9/7/13
The bus ride was unbearably long! I couldn’t wait to get to the school and head back to my house. When my host mom picked me up though, she wasn’t even comforting or warm. Usually my mom would hug me and ask me how I my trip was, even if she already knows, but my host mom just said “let’s go.” I got back to the house ready to ball my eyes out. I texted my dad back in NJ begging him to let me come home. I am emotional all the time on exchange. Whenever something happens, my emotions flip on the drop of a dime. I feel like I am bipolar because my feelings keep flip flopping. I am fine then I am upset then I’m fine again.
I decided to Skype with my best friend Ashley (NY) because she was also homesick and talking to a friend always helps. And I was right, after talking to her I felt so much better. I need to learn while on exchange to deal with my mixed emotions instead of wanting to just run home when times get tough.
Around 8:30 pm my host cousins Ania and Monika came over along with their father, Peter. We all sat around the table eating cheese, York’s, Reese’s, chips, and apply pie. On television played the Polish soccer game. My uncle and dad drank multiple beers which helped my dad really get into cheering for his team. Agata helped translate their conversions for me so I didn’t feel left out. Uncle Peter and Monika speak very little English which creates a block when trying to communicate with them. Ania agreed to teach me Polish in return for me to help her with English. Her major English exam to get into college is this year so being around will help her improve her skills.
Half way through the game Ania, Agata, Monika, and I bonded over making a cheesecake. I had to find an American brownie recipe but with European conversions like cup to grams. It was a little difficult for me to figure out the conversions because I am not familiar with grams. In America we also have brownie mixes in boxes from Betty Crocker but in Poland you have to make everything homemade. It is definitely a challenge. Maybe I will gain some productive skills instead of the American skills of being lazy.
I learned while baking that Ania, Agata and I have a similar taste in music. I hope we all become really good friends. Maybe so close that they will invite me to come back to Poland after I leave. Next week we agreed to go see the new movie “Jobs” in the city center movie theater. Making future plans with my new family is really exciting.
Stephanie Raquel
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