Paris

Merry Christmas from Paris!

It has been so amazing being here. I love it so much. I love being with my family more!! Here is a link to my pics on my facebook till I get home!!

http://liberty.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2125036&l=8b550&id=55702898

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Love,
Joanna

Christmas Party

Cookies!!

Me and the Girls

Norbert got a can of cat food and a tooth brush.. funny gift

All of my Students!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Just a quick blog!! I am about to go to Paris and I"m so excited.

I'm about to leave school and we just had a part with all the colleagues and it was a blast.I am so blessed with my colleagues and my school!! Here are some pics from the 12th grade Christmas Party. It was so much fun and I know that the students really had fun.

We exchanged presents, decorated cookies and I read the Christmas Story.

See you in January.. if I can I will blog from Paris!!

Merry Christmas!!

Esztergom Retreat

The Ladies at Lunch

The Basilica at night

Keri and Leah

This past weekend, I travelled a lot. On Saturday morning, a snowy morning, a few of ladies of CEO..Arden, Lea, Laura and I drove up in Arden's snazzy red car. We got a bit turned around trying to navigate the one way, no left turn roads to find our Panzio but once I got ahold of the map, listening to advice, praying for help, we found it :-) hehe it wasn't that dramatic.

Anyways, we arrived at our panzio and there were dead gold fish in the "pond". I meant to take a picture but alas I forgot. So, I was really sad. Arden and I walked over to them to pay our respects when they moved..hooorayyy!! The Gold Fish weren't dead, the water was just frozen on the top. ..random I know but it was almost traumatizing.

We went to a restaurant called Pig's Knuckle Restaurant (but in Hungarian) and we ate yummy food. Arden was constantly being hit on by a 60 year old waiter who just loved her name and Laura's. Something about that rolling R :-) We were full to the brim and so we walked to the hospital that Keri (our partner in Croatia but was in esztergom) was staying at. We stopped at two bakery's to get sweets and walked into the hospital and enjoyed a wonderful, few hour visit. I loved every minute of it and it was a huge blessing I'm sure for Keri. Someday, I'll have to write about Hungarian Hospitals.

We then went and bought some wine, cheese, crackers, szalami, Cheetos, oranges, peanuts, chocolate, cookies, water, cheerios for our dinner. We walked back to the panzio and laughed our heads off for a few more hours.

Sunday was much the same, we went to Keri's again and then to the same restaurant and then drove home.

I love the women of CEO and I am so thankful for their mentorship, friendship, love and care. I definitely missed Donna but I know she was there in spirit.

Vienna with School

I went to Vienna with my school. We had two buses, 6 teachers and I think 96 kids. It took us about 3 hours and we got there in time for the snow to start :-) The biggest difference in the field trip for me was that we just let the kids go do whatever they wanted in this huge city by themselves. Once we all got off the bus the students were told that they should come back at 3pm and we would all see the museum.

So, the teachers set off and I had a great time. Of course, at the First Starbucks I saw I bought a Gingerbread Latte ( a tall was 4.7 Euro which is like $6) but it was sooo good and very worth the money:-)

Here are some pics of my time in veinna. My favorite part had to be hanging out with my colleagues and getting to know them a bit better!


Gabi and I

Christmas Market

Tamas and Abel 2 of my 10th graders

noise

Last Wednesday night at Bible Study we watched a Nooma titled Noise. It was really good. I had read some of his points, Rob Bell, in his book Velvet Elvis talking about how in 2000 it took more than 20,000 hours of taping to get 1 hour of silence. I think this is correct.

Anyways, I got to thinking, I moved to Budapest a huge city. Im no longer in quiet Lynchburg or Charlottesville. There are constant sirens, buses, villamoses, dogs, yelling, and cars at all hours of the night. The last time I went to Vac I was amazed at how quiet it was. There wasn't a lot of noise.

I am always surrounded by noise. Whethere I have my IPOD in, reading a book, talking to someone, listening to Hungarian, listening to background noises. So my question is where is God in all of this?? Is he here in the noise? Is he available through the noise.

God spoke not in an earthquake, not through fire, but through a small quiet whisper. Would I be able to hear God's voice through the loudness of my life?

Christmas In Full Swing

The Christmas season is in full swing here in budapest and I'm very excited to be apart of it all.

Yesterday, I went to the Christmas Market in the downtown area and bought some Christmas ortaments and hopefully soon I will return to sample some hot wine.

I'm planning a Christmas party with one of my classes and I'm very excited about that.

The church that I'm going to has a Christmas childrens program next sunday where i'm sure I will die over the adorable children.

I have written all my Christmas Cards, printed a Christmas Letter and sending a few packages out to America. Next Friday, I'm going to Vienna with my school as a chaperone. I'm pretty excited about that. Its part of the Christmas holiday. Then I'm off to Paris.

Its raining. yuck. i wish it was snowing.

Christmas Decorations

Today we made christmas decorations!!

Here are some pics!

paperwork is finished

Yesterday,
Aniko, our accountant handed me an official Health card in which I needed to give me health care, salary and any other official hungarian buisness. I now have the wonderful benefits of "free" healthcare.

Its amazing how its all finished now. Well, for now till I get my next permit. I will be working hard to make sure everything is taken care of so its not so difficult.

Thanks again for your prayers and thoughts.

Last night I was at home just resting, reading and writing and I decided that I needed a hair cut.. well I sure did cut it. Its not too short but well its hard to cut your own hair. But i think I did a good job! woohoo! I"ll put up a new picture sometime.

The year is winding down and its good for me to take sometime and reflect upon what has happened! I hope you do so too!

Love, Joanna

Vienna

I just spent the weekend with my good friends from MTI. The Hunters are originally from Florida (South) and now they live in a top floor, towered, amazing apartment in Vienna. We had loads of fun hanging out, drinking yummy latte's, watching wiggles, watching snoopy, jetsons, going to the Christmas Market, eating Thanksgiving..yummmmY complete with Stove Top dressing.
The kids were amazing to be with and I had so much fun hanging out and playing. I love that they are so close to me and its so easy to get to even just for a day.

I was also able to be apart of family worship which I want to have if I ever have a family. I just need to find me a husband who plays the guitar :-) The kids recited Psalm 100 which I now know and we sang songs. We also prayed together on Sunday right before I left. I loved watching these kids have Christ a huge part of their lives when they live in such a spiritually dark city.

The Christmas Market was beatuiful and there were so many ortaments that I wouuld have loved to have but.. i got a bonafide Nutcracker who has quite the afro for hair. I will have to take a picture of him.


Thanksgiving with the Hunters

Christmas Market and Cotton Candy


My Nutcracker

First Snow

Although I didn't take any pictures.. We had our first snow this past Sunday. It was a bright sunny morning when I woke up and when I walked out of church it was very snowy.

On Sundays...its already quiet but when there is snow it seems that the city is quiet, hiding and watching the beautiful snow fall. It kept up all day and finished around 9pm.

Its cold now.. really cold. I am going to have to do a little winter weather shopping .. hats and gloves and another good pair of winter shoes.

Tonight, at school, we have a parent teacher conference. Here's the difference.. three of us to a room and the parents can come speak to us. I will bring a book. This should be interesting.

More updates later..

undescribed emotions

Right now, I'm feeling bunches of emotions in which I cannot really descirbe. I feel great when I'm at school, and I love teaching. I get home and I'm sad but I'm not at the same time. I cry a lot but every missionary I talk to says that its normal. They too went through and are going through the same things.

I wonder what my MTI friends are feeling. Good thing I'm going to visit Stacey and Brad next weekend.

We talked at MTI about the transitions of missionary life and right now I'm in the 3-6 month stage (I am at 4 months) and it is all down hill on the scale and after December hopefully for me I will begin to feel better, because from 6-9 months its a steady incline.

all in all.. they tell me its normal. If this is normal.. I want to be wierd again :-)

Leaning on my only constant.. God.

rubix cube follow up...

Well, i just found out from Arden that the man who invented the rubix cube is from Hungary. The reason that they are in my school is because many boys play with them. Its intense..they are flipping those sides at record pacing seconds. They told me in class that they attended the world championship of the rubix cube.

I remember when I was in 8th or 9th grade. Cortney, Nate and I had Tamagachi's. These were fake little "pets" but it was chic and the teacher always took them away from us. Same thing. The teachers take away the rubix cube. :-)

rubix cube

if you walk through the hall of my school you will see this..

Sometimes I feel like I'm being transported back to the 80's...

Reflections on the visa process

Just thought I'd start with a beautiful picture of Prague during the fall.

I have my visa!! Its in my passport all pretty like. When I had my passport I was so excited and I kept looking at it over and over again. To think, how many months, tears, frustrations, miracles, and prayers were given to this small piece of paper.

I learned so much during this process. The biggest lesson proably trust and surrender. I've been talking with my friends here in Prague and they are going through visa difficulties as well. I remember thinking back to sitting in the work permit office and almost in tears begging them to help me. To taking the train to Prague and finding out that the embassy was closed. So many things were beyond my control.

When I think about God and what he has given me .. my visa... I relize that all of it might have been a test to trust Him FULLY not half heartedly with a PLAN B but to invest all my of heart to trust him. There is nothing like handing all of my paper work to the Embassy and wonder if they will give me a visa. ..
There is nothing like handing my heart, my requests, my desires, my life.. to God and wonder what he will do.. its always been good. He is a good God.

He loves, wants to protect and lead me to the life everlasting if I will trust and be obedient to him.

So, these are my reflections right now. "My God shall supply all my needs, according to his grace and mercy. "

én futottam

Translated from Hungarian..this means.. I ran.

One of the reasons I came to Prague on my fall break was because my visa is ready!

This morning I went to help Joanna with her music class for toddlers. It was a Halllllloowoeeeeennnn creepy music class :-). It was a blast and we danced around and had a lot of fun. Anyways, we got on the metro to go home but I was going to detour to the embassy to get my visa. Since I'm a bit unfamiliar with the transportation here, I got on the first villamos that came and hoped that it would take me just one stop to where I wanted to go.. of course the one I got on turned right and went down the hill. I had 15 min. to make it to the embassy on time. So, I got off the next stop and I ran to the Embassy..uphill.. oh man. It was funny..

I made it, and I was a bit breathless.. (maybe I should work out) and told the lady.. Good Day. I would like my visa. I to run. I couldn't think of the proper conjugation of the verb to run.

Oh well, so, she checked my passport and she asked me to come back in the morning to get it.

don't worry, I'm planning ahead and I will hopefully not "to run" to the Embassy in the morning.

travelling...

Patience.. this is one word that I have learned over and over and over again..

Yesterday, I missed the morning train to Prague by 10mintues. I had forgotten that public transportation was on a holiday schedule so it took me forever to get just a few stops. So, I sat there and wondered..what should I do..I have four more hours till the next train. So, I checked my bag with the luggage hold and I went to McDonalds..McCafe serves some of my favorite coffee..

I sat down beside two american girls who ...eventually...I figured out that were getting on the same train. Anyways, I hung out in there for awhile..then went to make sure I was early for my next train..to find out that the train would be 100 minutes late. ugh...

I bought an Elle in Hungarian..read what I could, made some friends with some Canadian girls and helped them and then finnaly boarded the train. It was nicer than most trains that I've taken to Prague so that was a plus.. so.. 6 hours after leaving my house we finnaly got on our way.

In my compartment (like in Harry Potter) there were also another set of american girls.. Amber and Nicole who I shared this adventure with. Just a tip, when travelling during the winter months in Hungary or Europe.. travel in the morning because then you get to see the landscape..otherwise its just dark out there.

I arrived in Prague at 1030pm and wonderful Mark Stewart was waiting with a metro pass for me. I said good bye to my friends, directed them to the ATM and Mark and I went to their house so we could all get a good night sleep.

I love the Stewarts :-)

so patience..you learn to have patience and wait because a lot of times, things are just beyond your control!!

mom and dad visit

heres a link to the pictures that we took while mom and dad were here!!

great time..
good food..

miss them already.

http://liberty.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2115820&l=d65f2&id=55702898


copy and paste that..till i can fix it!!

weekend with the newells

This weekend, I've spent it with the Newell's minus MaRk. We went to the zoo, had a girls night, went driving for pumpkins, took naps and tonight we are going for pizza.

Here are some fun pics from the weekend.

got sick.. no running

I'm going to take Stacy's advice.. I'm going to go to my friends house to have lunch and hang out to get to know her. I've gotten sick so I couldn't run this morning. I'm not complaining..let's be honest here. :-)

the things we do when we don't speak the language..

So.. I sit here in the teacher workroom surrounded by constant hungarian.. all of a sudden I hear my name.. and they are askin me to "futni" to run in a race on Margit Sziget. Mind you.. I have not exercised in a while. I accepted. How can i reject my collegaues and say that I won't do it?! So this Sunday at 10am I am going to run 2.2 miles around the island with the women of my school. Nothing like running to make the bonds closer.

Pray I don't die. Oh man I"m out of shape..going to go exercise today..we shall see how far I can run!

Some Pictures..

Ahoy!! My prague experience

I wanted to give you all an update on the Prague trip..

I arrived late Thursday evening with a piece of paper that gave me directions to Joanna and Mark's House. I walked into the train station and went straight to the Taxi stand. I talked to the men in Russian and well, the wanted to charge me 800 kc ($40) for a 10 min cab ride. I said no way give me my bags back.. then we started to haggle and I said 500 and then he said 600 and I gave in. So, i was completely scammed by these I'm sure mafia taxi drivers.

Anyways, I finally arrived at the Stewart's house and was greeted at the door by Joanna and a good friend from high school David Duxbury. It was really nice to be able to reconnect talk and eat yummy Indian food Joanna made. I swear I gained 10lbs staying there I ate so much.

Friday, Joanna and I went to Tesco (Wal-mart) to buy groceries and we also did a bit of shopping in a really nice mall. I found VERA BRADLEY sold in a store. CRAZY. Anyways, we bought all of Tesco I think and carried each of our bags to the Taxi. (we did take the metro in..I didn't just ride taxi's) Then we went out for lunch did a little more shopping and started making dinner. Then a cool friend of Joanna and Mark's came over, Jason and we all hung out till the wee hours of the night.

Saturday was a preparation for the party day and we made lots of food and birthday cake for Sash's 2nd Birthday party. It was a lot of fun. Sunday morning was the party and we had 5 kids and 20 adults eating all the food and the 2 cakes. Mark made a pirate ship out of a huge cardboard box that all 5 kids could fit in. I made a treasure map where they went and found all kinds of things around the house. It was a lot of fun. Church was amazing and spoke directly to my heart.

I think the best part of my weekend was.. well first was talking to Joanna and listening to her wisdom but my new friend Jason gave me the first episode of Grey's and I got to watch it. Oh it was fabulous.

I am not back in Budapest and my visa is in process. School is in full gear and I have much to do!

Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing!! much love!

Visa

I am in Prauge right now sitting at Mark and Joanna's House and its so nice. I am enjoying much needed time of friends and old memoires. I woke up and had pancakes and Greenberry's coffee that my sister sent me.. yumm.

I have been working for the last about mmmm 2 months on getting my Visa. I receieved my work permit last week and it was great! I then booked a train ticket to Prague and rode for about 7 hours yesterday.. wait.. back up. On Wednesday, during my break I took one of my students and we met Mark Newell in Budapest near my house. I needed proof from the government that my apartment was real and valid. With many phone calls to Mark Newell and Doug Coppage I figured out what I needed and had the paper in 24 hours. God is good.

So, to my knowledge I have all of my paperwork and I'm ready to go and ask for this Visa. Today is Czech Holiday and the Embassy is colsed . So.. I am waiting and praying it comes on Monday and if it doesn't then I wait on Tuesday or come back in a few weeks.

I relearned this morning that God is good, that I have really given this to God because when I found out that it was closed I was not worried or stressed and knew that in His faithful timing I will have it. I must trust. Two verses that two of my favorite people sent me ...

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways ackknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds.... it develops perserverance and perserverance must finish its work so that you may be complete. (my paraphrase)

thanks for keeping up with me on my journey.
Joanna.

Thanks for the Birthday Greetings and Wishes

It has been a wonderful birthday weekend! I had a great day on Friday which began with getting my work permit from the Governemnt! WOOHOOO now I must get my Work Visa next weekend. Then afterwards I went to Shannon's house and had Enchiladas..yummy and birthday cake. Then we went to see the Golgota Gospel Choir and it was amazing. It was on top one of the huge malls here and they sang all kinds of Gospel songs. Then we went to CoffeeHouse and had a great time hanging out with friends.

Today, I met with my friends Rachael , Caroline and Timi and we went to wedding dress shops for Caroline who is getting married in march. It was awesome. We found amazing dresses and I have no idea how anyone could choose with all the different designs and such. Then Caroline treated me to the Baths.. Szecheni Baths. AAAAHHHh It was amazing. There is a sauna and lots of pools.

I'm now at the Newells and we had a wonderfully yummy dinner and cake and icecream. It was sooo great.

School is great. This week I have to go to Praha to get my visa! Keep Praying! Love to all and thanks for the wishes!

an update i sent

Dear Friends,
I have officially finished two full weeks of teaching. It seems that I am beginning to finally settle into a routine and my students are also finding routine from the summer vacation. I am carrying 23 classes per week and then some administrative and lesson planning hours. It makes for a busy week but I am thankful that I can leave when I am finished with classes. A plus to working in this system here in Hungary. I have wonderful students and I daily face the reality that English is sometimes not the most exciting language to learn and teach but we must all work together to learn and teach the language.

Of course, I stay busy hanging out with friends, going to Hungarian Hour, Ladie's Tea, Coffee House, visiting with the Newell's, meeting new friends and hopefully doing some mentoring. It is very busy and very very fun.

I am writing you to pray for my paperwork over the next few weeks. Next Friday, I will go to the work permit office to pick up my work permit. Once I have this in hand, I will be able to go to the embassy/consulate hopefully in Prague to apply for my work visa. It is necessary for me to have this visa in order to stay here in Hungary. This continues to be a tedious process and I don't always have the best attitude for it but I know that the Lord will provide my Visa. Please pray that this process will be quick and the visa will be granted!

Thank you for praying for me and thinking of me! I plan to write a newsletter this week!

Blessings, Joanna

My first week

My first week was very successful. I have had all of my classes. I have about 200+ students that I need to get to know. Its actually not that many considering some native speakers have twice that! I am really enjoying my classes and getting to know my students. There are many good times and bad times but I do believe that is part of teaching!

Yesterday, we finally completed our Faculty. We were short one teacher and Miklos came to fill the position. He lived in Gainesville FL and he is a huge Football fan. I think that's funny. He's all about the Gators and we were talking about the ACC and the different teams and the season. It just made me smile to have a little part of home… who knew that I , Joanna Foley, would enjoy talking about Football. (kelsea you woulda been proud).

I experienced a bit of culture shock this week. Its not culture shock of Hungary vs. America it was culture shock of .. Private School vs. Public School. I went to Private Christian School for all of my education.. K-University and its sooooo different. The swear words, the dress, smoking, the bits of non-respect.. It amazes me. I mean I knew it was out there but I was a bit sheltered. I still hold my students to high expectations (although I know they will let me down) I think that this year will be good.

Its been rainy and cold all week. Dad would have really enjoyed the weather. It only peaked 48 degrees one day. I've been wearing a jacket or fleece every day. Today its Saturday and I have been cleaning, and cleaning and resting. Tomorrow I will meet a colleague and her daughter to go to a museum exhibit here in Budapest so I am looking forward to that time. Her name is Marianne so please be in prayer about our interaction!!

Be blessed this weekend!

My Offical first day of teaching

I survived my first day of teaching. I got up at 6am.. And was out of the door at 710. I was at school at 730 to get everything put away and be in my first class at 745. I was eager, the students were..well let's be honest they were dreading that they had to be in school again. Nothing like a rainy day to make that worse. My classes went by with pretty good success. I had 11th, 10th, and 12th graders. I had 7 classes total.. And I dunno ..over 100 students.

The first day wiped me and I came home and ate lunch and took a nap. I started at 745 and finished at 1410 so that was nice. I was out of there in no time .. My colleague Szabi and I got on the Hév while over looking all of the students who were smoking outside of the school.

All to say.. I think I still like teaching ;-) I have one class that is going to be difficult. I was thinking while I was teaching.. I have these two students in this 10th grade class that TALK non stop. One is the class clown the other the jock. They reminded me of two guys in my class. At least the guys in my class stopped talking. They were distracting and I think they are going to be my hardest. I have them every day too. So.. Please pray for some extra patience in the 10c class. I know that I will be.

I have 13th grade for the first time tomorrow so I hope that they will be good, more advanced talking and so forth.

Well.. I just wanted to update you on my first day. Its rainy and cold here. So right now I'm drinking a cup of English Breakfast Tea and lounging in my sweatshirt and sweatpants. Comfortable :-)

I miss everyone.. Keep in touch!

Before my first day...

Its been a while since I blogged. I'm sitting in my apartment.. Just ironed my first day of school outfit.. (grey slacks and a white button down shirt). I'm really amazed that tomorrow is actually here. I arrived here two months ago and so much as happened since then. It really is amazing.. Wait. God is amazing.

I was at church today and Pastor Phil spoke about Matthew 7. He said many great things that were especially good for me to hear. One of the things that he said that hit home was that we as Christians should go into every day ministry with HOPE and Positivity. It was a great encouraging word for me seeing as I'm starting my first day tomorrow and I needed that advice.. I need to have great hope for my students, hope for my colleagues. I should have positivity no matter what happens. It shouldn't matter if the students aren't' getting concepts or anything but it is important that I stay positive with them. To remain hopeful with them. Jesus was the great teacher. He always taught with hope and positivity. Good words.

Its been a busy and tiring week at school. I have been at school everyday preparing lessons, getting stuff ready, understanding what I am supposed to do. I have no classes tomorrow but I do have 7 classes in a row on Tuesday. Good thing that it’s the introduction day. I will have 10th, 11th and 12th graders. I am excited. I have pencils and pens in my desk, post it notes for my books, some resource..(last min. teaching idea books) and other things. I sit across from Edina a last year university student teaching Math and beside me is Anna who I adore and also Eva who is teaching German. We don't have our own classrooms but we do have our own desk in one big faculty work room. I'll snap some pictures soon.

I saw Hairspray tonight. The weekend before school starts, Palace Cinema does this great thing where all movies are only 350 HUF (2.00) for any show. So a bunch of girlfriends and I got together and saw it. It was a lot of fun and helped me relax a bit for tomorrow. I have an apartment mate for 8 weeks. I'm looking forward to coming home and someone being here. Her name is Samm and she is from England. She and I have known each other since my first year in Hungary. She hails from Szeged and went to the school that Arden Is teaching at. Its been great ..soo great to catch up and hang out. So.. Its 10:18pm.. I'm pretty tired and I have to be at school very early.

I will write more about my first day and such soon. Please keep my work permit and work visa in your prayers. I am working on both of them!!

Thanks for staying in touch with me.

First Day at My new School

Good AFternoon!

Today has been an interesting day.. one for all my MTI folks..one with lots of twangs.

I woke up early this morning (7am..hehe ugh) to a beautiful morning and knowing that today is my frist day on the job! I was excited and nervous. So much in fact that i pushed snooze for 5 more precious moments of sleep. I went one stop on the Hev ( a green train) and walked to my school. I walked in and said the normal greetings. Of course, many people were very nervous to talk to me in fear that their English was not good enough. I think I look Hungarian enough where people just straight up talk to me in paragraphs really really fast in English. I smile and nod and say good. hehe. TWANG (when im uncomfortable, or uneasy)

The meeting began. The Headmaster stood up and spoke and talked and talked and I'm sure that it was really nice, kind remarks, and wonderful wishes for our school year..but I honestly have NO CLUE (TWANG) what she said. I heard a few numbers, dates, class, thank you.. oh and she introduced me with the other new teachers and I stood up for that. That's it. SO.. after she finished talking I looked at some of my wonderful newly friended colleauges and said.. "What did she just say?" They explained the important things and I know when to come to school and what I need to be doing. That is the most important thing!!

I had my first true motiviation to learn Hungarian(TWANG).. so that I can understand what is going on at my school. Nothing is translated..the bi-lingual part is German..not English.. English is their 3rd language they learn. OH MAN. But all in all. It was a very good morning. I must be there every morning from 9-12 and then once the school year begins I'm there for the majority of the morning into early afternoon.

I'm blessed with great collegeaues.. Klari, Anna, Eva and many others. I'm so greatful!

So I'm off to meet with a friend for coffee, she is Hungarian and is apart of my friend Mark's English Club and we have become fast friends. Then its off to Hungarian Hour with my American Friends.

Pictures

Here is a link to some Air Show Pictures
Click here....


And here is a link to some new pictures of my life here..

click here...

update on visa/work permit

Today I went to my school to figure out if in fact I needed a work permit or not. Since I am not with a contract between Hungary and USA I have to have a work permit.....duh dun dun..

I had my wonderful headmaster fill out the paperwork and put the appropriate stamps on it and then I was off to the Work Permit/Employment office. I took the wrong bus..thinking it would get me there...wrong idea and walked all over comi condo park.. and finnaly go to the place. I read the Hungarian words..not knowing what any of them said except for informacio (information) so I pushed the button that looked right. I sat down in a waiting room and waited for my number to be rung.. (like at the DMV) I got to the desk and she looked at the papers and said the dreaded words.. .NEM JOL (not good). I looked at her and almost started crying. What do you mean not good.. I thought.

Then the dialouge began.. My name is Joanna Foley and I am an american. I will be an english teacher at this school. Do you speak English?

Yes she said.. I studied English in London for three years!! YEAHHHHHH. She said.. just fill out these withi your handwriting..no one will know. It will be okay. So.. just like that we sat there and spoke in English so no one could understand. GOD IS GOOD. I had no idea what to do and there was no way to get papers fixed until next week...so its all good and my papers have been submitted.

I am feeling much better about this process!!

I also found my schedule today.. I do not have any 7:45am classes! Hallelujiah! The wonderful thing about Hungarian schools is that I don' thave to go to school until its time I teach classes. I also found out the levels that I will be teaching and I will have them every day during the week. Only four classes and I think.. I only have 2 classes on friday..so that means I only have to be there for about 3 hours. I LOVE HUNGARY!

Well... that's the new news...not much ... Tommorow night I will have Hungarian Hour (Magyar Ora).. Yippiee..

Just in Case you want to send me a letter:

Joanna Foley
Kiskorona utca 10. IV/20.
Budapest
1036
Hungary

Have a great day!

Update on Books

I finished Harry Potter ..excellent..really perfect reading. Tid Bit of info..did you know that JK stands for Joanne Kathleen...(I know Joanna Kathryn is mine) crazy.

Here is what I am reading now..

.....still Henri Nouwen but also..

Max Lucado..In the Grip of Grace. Its really good. Very powerful and I am learning a lot.

August...and I haven't posted

So..its August..the 11th in fact. I don't have internet access all that often so as you can tell I have been lacking. In order to get internet in my new apartment it will be a big hassle so I am trying to figure my way around it.

I am all moved in. I have moved in every last thing and bought a few new items to make my apartment complete. All I need is curtains..which Shannon has been dying for me to get because she likes decorating my house for me. I've had friends over a few times and it has been wonderful to have a place to call my own. I have loved every minute of it and its a perfect location! I can take public transportation 24/7. There is never a time where I can't get somewhere in the city. It might take me a little bit but I can definitely make it!

I have been going to Coffeehouse every week and it has been a blast. This past Friday I helped "run" coffeehouse by helping with set up, making coffee drinks, serving forro csoki (hot chocolate) and tea. I had fun talking in Hungarian and taking orders.

On Thursday nights my friends and I gather for Magyar Ora (Hungarian Hour) where we learn new Hungarian phrases and words. Its a lot of fun and I am constantly learning! I keep busy taking notes, working on pronunciation and laughing at my own mistakes. Atilla helps us and he is a wonderful teacher.

I am in Szeged for the weekend and it has been sooo good to spend time with my friends the George's and with Arden. I hope to get some rest and work on lesson plans while here! Soon school starts.

I am in the process of working on whether or not I need a visa or a work permit. Its been kind of crazy..so any prayers projected upwards on my behalf would be greatly appreciated. I have been frustrated already and not carrying the fruit of the spirit of patience. I begin teaching September 3rd so it would be awesome to be able to have all of the necessary documents that I need to live and work here!!

So, that is what is going on. I am excited for some new changes in the next few weeks as I begin faculty meetings and teaching jobs!! I will keep you posted!

my first set of keys

I got my first set of keys today...to my new apartment!!

I went to Ikea and bought a bed, matress, kitchen table and chairs, and slates..some pillows, shower curtian, sheets, took kit..i dunno a lot and it was awesome! My good friend Shannon came with me.

Tommorow I am meeting the Ikea guys at my apartment at 10am to move in my new furniture then in the evening Mate and his dad are going to help me move my stuff from the office to my apartment! Im very very excited! Thankfully, Shannon is going to come help me and get everything ready for maybe a house warming party soon!!

I will post pics of the exciting times soon!

My first visitor

I must preface this with..if I do not consider my dad my first visitor...

Today, I met Julie Moore, Donald Hardison and a team of 23 students from LU Global Impact in Budapest today. We toured the city, ate palacsintas, shopped and enjoyed fellowship. It was awesome to see a group of young people who sacrificed their summers to come to Romania to play and share with kids. I was able to spend they day talking to the differnt students and sharing with them what I am doing. It was great to hear what they want to do and how they want to do things in missions in their lives.

It was just wonderful to be able to hang out Julie and Donald and catch up and enjoy people from home. I had so much fun and I am so thankful I got to share my city and my heart with these people! Thanks for coming guys!!

What I am reading...

I highly reccomend this book for spiritual living. My dad left me this to read.

I am reading this slowly.. you know when I am finished with this, I am finished with the entire series. That means the end of Harry Potter. Some will be very sad, some will be very glad. I was able to buy it in English at a mall here in Budapest on the 21st when it came out.

New Friends

So..now that Language school is over..I'm sure you wonder what does she do exactly :-)

Well.. here are some new friends that I have made..

Dori is Hungarian and she is apart of Mark's English Club. I met her the second day I moved here and we have been hanging out here and there whenever Mark puts together events. She is 19 and goes tot he Economics University here in Budapest.

Joszef is also Hungarian and he is also in English Club. We just met Sunday when we played boules and we also met tonight at English Club.

Shannon is American and she is apart of YWAM here in Budpest. She is sooo fun and we live pretty close together. She is finishing her second year and thank God she is here for another. I have a feeling that we will be good friends! We go to Church together and kind of roll in the same group thanks to Mate.

Mate is a friend that I have known for almost 5 years now. We met when I lived in Budapest. I have enjoyed having him here and hanging out. He is one of the greatest guys I know. He is Hungarian and he is a lot of fun and the best part is that he is fluent in English.

Tommorow is Coffee House and I will see some of my new friends here. I will meet with Viktor and Csabba again so pray for some good friendships to form!

Getting over the heat

There was a nice breeze today in Budapest and this helped a lot with it being so warm!! I am officially finished with language school (part1) and I received a 96 on my test! This is very exciting although I have lots to learn. I am able to hang out a little more now and hopefully do some much needed resting, lesson planning and visiting with new friends.

I have been meeting new people and making new friends which are a huge blessing. I have met Americans, British, and Hungarians. Today, we spent almost 3.5 hours playing Scategories and then I met Mark, Daniel, Kyle, Dori, Kristof, Joszef and two German girls at Margit Sziget (an island in the middle of the Danube) to play games.. boules and football and charades. It was a blast and I laughed a lot.

Well since I wrote that section two days ago.. Today I spent the morning at IKEA with Laura and I found a bed, a mattress that is on major sale, and the “box springs. I also found a table and chairs and hopefully all of this will be delivered on August 1 or 2nd when I get to move into my wonderful apartment! Mate is going to help me put them together..He says he loved Lego’s when he was little so it makes complete sense to let him put them together J

I am excited about these next few weeks to refresh in many areas in my life. I’m resting, reading a lot, doing a Bible Study with Laura, and working out. I am also hanging out. Tomorrow I am meeting a friend for dinner and the she and I are going to church. Oh and that reminds me, I’ve found a great church I am enjoying, Calvary Chapel. It’s in Hungarian and English so I can bring anyone there who speaks either language!

On Friday nights there is a coffeehouse that YWAM (Youth with a Mission) organizes and I went last Friday night. I met two young college students who wanted to practice their English. We chatted and I invited them back to Coffee house this coming Friday and if conversation goes well this Friday I am inviting them to church on Sunday Morning. Their names are Casaba and Viktor. So pray for these guys!!

Well, I hope everyone is well…I will keep putting up posts!

107 degree weather

Tommorow it is supposed to be 107 degrees here in Budapest. Can we say a bit hot? I am dying..litterally melting I think. I take cold showers and they feel amazing! My dad leaves tommorow and I'm a bit sad.

Tonight, we went to a Turkish Restaruant and had great food and an older man came by and asked if we wanted to buy this one pink rose in a makeshift vase. After we said no, both of our hearts broke and we went and asked him to buy it. The system dad says..he got shafted by the system of post-Communism. Anyways, so I have this very pretty rose sitting on my desk and everytime I see it I remember my dad.
Later this evening, I was on the 4/6 vilamos (tram) to get home and there were three girls speaking in Enlglish. They were talking about going to a club, making out with boys all night long and taking x. It was very sad for me to hear this. I remembered that wow..this is why I am here.. not only to teach English but to make students aware of making good choices in their lives.

Pray for this country..in this dry dry heat and pray for me as I finish my class tommorow and begin preparing for classes!

Vienna

On Friday afternoon, Daniel Newell and I boarded the 13:10 train to Vienna. It was a nice air conditioned 2nd class car where we could read or sleep (as I did). We arrived a bit late but we were in Vienna. We went straight to Stephansplatz where we met the World Harves team from Prauge and the new World Harvest Team the Hunters in Vienna. It was great to see everyone again especially the Hunters as I have not seen them since MTI in Colorado.

We ate pizza and then went out for girls time. Daniel roamed the city and met me back later. I had the privelage of tasting a bit of America by going to one of the cities many Starbucks. Yummy. Just the smells, sounds, tastes and sights made me miss a bit of home. I went and bought a 250gram bag of House blend coffee to bring back to Budapest. I also got a lil espresso drink. yum. We sat and talked and talked and it was wonderful.

Dan and I went to our Hostel. A four floor Hostel with your own room but shared showers (co-ed mind you) and toilet. I definately could not take a shower here so I used my sink :-) I was pretty stinky by bed time Saturday night. Samantha said she could smell me alll the way in Todd County, PA. Anyways, on Saturday morning I met the World Harvest Team at the Opera house in Vienna and we went to the Hunters new, beautiful apartment. It comes complete with a tower ( a room you can sit in and look onto the street), a gigantic terrace, great living space and a view of the entire city. The Interns with WH put together beds and couches and the mom's and I went to the park with the kids.

I had so much fun playing, loving and talking. I was very encouraged and I hope I was an encouragement. So I know many of you are thinking..wow she sure does travel alot. Well, yes I do and I enjoy it mostly but I think that as a single woman part of my calling here as a ministry partner is to encourage families. I hope I do this with the Newells, Hunters, Stewarts and soon to be when they come from America.. Coppages and George's and the Nemeth's when I get to Croatia. I enjoy caring and loving on each kid of these families! And definatley the mom's of all these families and I needed and will need girl time!

I begin my last week of language school and I am excited! I can't wait to do some things I've wanted to do ...exploring, meeting with new friends and such. Please pray for Nikolai a Russian boy in my class. We've talked a bit about church so I hope to maybe further this conversation this week!! Thanks for reading!!

Paperwork

Today I learned a whole new definition of paperwork. When moving here to Hungary I knew from stories from friends that there are many papers that must be signed, stamped, and stamped.

I signed my contract with my school today which is awesome because it helps me begin the residency permit process!! I also signed my contract for my apartment. This was all done in two hours which is awesome! God is good.

Then my dad and I went to the American Embassy to get a document I needed to fill out for Hungarian Background Check. The Embassy is really nice but the people were not so nice. But.. I got my paper so that is even more towards the residency permit.

I then went to Szentlelak Ter to get a foreign residency card...szallashely bejelento lap...without going into detail I used my broken Hungarian, somehow got to the right building, got the right card, went to the office and had an official signature.

The thing about it all..is stamps. Everything in Hungary must be stamped.. your receipts for big amounts of money, your bus pass, your train tickets, you contracts, bank account papers, signatures on cards. Its amazing. So I put a pic of the stamp for my school!!

Picture Links

I have posted two albums online and if you would like to see the pictures please just click:

My favorite's album:

http://liberty.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2096262&l=6f5e4&id=55702898

My Beginning's album

http://liberty.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2096259&l=afd23&id=55702898

I will post soon!!

I've officially been in Budapest for 1 week and a few days. Its really been a whirlwind of different events and travelling.

I've taken a week of Hungarian class. I go to class from 9am-12:15pm and I can tell you who I am, all of my numbers, I can conjugate verbs, talk about countries and other things. Here's an example minus the needed accent marks.

Joanna Foley vagyok. En angol tanar vagyok. En budapesten elek.
I am Joanna Foley. I am an English Teacher. I live in Budapest.

I have lots of homework after class and I hang out with my Dad. He is still here and will be till July 20th.

I don't move into my apartment until August so that will be fun to do. This past weekend, My dad and I travelled to Prague (Czech Republic) and it was about an eight hour train ride. We were there to visit with Mark and Joanna Stewart who are good friends from Charlottesville and have recently moved there with World Harvest. We got to see John Huss' Church and visited a pretty Rose Garden, went to the balcony where Communism was proclaimed, saw pretty churches, walked over a cool bridge, saw a castle, drank good drinks and spent quality time. Dad and Mark indulged themselves in the Foot long hot dogs that Joanna and I were thoroughly grossed out by :-) It was neat to be in a new city.

So, I'm doing well. Staying very busy but I'm learning to have a bit of a routine and trying to speak Hungarian!!

4th of July

As most of you are now just getting your cookouts started, picnics ready and packing up to go to a park and see some Fireworks.. I'm ending my July 4th!

I went to school as normal and did my homework and then I went on a hunt for sparklers. I thought it would be fun for the boys, Laura and I to have some sort of July 4th fun... I went to one of the malls..Mamut and found a "paper store". I looked all over and found candles that sparkled a little bit, and then some blue crepe paper to make streamers (you can't buy those in a roll here like we do in usa). I went up to the counter and tried my best Hungarian.. Hello, I don't know the name of this in Hungarian.. I need Sparklers..do you have them? As i point to the candles that sparkle..She pulls out this awesome "Cake Candle" and I say YES PLEASe..just one? No thanks, I"ll take the whole package :-) Just four of them.

So happy as can be..I get on the Hev to the bus to go home. I get a little hungry so I grab a few (pizza pastries..like the one's we got sistra) and was eating them as I walked.. A old man looked at me and said "Have a good Meal" and I smiled and said thanks.

Anyways.. I get off the bus and I'm walking home and Laura and the boys meet me on the road and pick me up! We get home and make AWESOME 4th of July hats, cut crepe paper to make streamers, blow up balloons and get the table set for hour big Happy birthday AMerica Party!!

My friend Mate comes so we get on our rain gear and go get him at the bus stop..

Our dinner was complete with chicken, watermelon, greenbeans, mac and cheese, corn on the cob and shirley temples. We even topped it all off with a super yummy Tiramisu cake with American Flags on it!

You have to go to greater lengths to celebrate fourth of July around here but we did it .. being far from home makes you appreciate America and traditions a lot more!! I hope you enjoy fireworks for me .. I will see them in August!!

Happy 4th!

Some pictures of my time

Laura's new bike!
The Newell's new house!

Mark and Dad greeted Dan and I at the airport
Nathan was soo excited to see Uncle Dan and Joanna
Jacob..he's a cutie
Seth is the oldest and he's usually all smiles!
Mark is a Proffesional Griller

Faith and Trust..

In the past few weeks leading up to where I am now, I've learned a great deal of Faith and Trust. Two words that I often throw flippantly but I don't know if I've fully learned them.

As you all know my box was lost amongst the many millions of bags in Heathrow, London. Unbeknownst to me and my lack of trust.. God knew where it was at all times. He had his eye (or does God have lots of eyes..maybe one for each piece of lost luggage) on my box the whole time. My box is now a world traveller...It went from D.C.-->London-->Chicago-->London-->Budapest then to the Newells house! I was soo excited about the box and its contents..my bags, books that I need and clothes. So where does this trust and faith ..the lack thereof..come in..

All day Sunday and Monday I prayed. I felt a bit silly..who prays for lost luggage.. Then we (Newells, Daniel and I) prayed for my box on our way to school on Monday morning. I thought, I should have faith and just trust that God will bring my box to me. I even gave Him a plug.. God please help my box come in.. all I really need is my langauge school book and my clothes.. I didn't fully trust..but I keep praying. Is it okay to keep praying? Do you "nag" God about such things.. then I remembered the verse.. Ask and you shall recieve.. and that we should pray without ceasing..sooo I did. I told Jesus these things..how I didn't know if I was to pray over and over again.. but I did. So I learned a lesson to put my trust in God and he wants to hear everyone one of my words...

Safe and Sound

I'm here in Hungary safe and sound! It was an uneventful flight to London except for plunging to the earth at rapid pace.. just kidding.

They did lose my luggage..well one box but its okay, it only has clothes, books and purses but we all know how much I love my bags!!

Thanks for praying!!

Falling Into Place

I am very excited to leave tomorrow morning! Its been a good time with my family here in Washington DC. These past two'ish weeks have been very busy and good. I've been able to say good-bye to many people and to my hometown.

I've received two very important documents in the mail in the last week which has been a-w-esome!! I first had my passport overnighted to me thanks to my Congressman-the Honorable Virgil Goode Jr. - he expedited that to me! It was so exciting to get that in the mail so that now I can travel!! :-)

Also, I've been waiting for my diploma to become available from Liberty University but they told me that it was going to be 12-18 weeks. I got an email from Registrar on Monday and they told me they were going to send my diploma to me!! I immediately called and asked for it to be overnight ed to me! So its in my hands and here's a picture of these important documents!!

I've never doubted if I'm supposed to go to Hungary but if I ever did this picture sure does prove that my God is faithful and I am doing what he wants me to do right now! How reassuring is that!

This will be my last post till I am in Budapest! I fly on Friday 6/29 at 10pm and I will land in my new home on Saturday 6/30 at 535pm! Pray for safety!!

Till Budapest......

New Camera and My Best Friend

Today I spent the day with my best friend... Sami. It was soo fun just talking, catching up, eating Bodo's, Quizzno's with Nate, seeing Justin, going to the Crossroad's store (on 29S that Sami's always wanted to go to) and just spending time with each other.

Best friends do not come on a whim.. I think they are God's gift to make life easier on earth. Well at least my BFF is. She's my sounding board, accountability partner, laughing partner and spiritual friend. Its going to be hard to say good-bye in the morning but I know that I will see her soon.

Now you ask..this new camera?? I got a new Canon Rebel xti from my wonderful Dad. Its amazing and it's like having a piece of heaven in my hand that I can capture fun things on.. So the pictures from here on out will most likely be on my beautiful new camera!!