Family Dinner

So when we first moved in and starting exploring our surroundings--that is to say we were no longer shy about putting our food in the refrigerators or using the kitchen when someone else was occupying it as well--there came the occasional murmuring of having a dinner for the residents of our floor to get to know one another. When we found out that the people on the third floor ate dinner together regularly, such murmurings congealed to form a real idea, and from that came what I lovingly refer to as the Family Dinner...

On the menu was: baked salmon with cream cheese, tomatoes and mushrooms, steamed broccoli, roasted potatoes and carrots and red wine. Michelle and Ryan acquired the ingredients and did most of the preparation and cooking and they did a FANTASTIC job, no matter what Shell says about "her standards."

The food was delicious--end of story. And beyond that, we all had a great time! Mind you, the entire floor did not participate, but those of us who did enjoyed some great conversation and companionship that brought us all closer together, a quality everyone should seek in their neighbors.

Nick more or less lives in Iceland. He proved the wine, as you can see!
Ryan is awesome, despite being from Canada!
Judy is from China and is in Iceland studying English!

It was a great deal of fun and we're planning on doing it again. In fact, I have been contracted to do Mexican food since I skipped out on cooking this time, hahaha! Dia De Los Muertos is quickly approaching as well, so stay tuned to see what kind of mess I concoct then!

The Big H

Homesickness. They warn us all against it, but it's the one battle we cannot adequately prepare for until it is knocking at our door. I remember the pre-departure* meeting when they diagrammed the phases we would find ourselves going through during our experience, and it was more or less a rollercoaster... and as much as I would like to say that my experience has indeed been a bit of a rollercoaster, and give you tips on how to combat it... I can't. Let's see if you can get anything from this though...

Homesickness affects each of us in a different way. When I first started at NAU I was hit hard by how much I missed my friends and how little I knew of my surroundings. The first two or three weekends were the worst because with the weekend came time, and with too much time on my hands I would think about all things I could be doing at home, where not only did I have people to talk to all the time but also good food--adjusting to college cuisine and "cooking" for myself was a big challenge for me. I expected much of the same when I came to Iceland, and though there have been days when I wish for a better supermarket or my car, I don't really get homesick.

I think this is because of three reasons:

• I have been kept busy or purposefully keeping busy. When I first arrived there were a great deal of logistical problems I had to deal with that resulted from a string of mis-communications. Most people won't have the same trouble, and were I able to do it over I would have fixed the problem a lot sooner on than how it is going now, as the problem is still not fixed. Regardless, having to go to the various offices and meetings kept me out of my room and out of my mind--I didn't have time to miss home. On top of that I'm also here to take classes and explore my surroundings, so trips to the grocery store, bars, restaurants or tourist traps factored into keeping busy as well. Also, I must say it's important to remember the little stuff like maintaining the cleanliness of your room or doing laundry; it is a good way to keep moving. There were a couple times that even taking a shower helped because it was alone time and refreshing. And most importantly: it's something to do! 
• I found people to talk to. Both years in my dorm at NAU I had very little interaction with my neighbors, and they all spoke English! Living in an international dorm here, I didn't expect to be able to interact so openly with my peers as I have found to be the case--because we have no choice but to share the common areas, we are almost guaranteed to interact and from there friendships are formed. There is some language barrier, but with a little patience and a good sense of humor it is easily overcome. There have just been several instances when mindless chit-chatting with someone in the kitchen has saved my sanity after an intense study session or after receiving bad news... and don't get me started on our "Bitch Clubs," which is just when several of us end up in the kitchen or hallway at once and complain about the various injustices we have faced that day.
• I have (so far) been open to new experiences! There are some times when complaining is unavoidable (and often therapeutic), but I have found that when you choose to live somewhere new for any reason, it's best not to whine. Whining makes everything ten times more difficult. Not having access to a car, much less MY car, has been a big point of contention with me especially when it comes to grocery shopping, but when you focus on what you don't have you forget all the things you do have. Being open to having to walk a bit further to classes, go to multiple places for groceries or unusual entertainment makes the experience much more enjoyable for all those involved. Getting lost or choosing the path less traveled though it may be longer opens all kinds of doors for you!

So maybe there is a way to prepare yourself for homesickness! In any case, my best advice is to just push through it. It's a phase and to liken it to one of my favorite analogies of all time: homesickness is the rain-wall of your mesocyclone, and once you push through it you'll be able to see and enjoy the tornado you've been chasing. Enjoy!

*Holy crap, it feels weird to say that I "remember" the pre-departure stage. I even remember standing at the bus stop after getting my application on the phone with my parents, who had no idea I was thinking about doing this, much less had begun the process for it! Sometimes it's just good to reflect on how far you've come... and now it's seven weeks into the semester and I have ten more to go! Holy expletive. 

Fruit Tea & Paratabs

I have a bunch of blogs queued up already that are much more interesting than this one, but I just felt the need to pay dues to some absolutely wonderful people I've had the pleasure to meet here...

Yesterday, Friday, I started my geology courses--FINALLY. I also woke up with a sore throat. By the time I came back from my last class at about 15:00 I was in the throes of that cursed thing we call the Flu. During class I had begun shaking and crying from the aches and pain; I had a fever and felt nauseous and congested. To put it lightly, I was absolutely miserable and knew that I wasn't going to be able to make it all the way to the pharmacy.

Enter "absolutely wonderful people..." I asked Shell if I she could go to the store for me today and she agreed, even going so far as to giving me a hug and just letting me collapse for a moment. Then, when I made it back to my room, Steven, an international student from Ireland, asked what was up and I explained to him how I felt. He was out and volunteered to check the 10-11 and see if there was something he could pick up for me. He ended up bringing me some fruit tea that more or less was a godsend.

I feel much better today. I'm no longer shaking or in pain, just congested and occasionally nauseous. The moral of the story, however, is a two-parter: 1) stock up on medication when you first arrive, you never know when you'll get sick and 2) make friends and then be very, very grateful for them. It's wrong to wish ailment on anyone, but if either of them get sick, I will be there to help them!!

(Also--SLEEP! That's probably the one thing I haven't been doing enough of here, and you don't realize how important it is until you get sick and end up sleeping for 17 hours.)