Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Indian Food

I love to cook. I love to learn new things to cook and I love to try new food..Mate and Attis are good tasters and friends to help cook..well Attis is.. So one night when we were all getting together I cooked Chicken Curry and Tandoori Chicken. It involves a lot of spices but it is soo worth it and so delicious. I didn't make it too spicey but it was yummy spicey :)

Here are the recipies:

Tandoori Chicken

1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 tablespoons water
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS
Preheat grill for high heat.
In a medium bowl, mix curry powder, red pepper flakes, salt, ginger, paprika, cinnamon, and turmeric with water to form a smooth paste. Rub paste into chicken breasts, and place them on a plate. Cover, and allow to marinate for 20 minutes.
Brush grate with oil. Place chicken on the grill, and cook 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

Chicken Curry
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
salt to taste
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup plain yogurt
3/4 cup coconut milk
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion until lightly browned. Stir in garlic, curry powder, cinnamon, paprika, bay leaf, ginger, sugar and salt. Continue stirring for 2 minutes. Add chicken pieces, tomato paste, yogurt, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove bay leaf, and stir in lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Simmer 5 more minutes.
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Monday, December 15, 2008

Back in Buda

Back in Buda.

The train strike still continues..
There was a bus that went from the Westbaunhof Train Station in Vienna to Keleti P.U in Budapest. Non-stop. 45 passengers.

It was a mad rush to get on. I had befriended 2 families from Australia or New Zealand..I dont remember.. and they were waiting for the train. I warned them .. when the doors open for the bus..push on.. dont worry about the older, younger, pregnant..just get on the bus :)

Okay, so it wasn't that dramatic but sometimes that's how I feel ...that it is like that here.

There is a airport strike but as of today things are better so hopefully I'll be able to get home just fine!!

Laundry is running.. christmas music is on and the cookie baking process is about to begin ;)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Christmas Markets Gallore

Vienna is my favorite city at Christmas hands down, even over Paris. I love it.  I was able to spend an extra night here because there is a train strike in Hungary so I'm unable to go back. Hopefully, things will get resloved and I'll be able to ride the train tomorrow or take a bus. 

Anyways, I was able to go to three different Christmas Markets and hang out with lots of good friends. I've had a restful weekend but also productive 
because I finished my Master's Class! :) Yippie!! 

Here's some beautiful pictures! 

Thursday, December 11, 2008

OneIshy Personality Test

I'm working on my RD (residency director) application and we are required to take this test. Here are my results.. its made me think.. You can take the tests HERE
Your personality is Choleric Melancholy.
28%Melancholy Strength:6 Weakness:5
40%Choleric Strength:7 Weakness:9
So what's this mean..

The Choleric Strengths are:
The Extrovert The Doer The Optimist

The Choleric's Emotions
Born leader
Dynamic and active
Compulsive need for change
Must correct wrongs
Strong-willed and decisive
Unemotional
Not easily discouraged
Independent and self sufficient
Exudes confidence
Can run anything


The Choleric As A Parent
Exerts sound leadership
Establishes Goals
Motivates family to action
Knows the right answer
Organizes household

The Choleric At Work
Goal oriented
Sees the whole picture
Organizes well
Seeks practical solutions
Moves quickly to action
Delegates work
Insists on production
Makes the goal
Stimulates activity
Thrives on opposition


The Choleric As a Friend
Has little need for friends
Will work for group activity
Will lead and organize
Is usually right
Excels in emergencies


Melancholist The Introvert The Thinker The Pessimist
Melancholy's Emotions
Deep and thoughtfully
Analytical
Serious and purposeful
Genius prone
Talented and creative
Artistic or musical
Philosophical and poetic
appreciative of beauty
Sensitive to others
Self-sacrificing
Conscientious
Idealistic

The Melancholy As A Parent
Sets high standards
Wants everything done right
Keeps home in good order
Picks up after children
Sacrifices own will for others
Encourages scholarship and talent

The Melancholy At Work
Schedule oriented
Perfectionist, high standards
Detail conscious
Persistent and thorough
Orderly and organized
Neat and tidy
Economical
Sees the problems
Finds creative solutions
Needs to finish what he starts
Likes charts, graphs, figures, lists

The Melancholy As a Friend
Makes friends cautiously
Content to stay in background
Avoids causing attention
Faithful and devoted
Will listen to complaints
Can solve other's problems
Deep concern for other people
Moved to tears with compassion
Seeks ideal mate


So many of these are so true.. these are the strengths..the weaknesses aren't so pretty and unfortunately they are so true as well.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

A new hobby

of mine is painting pottery. I found this great shop in downtown Budapest. Its called
Made by You


They have a few shops throughout Central Europe. I've gone a few times to make presents. I just finished a jewelry making class which was a blast.


I don't know why that was all underlined..

Anyways, so the first cute girl is Catherine who is an ESI teacher here. I get to hang out with her sometimes and its always fun! The next girl is Gerda. She is Hungarian and is a new friend. She is the one who taught our glass jewelery class. I loved learning and she hosts her own classes which I am going to go to with some friends sometime.

She has her shop on ETSY which is an amazing website. I hope to get to know her better!

The cool thing about painting pottery is that I have to go back a few times just to finish my products. The girls there are sisters and they opened this franchise. I've gotten to know them and we are
on a first name basis!

I'd post some pictures of my finished products..but they are Christmas presents so I can't!

The last few pics are of Emeshea and her beautiful pottery. Emeshea and I are close friends and I always love hanging out with her!
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A PACKAGE!



I love getting packages :) Yesterday was a hard day of teaching and I came home to a slip of paper..aka a package was waiting for me.. My cousin Lori sent me all of these oh so yummy goodies!! THANK YOU LORI! I was craving some sweet tea! And no.. the Xbox was not for me but it is an excellent packaging box :)
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Sugar Cookies

Flora and I got together and made sugar cookies. I was stressed and one thing I do love to do is bake when I'm stressed. So, we made sugar cookies. I bought some Crisco from "America" (Cullinaris) and made some amazing icing. Then after making the icing, I realized my food coloring is at someone else's house!

So, Flora went to the store to buy food coloring and came back with Writing Icing.. which was AWESOME! So here's some of our creations!

I was able to have dinner with an old colleague and a current colleague and their wives. We had a blast talking and enjoying yummy snacks and these cookies and an amazing dinner.

It was wonderful to be with them and get to know them more!






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Sunday, December 7, 2008

In Christ Alone

This is what's speaking to my heart.. a reoccuring theme..

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand'
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
--In Christ Alone (Newsboys)

I love this....

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Frauline..aka Leslie


One of my college roomates came to visit me for Thanksgiving. She arrived on the train from Vienna at 8:53pm..and the fun began. Leslie and I love watching movies and laying around..so when we weren't cooking for Thanksgivng for 35 people we were watching The Office or some other movie.
Its so nice to have someone so close (3hours by train) . She is a true gem and its truly like having a sister around.
I was glad to show her Budapest and let her get a feel for the former USSR :)
I will see her in Vienna soon when I visit to go to some Christmas Markets!!


Eating at Arriba's for Lunch! YUM
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008


I went on a Women's Retreat two weeks ago. We talked about the season of life. I figured that I'm in a Winter almost into Spring in my life. I'm starting to see change in my life and big change will happen soon when I move back to America.

In the Ministry side of life, I'm in a summer..bearing fruit, looking at life through fresh eyes. Of course there are hard times and I have my off days but God sees me through those if I ask him through it..and graciously he does so.
One of the coolest parts of living in Hungary is being around old friends. Samm, pictures here smiling and taking notes..is a friend from my first time in Hungary. We've stayed in touch since and she lived with me last year. It was great to be there with her and support one another.

It was an incredible weekend for me and I'm very greatful to Donna who organized it all!

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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Christmas Market



Today I went to the Christmas Market for the first time of the season. It was so beautiful. I love the Christmas Market. A bunch of ladies and I got together and walked among the stalls. Leslie got to come for the holidays so we did a bit of sightseeing.
AV- I had some yummy forralt bor and some yummy kurtos kalacs.

YEAH FOR CHRISTMAS and the ADVENT SEASON!!
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Monday, November 17, 2008

Inspirations - Robbers

A friend in Prague did this on his blog and I thought it would be a good exercise for me :
Inspirations: (things which inspire me)
1. Freshly Brewed Starbucks Coffee and my journal
2. Walking along the Danube river from Batthany Ter-->Citadella
3. A really good conversation with one of my dear friends
4. My worship list on my cute nano
5. Having a complete conversation in Hungarian and not thinking about a word for tooo long
6. Watching my home church on the internet

Robbers:
1. Too much time on the internet-gmail, facebook, tvshows, blogs
2. Editing my pictures for fun
3. Not exercising to keep a fresh mind-stress free
4. Wondering what next year will look like
5. Thinking about the what-ifs

Dinner is cooking and I'm going to get off the internet for a little while!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008


Tuesday was the 50th anniversary of my school, named after Sándor Kőrösi Csoma. Quick facts about this man:

1. He was born in Erdély (Transylvania) in 1784

2. He knew 16 languages.... but face the facts..his first language was the 3rd hardest in the world so its no hard task for him.

3. He travelled east in a quest to find Hungarian roots.

4. He was a linguist (like me)

5. He authored the first English-Tibetan Dictionary

6. My school was the first to be named after him.


Pretty cool huh :) I have a artist's rendition of the plaque made for our school and signed by the artist! It was a great day of our school and I was glad to be apart of it especially since I didn't have to teach!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Election Party




This pictures is in the National Newspaper Online..



Here I'm being interviewed for the Hungarian Public Radio. They asked me because I was a McCain supporter.


The American Chamber of Commerce put on an Election Party for anyone to come to. It was an amazing event where a bunch of my friends got togther, dressed up and had fun. There was all-American food (chicken nuggets, ribs, wings, coleslaw, potato salad, cheese cake, pumpkin pie, hot dogs, hamburgers..etc), all you can drink and live coverage of the Election.

We had a blast.. I'm sad to say that...I took pictures all night long but didn't realize there was no SD memory card..UGH. I don't have a LCD panel because its broken. So, I never knew. I took great pictures too...

Thankfully, my friend Viktor took pictures so there are a few of them which I can show you!

I'm so proud to be an American, no matter who the President is, God is in control, I trust him, and I know that he can use whomever he decideds to put in office. Yeah, it is not my first choice.. but I know that Obama will do a great job too. We need to support whoever goes to office.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

I love the lines in this picture...this is at Millenaris Park in Buda. Its a great place to go and take fun pics. This was my favorite of the day.
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Yummy Bread

Je voudrais un baguette. C'est un boulangerie?!! Mais non! C'est maison du Joanna. (don't critique the French errors...i just study Hungarian now)

While in Prague, Joanna gave me this french bread baking tool. I've never made bread so I thought..sure I'll take it and someday maybe I'll use it! Well, 2 hours and 45 min later these two beautiful baguettes came out of the oven and they are so delicious. Again, I've never made bread except for Banana bread and that is easy. This was fun but really time consuming. I will make it again someday but maybe not in the near future. I must say its better than any baguette I've found in Hungary.

My friend Stacey always posts on her blog about her great reciepe's so I decided that I should too!! Its a simple reciepe just be ready to spend lots of time on it!

My other friend Kelsea made eclairs..now I want to try to make those!

Bon Apetit!
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Sunday, October 26, 2008

I am in Prague and I am loving every minute of it. I'm off of school for a week and a half and I'm pretty sure I'm going to stay here for the whole time.  Mate, Attis and Kristin were with me for the long weekend and they have just left. 

My favorite part was probably last night, Attis and I went out in the dark foggy night and took pictures with the tripod.  I'll upload some pictures soon! 

From Prague..trying to rest and relax!  

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Students


In one of my classes we've just started a unit on People. This encompasses a huge topic but to break it down the first part was describing people, then personalities, getting along with people and I'm not really sure what's next. In order to prep my students for what was to come and what makes their identity, I had them draw themselves in the center of the picture. I asked them to then draw things which represented themselves around them. It was a great exercise and they really enjoyed it.

Here's a pic of these crazy boys. There are only 2 girls in this class.

I was with some of them today going home from school and they asked me to come to McDonald's for lunch. I did. We had a blast.

Monday, October 13, 2008

portraits





Everyone has a bit of "artsy-ness" in them. My sister possesses the most out of the two of us. One thing which I love doing is taking pictures. I love capturing moments but the things I really love is portraits. Here are some pics i took this weekend of some of my favorite people.

dad..


Dad is here for a visit. We've spent as much time as we can between him visiting everyone and their mom, travelling, my grad work, my school and his naps :)

I've enjoyed every moment. He's asleep and we are back in Budapest. I need to go to bed but don't feel tired.

Here's a pic Arden took of us when we were in Szeged on Saturday morning. I love it because it is so typical us. I'm talking, Dad's listening :)

Monday, October 6, 2008

favorite birthday presents

I got a lot of wonderful things for my birthday. I have such wonderful friends and family. One of my favorite things were these pictures made by my "small friends". Seth, Jacob and Nathan Newell and Luke, Abbey and Levi Hunter all drew me something.


Welcome to my Kitchen Gallery :)