Second week in October

Second week in October

     This week has been an adjustment period. I have gotten some stuff done. Registered with the office of internal matters, received a tax number, and opened a bank account. Weekends are slow here so I have to be active to avoid sitting in my room. On Tuesday there was a floor party with Kostanji (Chestnuts) and mulled wine. It was much fun. Otherwise I am being me. And so there.

Saturday in Vipava

Saturday in Vipava

     On Saturday, I went with Jana and Barbara to Vipava in the southwest of Slovenia. There we attended a teachers’ conference of the four Catholic High schools that are in Slovenia. We had lunch and socialized with other teachers. It seemed weird that I would be included in this mix but I think it allowed me to spend time with the people that I would be working and living for the next year.
     As Jozhitsa Pizzoni gave her speech I realize something very important to me. I have been wrestling with the question of choice for the past year. What does it mean to choose? It means to forego other paths in pursuit of another. As I am sure other people in this world are unhappy with this, I am too. Some people probably don’t reflect on it like I do but that is my nature to think about and understand my life to a degree that is probably unhealthy. I was overwhelmed by the joy of understanding sitting listening to her. I finally understood that I had made the right choice. How could I have not seen living in St. Louis that I would gain something special in Slovenia? Here, I can learn a new language, culture, and more about myself than at home.
     The States can wait. Certain people can’t understand that, and that is fine. But people, whose opinion I respect more, know why this experience is needed. I say needed because how could I know what is right for me just after university? If language is my path, then I will go back to the States with an experience unmatched. If something else suits my fancy I will certainly have a better idea about it after this trip. Really this will be a great year.

Almost one week.

I have done quite a lot here in Ljubljana in one week. I have started attacking the monumental task of learning Slovene. I think it will be more difficult than I had hoped. There seems to be too many forms to have a grasp at this point of the difficulty in learning it. Does knowledge of Russian help? I think in the end it does. Thinking while I was walking home from the center of the city today, I could not imagine comprehending cases starting now from where I was when I was a 14 year old. The case structure in Slovene seems to be simplified but the verb is mucked up. This confirms my theory about how languages choose complexity. Either you make the verb simple or you make the predicate simple. I guess with my experience with Russian I would rather have a simple very system and deal with the difficult endings. Well the good thing is that I have about a year to learn. I can cut it up into sections.
On Tuesday, it was sports day at the school. That meant we went on a 4 hour hike near lake Bled. We didn't see the lake so I will have to go back. We walked through a gorge called Vintgar (Soteska Vintgar). I talked all day with Marko, the class president of the school, whose English was quite impressive but I was most amazed at his ability to speak with me for such a time. I would have been exhausted. I also spoke with Barbara, a French teacher at the school. She was very nice and invited me on a trip to Pustojno on Saturday. There will be a meeting of all the Catholic High schools in Slovenia of which St. Stanislav's Zavod is the biggest. Everything is going well. I am having a good time. I just need to fill my time with things to do.

Sunday Mass.

Yesterday, I went to mass with Father Zupanc (pronounced Zupants). It was the first mass for a newly ordained priest. So there was a huge party outside for him after the mass. The food and wine and beer flowed so generously. It really was impressive. I had a great time and met a woman that would like me to give English conversational sessions to some university kids (a great way to meet some women). I am all for it. Tomorrow I start full into it and will be working with some classes. I, today went to one class and am going to get some business done in the center of the city.

Running and Church

Yesterday I slept a ton so I could not really sleep last night. I went to bed around 4 am and got up around 630 am. I decided I had enough ambition to go running. I ran to the center and looked around for about 10 minutes. Very interesting impression hit me; this place is a lot like Austria. It would explain a lot of what I know about Slovenia. The fact that it is the most productive of the former communist countries in Europe. Anyway I saw a good cellphone plan that I think I will get. 50 bucks for the phone and service included. Anyway time to get dressed.
Time for Church.

In Europe, finally.

Well, I got here and it only took me 5 weeks too long. I am nervous but excited. I am sad but happy. I will miss my friend enormously. It takes such a seperation to make you realize how much your friends mean to you. They are your world and losing just one shatters that world. I hope I come back before everyone leaves forever but I am not sure that is in the cards for me. One final leg and I will be in Ljubljana.