The cynic in me tends to flair up when people say things like “if it’s meant to be, it will be” or “everything happens for a reason.” While I understand these are typically intended to be words of comfort and encouragement, I cannot help but think they are wrapped in privilege. How lucky one must … Continue reading Beautiful Insignificance
Travel
New Eyes and Extra Colors
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” – Terry Pratchet I know: My writing … Continue reading New Eyes and Extra Colors
An Attempt at Encapsulating a Journey
This isn’t a travel blog, so I am not going to pretend that it is. That’s a good thing, too, because travel blogs are detailed and should point you in the right direction when you are exploring a new area – and navigation has never been my strong suit. I accepted my lack of spatial … Continue reading An Attempt at Encapsulating a Journey
A Solo Trip to Perast
Until recently, I had never traveled anywhere alone. Not really. I had certainly been alone in transit, but I have always been going somewhere, to someone, or with someone. Even when I was flying to Montenegro by myself, I knew that someone from the Embassy was expecting me. A few weekends ago, I decided that … Continue reading A Solo Trip to Perast
Settling in and Climbing Mountains: Life in Podgorica and hiking in Durmitor National Park
Things are starting to pick up for me in Montenegro. I have classes to teach, appointments to attend, a workout schedule to (sometimes) stick to, and a social life to build. In short, living in Podgorica is beginning to feel more like “real” life rather than an exotic break from my reality back in Michigan. … Continue reading Settling in and Climbing Mountains: Life in Podgorica and hiking in Durmitor National Park
Bukovica to Lovćen to Kotor
This weekend was one of renewal. I needed it. Saturday morning my fellow Fulbrighter, Joanie, and I decided we needed to get out of Podgorica and into nature. We found a cheap cab to Cetinje, the old capital of Montenegro, and, from there, took another taxi to Bukavica, a small village farther up in the … Continue reading Bukovica to Lovćen to Kotor
Michigan Seems Like a Dream to Me Now…
I have now been in Montenegro for one week. So, it seems like I should do some reflection. It seems crazy that, just one week ago, I was having brunch at my parents’ house, cuddling with my dog, and having a Simon & Garfunkel dance party in the kitchen with my sisters (Hopefully, some of … Continue reading Michigan Seems Like a Dream to Me Now…
A New Chapter
A few weeks ago, I got into my car after meeting my parents for lunch at a restaurant in a random Michigan town and, for about the hundredth time that day, I looked down at my phone to check my email. My stomach dropped when I saw that the message I had been waiting for … Continue reading A New Chapter