Vienna

One thing I love about going to Vienna is the wonderful American Friends and American places..

I got to meet with Leslie, a dear friend from college for dinner on Monday night. It was fun to catch up, talk and enjoy each other's familiar company.

On Tuesday, Stacey and I took the kids minus Abby to McDonalds for lunch and then I stopped by Satrbucks for a Carmel Macciato. YUM. I love it. Its such a great thing to walk into a Starbucks, know what everything is, know taht it will be made well and get QUALITY. That is definatley not a constant here in Hungary.




I wonder if Hungary will ever get a Starbucks. Prague just got one and I'm a bit jealous. But alas, it does make it more exciting for me to have Starbucks when its once every 2 or 3 months.

More Szeged

Here are some pics from Szeged!! I love these families and it was my first train ride with Lea and Karen Coppage. The train rides sure go by faster when you have friends on the train. We ate lots of snacks, played Apples to Apples and talked our hearts out.


Rob and Donna George in Szeged


Arden and I


Arden Campbell and Lea Coppage (CEO partners)


Sarah George and I

Mind you, when I headed to Vienna it took me six hours when it only should have taken me three.. I listened to a sermon on patience from Thomas Road and I sure did have to practice that patience!!

Szeged

I'm enjoying some good time here in Szeged with Arden. We've had time to play play play!! woohoo!!

We went to the baths today and it was amazing!! We travelled from bath to bath, sauna to sauna and just talked and relaxed!! Lea and Donna came too and it was just great. My favorite part about it was that we (Arden and I) got to play chess!! woohoo. Dad.. be proud. I won!

Tonight we played Conasta (tribute to Lynn Ainsowrth) and watched a cheesy movie.

I'm off tomorrow to train to Budapest and go to another train station to then go to Vienna to see my roommate from college (Leslie) and hang out with my favorite Vienna livin family the Hunters!! Pray for their family as the dad and husband is going away for a week!! Good thing the professional mommy helper and babysitter is coming to town :) hehe.

Just wanted to show you a few pics too!!

Beating Arden in Chess

The "Locker room"

Cute answers from the boys

Tonight, there was a beautiful sunset where the sky was amazing pinks and oranges.. I told the boys to say "Thank you God for the beautiful sunset".

Then I said I think God painted that special sky out there just for our walk.

Jacob (4 years) said "Is the sky paper then?"

Then I asked:
Who lives on the moon? They responded God does!! (jake 4 and nathan 3)

hehe.

just for fun

Fellow Teachers

I've finished a full week of school now and I'm recovered to full health. We are at the end of the semester and its time to administer some exams, give grades and encourage students.

Through this time, I've worked closely with some of my colleagues and have gotten to know them a bit better.

I'm very thankful for their help and for their friendships. Some days they make my day when my students are horrible!

I'm learning so much about teaching and how I've got so much to learn. Teaching requires love, patience and kindness. No wonder Jesus was the greatest teacher. I'm sure he just had this overflow of these attributes and he never yelled at kids, thought how much he hated what he was doing but kept pressing on. I've been encouraged whilst reading Matthew again this year. I've been encouraged to see how Jesus was so patient to teach concepts over and over!!

Anyways, here are some pictures of my colleagues at our Christmas party.

Paris

Finnaly, here's a second link to Paris Pictures!!

Enjoy.

http://liberty.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2129543&l=9f731&id=55702898

sick

I've been sick for a week now. I'm all better and I have my official paper so I can go back to work after my sick leave.

Cultural Difference:

Since I have Hungarian Health Care.. I must go to a doctor that my flat is assigned to. So, after two doctors I finnaly found the one I needed to go to. I went in and here is the method... you sit in a "line" and you just wait there until the doctor is through the other patients. The doctor has open hours where you can only go during those hours.

My doctor is very kind and she gave me everything I need.

Today, I went back to the doctor to get my igazolas (a document excusing me from work) and I waited for 2.5 hours. Finnaly, I asked, I just want my igazolas. She gave it to me and I didn't have to see the doctor and paid my 300 huf.

Thank you God for healing me!!!

Stacy's Visit

My friend from College Stacy came to visit me these past few days. Unfortunatley I was under the weather for the majority of the time but I really had a good time. We watched a lot of Little House on the Praire and we of course saw the sights of Budapest.

We went to coffeehouse where Stacy helped with serving everyone. It was great to have the time with a good friend.

I hope that this is just the start of friends visiting!!

Here are some pics!!

Back in the BP

well, i'm offically back home. I've been home for almost a week and it feels much longer than that. Today there is a bright blue sky with lots of sunshine that is melting the literal sheet of ice that coats the entire city. I guess on Saturday night it sleeted all night long and when I went out of the house on Sunday morning to go to church I realized that there was ice everywhere. It made for an exciting time walking to the bus stop.. rather sliding to the bus stop.

I've been sick since I came home. I was out of school on Friday and watched 5 movies, slept a lot and drank many liquids. Today I'm back at school and I'm already exhausted. I am ready to go home and take a nap. I only have two more classes to go!!

My friend Stacy is coming in 2 days and I'm sooo excited!! I just got a flower and an invitiation for the Ball on Saturday night at my school. Well, it will be at a different venue but we get to get all dressed up for this so I'm very excited!!

That's all for now!! Keep praying for better health!!

Joanna