1997: Tartu, Back in the Swing
From the archives: It turns out that I was blogging long before anyone had ever heard the term “blog.” Twenty years ago I was an exchange student in Estonia. While studying at the University of Tartu, I created an online travelogue to keep my family and friends apprised of my experiences. Both my life and the nation of Estonia have changed a lot the two decades since. This reprise is providing me with a glimpse at who I was back then and the opportunity to learn more about the developments in my temporary home.
Previous entry: My First Week in Tartu
August 11-17, 1997
This week started kind of rough, as I had some very large problems trying to get everything taken care of with my scholarships and getting readjusted to everything here in town. It did, however, end with a bang and the last few days have been absolutely wonderful. I am so glad that I am here. Life is good.
11 August 1997
Monday
Just when I had pretty much given up hope of finding a solution to my problems, along comes a day like this one. I have been agonizing over my scholarship, living conditions and lack of human contact for the past several days. Today, without so much as a word of warning, solutions, or partial solutions, just dropped straight into my lap.
I was in the International Office looking for suggestions and checking my mail when I was asked if I would like a job proofreading. Of course I took it. Easy work for me. It’s not very much or at all long term, but its definitely a start.
The other solution came with a call to Kairit Kuldmet’s family. I now have a real place to stay with a genuine Estonian family. In two weeks I will go to live them in their spare room. I cannot believe how lucky I am. Any time that things really begin to go crazy all I have to do is let go of all my petty human fears and leave it all to God’s will. When I trust in him everything works out better than I could possibly imagine.
12 August 1997
Tuesday
Today could hardly have gone better. I found out that both my scholarship and child support are on their way and my days of eating only macaroni and oatmeal are almost at an end. I am so happy with the way everything is going right now. It is a night and day difference.
13 August 1997
Wednesday
It truly is a night and day difference. I have gone from ecstatic to plumbing the depths in a matter of 24 hours. For whatever reason, I cannot shake this eternal homesickness that keeps striking me at the most inappropriate times, like when I should be happy and having a good time.
The lack of human contact here in the dormitories right now is what is driving me insane. During the day I have no contact with real people because I have no classes right now and there are no students here in town yet so I have only myself for company. It was all right for a while, but enough is enough. I want people here. I want someone to talk to everyday and I want something to keep me busy and occupied. All will be okay in a week and a half when orientation starts and I move into the Kuldmets household. The end is in sight. I just have to endure until then.
15 August 1997
Friday
A very good day and night out on the town. For the first time in a week I met people I knew, caught up with old friends and even got to know some new ones. I met Annu and Simo downtown near the main building. We got together for a drink where we bumped into some others. We went to see People vs. Larry Flint. It was better than I had expected. While the main character repulsed me, there were a lot of valid free speech issues involved. It was a very good first amendment saga.
16 August 1997
Saturday
I had a very good time tonight with Annu at Zum-Zum Cafe. It was a very quiet time here in the dormitories so I went for a walk and there bumped into Simo. One thing led to another and two beers later I came home at midnight. I really enjoying being out with people again, the silence of the dorms is almost forgotten.
17 August 1997
Sunday
I returned to the Tartu Methodist Church today and cemented my place among that congregation. It is a very friendly (especially by Estonian standards) group and makes me feel extremely welcome. It is a place that, for one of the first times in Estonia, people introduce themselves to me. Add to that the fact that this was my first foreign language Protestant communion, it was an extremely moving service.
In the afternoon I went to visit my Estonian language teacher and her family. It was a nice evening. I enjoyed catching up with my teacher and this was the first time that her husband and I really got a chance to get know each other.
Next entry: Off to a Great Start
