Christmas 2015: Hristos se rodi

Wow! Where has time gone? When I left you Christmas of last year I was planning a life in Singapore, and…. here I am. In Montenegro. It is incredible how even short term plans don’t seem to work out when you get to this confusing portion of your life (and by portion I mean all of it), and for that I am forever grateful.

All I want for Christmas is Sufjan. 

I had an amazing time in Australia meeting all of Matt’s friends and family. I spent Christmas day sipping whiskey and IPA by the pool, and spent the following few days traveling around Cairns. Then we headed back to Brisbane where I got to hold a Koala, visit jellyfish filled beaches, and hike in national parks.

After spending Christmas break in Australia I came back to Jakarta and began the ultimate job search. I had many interviews and was highly disappointed when I arrived in Thailand to discover I had been rejected by my most probable prospect, just on the brink of a 2 week holiday. I spent a small portion of my amazing spring holiday interviewing, while traipsing between hostels dressed in bikinis and sundresses. I was happy to accept the offer for a position in Montenegro during my final few days of vacation. When I finally received word from my only perspective school in Singapore, I already had a contract signed and knew I had made the correct decision.

During my two weeks in Thailand I also managed to jam in some amazing time in Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Chaing Mai and Pai. I have to say that Thailand wins for best-unplanned trip and random group of travelers I’ve ever met. I’m grateful forever to the people I met there for salvaging me from what could have been, one very depressing holiday.

My last stint in Jakarta was very difficult mostly because I was dealing with some potentially serious health issues. The doctor there basically told me that I needed to leave the pollution of Jakarta as soon as possible. I was thankful to get back to America and have them confirm that my “spotted skin” and potential autoimmune disease was just temporary.  The spots are gone and haven’t come back, and all I’m left with are a few scars from skin biopsies, and some wasted money on medical bills and medication.

I was highly appreciative of my time in America, and spent the majority of it in the Cities with Daryn and his amazing girlfriend Jenny. We went camping on Madeline Island for July 4^th, and spent most of our nights at live shows or in the backyard with a campfire burning. I was also lucky enough to be able to attend the first annual Eau Claires music festival with Teirney and Leah, and spend a few days post July 4^th at a lake house in Wisconsin hanging with the cutest niece and nephew an auntie could ask for.

After all my goodbyes I would have to say that this one was the most difficult yet. After feeling so intensely uncomfortable in Jakarta it was nice to be in a place where I felt like myself again. Being in a place I belonged led to confidence that had been lost among the maze of Jakarta. That being said, though I paused many a time at the airport to contemplate turning around, staying home and dealing with the consequences, I pushed myself into the ever-knowing discomfort and fear of living abroad.

After arriving in Dubrovnik and losing some baggage, I got in a car to begin the 1.5 hour journey to Tivat, Montenegro and felt instantly at home. The Balkans is where I belong.

I have been living in Tivat for the last 5 months, and love every bit of life here. It feels different than my past two homes away from home. It’s a teeny city where everyone knows everyone, and though there aren’t many places to go, my small group of friends manages to keep me busy and content. I’m teaching an older group of students and am therefore able to let my teaching style meander from the typical well-prepared and structured version I’m used to, to a go with the flow and let natural learning happen style that I love.

In October my friend Cortney (who I met in Albania) came to visit for a few weeks and we were lucky enough to be able to rent a car and road trip through Bosnia and Croatia. We were able to spend a few repeat days in Mostar reminding ourselves why we loved it so much and then got out into nature visiting Jajce, and Plivice Lakes for some wandering and photography.

I will be spending my 3 week Christmas holiday traveling to Vienna and Prague and am looking forward to what I know will be a very traditional Christmas, with markets, hats and scarves, mulled wine, and hopefully snow. You never know what you are missing until it is gone.

traditional tree photo cause I have a tree!

If any of you are in the market for an adventure I know a girl. Feel free to swing by Montenegro.

What I've come to realize in the last year is home has many definitions for me. It is not only where you are. Home is the people you love, the life you live, and happiness you experience.

happy life!!

So if you managed to make it through all these musings then you deserve to know the following: I am officially planning to be home in time for Thanksgiving of 2019. Given the first paragraph of this blog you can know to take that with a grain of salt. Love ya'll! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!