The final letter

So at 7pm I went to teach my class. I wrapped it up ten minutes earlier, in order to have time to come back home, shower, get dressed and arrive to the address mentioned in the previous letter. And I only had 30 minutes to do all that! So as I arrived home, I rushed to the bathroom and had a speedy shower - I was ready to get dressed. Arna already chose the outfit I would be wearing, I put my heeled shoes on and I was ready to go. But I was already behind my schedule and Arna offered to give me a ride to the address I was already supposed to be at. In the car she told me that giving me a ride was already preplanned and I should remember the spot where I got out so I can meet her there when I am done with the next task.
So there I was, all dressed up, ringing the door bell. A man came to let me in and he took my downstairs to the basement flat - at this point I wasn't sure what to expect. I arrived to the living room where a pregnant woman ****** was waiting for me. We introduced and she sat me down on a chair and said she will be my make up and hair stylist for the evening. Wow, my very own stylist! I felt like a superstar. ****** is a professional make up artist and works in theaters. We had a bit of chit chat and soon my make up was done. She then continued to do my hair. By this point we were again already behind schedule - I was only supposed to be in there for 30 minutes but, by the time I was completely ready to go, almost an hour passed. I looked myself at the mirror and Oh my God!! I was a diva! I actually looked 24 years old. She did a very good job and before I left she gave the final envelope - dark blue one.
I opened it up and read:

"Buu!
You will still have some time to admire yourself. Now you must get out and somewhere near you will find our Saxo. I am sitting behind the wheel. You will sit down on the passenger's seat and do not ask any questions - we can only share opinions on your fresh new look. Enjoy the ride, it will last for a while.
Now go outside and follow the guidelines. Continue reading on the next page only when we have already driven off. (I will let you read with the light on :))"

So I thanked ******, left the apartment and went to look for Saxo. I found it and got inside as I was told. I immediately started blabbing about my new look, how beautiful I look, how crazy this is... we both admired me for a minute and the time came to take off. I took the letter out again and continued to read (Arna was very misterious!):

"Prepare for the following. When you are done reading, I want you to close your eyes. Enjoy the ride. Also when the car stops, do not open your eyes. I will help you get out of the car. We will go for a walk. Your task is to fully trust me.
Again, this is all for your enjoyment.
I love you immensely!"

So I did as I was asked of. I put the letter away and closed my eyes. Of course, I was so excited that I couldn't stop talking on and on about all kinds of things. It must of annoyed Arna - as she later told me, she was so nervous, hoping all will go as planned and I didn't stop blabbing all the way until the car stopped.
The ride took about 10 minutes or so and I had no idea where we were at. As Arna, so cleverly planned, drove a bit in circles I honestly could not guess the location. She helped me get out of the car, took my arm and led the way. She told me to trust her as she will tell me, if there are any steps or wholes in the ground, but as we walked she forgot to warn me of the only step we encountered along the way. So, of course, I tripped a bit. :)
Anyway, the walk wasn't long, only a hundred meters or so. And before we reached the goal the music came on - Lepa Brena "Jugoslovenka". And I thought to myself: "Oh my... what is going on???...aaaaaaaaaaaa!". A few more steps downwards and I was told to open my eyes. And there they were. All men in the front, opening a champagne. Behind them the rest of the crowd - my friends. Hanging above them were many colorful balloons. And I stood there completely confused and completely overwhelmed by the scene, all dressed up, with "Jugoslovenka" still playing loudly... What a thrill, the joy I felt, the happiness, surprise. It was my very own birthday surprise party!!! As the shock of it all slowly dispersed, I hugged my dear sister and all I could mouth out was Thank you. I think the look on my face said everything I was feeling and no words were necessary. And she was happy, she could finally breathe after 3 days of playing it cool and planning to whole thing out.
And the party began, drinks were poured into glasses, hugs were in order, gifts were received. The party was a success. It was a movie. It was a dream. It was perfect.
The perfect gift given to my by my favorite person in the whole world - my sister Arna.


THE END.

The fifth letter

So when I came back from my morning rehearsal the following day, I immediately unlocked the car, sat inside, gave it a start and the journey began. The song was playing, Montanita by Ratatat - good stuff. As a matter of fact, I am listening to the same tune now as I am writing this. I found my letter and began to read.

"Ku-ku!

Tonight you have a whole schedule planned out for you, did you know? :) As you noticed, the tasks are getting more difficult each time. But don't worry and don't be afraid.
After the evening rehearsal you will need to be fast coming home - first you will take a shower, wash away everything including make up. You may only take your underwear into the bathroom. When you are done with the shower step out on the hallway (you can wear a robe, I know you are always cold). There you will have the basic outfit picked up for you, you can add things if you wish to. I am giving you the complete freedom on choosing your shoes.
Be careful, you will only have 30 minutes for the whole shower and dress up matter. At 21.00 you must already arrive to a flat on Roška road no.** and ring the name *******. Wait for miss ****** - a nice pregnant woman - she will open the door for you and bring you to her basement flat. Soon you will be realizing what the deal is. Beware, here you will also have a time limit of 30 minutes, you must be back outside by 21.30. Before you leave the flat ask ****** for your sixth envelope. Open it and follow the rules. There. I think I've written enough.
Back to work!"

The letter was read, the song ended - perfect timing! I was completely excited and couldn't wait to see what is going on! I had only a few hours until my evening teaching class... time never passed by slower than that day. Seriously!

TO BE CONTINUED...

My fourth letter

I arrived to the apartment later on carrying a list of songs I have decided were my favorite. And there was yet another letter on the table, this time the envelope was green. I opened it up and read:

"Good evening, dear sis!
Considering the fact that you are successfully and quietly completing your tasks, I am rewarding you with a pink Gerber flower," (and there it was on the table).
"By this I am also encouraging you to continue playing the game and hoping you are enjoying it. Tomorrow your day will again be set with small tasks. I know you will have a busy day but I expect you to fulfill your requirements. You will receive further guidelines sometime between morning and evening rehearsal. You will find these in the car - do not forget to take your pair of keys. Before you open the awaiting envelope it is very important to turn the key as much to give the car contact. There will be a set song on the CD player keeping you company as you read the letter. Wait until the song finishes and only then you may leave the car. Be sure to keep your energy level balanced!
Good night!"

As I put my beautiful flower in a vase, I was anxious to hear the song that will play in the car and to receive further information. I had a feeling something big was about to happen soon but had no idea it were to be the most beautiful thing I ever got. But that is still to come in the next blog so keep reading.

TO BE CONTINUED...

The third letter

I arrived to the Cacao bar and went inside to ask for my letter. I received a red envelope and this time it was heavier. I opened the envelope and found the letter and some money in coins.
The letter read:
"Hello sis!
As you have noticed the envelope is a bit heavier this time. Put your hand in and take the money. When the waiter arrives order a banana shake and wait until you are served. Pay for the drink. After you have done this you should find yourself enjoying the relaxed Ljubljana atmosphere with a delicious shake... If that is the case you can continue with reading.
You will now prepare me a present. Not just any present but one that consists of 15-20 songs. Not just any songs - the ones that mean most to you, sound best, contain a lot of memories... Now, as you are relaxing with your banana, you have the time to think about it and make a list. When you return home, there will be a CD waiting for you. By 9PM tomorrow, Thursday, you will need to burn me the CD with your favorite tracks. Good luck!"

So as I was enjoying my banana shake (really was good!) I started thinking about my favorite songs and I have to say, it was a difficult task. There are so many of them I like to listen to, but to call them my favorite would be a lie. I searched deep down and came up with 15 songs - I knew it, my CD will be loaded with crap! But I had to stay honest with myself, so I stood by my decision. All I had to do next was go home, gather the tracks and burn the CD. So I took off.

TO BE CONTINUED...

The second letter

The next morning - I could hardly wait!!! - I stepped out to the mailbox and opened it up with the key I was given. This time a blue envelope waited for me.
It read:

"Good morning! Before you spring off into the day let me remind you that you have a task to complete. Some time during the day take a half an hour break and go visit the Cacao bar on Petkovškovo nabrežje. Before you sit down, go to the bar - there will be a red envelope waiting for you. Read it carefully and do as told step by step. The only and most important thing I ask from you is to do this alone. And for the rest - Carpe diem!"

I couldn't wait for my morning rehearsal to end so I could sit on my bike and rush over to the Cacao bar to receive the next letter. I wondered why I had to go to that bar in order to receive it, what will be waiting for me there? And finally the rehearsal came to an end and I was off.

TO BE CONTINUED...

My 24th

Something pretty amazing is happening to me and I want to share it with you. You see, three days ago, on Tuesday, I arrived to Ljubljana after being in Brussels for three weeks, celebrating - or not - my birthday there (I was not home for my birthday last year either). So my sister decided to give me the best gift ever: she prepared me a game. A game that is still going on since Tuesday. There are several letters that describe the journey of the game.

The first letter I received said (I am paraphrasing): "You are a part of a game in which you are the main participant. The rules are simple and you cannot influence them. There is a journey you have to take in order to arrive to the end of the game. You do not know how long this game will last but when you arrive to the end of it, you will know. There are little tasks you will have to fulfill in order to get to the next level - receive the next letter.
In this envelope you will find a key, it belongs to the mailbox. You may use it not sooner than tomorrow morning. Just relax and enjoy the ride."

The next morning I opened the mailbox and found yet another letter. TO BE CONTINUED...

My no.2

It's a beautiful day today: the sun is shinning, the birds are singing, there is a light breeze in the air - the spring has arrived. The one thing that is missing are the flowers growing out of the green grass. But they will arrive to the surface soon.
Almost feels like pre-summer. And I am sneezing. Isn't that amazing?

GOOD TO BE HOME after three weeks in Brussels. I don't like the city that much, I always feel a slight depression there. After we landed to Trieste by plane, one girl sitting behind me made a comment on how interesting it is that people suddenly became much more relaxed after leaving Brussels and arriving somewhere else. And it was true - the people's faces were lighter, they were somehow happier. I imagine there really is something depressive about that city. But I am back now, back in the country where people are happy and positive and energetic (hopefully!).

So WELCOME TO THE LONG AWAITED SPRING TIME - ENJOY IT.
And remember...whatever you do, do it with a smile. :)