Well, I think we have put off the inevitable as long as
possible. Everyone has warned and cautioned and tried to prepare me for it; but
I never imagined it would be quite like this. Culture shock! It is actually
more transition shock, I think.
Whatever you want to call it, it arrived wearing an ugly
mask at my house this week. Maybe it has been lurking in the corners of the
yard for a while now and we have been too busy to notice. By Friday, busy or
not, it has clung to every back that calls our little house in Poland “home”.
I expected it to feel like home-sickness. No, no, no. I
think that would have been easier and is probably right around the corner. This is
more of an ‘everything is making me mad and if I don’t get regular internet
soon someone might die’ kind of feeling.
I think there are two main things that are contributing to
my little bit of crazy. The first thing is a little embarrassing to admit. I
think I am having some media withdrawal. I have never gone so long without
television in my life. I’m bored. And stir crazy. A girl can only read so much
before people in her family start looking at her weird. I’m working on my
fourth novel since arriving. I won't even admit to the amount of time I have spent playing Candy Crush. We have stayed super busy but mindless TV, you
know the kind that causes you to lose a brain cell or two, has always been the
way I have turned things off in my head. I even get tired of hearing myself
talk!
The second thing has everything to do with the language. It
can be downright frustrating to not know what is going on around you. It too
often requires you to settle for however things end up. It makes me feel dumb
and many times powerless. My inner control freak really hates when that
happens. I have gained a new appreciation for people who struggle with literacy
or are visiting the US. It is aggravating not to be able to read the signs and
help yourself.
So, now that you understand why I have been fighting a
permanent scowl the entire weekend; let me tell you what I am excited about.
Tomorrow I start Polish Language Classes! Anyone who has known me for a while
just laughed out loud. Let’s just say that, for me, learning a foreign language
has never gone too well. Jason cannot believe how excited I am. I have already
gotten a new notebook and colored pens ready for class!!! I never said I wasn’t
a complete geek.
I am hopelessly in love with any kind of school. This fact
has never carried over into language. But this time it has. Maybe I am just in
a culture shock stupor and will come home even more aggravated, but somehow I
doubt it. It is the start of finding some much-needed independence in Poland.
It might just be the key to kicking this overall bad attitude out of my house
for good! In all the preparation for culture shock, I don't remember anyone telling me how long this grumpy, tired period will last. I am sure ready to send it packing!
You might want to say a little prayer for Jason, too. He
starts class tomorrow as well. He may or may not be less than enthusiastic
about the idea. I think he will do great!
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