I've been inspired by Jade's 'virtual coffee' posts as a way to keep all you readers updated on what is going on without feeling like I have to come up with some interesting, inspired topic in order to impart with you what life here in Prague is like.
So....
If we were meeting for coffee today I would give you a big hug as real homesickness has set in. It's taken a while, but I think that is because it is only really since October that I have felt settled and secure. Before that it was hotel living and uncertainty with the thought that everything was about to blow up in our faces and we would be back State side any minute. Since October Kept Man and I have found a home, received our things and settled into domestic bliss. But now with normal day to day practicalities I realize how much I miss my family and friends in California (and elsewhere). On top of that since October I have been trying to figure out a way to get my furballs to Prague from San Francisco. Coming home to the furballs is part of what makes a home for me and being settled and not having them around has hurt my heart. A Lot. But this past weekend I finally decided it was better to leave them where they are. We don't really know how long we'll stay in Prague and moving them multiple times across the world doesn't seem fair. I'm glad I finally made a decision even if it wasn't what I was hoping for.
And if we were really meeting for coffee I would change the subject because that was all way too depressing and tell you about the gift I got Kept Man for Valentine's Day. I had one of the pictures he took when he was on the coast of Morocco printed onto canvas.
It looks gorgeous blown up and I'm excited at the possibility of taking other photos from our journeys this past year and having them printed on canvas for the big white walls in our apartment. I would also mention how proud I am of having managed to get the photo printed and pick it up all by myself. I find myself very timid in Czech Republic as I feel bad for not speaking Czech and hate feeling stupid, but as someone said to me if you let that stop you, you'll never do anything.
I'm sure I'd also mention that the whole feeling uncomfortable thing and not doing things because of it is a bit of a theme for me (why I moved to a foreign country I do not know) and my hair has paid the price for it. After 5 months this non Czech speaking girl was finally able to make it to a hair dresser today to get a very badly needed trim. A good recommendation found me at a high end salon where they do speak English and charge a premium for it. But after cursing my hair the past month and contemplating just being done with it and just chopping it all off with my kitchen shears it was all worth it.
I'd also be sure to tell you how excited I am about the camping trip that Kept Man and I are planning for this summer. We originally had hoped to go to Greece but when budgets and ideals did not co-exist we rethought things and decided on camping through Italy. In the last two weeks we managed to buy a used tent, one gas burner stove, two camp chair (one broke - at least it was only $2.50), air mattress pump and extra sleeping bag.
We also just received a camping book in the mail today from Amazon and I'm looking forward to heading to bed to read about some different Italian regions - read food.
And now my caffine rush has worn off and with Prague reaching the end of its day, it's time for bed. Thanks for listening to me today and I'm looking forward to sharing coffee with you next week!
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So....
If we were meeting for coffee today I would give you a big hug as real homesickness has set in. It's taken a while, but I think that is because it is only really since October that I have felt settled and secure. Before that it was hotel living and uncertainty with the thought that everything was about to blow up in our faces and we would be back State side any minute. Since October Kept Man and I have found a home, received our things and settled into domestic bliss. But now with normal day to day practicalities I realize how much I miss my family and friends in California (and elsewhere). On top of that since October I have been trying to figure out a way to get my furballs to Prague from San Francisco. Coming home to the furballs is part of what makes a home for me and being settled and not having them around has hurt my heart. A Lot. But this past weekend I finally decided it was better to leave them where they are. We don't really know how long we'll stay in Prague and moving them multiple times across the world doesn't seem fair. I'm glad I finally made a decision even if it wasn't what I was hoping for.
And if we were really meeting for coffee I would change the subject because that was all way too depressing and tell you about the gift I got Kept Man for Valentine's Day. I had one of the pictures he took when he was on the coast of Morocco printed onto canvas.
I'm sure I'd also mention that the whole feeling uncomfortable thing and not doing things because of it is a bit of a theme for me (why I moved to a foreign country I do not know) and my hair has paid the price for it. After 5 months this non Czech speaking girl was finally able to make it to a hair dresser today to get a very badly needed trim. A good recommendation found me at a high end salon where they do speak English and charge a premium for it. But after cursing my hair the past month and contemplating just being done with it and just chopping it all off with my kitchen shears it was all worth it.
I'd also be sure to tell you how excited I am about the camping trip that Kept Man and I are planning for this summer. We originally had hoped to go to Greece but when budgets and ideals did not co-exist we rethought things and decided on camping through Italy. In the last two weeks we managed to buy a used tent, one gas burner stove, two camp chair (one broke - at least it was only $2.50), air mattress pump and extra sleeping bag.
And now my caffine rush has worn off and with Prague reaching the end of its day, it's time for bed. Thanks for listening to me today and I'm looking forward to sharing coffee with you next week!
Pictures of haircut please!
ReplyDeleteYay! So glad you're joining in! It really is a fun way to express what's going on in your life. I'm sorry you're starting to feel homesick, and forgoing the furballs has got to be so rough. But it really is amazing it's been this long before it finally hit. I hope it passes soon!
ReplyDeleteI get timid too, even though I do speak the language some. In fact, it took me approximately three months to approach the neighbors' gardener to ask them to take care of our garden too. Meanwhile the weeds have taken over because I was too shy and timid to ask around about gardeners. It really does get so tiring, though, sometimes, fighting to be understood and fighting to understand.
BUT camping through Italy sounds AWESOME. And pictures of haircut are necessary. :) HUGS!
seriously a picture of camping supplies but not a picture of your hair?!?! i am ashamed to have coffee with you. unless it really is just a trim and not some fancy new haircut?
ReplyDeletei still seriously think you need to consider this streaming nanny cam idea of mine on your cats. you could turn it on when you get home and it would be not at all like coming home to actual cats. maybe you could cuddle a stuffed animal while watching it?
Right so here's the thing, I did take a picture of my hair, but when I uploaded the pictures I looked soooo bad I could not bear to post it on the internet. So I'll try again today before the nice blow dry hair look goes away.
ReplyDeleteAnd it was just a trim although at this point my hair was so long that it now feels a lot shorter.
oooohhh i love this idea! keep posting like this, it's great for all of us stateside wondering what's happening.
ReplyDeleteand don't be homesick! I'll be visiting soon at least and can bring all kinds of American goodies with me. :)
sending you a big hug!
ReplyDeletevisiting from lucky number 31 for coffee! i do tea on tuesdays, stop by and join in sometime!