Decisions

I have been thinking this entire time that I would be coming home for a visit around Easter to see friends and family and just take a break from this life. And stock up on Mini Eggs. I thought that way up until a few weeks ago, when the hour came to plan it and set the dates and buy the tickets. I realized that I felt no pressing need to go home and, actually, did not really want to. And when I say I did not want to, I mean that I did not want to say goodbye all over again. Once was tough enough. I'm doing ok here, I miss people but it's manageable and I'm used to it now, especially with these modern day contraptions of skype and web cams and blogs. If I come home, it might mess up this pattern of ok and make me realize just how badly I miss everyone and everything Nevada. Plus, it's stinking expensive and I would like to do a little bit of traveling around this region while I'm here. So, instead of coming home for a visit, I'm going to Greece. Greece! Wow. I balance out not experiencing the joy of seeing all my lovely friends and family and familiarity with seeing the cradle of modern civilization. A reasonable trade? We shall see.

In other news, I have quarantined myself to my site, Sfantu Gheorghe, for the past month and I actually have no plans of staying a night anywhere else until our mid-service training, which goes from April 6th-9th. The next day (the 10th) I will leave with my pals Susie and Megan for Greece. Greece! Wow. We shall return on the 16th. I decided to stay an entire month at site for a few reasons:

1. I wasn't getting enough rest on the weekends by traveling to see friends and not sleeping in my own bed and was turning into a creepy zombie lady who couldn't think or speak clearly (not that things have improved that much...)

2. By working all week, being busy in the evenings and spending the weekends in other cities, I wasn't making any good friendships. I don't think I'll ever feel as close to the locals as I do to some of the volunteers, but I should certainly give it a try. During this month of self-quarantine, my landlord invited me to an opera in Brasov, I've quasi-hosted a baby shower, a friend invited me to Saturday tea at her house, another friend is teaching me how to paint eggs and I was invited to attend a couple of church services. These were all just one day events and don't really add up to a whole lot, but if I hadn't been here on the weekends, they wouldn't have happened. On the other hand, I know I'm missing out on happy fun times with my volunteer friends, but I already feel like I have a good bond with them. It's time to focus on the local side of things.

3. Traveling is expensive.

4. Stuff has picked up a bit and I could easily work all weekend long on projects now (not that I do (at all)) and I feel like I need a bit more down time on the weekends, while I used to have more down time during the week. I really am a lazy person at heart.

I am both sad and relieved that I won't be home next month. Sad to not see everyone again and relieved to not have to go through the farewell process once more. I said this a long time ago, but it's still true. I miss you. Come visit.