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.