4/30
Tonight couldn't have ended any better. So upstairs the family has a balcony and they set up some chairs in a circle that overlook Thane. It's an unbelievable sight let me tell you. I see noting, but colors and mountains. The best part was that I just got to sit there in silence and we were all just quiet. It was just what I needed. I wanted and needed them to be there, but in the quiet. We also got to enjoy the view of the fireflies. And so I sat up there with my brothers and sister until our Mom joined us. We sat up there mainly conversing in shqip which I really enjoy. They probably laugh at the structure of my language and most of the time Julie rephrases what I exactly said, but I am trying here. We really got to laughing when we discussed the ways that I would live in Albania forever. They really are concerned with me staying here forever. ( As they would say it!) I told them that I would have to marry an Albanian for that to happen ( if that!) so now they are on a hunt to find an Albanian Doctor. ( We all laughed, but the funny thing is they are serious!) Because in their eyes I should be getting ready if not already settled down with my husband. ( Hey I don't mind, but he has to be pretty amazing for that to happen so I will just continue on!) I am currently on my floor just journaling while Julie is here joining me sewing up some tights for me. Let me tell you this girl has many talents and I bet in their eyes I am not a good candidate for wife material because all the gender roles of a woman here that I can actually do are counted on one of my hand.

Yesterday I had a morning tutoring with one of my teachers. We spent our time just conversing back and forth to practice speaking. This is where I find it the most helpful because yes learning in a classroom is good, but after a while when your head over flows with all the new information sometimes ( most of the time!) I can hardly contain it. I find that I honestly learn more when I speak with my family and practice speaking sentences here and there. After my 8 o'clock lesson which is not always the most delightful thing on a saturday morning, but I am sure my teacher felt the same way. I am thankful for all of the patience I can get from my teachers and because of them and my family I will learn to someday speak proper Shqip. Woo-Woo! After class I returned home ( That is the question I get asked everyday from my little brother!) He now likes to shout my full name, "Kristen Richina" I find this pretty funny. I had some byrek and then my sister asked if she could come to Elbason with me so she could look for a skirt. I was heading into Elbason that day to get my hair done. I was actually thrilled when she asked me because to me this was a huge deal that my Mom was letting me take Julie into the city. I felt honored that she trusted me to take her and that it was ok. Her only request was that Julie's skirt not be a mini so of course I granted her request. Julie and I had a great day roaming the town hand in hand. We found her a cute little dress that she loved and her Mom was happy with. The hair experience was a success. ( Lets just say she got close to the roots ha and it was better than it looked!) It was funny when I got home because my Mom acted the same way my real Mom would have acted. She was like why didn't she go to the root of the hair! It was pretty funny, but honestly I was just thankful for anything. I needed most of my roots covered up and that's what I got. I should have listened to you Mom ( So sorry!) in the first place and probably dyed it dark, but I just couldn't give it up and then when I met a volunteer who got her hair done I thought wow things couldn't get any better! Now your thinking, Kristen is getting her hair dyed in the Peace Corps it can't be that bad! ( People call Albania the Posh Corps!) In a sense I would say of course this life is in no way like my life in America, but there are people in the Peace Corps in other countries that have harsher conditions. Honestly I have not one complaint here no matter what because I am fed, safe and have an amazing support group here and in America and for that I will count everything else a blessing which it is! Today I went with my family and we visited some more family. Everyday I learn of more family. It's great because they have family everywhere and some have restaurants, bars, and stores, so you know everyone and have connections everywhere. I have met a cousin of Julie's whom I have hung out with a few times now and really enjoy her. She is a bit younger, but we understand each other and have a lot to talk about. I have a feeling we will be keeping in contact during my time here and become good friends.

Side note- We have all fifty volunteers back in Albania! Katie joined us once again and is ready to go in a walking cast. Her short lived trip in America didn't last to long when she fought to be back here and she is. I am so thrilled because this girl full heartedly wants to be here no matter what and we all knew that and to have that all taken away because of one wrong step off a curb was a surreal moment for us all when at times you wonder why you chose this road you did, but then again you are reminded when it can easily be taken away. All your hard work to reach a certain moment. ( Again, anything in life can be taken away. He gives and takes it away.)