Pregnancy makes your body do weird things. Ew. Let's leave it at that, shall we?
I feel ginormous. wah. In reality, I don't think I have gained much weight. I just feel like a giant, very round balloon. I can still squeeeeeeeeeeeze into my regular clothes, but it's not recommended. Just because I can sort-of-fit-in doesn't help because man, it gets painful wearing my regular pants. Darn. Well, since I'm officially 20 weeks along this week, I'm halfway to the finish line, and I guess it's okay to start showing off that there's a baby in there.
My sister arrives in 2 weeks! I'm going to be a busy, busy woman until she gets here. At school, we are doing an end-of-the-year performance. My class is putting on a play about the Gingerbread Man. It should be pretty cute. Sometimes when it comes to ideas for these things though, I'm not feeling quite as creative as I thought I was. I think these days I'm just over-whelmed and tired and don't have too much extra energy for anything.
Only 3 weeks until I leave Albania for good. I'm not sure I'll miss Albania. I'm sure I will be going crazy for my husband, but that's something else entirely. Living here has given me a new perspective on some things, and it's allowed me to see where my husband came from, and I can appreciate those things. Who knows? Maybe I will miss it. But for now, I'm just focused on getting my wonderful hubby back to the States so that we can start our little family :)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
It's a....
Well, it looks like we are going to have a
SON!
We just found out yesterday. :)
I can hardly believe it. In the beginning, since day 1, I was convinced that it was a boy. I just knew it! As the time went on, though, I really had it in my mind for a little girl. I pictured little bows and dresses and "playing princess". It's going to take a little while to adjust myself to thinking "boy" but I really couldn't be happier that the baby is healthy and doing well.
At 20 weeks, the baby is the size of a "small cantaloupe" according to What to Expect... When I saw it on the ultrasound yesterday, I was amazed! It has gotten huge!
By the way, Bledi is just over-the-moon excited. He can't wait to have a little boy and has already named him. Well, we have. But Bledi started calling him by his name already! Now there is no turning back on the name! But that's okay, because I love it. I'm going to try to keep that under wraps though, as best as I can....
which probably wont last too long. ;)
SON!
We just found out yesterday. :)
I can hardly believe it. In the beginning, since day 1, I was convinced that it was a boy. I just knew it! As the time went on, though, I really had it in my mind for a little girl. I pictured little bows and dresses and "playing princess". It's going to take a little while to adjust myself to thinking "boy" but I really couldn't be happier that the baby is healthy and doing well.
At 20 weeks, the baby is the size of a "small cantaloupe" according to What to Expect... When I saw it on the ultrasound yesterday, I was amazed! It has gotten huge!
By the way, Bledi is just over-the-moon excited. He can't wait to have a little boy and has already named him. Well, we have. But Bledi started calling him by his name already! Now there is no turning back on the name! But that's okay, because I love it. I'm going to try to keep that under wraps though, as best as I can....
which probably wont last too long. ;)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
good things
I realize that a lot of my posts are about missing home, about not liking things that are different here, or other not so positive things. So I want to put a few things out there about what I've learned from living in Albania. Everyone told me that it would be a "good life experience" for me, and I totally agreed with them before I left. So, here it goes:
1. Money.
Um.... in short... maybe I wasn't so good at managing it. I'm still not, but I think I finally learned that you can't spend more money than you make. And maybe that buying expensive things (when you aren't a bazillionare) is actually a little silly.
Not knowing where to buy new stuff, like makeup, here has forced me to use up the stuff I already have. Guess what? I've been using the same tube of foundation since January. I just use it more sparingly and I will actually use the whole bottle. Shocker, I know. But before, I would just tire of it and go buy a new one. I'm actually amazed at how long I've stretched out stuff just cause I can't buy a new one. I can't believe I used to just throw away my money like that.
family members- I will let you pause for a moment so that you can start breathing again. ;)
2. Fresh food tastes so much better than any other kind of food.
Even if you do have to buy bread here every two days (because it goes bad so fast).... it's really fresh. And amazing. And I haven't eaten anything frozen (besides ice cream and a few fish sticks) since I got here. I don't miss lean-cuisine.
There are probably more things, but hey, I think that's enough life lessons for now.
On a side note, baby is mobile! It started moving around last week. At first, it was just little tiny *blips* like a small, tiny punch or a hiccup inside my belly. This week, it's getting stronger and those blips are moving all around, not just staying in the same place. It's pretty funny.
I have been trying to make the appointment to find out what baby is... pink or blue???? but I've been unsuccessful seeing as my doctor has been out of town. Never the less, I'm actively trying to name it. Man, no one tells you how difficult that is until you try to do it!!
1. Money.
Um.... in short... maybe I wasn't so good at managing it. I'm still not, but I think I finally learned that you can't spend more money than you make. And maybe that buying expensive things (when you aren't a bazillionare) is actually a little silly.
Not knowing where to buy new stuff, like makeup, here has forced me to use up the stuff I already have. Guess what? I've been using the same tube of foundation since January. I just use it more sparingly and I will actually use the whole bottle. Shocker, I know. But before, I would just tire of it and go buy a new one. I'm actually amazed at how long I've stretched out stuff just cause I can't buy a new one. I can't believe I used to just throw away my money like that.
family members- I will let you pause for a moment so that you can start breathing again. ;)
2. Fresh food tastes so much better than any other kind of food.
Even if you do have to buy bread here every two days (because it goes bad so fast).... it's really fresh. And amazing. And I haven't eaten anything frozen (besides ice cream and a few fish sticks) since I got here. I don't miss lean-cuisine.
There are probably more things, but hey, I think that's enough life lessons for now.
On a side note, baby is mobile! It started moving around last week. At first, it was just little tiny *blips* like a small, tiny punch or a hiccup inside my belly. This week, it's getting stronger and those blips are moving all around, not just staying in the same place. It's pretty funny.
I have been trying to make the appointment to find out what baby is... pink or blue???? but I've been unsuccessful seeing as my doctor has been out of town. Never the less, I'm actively trying to name it. Man, no one tells you how difficult that is until you try to do it!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Maybe?
In a day or two I will post about mom and dad's trip. It was great! It just flew by, and we all had such a great time seeing Albania. As soon as I can get some pictures uploaded, I will post all about it!
Today I was thinking about some things that I would like to get over here. Now, I really don't like to request anyone to send me anything (unless you're my mom! ;). But lately, being pregnant and all, some people have asked what I would like sent over. If you are someone who wants to send something, of course, I love getting what you send! But please don't take this as if you have to send me anything at all.
The only thing I would really like is some more healthy-type snacks. I am hungry constantly now, and although I am trying not to indulge that very much, I do need to eat pretty regularly to keep from passing out. Since I work at a school, I am stuck there all day and need to bring my snacks with me. Now, snack options are pretty limited over here as far as healthy-snacking goes. Also, I just have a taste for some things which I can't find over here. Pretzels, goldfish, chex mix (ok maybe not so healthy), trail mix, granola bars, nut mixes... these things are not found over here!
promise to post some belly-shots and vacation pics within a day or two. ;)
Today I was thinking about some things that I would like to get over here. Now, I really don't like to request anyone to send me anything (unless you're my mom! ;). But lately, being pregnant and all, some people have asked what I would like sent over. If you are someone who wants to send something, of course, I love getting what you send! But please don't take this as if you have to send me anything at all.
The only thing I would really like is some more healthy-type snacks. I am hungry constantly now, and although I am trying not to indulge that very much, I do need to eat pretty regularly to keep from passing out. Since I work at a school, I am stuck there all day and need to bring my snacks with me. Now, snack options are pretty limited over here as far as healthy-snacking goes. Also, I just have a taste for some things which I can't find over here. Pretzels, goldfish, chex mix (ok maybe not so healthy), trail mix, granola bars, nut mixes... these things are not found over here!
promise to post some belly-shots and vacation pics within a day or two. ;)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Visitors! Yay!
In two days, my parents will be the first ones to venture across the ocean to visit me and Bledi! I'm getting pretty excited about it. I realized it's been just about 4 months exactly since I saw them last and wow, does that seem like a long time! I have some time off from work and so does Bledi so we're going to have fun traveling Albania and venturing over to Greece for a day-trip. Poor Bledi needs a visa to go to Greece so he won't be able to make it over there with us. On May 1 he is leaving me for 4 days for a business trip to Croatia though, so I don't feel too bad for him.
Now let's just keep our fingers crossed that this stupid volcano doesn't stand in the way of their flights!
Now let's just keep our fingers crossed that this stupid volcano doesn't stand in the way of their flights!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Adventures in Cooking
Thanks so much to everyone who responded so kindly to me by e-mail after my last few posts. I really all of the support of my wonderful family and friends.
So, I am a sucker for going to the supermarket here. It’s a tad more expensive than the shops around our neighborhood, but they carry some things you just can’t find anywhere else! The last few nights, I have been doing the cooking at home for dinner because poor Bledi’s mom hasn’t been feeling well. I enjoy taking care of my husband, and when I cook for him, it makes him happy (although I can’t cook for beans – if you remember my post about boiling eggs, you know this!). Anyway, the fun thing about the supermarket is that it’s more similar to shopping how I shop at home. It’s not really the same, because even though they carry tartar sauce or fish sticks, you have only one or two brands to chose from – a store brand, and a more expensive brand. And yes, I bought fish sticks and tartar sauce today- every time I go there, I have been eyeing them in the freezer so I finally caved and decided to try them! The other fun (and I think this is a sarcastic “fun”) thing is that the supermarket I prefer to shop at is an Italian one called Conad. I trust the Italian food more than things made here because I know that it’s pasteurized and such. This is not always the case with food made here, and being pregnant, I just cannot take any chances with that. The fun part is me staring at packages written in Italian and trying to decipher what they say! Sometimes, the pictures only take you so far…. Especially later, when I get home and try to cook the thing. So tonight, I’m conquering hot dogs (Bledi’s absolute favorite, which we haven’t had since the States!), canned corn, and mashed potatoes (from a box. Sorry, Mom). The hot dogs and corn are basically no-brainers. The interesting part with the hot dogs was buying them… I hope I bought beef and not chicken ones. I hope 20 minutes of staring at them and trying to read Italian with no prior experience in the supermarket pays off! As for the potatoes, there are some helpful step by step pictures on the box but unfortunately it looks like yahoo! Is going to have to translate the rest for me. Of course, my husband speaks fluent Italian but he’s not home to cook dinner, and since he forgot his lunch here today (which I so lovingly made) he’s gonna be hungry when he gets home!
Here’s to cooking in another language. Let’s hope it’s edible.
So, I am a sucker for going to the supermarket here. It’s a tad more expensive than the shops around our neighborhood, but they carry some things you just can’t find anywhere else! The last few nights, I have been doing the cooking at home for dinner because poor Bledi’s mom hasn’t been feeling well. I enjoy taking care of my husband, and when I cook for him, it makes him happy (although I can’t cook for beans – if you remember my post about boiling eggs, you know this!). Anyway, the fun thing about the supermarket is that it’s more similar to shopping how I shop at home. It’s not really the same, because even though they carry tartar sauce or fish sticks, you have only one or two brands to chose from – a store brand, and a more expensive brand. And yes, I bought fish sticks and tartar sauce today- every time I go there, I have been eyeing them in the freezer so I finally caved and decided to try them! The other fun (and I think this is a sarcastic “fun”) thing is that the supermarket I prefer to shop at is an Italian one called Conad. I trust the Italian food more than things made here because I know that it’s pasteurized and such. This is not always the case with food made here, and being pregnant, I just cannot take any chances with that. The fun part is me staring at packages written in Italian and trying to decipher what they say! Sometimes, the pictures only take you so far…. Especially later, when I get home and try to cook the thing. So tonight, I’m conquering hot dogs (Bledi’s absolute favorite, which we haven’t had since the States!), canned corn, and mashed potatoes (from a box. Sorry, Mom). The hot dogs and corn are basically no-brainers. The interesting part with the hot dogs was buying them… I hope I bought beef and not chicken ones. I hope 20 minutes of staring at them and trying to read Italian with no prior experience in the supermarket pays off! As for the potatoes, there are some helpful step by step pictures on the box but unfortunately it looks like yahoo! Is going to have to translate the rest for me. Of course, my husband speaks fluent Italian but he’s not home to cook dinner, and since he forgot his lunch here today (which I so lovingly made) he’s gonna be hungry when he gets home!
Here’s to cooking in another language. Let’s hope it’s edible.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Kids say the darn-dest things
You know how little kids say everything they feel? Sometimes its cute, like when you see those greeting cards with how kids think about love, or something like that. I found out today, though, that sometimes this is not always the case!
As you know, I teach first grade. Fun, the kids are cute... it's great. A lot... I mean A LOT of work, but still - it's great and so far I like it. Today, three girls were discussing playing "teacher". Let's call them Emma, Grace and Megan. Okay, and for the sake of this story, I'll tell you that Megan is a chubby little girl. Has to be told for the story to make sense.
Emma says: "Let's play teacher. One of us can be Ms. Nevila, one can be Ms. Elizabeth, and one can be Ms. Katherine. Grace you can be Ms. Katherine, okay?"
Grace: "No, I can't be Ms. Katherine because I'm not fat. Megan (the chubby one) has to be Ms. Katherine because Megan is fat."
Me: (thinking to myself) ouch.ouch.ouch.ouch
Megan: "Okay, good I will be Ms. Katherine because she's beautiful."
Moral of the story is kids are always truthful about everything (and blunt!). I took it with a laugh, because I'm pregnant now, and hey - what can you do? For the next 6 months, there won't be a pound coming off of me. It was a big issue with me when I found out I was pregnant. I love this baby and I wouldn't trade being pregnant for anything in the world, especially not to be skinny again. But, to my defense, I have been struggling a lot with my weight since before the wedding (mostly due to stress) and have been having such a hard time in my weight loss efforts. My self-image and confidence is already shaky at best because of this, and because of the fact that I wasn't able to lose any of that weight before my wedding. I had a hard time smiling for pictures at my wedding, even though I was the happiest girl in the world to be getting married. I just wasn't happy with my body that day.
So, it took a while for me to accept that I'm going to be gaining a lot of weight now, even if it is for the most precious reason in the world. I've come to terms with it now, and so that's why I was able to laugh it off today. They are just little kids and they don't think badly of me or mean me any harm anyway.
In Albanian culture, it's not considered rude or impolite to tell someone that they have gained weight. I had a real shocker with an Albanian girl at work one day. Let's just say that she saw a picture of me from a few years back, and her comment to me was, "Wow, Katherine! You used to be so beautiful! What happened to you? Wow, you gained a ton of weight". Yes, exact conversation, trust me - I remember. That one stung a lot. This was before I had really accepted my weight as not going anywhere but up for the next 9 months, and I was crushed. This was already something I thought about every single day, and now this girl was pointing it out to me that, yes, Katherine - it is true. You used to be so beautiful and look what happened to you.
Oh, well... Nothing to do but just laugh it off and do the best that I can.
As you know, I teach first grade. Fun, the kids are cute... it's great. A lot... I mean A LOT of work, but still - it's great and so far I like it. Today, three girls were discussing playing "teacher". Let's call them Emma, Grace and Megan. Okay, and for the sake of this story, I'll tell you that Megan is a chubby little girl. Has to be told for the story to make sense.
Emma says: "Let's play teacher. One of us can be Ms. Nevila, one can be Ms. Elizabeth, and one can be Ms. Katherine. Grace you can be Ms. Katherine, okay?"
Grace: "No, I can't be Ms. Katherine because I'm not fat. Megan (the chubby one) has to be Ms. Katherine because Megan is fat."
Me: (thinking to myself) ouch.ouch.ouch.ouch
Megan: "Okay, good I will be Ms. Katherine because she's beautiful."
Moral of the story is kids are always truthful about everything (and blunt!). I took it with a laugh, because I'm pregnant now, and hey - what can you do? For the next 6 months, there won't be a pound coming off of me. It was a big issue with me when I found out I was pregnant. I love this baby and I wouldn't trade being pregnant for anything in the world, especially not to be skinny again. But, to my defense, I have been struggling a lot with my weight since before the wedding (mostly due to stress) and have been having such a hard time in my weight loss efforts. My self-image and confidence is already shaky at best because of this, and because of the fact that I wasn't able to lose any of that weight before my wedding. I had a hard time smiling for pictures at my wedding, even though I was the happiest girl in the world to be getting married. I just wasn't happy with my body that day.
So, it took a while for me to accept that I'm going to be gaining a lot of weight now, even if it is for the most precious reason in the world. I've come to terms with it now, and so that's why I was able to laugh it off today. They are just little kids and they don't think badly of me or mean me any harm anyway.
In Albanian culture, it's not considered rude or impolite to tell someone that they have gained weight. I had a real shocker with an Albanian girl at work one day. Let's just say that she saw a picture of me from a few years back, and her comment to me was, "Wow, Katherine! You used to be so beautiful! What happened to you? Wow, you gained a ton of weight". Yes, exact conversation, trust me - I remember. That one stung a lot. This was before I had really accepted my weight as not going anywhere but up for the next 9 months, and I was crushed. This was already something I thought about every single day, and now this girl was pointing it out to me that, yes, Katherine - it is true. You used to be so beautiful and look what happened to you.
Oh, well... Nothing to do but just laugh it off and do the best that I can.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Hamburgers
Today, I woke up from a nap with intense thoughts about hamburgers and picnic foods. Like, potato salad. Man, oh man. This was all I could think about for about... 20 minutes. The craving is lessening now but oh! the things I considered during those 20 minutes! Taking a boat to Italy... because just over the boarder they have a mcdonalds... or so I've heard. haha. These cravings sometimes drive me almost to tears, they get so bad. No, there are no hamburger places in Tirana (that I'm aware of and are decent). And it's pretty impossible for me to cook anything American-ish over here - just can't find the ingredients. So I'll just suffer for a while! Oh, to be near a Stop and Shop again.... sigh.
Shopping for maternity clothes in Albania is fun. not. Luckily, Mom and Dad are visiting me in a week and a half (woo hoo!) and they can bring me a bunch of stuff (as much as they can stuff into a suitcase!). But I do have one pregnant American friend here... there is something in the water... and she needs them, badly. So the past month or so we have been on a hunt for them. For all of the pregnant ladies in Tirana, we have found ONE or TWO maternity stores in the whole city! We have gone to all the malls, asked everyone we know (and don't know) and that is all we can find. The selection is extremely small, it's like a small section in the back of a baby gear store. And whoa! Is it expensive! $60 for a shirt I could buy at Target for $15. CRAZY. Thank God I'm not too pregnant yet, or I would be dying over here.
Shopping for maternity clothes in Albania is fun. not. Luckily, Mom and Dad are visiting me in a week and a half (woo hoo!) and they can bring me a bunch of stuff (as much as they can stuff into a suitcase!). But I do have one pregnant American friend here... there is something in the water... and she needs them, badly. So the past month or so we have been on a hunt for them. For all of the pregnant ladies in Tirana, we have found ONE or TWO maternity stores in the whole city! We have gone to all the malls, asked everyone we know (and don't know) and that is all we can find. The selection is extremely small, it's like a small section in the back of a baby gear store. And whoa! Is it expensive! $60 for a shirt I could buy at Target for $15. CRAZY. Thank God I'm not too pregnant yet, or I would be dying over here.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Home is where the heart is?
Lately I am not feeling too perky. This is the main reason for there being no updates on this blog.... sometimes, living abroad is not all it's cracked up to be. At least for me.
There are many reasons why I say this, but I don't want to be a downer and bore you with them. I think that the biggest reason is being torn between two things. Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I'm not someone who likes change or likes to be away from what is comfortable for me. Maybe I would be okay moving to Massachucetts... but across the ocean? At this point, everything is just too different. Nothing here is remotely the same as home, and that's tough, especially for me. I like to have my adventures on week-long vacations. Now, being here, being pregnant... I can't stand it anymore.
Home is where the heart is? This is where Bledi is, this is where I need to be. Of course. But I'm starting to get antsy. I need Bledi, yes, but I need him in the United States with me. I'm not saying I would choose living in the States over him - obviously not. I've already been there, done that, chosen Albania. But at this point, I'm not nearly as happy as I was when we first got here. The culture, the standards of living... these things are dragging me down.
So in June I am leaving, and I have mixed feelings about all of it. Of course, I'm pregnant... the baby can not be born here (for many reasons, the main of which being the standard of healthcare here. Sorry to Albanians, but it's very true). I'm okay for now, but I would not give birth here. And also obviously, I miss home. I miss my family. I can't imagine having the baby away from my family and friends.... but going home means I'm going solo. For now. For an unidentifiable amount of time solo. It's up to the US Government when Bledi comes home, not me, not him. Leaving means that I'm leaving him - and we have never been apart for that long. I'm hoping and praying for the best, but this is a tough situation to be in. You don't have to feel bad for me. I'm just trying to deal with everything in the best way that I can, like I have been, and like we have been doing. I hope that all of my (and our) sacrifices will pay off soon.
There are many reasons why I say this, but I don't want to be a downer and bore you with them. I think that the biggest reason is being torn between two things. Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I'm not someone who likes change or likes to be away from what is comfortable for me. Maybe I would be okay moving to Massachucetts... but across the ocean? At this point, everything is just too different. Nothing here is remotely the same as home, and that's tough, especially for me. I like to have my adventures on week-long vacations. Now, being here, being pregnant... I can't stand it anymore.
Home is where the heart is? This is where Bledi is, this is where I need to be. Of course. But I'm starting to get antsy. I need Bledi, yes, but I need him in the United States with me. I'm not saying I would choose living in the States over him - obviously not. I've already been there, done that, chosen Albania. But at this point, I'm not nearly as happy as I was when we first got here. The culture, the standards of living... these things are dragging me down.
So in June I am leaving, and I have mixed feelings about all of it. Of course, I'm pregnant... the baby can not be born here (for many reasons, the main of which being the standard of healthcare here. Sorry to Albanians, but it's very true). I'm okay for now, but I would not give birth here. And also obviously, I miss home. I miss my family. I can't imagine having the baby away from my family and friends.... but going home means I'm going solo. For now. For an unidentifiable amount of time solo. It's up to the US Government when Bledi comes home, not me, not him. Leaving means that I'm leaving him - and we have never been apart for that long. I'm hoping and praying for the best, but this is a tough situation to be in. You don't have to feel bad for me. I'm just trying to deal with everything in the best way that I can, like I have been, and like we have been doing. I hope that all of my (and our) sacrifices will pay off soon.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Preggo... Abroad!
Well, since being pregnant is consuming my thoughts and actions lately, and nobody knew about it, I couldn't very well write on this blog. Now that the cat is out of the bag, here we go!
Yes, so the un-imaginable has happened! Okay, well maybe that is an exaggeration. :) Once you get married, this is bound to happen any time! So I am 3 months along, about 13 weeks to be exact.
Don't let me fool you, we are really happy about expecting a little Vrioni! Now that I am out of the first trimester, I am feeling so so so so much better. I know it sounds cliche, but wow, what a difference a week can make! The first trimester was terrible, whew! I know I had it amazing compared to other women out there, but still, it was no picnic. I have never experienced exhaustion like that in my life! Actually, it was kind of comical. I would wake up at 6 am, go to school and teach all day. Of course, during free periods, I would doze off while doing just about anything. Kid's coats make good pillows! And once I got home, by 6 pm I was out until 6 am the next day. This doesn't lend itself very well to correcting papers, planning for the next day, etc. Oh well!
Of course, then there are the parts about being sick (and getting sick, if you catch my drift) but I'll spare you that!
Another part I am not enjoying very much is food cravings. Oh my gosh, food food food food food is all I can think about! It keeps me from falling asleep at night! I would lay there and just think of Panera sandwiches, McDonald's chicken nuggets, anything and everything under the sun that absolutely can not be found or replicated in Albania. Cruel baby! He/she only wants food that mommy can't find here. And it won't give up until I eat it... so I guess I'll be suffering for another two months or so with dreams of panera bread!
Hilariously enough, I am loving pickles. Again, cliche, I know. I honestly didn't even think about eating them until last week when the school served them for lunch and I ate 5 servings of them. FIVE! mmmmm. I think I ate only pickles for lunch that day. Now my mouth is watering just thinking of them.
Last week we saw the baby for the second time on the ultrasound. Wow, there really is no emotion like seeing your little one for the first time(s). Last time, it was just a little blob with a heart beat. Now it is huge! It waved it's hands at us, moved all around and was jumping up and down.
That makes all of the sickness, food cravings and exhaustion worth it. :)
Yes, so the un-imaginable has happened! Okay, well maybe that is an exaggeration. :) Once you get married, this is bound to happen any time! So I am 3 months along, about 13 weeks to be exact.
Don't let me fool you, we are really happy about expecting a little Vrioni! Now that I am out of the first trimester, I am feeling so so so so much better. I know it sounds cliche, but wow, what a difference a week can make! The first trimester was terrible, whew! I know I had it amazing compared to other women out there, but still, it was no picnic. I have never experienced exhaustion like that in my life! Actually, it was kind of comical. I would wake up at 6 am, go to school and teach all day. Of course, during free periods, I would doze off while doing just about anything. Kid's coats make good pillows! And once I got home, by 6 pm I was out until 6 am the next day. This doesn't lend itself very well to correcting papers, planning for the next day, etc. Oh well!
Of course, then there are the parts about being sick (and getting sick, if you catch my drift) but I'll spare you that!
Another part I am not enjoying very much is food cravings. Oh my gosh, food food food food food is all I can think about! It keeps me from falling asleep at night! I would lay there and just think of Panera sandwiches, McDonald's chicken nuggets, anything and everything under the sun that absolutely can not be found or replicated in Albania. Cruel baby! He/she only wants food that mommy can't find here. And it won't give up until I eat it... so I guess I'll be suffering for another two months or so with dreams of panera bread!
Hilariously enough, I am loving pickles. Again, cliche, I know. I honestly didn't even think about eating them until last week when the school served them for lunch and I ate 5 servings of them. FIVE! mmmmm. I think I ate only pickles for lunch that day. Now my mouth is watering just thinking of them.
Last week we saw the baby for the second time on the ultrasound. Wow, there really is no emotion like seeing your little one for the first time(s). Last time, it was just a little blob with a heart beat. Now it is huge! It waved it's hands at us, moved all around and was jumping up and down.
That makes all of the sickness, food cravings and exhaustion worth it. :)
Preggo Abroad
Well, since being pregnant is consuming my thoughts and actions lately, and nobody knew about it, I couldn't very well write on this blog. Now that the cat is out of the bag, here we go!
Yes, so the un-imaginable has happened! Okay, well maybe that is an exaggeration. :) Once you get married, this is bound to happen any time! So I am 3 months along, about 13 weeks to be exact.
Don't let me fool you, we are really happy about expecting a little Vrioni! Now that I am out of the first trimester, I am feeling so so so so much better. I know it sounds cliche, but wow, what a difference a week can make! The first trimester was terrible, whew! I know I had it amazing compared to other women out there, but still, it was no picnic. I have never experienced exhaustion like that in my life! Actually, it was kind of comical. I would wake up at 6 am, go to school and teach all day. Of course, during free periods, I would doze off while doing just about anything. Kid's coats make good pillows! And once I got home, by 6 pm I was out until 6 am the next day. This doesn't lend itself very well to correcting papers, planning for the next day, etc. Oh well!
Of course, then there are the parts about being sick (and getting sick, if you catch my drift) but I'll spare you that!
Another part I am not enjoying very much is food cravings. Oh my gosh, food food food food food is all I can think about! It keeps me from falling asleep at night! I would lay there and just think of Panera sandwiches, McDonald's chicken nuggets, anything and everything under the sun that absolutely can not be found or replicated in Albania. Cruel baby! He/she only wants food that mommy can't find here. And it won't give up until I eat it... so I guess I'll be suffering for another two months or so with dreams of panera bread!
Hilariously enough, I am loving pickles. Again, cliche, I know. I honestly didn't even think about eating them until last week when the school served them for lunch and I ate 5 servings of them. FIVE! mmmmm. I think I ate only pickles for lunch that day. Now my mouth is watering just thinking of them.
Last week we saw the baby for the second time on the ultrasound. Wow, there really is no emotion like seeing your little one for the first time(s). Last time, it was just a little blob with a heart beat. Now it is huge! It waved it's hands at us, moved all around and was jumping up and down.
That makes all of the sickness, food cravings and exhaustion worth it. :)
Yes, so the un-imaginable has happened! Okay, well maybe that is an exaggeration. :) Once you get married, this is bound to happen any time! So I am 3 months along, about 13 weeks to be exact.
Don't let me fool you, we are really happy about expecting a little Vrioni! Now that I am out of the first trimester, I am feeling so so so so much better. I know it sounds cliche, but wow, what a difference a week can make! The first trimester was terrible, whew! I know I had it amazing compared to other women out there, but still, it was no picnic. I have never experienced exhaustion like that in my life! Actually, it was kind of comical. I would wake up at 6 am, go to school and teach all day. Of course, during free periods, I would doze off while doing just about anything. Kid's coats make good pillows! And once I got home, by 6 pm I was out until 6 am the next day. This doesn't lend itself very well to correcting papers, planning for the next day, etc. Oh well!
Of course, then there are the parts about being sick (and getting sick, if you catch my drift) but I'll spare you that!
Another part I am not enjoying very much is food cravings. Oh my gosh, food food food food food is all I can think about! It keeps me from falling asleep at night! I would lay there and just think of Panera sandwiches, McDonald's chicken nuggets, anything and everything under the sun that absolutely can not be found or replicated in Albania. Cruel baby! He/she only wants food that mommy can't find here. And it won't give up until I eat it... so I guess I'll be suffering for another two months or so with dreams of panera bread!
Hilariously enough, I am loving pickles. Again, cliche, I know. I honestly didn't even think about eating them until last week when the school served them for lunch and I ate 5 servings of them. FIVE! mmmmm. I think I ate only pickles for lunch that day. Now my mouth is watering just thinking of them.
Last week we saw the baby for the second time on the ultrasound. Wow, there really is no emotion like seeing your little one for the first time(s). Last time, it was just a little blob with a heart beat. Now it is huge! It waved it's hands at us, moved all around and was jumping up and down.
That makes all of the sickness, food cravings and exhaustion worth it. :)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Details
So yesterday I was just so excited about my new job that I didn't even mention any details about it :)
Well, to make a long story short, one of the American teachers at the school I sub at decided to return to the States and so therefore left the school in need of a permanent first grade teacher for the rest of the school year.
Since I have been doing a lot of work for them subbing and tutoring since I got here in October, they thought of me and... I was hired!
I now have a beautiful first grade class all of my own. The kids are super sweet and very well behaved, really. The previous teacher was one of those absolutely stellar teachers that everyone looks up to. She left me with a lot of neat projects in the works and a well-mannered class.
So, I started today! I didn't really have any notice at all, just an okay, here's the class... start tomorrow! But I had already worked with this class before and, not to brag, the kids really liked me, too. So it was a pretty easy transition for them to see me in the class and in charge.
Not that taking over in the middle of the school year is easy, mind you. This teacher has everything set up her way and the kids are used to that. So, I am the one who will have to adapt myself and hopefully make my small changes slowly. I will have to learn hands-on how to do this!
Life is looking good! I'm happy for the job at a school I like with American teachers who were already my friends. I'm happy for an amazing opportunity in a field that I hope to get into... someday.
This job ends in June, and hopefully Bledi and I will be home within a few months after that. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
Well, to make a long story short, one of the American teachers at the school I sub at decided to return to the States and so therefore left the school in need of a permanent first grade teacher for the rest of the school year.
Since I have been doing a lot of work for them subbing and tutoring since I got here in October, they thought of me and... I was hired!
I now have a beautiful first grade class all of my own. The kids are super sweet and very well behaved, really. The previous teacher was one of those absolutely stellar teachers that everyone looks up to. She left me with a lot of neat projects in the works and a well-mannered class.
So, I started today! I didn't really have any notice at all, just an okay, here's the class... start tomorrow! But I had already worked with this class before and, not to brag, the kids really liked me, too. So it was a pretty easy transition for them to see me in the class and in charge.
Not that taking over in the middle of the school year is easy, mind you. This teacher has everything set up her way and the kids are used to that. So, I am the one who will have to adapt myself and hopefully make my small changes slowly. I will have to learn hands-on how to do this!
Life is looking good! I'm happy for the job at a school I like with American teachers who were already my friends. I'm happy for an amazing opportunity in a field that I hope to get into... someday.
This job ends in June, and hopefully Bledi and I will be home within a few months after that. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Hello again...
So, I'm back... again. I haven't posted in a while, but I don't want everyone to think I have forgotten them!
Things here are pretty much normal. Bledi is working crazy amounts of hours completing this government project, which ends... today! Woo hoo!!!! After this, he will be working more normal hours every day and not leaving the city. Thank God for that.
At least Bledi is working, though, because as for me, well... I haven't been so lucky. My job is now simply four hours a week tutoring at the school and my other private student. Since all of this work is a few hours a day after school, that leaves me in the house, doing nothing, all day long. Pretty boring... I guess I am pretty stir-crazy. It's not like there is much for me to do here on my own... I can't really go out because there isn't really anywhere to go. It's not really socially acceptable for a woman to sit out somewhere by herself... even just on a bench outside. People stare. I have been spending a lot of time with friends, going for coffee, to the movies, or out to dinner.... but that doesn't fulfill my life.
For Valentine's Day this year, Bledi drove us down to the south of Albania to a town on the border with Greece called Saranda. It was about a 7 and a half hour drive through winding roads in the mountains and countryside. The views were breathtaking. We stayed in a little hotel and had dinner by the water. It was sweet. Here's a few pictures so you can see what it looks like down in the south!
The one with Bledi is a picture of a cute traditional restaurant that we ate at on the road... the guy is wearing a traditional costume of that region.
Things here are pretty much normal. Bledi is working crazy amounts of hours completing this government project, which ends... today! Woo hoo!!!! After this, he will be working more normal hours every day and not leaving the city. Thank God for that.
At least Bledi is working, though, because as for me, well... I haven't been so lucky. My job is now simply four hours a week tutoring at the school and my other private student. Since all of this work is a few hours a day after school, that leaves me in the house, doing nothing, all day long. Pretty boring... I guess I am pretty stir-crazy. It's not like there is much for me to do here on my own... I can't really go out because there isn't really anywhere to go. It's not really socially acceptable for a woman to sit out somewhere by herself... even just on a bench outside. People stare. I have been spending a lot of time with friends, going for coffee, to the movies, or out to dinner.... but that doesn't fulfill my life.
For Valentine's Day this year, Bledi drove us down to the south of Albania to a town on the border with Greece called Saranda. It was about a 7 and a half hour drive through winding roads in the mountains and countryside. The views were breathtaking. We stayed in a little hotel and had dinner by the water. It was sweet. Here's a few pictures so you can see what it looks like down in the south!
The one with Bledi is a picture of a cute traditional restaurant that we ate at on the road... the guy is wearing a traditional costume of that region.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
It's a beautiful day in Tirana....
Today is just gorgeous! It's sunny... no rain in sight. It's just the least bit nippy, but nothing that a good scarf can't fix. Thanks to mom who made me the softest scarf which I now where EVERYWHERE. Sometimes it gets pretty chilly here (although compared to the States, I'm sure it's summer-like here, haha), and on those days, I have a cute little knit hat that I like to wear on my long walks to and from work to keep myself from freezing to death. Boy, do these Tirana-ans really think my hat is strange! It's true, the only people wearing hats are usually oldies. But I can't help it, my head just gets so cold! Boy, do I get stared at when I wear it, though! Hmmmm. Maybe it's just my amazing good looks. haha ;)
Today I slept in until a leisurely 9:30. I then went for a nice coffee with my mother-in-law (she had an espresso, I had a macchiato, of course... I still can't stomach a straight-up espresso! I am American, I guess), followed by a trip to the market and then a nice long walk together. I always find it so amusing to go to the market here... it's such a different experience than back home. All the vendors outside with their vegetables and fruit splayed out on the sidewalk and all the people haggling with them over the prices. Potatoes can cost you either 70 lek per kilo or 50 lek... (that's about 50 cents)- you just have to look around! I find it fun to walk around and make sure that you are getting the best produce for the cheapest price. Certainly different than Stop and Shop!
And boy, does the food taste fresh here! No preservatives... it's like shopping at Whole Foods every day!
Today I slept in until a leisurely 9:30. I then went for a nice coffee with my mother-in-law (she had an espresso, I had a macchiato, of course... I still can't stomach a straight-up espresso! I am American, I guess), followed by a trip to the market and then a nice long walk together. I always find it so amusing to go to the market here... it's such a different experience than back home. All the vendors outside with their vegetables and fruit splayed out on the sidewalk and all the people haggling with them over the prices. Potatoes can cost you either 70 lek per kilo or 50 lek... (that's about 50 cents)- you just have to look around! I find it fun to walk around and make sure that you are getting the best produce for the cheapest price. Certainly different than Stop and Shop!
And boy, does the food taste fresh here! No preservatives... it's like shopping at Whole Foods every day!
Friday, January 22, 2010
the triumphant return!
well, hello!
I am finally returning to my blog after a month of laziness! Only laziness on the blog front, however... because other than that, my month has been crazy busy and it just keeps going!
The first thing to report is that I took a short 3 week trip to the States for Christmas. What a wonderful idea and it really lifted my spirits. Thanks to Mom and Dad! You would have thought that it would have caused me to plant myself there and refuse to return to Albania, but in fact, it was just the opposite. I had a wonderful time visiting friends and family non-stop, and with the business of Christmas the time just flew on by. However, of course I missed my wonderful husband. Flying over Albania, it felt good to be back.
Just in case you were wondering, I flew from Albania-Rome, Rome-JFK. On the way home, I flew JFK-Budapest, Hungary, Hungary-Albania. I definitely recommend Malev_Hungarian Airlines if you are ever headed out this way, but never, ever, would I recommend Alitalia. Just a thought.
Bledi is a busy bee traveling all over the country teaching computer classes at schools all over Albania. It is a wonderful opportunity for him but it also means I see him very little. :( Not so much fun. At least I have his mom to keep me company but I miss my husband.
As for me, I am working three jobs right now. That's right! I am subbing, once again, at the same school in a 3 weeks position as an English teacher. At the school I still have the after-school tutoring job and my private student, as well. Whew! It's a lot, but it helps me to save up for all those European trips I plan to take once the summer comes.
On my list: Paris. Vienna, Austria. Athens and Santorini, Greece (right over the border!) and... Italy! Anywhere in Italy. It is a boat ride away and man, every time we go near the Adriatic all I can think of is what is on the other side! Oh, this summer is going to be a good one!
I am finally returning to my blog after a month of laziness! Only laziness on the blog front, however... because other than that, my month has been crazy busy and it just keeps going!
The first thing to report is that I took a short 3 week trip to the States for Christmas. What a wonderful idea and it really lifted my spirits. Thanks to Mom and Dad! You would have thought that it would have caused me to plant myself there and refuse to return to Albania, but in fact, it was just the opposite. I had a wonderful time visiting friends and family non-stop, and with the business of Christmas the time just flew on by. However, of course I missed my wonderful husband. Flying over Albania, it felt good to be back.
Just in case you were wondering, I flew from Albania-Rome, Rome-JFK. On the way home, I flew JFK-Budapest, Hungary, Hungary-Albania. I definitely recommend Malev_Hungarian Airlines if you are ever headed out this way, but never, ever, would I recommend Alitalia. Just a thought.
Bledi is a busy bee traveling all over the country teaching computer classes at schools all over Albania. It is a wonderful opportunity for him but it also means I see him very little. :( Not so much fun. At least I have his mom to keep me company but I miss my husband.
As for me, I am working three jobs right now. That's right! I am subbing, once again, at the same school in a 3 weeks position as an English teacher. At the school I still have the after-school tutoring job and my private student, as well. Whew! It's a lot, but it helps me to save up for all those European trips I plan to take once the summer comes.
On my list: Paris. Vienna, Austria. Athens and Santorini, Greece (right over the border!) and... Italy! Anywhere in Italy. It is a boat ride away and man, every time we go near the Adriatic all I can think of is what is on the other side! Oh, this summer is going to be a good one!
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