THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT POLAND
#1. Exploring
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| This was a flee market located by our apartment. We found some incredible steals here. It was always fun to walk around and see what new treasures were here. |
This particular night we walked down Nowy Swiat and there was this display up. If you walked in front of the screen - you saw yourself light up with a silhouette of words. As you approached the "boundaries" either a bell, dong, or other sounds would be set off. Of course, I had to know what was going on... and watched forever. I thought it was interesting and ended up being some University Student's project on crowd attractions. I loved the various crowd attractions that were always seen on Nowy Swiat and will truly miss what new ideas they were always coming up with to attract the crowd's attention.
One night we went to go see the new Stadium in Warsaw. And were pleasantly surprised with fireworks! I loved, loved, loved exploring Warsaw!
#2. The Warsaw YSA's (Young Sexy Adults)
The YSA's were amazing in Warsaw. It was my highlight of the week to go on Tuesday or Wednesday night for FHE & institute. Even though all the lessons were in Polish, I feel like the YSA's helped me the very most in trying to learn Polish. They were always so encouraging, loving, non-judgmental, and just down-to-earth good people. Thank you for some amazing memories & experiences. And thank you most of all for your genuine friendship. I will miss you... each and every one of you! Especially the ones I had "special walks" on with in downtown Warsaw.
#3. The METRO
The Metro (and public transportation) in Warsaw was amazing. The hardest part about being back in America is the lack thereof. I walked everywhere I needed to go. From this, I met some interesting people, had some unbelievable experiences, and got great exercise. I couldn't imagine living in Warsaw without this essential staple and I'm so glad that I became independent there by traveling all over the city with the help of the Metro, buses, and Trams!
#4. The Sister Missionaries
The missionaries were an integral part of helping me to adjust to life in Warsaw! They took me out on appointments once a week. Taught me and helped me with my Polish. Strengthened my testimony. Encouraged me to be a better person. Left the spirit in our home. Helped me remember my mission. And ate lots of good food with me. I hope that the next place Michal & I end up I will still be able to help the sister missionaries in any way possible.
#5. Getting to know Michal better
I loved getting to know Michal better. I feel like living in Poland helped me to understand some of his personality traits, quirks, and passions better. It was fun getting to see how excited he would get over little things (like his vintage bike that he misses dearly). Additionally, it was fun to get to know lots of childhood friends. It made me so grateful that he had such good friends growing up who encouraged him to follow his dreams and come to America. A lot of Church Leaders in Poland feel like once Poles get baptized they leave Poland, get married to a foreigner, and never return - thus FAILING to help build up the gospel in their own home country. What they don't realize is that if Michal never came to America, I would not be the person that I am today - and because of him - I am such a happy person. This is why I encourage every YSA to live their dreams and God will lead them where they are supposed to go, not where "others" think that they should go.
#6. Doner Kebab
I think that Michal will miss these more than I will, but Doner Kebab is like the equivalent of Taco Stands in Salt Lake City. You just can't find a place that serves better Kebabs than here.
Seriously, who doesn't like packages from home? It's like Christmas on a random day. I will miss this for sure!
#8. Odds & Ends
Besides men wearing fanny packs, women with their bright red/orange/magenta/hot pink hair, and teenagers wearing American paraphenelia... I will miss the odd things that I find on the streets. This was Michal's absolute favorite find the whole time we were in Poland - "Barry Gloves" (if you don't know the reference - ask him).
#9. The Beauty of Warsaw
Need I say more?
#10. Having people over for dinner
It was so great to have people over for dinner. It helped us feel more like at home.
#11. Grocery Shopping
Every single time I went grocery shopping, I found something strange and unusual. This was definitely one of those finds. I had NEVER seen broccoli saran wrapped. I don't know why they did it, especially for Europeans being so "ecological" it seemed like a waste of time and plastic. In any case, it was always a surprise to see what new "finds" I came across each time I went shopping.
#12. Cooking
Each time I cooked it was truly an experiment. Dealing with Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, mL instead of fluid ounces, and different ingredients - you never know what you would end up with (and if it would taste good or not). This was my German Pancake on steroids... It was DELICIOUS!
THINGS I WILL NOT MISS
#1. My Bed in Warsaw
No bed will come even close in comparison to the bed Michal & I bought when we got married. It was beyond comfortable. This bed (here) was TERRIBLE. It was small, had no padding, and hurt our backs. I will not miss this bed.
#2. The Cold
Winters in Warsaw were not fun. Contrary to the way I dress sometimes, I am not a huge fan of layers - but I had to become one when I lived here!
#3. Terrible Haircuts
Michal had some terrible haircuts in Poland. I'm glad that we are over this stage. He had some really awful Mullets.... which I made him fix - immediately. I'm glad we are over this.
Seriously though....
The good definitely outweighs the bad. Good or Bad - I'm grateful for the memories which we did make in Poland. Every minute spent there was worth it!
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