Watch Jobs

My charger got fried today. One part blackened, one part melted, and all parts dunzo. I'm thanking my lucky stars that I have the biggest surprise gift of Christmas '12 propped up on my knees to write this post. Mom, Dad...thank you for cluing Santa in on that one.

This also means no pictures until I can wrangle up a working charger. Rumor has it the closest Apple store is in Germany. So I'll be charger hopping for the foreseeable future.

I feel pretty dull writing up a whole post without any pictures. Uninspired, some might say.

Today, Craig (HoneyRock boss) asked about my biggest challenge since being in Lithuania. After a fairly lengthy blank stare, I came up with basically nothing. I mean, the toughest moment was seeing my parents sitting in our sunroom last Saturday as we FaceTimed. The kicker is (sorry!) while I really do miss them, it was literally the blue paint on the walls, wicker chairs, and the old wooden cabinet that got me wishing I was there for just a few minutes. These small peculiar familiarities got my noggin dreaming about home.

But still, the feeling passed relatively quickly and hasn't really hit since. My roommates are great. Food is fine. Classes aren't easy, but aren't difficult. The weather is cold, which hinders some of the long walks to the shore I had imagined making a part of my weekly routine, but it isn't as Arctic as the Midwest.

So maybe the bigger challenges are still ahead.

I very much see this semester as a quieter one, you know? While talking with Craig I also realized that I had cut myself from three and a half years of building commitments to events and activities and people at Taylor. Things just build up over the years and without even realizing it and time becomes not your own.

Being a senior - that's a post for itself, maybe even one of those catchy weekly posts like "Senior Thoughts Saturday" or "Simply Senior Sundays", you know the posts that bloggers do every week? Anyways, back to my point. Being a senior on a study abroad trip is weird. You get lots of weird faces and awkwardly phrased questions while people attempt to politely ask, "Why the hell would you leave a place like Taylor in the middle of your SENIOR YEAR to spend it with a bunch of people you don't know in a country you never paid much attention?"

Except I think this is so right to be happening right now. I've been grappling for words to answer that question and the best thing I can come up with is this: the past few years, confirmed by the past few months, has gotten me to a place where I needed a semester like this to take a breather and reflect and, in turn, look ahead.

Steve Jobs gave an awesome commencement speech at Stanford a few years ago which has had a significant impact on how I try to look ahead.

But really, watch Jobs.

Bas-ket-ballllllll

Imagine that title going to :23 of this Youtube clip. Get it Lil Bow Wow.

So we went to a basketball game today - the Klaipeda (remember, pronounced Clay-peh-da) Neptunas. Short recap: extremely tall men on the court, no calls on traveling by the refs, rowdy sections of fans with borderline fist-fights. Basketball is a serious thing over here, people.

We rode the bus to the stadium and got to our seats right before tip-off. The men were so so so tall, their kneecaps probably come up to my hip. It looks painful to have to walk with such long shins. Have you ever thought that? Anywho, they were tall and the rivalry was pretty big. Go big blue.

Let me give you a little bit of background on the dancers. They come out at every timeout - but not halftime - to do their little pump up dances. We think they save money by buying half-outfits. If you look closely in this picture, you can see one of the dancers standing on the basketball rim, doing a scorpion. There is also a girl hanging through the hoop. What.

Now I'm back at LCC. Ready to sucker punch homework in the face...kind of like how the Kaunas fan club was ready to tackle the Neptunas fan club. That got real.

I See Fire by Ed Sheeran

Saturday morning inspiration found at 1:13.

First Coffee Break in Lithuania

Today I finally went to a coffee shop. Sat. Drank a mocha. Read a little. Talked more and it was great. After a slow morning (and lets be real, if you read yesterday's post, a dull evening), the coffee break came in clutch.

We met an interesting woman on the way - too long of a story for now a little sad as well so maybe not for today.

After a walk into town we settled at Coffee Port. In coming to Lithuania, I had the goal of being a regular. I'm thinking this place might stand as a contender.

They don't speak a lot of english - and I kind of get hesitant about the whole ordering thing but that will just make me more memorable for my "regular status", right?

I feel like this is always the shot. Coffee design in the foreground, something else, in this case Joel, in the background #nailedit

And we did actually study. But it was more of the relaxing reading type thing rather than the frantic cramming that quickly became my habit last semester.

Mundane Realities

Homework exists. Trash needs taking out. Procrastinating about said homework. To-do lists get long(er). Pile of laundry grows steadily. Still procrastinating. Tweet about wanting chocolate. Working out isn't easier. Need to vacuum. Fire alarm goes off. Grocery shopping. Forget my bank info. Write a little bit for fun. Procrastinate. Clean the toilet, etc etc etc. 

Not complaining about the daily mundane realities, because they all still have different twists than back at home. Except, sometimes the whole bloggy/IG/social media thing can make studying abroad look really deep and pretty and glamourous. And it can be and is, don't get me wrong. But if you could see me right now, disheveled bun, my tired eyes, messy desk, pile of (dirty) clothes on my bed, footy slippers and a paper still to write *see? blogging & procrastinating* you would notice that between the great walks, beach trips, downtown exploring, eating out and more, sometimes it merely comes down to the mundane. 

Back to that homework or my roommates will be up till 2 listening to pounding keys.  

Later gators.

Linked

     Grateful for my Patagucci on a day like today. Fist pumps for a toasty trunk.

     Prediction: this album will be the soundtrack of my semester. Give them a listen.

     If I ever collect rocks, I want to display them like so.

     Since Hulu doesn't work over here, I've been watching a lot of TED talks #LeaningIn #Inspired

     Debating between sweet thing one and sweet thing two to make for a bake night this Friday.

     Reading stories like this one reminds me to speak through action.

     And this surprise might make you a little teary-eyed. In a good way.

Over & out.

Jim Gaffigan & Lithuanian Donuts

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been connecting with people back home (big hugs). Most ask:  What's it like? What's different? I've gathered a few observations, and while I may sound a little down about them (like, say, clothing)...really, I'm fine about it.

Since we're talking about clothing...while I feel like I'm looking presentable for my standards, there's not really a comparison. Vests (new favorite thing pre-Lithuania) aren't really a thing here now and neither is athletic wear. High heeled boots, fur on coats, cute sweaters, super tight jeans, leggings & tights, skirts and scarves are everywhere. In the meantime, I'm rockin' my slightly skinny jeans, Goodwill men's flannel & flat, plain brown boots. Yee-haw. 

Laptops are a complete no-go in classes. Teachers just don't allow them (genius, my attention and participation has skyrocketed). Also, lined notebook paper? Nearly impossible to find. I'm working with the graph style and had to pay 11.99 litas which rests at a hefty $6 for one notebook. You better believe this cheapskate is going to get by on one and only one notebook for the semester.

As far as content, classes are about the same difficultly as Taylor. It varies of course. Intro to Lithuanian will kick my butt, but hey, what's new with a foreign language doing that to me? Prof Klotz, if you're reading this...it's not only Spanish.

Every time you go into the school's gym, it costs 1 lita. Also, it seems like there's a prerequisite of wearing fairly tight clothes and rocking an already incredibly tall & fit bod. Yes, Jim Gaffigan.

In restaurants, you pay for water...comes in a bottle, no refills. Also, tipping is only 1-2 litas. 

Adaptors and converters are tricky things to navigate. Fingers crossed for the survival of my Apple products. 

We walk and we walk and we walk. This aspect is one of my favorites - exploring the city is a definite highlight. Downtown is about 15/20 minutes away and Old Town requires an additional 10/15. Walk another direction, take 30 minutes and you're on the beach. Now, if the sun would make an appearance, that would be AWESOME.

Temps are in the teens most times and while that may seem okay to the Midwesterners out there, it's a different ballgame here. Because we walk so much and for relatively long periods of time (as in, longer than building to car to building) it has that much longer to sink into your bones.

The produce section and I (or is it me...Mom?) are becoming the best of friends. Why, you ask? Because I can't read anything on the prepackaged foods. However, this new friendship also includes the bakery, conveniently located in very close proximity to my fruit and veggie friends. Get at me, Lithuanian donuts.

1.19.14 in Pictures

Tracks.

Ship. 

Canal.

Old warehouse (read: club).

School.

Expectations

Disclaimer: a work in process.

There were very few expectations I held before this semester. As I would talk about living and studying here, some said eastern Europeans were cold and distant. In preparation for living with us Americans, they most likely got ready for loud, rich and crazy. Both arguably hold a little bit of truth.

We have only been here for a little while, right? So, disclaimer, this is writing from relatively few experiences. In a very specific kind of environment. With people from all over. Except, I can already say that the "cold and distant" thing isn't at all true - at least for my generation. Perhaps it's too soon, but I have a hunch it's not.

Stereotypes have never particularly bothered me - stereotype as Google defines it, at least. If anything, I felt they helped me understand where another individual came from. Using them as context clues, maybe? 

After some reflection, my indifference is most likely a result of never experiencing anything seemed too harsh or off the mark, unlike the case for so many others.

Earlier this semester, Taylor streamed the Q Women and Calling conference. In an open discussion, one of the women voiced her opinion that stereotypes strip an individual of their uniqueness & individuality. At the time, I just thought that, well, if the stereotype was true, it was true and that's that. No harm done. 

Earlier this summer, I distinctly remember a conversation a few of us had on the porch of Lick-a-Dee Splitz where my nonchalant view of stereotyping was challenged. Rightly so. Even earlier than that night, there were a few situations in which I assumed things about those I was working with, only be proven completely and utterly wrong. 

So the past few months seem to be culminating into quiet build-up of coming to break down my stance on stereotyping. The assumptions I make about people are often inaccurate and unjust. They keep me from seeing what is deeper and what is true and from forming friendships that change the way I see the world. Always a good thing, I think, to keep developing the way you see.

The First of Many Baltic Walks

So far, on a scale of 1 to mom-status of taking pictures, I would say I'm at about a 2 at best. Believe me, I've brought my camera along lots of places, but it just doesn't hit me to take it out and capture.

We went to the Baltic today, which was fun. Brought my camera. Used it.

After my 1:15 class a few of us decided to take a walk down to the coast to catch some of the sunset. After a 30-minute walk the sidewalk opened up to this...what.the.sea.

The walk wasn't that bad, either. It's a busy road, but on both sides are beautiful forests all covered with snow. Then the sidewalk opens up to this: 

In related news, my boots met the Baltic.

Look, Mom! Two of my roommates and me - Ariel & Melissa. 

Now that the whole school-thing has been reintroduced, syllabi distributed and the fact that my desk is a mess, the reality that we're going to be here for another 4+ months is starting to hit. At this point I'm excited about the opportunity to sink into a place and live instead of flying by to catch the high points.

I Don't Drink. I Don't Smoke.

I wasn't expecting to be challenged or questioned or asked or whatever you want to call it for my faith so soon when all of a sudden I had someone asking me if I was one of those Christians. One of the American Christians. One who didn't drink or smoke. One who didn't have fun. I hardly had a chance to tell her my name, major and where I was from before she launched into her questions.

My reply was pretty simple, "Well, yeah. I am...but I have fun".  As I type the words I know it sounds forced and stale, but would like to think if you were there, you would have seen a smile and a laugh, creating a definite answer yet space for her to respond. And oh did she respond. 

How can you have fun? You don't dance? You don't go to clubs? You don't drink? How are you supposed to have fun here? Tell me: what are you going to do for fun?

My question exactly. I paused, and told her I didn't really know. She laughed at me and I did too. 

She talked about how by the end of the semester she was going to change me, get me to drink, and I said game on, try your hardest. 

Here's the thing - and I told her this not in these words but close enough: It's my opinion that drinking and dancing aren't bad in themselves. Not at all - get a drink and have a good time if you want, be responsible. But I signed my name to a contract saying I wouldn't drink. I plan on abiding in my decision - you can do what you want. 

We wrestled with it for a few more minutes and moved on.

There's no judgement on others who decide to do otherwise - that's not my place. See here and here and here for my reasoning on that. Hopefully I'm not taking it out of context. 

I want to draw a bold line between expressing an opinion and an a judgement - too many become offended when one side of an argument expresses their opinion, for which the opposing side mistakes as a condemning judgement. I want to buck the idea that opinion requires condemnation, making it clear that one can have a solid opinion without judging another for their action. 

Anyways - that went a different direction than I originally thought but I just wanted to make it clear: just because I don't do something doesn't mean another is judged because they choose to do otherwise. You probably have another opinion, but I believe that's a part of the beauty of freedom we have been granted. 

...
So get that I loved talking with my new friend, she's friendly and loud and outgoing and a lot of fun. While sometimes I felt a little put on the spot, she had fair questions and I hope I gave her something different.

Lighter post on deck for tomorrow ;)

Here

I'm here. Lithuania.

The thought of going to Lithuania began as a whim sophomore year that managed to hang around until the application process opened for spring 2014 - last semester of my senior year. Coming to Taylor, I knew I wanted (needed?) to study abroad once and this was my last chance.

I look at it almost like graduating early. I so miss my roommates, friends, profs, even just the feel of walking across Taylor's campus. However, simply put - ten years down the road, the regret of not going would be greater than going. 

Today marks a week since boarding the plane, and yep, it's difficult. Insert the cliche, "nothing important was ever easy" or something like that - you get it. 

Anyways, I'm trying not to look at what I'm missing and instead focus on experiences gained. This list will basically catch you up:

• arrived in the capital, Vilnius, last Tuesday - dropped off luggage and they had us moving with a nonstop tour of the city for the next couple days
• loaded up on a bus Thursday morning, stopped by Lithuania's one and only castle, kept truckin' to Klaipeda (pronounced kind of like clay-pe-da)
• oriented to LCC's campus/student life/rules etc etc etc on Friday
• toured Klaipeda on Saturday, a neighboring town(s) on Sunday
• met roommates from Albania Sunday night
• started classes on Monday

So the schedule has been crazy to this point, but a routine is beginning to settle in and the kick to explore is starting to return. 

Before we venture to that, the FAQ:

What language to they speak in Lithuania? Lithuanian, closely followed by Russian. LCC is an international school where English is spoken in the classroom, though the dorms are filled with languages from the 26 countries represented by the students.

Why Lithuania? Complete whim at first. As one of the few programs with easily-transferable business courses, I knew it could be fit into my schedule relatively easily (as a sophomore). The fact that I waited until senior year threw some curveballs, but after some strikeouts I managed first...only a home run until I walk across the stage.

And where is it? See this map. And as long as you're at it, Lithuania has such a rich history. This is a pretty basic overview, but what really interests me is the implications of the Nazi/Soviet occupations.  I'm only beginning to get a grasp of their impact.

You're going last semester of senior year.  Like I said, 10 years down the road, the regret will be bigger if I don't go than if I do. Easy decision from there.

What classes are you taking? Introduction to Lithuanian, Service Marketing, New Product Development, Introduction to Theology, Cross Cultural, and an online Microeconomics course. The Lithuanian course is primarily language focused, and was chosen based on my opinion that if you're going to live somewhere, you need to learn the language. Microeconomics was one of those curveballs that I thought could be taken care of here, but wasn't offered. Online class it is. The other classes are just those last few TU requirements.

Are you going to travel a lot? Where? At first, this was a big pull to the program. They really encourage traveling and seeing all there is to see. However, the study abroad director from Taylor made a great point: we won't get many opportunities to actually live abroad. So, while we're here, invest in the community. Be a part of it. Live here. Maybe I'll change my mind halfway through, but at this point I'm thinking maybe one or two trips in addition to the study abroad itinerary (St. Petersburg, Moscow, Riga, Tallin). As for where -- wherever is cheapest. There's no way I could pick with so many places so close.

When do you come back? May 22 I land in Chicago. The fambam will pick me up, and we'll go straight to Taylor to walk on the 24th. Talk about a whirlwind.

...

If you get anything from this post, get that I'm excited. Maybe I don't quite sound like it quite yet, but believe me, I am. This is an incredible opportunity to explore not only my surroundings, but who I am outside of the norms I have come to know and rest on over the past few years - so pumped for it to unfold. 

Emails are always a treat: sarah.e.davis1@gmail.com and snail mail is great too:

Sarah Davis

LCC International University

Kretingos g. 36

Klaipeda 92307