Budapest

My conversation with my starter class today, reviewing what we learned last week:


m: Where's Budapest?
c: Burger
m: Listen. (pointing to my ear) Where is Budapest?
c: Hamburger
m: London is in England.  Where is Budapest? (very slowly)
c: (very slowly) Hamburger.
 
*Note to self, when asking a question to people who have only been studying English for one week, be careful what you have in your hand.  Clearly, it's confusing when you are holding a picture of a hamburger and it has nothing to do with the question.  Yep, I'm a good teacher.

Demonstrations and Turbo Jam

As you probably know, there are a lot of protest and demonstrations going on in my area of the world.  I have a lot of people asking if I'm okay, if I'm scare, etc.  We have made contingency plans to evacuate if the need arises, but for now, everything is quite peaceful.  I'm at peace with life here; I know that this comes from Him, alone.  So, we wait and pray. 

While we are watching to see how this will work out, we are working out!  Turbo Jam kicks my tush~my whole body is sore!  It's a fun way to exercise, though.  I kinda wish there was a video camera recording me and the other girls trying to dance/punch/kick to fast music.  We are not the most coordinated bunch, so it's quite funny!

Road Trip!

Last week, I traveled to the capital city. The stories I could tell would last forever,

so here are some pictures to give you the highlight.

I love Sharpies

This past Friday, I went up the mountain with some friends. I can't explain the beauty of it-it's absolutely breath taking.  It's so high up, that we were in the clouds; which is wonderful in person, not so much for pictures.  Here's the best I could get. 

 
Two village boys run up to us and asked for pens-which is a big deal in the villages.  I dug around in my purse, and for some odd reason, didn't have a single one.  What I did have, were Sharpies.  If you know me, you know my fascination and love for Sharpies.  They hold a special place in my heart.  So, somewhat reluctantly, I gave one boy a blue one and the other a yellow one. They smiled, laughed, and danced for a few minutes, then asked for one for their sister.  My heart sank slightly as I handed over a pink Sharpie and I prayed there were no more siblings at home.  They ran off so excited that I could do nothing but smile.  My sacrifice of 3 sharpies was well worth it just to see their smiles.


 A few moments later, the boys returned with a present for me.  They found pieces of trash and had drawn me pictures with their new found treasures.  They were so proud of themselves and grateful to me.  The boy on the right wrote 'for kind heart'.  This brought tears to my eyes.  In that moment, I wished I had my whole collection of Sharpies to share with them. 


Today was the end of the term...now it's time for a two week break.  We are going to travel, explore, and shop during the first week and rest and hang out with local friends the second week.  I'm a big fan of working 5 weeks and getting 2 weeks off!  Here's a pic from our end-of-term party this afternoon.  
*Random side note: I love being 'tall' here.  It's a new experience for me.  :)

A Mommy Hug

It's days like today that I need a Mommy hug.  I would like nothing more than to lay my head in my Mom's lap and let her play with my hair, tickle my arms, and rub my ears.  (And yes, I know the ear thing is wierd, but it's something she has done forever and it now brings me comfort :)! )

The past few days have been tough.  I've been fighting a cold and have had some problems with my VPN-which without, I can't get on the internet; not a big deal at all, but anoying.  Once all the computer mess was taken care of, I contacted my travel agent about changing my return date.  She does it, getting way too much of my money in the process, and does it wrong!  She has the 2nd leg leaving before the first one.  Try to figure that one out.  I tell her and she says, "Oh, we need to change the second flight to the next day.  I can do that for you, for an extra $226 fee."  Really!?  You mess up and want me to pay for it!?  Awesome. 

So, I turned off my computer and went to a foreigner friend's home for game night.  It was just what I needed.  I won Settlers of Catan and was awarded 'The Golden Hexagon'.  Be very impressed!  Then I lost terribly at 'Bonkers' but it was a lot of fun and laughs.

Now I'm off to email my wonderful travel agent again.  Hopefully this time goes over a little better.  Either way, I will be flying into DFW on Sunday, May 29.  I can't wait for a Mommy hug :)!

Random

I went to a local friend's home today for lunch and it was AMAZING!  Her sister decided I should learn how to cook Arab food, so they invited me to come back tomorrow.  Cooking lesson #1 starts at 11 am with selta, bread, and bisbas.  I can't wait!  I'll let you know how it goes :).

On a different note:

I have the best boyfriend in the world.  He makes my heart happy-I get giddy just thinking about him.  Our morning Skype dates make my day, everyday.  Just thought the world should know that!

I  love you, Tristan!

(And I miss you.)

Dependence

I'm a pretty independent person.  I tend to do things my way, even if it's not the best or easiest.  I've been this way my whole life.  Some call this being hard headed; maybe I'm a little of both.  (If you want stories, you'll have to ask my parents.  I refuse to incriminate myself.)  Independence can be a good and a bad thing. 

I love to travel: the adventure, new cultures, meeting people, beautiful sights, and even trying new foods.  Being independent has let me see the world: and it is a beautiful place.  Independence has also allowed me to be comfortable with myself.  There are so many people who can't handle being alone; I, on the other hand, find it thrilling.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a people person.  I love a crowd and a party; but there is something beautiful about the times when it's just me. 

But-and there's usually a but-when it comes to my relationship with God-trusting Him completely-I get in the way.  I have the "I can do it by myself" mentality.  It just can't work that way.  Being where I am and doing what I do, people think I have this rock solid faith.  It's easy to let everyone think highly of you: and it's very easy to get a big head.  All the while, the truth is: everyday is a faith struggle.  You don't get this amazing relationship and trust in Christ just by moving to a foreign country.  If only it were that easy. 

"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time." ~Oswald Chambers

He is doing great things through me here.  BUT: nothing can compare with what He's doing in me.  I'm pretty sure the biggest thing that is going to come out of this chapter of my life is learning how to depend on Him alone.  I think that He had to take me away from everything that made me feel comfortable to show me that I need him in my everything.  I'm learning how to be deliberate to let Him have control of my life: my thoughts, words, and actions.  Sometimes this is a scary place to be.  It's hard to be vulnerable and it's hard to lose foolish pride. 

Being independent isn't a bad thing; but being solely dependent on Christ is the best thing.

"When you bow down before the Lord and admit you dependence on Him, He will lift you up..." ~James 4:10 

I want to be dependent on Christ so He can get the glory, and Him alone.  My prayer is to lose myself in the beauty of Christ.