Batteries recharged !.
The month of March was marked by rain. In France, we call it March showers. I had never seen Murter in this setting. Downpours and flooded streets in 5 minutes. Romi had gone to Spain for the first week, so the rain and the loneliness pushed me to keep busy at home. It was an opportunity for me to start a deep spring cleaning. The flowers and insects will show their noses, so let’s live this moment in a clean house to have peace of mind! I found materials for sewing, one of my favorite hobbies, so I created a new tablecloth, a new sofa cover, a yoga mat… By the way, I gave a first yoga class, it was great, I loved it and it gives me ideas for the future. In short, being alone and active, creative, with a lot of sport, was pleasant and rejuvenating. Taking time for myself, for creation, sporting activity, good cooking, to maintain a pleasant home and to rest were a good combination for feeling really good. So, this rainy month was a bit like my hibernation, during which I recharged my batteries and prepare to go out when the spring sun will surface. In the meantime : pomalo.
It was the last month for the Eco-Wednesday workshops. Gardening, World Water Day, and forests were on the program. A TV channel wanted to do a report on volunteering, so they came to film an entire workshop. It was a very fun experience, at first I was a little nervous to conduct my workshop under the light of the cameras and the gaze of the three reporters but ultimately it was interesting, joyful, refreshing and unusual. A new experience is always good to have. We laughed a lot when we watched the result on the television news. It creates good memories.
The workshops ended last week. I learned a lot through this experience. It was for me the first time that I was confronted with a teaching exercise entirely about the environment. Talking about carbon footprints or ecosystems with kindergarten children was a challenge, and we found that these children were able to understand environmental issues and even consider solutions. It is ultimately not so complicated for them to understand the issues linked to the climate. They may be exposed to discussions, images on social networks, current events related to global warming, which can be anxiety-provoking. I think helping them understand their environment and realize that they have the power to act can be reassuring. We presented these issues to them in an accessible way and it was surprising to see that they sometimes assimilate these concepts better than some adults. I hope we have planted a small seed of ecological awareness in their development and self-building and that they will help save the planet…
In mid-March, we went to present the ESC and Erasmus + program at the University of Sibenik. Romi and I were in front of a hall full of students to talk about our lives in Murter by showing our photos and testifying to our adventure to make young people want to get started. Here again, it was a challenge, speaking English in front of dozens of young adults who had their eyes fixed on us intimidated us a little at first. Then the energy of our duo was felt and we were finally relaxed and joking. We came out very proud of ourselves hahaha.
This month was also very important for me personally because I experienced the pure happiness of welcoming a new little baby into my family. My sister gave birth to a beautiful little spring flower. So, after 4 months, I packed my suitcase to go find my loved ones. It was one of the most intense trips of my life. Nothing is stronger than being on the road to find your loved ones. Admiration and pride at the strength and smile of this woman who gave life. Nothing is more beautiful. These holidays kept a very high rhythm, visits from friends and family, joyful celebrations over lunch in the sun, cafes on the terrace and cinemas, find again goat’s cheese and baguette… It was one of the most beautiful week of my life. The perspective that this life in Murter gives me, on an island somewhat isolated from the world, allows me to realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by such great family and friends.
The return to Murter is rainy again. Back to calm, with a need for a few days of transition to find the balance between a week full of emotions, activity, friends, family, and the return to our island where the pace is much slower and solitary.
It was therefore a month that was both rainy and homely, but also marked by challenges and emotions. Fear can be a very good motivator to act, unlike anxiety which paralyzes. Fear challenges us. And overcoming fear to get out of your comfort zone and being victorious is very satisfying and a source of self-confidence. So these victorious challenges brought me satisfaction, and the birth of my niece, the return home, filled me with a lot of love and simple happiness. I come back here with radiant memories and very strong feelings. The batteries are recharged for the come back of spring and the summer season, to welcome friends and family who will visit me!
For now, a little rest is needed before the youth exchange which is coming next week, excitement and curiosity fill me. On the way to this new adventure!!
Juliette, from France
About the ESC : The European Solidarity Corps is a program of the European Union to strengthen solidarity in various areas: from helping the disadvantaged and providing humanitarian aid to engagement for health and the environment in the EU and beyond.
The program offers young people the opportunity to respond to the needs of the community, make a concrete contribution to society, and in the process gain invaluable experience and develop new skills. The program is also intended for organizations active in the field of solidarity that want to involve young people in their activities.
