Çka me bo

  (This blog post has no correlation to the peace corps these are my own opinions and views) 

My favorite part of the day has been when my family has finished eating, and the room gets quiet. My host mom gets up and places the çajnik on the stove. She moves to the cabinet above the stove; opens it and grabs the tea. She fills the çajnik and waits for it to boil. Grabbing the glasses and spoons she always asks " A po do çaj?" I always reply, and say, "Po." I follow her out holding the sugar. It has become a ritual I have learned to appreciate, and look forward to. Sometimes we sit outside; all together. The parents joke with their children and we share moments despite the language barrier. 

It has been three months since moving to Kosovo. A country filled with warm and welcoming people. I have met and created so many friendships since the beginning of this journey. Sometimes I reflect on those first few days at the hotels. Barely knowing anyone around me. Starting conversations with strangers who seemed to have the same idea as me; packing belongings in suitcases for two years and starting a new life. People eager to learn, teach, and support others. 

I have cooked food with locals, experienced holidays, and have probably drank about 300 coffees. Within Kosovo, I have visited new cities and villages, tried new foods, and have taken an absurd amount of pictures. I try to write as much as I can; capturing every emotion I can so I can re-read it when service comes to an end. I have finished two books and have been learning a new language (or at least trying to). One book that destroyed me and another that dissected desire and its historical traces. I have a lot more free time now, and when I'm not with my students I'm reading in the garden while listening to music. Or rewatching my favorite tv shows and movies. Catching up with friends is always bittersweet especially when you see how great everyone is doing, and moving along. 

I sometimes miss the life I left before coming to Kosovo, but I'm not sure I miss the girl. I keep pieces of her and know there's always room for something new. So much has changed and I feel like it has been for the better. Everyday I do something that scares me and sometimes intimidates me, but instead of feeling anxious about it I'm left feeling excited. 

Life is different, but it has never lost its essence of beauty. My last post I wrote after only being here for 2 weeks, and now that it has been three months, what I was nervous about in those moments weren't worth being anxious about. Something I learned early on was çka me bo, which is Albanian for 'well that's life' or 'what can you do.' Challenges have come up but, they always will. Things can, and will be hard, but there is always an outcome. I think we all need to live life with the mind set; that life is meant to be lived. 

Tomorrow I'll see my students, walk down the hill to my bus stop, say hi to my neighbors, definitely drink coffee and tea, and do something that leaves me feeling excited.