
On this most momentous day, I decided that I would sleep in as long as my schedule would allow even if I had to walk to school by myself. Given my notorious sense of misdirection this was rank insanity. I did at least ask the girl at the dorm's desk for directions and off I went. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, I was surrounded by people who couldn't give me directions if my life depended on it. And for some reason I couldn't get that song from the Sound of Music out of my head (you know the one.) After zigzagging up and down the streets I did try to ask a couple girls for directions (my roomate is currently listening to White Chirstmas-sorry) and it was as I feared, they spoke about three words of English and right, left, and feet were not the words. (Brief aside, I have come to the conclusion that the US needs to get on board with the metric system. I feel like I spend a fair amount of time each day feebly trying to do conversions in my head. That, combined with trying to remember conversions of military time does nothing to ease the transition here.) Anyway, I thanked the girls for their time and after a few wrong turns I noticed the directions I was given and the things I was seeing were the same thing! This was something I had very rarely experienced. And when I found the bridge that goes over the railroad tracks I was ecstatic. I knew the rest of the way and I knew that I had done it. Granted, it took me forty-five minutes for a walk that was supposed to be twenty-five, but even that didn't quell my pride.
Once I got to the actual school and found my class by navigating the MC Escher-like stairs (as one study abroad student so aptly put it) I was very pleased with what I found. The class was Introduction to Theology, the professor was from Indiana, and about ten study abroad students were in the class. Our professor told us that he welcomes questions and challenges and if we did well then at the end he would give us Jr. Theologian certificates. I'm beginning to get really excited about taking a Bible class away from Taylor. Rather than arguing about speaking in tongues, women in the church, and whether Patriotism goes hand in hand with Christianity, (again) some of the members of my class may not agree with some of the more basic tenants of the Christian faith and it will be very interesting to see how everything plays out.
Next I had business finance where things were a bit less comfortable. For starters, it's business finance. Also, I was the only study abroad student in the class so I was back to doodling on my notebook while everyone else was speaking a different language. And lastly, my professor is Lithuanian and while his accent is very pleasant to listen to, I can also see how it might be very soothing. I've decided to put forth effort in this class.
After class I hung out with Jessey and Theresa, who was kind enough to share some of her food and we talked about how it's difficult not just to transfer to Lithuania, but to go from a very conservative Christina college to a much more liberal one. Then we went to a small gathering to celebrate Kurgistan Independence. Altunai, our resident Kurgistani, told us interesting things about the culture like how whenever they watch Mulan they root for the bad guys since those are their ancestors. She also spoke of some of their sports such as when a guy on a horse chases down a girl and marries her if he catches her. There is also a version of keep away played on horses with wrapped up goat intestines. It was all very informative. Ukraine celebrates independence on Wednesday, at which time I will get the chance to learn about my roommates' homeland.
1 comment:
I fully agree with your metric systems woes. The US needs to change...it would be so much easier!
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