I am in the process of writing my final entry here, but I wanted to get a quick update out.
My pictures are organized and ready for perusing and story-telling. Many of you have stated an interest in this, please know I wasn't avoiding you... just getting things organized before I sit down with you. Please give me a call (616-328-3749) or email (trazylyn @ gmail.com) if you're interested.
Also, I am available to share my story with any group willing to listen. My only request is that (unless you are a previously supporting group) a donation of any size be made to continue the work in Hungary.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Things I miss...
After being home for more than a month, I've started making mental lists of things I miss about life in Hungary. Enjoy.
* my roommates - i nearly cried at church in the morning as I realized that i don't know when I'll see them again, and they grew on me like little sisters...
* my city - walking out the door and seeing Parlament, along the river, the castle across the river, the islands, the public transport
* St. Columba's Church - the puppets, the social time (with CAFFEINATED coffee), the after-church meals that were always so yummy!, the leadership that genuinely asked how I was doing and accepted me into their family as though I'd been there forever
* speaking Hungarian. I miss this a lot more than I thought I would.
* soup at every lunch. vajkrém. slicing my own bread (that's not shaped like a square... and THICK pieces of soft, chewy goodness). ketchup chips. 3-in-1 instant coffee. espresso everywhere.
* public transport - in Budapest and throughout Europe in general. we tell people that we are an independent country, but yet I def. felt more independent while living in Europe. I understand that those are two different meanings of the word, but still... i can't help but put the two side-by-side.
*sigh*
someday I hope to go back, that's all I gotta say right now.
* my roommates - i nearly cried at church in the morning as I realized that i don't know when I'll see them again, and they grew on me like little sisters...
* my city - walking out the door and seeing Parlament, along the river, the castle across the river, the islands, the public transport
* St. Columba's Church - the puppets, the social time (with CAFFEINATED coffee), the after-church meals that were always so yummy!, the leadership that genuinely asked how I was doing and accepted me into their family as though I'd been there forever
* speaking Hungarian. I miss this a lot more than I thought I would.
* soup at every lunch. vajkrém. slicing my own bread (that's not shaped like a square... and THICK pieces of soft, chewy goodness). ketchup chips. 3-in-1 instant coffee. espresso everywhere.
* public transport - in Budapest and throughout Europe in general. we tell people that we are an independent country, but yet I def. felt more independent while living in Europe. I understand that those are two different meanings of the word, but still... i can't help but put the two side-by-side.
*sigh*
someday I hope to go back, that's all I gotta say right now.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
BREAKING (down while buying) BREAD
So, I've had some days to do some reflection on this and I thought it was worth sharing with you all.
On Wednesday, August 4th, I went grocery shopping for myself and by myself for the first time since back in the US. Before I left, it was honestly one of my favorite things to do. When I was in Hungary, it was a great way to end my walk home everyday. On last Wednesday, it horrified me.
Not only did I need to plan out food for the next three days (I am back to working my customer service/dispatch job on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for 13 hours each day - so all three meals can be eaten during that time :P), but I needed to decide how to carry and store it all.
I did fine buying some healthy-ish frozen foods, fruit, crackers, and sandwich toppings. However, as I walked toward the bakery, I had one goal: bread. I stood there looking at the choices... and after 20 minutes, I was stressed out and still holding a basket without bread in it. I couldn't make this decision.
In Hungary, buying bread was a simple process. I either wanted 1/2 Kilo (1.1 lbs), 1 Kilo (2.2 lbs) or bagged "American style" bread. Aside from that, there were only 2 other choices: half-brown or white... and sliced or not sliced.
For me it was always an easy decision - if I wanted square sandwiches, I bought the "American style" bread and there was only one type of it. It came in a yellow wrapper and didn't squish when I put it in my basket. If I wanted real bread, I always bought a 1/2 kilo of half-brown bread. It wasn't difficult at all because once the decisions were made, there was only one option. On Wednesday, once I decided that I wanted brown bread that was already sliced, I still had 389,493,249 options.
...
Bread and food is mentioned a lot in scripture. It seems that much of the time when true relationships were being pursued/formed/matured, food was involved. It's not surprising when you think about today's society - we love to meet up for breakfast or lunch or dinner... or coffee ;) Food just seems to invite conversation. I am very much looking forward to sharing times with people these next couple weeks. If you're at all interested in hearing about my year or asking questions on a personal level, let me know. We can break some bread and share stories together someday :)
On Wednesday, August 4th, I went grocery shopping for myself and by myself for the first time since back in the US. Before I left, it was honestly one of my favorite things to do. When I was in Hungary, it was a great way to end my walk home everyday. On last Wednesday, it horrified me.
Not only did I need to plan out food for the next three days (I am back to working my customer service/dispatch job on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for 13 hours each day - so all three meals can be eaten during that time :P), but I needed to decide how to carry and store it all.
I did fine buying some healthy-ish frozen foods, fruit, crackers, and sandwich toppings. However, as I walked toward the bakery, I had one goal: bread. I stood there looking at the choices... and after 20 minutes, I was stressed out and still holding a basket without bread in it. I couldn't make this decision.
In Hungary, buying bread was a simple process. I either wanted 1/2 Kilo (1.1 lbs), 1 Kilo (2.2 lbs) or bagged "American style" bread. Aside from that, there were only 2 other choices: half-brown or white... and sliced or not sliced.
For me it was always an easy decision - if I wanted square sandwiches, I bought the "American style" bread and there was only one type of it. It came in a yellow wrapper and didn't squish when I put it in my basket. If I wanted real bread, I always bought a 1/2 kilo of half-brown bread. It wasn't difficult at all because once the decisions were made, there was only one option. On Wednesday, once I decided that I wanted brown bread that was already sliced, I still had 389,493,249 options.
...
Bread and food is mentioned a lot in scripture. It seems that much of the time when true relationships were being pursued/formed/matured, food was involved. It's not surprising when you think about today's society - we love to meet up for breakfast or lunch or dinner... or coffee ;) Food just seems to invite conversation. I am very much looking forward to sharing times with people these next couple weeks. If you're at all interested in hearing about my year or asking questions on a personal level, let me know. We can break some bread and share stories together someday :)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Hungarian Food and an Update
Today I'm making a Hungarian dish for a 4-H international dinner. It's Cabbage Pasta and about the easiest thing ever to make for a huge crowd. If you don't have anything to do, stop by the Ionia High School tonight from 5-7p. It's a donation for entrance, and all donations go toward Heifer International. HELP THE 4-H KIDS BUY A COW!!!
In other news, I start working on Thursday. I was invited back to my old job at Multiband. It's not exactly what I want to do with my life, but it's good hours, I'm familiar with the place/people/job and it comes with insurance in a few months. I would LOVE to have my Saturdays free, so I'm still keeping my options open.
Also, Ang and I are looking at apartments. I am hoping to call one of the landlords tonight and tell him "we'll take it!" Just waiting until a reasonable hour (since I think 8:40 is waaay too early to call anyone).
...
Looking back on my year, I was thinking about ways that I grew... and someone asked what skills I could take back to my job. For Multiband, I bring back Hungarian because it's in high demand (just kidding!). For youth work, I bring back the knowledge of cross-culture ministry and the experience of working with teens in Hungary who were Hungarian and many other nationalities. Also, some bridging the cultural gap experience working with the American teens that came and the Hungarian/Iraqi/Kosovo(an?) teens that helped at the Day camp.
I also picked up some experience working with elementary kids (at the school and tanoda) and even PRE-PRESCHOOL! Woah! That's crazy coming from someone who's only changed one diaper in her life :P
And, I taught English. This could be extremely useful in the future, including helping me realize that I might like to take a few TESOL courses when I'm back in school.
And... many of you may have heard my dream: to have a place in an area that's doing cross-cultural ministry that welcomes groups on a regular basis (like a remodeled church or retreat center). The original dream was to do this along the USA/Mexico border, but this year has even expanded this :) Well, not only did I get a lot of experience hosting individuals, I even hosted a work team (not in my apartment, but in Budapest) from Ohio. One step closer, friends... one step closer.
In other news, I start working on Thursday. I was invited back to my old job at Multiband. It's not exactly what I want to do with my life, but it's good hours, I'm familiar with the place/people/job and it comes with insurance in a few months. I would LOVE to have my Saturdays free, so I'm still keeping my options open.
Also, Ang and I are looking at apartments. I am hoping to call one of the landlords tonight and tell him "we'll take it!" Just waiting until a reasonable hour (since I think 8:40 is waaay too early to call anyone).
...
Looking back on my year, I was thinking about ways that I grew... and someone asked what skills I could take back to my job. For Multiband, I bring back Hungarian because it's in high demand (just kidding!). For youth work, I bring back the knowledge of cross-culture ministry and the experience of working with teens in Hungary who were Hungarian and many other nationalities. Also, some bridging the cultural gap experience working with the American teens that came and the Hungarian/Iraqi/Kosovo(an?) teens that helped at the Day camp.
I also picked up some experience working with elementary kids (at the school and tanoda) and even PRE-PRESCHOOL! Woah! That's crazy coming from someone who's only changed one diaper in her life :P
And, I taught English. This could be extremely useful in the future, including helping me realize that I might like to take a few TESOL courses when I'm back in school.
And... many of you may have heard my dream: to have a place in an area that's doing cross-cultural ministry that welcomes groups on a regular basis (like a remodeled church or retreat center). The original dream was to do this along the USA/Mexico border, but this year has even expanded this :) Well, not only did I get a lot of experience hosting individuals, I even hosted a work team (not in my apartment, but in Budapest) from Ohio. One step closer, friends... one step closer.
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