I packed one time for a 5 day trip in just my backpack. I'm not talking hiking backpack. No, my orange backpack that I had at home - it's your standard size padded (for a laptop) backpack.
I fit everything I needed in there and managed to find room for three books and a Bible. Granted there was no towel and I use a crap-ton of hair products when I feel like doing my hair... but still.
Most people say they could do it. Go try. I'll wait.
You probably only fit 5 days of undergarments, all your toiletries, your pajamas and either one or two outfits depending on what you chose. Now grab 4 books. Yeah, take out one of the outfits if you've got two in there...
No, there won't be a washing machine. Yeah, go grab that extra deodorant.
See where I'm going with this?
I'm looking at the jeans I'm wearing and I know I did the sniff test this morning, but I can't remember when I last washed them. I promise I'm wearing clean underwear and socks, but I really can't promise that my shirt's clean.
I brought waaay too many clothes to Hungary. I'm starting to look at what I brought and thinking... "why?" Anything I haven't worn yet - is there any point? There are some things that I brought that I realized I'll never wear because I'm not in any sort of professional position - that suit coat, for instance. I've only worn one of the two dresses and one of the three skirts - there just wasn't any reason to really dress up. BUT it would have sucked if I got here and didn't have dress up clothes if teachers dressed up like they do in Japan (remember, that WAS my original job description).
Luckily, I got rid of most of my clothes before coming here... but I'm really curious why I still have what I left there. What DID I leave at home? If I don't remember it, why am I keeping it?
At any rate, I'm coming home with less clothes than I brought...
I'll probably never consider a dryer a necessity again...
and I'm probably in the mood for rewearing jeans until they stand up on their own, then wearing them ONE MORE TIME before I wash them.
***
Romans 16:19 - Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
Rómaiakhoz 16:19 - Mert a ti engedelmességetek mindenekhez eljutott. Örülök azért rajtatok; de akarom, hogy bölcsek legyetek a jóban, ártatlanok pedig a rosszban.
Dear God, this year was a year of growing - spiritually, mentally, and well... around the hips. As I prepare my heart for my return, there are some things that I have walked away from that were evil in my life. By removing me from the situation, walking away was easy. When I return, Lord, help me not to fall into those ways again. Help me to remain innocent and also wise through the good that You have shown me. Do not stop revealing Yourself and Your Goodness to me.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Part 3 of 10 --- Re-entry Preparation
Expect some feelings of jealousy and resentment.
These will come from both sides - from me and from you.
From me - While I was stripped away from all those close to me, all of you remained and only lost me. While I can claim to be a huge part of your lives, I know the reality is that I am only a small part. You moved on with your lives and I will be trying to find my place in it as I return. I expect this to be one of the most difficult parts of my re-entry because as much as I want things to go back to the way they were before I left, I know that they won't ever be completely the same.
From you - The relationships that I formed were formed quickly and deeply. The fact that I will talk non-stop about my friends from Hungary doesn't mean that I don't love you, too. It simply means that I am in mourning - mourning the loss of those meaningful relationships that helped me survive this last year. For some of them, I realize that I will probably never see them again, even in Paradise. In this regard, I ask you to treat me as you would treat anyone in mourning.
***
Exodus 3:2-4 - There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up." When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am."
2 Mózes 3:2-4 - És megjelenék néki az Úr angyala tûznek lángjában egy csipkebokor közepébõl, és látá, hogy ímé a csipkebokor ég vala; de a csipkebokor meg nem emésztetik vala. S monda Mózes: Oda megyek, hogy lássam e nagy csudát, miért nem ég el a csipkebokor. És látá az Úr, hogy oda méne megnézni, és szólítá õt Isten a csipkebokorból, mondván: Mózes, Mózes. Ez pedig monda: Ímhol vagyok.
Dear God,
You have shown Yourself in many ways. To Moses, You appeared as a burning bush. To me, You have appeared in the faces of Hungarians, Roma, refugees and many others. Thank You for appearing to me. Thank You for calling my name. Thank You for giving me the strength, support and desire to say "Here I am." Father, as I continue to follow You, continue to appear to me. Help to keep looking for You. Continue to call my name so that I may answer You and follow You.
These will come from both sides - from me and from you.
From me - While I was stripped away from all those close to me, all of you remained and only lost me. While I can claim to be a huge part of your lives, I know the reality is that I am only a small part. You moved on with your lives and I will be trying to find my place in it as I return. I expect this to be one of the most difficult parts of my re-entry because as much as I want things to go back to the way they were before I left, I know that they won't ever be completely the same.
From you - The relationships that I formed were formed quickly and deeply. The fact that I will talk non-stop about my friends from Hungary doesn't mean that I don't love you, too. It simply means that I am in mourning - mourning the loss of those meaningful relationships that helped me survive this last year. For some of them, I realize that I will probably never see them again, even in Paradise. In this regard, I ask you to treat me as you would treat anyone in mourning.
***
Exodus 3:2-4 - There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up." When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am."
2 Mózes 3:2-4 - És megjelenék néki az Úr angyala tûznek lángjában egy csipkebokor közepébõl, és látá, hogy ímé a csipkebokor ég vala; de a csipkebokor meg nem emésztetik vala. S monda Mózes: Oda megyek, hogy lássam e nagy csudát, miért nem ég el a csipkebokor. És látá az Úr, hogy oda méne megnézni, és szólítá õt Isten a csipkebokorból, mondván: Mózes, Mózes. Ez pedig monda: Ímhol vagyok.
Dear God,
You have shown Yourself in many ways. To Moses, You appeared as a burning bush. To me, You have appeared in the faces of Hungarians, Roma, refugees and many others. Thank You for appearing to me. Thank You for calling my name. Thank You for giving me the strength, support and desire to say "Here I am." Father, as I continue to follow You, continue to appear to me. Help to keep looking for You. Continue to call my name so that I may answer You and follow You.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Part 2 of 10 --- Re-entry Preparation
I haven't watched real television in the last year. I haven't gone to the movies. I haven't gone to a mall (even though shopping would have been a cultural experience of its own).
Living in Budapest means I did a lot of the same things that most people living in the city would do in the US, but I did them differently.
Please - spend time with me.
Be assertive and invite me to hang out (because I'm going to assume that if you don't invite me, I'd be imposing), but let me take the lead on where we go and what we do. There will be things I've missed (Taco Bell and Boba Latte) and want to do... and things I just can't handle.
Going to Meijer or Walmart would be one of those things. For a year, I haven't really gone to a one-stop supermarket unless you count the two Tesco visits and it was only in their food section for the church lunch.
There will also be things that I did here that I probably won't want to do again (getting receipts for reimbursements, which can be a long process)...
and things that I've done here that I wish I could do more of when I return to Michigan (night walks, fresh bread)...
Let me take the lead and don't probe with questions the entire time :) Time is the most valuable thing to me at the moment.
***
Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Zsidókhoz 10:24 - És ügyeljünk egymásra, a szeretetre és jó cselekedetekre való felbuzdulás végett...
Dear God,
I pray that my time here was able to be used to move other peoples' hearts. Hearts in the USA. Hearts in Hungary. Hearts in Slovakia, UK, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Mexico, Thailand, Japan, Turkey, Israel, France, Italy, Canada... and any other countries I have had contact with this last year.
I pray that my year was indeed a year of love and good deeds, that the seeds I have sown may grow and come to bear fruit.
I pray that as I return to the USA, you will guide my heart, my mind and my steps to continue to love others and do good deeds. I also pray that you allow me to spur others to follow Your calling on their lives.
Living in Budapest means I did a lot of the same things that most people living in the city would do in the US, but I did them differently.
Please - spend time with me.
Be assertive and invite me to hang out (because I'm going to assume that if you don't invite me, I'd be imposing), but let me take the lead on where we go and what we do. There will be things I've missed (Taco Bell and Boba Latte) and want to do... and things I just can't handle.
Going to Meijer or Walmart would be one of those things. For a year, I haven't really gone to a one-stop supermarket unless you count the two Tesco visits and it was only in their food section for the church lunch.
There will also be things that I did here that I probably won't want to do again (getting receipts for reimbursements, which can be a long process)...
and things that I've done here that I wish I could do more of when I return to Michigan (night walks, fresh bread)...
Let me take the lead and don't probe with questions the entire time :) Time is the most valuable thing to me at the moment.
***
Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Zsidókhoz 10:24 - És ügyeljünk egymásra, a szeretetre és jó cselekedetekre való felbuzdulás végett...
Dear God,
I pray that my time here was able to be used to move other peoples' hearts. Hearts in the USA. Hearts in Hungary. Hearts in Slovakia, UK, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Mexico, Thailand, Japan, Turkey, Israel, France, Italy, Canada... and any other countries I have had contact with this last year.
I pray that my year was indeed a year of love and good deeds, that the seeds I have sown may grow and come to bear fruit.
I pray that as I return to the USA, you will guide my heart, my mind and my steps to continue to love others and do good deeds. I also pray that you allow me to spur others to follow Your calling on their lives.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Part 1 of 10 --- Re-entry Preparation
Over the next 10 days, I will fly back home. The specifics of when I fly have not been made public, in fact, I want to urge those of you who DO know to please not make this information known. Reverse culture shock is very real and I certainly would appreciate time spent alone with my family and re-acquainting myself with being back in Michigan.
I can say in all honesty that I am NOT home now. After these next 10 posts, you will see a post that tells you that I am home and if you wish to call, you will find a phone number where you can call or text me.
*~*~*
The next 10 blog posts are taken from a list posted here. Andrea is the coordinator for ELCA's Young Adults in Global Missions in Mexico. Matt, Emilie, Kristy, Sepp, Lisa and Emily are all YAGMs in Hungary and Slovakia and while the post was made for them, it also applies to my year. In the next 10 posts, I will take each topic and expand on it a bit toward my specific re-entry.
*~*~*
DON'T ask the question, "So, how was it?"
It's simply not possible to sum up the entire year in one word or even one paragraph. In fact, the best way to describe the year would be "try it someday if you get the chance. you'll see..."
For those of you that have followed my blog, you've followed a huge range of emotions. You've also followed a huge range of experiences. You've even followed my many excessively worded blogs only to come to no conclusion about what life here is really like.
Ask me specific questions.
"What did you do in your free time?"
"Who did you find yourself confiding in?"
"What was the food like?"
"Where did you travel?"
Ask about seasons or holidays or specific moments in history... (I had just left Poland the day the Polish president died! Can't forget that memory!)
or, since I won't update on my last days here, ask about those. Ask about the big bash right before I left. Ask about the flights home.
Concrete questions with concrete answers are what I'll be able to properly answer without having a swarm of emotions flooding through me all leading to different conclusions.
I can say in all honesty that I am NOT home now. After these next 10 posts, you will see a post that tells you that I am home and if you wish to call, you will find a phone number where you can call or text me.
*~*~*
The next 10 blog posts are taken from a list posted here. Andrea is the coordinator for ELCA's Young Adults in Global Missions in Mexico. Matt, Emilie, Kristy, Sepp, Lisa and Emily are all YAGMs in Hungary and Slovakia and while the post was made for them, it also applies to my year. In the next 10 posts, I will take each topic and expand on it a bit toward my specific re-entry.
*~*~*
DON'T ask the question, "So, how was it?"
It's simply not possible to sum up the entire year in one word or even one paragraph. In fact, the best way to describe the year would be "try it someday if you get the chance. you'll see..."
For those of you that have followed my blog, you've followed a huge range of emotions. You've also followed a huge range of experiences. You've even followed my many excessively worded blogs only to come to no conclusion about what life here is really like.
Ask me specific questions.
"What did you do in your free time?"
"Who did you find yourself confiding in?"
"What was the food like?"
"Where did you travel?"
Ask about seasons or holidays or specific moments in history... (I had just left Poland the day the Polish president died! Can't forget that memory!)
or, since I won't update on my last days here, ask about those. Ask about the big bash right before I left. Ask about the flights home.
Concrete questions with concrete answers are what I'll be able to properly answer without having a swarm of emotions flooding through me all leading to different conclusions.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
a poll and highlights
well, kids - it's about that time - time to ask the question that all bloggers ask at some point in their blog: To continue or not to continue.
I am thinking that my blog will continue through August 1st, but I am debating a few questions:
a) do I continue the blog or start a new one?
b) what will I write about? I don't really know my next adventure yet, so I don't want to take up your time with a blog about, well, nothing :P
c) what will you want to read about?
if you could take a few moments and post a comment on my blog, that'd be great - I'd love to know your thoughts.
***
highlights from my last week:
(running the St. Columba's Church Day Camp 2010)
* 55 kids from 10 different countries
* 20+ leaders and helpers from 7 different countries
* American style coffee every morning
* being awake at 7a and being already on my way by 7:30 - it made me feel like I was actually doing something (believe me, I WAS doing something!)
* translating :)
* complete understanding of all the kids (in English and Hungarian)
* leading "Te Vagy a Mindenem" (All In All) singing every morning
* games that went well - human foosball was a HIT! (emberi csò-csò)
* leading small group lessons in English and even using my Hungarian (although Marika's translating was also a highlight - she was my GIRL!)
* getting to know Marika
* the Vorosmarty School lunches and the joy that the lunch break brought
* laughing at the thought of actually trying to do hard crafts with kids that don't understand the leaders (bead buddies weren't exactly a FAIL, but they probably won't ever be repeated)
* teaching kids how to play "Spoons"
* Photo Scavenger Hunt (although I never participated, the pictures were CUTE!)
* hugs every morning and every afternoon
* laughter
* smiling faces
* falling asleep each night with some sense of accomplishment and peace - which is more than I could say for most of my year
I am thinking that my blog will continue through August 1st, but I am debating a few questions:
a) do I continue the blog or start a new one?
b) what will I write about? I don't really know my next adventure yet, so I don't want to take up your time with a blog about, well, nothing :P
c) what will you want to read about?
if you could take a few moments and post a comment on my blog, that'd be great - I'd love to know your thoughts.
***
highlights from my last week:
(running the St. Columba's Church Day Camp 2010)
* 55 kids from 10 different countries
* 20+ leaders and helpers from 7 different countries
* American style coffee every morning
* being awake at 7a and being already on my way by 7:30 - it made me feel like I was actually doing something (believe me, I WAS doing something!)
* translating :)
* complete understanding of all the kids (in English and Hungarian)
* leading "Te Vagy a Mindenem" (All In All) singing every morning
* games that went well - human foosball was a HIT! (emberi csò-csò)
* leading small group lessons in English and even using my Hungarian (although Marika's translating was also a highlight - she was my GIRL!)
* getting to know Marika
* the Vorosmarty School lunches and the joy that the lunch break brought
* laughing at the thought of actually trying to do hard crafts with kids that don't understand the leaders (bead buddies weren't exactly a FAIL, but they probably won't ever be repeated)
* teaching kids how to play "Spoons"
* Photo Scavenger Hunt (although I never participated, the pictures were CUTE!)
* hugs every morning and every afternoon
* laughter
* smiling faces
* falling asleep each night with some sense of accomplishment and peace - which is more than I could say for most of my year
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Days Go By...
... and still I think of You.
I've been the busiest in the last week than I've been all year. I don't think I've slept past 7a since July 1st and golly gee, I can't wait for Saturday, when I can sleep in again!
So now you're all asking the question: "What have you been doing?"
Well, on July 1st, a work team from Ohio arrived in Budapest and putting aside some of my own selfish desires (like sleep!), I chose to be Miss Budapest for them. Every evening has been some adventure or another, whether it's a super walk through the city or an evening "hike" or just a stop at a grocery store so that they can spend a quiet night in. Tonight is actually the first night that we didn't leave the church together. It was weird to walk out by myself and turn the opposite direction that they did.
next question: "Why were y'all at church?"
Well, this week is a DAY CAMP at the church. This is an "English Language Day Camp" which basically means that all of the adults speak English, and while the goal would be to do the camp in English, there's a lot of translating happening and a lot of blank stares when we read Bible stories. At least I can relate to the kids after having experienced an entire year like that :P
There's only one day left and I remain hopeful that we'll end it well. With 60 kids, 20 adults and 7 hours to fill each day... it can get a little long. I am praying that we make it through the last 7 hours and have a blast (and some sadness) saying "goodbye!" The kids have really been great with only silly minor things that we forever nitpick at because we crazy adults expect kids to be perfect. Each day, when some of them come in and greet me with a smile and hug, it makes me feel more useful than I've felt all year.
So funny, I often find myself laughing and thinking "I have worked more in the last 2 weeks than I have the entire year combined..." and I love it. The feeling of hard work and crashing on the pillow at the end of the day (with a happy sigh) is the sign of a servant and a job well done.
I've been the busiest in the last week than I've been all year. I don't think I've slept past 7a since July 1st and golly gee, I can't wait for Saturday, when I can sleep in again!
So now you're all asking the question: "What have you been doing?"
Well, on July 1st, a work team from Ohio arrived in Budapest and putting aside some of my own selfish desires (like sleep!), I chose to be Miss Budapest for them. Every evening has been some adventure or another, whether it's a super walk through the city or an evening "hike" or just a stop at a grocery store so that they can spend a quiet night in. Tonight is actually the first night that we didn't leave the church together. It was weird to walk out by myself and turn the opposite direction that they did.
next question: "Why were y'all at church?"
Well, this week is a DAY CAMP at the church. This is an "English Language Day Camp" which basically means that all of the adults speak English, and while the goal would be to do the camp in English, there's a lot of translating happening and a lot of blank stares when we read Bible stories. At least I can relate to the kids after having experienced an entire year like that :P
There's only one day left and I remain hopeful that we'll end it well. With 60 kids, 20 adults and 7 hours to fill each day... it can get a little long. I am praying that we make it through the last 7 hours and have a blast (and some sadness) saying "goodbye!" The kids have really been great with only silly minor things that we forever nitpick at because we crazy adults expect kids to be perfect. Each day, when some of them come in and greet me with a smile and hug, it makes me feel more useful than I've felt all year.
So funny, I often find myself laughing and thinking "I have worked more in the last 2 weeks than I have the entire year combined..." and I love it. The feeling of hard work and crashing on the pillow at the end of the day (with a happy sigh) is the sign of a servant and a job well done.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Final Month
well... the countdown has started.
Today I bought my last monthly pass... and rode my last real train (metro doesn't count).
As much as I'm looking forward to going home, I'm going to miss a lot of things.
* Budapest transportation and my mastering of it.
* Hungarian transportation and the ability to go from one tiny village to another tiny village across the country completely without bothering friends for rides.
* Hungarian language. As much as I hated it to begin with, I am falling in love with it more and more each day. KOMOLYAN! (SERIOUSLY!)
* colorful money and being about to know how much money i have just by looking at the colors of the bills.
* carrying around thousands of forints and having it not be enough to go grocery shopping or buy a monthly ticket.
* the happiness and sadness that comes from sweet lunches.
* soup every day
* Turo Rudis
* seeing the Hungarian Parliament every time I leave my flat
* saying the word "flat" instead of "apartment"
* Castles
* Roman ruins
* greeting and saying goodbye with kisses
* wishing a good meal to each person you see eating
* half price
* jumping from an Italian keyboard to a German keyboard to a Hungarian keyboard to an American keyboard within one day in computer land
* having a courtyard
* being only a few hours away from other countries
* Surprising Hungarians with my amazing Hungarian pronunciation
* wine in a castle overlooking such a beautiful city
Today I bought my last monthly pass... and rode my last real train (metro doesn't count).
As much as I'm looking forward to going home, I'm going to miss a lot of things.
* Budapest transportation and my mastering of it.
* Hungarian transportation and the ability to go from one tiny village to another tiny village across the country completely without bothering friends for rides.
* Hungarian language. As much as I hated it to begin with, I am falling in love with it more and more each day. KOMOLYAN! (SERIOUSLY!)
* colorful money and being about to know how much money i have just by looking at the colors of the bills.
* carrying around thousands of forints and having it not be enough to go grocery shopping or buy a monthly ticket.
* the happiness and sadness that comes from sweet lunches.
* soup every day
* Turo Rudis
* seeing the Hungarian Parliament every time I leave my flat
* saying the word "flat" instead of "apartment"
* Castles
* Roman ruins
* greeting and saying goodbye with kisses
* wishing a good meal to each person you see eating
* half price
* jumping from an Italian keyboard to a German keyboard to a Hungarian keyboard to an American keyboard within one day in computer land
* having a courtyard
* being only a few hours away from other countries
* Surprising Hungarians with my amazing Hungarian pronunciation
* wine in a castle overlooking such a beautiful city
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