That Aged Well


Newsletter

That Aged Well!


by Esther on 16 June 2025

I will not lie, the last newsletter was written on the date it was so that I could contain something happening a few days later in this letter. However, that planning also worked out a lot better given what all has happened following my last update. Just as I thought life was calming down, new lemons were given to me. Most days I was living in both Lithuania and U.S. at the same time.

Sad news first, my boss and her husband need prayers. They are getting a divorce, but the divorce has escalated into something more than it needed to be. The part that pains me most is knowing that the kiddos (three under eight) are being dragged through this whole mess, and I am not there to comfort them. Since the early days of being a teenager, I knew I wanted to be there for the kiddos. Knowing I am over 8000 km away from them sucks, but it has also taught me that I can protect them through other means. This issue alone has only added to the reasons why I do not look forward to departing Lithuania. This issue has also forced to me make decisions with the wisdom of my parents and other wise individuals regarding what life will look like when I am in the U.S. again. I pray that the boundaries my parents and I had to put in place are temporary and will be tossed into the rubbish soon, so I can return back to a sense of normalcy.

That wasn’t the only thing that has kept me in U.S. time though. I had to take some online courses in U.S. time all while being a VU student. How I manage it all, I truly do not know. I sadly had to be reminded by how the U.S. system gives so much busy work, but at least I passed the course. I am currently taking a biology course as well, and that one has been an adventure as well. I basically camp out at the café, but whatever gets the job done.

Now to write what all I have been up to would take too long. Most of my adventures take me to Trakai where I get to spend time with the family. Personally, I am not the type to follow the crowd, so having the family recommend things to me or joining for events has allowed me to experience things most Eramus students or tourists probably do not even know exist. I really enjoy music, so being able to go to the 50th anniversary concert for Trakų fanfarinė orkestras and Trakų Vasara 2025 were right up my alley. I also enjoy being able to spend time with the family because of the fruitful conversations. And to answer my Lithuanian friend, I am that one person who goes to Latvia twice in a span of three months. Some misunderstandings aged well, and it concluded with me being a happy Baltic gal. Obviously my first (and at the time only) trip up was to show me around. Everything was extremely brand new to me, and even my Latvian friend and I were sort of still new to each other having only met for about three hours the prior August. The second trip still had some touristy exploration to it, but it felt more homey in my opinion as I was able to recognize some familiar things. Not only did I get to explore on my own some, but I also got to meet the family and friends of my friend, so that too made a difference.

I know it is very easy to judge my lack of travelling outside of the Baltics, and before my second Latvia trip, I too felt disappointed that I am in Europe and not travel to other countries outside of these two. Now though, I genuinely feel like I got more full experience than the colleagues who travel all of Europe. My marks and finances reflect it, and physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually it also reflects it. One can search up events like Šaltibarščiai fest on the web. One can find billions of images of Western Europe on the internet. However, being able to learn from and spend time with friends is something the internet cannot provide. It is these things that make me know that I never want to leave.

I have been up to a plethora of other adventures, but to follow along with those, I recommend following my socials. Summer is around the corner, and I shall see you all in the next one!

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Extras

Suggested…

To Read…

Essentials of International Relations

To Watch…


Trakai with roommate and her friend

Ryga Trip


Others...


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