independence day

poland celebrated her independence today. november 11, 1918, has been chosen as the date to celebrate - the end of world war I, and the re-birth of independent poland after 123 years of russian, german, and austrian occupation. but never mind history right now.

a national holiday, today happened to be the only chance for me to visit with some friends and family. as i traveled through town, looking at flags fluttering everywhere, i thought with some regret of the celebrations i was missing. add a little irritation for running late, and getting stuck in traffic did not help my spirits... traffic on a national holiday? we had to let pass hundreds of people marching - not in a parade, but to manifest their nationalistic attitude and reach back to pre-world war II extreme rightist traditions. not something most poles like to brag about, as far as our history goes. that didn't make me happy, either. then i thought: it's independence day.  people are taking their liberty and speaking out what they think is right. and i am free to disagree with them. i live in a free country. suddenly i was just so thankful for this independence. and i didn't even have to go anywhere to celebrate. just sitting there on that bus, basking in this freedom, was total celebration.

hoops and landslides

it's this time again. poland turns out not so gracious to a prodigal daughter. so far, my education doesn't count, because it's american, my resume is too strange for anyone to bother with, and my near 7 years of work in hungary doesn't count towards my social security, because a clerk in the office doesn't think so and her interpretation of EU law stands, because she's in charge. today i knocked on a couple of doors and spoke with a couple of stuck up clerks. first i was told to call another office and make an appointment. on the phone i was told no appointment was necessary, but i wasn't entitled for unemployment benefits anyway. i decided to go talk to them face to face and get something in writing.  by the time i got there i was losing it. they told me an application had to be made, but all sorts of documents needed to be attached, which - of course - i didn't have, since all the information they gave me on the phone was that 7 years was too long. all that was left for me to do was take their friggin' forms and get out of there. as i rode the bus home, choking on angry tears, i had a phone call - a small job i had signed for just yesterday morning, fell through. at home i found out my friend's father in another country had been killed by a car at a crosswalk. it's time to end this day so nothing more can happen. i'm thinking of the doctrine of things again - all things are for your sake, all things are yours, all things work together for good with those who love God, i can do all things through Christ...

it's about time

i decided it was about time i started writing again. my life and my country both look completely insane - what better time to take notes? no promises, though.

this week i'm trying to find out why my 7 year's work in hungary doesn't count to the polish social security system, if they're both eu countries. reading eu laws... good training before the beginning of this academic year? oh, yes, because this week, i am also taking my first quivering steps to enroll in an MA in political science program, interviewing for a job, teaching the first english lesson to my friend's 7-year-old... and trying to breathe.  figuring out who i am - really the same person i was last year - though this life feels so different. trying out what i've been teaching - can i live galatians 2:20 in "normal" life? testing, testing...