Yo...Polako!

Pozdravi World! Goodness me I've been terribly busy. Hmm...let me take you back about a week or so and we shall start from there =D ....dobro?!?

Okay so last week I was in Vienna participating in a musical history tour type event. Our days were jam packed full of running all around the city, visiting various composers' former abodes, attending fancy productions and whatnot- basically familiarizing ourselves with all of Vienna's finest music related aesthetics. Most times in these types of situations, when I'm out for a good 14 hours per day, just hopping from place to place, it's unfortunately really easy for me to slip into a numbed type state of mind; everything becomes this weird sort of blur and it's hard for me to acutely concentrate, or appreciate what it is I'm actually experiencing. I'm the type of person that likes to take it slow and notice the subtleties of my surroundings. For it's when you uncover what's below the surface that you can fully treasure the beauty of a place. So I took it slow, promising myself that no matter how fast-paced the group wanted the trip to be, I was going to fully let my time in Vienna sink into my memory. And that's just what I did.

When we visited Strauss' apartment, for instance, I wandered into the bedroom, took a look around, noticing a beat-up pair of headphones located on a shelf, with a chair conveniently placed adjacent to the wall. I picked them up, thinking of all who might have had them on before me, sat down, positioned them over my hat on my head, pressed play and shut my eyes. It was a waltz- Strauss' signature. As I listened I tried to ignore the clamoring feet and bodies romping from room to room, taking short-lived glances at some note or artifact placed on a wall, and then moving on, forgetting almost immediately what they had just read or seen. I simply thought of Strauss. I imagined him with his violin; dancing. It was surreal for me to think about the fact that I was in the very room where the dude himself had at one time composed the very pieces of music that I was now enjoying. I opened my eyes and looked up at the illustrations hanging on the walls throughout the room. Each one pictured large masses of people, joyfully lining around the violinist with huge chops and a childish smirk on his face. It was obvious he was proud of the liberating effect his music had on others. It was neat. I smiled along with him.

The trip was full of moments like these. Moments where I truly felt infinite...and simply couldn't help but grin at life's wholesome blessings. 

One day we had the opportunity to go have a picnic at one of Vienna's palace gardens. We placed ourselves right on the hillside that overlooks into this massive area that's just this sea of beautifully colorful flowers. As each of us were unpacking our sandwiches, gleefully stuffing them with doritos and drooling over the rare sight that is dr pepper, I thought to myself, "Hey man, enjoy this. You're experiencing a truly memorable moment. Put yourself in the now." So, I got out my pipe and took a mental note; God's so good.

And I must say I've been in the highest of spirits as of late. Since we've gotten back from Vienna I've begun to feel way more at home. Not that I was weighed down by a sense severe anxiety or anything before I went away... but since being back in Bosnia, I just feel as if this is where God truly called me to be for the year. I suppose reinforced, spiritual encouragement would be a more accurate description. But nonetheless, I'm so pumped to be where I'm at....and I couldn't love being with the Summays any more than I do. They some dang good peoples they are =] 

So ya...just been living as "polako" as I possibly can live. I've come to realize the fact that it's more of a lifestyle than a simple word. Just taking it easy, slowing down, living life for what it is and not stressing. Visiting with friends without an agenda or reason; simply for the sake of intimate community. Counting all of your blessings and not overlooking the significance to each passing moment. It really is a valuable way to live. One that I hope to harness and carry with me. 

Well folks, if you ever want to chat, my skype is "caleb.gill" ...I don't think I had mentioned that on here before, so I just wanted to make it available to anyone interested. I'd love to stay in touch and tell you virtual face to virtual face some of the random things that I'm experiencing, that oftentimes I refrain from blogging about. There's a lot that happens and I'd love to share it with you. Love yeinz. 

Grace and Peace,

Kaleb

...Oh and I promise to stay more up to date with this whole blogging thing. The past week was just a lot of GO! GO! GO! ;D

(if you'd like to see more pictures from my trip...go here! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=105511&id=1240636878)