I don't know how often you read my blog (once a month? I applaud you:), but this one is kind of a comment to a previous one about a spoiled and ungrateful cousin.
Still interested? Scroll down...
Well, today I found out that the same cousin, who moved out of my sister's house after a month and a half, into his own apartment, has decided to leave the United States prematurely. Why? Well, the first job he had was too hard. The second job, as a life guard, is too boring for him. And the apartment, which I believe is in Alexandria and he pays only something over $300, is not comfortable enough for his nobility. Have I mentioned that he only graduated from high school? So, we're not talking about blue blood here, nor a doctor. And I don't even think that he made enough money to pay back the people he borrowed it from in Serbia.
I don't know what these people think. Money grows on trees in the U.S.? The streets are paved with the money? There are employers on the streets practically begging foreigners without papers and degrees to work for them, and put them in big, corner offices? I don't know what Hollywood is doing to the young European minds. Or is it parents?
In this case? I would say--parents!
Showing posts with label Serbia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Serbia. Show all posts
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
The true story about spoiled, ungrateful cousin
My 21-year-old cousin decided that he wants to come to the United States. He borrowed the money for the ticket and expenses, partly from my father, got the multiple visa for three years because people in the Embassy know me, and just flew into Dulles planning on staying with my sister until he finds a job. He didn't have a job waiting in the States, when leaving Serbia. You know, what people usually do? Find a job and THEN move? He spent most or all of the borrowed money on clothes, shoes and God knows what else in the first month, couldn't find the job because he has no documents and only high school diploma behind him, and is still staying with my sister, going on two months. When my brother-in-law pulled strings to get him a good job, it was too hard for him, so instead he decided to go to a course for a life guard, while staying at my sister's place and not contributing to the household in any way--he doesn't want to walk the dog because he need to pick up poop, he sleeps until 11 a.m., he doesn't buy any food because he spent all his money on clothes and he's saving his paycheck for the room he's planning on getting, one day, he doesn't clean...he just eats and sleeps there. And asks for help and rides.
Have I mentioned my sister is pregnant?
When I finally said, enough is enough and you need to move out, and be on your own, he complained to his parents back in Serbia. Well, somebody had to put the foot down. I won't let people walk all over my sister because she has a good heart.
A true story, I swear. Decide, are you an adult who moves away from home and is independent or you're a kid who runs to mommy and daddy every time someone tells you that no one(expect mommy and daddy) is supposed to take care of you, give you a place to live away from home, feeds you, finds you a job, drives you...
Really, is it the Serbian thing? Just because our parents are related, I'm supposed to provide for you? If I wanted kids by now,I would've had them already. The same goes for my sister.
Now the extended family in Serbia is offended by me telling the truth.
This can only happen with Serbs. Really.
Well, I think we will all think twice when someone asks us to stay with us for two weeks. Or two days. Definitely. No Serbian guests or relatives for a long while.
No, the word for a week and a month in Serbian is not the same.
Have I mentioned my sister is pregnant?
When I finally said, enough is enough and you need to move out, and be on your own, he complained to his parents back in Serbia. Well, somebody had to put the foot down. I won't let people walk all over my sister because she has a good heart.
A true story, I swear. Decide, are you an adult who moves away from home and is independent or you're a kid who runs to mommy and daddy every time someone tells you that no one(expect mommy and daddy) is supposed to take care of you, give you a place to live away from home, feeds you, finds you a job, drives you...
Really, is it the Serbian thing? Just because our parents are related, I'm supposed to provide for you? If I wanted kids by now,I would've had them already. The same goes for my sister.
Now the extended family in Serbia is offended by me telling the truth.
This can only happen with Serbs. Really.
Well, I think we will all think twice when someone asks us to stay with us for two weeks. Or two days. Definitely. No Serbian guests or relatives for a long while.
No, the word for a week and a month in Serbian is not the same.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Poor Belgrade
I got very upsetting news from Serbia today. Some number of protestors against Kosovo's independence attacked and set fire to the U.S.Embassy in Belgrade, the same Embassy where I worked for three years and loved every minute of it. I felt sad, even sick about it, especially when my mother told me that they found a body inside. It was one of the protestors'. I guess one should not play with fire...
It's such an unfortunate situation. I hope the rest of the world doesn't see these kinds of attacks as strategy of all Serbs. Peacefull protests are fine, even expected. Serbia does have a legal right to Kosovo as a part of its own teritory. But to violence? Absolutely not. And against whom? Today, one Serb died. The MacDonalds' in Serbia belong to Serbs. Americans working in the Embassy with Serbs are friends. Often very good ones. And most of them love Serbia. Trashing Belgrade will not get Kosovo back. Nothing probably will. But it's everyone's right to show the world peacfully that it's making a mistake. Not but making a bigger one, though.
It's such an unfortunate situation. I hope the rest of the world doesn't see these kinds of attacks as strategy of all Serbs. Peacefull protests are fine, even expected. Serbia does have a legal right to Kosovo as a part of its own teritory. But to violence? Absolutely not. And against whom? Today, one Serb died. The MacDonalds' in Serbia belong to Serbs. Americans working in the Embassy with Serbs are friends. Often very good ones. And most of them love Serbia. Trashing Belgrade will not get Kosovo back. Nothing probably will. But it's everyone's right to show the world peacfully that it's making a mistake. Not but making a bigger one, though.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Unsettling Kosovo
I didn't think that Kosovo's independence will touch me, but it did. I mean, I knew it's going to happened. Still, seeing Albanians celebrating in my own country, with Albanian flags on Serbia's medieval ground, the center of what once was strong Serbian empire, didn't go down easy.
Also, I wasn't happy with the riots in Belgrade as well. I mean, we were there, at the Embassy just a year ago. And those Americans over there, working and living in Belgrade, are on the Serbian side. But I understand that Serbs had to protest. I just wish it were peacefully.
I've talked to some of my family and friends today, Serbs living here or in the motherland. No one is happy, everyone is worried. My friend told me that the atmosphere in Belgrade in ominous. And all this just weeks after Djokovic has won the Australian Open. Speaking of ups and downs for Serbs.
Also, I wasn't happy with the riots in Belgrade as well. I mean, we were there, at the Embassy just a year ago. And those Americans over there, working and living in Belgrade, are on the Serbian side. But I understand that Serbs had to protest. I just wish it were peacefully.
I've talked to some of my family and friends today, Serbs living here or in the motherland. No one is happy, everyone is worried. My friend told me that the atmosphere in Belgrade in ominous. And all this just weeks after Djokovic has won the Australian Open. Speaking of ups and downs for Serbs.
Monday, September 17, 2007
High school interview
I was interviewed today. Again.I say again, because when my books came out, I was an interviewee many times.I actually like it.I like talking about myself, as long as I have something significant to say.
My interviewer was a senior in my former high school. The school paper is interested in me since, according to them, "I made it."
Made it how? I think, a definition of success in my big, but Southern city, is to leave it. And not starve to death. In that case, yes, I made it.
Also,I think getting a Masters in the States is a big deal for them. I get that. It's big deal for me too.
Marta, a wanna-be-journalist, is a cute 18 year-old woman. I actually wrote a girl first, since she's definitely one, but I don't want to be politically incorrect. She seemed kind and interested in what I have to say.I was afraid that I'll bore her from time to time. She's volunteering anyway.
I tried to be brief but answer all the questions. She really didn't have many. I guess I said it all.
At a point I was struggling with what else to say. I know I did a lot in my 31 years of age, but somehow, not everything came in mind then.
Of course, I thought of things I could've and should've said, but only when we got up, since an hour or so had passed, our bottoms were sore from sitting on a wooden bench in the high school club and I had an appointment with my dentist in an hour.
I did promise to send a photo. They couldn't find a camera.It's better this way anyway, I get to choose my picture that will accompany the article.
It was fun, really, and flattering. I mean,I was Marta just 12 years ago. Twelve years ago?! Oh ,God, I'm so old. You are old when you get to say that you did something 10 or more years ago...Kidding, of course. Don't stop reading me just because I wrote this:-)
My interviewer was a senior in my former high school. The school paper is interested in me since, according to them, "I made it."
Made it how? I think, a definition of success in my big, but Southern city, is to leave it. And not starve to death. In that case, yes, I made it.
Also,I think getting a Masters in the States is a big deal for them. I get that. It's big deal for me too.
Marta, a wanna-be-journalist, is a cute 18 year-old woman. I actually wrote a girl first, since she's definitely one, but I don't want to be politically incorrect. She seemed kind and interested in what I have to say.I was afraid that I'll bore her from time to time. She's volunteering anyway.
I tried to be brief but answer all the questions. She really didn't have many. I guess I said it all.
At a point I was struggling with what else to say. I know I did a lot in my 31 years of age, but somehow, not everything came in mind then.
Of course, I thought of things I could've and should've said, but only when we got up, since an hour or so had passed, our bottoms were sore from sitting on a wooden bench in the high school club and I had an appointment with my dentist in an hour.
I did promise to send a photo. They couldn't find a camera.It's better this way anyway, I get to choose my picture that will accompany the article.
It was fun, really, and flattering. I mean,I was Marta just 12 years ago. Twelve years ago?! Oh ,God, I'm so old. You are old when you get to say that you did something 10 or more years ago...Kidding, of course. Don't stop reading me just because I wrote this:-)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Villages and other worlds
My parents insisted on going to this small village just outside the city, and taking advantage of a beautiful day. You can't take those for granted. I'm all for that, but I wouldn't quite waste it on a visit to a village. Unless it's in Italy. Or France.
My mother doesn't take NO for an answer. So, out we go. The plan was to visit a monastery and then have lunch. This village is famous for good food.Good food in Serbia means good meat. And a lot of it. For me it means good kajmak,home-made bread and sopska salad.Yummy!
The monastery turned out to be probably the smallest one in history. One small church, and closed too. The priests were having lunch in a fixer-upper, up the hill. They pointed us to, what it seemed to be, an old brick construction, which has a small door on the side of the road. It is an old, old church. It's quite charming.Tiny, but very peacful and genuine. Old icons stairing back at us.
We lit the candles, for the living and the dead, and went on our way.
I haven't changed that much since I was a kid, in certain ways.I never liked villages, nor suburbs. I still don't.I find them boring.I can go, but I really need to be motivated,and not stay there for more than three hours. That's my wall. I hit it, regularly. Unless, again, they are in Spain.
My mother doesn't take NO for an answer. So, out we go. The plan was to visit a monastery and then have lunch. This village is famous for good food.Good food in Serbia means good meat. And a lot of it. For me it means good kajmak,home-made bread and sopska salad.Yummy!
The monastery turned out to be probably the smallest one in history. One small church, and closed too. The priests were having lunch in a fixer-upper, up the hill. They pointed us to, what it seemed to be, an old brick construction, which has a small door on the side of the road. It is an old, old church. It's quite charming.Tiny, but very peacful and genuine. Old icons stairing back at us.
We lit the candles, for the living and the dead, and went on our way.
I haven't changed that much since I was a kid, in certain ways.I never liked villages, nor suburbs. I still don't.I find them boring.I can go, but I really need to be motivated,and not stay there for more than three hours. That's my wall. I hit it, regularly. Unless, again, they are in Spain.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Sleepless in Nis
I can't fall asleep. Again. I'm suffering from an eight day old jet leg. Or I just have so many things on my mind.Probably the latter.
This so-called vacation turned out to be much more and less than planned.
I got sick. I certainly didn't plan that. The weather is getting better but it's definitely not summer anymore in Serbia.
And being here without M. after so many years makes me feel weird and a bit out of place. I know, it's silly, since this is where I lived for 26 years, until I moved to the capital. But so many changes happened since then.I haven't been in Nis without M. since 2002.
Things are different when I'm here alone.I'm not used to that anymore.I don't know how to handle it.I feel artificially single.I can't explain it.But it is a small burden.Friends have changed, moved on, so have I, but with M. And now I'm reviving these old friendships just because he's not here. Otherwise, we have our own enjoyable routine, in this habitat. Now I'm all by myself in this city of my childhood and growing up. Admit it, it's a little bit scary.
This so-called vacation turned out to be much more and less than planned.
I got sick. I certainly didn't plan that. The weather is getting better but it's definitely not summer anymore in Serbia.
And being here without M. after so many years makes me feel weird and a bit out of place. I know, it's silly, since this is where I lived for 26 years, until I moved to the capital. But so many changes happened since then.I haven't been in Nis without M. since 2002.
Things are different when I'm here alone.I'm not used to that anymore.I don't know how to handle it.I feel artificially single.I can't explain it.But it is a small burden.Friends have changed, moved on, so have I, but with M. And now I'm reviving these old friendships just because he's not here. Otherwise, we have our own enjoyable routine, in this habitat. Now I'm all by myself in this city of my childhood and growing up. Admit it, it's a little bit scary.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sunshine on the side, please...
Another depressive, rainy, cold Serbian day!I literally cannot believe my bad luck.All of those things I was longing for about this city are hard or almost unachievable with such bad weather.You know, hanging out in outdoor cafes and strolling along the walking street...
I was so unhappy today.I miss M. too much, plus the muddy,gray day doesn't exactly help. After I soaked the only fall pants I brought by accident, I decided to cancel other engagements and drown in my desperation. I was watching TV and napping.Hardly worth an almost 24 hour trip.
I'm not being fair, actually.I do enjoy spending more time with my family because of the weather. I just wish I'm in a better mood doing so, or at least with a little sunshine on the side.
I was so unhappy today.I miss M. too much, plus the muddy,gray day doesn't exactly help. After I soaked the only fall pants I brought by accident, I decided to cancel other engagements and drown in my desperation. I was watching TV and napping.Hardly worth an almost 24 hour trip.
I'm not being fair, actually.I do enjoy spending more time with my family because of the weather. I just wish I'm in a better mood doing so, or at least with a little sunshine on the side.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Hooked
Another sunny day in Serbia.Not warm enough for me, but cozy.The cafes have opened, people have gone out,everything's back to life. But not for long, according to the forecast.Serbia in the fall is not the best place to be. Summer is!
I find myself much more creative in New York City.I wonder if I'm in "I'm on a vacation, I should be resting" mode, or just a writer's block.I usually know what to write about when I face the screen.
I met an old friend today. We had coffee, chatted, caught up...It was fun!I went shopping.Fun again! More shopping...
Spent a lot of time with my family.Talked to more friends, scheduled more coffees.I realized, in a course of this year, I became a coffee drinker!I've never been one before.I would occasionally had a Moka something, but more for the chocolate that for the coffee taste.But now, I need it to wake me up in the morning,I crave it in the afternoon...Am I hooked?I don't wanna be.I've always looked at people hooked on coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, whatever, as weak,and in a way, I pity them.Did I become one? No, of course not.I don't have to have coffee.I just want it.
I can live without it.It's not like with M. Now, there, there I'm really hooked...
I find myself much more creative in New York City.I wonder if I'm in "I'm on a vacation, I should be resting" mode, or just a writer's block.I usually know what to write about when I face the screen.
I met an old friend today. We had coffee, chatted, caught up...It was fun!I went shopping.Fun again! More shopping...
Spent a lot of time with my family.Talked to more friends, scheduled more coffees.I realized, in a course of this year, I became a coffee drinker!I've never been one before.I would occasionally had a Moka something, but more for the chocolate that for the coffee taste.But now, I need it to wake me up in the morning,I crave it in the afternoon...Am I hooked?I don't wanna be.I've always looked at people hooked on coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, whatever, as weak,and in a way, I pity them.Did I become one? No, of course not.I don't have to have coffee.I just want it.
I can live without it.It's not like with M. Now, there, there I'm really hooked...
Sunday, September 9, 2007
High school memory
It was a beautiful day in South-East Serbia. Sunny, warm, fresh...
All of a sudden, everything looked brighter.
I took a stroll with my mother, I saw some relatives, I met a high school professor on a street-one of the things I love about being back in my home town.Last I've seen her was during my book promotion in October 2002.
She hasn't aged a bit!Have you ever met one of those people who don't grow older?At least they don't look like they do.She's also advanced professionally-she's the head of the school now.A very impressive woman.
She invited me over to the school and I gladly accepted.You see, they know me there, they all remember me.That really feels great!
I love the fact that I'm hard to forget.
All of a sudden, everything looked brighter.
I took a stroll with my mother, I saw some relatives, I met a high school professor on a street-one of the things I love about being back in my home town.Last I've seen her was during my book promotion in October 2002.
She hasn't aged a bit!Have you ever met one of those people who don't grow older?At least they don't look like they do.She's also advanced professionally-she's the head of the school now.A very impressive woman.
She invited me over to the school and I gladly accepted.You see, they know me there, they all remember me.That really feels great!
I love the fact that I'm hard to forget.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Greetings from Serbia!
Welcome back!S
Sorry I was away.I had a long,exhausting trip to Serbia,which enhanced the notorious jet-leg.
This trip, so far, has not been what I hoped for.
For one, my mom was sick. She's better now, thank God. Now my sister is sick.Nothing serious, hopefully, but it's gets the G, out of good mood.
And three, the weather, for the lack of a better word, sucks!
It is cold, and cloudy, rainy, really depressing. So far, two days, and no long strolls on the walking street or hanging out in outdoor cafes with friends-the gems of any good Serbian holiday, or visit home.
I did have a fun dinner with my extended family.It was great to see them all together, again!
Also, not much is open on Sunday here.People here take the day of rest seriously.I'll see an old friend tomorrow and that's probably it.
I have too much energy, even when I'm jet-legged.Hanging out at home almost all day long is not my thing. Makes me feel nervous and depressed.Or is it something else?
Hopefully, the weather should improve Monday.Let the vacationing begin!
Sorry I was away.I had a long,exhausting trip to Serbia,which enhanced the notorious jet-leg.
This trip, so far, has not been what I hoped for.
For one, my mom was sick. She's better now, thank God. Now my sister is sick.Nothing serious, hopefully, but it's gets the G, out of good mood.
And three, the weather, for the lack of a better word, sucks!
It is cold, and cloudy, rainy, really depressing. So far, two days, and no long strolls on the walking street or hanging out in outdoor cafes with friends-the gems of any good Serbian holiday, or visit home.
I did have a fun dinner with my extended family.It was great to see them all together, again!
Also, not much is open on Sunday here.People here take the day of rest seriously.I'll see an old friend tomorrow and that's probably it.
I have too much energy, even when I'm jet-legged.Hanging out at home almost all day long is not my thing. Makes me feel nervous and depressed.Or is it something else?
Hopefully, the weather should improve Monday.Let the vacationing begin!
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