I’m going to tell you the story of my life. I‘m very young yet so it fits into one page. I do not remember my birthday, my home and my family. My life started a little bit later than I was born…

Some words about me: lovely, sweet, cute and … miaow! My name is Ugnius. Yeah, I know this is an unusual name for cat, but my owner says he gave it to me because of the color of my fur (why not “carrot” or “orange” then..?) Of course I can’t forgive him for this bad decision, but I hope I will someday.

He found me in early cold summer morning. I can’t remember how I got in his yard. Maybe I had come there by myself or maybe someone had brought me there.

There was a big dog in the yard. When I saw him, I thought he’s going to eat me, but I found him playful. He approached me and started to lick my fur. I knew I was unclean, but I got frozen after that so I started to cry pitifully.

Suddenly I heard a noise of door opening. I could hardly see what it was. I got scared because I thought this will be one more dog… but this was somebody else. A human. I don‘t remember if I had met a human until then.He was with big legs and big arms. Suddenly he took me into his warm arms and I found it much more pleasant than the dog‘s wet tongue. I stopped crying.

The human brought me to his large house. He poured me a small plate of milk. I hadn‘t eaten for a long time. I was hungry. When I started to eat I felt pain in my mouth. I started to cry again. The human approached me and beganto look around in my mouth. After that he went out

somewhere for a while and came back with the thing he called „pipet“. I had never seen this thing before and couldn‘t imagine what it was. The human started to drop the milk in my mouth. This way I was fed. He took great care of me, I will never forget it. After that I slept in a warm bed.

Next day the human took me to the doctor which was called veterinarian. I didn‘t like him at all. He dropped something in my eyes. He called it medicine drops that had to treat me for an eye inflammation. Also he said that I had ulcers in my mouth. This was the reason of my pain. According to the vet I had to be fed by pipet. Also he prescribed me antibiotics and medicine eye drops for my damaged eyes. After the vet‘s examination we got back home.

I couldn‘t eat by myself. Only with the help of others. I felt sick and weak. The human had to feed me by pipet for a long time. I had to take those disgusting pills (antibiotics). After several days I started to feel better and stronger. I found my nails so sharp and my legs so fast. Finally I started to use them in my games. On the fifth visit to the veterinarian I was proud of myself. I put on weight 0,2 kilos. This was a sign of my excellent recovery.

Day after day I felt stronger and better. I could eat without pain, clearly see everything around and play actively. I didn’t feel sick anymore. I became the member of the family I have never had. My human says that every creature has to have a chance to live. I got the chance. Miaow!

It is really strange when you are coming back to your home town after many years living abroad. It has changed. All streets, buildings surrounding your home and all friends are gone too, including you. The feeling is that you move back not to your home, but to a completely different country. If somebody asked me, why I came back? I would say THIS IS MY HOME. But is it still my home? I don’t know! It used to be that your home was a prescribed space: where you grew up was usually where you found a job, got married, bought a house and raised children. But as more people immigrate and emigrate, we have been forced to re-evaluate this model, and this sometimes creates a tension. There had been many things about Dublin I disliked: rainy and windy weather, public transport system, every morning traffic jam, driving, people’s manners, the never-ending construction, to name a few, that I gave up my life there with a flippancy I now find shocking. I had spend so long focusing on the things I didn’t like, and on some idea of “home” back to Lithuania, that I had failed to appreciate what I was losing: real friendships and real home I had spent years building. (Picture of Dublin) Many of my friends abroad have spoken of the guilt they feel when they start to accept their new country as home. They feel guilty about missed weddings, new lifestyles and friends but mainly, about not wanting to go back to Lithuania at least not yet. The main reason is money and work. As we know what economical situation is here and what it is in Ireland.  But in general, there are plenty things that help me remember why I returned, some glimpses of the home you’ve cherished in memory for so long. An evening walk in the old town of Vilnius, even the smell of air is different and is really good to hear Lithuanian language around you and that felling that nobody will ask you “Were are you from?” As this one was almost an everyday question abroad. (Picture of Vilnius) And of course, there’s family. It’s very freeing to be able to meet up with your friends and family without feeling sad when you leave, wondering when you’ll see them again.

I know setting back will not be easy, magical transition I had imagined, but I also know that with time and big willingness, Lithuania will eventually feel like home again. 😉 

Elektrenai is one of the newest towns of Lithuania. Having been established during the Soviet times as the living space for workers of the nearby power plant. Many years ago the territory was covered by remote lakes and fields. But today we have a huge water gathering lagoon, which was created in order to cool down the Elektrenai Power Plant. The city is located between two largest cities – Vilnius and Kaunas, so can be a nice vacation place or even living place. People coming here tend to be educated, that is why the beach is very neat (no water rats or sunflower eaters as can be met by the famous lake of ŠILAS). Clean beach of Lagoon

stand up boarders maintain an upright stance on their boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water. It is not costly and especially great for girls as it helps to keep your body in tip top shape and clear your mind.

Wake-boarding in the evening time. During the winter months, when the lagoon is covered by ice, you can skate, play ice-hockey or ice fish there.

8Yrs old boy Jokubas wakeboarding

, not many cultural monuments can be visited here. One of them is a great modern architecture church. It has an interesting rectangular arch with 7 crosses, symbolizing 7th century of Christianity in Lt.

States and Finland. Last year it was possible to park your car or quadrocycle nearby the track so the view was distinct and dynamic, the speed could be “felt” easily. A very attractive place is Elektrenai Ice Palace arena, which welcomes everyone all year round. Although it is a bit too cold inside, if you compare it with Vilnius Akropolis skate rink. We even had an ice- hockey championship of youth held here this year. Unfortunately, the ice is being melt during summer time until August. Then the rink is used for various activities (for instance dart competitions). Elektrenai town itself is very clean, grass is being cut constantly. There are many paths for bicycles and skates, ramps for skaters are quite modern there. There is a nice avenue that you can come around slowly and admire the scenery of almost boundless lagoon and reservation. While walking you can visit a small bakery nearby that makes delicious and fresh pastries. My favourite one is English ring – shaped roll or hot small kibins.

Extra ordinary thing is Capitals Golf Club. The court is in a very good condition and very playable. No need to wait on court. Great service and hospitality. Children can be left here for summer camps and learn to play golf. It is costly, however. A friend of mine even took place at the competition of golf starters. An American magazine rounded the club as the best new international project of 2008 in the whole world!!! (Except the USA)

was supposed to be a grand theme park activity center with various carousels and even Americanroller-coaster!!! But today we have a very sad view – abandoned and rusted place, showing the face of Soviet Union. From the feminine side, I would like to point out that there are a few nice beauty salons. One is on the first floor of the modern 12th floor building. You can have manicure or haircut done for you, yet the queues are enormous, so the service is not that advantageous.

Strange thing is that you cannot find a place, where somebody can wash your car (I wonder how people do that? maybe they wash their cars in the lagoon? :)) There are also nice markets where you can buy fresh vegetables, meat etc.

To summarize, Elektrenai is a nice, clean and quite place. If you feel you have had enough of that calmness you can come back to Vilnius or Kaunas as it is aprox. 50 km from these cities.

Every year less and less people can afford Palanga 🙂 It is easier and of course cheaper to visit Turkey, Greece or other countries. But if you are patriot and love Lithuanian seaside you must challenge yourself and survive several days in Palanga including famous Basanavičius street, crowded beaches, expensive food and excellent music shows satisfying every taste 🙂

And if you are determined enough you will definitely be awarded for your effort. So some advice for those who haven’t given up yet and still love Palanga.

1. Visit Palanga in the beginning of June -the nature is awakening this time of year and the streets are not so crowded
2. Cycle along Basanavicius street instead of walking 🙂 You’ll feel safer and it’s easier to escape in case everything you see around is too much for you :))
3. Have your ipod on the Beach if you don’t like loud announcements on the radio about the safety rules in the sea which are repeated every five minutes in 3 different languages 🙂
   
4. Try not to eat in the local restaurants unless you are an extremely tolerant person
5. Find your daily routine , that makes your day happier for e.g. a cup of coffee in the morning, jogging in the park, feeding wild ducks in the river, walking or cycling along the seaside in the evenings etc.

Summarizing, you can enjoy Palanga and find something nice. These are some photos that show “Life is beautiful in summer “

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The Voice is proud to present a new rising author Lėja Tubinytė, check this great story out and share your thoughts in the comment section below 😉 

Maybe I’m not the only one? Maybe there are more kids like me?

I was locked in my house. I couldn’t go anywhere or do anything. No one told me why… Why couldn’t I leave this boring place? They were hiding something from me and I knew that! But what was it?

It all began in 1944 when the war started. We had to move so I wouldn’t see my homeland ever again. My mum was really scared so she could barely breathe. Dad had some friends that helped us move. They really deserved medals! Although my sister wasn’t happy that these guys were helping.

When we were almost there someone stopped the carriage. My dad got out. It all happened so quickly. They were yelling and throwing stuff at him. Then we heard a shot. Mum started crying. Some of the helpers ran out. But it was too late. Dad was lying on the ground. I also ran out too see him. He smiled at me. His eyes were still shining.

‘Sweet daughter, I wish I could see how you grow up. I believe in you,’ these were his last words.

Tears didn’t leave my eyes. ‘I know you will always be there,’ I whispered into his ear. Then I hugged him so hard, I thought I could never let him go.

‘It’s time to go,’ I felt someone’s hand touching my shoulder. ‘I know it’s hard.’

‘I don’t really know what to say… How is mom? Is she suffering a lot?’ I asked.

‘She is… Let’s go… You must be freezing…’

I stood up. It was time to go back to the carriage.

Mum was finally asleep, now I could rest too. The day was so sunny when we arrived. The house looked pretty big. And the day I stepped into it, I never came outside….

All I could see were just white walls… maybe some paintings too. The house was pretty old. At first I thought it would be fun staying at home but then I realized one thing…

Every day I learned more about it. When I was alone the chairs used to start changing colours. Once I saw a black cat running in the house. I tried to tell my mum but she didn’t listen. Everyone thought I was CRAZY! Crazy was just not the word. How about TERRIFIED!

My mum didn’t want me to go to school. ‘You will be a great housekeeper. Never fear the dust!’ she used to say. ‘Why do you need school when you have a job already?’

These words drove me crazy! All I wanted was to be a doctor! She never listened to ANYBODY! I wished that my dad was here. He would understand me. He would let me go to school. But he was not here…

The bell rang. That meant it was time for school, but not for me. Sister packed her food and ran out. Why couldn’t she be the housekeeper? Oh, yes, she always used to break stuff.

Alone. The chairs started changing colours. I got used to that…

Only the cat used to scare me. I didn’t know why but she looked sad and lonely just like me…. I had an idea to take her into my arms one day.

‘The dinner is served,’ that was what I used to say eating alone. Waiting for someone to come back was really hard. Especially when the house was full of secrets.

The cat didn’t appear. It seemed that she knew everything. Especially when I was thinking about her.

Finally, I saw the cat and picked her up. Her face was so sad that seemed she was about to burst into tears. She reminded me of someone. But who?

A few days later the cat became my best friend. I called her Amy. Now the house became not that empty.

I was brave enough to go to the pantry and look around. There were many old statues, paintings, boxes, some clothes too. But only one thing couldn’t leave my mind. The necklace. Red, big and sparkly necklace. It was weird enough that I found statues or painting but now… How long has it been here? It looked fresh and new! Maybe the family that lived before us accidentally left it. I looked around and took the necklace.

My eyes couldn’t believe what I found. I just didn’t want my sister to find it so I hided it.

‘Can you believe what I found?’ I asked Amy. ‘This gorgeous necklace!’

When I showed it to Amy she got scared and ran out. But why? What’s wrong with it? I really wished I could talk to Amy… She would tell me all the secrets…

It was a long day. I had to rest because the next day I planned to sneak out of the house! Yes, you heard me right SNEAKE OUT! Sorry, Mum…but the house was just so BORING!

The next day was so rainy and that scared me a little. I hoped it would get better soon because if not…

DING-DONG the door randomly opened.

I looked at the opening doors. Why did I do that? A scary man jumped into the house. I almost passed away. ‘Give me the necklace now!’ he started giggling.

‘What necklace? Get out of here! Help!!!’ I started shouting.

‘No need to shout, girl… I just need the red necklace you have. Don’t lie…’ he didn’t give up.

‘No! Get out!!!’ I shouted again.

He pushed me away and got into my room. No words, no lies stopped him. He even pushed the bed upside down. He won’t find the necklace because it was not in my room…

When he finally noticed that it wasn’t here he looked at me. He was so angry… But why did he need the necklace so badly?

To be continued…

Morocco is a country in Africa. There are about 32 878400 people in Morocco. They speak Arabic and Berber. Rabat is the capital of Morocco, but my trip was to the Agadir. It’s a beautiful town.

In this picture we can see a hill and a note on it with 3 most important words for Agadir‘s people: Allah, homeland and the king. At night the words begin to glow. There is a castle on that hill. There were a lot of camels and goats in Agadir. There were goats which climbed on the trees !!! When we arrived to Morocco, we went to our hotel „Omega“. There is a big pool and a big hall there. The Atlantic ocean left the biggest impression for me. Next day we bought a lot of fruits (strawberries, oranges, mangoes, figs and bananas). Fruits were very delicious !!! One day we went to excursion to Marrakesh. Marrakesh is a big city. We went to the market in Marrakesh. There we saw a lot of cobras!!! It was very scary!!!

Marrakesh market. There are a lot of small streets in Marrakesh and a lot of motorcycles, bicycles, donkeys and people there.

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Urtės K.: Morocco

Urtės K: Morocco