the ArTs Weekend

I didn't mean to make this weekend, a weekend of the ArTs but it just turned into one which I will not complain about :-)

On Saturday, I met Lea and Karen Coppage at the Applied Arts Museum and we saw the exhibits there. One of which included the dowry of Beatrix who was the Queen of King Matthias. ( a significant king of Hungary). The pottery was gorgeous and of course I'd love to purchase some of the extravagant pieces :-)

















Then on Saturday evening, I met a group of students from the 9th grade and a colleague to view a play at the National Theatre. It was called The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) and it was one of the funniest plays I've ever seen. I was laughing very hard through many parts. These three guys were the only ones who acted and it was fabulous!! If you come visit I will definitely take you!













Today I went to an exhibit which was at Szabadsag Ter. It was called the 100 faces of Transylvania. It was a photo competition and it was amazing. Of course if you know me well, you know I love photography. This was one of my favorite pictures that I saw.. but then there were so many I really loved. The exhibit was taken down today but you can still access it online if you want to check it out!!






The last thing I went to today was U23D. This was my first ever 3D movie. It was a lot of fun. We just sat and watched the concert which took place in Buenos Aires. It was a lot of great music, loud, right there in your face without being squashed and squished in the real concert :-)


So.. the ArTs weekend has come to a close.. but it was a wonderful one!! Have a great week this week!!

Ukraine

Over the Easter Holiday I joined my dad in Kiev Ukraine for some rest, reading, meetings and sleep. I arrived after a bumpy flight from Budapest to greet my dad, Ruslan and Luda. I had not seen these good friends for 4 years. It was a wonderful reunion.

The weekend was filled with a few meetings with the director of the new school, lots of food, hang out time with friends and a trip to Vinnitisia. I got to spend loads of time with my dad and that was great. We were able to talk, pray, laugh, sing, eat and lots more together.

Its fun going back to places that I haven't been in a long time because then I get to see lots of changes.. things are more expensive in Kiev, my friend got married and had a baby, another friend adopted a baby yet it still only costs $.10 to ride the metro. I love Ukraine and I hope to continue to serve there in some capacity in my future!!

Korosi Csoma Sandor Days

Korosi Csoma Sandor Days

My school is named after KCS. He was a famous traveler in Hungary. We had no classes but Poetry Recitals, English, Russian and German Hours, Plays, and a presentation. We are now on vacation for the weekend!!

I played on the Teacher team for Basketball. We lost 20-16 but I had 6 points!! My students were cheering and I had a lot of fun!! I'm a little sore this morning (getting old :-)).

I put up some action shots for you guys!!

Peeps

Today I got a wonderful package from my friend Chrissy! Thanks Chrissy!! I got a box of PEEPS. That's right folks peeps. Now, I know some of you have no clue why i love these amazing, gooey, marshmellow's covered in dyed pink, green and blue sugar but I LOVE THEM. Chrissy was my RA in college and she would always give me peeps. For halloweeeeeeen, christmas, random occasions. So She sent me Peeps! A whole box of them. I'm so excited! I ate 5 already..well with the help of Sarah and Hannah George who are visiting.

Its funny, the small things in life that make you happy..like $.79 cent package of Peeps that overflow the shelves and boxes at your nearest Wal-mart.

This is a great way to start Holy Week.. nothing like Peeps :-)

Wedding

My dear friends Caroline and Viktor were married this weekend. It was a full day Saturday which didn't end until 400am Sunday Morning :-) Don't you worry I slept 12 hours last night.

It was probably one of the best weddings I've ever been too. And of course, I shot the entire wedding..about 1000 pictures. They will definitely have their pick :-) There is really nothing like getting married in Budapest at a beautiful Church with Stained glass windows, having your wedding pictures taken over looking Parliment, the river and the Basillica. Lots of yummy wine and great friends helped celebrate the event.

Of course, as most of you know me, I danced the night away. Sistra and Kels would have been proud. It was for me a wonderful occasion to worship in the church and sing praise songs and watch Viktor and Caroline 1. absolutely in love with their God 2. demonstrating that love to one another. An occasion I'll never forget!

Visitors

This weekend was packed full. On Friday afternoon, I had the great pleasure of seeing two families from MTI (the missionary training that I went to this past summer). The Mullenixes and the Drydens. Both are serving in Ukraine and were here for a conference.

Now, Ukraine is sooo different than Hungary in that there is a lot more that we can get here. AKA MEXICAN food!! SO of course I took them to Arriba!! I showed the Mullenixes around down for a little while and hung out with their cute kids. We talked about life after MTI. What its like being overseas, culture shock, differences and just how we are doing.

I loved every moment as I feel very close to many of those that I went to MTI with! Especially both of these families!

Here's a picture of Karilyn, Claire and me. Hopefully, I'll post a picture of the Dryden's and me.

Passion and Purity

I’ve just finished reading Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. I started yesterday and finished it last night right before I fell asleep. I wish I had read this book 10 years ago when I was trying to figure out who I was as a young woman. Now that I am a woman , still single I read this digesting every word. I was completely captivated by her story and by the words that she used.
Here are some quotes that I loved:

“I was wishing that my wishes were what God wished, and if my wishes were not what God wished, I wished that I could wish that my wishes would go away, but the wishes were still there.” (p45)

I loved this quote. She was referencing her first date with Jim Elliot and how they first started spending time together. This quote can be applied to so many things and it reminds me of Paul’s letter in Romans 7: 15-20. When he talks about doing what he does not want to do but does it anyways. So often, I feel like my wishes are not what God wants. I think about my future. I wish that in Fall 2009 I will be starting Grad school somewhere. I wish that I will be married someday. I do not know if these are the wishes that God wishes for me. I don’t know but all I know is not my will but yours be done.

“Tomorrow was not our business; it was His. Letting it rest with Him was the discipline for the day, and it was enough.''(p61)

Right now, this is so effective. I feel like I’m always thinking about the future. I rarely live in today. How many lists can I write to prepare me? How many books can I read, how many journal entries or idea plots can I write to prepare me for tomorrow and forget all about today. So many days I feel like the days go by so fast and that I’m missing out. That is why I must Carpe Diem every day. I must make it a discipline to live fully in today. This sounds so easy but it is so hard. Matthew 6:34- Jesus is speaking: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." It is his direct command. Live in today.

I know just like Yesterday's Carpe Diem.. can anyone see a theme? :- )

“Let’s be candid with ourselves before God. Call a spade a spade or even a muddy shovel. If your passions are aroused, say so—to yourself and to God, not to the object of your passion. Then turn the reins over to God. Bring your will to Him. Will to obey Him, ask for His help. He will not do the obeying for you, but He will help you. Don’t ask me how. He knows how. You’ll see." (p96)

I love this quote. I love all of them. I love this book. Its’s so timely. It’s excellent advice that she sayd to turn to God not the object of our passion. I don’t think this is only for the “intense” times of sexual stuff but its for anything that leads away from God. Let us looks.. unswervingly to our savior.. He will help us. We don’t need to know how. That is the great mystery. He will though.

Dead Poets Society

Any teacher who watches this film feels some sort of emotion. I watched this today as I was laying half dead on my couch. I always cry at the end. If you have not watched this .. you NEED to. This movie is all about "Carpe Diem" which is Latin for 'Seize the Day'. The inspiration that Mr. Keating gives to his students makes me want to be a better teacher. This is a film I can watch over and over.

I'm thinking about teaching a literature class in my school next year and this might be our opening semester film. It has always inspired me as a student and as a teacher.

Seize the Day is a concept that sometimes is so foreign to me. So often, I think about the past or the future and stress about it. I need to leave those to Jesus the author of my being. I need to trust him and have faith so that I can be here in the now.

Carpe Diem my friends.. Seize the Day which God has given us!

P.S. pictures are from

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/adc/10036151A~Dead-Poets-Society-Posters.jpg

http://www.anticostagno.net/Images/Students.jpg

Arriba!!

No, I don't speak Spanish now.. BUT.. There is a new restaurant in town and its amazing. Its a Mexican restaurant where you can get tacos, burritos, quesidillas and pick all of your toppings. Just like Chipotle. YUM. I am loving it!! My friend Kristin and I went tonight after we saw Definitely, Maybe and it was soo good. I'm definitely going to frequent this place!! Nothing like a bit of home in Budapest like a Mexican Restaurant :-)