One Month

We've been here a month.   One ninth of our trip has passed.  Time flies when you're confused.  Here are some thoughts and updates on how we are doing on our goals.

The first week was exceedingly difficult and I spent a lot of time asking myself what we were thinking.  The time change, travel, and just general adjustments kept us all on edge.  The second week was also exceedingly difficult.  With the start of school the reality of being away from friends was more searing.  We had some rainy weather so we felt cooped up a bit.  There were lots of arguments.  It seemed that it would not ever get better.  The third week got much better as I got a bike and the kids settled in more at school.  Lack of a reliable internet connection was still a big headache.  By the end of a full month things are now quite settled.  I think everyone is glad to be here. 

Learning Czech.  We have all made significant progress in this.  Kristine feels like she is speaking okay.  The basics have come back, but she feels the need to study to improve her ability.  Caleb has learned to conduct basic communication, but is not yet able to chat ("which is necessary for social progression").  Lucy has gotten into the groove and is using Czech words whenever she can.  I'm coming along too.  It's hard.

Fitness.  This was one of my main goals because I had let myself go to heck since last summer.  I run 5km three days a week, generally bike (not intensely, mostly to see the world) twice a week, and walk a lot.  It feels good.  Kristine is doing yoga five days a week and loving it.  Besides walking the kids have been less active now that school is in session and we are in an apartment.

Getting Around.  We had wanted to get out on vylets every Saturday.  So far so good.  We have been to Divci Kamen, Hlouboka, Tabor, and Klet and are now headed for Jihlava for a long holiday weekend.

Writing.  Still trying to figure that one out.

Feelings about being here.  Caleb commented that it now feels like home instead of just a visit.  Lucy said that there are a lot of differences, some she doesn't like, but some are really nifty.  Kristine's life is similar to Minnesota...spending time taking care of Silas, food prep, laundry, kitchen cleanup, shopping, getting kids off to school.  For me...As we say in Spanish, me hallo aqui - I find myself here.  I like it.

Peter