"let the spirit of adventure set the tone"

So, I pretty much spent the whole month of December traveling! oh yeah!

My 1-week planned trip to California to visit a friend out there pretty much spontaneously turned into a cross-country road trip!! My trip began with a drive up to New Jersey and catching a flight from N.Y. out to L.A.


My time around the L.A. area was spent eating scrumptious food such as this deliciousness and of course Mexican food along with having the opportunity to explore Griffith Observatory for quite a few hours. This was such an interesting place where we checked out tons of exhibits and watched a totally sweet planetarium show!



The following morning was spent in the beach town of San Clemente after the official road trip began! Driving a couple hours east, our first stop was at Joshua Tree National Park. After a couple days of hiking in this unique desert beauty and gazing at the most breathtaking stars one could
                                                      possibly see it was onward to Arizona!


We spent 3 nights at Catalina State Park!
On this trip, being me, I was stoked to be living outdoors basically 24/7. I can never spend too much time outside... rising with sunrises and chasing sunsets day after day. Each night in the desert the stars could never seize to amaze me, and the s'mores were always just way too good.



New Mexico came next with a quick stop at the White Sands Missile Range where we checked out the museum for a brief history lesson of the goings on of bombs, missiles, rockets etc. throughout the years...random but fascinating...

After a night camping next to about 2 mile wide former lava flow in the Valley of Fires, indulging in one of the best breakfasts possible, and driving down the former "most dangerous street in America" , it was time to say so long to New Mexico and a great big howdy to Texas!



Our first stop in western TX was at the Monahans Sands State Park. Known for its sand dunes of up to 70 feet it was quite a site to see!
And you can totally rent sleds to slide down the dunes!!

Following our night in this strange land, we continued east to Fort Worth, TX, where I was super excited to have an absolutely amazing reunion with my one of my roomies from Spain!! It was oh so wonderful to see each other again and catch up, as well as eat the most delicious Mexican food by far! After an all too short visit, we cruised on through Louisiana and into Mississippi where we camped the night.




Continuing through the rest of Mississippi and then Alabama, our next stop was Chattanooga, Tennessee!!

After rolling out of Chat town we were northward bound, returning to my starting point of New Jersey. I spent a few days there and continued my journey solo further north to Massachusetts where I was going to spend Christmas.

I couldn't have been happier that for my short time in Mass. it managed to snow a few times!! And to think last year they had no snow at all and it was beautiful and sunny. My annual dream of a White Christmas came true!! I had the opportunity and visit with lots of my family who most of them I hadn't seen in countless years, eat some primo Polish food, and spend time with my love, snow! :)

"I realized that logically, the snow was not there for me personally. But, still, when it snows, something inside me says, ‘hey that’s your present.’ I don’t think it’ll ever change."

"Here's to the nights we felt alive, here's to the tears you knew you'd cry, here's to goodbye tomorrow's gonna come too soon"

Well quite a summer it has been! I got to enjoy the past 3 months at home and nearby places as well! I haven't spent this much time at/around home for years!

It was really nice being back in the States enjoying time with friends, family, eating good food, and having lots of fun times; while also doing plenty of working at camp for my 3rd summer!

I got to spend a few weekends up in the mountains! Did a little working up there, swimming in the river, chillin, eating and baking delicious stuff, and really just enjoying my time outside and going on beautiful hikes!  I just love being in the mountains so much!

Sangria!

I also had the pleasure of taking some trips to the ocean! Soaking up the sun, fun times with friends, good food, and several relaxing days on the beach!!

In Acadia National Park, Maine

hiked the highest peak in Mass

Bar Harbor, Maine

I also was lucky enough to get to spend some time up North! I rarely ever get to see my family so this was perfect timing to get a chance to see them before I'm gone again! I enjoyed time in the beautiful area of western Massachusetts where my family is along with getting to see Boston and the coast of Mass, and Maine which I haven't been to since I was younger while visiting some friends near there. Hiked in Acadia National Park which was incredibly beautiful, saw lots of cute harbors and adorable sea side towns, eat delicious blueberry foods, some sea food, and the best ice cream outside of Europe.

Overall, a pretty great summer! Seeing all my friends at home and everywhere else around NC, chillin with my dogs, working, and soaking up the possible quite limited time left at home.

smiles, tears, vino, kargod...

Well I know it has been quite a while and I am super duper delayed, but as I promised earlier some pics of my students and some final things from my time in Georgia

Here are the photos from my classes the last week of school : )...(for those of you not on facebook)

my students :)

Here's a few videos as well from a show by one of my 3rd grade classes:

As the last month of my time in Georgia was coming to a close I began keeping a list of things in my journal "Things to love/hate/miss/not miss about Georgia."  I knew I would forget things once I returned home, and would feel differently the last week there, as I had a month before then. So I kept my journal on hand and would jot things down when I thought of them. As the weeks turned into final days I had acquired quite a list. Here's a  sample of it:

In the things to miss/love category:                                
-the smiles from my students that would just light up my whole day and world
-lots of kisses and the massive running down the hallway into me hugs
-after months of teaching still kids being really happy when I walk in the class, still jumping up with huge smiles and clapping/excited
-some good food (khachapuri, khinkali, kebabs, ahh I miss shwarma)
-them going absolutely crazy and being shocked when I said things in Georgian
-feeling like a kid again
-being grateful for simple things
-learning so much about others, myself, the world
-etc, etc, etc...

In the not really gonna miss/interesting things category:
-very loud- at home, and at school
-kids at home/school no discipline at all
-feeling gross 24/7
-hearing my name 1000 times a day
-feeling scared for my life whenever in a moving vehicle
-I've never heard the word "hello" in those 4 months than my whole life combined

So many things you just gotta love, things that were just so ridiculous and crazy, it's just all about your attitude.  I also learned the power of having something to look forward to pretty much at all times or everyday having something that you're excited about.

So my last few nights in Georgia consisted of hanging out with people and saying goodbye to friends, and my last night was spent with the family.  We had kebabs and went swimming in a river! It was just a fun and wonderful last night with them! They were really sad to see me go.

Overall, I'm so grateful for the opportunity and time I had to experience this place, culture, and completely different life, and get to know so many new people. It was an experience that I could have never imagined and am forever changed by it.

mmm fries and kielbasa

Old Town Square

On my way back to the States I had the incredible opportunity to have a layover in Poland!! I could not have been happier! I couldn't stop smiling the entire time I was there. I have wanted to go to Poland my whole life because my great grandparents came over from there and I have always wanted to experience the Polish part of my heritage actually in Poland. It was such a special feeling to be in the country where my family came from. Even though it was for a short time, I fell in love, and now want to go back even more to explore where exactly my family lived and just enjoy the culture and most definitely the food more! As we wondered the streets at 8 in the morning nothing was open! Thank goodness for the nicest waiter ever who was outside and started talking to us. We ended up being the only people in this really nice restaurant but we got our pierogies!!  So life was good :)

That's all for now! 
 

“Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.”

A couple weeks ago, I went for a day hike at Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, one of the largest national parks in Europe. It was somewhat a fail because of some trail issues but it was quite lovely to be near the mountains and in the woods again doing one of my favorite things.

The following day a couple friends and I enjoyed the Tbilisi Botanical Gardens! What a beautiful day!

The following weekend I went on an excursion provided by the program to a place called Kazbegi, the last place before entering Russia in the Caucasus Mountains. To travel there one must take a ride on the Georgian Military Highway, this is an ancient pass that runs from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz, Russia with dramatic scenery, spectacular views and tight curves, some parts completely unpaved and mud covered with huge holes. The drive up there was quite an experience in itself! 

On the way, we first stopped at a place called Ananuri an ancient castle complex with 2 churches in it.

The drive took quite a few hours. It was really wonderful when we stopped and had our picnic lunch in such a picturesque spot, it was incredible! 

Welcome to Kazbegi! 

We then trekked up to Tsminda Sameba Church built in the 14th century, one of the symbols of Georgia. It's in the top of the second photo and there is is up close in the first photo. 

A few days ago I went with my family here to their village. Everyone who lives in the city has a village somewhere else in Georgia where they mostly likely grew up/where all there family is. Mine happened to be in Eastern Georgia in the region of Kakheti. I'd been to this region before but this area. There were some gorgeous views along the way on the beautiful scenic drive!



Riding in cars is still a terrifying experience after all these months, I have to say! In addition to that, I was afraid at one point we were A: going to run out of gas (because we started on basically empty and its a couple hours drive through remote mountainous areas) and B: the car was not going to make it (the engine was smoking and liquid was pouring out from under the car when we stopped to climb up the hill and of course have a photo shoot because they love their photo shoots!)

The village: Everyone has houses with yards and massive gardens! They had potatoes, lettuce, onion, strawberries, cherries, and several other fruits and veggies I'm not sure of. My family also had tons of land with cows, horses, dogs, chickens, geese, turkey, etc. In the yard were over 20 baby chicks! They were super cute!! It was great to see everything, since they had been talking about this place for months! Also, it was really nice to see the 2 aunts and the baby who I hadn't seen since March when they were living with us.

                                     part of the garden                          the lovely toilet on the right

The following morning the mom, the 2 sons and I went to the mother's family's house. We picked cherries for hours! Her garden was also huge with loads of fruits, veggies, and flowers! The cherries were so scrumptious!! I don't think I've ever consumed so much fruit in one day! I just couldn't stop myself from eating dozens of fresh cherries hanging from the trees! I climbed a couple trees to get some yellow cherries and mulberries too! There were also a few strawberries left in the garden! yum yum!

Later that day, we went to see the Alaverdi Monastery, parts of the monastery date back to the 6th century, while the cathedral dates back to the 11th. It's also the second tallest religious building in Georgia.

Then it was kebab time!! We found a lovely spot by the river surrounded by the panoramic views of the mountains! I sat by the river with my legs in for a long time just enjoying the peace, sun, and scenery! 

We ate kebabs, tomatoes, cucumbers, bread, and orange soda! Our little outdoor party! The thunder began shortly after and the clouds came a rollin in! We drove back to the village and went for a little stroll while it thundered and lightninged for hours.  The stormy atmosphere created a whole new view of the village and the mountains looked stunning!!

I'm glad I got to experience the village life for a little bit! I could definitely see and feel the difference in the way of life, the people, and the overall pace of life. It was great to just be able to sit around outside in the yard, I miss not being in a house. Also, it was sweet to see how close the families are all living together or within 2 mins of each other. The villages have such a feeling of oldness almost as if you've traveled back in time. It was an interesting experience and a nice trip!

I can't believe another week has passed, things are crazy and everything's wrapping up! This post is already ridiculously long (I realize I'm not so good at keeping them short) so more to come soon!