Karaoke and Students

Friday night is supposed to be fun and exciting right?!! Well, my friday night sure was exciting :) 

I met friends at coffeehouse for a few hours then at around 1030pm, I went to a student's birthday party. It was at a Karaoke place which was really fun. I sang a little Guns and Roses and lynard Skynard. :) We had a lot of fun and stayed out till the wee hours of the morning! I loved being with them, hanging out, dancing, laughing.. a real connection is being made.. do I really want to leave?!! 

This is Dori and Zsofie. They are such great students and English speakers!

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1. I rested the entire day after a really really long work week

2. I was able to reconnect with my friend Anna who was here last here.

3. Singing a little Karaoke with my students and connecting with them.

4. Tomorrow I get to sleep in.

5. Really good conversations with Dori and Zsofie

Lent

It's the beginning of Lent, a forty day fast and penance before Easter. I've not given up something in a long time. .. so this year.. I decided to give up sweets and tv shows. 

It's not going to be easy but I know that I can do it.. so my oh so quality tv-shows like 90210, Grey's, Gossip Girl, Brother's Sisters , office will just have to wait till easter.  Then I'll be on Spring Break so everything will be like an exciting time :) 

I'll keep you posted on the tv shows..cuz they will be harder than sweets :) 

Really...Its Wednesday night already?!!

I can't believe how quickly the week has gone by. I'm excited though cuz the weekend is almost here. ;) I had a hard day at school today..I just want to be a better teacher and some of my students are hard to reach.  I was telling a friend about this today and he encouraged me to continue being the light, not to worry about the one kid. Then he directed me to Ephesians 3. I needed to read that.. I'll highlight the verses I liked..

¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 ²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

It's soothing to the soul, but also a deep calling because it says.. rooted in love..that means we must accept that love that God gives so generously.  I sometimes have a hard time accepting that love..

I've had a relaxing afternoon of watching tv, making dinner and cleaning up a bit. I'm feeling refreshed for a good day tomorrow. 

It's been awhile since I've done my grace moments.. so I'll highlight the past few days.

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1. Laura bought my favorite  pillow from Ikea as a thank you gift for keeping the boys. I LOVE IT ...see ..good things come your way when you wait :) 

2. I met Evi last night and the whole K. family was there so we hung out, I practiced Hungarian and enjoyed family. 

3. I had a wonderful class with my 11B and 10C and after class one of my 11B'ers came up to me and said.. that class was one of the best classes we've had! :) it made me smile

4. I went to the "gym" in our school with my colleague, A. It was so fun and I definitely learned new Hungarian words..but I don't remember them :) 

5. I got to pick out a beautiful Jcrew Bridesmaid's dress in an amazing color!! :) 

nathan

nathan is 4.. he just came in from outside to tell me.... 

"Joanna" 

"Yes Nathan"

"I need to make the ice into water.. "

"okay"

"Well, i need to leave da bowl ousdie to make water..till spring"

"okay.. we might wait awhile :)"

"okay..bye"

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Day 3 of Being a Mom:

We went to the aquarium today..let's just say its not bad for a landlocked country : ) There were a few sharks and lots of sting ray's and even some nemo fish. My favorite part were the Nemo fish ( clown fish) and watching them in the sea anemone.  It was really cool. 

The boys really wanted to touch the sting rays but they didn't come close enough.. oh well. It reminded me of when I was little and we'd go to the museum in downtown Roanoke where we would touch the starfish and other random creatures:) 

Attis came over and it was so good to have an adult to talk to for a few hours.. I mean.. conversations with an 8, 6, 4 year old can be interesting but its just not the same. It was the first good conversation in about 2 days.. :) 

1. a cool aquarium-where they could run around and de-energize

2. driving in budapest and finding the aquarium...not realizing it was in the mall

3. friends who come and visit when u aren't close

4. talking to Rebeca, who i've not talked to in almost 2 years ;( 

5. tacos..i love tacos

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Friday..Day 2 of being a mom:

1. Good teaching day

2. Seth's infection was treatable and we could get meds

3. I talked with a colleague for a long time about life

4. I got to leave school a bit early

5. My colleague's wife had their baby :) soo cute.

First night of Motherhood...

I'm babysitting for my friends Mark and Laura. I hope they are having a restful, encouraging time.  This is part of my ministry while here. . taking care of friend's children so that they can be rejuvenated. Anyways, the boys pictured in the last post have been really good. They are full of energy but what young boy isn't? Seth is the oldest and he had a really high fever. I gave him some fever reducer and put a cool wash cloth on his head. Thankfully, his fever went down and he felt much better. Not being his mother, I felt a bit helpless, knowing that a mother's touch is sometimes the only thing that helps him

Let's take this in a spiritual direction real quick like..I don't often like doing this but I will right now:) I'm doing a study on Jesus and I've really learned a lot from it. As we study Jesus' life we also read and learn about Mary. I wonder how helpless she felt at times.. She knew that he was God's son..he was different but he still needed that mother's touch. It is making Jesus more human than I've every known him to be which I think is pretty cool. 

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1. I slept till 8:10..amazing

2. My coffee was so good cuz it was freshly ground, Starbucks Christmas blend :) 

3. I drove a car for the first time in almost 2 months..i love driving especially when I don't do it often. 

4. Seth's fever went down ..and we prayed it would so I liked seeing him know it went down.

5. Listening to a child's prayer. so genuine.

Birthday Party

On Sunday, Seth and Jacob celebrated their birthday's at a Play House. They played for three hours straight and spoke Hungarian with their friends. It was fun to be apart of this special day for both of them.  The "small fire hazard" is a birthday candle which at fourth of july we used as a firework :) Don't worry folks, I had my travel fire extinguisher with me :) 

Dad left this morning at 630am to get on his flight at 855. He is safe and sound in DC but there are a lot of delays because of ice. I had a wonderful time with him here and was quite sad to see him leave. I had a homesick afternoon but after meeting a good friend, Kyle Polson from Charlottesville and eating TGI Friday's, I felt a lot better. I also went to church and heard an excellent sermon with great worship!

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1. Honey mustard dressing for my French Fries at TGI's

2. I gave a test in two classes which is always good cuz I can sit there :) 

3. I heard a wonderful sermon on brokenness and trust

4. We sang "In Christ Alone" .. love those words

5. Dad landed safely at the aiport.

Dad's Visit

Its been a little crazy so I haven't been able to be so consistent..

I think I'm at 10 of 365.. 

1. Dad and I saw a Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibit today which was pretty amazing. 

2. It was snowing and I love how it makes the city so white and pretty.  

3. I packed/purged some clothes from my closet to send home. ( kinda sad :( )

4. I got to do some cardio this evening. 

5. I had a great day with my students.. 

Here are some pics Dad's taken of me today :) Dad bought plastic and taped up my window so there isn't a draft..wind blowin thru  my room. :) 

Girl's Night

From R-L: Viki, Dori, Szandi, Szilvi

I invited girls from my 12B class to come eat pizza with me then go and see a movie.  Four of them could come. I made 2 different kinds of pizzas using my really easy dough recipe and also made 

sugar cookies for us to decorate. My sister had sent a package and in that was sprinkles so we used them up with a little help of some Betty Crocker Icing we were ready to decorate. 

We then went to see Bride Wars at the movie theatre.  It was so amazing and I cried so much. I think its mostly because I am a maid of honor this summer in a wedding and I'm missing out on so much of what's happening.  I'm also a bride's maid in another wedding and I have the same feelings.  It was a great, great day and I'm tired but I wanted to post some pics for you to see! 

Szilvie plays ice-hockey and made me a ice hockey cookie :)

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1. I hung out with Flora, her sister and mom today after school. 

2. I had my 12B girls over for dinner and cookie decorating     3. I saw a movie with girls I adore.

4. I had breakfast with my Dad :) (theme)

5. I'm in my bed on a Friday night at 10:30 and lovin it :)

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1. I had coffee with a great friend and talked about how our lives are changing! 

2. Great prayer time and Bible study with Laura

3. Breakfast with my dad. 

4. Sleeping in till 7

5. Talking to my mom!

My favorite pic from Rome

When in Rome... the famous quote.

As I walked the old ruins, the temples, the Vatican where so many made a pilgramage to, and walked the steps that those 2000+ years ago did I was in awe.

You hear about this city, you see pictures, I've studied many of the artists in Art History, History of Renaissance classes and read about the religious aspects but to walk the streets and see it in person is amazing.

I took this picture in the Roman Imperial Gardens. It is here, where th emporer's lived. Where they wined and dined, walked among the gardens and talked about religion, politics and their loves.

I loved the warmth of Rome.. it was high 50's the whole weekend and I sure miss it in the 30's here. The orange trees, palm trees and flowers that brightened the paths were refreshing.

Its amazing what a little color, a smile and the sun can give you during a dark, gloomy, not so smiley winter.



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1. My dad is here for a visit!! :) yippiee!!
2. I got my new check card!
3. My students were amazing today and did as I asked without delay!
4. I was able to see Lea, Donna, and Laura (plus Mark, Seth, Jacob and Nathan)
5. can I say My dad is here for a visit again :)

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1. It snowed today :) beautiful snow flakes

2. I almost finished cleaning my flat cuz dad is coming tomorrow! 

3. I spent some time with Emeshea painting some pottery..i love art :) 

4. Samm is here and we got to catch up and I told her about Rome

5. I had ranch dressing on my salad :) Thanks Lori!

Rome pics

I have pics up on facebook. Here's my trip to Rome in 70 or so pictures!! 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2200060&l=c1cfe&id=55702898

Album 2

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1. my students were wonderful today and did what I asked

2. i had dinner with kristin who i hadn't seen in almost 2 months

3. i got a Valentine's Package from my sister with yummy goodies inside

4. one of my closest friends asked me to be a bridesmaid this summer :) 

5. i took a 45 minute nap

4 of 365 back in Bp

1. Wizz Air Italy didn't make me check my luggage :) 

2. I slept till 11:40am ..cuz my flight was 5 hours delayed

3. Seeing Emeshea, Mary and Mate at California Coffee Company

4. Vegetables after 4 days of pizza and pasta

5. Finding the perfect article for my Article Review

Rome was amazing and I can't wait to visit again. I'll post some pictures soon ..I do have 628 to edit and figure out which ones are the best :)

3 of 365 from Rome

1. i have wonderful roomates who went out for pizza with me. they are dutch
2. i saw the grandeur of the colleseo which was amzing and moved me
3. i had amazing weather that was blue skies but the occasional shower
4. chocolate gelato is to die for
5. my hostel is clean..major plus

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1. i slept in till 830

2. my flight to rome is at 1955 not 1755 like i thought..leaves more time in the day

3.  i got to watch an episode of Grey's

4. cinnamon raisan bagel with cream cheese. yum

5. my hair did what i wanted it to do :)

i'm leaving today for Rome. I hope I can continue this but Italian style :)

Grace in Small Things (GST) 1 of 365

I was reading an old high school friend's blog when I came across this concept. Everyday, for the next 365 days I'm going to try to find the grace points...5 of them and list them. 

1. a cold which allows me to sleep and rest

2. watching Slumdog Millionaire with 2 old friends..they aren't old I've just known them awhile. I highly reccomend the movie.

3. Not knowing what to cook and making yummy pasta supper

4. rooibos tea with 1 spoon of sugar in my fav. polish mug

5. freshly ground christmas blend starbucks

home

I've been home for the past 2 days resting and fighting a cold which I've had for a week. Thankfully, its not a virus or the flu which so many people have. My colleague told me that from our 9B class 13 students were ill.  Good thing we have a school break this weekend.  

I'm going to Rome. I fly tomorrow evening and I will be back on Saturday. I'm going on my own and I'm really looking forward to it. To see a new city, see the history, the art, breathe some new life and eat lots of gelato. 

As I've been home, I've watched a few movies, almost finished knittine a blanket I've been working on and made some yummy food. Already, I'm beginning to get restless and I've only been still for 24 hours.  This makes me think about how I'm so far from being still.  Its like when I quiet myself for time with God it takes me a good 10-15 minutes to just get the junk settled down before I can really seek him in the quietness.  How disciplined and how sweet it must be for monks and nuns to be able to be so still.  Jesus was still. He went to the desert for 40 days. He sepereated himself from the crowds to be quiet. 

When I'm in Rome, I hope to be still. I hope to sit in the Vatican and gaze at the divine beauty, to be amidst the vastness of God and be still.