Being in the Now

There's been a lot of talk about the psychological aspect of studying abroad among us students. Regardless of how beautiful the island or how fantastic of an opportunity, our minds are still going to be at war with themselves.

I miss laying on my couch at home. These teachers are fabulous and inspiring. I wish I could share this experience with my significant other. I'm getting an incredible amount of writing done, here. I want the comfort of being stupid with my best friends. I'm getting the chance to influence and be influenced by so many different personalities.

This constant battle in our heads. The push and pull of home and here. Dwelling on the future when we should be focusing on the present.

It's a common theme of conversation. It helps us deal with it. The talking about it.

But there's only so much organizing it in our heads that we can do. At some point we have to snap out of it and start living. Here. Luckily this realization coincides with our trip to Santorini. A long weekend of food, fun, and exploring will be good for living in the now.

I just hope that everybody makes it back to Paros in one piece.

A Long Way From Home

I think the hardest part of this experience is not having the people close to me...close to me. That probably goes without saying, but it's the sensation I've been getting a lot lately. I'm not homesick, by any means. I just really miss my friends and family. I wish they could expereince this with me.

The deeper into this place that I get, the more I realize how lucky I am to have like-minded, supportive people in my life at home. It's a challenge, emotionally and spiritually, being totally alone. While yes, I get along well with all of the other students here (all 16 of them), priorities are really different and that can be lonely.

I'm taking everyday in stride, and I'm nothing but grateful to be here. I'm just at that point where the reality of three and a half months is hitting me. 

Looking at the calendar, there are 12 weeks before I'm home. That's either 12 weeks to focus on getting home and seeing my loved ones...or 12 weeks to soak up as much of this adventure as possible. Because once I'm home, I'm home. And I won't get this time back.

I guess I can manage the BORING extra-curricular activities we have here...

Zack, Grace, Anna, Lynne, Cat, and me in the caves of Antiparos

Cat, Anna, Grace, and me on our daytrip to Delos and Mykonos

Kerri, Lynne, and me walking down the shorefront in Paroikia

Cliff-jumping into the Mediterranean on Paros

Yes, I suppose I can manage these next few months. Home will come soon enough.

Until then,

Kalimera Paros

Only three weeks?

Three weeks of being gone. Two weeks of being in Paros.

It's strange because it feels like it's been months. Maybe even years. I don't really remember life before Greece. It's weird how something that seemed so foreign only a couple of weeks ago is now so apart of my life and experiences.

I guess that's how it is with everything though. It's just peculiar to me.

I can't imagine my life without this experience now. Now that it's a part of me. In only a short amount of time, I already feel like I've grown so much. I've learned so much about myself and where my life is going. I've been exposed to different people and different ways of life. And while my own morals and standards have maintained, I'm really grateful for this challenge to make them stronger.

I'm excited to see where these next three months will take me. I'm excited to learn. To grow. To struggle. And to come out of this a stronger, more developed person.

The Boomerang Effect

Everyday, on my way to class, I pass this little cafe. It has the same sign placed out front that reads, "Have you tried the rest? Now try the best!" This always seems to catch my attention. I'm not sure if it's because it's a little pretentious...or very, very true.

How much time do we spend looking for things to marvel at? When, by the end of searching, we seem to find the best in what we already have, right in front of us. This goes for all things, really. Friendships, hobbies and interests, God, love, etc. It's almost as if it takes a trip to Hell and back, only to find out that what we really want is right within our grasp.

I promise I have a point to this philosophical rant. It's just that sometimes we have to taste-test every flavor of life before we can settle into our one and only. I mean, we know it's always been Rocky Road. But sometimes you have to try Mint Chocolate Chip, just to be sure. And that Gold Medal Ribbon just seems so appealing on a hot day.

There's nothing wrong with a little testing, by any means. But once you're left with the after-tastes of all these different flavors, you're reminded of why you loved Rocky Road so much.

What I'm getting at is this: sometimes we have to do stupid, irrational things to be reminded of what it is that's most important to us. Whether that's booking a flight to Greece for four months with no real plan in mind, leaving everything you know and love, and testing your relationships back home. Or simply just trying out a new flavor of ice cream...you're most likely going to end up remembering how lucky and blessed you are to have all that you do, in exactly the way that you do.

But at the very least, I get to fall in love with Rocky Road all over again.

First Day of Classes

I know it may seem shocking, but we actually have to attend classes while in paradise. I know, crazy right? But today was my first day of classes. I had Literature and Film Studies.

My homework for Literature class is to read Books 1 & 4 of "The Odyssey"

Film Studies is going to be an awesome class. Right up my alley. I'm very excited to learn and discuss the differences between books and films and the writing differences between the two. It's exactly what I want to do, and my teacher (who's also my Creative Writing teacher) is incredible and knowledgable. I couldn't be in a better position to learn about this craft I've grown to love.

Our view from Skip's, while eating gyros

After classes today, I got gelato with some good friends. We ended up talking for a long while on the shore and watching the sunset. It was a nice break from all of the craziness that goes on. The coolest part, however, was running into some of our teachers and being invited to sit with them for awhile. We got to talk with and learn more about their lives. It was very intimate and casual.

Anna and I on the beach after class, gelato, and gyros

It's such a unique experience here. Very hard to verbalize, like I've said before, and it's definitely one-of-a-kind. Everything from the student selection to the curriculum is tailored to ensuring the students' individual progress, experience, and growth as an artist. I can't even begin to explain in words how incredible this is going to be in hopes of making myself a better writer and more.

Tomorrow is Creative Writing, finally. I'm so excited for that class. Being in this environment, working with published authors and screenwriters as teachers, and having one-on-one attention with my writing is seriously the closest thing to perfection. I couldn't have created a better context to be working and growing in.

So, we arrived at the island yesterday. After all of the pit-stops, airplanes, ferry rides, hostels, and anticipation...paradise was upon us.

Beach right down from our apartments

We were directed to our apartment complex along the waterfront, here on Paros. And I think it's safe to say that the feeling of total gratitude and infatuation with this place was unanimous. Not only are the apartments beautiful and spacious, this island is nothing other than paradise.

My own room in Paros

Not to mention, our incredible teaching staff we got to meet last night. These teachers and directors are phenomenal. They allow us to create a curriculum and assignment that we can receive the most growth and knowledge from. It's truly a one-of-a-kind university. With the small population of students (nearing in around 17 of us), there is a unique way of being able to get to know everyone in a certain manner.

Mike, Cat, Anna, Will, and Mariana at Dublin's

It's really hard to verbalize what exactly I'm feeling at the moment about this school, this island, and this experience. But, at best, I can say that I'm overwhelmed. Overwhelmed. Excited. Grateful. And very humbled by how gracious God's been through all of this. I never could have pieced together a life like this. Or a place as divine and wonderful as HISA on Paros.

Today we have orientation and class sign-ups. I'm enrolled to take Literature, Women's Studies, Philosophy, Theory of Art, and the most-anticipated Creative Writing.

Pre-Paros Recap

After traveling for what seems like weeks, we're finally going to be arriving at Paros tomorrow. Traveling alone in London was quite an experience. Emotionally and mentally. It was strange being completely alone; not to mention, in a foreign country. But I'm really glad I did it. There's something to be said about traveling and exploring new places on your own. And what better city to do it in than London? It was definitely something I will remember forever.

Coming to Athens was like culture shock after London. Other than the obvious change in weather (cold and rainy in London v. hot and humid in Athens), the culture and overall surroundings are 100% different.

Temple near the Acropolis

There are ancient landmarks and ruins in the centers of every neighborhood. You'll be walking down the street, and you'll literally walk through a 2,000 year-old church or archway. It's incredible. I still can't get over the fact that one of thee oldest buildings in the world (the Parthenon) is visible from our hostel.

Also, it's been a change being around people now. After being alone in London, I'm surrounded by all of the other students here. It's nice. There are so many different dynamics and personalities.

For example, my roommate while we're at the hostel, Catherine, is a firecracker. Mrs. Crazy Outgoing is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is down for anything. She's completely insane but in the best possible way.

 

Catherine and me in front of the Parthenon

Then, there's Isabelle. She's from Seattle, and while she's more timid than Catherine, she's a very intellectual person. She hasn't quite discovered what it is that she wants to do with her life, but I can tell that she's really excited for the journey to finding out.

Isabelle taking pictures, with the Parthenon behind her

Among the few other students, there are the teachers. The first teacher I met in the airport. His name is Alex. He's a young, nomadic guy who's lived all over the world. I've had the pleasure of talking with him a few times. From what I can tell, he's quite the intellectual, almost overbearingly so. But I can tell that I'm going to enjoy his company.

I'm very excited to be exposed to all of these immensely different personalities. This semester shall be interesting, especially when we finally get to school tomorrow.

Off to dinner with everyone for a real, authentic Greek meal!

Kalosórisma to Athena

Finally arrived in Greece yesterday. First night was a success! There are about ten students here so far, and we've done what we can to get to know one another. It's been said more than once that this experience feels a lot like MTV's "The Real World."

View from outside our hostel

With all of the different personalities and coming from all over the US, it's an interesting combination of people. We're staying at a hostel in Athens for two nights before school, the Hotel Dioskouros is a quaint little place in the center of the plake (the oldest neighborhood in Athens).

The group out to dinner at Vitro

We all went to dinner last night at this great place called Vitro. I shared Chicken Slovaki with a girl from Seattle. It was delicious! It was such a good way for all of us to bond on the first night.

Chicken Slovaki

Today we're going to the Acropolis again and exploring a bit more. And then, tomorrow, we're off to Paros!

Cheerio, London!

In the case of London, second day's a charm! I woke up bright and early, after getting much-needed rest, to some tea and toast. You know what they say, do as the Brits do. After breakfast and skype sesh with a friend, I boarded my double-decker bus in hopes of seeing London inside and out.

The Original Bus Tour of London

Traveling around this beautiful, royal city was incredible. There is so much history here, and I feel so lucky to have gotten a glimpse at it.

Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married

Marble Arch, former Royal entrance at Buckingham Palace

When traveling in new places, rather than taking tours and reading maps, I prefer to just become somewhat emeshed in the culture. I feel like I can get a better understanding this way.

Eating lunch at the Tower of London, popular restaraunt called "Eat"

While taking it all in, there were a few, comical translations I ran across:

nappy = diaper

loo = bathroom

horrid = terrible

take-away = to-go

coffee = latte (*they really don't drink coffee here, just instant stuff. so, when ordering a "coffee", expect to get a latte)

My second and final day in London was a success. I'm going to miss this city, but I couldn't be more happy to get to Greece, finally.

In conclusion, there are three things to remember about London: always have a raincoat or umbrella, learn to love tea, and, of course, MIND THE GAP!

Jet Lag

After over 24 hours of no sleep, two airplanes, four trains, a bunch of misdirections, and one breakdown, I have finally arrived in London!

I'm not going to lie, it was rough getting here. In every possible way. Mainly mentally and emotionally, though. I don't think that the fact that I'm in a foreign country completely alone hit me until I was walking around Westminster for 30 minutes, alone , looking for my hostel.

I'll spare the sob story about how I allowed myself a little pity part when I first arrived (I would like to partially blame the jet lag).

What I will share, however, are the many things I have learned and experienced today:

1. That awkward moment when you have to wake up the guy next to you on the plane so that you can pee.

2. That other awkward moment when you're almost certain that two women are definitely talking about you in German, in the Chicago airport.

3. Note to self: Accept the umbrella when it's offered to you by the hotel man (because it will begin to rain like the freaking apocalypse).

4. The sweet and talkative Indian woman from the souvenir shop is very helpful in recommending great restaraunts!

5. When on a Transatlantic flight for 8 hours...take a Tylenol PM.

6. Make sure you have the correct directions to your hostel before beginning a 30 minute goose chase...in the rain...with all of your luggage.

7. Did I mention it rains here?

Waiting out the apocalypse with a familiar friend

8. When it rains like it's the end of the world, do as the Londonians do and share a doorstep!

9. In the UK, men and women share public restrooms; so do not give the man washing his hands a confused look.

10. When you feel alone and scared in a foreign country, go for a walk and be around people. That's honestly what helped me feel more comfortable. There's life outside of the cozy US, apparently.

Tomorrow is the double-decker bus tour of London. I'll go prepared with my camera fastened around my neck, my running shoes and cargo shorts, paired with a tacky hawaiian-print shirt (and you can't forget the pinned lanyards!)

Bon Voyage

It's my last night at home, and you could cut the tension with a knife in the Niemeyer household. I wish that I could do more to make everyone feel content and happy, but there's not much else to say.

Cupcakes and Travel Journal at my Going Away Party

I love my family so much, it's ridiculous. My parents rock. All four of them. My siblings are crazy and totally abnormal, but those are my favorite things about them. I'm going to miss my sister so much. She's been like my shadow this entire summer, so it will be weird to not even be in the same time zone, let alone country.

My new luggage that my dad got me for Greece

I just got back from visiting my best friends.

Kathi Ray is a crazy nursing student who takes on the world and succeeds time after time. Staci is the sweetest, most genuine girl I've ever met. And she's Greek! Carly has the best vocabulary in the world, and she's a feisty, little soccer player. Alyie is the most beautiful person I know, and she makes me laugh endlessly. And Shane is most likely the best person I know and makes me feel comfortable, even when I'm having a mental breakdown about leaving for four months.

The harbor in San Diego that I'm going to miss so much

Saying goodbye to them was really difficult. Much more than anticipated. But thankfully they are supportive and as excited as I am for this adventure. I'm so lucky to have them in my life.

I finally packed up my bag today. And I printed out all my travel stuff. There's really not much else to do. Except wait; which I hate doing, by the way.

Until then, bon voyage!