I’d been contemplating a new blog post, and what to talk about as I am about to enter a new stage of my life becoming one year older. I wanted to talk about the changes I have been experiencing since the last big birthday day. I wanted to share what I have been doing since I finally ‘escaped’ China last year, and set foot on the ‘free’ soil of Europe, once again…my beloved Europe! I wanted to talk about how I have felt since last year and everything in between because it has been so long that I have sat at the computer to share these things with anyone but my own internal dialogue. but, with what is going on in the world lately, it seems so trivial.
the DICKtator of russia strikes
I grew up in a world threatened and fearful of the USSR. I had recently come to terms with the fact that I have this memory when I was younger, being with my great-grandmother at her house. I remember we had to turn all the lights off, and she said we had to be really quiet. I heard in the distance air-raid sirens. she explained it wasn’t real, it was practice, but if we heard it, we had to go in and hide. how and why do I have this memory in my life? this was the late 1970s or early 80’s.
the fear of attack in the US was alive when I was young. and I shared this with my sweet Ukrainian friend I made in china. I told her I understood her fears and anxieties as we felt it in the US at one point in time. it never came to pass. surely, had we been as close as her people are, it would have. and now, for her and her people, it has rained down on them in full-throttle.
more than just conflicts
there are ‘wars’, attacks, and invasions that have occurred in other countries in my lifetime for other poor, innocent people. but Russia going into a country to attack in a manner that the whole entire world stands up and stands together against it – I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. I never thought this would happen in 2022. the entire world is still on the tail-end of a decimating virus that has already claimed the lives of millions, and now this? it is so very sad that this is happening. to the poor people of Ukraine, and the unknowing people of Russia.
on another front
I have enjoyed hiding out in Saranda, Albania. they have been very good to me here. I will definitely return. it is very inexpensive, very convenient, and located near a beautiful sea. but the small-town time is getting too much and it is time to move on! I cannot hide anymore, I have to brave this virus-laden world and move forward. in three weeks, i will fly to TURKEY!!
I am really excited about this. I have been fascinated by Turkey for almost two decades, and the lovely students I have from there have only cemented it. Granted, I was actually planning Georgia first (the country, not the state) because I can stay a year without a visa, but I would have to come directly (virus rules) and that is impossible without going through Turkey first. So, Turkey it is!
My flat is cheaper than here, and in a lovely seaside area, with a balcony that I can sit on and watch the sunset. One of the things I used to love to do while living in Pacifica – come home from work and run out to watch the sunset with the other Pacificans doing the same.
So, I will be spending the next couple of weeks enjoying the last of my construction-noise-filled time here, my birthday, and the freakin’ cold weather still enveloping my being (hate cold weather now!) and preparing for the next adventure, new beaches, and warm weather! Not to mention, new culture and food. :))
Here is to another year older, another year of life-changing experiences, and getting more opportunities for content to grow and expand my online adventures!