Little Things

    So I realize I haven't written in, I'm pretty sure, three weeks. Pretty much all that's happened is I've gone back to school and it's snowed a lot. Boring, I'm aware. Hence why I haven't really written anything. Moving along.

    Two days ago was my six month anniversary in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. And when you hit that mark, all I can do is think back to my first day here. And believe me when I say it is the weirdest sensation to think back to that moment the plane landed and the two old people sitting beside me refused to let me look out the window to see Bosnia for the first time (I'm not even kidding. They kept giving me dirty looks and then shifted so I couldn't see out. Meanies.). But I'm not going to get all nostalgic right now (ok, I was nostalgic, because I just went back and read all my August blog posts about my first few days. It's. So. Weird.) and instead I'm just going to say that this is a strange feeling. Being so close to the end and feeling like it's all happened so quickly.

   Three days ago, though, I brought my dishes downstairs to put in the dishwasher and Nizama was already there. Instead of doing the awkward put-dishes-in-the-sink-and-walk-away move I would constantly do with my own mother, I started helping her load the dishwasher. Nizama seemed to appreciate it and it wasn't that difficult. She then proceeded to ask me about my parents and I was able to tell her that they were currently in India for church. We then launched into a conversation about how her daughter, Nermana, went to India when she was in university and how she loved it there. Moving along, Nizama asked me about university and what I was planning on studying, where I told her that I was planning on English and maybe French. I wasn't sure how to say Cross-Cultural Studies or Journalism, but English and French have always been on my mind, so that's what I mentioned. We talked for awhile about colleges and where I was going to study (start off in the States, move on to Europe later) where Nizama then brought up the American University of BiH. She wouldn't stop hinting that I should go to that school and it made me really happy that she was telling me that I needed to come back to Bosnia and go to school here.

    When we finished our conversation, she headed back downstairs and I headed up to my room and I felt really happy as I bounded upstairs, but at first I didn't realize why. Then it hit me. I just spent the last ten minutes talking with my host mom. Simple conversation, but we talked. Not just about how it's snowing outside or something that just appeared on TV, we actually talked about things that I would talk about with my family or friends. True, it was simplified to the nth degree, but it was a real conversation and that made me proud. I've been hating myself because my Bosnian skills have always been lacking. This language has been extremely difficult for me and I just haven't been able to pick it up. But the fact that I was able to converse fully with my host mom makes me proud and I think she enjoys it, too. There have been moments where we've both just given up because we haven't been able to understand each other. We'd have to go grab Irfan or Medina to translate and that would be that. But not then. We found our happy medium and we can actually have conversations with each other. And I'm loving it.

    I just find it sad that we figured this out four months before I go back to America.

   Then came Valentine's Day, where my mom back in Oregon packed my Valentine's Day gift back in August and sent it along with my Christmas gift.

    I laughed at the cutesy Valentine's day card that I would have gotten in elementary school and was extremely excited about my tea, chocolate, and hand lotion. Needless to say, it put me in a great mood before I headed off to school with my own valentine's cards for SHAKE. I wish I had a picture of them, because they were great.

   Last night was my teen group's True Love Party, which was very nice. It was all decorated in hearts and ribbons and I met lots of new people as well as met up with some older, familiar faces from past church events. Despite the fact that I couldn't understand half the games we were playing, it was interesting to see me participate in certain things because slowly I was able to decipher some words and say the answer. However, that also led me to blurt out the wrong answer because I completely misunderstood the answer. Oh well.

   Needless to say, hanging out with some Bosnian friends and attempting to speak Bosnian with them (even though one girl just kept on saying, "Speak English. I understand English." I'm pretty sure she meant that my Bosnian was terrible that her ears couldn't take it anymore) was lovely.

   Anyway, time to go write some more of the story that I'm working on. If anyone cares to read it, go here.

   Until my birthday (*coughELEVENDAYScough*) and when Savannah and Anna arrive for movie night,

-Katie

Second Semester

    Second semester of someones exchange is always the fastest. Everything becomes routine and familiar and, all of a sudden, next thing they know they are on a plane back home thinking, "Where did the time go?" I've experienced this once before, in a much smaller dose, when I was in France. The first three weeks were slow. My host parents were still working (remember I was there for the summer), so everything we did was mainly stuff around the city. But those last three weeks passed in a whirlwind of last minute travels. The French Alps, the Mediterranean, theme parks, birthdays, everything. And at the end of those six weeks, Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne became another home and everything was finally becoming familiar. But then I bid my farewells and was gone. And here I am again, beginning my second semester of exchange once again.

   When winter holiday began and we had a month off of school, I thought that this month would pass uneventfully and, for the main part, it did. The first week or so of January, I rarely left my house. I talked with my host family, I went to church, and that's about it! Then I went to Mostar, which was very exciting. I was then on my way to the office when I got back and decided that I could take the tram one stop to get to the office five minutes faster.
   Well.
   That one stop proved that anything can happen. And by anything, I don't necessarily mean good anything.
    I was careless. And even a bit naïve. But apparently being pick-pocketed on the tram turns you from being an American to a Bosnian. Lots of Bosnians have their pick-pocketing stories and I get to add mine onto the list. This just goes to show that not all exchanges can go so simply and freely without a single care. It's now the second semester and guess who doesn't have a wallet? This girl. Right here. Sitting at her computer, with a make-shift wallet currently holding a maximum of 10KM, a new bus pass, and two emergency contact slips. Old ticket stubs and ID cards gone, random coupons I've acquired, and some really important stuff that really sucks to lose. However, after many phone calls, mini lectures from my host parents, police reports, and being extremely flustered, everything important is on its way back. Chances are I will never see my wallet again, nor its contents. But I can hope and pray that it somehow makes its way back.

   Moving along to better, happier things. SHAKE went to Travnik! And I know I already went there with my host family, but I just really enjoy it there! I like the fort, I like their ćevapi, I love the scenery. And going with my pretty-much-sisters-aka-SHAKE made it that much better.

    We toured around, visiting the colorful mosque as well as climbed up to the fort again, where we were surrounded by the mountains covered in fog. I wish I was able to capture a perfect picture of what it looked like, but unfortunately my artistic abilities in that area are lacking. However, we had a great time, drinking lots of coffee, eating, and trying not to get stuck in the downpour that occurred right before we left.

    Then last Saturday was Anna's birthday! The first one of SHAKE to turn 18! So we went classy and headed out to a restaurant. The restaurant was gorgeous, but apparently 7pm is way to early to have dinner. The restaurant was completely empty for the first hour and when we walked in, the entire staff was there and ready to go. It felt awkward at first, having the place to ourself, however it was nice to pretend that we were mature young adults. We gave Anna her gifts (I could only offer a card. Wallet stole, remember?) and we had some delicious food. That restaurant is amazing. Really.

    My second semester of school starts on Monday and I know that when that happens, these last couple of months are going to fly. And that's a strange thought. When I talk with my friends back home, they tell me it doesn't feel like I've been gone five months. And I agree! How can the second semester possibly go faster than the first? The first was over in a flash! But, next thing I'll know, I'll be on a flight back home and graduating from high school. Ok. Graduating from high school I am very, very excited for. That aspect can come as fast as it pleases.

    Anyway, I should go begin my online Government and Economics courses which I received my materials for yesterday. Need to get that done before I can graduate!

    Until more adventures which will most likely take place in February *coughBIRTHDAYcough*,
-Katie

Half Way

    Today is my five month anniversary. In short, it means I am at the half way mark of my exchange. In five months I will be back home in Oregon, graduated from high school, and about to move forward with the rest of my life. It's just strange that it has flown by so fast. It always felt like forever from the beginning of the school year until winter break and now it feels like it's hardly been any time at all. People always say that exchange flies by in a blink of an eye and it has felt like that. So here I am, five month anniversary, excited to see what the next five months here bring.

    As for news of what's been happening in my life, I just got back from Mostar yesterday! I was there for a youth conference with my church where I met up with a lot of friends that I met at the last event in October. It was a lot of fun and not to mention we stayed at an American missionary's house and it felt like a home away from home. As soon as she pulled out the top sheet for the bed we had to make, I was in a flurry of, "Oh my gosh it's a top sheet! I haven't seen one of these since August!" All the Bosnians thought I was acting really strange and they thought the top sheet was the weirdest thing in the world. Then later she pulled out Reese's Peanut Butter cups and I swear, I could have died happy in that moment. I also managed to meet a couple Brits and even another Katie from Scotland! We bonded over the fact that our name was both Katie and it wasn't short for anything. However, I managed to make a fool out of myself when I responded to her once with a British accent. I swear, I did not mean to do that, it just happened! She didn't seem to notice, but I mentally slapped myself. Too much 'Doctor Who' and 'Sherlock' and Jane Austen stuff and One Direction. Oh well, I'm not complaining.
    Although the weather was quite rainy and cold, we did plenty of walking around and I saw more of Mostar than when I went in November. Surprisingly, I remembered a lot where everything was and I felt immensely proud of myself.

    The beauty of my weekend in Mostar was how quite a lot of people actually spoke Bosnian with me. One person in particular refused to speak English and we managed to have an actual conversation in Bosnian. Yes, I would not know a few words and ask for help, but ultimately, I felt very proud of my skills. Even if they told me I sound more like a Russian.

    And then today, best thing of all happened...

    LETTERS AND CARE PACKAGES. If you are wondering why I am so excited about this, it's because I hadn't received one. I have been here five months and not one letter nor package had came. But I come home from Mostar with letters from my cousin, best friend, and a package waiting for me at the post office. Now. I thought that I would have to go get the package myself. But no. This morning (at an unreasonably early hour after talking for three hours with my best friend from Canada the night before), my Granny (host grandma) yelled from the bottom floor telling me that my package had arrived! I booked downstairs (not before grabbing socks! Bosnian customs are getting to me) and then Granny told me to grab my passport, money, and receipt so I could claim it. Dashing back up and down the stairs with my things, I quickly signed off on the package and, giggling like a fool, I ran back up to my room to rip it open.

    Out pours the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Cards from my friends, jewelry, a scarf, Goldfish crackers, Starbucks hot chocolate, and comics! I was smiling and laughing, despite my tired state, but I have been waiting since December for this package and it's finally here! So thank you to Es, Char, Grace, Soph, Ash, Anna, and Mom for all the lovely gifts. I love you all very much!

   Anyway, I should probably go do my Bosnian homework for tomorrow.

   Until something cool happens,
-Katie Wells

2013

   It's crazy to think that another year has flown by. But I have to say 2012 was the busiest and most fulfilling year of my life. This time last year, I was freaking out about so many different things, most of them exchange related. My interview for NSLI-Y, my application to come here, finals for school were coming up. And now I look back and see that all that work paid off. My entire year was full of the most amazing things, things nobody could have possibly predicted.

    I finished my application in the nick of time in January.

Last years New Years :)

    It was my birthday and YES semi-finalist notifications in February.

    March was the IPSE weekend, where I met some pretty fantastic people.

    On April 13 I was awarded the YES Abroad scholarship to Bosnia.

    Then came performance season with Tournament of Plays and State for choir.

    Good-byes and hellos were filled in June with my last day of school and the PDO in DC.

    Eventually, camp and Canada rolled around in July.

    Finally August came with the hardest goodbyes, but the most exciting beginning in Sarajevo.

VBS!

    Bosnian school began in September which thus began the beginning of the end.

    October brought new friends, Race for the Cure, and the witnessing of Bajram. Oh! And the beginning of snow :)

    We traveled to Mostar and I shared with my host family Amerian Thanksgiving in November.

    And December was a million Christmas parties and the ending of the best year of my life... so far.

Skyping the family back home.

    As 2013 dawned, I realized that Sarajevo has become my home. When I first arrived and had to tell people that I needed to go back to my host-family's house, I would say, "I need to go back to where I'm staying." I've realized on several occasions now that I simply say, "Hey, I need to go home now." I've stopped calling my host parents and siblings, host parents and siblings. I've started to say my brothers and sisters and my parents. "Host" is just a term that I use if I ever need to clarify. I've stopped being nervous to meander through the house and find it as comfortable as my home back in Oregon. The city has become extremely familiar and it's funny to think that five months ago, I had never stepped foot here. Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina is now my home. And I wouldn't give it up for the world.

    Twenty-twelve was brilliant and I wouldn't change any of it. Thank you to everyone who has gotten me to where I am today and I wish you all a Happy New Year. I am very excited for 2013. Here I am, half way through my exchange and there is still so much to happen. I turn eighteen in two months, I graduate in six, I begin college in eight. Let this year be filled with new opportunities, new challenges, new friendships, and new adventures.

    Anyway, time to catch up on some much needed sleep! Hope everyone had a fabulous New Years day and I hope 2013 is even better.

   Until we see each other again,
-Katie

Merry Christmas

    I would like to take this post to say, Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope your holiday has been bright and special, full of family and friends, no matter where on this planet you are.

    My Christmas has been successful and beautiful. Simple, maybe, but I rather enjoyed it. There was the Christmas concert at church which was lovely, the teen group Christmas party where we played some great games and met lots of new people (alongside classic American apple cider and brownies. Perfection), then there was the American Councils Christmas party where we ended up laughing at Youtube videos (aka Christmas Sweats). 

Just ignore the fact that you cannot see my eyes in this picture...

    The funny thing with Christmas this year was that we had to go to school on Christmas Eve. Not your typical holiday festivities. But once that class was over, I headed home to get ready for Christmas Eve! Back home, Christmas Eve was always classiness to the max, so I got all dressed up, got my cards and hostess gift together, grabbed a taxi and headed off to Anna's house.

    Anna's house was lovely and every feeling you should have at Christmas Eve was present. The Christmas tree was in the corner, full of lights and ornaments, presents stacked underneath, the table set with Christmas napkins, and the smell of cooking food wafting from kitchen. Everything felt like Christmas Eve and I was finally getting that giddy Christmas feeling. When all the guests arrived, we talked, we played cards, we exchanged our Christmas traditions, we ate some absolutely delicious food (fish, if anyone was wondering. BUT IT WAS SO GOOD.) and exchanged our cards and gifts. Anna got me these absolutely lovely earrings and Savannah made a mixed tape of Christmas songs (which I love! I was seriously lacking in Christmas songs this season) and some cute trinkets from Arizona. After a few games of Egyptian Rat Screw, Hi Jack, and Cheat, we packed up and headed out to the church for midnight mass.

    The mass was lovely, and although I couldn't understand much except for the occasional "Jesus" or "Bethlehem" or "Christmas", it was still very pretty with a nice choir up above. And at 1:30 in the morning, we took our taxis home and fell into a really-excited-night-before-Christmas sleep. AKA Not actually sleeping.

    Early this morning, I woke up and Skyped my family back home where together we all opened our Christmas presents. Keeping Christmas tradition more or less, with a few tweaks. My mom played "It's the Most Wonderful Time" as she carried me down the stairs, just like it always used to be and then "sat  me down" where I could see the entire living room. Then we began the rotation of everyone opening a gift at a time and it felt like I had never really left. It was just like every other Christmas I had ever known, and it was fantastic.

    Then, the last present for me came along, the only wrapped present in my stocking (Thank you Mom for sending me my stocking!) and I unwrapped it eagerly. Inside? A gorgeous, new, purple camera. Fact of the day: my favorite color is purple. My mom then explained how she had e-mailed all of SHAKE, telling them to convince me to not buy a new camera until after Christmas, so I could use my stipend on it. It's absolutely perfect and I am enjoying it very, very much.

    The rest of Christmas was pretty much watching Christmas movies, drinking peppermint hot chocolate, and padding around the house with my new fuzzy slippers. Lots of Merry Christmas greetings over Twitter and Facebook and two over Skype, but overall, Christmas was a success. From my little Christmas tree, to the Santa hanging on my wall, to my host parents greeting me with a really happy "Sretan Božić!" Even the small, entirely Bosnian conversation I had today was a complete success, so Bosnian Christmas was wonderful.

    Anyway, I actually have school tomorrow, so I had better be off.

    Until the next holiday, aka NEW YEARS,

-Katie

P.S. Some parting thoughts: