Obligatory Gratitude Post (Part II)

Part I is here.

Tomorrow I have the opportunity to have "Gamli-giving," which is the Icelandicized psuedo-Thanksgiving made in the style of the poor, displaced college students living here in Gamli Gardur. We've managed to find a turkey and there will be people and food and... well, I'm sure it will be a sight to behold and I will take pictures and post about it later--you know how I do.

Back in October, around Canadian Thanksgiving, I was asked what American Thanksgiving was about in relation to the date, since American Thanksgiving is observed in November. The askee figured it had to do with a significant event, like the "first" Thanksgiving or when our ancestors first arrived at Plymouth Rock. My answer? "It marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season!"

I stand by the answer, because it is true.

...and technically we should be giving thanks every day, not just the fourth Thursday in November or the second Monday in October (but only if it's a leap year and the Queen is alive; special arrangements are made for any years ending in "5" or have born witness to a "blue moon," or you know, however the Canadians do it...) but I will admit, it is a nice thought: that everyone you know is gathering around a table that evening to gorge on turkey in gratitude.

This year I am especially grateful: I have had the amazing opportunity to come to Iceland! And if that was not enough, I was further blessed to get to know some beautiful new people who've taught me much about myself and what lies out there in the world around me. Ryan and Michelle especially--they've helped me with those typical "struggling undergrad" troubles, made this place home, and made sure that I changed clothes every once in a while so I didn't stink! I can't help but to think about everyone else here as very spirited friends, and would list them all out one-by-one and give the psychoanalytical breakdown I have filed in my noggin for them  in an effort to tell them how much I appreciate who they are and that they chose to come to Iceland, of all places, but that might get a little creepy. Feel free to ask though!

I've also had the opportunity to hear first hand about war and oppression from those who grew up with it and are now fighting against it. I get to hear stories about regimes in the Middle East, including the Taliban, which has been referred to as "the shit-group" many times now, and the policies they've enforced, especially those impacting women. All I can say is that I am so grateful that I did not have to grow up in that environment and that I do not have to return to it... But that will never feel like enough.

This year... this semester... this Thanksgiving day is one I hope I will never forget. I am not one to hold hope for humanity, but if there is any hope in me left, it will be manifested tomorrow when I can stop and stare and truly focus on all that I have been blessed with and all that I can be doing to bless the lives of those around me...

Gobble, Gobble!

I See Candy Dinosaurs...

Okay, so not every trip I've been on here in Iceland has been to see waterfalls or volcanoes, and years from now when I'm recalling memories I am sure that it's nights like last night that I will remember the most... Seriously, the ab workout I got from laughing was painful!

As you've seen before, we all share a kitchen, so eating and cooking together is a pretty normal thing, and highly encouraged! "Social interaction is good, Leah?" Yes, social interaction is very good. Social interaction leads to geology t-shirt franchises, Raptor Jesus, zombies and mummification and gummy sharks...

Candy is 50% off in Iceland on Saturdays, so yesterday, during the course of eating dinner, we decided that at midnight we were going to go get candy, since candy beats going to the bars any day. The entire night we had some pretty interesting conversations, some of which I will list here so that I don't forget, cause they're just too awesome to forget...

• Jesus is my homeboy.
• Velociraptor Awareness Day is a totally legit (internet-inspired) holiday and everyone should just recognize my genius in celebrating it.
• Jesus Rocks. 
• Raptor Jesus is totally a thing.
• Pistachio ice cream is the best/worst thing on the planet, circle one.
• Ryan is going to be the best looking zombie around now that he only eats processed meats with a nice MSG dry-rub. Oh, and ice cream. And candy. 
• I see dinosaurs... candy dinosaurs.
• When I die and it comes down to figuring out where I went wrong in this life, I will be condemned for last night.
• What is douche? Is that where douchebag comes from?
• Flicking Ryan's ear isn't nice and making him pick up cards off the floor is sexist. 
• I'm going to come into your room at night and bite you. You won't know the difference!

Okay, so they may not sound awesome to you, but they're awesome to me, and downright HIGH-larious. :| Shuddup, this is mah blog. 

Commence normal programming in 3...2...

My Apologies (or Leah Has Lots Of Cool Pictures To Show You, But Here's One Showing Her Note To Continually Remind Her To Blog)

I need a better system.

Oh, and my cool Icelandic Book of Mormon, but more on that later....

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.)

Velkomin! (Welcome!)

This August through December I will be studying abroad in Iceland! So long as the Volcano Gods allow me to...but I'm a geophysicist major, and if you know me at all: I will find a way over there no matter what.

Anyways, this blog is just a way to record my experience and adventures, so please feel free to comment and look around! Also, at the very bottom is a live newsfeed displaying the latest news involving Iceland, if you're interested.

:Db