A Week of Parties

This past week has been marked with several different parties that I would like to share.

Missionary Reunion
In total there are 27 missionaries serving as teachers in Slovakia and Poland. Sarah had the great idea of inviting everyone to visit us in Poland! Though we had had a few visitors over the year, not everyone had made it out our way yet. Plus, we haven't had a large group gathering since Thanksgiving. I was really excited to have them all come and to show them what life is like here. Overall, it was a wonderful weekend. It was such a joy to catch up and get to know more the wonderful people that are a part of this community. I even found a sorority sister from a different chapter! We shared stories, laughter, and tears. Though I did not know some of them before this weekend, I was sad to see everyone go. Especially because these people understand what I'm going through because they are going through it too. It was so good being able to talk with this group about the joys and anxieties connected with going home. The weekend was very special and I'm so thankful for the time spent with such a support and inspiring group of people.

Community Taco Party
My Monday afternoons have been spent with three students from a neighboring high school working on their English conversation skills. In order to celebrate the end of our time, I decided to invite them over for tacos! Mexican food is a new thing here in Poland, so it was a special treat of them. Only two of the three students were able to make it, but we had a great time eating tacos off of my ironing board. I have really enjoyed working with this small group because they are motivated to speak with me. Another reason I love this group so much is that I can be more informal with them. I am their tutor more than their teacher, so I don't have to use all the usual classroom formalities.

Best. Salsatek. Ever.
Of course you know that Tuesday is salsa night! This past Tuesday was no exception. I went to class per usual and was just planning on coming home after since Maria wasn't able to go the party. However, I was surprised and excited when the university students who are in my class invited me to go out with them! I said yes in an instant and ended up having a great night. It was so fun to sit and laugh with this group. They really made me feel welcome. Dancing with them was also super fun because we're all beginners, so we had nothing to be embarrassed about. I hope that I am able to go to one more salsatek with them before my time here is up.

3g Stromboli Party
Making stromboli has been a beloved tradition for my home group of friends for many years. We make it for birthdays, Christmas, hello and goodbye parties. I shared this stromboli with some fellow teachers, but never with students. Since this group of eight girls are "graduating" from middle school and since they love to cook, I decided this would be the perfect group to make stromboli with. I woke up early on the day of the party to start the bread. In America, we use frozen bread loaves, but those don't exist here. This was the first time I made it by myself, but it turned out really well! The girls came over around 1pm and we started to work. They thought it was a really funny food, and of course they loved being in a teacher's home. They asked all sorts of questions about the pictures on my walls. They brought cake and other treats to share. I knew the party was a success when then 1) asked for recipes and 2) asked if one of their friends could come because they had to work on a project and they didn't want to leave.

Needless to say this past week has been a whirlwind, and by the look of things, nothing is going to slow down. So here's to the marathon/sprint (it feels like both depending on the day) to America!

Blessings,
Colleen