I'm thankful for dinner at the Logans with other Americans, Hungarians, and one Irish bloke
I'm thankful for a pizza party with my students during which it started to snow
I'm thankful that Rachel made it here in one piece after a few troubles
I'm thankful for an LCMS/ELCA Thanksgiving dinner in Bratislava
I'm thankful for not having my purse stolen at the Blava Christmas market (I didn't take my purse with me, you see)
I'm thankful for the Hungarian friends I've made in Sopron, they keep me sane
I'm thankful that my family loves me unconditionally, I love them just as much (and therefore miss them especially with the holidays near)
I'm thankful that I'm relatively healthy
I'm thankful that God has given me this opportunity to share my life with my students and friends in Hungary
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Saturday, November 19, 2005
My Questionably Fabulous Life
So I'm in Aszod. And Rachel and I are continuing our "Centuries of Beer" undertaking, although it's proving a little difficult as the labels never list a date of inception for the breweries. Then we check the website for said beers and find them all written in strange languages. Rather daunting, that.
At least I got to find out what Gabor looks like. And I got to see "the castle" which I will gloatingly tell David about at Thanksgiving. Good times.
Have I mentioned the Power Ballads special on VH1 tomorrow? It's gonna be great. Although right now anything other than TV Ketto is great for me. And anything in English of course. How many times have I said I wish I spoke German? Well, I'll say it again.
At least I got to find out what Gabor looks like. And I got to see "the castle" which I will gloatingly tell David about at Thanksgiving. Good times.
Have I mentioned the Power Ballads special on VH1 tomorrow? It's gonna be great. Although right now anything other than TV Ketto is great for me. And anything in English of course. How many times have I said I wish I spoke German? Well, I'll say it again.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
What's the deal, yo?
This week is actually going really well, but for some reason I'm reluctant to be happy about it.
In other news: Things I forgot to mention Volume 1
Rachel and Mandi Quotes:
"I think my beer goggles are starting to kick in" (Okay, so we're young, we were in a bar, in Vienna...it happens)
"I want off the emotional rollercoaster! Can I just get on the nice kiddie ride with the little boats on the track with the bells on a string?"
"I'd be willing to vomit on the tilt-a-whirl"
Mandi and Laura Quotes:
"So I did some 'research' this weekend..."
In other news: Things I forgot to mention Volume 1
Rachel and Mandi Quotes:
"I think my beer goggles are starting to kick in" (Okay, so we're young, we were in a bar, in Vienna...it happens)
"I want off the emotional rollercoaster! Can I just get on the nice kiddie ride with the little boats on the track with the bells on a string?"
"I'd be willing to vomit on the tilt-a-whirl"
Mandi and Laura Quotes:
"So I did some 'research' this weekend..."
Monday, November 14, 2005
Max Lucado, you always help me
"Rather than begrudge your problem, explore it. Ponder it. And most of all, use it. Use it to the glory of God."
"Your faith in the face of suffering cranks up the volume of God's song."
Okay, so maybe I'm not dying of cancer and my "suffering" is quite minimal compared to others. But maybe my faith during these struggles will a) make me stronger (what doesn't kill you...) and b) showcase God's glory and majesty.
A simple missionary can only hope.
"Your faith in the face of suffering cranks up the volume of God's song."
Okay, so maybe I'm not dying of cancer and my "suffering" is quite minimal compared to others. But maybe my faith during these struggles will a) make me stronger (what doesn't kill you...) and b) showcase God's glory and majesty.
A simple missionary can only hope.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Okay, it's later and I have time, or at least the Inclination
WARNING TO ALL PARENTAL UNITS AND FAMILY MEMBERS: This is a downer post. Sometimes in the life that is being a missionary in a strange place tough days happen. Heck, even tough weeks happen. Well, it turns out that the latter has been happening and this is my little bitch post. So be aware that it'll be a downer. I know things will get better. I know it's not always supposed to be easy. I know that it's not all roses and happy thoughts. So here goes...
"Actions Speak Louder Than Words" Diatribe 1:
Aniko knows that I'm not doing well. She's read the signs. As Kari (my best friend) says, "I know something's wrong when you're quiet." Ah yes, cuz it's usually quite difficult to get me to shut up once I get started. With the 2 teaching positions so recently vacated in Tisovec, I expressed (in an only half-joking manner) a keen desire to transfer to EGT next term. I said it jokingly but every joke has a tidbit of truth people. So I think the sentiment was expressed to Aniko and she said, "Yes, we've been worried about her, she seems so quiet." This comment was followed by a week of being treated like glass (read: like I was going to break) with only halfhearted attempts toward conversation on the part of the other English speakers. "She's seriously thinking about leaving us? Oh, we'd better say something to her to make her feel better so she stays" and the like.
I've also been sick...an infection. I need to see the doctor. When I inquired about such a thing, an English speaking doctor was called twice, no connection was made, and so the attempt on my behalf was aborted. Wait a minute. I still have to see the doctor, this doesn't change my health (it's nothing life threatening Mom). I think they genuinely want to help, but as actions speak louder than words (you were wondering when I was going to tie that in, right?), they're just too busy with their own lives to help me.
My coordinator always talks about our support systems here and how it's no good if we feel that we don't have the support system in place to help us. Well, judging by the past week I can safely say that I don't feel I have the support system in place. The signs have been there all along, it just took the doctor situation to bring the point home.
Okay. That's all for now folks. I'm sick, but I'm not going to die (I don't think anyway). Chances are the situation will change tomorrow as a new day dawns and I go back to school. All I can write are the feelings I am now having and so you've read a little snippet of the tough times. I warned you. Now let's pray it gets better (as it's bound to) and please know that I don't despair for my future here. God has a plan.
"Actions Speak Louder Than Words" Diatribe 1:
Aniko knows that I'm not doing well. She's read the signs. As Kari (my best friend) says, "I know something's wrong when you're quiet." Ah yes, cuz it's usually quite difficult to get me to shut up once I get started. With the 2 teaching positions so recently vacated in Tisovec, I expressed (in an only half-joking manner) a keen desire to transfer to EGT next term. I said it jokingly but every joke has a tidbit of truth people. So I think the sentiment was expressed to Aniko and she said, "Yes, we've been worried about her, she seems so quiet." This comment was followed by a week of being treated like glass (read: like I was going to break) with only halfhearted attempts toward conversation on the part of the other English speakers. "She's seriously thinking about leaving us? Oh, we'd better say something to her to make her feel better so she stays" and the like.
I've also been sick...an infection. I need to see the doctor. When I inquired about such a thing, an English speaking doctor was called twice, no connection was made, and so the attempt on my behalf was aborted. Wait a minute. I still have to see the doctor, this doesn't change my health (it's nothing life threatening Mom). I think they genuinely want to help, but as actions speak louder than words (you were wondering when I was going to tie that in, right?), they're just too busy with their own lives to help me.
My coordinator always talks about our support systems here and how it's no good if we feel that we don't have the support system in place to help us. Well, judging by the past week I can safely say that I don't feel I have the support system in place. The signs have been there all along, it just took the doctor situation to bring the point home.
Okay. That's all for now folks. I'm sick, but I'm not going to die (I don't think anyway). Chances are the situation will change tomorrow as a new day dawns and I go back to school. All I can write are the feelings I am now having and so you've read a little snippet of the tough times. I warned you. Now let's pray it gets better (as it's bound to) and please know that I don't despair for my future here. God has a plan.
Update
So much has happened in the past 2 weeks. I'm sorry but I just don't have the energy to make a long update. Maybe when I have more time...
Fall break: Visited Vienna, stayed in crazy hostel with Rachel and 4 even crazier Australian guys, had Halloween at the Bermuda Triangle with 3 Austrian men (Rachel was friends with one and the other 2 were his coworkers so they weren't complete strangers off the street, Mom), spent day alone in Vienna shopping for clothes that fit
Fall retreat: trained it to Blava and from there went with the Lindsey's to Stary Smokovec. Made it, had great meals, even greater fellowship, and "went native" in the spa in the hotel (sidenote: by "going native" this author means she stripped down, wrapped herself in a hotel-issue sheet, partook of the sauna, and stripped the sheet to partake of the hottub), sidetrip to Kezmarok to see amazing library and wooden church with beautiful murals
Team Central Europe: David and Radka Fiala welcomed their baby boy into the world in the beginning of November. Josh and Angie Douglas made the difficult decision to return to America as she is expecting their first child so EGT is experiencing a shorthand in their class schedules until they can find substitutes.
Hungary: teaching is okay, it's getting busier now that we're making the students work harder toward end of term exams, I have 3 more private students one of which is teaching me Hungarian in recompense, Christmas markets are coming soon and I cannot wait!
More later when I have time.
Fall break: Visited Vienna, stayed in crazy hostel with Rachel and 4 even crazier Australian guys, had Halloween at the Bermuda Triangle with 3 Austrian men (Rachel was friends with one and the other 2 were his coworkers so they weren't complete strangers off the street, Mom), spent day alone in Vienna shopping for clothes that fit
Fall retreat: trained it to Blava and from there went with the Lindsey's to Stary Smokovec. Made it, had great meals, even greater fellowship, and "went native" in the spa in the hotel (sidenote: by "going native" this author means she stripped down, wrapped herself in a hotel-issue sheet, partook of the sauna, and stripped the sheet to partake of the hottub), sidetrip to Kezmarok to see amazing library and wooden church with beautiful murals
Team Central Europe: David and Radka Fiala welcomed their baby boy into the world in the beginning of November. Josh and Angie Douglas made the difficult decision to return to America as she is expecting their first child so EGT is experiencing a shorthand in their class schedules until they can find substitutes.
Hungary: teaching is okay, it's getting busier now that we're making the students work harder toward end of term exams, I have 3 more private students one of which is teaching me Hungarian in recompense, Christmas markets are coming soon and I cannot wait!
More later when I have time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)