~Caitlin~
Although I miss Europe because of the wonderful views, the wine, and the endless adventures I love being back home.I love being able to see my family, my fiance, and my dog. I am in the process for a moving with my fiance so I'm super excited because we bought a house. So it wasn't like I felt like I was dread coming back home because I had so much to look forward to. I also, got to attend my brothers 8th grade promotion. All good things after the trip and I am looking for an even more eventful summer. Thank you all for reading the and checking in on my journey. It's been wonderful talking about it ! :)
Sunday, May 27, 2018
The joys of being back at work
~Caitlin~
In addition to my preschool job during the week I also work at Walmart in the bakery. With it being Memorial day weekend and the weather is hot, but beautiful it has been super hectic. I have been decorating cakes left and right. I have made ones the look like an orange, strawberry, watermelon, and many more. Today's task is doing Memorial day cookie cakes and doing Fathers Day stuff. Needless to say I miss the wonderful days of being in Europe and sitting a long the river drinking wine. I wish that could be me right now, but it's not. My life is go go go since I've gotten back. Well here is some pictures of my work today. Enjoy!
In addition to my preschool job during the week I also work at Walmart in the bakery. With it being Memorial day weekend and the weather is hot, but beautiful it has been super hectic. I have been decorating cakes left and right. I have made ones the look like an orange, strawberry, watermelon, and many more. Today's task is doing Memorial day cookie cakes and doing Fathers Day stuff. Needless to say I miss the wonderful days of being in Europe and sitting a long the river drinking wine. I wish that could be me right now, but it's not. My life is go go go since I've gotten back. Well here is some pictures of my work today. Enjoy!
Friday, May 25, 2018
Opportunities - Final Post
As I reflect on my experiences from traveling abroad I can only be grateful and appreciative that I was able to take the opportunity to go on this trip. I have always wanted to study abroad and it is crazy to think I was able to do so only a year before I graduate. Traveling to Slovenia has made me want to continue to travel to other countries to learn about the culture and language, and to also try new foods. It was an amazing experience with a great group! I could not have asked for a better group to travel with and I am thankful for that. I hope to continue to travel as much as I can to gain experiences such as I did on this trip.
Thanks so much for reading!
Jess White
The Experience of a Lifetime
Stephanie:
After arriving home over a week ago, I am thankful for my experiences abroad. I have met some amazing people, learned ways to improve my teaching, and discovered new ways to be inclusive in my classroom. This entire experience has been magnificent.
Going into this trip, I did not know I would feel such an impact as I do now. With graduation behind me, I am ready to take on my career and become the best educator I can be. I believe this experience has helped shape me into who I will become in my own classroom.
Ending on that, all I can say is thank you.
Stephanie💜
After arriving home over a week ago, I am thankful for my experiences abroad. I have met some amazing people, learned ways to improve my teaching, and discovered new ways to be inclusive in my classroom. This entire experience has been magnificent.
Going into this trip, I did not know I would feel such an impact as I do now. With graduation behind me, I am ready to take on my career and become the best educator I can be. I believe this experience has helped shape me into who I will become in my own classroom.
Ending on that, all I can say is thank you.
Stephanie💜
Summing Up!
Hope
This is officially the last day of our blog posts! It is pretty bitter sweet. I enjoyed writing about all of my experiences and am glad I had this outlet to be able to freely reflect on them. Our trip to Slovenia has taught me about everything from knowledge that will help in my career to new insights on myself. This trip has let me get out of my comfort zone and become more confident in myself as a person. I have gained so many new friendships with people I will forever share the bond of studying abroad together. I am very glad I decided to go on this trip, and am so grateful for the professors, Dr. H and Dr. Lorelle, who organized this trip to give us all of these amazing opportunities and experiences in Slovenia (as well as in Croatia and Venice). Thank you all for reading our blog, I hope you enjoyed all of our adventures! 💖
This is officially the last day of our blog posts! It is pretty bitter sweet. I enjoyed writing about all of my experiences and am glad I had this outlet to be able to freely reflect on them. Our trip to Slovenia has taught me about everything from knowledge that will help in my career to new insights on myself. This trip has let me get out of my comfort zone and become more confident in myself as a person. I have gained so many new friendships with people I will forever share the bond of studying abroad together. I am very glad I decided to go on this trip, and am so grateful for the professors, Dr. H and Dr. Lorelle, who organized this trip to give us all of these amazing opportunities and experiences in Slovenia (as well as in Croatia and Venice). Thank you all for reading our blog, I hope you enjoyed all of our adventures! 💖
Thursday, May 24, 2018
The Sun!
Hope
A couple days ago, my blog post was all about how I missed the weather in Slovenia and how gross the weather has been here. Well, it is not gross anymore! The sun is out so it is beautiful and warm outside. We have now been home for one week - the time has flown by. Though I am overwhelmed with assignments from my summer courses, I am making it a goal this weekend to get out of the house and do something fun. This is because of my blog yesterday about how Slovenia showed me how to relax and enjoy myself. I will probably get together with some friends this Friday and take my puppy, Theo, out to the Farmer's Market on Sunday. I am glad to be home and ready to take some time for myself.
A couple days ago, my blog post was all about how I missed the weather in Slovenia and how gross the weather has been here. Well, it is not gross anymore! The sun is out so it is beautiful and warm outside. We have now been home for one week - the time has flown by. Though I am overwhelmed with assignments from my summer courses, I am making it a goal this weekend to get out of the house and do something fun. This is because of my blog yesterday about how Slovenia showed me how to relax and enjoy myself. I will probably get together with some friends this Friday and take my puppy, Theo, out to the Farmer's Market on Sunday. I am glad to be home and ready to take some time for myself.
Adventures
Jessica D.
Europe was an amazing experience and I genuinely hope that I will be able to return one day and explore more of the country. However, I am more than happy to be home and having adventures with my family. Last weekend, I graduated college. This weekend, my brother will be graduating high school, the last in the family to do so. I'm grateful that I returned in time to see him reach this milestone (especially because he is not going to college next semester) and celebrate with our family this weekend. I loved the memories made on this trip, the new experiences, and the beautiful landscapes throughout so much of Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. At the same time, I love the memories I make with my family and I love the opportunity to relax and enjoy this summer while searching for teaching jobs.
Europe was an amazing experience and I genuinely hope that I will be able to return one day and explore more of the country. However, I am more than happy to be home and having adventures with my family. Last weekend, I graduated college. This weekend, my brother will be graduating high school, the last in the family to do so. I'm grateful that I returned in time to see him reach this milestone (especially because he is not going to college next semester) and celebrate with our family this weekend. I loved the memories made on this trip, the new experiences, and the beautiful landscapes throughout so much of Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. At the same time, I love the memories I make with my family and I love the opportunity to relax and enjoy this summer while searching for teaching jobs.
Enjoying the Sun
Stephanie:
One thing I don’t miss from my trip is all the rain! I had no idea it rained so much in Slovenia. I know it is spring time and this is common, but it rained almost every day!
It has rained a few times since I’ve been home, but we’ve also had a ton of great, rain free, sunny days! Today for instance, is going to be 80 and sunny. Yesterday was also 80 and sunny!
Although I could leave the rain, I am still missing being abroad!
One thing I don’t miss from my trip is all the rain! I had no idea it rained so much in Slovenia. I know it is spring time and this is common, but it rained almost every day!
It has rained a few times since I’ve been home, but we’ve also had a ton of great, rain free, sunny days! Today for instance, is going to be 80 and sunny. Yesterday was also 80 and sunny!
Although I could leave the rain, I am still missing being abroad!
Something Learned
Hope
Another thing I learned in Slovenia is to take the time to enjoy what is going on around me. Currently, at home, I am super stressed and only thinking about the future and all of the assignments I have to do. When I started to think of something to write about for this blog, I reflected on how I acted and felt in Slovenia. I was certainly not stressed like I am now. The lifestyle there is so much more relaxed in a way that was comfortable. There was no rush from the people there. Every restaurant we went would take time because they want us to enjoy each other's company while we prepare to eat a meal together. Of course, there were times when we had places to be at certain times and deadlines, yet none of that stressed me out while I was there. I think this was because I wanted to soak in all of the experiences as they came. Now, at home, I have nothing 'new' to experience, so I am just stressing out about the future. I need to relax, do something fun, and not lose sight of the people around me or the small, new experiences that I could create for myself. Thank you, Slovenia, for showing/teaching me this new life skill.
Another thing I learned in Slovenia is to take the time to enjoy what is going on around me. Currently, at home, I am super stressed and only thinking about the future and all of the assignments I have to do. When I started to think of something to write about for this blog, I reflected on how I acted and felt in Slovenia. I was certainly not stressed like I am now. The lifestyle there is so much more relaxed in a way that was comfortable. There was no rush from the people there. Every restaurant we went would take time because they want us to enjoy each other's company while we prepare to eat a meal together. Of course, there were times when we had places to be at certain times and deadlines, yet none of that stressed me out while I was there. I think this was because I wanted to soak in all of the experiences as they came. Now, at home, I have nothing 'new' to experience, so I am just stressing out about the future. I need to relax, do something fun, and not lose sight of the people around me or the small, new experiences that I could create for myself. Thank you, Slovenia, for showing/teaching me this new life skill.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Other Feelings
~Caitlin~
Well tomorrow will be officially a week I have been back from Europe. I was surprised that my sleep pattern adapted pretty well. I feel it's my food schedule that is so out of wack. I need to tell myself its 7am here and it's breakfast time, but in my head back in Ljubljana it's like lunch time so my body is like so confused. So needless to say, I am really happy that my body is starting to get back on track with eating. It is also really nice that I am eating American food again. haha. Even though I felt I had pizza quite often and such. I guess for next trip abroad my goal will be to try and be more adventurous when it comes to food. Well until next time! (:
Well tomorrow will be officially a week I have been back from Europe. I was surprised that my sleep pattern adapted pretty well. I feel it's my food schedule that is so out of wack. I need to tell myself its 7am here and it's breakfast time, but in my head back in Ljubljana it's like lunch time so my body is like so confused. So needless to say, I am really happy that my body is starting to get back on track with eating. It is also really nice that I am eating American food again. haha. Even though I felt I had pizza quite often and such. I guess for next trip abroad my goal will be to try and be more adventurous when it comes to food. Well until next time! (:
Memories
Jessica D.
The curiosity of children is so amazingly innocent. Today I went to visit the students in my student teaching classroom. After being completely attacked by 21 little people in the doorway, I spent some time talking about my trip and showing them pictures. I loved talking about my memories from the trip with the kids, especially as they enthusiastically asked about the castles ("Why are there so many castles in Europe?") and the food ("EWWWW what is that??"). Their reactions made me see the trip in a whole new way...through the eyes of a child. When I showed them the pictures of Predjama Castle and explained that the caves were used to escape in case of an attack, one of the students said "That's so smart. They were smarter a long time ago," while another said "He sounds like a wimp." They also thought that eating dinner in a castle was the best experience ever, because obviously it is. Honestly, I loved Europe, but I can't believe how much better my day became the second I walked into that classroom. I missed my students.
The curiosity of children is so amazingly innocent. Today I went to visit the students in my student teaching classroom. After being completely attacked by 21 little people in the doorway, I spent some time talking about my trip and showing them pictures. I loved talking about my memories from the trip with the kids, especially as they enthusiastically asked about the castles ("Why are there so many castles in Europe?") and the food ("EWWWW what is that??"). Their reactions made me see the trip in a whole new way...through the eyes of a child. When I showed them the pictures of Predjama Castle and explained that the caves were used to escape in case of an attack, one of the students said "That's so smart. They were smarter a long time ago," while another said "He sounds like a wimp." They also thought that eating dinner in a castle was the best experience ever, because obviously it is. Honestly, I loved Europe, but I can't believe how much better my day became the second I walked into that classroom. I missed my students.
Almost Feeling Recovered
I have been home from Europe for almost a week and I still feel as if I am recovering from the jet lag. I am also fighting a cold that I have had since being overseas. While I feel a lot better than I did since I first returned home I still feel a little off and not all the way there. I feel tired throughout the day and at about 7:00 pm I start to feel like I could go to bed for the night. Last night my boyfriend was cooking dinner and I fell asleep before the food was even done. I hope I start to feel normal soon because I really need to focus on my summer classes. I wonder if anyone else is feeling this way also.
Thanks for reading!
Jess White
Thanks for reading!
Jess White
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