1-year anniversary horn-tooting

It’s warm…as in 104-106 degrees warm. Add to this not having electricity for 4 hours, having it for 2, and not having it for 4 more (this cycle for a couple of days…not even being able to run a fan). Add to this not having water for well over 35 hours. Yeah, I’ve had better days :)

On a cheerier side, however, I would like to say that I’m enjoying continuing to celebrate/commemorate my 1-year anniversary here. It’s come up in conversation and in emails a lot lately, and it’s been quite interesting overall. Remembering where I was a year ago – what I thought, what my reactions were, how tired I would get, how I interacted with people, etc. – wow, that feels like a long time ago! I remember I found it difficult just to walk on the uneven sidewalks and to try to read the traffic before crossing the streets. I remember chanting “when in doubt, throw it out” (instead of flushing TP) and, on visits, constantly watching for whether I was to stand, where I was to sit, when I should drink, how I should return greetings, etc. I still think about these things, but it’s become a new normal of sorts.

Some parts are tough. I came with loads of dreams and warm fuzzies and (unrealized) very high expectations. And although I came as a learner (an “apprentice” :), I also came hoping to see some sort of “accomplishment” or “production” or something measurable that I could think “I did _____ while I was in Kosova.” Yeah, I need to stick with being a learner. Anyhoo, some neat thinger-mi-bobbers:

-I feel totally comfortable riding buses and kombis. I might not be all that good at it, but it’s pretty fun – especially meeting fellow bus riders. I’ve had 1 ½ hour border waits, a bus that broke down, and other “interesting” experiences…and it’s been pretty educational :)
-When on visits that went pretty late, I was occasionally asked to spend the night. Several months ago, that idea kind of weirded me out. Now, I sometimes sleep over, and it’s been a blast!
-I was invited to go swimming several times last summer but always chickened out. This summer, I’ve already gone a couple of times – and, again, they’ve been very educational experiences.
-I now know how (and, I think, when appropriate) to ask for non-caffeinated drinks when it’s late. YAY! I’ve been able to sleep at night!
-I occasionally understand humor. And local types occasionally understand mine.
-I can keep up in some conversation. And if I can’t, I’m usually okay with it.
-While a little frustrating at times, I’ve been adapting better at water/electricity outages.
-I'm continuing to grow to care about and know and understand people.

Apologies if this list (that could go on longer) is a bit self-tooting. I guess I’ve been thinking about this in light of “long-term-ed-ness.” If this is what it’s like after 1 year, what is it like after 2? After 4? After 8? After 15 or 20 or 40? If I’m only now realizing how scared I was a year ago, what generalizations, faux pas, and outright blunders I was making, and how many preconceived notions and unfair expectations in me have had to (or still need to) die…what is it like after years and years? I’m not guessing it gets easier at all. But I am guessing it gets better. I’m not thinking it even gets to be more fun. But I am thinking it gets deeper.

Today, I’m again looking forward to the possibility. I'm even making a mental "someday I hope to..." list for down the road.