Bratislava 2004-2006

Y Control or How The West Was Won Part 2

So the West. What an incredible land! And good people. We started our westward adventure visiting some very good people, ie, my family. Duane and Eugenia graciously welcomed us into their home just before Eugenia left for work (broken kneecap and all) at 6 am. Duane and I had good conversation over a few cups of coffee before he left later in the morn while Becky, Jon, Ellie, Nate, and Aaron slept in the basement. Once he left, I went outside to consider what it would be like to see my kind Grandma Winslow who is in the 4th wing (of 5 being the worse) of a nursing home. She has dementia and remembers very little. The last time I saw her two years ago, her body was frail, but for the most part, her mind was strong. I didn’t expect that she remember me. And she didn’t. In her new state however, she is kind and compliant…compliant is a good thing at that age, in that condition. Kind except from when she calls her roommate “old” because she’s in a wheelchair and “as dumb as a stump.” I have great respect for the good men and women that care for the elderly because there is nothing grand or anything obviously rewarding in it at all. Though I’d prepared myself for her condition, I had not expected the overwhelming longing for heaven and healing which came over me. I had to weep for a bit after we said goodbye over this brokenness. Thankfully she will be in heaven soon to receive this healing and be with my Grandpa who I can imagine is seeing quite well – or perfectly - these days.

My Aunt Sandy came to visit after I saw my Grandma Winslow, bringing rain jackets and stories from when we lived in Colorado. We sat down for a while catching up as the other adventurers came in and out and with Duane and Eugenia once they came home. I was struck by the ease of being with family that I quite literally have not seen more that 5 times in my memorable history. This was a huge blessing for me upon my return and transition back into the American life; to know and be with family, even for less than 18 hours, helps with this perennial search for “home” which I’m finding is quite simply, the people that surround. This is how my parents raised me in all the transience and this is a lesson I return to after some years away in Europe.

But wait, that’s not all! While watching The Incredibles, there was a surprise visit from my Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Anthony who coincidentally had to be in town that very night – the only night I was in Billings though we’d only planned it the night prior. Again, to be welcomed so openly into their world as a not so well known niece but still very much a part of the family was an amazing gift to me.

I don’t know how to be in one place yet, but there are certainly a ton of advantages of a home, as in location. Being the host is one significant advantage. One day I think.

the final stop

Add Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas to economies I've contributed to. Today I travel from my sister's in Arkansas (saying goodbye to Dave, Hope, and Nora too) to Pottsboro, Texas. The welcome pack is in the rec room and I can choose my side of the trailer. Training starts Tuesday. And with this, my new life begins.

Y Control or How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us Part 1

I’ve put 2326 miles on my car since its purchase July 1. Over 6000 more were accrued whilst looking for America through Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. That’s just about 420 gallons (or 1605 liters) of gasoline. Can we please find an alternative fuel now? I’ll have to check out the development of soy fuel which I saw advertised through Illinois.

Depeche Mode was in Bratislava last night and guess who went? Yup, a friend called me last night from the stadium with a couple extra tickets. Reminded me what it's like to experience music and to feel alive again... I hadn't been to a concert since...is it possible...fall 2002 (because Ben Folds last summer doesn't count). Besides, my appreciation for Depeche Mode has multiplied.

Theme for the month...what gives and takes away life. One concert, spontaneously, has made up for all the other things that have drained me. Canoeing the Vltava helped too.

Texas cams.

One month later. And it's taking some time for this to sink in.

I'm moving to Texas. Accepted a job there on Lake Texoma. North of Dallas.

And nearby:
Stockyards, Ft. Worth
"The Old West is alive and well in Fort Worth. Enjoy the cattle drive then stop in and wet your whistle at a genuine saloon. This isn't City Slickers. This is the real deal."
http://www.traveltex.com/texas_cams.asp?area=Ft.%20Worth&view=1

Yee haw!

It's the end of the year. And I have very little energy left. Where did it go? How can I get it back? Dang I hope soon because I want things to end here well with as much sanity and perspective as is possible, all things considered.

I'm returning to the states (Chicago) July 9th. Then camping with my good friend Becky and others.

And I'm listening to Anathallo.

the end.

Who am I kidding? You'll probably only get stories about Turkey the next time I see you. I'm not going to get around to writing any here. At least for the next couple months. Other things are happening too fast. Like the last weeks of school. School ends June 30th, but from now til then, there will be very few normal school days. The last months of school in Central Europe are prone to last minute schedule changes and new activities. So for example, next week we have a visitor from Kenya who we will squeeze in for 15 minutes of two lessons plus one break (a total of 40 minutes) so as to give all of our sophomores the chance to talk with her again. We first met Dora in October 2004.

I've applied to some Environmental Education programs for work next year. One looks promising, but I'll withhold the name until I know I have the job or not. I'll give you one hint: it's in Texas. Yes, I change from my former plan. But God can guide with leanings and desires and right now my desire is to work with young people in the outdoors as an environmental educator. It's just a little further from what I know as "home." But home is so subjective. And I feel my lot is to continue as a tumbleweed a little longer. Pekny vikend!