Willkommen in Polska: Do widzenia

Once again, time has flown by and I haven't written in about 4 months. It's really hard to believe, but my excuse is that I've been incredibly busy with work, a second job, an online graduate degree program, and being pregnant. But I think it's important that I make time for this post, since it's my last one from Poland.

The past few years have been filled with goodbyes, and I'm still not really good at them. As always, I don't think it's really hit me that I'm leaving for good. I'm excited to be seeing friends and family in the U.S., but I think it will just feel like a nice vacation before returning to work in Poland. That was actually the original plan, but life has its way of making other plans.

Poland has been a really unique experience. After living in Jakarta for a year, we had an awesome honeymoon period here. We had the opportunity to build up a school from the beginning. We were able to "learn" a new language (I'm not sure if we'll ever truly learn Polish as it's probably the most complicated language with a Roman alphabet). Most of all, we met some amazing people. Since Alexander and I have been together, Poland has been our home for a longer period than anywhere else that we've lived, so it will always be special to us.

Every time I leave a country, I say it's not "goodbye", but I'll "see you later". This year, I was able to return to Germany, just as I knew I would eventually. One day, Alexander and I will make the trek back to Jakarta to embrace our friends who we dearly miss. And sometime in the not so distant future we'll bring our little one to see our Polish home.

Dziękujemy, Polska. Na razie!

Willkommen in Polska: 'Tis the Season

The Christmas tree is up, the Christmas music is playing and the Christmas presents are being bought. It's once again the most wonderful time of the year and this year will be much different than last. As I wished for last year, this year I'm experiencing a real winter at Christmas time, which is exciting since I haven't seen snow in nearly two years.

Since Poland is predominantly a Christian country, everyone seems to be getting into the season. The street lights are decorated and stores are dedicating half their shops to Christmas products. Next door in Germany, there are Christmas markets selling gifts, ornaments and, of course, Glühwein.

Although I'm thousands of miles from my hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas, I have to admit that the Christmas experience is quite similar on this side of the Atlantic (even though the southern part of the U.S. is experiencing more wintery weather than Poland at the moment).

With this flurry of life, joy and celebration, I have to pause a moment to think of the other side. There are plenty of people who don't partake in the festivities of Christmas. Some because they don't want to, but an enormous amount because they aren't able to. Children who don't have access to proper education or warm meals can't possibly expect to experience the joy of the season. In a world full of instant gratification and exuberant luxuries, I just can't go along with the idea that there will be children without something as simple as something to eat on Christmas.

So, for this holiday season I've decided to raise money for World Vision. From now until my birthday, on January 15, I have set the goal to raise enough money to feed 15 families for one month. This breaks down as £30 for one family for one month, so over the next 5 weeks I plan to raise £450. That means for one month a family won't have to worry about where the next meal is coming from. For one month a child will receive the necessary nutrients for survival. For one month there will be joy that people have come together to make life for another person a little easier.

I hope you can find it in your heart to spread the joy of the season and donate to this cause.