Haven't Forgotten!!

I promise! I haven’t forgotten about the posts I’ve promised to deliver as of recent.   I’ve been a little predisposed with my legality here in Srbija over the last few days.  Had to renew my temporary residence permit and to do that I had to leave the country for an allotted time.  I’m back though and will be getting right on those posts!!  Hang in there please!


Thanks!!  Хвала!

Unfortunate..

Today a protest was held here in Beograd.  To protest against the declaration that was just passed where Srbija accepted the blame of the 1995 Srebrenica Massacre.  Now I was hoping to have attended said protests but other things infiltrated my plans.  Oh well it happens.  My stance still stays.. I think Serbia shouldn't have accepted blame for something they didn't do.  I'm doing a larger coverage about the whole situation/outcome/reaction on my other blog, so if you're interested check it out.  I'll be looking at those who were for the declaration and those who opposed it. I, personally, opposed it and will discuss that in the full length post on the other blog.

Shock Attack!!

So, what do you do when culture shock attacks?   It's simple... just breathe..

I've come to learn quickly that learning a language doesn't come over night, though I knew that logically, I didn't want to accept it as an answer.  Learning a Slavic language especially takes:

• patience (something I lack generally)
• dedication (check!)
• passion (check!)
• practice (working on that)

and...

• a good source of knowledge i.e. course, book, personal teacher, or preferably all of the aforementioned!

 I'll have to say, I generally go to Rosetta Stone when wanting to learn a language. But in the case of Serbian, Rosetta Stone was not an option.  However, the Teach Yourself system is working out well.  So, as a suggestion to anyone wanting to learn Serbian, check it out!  And find yourself a native to talk to. This will help immensely.

Another thing to remember when it comes to the oh so wonderful anxiety of culture shock, besides breathing, is thinking.  I'm serious about this.. try to think logically about whatever the issue might be.  If you're having a hard time handling the way people interact or don't interact, then sit back and think.  Why does it bother or make you uncomfortable? (Or whatever the situation might be..) Try to figure out the real reason the culture shock is setting in and then find a solution to the real problem at hand.

When I started realizing I was honestly having difficulties, I sat back... after remembering to breathe nice and deep... and got to root of my inner evil. I concluded that most of my personal issues with "culture shock" was rooted in my lack of language. I was getting frustrated because I could not communicate. I could not cut up and laugh with my friends here in Beograd because they would chat in Serbian at times around me. It's easier for them I understand that.  I would get a bit bent out of shape with interactions between people, not because of the physical interaction, but because I would let my mind wander off and think what it wanted to because I didn't know the language to know what was being said between the people.  I hate not being able to talk to my boyfriend's mom, as she understands English but cannot speak it.  But knowing this small fact - lack of language is my inner evil - I've been able to tame the anxiety and I now know how to fix the issue.  So I've put myself a bit more into learning Serbian a little bit harder than I intended to at first. I don't mind though. I enjoy it. I like seeing my own progress when I can pick up bits and pieces of conversation or understand what's being said in newspapers. 

So, the key to surviving culture shock is breathing and figuring out what it is that has you in "shock" but that isn't the only beneficial tidbit.  Being open-minded, accepting, and understanding of the differences will help greatly.  And NEVER NEVER NEVER be afraid to ask questions.. like me. ;) You'll get over it eventually though.. I am for the most part...

But it's 1am here.. so it's bed time for me! Лаку ноћ!

Oops..

Okay.. so I won't lie.  I haven't focused on this blog as much as I'd like to.  I've poured my focus into another one that is of the same title (soon to probably change) that is completely dedicated to the situation here in Serbia and my goal of lifting the veil of the ignorant West as a mass...

If you wish to look at that blog it's "here" and it's definitely growing and growing quickly.  Many friends here in Beograd are helping gather information and translate things for me.  Got plenty of things that will soon be coming up on the blog.  Book reviews, media coverage, interviews, coverage of events here in Beograd that I will attend (like later today an anti-NATO gathering), and sooo much more I have planned.  It's kinda dry right now because the goal of that blog is to educate the blind, naive, and delusional.  Those who've been told differently because that's how the West works... or who haven't been told at all.  So in the beginning, I'm starting off with many things to help explain how Serbia got where it's at.  This includes bits of history, politics, and geographical nightmares.  But it's all part of the puzzle pieces that make up this place I call home now.

I'll definitely try to keep up with this blog also.. but definitely, should check out my wordpress blog if you're interested!

Cao!

So.. it’s 28 Feb 2010 and I’m sitting in Beograd, Srbija.  I’ve moved finally.  Been here since 28 Jan 2010.  There are a couple of things I’ve come to realize already in my short time here…

1. Check into the police department within 24 hours if you plan on staying more than a couple of days. It’s the law.. no matter what your embassy might tell you.  You can be fined, prosecuted, and serve jailtime with parole if you do not.  Luckily, I managed to fix this before the worst happened.

2.  Serbia has some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.  Well, I consider it nice, though I’ve been told it’s just upbringing and manners.  Either way…it needs to spread west.  The USA could use a good dose of Serbian hospitality and manners.

Though my stay has had a few snags and hiccups, thus far I’m quite pleased with my discussion.  I have not had the time to explore the city yet or meet tons of locals.  Priorities are first.. job.. then socializing to the max.  Though staying with Nemanja makes life so joyful for many reasons and fills this void I would have if I didn’t know anyone here.  Without him and his mom, my stay would have been miserable thus far.  Or at least VERY lonely.  But that’s one of the many reasons I love him.

Some things I’ve noticed while here…

1. Graffiti everywhere – Mostly football clubs or political sayings.  Lots of 1389 and Fuck USA.  Can’t blame them.  Lots of United Force or some of the other football clubs. But there is a ton of graffiti back home, so this isn’t something new.. but our graffiti in Memphis is 95% gang related.

2.  Lack of crime – I’m definitely not used to that!  But it’s awesome. I feel safe here.  Not just because of Nemanja, but because Beograd doesn’t have the same crime problems Memphis did.  I don’t fear being mugged on the buses, harassed on the streets for being a foreigner, or anything in between or beyond!   It’s amazing.  And somewhat surprising to many since the opinion of most about Serbia is that it is a political wasteland with no morals and simply a breeding ground for immoral behavior and genocides.  However, in the month  I’ve been here.. I’ve definitely seen the exact opposite.

But for now, this is it.. Will be posted more regularly hopefully.  So expect to see more rants, comparisons, and just in general good times and stories.

Been a minute...

So I apologize for the lack of blogging..  It's been a month and a day..or maybe two, it's after midnight.  Much has happened in this time.  I will go into further detail later.

I know I stand on the edge of my move, ready to hear from a school to know I have a job and ready to pack my bags and begin my adventure learning and experiencing a culture that has been raped by the West for its own endeavors.  I want to know the truth for myself.  To see from their eyes what it's like to live day to day with the fresh scars of a war battered society, and a government trying to sell itself to the West for some semblance of security.  But this is the wrong way to do it, Serbian government!  Listen to your people!  They are wanting change.. but not this way!  Look what is happening on the home front of the American Empire... do you truly want you country to be like this and spiraling even more out of control as the days dwindle on?  Please think before you do this!  EU will not save you.. the belief in your country, her beautiful people and culture is what will redeem you for selling your country to the people who helped those that destroyed you in the first place...

More of this rant later..