Well, this is the end of this chapter of my life. Today is the last official day that I will spend in Siauliai. It is surreal really, I don't ever remember feeling this way for any other place that I lived and left. But I can feel the page turning, it is time to move on to other things in my life. Though I do have to say, this place has done wonderful things in my life. A year ago, at this exact time, I had no idea how much I would have learned by now. All these cultures, all these people, all these life lessons. I cannot even begin to write how much of my mind-set and my awareness has changed. My whole thought process of the world has changed, my eyes have been completely opened.
I would like to share with you some new goals that have been brewing in my head as this moment dwindles, because they have changed a lot since I began. Before going on this adventure, coming to Europe was my biggest goal. It was something I dreamed, something that I put all my effort into, something that I wanted more than anything. And now that it has been accomplished (woohoo!!) I have been contemplating about all the other goals I will set my life and time towards. So here are some that I can share with you at this moment (they change a lot, that's all):
1. Learn another language (German most likely) well enough to dream in it.
2. Learn a third language. Spanish maybe? Dutch if I feel a little funky.
3. Do Master's studies in another country (Germany or the Netherlands)
4. See other parts of the world (India, Middle East, Asia (Korea, China), South America (Brazil, Peru, Chile)).
5. Work for an international humanitarian program- summer internship
6. Read more.
7. Pursue more arts- photography, poetry, music.
8. Be healthier.
9. Be a better friend, daughter, and sister- listen more and work harder for them.
10. Join international things in UNC
11. Go on a back-packing/biking trip for a month
12. Say yes more, do something that scares me everyday (no matter how small)
13. Go back to Europe and go to...Czech Republic, Spain, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Turkey, Poland, Italy, and Austria.
14. Live in another country for 5 years at least
15. Take my parents, brother, and best friend on a trip with me.
16. Join the Honors Pogram at UNC
17. Stay in touch with my international friends and old friends from home.
18. Give back more, say thank you often.
19. Figure out what to do with a history and anthropology degree.
20. Become a true humanitarian- spread love wherever I go and work for others.
So, maybe they are a tad vague and shapeless, but they are forming. We'll see where these take me! My hopes is that this experience grows and weaves itself into the rest of my life. I hope and pray that it will grow into something beautiful.
For the last two weeks or so I have left in Europe I will be traveling with very near and dear friends of mine and I am very excited (if not a little nervous)! I am going to go to Germany with my friend Carolin and staying about a week. I am going to meet all of her family, see all of her city and all her favorite things, and try my German on for size. (Oh crap) Wish me luck because I think I will be a good joke! But no matter what, I love Germany and it should be a lot of fun! I am already so thankful for Carolin letting me come with her to Germany...otherwise I think I would have just been moping here in Siauliai by myself. Not a pretty picture.
After Germany, I will head with my Dutch friend Melanie to France to take part in this cool community called the Taize Community. It is this monastery/community project that seeks to bring people from all different kinds of faiths together in one place. It is a cultural exchange, it is a spiritual challenge and something I think I really need to go through to sort my heart. I am very excited for this...you live in the simplest ways possible and spend as much time as you need devouring God and deep questions within yourself. This community has been around since WWII and has deep history of being a place of peace and refugee for all types of people. I think it could not be more of a fitting finish and challenge for me to experience before I fly back to the States. Here is the link to the website and if you are particularly curious about it you could check out more history and more of the story:
http://www.taize.fr/
Well, the next time I talk to you I will probably be back home. Thank you again Lithuania. I will not forget you! And until next time my dear friends, enjoy the sunny weather!
I would like to share with you some new goals that have been brewing in my head as this moment dwindles, because they have changed a lot since I began. Before going on this adventure, coming to Europe was my biggest goal. It was something I dreamed, something that I put all my effort into, something that I wanted more than anything. And now that it has been accomplished (woohoo!!) I have been contemplating about all the other goals I will set my life and time towards. So here are some that I can share with you at this moment (they change a lot, that's all):
1. Learn another language (German most likely) well enough to dream in it.
2. Learn a third language. Spanish maybe? Dutch if I feel a little funky.
3. Do Master's studies in another country (Germany or the Netherlands)
4. See other parts of the world (India, Middle East, Asia (Korea, China), South America (Brazil, Peru, Chile)).
5. Work for an international humanitarian program- summer internship
6. Read more.
7. Pursue more arts- photography, poetry, music.
8. Be healthier.
9. Be a better friend, daughter, and sister- listen more and work harder for them.
10. Join international things in UNC
11. Go on a back-packing/biking trip for a month
12. Say yes more, do something that scares me everyday (no matter how small)
13. Go back to Europe and go to...Czech Republic, Spain, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Turkey, Poland, Italy, and Austria.
14. Live in another country for 5 years at least
15. Take my parents, brother, and best friend on a trip with me.
16. Join the Honors Pogram at UNC
17. Stay in touch with my international friends and old friends from home.
18. Give back more, say thank you often.
19. Figure out what to do with a history and anthropology degree.
20. Become a true humanitarian- spread love wherever I go and work for others.
So, maybe they are a tad vague and shapeless, but they are forming. We'll see where these take me! My hopes is that this experience grows and weaves itself into the rest of my life. I hope and pray that it will grow into something beautiful.
For the last two weeks or so I have left in Europe I will be traveling with very near and dear friends of mine and I am very excited (if not a little nervous)! I am going to go to Germany with my friend Carolin and staying about a week. I am going to meet all of her family, see all of her city and all her favorite things, and try my German on for size. (Oh crap) Wish me luck because I think I will be a good joke! But no matter what, I love Germany and it should be a lot of fun! I am already so thankful for Carolin letting me come with her to Germany...otherwise I think I would have just been moping here in Siauliai by myself. Not a pretty picture.
After Germany, I will head with my Dutch friend Melanie to France to take part in this cool community called the Taize Community. It is this monastery/community project that seeks to bring people from all different kinds of faiths together in one place. It is a cultural exchange, it is a spiritual challenge and something I think I really need to go through to sort my heart. I am very excited for this...you live in the simplest ways possible and spend as much time as you need devouring God and deep questions within yourself. This community has been around since WWII and has deep history of being a place of peace and refugee for all types of people. I think it could not be more of a fitting finish and challenge for me to experience before I fly back to the States. Here is the link to the website and if you are particularly curious about it you could check out more history and more of the story:
http://www.taize.fr/
Well, the next time I talk to you I will probably be back home. Thank you again Lithuania. I will not forget you! And until next time my dear friends, enjoy the sunny weather!
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