Back in Zadar

The whole last year I spent in Brno as one of the crazy people who left their country, their friends and family to study at a university where none of the professors speaks their language, to live with a person from God knows where who was made their roommate by some computer system in the dormitories, to eat in menzas where food does not taste like they're used to and where the city looks, smells and simply feels different than home. One of those wackos who packed their bags (and bags and bags and bags) and welcomed the unknown, rushing to meet new people, exchange cultures and have fun. Lots and lots of fun.

I can proudly say it was one of the best decisions I've made in my life so far (and oh how many bad ones I've made) because it changed me big time. Going on Erasmus as one person, coming back as another one; maybe lost/gained a couple of kilos, lost some liver and changed my hair, physical features stayed more or less the same, but the state of mind will never be like before. Thank God for that.

And now I'm back at my home university, missing the old good times in Brno, missing the people, the way of life, but not feeling sad or desperate: when Erasmus, you realize that there is no time for that. The best time is now. So when I think about my Erasmus, I'm happy and grateful because I got the chance to experience it, to meet all the people I did and I laugh at all the funny memories. You know, it's true what they say: Once Erasmus, always Erasmus. And you can say it, repeat it, you can believe it or not, but you won't know what you're talking about until you try it.

Anyway, I thought I will fall in a dark, long depression when I get back home, everybody was telling me that and if I had the time between all the "obligations" while in Brno, maybe I would even try to prepare myself for it. But ain't nobody got time for that, man. So I returned home, sad of course, but also happy to see my family and friends again; I had to deal with all the paperwork at the university, to get the grades, pass 2 exams I had left, looking for a job, tralala... I kept myself busy as hell and hey! It worked just fine. I moved to France, to St Tropez (yeah baby! )

but soon left those French pricks I was working for and went to Ireland.

Ireland was something. Green, beautiful, kind. Yes, rainy as well, but somehow it didn't bother me. Maybe it's because everybody kept telling me how it was the best and the sunniest summer in 10 years or so, but I wouldn't know; it was still like spring or early autumn to me. The peak of summer, 20 degrees in Cork; 40 degrees in my home village. Haha, an old man in a pub asked me once how do we people survive when it's 40 degrees. I don't know. We just do.

Just for the record, I didn't see much of Ireland, except for Cork, Dublin and a couple of little towns/villages in the County Cork, but what I did see absolutely stole my heart. I don't know why and I don't know how to describe it, but Ireland just has something that captures me, makes me feel like home. The style of building houses (I've always wanted a little yellow house with a black rooftop and that window that looks to the stars), the pubs, cities, the way of life, people, all together makes it just the way I like it. And for the rest of the places I didn't get the chance to visit, no worries, I'm coming back.

Of course, I had to leave Ireland and its beauties, its beer and whiskey, hurling, three little cute chipmunks I was taking care of for 3 months (Keshia, Kalan and Tara - such funny and beautiful kids), new friends and an Irish stoned drunkass, and come back to finish my studies.

So... What now?

What now, well, so many things changed. I moved into a new apartment, which is, for me who was living in the center for 2 years, quite far away from the university (30 min by foot). For the first time, it's a completely new apartment. The walls are white as in a hospital, the furniture is new, and all together it makes me feel kind of uncomfortable. I don't know, I guess I like more old fashioned cosy big armchairs, couches, etc. This place is to new, haha, it needs to get a "soul".

I have new flatmates as well, Ivana and Anamarija. Never met them before I got here, we agreed we're gonna be flatmates on facebook (and they say facebook is stupid, ha! ). I had no idea in what I'm getting myself into and it turned out great! They're both silly and nice, funny and relaxed. Although I miss my old roommate and all the crazy moments we lived through together, I love living with these two silly-billies: conversations can get really hilarious sometimes.

For the first time, the heating is running on gas, not electricity, I have a tv that actually functions (though, what an irony, I rarely watch it now), my own room and a balcony (2 of them even)! Most of my friends at university I see only by chance because either we have different classes or we're on different years of study, the food in student's restaurants (menzas) became too expensive so I'm not there half of the day as I used to and there is no more French theatre which I loved so much. All together, it really feels like my student years are approaching their end. So, what is next?

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