I just came to the realization that my current feeling of blahness is actually a state of culture shock. When this blog assignment was first assigned (June 16, 2008) I was still in the honeymoon phase. Partly because I have the best internship placement ever - playing and entertaining children does not feel like work at all. I must also admit that I feel I have been living a luxurious life in Lithuania. For example, I have enjoyed a day at a spa ( a massage and a seaweed bath for half the price it would normally cost), gorged on gourmet desserts weekly and been living in an awesome newer flat (in comparison to other Lithuanian homes I have seen which look run down) with toilets that actually look like toilets. If you have read my past blog you would understand my displeasure with the toilet situation. I guess that public toilets can be considered my first grunt. The public toilets make me grunt partly because not only do I have to pay for it but they do not even remotely resemble a North American toilet. 

I also hate that everyday when I walk to work I am scared for my life that I will die, as a result from being hit by a car when there is clearly a pedestrian walk way.  I also hate the honks/ slowing down of a car/ stares as if I was a creature from outer space. 

I'm annoyed by the herd of old people that fill up the mini bus that I have to give up my seat to them. I started to question and wonder why this annoyed me so much because in Canada if this was to happen I would willingly give up my seat to an older person. However, it does not happen because I never take the bus as I rely on my car. So why am I ready to throw a hissy fit?

Another grunt, is that I hate that when I go out to eat at restaurant that I always have to asked for the bill. Why does the bill not quickly come after I have eaten my meal? There is clearly nothing for me to eat or drink in front of me. It must be a European thing to ask for it. Maybe the waiters/waitresses think  that it is rude to hustle people out. I have been pondering why the hell do i get annoyed by this? I really am in no rush to go anywhere or have that many things to do here. 

I am also disgusted by seeing 11-12 year olds from our orphanage smoking and the staff seeming to not give a care in the world. They do not say no or take their cigarettes away and as a result I feel it is not my place to say anything. I do feel silence. Is smoking such a big part of their lifestyle that it is just blatantly accepted at such a young age? (Literally everyone does smoke here in Lithuania. People/Friends. never believe me when I say I don't smoke. They look at me as if I am crazy. I usually respond with I don't want cancer/ I am an angel . lol).  I guess age does not matter but if it is smoking now will it be alcohol 10 years from now. Okay, maybe that's too much of an exaggeration but from my viewpoint smoking is a health concern and these children need to know the potential consequences of their actions as I feel many do not.

Another thing that pisses me off is that I live in a hick town. Things close super early and it is very hard to establish a social life outside of a house party. However, this has been rectified through weekend trips. 

In the past, I usually cope with these grunts by laughing it off or making a joke out of it with Lindsay. However, this past week I noticed I am just downright ugh! My responses have consisted of not again!, how dare they do that! when in reality these are my own personal expression of issues that I have experienced as a result of being in a different culture. I have coped by sleeping as well as eating less, which actually works in my favor because since I have arrived here I swear I have gained about 10 pounds. Through this process of venting and questioning my thoughts, I believe I am that much closer to be over this situation of culture shock! I must realize that I am in a different country and that although it may be healthy to compare cultures and ways of being, I have to be sure not to slip by forming expectations in certain situations.