First week in Romania ends in about four hours! Really, I've only been here since Tuesday, but I think it'll be best to make a post every Sunday. To sum up, I went to the "Salina" salt mine, Olanesti, and my host great grandmother's birthday party. All have been incredible experiences, and I'm baffled that I'll have so many more to come. I suppose I'm still in what I've heard called "the honeymoon period", one of the better times during exchange. I'm a bit scared of the inevitability of it coming to an end, but I think I'll be able to stay in high spirits about it. Much of exchange thus far seems to be a test of optimism. Thinking about the fact that I'm thousands of miles from any family members (except my aunt, who lives in Amsterdam) gives me two feelings. A feeling of true terror initially, that nobody you've known in person for more than a few days, nobody you trust is around if something goes wrong. This feeling then gives way to a sense of wonder at the independence you've achieved from what you grew up with, and everything you've come to know. I think that in the coming months, the most important decision I make every day will be which way to feel. To enjoy exchange will be to wrench myself away from the feelings of nausea experienced on a roller coaster and relish the feeling of my stomach dropping, rather than dread it at each turn.