Category: Austria
+ Austria, Bold, Gratitude, Humor, Indonesia, Living on Purpose, New Zealand, Poetry, World Perspective, writing
Half a Year Away, Away (and Happy 300!)
by Josie
Half a year has gone by since I left Kansas. I’m still learning various currency exchange rates and the metric system, so still going strong (relative phrase). Relativity is a fickle friend. If I think on some of the travelers I have met—Liz and Hadyn in Assisi, who have been backpacking the world since summer 2016, Sara in Mostar, who traveled alone for three … Read More Half a Year Away, Away (and Happy 300!)
Time Traveling
by Josie
Almost every morning I snuggle into cross-legged position with a cup of coffee and write for a while. Clear the cache. Explode a bit. Stream of conscious all the mindless rumblings of my soul until I can begin the day as blank a slate as possible. It’s a form of meditation; I actively practice non-judgment and non-attachment to my thoughts and ideas. I’ve detailed … Read More Time Traveling
+ Arkansas, Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Kansas, Living on Purpose, Morocco, Nature, Poland, Romania, Scotland
Friday Adventures
by Josie
Today I am going on an adventure. An endeavor of sorts. It is the last day of teaching both my senior and sophomore English units, the last day before Spring break, the last day before I am free to go sweat, sing, and not speak to anyone for seven days. I will pack a backpack. Pack an avocado. A hammock. Franz Kafta’s The Trial. … Read More Friday Adventures
+ Austria, Bold, Bosnia, Croatia, Gratitude, Italy, Kansas, Living on Purpose, Morocco, Nature, Scotland, World Perspective, writing
Happy 100! Letter from the Editor and Most Memorable Posts
by Josie
Dear Squadron, Hey there. You beautiful, auspiciously good-willed bellwether of a callipygian nature. You, my formidable invisible audience, have changed me over the past year and ten months. I don’t usually write for you specifically, but your very arcane presence has given me opportunities to practice authenticity, courage, vulnerability, and passion. This site doesn’t generate that many hits, I am fully aware and fine … Read More Happy 100! Letter from the Editor and Most Memorable Posts
How to Make Friends with Exchange Students
by Josie
Kansas local, a vast working knowledge of how Emporia State University works, an established group of friends, a bubble of comfort. Strolling through campus saying hi to those I recognize, pleasantly in my cultural comfort zone. I know where I’m going, I know what I’m doing. At least enough to pretend like I do. Suddenly; who do I intersect with? The Exchange Student. Exotic. … Read More How to Make Friends with Exchange Students
Being Back: Uncut
by Josie
I am old, Gandalf. I don’t look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved indeed!” he snorted. “Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can’t be right. I need a change, or something. Bilbo Baggins, The Fellowship of the Ring … Read More Being Back: Uncut
How to Talk to a Homeward-Bound Exchange Student
by Josie
I had pals in high school and college who spent a year studying in another country. Upon our reunion after their year abroad, I would wet my pants thinking of the appropriate thing to say to them, to impart to them after such a year. What do you say to someone who has spent the last year not only away from you, but in … Read More How to Talk to a Homeward-Bound Exchange Student
When Nick Comes to Town
by Josie
Soft winking clouds against a background of the sunniest midmorning blue waved hello at me as I trotted over to Jakominiplatz. It was a Saturday morning of electricity; dirndl-clad Austrians waltzed to a Accordionist as I passed the Rathaus, the Hauptplatz didgeridoo man was chucking away at his absolute finest, little austrian children spun around in awkward elongated circles to the group of four … Read More When Nick Comes to Town
Let’s Talk About Chill
by Josie
There is a certain je ne sais quoi about getting to the end of the day with a lengthy list of accomplished tasks under the belt and swollen ankles from running around in so much productivity, dancing and bouncing like a washing machine from one errand to another, the pen flying across the page as you almost need to eat another banana to make … Read More Let’s Talk About Chill
MAD Pigeon Respect
by Josie
Here we interrupt the excitement of reading Freud’s proposal of Psychoanalysis (on my end, not yours) to give some clarifications on what makes a pigeon a badass. Wait. Strange choice in adjective. Chub-glubber? No no, that’s not a real word. Upstanding moral citizen? Not quite. Luficer’s handmaiden? Hmm–a bit too far right. Let’s just let pigeons be themselves. The phrase “to pigeonhole” exists for … Read More MAD Pigeon Respect
An Adventure Featuring Hammocks And Old Austrian Gents
by Josie
I love rain. Its ability to generate an instantaneously cozier environment, the aesthetic of sitting up against a mighty window, a mug of creamy steaming coffee between two slightly chilled hands, sitting cross legged, shoeless; the patter of the rain against the glass a perfect acoustic companion to the book you have sitting on your lap. It’s pleasant to be inside and dry when … Read More An Adventure Featuring Hammocks And Old Austrian Gents
Always Only Onwards
by Josie
When it comes down to Monday, I am going to be very very sad to leave. To leave the French couple. To leave Liath and Russ, to leave the Newfies, the Spaniard, the chilly cabin nights and of course the hot water bottle. For this feeling of looming sadness, I am insurmountably grateful. It means that something indeed worth keeping has been cultivated. I … Read More Always Only Onwards
