random update on like forty-eight things if you're interested.

how are you?

So many people from America have asked me that in the past weeks. It's so incredible hard to sum up all this in a simple text or phone call. I'm learning so much first of all - about myself, the American perspective, my new expat perspective, Europe, Bosnia and Jesus is teaching me more everyday about loving Him and loving others. I stop daily and just marvel at the fact that "I'm in Bosnia!" - usually I say it out loud just to make sure I'm not dreaming. :)

so the short answer...

I'm doing great! Some days are really hard (like anywhere and everyone) and some days are so perfect I can't even believe it.

and the long answer...

I feel at home here and everyday a little more. It feels so normal sometimes I can't believe I haven't always lived like this. Sometimes I wonder if something's wrong with me at how normal I feel... but Bosnia has not lost its novelty and with so much walking time I get to reflect a lot on how grateful I am and all that's happening.

(tata caslav is always there, but taking the photos :)

host fam.

I enjoy every moment with my host mama and tata. Something that surprised me (and also makes me so happy) is that humor can even cross our language barrier (which is grower narrower every day). My host tata (with whom that langauge barrier is the greatest so far) is so funny! He is always making me laugh. :) My host mama (like most Balkan mamas) worried about me being too cold

or too hungry (which I never am :). They also have a thing here about wet hair. Don't you dare go out with it or you'll probably drop dead on the sidewalk - I did go out with newly washed hair once and I felt like a criminal :). But despite constant concern for my health we have connected so well and I love time spent with her. I love them both so much. We even face time there two children away on college. I keep thinking that some people don't even get one set of good parents - which breaks my heart because I got two good sets!

The other day Mama Ruza mentioned how sad she'll be when I leave and I don't want to think about it yet. Too sad to imagine (though seeing all of you will be a joyous time!:)

school.

School is well...school. Classes are very long (1 hr 1/2 each) and tests are quite long too, but I am getting to take some classes I've never had before so that's cool. I enjoy getting to know my classmates more and more. Nothing in regards to grades count here so it's also nice to have that weight lifted. My biology grade is um... well not great, but psychology is going well! I have a math test this week and I'm sad to say my engineer dad will probably a wee bit disappointed :)

friends.

I am so excited to say that I am making deeper connections here! I've had some awesome conversations over sladoled kafa (coffee in ice cream) and caj (tea) with some new friends. Everyone is so friendly here, but deeper connections were a little harder than I had anticipated. Besides cafes, there is not a ton to do with teenagers here but I did discover a pool hall at the top of the mall that has been fun, the movie theater which is always showing something good and walks are always a nice time. Also they have a 4D movie theatre here which I am excited to try.

food.

Everyone is always asking about the food. And I must say... it's delicious! Soup is one of my favorites (Mama Ruza makes a mean pumpkin and celery one). They have something called pita (which translates to pie) that is like flaky pastry bread filled with cheese (or spinach or meat (called Burek I'm reminded) or potato) that is then rolled into a big spiral. It's super good! You eat it with this weird sour liquid yogurt stuff -which is surprisingly growing on me. We also eat a lot of cabbage, chicken, fish, bread, cheese and peppers. All delicious! The only thing I don't like so far is the traditional sausage things called cevapi (A bit of an insult to the culture so I try to keep it on the down low :). The bread they serve it with though it sooo good.

For desserts, we usually have cake or compote (Made with apples and this new fruit I never new existed called Dunja (English - quince). It was a lovely thing to discover a new fruit - felt like I was on a new planet.

I made my family American pancakes twice now and love them. I also make apple crisp, a soup from home, and Chinese orange chicken. All turned out pretty good actually. Today I'm trying pumpkin bread - we'll see how that goes.

johnny.

Though I've never been a huge dog person, I really like my host dog, Johnny (not spelled like that by the way ;). I would spell it right but I can't figure out my Serbian keyboard :)

He's a little crazy at times, but he also comes and snuggles me. (He's curled up at my feet as I write this :) He has this little raincoat when we go on wet walks and it has an american flag on the back. We call him "American Boy" when he wears it! It's the cutest thing!

Serbian.

The language is a hard one that's for sure. But I'm getting a lot more confident and really enjoying my lessons lately. We've been doing speaking and listening exercises as a group and it's been really fun. Sometimes words come out of my mouth that I didn't even know I knew just from hearing them all the time. I also have picked up a few grammar things just from hearing them too. Shopping alone is still an adventure. The poor cashiers!

a heart update.

Although the decline towards culture shock usually happens after about two months (aka right now), I am doing better now than some points at the beginning I think. I'm sure my day for culture shock will come, but for now I look to the future with extreme hope! I'm so excited for the coming months here and all the small moments that I know are changing my life.

Jesus.

Jesus is showing up in profound ways through quiet impressions on my heart, conversations with friends, quiet time in the Word, prayer journaling, and praising my Father to Maverick City in our apartment. My host mom and I are going to start studying scripture together (I found a Serbian bible at the library) and another friend and I are starting a bible study too. Jesus just keeps showing up and it thrills me to know that where ever I go He never leaves my side. And even when I have moments of doubt, confusion or sadness, He keeps showing up. If you've ever wondered, I'll have you know through my time here so far that God is so very worthy to be praised. :)