was interesting as well. The presentations were particularly interesting, actually! We had one on secularization in Germany and then also in... oh... Croatia! It's amazing how much each country differs in its approach to religion, and how every country essentially says that it will not estbalish a religion. I really liked Germany's way of handling religion. They (the state) do not associate with any religion, but they give equal help to every single religion established in Germany. ... Super nifty! Seriously, what an awesome way to solve the bickering between religions!
... Tangent: None of my aunts will ever believe I am not cold... Ever... I am in short-sleeves right now, and it's below freezing outside, therefore, my aunt just gave me a... szlafrok. ... Um... I... can't think of the word in English. But yes! Something to keep me warm. >> I wonder what it will take to convince people I'm not a cold-natured person (like my mom)...
But! Back to focus! After classes, I headed home to do some research on books I need to check out, which resulted in me saying: Screw it. Polish libraries are a pain to deal with. They still work on the stack system instead of permitting students to go grab the books on their own. Plus, the smaller libraries wouldn't even let me check out any of their books because I'm "not a student" of their departments. Aka, it's super aggravating. So, instead, Monika, Nate, and I headed to the train station where I bought a ticket for Gdynia, and then to Carrefour for some groceries. Monika had to leave quickly for class, but Nate and I stuck around for some ice cream from the 4D cafe which is in the Galeria Krakowska. Yes, per usual, delicious. I had two flavors: summer fruits and coconut. Yum.
Ah, I remembered something else interesting! It came up at dinner Wednesday. So, the hockey game we went to? Super sexist. Against men. As are some clubs. Why? The hockey game cost 1 złoty for women and children to enter, but 10 złoty for men. Meanwhile, a club we went to while the Budapest kids were here (long ago) cost 15 złoty (I think) for men, and it was free for women... ... Yuuuuup. Look at the sexism! It's hilarious because it's reversed! But no, not really. That's actually quite sad, and a bit aggravating. If people have to pay, they should pay the same amount. The only differences should be thanks to age. Not... gender... Alas, can't do anything about it!
Wednesday's dinner was quite delicious and took forever to get together. We made chicken curry with rice! It came out quite well, actually. Plus we had a relaxing evening just chatting. Hahah, and actually, before dinner and before everyone came home, someone tried to get into our apartment to visit Gosia... ... I had no clue he was coming, so when he rang our apartment, I was like: Nope... don't know you. Sorry, wrong number. ... And then I felt horrible because it was the right number and he was meeting up with Gosia... So it was honestly a bit awkward whenever I let him in and we just sat and chatted while waiting for Gosia, because I so blatantly denied him entrance to our apartment without really questioning who he was trying to call. Oh well. Lesson learned!
Thursday morning, I actually started working on some of my class work, such as essays and a presentation. I'm still super nervous about how this presentation will turn out for my Polish ethnic history course... But my professor really does seem to understand Polish isn't my first language, and that's just... an absolute relief. Again, I lucked out in finding this course with such a nice professor. In fact, it was in our workshop lesson which I grew to appreciate him even more, because it's a nightmare to try and listen to the speedy gonzalez presentations by fellow classmates. They zoom by and speak on the quiet, sort of slurred side, and that's just... not useful for me. Before heading to class, I tried to go switch out my train ticket for a sleeper, as I decided to go cheap the day before. Unfortunately, they had run out of places... ... But at least I now know what to expect when buying a sleeper next time! :D Experience is always useful.
I took everything with me for the train to class so that I didn't have to stress myself out by going back to the apartment. After my Polish ethnic class, I went to a good student dining hall, reasonable prices and good food, and ordered some potato pancakes before heading onto my Polish language course... When I left the hall, it was pitch black (not even 18.00), absolutely quiet, and I was one of three people in the hall. Suddenly, I felt very... alone... Like in a movie, or something. Not necessarily bad, but... It was me time. I was walking on my way to class, on my own, after eating, on my own, and I was going to head to Gdynia that night, on my own. I don't know, it was a bit of reality, I think. I realized how independent I truly am, as it didn't bother me at all, and it was a refreshing sort of walk to go back to the tram stop... A very powerful moment, really... But yes... I eventually got to my course building, and had to wait a while. While waiting, I finished a lot of postcards. Hoorah! I'll be sending out another batch rather soon! :D I also have to see who else I need to write to...
In Polish language class, my teacher actually complimented me! We had to speak in Polish for 1 to 3 minutes without any prompting from her, because she noticed that a lot of us didn't really talk a lot without questions. Everyone else stumbled through, trying to figure out what to say, and I just blabbed on and on about the importance of information in my life, so she told me I did a great job. First compliment yet! I still have mixed feelings about my professor. It's an enjoyable class, nonetheless, though. For example: we had to write news articles given two pictures. My group had a plane flying in front of a moon, and then what looked like a small tornado against a red sky... ... So we wrote about how a plane flying to the moon got lost and landed on Mars. ... Yup. And then, we played bingo!
But unfortunately, I had to leave 30 minutes early so that I could catch a tram. Ya see, my train was at 21.14. Class ended at 21.00. The first tram to the train stop after class was at 21.04, and I really don't trust myself in walking. So I left early, got to the station on time, got into a wagon with a nice couple and, lo and behold, the person who sat in front of me said hi!
... I had no clue who he was. But then he said he's in Secularization with me! Super cool! He was heading to Malbork for the weekend. I found out he was Czech, and that the Czech language is more difficult than Polish, actually. Funny enough, we talked about some of the most controversial things you really aren't supposed to talk about when you meet people: politics. Hahaha. But it was quite enjoyable, to be honest. We had a lot of meaningful, in depth conversations, and of course, per usual, comparisons of the US to Europe, of education, politics, the way politics can mean other sorts of politics in English (not just politicans, but like... politics in schools for examples), which he had no encountered. He was shocked when I said: I want to leave the US. I don't like living there. I'm proud, but... my ideas of fixing the problems would piss too many people off, so Imma just leave. He came to the conclusion I am very different... ... Which I concluded I am incredibly weird long ago!
But yeah, it was super nice. (: After a while, though, I laid down (since I had room) to rest. Eventually, I had to sit and do the 'lean head against window' thing, but ya know what... I actually managed to get some sleep. Ahhhh! I forgot to mention. This was a 15 hour train ride. Yup. Starting one stop before the main train station in Kraków, and ending in the main station in Gdynia. We stood in two separate places for an hour so that they could attach wagons. I was fortunate in that my cabin was full of nice people, actually, even when it was full. In fact, they stood strong to keep a creeper from sitting in the one spare spot left (the girl had stretched her legs out, so, yay excuses!). But yeah, I managed to sleep... I mean, I had a million cricks in every part of my body, but I slept. And snacked. And listened to my iPod (go gasp. I actually used my iPod!). I'm really hoping I'll have a sleeper for the ride back, though, to be honest. It should be more comfortable.
The weird sleep might account for how... scattered this blog entry may seem. I feel coherent, but I'm sure my tired subconscious highly disagrees. Anyways, I slept comfortably, knowing my train wouldn't get there until noon, so I wouldn't have to panic about missing my stop, and also knowing my stop was the very last stop. When I got there, I saw my aunt on the platform, and we walked back to her car to go home. She made a wonderful obiad! In fact, she gave me a Polish dish I had never had before: wołowinka. Basically, onion, bacon, and pickle, wrapped in pork. Yes, it was delicious. And the szarlotka she made was delicious as well. Oh, no surprise. ... Goodness, Wigilia is going to be delicious! Yeah. My aunt can cook really well.
I relaxed a bit at home and tried to figure out what train I want to take back to Kraków Sunday. We... still haven't quite decided, but after a while, we headed back to town, decided to go buy tickets for the Polish romantic comedy Listy do M for tomorrow, particularly since they were sold out today, and then we took a walk by the harbor.
The moon was gorgeous tonight. Full moon, shining bright, and its reflection on the ocean water was magnificent. Honestly. I once again felt at total peace. My aunt and I just took a nice walk, a lot of old memories went by as we walked by the harbor, from last year and from earlier... I considered what other Polish paraphernalia I want to buy for my pride, and I also thought about presents and my friends, and family.
Oh! Speaking of family! I have a brand new nephew!!! My cousin, Agnieszka, had her third child this Monday, actually! His name is Patrick! :) I really hope I can see a picture of him, soon. It's amazing how many things are happening while I'm in Poland, to be honest. I suddenly feel so much more connected to my family, being so close, keeping in touch, just... everything. It's such a wonderful feeling, and I'm going to try my hardest not to lose that contact when I go back to the States. I've developed it far too much to let it fall back now.
But yeah... my aunt asked me if I remembered much from the city they used to live in, Hel (no joke). Ya know what... I was tiny, then. Maybe 5. But I do remember! I remember cotton candy, and always wanting it, and gofry, and always wanting them. I actually have a specific memory at a gofry stand, waiting for my blueberry gofra. Ah! I also remember getting ice cream, and then getting sick because it was too cold for ice cream. And the sea lion aquarium, which at that time was quite pathetic (it's beautiful now; I went last year). I remember its concrete, unpleasant setup, but still being in awe by the beautiful creatures. Also probably a bit sad for them. Oh what else did I remember... Ah, and the jewelry shops! Lots of little sterling silver stands... She was impressed by my memories. Yeah, they're all rather disconnected and specific, but they're there...
When we came home, I finally got to Skype with Sam (from Florida)!!!! Dear goodness. We had not talked in FAR too long. >( But, I was super happy to talk to her! Also Skyped with my mom, and found out my dad was in Orlando. xDD Hahaha, that's actually how I talked to Sam. I told my mom to tell my dad to tell Sam to get on. ... Rather intense, eh? But really. Skype. It's amazing how much its changed the world and permitted all of us to stay super connected. I will never stop appreciating its marvel. <3
That is my update, though! Tomorrow should be a fun day. (: Hah, I likely forgot quite a bit, but whatever! I'm just glad I got to Gdynia and get to hang out with my aunt!
Note: Today is Poland's Independence Day!!! <3 November 11th is the day recognized when the Second Polish Republic was formed, in 1918, after being partitioned for 123 years. Because Poles are stubborn and will never give up their country! But really. It was super cool to see the huge amount of Polish flags everywhere. Normally, you just see the official government flags out, but today (and yesterday), normal citizens hung out their own as well. I guess I'll end with: I'm super proud to be Polish, so thank goodness we have our own country. <3 Despite others constantly trying to tear us down!
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