1997: The First Week of School

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 excuse to learn more about more recent developments in my temporary home. 

Previous entry: A Glorious End to a Glorious Summer

September 1-7, 1997

This was a fairly hectic week. It started and ended on very high points, with one large, excruciating drop right in the middle. Fortunately I survived all the bad stuff all right and because of that was able to appreciate the good stuff all that much more. A very memorable week.

1 September 1997
Monday

Today actually turned out to be my last day of vacation. Since my conversation class does not begin until the middle of the month, I do not have classes on Monday yet. Tomorrow at 8:30 the fun begins with my first grammar class. I am really looking forward to it.

I did stay busy today today, though, by confirming my placement at the Catholic School. I am going to start by working with some of the teachers and then possibly with the children themselves. I will start some time next week. I have even been photographed as a member of the staff so I guess that it is fairly certain.

The biggest surprise at the Catholic Church was meeting Leelo, my Estonian grammar professor from last year. She is now teaching at the school as well. She spent the last year in New Brunswick, Canada, so it was really nice to catch up with her. It was a definite surprise for us both

The best part of the evening, however, was going to visit Inga, my designated tutor. Sort of like the welcome wagon. We went with Herle, Diemo and Arne from my group to visit her and her roommates, all of whom turned out to be very nice and friendly. They are all strong Christians so theology crept into the conversation for the first time ever in Estonia. Having Diemo there helps that happen too.Coming from the family that I do, theological debate is an everyday occurrence. It is sometimes difficult to remember that not everyone comes from the same background I do.

2 September 1997
Tuesday

I had my first Estonian grammar class today. It went fairly well. I enjoyed the teacher and am really looking forward to seeing how the class melds together. There are people from ranging from complete beginners to semi conversant. So I wonder how much the new folks will have to struggle at first or how much the veterans will have to drag. It takes all kinds, I suppose.

3 September 1997
Wednesday

The world kind of crashed today. After all of the troubles that I have been having with the university in trying to my scholarship taken care of, I thought that we finally had everything taken care of. Today the head of the finance office returned my scholarship to Warrensburg with absolutely no previous notification. There was no particular reason given, apparently all of the paperwork was correct, she was just tired of dealing with it all. Words can not express the rage that I felt. It is still too early to tell how it will all work out, but I really hope that everything gets taken care of okay.

The day was salvaged by the opening ceremonies of the university for international students. I spoke and think that it went fairly well. Later we had a coffee social at the history museum in the old cathedral. It really helped to ease my emotions.

I miss home so much right now. I wonder how much of it is the constant fighting and problems that I have been having and how much of it is true homesickness. Only time will tell. I am just so tired of struggling.

4 September 1997
Thursday

Today something happened that restored my faith (a little) in humanity. After all of the mess that they put me through, the university felt a little upset and to compensate a little bit has given me an small emergency grant of their own free will.

It feels good to not be a step away from starvation and bankruptcy anymore. I know that this is just a temporary solution, but the fact that they did this for me makes me feel much better.

5 September 1997
Friday

Today was my first Estonian vocabulary quiz. It went very well. I am really enjoying that class. I know that it will get harder as time goes on, but it feels good to be really hitting the language full steam.

Today we had a birthday party here at the house for Kairit and Aike. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed meeting several new people.

6 September 1997
Saturday

I accomplished nothing today.

7 September 1997
Sunday

I took communion at the Methodist Church once again. This time the pastor gave the elements to me in Estonian which I think I actually preferred. I am here to learn that language, after all.

Next entry: What an Incredible Life