I haven't really updated this thing with any regularity. I would apologize, although I feel as though I don't really need to do so. It's random and it's scattered. It's not that I've lost interest, I just haven't been using my spare time to do anything productive, like blogging. It comes down to Words With Friends or Blog? Or it comes down to Netflix or Blog?
Lately it's been - ugh. I've been running around all day for work, so when I get home, the last thing I want to do is be productive. Honestly, I haven't even called my mother in like, a week. That's huge since I used to talk to her at LEAST every other day.
What's new, you ask? Well, how about everything?
I moved on July 1st. My boyfriend, the love of my life, moved from Michigan to NYC to be with me and not only did the distance end... the horrible 800 miles that separated us for over a year... but we did something crazy: we decided to live together. (I'll blog about that at another time).
I started a second job. It's a part-time position within Project Hospitality (the agency for which I already hold a position) working in a shelter. Every Saturday and Sunday, I somehow manage to pull myself out of bed at 6a in order to clock in at 7a for an 8 hour shift of site babysitting and story-making. It's not a bad job (actually, it's really simple), but it helps to pay some bills until E finds himself a job.
Tinka is here. I forgot what it's like to try to roll over in bed with a cat on my feet. Or to wear my favorite black shirt or skirt or pants or dress with cat hair decorations. Or to walk to the kitchen for a glass of water and step in puke. I also forgot how nice it was just to lay on the couch with her watching TV on my lap with me... or the feeling of coming home to someone if no human is home.
We have a bathtub, a real kitchen with counters, a living room with windows and a bedroom with two closets. We pretty much live in a palace. Pad status = increased 10 fold. Windows - these are probably my favorite parts of the new place. They lead to fresh air, to breezes, to smells of summer... they are where I most often find Tinka perched and from where I can watch the people of our block like a creeper. So good.
E is unemployed. This. This has been the hardest part of all of this. We, hopefully, will be so much happier and healthier when this phase of our relationship is over. We're not really in a horrible place, there's just much depression, much anger, much stress, much worry, much negativity surrounding it. I cannot wait for this period of waiting and hoping to be fruitful. God is providing and God will provide, but there have definitely been moments where I wondered if we hadn't made the wrong decisions in all of this because there has been little blessing on that front. (again, I'll blog about this at another time, I think).
However, despite all the news and things that kept me away, I'm back. Every Sunday at the shelter, I work the downstairs office, which is composed of a camera monitor system, a phone and a computer from 1782 that runs slower than molasses in winter. This is a good thing in one way - instead of checking Facebook or browsing Amazon (both of which take forever to load), I can update my blog so that we are not so disconnected. I won't be in this position forever, but until E is able to find a full-time, permanent position and brings home enough paychecks to set him at even for saving, I'm here. I look forward to talking to you every Sunday. It could be like fellowship hour, minus the cookies and weak, decaffeinated coffee.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
My Dream Job
Many people always ask about my work. It's hard to understand what I do from a business world. Shoot, it's hard to understand what I do when I ask myself to describe my job. However, is it my dream job?
No. It's close, but it isn't it. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my work and the things that I am doing. It has been a job that truly uses my strengths (and my weaknesses) and brings me back day after day with a feeling of accomplishment.
So, what is my dream job? Well, I have this dream of living along the border of the US and Mexico. I would love to find an abandoned church and turn it into a haven. My family and I would occupy some of the space as our home. Also in the building would be a few apartments for families currently working through issues along the border. Whether they've been split up or they're working with immigration or they're looking to find someone, it would be a safe place for them to rest for some time. Another section of the building would be filled with community resources. Legal, English classes, medical support, job training, etc. The possibilities are endless.
I have this dream. I am convinced that even with this job, I am becoming more and more prepared to fulfill this dream.
What are your dreams? How are you on your way to accomplishing them?
No. It's close, but it isn't it. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my work and the things that I am doing. It has been a job that truly uses my strengths (and my weaknesses) and brings me back day after day with a feeling of accomplishment.
So, what is my dream job? Well, I have this dream of living along the border of the US and Mexico. I would love to find an abandoned church and turn it into a haven. My family and I would occupy some of the space as our home. Also in the building would be a few apartments for families currently working through issues along the border. Whether they've been split up or they're working with immigration or they're looking to find someone, it would be a safe place for them to rest for some time. Another section of the building would be filled with community resources. Legal, English classes, medical support, job training, etc. The possibilities are endless.
I have this dream. I am convinced that even with this job, I am becoming more and more prepared to fulfill this dream.
What are your dreams? How are you on your way to accomplishing them?
Friday, July 4, 2014
Difficult Days
"Mama said there'd be days like this... there'd be days like this, my mama said..."
There have been so many different difficult moments in the last few weeks, it's hard to really write about them.
In the past 6 months, here's what has happened:
My friend, Monica, passed away after complications prior to a medical procedure.
I flew out of Grand Rapids and back to NYC without my love... several times.
My first pastor at Home Acres, Pastor Rich Baukema, passed away.
Eaic came and then left again... and then came here and then left again.
One of the dear elders at Home Acres, Pete Slabbekoorn, passed away.
There were several days without heat or hot water in my old apartment.
I fell and got a third degree sprain in my ankle/feet.
My car broke down.
I have had flight nightmare after flight nightmare.
There were bad days when I had no idea what my future really looked like and who would be in it.
There were fights at the food pantry.
There were things that I wish I didn't have to do, but come with my role as program director and supervisor of staff.
There were days when I went home and just plain crashed from the emotional stress, the physical stress and the mental stress at work and in the apartment.
I'm still here.
It's nice to have sat here in my vacation time (filled with moving and other stresses) and still reflect on the fact that life, while it has given me some difficult days, is really pretty good. God is good and He has really continued to bless me. Those difficult days are just those: only days. They pass and the next day gets a little better.
So, next time you're having a difficult moment, day or even week - remember it will get better. The difficulties won't last forever. Scream, cry and even kick a little bit. Be angry. Be sad. But trust - it will end. I promise.
There have been so many different difficult moments in the last few weeks, it's hard to really write about them.
In the past 6 months, here's what has happened:
My friend, Monica, passed away after complications prior to a medical procedure.
I flew out of Grand Rapids and back to NYC without my love... several times.
My first pastor at Home Acres, Pastor Rich Baukema, passed away.
Eaic came and then left again... and then came here and then left again.
One of the dear elders at Home Acres, Pete Slabbekoorn, passed away.
There were several days without heat or hot water in my old apartment.
I fell and got a third degree sprain in my ankle/feet.
My car broke down.
I have had flight nightmare after flight nightmare.
There were bad days when I had no idea what my future really looked like and who would be in it.
There were fights at the food pantry.
There were things that I wish I didn't have to do, but come with my role as program director and supervisor of staff.
There were days when I went home and just plain crashed from the emotional stress, the physical stress and the mental stress at work and in the apartment.
I'm still here.
It's nice to have sat here in my vacation time (filled with moving and other stresses) and still reflect on the fact that life, while it has given me some difficult days, is really pretty good. God is good and He has really continued to bless me. Those difficult days are just those: only days. They pass and the next day gets a little better.
So, next time you're having a difficult moment, day or even week - remember it will get better. The difficulties won't last forever. Scream, cry and even kick a little bit. Be angry. Be sad. But trust - it will end. I promise.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
My Favorite Recipe
When I started this list of blogging topics, it intrigued me because there were things on it that I probably wouldn't otherwise share. This is one of them.
My favorite recipe isn't one that would surprise many people. It's for Hungarian Fruit Soup (Gyumolcs leves). It was the first Hungarian food I fell in love with and the one I keep recreating for friends and potlucks.
The following recipe has been taken from here. It doesn't make very much, so I find myself doubling, tripling or even quadrupling depending on the event. This recipe makes 6 servings.
My favorite recipe isn't one that would surprise many people. It's for Hungarian Fruit Soup (Gyumolcs leves). It was the first Hungarian food I fell in love with and the one I keep recreating for friends and potlucks.
The following recipe has been taken from here. It doesn't make very much, so I find myself doubling, tripling or even quadrupling depending on the event. This recipe makes 6 servings.
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 6 cups water
- 1 pound fresh sour cherries, pitted
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar
Preparation:
- In a large saucepan, cook cherries with water and 3/4 cup sugar until done, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix sour cream with flour, salt and confectioners' sugar until smooth.
- When cherries are done, temper the sour cream mixture with a few ladles of hot cherry liquid, whisking
until smooth. Transfer to the pan with the cherries and whisk until
smooth. Simmer 5 minutes, but do not boil.
- Cool to room temperature in an ice water bath. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the soup (so a skin doesn't form) and refrigerate until cold. Serve cold as a first course as they do in Hungary or as a dessert with a dollop of sour cream or whipped cream.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
My Top 10 Foods (aka ways to my heart)
1) Cheese - Ooohhh weee, I love cheese. I like cheese slices, cheese sticks, cheese balls, cheese dips, grated cheese, chunks of cheese, shredded cheese, cream cheese, cottage cheese, American cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Pepperjack cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Swiss cheese, Cheddar cheese, Provolone cheese... I love cheese.
2) Chocolate - Ooohhh weee, I love chocolate. Just like cheese, I like it in every form and every flavor. Honestly, my favorite are cordial cherries (but not the cheap dollar store ones). My other favorites are peanut butter cups and twix.
3) Macaroni and Cheese - OMG. I love macaroni and cheese. I can eat it plain. I can eat it with things mixed in (like chicken, spinach, kale, tomatoes, ground turkey, anything...) It's my favorite go-to meal. Honestly, with the right variety in mix-ins, I could probably eat this for lunch or dinner every day.
4) Spinach - Fresh or cooked, This is my go-to green. I love it on sandwiches and as a salad. I love it as a dip. I love to sautee it and mix it in with risotto. Not only is it delicious, it's healthy!
5) Olives - I was first introduced to olives as hors dourves at my mom's family gatherings. Green olives were always served next to little pickles before dinner. Back when I was a vegetarian, I wanted something besides cheese on my pizza... so instead of mushrooms, I started ordering black olives. Mind. Blown. It pretty much changed my world. Here are two new options if you're looking to try olives on your pizza: sausage and black olives, and pepperoni and green olives. You'll thank me later. I promise.
6) Fruity beer - Okay, so just as a disclaimer: beer is for those who are 21 years and older. Also, it should only be enjoyed in moderation, please. With that being said, I occasionally enjoy fruity beer: lemon shandy, cherry wheat, etc. So good.
7) Good red wine or sparkling red wine - Another beverage for the older crowd, but this is a favorite as well. I first fell in love with red wine in Hungary. They have excellent wine in Hungary that most of the world doesn't know about. Upon returning to the US, it has been my favorite treat.
8) Chicken - Chicken chicken chicken: the staple of most of my meals. In fact, I'm eating chicken pizza right now. However, because I cook with it so often, I rarely order it when I eat out. But I could eat fried chicken, baked chicken, crockpot chicken, canned chicken, chicken salad, chicken chicken chicken.. om nom nom.
9) Pizza - PIZZAAAAA!!! I srsly could eat pizza everyday. Every. Day. I am eating pizza right now!
10) Deviled eggs - more chicken! Of course, this is a much different form. I can never eat enough of these at every potluck. Sometimes I take a few more than my fair share and I feel so guilty! I love them so much, though, and I never just make them for myself. That would indeed be a bad idea.
2) Chocolate - Ooohhh weee, I love chocolate. Just like cheese, I like it in every form and every flavor. Honestly, my favorite are cordial cherries (but not the cheap dollar store ones). My other favorites are peanut butter cups and twix.
3) Macaroni and Cheese - OMG. I love macaroni and cheese. I can eat it plain. I can eat it with things mixed in (like chicken, spinach, kale, tomatoes, ground turkey, anything...) It's my favorite go-to meal. Honestly, with the right variety in mix-ins, I could probably eat this for lunch or dinner every day.
4) Spinach - Fresh or cooked, This is my go-to green. I love it on sandwiches and as a salad. I love it as a dip. I love to sautee it and mix it in with risotto. Not only is it delicious, it's healthy!
5) Olives - I was first introduced to olives as hors dourves at my mom's family gatherings. Green olives were always served next to little pickles before dinner. Back when I was a vegetarian, I wanted something besides cheese on my pizza... so instead of mushrooms, I started ordering black olives. Mind. Blown. It pretty much changed my world. Here are two new options if you're looking to try olives on your pizza: sausage and black olives, and pepperoni and green olives. You'll thank me later. I promise.
6) Fruity beer - Okay, so just as a disclaimer: beer is for those who are 21 years and older. Also, it should only be enjoyed in moderation, please. With that being said, I occasionally enjoy fruity beer: lemon shandy, cherry wheat, etc. So good.
7) Good red wine or sparkling red wine - Another beverage for the older crowd, but this is a favorite as well. I first fell in love with red wine in Hungary. They have excellent wine in Hungary that most of the world doesn't know about. Upon returning to the US, it has been my favorite treat.
8) Chicken - Chicken chicken chicken: the staple of most of my meals. In fact, I'm eating chicken pizza right now. However, because I cook with it so often, I rarely order it when I eat out. But I could eat fried chicken, baked chicken, crockpot chicken, canned chicken, chicken salad, chicken chicken chicken.. om nom nom.
9) Pizza - PIZZAAAAA!!! I srsly could eat pizza everyday. Every. Day. I am eating pizza right now!
10) Deviled eggs - more chicken! Of course, this is a much different form. I can never eat enough of these at every potluck. Sometimes I take a few more than my fair share and I feel so guilty! I love them so much, though, and I never just make them for myself. That would indeed be a bad idea.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
My Favorite Childhood Book
I recently saw a post on Facebook containing some of the greatest childhood book quotes.
Dr. Seuss - Oh the Places You'll Go - "If things start happening, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too."
Roald Dahl - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory - "The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places."
Dr. Seuss - The Cat in The Hat - "Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
Shel Silverstein - Where the Sidewalk Ends - "Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."
E. B. White - Charlotte's Web - "You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing."
Robert Munsch - Love You Forever - "I'll love you forever, I'll love you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
Roald Dahl - Matilda - "If you have good thoughts... they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."
Marcus Pfister - The Rainbow Fish - "... the more he gave away, the more delighted he became."
Such good stuff! So, I got to thinking: what were some of my favorite childhood books? There were (and are) so many good ones to choose from, it was hard to narrow it down. I came up with a few, though.
Anne of Green Gables series - This was the first collection of books I had. I remember getting points to Barnes & Noble with the summer reading program and I used those points to collect all of the books in the series. I remember being so proud of when I collected all of the books in the series.
Berenstein Bears series - This is a series that I could read and read and read again. Love it! I should plan to get the series for the nepher...
Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss - I still have a copy of this book. Maybe it's for kids, but I think it's also very much for adults. It's something that I believe we should read time and time again. The inspiration never gets old. The pictures never get boring. The rhymes never fail to entertain. Love it!
So, what about you? What were your favorite books as a child?
Dr. Seuss - Oh the Places You'll Go - "If things start happening, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too."
Roald Dahl - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory - "The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places."
Dr. Seuss - The Cat in The Hat - "Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
Shel Silverstein - Where the Sidewalk Ends - "Anything can happen, child. Anything can be."
E. B. White - Charlotte's Web - "You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing."
Robert Munsch - Love You Forever - "I'll love you forever, I'll love you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
Roald Dahl - Matilda - "If you have good thoughts... they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."
Marcus Pfister - The Rainbow Fish - "... the more he gave away, the more delighted he became."
Such good stuff! So, I got to thinking: what were some of my favorite childhood books? There were (and are) so many good ones to choose from, it was hard to narrow it down. I came up with a few, though.
Anne of Green Gables series - This was the first collection of books I had. I remember getting points to Barnes & Noble with the summer reading program and I used those points to collect all of the books in the series. I remember being so proud of when I collected all of the books in the series.
Berenstein Bears series - This is a series that I could read and read and read again. Love it! I should plan to get the series for the nepher...
Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss - I still have a copy of this book. Maybe it's for kids, but I think it's also very much for adults. It's something that I believe we should read time and time again. The inspiration never gets old. The pictures never get boring. The rhymes never fail to entertain. Love it!
So, what about you? What were your favorite books as a child?
Sunday, March 2, 2014
My Most Proud Moment
There are three moments in my life (at least recent moments) that I can remember being extremely proud of myself. I think they all speak for themselves, but a couple of them came without warning, they all come with stories and they all not only increased my feeling of self worth, but I think they also increased others' feelings of my value and worth. That is important to me.
Theological Hungarian talk - July 2010 - Yes, I lived and I worked and I ate delicious food in Hungary for about a year of my life. It was wonderful and probably one of the greatest experiences of my life. One thing that I regret (and only a little) is that I didn't exactly master the Hungarian language. Sure, I could speak it and my pronunciation was so on point that I was often assumed Hungarian when only one-word answers were needed. Unfortunately, piecing together a good sentence wasn't my strength. I could read and listen and understand almost completely... but yeah, that forming sentences/speaking/thinking and then relaying what I thought... those things were struggles. Toward the end of my year there, I was working for a camp on Lake Balaton. After dinner one evening, the question came up about how can God be good if so many bad things happen to good people. It's a classic question for those questioning. While I am fairly confident in discussing my beliefs in English, translating into Hungarian (or even Spanish) proved to be extremely difficult. However, it came up. And I can't remember how the conversation went.. but I do remember it being an actual conversation... complete with questions and responses. I walked away feeling so proud that I could not only discuss something that means a lot to me without getting defensive or deeply emotional, but I was also able to discuss it in a language I slightly regretted I hadn't grasped. In fact, I had.
Graduation - April 2013 - Finally. 12 years after graduating high school, I finally graduated from college. I started GVSU in August 2001 as a music education major. I finally finished as a Spanish major. I had finally finished. As I prepared for this day, I couldn't wait to walk across the stage of the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI and receive my 'diploma.' This excitement was quickly overshadowed by the fact that I hadn't tried on my graduation gown. Apparently they are NOT "one-size-fits-all..." and this girl has got some hips that are definitely not one size. The gown was more like a bodycon dress. Not attractive. No proud. However, aside from that moment, it was a great day. I had finished what I'd started. I had done what I had set out to do. I remember the happiness as if it were yesterday. So good.
Promotion - October 2013 - Of course, this is one of the most recent proud moments. It came completely unexpected. I've already blogged about how it came about and included a lot of my feelings about it, so I won't bore you with that again. Here's a link to that post. However, I was so proud of myself. It was only due to my hard work and abilities as an intern that I'd even gotten noticed. I'm sure some divine intervention, as well, but I'm so thankful that my freewill choice was to do what I was asked to do to the best of my abilities no matter what.
So, what about you? What are some of your most proudest moments?
Theological Hungarian talk - July 2010 - Yes, I lived and I worked and I ate delicious food in Hungary for about a year of my life. It was wonderful and probably one of the greatest experiences of my life. One thing that I regret (and only a little) is that I didn't exactly master the Hungarian language. Sure, I could speak it and my pronunciation was so on point that I was often assumed Hungarian when only one-word answers were needed. Unfortunately, piecing together a good sentence wasn't my strength. I could read and listen and understand almost completely... but yeah, that forming sentences/speaking/thinking and then relaying what I thought... those things were struggles. Toward the end of my year there, I was working for a camp on Lake Balaton. After dinner one evening, the question came up about how can God be good if so many bad things happen to good people. It's a classic question for those questioning. While I am fairly confident in discussing my beliefs in English, translating into Hungarian (or even Spanish) proved to be extremely difficult. However, it came up. And I can't remember how the conversation went.. but I do remember it being an actual conversation... complete with questions and responses. I walked away feeling so proud that I could not only discuss something that means a lot to me without getting defensive or deeply emotional, but I was also able to discuss it in a language I slightly regretted I hadn't grasped. In fact, I had.
Graduation - April 2013 - Finally. 12 years after graduating high school, I finally graduated from college. I started GVSU in August 2001 as a music education major. I finally finished as a Spanish major. I had finally finished. As I prepared for this day, I couldn't wait to walk across the stage of the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI and receive my 'diploma.' This excitement was quickly overshadowed by the fact that I hadn't tried on my graduation gown. Apparently they are NOT "one-size-fits-all..." and this girl has got some hips that are definitely not one size. The gown was more like a bodycon dress. Not attractive. No proud. However, aside from that moment, it was a great day. I had finished what I'd started. I had done what I had set out to do. I remember the happiness as if it were yesterday. So good.
Promotion - October 2013 - Of course, this is one of the most recent proud moments. It came completely unexpected. I've already blogged about how it came about and included a lot of my feelings about it, so I won't bore you with that again. Here's a link to that post. However, I was so proud of myself. It was only due to my hard work and abilities as an intern that I'd even gotten noticed. I'm sure some divine intervention, as well, but I'm so thankful that my freewill choice was to do what I was asked to do to the best of my abilities no matter what.
So, what about you? What are some of your most proudest moments?
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