Two Weeks Before Departure

August 6th 2018. Vilnius, Lithuania

I didn't mean to start a blog. Then two weeks before the Day I started putting on my thoughts on paper and I figured it would be a shame if I didn't give this a try. So here's what I wrote on my way to Lithuania (on the other side of the boarding pass) on August 2nd and what I wrote a few days later.

August 2nd 2018. On flight somewhere between Helsinki and Vilnius

Two weeks and I'm leaving again. I don't know how this year will change me and the way I view the world. I don't know which of my beliefs, dreams or even values I'll lose and what I'll gain. It's an adventure.

In the past few weeks I've told to people that I'm kinda tired of leaving - leaving and building up my life again somewhere new. I'll be more alone again, in many ways. On the other hand this is thrilling, as it will leave room for reflection and questions.

I will write about my thoughts and experiences in this blog. How often? I don't know. What for? I'm not sure. 

August 5th 2018. Palanga, Lithuania

The first of our Finnish FLTA trio has left for the USA. Jukka wrote to Marjo and me about the excitement but also about the negative feelings regarding the departure. I really appreciated that. In fact, one of the great things Fulbright has already brought into my life is the Fulbright community itself, friends and support. 

I don't know if this will be your typical blog about a year abroad (whatever is typical). I don't know how honest I will be and how much I'll moderate the text before it ends up from my personal diary to this public blog. As you can see, I really don't know much. 

So what is this?

This is a blog about my year as a Foreign Language and Culture Teaching Assistant (FLTA) in Seattle, Washington. In one of the following posts I will explain in detail what is Fulbright and what I am really going to do out there. 

Mites tää kielihomma?

Kirjoitan sekä englanniksi että suomeksi. Ylläolevat kirjoitukset syntyivät spontaanisti englanniksi. Ehkä sitä lajia tulee jatkossakin enemmän. Yritän summata tärkeimmät jutut myös kotimaisella. 

Right now I'm concentrating on eating apples and pears in Lithuania. America seems to be far away.