Five days in, and I am already changed. Walking around with a beginner's mind, the city strikes me as magical yet practical, modern yet ancient. As an American, I'm only used to the castles of Disney Land, but I've seen two in my stretch of five days. A few things stick out as I've made my way across and outside the city:1. The forests are just as beautiful as I'd imagined them to be. Driving through them, I noticed their soul, their warmth, and their solidity. If this sounds like Hippie Shit to

Now that I'm one day out from moving to another country and leaving America's breakneck-paced rat race to nowhere, I'm turning a page in my book and reflecting on the enormity of what lies ahead. Sometimes I feel a little meshugennah for planting myself in a country I've never been, but most days, I feel a peacefulness in my soul about it all. Destiny? Maybe. I just know it feels right.For those of y'all interested in moving abroad, brace yourself for two things: 1) creating the moving checklist

Welcome back to my blog, Into the Forests I Go, where we're traveling together on my adventures across Lithuania and Europe - and this time, I'm just coming back from Oslo, Norway, my first visit to a Scandinavian country.Why was I in Norway in the first place? Well, I was in town to see Harry Styles, whose first two records' rock and psychedelic spin had won me over with a vengeance. So, never ones to pass up a good deal, The Scientist and I bought our Oslo Passes and ventured around the city.

Labas, hi! Can you believe it's been almost ONE YEAR since The Scientist and I moved to Lithuania? We've been doing a whole lot of reflecting on what that means for us, how we feel as newcomers, how we've felt leaving America, and trying to take its best aspects with us.So where are we at, just about clocking in for the one year mark? Well, fortunately and unfortunately for our families, we do actually really love it here - in Europe and Lithuania. We like it so much that there would have to be

I learned about this Užgavėnės celebration from a wonderful virtual gathering of Romuva practitioners, and to be clear, I want to celebrate what they're celebrating. I'll get more into that later. As I started to investigate more into Užgavėnės (and an international Lithuanian tipped me off to its controversy), I discovered some pretty unsavory images and information.

As one group of American friends moves back home, life has suddenly moved into August. [Cue Taylor Swift song.] Last week, I hosted my women's circle after a month off, and was completely reminded of the power of community to make a city a home - a country a home. I always get so much out of hosting these events and giving back to my new community; it really surprises me how peaceful and lifted I feel after everyone leaves my flat. (I'm also surprised that I've taken on the word 'flat' with so m

My walk home last Sunday started like any other, but it's amazing what happens when you keep yourself open to being surprised. The Scientist, greyhound, and I were walking past a former Jewish cemetery that the city of Vilnius has kindly signified as such, amidst quite a lot of controversy. I didn't expect to see other Jewish people at the site, although I often wonder how many others walking by understand its historical significance. This day, though, I was blessed to see other Jewish people pr

We're almost there, y'all! On this day a year ago, The Scientist and I were getting every last little (heated) drop of Texas we could - driving out through limestone hills to Lake Travis for our last drinks at Oasis Brewing Company, the same spot we had a party of our wedding guests the day before our wedding.And hey, speaking of weddings, we may have moved to another country on our wedding anniversary. You know, why not just pack all the celebrations and new chapters in to one day!? So this is

I know, I know - the title. If you're rolling your eyes at "soul's work," I feel you. What does that even mean? And what's with the flowery language, Eva? I'll explain.I'm not someone that cares much about Life Purpose - not when it really comes down to it. I don't appreciate the purpose anxiety, and I certainly don't care to box myself into standards that someone else already set. It took me a few meandering years to get to this Bigger Picture place - to stop pressuring myself into My One True

I've now lived in Lithuania long enough to experience their two main Independence Days - while sandwiched in between them, a neighboring country has begun a fight for its own freedom. "Begun" maybe isn't the right word here. Living in Lithuania, I've found that people are always acknowledging their freedom, and Ukraine clearly values the same. They all know what it's like to have the opposite in a way I've never experienced in the United States. It's fresh in their national consciousness. People

Hey everyone! Today, we're doing something a little different from my typical blog post. I've decided to start a small series where I interview people in Lithuania - other foreigners and Lithuanians alike. I've surrounded myself with a select group of American (and Canadian!) friends here in Vilnius, and even more that have come and gone in my - gasp! - 1.5 years here. A special kinship exists with other expats in Lithuania, but especially Americans... and in my case, especially Americans from t

Labas, everyone! If we're being real here, I've needed a bit of time to reflect on my experiences in Latvia just about three weeks ago now. Most of it was refreshing and nourishing, but there were bits of it that shook and disrupted me - and that's what I've needed to reflect on. You know I'm not going to be dishonest with you about my life experiences here in the Baltics: you've seen my dissertation on the dark side of Užgavėnės at the end of February and its redemption story the following week

If I'm being honest, moving to Eastern Europe didn't initially sit well with many of my family members. They would be the first to tell you this, too: Jewish people haven't always had the best track record of thriving in this corner of the world, and, I believe people live with cellular and generational trauma from family members past. So, here's my personal inquiry:How can I create myself anew and reclaim this homeland for myself, for the ancestors inside of me? How can I transform a pain story

More than any of the three of us (myself, The Scientist, and Audrey, our greyhound), I think Audrey has picked the tallest straw from this move. Don't get me wrong: we've got our own shares of beauty (um hello, blueberry season!), but this dog has it made.She roams around in forests nearly every day since our move, she lounges with us in restaurants as we remove our fast-paced American conditioning, she gets all kinds of foraged treats, and Europe is just generally very pet-friendly. The only th

*Taps mic*Is this thing on?Well labas, y'all! You miss me? I'm back from a week-long holiday in Heidelberg, Germany, far removed from Lithuanian basketball and equinox celebrations. While I traveled there with The Scientist, I had plenty of time to explore the city on my own, ducking into cozy coffee shops and taking in the scenery. First off, I know we have castles and manors in Lithuania, but Heidelberg's castle in Altstadt just adds one more layer to my European experience. (When did I get so

Alright, it's official: August is my favorite month here, without a doubt. At this point last year, we were just spreading our wings out into other parts of Lithuania beyond the city center - Trakai, the Vilnius University Botanical Gardens, etc. But it's the waterways I've been watching with the most interest for about a year - and mostly watching from a sad distance. Why?Unlike Texas, the air here is much colder, making the water feel that much colder. (I'm not that acclimated!) But as the sum

Hey, Steve here! So as it turns out, moving to Lithuania and staying in Lithuania are separate challenges. I'll tell you what we did (including the mistakes), and more importantly - what you should do if you decide to come and stay! This will be a four part series:1. The Scientist: National Visa2. The Scientist: Residence Permit3. Eva: Residence Permit4. Eva: National VisaBut before I begin, a few thank yous: • The team at GoVilnius.lt (They've got great guides for assisting newcomers!) • The ad

In honor of my Lithuanian language course ending this week (nooooo!), I'm coming here today with something that's been inspiring me for as long as I've lived in Lithuania. Let me explain.Walking through the hallways of the picturesque Vilnius University - a Lithuania institution since 1579 - something particular has been catching my eye every Trečiadienį - I mean, Wednesday! And what could possibly inspire so much of my imagination once a week?Y'all should have seen this one coming.Immediately b

I'd only been in Europe for less than two weeks when I wrote my first Friend Dating post about navigating friendships abroad, being open to new experiences, and displaying enough discernment to know when it's okay to let some people go along the way. I'm just gonna be straight up with y'all: I don't think this friend dating thing ends. Like, ever - unless you become a hermit, and in that case, I hope you enjoy your silent disco dance parties in peace. I love connecting with people in meaningful

Well, well, well. I've got some very interesting news for y'all: this week, I found out that I actually have roots in Lithuania. I know, I know - I'm an Ashkenazi Jew with roots across Eastern Europe. It was bound to happen, right? Sure, maybe somewhere else, but I had no idea it'd be so close to home. I initially thought the pinpoint was Kaunas (yeah, that Kaunas!), but some distant relatives have since confirmed my ancestor was from Panevėžys. Yep, I have roots in Lithuania!

Visiting the Paneriai Memorial, one of many mass execution sites of Jewish people during the Holocaust, has never been on my fun list of things to do here in Lithuania. As an exercise in contrast, it's certainly nothing like visiting Vilnius's numerous coffee shops in hopes of finding my favorite one. (Still a fan of Caffeine, y'all!) No, more than anything, I've always viewed this memorial with a morbid curiosity - and never a hesitation. I understand how important it is for me to do the work a

Well, my friends, I've officially crossed over the three month mark here in Vilnius - what!? - and the colder, fall weather has really set a precedent for coziness. I'm happy to sink right into it, because I drink a ton of tea on the daily. Nettles, lemon balm, chai, jasmine green - it's kind of my thing. But here in Vilnius, I noticed one thing right away: No Starbucks. Yeah, y'all heard me right - not a single Starbucks in the whole country. (How very European of you, Lithuania!)And, I mean, I

Trust me when I say this one hits close to home.So, envision this: you've just moved miles away from a country you know and (sometimes) love, and with it, an uprooted social network and countless inside jokes. Friendships already require watering and care for successful growth, but what happens when a whole continent separates you from those you love? I won't lie and say this has been easy territory for me to traverse. I've adjusted to a new culture and cultivated new friendships surprisingly we

Happy New Year, everyone! We've made it through the tumbleweeds of what-December-day-is-this, and I feel like I've been spurt out right into 2023 on fresh, damp soil.Here's why.My days are getting longer here in Lithuania, I'm starting to see more of the sun, and I'm feeling dedicated to my practice of being a good human. But along with these wins, I took time off from writing this blog post to travel around Lithuania - and it turns out, that's where the gold was.I had a few experiences while in

I wanted a white Christmas, dammit.Let's roll the tape back to last year for a moment.When The Scientist and I traveled back home to the States last year, our return dates had already been predetermined by our past selves looking for a great Round Trip deal. (Thanks, past me!) And so it was: home for the holidays, warm and balmy in the South and snowy in the North. So, of course, we spent Thanksgiving here in Vilnius last year. I'll paint the picture for you: international friends spilled into o

When I say I'm not a sports fan, what I mean is that I usually can't be bothered to watch a game. The Superbowl? Sure, give me Lady Gaga at the Halftime Show, but do we really have to pretend I'm invested in anything at a Superbowl Party other than chips and queso?But let me tell you: I was biting my nails and shouting at the screen along with the rest of my sportsball friends on Saturday night when Lithuania was playing against Spain at the EuroBasket, and I may have even yelled out a few exple

It's been about two months since The Scientist and I started our Lithuanian language lessons at Vilnius University - a semester-long biweekly crash course in beginner's Lithuanian, admittedly not for the faint of heart. Lithuanians love to acknowledge that they've got a tough language. You know what? I think they almost feel bad that I, an American, have to learn it, as hard as it is. And I quote: "I still mess it up sometimes, and I'm a native speaker!" Can't even tell y'all how many times I've

Ever pick up all of your belongings and move to another country? Hey, me neither!

Well, the honeymoon phase is officially starting to wear off -- and it's Official with a capital O. If I hadn't already done my own reading on the four stages of culture shock, I'd probably think something was wrong with me. It turns out: I'm just in the middle of a huge transition. I've mentioned my way around this process before, and I've provided strategies to handle moving from the highs into the lows. But, nothing so pointed as the road map I now hold in front of me.I want to use this oppor

What would you do if you had the opportunity to fly to one of a dozen cities in Europe to see a few musicians that mean a lot to your life story?Where would you go?I was gifted with that exact opportunity last week, and it didn't take too long to set my sights on Vienna, Austria - a place I didn't even recall having traveled to as a child. (But spoiler alert: I did!)So this was, for all intents and purposes, a very new experience for me, and lucky for you, I've got some stories and tips to bridg

Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Into the Forests I Go, a small piece of my mind and heart as an expat living in Lithuania.Today's post is simultaneously a coming home and a bit of a departure for me. I'm willing it into existence, dreaming of warmth and new cycles. (Considering the hilariously low FIVE HOURS of sunshine Vilnius received during the month of January, it only makes sense that my mind is gravitating towards the light.)One of my favorite places in all of Lithuania is a small town calle

Between honing in on new living arrangements, following our car's daily adventures across the Atlantic, and languorous trips to the migration office, it's hard to believe October has arrived at my doorstep. A few lifetimes ago in Boulder, CO, I would reach for the light in the smallest and most tender of ways: listening to the Beach Boys during snowstorms; walking along Boulder Creek; drinking my favorite chai in coffee shops with friends. These days, my force field involves dance parties to Har

Here's something I haven't told you about me yet: in a past lifetime, I was a florist.I mean, it's probably not that surprising to you, is it? An artist is an artist wherever she chooses to create. ... So you can probably imagine how much I absolutely love flowers. I love the abundance of flower shops here, the fact that people gift flowers so often, the holidays that consistently involve flowers. Flowers are a powerful act of care to me.But these days, I've been really leaning into the springti

Let's just state the obvious, y'all: I'm all the way on the other side of the world from a home country I'm - in the same breath - extremely proud of and embarrassed to be associated with. We all contain multitudes, you know? But these days, I'm living my best life as a foreigner in Vilnius - whether that's attending Girl Gone International events, hosting community gatherings, or supporting the local economy by buying my weight in sūrelis. I've gotta say, though: there are some things I genuine

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Into the Forests I Go, my little blog examining life in Lithuania as someone from, well, very far away. A couple of weeks ago, I started a series where I interview other friendly faces in Lithuania, and Adelaide from Texas was my first guest on the topic.This week, I'm continuing my journey with Alžběta, someone I only recently met in December - and I thought she'd make an interesting subject since she just picked up her cats and moved here from the Czech Republic.

You know, I could probably write a whole essay about the inner workings of my dog's mind. She's such an unusual, sweet creature. (What does she really think about Vilnius's lack of squirrels?) But, the truth is that she's been a solid and resilient fellow traveler on this new family adventure. Coming from Austin - where people practically worship their pets - The Scientist and I didn't know what to expect when moving across the world. Had people in Vilnius even seen a greyhound before? (Spoiler

If you haven't already figured this out, I'll let you in on a little secret: my husband and I are weekend warriors. We're always looking for ways to have a new adventure, a new experience, a way to keep our minds flexible and open - especially in a new country. And even through the winter, you could find us taking little road trips to Lithuanian dvaras (manors) or stopping along the way at a snow-covered Tatar mosque.

Yeah, you read that right. Things got weird, y'all.And it all started, of course, with a desire to explore Lithuania beyond Vilnius.After eating homemade Eggs Benedict with a friend, we all piled into his car, zooming through forests and snow-packed roads - all to check out a dirt bike that The Scientist was interested in buying. (Is anyone surprised?) But while we were out of the capital, we decided to check out our surroundings, and that's when we stumbled upon the UFO and Stonehenge.Listen, I

Coming in hot this week with a Very. Practical. Post. but it's a question my husband and I have been asked constantly since moving to Lithuania: how the heck did we move our dog overseas from America? And that, my friends, deserves a high quality response - because it's a pretty daunting process. Some of this information will obviously be specific to Lithuania, but much of it will be relevant to anyone making a big move with their furry friend(s). Big thanks to The Scientist for his assistance

Ah, finally - the miracle of all miracles for this Southerner: the sun has decided to join us here in Vilnius, after five days of cold and blustery rain. I'd be lying if I said the weather didn't affect me, but since I was already feeling insular and womb-like this past week, it was easy to match the mood. So now, with some Vitamin D coursing through my sun-drunk veins, I wanted to reflect on some small miracles that warmed me this past week:1. I found community in the strangest of places for a

Moving to another country can feel a lot like starting over, except with the advantage, perspective, and friendships of your previous home. My partner and I compare it to starting a level over in a video game, rather than at the very beginning. Meaning: I have both internal and external foundations to build upon in my new life here. And, I trust myself to make the right decisions while staying open to All of the Newness. But still, making new friends is a whole new ballgame, especially for this

Well, hey! Y'all miss me? So, some good news: I made it back from America in arguably one piece, doing amazingly well on every plane I boarded, probably thanks in large part to sharing my flight anxiety with all of you. I didn't self-combust or have any large panic attacks, but I did get chatty with a couple of flight attendants and hold a few grounding stones. (Okay, I may have also listened to an exorbitant amount of Hillsong music and chanting, but I digress. Whatever works. I surrender to th

One of the most compelling puzzle pieces that drew me to Lithuania from the United States was this country's long-standing appreciation for nature. And more than that, I was impressed to learn that Lithuania was the last European country to fall to Christianity, something I've mentioned before. Multiple Lithuanian friends have told me that once Christianity took hold, it was to keep the peace - politically motivated. In other words, people were still practicing the beliefs native to their hearts