Missy and Dogs

First things first.

When I was in 1st grade, my teacher told us about the Utah "Big One". The earthquake that was doomed to hit and destroy the whole world (or so my young mind thought). Since that day, I've been terrified of earthquakes. Just the other day, we were out to lunch as a district and were talking about how if there was ever an earthquake, everyone would probably die because the construction is so sketchy. ...Well... This morning, I was eating breakfast and there was an earthquake!! Are you kidding me!? It was a baby earthquake, only a 4.3... but still, our apartment was rocking and the cupboards were rattling and then there were 4 more! Man alive.... I thought I was going to die. Either by cement blocks landing on my head or from a heart attack. Either or, death. Bah. Anyways, after the adrenaline stopped surging, it was pretty funny :)

I haven't talked much about Albania so let me share some of the fun and crazy (mainly crazy) Albanian things that I've noticed up to date.

First. There is an electric current in our apartment water. So when there's a cut on your finger, good luck washing your hands. Ouch. And when someone is touching the water, if you touch them, they're vibrating haha

Food is ridiculously cheap here. It's kind of a problem. And there are fresh bakeries everywhere. Not cheapo, bad bakeries. Legit, good bakeries. Let me give you an example of how cheap they are. Motra Heathcote and I bought a giant loaf of fresh baked bread, a good chunk of pretzel bread and two giant, eclairs for... wait for it.... 2 dollars. Literally 2 dollars. Bah! You can buy a full sized meal at a restaurant for 3 dollars, easy. I'm gonna get fat here haha It's all so good! Pretzel bread (or bread with salt how they call it) is so good, I'm addicted. I can't even handle how good it is. It's stupid how good it is. The amazing kind of stupid.

Shaking and nodding your head is backwards here. You shake your head for yes and nod your head for no. It throws me off every time! Especially when street contacting... "wait, you want to hear about the gospel and how it can change your life for the better?! ...oh, you meant no..." haha :)

There is no concept of lines. You crowd around what you want and whoever is the pushiest gets served next. Drives me nuts. My type A personality lights itself on fire and runs around screaming and flailing it's arms, I hate it haha

The xhaxhi's here (old men, said ja-jee) are the sweetest men ever (or at least most of them). And they always dress so nice in their hat, their button up shirts and slacks. While we're walking, I'll just smile at them and ask them how they are and they'll stop, look at us, get the biggest smile, shake our hands, tell us we're just absolutely wonderful and lovely, usually compliment us on how nice we dress, wish us something (it's a thing here, wishing someone stuff, you conjugate the verb different and everything) and then say goodbye with a firm handshake and walk away. Makes my day every time! :D

I think the traffic has rules, but I'm not sure, I haven't figured them out yet. AKA, it's madness here.

My only experience of public transportation has been jumping onto moving buses.

Carpet does not exist. What is carpet? Tile. All is tile. Except the occasional rug.

When we get home at the end of the day, I smell like I've been chain smoking. That's fun :) Don't worry, I'll probably get lung cancer from second hand smoke, no big deal haha

Albanians are incredibly hospitable. When you go to their home, they always give you food. They don't offer it, they give it to you. Usually it's candy and a drink but the older generation practically gives you a meal and then commands you to eat haha Even when we tract into people that aren't interested in our message, so many times they'll still give us candy and send us on our way. Stranger danger rules have officially been thrown out the window here.

Okay, my email is getting way too long. Time to wrap it up. Sorry folks.

One last thing.

I love the branch here. They are so rockin'. Especially the youth. They have my heart wrapped around their fingers. I LOVE the youth here. There is a fantastic group of young women that I absolutely adore more than words. So many members here have the most moving stories of how they've come to be members of the church. Many of them joined before the Book of Mormon was even translated into Albanian which I think is the most amazing example of faith. The history and hardships of this country and what so many of the members have been through here astounds me. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be here and for a brief moment, be a part of their lives. Serving as a missionary has been incredibly difficult, but it is so rewarding. The first week I got here, I never thought that I would ever say it, but I love serving. I love being a part of this great work. I love this people. Someday I'll love this language ;) he he.... The gospel is true, if you haven't figured that out yet, it's okay. Just ask God, He'll tell you :)

Much love!!

Motra Missy