She runs and runs, and the tigers are getting closer and closer. When she comes to the edge of a cliff, she sees some vines there, so she climbs down and holds on to the vines. Looking down, she sees that there are tigers below her as well. She then notices that a mouse is gnawing away at the vine to which she is clinging. She also sees a beautiful little bunch of strawberries close to her, growing out of a clump of grass. She looks up and she looks down. She looks at the mouse. Then she just takes a strawberry, puts it in her mouth, and enjoys it thoroughly.
How does this story relate to my Fulbright experience in Lisbon? Well-- there may not be literally "tigers above, tigers below"-- but I know that my time in Portugal and Europe is moving quickly, and just as there is always a beginning, there is an expiration date too. As in this story, I want to take each moment I have here for what it is, and savor it-- appreciating and finding the delight in the preciousness of the moments.
I admit I have been terrible at updating my blog over the past few months, and I didn't want to let more time pass without looking back and sharing some of my experiences and places I've been. On the work front- my classes and workshops have been going very well-- finding my "groove" and getting feedback from the professors and PhD students that my courses are meaningful and helpful. This makes me happy!
Other than that I have spent some time in between classes on weekends traveling relatively cheap in Europe (thank you EasyJet!) In February I visited the beautiful island of Madeira (a Portuguese island off the coast of Morocco) to do a little hiking and relaxing.
A weekend trip was a trainride up to a northern city of Portugal, Porto- situated on the Douro River with delicious port wines.
Loved Amsterdam, which I can say is one of the raddest cities I've ever been to thanks to the bike culture and friendly people.
In March I traveled to Chamonix, France to do some amazing skiing in the French/Swiss Alps!
Another long weekend in March I spent in Krakow, Poland to pay homage to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenow. I have always had the desire to do this... a very emotional experience, but I think it is something that everyone should do if provided the opportunity.
Spring break begins next week...more adventures planned! xo!